Fuel Dispenser Touch Display and Directional Speaker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispensers face issues with security against 'shoulder surfing' due to visible displays and keypads that are prone to wear and corrosion, leading to potential fraud and high maintenance costs, as well as interference between directional speakers at adjacent dispensers.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispenser with capacitive touch displays and a camera that detects user presence without physical contact, activating the display only when the user is near, and using a directional speaker to prevent interference and enhance privacy, along with a nozzle proximity sensor to prevent nozzle interaction with the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional displays and keypads are used at fuel dispensers, then user interaction is enabled, but security against shoulder surfing deteriorates and maintenance costs increase due to wear and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keypads with voice recognition technology and physical contact with the dispenser body. The voice recognition system captures spoken commands through a microphone, processes them through pattern recognition algorithms, and executes corresponding functions, thereby eliminating wear-prone mechanical buttons while maintaining full user interaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser system. Instead of direct physical contact with keypads or screens, users speak their commands which are then interpreted and executed by the control system, providing a contactless interface that improves security against shoulder surfing while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If displays are kept on continuously for user convenience, then user interaction is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display operates periodically rather than continuously. It activates when motion is detected or when voice input is received, remains on during interaction, and turns off after a predetermined timeout period when no user presence is detected. This periodic operation maintains user convenience while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Power
If directional speakers are used at adjacent dispensers, then audio output is improved, but interference between adjacent dispensers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Each dispenser's speaker system is configured to provide audio output localized to its specific geographic area. The speakers are positioned and oriented to direct sound primarily toward the pump island and surrounding customer area, creating localized audio zones that minimize overlap and interference with adjacent dispensers while maintaining sufficient audio power for clear communication.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances security by reducing exposure of sensitive information, extends keypad lifespan through reduced wear, and minimizes sound interference between adjacent dispensers, improving user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one capacitive touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics
Implementation Method 2
using a directional speaker to prevent interference and enhance privacy
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispenser comprises fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within a housing and a nozzle for dispensing fuel. The fuel dispensing apparatus includes control electronics and at least one touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics. The touch display is configured to allow a user to make selections for conducting a transaction. A camera or other suitable proximity detector is configured to detect the presence of a user and whether the user exceeds a height threshold without the user physically touching the fuel dispenser. In response to detecting the presence of the user, the fuel dispenser control electronics activates the display so that instructions are presented to the user in a first orientation or a second orientation depending on whether the user's height exceeds the threshold.