US5945975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphics display advertising system for a fuel dispenser
Assignee: Dresser LLC
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Filing: 1997-02-14
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Granted: 1999-08-31
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Expires: 2017-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A graphics display system for a fuel dispenser that is responsive to segments of time, or dayparts, and also shows both pre-made, professional-looking advertisements, as well as locally made text messages. In a preferred embodiment, the graphics display system utilizes the display terminal associated with a card reader device, a display controller with memory, a customer activated terminal ("CAT"), and a point-of-sale ("POS") controller. The system receives graphic frames from a personal computer as well as the POS controller. The system then arranges the graphic frames into chains that are appropriate to the specific day parts. The system also allows individuals to control, insert and delete graphic frames into the chains, thereby making the chains more appropriate for each fuel dispenser as well as each daypart.
Inventors
- 👤 George L. Lundrigan
- 👤 David Blanchard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:14
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A fuel dispensing system with customer graphics capabilities, the system comprising: a fuel dispenser; a plurality of advertising chains each comprising one or more graphic frames; means for defining a plurality of dayparts corresponding to specific times of day; means for specifying one of the advertising chains for a first daypart; a graphics display included on the fuel dispenser for displaying the specified advertising chain; a display controller for downloading the advertising chains onto the graphics display if a current time of day is in the first daypart; and a point-of-sale ("POS") controller for controlling the fuel dispenser, creating site-specific graphic frames, and specifying the graphic frames in each advertising chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel dispensing system with customer graphics capabilities, the system comprising: a fuel dispenser; a plurality of advertising chains each comprising one or more graphic frames; means for defining a plurality of dayparts corresponding to specific times of day; means for specifying one of the advertising chains for a first daypart; a graphics display included on the fuel dispenser for displaying the specified advertising chain; a display controller for downloading the advertising chains onto the graphics display if a current time of day is in the first daypart; and a point-of-sale ("POS") controller for controlling the fuel dispenser, creating site-specific graphic frames, and specifying the graphic frames in each advertising chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the graphic frames are arranged into one or more scenes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each advertising chain includes a sequence and duration associated with each graphic frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the display controller drives the graphic frames according to the sequence and duration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the graphic frames are generated by a personal computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the graphic frames are scanned into the personal computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the graphic frames are drawn with a computer aided design program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a fuel dispenser system including a point-of-sale ("POS") terminal and a fuel dispenser with a display, a method for displaying a plurality of graphic frames on the display, the method comprising: loading graphic frames from the POS terminal into a display controller; defining a plurality of dayparts corresponding to specific times of day; for a daypart, specifying a chain of graphic frames to be displayed; sending one of the chains of graphic frames to a first memory device; determining if a current time of day is in the daypart; and if the current time of day is in the daypart, displaying the chain of graphic frames on the display; whereby the displayed chain of graphic frames provides an advertisement to a user of the fuel dispenser that corresponds with the current time of day.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a fuel dispenser system including a point-of-sale ("POS") terminal and a fuel dispenser with a display, a method for displaying a plurality of graphic frames on the display, the method comprising: loading graphic frames from the POS terminal into a display controller; defining a plurality of dayparts corresponding to specific times of day; for a daypart, specifying a chain of graphic frames to be displayed; sending one of the chains of graphic frames to a first memory device; determining if a current time of day is in the daypart; and if the current time of day is in the daypart, displaying the chain of graphic frames on the display; whereby the displayed chain of graphic frames provides an advertisement to a user of the fuel dispenser that corresponds with the current time of day.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of providing graphic frames in a second memory device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein each chain includes a sequence of the graphic frames and a display duration for each graphic frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: selecting a subset of graphic frames from a larger group of graphic frames; arranging the selected graphic frames in a sequence; defining a duration for each graphic frame; and forming the chain of graphic frames from the selected graphic frames, the duration, and the sequence.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of creating graphic frames in the POS controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 further wherein the step of displaying is done in response to a user action.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the user action is dispensing fuel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the graphic frames include a combination of text and graphics.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |