Fuel dispenser door lock and alarm control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11615662-B2
Application number	US-202117451192-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 18, 2021
Priority date	Jun 15, 2016
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of controlling a door alarm and lock on a fuel dispenser, comprising:
receiving a first input;
authenticating the received first input;
determining an unlocking instruction based on the authenticating of the first input, the unlocking instruction configured to cause an alarm/lock controller housed in the fuel dispenser to unlock a door lock disposed on a door of a fuel dispenser and to de-activate a door alarm sensor coupled to the door; and
providing the unlocking instruction to the alarm/lock controller, thereby causing the door lock to unlock and the door alarm sensor to de-activate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first input is received by a reader disposed on the fuel dispenser, and wherein the first input is authenticated by a wireless communication module that wirelessly transmits the first input to a cloud network.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first input is received by a biometrics reader disposed on the fuel dispenser, and the first input is authenticated by a server in communication with the fuel dispenser.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the server is a cloud network server.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fuel dispenser includes a payment module having a reader that obtains the first input.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the reader comprises a near field communication reader and the first input is received from at least one of a card and a mobile telephone.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing the fuel dispenser from dispensing fuel when the door lock is unlocked and the door alarm sensor is de-activated.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second input;
authenticating the received second input;
determining a locking instruction based on the authenticating of the second input, the locking instruction configured to cause the alarm/lock controller housed in the fuel dispenser to lock the door lock and to activate the door alarm sensor; and
providing the unlocking instruction to the alarm/lock controller, thereby causing the door lock to lock and the door alarm sensor to activate.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first input includes data characterizing an access level of a user of the fuel dispenser, and wherein the unlocking instruction is determined based on the access level.

10. A system, comprising:
at least one processor; and
memory storing instructions configured to cause the at least one data processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving a first input;
authenticating the received first input;
determining an unlocking instruction based on the authenticating of the first input, the unlocking instruction configured to cause an alarm/lock controller housed in the fuel dispenser to unlock a door lock disposed on a door of a fuel dispenser and to de-activate a door alarm sensor coupled to the door; and
providing the unlocking instruction to the alarm/lock controller, thereby causing the door lock to unlock and the door alarm sensor to de-activate.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first input is received by a reader disposed on the fuel dispenser, and wherein the first input is authenticated by a wireless communication module that wirelessly transmits the first input to a cloud network.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first input is received by a biometrics reader disposed on the fuel dispenser, and the first input is authenticated by a server in communication with the fuel dispenser.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the server is a cloud network server.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the fuel dispenser includes a payment module having a reader that obtains the first input.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the reader comprises a near field communication reader and the first input is received from at least one of a card and a mobile telephone.

16. The system of claim 10 , further comprising preventing the fuel dispenser from dispensing fuel when the door lock is unlocked and the door alarm sensor is de-activated.

17. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving a second input;
authenticating the received second input;
determining a locking instruction based on the authenticating of the second input, the locking instruction configured to cause the alarm/lock controller housed in the fuel dispenser to lock the door lock and to activate the door alarm sensor; and
providing the unlocking instruction to the alarm/lock controller, thereby causing the door lock to lock and the door alarm sensor to activate.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first input includes data characterizing an access level of a user of the fuel dispenser, and wherein the unlocking instruction is determined based on the access level.

Assignees

• Wayne Fueling Systems Llc

Inventors

• Fieglein Henry
• Carlsson Richard
• Negley Iii Scott R

Classifications

• E05B45/06

  Electric alarm locks {(E05B45/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G07C9/00571 Primary

  operated by interacting with a central unit · CPC title

• B67D7/04 Primary

  for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants · CPC title

• G08B3/10

  using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission · CPC title

• G07F13/025

  wherein the volume is determined during delivery · CPC title