US6991160B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for remote authorization of fuel dispensing
Assignee: PUMP-ON LLC
•
Filing: 2003-01-21
•
Granted: 2006-01-31
•
Expires: 2023-01-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides systems and methods for remote authorization of fuel dispensing using identifying indicia associated with a customer. An exemplary system according to the present invention includes a fuel dispensing station interfaced with a central terminal that is interfaced with an off-site terminal for transmission and receipt of identifying indicia, customer authorization, and related information. The fuel dispensing station may include an identification document reader or other receiving means for extracting identifying indicia presented by a customer.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond S. Demere
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/27; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from a fuel dispensing station, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a customer by an identification document reader of the fuel dispensing station; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station, wherein the identification document is not used for prepayment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from a fuel dispensing station, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a customer by an identification document reader of the fuel dispensing station; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station, wherein the identification document is not used for prepayment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein an off-site terminal includes the database of customer records.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a fuel dispenser enablement signal to the fuel dispensing station to enable a fuel dispenser at the fuel dispensing station, if the indication is positive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the identifying indicia at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising releasing the identifying indicia if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising storing the identifying indicia in the database if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising generating a drive-off ticket that includes the identifying indicia if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising providing the identifying indicia to law enforcement personnel if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying the customer of a reason for refusal of authorization, if the indication is negative.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing the customer information about a past due balance or outstanding warrant, if the indication is negative.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification document is a driver's license, passport, green card, state issue identification card, or federal issue identification card.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification document is not a credit card or a debit card.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a fuel dispensing station, including: a fuel dispenser; an identification document reader for extracting identifying indicia from an identification document presented by a customer, wherein the identification document is not used for prepayment; and a processor for initiating a fuel dispenser authorization request upon receipt of the identifying indicia from the identification document reader and transmitting the fuel dispenser authorization request, including the identifying indicia, to a central terminal; and the central terminal interfaced with the fuel dispensing station and a database for storing customer records, wherein the central terminal queries the database for customer authorization, receives an indication of customer authorization from the database, and transmits the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a fuel dispensing station, including: a fuel dispenser; an identification document reader for extracting identifying indicia from an identification document presented by a customer, wherein the identification document is not used for prepayment; and a processor for initiating a fuel dispenser authorization request upon receipt of the identifying indicia from the identification document reader and transmitting the fuel dispenser authorization request, including the identifying indicia, to a central terminal; and the central terminal interfaced with the fuel dispensing station and a database for storing customer records, wherein the central terminal queries the database for customer authorization, receives an indication of customer authorization from the database, and transmits the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein an off-site terminal includes the database.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the database is local to the central terminal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the central terminal transmits a fuel dispenser enablement signal to the fuel dispensing station to enable the fuel dispenser and stores the identifying indicia at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the central terminal releases the identifying indicia if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the central terminal transmits the identifying indicia to the database for storage in the database if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the central terminal generates a drive-off ticket that includes the identifying indicia if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the central terminal electronically notifies law enforcement, the notification including the identifying indicia, if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the central terminal notifies the customer of a reason for refusal of authorization and provides the customer information about a past due balance or outstanding warrant, if the indication is negative.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the identification document reader comprises an optical character recognition device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the identification document reader comprises an electronic chip reader.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the identification document reader comprises a magnetic strip reader.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the identification document reader comprises an optical character recognition device, an electronic chip reader, and a magnetic strip reader.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the identification document is a driver's license, passport, green card, state issue identification card, or federal issue identification card.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein said identification document is not a credit card or a debit card.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a fuel dispensing station, including: a fuel dispenser; receiving means for receiving identifying indicia from a customer wherein said receiving indicia is extracted from an identification document of the customer by an identification document reader or by biometric data; and a processor for initiating a fuel dispenser authorization request upon receipt of the identifying indicia and transmitting the fuel dispenser authorization request, including the identifying indicia, to a central terminal; an off-site terminal, including a database for storing customer records; and the central terminal interfaced with the fuel dispensing station and the off-site terminal, wherein the central terminal queries the off-site terminal for customer authorization, receives an indication of customer authorization from the off-site terminal, and transmits the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a fuel dispensing station, including: a fuel dispenser; receiving means for receiving identifying indicia from a customer wherein said receiving indicia is extracted from an identification document of the customer by an identification document reader or by biometric data; and a processor for initiating a fuel dispenser authorization request upon receipt of the identifying indicia and transmitting the fuel dispenser authorization request, including the identifying indicia, to a central terminal; an off-site terminal, including a database for storing customer records; and the central terminal interfaced with the fuel dispensing station and the off-site terminal, wherein the central terminal queries the off-site terminal for customer authorization, receives an indication of customer authorization from the off-site terminal, and transmits the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the receiving means comprises an identification document reader for extracting identifying indicia from an identification document presented by the customer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 29 , wherein the identification document is a driver's license, passport, green card, state issue identification card, or federal issue identification card.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the receiving means comprises means for extracting identifying indicia from biometric data presented by the customer, wherein the biometric data is one or more members selected from the group consisting of a fingerprint, a retinal scan, and a voice identification unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the central terminal transmits a fuel dispenser enablement signal to the fuel dispensing station to enable the fuel dispenser and stores the identifying indicia at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the central terminal releases the identifying indicia if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the central terminal transmits the identifying indicia to the off-site terminal for storage in the database, or generates a drive-off ticket that includes the identifying indicia, or both, if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the central terminal notifies the customer of a reason for refusal of authorization and provides the customer information about a past due balance or outstanding warrant, if the indication is negative.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the central terminal allows for collection of past due amounts by an attendant or at the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the central terminal allows for manual overrides of indications of customer authorization or customer records of drive-offs.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein said identification document is not a credit card or a debit card.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from a fuel dispensing station, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a customer by an identification document reader of the fuel dispensing station; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station; wherein the identifying indicia is stored at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive; and wherein the identifying indicia is released if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from a fuel dispensing station, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a customer by an identification document reader of the fuel dispensing station; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station; wherein the identifying indicia is stored at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive; and wherein the identifying indicia is released if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein an off-site terminal includes the database of customer records.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising transmitting a fuel dispenser enablement signal to the fuel dispensing station to enable a fuel dispenser at the fuel dispensing station, if the indication is positive.
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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) | 2009-01-30 | 2009-08-01 | 2010-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-30 | 2013-08-01 | 2014-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-30 | 2017-08-01 | 2018-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |