Fuel Dispenser Command Translation for Multi-Vendor Payment Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispenser communication systems face challenges when replacing payment terminals, as they often require matching vendors, leading to expensive and time-consuming processes or the use of suboptimal solutions due to vendor compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A fuel controller translator is used to read conversion tables and translate commands between different formats, enabling communication between fuel controllers and payment terminals from different vendors, allowing for seamless integration and operation even when components are upgraded or replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new payment terminal is replaced with one from a different vendor, then the fuel dispenser can meet new payment methods and security regulations, but vendor compatibility issues prevent proper functionality due to format mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a payment terminal as an intermediary device between the fuel dispenser controller and external payment networks. This payment terminal handles format conversion and protocol translation, allowing the fuel dispenser to communicate with payment terminals from different vendors without requiring changes to the core fuel dispenser controller. The payment terminal mediates the interaction, ensuring compatibility while enabling versatility in payment methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire fuel dispenser is replaced to accommodate a new payment terminal vendor, then vendor compatibility is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel dispensing system into independent functional components: the fuel dispenser controller, the payment terminal, and the communication interface. This segmentation allows the payment terminal to be replaced or upgraded independently without affecting the core fuel dispenser controller. The communication interface is designed to work with multiple payment terminal vendors, enabling component-level replacement rather than system-wide replacement, thereby reducing both cost and time.
3Ease of manufacture
If a payment terminal from a different vendor is used, then cost savings and operational flexibility are achieved, but communication format mismatches prevent proper functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the communication interface and payment terminal with universal functionality to support multiple vendors and communication formats. The system can adapt to different payment terminal vendors through configurable communication protocols and format conversion capabilities. This universality allows the use of cost-effective payment terminals from different vendors while maintaining ease of operation through automatic format translation and protocol adaptation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for facilitating communication between a forecourt controller and a fuel dispenser. In certain aspects, a fuel controller translator is provided for translating commands transmitted between the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser. For example, where the forecourt controller transmits commands that are compatible with the payment terminal, but not with the fuel controller, the fuel controller translator can translate the commands received from the forecourt controller into a format compatible with the fuel controller. Conversely, the fuel controller translator can translate commands received from the fuel controller into a format that is compatible with the forecourt controller.