Abstract: A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser including a fuel delivery path configured to deliver fuel to a vehicle, a display configured to display the total dispensed fuel volume, and a fuel meter configured to measure a fuel delivery rate. A data set having a plurality of fuel volume compensation values corresponding to a plurality of fuel delivery rate values, and a microprocessor configured to calculate a volume of fuel dispensed and retrieve a fuel volume compensation value. The fuel meter measures the fuel delivery rate at the time of the event, the microprocessor determines which fuel delivery rate value corresponds to the fuel delivery rate, retrieves the corresponding fuel volume compensation value, and adds the retrieved fuel volume compensation value to the calculated volume of fuel dispensed to obtain the total dispensed fuel volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a payment mat that wirelessly communicates with a payment device for payment of items, such as goods and/or services, in a retail environment. A customer presents the payment device within the radiation range of an antenna contained in the payment mat for payment. The payment mat may also include a visual indicator, audio indicator, keypad, transaction display, advertising display, receipt printer, and transaction card reader. The payment mat may be constructed out of a rigid or flexible material. The payment mat may be placed flat on counters in retail stores, nearby cash registers or order entry devices. The payment mat may be placed on drive-thru windows in retail environment, such as quick service restaurants (QSR) or pharmaceutical stores. The payment mat may be placed behind a secure order entry window.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprises a housing, a dispensing hose, a pump operatively connected to the dispensing hose and a source of fuel. A computer is operatively connected to the pump, a power supply is operatively connected to the computer and an auxiliary power supply is operatively connected to the computer. The auxiliary power supply is configured to provide power for a predetermined amount of time if the power supply should fail. A first display has a rear polarizing layer and a front polarizing layer. The first display is mounted in the housing so that the front polarizing layer is viewable by a user. A second display has only a front polarizing layer positioned adjacent to the first display front polarizing layer so that the first display projects an image through the second display. The first display and the second display are operatively connected to the power supply and the computer. The second display is operatively connected to the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: A method of connecting a wireless unit to a point-of-sale terminal comprises providing a wireless unit having a display and image reader, and providing a point-of-sale terminal to wirelessly connect to said wireless unit, said point-of-sale terminal having a display and an image reader.

Abstract: A lockable enclosure for protecting a pulser of a fuel dispenser including a pulser shaft connecting the pulser to a fuel meter, the enclosure having a first enclosure portion attached to the fuel meter, the first enclosure portion including a base wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a front wall, a first locking plate extending outwardly from the front wall and a mounting aperture defined by the rear wall. A second enclosure portion is detachably mounted to the first enclosure portion, the second enclosure portion including an outer wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a front wall, a second locking plate extending outwardly from the front wall and a mounting pin extending inwardly from the rear wall. When the mounting pin of the second enclosure portion is removably received in the mounting aperture defined by the rear wall of the first enclosure portion and the first and second locking plates are adjacent each other to enclose the pulser and pulser shaft within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a measured fuel delivery rate determined by a fuel meter of a fuel dispenser corresponds to an actual fuel delivery rate at which fuel is being dispensed to a vehicle through a fuel flow path. The method includes measuring a fuel delivery rate at a given time during a fueling operation, measuring a fuel pressure of the fuel within the fuel flow path at the given time, comparing the measured fuel pressure to a plurality of fuel pressure values from a data set including a plurality of actual fuel delivery rate values that correspond to the plurality of fuel pressure values, retrieving one of the plurality of actual fuel delivery rate values from the data set that corresponds to the measured fuel pressure value; and comparing the measured fuel delivery rate from the fuel meter to the one actual fuel delivery rate value to determine if the measured fuel delivery rate corresponds to the actual fuel delivery rate at which fuel is being dispensed to the vehicle.

Abstract: A security architecture for a retail environment providing both on-line and off-line personal identification number (PIN) validation for a smart card transaction using a reduced number of secure access modules (SAMs). In one embodiment, the retail environment includes and security module and numerous fuel dispensers each including a controller and one or more PINpads and card readers. The security module includes one or more SAMs for off-line PIN validation. Each of the PINpads communicates with the security module, and the security module performs either on-line or off-line PIN validation for every PINpad in the retail environment. Accordingly, the security module uses one set of SAMs for off-line validation for every PINpad in the retail environment.

Abstract: An in-dispenser leak pan provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any fuel that leaks from fuel-handling components located inside the fuel dispenser above the pan. The pan is secondarily contained by an outer pan or container such that an interstitial space is formed therebetween. If a breach exists in the top part of the pan, the captured leaked fuel will be contained in by the outer pan in the interstitial space. The interstitial space of the pan is drawn under a vacuum level using a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. If a leak is detected, a control system may generate an alarm and/or cause the submersible turbine pump to stop supplying fuel, or cause the dispenser product line shear valves to close, thereby only stopping fuel flow to the individual fuel dispenser containing the leak.

Abstract: A system used in a retail environment, such as a fuel dispensing environment, for providing secure communication of payment information to a host computer. The system includes at least one keypad device configured to receive and encrypt personal information according to a first encryption scheme to produce encrypted personal data. The keypad device is further operative to generate a local zone emulated message in a message format of a second encryption scheme, the local zone emulated message containing the encrypted personal data. A site controller is in communication with the keypad device to receive the local zone emulated message. The site controller is configured to provide a message in the second encryption scheme to a security module for decryption and re-encryption in the first encryption scheme. An emulator is associated with the site controller to emulate the security module.

Abstract: A service station advertising display system that allows users locally at the service station and remotely to request, upload, purchase and bid on advertising display time for displays located in the service station environment. Displays may be located on fuel dispensers or other locations proximate to where customers interact for requesting fueling, and other services such as convenience store and quick service restaurant purchases. The invention allows users to access available advertising times for displays, and bid or participate in an auction to control the display time. The user can upload their own content to be displayed, or use advertising content and tools located on servers to create content. The system resolves any conflicts with overlaps in different requests for advertising, downloads the content to the displays to be displayed, and tracks the effectiveness of the displayed content for billing and/or other purposes.

Abstract: A point-of-sale terminal comprises a processor, memory operatively coupled to the processor, a display screen operatively coupled to the processor and configured to display transaction information and a reader operatively coupled to the processor and configured to read a first two-dimensional encoded image pattern comprising payment information and personal security information necessary to complete a transaction. The processor is configured to decipher the first two-dimensional encoded image pattern to obtain the payment information and personal security information and complete the transaction based on this information. The personal security information comprises at least one of GPS information, time and date information, handheld device information and PIN information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing fraud during a purchase transaction performed at a retail device are disclosed. According to one system and method, an identifier is received from an application-specific user interface executing on a personal communication device, wherein the identifier is associated with the retail device. Location information associated with the personal communication device is received, and the location information associated with the personal communication device is compared to location information associated with the retail device. It is determined whether the personal communication device and the retail device are located proximately to one another. The purchase transaction is authorized if the personal communication device and the retail device are located proximately to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an electronic receipt for an order previously made at a retail device by a consumer interacting with a personal communication device are disclosed. According to one system and method, a receipt is scanned using the personal communication device, where the order was previously made by the consumer interacting with an application-specific user interface executing on the personal communication device and the application-specific user interface was provided on the personal communication device based on a received identifier associated with the retail device. The scanned receipt is converted to the electronic receipt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a consumer advertising transaction at a retail device are disclosed. According to one system and method, an identifier associated with the retail device is provided to a personal communication device. An application-specific user interface specific to the retail device is associated based on the identifier. A selection is received for the consumer advertising transaction made by a consumer interacting with the application-specific user interface executing on the personal communication device. The consumer advertising transaction is performed based on the received selection for the consumer advertising transaction made by the consumer interacting with the application-specific user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing notification of order fulfillment for an order previously made at a retail device by a consumer interacting with a personal communication device are disclosed. According to one system and method, a notification is provided to the personal communication device that the order has been fulfilled, where the order was previously made by the consumer interacting with an application-specific user interface executing on the personal communication device and the application-specific user interface is provided on the personal communication device based on an identifier associated with the retail device received from the personal communication device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a reference meter to provide automated calibration for a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one method, first historical metering data associated with a fuel flow meter and second historical metering data associated with a reference meter are maintained within a memory. The first historical metering data is compared with the second historical metering data. It is determined whether a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter. In response to determining that a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter, an automated calibration of the fuel flow meter is performed.

Abstract: A fueling environment that distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank by the outer wall of the double walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.