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Low-power vehicle detection

  • US 10,297,150 B2
  • Filed: 06/26/2017
  • Issued: 05/21/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a parking meter, the method comprising:

  • (a) detecting an object in proximity to a parking meter by a proximity sensor, the detecting being based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, wherein the proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of;

    a radio transceiver, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, and a pressure sensor;

    (b) activating a directional sensor in response to detecting the object;

    (c) receiving sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, the received sensor data indicating a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the parking meter;

    (d) determining a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on a proximity measurement by the proximity sensor and the sensor data; and

    (e) upon a determination of the presence of the object, or the lack thereof, storing an indication of the presence of the object, or the lack thereof, along with a time of the determination.

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