Microprocessor controlled dispensing metering apparatus

US4319128A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Lockheed Electronics Company · US

Inventors

• John Dow, Jr. · Montebello, US
• William A. Oetting · Green Brook, US
• Richard J. Yessian · Bound Brook, US
• Thomas J. Brady · Winchester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 1980
• Grant date: Mar 9, 1982
• Expiry date: Feb 5, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/06
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Microprocessor controlled flow metering apparatus employs mechanically coupled registers driven by a positive displacement or other flow meter to display fluid volume dispensed during a monitored transaction--and as a cumulative total over time. User adjustable electrical switch decades electrically enter computational scale factor variables such as price per gallon and tax rate. The stored program controlled microprocessor computes all desired output variables (fuel cost, tax)--and outputs the variables in predesignated fields onto a printed ticket (invoice) while controlling printer carriage movement and solenoid actuation. In accordance with varying aspects of the invention, mechanical and software security is provided to ensure proper correlation between customer fluid (e.g., fuel) receipt and billing.