SE1251006A1 - Payment terminal for a fuel distributor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The invention relates to a payment terminal (1) for a fuel dispensing unit. The payment terminal (1) comprises a user interface mechanism (2)arranged in said payment terminal (1). The payment terminal (1) ischaracterized in that said payment terminal (1) further comprises means (3)for adjusting the vertical position of said user interface mechanism (2),relative to a base of said payment terminal (1). Elected for publication: Fig. 1a.

Description

AWAPATENT AB Kontor/HandläggareMalmö/Christian Winblad/MJO Dresser Wayne AB Ansökningsnr Vår referens SE-21059649 1 PAYMENT TERMINAL FOR A FUEL DISPENSING UNIT Technical fieldThe present invention relates to a payment terminal for a fueldispensing unit.

Background artWhen refuelling a tank of a motor vehicle today, it is a common measure to pay for the fuel using a self-service payment terminal. The use ofa payment terminal instead of paying inside a gas station facilitates therefuelling process and saves time for a user.

Today, different markets have different requirements regarding heightsfor payment terminals. Due to the different requirements and regulations indifferent markets, in combination with different installation designs, differentheights, especially in respect of the user interface mechanism, are required.For example, some countries require ADA demands while other haveregulations regarding zoning on a gas station. The installation of thefreestanding payment terminal can also vary from station to station, due toislands and orientation.

A problem associated with payment terminals according to known priorart is therefore the configuration of the same in order to comply with thedifferent height requirements on each market. To be able to cover the widemarket, due to the regulations and demands regarding heights, differentversions of the complete payment terminal has been designed. This is,however, not an ideal solution in view oftëme and oosts for the ntanufacturorsand their customers.

Summary of the invention lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement of theprior art. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved single payment terminal which fulfils all of the differentrequirements regarding heights for payment terminals.

These and other objects as well as advantages that will be apparentfrom the following description of the present invention are achieved by apayment terminal for a fuel dispensing unit according to the independentclaim.

Thus, a payment terminal for a fuel dispensing unit is provided. Thepayment terminal comprises a user interface mechanism arranged in saidpayment terminal. The payment terminal is characterized in that said paymentterminal further comprises means for adjusting a vertical position of said userinterface mechanism, relative to a base of said payment terminal. Such apayment terminal will be able to adapt in height, manually or automatically,due to the vertical adjustability of the user interface mechanism. ln turn, thismeans that it will be possible to manufacture one single payment terminalwhich accordingly can be adapted to fulfill the requirements of any existingmarket, worldwide. Naturally, as a consequence, both time and money will besaved. Additionally, by providing a payment terminal with a user interfacemechanism that may be adjusted vertically when the payment terminal ismounted on the ground (including any possible base or the like), a disabledperson, e.g. a chairbound person, may easily access the user interfacemechanism of the payment terminal by an adjustment of the user interfacemechanism to a lower position (compared to a higher position that may beused by standing persons).

The means for adjusting the vertical position of said user interfacemechanism may comprise a module arranged to be mounted to a ground,said module being connected to a bottom section of said payment terminal,said bottom section being vertically adjustable in relation to said module. Theheight of the entire payment terminal will thereby be extended as well as thedistance between the user interface mechanism and the ground.

The module may comprise at least one groove adapted to receive atleast one fastening means in order to fasten said bottom section of thepayment terminal to the module. Alternatively, the payment terminal maycomprise at least one groove adapted to receive at least one fastening meansin order to fasten the bottom section of the payment terminal to the module.The fastening means may be received anywhere along the extension of the groove which makes the bottom section vertically adjustable in relation to themodule by regulating the fastening means in relation to the groove. Thefastening means may be chosen from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, apin or the like, which are all preferred embodiments for the invention.

The means for adjusting the vertical position of the user interfacemechanism may comprise at least one motor. By means of the motor, theadjustments may be made automatically instead of manually. This is animportant advantage, especially for users having a disability.

The payment terminal may further comprise a motor control unitconnected to the motor, which motor control unit comprising input meansaccessible to a user. The input means is then used to adjust the verticalposition of the user interface mechanism by means of the motor via the motorcontrol unit. Accordingly, the payment terminal may be adjusted at any timeby a user in order to comply with his or hers specific needs. The input meansis preferably positioned on an exterior portion of said payment terminal.

The means for adjusting the vertical position of the user interfacemechanism may comprise pneumatics or hydraulics, which are both possibleembodiments of the invention.

The user interface mechanism may comprise any one or a combinationof, or a plurality of a credit card receiver, a bank note validator, a touchscreen, a display, a keypad and a selection button. The design andconstruction of the user interface mechanism differ between different marketsand countries. Therefore, any combination of a credit card receiver, a banknote validator, a touch screen and a selection button is possible. The userinterface mechanism may also comprise software, or software in combinationwith any one or a combination of, or a plurality of a credit card receiver, abank note validator, a touch screen, a display, a keypad and a selectionbutton.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component,means, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instanceof said element, device, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, by “comprising” it is meant “comprising but not limited to”throughout the application, and the term “vertica|” is referred to when thepayment terminal is in use and in an upright position.

Brief description of the drawinqs The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where thesame reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig 1a is a perspective view of a payment terminal according to a firstembodiment of the invention when in a fully extended position, Fig. 1b is a cut out of a portion of the payment terminal of Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the payment terminal according to thefirst embodiment of the invention when in a fully compressed position, Fig. 2b is a cut out of a portion of the payment terminal of Fig. 2a, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the payment terminal according to asecond embodiment of the invention when in a fully compressed position, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the payment terminal according to thesecond embodiment of the invention when in a fully extended position, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the payment terminal according to a thirdembodiment of the invention when in a fully compressed position, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the payment terminal according to thethird embodiment of the invention when in a fully extended position.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention Fig. 1a illustrates a payment terminal 1 for a fuel dispensing unit (notshown) according to a first embodiment of the invention when in a fullyextended position. The payment terminal 1 comprises a user interfacemechanism 2 arranged in the payment terminal 1. The payment terminal 1further comprises means 3 for adjusting a vertical position of the userinterface mechanism 2, relative to a base on which said payment terminal isarranged. The means 3 for adjusting the vertical position of the user interface mechanism 2 comprises a module 4, arranged to be mounted to a ground,which is connected to a bottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1. Themodule 4 has two grooves 6 which are adapted to receive a fastening means7, respectively, in order to fasten the bottom section 5 of the payment terminal1 to the module 4. By regulating the fastening means 7 in relation to thegrooves 6, the bottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1 will be verticallyadjustable in relation to the module 4. As a consequence, the height of thepayment terminal 1 can be changed and the distance from the ground up tothe user interface mechanism 2 adjusted. Each one of the fastening means 7is constituted by a screw and a nut. ln Fig. 1b, a cut out ofa portion of the payment terminal of Fig. 1a isillustrated. As the payment terminal 1 is in a fully extended position, thefastening means 7 are provided at the highest possible position in thegrooves 6 of the module 4.

Fig. 2a illustrates a payment terminal 1 for a fuel dispensing unitaccording to the first embodiment of the invention when in a fully compressedposition. ln Fig. 2b, a cut out ofa portion of the payment terminal of Fig. 2a isillustrated. As the payment terminal 1 is in a fully compressed position, thefastening means 7 are provided at the lowest possible position in the grooves6 of the module 4.

Fig. 3 illustrates the payment terminal 1 according to a secondembodiment of the invention when in a fully compressed position. ln thisembodiment, the means 3 for adjusting the vertical position of the userinterface mechanism 2 comprises a motor 8, a motor control unit 9 connectedto the motor 8. The motor control unit 9 comprises input means 10 positionedon an exterior portion of said payment terminal 1 and being accessible to auser. The motor 8 is connected to a gear rack 11 rotatably attached to themodule 4 and in an engagement with a screw 12 or the like having an innerthreading and being fixedly attached to the bottom section 5 of the paymentterminal 1. By rotating the gear rack 11 by means of the motor 8, the bottomsection 5 of the payment terminal 1 will be vertically adjusted in relation to themodule 4. As a consequence, the height of the payment terminal 1 can be changed and the distance from the ground up to the user interfacemechanism 2 adjusted. ln Fig. 4, the payment terminal 1 according to the second embodimentof the invention when in a fully extended position is i||ustrated.

Fig. 5 i||ustrates the payment terminal 1 according to a thirdembodiment of the invention when in a fully compressed position. ln thisembodiment, the means 3 for adjusting the vertical position of the userinterface mechanism 2 comprises a motor 8, a motor control unit 9 connectedto the motor 8. The motor control unit 9 comprises input means 10 positionedon an exterior portion of said payment terminal 1 and being accessible to auser. The motor 8 is connected to a gear wheel 13 rotatably attached to themodule 4 and in an engagement with a gear rack 11 fixedly attached to thebottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1. By rotating the gear wheel 13 bymeans of the motor 8, the bottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1 will bevertically adjusted in relation to the module 4. As a consequence, the heightof the payment terminal 1 can be changed and the distance from the groundup to the user interface mechanism 2 adjusted.

Some markets require a specific distance between the ground and theuser interface mechanism of the payment terminal 1, such as a credit cardreceiver or a bank note acceptor. Other markets has a maximum distanceallowed from the ground and up to position of the highest selection button ortouch screen on the payment terminal 1 in order to facilitate the use of thesame for a disabled person. By adjusting the height of the payment terminal1, the distance between the ground and the user interface mechanism 2 isalso adjusted. The payment terminal 1 can thus be adjusted to fulfill therequirements and regulations on any market, worldwide.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in theart, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possiblewithin the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

For instance, the motor can be connected to a gear rack rotatablyattached to the bottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1 and in anengagement with a screw or the like having an inner threading and being fixedly attached to the module 4. By rotating the gear rack by means of themotor, the module 4 will be vertically adjustable in relation to the bottomsection of the payment terminal 1.

The motor can be connected to a gear wheel rotatably attached to thebottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1 and in an engagement with a gearrack fixedly attached to the module 4. By rotating the gear wheel by means ofthe motor, the module 4 will be vertically adjustable in relation to the bottomsection of the payment terminal 1.

Naturally, the alternatives above can be applied manually as well, i.e.without the motor, using, for example a wheel or a lever attached to rotatableelements.

The adjustment of the vertical position of the user interface mechanism2 of the payment terminal 1 can be carried out in a vast number of wayswithout extending the scope of protection for the application. One possibility isto have another part than the bottom section 5 of the payment terminal 1vertically adjustable.

The adjustment of the vertical position of the user interface mechanism2 of the payment terminal 1 can also be carried out without changing theheight of the payment terminal 2, i.e. by merely changing the vertical positionof the user interface mechanism 2 in a fixed payment terminal 1.

The placement of the motor, the motor control unit and the input meanscan be anywhere, either within the payment terminal or outside of the same.

Claims (10)

1. A payment terminal (1)for a fuel dispensing unit, comprising a user interface mechanism (2) arranged in said payment terminal (1),c h a r a c t e r i z e d in th at saidpaymenttermina|(1)further comprises means (3) for adjusting a vertical position of said user interface mechanism (2), relative to a base of said payment terminal (1 ).

2. The payment terminal (1) according to claim 1, wherein said means(3) for adjusting the vertical position of said user interface mechanism (2)comprises a module (4) arranged to be mounted to a ground, said module (4)being connected to a bottom section (5) of said payment terminal (1), saidbottom section (5) being vertically adjustable in relation to said module (4).

3. The payment terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein saidmodule (4) comprises at least one groove (6) adapted to receive at least onefastening means (7) in order to fasten said bottom section (5) of said paymentterminal (1) to said module (4).

4. The payment terminal (1) according to claim 2, wherein saidpayment terminal (1) comprises at least one groove (6) adapted to receive atleast one fastening means (7) in order to fasten said bottom section (5) ofsaid payment terminal (1) to said module (4).

5. The payment terminal according to any of claims 3 or 4, whereinsaid fastening means (7) is chosen from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt,a pin or the like.

6. The payment terminal (1) according to any one of the precedingclaims, wherein said means (3) for adjusting the vertical position of said userinterface mechanism (2) comprises at least one motor (8).

7. The payment terminal (1) according to claim 6, further comprising amotor control unit (9) connected to said motor (8), said motor control unit (9)comprising input means (10) accessible to a user.

8. The payment terminal (1) according to claim 6, wherein said inputmeans (10) is positioned on an exterior portion of said payment terminal (1).

9. The payment terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1-5,wherein said means (3) for adjusting the vertical position of said user interface mechanism (2) comprises pneumatics.

10.The payment terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1-5,wherein said means (3) for adjusting the vertical position of said userinterface mechanism (2) comprises hydraulics. 1 1 .The payment terminal (1) according to any one of the precedingclaims, wherein said user interface mechanism (2) comprises any one or acombination of, or a plurality of a credit card receiver, a bank note validator, atouch screen, a display, a keypad and a selection button.