Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.

Abstract: A shimmer detection apparatus for detecting a shimmer within a chip card reader is provided. The shimmer detection apparatus comprises processing circuitry, memory, and a first sensor in electronic communication with the processing circuitry. The first sensor comprises at least one sensor coil. The at least one sensor coil of the first sensor is disposed proximate to contacts of the chip card reader and is operative to generate a first magnetic field when electrical current flows through the at least one sensor coil. The first sensor is operative to measure at least one electrical value from the first magnetic field. The processing circuitry is operative to receive information representative of at least one electrical value of said first sensor. The memory comprises stored therein information representative of at least one predetermined electrical value. A multiplexer and hand-detection functionality is provided. Tampering-detection methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.

Abstract: A fuel analyzer for a fuel dispensing environment is provided including an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal through a volume of fuel, an ultrasonic receiver configured to receive the ultrasonic signal, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive an indication of transmission of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transmitter, receive an indication of receipt of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic receiver, determine a time of flight of the ultrasonic signal, and determine a fuel purity based on the time of flight of the ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprising fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. The fuel flow piping further has a filter manifold for mounting a fuel filter thereon. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. A sensor device is mounted to the filter manifold, the sensor device having at least one sensor operative to detect a sensed condition related to the fuel dispenser. The sensor device further comprises electronics to transmit a signal related to the sensed condition.

Abstract: A retail fueling environment comprises a plurality of fuel dispensers located so that each defines at least one refueling position. Site automation electronics are in communication with the plurality of fuel dispensers. A fueling position availability indicator system is also provided, including a plurality of position indicators indicating availability status of at least one associated refueling position. Detection electronics are operative to ascertain data regarding transaction status of refueling transactions at the refueling positions. In addition, processing electronics are operative to determine a state of each of the position indicators based at least in part on the transaction status. A position indicator control device is operative to produce control signals to the position indicators.

Abstract: A fuel analyzer for a fuel dispensing environment is provided including an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal through a volume of fuel, an ultrasonic receiver configured to receive the ultrasonic signal, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive an indication of transmission of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transmitter, receive an indication of receipt of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic receiver, determine a time of flight of the ultrasonic signal, and determine a fuel purity based on the time of flight of the ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.

Abstract: A retail fueling environment comprises a plurality of fuel dispensers located so that each defines at least one refueling position. Site automation electronics are in communication with the plurality of fuel dispensers. A fueling position availability indicator system is also provided, including a plurality of position indicators indicating availability status of at least one associated refueling position. Detection electronics are operative to ascertain data regarding transaction status of refueling transactions at the refueling positions. In addition, processing electronics are operative to determine a state of each of the position indicators based at least in part on the transaction status. A position indicator control device is operative to produce control signals to the position indicators.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprising fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. The fuel flow piping further has a filter manifold for mounting a fuel filter thereon. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. A sensor device is mounted to the filter manifold, the sensor device having at least one sensor operative to detect a sensed condition related to the fuel dispenser. The sensor device further comprises electronics to transmit a signal related to the sensed condition.

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 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: 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 remote transaction system for contactless payment and user identification at dispensers, payment terminals, kiosks, or points-of-sale is provided. The remote transaction system comprises a compact assembly, a control system, and communications electronics. The compact assembly is adapted to be attached to a surface, such as a bezel, and comprises at least one antenna. Also, the compact assembly may comprise antennas operating at different frequencies and at least one audio or visual element. Further, antenna arrays may be formed comprising a second antenna arrangement separate from the compact assembly and coupled to the surface. The compact assembly and/or a second antenna arrangement may comprise a tuning element, such as a tuning ring. The communications electronics are adapted to wirelessly communicate with at least one remote communications device and provide wireless communications to the control system for processing. A method for attaching the compact assembly to a surface is also provided.

Abstract: A network gateway device has a physical interface for connection to a medium. The device has an ingress processor system for ingress processing of all or part of packets received from the physical interface and for sending ingress processed packets for egress processing. The device has an egress processor system for receiving ingress processed packets and for egress processing of all or part of received packets for sending to physical interface. Interconnections are provided, including an interconnection between the ingress processor and the egress processor, including an interconnection between the ingress processor and the physical interface, and including an interconnection between the ingress processor and the physical interface. A packet queue is provided with packets awaiting transmission. The packet queue may be the exclusive buffer for packets between packets entering the device and packet transmission. The packets may exit the device at a rate of the line established at the physical interface.

Abstract: A data transfer device for transferring data between a plurality of digital signal processors in a system utilizing time division multiple access techniques. The data transfer device includes a system controller coupled to a bus network, a plurality of dual port random access memories, and a direct memory access controller. Each dual port random access memory device includes a first input/output port coupled to one of the plurality of digital signal processors, and a second input/output port coupled to the bus network. Each of the plurality of digital signal processors can access the dual port random access memory device coupled thereto during a first predefined time within a TDMA cycle. During a second predefined time period within the same TDMA cycle, the direct memory access controller, under control of the system controller, transfers data directly between the dual port random access memory devices.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a electrically interconnecting two printed circuit board like members comprises a connector member for being mounted on a first printed circuit board like member. The connector member includes generally parallel-spaced electrical conductors for being electrically connected to electrical circuitry positioned on the first printed circuit board like member when the connector member is mounted on the first printed circuit board like member. The electrical conductors are positioned along at least one side of an opening which extends along the connector member and which is adapted to receive a second printed circuit board like member having electrical circuitry thereon.