Abstract:
A collective payment and control system has a variety of self-service devices that dispense different types of goods. The system has a primary dispenser such as a self-service fuel pump and a secondary dispenser such as a self-service vending machine. A customer enters a charge card into one of the dispensers, usually the primary dispenser. Once the card is validated, the primary dispenser together with secondary dispenser(s) associated with the primary dispenser, are activated. Products that are available to purchase from either the primary dispenser or the associated secondary dispensers are displayed to the customer at the primary and/or secondary dispenser. The customer then selects any of the displayed products either directly from the primary dispenser or from each of the primary and/or secondary dispensers. The cost for the selected products are then totaled by the primary dispenser and a single payment transaction is made, such as by a credit/debit charge. Alternatively, the cost can be totaled by a separate controller interface. A timeout feature is provided, and the system also allows for remote inventory assessment and pricing. The inventory assessment or stocking request can be transmitted to a remotely-located central facility.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a system and method for collective payment and control of multiple different types of self-service dispensers, and more particularly to a system that integrates payment and control of a fuel pump and vending machine.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    As used herein, the term “charge card” includes credit cards, debit cards and any equivalent payment card or device. Charge cards can be used to pay for a wide variety of goods and services. Self-service systems now permit customers to purchase a wide variety of goods without assistance from an attendant. Self-service fueling stations, for instance, provide a card reader at the fuel pump that authorizes fuel to be dispensed.  
           [0005]    A customer can dispense the fuel and make payment directly at the pump, without having to enter a store or otherwise interact with an attendant. In addition, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,150 to Brown and U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,899 to Gomm incorporated herein by reference, vending machines can be configured to accept payment from a smart card.  
           [0006]    However, these prior self-service systems operate independent of one another. Consequently, a customer must pay for goods obtained from these self-service systems separately. Typically, there is a high cost associated with the charge card for each transaction, so that using charge cards to make a small-valued purchase is usually not financially feasible for the storeowner.  
           [0007]    It is also an inconvenience for the customer to make a separate charge card transaction for a small-valued product, or to make multiple charge card transactions to purchase multiple goods or services at a same location. Yet, when the small-valued purchase is coupled with a larger ticket purchase such as a gasoline purchase, the transaction becomes not only feasible but highly profitable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a collective payment system that integrates payment from multiple different self-service systems. It is a further object of the invention to provide a collective control system that integrates control of multiple different self-service systems. It is another object of the invention to provide a collective payment and control system, and especially to integrate payment and control of a fuel dispenser and a vending machine dispenser. It is yet another object of the invention to locate multiple self-service systems adjacent one another in order to promote sales, especially between a small-valued goods dispenser and a larger-valued goods dispenser.  
           [0009]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide collective payment and control system for use at a self-service service station that is not staffed. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a collective payment and control system that monitors inventory of dispensers, facilitates restocking, and enables remote and automatic control of pricing of goods.  
           [0010]    In accordance with these objectives, the present invention integrates a variety of self-service devices that dispense different types of goods. Preferably, the system includes a primary dispenser comprising a self-service fuel pump and a secondary dispenser comprising a self-service vending machine.  
           [0011]    As used herein, the primary dispenser is typically associated with large-valued goods and is likely to be the dispenser most frequently used in the system. The secondary dispenser, on the other hand, usually dispenses small-valued goods. However, the primary dispenser can be any suitable dispenser and need not be the most frequently used dispenser of the system or associated with a higher priced product.  
           [0012]    The customer enters a charge card into one of the dispensers, usually the primary dispenser, which validates the card. If cash is used, a prepayment is received. Once the card is validated, the primary dispenser together with secondary dispenser(s) associated with the primary dispenser, are activated. Products that are available to purchase from either the primary dispenser or the associated secondary dispensers are displayed to the customer at the primary and/or secondary dispenser. The customer may then select any of the displayed products either directly from the primary dispenser or from each of the primary and/or secondary dispensers.  
           [0013]    The cost for the selected products are then totaled by the processor of the primary dispenser and a single payment transaction is made, such as by a credit/debit charge or change for the initial cash payment. Alternatively, the cost can be totaled by a separate controller interface which functions as an integrator by accumulating subtotals from each primary and secondary dispenser.  
           [0014]    A timeout feature is provided, such that the primary or secondary dispenser will close out if a selection is not made within a predetermined time of the card being validated or from selection of product from another dispenser. In addition, when the primary or secondary dispenser transaction is completed, the other respective dispenser is timed out.  
           [0015]    The system also allows for remote inventory assessment. When inventory is reduced, and there will be a delay in restocking, the price can be automatically or remotely adjusted accordingly. This price adjustment maximizes the price per unit charged. The inventory assessment or stocking request can also be transmitted to a remotely-located central facility. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    These together with other objects and advantages will become subsequently apparent as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the collective payment and control system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system in accordance with an alternative embodiment.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another alternative embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a block diagram including the various embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 3 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the dispenser of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the timeout feature of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    In describing preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all equivalents.  
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an overview of the payment and control system  100  generally having primary dispensers  10 , secondary dispensers  20 , controller/interface  30  and a central facility  50 . The dispensers  10 ,  20  can be any suitable single- or multi-product device, though preferably the primary dispenser  10  is a fuel pump and the secondary dispenser  20  is a vending machine.  
         [0025]    Each of the dispensers  10 ,  20  preferably has a processor  12 ,  22 , card reader  14 ,  24  and a display  16 ,  26 . The processor  12 ,  22 , card reader  14 ,  24  and display  16 ,  26  are only shown in a single dispenser  10 ,  20  of FIG. 1 for ease of illustration. However, it should be understood that each dispenser  10 ,  20  of FIGS.  2 - 4  also contain a processor  12 ,  22 , card reader  14 ,  24  and display  16 ,  26 .  
         [0026]    Processors  12 ,  22  control operation of the dispensers  10 ,  20 , card readers  14 ,  24  and displays  16 ,  26 . The dispensers  10 ,  20  are electrically connected to the controller/interface  30  so that processors  12 ,  22  can communicate with the central facility  50  via controller/interface  30 . The connection can be a wired or wireless connection, and by a dedicated line or via a local network or global network such as the Internet.  
         [0027]    The dispensers  10 ,  20  and the interface  30  are preferably located at a local facility, such as a gas station, and the central facility is located at a remote location and connected to a plurality of controllers  30 . A regional facility (not shown) can optionally be provided between the central facility  50  and the controllers  30  which provide more of a localized operation of the local stations.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 1, each of the dispensers  10 ,  20  are connected to a main communication line  5 . In the alternative preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, a secondary dispenser  20  is connected to one or more of the primary dispensers  10 , which in turn are connected to the controller/interface  30 . Here, the secondary dispenser  20  receives and transmits information and control signals via the primary dispenser  10 . Still another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the interface is integrated into the primary dispensers  10 , which are connected to the central facility  50 . Thus, a single controller/interface is provided for each primary dispenser  10 .  
         [0029]    In FIGS. 2 and 3, each primary dispenser  10  is associated with a secondary dispenser  20 , whereas in FIG. 1 any primary dispenser  10  can operate with any secondary dispenser  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the primary dispenser  10  is a fuel pump and the secondary dispenser  20  is a vending machine. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each secondary dispenser  20  can be associated with more than one primary dispenser  10 . Likewise, each primary dispenser  10  can be associated with more than one secondary dispenser  20 . The different embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 3  can also be integrated in any suitable manner, as best illustrated for instance in FIG. 4.  
         [0030]    Each processor  12 ,  22  controls a dispensing process and other operation of each of the respective dispenser  10 ,  20  and transfer data and control signals to and from the central facility  50  via controller/interface  30 . The controller/interface  30  can be configured to operate simply as an interface that transfers signals between the dispensers  10 ,  20  and the central facility  50 .  
         [0031]    In this manner, the controller  30  coordinates control signals received from the central facility  50  and transmits the control signals to the dispensers  10 ,  20 . The controller  30  also receives and coordinates data signals from the dispensers  10 ,  20  and forwards those data signals to the central facility  50 . This is particularly advantageous when the primary dispenser  10  operates according to a different protocol than the secondary dispenser  20  or the central facility  50 .  
         [0032]    The controller/interface  30  can also be used to allow an attendant to control the dispensers  10 ,  20  located at the local station and to send data signals to the central facility  50 . However, the controller  30  can also be eliminated, as shown in FIGS.  3 - 4 , so that the dispensers  10 ,  20  communicate directly with the regional facility or central facility  50 .  
         [0033]    As further shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 , a register station  70  can alternatively be provided for use by an attendant. The register station  70  can be used where the customer decides to make payment by cash, for inside payment, or purchases products located indoors. Sub-totals from the primary and secondary dispensers are transmitted to the register station  70 . The register station  70  determines a final total, taking into account any additional products ordered through the register station  70 . The attendant can then accept final payment for all products and services purchased by the customer. The station  70  can also be configured as a payment station  70  that is self-service, and accepts payment from the customer.  
         [0034]    Operation of the processor  12 ,  22  is shown in FIG. 5, which begins by validating a charge card at step  32  via the card reader  12 ,  22 . For illustrative purposes, the following description will take the example in which a customer uses the card reader  14  of the primary dispenser  10 . However, operation can also be at the secondary dispenser  20 .  
         [0035]    Starting at step  31 , the system determines whether the customer will make payment by cash or credit. If a charge card is to be used, the card is validated at step  32 . Once the card is validated by the card reader  14 , all of the secondary dispensers  20  associated with the primary dispenser  10  are made available for use by the customer. Information is transmitted to the displays  16 ,  26  to inform the customer that certain dispensers  10 ,  20  are available for use by the customer, step  34 .  
         [0036]    If cash is used at step  31 , the system proceeds directly to step  34 . The cash is preferably received in advance of dispensing any product. Optionally, however, the system can allow the user to defer payment until after the goods and/or services are dispensed. Thus, for instance, the user can select to make payment by cash at an inside attendant after the product is dispensed. The totals from each of the primary and secondary dispensers would then be forwarded to the register  70 , which can be either attendant-operated or self-service.  
         [0037]    Continuing to step  36 , information about the products available to the customer is displayed on one or more of the display devices  16 ,  26  of the associated dispensers  10 ,  20 . The display device  16 ,  26  is used to indicate sale items, instructions, advertisements, promotional materials or the like. At step  38 , the customer selects one or more of the products through a touch-sensitive display  16 ,  26  or a separate keypad (not shown).  
         [0038]    Once a product is selected, step  38 , the product is dispensed from the appropriate dispenser  10 ,  20 . If the secondary dispenser  20  is to dispense product, the primary dispenser  10  transmits a control signal to the appropriate dispenser  20 , causing that dispenser  20  to dispense the product, step  40 .  
         [0039]    Thus, product from secondary dispenser  20  can be selected from the display  16  of the primary dispenser  10 . Alternatively, product from the secondary dispenser  20  can be selected directly from the secondary dispenser  20 , which is automatically activated in response to the charge card being validated at step  32 .  
         [0040]    However, the secondary dispenser  20  can only be activated by one primary dispenser  10  at a time. If the secondary dispenser  20  is in use by another primary dispenser  10  or by a customer that is using cash/coins, that primary dispenser  10  indicates that the secondary dispenser  20  is in use and the customer must wait until the secondary dispenser  20  is closed out. Certain primary dispensers  10  can be assigned priority of use to certain secondary dispensers  20  based, for instance, upon proximity and/or orientation of the dispensers  10 ,  20  to one another.  
         [0041]    Once the product has been dispensed, step  40 , the inventory for that dispenser  10 ,  20  is updated, step  42 . The status of the dispenser  10 ,  20  is also transmitted to the controller  30 . Central facility  50  can poll each of the controllers  30  and/or dispensers  10 ,  20  to determine current inventory and how much additional product is needed. In addition, the controller  30  or dispenser  10 ,  20  can send an alert signal to the central facility  50  to indicate that additional supplies are needed.  
         [0042]    Controller  30  can also be configured to collect additional information about each dispenser  10 ,  20 , such as the volume of sales for a given period of time, whether the dispenser  10 ,  20  is presently in use, and whether the dispenser  10 ,  20  is fully operational or needs repair. Controllers  30  or central facility  50  can also change pricing at the dispensers  10 ,  20 , as well as the information that is displayed on the dispenser  10 ,  20 . Pricing can automatically be set based upon supply and demand information, or based upon when a next delivery can be made.  
         [0043]    Once the product has been dispensed, step  40 , the primary dispenser  10  is closed out. After all of the associated secondary dispensers  20  are closed out, the total price for all products purchased is calculated, step  44 . If the customer uses the interactive display  16  of the primary dispenser  10  to order product from the secondary dispenser  20 , the price is known by the primary dispenser  10  and is combined with the price of the fuel.  
         [0044]    On the other hand, if the customer uses the interactive display  26  to order product from the secondary dispenser  20 , the price must first be transmitted from the secondary dispenser  20  to the primary dispenser  10  where it is combined with the price of the fuel. As noted above, the total can alternatively be determined by controller  30 . In this case, the primary and secondary dispensers transmit the subtotal to the controller  30 . The controller  30  then determines and forwards the total price to the primary dispenser  10 . Once the total price is determined, the customer&#39;s charge card is billed and a receipt can be printed at the primary dispenser  10 .  
         [0045]    Alternatively, the sub-total prices from each primary and secondary dispenser  10 ,  20  can be transmitted to the attendant station  70 . The attendant station  70  determines the total price and receives payment. The attendant station  70  can also be provided with a manual override to timeout any dispensers  10 ,  20  that are still open. The station  70  can also be operated by an attendant, or can also be self-service. The station  70  also has a display and can control operation of the primary and secondary dispensers  10 ,  20 .  
         [0046]    Turning to FIG. 6, the timeout period will now be discussed in further detail.  
         [0047]    Upon validation of the charge card, step  32 , the timeout period begins, step  52 . If the customer is using cash, the timeout period can begin at the time the customer indicates cash will be used, or upon receipt of prepayment of cash. At block  54 , the primary dispenser  10  waits for the customer to make a product selection.  
         [0048]    Once a selection is made, the timeout period is reset, step  56 , for the primary dispenser  10  and the associated secondary dispensers  20 , or only for the dispenser that contained the selected product. If the dispensing operation takes an extended period of time, such as for dispensing fuel, the timeout period for that dispenser is preferably set to expire once the dispensing operation is complete. An extended period of time can also be added following completion of the dispensing operation.  
         [0049]    The processor determines whether the timeout period has expired, step  58 , until such time as a selection is made, step  54 . If no selection is made at step  54  and the timeout period expires, step  58 , the dispenser(s) is closed out, step  60 .  
         [0050]    At this point, a secondary dispenser  20  that has been closed out becomes available for use by cash or by other primary dispensers  10 . Once the charge card is validated at the primary dispenser  10 , the secondary dispensers  20  associated with the primary dispenser  10  are automatically reserved. After a secondary dispenser  20  is closed out, that dispenser  20  becomes available for use by another dispenser  10  or by cash/coin.  
         [0051]    On the other hand, if the primary dispenser  10  closes out, and the secondary dispenser  20  has not timed out, the primary dispenser  10  waits for the secondary dispenser  20  to close, step  62 , before determining the total purchase price, step  44 . Optionally, the system may be configured so that the secondary dispenser  20  automatically times out once the primary device times out or finishes dispensing product. Still yet, the timeout period for the secondary dispenser  20  can start upon the primary dispenser  10  being closed. Regardless, once all of the dispensers  10 ,  20  are closed out, step  62 , the total purchase price is determined, step  44 .  
         [0052]    Thus, for instance, if the customer chooses to select to dispense fuel from fuel pump  10 , the primary dispenser  10  remains open until the product is dispensed. The vending machine  20 , on the other hand, would close out after a predetermined timeout period. The timeout period is preferably measured from the moment the card is validated, step  52 .  
         [0053]    However, the timeout period for the secondary dispenser  20  can also be measured from the time the fuel is selected, or when the fuel transaction is completed. Thus, for instance, once the customer selects to dispense fuel, the consumer is informed that “Please make your selection from the vending machine. The vending machine will close in  30  seconds.” In addition, the customer has the option of closing out one or all of the dispensers.  
         [0054]    Control and data signals are formatted in accordance with common protocols, such as the vending machine communication protocol Multi-Drop Bus/Internal (MDBI) communication protocol. Of course, more than one protocol can be used. The system  100  is particularly useful to integrate different dispensers  10 ,  20  that each use different protocols or machine languages. Signals can be transmitted directly between the primary dispenser  10  and the secondary dispenser  20 , or through the controller  30 .  
         [0055]    The present system  100  integrates self-service devices of the primary and secondary dispensers  10 ,  20 . Only one payment or credit transaction is needed to purchase product from the different self-service devices, thereby facilitating multiple purchases by the customer and reducing transactional charges to the owner.  
         [0056]    In addition, the present system  100  preferably has the secondary dispenser  20  located adjacent to the primary dispenser  10 , thereby promoting consumer impulse buying. The system  100  is entirely self-service and individual purchasing transactions do not need interaction between the customer and attendant.  
         [0057]    Although the present invention has been described as integrating payment by cash, credit or charge card, the system can also be used for payment by any acceptable monetary equivalent. In addition, although the present invention has been described for use where there are a plurality of different dispensers  10 ,  20 , the invention can further incorporate the dispensers into a single machine that dispenses different product, such as a fuel dispenser that also dispenses vending machine items.  
         [0058]    The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.