Abstract: A multi-layer tamper detection arrangement for use with an input device comprising tamper-response electronics and memory. The multi-layer sensor arrangement comprises a flexible circuit assembly configured for connection to the input device. The flexible circuit assembly comprises an outer layer comprising a first tamper-responsive conductor circuit and a first inner layer disposed beneath the outer layer. The first inner layer comprises at least one switch, a removal detection circuit, and a foreign conductor detection circuit. The at least one switch is configured to close the removal detection circuit when the at least one switch is actuated, and the foreign conductor detection circuit is normally open. The first tamper-responsive conductor circuit, the removal detection circuit, and the foreign conductor detection circuit are configured for electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the input device.

Abstract: A fuel flow meter assembly for detecting fraud caused by tampering. The fuel flow meter assembly includes a fuel flow meter comprising a shaft and a 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. At least one transponder is coupled with one of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. At least one interrogator electronics is 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: The invention relates to an interactive fuel dispenser system having a plurality of fuel dispensers operating in conjunction with a local server. Each dispenser generally has two fueling positions, each with a graphical user interface through which a customer interacts. In contrast with efforts to turn fuel dispensers into super computers, applicants' provide a dispenser architecture that need only be sufficient to establish interactivity with a server to create multimedia applications and carry out POS functions with a browser interface. Each fueling position acts as a client of a local server at the fuel station store. In the preferred embodiment, each fueling position client also may access remote servers connected to the same network in which the fueling position clients and the local server are connected. Preferably, this network is connected to the Worldwide Web of the Internet.

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 fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and a fluid conduit completing a fluid flow path between a fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser further has a control system, at least one controllable valve and a fluid flow meter located along the fluid flow path. The fluid dispenser further has a fluid temperature conditioning subsystem located along the fluid flow path upstream of the flow meter. The control system selectively operates the fluid temperature conditioning subsystem upon detection of a predetermined temperature. At least one controllable recirculation valve may also be provided, and the control system may selectively actuate the controllable recirculation valve such that the fluid flows back to the fluid storage tank. A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for facilitating powered communications over legacy cabling. This can be implemented in a fuel dispensing environment where the fuel dispenser can include a diode coupler communicatively coupled to the legacy cabling for receiving powered communications from one or more backroom components over the legacy cabling during a power outage, and a broadband communications modem for communicating with the one or more backroom components, wherein the diode coupler provides power from the powered communications to the broadband communications modem. Relays can be used at the fuel dispenser and/or backroom components to determine whether to use the powered communications or legacy communications based on whether power is available at the components communicating over the legacy cabling. In addition, failsafe protection of legacy communication circuits is provided when powered communications are active.

Abstract: A secured framework for hosting secure and non-secure applications is provided. A master control apparatus includes an interface component for providing input to or output from the master control apparatus, and an interface communicating component for establishing a communications path to a portion of the interface component when a secured portion of the interface component is active. The interface communicating component provides data from a feature apparatus to the portion of the interface component over the communications path, and switches the communications path to refrain from providing data from the feature apparatus where the secured portion of the interface component is active. A security analyzing component can also be included to additionally or alternatively determine whether access is allowed to the portion of the interface component.

Abstract: A selector assembly for a fuel dispenser comprises an electrophoretic display module including a price per unit display configured to display price per unit data. Also provided is an overlay attached to the electrophoretic display module so that the overlay is viewable by a user, the overlay defining a first window aligned with the price per unit display and a grade select button area. A touch screen is aligned with the button area of the overlay.

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: Methods and systems for detecting tampering of a remote display. According to one method, a first data integrity result is generated by performing a first data integrity operation on display data to be displayed on the remote display at a secure module. The display data is transmitted from the secure module to the remote display security module. The remote display security module receives the display data. A second data integrity result is generated by performing the first data integrity operation on the display data received at the remote display security module. A determination is made as to whether the remote display has been tampered with at the secure module if the first data integrity result does not match the second data integrity result.

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 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 flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis 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 system and method of detecting fuel theft at a fuel dispenser. The system has a fluid flow meter, a pulser operatively coupled to said fluid flow meter, and a control system in electrical communication with the pulser. The control system is configured to calculate a flow rate of fuel being dispensed from a gasoline dispenser during a single dispensing transaction. The flow rate is sampled at predetermined time intervals during the single dispensing transaction. The system then compares the sampled flow rates to a predetermined flow rate pattern indicative of potential fraud. A shutoff signal is then provided to the dispenser to stop fuel flow through the dispenser if the sampled flow rates are substantially similar to the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A fueling environment communication system for providing high bandwidth information via existing field wiring to a plurality of forecourt devices. The communication system according to this aspect comprises a back room communication module having a first plurality of Ethernet ports for connection to external devices using Ethernet communication and a second plurality of Ethernet ports. The back room communication module further comprises a plurality of modulation interface devices each connected on a first side to a respective one of the second plurality of Ethernet ports. A summing and isolation module having a high pass filter is connected to each of the modulation interface devices on a second side thereof to pass a modulated high frequency signal. The summing and isolation module further has a low pass filter through which low frequency legacy data can be passed and combined with said modulated high frequency signal.

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 fuel dispenser is configured to transmit fueling information to a receiver associated with a vehicle at a first fueling position adjacent the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser comprises a control system configured to generate first fueling information associated with a first transaction at the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser also comprises first transmitter electronics in electronic communication with the control system. The first transmitter electronics are configured to produce first RDS information based on the first fueling information. Also, the first transmitter electronics comprise modulator circuitry to modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal carrying the first RDS information. The RF carrier signal has a predetermined frequency. The fuel dispenser further comprises an antenna in electrical communication with the first transmitter electronics to radiate the modulated RF carrier signal over the first fueling position for receipt at the vehicle receiver.

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 system and method of detecting fuel theft at a fuel dispenser. The dispenser has a primary flow meter, an auxiliary flow detection device positioned at an entrance of a dispenser, and an auxiliary dispenser shutoff system. A rate of flow through the primary flow meter and a rate of flow through the auxiliary flow detection device are calculated. The primary flow meter rate of flow and the auxiliary flow detection device rate of flow are compared. If the difference exceeds a threshold, a shutoff signal is provided to the auxiliary dispenser shutoff system to stop fuel flow through the dispenser.

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 flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis 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.