Integrated Dispensing Terminal Multi-Service Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gasoline dispensers and ATMs/kiosks fail to effectively utilize the captive user time for providing additional services or information, as users are either unproductively waiting or have transactions that are too brief for meaningful engagement.
Innovation Solution
An integrated dispensing terminal system that includes a networked dispenser, processor, and various engines (payment, dispenser, advertising, and self-service/information engines) to enhance user experience by allowing transactions and service engagement during the filling process, enabling users to conduct multiple activities like banking, insurance services, and product purchases simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a traditional gasoline dispenser is used, then the user is captive during the filling process, but the user experience is passive and unproductive with no additional services provided
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing terminal is transformed into a multi-functional device that combines traditional fuel dispensing with banking services, information kiosk capabilities, and product sales. The terminal includes engines for payment processing, information delivery, advertising, and dispenser control, allowing users to perform multiple tasks during the captive filling period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate functions (fuel dispensing, banking, information provision, advertising) into a single integrated terminal. The system combines the dispenser engine with payment engine, information engine, and advertising engine to create a unified multi-service platform.
2Productivity
If an ATM is used, then the user experience is focused and efficient, but the transaction is too brief for institutions to provide useful information and sell other products and services
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal extends ATM-like efficiency to a broader service portfolio. Users can quickly complete fuel transactions while simultaneously accessing banking services, information, and product purchases, transforming a brief transaction into a productive multi-service experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous user engagement throughout the entire dispensing process. Instead of a brief ATM transaction followed by disengagement, the terminal continuously provides banking services, information, and advertising content throughout the fuel filling period, maximizing productive use of user time.
3Productivity
If a traditional gasoline dispenser is used, then the core function of dispensing fuel is performed, but the captive time is not utilized for providing useful information or selling products
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal consolidates multiple institutional revenue streams (fuel sales, banking services, advertising, product sales) into a single device. This multi-functionality increases productivity by capturing value from various services during the same user interaction, offsetting the increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines separate systems (dispenser, banking terminal, information kiosk, advertising display) into a single integrated unit. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate devices and locations, consolidating institutional opportunities into one accessible point.
Data Source
AI summary
A user is enabled to initiate a user experience through use of a first device. Information is sent to the first device in support of the user experience. Input is receive from the user. One of termination of the user experience and transferring of the user experience to a second device is selected in response to receipt of input.