Fuel dispenser

Abstract

A fuel dispenser comprising a housing having at least one display, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, and at least one directional speaker operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics and configured to project a directed cone of sound over a limited area proximate the fuel dispenser housing to prevent users of adjacent fuel dispensers from hearing communications projected over the at least one directional speaker.

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 956,072, filed Aug. 15, 2007, entitled FUEL DISPENSER, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to dispensers and, more particularly, to fueling stations having advanced dispenser systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In recent years, traditional fuel dispensers have evolved into elaborate point-of-sale (PoS) devices having sophisticated control electronics and user interfaces with larger displays and easier-to-use user interfaces. The fuel dispensers may include various types of payment means, such as card readers and cash acceptors, to expedite and further enhance fueling transactions. Further, customers are not limited to the purchase of fuel at these dispensers. Newer dispensers allow the customer to purchase services, such as car washes, and goods, such as fast food or convenience store products. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention recognizes and addresses disadvantages of prior art constructions and methods, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel dispenser comprising a housing having at least one display, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, and at least one directional speaker operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics and configured to project a directed cone of sound over a limited area proximate the fuel dispenser housing to prevent users of adjacent fuel dispensers from hearing communications projected over the at least one directional speaker.

[0016]In yet another embodiment a fuel dispenser comprises a housing, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, a touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, the touch display configured to detect the presence and general location of a user of the fuel dispenser, and a directional speaker operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics and configured to project sound over a limited area proximate the fuel dispenser to prevent adjacent users from eavesdropping on audio communications projected from the dispenser directional speaker.

[0017]The directional speaker may be mounted on a moveable bracket that allows the speaker to move in response to movement by the user so that the limited area generally tracks movement of the user.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the vast majority of fuel dispensers already in existence include displays and associated input devices that are insufficient for supporting web-based interaction.

Further, many of the fuel dispensers fail to include the necessary control electronics to readily support such interaction.

Shoulder surfing subjects customers of fuel dispensers to theft of identifying information associated with payment accounts and PINs.

Additionally, keypads of fuel dispensers wear out over time due to continuous and repeated action of their keys by customers.

With use, the contacts within a keypad may also corrode and lose their conductivity.

As such, fuel dispensers are plagued with a costly replacement schedule for user interface keypads.

However, prior art speakers are loud and omni-directional so that sound from one dispenser interferes with sound generated from another dispenser.

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