ELECTRONIC PARKING METER WITH VEHICLE SENSOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A single space parking meter associated with a parking space comprising:
- a support pole including a lower end and an upper end, the lower end configured to be coupled to the ground adjacent the parking space such that there is a distance between the support pole and the parking space;
an electronic meter mechanism coupled to and supported from the upper end of the support pole, the electronic meter mechanism including a processor; and
a vehicle sensor communicably coupled to the processor of the electronic meter mechanism, the vehicle sensor configured to detect a vehicle located within the parking space across the distance, to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the vehicle within the parking space and to communicate the signal to the processor;
wherein the vehicle sensor is coupled to and supported by the support pole at a position above the ground and below the electronic meter mechanism, the vehicle sensor including a detection zone and the vehicle sensor is positioned such that the detection zone is located within the parking space.
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Abstract
An electronic single space parking meter associated with a parking space is provided. The meter includes a support pole and an electronic meter mechanism coupled to and supported from the support pole. The electronic meter mechanism includes a processor. The meter includes a vehicle sensor communicably coupled to the processor of the electronic meter mechanism. The vehicle sensor is configured to detect a vehicle located within the parking space. The vehicle sensor is coupled to and supported by the support pole at a position above the ground and below the electronic meter mechanism.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A single space parking meter associated with a parking space comprising:
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a support pole including a lower end and an upper end, the lower end configured to be coupled to the ground adjacent the parking space such that there is a distance between the support pole and the parking space; an electronic meter mechanism coupled to and supported from the upper end of the support pole, the electronic meter mechanism including a processor; and a vehicle sensor communicably coupled to the processor of the electronic meter mechanism, the vehicle sensor configured to detect a vehicle located within the parking space across the distance, to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the vehicle within the parking space and to communicate the signal to the processor; wherein the vehicle sensor is coupled to and supported by the support pole at a position above the ground and below the electronic meter mechanism, the vehicle sensor including a detection zone and the vehicle sensor is positioned such that the detection zone is located within the parking space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A parking meter comprising:
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a support pole including a lower end and an upper end, the lower end configured to be coupled to the ground; an electronic meter mechanism coupled to and supported from the upper end of the support pole, the electronic meter mechanism including a processor, wherein the electronic meter mechanism is associated with a parking spot; and a vehicle sensor communicably coupled to the processor, wherein the vehicle sensor is located above the ground and set back from the parking spot such that there is a space between the vehicle sensor and the parking spot, wherein the vehicle sensor is configured to detect a vehicle located within the parking spot across the space and to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the vehicle within the parking spot and to communicate the signal to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic single space parking meter system configured to be mounted to a support pole and associated with a parking space comprising:
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an electronic meter mechanism configured to be received within an outer meter housing coupled the upper end of the support pole, the electronic 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 data between the electronic meter mechanism and a parking management system; a credit card mag-strip reader supported by the inner housing; a currency reader including a slot for receiving currency; an electronic display screen supported by the inner housing; and a meter control system; a vehicle sensor comprising; a sensor housing; and a sensing element configured to detect a vehicle within the parking space and to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the vehicle within the parking space, the sensing element supported within the sensor housing; and a wired communication link configured to communicably couple the sensing element to the meter control system to communicate the signal indicative of vehicle presence from the sensing element to the meter control system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification