Abstract: A shimmer detection apparatus for detecting a shimmer within a chip card reader is provided. The shimmer detection apparatus comprises processing circuitry, memory, and a first sensor in electronic communication with the processing circuitry. The first sensor comprises at least one sensor coil. The at least one sensor coil of the first sensor is disposed proximate to contacts of the chip card reader and is operative to generate a first magnetic field when electrical current flows through the at least one sensor coil. The first sensor is operative to measure at least one electrical value from the first magnetic field. The processing circuitry is operative to receive information representative of at least one electrical value of said first sensor. The memory comprises stored therein information representative of at least one predetermined electrical value. A multiplexer and hand-detection functionality is provided. Tampering-detection methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle body defining a dispensing path extending between a distal inlet and a proximal outlet and configured to dispense fuel. A fuel flow valve is disposed in the nozzle body between the distal inlet and the proximal outlet. An actuation assembly movable to open the fuel flow valve is also provided. The nozzle also includes a shut-off mechanism operatively connected to the actuation assembly. A hand lever is pivotally connected with respect to the nozzle body, the hand lever being operatively connected to the actuation assembly so as to cause opening of the fuel flow valve when the hand lever is pivoted in a valve opening direction. The hand lever has a grasping portion extending between a proximal location nearer the proximal outlet and a distal location. The nozzle according to this aspect further includes a hold open mechanism including a trigger disposed at the proximal location of the hand lever.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided including a valve aperture in a valve body configured to convey fuel from an inlet to an outlet, a valve element configured to close the valve aperture to block flow of the fuel, a valve actuator configured to shift the position of the valve element between a closed position and an open position, and an antifraud circuit. The antifraud circuit is configured to receive a signal to open the flow control valve, determine if the signal is legitimate based on a signal characteristic, cause the flow control valve to shift to the open position in response to determining that the signal is legitimate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting fraud. One method includes providing an input device, the input device having processing circuitry, a memory, and at least one information receiving module for receiving information associated with a user of the input device. The method also includes providing a sensor in electronic communication with the processing circuitry. The sensor has a sensor coil, and the sensor coil is disposed proximate the at least one information receiving module. Further, the method includes flowing alternating electrical current through the sensor coil to generate a magnetic field, measuring at least one electrical characteristic of the sensor, and providing first information representative of the at least one electrical characteristic to the processing circuitry. Finally, the method includes storing in the memory second information representative of at least one predetermined value of the at least one electrical characteristic and comparing the first information with the second information.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle body defining a dispensing path extending between a distal inlet and a proximal outlet and configured to dispense fuel. A fuel flow valve is disposed in the nozzle body between the distal inlet and the proximal outlet. An actuation assembly movable to open the fuel flow valve is also provided. The nozzle also includes a shut-off mechanism operatively connected to the actuation assembly. A hand lever is pivotally connected with respect to the nozzle body, the hand lever being operatively connected to the actuation assembly so as to cause opening of the fuel flow valve when the hand lever is pivoted in a valve opening direction. The hand lever has a grasping portion extending between a proximal location nearer the proximal outlet and a distal location. The nozzle according to this aspect further includes a hold open mechanism including a trigger disposed at the proximal location of the hand lever.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprises a housing enclosing fluid handling components including a fluid flow meter. The housing has a user interface including a panel display. A control system is in electrical communication with the user interface and is operative to display money and volume information on the panel display during a fueling transaction. A secondary display having digit structure that registers fuel dispensing information is in electrical communication with the control system. The secondary display is configured to not be viewable by a customer during a fueling transaction.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.

Abstract: A retail environment having retail terminals with data entry point devices selectively encrypts input received by the data entry point devices and passes the encrypted data to a security module. The selective encryption is based on whether or not sensitive or confidential information, such as a personal identification number (PIN) associated with a debit card, is being input. To prevent hacking of the software of the retail terminal, content destined for display on the retail terminal is authenticated prior to display. In this manner, the retail terminal may be assured that confidential information is input only when desired, and thus may be encrypted only as needed.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprises fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. Control electronics are in operative communication with the fluid handling components. A payment system includes a PIN pad that transmits secure tokens which are preferably cryptographically unique and independent such as not to be a function or derivative of network keys or user PIN. The tokens are then received and acted upon by a second subsystem to render PIN entry display data.

Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided including a valve aperture in a valve body configured to convey fuel from an inlet to an outlet, a valve element configured to close the valve aperture to block flow of the fuel, a valve actuator configured to shift the position of the valve element between a closed position and an open position, and an antifraud circuit. The antifraud circuit is configured to receive a signal to open the flow control valve, determine if the signal is legitimate based on a signal characteristic, cause the flow control valve to shift to the open position in response to determining that the signal is legitimate.

Abstract: A method for alternative fuel life-cycle tracking includes electronically receiving, at a remote server, fuel data of fuel in a first container. The fuel comprises first and second batches. The fuel data includes first and second sets of alternative fuel identifiers (AFIs) associated with, respectively, a first unit of the first batch and a second unit of the second batch. The method further includes electronically receiving, at the remote server, a transfer volume of the fuel being transferred to a second container. The method further includes electronically transferring, at the remote server, first and second subsets, respectively, of the first and second sets of AFIs to be associated with the second container. The transfer of the first and second subsets is based on the transfer volume and a proportion of the first unit to the second unit.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a card reader in dispenser (CRIND) is provided including a processor and a memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer programming code configured to, with the processor, cause the CRIND to receive one or more transaction messages from a forecourt controller or a peripheral device associated with a fuel dispenser, compare the one or more transaction messages to one or more message sequences associated with transaction phases of a fuel dispenser, determine a transaction phase of the fuel dispenser based on the comparison of the one or more transaction messages with the one or more message sequences, and cause feature processing circuitry to provide selected alternative media content to a user interface of the fuel dispenser based on the determined transaction phase.

Abstract: A retail payment, advertising, and content switching system and method are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a secure content source or a non-secure content source is allowed to drive a customer user interface, respectively, without compromising security requirements. The content may be video, audio, prompts, or any other type of content. A secure controller is provided to control one or more user input devices and a user interface access module to control whether a secure source or a non-secure source drives the user interface, depending on the security mode of the system. The secure controller, the user interface access module, and the customer input devices are provided in an anti-tampering module. The secure controller prevents the non-secure source from providing unauthorized prompts on the customer user interface to “fake out” the customer so that sensitive customer information is not passed “in the clear.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle body defining a dispensing path extending between a distal inlet and a proximal outlet and configured to dispense fuel. A fuel flow valve is disposed in the nozzle body between the distal inlet and the proximal outlet. An actuation assembly movable to open the fuel flow valve is also provided. The nozzle also includes a shut-off mechanism operatively connected to the actuation assembly. A hand lever is pivotally connected with respect to the nozzle body, the hand lever being operatively connected to the actuation assembly so as to cause opening of the fuel flow valve when the hand lever is pivoted in a valve opening direction. The hand lever has a grasping portion extending between a proximal location nearer the proximal outlet and a distal location. The nozzle according to this aspect further includes a hold open mechanism including a trigger disposed at the proximal location of the hand lever.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a fuel nozzle configured to be connected to a vehicle fuel system, fuel piping configured to transfer fuel from at least one fuel storage tank associated with the fuel dispenser through the fuel nozzle into the vehicle fuel system, and a fraud detection valve apparatus. The fraud detection valve apparatus includes a cutoff valve configured to selectively prevent flow of fuel, a flow sensor configured to sense a flow of fuel, and processing circuity. The processing circuitry is configured to receive an indication of flow of fuel through the fuel flow control valve apparatus, determine an authorization status, and in response to a determination of no authorization during flow, cause the cutoff valve apparatus to close.

Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.