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: A method and system for transmitting data between devices within a fueling environment comprising a wireless mesh network wherein the devices are configured to communicate via the wireless mesh network. A wireless communication device is connected to each device, and a middleware executed by the wireless communication device handles communications between the devices and the wireless mesh network.

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: 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: 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 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 method and system for transmitting data between devices within a fueling environment comprising a wireless mesh network wherein the devices are configured to communicate via the wireless mesh network. A wireless communication device is connected to each device, and a middleware executed by the wireless communication device handles communications between the devices and the wireless mesh network.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a virtual PIN pad and a virtual non-PIN pad on a touch screen having a screen area. Electronics in electrical communication with the touch screen are operative to provide the virtual PIN pad on the touch screen in a payment mode and provide the virtual non-PIN pad in a non-payment mode. The virtual PIN pad has a first plurality of virtual buttons and the virtual non-PIN pad has a second plurality of virtual buttons, the first plurality of virtual buttons being greater than the second plurality of virtual buttons. The electronics are operative in the payment mode to render the virtual PIN pad having the first plurality of virtual buttons and determine a numerical sequence entered by a user at the virtual PIN pad. The electronics are operative in the non-payment mode to render the virtual non-PIN pad having the second plurality of virtual buttons determine selections entered by a user at the virtual non-PIN pad.

Abstract: A user interface for a fuel dispenser has a display, a display controller, and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a processing device, memory, and at least one microswitch. The display controller and the control circuitry are positioned such that the microswitch connects the control circuitry to the display controller. The microswitch is activated if the control circuitry is separated from the display controller. Activation of the microswitch causes any sensitive information stored by the control circuitry to be erased. In one aspect, separation of the display controller from the control circuitry is the only manner by which the processing device and/or the memory may be accessed.

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 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 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 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: An apparatus and method of applying lubricant to steel wire ropes, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles directed centrally towards a rope segment, the nozzles are connected to a compressor and a lubricant reservoir for enabling the dispensing of the lubricant therefrom. The apparatus is remotely controllable allowing quality, quantity and sequence of lubricant dispensed to be activated or deactivated remotely.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining manufacturer-signed content for use with manufacturer equipment is provided. Content is obtained at a merchant device for executing or presenting on manufacturer equipment. A signature is generated for the content based on a private key. The merchant device transmits the content and signature to a manufacturer server. The manufacturer server decrypts and authenticates the signature based on the private key or a corresponding public key. If authenticated, the manufacturer server re-signs the content with a manufacturer signature that allows the content to be presented or executed on manufacturer equipment.

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.