Fuel dispensing and retail system providing a transaction discount for transponder use

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction associated with a remote communications unit. The system includes communication electronics for communicating with a remote communications unit, a fuel dispenser with a customer interface, and a control system associated with the communication electronics and the fuel dispenser. The control system is adapted to communicate with the remote communications unit through the communication electronics and provide a discount for the transaction if a remote communications unit is associated with the transaction. The discount may be for an overall transaction or for a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction. In certain situations, the discount may be a reduction in price per unit volume fuel or any other product purchased through the customer interface. The control system may provide a discount if the remote communications unit associated with the transaction is present and the transaction is a non-cash transaction. Preferably, there is in an input indicative of a non-cash transaction for signaling the control system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction associated with a remote communication unit comprising: 
 a. communication electronics for communicating with a remote communications unit;    b. a fuel dispenser having a customer interface; and    c. a control system associated with said communication electronics and said fuel dispenser; and    d. said control system adapted to communicate with said remote communication unit through said communication electronics and provide a discount for the transaction if a remote communication unit is associated with the transaction.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said discount is predefined.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said discount is for a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said discount is a reduction in the price per unit volume of fuel.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said control system interrogates the remote communication unit associated with the transaction and provides said discount upon receiving a response from the remote communication unit.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said control system does not provide said discount when a remote communications unit is not associated with the transaction.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said control system provides said discount if the remote communication unit associated with the transaction is present and said transaction is a non-cash transaction.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising an input indicative of a noncash transaction.  
     
     
         9 . A method of providing a discount for transponder use in a fueling environment comprising: 
 a. interrogating a transponder during a transaction at a fuel dispenser;    b. receiving indicia from a transponder associated with the transaction;    c. providing a discount for a product or service of the transaction ordered at the dispenser when the transponder is associated with the transaction.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including the step of determining the means of payment is not cash and wherein the providing step provides the discount when the remote communication unit is associated with the transaction and the means of payment is not cash.