Patent ID: 8972284
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: G06F,G06Q,G09G

Abstract:
1. A system for managing a plurality of stores, wherein the stores each sell fuel products, have fuel pumps and outdoor pricing signs, comprising: a headquarters control center; a plurality of store controllers at a plurality of fuel stores, the fuels stores each having a fuel pump, the plurality of fuel stores physically separate from each other and the headquarters control center; a communication network carrying a fuel data between the headquarters control center and the plurality of store controllers; a plurality of point of sale devices, one at each of the plurality of fuel stores, each the plurality of store controllers sending and receiving a first set of store fuel data to one of the point of sale devices; a plurality of outdoor controllable signs at least one at each of the plurality of fuel store, each of the plurality of outdoor controllable signs having a local communication link to one of the point of sale devices, wherein one of the plurality of outdoor controllable signs includes a feedback system that determines whether the outdoor controllable sign displays a correct and legible price, where determining that the outdoor controllable sign displays the correct and legible price includes a processor routine that determines whether an error condition in a plurality of light sources illuminating the outdoor controllable sign have an effect on the legibility of the sign, or wherein determining that the outdoor controllable sign displays the correct and legible price includes determining whether a scroll sign numeral indicators are aligned with readers that determine what number is being displayed by the outdoor controllable sign; and a local price survey system sending a price survey request to one of the plurality of fuel stores, the price survey request asking for a competitor price of a fuel product of a competitor store in a same neighborhood as the one of the plurality of fuel stores.