Fuel Dispenser Printer Module Remote Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel dispensers are inefficient in transmitting payment information electronically, leading to inconvenience for customers and increased maintenance burdens due to the need for regular paper receipt printing, and they lack comprehensive solutions for aggregating transaction data for tax and business purposes.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispenser system with a paperless printer module that can transmit transaction records electronically to a remote server, allowing users to receive either printed or electronic receipts, and aggregate transaction data, minimizing maintenance and enabling automated expense tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a printer is located within the dispenser or at an outdoor payment terminal, then customers can receive printed receipts at the pump, but the printer paper must be replaced on a regular basis requiring security measures and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the printing function from the outdoor dispenser/terminal and relocates it to an indoor location. The printer is now housed inside the service station building, and transaction data is transmitted electronically from the outdoor terminal to the indoor printer, eliminating the need for outdoor paper replacement while maintaining receipt printing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic data transmission system as an intermediary between the outdoor payment terminal and the indoor printer. Transaction data is converted to electronic signals and transmitted via communication protocols, allowing the printer to be located remotely indoors while still serving outdoor customers
2Ease of operation
If a printer is located within the dispenser or at an outdoor payment terminal, then customers can receive printed receipts immediately, but security measures such as keys and passwords are required to access the printer compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the printer from the secured outdoor terminal environment and places it in an indoor location with controlled access. The printing function is separated from the outdoor transaction hardware, eliminating the need for customers or service personnel to access secured compartments at the dispenser
3Ease of repair
If current fuel dispensers transmit payment information electronically, then maintenance costs are reduced, but comprehensive aggregation of transaction data for tax and business purposes is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the electronic data transmission system to serve multiple functions: it transmits payment information for processing, generates electronic receipts for customers, and aggregates transaction data for tax and business purposes. The system handles diverse data types (payment info, receipt data, transaction records) through a unified electronic communication protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Fuel dispensers, systems and methods are provided for electronically transmitting data characterizing fueling transactions in a fueling environment, and in particular from a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, a fuel dispenser is provided having a printer module that can perform operations that enable any one or more of replacing a printer, providing a user with a printed transaction record at a remote location, and/or provide the user with an electronic transaction record. The application of the printer module can facilitate providing a user with a printed and/or electronic transaction record, while minimizing, or eliminating, changes to standard communication protocol associated with components of a payment terminal that can deliver formatted transaction data to a typical printer. Minimizing or eliminating changes to standard communication protocol associated with providing users with transaction records can facilitate retrofitting the printer module to existing fuel dispensers, and/or simplify design considerations for new dispenser.