Multi-device control and data communication system for fuel dispensing equipment
OwnerMiguel S. Giacamaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Local Controller device installed in or on the fuel pump capable of functioning as a pump controller dedicated solely to the pump in which it is installed and as a data router to and from the peripheral devices. This dedicated Local Controller device contains a microcomputer with a pump communications interface and optionally a remote, Site Controller communication interface which is non-dedicated and has control over many pumps at the station. If connected to such a Site Controller, the device will function as a slave to this Site Controller. Otherwise it functions autonomously to control the pump on its own.
Claims21
A dedicated pump controller apparatus for installation dedicated and proximate a single fuel pump for controlling said single fuel pump comprising:
- at least one processor, wherein said processor enables said dedicated pump controller to function as master mode for controlling dispensing operations of said fuel pump independently of a main pump controller when said data communication interface is inactive, and wherein said processor enables said dedicated pump controller to function as slave mode for controlling dispensing operations of said fuel pump dependently of a main pump controller when said data communication interface is active;
- at least one fuel pump electrical interface f communicating electrically with said fuel pump;
- at least one main pump controller electrical interface communicating with a main pump controller via at least one existing data communication channel carrying data associated with said fuel pump and data associated with said at least one peripheral device, wherein said at least one existing data communication channel is selected from the group consisting of current loop and RS-485;
- and
- at least one peripheral device communications interface for communicating with at least one peripheral device connected with said fuel pump.
A system for communicating with a fuel pump and with peripheral devices associated with said fuel pump, comprising:
- at least one existing data communication channel carrying data associated with said fuel pump and data associated with said at least one peripheral device, from and to said fuel pump and said peripheral devices, wherein said at least one existing data communication channel is selected from the group consisting of current loop and RS-485;
- and
- at least one processor, wherein said processor enables said dedicated pump controller to function as master mode for controlling dispensing operations of said fuel pump independently of a main pump controller when said data communication interface is inactive, and wherein said processor enables said dedicated pump controller to function as slave mode for controlling dispensing operations of said fuel pump dependently of a main pump controller when said data communication interface is active.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.