Abstract: A fuel dispensing system for providing dual-stage preconditioning and authentication for enhancing a fueling transaction. The system includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals, including a first indicia, from a remote communications unit of a customer. The receiver is operatively associated with the control system and enables the control system to retrieve the first indicia and precondition the dispenser for fueling. The control system is adapted to receive second indicia subsequent to receiving the first indicia, and authenticate a transaction involving the remote communications unit by determining the requisite authentication data based on the first indicia and correlating the authentication data with the second indicia. Authentication occurs when the second indicia and the requisite transaction indicia correlate. Various security and encryption techniques may be used when receiving the first and second indicia.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a card distribution center for selecting, ordering, and sending social expression cards using a personal computer. The user can enter names and addresses of card recipients into the system wherein the information is maintained in a database. The system displays digitized images of the cards on a display screen which are retrieved from a card database. From the cards displayed, the user can select cards for designated recipients and enter personalized messages and a digitized signature. The user may then send the order to a card distribution center, which processes the order, retrieves and prints the selected card images, including any user messages or user signature, and mails the cards to designated recipients or customers. The system maintains a database of all recipients, addresses, associated occasions and dates, card preferences, relationships and order history.

Abstract: A system for creating and ordering custom designed imprintable media. The system includes a one or more first computers coupled to a central computer. The first computers are configured and arranged to input a type indicating one of a plurality of imprintable media, custom design information to engrave on an imprintable medium of the type input, and order information, and to display an image of the custom design to appear on the imprintable medium. Example custom design information includes text, clip-art, and size and shape of the imprintable medium. Custom designs and orders are automatically transmitted to a second computer for order processing.

Abstract: An integrated electronic system consisting of a network of appliances and machines, such as clothes washers and dryers, vending machines, or other equipment, controlled from a central management computer. Each networked apparatus is uniquely identified, and is maintained in an inoperative standby state, until a prospective user has a valid account for payment, and authorizes stated charges to be billed to their account, or optionally has presented a charge card, thus paying for use of the respective appliance or machine. Account information is maintained and processed in the central management computer, which can be interactively linked to a separate billing system, property management system, or financial institution, thereby automating the verification and billing process. Message data can be sent to and displayed on any or all appliances and machines, a periodic polling of the network ensures security, and an audit trail is generated, with the operational history of each apparatus on the network.

Abstract: A system for selling and dispensing of fluids, with change-making capability permits and the unattended sale and dispensing of motor fuels. The system may be incorporated either directly into a motor fuel pump or it may be incorporated into a module that may be installed either in a motor fuel pump or on a fueling island in association with the motor fuel pump. A cash acceptor is provided that accepts either currency or coin as a payment for a motor fuel purchase and the system further includes a change dispenser for disbursing change to a purchaser. The change dispenser includes two different change payout mechanisms that give cash back to a purchaser as change for a motor fuel purchaser. The change is dispensed in currency, or coin, or a combination of both. A controller is provided that links the cash acceptor, fuel pump and change dispenser together so that the value of cash deposited with the system is identified and the motor fuel pump is enabled.

Abstract: An item dispensing system having modular and distributed components that are suitable for use at POS counter. Item dispensing units are placed beneath the counter and are electrically connected by a cable to a retailer keypad and display which, in turn, is electrically connected by a cable to a customer keypad and display. A panel having images representing the available games to be played is applied to the top of the counter surface. Thus, a customer can easily pay for and select items to be purchased. Items are automatically dispensed, collected by the retail clerk and provided to the customer.