Abstract: A method of completing a transaction at a point-of-sale terminal using payment information contained on a wireless unit of a customer. The method comprises providing a point-of-sale terminal capable of wirelessly connecting with a wireless unit of a customer desiring to complete a transaction. The point-of-sale terminal is used to perform at least one of reading a barcode displayed on the wireless unit containing short range network pairing information, or displaying a barcode containing short range network pairing information for reading by the wireless unit, to thereby establish a short range wireless network between the point-of-sale terminal and the wireless unit of the customer. Via the short range wireless network, transaction data is received from the wireless unit of the customer containing payment information. The transaction data is then used to effect payment for the transaction and thereby complete the transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a Coriolis mass flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the Coriolis mass flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof.

Abstract: A payment processing system and method comprising a POS module providing an interface to effect sales of FGS in a retail environment, a device module operatively connected to at least one retail device configured to supply FGS and comprising a card reader adapted to receive a first payment card data for payment for the FGS, wherein the device module is adapted to control operation of the at least one retail device, and a payment system module operatively connected to the POS module and the device module, the payment system module adapted to validate payment for the FGS. The payment system module and the device module are separated from the POS module in order to segment a portion of the payment processing system configured to handle payment card data from a portion of the system that does not handle payment card data.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and at least one fluid conduit completing first and second fluid flow paths between the at least one fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser also has a fluid flow meter located along said fluid flow path, a control system, and a recirculation subsystem. The recirculation subsystem has a bypass valve located along one of the first and second flow paths. The bypass valve is operative to prevent fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is in use and to allow fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is not in use. Methods of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring volumetric flow through a meter. One step of the method involves providing a flow meter connected to a duct having fluid flowing therethrough. A memory having at least two Roshko/Strouhal curves stored therein is also provided. A viscosity of the fluid is measured. One of the Roshko/Strouhal is selected curves based on the method viscosity. A volumetric flow through the meter is determined utilizing the selected Roshko/Strouhal curve.

Abstract: A method of conducting a fueling transaction at a fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser includes a flow meter operatively connected to internal fuel flow piping. The method comprises the step of providing a displacement sensor for generating information representative of an amount of fuel delivered through the flow meter. The displacement sensor comprises at least one transponder operatively connected to the flow meter. The method also comprises providing at least one interrogator electronics configured for remote electronic communication with the at least one transponder and authorizing the fueling transaction. Finally, the method comprises communicating with the at least one transponder using the at least one interrogator electronics during the fueling transaction. Fuel dispensers and flow meter assemblies comprising displacement sensors having transponders and/or capacitive sensing elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vending machine can include a touch display and a touch controller operatively connected to the touch display and configured to transmit display data to the touch display and receive input data from a touchscreen function of the touch display. The vending machine also includes a secure device operatively connected to the touch display for securing the display by managing touch input information provided to one or more applications based on the input data received from the touchscreen functionality. The vending machine has a processor operatively connected to the secure device for communicating access requests for the touch display to the secure device from the one or more applications along with an indication of whether the one or more applications are signed by an authorized entity. The secure device manages the touch input information provided to the one or more applications further based at least in part on the indication.

Abstract: A system used in a retail environment for providing end-to-end encryption of payment cardholder data. An input device configured to receive cardholder data is operative to encrypt the cardholder data according to a first encryption method to produce first encrypted cardholder data. A cardholder data handling device is in electronic communication with the input device. A secure evaluation assembly (SEA) is operatively connected to the cardholder data handling device and comprises antitampering control electronics adapted to decrypt the first encrypted cardholder data to produce unencrypted cardholder data. The antitampering control electronics evaluate the unencrypted cardholder data to determine whether the unencrypted cardholder data is payment cardholder data or nonsensitive cardholder data.

Abstract: A system for detecting unauthorized removal or tampering. The system comprises a printed circuit board having tamper-response electronics and a flexible circuit assembly defining a connector portion, a switch portion, and a cable extending between the connector portion and the switch portion. The flexible circuit assembly is coupled with the printed circuit board at the connector portion. The flexible circuit assembly comprises a plurality of layers each comprising a flexible dielectric substrate and a switch disposed in the switch portion. The switch is in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the printed circuit board via a conductive path. The flexible circuit assembly also comprises a tamper-responsive conductor circuit enclosing the conductive path. The tamper-responsive conductor circuit is in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for generating and transmitting secure reports or documents in a retail environment or payment system comprising both secure and unsecure portions, where users of the unsecure portions may require access to sensitive information stored by the secure portions for various purposes, such as reporting, accounting, or reconciliation.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying information at a fuel dispenser comprises an electrophoretic display that may be configured to operate in low temperature environments. The fuel dispenser may comprise a keypad located beneath the electrophoretic display in order to present a graphical user interface to a customer and receive the customer's selections. The fuel dispenser may comprise additional electrophoretic displays to present additional information to the consumer.

Abstract: An integrated point-of-sale terminal for use with a fuel dispenser has a site controller, at least one dispenser having a user interface, at least one processor at the site controller, memory coupled to the processor, and a plurality of point-of-sale applications associated with the site controller. The processor is configured to dynamically regulate which of the plurality of point-of-sale applications has control of the dispenser user interface based on a set of business rules.

Abstract: A method of completing a transaction at a point-of-sale terminal using payment information contained on a wireless unit of a customer. The method comprises providing a point-of-sale terminal capable of wirelessly connecting with a wireless unit of a customer desiring to complete a transaction. The point-of-sale terminal is used to perform at least one of reading a barcode displayed on the wireless unit containing short range network pairing information, or displaying a barcode containing short range network pairing information for reading by the wireless unit, to thereby establish a short range wireless network between the point-of-sale terminal and the wireless unit of the customer. Via the short range wireless network, transaction data is received from the wireless unit of the customer containing payment information. The transaction data is then used to effect payment for the transaction and thereby complete the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing fraud by a customer at a fuel dispenser within a retail fueling environment are disclosed. According to one method, an authorization to access programming mode (AAPM) signal is received at the fuel dispenser from an authorization terminal coupled to the fuel dispenser. A request is received at the fuel dispenser to enter a programming mode of operation (PMO). The PMO is entered at the fuel dispenser to allow fuel dispenser settings of the fuel dispenser to be changed after receiving the AAPM signal and the request to enter the PMO.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retail transactions station capable of identifying a customer, retrieving transaction account information associated with the customer, and charging the customer's purchases to the transaction account is operative to receive new transaction account information from the customer at the retail transactions station, verify the transaction account, and associate the new transaction account with the customer for pending and future purchases. In one embodiment, with the retail transactions station identifies the customer via an RFID interrogator at the retail transactions station and a corresponding RFID transponder in the customer's possession. New transaction account information is obtained via a magnetic stripe card reader at the retail transactions station. In another embodiment, the retail transactions station comprises a fuel dispenser.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring volumetric flow through a meter. One step of the method involves providing a flow meter connected to a duct having fluid flowing therethrough. A memory having at least two Roshko/Strouhal curves stored therein s also provided. A viscosity of the fluid is measured. One of the Roshko/Strouhal is selected curves based on the method viscosity.

Abstract: A vending machine can include a secure payment platform comprising one or more secure components for communicating sensitive information, an alphanumeric keypad configured outside of the secure payment platform for receiving input., and a keypad application operating within the secure payment platform to obtain input received on the alphanumeric keypad.

Abstract: A fuel flow meter assembly for detecting fraud caused by tampering. The fuel flow meter assembly comprises a fuel flow meter comprising a shaft and a fiber optic displacement sensor operatively connected to the fuel flow meter shaft for generating information representative of an amount of fuel delivered through the fuel flow meter. The fuel flow meter assembly also comprises at least one transponder coupled with one of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. Further, the fuel flow meter assembly comprises at least one interrogator electronics coupled with the other of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. The at least one interrogator electronics is configured for remote electronic communication with the at least one transponder.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and at least one fluid conduit completing first and second fluid flow paths between the at least one fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser also has a fluid flow meter located along said fluid flow path, a control system, and a recirculation subsystem. The recirculation subsystem has a bypass valve located along one of the first and second flow paths. The bypass valve is operative to prevent fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is in use and to allow fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is not in use. Methods of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser are also disclosed.