US7163146B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for retail club membership authorization
Assignee: PUMP-ON LLC
•
Filing: 2004-01-22
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Granted: 2007-01-16
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Expires: 2024-01-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides systems and methods for remote authorization of fuel dispensing and authorization or confirmation of participation in frequent shopper programs, club memberships, and the like. In one embodiment, identification documents may be used as membership cards for a retailer's membership or frequent shopper program. In another embodiment, an identification may be a membership card to gain access to a retailer.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond S. Demere
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:39
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: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of validating a customer in a retail membership club, the method comprising: receiving a membership validation request, including identifying indicia, from a remote retail location, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a user by an identification document reader at the remote retail location; querying a remote database for validation of the customer; receiving an indication of membership validation from the database; and transmitting the indication to the remote retail location wherein the identification document is one or more members selected from the group consisting of a driver's license, a passport, a green card, a state issue identification card, and a federal identification card.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of validating a customer in a retail membership club, the method comprising: receiving a membership validation request, including identifying indicia, from a remote retail location, the identifying indicia being extracted from an identification document of a user by an identification document reader at the remote retail location; querying a remote database for validation of the customer; receiving an indication of membership validation from the database; and transmitting the indication to the remote retail location wherein the identification document is one or more members selected from the group consisting of a driver's license, a passport, a green card, a state issue identification card, and a federal identification card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: if the indication is positive, transmitting information about the customer's purchase for storage in the remote database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: if the indication is positive, providing the customer access to the remote retail location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the retail location is a fuel dispensing station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for obtaining authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: extracting identification indicia from an identification document of a customer using an identification document reader at a fuel dispensing station, the identification document being unusable for payment; transmitting a fuel dispensing authorization request including the identifying indicia to a central terminal for use in querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an authorization indication from the central terminal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for obtaining authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: extracting identification indicia from an identification document of a customer using an identification document reader at a fuel dispensing station, the identification document being unusable for payment; transmitting a fuel dispensing authorization request including the identifying indicia to a central terminal for use in querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an authorization indication from the central terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising: responsive to a positive authorization indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of reducing drive-offs at a fuel dispensing station comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from the 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, and wherein the identification document is unusable for payment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of reducing drive-offs at a fuel dispensing station comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including identifying indicia, from the 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, and wherein the identification document is unusable for payment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein an off-site terminal includes the database of customer records.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 , 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 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising storing the identifying indicia at least until the customer completes fuel dispensing, if the indication is positive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising releasing the identifying indicia if the customer pays for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising storing the identifying indicia in the database if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising generating a drive-off ticket that includes the identifying indicia if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing the identifying indicia to law enforcement personnel if the customer does not pay for the dispensed fuel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising notifying the customer of a reason for refusal of authorization, if the indication is negative.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising providing the customer information about a past due balance or outstanding warrant, if the indication is negative.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
A drive-off reducing indicia identifying identification document for use on a fuel dispenser at fuel dispensing stations, wherein the identification document comprises a magnetic strip containing identifying indicia provided by a customer, the magnetic strip being read by an identification document reader and queried against a database containing customer records, wherein said database transmits an indication to the fuel dispensing station enabling the fuel dispenser and allowing the customer to dispense fuel wherein the identification document is unusable for payment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
A drive-off reducing indicia identifying identification document for use on a fuel dispenser at fuel dispensing stations, wherein the identification document comprises a magnetic strip containing identifying indicia provided by a customer, the magnetic strip being read by an identification document reader and queried against a database containing customer records, wherein said database transmits an indication to the fuel dispensing station enabling the fuel dispenser and allowing the customer to dispense fuel wherein the identification document is unusable for payment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The identification document of claim 17 , wherein said identification document is not used for prepayment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The identification document of claim 18 , wherein the identification document is one or more members selected from the group consisting of a membership card, a driver's license, a passport, a green card, a state issue identification card, and a federal identification card.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The identification document of claim 19 , wherein the identification document is selected from the group consisting of a driver's license, a passport, a green card, a state issue identification card, and a federal identification card.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising the steps: 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, the identification document being unusable for payment; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising the steps: 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, the identification document being unusable for payment; querying a database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the steps of receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, querying a database and receiving an indication are carried out by a central terminal in communication with the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel is carried out at least in part by the central terminal upon receiving a positive indication.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel is carried out at least in part by an attendant.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel comprises: transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a database for storing customer records; a central terminal in selective communication with the database, the central database being configured for receiving customer identification indicia from a fuel dispensing station, querying the database for authorization of the customer, and receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and a fuel dispensing station, comprising a fuel dispenser, an identification document reader configured for extracting the identifying indicia from an identification document presented by a customer, the identification document being unusable for payment for fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing station, and a processor configured for receiving the identifying indicia from the identification document reader and transmitting a fuel dispenser authorization request including the identifying indicia to the central terminal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: a database for storing customer records; a central terminal in selective communication with the database, the central database being configured for receiving customer identification indicia from a fuel dispensing station, querying the database for authorization of the customer, and receiving an indication of customer authorization from the database; and a fuel dispensing station, comprising a fuel dispenser, an identification document reader configured for extracting the identifying indicia from an identification document presented by a customer, the identification document being unusable for payment for fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing station, and a processor configured for receiving the identifying indicia from the identification document reader and transmitting a fuel dispenser authorization request including the identifying indicia to the central terminal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the central terminal is further configured to transmit a fuel dispensing enablement signal to the fuel dispensing station in response to receiving a positive indication of customer authorization.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the central terminal is further configured to transmit the indication of customer authorization to the fuel dispensing station in response to receiving a positive indication of customer authorization and wherein the processor of the fuel dispensing station is further configured for receiving the indication of customer authorization.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
137 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 first database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an authorization response from the first database, the response including an indication of authorization or indication that the database contains no record for the customer; responsive to receiving an indication that the first database contains no record for the customer, querying a second database of customer records for authorization of the customer and receiving an indication of authorization of the customer from the second database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
137 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 first database of customer records for authorization of the customer; receiving an authorization response from the first database, the response including an indication of authorization or indication that the database contains no record for the customer; responsive to receiving an indication that the first database contains no record for the customer, querying a second database of customer records for authorization of the customer and receiving an indication of authorization of the customer from the second database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including indicia extracted from a customer-presented document by a document reader of the fuel dispensing station, the document being unusable for payment; querying a database of records associated with the indicia; receiving an indication of authorization from the database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for remote authorization of fuel dispensing comprising: receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, including indicia extracted from a customer-presented document by a document reader of the fuel dispensing station, the document being unusable for payment; querying a database of records associated with the indicia; receiving an indication of authorization from the database; and responsive to a positive indication, enabling the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein the document is an identification document and the indicia include identification information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the identification document is one or more members selected from the group consisting of a driver's license, a passport, a green card, a state issue identification card, and a federal identification card.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein the steps of receiving a fuel dispensing authorization request, querying a database and receiving an indication are carried out by a central terminal in communication with the fuel dispensing station.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel is carried out at least in part by the central terminal upon receiving a positive indication.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel is carried out at least in part by an attendant.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the step of enabling the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel comprises: transmitting the indication to the fuel dispensing station.
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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) | 2010-01-15 | 2010-07-17 | 2011-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-15 | 2014-07-17 | 2015-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-15 | 2018-07-17 | 2019-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |