Patent ID: 6801835
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B67D,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A system for controlling an automated fueling station having a plurality of fuel dispensers, each of said dispensers including means for dispensing fuel and means for accepting payment from a customer, said system comprising:a host server remotely located from the fueling station, said host server performing consumer card authorizations and recording purchase transactions; a plurality of dispenser controllers located at the fueling station, each of said dispenser controllers being associated with and controlling one of the plurality of dispensers; means for maintaining operation of remaining dispensers when a single dispenser controller fails, said means for maintaining operation comprising: a network connection from each of the plurality of dispenser controllers to the host server for passing consumer card authorization requests and purchase transaction data to the host server, and receiving consumer card authorizations from the host server; an interface between each of the plurality of dispenser controllers and the means for dispensing fuel in each controller's associated dispenser; and an interface between each of the plurality of dispenser controllers and the means for accepting payment in each controller's associated dispenser; and a central control system remotely located from the fueling station comprising: a spare controller configured to at least partially match the configuration of the plurality of dispenser controllers at the fueling station; means for determining when a dispenser controller at the fueling station fails; and a central hub for routing communications between the spare controller and the fuel dispenser associated with the failed dispenser controller, in response to a determination that the failed dispenser controller has failed.