TRAVEL KEYS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 11/823,646 filed on June 28, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.

T ECHNIC AL FIELD

This disclosure relates to keypads with full travel keys and minimal travel keys and, more particularly, to the use of such keypads in a fuel dispenser system.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, several factors have increased the importance of prov iding data input devices to facilitate commercial transactions. Consumers increasingly rely on alternat ves to cash or checks, such as credit cards or debit cards, to purchase goods and services.

Businesses increasingly rely on devices such as magnetic strip readers, bar code readers, and keypads to gather information from consumers during the course of a transaction. Such devices can prove particularly helpful in environments where consumers do not interact with a representative of a business or where consumers find using cash or checks inconvenient, such as a fuel dispensing environment. The effective use of such devices often requires the customer to enter personal information or to make transaction-related entries through one or more keypads.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides for a device for entering information securely in a customer transaction. The device may have at least one keypad comprising a set of full travel keys for transmitting a first set of data, wherein all or a subset of the full travel keys may be operable to receive numerical entries. Likewise, the keypad may have a set of minimal travel keys for transmitting a second set of data, wherein a subset of the minimal tra vel keys may be customized to perform at least one nonnumeric function. As used herein, the term "keypad" may refer to a single keypad, a plurality of keypads, and/or a set of keypads. The term "full travel keys" refers to keys that have a total key travel of 2.5 mm or more. The term "minimal travel keys" refers to keys that have a total key travel of less than 2.5 mm, and may include membrane keys as well as keys using a variety of technologies, including metal dome switch, push gate (Duraswitch), capacitive, and Hall Effect technologies. The device also has a controller connected to the keypad and operable to receive the first set of data and the second set of data. The first set of data may be encrypted by an encryption device and sent to the controller in an encrypted format. The second set of data may be received by the controller in an unencrypted format.

5 Certain implementations may have at least one keypad containing at least one key operable to authorize a step of a transaction and, similarly, at least one key operable to cancel a transaction. The keypad may also have at least one language selection key. It will be understood that a variety of other embodiments are also possible. For instance, if one or more minimal travel keys are customized, they may be customized by having a graphic i o overlay placed over or next to the minimal travel keys intended to be customized. The first set of data captured may comprise a personal identification number and/or a zip code. The second set of data may comprise a selection of a payment option of debit or credit and/or a selection of a fuel grade.

Alternative embodiments may couple the device described above with a fuel 1 dispenser system. A fuel dispenser system may have a nozzle for dispensing the fuel, a

controller in communication with the nozzle for selectively causing the nozzle to dispense the fuel, a reader connected to the controller for reading data provided by a user and transferring the data to the controller, and a set of keypads connected to the controller for receiving at least one keypad entry entered by a user, comprising at least one full travel key and at least 20 one minimal travel key. In this system, when the controller receives the data and the keypad entry, it allows the nozzle to dispense the fuel as part of a transaction. Certain embodiments may have a single keypad, rather than multiple keypads, coupled to the fuel dispenser system.

The details of these and other aspects and embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. For example, in embodiments that

25 couple the device with a fuel dispenser system, keypad entries made on one or more of the full travel keys ma be encrypted by an encryption device before being received by the controller in an encrypted format. Such keypad entries may include numerical values and comprise a personal identification number. Embodiments may also have one or more minimal travel keys customized to perform at least one nonnumeric function, customization

30 which may be accomplished by placing one or more graphic overlay over or next to the

subset of the minimal travel keys intended to be customized. Functions performed by the minimal travel keys may include the authorization of a step of a transaction, the cancellation of a transaction, the selection of a payment option of debit or credit, and/or the selection of a fuel grade. Different embodiments permit a variety of keypad configurations.

In accordance with alternative aspects of the invention, a device for entering information securely in a customer transaction may comprise any one, or any combination of two or more, of the below listed features from A) to W):

A) a set of one or more keypads for allowing a user to enter at least one keypad entry, said set comprising at least one full travel key and at least one minimal travel key;

B) a controller connected to the keypads and operable to receive the at least one keypad entry;

C) at least one keypad including only full travel keys, for instance one or more full travel keys;

D) at least one keypad including only minimal travel keys, for instance one or more minima! travel keys:

6) at least one minimal travel key consisting of at least one membrane key;

F) the set of keypads may consist of a single keypad;

G) an encryption device connected to a set of full travel keys, wherein the encryption device is operable to receive and encrypt at least one keypad entry from said full travel keys so that the at least one keypad entry is received by the controller in an encrypted format after being transmitted by the keypad and encrypted by the encryption device;

I I) a subset of full travel keys operable to transmitting a personal identification number, the controller being operable to receive a personal identification number from said subset of lull travel keys:

I) a set of minimal travel keys performing at least one nonnumeric function, the controller being operable to receive at least one nonnumeric function by said subset of minimal travel keys:

J) a keypad having at least one full travel key, for transmitting a first set of data, and at least one minimal (ravel key, for transmitting a second set of data; the controller being connected to the keypad and being operable to receive first set of data from the at least one full travel key and to receive the second sei of data from the at least one minimal travel key; for instance, bv wav of non limiting example, the first set of data may comprise a personal identification number and/or a zip code, while the second set of data may comprise a selection of a payment opt ion and/or a selection of a fuel grade.

) the keypad of feature J) may comprises a set of ful l travel keys for transmitting said Ilrst set of data and a set of m inimal travel keys for transmitting said second set of data;

L) the keypad of feature J) or ) may have a set of full travel keys on the keypad comprises a subset of full travel keys lor transmitting numerical entries, said controller being operable to receive said numerical entries from said subset of full travel keys;

M) the keypad of feature J) or K) or L) may have a set of minimal travel keys on the key pad comprises a subset of minimal travel keys for performing at least one nonnurneric function, said controller being operable to receive said at least one nonnurneric function from sa id subset of m inimal travel keys:

N) an encryption device connected to at least one full travel key of the keypad of anyone of features J) to N ). the encryption device being operable to receive and encrypt the data from said full travel key so that the first set of data is received by the controller in an encrypted format after being transmitted by the keypad and encrypted by the encryption device;

O) the encryption de ice is operable to receive and encrypt data associated with entries made on the at least one ful l-travel key upon entry or upon transmission of the data from the keypad to the control ler:

P) the one or more keypads comprise at least one key for authorizing a step of a transaction and at least one key for canceling a transaction, said controller being operable to receive from the respective keys said authorization of a step of a transaction and said cancel lation of a transaction;

Q) the one or more keypads comprise at least one language selection key, said controller being operable to receive a language selection from the language selection key;

R) the one or more keypads comprise a subset of minimal travel keys customized to perform at leasi one nonntimeric function by placing at least one graphic overlay substantially next to I he subset of minimal travel keys intended to be customized, said controller being operable to receive at least one nonnurneric function by said customized subset of minimal travel keys:

S) the subset of minimal travel keys of feature R) consists of membrane keys; T) the controller is a component of a means for dispensing fuel;

U) the set of full travel keys consists of one full travel key;

V) the set of minimal travel keys consists of one minimal travel key;

X) the encryption device, when present, is not encrypting data from said at least one minimal travel key so that the data from the minimal travel key is received by the controller in an unencrypted format;

Y) each minimal travel key is adjacent to a subset of full travel keys;

W) one or more keypads comprise at least three columns of keys, wherein each column comprises at least one key.

In accordance with further alternative aspects of the invention, a system for dispensing fuel may comprise a device for entering information securely in a customer transaction presenting any one, or any combination of two or more, of above listed features from A) to W).

Said system may also comprise:

a nozzle for dispensing the fuel, wherein the nozzle is connected to the controller and the controller is operable for selectively causing the nozzle to dispense the fuel;

a reader connected to the controller for reading data provided by a user and for transferring the data to the controller so that, upon receipt of the data from the reader and at least one keypad entry (for instance a keypad entry may comprise a selection of a payment option and/or a selection of a fuel grade), the controller is operable to allow the nozzle to dispense the fuel as part of a transaction.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the various embodiments will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a fuel dispenser system having a hybrid keypad.

FIGURES 2A-2D illustrate various embodiments of hybrid keypads in more detail. DETAILED DESCRI PTION

In FIGURE 1 , reference numeral 10 designates a fuel dispenser system embodying features of one embodiment of the present invention. The fuel dispenser system 10 includes fuel dispenser 12, which contains many elements of a conventional fuel dispenser such as a fuel nozzle 14 connected to a fuel supply (not shown). The dispenser 12 has a front side 16 and a back side 18. In the following description, only the front side 16 will be discussed for ease of description. However, the features described herein may also be applied on the back side 18, thereby allowing the dispenser to be operated by two customers at the same time.

The front side 16 houses conventional graphics displays 20a, 20b, keypad 20c, and a reader device 22, which may read bar code or magnetic data as preferred. The graphics displays 20a, 20b each include a conventional LCD panel for showing text and numerals, such as a price 24 that corresponds to an amount of fuel dispensed, or other customer-related messages. As used herein, the term "keypad" can refer to a single keypad, a plurality of keypads, and/or a set of keypads.

Keypad 20c includes full travel keys that may permit the entry of alphanumeric data as well as minimal travel keys that may provide customizable functions. The term "full travel keys" refers to keys that have a total key travel of 2.5 mm or more. Full travel keys typically provide tactile feedback and commonly have a total key travel of approximately 4 mm. The term "minimal travel keys" refers to keys that have a total key travel of less than 2.5 mm, and may include "membrane keys" as well as keys using a variety of technologies, including metal dome switch, push gale (Duraswitch), capacitive, and Hall Effect technologies. Such keys commonly have a total key travel of less than 0.6mm. "Membrane keys" are substantially flat rather than consisting of separate, moving parts; consequently, they generally provide relatively little tactile feedback. They may be activated in a variety of ways, such as by depression, touch, pressure, or heat. Details concerning membrane keys are well known in the art and will not be described further.

Keypad 20c is connected to a controller 26 through a cable 27 and is described in further detail in reference to FIGURES 2A-2D. The reader device 22 includes magnetic strip reading circuitry connected to a controller 26 through a cable 28 such as an RS232 serial data bus. For the sake of example, the controller 26 controls the reader device 22, keypad 20c, and other functions of the dispenser 12, and may be a controller that includes a Customer Activated Terminal ("CAT") computer produced by the Wayne division of Dresser, Inc. In FIGURE 1 , both the controller 26 and the cable 28 are conventional devices housed inside the dispenser 12. It is understood that the reader device 22 and controller 26 continue to provide conventional magnetic strip reading functions in addition to the functions and features herein described. The controller 26 is also connected to a computing center 30 through a bus 32. In one embodiment, the computing center 30 is remotely located inside a store (not shown) or at an unattended site where it may be readily accessed. The computing center 30 includes a point- of-sale ("POS") controller 34. The POS controller 34 includes many features of a conventional electronic cash register, such as a keyboard 36, a display 38, a database 40, a cash drawer 42, and an internal card reader device 44, for use by an operator in charge of overseeing and maintaining the dispenser system 10. It is understood that the database 40 may be remote, and it is shown with the POS 34 for ease of description. Also, the POS controller 34 may be in communication with other systems or devices, such as a carwash facility 46.

^" Hie database 40 contains a collection of records pertaining to its customers. For example, the store may be a member-oriented retail outlet, and a record for each customer indicates that the customer is a member and a "level" of benefits or privileges that the customer may receive. One level may indicate a first discount to the customer of the goods he purchases while another level may indicate a second discount. The POS controller 34 can thereby receive information from the controller 26, access the database 40, and return control codes which indicate, for example, membership status, level of benefits, or an "OK" signal to allow fuel dispensing.

FIGURES 2A-2D illustrate alternative embodiments of the keypad 20c containing full-travel keys and minimal travel keys that may be used in a fuel dispenser system. These figures are not meant to limit the keypad 20c of this patent to any particular configuration, but are instead offered as illustrations of a variety of possible configurations.

A number of features may be shared by the various embodiments of keypad 20c. It will be understood that each keypad 20c used in the fuel dispenser system is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the controller 26, typically by at least one cable 27, through which controller 26 receives data from the full travel keys and minimal travel keys contained on keypad 20c, as described in further detail below. Moreover, each keypad 20c may be used in conjunction with one or more keypads 20c of the same keypad embodiment or of a different keypad embodiment. For each keypad 20c, a subset of the set of full travel keys contained thereon may represent alphanumeric characters and may be operable to capture numerical values such as one or more personal identification numbers, zip codes, payment authorization limits, as well as any other information that facilitates a retail transaction, such as a fuel dispensing transaction. This subset of full travel keys may consist of all or any grouping of full travel keys on the keypad, as long as the grouping has at least one full travel key in it. Such full travel keys may also permit, without limitation, the authorization of a transaction or step of a transaction; the cancellation of a transaction; the correction of a keypad entry made by a user; the clearing of one or more keypad entries made by a user; the selection of a language; the selection of a payment option such as debit, credit, cash, or check; the selection of whether to pay inside or outside; the selection of an additional service such as a carwash; the selection of a fuel grade; the selection by the user indicating a desire for help or assistance; a method for communicating with an operator located remotely, within a nearby store, or elsewhere; a method for indicating an emergency; a method for indicating '"yes;" a method for indicating "no;" and a method for producing a transaction receipt. Data associated with entries made on full-travel keys may be encrypted, and is typically encrypted, by an encryption device (not shown) upon entry or upon transmission of the data from the keypad to another device, such as controller 26, computing center 30, or facility 46. The encryption device may be connected to one or more members of the set of full travel keys, one or more members of the set of minimal travel keys, and/or one or more members of the set of keypads. Moreover, the encryption device may be an integrated component of the keypad or may be substantially separate from the keypad, as preferred.

Moreover, for each keypad 20c, a subset of the set of minimal travel keys contained thereon may be customized to perform a variety of functions, whether numeric or nonnumeric, for different companies. This subset of minimal travel keys may consist of all or any grouping of minimal travel keys on the keypad, as long as the grouping has at least one minimal travel key in it. The customizable functions may include, without limitation, the authorization of a transaction or a step of a transaction; the cancellation of a transaction; the correction of a keypad entry made by a user; the cleari ng of one or more keypad entries made by a user; the selection of a language; the selection of a payment option such as debit, credit, cash, or check; the selection of whether to pay inside or outside; the selection of an additional service such as a carwash; the selection of a fuel grade; the selection by the user indicating a desire for help or assistance; a method for communicating with an operator located remotely, within a nearby store, or elsewhere; a method for indicating an emergency; a method for indicating "yes;" a method for indicating "no;" a method for producing a transaction receipt; and any other customizable function that a company may wish to offer. Such customization may be achieved by placing one or more graphic overlays substantially next to the one or more minimal travel keys intended to be customized, or by mapping the minimal travel keys to customized soft keys. As used herein, "substantially next to" shall mean "over" or "next to." Data associated with entries made on the minimal travel keys may be encrypted by an encryption device upon entry or upon the transmission of the data from the keypad to another device, such as controller 26, computing center 30, or facility 46. However, data associated with entries made on the minimal travel keys does not need to be encrypted.

Returning to FIGURES 2A-2D, FIGU E 2A shows an embodiment where multiple keypads are used in the fuel dispenser system and where one or more keypads contain either full travel keys or minimal travel keys, but not both. Each of the keypads in FIGURE 2A may be one of the keypad embodiments shown in FIGURES 2B-2D, or may be a different embodiment. When a set of keypads is used in a fuel dispenser system, an embodiment may also have a subset of the keypads having full travel keys and a subset of the keypads havi ng minimal travel keys. This subset of keypads may consist of all or any grouping of keypads on the fuel dispenser system, as long as the grouping has at least one keypad in it.

FIGURE 2B shows a single hybrid keypad having four rows and five columns of keys. In the figure, the outside columns of keys contain minimal travel keys and the inner three columns contain ftill travel keys. It is also envisioned that the keys below the numerals "7" and "9" could be minimal travel keys rather than full travel keys. Moreover, another embodiment could include minimal travel keys in any of the five columns, such as having an outer column consist partially or entirely of minimal travel keys, and having one or more of the inner three columns consist partially or entirely of minimal travel keys. Furthermore, each of the minimal travel keys could be adjacent to one or more of the full travel keys. In FIGURE 2B, the minimal travel keys are labeled F 1 -F8, but it should be understood that such minimal travel keys could be labeled to denote the function(s) they perform, such as any of the functions discussed previously, as shown in FIGURE 2C.

FIGURE 2D illustrates that embodiments of hybrid keypads do not need to have four rows or five columns, and that any number of columns or rows may be employed in a hybrid keypad, as desired. However, it is desirable to consistently use the same arrangement of full- travel and minimal travel keys in keypads so as to reduce the expense of manufacturing them. It will be understood that any keypads referred to subsequently may have one or more of the features of keypads described in reference to FIGURES 2A-2D and keypad 20c above.

Further details of components and functionalities that may be included in the fuel dispenser system 10 are found in U.S. Patent No. 6,1 12,981 , U.S. Patent No. 6,321 ,984, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0106934 Al , which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Listed below are examples of how the fuel dispenser systems described above may be used. It is understood that the functionality described below is interchangeable with different systems, and is not meant to be an exhaustive list.

EXAMPLE A

1. A customer places a card into the reader 22 of fuel dispenser system .10. The card may be a credit card, debit card, or other card sufficient to execute the transaction.

2. Display 20b queries the customer for a personal identification number (PIN). The customer enters the PIN on the full travel keys of keypad 20c and presses the minimal travel key "OK."

3. The keypad 20c sends the PIN data to an encryption device for encryption.

4. After encrypting the data, the encryption device sends the PIN data to controller 26 for processing.

5. The controller 26 receives PIN approval and authorizes the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel.

6. Display 20b queries the customer for a selection of a fuel grade. The customer enters a selection of "Premium" on a minimal travel key of keypad 20c and presses "OK."

7. The customer realizes that a mistake was made and that the "Unleaded" fuel grade should have been selected. The customer presses the minimal travel key "Help."

8. A representative responds to the customer's petition for help and tells the customer to begin a new transaction by pressing the "Cancel" key, which the customer does.

9. The customer decides that fuel is no longer needed and leaves.

EXAMPLE B

1 . A customer places a card into the reader 22 of fuel dispenser system 1 .

2. Display 20b queries the customer for a personal identification number (PIN). The customer enters the PIN on the full travel keys of keypad 20c and presses the minimal travel key "OK."

3. The keypad 20c sends the PIN data to an encryption device for encryption. 4. After encrypting the data, the encryption device sends the ΡΓΝ data directly to controller 26 for processing.

5. The controller 26 receives FIN approval and authorizes the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel.

6. The transaction continues according to steps 6-9 of EXAMPLE A.

It should be noted that the examples above are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the encryption device could send the PIN data to one or more intermediate locations or devices, including the keypad 20c itself, before the data arrived at controller 26.

The embodiments previously described provide a number of advantages. For example, full-travel numeric keys are useful for deterring a would-be thief from placing a membrane overlay on top of the keypad to capture PIN numbers. Further, the presence of both full- travel keys and customizable minimal travel keys in a keypad deters thieves as above while continuing to allow the keypad to be customized for different companies.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. For instance, it is possible to utilize a hybrid keypad in environments other than fuel dispenser systems, such as at carwash facilities, cash registers, devices associated with financial transactions, and point of sale transaction devices more generally. In such environments, the keypad could continue to be connected to a controller and could continue to provide encryption capabilities as described previously, the main difference being that the controller would control a device other than a fuel dispenser system (such as a carwash, cash register, financial transaction device, or point-of-sale transaction device). In an alternative embodiment, a separate system, such as a kiosk, may be provided to interface with one or more conventional fuel dispensers. The kiosk could include a reader, a display screen, and a keypad similar to the hybrid keypads previously described. The hybrid keypad could be connected to the controller 26, or alternatively connected directly to the computing center 30, in which case the encryption device could act on the keypad entries before the entry data reached the computing center 30.

In certain instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims, and it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.