PARKING METER
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a pay parking system comprising a plurality of parking spaces, a plurality of parking meters, each parking meter comprising a credit card reader, a timer and a processor coupled to said credit card reader, said method comprising:
- a) commencing the timing of a parking payment period by said credit card reader reading a credit card;
b) authorizing a fixed pre-payment amount to said credit card;
c) timing the parking period;
d) ceasing the timing of said parking period upon reading said credit card a second time;
e) cancelling said fixed pre-payment amount charge;
f) calculating the charge amount for the time elapsed between steps a) and d);
g) charging said credit card the amount calculated in step f).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A parking system using parking meters which accept payment by credit card or smart cards. The user can start the parking payment period by swiping a credit card in the reader. A fixed pre-payment is charged to the card. The payment period is terminated when the same card is swiped a second time. The pre-paid charge is cancelled and the card is charged only for the actual elapsed time.
102 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of operating a pay parking system comprising a plurality of parking spaces, a plurality of parking meters, each parking meter comprising a credit card reader, a timer and a processor coupled to said credit card reader, said method comprising:
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a) commencing the timing of a parking payment period by said credit card reader reading a credit card; b) authorizing a fixed pre-payment amount to said credit card; c) timing the parking period; d) ceasing the timing of said parking period upon reading said credit card a second time; e) cancelling said fixed pre-payment amount charge; f) calculating the charge amount for the time elapsed between steps a) and d); g) charging said credit card the amount calculated in step f). - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of operating a pay parking system comprising a plurality of parking spaces;
- a plurality of parking meters, each parking meter comprising a smart card reader, wireless communication means for communicating with a central server, a processor coupled to said smart card reader and said wireless communication means, and a timer coupled to said processor; and
a plurality of smart cards each comprising data storage means for storing a unique identifier and a variable credit balance, said method comprising;a) a user authorizing a credit card payment to said central server in association with a unique identifier of a first smart card; b) authorizing a fixed pre-payment amount to said credit card; c) said user causing said first smart card to be read at one of said meters; d) said meter communicating with said central server; e) said central server communicating to said meter the amount of said credit card payment; and f) said smart card reader adding the amount of said credit card payment to the credit balance on said first smart card. - View Dependent Claims (4)
- a plurality of parking meters, each parking meter comprising a smart card reader, wireless communication means for communicating with a central server, a processor coupled to said smart card reader and said wireless communication means, and a timer coupled to said processor; and
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5. A pay parking system for controlling a plurality of parking spaces, comprising:
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a) a plurality of parking meters, each parking meter comprising a credit card reader, a timer and a processor coupled to said credit card reader; b) means provided in said processor for i) commencing the timing of a parking payment period by said credit card reader reading a credit card; ii) authorizing a fixed pre-payment amount to said credit card; iii) timing the parking period; iv) ceasing the timing of said parking period upon reading said credit card a second time; v) cancelling said fixed pre-payment amount charge; vi) calculating the charge amount for the time elapsed between steps i) and iv); vii) charging said credit card the amount calculated in vi). - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification