FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10; rule 13] AN ILLUMINATED FUEL DISPENSER"
Gilbarco Veeder Root India Pvt Ltd. an Indian private Limited Company,
of Art Guild House, B Wing, 1st Floor
Pheonix Marketcity, L.B.S.Road, Kurla West,
Mumbai - 400 070, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to fuel dispensers. More specifically, the present invention is related to illuminating fuel dispensers for indicating functional status of the fuel dispensers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
For a customer coming to a fuel station to get fuel filled in his vehicle, there does not exist a way through which the customer can get to know that a fuel dispenser, that he is lined up for, is functioning or not. Many times, after waiting for several minutes in a queue for getting fuel filled in the vehicle, the customer is informed that the fuel dispenser has run out of fuel. Further, fuel dispensers present in a corner or on extreme ends of a fuel station are generally not visible to customers approaching the fuel station. Thus, such fuel dispensers are not utilized adequately, and this result in overcrowding in front of the fuel dispensers located in front rows.
In view of such shortcomings, there remains an immense need of an indication system using which all the fuel dispensers present in a fuel station can be adequately utilized to avoid overcrowding against a few fuel dispensers. Further, it is also required that the customers are informed about operational status of the fuel dispensers and availability of fuel with the fuel dispensers, before being lined up ahead of a fuel dispenser. By achieving such objectives, a comfortable experience could be delivered to customers visiting the fuel stations.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A general objective of the invention is to prevent overcrowding of customers against a few fuel dispensers present at fuel stations.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a fuel dispenser with a capability to indicate customers about operational status of the fuel dispenser.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a fuel dispenser with a capability to indicate customers about availability of fuel with the fuel dispensers.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a fuel dispenser with a capability of using side-emitting optical fibers to indicate customers about operational status of the fuel dispenser and availability of fuel with the fuel dispenser.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a fuel dispenser with a capability of using Light Emitting Diode (LED) strips to indicate customers about operational status of the fuel dispenser and availability of fuel with the fuel dispenser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to fuel dispensers, and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In an embodiment, a fuel dispenser may comprise an interface configured to receive, from an operator, an amount of fuel to be dispensed. The interface may comprise a keypad, a touchscreen, or a voice recognition device. A fuel delivering mechanism may be present in the fuel dispenser to deliver the amount of fuel indicated by the operator. Further, illuminating means may be mounted on a canopy of the fuel dispenser for indicating an operational status of the fuel dispenser and/or availability of fuel. The illuminating means may include an illuminated optical fiber

or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) strip. The illuminated optical fiber may be a side-emitting optical fiber.
In an embodiment, color of light emitted by the illuminating means may indicate the operational status of the fuel dispenser and the availability of fuel. A Light Emitting Diode (LED) control module may regulate the color of light. Further, an ambient light sensor connected with a Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) circuit may be used to control intensity of light emitted by the illuminating means, based on ambient light conditions.
In an embodiment, an internal reflector may be present behind the illuminating means and on surface of the canopy of the fuel dispenser. The internal reflector may function to reflect light emitted by the illuminating means, towards front of the fuel dispenser. Further, an external reflector may be used to cover the illuminating means for providing protection from Ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the description and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention.
Figure 1 illustrates an optical transmission pattern in a side-emitting optical fiber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a fuel dispenser integrated with illuminating means, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a illustrates a side view of a top section of the fuel dispenser integrated with a side-emitting optical fiber, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3b illustrates a side view of a top section of the fuel dispenser integrated with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) strip, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram showing connection of different components used for illuminating the fuel dispenser, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates transmission pattern of optical rays in a Light Emitting Diode (LED) control module, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of the present invention, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present invention pertains to illuminated fuel dispensers. Existing fuel dispensers or newly manufactured fuel dispensers are required to include a mechanism for improving experience of customers visiting fuel stations for getting fuel filled in their vehicles. Such improved experience could be provided by

intimating customers about operational status and availability of fuel with fuel dispensers present at a fuel station, while the customers advance towards the fuel station.
In one embodiment, an approaching customer could be informed about the operational status and availability of fuel with fuel dispensers present at a fuel station through certain predefined lighting patterns. In one case, the fuel dispensers could be illuminated using suitable illuminating means such as side-emitting optical fibers or Light Emitting Diode (LED) strips, for producing the predefined lighting patterns. Before providing further details related to a proposed fuel dispenser, construction and operation of side-emitting optical fibers is explained.
End-emitting optical fibers are widely known for their use in optical data transmission. Within an end-emitting optical fiber, refractive index of core is always greater than refractive index of cladding. However, a side-emitting optical fiber has a slightly different construction. Within the side-emitting optical fiber, refractive index of core is decreased and refractive index of cladding is increased compared to their usual values as set in the end-emitting optical fibers. A cladding layer is made weak in a side-emitting optical fiber so that energy of optical rays traversing through the core can continuously escape through the cladding layer. It is also possible to use additives causing reflection or fluorescence into the core and/or the cladding layer or to create geometric asymmetry in the core and/ or the cladding layer.
Figure 1 illustrates optical transmission pattern in a side-emitting optical fiber 100. The side-emitting optical fiber 100 is made of a core 102 and a cladding 104 covering the core 102. A portion of energy of optical rays T1 and T2 entering from a first end 106 of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 keeps releasing from all points on the cladding 104 where the optical rays T1 and T2 fall, before leaving through a second end 108. Such scattering of light, into the cladding 104, illuminates the side-emitting optical fiber 100 to appear similar to a neon light tube.

Because a large amount of energy of light entered into the side-emitting optical fiber 100 is lost via scattering, distance traversed by the light is small, and therefore only a small portion of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 is illuminated. After a certain distance of around 10 meters, glowing intensity of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 starts dropping sharply. The drop in glowing intensity is generally 10% per 10 meters length. To increase an illuminated distance, in one case, light sources may be coupled at both ends of the side-emitting optical fiber 100, or light sources may be connected at regular intervals in a daisy chain fashion. In another case, a reflective end cap may be connected at an end where a light source isn’t coupled. The reflective end cap can reflect excess light backwards for illuminating the side-emitting optical fiber 100.
Referring now to Figure 2 illustrating a front view of an illuminated fuel dispenser 200 (henceforth referred as a fuel dispenser 200), arrangement of components in the fuel dispenser 200 is explained. Base of the fuel dispenser 200 may be mounted upon a foundation 202 that may be a part of the fuel dispenser 200 or an external element. The fuel dispenser 200 may comprise an interface 204 for accepting user input and providing details of fuel delivered based on the user input. For accepting the user input, the interface 204 may comprise a touchscreen, a keypad, or a voice recognition device. By accessing the interface 204, a user may set quantity of fuel to be dispensed or a cost corresponding to which the fuel needs to be dispensed. The interface 204 may display a type, quantity, cost, and other information pertaining to the fuel dispensed.
The fuel dispenser 200 may further comprise an electrical cabinet 206 and a pumping unit 208. Based on the user input, electrical circuitry present in the electrical cabinet 206 may control operation of the pumping unit 208 to dispense a particular amount of fuel. The fuel dispenser 200 may further comprise a hose 210 connected to a fueling nozzle 212 for directing the fuel into a vehicle. The fueling

nozzle 212 may generally rest upon a nozzle boot 214 present at least on one side of the fuel dispenser 200.
In a preferred embodiment, the illuminating means may be mounted horizontally on a canopy 216 of the fuel dispenser 200. Although the illuminating means may be implemented using any of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 or the LED strips, successive embodiments described to utilize the side-emitting optical fiber 100 are purely provided as examples. The electrical circuitry present in the electrical cabinet 206 may control operation of the side-emitting optical fiber 100. Although the side-emitting optical fiber 100 is considered to be mounted horizontally on the canopy 216, in the preferred embodiment, other arrangements for connecting the side-emitting optical fiber 100 to the fuel dispenser 200 could be utilized. For example, alternatively or additionally, the side-emitting optical fiber 100 could be connected along lateral surfaces of the fuel dispenser 200 for improved visibility. Such lateral surfaces of the fuel dispenser 200 may include a right side, a left side, and a back surface.
Referring now to Figure 3a illustrating a side view of a top section of the fuel dispenser 200, integration of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 on the fuel dispenser 200 is explained. An internal reflector 302 may be present behind the side-emitting optical fiber 100 and on surface of the canopy 216. The internal reflector 302 may reflect back light that is produced by the side-emitting optical fiber 100 and travels towards the canopy 216, thereby directing the light ahead of the fuel dispenser 200.
An external cover i.e. a lens 304 may cover the side-emitting optical fiber 100 and may be connected to the canopy 216 via bolts, adhesive tapes, or other suitable mechanism. The lens 304 may protect the side-emitting optical fiber 100 from exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays, dust, water, and other detrimental environmental agents. Further, the lens 304 may prevent scattering of light and may concentrate the light emitted by the side-emitting optical fiber 100 to particular areas so that

users can easily see the light emitted by the side-emitting optical fiber 100. The lens 304 may be made of a transparent material, such as plastic, glass, polycarbonate, and the like.
Referring now to Figure 3b illustrating a side view of a top section of the fuel dispenser 200, integration of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) strip 306 on the fuel dispenser 200 is explained. The Light Emitting Diode (LED) strip 306 may be integrated to the fuel dispenser 200 in a similar manner to that of the side-emitting optical fiber 100. The internal reflector 302 may be present behind the LED strip 306 and on surface of the canopy 216. The internal reflector 302 may reflect back light that is produced by the LED strip 306 and travels towards the canopy 216, thereby directing the light ahead of the fuel dispenser 200.
The external cover i.e. the lens 304 may cover the LED strip 306 and may be connected to the canopy 216 via bolts, adhesive tapes, or other suitable mechanism. The lens 304 may protect the LED strip 306 from exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays, dust, water, and other detrimental environmental agents. Further, the lens 304 may prevent scattering of light and may concentrate the light emitted by the LED strip 306 to particular areas so that users can easily see the light emitted by the LED strip 306.
Referring now to Figure 4, a block diagram showing connection of different components used for illumination of the fuel dispenser 200 is explained. A central processor 400 receives inputs from multiple sensors and controls operation of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) control module 402. Amongst the multiple sensors, a nozzle boot read sensor 404 may be present to detect placement or lifting of the fueling nozzle 212. The nozzle boot read sensor 404 may be present in the nozzle boot 214. The nozzle boot read sensor 404 may provide data to a hydraulics interface module 406. While an operator lifts up the fueling nozzle 212 and initiates dispensing of the fuel, a hydraulics interface module 406 may be activated. The

hydraulics interface module 406 may provide information related to dispensing of the fuel, to the central processor 400.
Based on the information received from the hydraulics interface module 406 about dispensing of the fuel, the central processor 400 may activate the LED control module 402 to illuminate the side-emitting optical fiber 100 or the LED strip 306 with a suitable color. For example, the LED control module 402 may illuminate the side-emitting optical fiber 100 with orange color to indicate that the fuel dispenser 200 is currently in use.
A fuel level sensor 408 may be connected to the central processor 400 for indicating a level of fuel available for dispensing by the fuel dispenser 200. In one case, while the fuel level sensor 408 indicates that the amount of fuel available is low, the central processor 400 may activate the LED control module 402 to illuminate the side-emitting optical fiber 100 with red color. The side-emitting optical fiber 100 may be illuminated with red color also while the fuel dispenser 200 is not functioning and is under maintenance. Different colors used to indicate different conditions of the fuel dispenser 200 are merely described as examples and could be changed easily based on requirement. Changing the colors that are previously assigned would either require modifying electrical connection of associated LEDs or modifying program for activation of the LEDs in different scenarios.
An ambient light sensor 410 may be used to determine intensity of ambient light, at all times, during operation of the fuel dispenser 200. Output of the ambient light sensor 410 may be provided to a modulator 412. The modulator 412 may utilize a suitable modulation technique, such as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). The modulator 412 may produce a signal modulated based on intensity of the ambient light. The modulated signal may be provided to the LED control module 402 through the central processor 400. An operational pattern of the LED control module 402 may be regulated by the modulated signal provided by the modulator 412.

By utilizing PWM as a modulation technique, duty cycle (ON-OFF time) of signal produced by the modulator 412 may be varied based on intensity of the ambient light. In one case, while it is too bright outside during noon hours, duty cycle of the signal produced by the modulator 412 may be increased to 90%, to increase brightness of light produced by the LED control module 402. In another case, while the ambient light is very low during night hours, duty cycle of the signal produced by the modulator 412 may be reduced to 30%, to decrease brightness of light produced by the LED control module 402. In this manner, luminous intensity of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 may be adjusted based on ambient lighting conditions. It must be understood that luminous intensity of the side-emitting optical fiber 100 indicates luminous intensity of LEDs used to illuminate the side-emitting optical fiber 100.
A timer could be used in place of the ambient light sensor 410 to control luminous intensity of the side-emitting optical fiber 100. Different values of luminous intensities corresponding to different timings may be stored as a program in a memory and may be provided to the central processor 400. Values of the luminous intensity for different time and colors may be used as provided below.

Color Luminous Intensity (Cd)

Day Night (Dimmed)

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
Red 200 800 50 200
Yellow 200 800 20 80
Green 200 800 20 80
It should be noted that the above provided values of luminous intensity are merely exemplary in nature and could be changed to suit the requirements.

Referring now to Figure 5, a transmission pattern of optical rays in the LED control module 402 is explained. Although a single LED 500 is illustrated for ease of illustration, multiple LEDs of different colors or a multi-color LED (Red Green Blue (RGB) LED) could also be used based on requirement. The LED 500 may be powered and cooled by a power supply and cooling unit 502. The power supply and cooling unit 502 may comprise a Direct Current (DC) power source to provide power to the LED and at least a fan to dissipate heat generated by working of the LED 500. A fan is used as a simple cooling mechanism; however other cooling mechanisms may be used as per requirement.
Behind the LED 500, a reflector 504 may be present to reflect back light travelling towards the reflector 504. All the light produced by the LED 500 may be directed towards a filter 506. The filter 506 may work to polarize the light, to regulate intensity of the light, or to allow a frequency band or component of the light to pass through. Similarly, multiple such filters could be used for achieving said objectives. A lens 508 may be present ahead of the filter 506 to converge and direct light rays into the side-emitting optical fiber 100.
In view of the above provided embodiments and their explanations, it is evident that the present invention provides a method of notifying customers about operational status of fuel dispensers, before the customers approach the fuel dispensers. A customer who wishes to purchase fuel, can identify from a distance, by referring to a lighting pattern on each fuel dispenser, functioning and non-functioning fuel dispensers at a fuel station, fuel dispensers in which fuel is about to exhaust, and fuel dispensers that are available for fueling or engaged in fueling. Based on such information, the customer could line up in front of a fuel dispenser having sufficient amount of fuel available and present in a functioning condition, without wasting any time. Thus, using the described lighting pattern obtained using the side-emitting optical fibers or the LED strips, experience of customers visiting fuel stations could be improved and the rate of filling the fuel in the vehicles could be enhanced.

Although implementations of illuminated fuel pump has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations of illuminated fuel pump.

We Claim:
1. A fuel dispenser (200) comprising:
an interface (204) configured to receive, from an operator, an amount of fuel to be dispensed;
a fuel delivering mechanism including a pumping unit (208) for delivering the amount of fuel indicated by the operator; and
illuminating means mounted on a canopy (216) of the fuel dispenser (200) for indicating an operational status of the fuel dispenser (200) and/or availability of fuel.
2. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface (204) comprises at least one of a keypad, a touchscreen, and a voice recognition device.
3. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating means include an illuminated optical fiber or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) strip (306).
4. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the illuminated optical fiber is a side-emitting optical fiber (100).
5. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein color of light emitted by the illuminating means indicates the operational status of the fuel dispenser (200) and the availability of fuel for dispensing.
6. The fuel dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein the color of light is regulated by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) control module (402).
7. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor (410) connected with a Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) circuit (412), to control intensity of light emitted by the illuminating means , based on ambient light conditions.

8. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an internal reflector (302) present behind the illuminating means and on surface of the canopy (216) of the fuel dispenser (200) for reflecting light emitted by the illuminating means, towards front of the fuel dispenser (200).
9. The fuel dispenser (200) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an external reflector (304) covering the illuminating means for providing protection from Ultraviolet (UV) rays.