Apparatus for providing coupons in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device

Abstract

An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device; the fuel vending device delivering at least one fuel product; the delivering being effected by exercising an actuator element; includes: (a) a control unit for controlling the apparatus in dispensing at least one item having value after the exercising; (b) a providing unit for effecting the dispensing; the providing unit being coupled with the control unit and responsive to the control unit; and (c) a link coupling the apparatus and the actuator element for effecting the cooperation.

1 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device; said fuel vending device delivering at least one fuel product; said delivering being effected by exercising an actuator element; the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a control unit for controlling the apparatus in dispensing at least one item having value after said exercising;   (b) a providing unit for effecting said dispensing; said providing unit being coupled with said control unit and responsive to said control unit; and   (c) a link coupling the apparatus and said actuator element for effecting said cooperation.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one item having value is redeemable toward a purchase of at least one product. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 (d) a communication system coupled with said control means for communicating information with the apparatus from a locus from without the apparatus; and 
 (e) a memory means coupled with said communication system for storing said operational information. 
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication system is coupled with said control means using at least one of a telephone connection, a wireless connection and a cable connection. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication system comprises an access port for providing access to the apparatus by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said communication system comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 (f) a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing unit; said printing unit populating said at least one item having value with information received via said communication system. 
 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication system comprises at least one of a telephone connection, a wireless connection and a cable connection. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication system comprises an access port for providing access to the apparatus by an operator effecting a connection with the apparatus via said access port. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for use in cooperation with operation of a fuel vending device as recited in  claim 7  wherein said communication system comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device; said companion fuel product vending device availing a user of at least one fuel product in response to an exercising of an actuator coupled with said companion fuel product vending device; the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a control unit for controlling the apparatus in presenting at least one item having value in association with said exercising;   (b) a providing unit for effecting said presenting; said providing unit being coupled with said control unit and responsive to said control unit; and   (c) at least one link coupling the apparatus and said actuator.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one item having value is redeemable toward a purchase of at least one product. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in  claim 12  wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 (d) a communication element coupled with said control unit for communicating information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and 
 (d) a memory unit coupled with said communication element for storing said information. 
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication element comprises at least one of a telephone connection, a wireless connection and a cable connection. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication element comprises an access port for providing access to the apparatus by an operator effecting a connection with said access port. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in as recited in  claim 13  wherein said communication element comprises a satellite communication connection with a remote controlling station. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for use with a companion fuel product vending device as recited in  claim 13  wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 (f) a printing unit coupled with at least one of said control unit and said providing unit; said printer unit populating said at least one item having value with information. 
 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an associated fuel product vending device; said fuel product vending device availing a user of access to a product in response to at least one of payment to a payment receiving unit and exercising an actuator; the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a control unit for controlling said dispensing in response to at least one of said payment and said exercising;   (b) a providing unit coupled with said control unit for effecting said dispensing; and   (c) a link coupling the apparatus with at least one of said payment receiving unit and said actuator.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an associated fuel product vending device as recited in  claim 18  wherein the apparatus further comprises a printing unit coupled with said control unit for populating said at least one coupon with information. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for dispensing at least one coupon in cooperation with operation of an associated fuel product vending device as recited in  claim 18  wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 (d) a communication system coupled with said control unit for communicating information with the apparatus regarding operation of the apparatus; and 
 (e) a memory unit coupled with said communication system for storing said information.