Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for associating vehicle identification information with other visually captured information are provided. In general, a system can include a processor configured to receive an image from a camera located at a fueling station. The processor can be configured to apply an algorithm to extract various features from the image, such as a vehicle that is present in the image, facial features of a driver and/or a passenger of the vehicle, or a license plate of the vehicle. The features can be used by the processor to determine information from the features, such as the identity of the driver, the make/model of the vehicle, or an owner of the vehicle. The processor can then, based on the determined information, be configured to take a variety of actions and thereby reduce the likelihood of possible future losses associated with the vehicles or individuals present in the image.

Abstract: Fuel dispensers, systems and methods are provided for electronically transmitting data characterizing fueling transactions in a fueling environment, and in particular from a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, a fuel dispenser is provided having a printer module that can perform operations that enable any one or more of replacing a printer, providing a user with a printed transaction record at a remote location, and/or provide the user with an electronic transaction record. The application of the printer module can facilitate providing a user with a printed and/or electronic transaction record, while minimizing, or eliminating, changes to standard communication protocol associated with components of a payment terminal that can deliver formatted transaction data to a typical printer.

Abstract: In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for product dispenser electronic communication with a mobile device are provided. In general, a mobile device can request a secure connection with a product dispenser detected in the proximity of the mobile device. The mobile device can transmit request data to a network cloud server to authorize a mobile payment application executed on the mobile device, and can receive response data from the network cloud server indicating that the payment application has been authorized to process a payment for a product dispensable from the product dispenser. The mobile device and the product dispenser establish a secure connection using a secure key included in the response data, regardless of whether or not the product dispenser has established a connection with a network cloud server.

Abstract: A first data packet can be received from an origination terminal at a remote server operatively coupled to the origination terminal and an end user terminal. The first data packet can have a plurality of offers and image or video data acquired by an image/video sensor. The image or video data can be processed by the remote server using an image processing algorithm to estimate a current idle time associated with the origination terminal. One or more aspects of the plurality of offers can be controlled by the remote server based on the current idle time. A second data packet including the plurality of offers can be transmitted to the end user terminal by the remote server. A selection of a preferred offer of the plurality of offers can be received from the end user terminal at the remote server. The preferred offer can be provided to the origination terminal.

Abstract: In an aspect, a cloud-based server can establish a communications channel with a merchant device over a computer network. The cloud-based server can receive product information characterizing a product from the merchant device via the communications channel. The product information can include at least one measurement characterizing the product acquired in real-time by at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the merchant device. The cloud-based server can calculate a remaining life of the product based on the product information received from the merchant device. The cloud-based server can calculate a real-time price of the product based on a plurality of factors including the calculated remaining life of the product. The cloud-based server can transmit a promotion to purchase the product at a discount to a first client device in response to determining that the remaining life of the product is less than a predefined threshold, the discount calculated based upon the real-time price of the product.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for schedule-based uninterrupted buffering and streaming. In an embodiment, at least one first media file can be received by a streaming server. The streaming server can create a first media file playlist including the at least one first media file. A schedule defining a first desired output time at which a client is to output the first media file playlist can be received by the streaming server. A schedule-based streaming buffer can be generated by the streaming server. The schedule-based streaming buffer can store the first media file playlist prior to the first desired output time. The schedule-based streaming buffer can be provided to the client by the streaming server such that the client can output the first media file playlist at the first desired output time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for secure payment and providing multimedia at fuel dispensers are provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can include a terminal configured to receive secure information and to show multimedia. The terminal can be configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The terminal can include a touchscreen. In the first mode, the touchscreen can have a shield enabled thereon that is configured to reduce a field of view of the touchscreen such that the touchscreen is only visible from specific angle(s). In the second mode, the shield can be disabled such that the touchscreen does not have a reduced field of view.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for product dispenser electronic communication with a mobile device are provided. In general, a mobile device can request a secure connection with a product dispenser detected in the proximity of the mobile device. The mobile device can transmit request data to a network cloud server to authorize a mobile payment application executed on the mobile device, and can receive response data from the network cloud server indicating that the payment application has been authorized to process a payment for a product dispensable from the product dispenser. The mobile device and the product dispenser establish a secure connection using a secure key included in the response data, regardless of whether or not the product dispenser has established a connection with a network cloud server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for secure payment and providing multimedia at fuel dispensers are provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can include a terminal configured to receive secure information and to show multimedia. The terminal can be configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The terminal can include a touchscreen. In the first mode, the touchscreen can have a shield enabled thereon that is configured to reduce a field of view of the touchscreen such that the touchscreen is only visible from specific angle(s). In the second mode, the shield can be disabled such that the touchscreen does not have a reduced field of view.

Abstract: In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Management of fuel dispenser media is provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can be in communication with a media library configured to facilitate delivery of media to the fuel dispenser for output therefrom. The media library can be on board the fuel dispenser or can be included in a gateway configured to communicate with the fuel dispenser. The media library is configured to query one or more media sources for media information and to retrieve media information therefrom that is specific to the fuel dispenser. Additionally or alternatively, the media library is configured to query the one or more media sources for updates to the retrieved media information and, if updated, to retrieve the updated media content from the media source(s).

Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for facilitating communication between a forecourt controller and a fuel dispenser. In certain aspects, a fuel controller translator is provided for translating commands transmitted between the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser. For example, where the forecourt controller transmits commands that are compatible with the payment terminal, but not with the fuel controller, the fuel controller translator can translate the commands received from the forecourt controller into a format compatible with the fuel controller. Conversely, the fuel controller translator can translate commands received from the fuel controller into a format that is compatible with the forecourt controller.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for fuel dispenser electronic communication are provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can be configured to electronically communicate with a network cloud to access cloud technology services. The communication can be direct, e.g., without the fuel dispenser communicating with the cloud network through an intermediary such as a fuel dispenser forecourt controller. The fuel dispenser can include a communication module configured to electronically communicate with the network cloud. The communication module can be on board the dispenser.

Abstract: Management of fuel dispenser media is provided. In general, a fuel dispenser can be in communication with a media library configured to facilitate delivery of media to the fuel dispenser for output therefrom. The media library can be on board the fuel dispenser or can be included in a gateway configured to communicate with the fuel dispenser. The media library is configured to query one or more media sources for media information and to retrieve media information therefrom that is specific to the fuel dispenser. Additionally or alternatively, the media library is configured to query the one or more media sources for updates to the retrieved media information and, if updated, to retrieve the updated media content from the media source(s).

Abstract: In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.