Fuel dispenser having selectively viewable secondary display
A fuel dispenser comprises a housing enclosing fluid handling components including a fluid flow meter. The housing has a user interface including a panel display. A control system is in electrical communication with the user interface and is operative to display money and volume information on the panel display during a fueling transaction. A secondary display having digit structure that registers fuel dispensing information is in electrical communication with the control system. The secondary display is configured to not be viewable by a customer during a fueling transaction.
1. A method of displaying fuel dispensing information on a fuel dispenser comprising:
(a) providing a fuel dispenser having:
a panel display;
a control system operative to display money and volume information on the panel display during a fueling transaction;
a secondary display in electrical communication with said control system, the secondary display having digit structure that registers the fuel dispensing information; and
the secondary display configured to be substantially opaque when an opacity signal is applied thereto so as to not be viewable by a customer but viewable by the customer when the opacity signal is not applied thereto; and
(b) applying the opacity signal to the secondary display so as to render it substantially opaque.
2. A fuel dispenser comprising:
a housing enclosing fluid handling components including a fluid flow meter;
said housing having a user interface, said user interface including a panel display;
a control system in electrical communication with said user interface, said control system operative to display money and volume information on the panel display during a fueling transaction;
a secondary display in electrical communication with said control system, the secondary display having digit structure that registers fuel dispensing information; and
the secondary display configured to be not viewable by a customer as dispensing is in progress.
3. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the secondary display has an electrically controllable mask interposing the digit structure of the secondary display.
4. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the electrically controllable mask is substantially opaque when at least one of an opacity signal or power is applied.
5. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the electrically controllable mask becomes transparent when applied power is lost.
6. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the electrically controllable mask comprises a liquid crystal panel that becomes substantially opaque when activated.
7. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the secondary display comprises a backlit LCD panel forming the digit structure.
8. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the electrically controllable mask becomes transparent when applied power is lost.
9. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the secondary display comprises a negative LCD panel having a darker background when activated and lighter digits when activated.
10. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the fuel dispensing information registered by the digit structure comprises money and volume information.
11. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the fuel dispensing information comprises fuel totalizer information.
12. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the user interface further includes a plurality of grade selectors corresponding to respective fuel grades or types.
13. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 2 , wherein digits of the secondary display are approximately 10 mm tall.
14. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser comprising:
a panel display;
a control system operative to display money and volume information on the panel display during a fueling transaction;
a secondary display in electrical communication with said control system, the secondary display having digit structure that registers fuel dispensing information; and
the secondary display configured to be substantially opaque as dispensing is in progress so as to not be viewable by a customer.
15. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the secondary display has an electrically controllable mask interposing the digit structure of the secondary display.
16. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the electrically controllable mask is substantially opaque when at least one of an opacity signal or power is applied.
17. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the electrically controllable mask becomes transparent when applied power is lost.
18. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the electrically controllable mask comprises a liquid crystal panel that becomes substantially opaque when activated.
19. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the secondary display comprises a backlit LCD panel forming the digit structure.
20. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the electrically controllable mask becomes transparent when applied power is lost.
21. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the secondary display comprises a negative LCD panel having a darker background when activated and lighter digits when activated.
22. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the fuel dispensing information registered by the digit structure comprises money and volume information.
23. A display assembly for a fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the fuel dispensing information comprises fuel totalizer information.