Electronic parking meter having audio-video communications with a central station
First Claim
1. A parking meter terminal system comprising:
- at least one parking lot having a plurality of uniquely identifiable spaces for parking a vehicle;
a central administration station;
a parking meter terminal in each at least one parking lot, the parking meter terminal comprising;
means for identifying each of the uniquely identifiable spaces in the parking lot;
means for receiving and validating payment for time for a selected one of the uniquely identifiable spaces;
communications means for transmitting and receiving audio and video signals between the parking meter terminal and the central administration station; and
data means for transmitting and receiving data between the parking meter terminal and the central administration station.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A terminal of a parking meter system includes two-way audio and visual communications with a central administration station for assisting customers using the terminal. The terminal has coin and bill acceptors in communication with a computer for managing the terminal operation. A video display in the terminal can alternately display payment information or a camera view of a central station operator when communication is initiated. Two-way communication between the terminal and central station provides immediate trouble-shooting and resolution of customer complaints such as lost bills or coins and failure to credit payment. Monitoring of the terminal by a central station operator provides prompting for service for coin and bill collection and/or impounding illegally parked vehicles, among other attendant functions, so that an attendant is only present as needed.
126 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A parking meter terminal system comprising:
-
at least one parking lot having a plurality of uniquely identifiable spaces for parking a vehicle;
a central administration station;
a parking meter terminal in each at least one parking lot, the parking meter terminal comprising;
means for identifying each of the uniquely identifiable spaces in the parking lot;
means for receiving and validating payment for time for a selected one of the uniquely identifiable spaces;
communications means for transmitting and receiving audio and video signals between the parking meter terminal and the central administration station; and
data means for transmitting and receiving data between the parking meter terminal and the central administration station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A parking meter terminal for a parking lot having a plurality of uniquely identifiable spaces for renting for fixed time periods, the parking meter terminal having a two-way communications connection with a central administrative station, the parking meter terminal comprising:
-
a housing;
display means in the housing for displaying instructions and choices for selection and a video image transmitted from the central administrative station via the two-way communications connection;
audio communication means in the housing for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from the central administrative station via the two-way communications connection;
selection means on the housing for selecting one of the uniquely identifiable spaces to pay a rent for a fixed time period;
payment means in the housing for receiving and validating payment of the rent for the selected one of the uniquely identifiable spaces;
means in the housing for transmitting and receiving a video signal from the central administrative station via the two-way communications connection; and
means on the housing for initiating communications with the central administrative station. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification