US 11,443,582 B2Granted

Virtual payment system and method for dispensing fuel

AssigneeAvaLAN Wireless Systems, Inc.

InventorMichael Derby

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system facilitating payment for fuel dispensing includes a fuel dispenser associated with a current-loop-to-ethernet converter for receiving serial data from a fuel dispenser controller and converting said serial data to an ethernet signal and a network appliance coupled the current-loop-to-ethernet converter by an ethernet port. A virtual payment facilitator is connected to the network appliance over a VPN and to a payment authorization entity, also over a VPN. A process performed by the system includes receiving a fueling request at the virtual payment facilitator from the payment authorization entity and converting that request into a command issued to the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A system for facilitating payment for fuel dispensing comprising:

a fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser being associated with a current-loop-to-ethernet converter for receiving serial data from a fuel dispenser controller and converting said serial data to an ethernet signal and a network appliance coupled to said current-loop-to-ethernet converter by an ethernet port;
and
a remote virtual payment facilitator, said virtual payment facilitator comprising:
a first virtual private network server configured to communicate over a first virtual private network through a public network with said network appliance;
a second virtual private network server configured to communicate over a second virtual private network through a public network with a payment authorization entity;
and
a virtual forecourt dispenser controller responsive to said first and second virtual private network servers, said virtual forecourt dispenser configured to issue fuel dispensing commands to said fuel dispenser over said first virtual private network.

4 more elements

A method for facilitating payment for fuel, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a fuel dispense request at a remote virtual payment facilitator from a payment authorization entity over a first virtual private network, said virtual payment facilitator comprising a virtual forecourt dispenser controller, and said request comprising data identifying a fuel dispenser;
issuing a command from said virtual payment facilitator via said virtual forecourt dispenser controller to said dispenser to dispense fuel, said command issued over a second virtual private network established directly between said virtual payment facilitator and said dispenser;
receiving a signal from said dispenser at said virtual payment facilitator over said second virtual private network, said signal indicating fuel dispensing is complete;
and
transmitting an application program interface message over said first virtual private network from said virtual payment facilitator to said payment authorization entity, said message indicating fuel dispensing is complete.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/702,408Filed 3 Dec 2019 · us provisional application
Priority: 3 Dec 2018
Published: US 2020/0175803 A14 Jun 2020
Granted: 13 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

G06Q 20/0855
Involving remote charge determination or related payment systems: involving a third party
G07F 9/002
Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus: vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending…
B67D 7/04
Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for…: for…
B67D 7/145
Responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards: by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like

Family

Application62/774,389Us provisional application · filed 3 Dec 2018
US 2020/0175803 A1Pre-grant publication · published 4 Jun 2020
US 11,443,582 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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