FR2762428A1 - DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING A MESSAGE ON A FUEL DISPENSER - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for displaying a message on at least one fuel dispenser (Dj) comprising at least one dispensing lance (Lk), said fuel dispenser (Dj) being able to provide identification information (INFjk) after unhooking said distribution lance (Lk). According to the invention, said device comprises: - at least one display screen (Ej) arranged on the fuel distributor (Dj), - a message management unit (12) connected to said display screen (Ej), and capable of to receive from a unit (13) for broadcasting the messages to be displayed, each message comprising destination parameters, and, - means (11) for controlling, on each release of the lance (Lk), the display on the screen (Ej) display of the message intended for it, by comparison between said identification information (INFjk) and said destination parameters. Application to the dissemination of advertising messages on the distribution areas of service stations.

Description

"DEVICE FOR VISUALIZING A MESSAGE ON A

FUEL DISTRIBUTOR "

  The present invention relates to a device for displaying a message on at least one fuel dispenser comprising at least one dispensing lance, said fuel dispenser being capable of providing identification information after picking up from

said distribution lance.

  The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not limiting, application in the field of broadcasting messages

  advertising on service station distribution areas.

  There are in service stations known devices for displaying messages on fuel dispensers, such as that described in European patent application No. 0 384 637, which comprise a display screen integrated, by construction, into each dispenser. The management of message distribution is generally provided by a computer unit residing on the computer of the point of sale terminal in the form of appropriate files and software. Said computer unit is activated by the signal received from the computer of each distributor in operation so as to broadcast on the display screen of each of the

  distributors concerned with the message intended for them.

  However, these known display devices can only be envisaged if it is planned to equip them, from the outset, with the fuel distributors and the point of sale terminal, which excludes the service stations already installed and lacking such devices. Also, the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is precisely to propose a device for displaying a message on at least one fuel dispenser comprising at least one dispensing lance, said fuel dispenser being able to supply identification information after picking up said dispensing lance, a device which would allow, but not exclusively, to be adapted to any fuel dispenser -2- existing at service stations, whatever its type, its model

or its brand.

  The solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in that said device comprises: - at least one display screen disposed on the fuel dispenser, - a message management unit connected to said display screen, and capable of receive from a broadcasting unit the messages to be displayed, each message comprising destination parameters, and, - means for controlling, at each launch hook, the display on the display screen of the message intended for it, by comparison between said identifying information and

said destination parameters.

  Thus, the display device according to the invention has a universal character since it can be adapted very easily to any

  existing fuel distributor, already installed in a station-

  service. For this, it is expected that the display screen is attached to the fuel distributor; it therefore suffices to fix it mechanically on the distributor frame and to connect the message management unit to the screen. Of course, the display device, object of the invention, can just as easily be mounted from

  originally, during the construction of new service stations.

  In general, two possibilities are provided for storing the message to be viewed by means of the device according to the invention, either the message is stored in the viewing screen, or the

  message is stored in the management unit.

  According to a first embodiment of the device of the invention, said control means are produced by direct transmission of identification information from the fuel distributor to said display screen. This can be obtained by a switch for controlling the display screen, placed in the dispenser and actuated by the gun of the dispensing lance. -3 - Furthermore, we know that in most service stations, in particular those operating in self-service, the various fuel dispensers are connected to a control unit, also called a pump controller, which has the function of managing the operation of said fuel dispensers, this in connection with the point of sale terminal of the service station. More specifically, when a distribution lance is picked up, the corresponding distributor sends information intended for the control unit indicating the identity of said lance. This information is transmitted to the point of sale terminal which, when the distribution lance can be used after payment by the previous customer, sends in the opposite direction to the control body release information identifying the lance in question. In turn, the control unit informs the fuel distributor of the release order received from the terminal. The customer can then use fuel. This is why, according to a second embodiment of the device of the invention, said control means are constituted by a control member, connected to the management unit and suitable for to exchange

  identification information with the fuel distributor.

  It will be noted that this second mode of implementation retains the universal nature of the display device according to the invention since it then suffices to connect the message management unit to the control unit present in the service station, beside

from the point of sale terminal.

  The description which will follow with regard to the appended drawings,

  given as nonlimiting examples, will make it clear how

  consists of the invention and how it can be realized.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a service station equipped with a message display device conforming to

the invention.

  Figure 2 is a block diagram of a service station

  equipped with a variant of the display device in FIG. 1.

  Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a dispenser

  fuel equipped with a double display screen.

  Figure 4a is a side view of a display screen.

  -4- Figure 4b is a perspective view of the display screen

  of Figure 4a, provided with a memory card reader.

  The service station shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of fuel distributors D1, ..., Dj, ..., each comprising a plurality of lances L1, ..., Lk ..., corresponding distribution LM the various types of fuel available to the customer: super, super unleaded, diesel, etc. The service station in FIG. 1 is part of a system for displaying messages, such as advertising messages, intended to be seen by a customer when he fills the tank of his vehicle. In general, said messages are composed, for example, by a specialized agency on a recording medium such as a videotape. Various indications are associated with each record, namely destination parameters concerning the targeted service station SSi, the number j of the fuel distributor and the number k of the dispensing lance, the off-hook of which will trigger the display of the message. Likewise, the recording bears the date and time at which the message should be broadcast. In fact, the content of the message can depend, at the same time, on the type of consumer, which varies with the fuel chosen, on the day or even

  even from the moment of the day.

  The recording medium, accompanied by the destination parameters, is sent, by mail for example, to a processing unit of the medium for scanning and compilation in a computer file with creation of a header comprising in particular

said destination parameters.

  Then, the message thus digitized in the form of a file is sent by floppy disk, by electronic mail, etc., to a transfer unit responsible for distributing on a communication network, by modem or by satellite, said file to distribution units distributed geographically. . Such a broadcasting unit is represented under the reference numeral 13 in FIG. 1. Then, in turn, the broadcasting unit 13 sends the file of the message to the unit 12 for managing the

  various service stations SS1, ..., SSi, ... recipients of the message.

-5-

  As shown in Figure 1, each distributor Dl1, ..., Dj, ...

  of fuel has at least one screen E l, ..., Ej, ... for viewing. In fact, the arrangement of the display screens depends on the type of dispensers installed, the aim being that any customer of the service station can have access to the message intended for him when he operates a dispensing lance. For example, in the case of FIG. 3 where the dispenser is double-sided, a screen Ej, E'j

  is placed on each side of the fuel distributor Dj.

  The display screens can be integrated by construction into the fuel dispensers, but they can also be

  reported on existing distributors.

  Figure 3 gives an exemplary embodiment of a module with two display screens capable of being fixed on the fuel dispensers shown in Figures 1 and 2. The advantage of such an arrangement is that it allows to equip of the display device of the invention any existing distributor, whatever its

brand and type.

  It can be observed in FIG. 1 that the management unit 12 is connected to the display screens El, ..., Ej, ..., which are controlled, when a lance Lk for distribution is picked up, by information INFjk of identification relating to the number k of the unhooked lance and to the number j of the distributor. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the transmission of the information INFjk takes place directly by means of a switch, not shown,

  actuated by the pistol of the lance k at the time of the hook.

  The choice of the message to be displayed is then made by comparison between the identification information INFjk and said destination parameters, whether the message is stored in the display screen Ej or in the management unit 12. In the first case, the screen Ej sends to the management unit 12 purely statistical information concerning the display of the message. In the second case, the comparison, the emission of the message on the screen Ej, and the

  statistical counting is done by the management unit 12.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each fuel distributor Dj is capable of exchanging identification information INFjk -6- with a control member 11, or pump controller CP, after hanging up on a distribution lance. This identification information INFjk informs the control body 11 of the

  number k of the hanging nozzle and number j of the distributor.

  Said control member 1 1 transmits this information to the terminal 10 of the service station which, in turn, sends a release signal of the lance Lk from the distributor j when the last user of said lance has paid the amount to be paid. Said release signal is relayed by the control unit 1 1 in the direction of the fuel distributor concerned. Thus, said management unit 12 receives from the control unit 1 1 the identification information INFjk indicating the release of the lance Lk from the distributor j. By comparing this identification information with the various destination parameters appearing in the message headers, the management unit 12 is able to control the display of the corresponding message which must be displayed at this time on the distributor to which it is destined. Also, the files of all the messages to be viewed on the service station can be centralized in the management unit 12 or else stored in the

  level of the screens Ej where they must be viewed.

  It will also be understood that the management unit 12 can be easily installed in an already existing service station, further adding to the universal nature of the display device, object of the invention. It is then possible, for example, to measure the impact of an advertising message. For this, it suffices to check at the time of collection on the point of sale terminal 10 whether the payment of the fuel price is accompanied by the purchase of one or more products whose displayed message is supposed to ensure promotion. This information stored in the terminal 10 is transmitted, in the opposite direction, to the management unit 12, then from there to the broadcasting unit 13, and

finally to the processing unit.

  In the same order of idea, one can plan to place near the screens El, ..., Ej, ... for viewing the touch screens 14 associated with readers 15, of electronic memory cards, as indicated Figure 4b. This allows the customer, at the same time as filling his tank to a distributor, to choose products on the corresponding touch screen 14 and to pay for his purchase, either at the point of sale at the same time as his fuel, or at by means of reader 15 and a

electronic memory card 18.

  Note that the use of an electronic memory card has the advantage of being able to identify the client and possibly present him with a personalized message, just as it is possible

  to build customer loyalty by means of a loyalty card.

  It can be seen in FIG. 4a that a video camera 16, fitted with a microphone 19, is mounted on the distributor Dj near the display screen Ej, which makes it possible to carry out interactive communication on site with the point of sale, in the event of a request for assistance from the client, for example. However, the video camera 16 can be connected to an off-site operator in the case of a service station which, permanently or occasionally, does not have personnel on site. Note that said camera 16 can be equipped with a face recognition system, in order to address a specific message to the customer thus identified.

  sure it has not already been viewed by the same client.

  Finally, the fuel distributor Dj in FIG. 4a is also equipped with a loudspeaker 17 with a directive sound, with the advantage of limiting the sound diffusion of the message to the only customer present on

  the corresponding distribution area.

-8-

Claims (12)

  1. Device for displaying a message on at least one fuel distributor (Dj) comprising at least one dispensing lance (Lk), said fuel distributor (Dj) being able to supply identification information (INFjk) after unhooked from said distribution lance (Lk), characterized in that said device comprises: - at least one display screen (Ej) disposed on the fuel distributor (Dj), - a message management unit (12) connected to said display screen (Ej), and capable of receiving from a unit (13) broadcasting messages to be displayed, each message comprising destination parameters, and, means (11) for controlling, at each lance release ( Lk), the display on the screen (Ej) of display of the message intended for it, by comparison between said information   (INFjk) identification and said destination parameters.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means are produced by direct transmission of information (INFjk)) identifying the distributor (Dj) of   fuel to said display screen (Ej).   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means are constituted by a control member (11), connected to the management unit (12), and capable of exchanging identification information (INFjk) with the fuel distributor (Dj).   4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the message is stored in the screen (Ej) of visualization.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the message is stored in the management unit (12). -9-   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the display screen (Ej) is attached to the fuel distributor (Dj).   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that a touch screen (14,14 ') and a reader (15,15') of electronic memory cards are placed near   the display screen (Ej, Ej ').   8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that a video camera (16) is placed nearby of the display screen (Ej).   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a face recognition system is coupled to said camera video (16).   10. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that   the video camera (16) is connected to an operator on site.   11. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that   the video camera (16) is connected to an off-site operator.   12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11   characterized in that a loudspeaker (17) with directional sound is placed at   proximity to the display screen (Ej).