Patent•
Providing transaction estimates in a fueling and retail system
17 Feb 1998-
TL;DR: In this paper, a vehicle-mounted transponder is associated with a vehicle control system or, at a minimum, the vehicle's fuel tank in a manner wherein the trans ponder is able to receive or determine information relating to fuel tank ullage.
Abstract: The present invention provides pre-transaction estimates of the amount of fuel required to fill a vehicle's tank along with the estimated total cost of filling the vehicle's tank. The invention includes a vehicle-mounted transponder operatively associated with a vehicle control system or, at a minimum, the vehicle's fuel tank in a manner wherein the transponder is able to receive or determine information relating to fuel tank ullage. The ullage information may include the amount of fuel required to fill the tank, tank size and/or the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank. An interrogator at the fuel dispenser will interrogate the transponder and receive the available ullage information from the vehicle. An associated control system will evaluate the ullage information to determine the amount of fuel required to fill the vehicle and, optionally, calculate the total cost to be incurred if the vehicle is filled. The control system may be associated with a fuel grade selector adapted to provide the control system with information to determine the type and cost of the fuel to be used to fill the vehicle. Optionally, the transponder may include information indicative of the desired grade of fuel.
Citations
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Patent•
27 Feb 2002TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a system, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for receiving data from a giver at a first time, the data being used to identify a merchant at which a gift from the giver to a recipient is redeemable.
Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for receiving data from a giver at a first time, the data being used to identify a merchant at which a gift from the giver to a recipient is redeemable. The system presents a group of merchants associated with the data to the giver, each merchant of the group of merchants offering a promotion in connection with the gift. The system receives from the giver a selection of a chosen merchant from the group of merchants, the chosen merchant having an associated promotion. The system then generates a policy comprising the gift, the chosen merchant, and the associated promotion such that upon receiving an indication of a triggering event caused by the recipient, the system can apply the gift and the associated promotion according to the policy.
647 citations
Patent•
20 Nov 2002
TL;DR: In this article, an advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a reader on a periodic basis.
Abstract: An advertising compliance monitoring system is provided that includes a tag affixed to a sign or marketing material or shopper ID card, the tag communicating with a reader on a periodic basis. The tag includes a memory for storing tag data, a transmitter and a receiver. The tag uses sleep modes to conserve power. The tag transmits tag data to a reader in response to an interrogation request, or automatically on a periodic basis. The tag data includes an identification number used to identify the tag associated with a particular sign, price, marketing material or shopper, status data (e.g., delivered, displayed), and time and date information. This data is processed by a central server to determine compliance with and/or exposure to a particular advertising program.
289 citations
Patent•
31 Mar 2000TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a system and method for communicating with a RFID tag, which includes receiving a signal from a tag, and identifying the tag type from the tag signal.
Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system and method for communicating with a RFID tag. The method includes receiving a signal from a RFID tag, and identifying the tag type from the RFID tag signal. In another aspect, the invention features a system and method for communicating tag receiver to a computer, and transmitting a receiver identifier from the tag information. The method includes transmitting tag information from a tag receiver to a computer.
279 citations
Patent•
29 Mar 2002TL;DR: A payment service method and system involve a payment service provider, a customer/payor and a consumer provider/payee as discussed by the authors, where the customer/paymentor enrolls in the service and is provided a unique identifier that enables the customer to conduct transactions with the payment service providers.
Abstract: A payment service method and system involve a payment service provider, a customer/payor and a consumer provider/payee. The customer/payor enrolls in the service and is provided a unique identifier that enables the customer to conduct transactions with the payment service provider. The customer/payor interfaces with the payment service provider through various forms of communication, and can facilitate payments to the consumer providers/payees through the payment service provider while remaining anonymous.
263 citations
Patent•
23 Oct 2000TL;DR: In this paper, a method of performing a send money transfer transaction through a financial services institution includes storing transaction details on a data base, wherein the transaction details include a desired amount of money to be sent and establishing a code that corresponds to the transaction information stored on the data base.
Abstract: A method of performing a send money transfer transaction through a financial services institution includes storing transaction details on a data base, wherein the transaction details include a desired amount of money to be sent; establishing a code that corresponds to the transaction details stored on the data base; entering the code into an electronic transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base to retrieve the transaction details from the data base; and determining a collect amount based on the transaction details. A system for performing a send money transfer transaction is also disclosed.
182 citations
References
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Patent•
25 May 1993
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the transfer of an indicia from the memory to a remote site for use in accounting for an amount of the consumable energy source that is input to the vehicle.
Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing a consumable energy soe, such as electrical power or liquid fuel, to a vehicle. A vehicle includes apparatus for coupling the vehicle to a dispenser of the consumable energy source. The vehicle further includes a memory and a coupler for bidirectionally coupling the memory to the dispenser of the consumable energy source for transferring information therebetween. Embodiments of the invention describe the transfer of an indicia from the memory to a remote site for use in accounting for an amount of the consumable energy source that is input to the vehicle. Messages and other information, such as advertisements, can be input to the vehicle while coupled to the dispenser. A display is provided for displaying the information to an operator. A data entry device, such as a keyboard, may also be provided for originating information within the vehicle for transmission to a remote site.
305 citations
Patent•
07 Oct 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, a typical multi-lane toll plaza environment has roadside collection stations (20b, 20c, 20d) communicating over a high-speed short-range microwave or RF communication link with in-vehicle units (34) located in either a single vehicle in its respective lane or in plural vehicles in their lane while the vehicle or vehicles pass through the RF footprint (24) of one of the roadside collecting stations.
Abstract: A typical multi-lane toll plaza environment has roadside collection stations (20b, 20c, 20d). Each of the roadside collection stations (20b, 20c, 20d) communicates over a high-speed short-range microwave or RF communication link (22) with in-vehicle units (34) located in either a single vehicle in its respective lane or in plural vehicles in their lane while the vehicle or vehicles pass through the RF footprint (24) of one of the roadside collection stations (20b, 20c, 20d). The radiation footprint (24) is a function of the antennae in the roadside collection stations (20b, 20c, 20d) and in the in-vehicle units (34). For typical antenna footprints and velocities, only a few milliseconds of time are necessary to complete a transaction for a vehicle.
294 citations
Patent•
24 May 1994
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a method and apparatus for inputting messages and other infotion to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station, which can be selected in accordance with information received from the vehicle, including information that selectively identifies one, some, or all of: (a) a characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (e.g., name, account number, address, etc.).
Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting messages and other infotion, such as advertisements, to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station. The messages can be selected in accordance with information received from the vehicle, including information that selectively identifies one, some, or all of: (a) a characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (e.g., name, account number, address, etc.); (b) a characteristic of the vehicle (e.g., make, model, year, class, registration number, marker number, odometer reading, owner, etc.); (c) a destination of the vehicle (entered through a data entry console and optionally stored within a vehicle memory); and (d) any other characteristic of interest.
290 citations
Patent•
13 May 1988TL;DR: In this article, a vehicle monitoring system is described having an arrangement (14,16) installed within a vehicle, wherein the system includes an external data terminal for communicating information to a remotely located base station.
Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system is described having an arrangement (14,16) installed within a vehicle, wherein the system includes an external data terminal for communicating information to a remotely located base station (12). The arrangement includes a plurality of communication modules (36), each being capable of communicating messages associated with performance of the vehicle; a data bus member (44) for electrically intercoupling the plurality of communication modules (36) and for receiving the communicated messages therefrom; a driver interface module (28) for transmitting messages to and for receiving messages from a vehicle operator; and a recorder (26) coupled to the data bus member (44) for recording information associated with performance of the vehicle which has been transmitted over the data bus member (44) by the plurality of communication modules (36), coupled to the driver interface module (28) via a second data bus member (30) for transferring messages therebetween. The external data port (24) is provided by the recorder (26) and is used for communicating messages with the base station (12), preferably over an RF link.
282 citations
Patent•
17 Dec 1993TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe an electronically powered postage stamp or mailing label and including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and system mounted between the opposing and facing major surfaces thereof.
Abstract: The present application describes an electronically powered postage stamp or mailing label and including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and system mounted between the opposing and facing major surfaces thereof. The RFID device and system includes an integrated circuit transceiver chip which is connected to and powered by a thin flat battery cell and is operated with a thin film RF antenna, all of which are mounted in side-by-side relationship on a thin base or support layer. These thin flat components are mounted in an essentially two dimensional planar configuration well suited for incorporation into the planar structure of a postage stamp or a mailing label. In addition, the RFID transceiver chip may be replaced with an electro-optically operated IC chip using, for example, LEDs or laser diodes for the propagation of light signals to an interrogator.
281 citations