Fuel dispenser controller application installed on host computer

A fuel dispenser control system for controlling a fuel delivery system, used in combination with at least one fuel dispenser having a fuel pump means with a first programmable memory device for dispensing fuel and a host computer means with a second programmable memory device including software programming for performing cash register operations, comprising:

• (a) fuel controller application means, interfaced to the operating system of said host computer means, for controlling said fuel dispensers and formatting command and response data between said dispensers and said host computer means;
• (b) dispenser distribution means, functionally connected between said dispensers and said fuel controller application means, for translating and adjusting command and response data between said dispensers and said duel controller application means;
• and
• (c) communication, functionally connecting said host computer and said dispensers means, for providing communication between said fuel controller application means and said dispensers.

A method for controlling the fuel dispensing process by a fuel dispenser control system used in combination with at least one fuel dispenser having a pump means and a host computer including a fuel controller application means interfaced to the operating system of said computer for controlling said fuel dispensers and for formatting command and response data between said dispensers and said host computer and a dispenser distribution means functionally connecting said dispensers and said fuel controller application means for translating and adjusting command and response data between dispensers and said fuel controller application means, comprising the steps of:

• (a) setting the price per unit of the fuel to be dispensed by said dispenser by sending a command formatted by said dispenser distribution means including fueling position, hose number, read or write flag operation, and unit price, whereas with a write operation flag the price is stored in said dispenser, with a read flag said dispenser responds back to said host computer with a response indicating fueling position, hose number, and price stored;
• (b) starting the dispensing process by an authorization command from said host computer formatted by said dispenser distribution means including command code, fueling position, hose number, limit amounts of fuel to be dispensed;
• (c) polling the status of said dispenser by a status command including fueling position and hose number, whereafter said dispenser responds with a status indicator response including hose is dispensing fuel, hose is idle, pump handle has been lifted;
• and
• (d) reading sales information by a sales information command including command code, fueling position, hose number, and operational flag, where as with a read operation flag said dispenser responds with response including pump number, hose number, and amount of fuel dispensed, or a clear operation thereby the sale flag is clear.