Fuel dispensing system

Abstract

A fuel dispensing system that permits consumers to purchase fuel using a cash equivalent that is representative of monies owed to the consumers due to past overpayments for fuel.

1 . A system for dispensing fuel, comprising: 
 a nozzle for dispensing the fuel;    a controller in communication with the nozzle for selectively causing the nozzle to dispense the fuel;    a reader connected to the controller for reading data provided by a user and transferring the data to the controller; and    a database for storing a record corresponding to the data that includes a monetary value;    wherein, upon receipt of the data, the controller accesses the record and causes the nozzle to dispense the fuel.    
     
     
         2 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the data is dependent upon purchases made by the user.  
     
     
         3 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the data comprises optical data.  
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 3   , wherein the optical data comprises a bar code included on a receipt provided to the user.  
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the data comprises magnetic data.  
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 5   , wherein the magnetic data comprises a magnetic strip included on a card.  
     
     
         7 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the record includes: 
 an index value corresponding to the data;    a date of creation of the record; and    a date of expiration of the record.    
     
     
         8 . A computer implemented method for permitting a user to purchase fuel from a fuel dispenser, comprising: 
 receiving payment from the user;    if the payment received from the user exceeds a purchase price of the fuel, then providing the user with change in the form of a cash equivalent.    
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 8   , further including: 
 creating a record in a database that includes an index value and a monetary value.    
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9   , wherein the record further includes a date of creation and a date of expiration for the record.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 8   , further including: 
 permitting the user to purchase fuel from the fuel dispenser using the cash equivalent.    
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 8   , wherein the cash equivalent comprises a bar coded representation of the change.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 8   , wherein the cash equivalent comprises a magnetic representation of the change.  
     
     
         14 . A computer program stored in a memory device for permitting a user to purchase fuel from a fuel dispenser, comprising instructions for: 
 receiving payment from the user;    if the payment received from the user exceeds a purchase price of the fuel, then providing the user with change in the form of a cash equivalent.    
     
     
         15 . The computer program of    claim 14   , further including instructions for: 
 creating a record in a database that includes an index value and a monetary value.    
     
     
         16 . The computer program of    claim 15   , wherein the record further includes a date of creation and a date of expiration for the record.  
     
     
         17 . The computer program of    claim 14   , further including instructions for: 
 permitting the user to purchase fuel from the fuel dispenser using the cash equivalent.    
     
     
         18 . The computer program of    claim 14   , wherein the cash equivalent comprises a bar coded representation of the change.  
     
     
         19 . The computer program of    claim 14   , wherein the cash equivalent comprises a magnetic representation of the change.  
     
     
         20 . A database stored in a memory device for use in a fuel dispensing system for permitting users to purchase fuel, comprising: 
 one or more records having: 
 corresponding index values; and  
 corresponding monetary values.  
   
     
     
         21 . The database of    claim 20   , wherein the records further include: 
 dates of creation; and    dates of expiration.    
     
     
         22 . The database of    claim 20   , wherein the monetary values correspond to monies owed to the users due to prior purchases of fuel by the users.  
     
     
         23 . A receipt for use in a system for permitting users to purchase fuel from a fuel dispenser, comprising: 
 a substrate; and    indicia coupled to the substrate representative of monies owed to the users.    
     
     
         24 . The receipt of    claim 23   , wherein the indicia includes a bar coded representation of the monies owed to the users.  
     
     
         25 . The receipt of    claim 23   , wherein the indicia includes a magnetic representation of the monies owed to the users.