UPGRADED SINGLE SPACE PARKING METER AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of upgrading a single space meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing, comprising:
- providing a new meter mechanism comprising;
an inner housing including a front side and a rear side;
wireless communications hardware supported by the inner housing configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system;
a credit card mag-strip reader supported by the inner housing and including a credit card slot defining the entrance to the credit card mag-strip reader;
a currency reader including a money slot for receiving currency;
an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing; and
an electronic control system supported by the inner housing and controlling operation of the wireless communications hardware, the credit card mag-strip reader, the currency reader and the electronic display screen;
opening the outer meter housing, the outer meter housing defining a preexisting internal space and including a preexisting window;
removing the existing meter mechanism from the outer meter housing, wherein the existing meter mechanism does not include a credit card mag-strip reader or wireless communications hardware;
inserting the new meter mechanism into the preexisting internal space of the outer meter housing; and
closing the outer meter housing around the new meter mechanism, wherein the electronic display screen is viewable through the preexisting window following closing.
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Abstract
A method of upgrading a single space meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing is provided. The method includes providing a new meter mechanism that includes wireless communications hardware configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system and a credit card mag-strip reader. The method includes removing a preexisting meter from an outer meter housing and inserting the upgraded mechanism into a preexisting internal space of the outer housing.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of upgrading a single space meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing, comprising:
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providing a new meter mechanism comprising; an inner housing including a front side and a rear side; wireless communications hardware supported by the inner housing configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system; a credit card mag-strip reader supported by the inner housing and including a credit card slot defining the entrance to the credit card mag-strip reader; a currency reader including a money slot for receiving currency; an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing; and an electronic control system supported by the inner housing and controlling operation of the wireless communications hardware, the credit card mag-strip reader, the currency reader and the electronic display screen; opening the outer meter housing, the outer meter housing defining a preexisting internal space and including a preexisting window; removing the existing meter mechanism from the outer meter housing, wherein the existing meter mechanism does not include a credit card mag-strip reader or wireless communications hardware; inserting the new meter mechanism into the preexisting internal space of the outer meter housing; and closing the outer meter housing around the new meter mechanism, wherein the electronic display screen is viewable through the preexisting window following closing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of modifying a single space parking meter including an outer housing, a payment device opening formed in a front surface of the outer housing and an existing meter mechanism having a payment device extending through the payment device opening, the method comprising:
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delivering a new meter mechanism to a recipient, the new meter mechanism comprising; an inner housing including a front side and a rear side; an integrated payment and user interface structure extending outward from the front side of the inner housing, the integrated payment and user interface structure supporting a credit card mag-strip reader and a keypad; an electronic control system supported by the inner housing and controlling operation of the credit card mag-strip reader and the keypad; wherein the recipient of the mechanism; opens the outer meter housing; removes the existing meter mechanism from the outer meter housing including removing the payment device of the existing meter mechanism from the payment device opening, wherein the existing meter mechanism does not include a credit card mag-strip reader; mounts the new meter mechanism within the outer meter housing such that the integrated payment and user interface structure extends through the payment device opening; and closes the outer meter housing around the new meter mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of upgrading a single space parking meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing, comprising:
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providing a new meter mechanism comprising; an inner housing including a front side and a rear side; wireless communications hardware supported by the inner housing configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system; a solar panel supported by the inner housing; a currency reader including a money slot for receiving currency; an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing; and an electronic control system supported by the inner housing and controlling operation of the wireless communications hardware, the currency reader and the electronic display screen; opening the outer meter housing, the outer meter housing defining a preexisting internal space and including a preexisting window; removing the existing meter mechanism from the outer meter housing; inserting the new meter mechanism into the preexisting internal space of the outer meter housing; and closing the outer meter housing around the new meter mechanism, wherein the electronic display screen is viewable through the preexisting window following closing, the solar panel is located within the outer housing and is exposed to light passing through the preexisting window, wherein the preexisting window is in substantially the same location following closing as it was before opening. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification