IP Library Granted Patent US 7,346,427
Granted Patent B2
US 7,346,427 · App. 11/062,120 · Granted Mar 18, 2008

Collecting liquid product volume data at a dispenser

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,346,427
App. No.
11/062,120
Granted
Mar 18, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting liquid product volume data at a dispenser. The dispenser can include first and second totalizers that receive signals from a pulser that identifies the flow rate of liquid product dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser further includes a data acquisition unit communicating with at least the second totalizer, the data acquisition unit receives data indicative of a volume of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser from the second totalizer. The method can include receiving a plurality of pulses at a first totalizer and a second totalizer within the dispenser. Upon receiving the pulses, the method includes generating data indicative of a volume of liquid product flowing from the dispenser. Following generating the data, the method can include sending the data corresponding to the second totalizer to at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system.

Claims (31)

1. A dispenser for delivering a liquid product to a consumer through a nozzle, the dispenser comprising:

a first totalizer that receives signals from a pulser for determining an amount of liquid product dispensed from at least one tank;

a second totalizer, in parallel with said first totalizer, that receives signals from said pulser such that the second totalizer monitors liquid product dispensed from the same at least one tank; and

a data acquisition unit communicating with at least said second totalizer, wherein said data acquisition unit receives from said second totalizer data indicative of a volume of the liquid product dispensed through the nozzle.

2. A dispenser as recited in claim 1 , wherein said data acquisition unit is in signal communication with said second totalizer.

3. A dispenser as recited in claim 1 , wherein said data acquisition unit further comprises a control module that controls a receipt of said data from said second totalizer.

4. A dispenser as recited in claim 3 , wherein said control module delivers said data to at least one of a retail system and a centralized inventory management system.

5. A dispenser as recited in claim 3 , wherein said control module wirelessly transmits said data to at least one of a retail system and a centralized inventory management system.

6. A dispenser as recited in claim 1 , wherein said data acquisition unit further comprises a temperature module that collects temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser.

7. A dispenser as recited in claim 6 , further comprising an outlet conduit disposed between said nozzle and a dispenser meter of the dispenser.

8. A dispenser as recited in claim 7 , wherein said temperature module is in signal communication with a temperature probe disposed in said outlet conduit.

9. A dispenser for delivering a liquid product, the dispenser comprising:

a pump meter that directs the liquid product from a tank and to a nozzle;

a pulser cooperating with said pump meter, said pulser generating a plurality of pulses indicative of a volume of the liquid product that said pump meter directs to said nozzle;

a first totalizer that receives a plurality of signals from said pulser for determining an amount of liquid product dispensed from at least one tank;

a second totalizer, in parallel with said first totalizer, that receives said plurality of signals from said pulser for determining an amount of liquid product dispensed from the same at least one tank; and

a data acquisition unit in signal communication with said first totalizer and said second totalizer, wherein said data acquisition unit receives from said second totalizer data indicative of a volume of the liquid product dispensed through said nozzle.

10. A dispenser as recited in claim 9 , wherein said data acquisition unit further comprises:

a control module that controls a receipt of said data from said second totalizer; and

a temperature module that collects temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed through said nozzle.

11. A dispenser as recited in claim 10 , wherein said control module delivers said data and said temperature data to at least one of a retail system and a centralized inventory management system.

12. A dispenser as recited in claim 10 , wherein said control module wirelessly transmits said data and said temperature data to at least one of a retail system and a centralized inventory management system.

13. A method for collecting flow data using a dedicated totalizer within a dispenser, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of pulses at a first totalizer within the dispenser for determining an amount of liquid product dispensed from at least one tank;

upon receiving data representative of said plurality of pulses from said first pulser at a second dedicated totalizer within the dispenser for determining an amount of liquid product dispensed from the same at least one tank, generating reading data indicative of a volume of liquid product flowing from the dispenser; and

sending said reading data corresponding to said dedicated totalizer to at least one of a retail system and a centralized inventory management system.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein sending said reading data comprises wirelessly transmitting said reading data to at least one of said retail system and said centralized inventory management system.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising comparing said reading data against said volume of liquid product flowing from the dispenser defined by said first totalizer.

16. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising generating a pulse to gallon conversion ratio based upon said reading data and said volume of liquid product flowing from the dispenser defined by said first totalizer.

17. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising collecting temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising collecting said temperature data from a temperature probe disposed in an outlet conduit disposed between a nozzle and a dispenser meter of the dispenser.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
Reel/Frame 066928/0072 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 24, 2019
From: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051415/0705 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2014
From: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 033948/0951 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 28, 2010
From: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 025051/0040 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2010
From: FLYING J INC.
To: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
Reel/Frame 024672/0391 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2005
From: HILLAM, JOHN D.; SHELLABARGER, GARY L.
To: FLYING J, INC.
Reel/Frame 016218/0598 →