FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
1. Title of the invention - INTERACTIVE VOICE ASSISTANCE IN
DISPENSER
2. Applicant(s)
(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian company
(c) ADDRESS : L & T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,
State of Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser. More particularly, the invention relates to a fuel dispensing unit comprising audio messaging module to provide users with instantaneous audio assistance at the start-up and/or completion of dispensing operation. The dispensing unit also provides various voice messages throughout the dispensing operation. The invention also relates to a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units.
BACKGROUND AND THE PRIOR ART
At present fuel dispensing pumps/stations are provided with voice message services. In some cases it is found that the fuel dispensing pump is unmanned and the dispensing operation including billing transactions are performed by the customers. This has made the dispensing operation fast and pump-operator independent.
US4250550 discloses a gasoline station with self-service and attendant-operated fuel dispensing areas and a fuel delivery control system with a central control station for activating each self-service dispenser and registering the amount of fuel delivered thereby, an auxiliary control station at the attendant-operated area for remote attendant activation of each self-service dispenser and voice annunciator means for voice annunciation of the cost amount of each completed self-service delivery for facilitating attendant collection of payment. However, it was not known from this prior art that interactive voice assistance module can be provided in a manner in fuel dispensing unit which could provide


instantaneous voice message in respect of the dispensing operation and during the course of dispensing operation giving updates to the customers and making the dispensing operation entertaining.
US6510416 discloses a fuel delivery system performs a refueling operation in accordance with voice command signals audibly provided by a customer situated within a vehicle positioned for refueling. The customer generates audio signals representative of refueling transaction information, such as a request to initiate fuel dispensing activity, data indicative of the fuel type, fuel volume, purchase amount, and form of payment, and a request to terminate the refueling transaction. A microphone detects the customer voice signals and provides audio detection signals representative thereof. A speech recognition device converts the audio detection signals into corresponding fuel dispensing command signals. A controller generates fuel dispensing control signals in accordance with the fuel dispensing command signals and couples these control signals to the fuel dispenser assembly to effect operative control thereof. A speaker unit permits bidirectional audio communications between the customer and an operator messaging facility, which can optionally provide real-time operator voice communications or prerecorded voice messaging instructions. However, it was not known from this prior art that interactive voice assistance module can be provided in a manner in fuel dispensing unit which could provide instantaneous voice message in respect of the dispensing operation and during the course of dispensing operation giving updates to the customers and making the dispensing operation entertaining.
It has been noticed that some times the dispensing operation of large vehicles takes lot of time and the customers become


boring. Therefore, there exists a need to provide for a fuel dispensing unit which is capable of providing voice message while dispensing of fuels. There exists also a need to provide a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units.
The present inventors have now found that a fuel dispensing unit comprising an audio assistance module when provided with an interfacing means between the dispensing unit and the voice module can provide various voice messages corresponding to the user operation and also voice messages which are entertaining to the users/customers during the dispensing operation. The inventors have also found that by way of unique integration and configuration of voice assistance module with the dispensing unit proper synchronization of voice messages and dispensing operation can be achieved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages/problems prevailing in the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel dispensing unit for which could generate various voice messages corresponding to the user/customer operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide different voice message during/throughout the dispensing operation.


Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a voice message generating fuel dispensing unit comprising: control module to detect user operation;
audio assistance module in operatively interfaced with said control module by an interfacing means, said audio assistance module mounted in the dispensing unit for providing audio messages while dispensing operation is carried on; wherein said audio assistance module comprises shared space means for various audio messages and configuration details wherein control module at the start of user operation validates appropriate conditions/messages for starting transaction and sending said messages to audio assistance module whereby preconf igured audio '"message corresponding to the user operation is played.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide for a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units, said method comprising steps of :
detecting user operation by means of control module; validating appropriate conditions required to start / stop / carry on transaction and sending transaction being message to audio assistance module whereby preconfigured audio message corresponding to the user operation is played.


The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description and the description provided herein below with reference to the accompanying figures.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a fuel dispenser unit. The dispenser unit facilitates audio assistance to the user during dispensing operation of the dispenser unit. Particularly, the dispenser unit provides an audio assistance module which comprises an interactive voice assistance module to facilitate user with audio message corresponding to the operation performed by the user. The audio assistance can be provided to the user during operation as well as when the dispenser is idle or at the start-up and end of operation.
The dispenser unit facilitates audio assistance by means of various audio files and configuration details that are stored in a shared storage space within the dispenser unit. The user associates said audio files with the operation through graphical user interface provided by the dispenser unit. The graphical user interface provide facility to the dispenser unit to change various audio messages prompted by the dispenser. For example during the Christmas season the dispenser can prompt with the Christmas greetings and during the normal period dispenser can play musical tune. The dealer, who belongs to the site where the pump is installed, is running some special schemes for his customer now can play the details of his special offer through the IVA. The dealer can also choose to play audio advertisement which could be an additional income source.


The user operations are detected by means of control unit which is operatively connected to interactive voice assistance module. The control means comprises a computer program which validates all/appropriate conditions to start transaction. The interactive voice assistance (IVA) module receives the transaction begin message. The preconfigured audio file associated with user operation such as nozzle lift message is played by the (IVA) module. Similarly on nozzle kept back, main controller module updates the transaction details in a shared area and sends transaction complete message to (IVA) module. The (IVA) module on reception of the transaction complete message reads the transaction details from shared area and prompts billing detail through a speaker. The main controller has timer module to detect dispenser's idle state. If there is no user activity for 2 about minutes the timer module triggers the (IVA) module to play preconfigured greeting message or audio advertisement or a musical tune.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the dispensing unit of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figure 1 shows main controller block (1), interactive voice assistance module block (2), nozzle monitor block (3), graphical user interface block (4), configuration / storage block (5), validation block (6), shared storage space (7) and audio output (8).


WE CLAIM
1. A voice message generating fuel dispensing unit
comprising:
control module to detect user operation;
audio assistance module in operatively interfaced with
said control module by an interfacing means, said audio
assistance module mounted in the dispensing unit for
providing audio messages while dispensing operation is
carried on;
wherein said audio assistance module comprises shared
space means for various audio messages and configuration
details
wherein control module at the start of user operation
validates appropriate conditions/messages for starting
transaction and sending said messages to audio assistance
module whereby preconfigured audio message corresponding
to the user operation is played.
2. Dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio module is interactive voice assistance module.
3. Dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interfacing means comprises graphical user interface adapted to change various audio messages prompted by the dispenser.
4. Dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises timer module adapted to detect idle state of the dispenser.
5. Dispensing unit as clamed in any of preceding claims wherein if no activity is performed for about 2 minutes the timer module triggers interactive voice assistance


module to play greeting message and/or advertisement and /or musical tune.
A method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units, said method comprising steps of :
detecting user operation by means of control module; validating appropriate conditions required to start / stop / carry on transaction and sending transaction being message to audio assistance module whereby preconfigured audio message corresponding to the user operation is played.
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein transaction complete/stop message is read from shared area space by audio assistance module.
A voice message generating fuel dispensing unit and a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation as substantially herein described and illustrated with reference to accompanying figures.

ABSTRACT
TITLE : INTERACTIVE VOICE ASSISTANCE IN DISPENSER
The present invention relates to a voice message generating fuel dispensing unit. The dispensing unit comprises control module (1) to detect user operation, audio assistance module (2) operatively interfaced with the control module by an interfacing means (4). The audio assistance module (2) comprises shared space means (5) for various audio messages and configuration details. The control module (1) at the start of user operation validates appropriate conditions/messages for starting transaction and sending said messages to audio assistance module whereby audio message corresponding to the user operation is played. The invention also relates to a method for generating appropriate voice messages during dispensing operation from fuel dispensing units.
Figure 1
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