Systems and methods for emulating a fuel pump and marketing on a mobile device

Abstract

A method for emulating a fuel pump interface on a mobile device and for marketing on a mobile device. The user of a mobile device is presented with a user interface such that the user receives information from and interacts with the mobile device to carry out certain functions as if the user is at the fuel pump and is interacting with the fuel pump directly. The mobile device may be used to present marketing information on the mobile device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for emulating a fuel transaction at a mobile device of a user, the method comprising:
 establishing, by the mobile device, a communication link between the mobile device and a fuel pump;   emulating, by the mobile device, the fuel pump via presentation of graphical user interface elements at a graphical user interface displayed at the mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to emulate the fuel pump and the graphical user interface elements are configured to control operation of the fuel pump as a part of emulation of the fuel pump, and wherein the graphical user interface elements comprise:
 a display region configured to display emulation data received from the fuel pump during a fueling transaction via the communication link between the mobile device and the fuel pump, 
 a fuel pump activation icon configured to cause the fuel pump to start pumping fuel or stop pumping fuel, 
 two or more payment method icons representing different payment methods for paying for the fueling transaction, and 
 at least one loyalty reward program icon representing at least one loyalty rewards program, 
   receiving, by the mobile device, inputs via the graphical user interface associated with a selection of a payment method corresponding to one of the two or more payment method icons and a selection of the fuel pump activation icon;   transmitting, by the mobile device, payment information and information indicating selection of the activation icon to the fuel pump, wherein the fuel pump is activated in response to receiving the information indicating selection of the fuel pump activation icon;   receiving, by the mobile device, emulation data during the fueling transaction, the emulation data comprising information regarding a rate at which fuel is dispensed by the fuel pump during the fueling transaction;   calculating, by the mobile device, a real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction based on the rate and an amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began; and   displaying, by the mobile device, the real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction at the display region of the graphical user interface, wherein the real-time volume of fuel, as displayed at the graphical user interface, is dynamically updated as a function of the rate and the amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began such that the real-time volume of fuel dispensed, as displayed at the graphical user interface, corresponds to an actual amount of fuel dispensed by the fuel pump as the fueling transaction occurs.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising identifying the fuel pump based on a location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , the graphical user interface elements comprise one or more fuel grade icons, each of the one or more fuel grade icons corresponding to a different grade of fuel, the method comprising transmitting information indicating selection of a particular fuel grade icon of the one or more fuel grade icons to the fuel pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the emulation data is received from a remote source. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving information regarding a non-fuel transaction involving a non-fuel product; and   providing payment information for the non-fuel transaction.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving a receipt for the non-fuel transaction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising receiving an advertisement regarding a non-fuel product. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mobile device is selected from the list consisting of: a telephone, a tablet, a computer, a vehicle, and a communication system of a vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile device comprising:
 a display;   a memory; and   at least one processor adapted to:
 establish a communication link with a fuel pump; 
 emulate the fuel pump via presentation of graphical user interface elements at a graphical user interface displayed at the mobile device, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to emulate the fuel pump and the graphical user interface elements are configured to control operation of the fuel pump as a part of emulation of the fuel pump, and wherein the graphical user interface elements comprise:
 a display region configured to display emulation data received from the fuel pump during a fueling transaction via the communication link between the mobile device and the fuel pump, 
 a fuel pump activation icon configured to cause the fuel pump to start pumping fuel or stop pumping fuel, 
 two or more payment method icons representing different payment methods for paying for the fueling transaction, and 
 at least one loyalty reward program icon representing at least one loyalty rewards program, 
 
 receive inputs via the graphical user interface associated with a selection of a payment method corresponding to one of the two or more payment method icons and a selection of the fuel pump activation icon; 
 transmit payment information and information indicating selection of the activation icon to the fuel pump, wherein the fuel pump is activated in response to receiving the information indicating selection of the activation icon; 
 receive emulation data during the fueling transaction, the emulation data comprising information regarding a rate at which fuel is dispensed by the fuel pump during the fueling transaction; 
 calculate a real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction based on the rate and an amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began; and 
 display the real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction at the display region of the graphical user interface, wherein the real-time volume of fuel, as displayed at the graphical user interface, is dynamically updated as a function of the rate and the amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began such that the real-time volume of fuel dispensed, as displayed at the graphical user interface, corresponds to an actual amount of fuel dispensed by the fuel pump as the fueling transaction occurs. 
   
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , further comprising identifying the fuel pump based on a location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , the graphical user interface elements comprise one or more fuel grade icons, each of the one or more fuel grade icons corresponding to a different grade of fuel, the method comprising transmitting information indicating selection of a particular fuel grade icon of the one or more fuel grade icons to the fuel pump. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the emulation data is received from a remote source. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving information regarding a non-fuel transaction involving a non-fuel product; and   providing payment information for the non-fuel transaction.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 14 , further comprising receiving a receipt for the non-fuel transaction. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving an advertisement regarding a non-fuel product. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile device is selected from the list consisting of: a telephone, a tablet, a computer, a vehicle, and a communication system of a vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a fuel pump configured to pump fuel, the fuel pump comprising a first memory and at least one first processor coupled to the first memory; and   a mobile device comprising a display, a second memory, and at least one second processor coupled to the second memory, wherein the at least one second processor is configured to:
 establish a communication link with the fuel pump; 
 present, at the display of the mobile device, a graphical user interface including graphical user interface elements configured to emulate the fuel pump and control operation of the fuel pump, and wherein the graphical user interface elements comprise:
 a display region configured to display emulation data received from the fuel pump during a fueling transaction via the communication link between the mobile device and the fuel pump, 
 a fuel pump activation icon configured to cause the fuel pump to start pumping fuel or stop pumping fuel, 
 two or more payment method icons representing different payment methods for paying for the fueling transaction, and 
 at least one loyalty reward program icon representing at least one loyalty rewards program, 
 
 receive inputs via the graphical user interface associated with a selection of a payment method corresponding to one of the two or more payment method icons and a selection of the fuel pump activation icon; 
 transmit payment information and information indicating selection of the activation icon to the fuel pump, wherein the fuel pump is activated in response to receiving the information indicating selection of the activation icon; 
 receive emulation data during the fueling transaction, the emulation data comprising information regarding a rate at which fuel is dispensed by the fuel pump during the fueling transaction; 
 calculate a real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction based on the rate and an amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began; and 
 display the real-time volume of fuel dispensed during the fuel transaction at the display region of the graphical user interface, wherein the real-time volume of fuel, as displayed at the graphical user interface, is dynamically updated as a function of the rate and the amount of time elapsed since dispensing of fuel began such that the real-time volume of fuel dispensed, as displayed at the graphical user interface, corresponds to an actual amount of fuel dispensed by the fuel pump as the fueling transaction occurs, and 
   wherein the at least one first processor is configured to:
 initiate a fueling transaction in response to receiving the information indicating selection of the activation icon, wherein fuel is dispensed from the fuel pump during the fueling transaction; and 
 send the emulation data to the mobile device in real-time during the fueling transaction. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one second processor is further configured to identify the fuel pump based on a location of the mobile device, information received via the graphical user interface from the user, information included in a quick response (QR) code, information included in a barcode, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one second processor is configured to apply a discount to a cost of the fueling transaction based on a loyalty rewards program corresponding to the at least one loyalty reward program icon. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one first processor is further configured to send a receipt to the mobile device via the communication link, send a survey to the mobile device, send an advertisement to the mobile device, or a combination thereof.