Abstract:
A retail transaction system provides enhanced customer convenience and increased transaction security by sending transaction information to a cellular network provider via a customer&#39;s digital cellular phone. For example, a fuel dispenser is equipped with a communications link allowing direct communications to a customer&#39;s cellular phone. When a customer desires to conduct a transaction using the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser transmits select information to the customer&#39;s cellular telephone using this communications link. A telephone number is included in the select information. When the customer presses send, or otherwise causes their telephone to dial the number transferred from the fuel dispenser, the select information along with any additional customer information is sent to the cellular network. This information is used by the network to authorize a purchase transaction for the customer, such authorization information returned to the fueling station at which the fuel dispenser is located via a cellular link. For enhanced security, the customer may be required to input their PIN in order to complete the transaction. Notably, the PIN and the remainder of the transaction information sent from the customer phone to the cellular network is intrinsically secure due to the digital encryption employed by the digital cellular protocol. Optionally, the system may be configured to cause the customer&#39;s cellular phone to automatically dial the number transferred by the fuel dispenser. This capability may be enabled at the customer&#39;s option. The system may be extended to other retail systems including in-store point-of-sale systems (POS).

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/481,790, filed on Jan. 12, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,726. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to transaction processing based on cellular communications, and particularly relates to using a customer&#39;s digital cellular phone to transmit transaction information. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Retail sales systems must provide convenience for the customer and efficiency for the retailer. Credit and debit cards provide retailers with one mechanism for increasing the efficiency of retail sales systems, while providing a level of convenience to consumers. Indeed, credit card and debit card transactions are ubiquitous, with a variety of retail equipment providing such capability. A given retailer or merchant is effectively obligated to provide credit transaction capability because it is so widely expected. Currently, banks provide virtually all non-proprietary credit/debit sales—(Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, etc.). These banks typically charge from 3% to 6% to float the billing amount for a given transaction through a billing cycle—typically three to four weeks. These costs are borne directly by the merchants and indirectly by the consumers, and provide a significant revenue stream for the banks or credit card companies. Indeed, American consumers charged billions of dollars last year, and when international credit transactions are considered, the total amount of credit charges is staggering. 
     However, conventional charge transactions do not necessarily provide the greatest convenience and security to consumers, nor do they provide retailers with the greatest efficiency. Credit card transactions themselves are subject to fraudulent charging activity because, conventionally, they do not require specific identification information from the individual using the charge card. As a consequence, someone other than the authorized account holder could use the charge card. This is particularly true in automated transaction systems, such as are commonly found at fueling stations, pay phones, and vending systems. In such environments, transaction authorization is based on receipt of valid information from a credit card associated with an active charge account. Provided the automated retail system can verify credit authorization, as is typically done by contacting a credit authorization network, the transaction will be authorized without benefit of specifically identifying the person using the charge card. 
     Debit card transactions, although similar to credit card transactions, typically require the customer to enter a PIN associated with the authorized account. Further, a debit card is more typically associated with a bank account such as a checking account rather than with a charge account. Ideally, only the authorized account holder knows the PIN corresponding to the account. When a debit-card holder attempts to conduct a transaction with their debit card, they are required to enter the correct PIN before the transaction can be authorized. Clearly, unless the privacy of the PIN has been compromised, this provides an additional level of security not commonly found with pure credit card transactions. However, usage of a PIN can place additional burdens on the merchant because the complexity and expense of the equipment required to input and process PINs can be prohibitive. Indeed, European debit card transactions must be supported by bank-authorized PIN processing hardware. Such hardware carries significant expense and may be impractical for installation in vending or retail systems associated with low-cost or low-margin products and services. 
     A growing number of customers own cellular telephones and, in particular, own digital cellular telephones. Digital cellular telephones are distinguished from their earlier generation analog counterparts in a number of ways. One significant distinction of the newer digital cellular phones is their intrinsic communications security. Signaling between a digital cellular phone and its corresponding cellular network is based on digitally encrypted communications that are substantially more difficult to intercept and decipher than the signaling schemes used in earlier analog phones. As such, these digital cellular phones are suitable for use in transaction processing, wherein a customer may transmit certain information, including their PIN, to effect a given retail transaction. Further, using a customer&#39;s digital cellular telephone as an integral part of a retail transaction system is consistent with the desire to provide customers with ever more convenient retail transactions. Indeed, developing generations of cellular telephones incorporate more and more functionality for their owners and will likely come to serve as all-in-one communication devices. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide retail systems capable of communicating certain transaction information to a cellular network for the purpose of obtaining transaction authorization, with such information sent through a customer cellular telephone. Ideally, the retail system would additionally have the capability of receiving authorization information from the cellular network through a second cellular link apart from the customer&#39;s cellular phone. This second cellular link would also allow the retail system to complete the transaction by sending transaction amount information back to the cellular network for billing against the customer&#39;s cellular phone account. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a retail transaction system adapted to transfer select information to a customer&#39;s cellular phone for subsequent transfer to a cellular billing network by the customer&#39;s cellular telephone and further adapted to receive transaction authorization information from the cellular billing network through a separate cellular link. The retail system is further adapted to conduct a retail transaction based on the transaction authorization information it receives and, upon completion of the transaction, transmit transaction cost information back to the cellular billing network for billing against the customer&#39;s cellular telephone account. In the preferred embodiment, the retail transaction system is a fuel dispenser in combination with a point-of-sale system or site controller. 
     The fuel dispenser is associated with a communications interface that provides a communications link between the fuel dispenser and the customer&#39;s proximate cellular telephone. Using the communications link, the fuel dispenser transfers select site information to the customer cellular telephone, such site information preferably including a station ID, a fuel dispenser ID, and an outgoing phone number. The cellular telephone then calls, either automatically or under manual customer control, the outgoing phone number, thereby contacting the cellular billing network. Once in contact with the network, the select site information, along with additional customer information stored in the cellular telephone, is transferred from the cellular telephone to the network. 
     The cellular billing network uses this information to determine authorization for the transaction. The network communicates the authorization information back to the point-of-sale system. If the transaction is authorized, the site controller is adapted to control the fuel dispenser, permitting the customer to dispense the desire quantity fuel. After the customer completes dispensing activities, the fuel dispenser sends quantity and/or cost information back to the site controller. In turn, the site controller communicates this information back to the cellular billing network for assessment against the customer&#39;s cellular telephone account. The point-of-sale system is associated with a cellular communications interface allowing the transmission and reception of information to and from the cellular billing network. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention in an in-store retail sales environment. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an in-store retail sales environment. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention in a fueling environment. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a fueling environment. 
         FIG. 2C  depicts a simplified block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in a fueling environment. 
         FIG. 2D  depicts a simplified block diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention in a fueling environment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The system of the present invention includes features allowing it to use a customer&#39;s cellular telephone for completing a purchase transaction. These features provide the customer with added convenience. Transactions based on cellular communications can provide enhanced security if the cellular phone employs secure digital signaling protocols to communicate with its supporting cellular network. Examples of such digital signaling schemes include IS-95, which defines an interim standard for one form of digital cellular communications. GSM-based cellular phones, as are prevalent in the European communities, provide another example of secure digital cellular communications. While not necessary to conduct a basic transaction, the security of a digital cellular phone provides advantages if the purchase transaction requires the customer to enter a PIN. 
     In the present invention the customer conducts a retail transaction using their cellular telephone. According to the present invention, a retail sales system includes adaptations that allow it to transfer select site information to a customer&#39;s cellular telephone. Then, either automatically or under manual customer control, the cellular telephone calls a supporting cellular network and transfers this select site information, along with additional customer information already stored in the cellular telephone. Preferably, the cellular network processes the customer information to determine transaction authorization and then uses the select site information to contact the retail system for the purpose of conveying authorization information back to the retail system. In alternate embodiments, the cellular network transfers customer and select site information received from the customer cellular telephone to an outside billing or authorization network. Although in the preferred embodiment, transaction authorization is returned to the retail system via a cellular link, transaction authorization may be returned to the retail system using a standard telephone line, Internet connection, other network connection, or any combination of such communication technologies. 
     When implemented in the preferred embodiment, the supporting cellular network determines transaction authorization and provides this information to the retail system via a cellular communications interface integral to the retail system. Thus, outgoing information, including retail site identification and customer identification, is sent to the supporting cellular network via the customer&#39;s cellular telephone. Incoming information, including transaction authorization, is returned from the supporting cellular network directly to the retail system via its cellular link. The retail system also communicates final transaction charges back to the supporting cellular network so that appropriate charges may be assessed against the customer&#39;s cellular telephone account. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a simplified diagram of one embodiment of the present invention applied to a general retail sales environment. The system  100  permits a customer to conduct a retail transaction using their cellular telephone  140 . A point-of-sale system (POS)  110  includes adaptations that allow it to communicate with the cellular telephone  140 . Specifically, the POS  110  includes a local communications interface  184  adapted for localized communication with the cellular telephone  140 . Such localized communication may be based on infrared, RF, or any other wireless communication means. The application of standardized IR communications ports to a variety of handheld devices, including cellular telephones, is becoming commonplace. U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,836 to Decaro, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,418 to Walczak, et al. illustrate exemplary technical details regarding infrared-based communications and both of these U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference. The incorporation of these named references is for illustration only. Indeed, many methods and standards exist for IR or RF wireless communication. 
     The POS  110  additionally includes a controller  180  for overall systems control, a display  188  for displaying information, a keypad  190  for accepting user input, a site communications interface  186  for communicating with other on-site systems, and an outside communications interface  182  for communicating with the supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196 . In either case, the outside communications interface  182  may be a cellular receiver/transmitter, modem, network interface, or other such communications interface. 
     To conduct a transaction, the customer positions their cellular telephone  140  proximate POS  110  such that POS  110  transfers select site information to the cellular telephone  140 . The select site information may include a site identifier and an outbound phone number, or the outbound phone number may serve as the retail site identifier. Upon receiving this information, the cellular telephone  140  may automatically call the supporting cellular network  160  via base station  150 . Alternatively, the cellular telephone may prompt the customer to initiate the call and may also require the customer to input a PIN. The supporting cellular network  160  receives the select site information from the cellular telephone  140 , and additionally receives identifying customer information based on data stored in the cellular telephone  140 . Preferably, the supporting cellular network  160  provides billing services and determines whether or not to authorize the transaction. 
     In this role, the supporting cellular network  160  is responsible for providing authorization information to the POS  110 . Preferably, the supporting cellular network  160  returns this authorization information to the POS  110  via a cellular link. However, the supporting cellular network may contact the POS  110  directly or indirectly using standard telephone lines, network links, or any such combination. The supporting cellular network  160  may be any one of several different cellular network service providers and the specific network contacted will mostly likely be associated with the customers cellular telephone  140 . 
     If the cellular network  160  associated with the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  is not adapted to provide billing services, it may relay information obtained from the customer cellular telephone  140  to an outside billing network  196 . In this case, the outside billing network  196  provides authorization information to the POS  110 . If an outside billing network is involved, authorization information is preferably returned to the POS  110  back through the supporting cellular network  160 . However, a standard phone connection, or any other communications link, direct or indirect, between the POS  110  and the outside billing network  196 , will suffice. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts the preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a retail environment. An in-kiosk device (IKD)  130  supplements the POS  110 . In this embodiment, the POS  110  is simplified because the systems required to interface with the customer cellular telephone  140  and the supporting cellular network  160  are included in the IKD  130 . The communications link between the POS  110  and the IKD  130  may comprise any suitable physical connection and protocol. In the preferred embodiment, the communications link comprises an industry-standard EIA-232 link. Alternate embodiments may advantageously employ newer, higher-speed standards such as a universal-serial-bus (USB) connection. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the supporting cellular network  160  is adapted to provide billing services for retail transactions. A customer places their cellular telephone  140  proximate the IKD  130  where upon the IKD  130  transfers select site information to the cellular telephone  140  via its local communications interface  184 . The IKD  130  may be adapted to recognize whether a given cellular telephone  140  is associated with an approved supporting cellular network  160 . With this adaptation, the IKD  130  notifies a customer if their cellular telephone  140  is unable to conduct a retail transaction. The IKD  130  provides such notice on its display  188 . Alternatively, the IKD  130  transmits a message containing such notice to the cellular telephone  140  for display to the customer. Further, the IKD  130  would prompt the customer to utilize alternate payment means. 
     Assuming the cellular telephone  140  is associated with an approved supporting cellular network  160 , the cellular telephone  140  contacts the supporting cellular network  160  by dialing an outbound number included in the select site information transferred from the IKD  130 . For additional security, the cellular telephone  140  may require a customer to input a PIN. The cellular telephone  140  transfers the select site information obtained from the IKD  130 , as well as internally stored customer information, to the supporting cellular network  160 . The supporting cellular network processes this information to determine transaction authorization and calls the IKD  130 , as identified by the select site information received from the cellular telephone  140 . 
     If the transaction is not authorized, the IKD  130  may provide such information to the customer on its display  188 , or transfer an appropriate message to the cellular telephone  140  for display to the customer. In the event of a disallowed transaction, the IKD  130  preferably provides the customer with an alternate payment means. Such alternate payment means include credit card, debit card, cash, or other payment and/or credit device. Preferably, the IKD  130  also provides the customer with an opportunity to cancel the transaction. 
     If the transaction is authorized, the IKD  130  receives transaction total information from the POS  110  via its site communications interface  186 . This transaction total information is relayed from the IKD  130  back to the supporting cellular network  160  via the outside communications interface  182 . The supporting cellular network  160  processes the transaction charges against the customer account associated with the cellular telephone  140 . The transaction charges would then appear on the customer&#39;s cellular telephone bill. Note that in other embodiments, the IKD  130  communicates with the supporting cellular network  160  through a conventional phone line or other communications link. 
     The local communications interface between the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  and the POS  110  or IKD  130  as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , respectively, may be based on a variety of communication schemes. One possibility is that the local communications interface  184  in either the POS  110  or IKD  130  continuously emits select site information and monitors for a return acknowledgment from a proximate cellular telephone. Alternately, the local communications interface  184  may be adapted to continuously monitor for an initiating signal emitted from the cellular telephone  140 , and to transmit the select site information upon detection of such initiating signal. Of course, many possible communication schemes for the localized communication exist and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Wireless communication between the POS  110  (as in  FIG. 1A ) or IKD  130  (as in  FIG. 1B ) and the supporting cellular network require definitive identification. A preferred means of establishing identification between the IKD  130  or POS  110  and the supporting cellular network  160  is to apply a triple-key Data Encryption Standard (DES) using a different-user-key-per-transaction (DUKPT) algorithm. Alternate means for securely establishing identification between the IKD  130  or POS  110  and the supporting cellular network  160  exist, and include methods based on RSA public key cryptography. All of these methods identified above are well known in the art. 
     The general retail sales embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A and 1B , are suitable for use in a variety of retail locations. Such retail locations my include gas stations, shoe stores, drugstores, department stores, or anywhere credit card is normally used. Thus, the IKD  130  or the point-of-sale system  110  may be further adapted to include a payment acceptor compatible with credit/debit cards, cash payment, or other payment means. Such adaptations are not critical to practicing the present invention but do provide additional transaction payment flexibility to the customer. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts one embodiment of the present invention generally applied to a retail fuel sales environment. The system, generally referred to as  200 A, includes a site controller  112  and at least one fuel dispenser  220 . In this embodiment, the fuel dispenser  220  includes adaptations enabling it to communicate with a customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  via a local communications interface  184 . 
     As with the POS  110  of  FIG. 1A  and IKD  130  of  FIG. 1B , the local communications interface  184  in the fuel dispenser  220  permits the fuel dispenser to communicate with a customer&#39;s cellular telephone via wireless communications. The fuel dispenser  220  further includes a site communications interface  282  for communicating with the site controller  112 , a customer/payment interface  286  for communicating with and receiving payment from a customer, and a fuel dispenser controller  284  providing overall dispenser control. In a fuel-dispensing environment, a site controller  112  is adapted to provide control and monitoring for fuel dispensing activities. 
     As described earlier, the localized communication with the customer cellular telephone  140  may be based on IR, RF, or any other wireless communications means. The fuel dispenser  220  communicates select site information to the customer cellular telephone  140 . If the site controller  112  is associated with a single fuel dispenser  220 , the select site information conveyed from the fuel dispenser  220  to the customer&#39;s cellular telephone need only identify the site controller  112  or the fueling station with which the site controller  112  is associated. However, if the site controller is associated with a plurality of fuel dispensers  220 , it is advantageous to include information in the select site information that identifies the particular fuel dispenser  220  at which a customer is engaged. By including such information, return authorization information obtained from a supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  can include this information, thereby allowing the site controller  112  to enable the appropriate fuel dispenser  112 . 
     The cellular telephone  140  calls an outbound number included in the select site information, or calls an internally stored number associated with an identifying code included in the select site information. Additionally, the supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  may prompt the customer to enter their PIN. The cellular telephone  140  relays the select site information plus identifying customer information stored in the cellular telephone to the supporting cellular network  160  via base station  150 . 
     The supporting cellular network  160  may determine transaction authorization or may relay this information to an outside billing network  196  for the purpose of obtaining authorization. In either case, transaction authorization information may be returned to the site controller  112  via a cellular link, network link, conventional telephone link, or any other communications link, such as an Internet connection. As noted, the select site information transferred from fuel dispenser  220  to the cellular telephone  140  can include information allowing the site controller  112  to identify which fuel dispenser to enable, particularly if the site controller  112  controls a plurality of fuel dispensers  220 . Thus, the authorization information returned from the supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  includes this identifying information. 
     The fuel dispenser  220  returns information related to an amount or a cost of the fuel dispensed during an authorized fueling transaction and the site controller  112  determines a total cost for the transaction. Note that the fuel dispenser  220  may include an interface supporting the purchase of a multitude of goods and services and the transaction total may include the purchase of such non-fuel items or services. The site controller  112  transfers the total transaction cost information back to the supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  via its outside communications interface  182 . The outside communications interface  182  provides a communications link on which authorization information may be received and transaction total costs may be transmitted. Of course, other information may be sent or received via the outside communications interface  182 . The outside communications interface  182  may be a modem, network interface, cellular communications link, or other communications connection. Preferably, the outside communications interface  182  is a cellular communications interface to the supporting cellular network  160 . 
     If the customer cellular telephone  140  is based on secure digital communication protocols, the intrinsic security afforded by such protocols may obviate the need for the fuel dispenser  220  to handle sensitive PIN information. For example, the fuel dispenser  220  may eliminate the PIN entry and encryption hardware from its customer/payment interface  286 , relying instead on a digital cellular telephone  140  for transfer of PIN information to an authorization network. Elimination of the PIN handling hardware from a standard fuel dispenser  220  has increasing viability given the growing prevalence of cellular telephones. Of course, a fuel dispensing system based on the present invention may retain secure PIN entry capabilities at the fuel dispenser  220  as a convenience to those customers lacking secure digital cellular telephones. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts the preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a fueling environment, the system generally referred to by the numeral  200 . In the preferred embodiment, the site controller  112  cooperates within the IKD  130 , as described in the relationship between the POS  110  and IKD  130  in  FIG. 1B . The fuel dispenser  220  transfers select site information to the cellular telephone  140  as described previously, the cellular telephone  140  transfers this information to the supporting cellular network  160 . In the preferred embodiment, the supporting cellular network determines transaction authorization to communicate back to the IKD  130  via a cellular communications link included within the IKD  130 . 
     The IKD  130  relays this authorization information to the site controller  112  and, in turn, the site controller  112  uses this authorization information to enable the fuel dispenser  220  if the authorization information indicates the transaction is approved. The fuel dispenser  220  sends a transaction total or a dispensed fuel amount total back to the site controller  112  for calculation of final transaction charges. The site controller  112  transfers this information to the IKD  130  where it is relayed via cellular communications link to the supporting cellular network  160  through base station  150 . Preferably, the fuel dispenser  220  includes adaptations in its customer/payment interface  286  that support alternate payment means if the cellular-based transaction is not approved, or if the customer lacks a cellular phone capable of working in the present invention. 
     Note that as previously discussed, the fuel dispenser  220  may be adapted to communicate with cellular telephone  140  via its local communications interface  280  for the purpose of determining whether the cellular telephone  140  is associated with approved supporting cellular network  160 . In one embodiment, the site controller  112  access stored information to make this determination. In other embodiments, the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  may provide information identifying whether it is capable of supporting a sales transaction. In any case, if the cellular telephone  140  is not suitable for conducting a fueling transaction, the fuel dispenser  220  may display or cause the cellular telephone  140  to display a message prompting the customer to provide alternate payment means. 
     Further note that the possible communication schemes for the localized communication between the POS  110  or IKD  130  and the cellular telephone  140  as discussed in the context of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  also apply to the localized communications between the fuel dispenser  220  and a cellular telephone  140 . Indeed, the specific protocol or method of communications between the fuel dispenser  220  and the customer cellular telephone  140  is not critical to practicing the present invention. 
     The present invention also admits significant flexibility regarding the data included in the select site information transferred to the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  from the POS  110 , site controller  112 , IKD  130  or fuel dispenser  220 . In a retail sales environment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the select site information could simply be a telephone number, the number itself uniquely identifying the retail sales system  100  to the supporting cellular network  160 . Of course, in a retail environment comprising multiple POS  110  terminals, the select site information might include further data identifying a particular POS  110 . In yet another option, the customer&#39;s cellular telephone may be pre-programmed with a default transaction telephone number and the select site information identifies the particular POS  110 . 
     Fueling environments illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  entail similar select site information requirements. In fueling environments where the site controller  112  is associated with multiple fuel dispensers  220 , each capable of supporting cellular telephone-based fueling transactions, the select site information includes information sufficient to allow the authorization network to return information back to the site controller sufficient to allow it to enable the correct fuel dispenser  220 . Provided the select site information transferred to the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  in combination with identifying customer information already stored in the cellular telephone  140  permits the authorization network  196  to identify the customer and the particular site controller  112  and/or fuel dispenser  220 , the content and structure of the select site information is not critical to practicing the present invention. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the fuel dispenser  220  receives authorization information directly. In this embodiment, the fuel dispenser&#39;s dispenser controller  284  functions like the site controller  212  in other embodiments. That is, the fuel dispenser  220  in this embodiment is capable of operating in a stand-alone fashion. As with other embodiments, a supporting cellular network  160  may authorize the fueling transaction directly, or may rely on an outside billing network  196  for authorization. In either case, authorization information may be returned to the fuel dispenser  220  via its outside communications interface  182  using a cellular link, regular telephone, or any other communications link. 
       FIG. 2D  depicts another embodiment of the present invention. Here, a customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140  receives select site information from the local communications interface  184  of fuel dispenser  220  and places an outbound call for the purpose of obtaining authorization for a fueling transaction. Rather than the supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  returning the authorization information to the fuel dispenser  220  via its outside communications interface  182 , the authorization information is returned directly to the customer&#39;s cellular telephone  140 . From there, the information is conveyed to the fuel dispenser  220  via the local communications interface  184 . Of course, transaction settlement information may still be transferred between the fuel dispenser  220  and supporting cellular network  160  or outside billing network  196  upon completion of the transaction via the outside communications interface  182 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates in simplified fashion the logical operation of the fuel dispenser  220  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Operation starts (block  310 ) with the fuel dispenser  220  continuously sending signals (block  312 ) suitable for reception by a proximate cellular telephone  140 . Absent an acknowledgment from a proximate cellular telephone  140  (block  314 ), the fuel dispenser continues sending the IR information. Of course, in this state, the fuel dispenser  220  is still capable of responding to non-cellular based customer transactions, such as conventional credit or debit card purchases. When the fuel dispenser  220  does receive an acknowledgment (block  314 ), it sends the select site information to the proximate cellular telephone  140  (block  316 ). At this point, the cellular telephone  140  dials the outbound number included as part of the select site information and the fuel dispenser  220  waits to receive authorization from the site controller  112  (block  318 ). The waiting period may be predicated on a predetermined time-out value such that the fuel dispenser  220  does not wait indefinitely on authorization (block  318 ). If authorization is not received (block  320 ), the fuel dispenser offers the customer an alternate means of payment (block  322 ). If the customer provides an alternate means payment (block  324 ), the fuel dispenser  220  conducts the transaction (block  326 ). If the customer does not provide an alternate means of payment (block  324 ), the fuel dispenser ends the transaction (block  330 ). If the transaction is authorized (block  320 ), the fuel dispenser conducts the transaction (block  326 ) and sends transaction data back to the site controller  112  (block  328 ). From the fuel dispenser&#39;s perspective, the transaction ends at this point (block  330 ). 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the same cellular based transaction flow logic but from the perspective of the site controller  112 . The process starts (block  360 ) with the point-of-sale system waiting on incoming call (block  362 ). As earlier noted, the incoming call is received through IKD  130 . While the site controller  112  is waiting on incoming call, it is available for other transaction processing. In the absence of incoming calls (block  364 ), the site controller  112  continues waiting (block  362 ). When an incoming call is received (block  364 ), the site controller  112  receives the authorization information determined by the supporting cellular network  160  (block  366 ). If the authorization information indicates that the transaction is authorized (block  368 ), the point-of-sale system sends an authorization signal to the fuel dispenser  220  (block  374 ). As there are likely multiple fuel dispensers at a kiosk (or convenience store), the site controller  112  receives the dispenser ID from the supporting cellular network  160  as part of the transaction authorization information. In this manner, the site controller  112  sends the authorization signal to the appropriate fuel dispenser  220 . Once authorized, the customer completes their transaction at the fuel dispenser  220  and, in turn, the fuel dispenser  220  communicates the transaction information back to the site controller  112  (block  376 ). Based on the transaction information received from the fuel dispenser  220 , the site controller determines a transaction total and sends this transaction total back to the cellular network  160  through the IKD  130  (block  378 ). 
     Once the transaction total information has been communicated to the supporting cellular network  160 , the transaction ends (block  380 ). If the authorization information indicates that the transaction is not authorized (block  368 ), the site controller  112  is adapted to cause the fuel dispenser  220  to offer the customer an alternate means payment (block  370 ). Such alternate means of payment may be advantageously based on the various payment means included in the customer/payment interface  286  of fuel dispenser  220 . If the customer provides an alternate means of payment (block  372 ), the site controller  112  authorizes the dispenser to conduct the transaction (block  382 ). Once the customer completes their transaction at fuel dispenser  220 , the site controller  112  receives transaction information from the fuel dispenser  220  (block  384 ) and totals the transaction charges based on this transaction information. The totaled transaction charges are then assessed against a customer account associated with the alternate payment means (block  386 ). 
     The foregoing descriptions and illustrations of the preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limiting. The exemplary information provided herein facilitates understanding of the present invention but does not limit it. The present invention permits, among other things, a point-of-sale terminal or associated interface device (such as an IKD), or a fuel dispenser to use a customer&#39;s cellular telephone as an outbound link to a transaction authorization network. The broad utility of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the attached claims define the scope and limitations of the present invention.