In recent years, traditional gasoline pumps and service stations have evolved into elaborate point-of-sale (POS) devices having sophisticated control electronics and user interfaces with large displays and touch-pads or screens. The dispensers include various types of payment means, such as card readers and cash acceptors, to expedite and further enhance fueling transactions. A customer is not limited to the purchase of fuel at the dispenser. More recent dispensers allow the customer to purchase services, such as car washes, and goods, such as fast food or convenience store products at the dispenser. Once purchased, the customer need only pick up the goods and services at the station store or the outlet of a vending machine.

Remote transaction systems have evolved wherein the fuel dispenser is adapted to communicate with various types of remote communication devices, such as transponders, to provide various types of identification and information to the fuel dispenser automatically. Given the sophistication of these transaction systems and the numerous choices provided to the customer at the dispenser, conducting transactions with transponders will be useful to allow the dispenser and fuel station store to monitor the movement of a person carrying a transponder and a vehicle having a transponder, enhance transaction and marketing efficiencies, and improve safety in the fueling environment.

The present invention provides for various types of loyalty or other customer benefits based on past and/or current transactions. These benefits encourage subsequent return to a particular fueling environment or one of an associated groups of fueling environments. The benefits may also encourage the purchase of additional products or services during the current or subsequent transactions at any of these environments. The system provides station operators with ; tremendous flexibility in determining the various criteria for earning such benefits.

According to a first aspect the invention provides a fuel dispensing system operable to effect a transaction consequential upon a purchase transaction, said system comprising: a. a communication arrangement for communicating with a remote communication unit; b. a fuel dispenser comprising a customer interface; c. a control system operatively associated with said dispenser and said communication arrangement; d. said control system being adapted in association with the remote communication unit to effect the consequential transaction.

The consequential transaction may involve the transfer of at least one of a benefit, a rebate, a discount, a refund, a loyalty point or loyalty points.

The purchase transaction may involve identification of the customer by means of a transponder.

The communication arrangement may, for example, be adapted to transmit signals to said remote communication unit and said control system is adapted to effect said consequential transaction through said communication arrangement to the remote communication unit for storage and subsequent retrieval.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fuel dispensing system operable to implement a loyalty benefit program comprising: a. a wireless communication arrangement for communicating with at least one communication unit; b. a fuel dispenser including a customer interface; c. a control system operatively associated with said dispenser and said communication arrangement to receive signals from said remote communication unit during a transaction; d. said control system adapted to provide a benefit associated with the remote communication unit based on a transaction involving the remote communication unit.

The signals received from the remote communication unit may include unique identification indicia and said benefit may be stored in a database in association with the identification indicia accessible by said control system.

Further, said communication arrangement may be adapted to transmit signals from said control system to said remote communication unit and said control system may be adapted to transmit said benefit through said communication arrangement to the remote communication unit for storage and subsequent retrieval.

Said benefit may be based at least partially on a current transaction.

Said benefit may be based at least partially on prior transactions associated with the remote communication unit.

Said benefit may relate to a discount for a defined product or service.

Said control system may apply said benefit to discount a current transaction.

Said control system may effect storage of said benefit for subsequent retrieval in order to discount of a future transaction.

Said control system may be adapted to retrieve a prior benefit and combine said benefit with said prior benefit to provide a cumulative benefit.

Said control system may be adapted to transmit said benefit to the remote communication unit to combine said benefit with a prior benefit to provide a cumulative benefit.

Said benefit may be a discount on a product or service not part of the transaction in order to provide an incentive to purchase the product or service.

Preferably said customer interface is adapted to carry out transactions for fuel and at least one other product or service. In another aspect, the invention provides a fuel dispensing system for implementing a loyalty benefit program comprising: a plurality of interrogators corresponding to a plurality of fuel dispensers in a fueling environment; a control system associated with said interrogators to interrogate transponders associated with customers carrying out a current transaction at said fuel dispensers; said control system being adapted to access benefit information stored in association with the transponder and provide a benefit based on the benefit information and the current transaction.

In another aspect, the invention provides a fuel dispensing system for implementing a loyalty benefit program comprising: a plurality of interrogators corresponding to a plurality of fuel dispensers in a fueling environment; a control system associated with said interrogators to interrogate transponders associated with customers carrying out a current transaction as said fuel dispensers; said control system adapted to determine benefit information based on the current transaction store said benefit information in a database accessible by said control system. Said control system may be adapted to access said benefit information during a subsequent transaction and provide a benefit based on said benefit information and said benefit information may be accumulated in the database over a series of transactions.

Said control system may be adapted to access said benefit information during a subsequent transaction and provide a benefit based on said benefit information.

The database may be stored in a memory with the benefit information stored in association with transponder identification indicia apart from the transponders.

Alternatively the database is kept on the transponders and the benefit information is communicated to and from said control system.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a fuel dispensing system operable to apply a discount to a transaction associated with a remote communication unit comprising: a. a communication arrangement for communicating with a remote communications unit; b. a fuel dispenser having a customer interface; c. a control system associated with said communication arrangement and said fuel dispenser; d. said control system being adapted to communicate with the said remote communication unit through said communication arrangement and provide a discount for the transaction.

Said discount may be predefined and/or said discount may be for a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction.

Said discount may be a reduction in the price per unit volume of fuel.

Said control system may interrogate the remote communication unit associated with the transaction and provides said discount upon receiving a response from the remote communication unit.

Said control system may act to not provide said discount when the remote communications unit is not associated with the transaction.

Said control system may provide said discount if the remote communication unit associated with the transaction is present and said transaction is a non-cash transaction.

An input indicative of a non-cash transaction may be provided.

As indicated above, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a fuel dispensing system for implementing a loyalty benefit program e. g. involving a discount The system preferably includes wireless communication electronics for communicating with remote communications units, a fuel dispenser having a customer interface, and a control system associated with the dispenser and communication electronics to receive signals from a remote communications unit during a transaction. The control system is adapted to provide a benefit associated with the remote communications unit based on a transaction involving a remote communications unit.

Generally, the signals received from the remote communications unit will include identification indicia corresponding to the transponder and/or the customer associated therewith. Depending on the application, the control system may use the identification indicia to access benefit information or store benefit information in an associated database. Alternatively, the benefit information can be retrieved from and stored on the remote communications unit. The loyalty benefits may be based on current transactions, prior transactions or a combination thereof. The benefits may relate to products or services and be based on a complete or partial transaction. The control system may be adapted to retrieve prior benefit information and combine that benefit information with current information to provide a cumulative benefit. The cumulative benefit may be applied in whole or in part to discount the current transaction or stored in whole or in part in an associated database or on the transponder for future use. Notably, the control system may include a dispenser controller, a central controller, a remote network control system, or any combination thereof.

The system may include a plurality of interrogators corresponding to a plurality of fuel dispensers in a fueling environment. A control system associated with the interrogators is provided to interrogate transponders associated with customers carrying out a transaction at one of the fuel dispensers. The control system is adapted to access benefit information stored in association with the transponder and provide a benefit (e. g. a discount) based on the benefit information and the current transaction. Alternatively, the control system may be adapted to determine benefit information based on the current transaction and store the benefit information in a database accessible by the control system. As above, the control system is adapted to access the benefit information during a subsequent transaction with the transponder and provide a benefit based, at least partially, on the benefit information retrieved. The benefit information may be accumulated over a series of transactions where it is then, in whole or in part, applied to a subsequent transaction.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of implementing a benefit program in a fueling environment. The method includes the steps of receiving indicia from a remote communications unit near a fuel dispenser, conducting a transaction at the fuel dispenser ' in association with the remote communication unit, and providing a benefit to the customer based on the transaction.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a fueling and retail environment constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2A depicts a vehicle having a vehicle-mounted transponder constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2B depicts a personal transponder integrated into a debit/credit or smartcard constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2C depicts a personal transponder integrated into key fob constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 3 depicts a fuel dispenser shown constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4A is a schematic representation of a transponder having separate communication and cryptography electronics constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4B is a schematic representation of transponder having integrated electronics constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of fuel dispenser electronics constructed ' according to the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic representation of convenience store transaction electronics, including a transaction terminal, for a fueling environment constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic representation of a quick-serve restaurant control system for a fueling environment constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a schematic representation of a car wash control system constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a schematic representation of a central control system for a fueling environment constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURES 10A and 10B are a flow chart representing a basic flow of a multistage ordering process according to the present invention.

FIGURE 10C is a flow chart representing a basic flow of a loyalty benefit process according to the present invention.

FIGURES 11A and 11B are a flow chart representing a basic interaction with a transponder during a cash transaction according to the present invention.

FIGURE 11 C is a flow chart representing a basic process for providing a discount for transponder use during a transaction according to the present invention.

FIGURES 1 ID and 1 ive are a flow chart of a basic process for providing prepayment on a transponder for subsequent transactions according to the present invention.

FIGURE 12A is a schematic representation of a side view of a dispenser having multiple antenna arrangements for providing directional interrogation fields constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 12B is a schematic representation of a front view of a dispenser having \ multiple antenna arrangements for providing directional interrogation fields constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURES 12C and 12D are a flow chart of a basic process for monitoring the location and type of transponder at a fueling position according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 13A is an overhead schematic representation of a fueling environment having antenna arrangements providing various interrogation fields.

FIGURE 13B is an overhead schematic representation of a fueling environment having antenna arrangements providing continuous location monitoring of transponders in the fueling environment.

FIGURES 14A and 14B are a flow chart of a basic process for determining the proximity or location of a transponder with respect to a particular fueling position at a dispenser according to the present invention.

FIGURE 15 is a flow chart of a basic control process for determining transponder location for an embodiment similar to that depicted in Figure 13B.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of a fuel dispenser having underground antennas constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 17 is an overhead schematic representation of a fuel dispenser constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURES 18A and 18B are a flow chart of a basic process for preconditioning a dispenser followed by secondary transaction authorization according to the present invention.

FIGURE 19 depicts a preferred process for providing secure communications between a transponder and a host network through a fuel dispenser.

FIGURE 20 is a flow chart of a basic transponder interaction for providing theft deterrence and prevention according to the present invention.

FIGURE 21 is a flow chart of a basic transponder interaction for preventing drive-offs according to the present invention.

FIGURE 22 is a flow chart of a basic process for providing guidelines or limitations for a fueling or purchase transaction made in association with a transponder according to the present invention.

FIGURE 23 is a schematic representation of a transponder and dispenser system for providing a shadow ledger of transponder transactions constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 24 is a flow chart of a basic process for maintaining a shadow ledger according to the present invention.

FIGURE 25 is a flow chart of a basic process for transaction tracking throughout numerous fueling environments according to the present invention.

FIGURES 26A and 26B are a flow chart of a basic process for providing predefined preferences to a customer during a transaction made in association with a transponder according to the present invention.

FIGURE 27 is a schematic representation of a fuel dispenser and fuel container for personal transport of fuel.

FIGURE 28 is a flow chart of a basic process for monitoring and detecting acceptable containers for fueling.

FIGURES 29A and 29B are a flow chart of a basic process for providing pre-transaction estimates according to the present invention.

FIGURE 30 is a flow chart of a basic process for providing a customer with estimated cost totals of a fueling transaction to enable a customer to make an informed decision regarding payment at a cash acceptor of a fuel dispenser.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. It should be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto.

Given the extensive nature of the present application, an overview of the necessary hardware for the various areas in the fueling environment will be discussed followed by a description of the various functional aspects of the system and how the customer will react and interact with the system during various types of transactions.

As best seen in Figure 1, a fueling and retail environment, generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the present invention. The fueling and retail environment provides customers 12 the opportunity to purchase fuel for their vehicles 14 as well as other goods and services, such as fast food and car washes. The fueling and retail environment 10 may include one or more of a forecourt 16, where the fuel dispensers 18 are located, a convenience or fuel station store 20, one or more quick-serve restaurants (QSR) 22, a car wash 24, and a backroom 26. The backroom 26 is generally the central control area for integrating or coordinating control of the dispensers 18, convenience store 20, QSR 22, and car wash 24.

The convenience store 20 typically includes an inventory of a wide assortment of products, ranging from beverages and foods to household goods. The convenience store includes a transaction terminal or register 30, where a customer 12 may purchase convenience store products, fuel, car washes or QSR food.

The QSR 22 generally includes an order pick-up area 32 having a QSR transaction terminal or register 34 located within the convenience store and a drive-thru terminal and window 36.

Depending on the application, the QSR transaction terminal 34 and drive-thru terminal 36 may be separated or integrated in any fashion. Usually, customers are able to place orders at the QSR transaction terminal 34 in the store as well as pick up orders in conventional drive-thru style at drive-thru terminal 36.

The QSR 22 may also include a food preparation area 40, a food preparation interface 42 for providing order instruction to QSR food preparers, a drive-thru order placement interface 44 for placing drive-thru orders in a conventional manner, and a customer position monitor 46 for determining the location or position of a customer in line to pick up a QSR order at the drive-thru window 36. Notably, the drive-thru and car wash lanes depicted in Figure 1 are designed to control the flow of traffic through the respective lanes and aid to ensure vehicles, and their respective transponders, pass by the various interrogation points in the fueling environment as desired.

The car wash 24 includes a car wash interface 48 that interacts with the customer and controls the automatic car wash system (not shown), which may be any suitable automatic car wash. Preferably, a customer 12 will be able to order a car wash at a fuel dispenser 18, at the transaction terminal or register 30 of the convenience store 20, at the QSR transaction terminal 34, or at the car wash interface 48 directly. Similarly, customers are able to order fast-food items from the QSR 22 from various locations in the fueling environment 10, including at the fuel dispensers 18, drive-thru order placement interface 44, and the in-store QSR terminal 34.

Although various overall system and control integration schemes are available, the four major parts of the fueling environment 10--forecourt 16, convenience store 20, QSR 22 and car wash 24--typically interface at the backroom 26 using a central control system 50. The central control system 50 may include any number of individual controllers from the various parts of the fueling environment 10 to provide overall system control and integration. The central control system 50 may interface with the fuel dispensers 18, transaction terminal 30, QSR transaction terminal 34 and the car wash interface 48. Preferably the drive-thru terminal 36, drive-thru order placement interface 44 and customer position monitor 46 directly interface with the QSR terminal 34 in order to integrate the QSR functions prior to interfacing with the central control system 50. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize several control variations capable of implementing an integrated system. Additionally, an automated vending system 28 may also interface with the central control system 50 or directly with any one of the other areas of the fueling environment 10, such as the fuel dispensers 18, in order to allow a customer 12 to purchase products from the vending system 28 at a remote location.

The present invention relates generally to providing remote communications between the customer 12 or the vehicle 14 and various parts of the fueling environment briefly described above. In short, many areas within the fueling environment 10 will be equipped with communication electronics capable of providing uni-or bi-directional communications with the customer or vehicle carrying a remote communications device. The communication electronics will typically include a transmitter for transmitting signals to the remote communications device and a receiver for receiving signals emanating from the remote communications device. The remote communications device may also include a receiver and transmitter. The transmitter and receiver of the remote communications device may separately receive and separately transmit signals in cooperation with an associated control system or may be configured so that the transmitter actually operates on and modifies a signal received from the communication electronics in the fueling environment 10. The latter embodiment encompasses traditional transponder-type communication systems wherein the remote communications device may be either passive or active.

For the sake of conciseness and readability, the term"transponder"will be used herein to describe any type of remote communications device capable of communicating with the communication electronics of the fueling environment 10. The remote communications device may include traditional receivers and transmitters alone or in combination as well as traditional transponder electronics adapted to respond and/or modify an original signal to provide a transmit signal. A transponder as defined herein may provide either unidirectional or bidirectional communications with the communications electronics of the fueling environment 10.

Likewise, the communication electronics associated with the various aspects of the fueling environment 10 will be called an"interrogator."An interrogator will generally include a transmitter and receiver capable of communicating with a transponder as defined above. Please note that an interrogator, as defined herein, need not contain both a receiver and a transmitter for various aspects of the invention.

With the above in mind, the fueling environment 10 may include many interrogators of varying capability. These interrogators may include: dispenser interrogators 52, a store transaction interrogator 54, a QSR transaction interrogator 56, a drive-thru pick-up interrogator 58, a drive-thru order interrogator 60, and a drive-thru position interrogator 62. As shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the dispenser interrogator 52 is generally adapted to communicate with vehicle-mounted transponders 64 and personal transponder 66. The personal transponder 66 may be mounted on a key fob 68, a wallet card 70, or any other device typically carried by the customer 12, as shown in Figures 2B and 2C. Figure 2A depicts a vehicle 14 having a vehicle-mounted transponder 64.

The levels of sophistication of the vehicle-mounted transponder 64 may vary drastically. The transponder 64 may be integrated with the vehicle's main computer and control system, or may simply be a sticker placed on a window or on another part of the vehicle. The transponder 64 may be active or passive, and may be adapted to either simply send out an identification number or carry out high-level communications and have the ability to process, store and retrieve information. Various features of the invention will be disclosed in greater detail.

As best seen in Figure 3, a fuel dispenser 18 is shown constructed according to and as part of the present invention. The dispenser provides a fuel delivery path from an underground storage tank (not shown) to a vehicle 14, (shown in Figures 1 and 2A). The delivery path includes a fuel delivery line 72 having a fuel metering device 74. The fuel delivery line 72 communicates with a fuel delivery hose 76 outside of the dispenser 18 and a delivery nozzle 78. The nozzle 78 provides manual control of fuel delivery to the vehicle 14.

The dispenser 18 also includes a dispenser control system 80 having one or more controllers and associated memory 82. The dispenser control system 80 may receive volume data from the metering device 74 through cabling 84 as well as provide control of fuel delivery. The dispenser control system 80 may provide audible signals to an audio module and speaker 86 in order to provide various beeps, tones and audible messages to a customer. These messages may include warnings, instructions and advertising.

The dispenser 18 is preferably equipped with a payment acceptor, such as a card reader 88 or cash acceptor 90, along with a receipt printer 92. With these options, the dispenser control system 80 may read data from the magnetic strip of a card inserted in the card reader 88 or receive cash from a customer and communicate such information to the central control system 50 (as shown in Figure 1), such as the G-site controller sold by Gilbarco Inc., 7300 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina. The central control system 50 typically communicates with a remote network 94, such as a card verification authority, to ascertain whether a transaction proposed to be charged to or debited from an account associated with the card inserted in the card reader 88 is authorized.

The dispenser 18 will include one or more types of displays, preferably one or more alpha-numeric displays 96 together with a high-resolution graphics display 100. The graphics display 100 will generally have an associated key pad 102 adjacent to the display or integrated with the display to provide a touch interface. The dispenser may include an additional, auxiliary key pad 104 associated with the card reader 88 for entering secret codes or personal identification numbers (PIN's). Notably, the displays 96,100 and key pads 102,104 may be integrated into a single device and/or touch interface. The dispenser control system 80 is preferably comparable to the microprocessor-based control systems used in CRIND (card reader in dispenser) and TRIND (tag or transponder reader in dispenser) type units sold by Gilbarco Inc. under the trademark THE ADVANTAGE.

As noted, the dispenser control system 80 may include or be associated with dispenser communication electronics referred to as interrogator 52 for providing remote unidirectional or bidirectional communications between a transponder and the dispenser. These transponders may incorporate the Micron Microstamp'produced by Micron Communications, Inc., 8000 South Federal Way, Boise, Idaho 83707-0006. The Micron Microstamp TM engine is an <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> integrated system implementing a communications platform referred to as the Microstamp TI standard on a single CMOS chip. A detailed description of the Microstamp engine and the method of communication is provided in its data sheets in the Micron Microstamp Standard Programmers Reference Manual provided by Micron Communications, Inc. These references and the information provided by Micron Communications on their web site at http://www. mncc. micron. com are incorporated herein by reference. Although the preferred communications method includes radio frequencies in the microwave range, these communications may include other RF, infrared, acoustic or other known remote communication methods acceptable for use in a fueling environment. Additionally, the dispenser 18 may include one or more antennas 108 associated with the dispenser interrogator 52.

Attention is drawn to U. S. Patent Nos. 5,621,913; 5,608,739; 5,583,850; 5,572,226; 5,558,679; 5,557,780; 5,552,743; 5,539,775; 5,500,650; 5,497,140; 5,479,416; 5,448,110; 5,365,551; 5,323,150 and 5,302,239, owned by Micron Technology, Inc. the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Turning now to Figure 4A, the preferred embodiment of a transponder is shown. Transponder communication electronics 110, adapted to provide remote communications with the various interrogators, include a transmitter 114 and receiver 116 having associated antennas 118,120.

The transmitter 114 and receiver 116 operate to transmit and receive data to and from an interrogator. The communication electronics 110 may include a battery power supply 122, a communication controller 124 associated with a memory 126, having software 128 necessary to operate the communication electronics 110 and optional cryptography electronics 112.

Serial communications between the communication electronics 110 and cryptography electronics 112 is provided via the input/output (I/O) ports 130,140 associated with the respective electronics. The communication electronics 110 provide a signal from a clock 132 to the I/O port 140 of the cryptography electronics 112. The cryptography electronics 112 include a controller 134, memory 136 and software 138 necessary to encrypt and decrypt data, as well as provide any additional operations. The memory 126,136 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. Notably, the communication controller 124 and the cryptography controller 134 may be integrated into one controller. Similarly, the software and memory of the communication and cryptography modules may be integrated or embodied in hardware. As shown in Figure 4B, the communication and cryptography electronics, as well as any associated controllers, may be integrated into a single controller system and/or integrated circuit. In such cases, a single controller 142 is associated with memory 144 having software 146 as necessary for operation. In such an integrated system, the controller 142 will carry out any cryptography functions as well as any other functions necessary for operation.

In the preferred embodiment, the communications controller 124,142 specifically provides a spread-spectrum processor associated with an 8-bit microcontroller. The memory 126,144 includes 256 bytes of RAM. The receiver 116 operates in conjunction with the spread-spectrum processor and is capable of receiving direct sequence, spread-spectrum signals having a center frequency of 2.44175 GHz. The transmitter 114 is preferably a DPSK modulated back-scatter transmitter transmitting differential phase shift key (DPSK) modulated back scatter at 2.44175 GHz with a 596 KHz sub-carrier. The various interrogators in the fueling environment 10 are adapted to receive and transmit the signals to properly communicate with the transponders. For additional information on a transponder/interrogator system providing for highly secure transactions between a transponder and a host authorization system through a dispenser, attention is drawn to US application Serial No. 08/895,417 filed July 16,1997, entitled CRYPTOGRAPHY SECURITY FOR REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr.; US application Serial No. 08/895,282 filed July 16,1997, entitled MEMORY AND PASSWORD ORGANIZATION FOR REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr.; and US application Serial No.

08/895,225 filed July 16,1997, entitled PROTOCOL FOR REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 5 shows a basic schematic overview of the dispenser electronics wherein a dispenser control system 80 includes a controller associated with the memory 82 to interface with the central control system 50 through an interface 146. The dispenser control system 80 provides a graphical user interface with key pad 102 and display 100. Audio/video electronics 86 is adapted to interface with the dispenser control system 80 and/or an auxiliary audio/video source 156 to provide advertising, merchandising and multimedia presentations to a customer in addition to basic transaction functions. The graphical user interface provided by the dispenser allows customers to purchase goods and services other than fuel at the dispenser. The customer may purchase a car wash and/or order food from the QSR while fueling the vehicle. Preferably, the customer is provided a video menu at the display 100 to facilitate selection of the various services, goods and food available for purchase. The card reader 88 and cash acceptor 90 allow the customer to pay for any of the services, goods or food ordered at the dispenser while the printer 92 will provide a written record of the transaction. The dispenser control system 80 is operatively associated with a dispenser interrogator 52, which has a receiver 142 and a transmitter 144. The receiver and transmitter typically associate with one or more antennas 108 to provide remote communications with a transponder. The dispenser control system 80 communicates with the central control system 50 in the backroom 26.

In like fashion, the convenience store transaction electronics shown in Figure 6, and more specifically the transaction terminal register 30, include a store transaction controller 152, associated memory 154, the interrogator 54, and a display and key pad 150,160 forming a transaction terminal interface. The transaction controller 152 interacts with the central control system 50 through the central site control interface 160. The interrogator 54 includes a receiver 162 and a transmitter 164, both of which are associated with one or more antennas 166. The transaction terminal 30 is adapted to provide typical transaction functions of a cash register and a card authorization terminal in addition to communicating with transponders within the store and/or proximate to the terminal. The communications between the transponder and the store transaction terminal are generally related to transactional and customer identification and monitoring, although other features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Attention is now drawn to Figure 7 and the schematic outline of the QSR electronics shown therein. The QSR will generally have a controller 168 and associated memory 170 capable of interfacing with the central control system 50 through a central site control interface 172. As with many QSR's, a transaction terminal or register 174 is provided having a key pad 176 and display 178. The QSR transaction terminal 174 is used by a QSR operator to take customer orders from within the store in conventional fashion. The orders are either verbally or electronically communicated to the food preparation area 40 through the QSR controller 168.

The QSR transaction terminal 174 is associated with interrogator 56 having a receiver 177 and a transmitter 179 associated with one or more antennas 175. The food preparation area will typically have a food preparation interface 42 having a display 180 and a key pad 182. The food preparation interface 42 may be a terminal run from the QSR controller 168 or may contain a food preparation controller 184 within the food preparation interface 42. However the system is arranged, order information is passed from one of the order interfaces to the food preparation display 180 to alert food preparers of an order. In a QSR embodiment providing drive-thru capability, a remote order entry interface 186 is provided. The order entry interface 186 may include a simple menu board and audio intercom system 188, or in a more sophisticated embodiment, may provide for bi-directional video intercom using the audio intercom 188 and a video system 190 allowing the customer and QSR operator to audibly and visually interact with one another during order placement. The order entry interface 186 may also include an interrogator 60 having a receiver 192 and a transmitter 194, associated with one or more antennas 195, for communicating with a transponder of a customer when the customer is placing an order at the order entry interface 186.

Typically, orders placed at the order entry interface 186 are sent to the order pick-up interface 196, which is normally situated proximate to the pick-up window 36 at the end of the drive-thru lane. The order pick-up interface 196 will have an audio system 198 to provide the audio intercom and an optional video system 200 if video intercom with the order entry interface 186 is desired. The order pick-up interface 196 also has an associated interrogator 58 having a receiver 202 and a transmitter 204 associated with one or more antennas 206.

Unlike existing QSR's, the present invention may include a customer position detector 208, preferably placed somewhere along the drive-thru lane to detect when a customer is at or is past that position en route to pick up an order, which may have been placed at a fuel dispenser 18.

The customer position detector 208 is associated with the drive-thru position interrogator 62 and includes a receiver 210 and a transmitter 212 associated with one or more antennas 214.

Figure 8 depicts the basic outline of the car wash electronics, which includes a controller 216, memory 218, a key pad 220, a display 222 and the interrogator 51. The key pad 220 and display 222 combine with the controller 216 to provide a customer interface 48. The interrogator 51 includes a receiver 224 and a transmitter 226 associated with one or more antennas 228. Additionally, the car wash controller 216 preferably communicates with the central control system 50 in the store via a central site control interface 230. The interrogator 51 will typically communicate with a customer transponder to automatically authorize a car wash previously paid for at the dispenser or inside the store. The key pad may be used to insert a secret code or other information to select a type of wash or otherwise authorize the car wash.

Figure 9 generally depicts the central control system 50 found in the backroom 26 of the fueling environment 10. The central control system 50 may include one or more controllers 232 associated with memory 234. The central control system 50 may include multiple interfaces with the various areas in the fueling environment 10. These interfaces include the car wash interface 230, dispenser interface 146, QSR interface 172 and the vending interface 236 connected to an automated vending machine 28. Additionally, the central controller 232 may have a dedicated network or authorization interface 238 connected to a host transaction network 94 for authorizing credit and debit transactions and the like. An Internet interface may also be provided for transactions and other information relating to operation, advertising, merchandising and general inventory and management functions.

The dedicated authorization interface and/or Internet interface may operate on a dedicated service line or a telephone system 242. Furthermore, the central control system 50 may have a direct operator interface 244 associated with the controller 232 to allow an operator to interact with the control system. In more advanced embodiments, a central positioning interface 246 associated with multiple antennas 248 may be used to determine transponder position and location throughout the fueling environment. Those skilled in the art will be aware of a multitude of positioning and locating techniques, such as triangulation, wherein various characteristics of a signal emitted from the transponder are measured and monitored to determine movement as well as precise location. The antennas 248 associated with the central positioning interface 246 may take the place of or act in conjunction with the various antennas throughout the fueling environment to locate and monitor movement of the transponders in the fueling environment. Attention is drawn to US application Serial No. 08/966,237 entitled TRANSPONDER DISTINCTION IN A FUELING ENVIRONMENT filed November 7,1997, in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr. and US application Serial No. 08/759,733 filed December 6,1996, entitled INTELLIGENT FUELING in the name of Hartsell, et al. The entire disclosure of these two patent applications is incorporated herein by reference.

Multistage Ordering One of the many unique aspects of the present invention is providing for monitoring customer position throughout the fueling environment in order to associate orders placed at the fuel dispenser with the particular customer that placed the order at the appropriate receiving point, such as the QSR drive-thru terminal and window 36, QSR transaction terminal 34 in the store, or, in the case of a car wash, at the car wash interface 48. In addition to associating the customer picking up the order with the appropriate order, the QSR can monitor or detect the position of the customer in the drive-thru line or elsewhere in the fueling environment to determine when to start order preparation.

For example, during the fueling operation, the customer may decide to order a few items from the QSR menu displayed at the dispenser 18. As the customer enters the order, the order is associated with the transponder carried by the customer or mounted on the customer's vehicle.

The customer may choose to pay for the order along with the fuel at the dispenser, at the order pick-up place at the drive-thru window, or at one of the in-store registers associated with the QSR or the convenience store. Continuing with our example and assuming the transaction was ' paid for at the dispenser along with the fuel, the customer will enter his vehicle and proceed to drive around the fuel station store along the drive-thru lane and pass the customer position monitor 46. As the customer approaches the customer position monitor 46, the drive-thru position interrogator 62 will receive a signal from the customer transponder indicating the customer is at a known position in the drive-thru lane. At this point, the QSR control system 168 will alert the food preparation area 40 to prepare the order and indicate to the order pick-up interface and controller 196 the position of the customer in the drive-thru lane. Once the customer reaches the order pick-up window, the order pick-up interrogator will determine the presence of the customer transponder and associate the customer's order accordingly so that the drive-thru window operator can deliver the freshly prepared order to the correct customer.

Associating the customer with the appropriate order in a fueling environment having a QSR is quite different from traditional QSR drive-thru systems. With QSR's in a fueling environment, orders for pick up at the drive-thru window, or within the store for that matter, may be placed in a different sequence than the sequence in which the orders are actually picked up. The reason for the possible discrepancy between order placement and order pick up arises because orders can be placed at several locations, including the fuel dispenser and the traditional order entry interface 44. In particular, those customers placing orders at the dispenser will most likely intermingle in the drive-thru line with those placing orders at the order entry interface 44. The present invention uses transponders to appropriately associate orders placed at different locations with the appropriate customer at a common pick-up location.

With this in mind, attention is drawn to the flow chart of Figures 1 OA and 1 OB representing the basic flow of various multistage ordering processes. The process begins (block 500) when the dispenser interrogator 52 receives a signal from a transponder 12,14 and the dispenser control system 80 forwards transponder identification indicia (ID) to the central control system 50 for authorization (block 502). Authorization may occur locally at the central site controller 232 or at a remote host authorization network. The information to be authorized is generally financial or account information and can either be transmitted with the transponder ID or stored at the central control system 50 or the host network 94 in association with the transponder ID. In the latter case, either the host network 94 or the central control system 50 will associate the ID with the stored account information and then authorize the transponder based on the correlated account information. Preferably, the transponder is read and authorized as the customer and/or vehicle approaches or initially stops at the fueling position and preferably, at least, before a transaction is initiated to increase transaction efficiency. As the customer fuels the vehicle, the dispenser may display various types of information including advertising and instructional information. Preferably, the dispenser 18 will display options for ordering food items from the QSR or ordering a car wash at the car wash 24 (block 504). The dispenser 18 will determine whether an order is placed (block 506). The dispenser 18 will receive any orders placed by the customer (block 508) and associate the order with the transponder in some fashion (block 510).

Typically, the order is associated with a transponder by (1) associating the order with the transponder ID at one of the control systems, (2) transmitting and storing a code associated with the order on the transponder, or (3) actually storing the order on the transponder. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many variations available for associating an order with a transponder. These variations are considered within the scope of this disclosure and the claims that follow.

Although there are various options, two general methods for associating an order with a transponder will be discussed below. With the first, no information is transmitted to the transponder relating to the order. Instead, the electronics at the dispenser 18, central control system 50 or the QSR 22 stores the order information and associates the order with the transponder ID. When one of the interrogators subsequently reads the transponder ID, the pertinent system will correlate the order with the transponder ID. The second method involves writing information to the transponder at the dispenser 18 and subsequently transmitting that information to one of the system interrogators for authorization or order identification. The information written to the transponder may range from a code for identification authorization purposes to the complete order placed at the dispenser.

Returning to Figure 10A, the basic flow of both of the above-discussed methods are shown. In cases where one of the control systems associates an order based on the transponder ID, the customer order is transferred to the QSR controller 108 through the central control system 50 (block 512). The dispenser 18 will effect payment for the transaction (typically adding the QSR purchase total to the fueling charge) and the QSR controller 168 will alert the food preparation area to prepare the order (block 514).

In a basic environment, the QSR order pick-up interface 198 will monitor for the presence of a transponder through the drive-thru pick-up interrogator 58 or the in-store QSR transaction terminal interrogator 56 (block 516). If a transponder is not detected, the systems continue to monitor for a transponder (block 518). Once a transponder is detected, the transponder ID is received (block 520) and the transponder ID is associated with the appropriate order (block 522). At this point, the QSR operator located at the pick-up window or the in-store transaction terminal is informed of the order corresponding to the customer at the window or terminal (block 524) and the fueling and retail transaction for that particular customer ends (block 526).

Alternatively, once a customer places an order and the dispenser 18 receives the order (block 508), and the order is associated with the transponder (block 510), the dispenser 18 may transmit order indicia, such as a code for the order itself, to the transponder for storage (block 528). Next, the dispenser 18 will effect payment for the transaction as discussed above (block 530). In the more basic embodiment discussed above, the QSR interrogators associated with the QSR window or in-store terminal will monitor for the presence of a transponder (block 516 and 518), receive the transponder order indicia (block 518), and associate the order with the indicia received from the transponder (block 522). The operator is then informed of the order for that particular customer (block 524).

In any of the above embodiments, the customer position detector 46 may be used to alert QSR operators of the approach and location in the drive-thru line of a particular customer. For the sake of clarity, the process of Figure I OA only depicts using the customer position detector 46 in a process where order indicia is transmitted to the transponder. Please note that using the customer position detector 46 may be used in any of the embodiments, as those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.

Once the order is placed, received and associated with the transponder in normal fashion (blocks 500-510), indicia of the order is transmitted to the transponder (block 528) and the transaction is effected (block 530) in normal fashion. At this point, the customer position detector 46 will monitor for the presence of a transponder via the interrogator 62 (blocks 532 and 534). Once a transponder is detected, the customer position detector 46 will forward the transponder indicia to the food preparation area 40 through the QSR controller 108. This allows for the food preparation operators to timely prepare a customer order based on the customer's approach to the pick-up window (block 536). This information may also be sent to the pick-up operator to indicate customer position. The customer will proceed along the drive-thru lane until the pick-up window is approached where the transponder is detected by the order pick-up interrogator 58 (blocks 516 and 518). The transponder ID or indicia is received by the QSR electronics, and the operator is informed of the order corresponding to the customer at the window (blocks 522-526).

Although there are numerous variations to multistage ordering, the important aspects of the invention are associating a transponder with an order placed by a customer at the fuel dispenser and subsequently using information from the transponder to reassociate the order with that particular transponder. Optionally, an additional interrogation stage may provide a further alert to a QSR operator of the approach of a customer to initiate food preparation or simply indicate the position of the customer in line.

The multistage ordering works equally well with QSR's and car wash systems. When a car wash is ordered at the dispenser, the particular car wash ordered is associated with the transponder at the dispenser and subsequently reassociated when the customer approaches the car wash area 24 and is interrogated by the car wash interrogator 51. In the preferred embodiment, the dispenser operates in conjunction with the central control system 50 to provide authorization of the car wash purchased at the dispenser. When the customer is at the car wash 24, the customer's transponder is interrogated for an ID or a code, which the car wash controller and/or the central control system 50 recognizes as preauthorized. If additional security is necessary on any of these embodiments, the customer may receive a code or other indicia, which they are required to enter or submit when the corresponding goods or services are received.

Furthermore, the fuel dispenser 18 is not the only point of sale where ordering may take place.

A customer having a transponder may, for instance, order a car wash in conjunction with placing an order at the in-store QSR terminal or the convenience store terminal while purchasing food or other merchandise. The interrogators at either of these terminals can just as easily associate the car wash with the customer transponder and operate through the central control system 50 to subsequently reassociate the customer and the car wash ordered at the car wash interface 48. The multistage ordering disclosed herein provides a solution for keeping track of various transactions in a fueling environment where customer orders are picked up in locations separate from where they are placed and very likely may not be picked up in the order they were placed.

Loyalty Benefits The present invention may also be configured to provide various types of loyalty benefits based on past and/or current transactions. Loyalty benefits will be provided to a customer in order to encourage subsequent return to a particular fueling environment or one of an associated group of environments. The benefit may also encourage the purchase of additional products during the current or a subsequent transaction. The benefits may include cash rebates or discounts providing a type of electronic couponing to enhance merchandising and marketing efforts. A loyalty point may be earned by a customer for each transaction, transaction amount, or type or quantity of a particular product or service. For example, a loyalty point may be earned for each gallon of gas purchased or for a fill-up requiring eight or more gallons of gas. The store operators have tremendous flexibility in determining the various criteria for earning loyalty points. Additionally, the loyalty benefits or points are preferably redeemed by a customer in part, or in whole, on subsequent visits to the same or an associated fueling environment.

Redeeming points at a subsequent transaction provides an incentive for a customer to return to environments participating in the benefit program. Although redeeming points on a subsequent purchase is preferred, benefits may be made immediately available based solely on the current transaction. Furthermore, the benefits may be based upon current and prior transactions, and allow for both current and subsequent benefit. The basic flow of the process for providing such benefits is shown in Figure 10C.

The process begins (block 540) when a transponder is interrogated (block 542). Preferably, indicia, including identification indicia, is received from the transponder (block 544). Once the relevant controller receives the transponder indicia, one of two events typically occurs. The first option is to receive loyalty information, which is included in the transponder indicia, directly from the transponder. Optionally, the controller may use the transponder indicia, preferably identification indicia, to look up benefit information, including loyalty points, stored in an associated database anywhere within the fueling environment or at a remote network (block 546). Thus, loyalty information may be stored on the transponder and transmitted to the relevant control system or accessed from virtually any location based on some type of identification provided by the transponder.

At this point, the customer is engaging in a transaction and the relevant control systems will monitor such transaction (block 548) and determine whether to provide a benefit based on the current transaction (block 550). If a benefit is to be provided based on the current transaction, the controller will determine how to apply the current benefit information (block 552). The controller basically has two options. The controller may store the benefit information on the transponder or the relevant database (block 554), or apply the current benefit information to the current transaction (block 556).

Regardless of whether a benefit is provided based on the current transaction, the controller will preferably determine whether or not to apply a stored benefit to the current transaction based on prior transactions (block 558). If a stored benefit is not available or the controller is not adapted to provide such benefit, the process ends (block 560). If a stored benefit is available for application to the current transaction, the transaction is updated and the appropriate database in the transponder or associated with the controller is updated (block 562). Typically, the benefit is applied to the current transaction at this time, and the process is ended (block 560).

The loyalty benefits capable of being provided by this process allow tremendous flexibility and automatically implement incentives to increase customer loyalty and improve business.

Cash Customers Another important aspect of the present invention is providing refunds and loyalty points or benefits to cash customers. Traditionally, service stations were not able to monitor cash transactions or cash customers for merchandising efforts or to provide these customers with benefits that were provided to card customers. The card customers provided the service station operators with information to determine what types of purchasing activities specific customers had in addition to providing the customer with various benefits based on prior purchases and transactions. For example, a system comparable to the central control system 50, alone or in conjunction with a remote host network 94, could track customer purchases and provide a benefit based on a purchase type or an amount of a series of purchases. Prior to applicant's invention, cash customers were basically"invisible"to these types of merchandising aspects of the fuel station environment.

Additionally, efforts have been made to provide cash acceptors at the fuel dispensers 18 to enable customers to pay cash at the dispenser in order to expedite the fueling transaction for the benefit of the station operator and customer. The difficulty in using cash acceptors is providing the customer proper change when the amount of fuel dispensed differs from the cash amount inserted into the cash acceptor 90. Although the fuel dispenser 18 is a sophisticated instrument, it is not economical to further include a change machine at each fueling position of each dispenser. Thus, cash acceptor technology has not caught on in most fueling environments.

Furthermore, requiring a customer to enter the store to receive his or her cash refund or change defeats the purpose of paying at the dispenser. Similarly, since the customer's vehicle tank ullage is unknown, fueling to a prepaid dollar amount is often impractical and inconvenient to the customer.

The present invention provides a solution to the above problems by keeping track of cash customers and their respective refunds and loyalty points using transponder technology. A cash customer either carries a transponder or has a transponder mounted on his or her vehicle, and the transponder is used to associate any refunds or loyalty benefits with the otherwise invisible cash customer. The customer may use the cash acceptor 90 of the fuel dispenser 18 and receive any change as credit on or associated with the transponder. The transponder may simply provide an ID and the central control system 50 or remote host network 94 will keep track of the refund associated with that ID for later credit. Alternatively, the refund amount or credit may be directly transmitted to and stored on the transponder wherein that amount is transmitted to a dispenser for credit on a subsequent fueling transaction or to a cash dispensing machine at the site.

With this invention, customer loyalty and merchandising programs are made available using a transponder associated with a cash customer. Whether the customer pays at the dispenser or at one of the registers inside the store, interrogators placed at the dispensers, registers or anywhere else in the store can interact with the customer transponder in order to keep track of loyalty points, benefit information or simply monitor the customer's purchasing habits. This information is preferably stored at the central control system 50, at a remote host network 94 or directly on the transponder.

Attention is drawn to Figures 1 lA and 11B depicting a flow chart representing basic interaction with the transponder of the cash customer. Typically, a new transaction begins when a cash customer having a personal transponder 12 or vehicle mounted transponder 14 drives up to a fueling position at one of the dispensers 18 and begins fueling (block 600). The customer will generally start a new transaction by beginning fueling (block 602). This is typically accomplished by initially interacting with the fuel dispenser user interface comprising the key pad and display 102,100 to select a cash or credit transaction. The dispenser control system 80 will determine if the customer is making a cash transaction (block 604) and relay that information to the central control system 50. Although determining whether or not the customer is conducting a cash transaction occurs at the beginning of the fueling process in Figures 1 lA and 11 B, this determination can be made anytime during the fueling operation and at virtually any payment location, including the register or transaction terminal 30 in the store.

At this point, the dispenser control system 80, operating in conjunction with the dispenser interrogator 52, will retrieve the transponder ID (block 606). The dispenser control system 80 and central control system 50 will operate to retrieve information relating to prior transactions which may affect the current transaction. This information may be cash refunds from previous transactions, credits or loyalty points, or other benefits based on prior transactions. These benefits may include electronic couponing, wherein discounts for future purchases may be provided for any variety of merchandising or marketing reasons. Depending on system configuration, this information may be stored on the transponder, or at any of the control systems in the fueling environment, such as the central control system, in addition to being maintained at a remote host network 94 system communicating with other stations. When the information is stored on the transponder or at the remote network, loyalty programs and refund data is made easily attainable by other fueling environment systems. Thus, the dispenser 18 may retrieve prior transaction information from the transponder (block 608) or retrieve this information from a database stored at one of many control systems associated with the dispenser (block 610). Regardless of system architecture, some type of identification indicia is necessary to associate a particular customer's information with a corresponding transponder. Subsequently, one of the controllers associated with the dispenser such as the dispenser control system 80, convenience store transaction controller 152 or central site controller 232, will determine a transaction subtotal (block 612). The controller will apply any prior refunds, loyalty points or benefits the customer has accumulated due to the current transaction and/or any prior transactions (block 614). A new transaction total is then determined (block 616).

Next, payment is received at one of the in-store registers, such as the in-store transaction terminal 30, or at the cash acceptor 90 of the dispenser 18 (block 618). Notably, initial dispenser authorization may depend upon receiving the cash payment at the beginning of the fueling operation and before fueling begins. The dispenser control system 80, or one of the associated controllers, will subsequently determine a refund amount and any loyalty points or benefits accumulated based on the current transaction and any earlier transactions, accordingly.

The station operator has tremendous freedom in determining the criteria for issuing benefits and points based on a single transaction or a series of transactions. Depending on whether the information is stored directly on a transponder or elsewhere, the refund and loyalty information must be transmitted to the transponder through the appropriate interrogator, such as the dispenser interrogator 52 or the store transaction interrogator 54. The appropriate interrogator primarily depends on where the actual cash transaction takes place. If the information is not stored on the transponder, the information will be stored at one of the local control systems or the host network 94 (block 624). Once the transaction is over, the system will begin anew by waiting for another transponder-carrying cash customer (block 626).

Discount For Transponder Use Another aspect of the invention is providing a system capable of applying a discount to a transaction when a transponder or other preferred method of payment is used. The system is preferably adapted to provide benefits or discounts to a transaction when a transponder is associated with the transaction to encourage transponder use, while avoiding cash payment or other less desirable payment methods.

Attention is now directed to Figure 11 C where a basic process for discounting a transponder related transaction is shown. As the process begins (block 630), a transponder is interrogated (block 632) and transponder indicia is received by one of the control systems in the fueling environment (block 634). The control system will proceed with the transaction (block 636) and will ultimately determine what type of method will be used for the transaction and what, if any, discount will be provided based on the chosen method of payment.

Initially, the control system will determine whether or not a transponder is being used in association with the transaction (block 638). If a transponder is being used, the control system will provide a first discount rate to all or a portion of the transaction (block 640), and proceed to determine transaction totals (block 650). If a transponder is not used in association with the transaction, the control system may determine whether or not a card, such as debit, credit or smartcard, is used with the transaction (block 642). If a card is used in association with the transaction, the control system may provide a second discount for all or a portion of the transaction (block 644), and proceed to determine transaction totals (block 650).

If there is no transponder or card associated with the transaction, the control system may determine whether or not the transaction is a cash transaction (block 646). This may be by default if no card or transponder is used, or may result from the customer selecting a cash transaction or an operator indicating a cash transaction at a POS position. If a cash transaction is determined, the control system is configured to provide a third discount rate to all or part of the transaction (block 648) and proceed to determine transaction totals (block 650).

The system operator may elect to provide different rates for the first, second and third discount rates associated with the transponder, card and cash transactions, respectively. Furthermore, the operator may elect not to provide a discount for all or any combination of the various methods of payment. Preferably, a greater discount is provided for transactions using a transponder in order to encourage transponder use with transactions. Similarly, to avoid the use of cash transactions, the system operator may decide not to provide any discount for cash transactions. Once the transaction totals are determined (block 650) and the appropriate discount rates are applied, payment is received (block 652) and the process comes to an end (block 654). Those skilled in the art should quickly recognize the benefits inherent in certain payment methods to improve transaction efficiencies and encourage methods of payment beneficial to the station operator.

Cash Prepay With Transponder Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a prepaid transponder capable of being used with dispensers and other POS terminals in a fueling environment. The present invention allows a customer to prepay for subsequent transactions at a terminal capable of communicating with the transponder in order to store the amount of prepayment on the transponder, or at least associate the amount of prepayment in a database associated with the terminal and any future transaction locations, such as a fuel dispenser.

Attention is directed to Figures 11D and I IE where a basic process for using a prepaid transponder is shown. When the basic process begins (block 660), a transponder is interrogated at a cash or other payment receiving terminal (block 662). The terminal will receive cash or other value (block 664), and either transmit to the transponder a value for the cash or other prepayment received or store that value in a database associated with the controller (block 666).

At this point, the transponder has value (or is associated with value) and is capable of being interrogated at various POS terminals. In this example, the POS is an interface at a fuel dispenser. During the transaction, the dispenser will interrogate the transponder (block 668) and authorize a transaction within the stored credit or value of the transponder (block 670). The transaction will proceed (block 672) and the appropriate control system will determine that the values incurred during a transaction remain less than the value of the transponder (block 674).

As the transaction is monitored, the control system will stop or limit the transaction (block 684) before the value of the transponder is exceeded. As long as the transaction remains less than the value of the transponder, the transaction will proceed until completed (block 676). Once the transaction is complete, the control system will determine transaction totals (block 678) and transmit such totals to the transponder for accounting (block 680). Alternatively, these totals may be sent to a database corresponding to the respective transponder in order to keep track of prepayment and associated totals. The accounting may be done at the transponder, wherein the value of the transaction is received by the transponder and the appropriate calculations are completed. Alternatively, the control system may simply update the value associated with the transponder by either transmitting this value directly to the transponder or storing it in the databases associated with the transponder.

Preferably, the control system will interact with the transponder or the database maintaining the value associated with the transponder to determine the remaining transponder totals or value (block 682), and display such totals to the customer (block 686). These totals may include the amount of prior transactions, the remaining value of the transponder before the transaction, or the value of the transponder after the transaction. The system operator will have great flexibility in deciding the various accounting information made available to the customer. Preferably, the information will be sufficient to allow the customer to recognize when the transponder value is approaching zero (0) or a predefined threshold to alert the customer that it is time to add value to the transponder.

For example, the control system may monitor the transponder value to determine whether that value is less than or equal to a predefined value, such as zero, or any other desired threshold.

If the value is less than or equal to the set value, the control system may be configured to alert the customer of the current transponder value and that it has dropped below the threshold amount (block 690) and the process ends (block 692). If the transponder value is greater than the threshold, the system operator may elect not to provide a warning to the customer and end the process (block 692).

Notably, during any portion of the process described above, the control system may allow the customer to add value to the transponder at the current transaction terminal. For instance, the customer may use the cash acceptor or card reader at the fuel dispenser to add value to the transponder. The customer will simply determine an amount to add to the transponder, and the dispenser interrogator will simply interrogate the transponder and transmit the relevant added value information to the transponder or receive the transponder ID and update an associated database accordingly (blocks 662-666). Storing this value should be interpreted to include adding to or subtracting from an existing value or any other accounting necessary for operation.

Transponder Monitoring and Location Detection In several aspects of the present invention, it is desirable to determine the location and/or proximity of a transponder, whether vehicle mounted or carried by a customer, with respect to a specific fueling position of a dispenser or interrogation system. In other aspects, it is desirable to track the transponder throughout the fueling environment 10. Although the embodiments described herein use the dispenser as a reference, any of the interrogation systems in the fueling environment may be adapted to determine transponder location and/or proximity.

Determining location and proximity of a transponder with respect to a fuel dispenser in a fueling environment presents a unique problem because the fueling environment includes multiple dispensers with multiple positions. At any given time, numerous transponders will be in or moving about the fueling environment and the many interrogation fields associated with the various interrogators. The dispensers and associated control systems must distinguish between personal and vehicle-mounted transponders used to carry out a transaction from transponders attached to a vehicle driving by the fueling position or carried by a person walking by the dispenser. Fueling environments must be able to avoid communicating with a second transponder during a transaction with a first transponder. Texas Instruments (TI) has made an attempt at implementing a system in a fueling environment capable of communicating with transponders. The beta sites for the Texas Instruments system are believed to communicate with transponders using an interrogator transmitting an interrogation signal having a 134 kHz carrier. Certain transponders within range of the 134 kHz signal will transmit a signal back to the interrogator using either a 134 kHz or a 903 MHz carrier.

The TI system uses two different types of RFID devices: handheld and car mount transponders.

The handheld transponder transmit and receives radio communications at 134 kHz. The car mount transponder receives at 134 kHz and transmits at 903 MHz. The dispenser is equipped with a large loop antenna adapted to transmit at 134 kHz and a smaller antenna configured to receive at 903 MHz. The smaller 903 MHz antenna is mounted with the large loop antenna at the top of the dispenser. The TI system also requires an antenna mounted on the dispenser face and adapted to transmit and receive at 134 kHz. The car mount transponder communicates to the fuel dispenser via the large loop antenna located at the top of the dispenser.

A handheld transponder outside of the face mounted antenna's range may receive a signal transmitted from the loop antenna, but the dispenser will not be affected because the handheld transponder responds to the loop antenna polling by transmitting back at 134 kHz, a frequency ignored by the 903 MHz receiving antenna. The only way that the 134 kHz signal from the handheld transponder can be picked up by the dispenser is by putting the transponder within 2-6 inches of the fuel dispenser door, where the face antenna is located. The face antenna, which is typically mounted in the dispenser door for handheld transponders, cannot receive other signals due to its limited power and range. The 134 kHz loop antenna sends the car mount transponder its interrogation ID number and the car mount transponder responds with the same ID number so that its signal will be ignored by other dispenser loop antennas that accidentally pick up signals having different interrogation ID numbers. The loop antenna is not a directional antenna, but its range can be limited to a defined area with reasonable certainty so that its 134 kHz interrogation signal is not picked up by another car at another dispenser. The loop antenna can be adjusted so that overlap with other loop antennas in the forecourt is minimal or non-existent.

The 903 MHz signal sent by the car mounted transponder is omni directional meaning its signal can travel in all directions and can be picked up easily by other dispensers. The reason that this is not problematic is that the 903 MHz signal sent by the car mount transponder containing the interrogation ID number of the dispenser it wishes to communicate with will only be sent after being contacted by the signal having its interrogation ID number. This way, other dispensers with different interrogation ID numbers will ignore a signal sent by a car mount transponder with a different interrogation ID number.

The 903 MHz signal transmitted from the transponder to the interrogator is substantially non-directional and can be heard throughout the entire fueling environment and most likely for quite some distance outside the fueling environment. Transponder transmissions carrying throughout the fueling environment add significant difficulty in correlating a transponder with the proper dispenser and respective fueling position. In addition to the inherent difficulties in locating and distinguishing between transponders within the fueling environment, the Texas Instruments system requires different types of antennas, modulation schemes and communication electronics for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the transponders. Applicants'invention provides a solution to the difficulties of locating and communicating with transponders within the fueling environment by (1) providing a communications system operating at frequency ranges which are very directional, (2) controlling the power at which the communications system operates and (3) simplifying the communications electronics by operating at the same carrier frequency when communicating with any transponder. Communicating at substantially the same carrier frequency allows interrogators to use the same or similar antennas to transmit and receive. Furthermore, these more directional frequencies require smaller antennas, which are easily integrated into the fueling environment or dispenser in an economical and aesthetically acceptable manner.

The preferred arrangement of applicants'antennas is shown in Figures 12A and 12B. In Figure 12A, a side view of a fuel dispenser 18 under a canopy or awning 249 is shown with multiple configurations of antennas adapted to communicate with various transponders proximate to either of the fueling positions A or B. The antennas are adapted to transmit, receive or transmit and receive at substantially directional frequencies, including those in the microwave range, and preferably around about 2.45 GHz. In these embodiments, there are basically three suggested antenna locations wherein various combinations of antennas at these locations are used. Please note that the antennas of Figures 12A and 12B are not referenced as 108, for the sake of clarity in describing antenna placement.

The first antenna location is near the middle of a front face of the dispenser 18. A mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 and mid-dispenser receive antenna 253 are placed near this midpoint. The antennas may be located in the central portion of the dispenser or located anywhere along the front face of the dispenser, including near the respective sides of the dispenser as shown in Figure 12B. The mid-dispenser antennas 251,253 preferably provide a limited power and limited range field pattern to communicate with a transponder 66 carried by a customer. The field provided by the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 is preferably large enough to properly communicate with the customer-carried transponder 66 in the fueling position and in front of the dispenser without requiring the customer to remove the transponder from a purse, wallet or pocket and wave the transponder next to the dispenser 18 or a receiving antenna.

Additionally, a top-mount transmit antenna 255 and top-mount receive antenna 257 may be provided at or near the top of the dispenser 18 and adapted to provide a focused, directional and preferably conically shaped field downward over the respective fueling position. These top-mount antennas 255,257 are preferably located on each side of the dispenser 18 as shown in Figure 12B in similar fashion to the preferred placement of the mid-dispenser antennas 251, 253. The duplication and spacing of these antennas help avoid interference caused by people or other objects breaking the communication path between the respective antenna and transponder. This allows the transponder to communicate with the dispenser through one antenna or set of antennas, even if something blocks the field from the other set of antennas.

Another option is to place the antenna substantially directly over the fueling position A or B. In such an embodiment, overhead receive antenna 259 and overhead transmit antenna 261 are mounted over the fueling position A, B using an overhead antenna mount 263. The overhead antennas 261,263 operate in the same manner as the top-mount antennas 255,257, and may also be spaced apart to provide varying positions to create an interrogation field. Notably, the antennas for receiving and transmitting may be combined into one wherein a suitable circulator or like electronics 241 is incorporated into the interrogator or communications electronics to provide for reception and transmission from a single antenna. With any of these embodiments, the antennas may cooperate directly with the central control system 50 or with the dispenser control system 80 to allow overall system monitoring of transponders at the various positions.

In these situations, the selected control system will alert the dispenser of transponder presence.

As noted, various combinations of these antennas can be used. For example, the preferred embodiment includes two mid-dispenser transmit antennas 251, two top-mount transmit antennas 255, and two top-mount receive antennas 257. The top-mount receive antennas 257 are adapted to receive signals transmitted from the transponder in response to signals from either the mid-dispenser transmit antennas 251 or the top-mount transmit antennas 255. In operation, when a customer-carried transponder 66 enters the field provided by the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251, the transmitter reflects a signal which is received by the top-mount receive antenna 257. Alternatively, vehicle-mounted transponders 64 may enter the interrogation field provided by the top-mount transmit antenna 255 and respond with a signal received by the top-mount receive antenna 257.

The interrogation fields provided by any of the transmit antennas 251,255,259 may be adjusted to control the size and shape of the respective fields. For example, the system may be configured to more easily distinguish between transponders carried by a person and vehicle-mounted transponders by configuring the respective interrogation fields provided by the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 and the top-mount transmit antenna 255 or overhead transmit antenna 259, such that the respective interrogation fields do not overlap or overlap in a desired and select pattern. Thus, communications resulting from an interrogation with the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 indicate a transponder carried by the customer while communications resulting from the top-mount or overhead transmit antenna 255,259 may be indicative of vehicle-mounted transponders.

Attention is now drawn to Figures 12C and 12D, which depict a flow chart of a basic process for monitoring the location and position of a particular type of transponder using top-mount transmit antennas 255 or overhead transmit antennas 259 and a mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 in conjunction with one or more top-mount or overhead-mount receive antennas 257, 261.

In this preferred embodiment, one or more of the transmit antennas mounted substantially above the customer will alternate sending interrogation signals with one or more of the mid-dispenser transmit antennas 251. A response to either of these interrogation signals is received at a receive antenna mounted substantially above the customer, such as one of the top-mount receive antennas 257 or overhead receive antennas 261.

The basic operation of this embodiment begins (block 400) by alternately transmitting from the top and mid-mount antennas (block 402). The central control system 50 or dispenser control system 80 will monitor for responses from transponders within one of the interrogation fields (block 404). The control system will continue to monitor for a transponder response until a signal from a transponder is received (block 406). The control system will next determine from which transmission field the transponder is responding (block 408). In this embodiment, where the transmission fields alternate, the control system will simply determine if a transponder response was received during a time period when the top or overhead-mount antennas were generating the interrogation field or if the response occurred during the time the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 was generating the interrogation field.

Once the control system determines the field in which the transponder is responding, the appropriate location of the transponder is known (block 410). Typically, the transponder's response to the interrogation signal provides transponder identification indicia indicative of the type of transponder being interrogated (block 412). The type of transponder is generally vehicle mounted or carried by the person. Determining whether the transponder is vehicle mounted or carried by the person enables the control system to determine how to react to the presence of other transponders passing through the various interrogation fields during a communication with another transponder or make sure a transponder is properly located for the desired transaction.

If the control system determines the transponder is one carried by a person (block 414) and that the transponder was within the mid-antenna field (block 416), the control system allows the transaction to continue (block 420). If the transponder is a customer-carried transponder that is not within the mid-antenna field (blocks 414 and 416), the control system will return to the beginning of the process (block 418). The latter situation is indicative of a transponder carried by the person being interrogated in one of the top or overhead antenna fields, which are preferably used to interrogate vehicle-mounted transponders exclusively. Thus, the system preferably ignores transponders carried by the person outside of the mid-antenna field, which is preferably focused in a manner requiring the customer to be substantially in front of the customer interface of the appropriate fueling position. The field associated with the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 is limited only by design choice and may extend several or more feet in front and to the sides of the fuel dispenser.

If the control system is communicating with a customer-carried transponder within the mid-antenna field, the control system may monitor for the continued presence of the transponder in the mid-antenna field (block 422) or allow movement of the customer-carried transponder throughout the fueling environment (block 422). Notably, it is often desirable to only require the customer-carried transponder to be within the mid-antenna field long enough to start the transaction and fueling operation, and allow the customer to leave the fueling area during the fueling operation. Unlike a customer-carried transponder, the control system would preferably require the presence of the vehicle in the appropriate transmission field throughout the fueling operation for safety reasons. Regardless of how the control system monitors the presence or movement of the customer-carried transponder during the transaction, the transaction will continue until complete (block 426), wherein the process will begin anew (block 428).

If the control system determines a vehicle-mounted transponder is within the appropriate transmission field (block 414), the transaction will continue (block 430). Preferably, the control system will make sure that the vehicle has stopped moving and has been in position long enough to indicate a transaction associated with the responding transponder is likely. As noted above, the control system will preferably continue to monitor for the vehicle-mounted transponder's presence (block 432) throughout fueling. The control system is preferably capable of distinguishing responses from the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the transaction from other personal or vehicle-mounted transponders entering one or more of the transmission fields (block 434). If a response to an interrogation signal is received that does not correspond to the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the transaction, the response is ignored (block 436).

Preferably, the control system will ignore all responses of customer-carried transponders in the top-mount or overhead transmission fields. Erroneous responses from other vehicles are rejected based on the control system recognizing a response from a vehicle-mounted transponder having a different identification indicia from the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the ongoing transaction. Likewise, the control system will ignore responses from transponders other than the authorized transponders to avoid communicating with transponders of other customers entering the field during a transaction. In such case, the control system may check the identification indicia to ensure communication continue with the appropriate transponder. During this time, the control system will continue with the transaction (block 438) until the transaction is completed (block 440).

If the transaction is not complete, the control system will continue to monitor for the presence of the vehicle-mounted transponder and any other transponders in the area (blocks 432-440).

Once the transaction is complete (block 440), the process returns to the beginning (block 442).

Although the preferred embodiment provides for mid and overhead transmission fields wherein transponder responses are received near the top or above the dispenser, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications of this configuration are within the inventive concept disclosed herein and subject to the claims that follow.

As noted, the interrogation communications system preferably communicates using substantially directional radio frequencies in conjunction with antennas configured to provide precisely shaped and directed interrogation fields. Communications at these frequencies are generally limited to line-of-sight communications wherein arranging the antennas to cover a common interrogation field from different locations avoids parallax and the effect of interference from objects coming between the transponder and one of the antennas. Generally, communications will require the absence of metal objects coming between the antennas and transponders. Thus, when antennas are mounted within the dispenser, glass or plastic dispenser walls are preferable. Furthermore, vehicle-mounted transponders are preferably placed on the windows or behind non-metal portions of the vehicle to avoid interference.

Preferably, high-gain antennas are used to provide a highly directional and configurable cone shape covering an area most likely to include a transponder when a vehicle is properly positioned for fueling. The antenna range and transmission power is typically adjusted to provide the desired interrogation field while minimizing the potential for the transponder to reflect signals to antennas associated with other fueling positions.

Another benefit provided by an embodiment of the present invention is that spread-spectrum communications limits the likelihood that an interrogator in the system will synchronize with a transponder being interrogated by another interrogator. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a communications system capable of distinguishing between transponder types, limiting the potential of transponders erroneously communicating with another interrogator, simplifying communications by using the same carrier for transmission and reception, extending the interrogation field to more easily communicate with vehicle-mounted transponders, reducing the size of the antennas required for communication, and allowing either the same or same type of antenna to be used for transmission and reception.

Alternate Antenna Configuration Turning now to Figure 13A, an alternative fueling environment 10 is shown having a station store 20 and the central control system 50 configured to communicate with each of the dispensers 18. Multiple vehicles 14 are depicted in and around the various fuel dispensers 18.

Each of the dispensers may include an antenna 108. These antennas 108 may be operatively associated with a corresponding dispenser interrogator 52 and dispenser control system 80 (see Figure 5). Please note that antenna placement will depend upon the application and may include placing the antennas anywhere in the fueling environment 10 separate from the dispensers 18. Placing the antennas at non-dispenser locations is especially operable in applications where the antennas are used to determine transponder location.

The antenna 108 and dispenser 18 configuration in Figure 13A is specifically adapted to determine the proximity of a vehicle relative to a particular fueling position A, B associated with each dispenser 18. The different reception patterns are depicted in association with the two left most dispensers 18. The circular reception pattern 250 would be used to determine the proximity of a vehicle with respect to a particular dispenser 18. Generally, only one antenna 108 is required for such an embodiment. As a vehicle approaches the dispenser having the circular pattern 250, the dispenser's corresponding interrogator 52 and dispenser control system 80 will receive a signal transmitted from the transponder 12,14. The dispenser control system 80 will analyze certain characteristics of the signal received from the transponder, such as magnitude or strength, to determine a relative proximity to the dispenser. Typically, a dispenser 18 having an antenna configuration providing the basic circular pattern 44 is not able to distinguish at which side or fueling position A, B, the vehicle is positioned.

A dual-lobed pattern 252 associated with the second dispenser 18 from the left in Figure 13A provides the dispenser control system 80 the ability to determine at which fueling position A, B the vehicle is located or approaching. In order to determine the particular fueling position A, B, a directional component is necessary in addition to the proximity component described above. To provide this directional component, multiple antennas may be used to create various types of reception lobes where the antennas may be configured to only receive signals from certain pre-set directions or areas. Regardless of the configuration, the dispenser control system 80 will monitor a characteristic of the signal determinative of proximity, such as magnitude or strength, in conjunction with determining the fueling position A, B to which the signal appears most proximate. In the dual-lobed embodiment 252, the dispenser control system 80 may measure the signal characteristics received at both antennas 108 to determine from which antenna the received signal was strongest in order to determine direction. Using directionally configured antennas will allow each antenna to focus on one fueling position. Alternatively, placing the antennas 107 in the forecourt under each fueling position allows for easy determination of vehicle placement relative to a fueling position as shown in Figure 16.

The dispenser control system 80 may include electronics capable of detecting signal strength or magnitude and monitor for variations therein. The magnitude monitoring circuitry 256 preferably includes automatic gain control electronics feeding the received signal into an analog-to-digital converter. Signal strength is turned into an 8-bit digital string corresponding to a signal magnitude. The dispenser control system 80 will monitor the string for variations in signal strength. As the signal magnitude increases, the dispenser control system 80 will determine that the transponder is approaching, and vice versa.

The flow chart of Figures 14A and 14B outlines the process undertaken by the dispenser control system 80 to determine the proximity or location of a transponder 64,66 with respect to a particular fueling position A, B of a dispenser 18. The process begins (block 700) with the dispenser control system 80 beginning to monitor for a transponder signal (block 710). The signal may originate from an active transmitter in the transponder or may reflect or scatter back to a dispenser interrogator 52 and antenna 108. Upon detection of a transponder signal (block 720), the dispenser control system 80 will monitor a characteristic, such as magnitude or phase of the signal (block 730). At this point, the dispenser control system 80 recognizes a transponder 64,66 as near or approaching the dispenser 18 and continues to monitor for the presence of the signal (block 740). If the signal is lost or decreases, the dispenser control system 80 will determine that the transponder has left or is leaving the reception area and will begin to monitor for a new transponder signal (block 710). If the signal remains present and/or increases, the dispenser control system 80 will determine the proximity of the vehicle with respect to the dispenser (block 750). Preferably, the dispenser control system 80 will monitor to determine whether or not the signal strength is changing to ensure that the vehicle-mounted transponder 64 does not move during the fueling operation.

In order to determine the particular fueling position A, B at which the transponder is located, the dispenser control system 80 must determine which side of the dispenser the vehicle is at or approaching (block 760). The dispenser control system 80 may simply monitor the signal with antennas at or near the particular fueling position designed to receive using a directionally sensitive antenna configuration, such as the embodiment of Figures 12A and 12B, the dual-lobed configuration 252 of Figure 13A, or the underground antennas 107 shown in Figure 16.

Reference is again directed to Figures 14A and 14B. As a transponder approaches a particular fueling position A, B, the dispenser control system 80 determines if the transponder is within a certain fueling proximity (block 770). When the vehicle is within fueling proximity, it is in a position close enough for the fuel dispenser 18 at the corresponding fueling position A, B to allow fueling of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not within fueling proximity, the dispenser control system 80 continues to monitor the strength and direction of the signal (blocks 730-760). The dispenser control system 80 may determine whether the transponder or vehicle is within fueling proximity by simply receiving the transponder signal, receiving a signal magnitude above a predefined threshold, and/or determining whether the signal magnitude is changing, indicating that the transponder and vehicle are moving.

Once the vehicle is in position for fueling, the dispenser control system 80 activates the dispenser's fueling electronics as desired (block 780). During the fueling operation, the dispenser control system 80 continues to monitor for the presence of a signal in decision block 790. When the signal is no longer present, the dispenser electronics are deactivated at block 795, and the dispenser control system 80 monitors for the next transponder signal at block 710 causing the process to repeat.

Figure 13B depicts an embodiment wherein the location of transponders may be tracked as they travel throughout the service station environment 10. In this embodiment, the dispensers 18 each include an antenna 108 capable of receiving a signal from a transponder 64. Preferably, signals from the antennas 108 are multiplexed together at the central control system 50. The various control systems will receive the transponder signal and monitor the location of the vehicle and determine the dispenser 18 and fueling position A, B at which the vehicle stops.

The dispenser control system 80 may, for example, monitor a characteristic, such as the phase, of the signal received by the various antennas 108 associated with the dispensers 18 and use known computational techniques, based on the signal characteristics received at the various antenna locations, to determine vehicle location. One such technique using phase differences is triangulation.

Although the signal of only one vehicle transponder 64 is depicted, the various dispensers 18 and/or the central control system 50 may monitor for the presence and location of a plurality of vehicles to determine proximity, direction of travel and location throughout the fueling environment 10. Triangulation and other similar positioning and locating techniques generally require at least two antennas and provide better resolution as the number of antennas 108 increase. The location of the respective antennas 108 may be virtually anywhere in the fueling environment 10. Another alternative to multiplexing the various antennas located at the respective dispensers 18 or elsewhere in the fueling environment 10 is to use multiple antennas in each dispenser or throughout the fueling environment 10. Additionally, a global positioning system (GPS) could be used to communicate vehicle position directly or through a remote network 94 to the central control system 50 and on to the fuel dispenser 18.

The flow chart of Figure 15 outlines the control process for the embodiment depicted in Figure 13B. The process begins (block 800) and initially monitors for the presence of a transponder signal (block 810). Once the signal is received (block 820), the dispenser control system 80 monitors the characteristics of the signal for various antennas (block 830). The dispenser control system 80 will next determine the location of the transponder (block 840) using the monitored signal characteristics at the various antennas to triangulate or otherwise determine vehicle location. The precise fueling position A, B of the corresponding dispenser 18 is determined (blocks 850 and 860) by calculating the position at which the vehicle stopped. The dispenser control system 80 for the dispenser where the vehicle stopped will determine if the vehicle is within the fueling area (block 870). If the vehicle is within the fueling area, the dispenser's fueling electronics are activated as desired (block 880). The dispenser control system 80 will continually monitor the location of the vehicle to determine if the vehicle remains within the fueling area (block 890). Once the fueling operation is over and the vehicle leaves the fueling area, the dispenser control system 80 deactivates the dispenser's fueling electronics (block 895) and monitors for a new transponder signal (block 810), whereupon the process is repeated.

With respect to Figure 16, an embodiment depicting underground antennas 107 is shown. The two antennas 107 correspond to fueling positions A and B. The antennas are preferably multiplexed at an antenna multiplexer 256. The multiplexer 256 sends the multiplex signals received bv the corresponding antenna 107 to the interrogator 52. Preferably, intrinsically safe barriers are used to provide electrical isolation between the antennas and the multiplexer 256 and/or interrogator 52.

Dual-Stage Preconditioning and Authorization Using Transponders There are numerous examples of transponders being used in fleet-type applications for identifying a vehicle as being authorized to receive fuel at a specific fueling site. There are examples of radio frequency transmissions being used to interface with onboard vehicle computers for the purpose of transferring vehicle information to various locations, such as toll plazas, fuel dispensers and parking garages. A number of schemes are known for identifying an individual for completing financial transactions. These typically involve personal identification numbers (PIN), which are"secret"codes known only to the consumer and used in conjunction with financial account information in order to complete a transaction. These schemes typically include standard debit cards with associated PIN's, contact and contactless smart cards with associated PIN's, and smart-wired and wireless PIN pads used in conjunction with card reading devices such as the devices disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,967,366 to Kaehler.

Consumers have reacted favorably as the petroleum retailing industry has accepted card readers in the dispensers as a means for reducing the time required to complete payment for gasoline transactions. However, both consumers and the industry desire still further improvements of transaction efficiencies. One aspect of the current invention is to use transponder technology in a fueling environment to simplify the financial payment operation associated with the transaction at a fuel dispenser and provide an enhanced level of security such that basic transponder communications cannot be"tapped"by unauthorized devices and personnel in order to replicate communications to generate fraudulent transactions. This aspect involves an initial radio frequency identification process to provide preconditioning of the fuel dispenser, followed by an authentication process to provide transaction security for the financial aspects of the transaction. The invention is applicable to both vehicle-mounted 64 and personal transponders 66, and, in certain embodiments, may require a second transponder associated with the vehicle or customer for the authentication step. The secondary authentication process may require the customer to enter a PIN, speak for a voice match, or supply a physical identifier, such as a fingerprint, or other biometric identifier. Preferably, a voice print or other biometric signature of the customer is taken and stored in the transponder's memory or a database associated with the dispenser control system. Thus, the information must be received from the transponder or capabilities to the fueling environment relating to remote control and information dissemination.

Attention is drawn to U. S. Patent application Serial No. 08/896,988 for INTERNET CAPABLE BROWSER DISPENSER ARCHITECTURE, filed July 18,1997, in the name of Russel D.

Leatherman et al. The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

Similarly, the customer may elect to receive audio/video entertainment (block 1530), such as brief videos or music provided to make the customer's visit to the fueling environment more pleasurable. Additionally, the customer may elect to receive a wide variety of information relating to news, weather, scores, stock updates and traffic reports, just to name a few of the types of information available (block 1535). As noted, this information may be gathered and distributed locally by the central control system 50 or accessed via the remote network 94.

Associating the central site control system with the Internet will allow significant access to various types of information.

Given the tremendous amount of information capable of being provided at the dispenser based on customer selection or independent merchandising, the present invention also provides for suppressing the presentation of certain information as desired by the customer (block 1540).

For example, certain customers may not want to receive advertisements for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or snack products. Preferably, any of the information may be suppressed upon customer election and use of the transponder.

In addition to suppressing available information, a customer is also provided the ability to change or override a preference previously elected during initial setup (block 1545). Typically, the customer is queried via a prompt on the video display 100 of the dispenser 18 to change or override a certain preference. Upon receiving customer input via the key pad 102,104, the dispenser control system 80 (possibly in conjunction with the central control system 50) will override and/or change the information provided on the display 100. Changing the preference may include providing a customer with a menu of available information display options. Thus, the dispenser control system 80 will monitor the key pad 102,104 for a customer response (block 1550). If the customer responds accordingly (block 1555), the preference is modified or changed (block 1560) by simply canceling the preference or selecting a new preference from a displayed menu. The preference may be made temporarily or permanently by updating the database and/or sending an appropriate control signal to the transponder. After the preference is changed, the dispenser will operate to continue the fueling operation (block 1565) until the operation comes to an end (block 1570). If the customer does not elect to change a predefined preference, the dispenser control system 80 will simply continue fueling until the end of the fueling operation (blocks 1565 and 1570). The dispenser may recognize other preferences to precondition the fuel dispenser for the impending fueling operation, including selecting a card type, payment method, account type, or other related transaction information to prepare the dispenser for fueling and carrying out the transaction. The customer may also elect to receive specific types of advertising and merchandising. Based on these elections, system operators may provide additional independent but targeted advertising and merchandising.

Preventing Fueling of Unauthorized Containers The present invention may also provide for ensuring a container is proper for receiving and carrying fuel delivered by the dispenser 18. With reference to Figure 27, a dispenser 18 is shown having a delivery hose 76 and nozzle 78 for delivering fuel to a vehicle or other acceptable container 280. Preferably, the container 280 is a fuel container manufactured to reduce the risk of igniting the fuel carried therein. The container 280 includes a body 282 having a spout 284, filling aperture 286, handle 288 and a transponder 290. Although active or passive transponders are acceptable for this aspect of the invention, a passive transponder, acting as a true transponder, is preferable. The transponder 290 is designed to reflect an interrogation signal sent from the dispenser interrogator 52 under the control of the dispenser control system 80. Upon receiving the interrogation signal, the transponder 290 will transmit a signal indicative of the type of container and whether that container is acceptable for carrying fuel.

Attention is drawn to the flow chart of Figure 28 depicting the basic process of monitoring and detecting acceptable containers for fueling. At the beginning of the process (block 1600), the dispenser control system 80 will cause the dispenser interrogator 52 to transmit an interrogation signal in order to interrogate the transponder 290 (block 1605). When a transponder is within the interrogation field, it will transmit a signal in response to the interrogation signal. The dispenser interrogator 52 will receive this transponder signal, which typically includes indicia of the transponder type or an identification indicia allowing the controller to access a database to determine the type of transponder in communication with the dispenser (block 1610). The transponder may indicate that it is a personal transponder carried by the person, such as a card or key fob, a vehicle-mounted transponder or, in this particular instance, a stand-alone fuel container. Whether the transponder signal directly indicates the type of container being fueled or a database is accessed based on the transponder ID, the dispenser control system 80 or an associated control system is adapted to determine if the container is acceptable for receiving fuel (block 1615). The transponder indicia or database may also indicate the type or grade of fuel for the particular container.

If the container is not an acceptable container (block 1620), the dispenser control system 80 will provide an audible or visual signal to the customer and/or operator indicating that the container is not acceptable for receiving fuel (block 1625). The dispenser control system 80 will also act to prevent fueling by deactivating the pump and fueling electronics (block 1630) and the process ends (block 1635). If the control systems determine that the transponder is in an acceptable container (block 1620), fueling is authorized (block 1640) and fuel delivery begins (block 1645). A proper container may be a vehicle fuel tank wherein the vehicle-mounted transponder 64 will enable the control system to recognize the vehicle as an acceptable container. In certain embodiments, the vehicle transponder 64 may be mounted on or near the vehicle's fill neck.

Preferably, the dispenser will continue communications with the transponder to ensure that the transponder remains present during the fueling operation and, optionally, the dispenser may monitor movement of the transponder during this fueling operation (blocks 1650 and 1655).

If no movement is detected and the transponder is present throughout fueling, the operation will end once the container is full and the customer stops fueling. If the transponder is moved or leaves the presence of the interrogation field, fueling is brought to a halt (block 1660 and 1635). If the transponder is moved and/or the dispenser determines that the transponder is no longer present and the fueling operation is in progress, the controller 80 may act to warn or instruct the customer accordingly in addition to halting the fueling operation. If the container 280 stops moving or is brought back to a proper fueling location, the dispenser 18 may be adapted to continue fueling as part of the same transaction. The proximity or location monitoring features of this aspect of the invention are discussed in greater detail above.

Restricting fueling to authorized containers in the manner described above greatly reduces the risk of severe bodily injury or death, not to mention substantial property damage that can occur when highly flammable fuels are carried in improper containers. In the preferred embodiment, the addition of a small passive transponder to a fueling container is minimal and modifying a dispenser 18 having an existing interrogator is basically updating software to recognize the information received from the transponder during interrogation. Notably, although a classical transponder is the preferred embodiment, as noted earlier in the specification, a transponder is used in a most generic sense and is deemed to include remote communication units having a receiver, a transmitter, or a combination thereof.

Pre-transaction Estimates The present invention may also provide pre-transaction estimates of the amount of fuel required to fill the vehicle's tank along with the estimated total cost of filling the vehicle. This embodiment requires a vehicle-mounted transponder operatively associated with a vehicle control system or, at a minimum, the vehicle's fuel tank in a manner wherein the transponder is able to receive or determine information relating to fuel tank ullage. The ullage information may include the amount of fuel required to fill the tank, tank size and/or the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank. This information may be passed to the transponder and then to the dispenser, or used to generate data to be communicated to the dispenser. Ullage information is any type of information which relates to tank ullage or from which ullage can be derived.

The ullage here refers to the volume of the tank which can receive additional fuel.

Referring now to Figures 29A and 29B, the basic process of providing customer pre-transaction estimates with a vehicle transponder is shown. The process begins (block 1700) when a customer drives up to a fueling operation and the associated transponder is interrogated by the dispenser interrogator 52 under the control of the dispenser control system 80. Generally, the transponder will return identification indicia (block 1705). The transponder may also return indicia indicating the transponder type. Alternatively, the transponder type may be included in the transponder identification indicia or sent separately to enable the dispenser control system 80 or other associated control system to determine the transponder type.

As discussed above, determining the type of transponder is helpful in many situations, such as determining whether a container is authorized for receiving fuel or allowing a personal transponder to leave the immediate fueling position during a fueling operation, while acting to prevent a vehicle-mounted transponder from leaving the fueling position. The dispenser control system 80 or associated control system may also use the transponder identification indicia to access a database correlating the type of transponder with the identification indicia.

Distinguishing transponder types is discussed in detail in U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/966,237 filed November 7,1997, entitled TRANSPONDER DISTINCTION IN A FUELING ENVIRONMENT in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Regardless of the type of identification indicia transmitted to the dispenser 18, the dispenser control system 80 (in cooperation with other control systems, if necessary) determines the transponder type (block 1710). Next, it is determined whether the transponder communicating with the dispenser is a vehicle transponder (block 1715). If it is not, the fueling operation will proceed (block 1795) and continue until fueling has ended (block 1785), wherein the process comes to an end (block 1790).

If the transponder is a vehicle transponder (block 1715), it is determined whether or not the vehicle transponder is an integrated transponder capable of accessing ullage information (block 1720). This information is preferably derived from the transponder identification indicia and transponder type information transmitted to the dispenser. However, any manner of communicating this information to the dispenser is acceptable and within the inventive concept of the present invention. If the transponder is vehicle-mounted but not integrated to obtain ullage information, the fueling operation will start (block 1795) and continue until fueling has ended (block 1785) wherein the process is ended (block 1790).

If it is determined that the transponder is integrated and adapted to provide ullage information (block 1720), the dispenser must determine whether the customer wants an estimate of the transaction amount (block 1725). Typically, the estimate will be associated with completely filling the vehicle's fuel tank. The customer may provide a request for the fill-up at the dispenser by entering a response on the key pad 102 based on a prompt or query displayed on the display 100 (block 1730). Alternatively, the transponder may relay information during communications with the dispenser indicating that the customer has pre-authorized the dispenser to calculate an estimate associated with fueling the vehicle (block 1730).

If the ullage information has not already been received during initial interrogation, the dispenser interrogator 52 will interrogate the transponder 64 for the ullage indicia (block 1735) and receive the ullage indicia accordingly (block 1740). Based on the ullage indicia, the dispenser control system 80 or associated control system will determine or calculate the vehicle's tank ullage based on the ullage indicia received (block 1745).

The ullage indicia may include the exact ullage value representing the amount of fuel required to fill the tank, or the ullage indicia may indicate tank volume and the amount of gas currently present in the tank, wherein the control system will run the appropriate calculations to determine ullage. In yet another embodiment, the ullage information may simply include vehicle identification and remaining fuel indicia, and the control system will access a database at the central control system 50 or at the remote network 94 storing information relating to tank size for the identified vehicle. Those of ordinary skill in the art will quickly recognize various ways of obtaining ullage information. These ways are considered within the scope of this disclosure and any related claims which follow.

Once ullage is determined, the control system preferably determines or calculates an estimated cost of fueling the vehicle based on the ullage information. In order to do so, the type of fuel and fuel grade must be determined (block 1750). The dispenser controller may provide a prompt at the display 100 for the customer to select the type of fuel and grade desired for fueling (block 1755). Alternatively, the initial information received from the transponder may provide information on the type and grade of fuel desired for fueling, and the associated control system will determine fuel type and grade accordingly (blocks 1750 and 1755).

Once tank ullage and the type and grade of fuel are determined, the associated control systems will calculate the estimated cost for filling the vehicle (block 1760) by multiplying the ullage value by the fuel cost. Preferably, the estimated fuel quantity and the cost for fueling the vehicle with the selected type and grade is displayed to the customer on the display 100 (block 1765). At this point, the customer is given the option to continue with fueling. The customer may, for example, be provided with a prompt to begin fueling (block 1770) wherein the customer will respond by pressing a key on the key pad 102 (block 1775). If the customer elects not to fuel based on this information, the fueling operation is ended before it ever begins (block 1795). If the customer elects to continue fueling, the dispenser will start the fueling operation (block 1780) and continue fueling until the tank is full or the customer otherwise ends the operation (block 1785) wherein the process comes to an end (block 1790).

Determining estimated fueling totals benefits customers in many ways, especially customers wanting to pay cash at the dispenser using the cash acceptor 90 (shown in Figure 3). As noted earlier, the difficulty with cash acceptors is providing the customer with the proper change when the amount of fuel purchased is less than the dollar amount placed in the cash acceptor.

Providing an estimated amount required to fill the vehicle tank will allow the customer or dispenser to calculate a dollar amount which will not exceed an amount required to fill the vehicle. For example, the dispenser may determine that it will take $21.60 worth of premium, unleaded gasoline to fill the vehicle tank. If the customer only has two ten-dollar bills and a five-dollar bill, the customer will know that if the two ten-dollar bills are placed in the cash acceptor, he will come substantially close to maximizing the amount of fuel delivered to the vehicle without needing change.

Although the customer can elect to purchase any amount of fuel, it is often beneficial to determine how much fuel the vehicle will accept before determining how much fuel one wishes to purchase. In certain applications, the cash acceptor could be monitored to determine the amount of cash received and take appropriate action if the estimated filling total could not meet or exceeded that amount. In summary, the dispenser associated control system may determine if change is necessary, based on the ullage information, the fuel selected and the amount of cash received by the cash acceptor.

Attention is drawn to Figure 30 wherein a process is shown for providing a customer with estimated cost totals in order to make decisions on the amount of cash to enter into a cash acceptor for payment. The process begins (block 1800) where the dispenser control system 80 receives ullage information, fuel type and grade as discussed above (block 1805). Based on this information, the amount of fuel necessary to fill the vehicle and a corresponding cost estimate is calculated and displayed to the customer (block 1810). The customer may make fueling decisions based on this information, such as deciding what type of payment to make or how much fuel to purchase.

Assuming the customer is using a cash acceptor, the dispenser control system 80 will operate in conjunction with the cash acceptor 90 to determine the amount of cash payment (block 1815). If the payment made is less than the estimated cost of fueling (block 1820), then the dispenser control system 80 will allow fueling for the amount of payment (block 1825) until the operation is ended (block 1830). If the customer has placed more cash in the cash acceptor than necessary to completely fuel the vehicle (block 1820), the dispenser control system 80 will act to inform the customer that change will be required, preferably, using the display 100 (block 1835). The dispenser control system 80 will next prompt the customer using the display 100 on how to receive change (block 1840). The customer may be required to receive credit on his or her transponder or go into the station store and obtain change at one of the transaction terminals, just to point out a couple of options. Additionally, the dispenser may provide a customer with the choice to opt out of the transaction (also block 1840). The dispenser control system 80 will determine whether or not to refund the customer's initial payment (block 1845) based on a customer input received at key pad 102 (block 1855). If a refund of the payment is not desired and the customer chooses to receive change by other means, fueling will begin (block 1850) until the process ends (block 1860). If a refund is requested by the customer (blocks 1855 and 1845), the dispenser control system 80 will cause the cash acceptor 92 to eject the customer payment (block 1865) and the process is ended (block 1860). Those skilled in the art should quickly recognize the added benefit in providing customer information before fueling relating to the amount of the potential fuel purchased, especially in light of the difficulties in receiving change associated with cash acceptors.

It should be recognized that the various aspects discussed herein can be mixed and matched to provide a fueling environment with various combinations of capabilities. Each aspect was discussed individually in order to provide a more clear disclosure. Furthermore, the various flow charts and processes disclosed herein generally represent programs which are stored in memory and run on an associated controller. Given the shared control responsibilities between the dispenser control systems and the central control system in a typical fueling environment, the control systems defined in the claims that follow are to be construed as including control features provided by dispenser control systems, central control systems and remote network control systems, alone or in combination. Those skilled in the art will recognize the tremendous flexibility in providing the various control aspects throughout the numerous control systems (including remote networks) in and outside of the fueling environment. Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.