Parking meter reset device
First Claim
1. A vehicle monitoring device for a parking meter associated with a parking space comprising:
- magnetic vehicle movement detector means;
radiated beam vehicle detector means; and
a controller for receiving a wake-up signal from the parking meter, for activating the magnetic vehicle movement detector means to detect vehicle movement, for activating the radiated beam vehicle detector means to determine the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking space after vehicle movement has been detected, and for indicating the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to a method and device for resetting a parking meter associated with a parking space. The reset device comprises a magnetic vehicle movement detector, a radiated beam vehicle detector and a controller. The controller receives a wake-up signal from the parking meter and activates the magnetic vehicle movement detector for detecting vehicle movement. After vehicle movement has been detected, the controller activates the radiated beam vehicle detector to determine the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking space providing a presence/absence signal such that the absence signal can be used to reset the parking meter. The radiated beam vehicle detector may also verify whether the beam propagation path between the parking meter and a parked car is intentionally blocked. The vehicle detectors may also be tested when a car is first parked to verify their operation. The magnetic vehicle movement detector is preferably a search-coil magnetometer for detecting changes in adjacent magnetic fields and the radiated beam detector may include an infrared detector or an ultrasonic detector, or both made to operate sequentially or simultaneously.
116 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A vehicle monitoring device for a parking meter associated with a parking space comprising:
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magnetic vehicle movement detector means;
radiated beam vehicle detector means; and
a controller for receiving a wake-up signal from the parking meter, for activating the magnetic vehicle movement detector means to detect vehicle movement, for activating the radiated beam vehicle detector means to determine the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking space after vehicle movement has been detected, and for indicating the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A parking meter reset device for a parking meter associated with a parking space comprising:
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magnetic vehicle movement detector means;
radiated beam vehicle detector means; and
a controller comprising;
means for receiving a wake-up signal from the parking meter as the parking meter receives payment;
means for activating the magnetic vehicle movement detector means in response to the wake-up signal to detect vehicle movement;
means for activating the radiated beam vehicle detector means in response to a signal from the magnetic vehicle movement detector means to determine the presence/absence of a vehicle in the parking space; and
means for resetting the parking meter in response to a signal from the radiated beam vehicle detector means indicating the absence of a vehicle in the parking space. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of resetting a parking meter associated with a parking space for a vehicle comprising the steps:
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a. magnetically sensing the movement of a vehicle within the parking space;
b. subsequently detecting the absence of the vehicle within the parking space; and
c. cancelling any paid time on the meter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of resetting a parking meter associated with a parking space for a vehicle comprising the steps:
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a. sensing a payment for parking time on the meter;
b. activating a radiated beam vehicle detector in response to sensed payment;
c. transmitting the radiated beam towards the parking space;
d. detecting the presence of a reflected beam from a vehicle parked within the parking space to calibrate the radiated beam vehicle detector;
e. activating a magnetic vehicle movement detector to sense the movement of the vehicle within the parking space;
d. subsequently detecting the absence of the vehicle within the parking space using the radiated beam vehicle detector; and
e. cancelling any paid time on the meter. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification