Monitoring method and system for a parking lot
First Claim
1. A method for electronically monitoring a parking lot using a central control unit and a plurality of individual parking meters connected to the central control unit comprising the steps of:
- supplying each individual parking meter with the actual time of day from the central control unit;
determining, for the number and/or value of valid tariff coins inserted in a parking meter, an amount of time corresponding to said valid tariff coins, said determined time being added to said actual time of day to arrive at a time of departure until which the tariff has been paid; and
repeatedly comparing the actual time of day with said time of departure in said control unit to determine whether the paid-for parking time has been exceeded.
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Abstract
A method for electronically monitoring parking lots and an electronic monitoring system for carrying out such method are disclosed. The method and system employs the use of a central control unit and a plurality of parking meters connected to the central control unit. The central control unit generates the time of day which is sent to and electronically stored in each parking meter. Depending on the number of coins inserted in a meter, an amount of time corresponding to the coins is calculated based on a given tariff. This time is added to the time of day to determine a time of departure. This time is indicated on indicating means provided at each meter. The actual time of day and the paid-for parking time are repeatedly compared until they are equal. At that time, the indicating means is cleared. A microprocessor, a variable storage element and a fixed storage element are provided at each meter to effect the necessary calculations and storage required. Additional features are also disclosed.
34 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for electronically monitoring a parking lot using a central control unit and a plurality of individual parking meters connected to the central control unit comprising the steps of:
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supplying each individual parking meter with the actual time of day from the central control unit; determining, for the number and/or value of valid tariff coins inserted in a parking meter, an amount of time corresponding to said valid tariff coins, said determined time being added to said actual time of day to arrive at a time of departure until which the tariff has been paid; and repeatedly comparing the actual time of day with said time of departure in said control unit to determine whether the paid-for parking time has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic monitoring system for parking spaces comprising:
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a central control unit having a time unit for providing the actual time of day in digital form; and a plurality of individual parking meters, each meter including; a microprocessor unit; fixed storage means for storing a predetermined program; means for indicating the time of departure of a vehicle; and variable storage means for storing digital information representing the actual time of day transmitted from the central control unit and for storing digital information representing the time of departure calculated, in cooperation with said microprocessor, from given tariff data in accordance with coins inserted in said meter; said fixed storage means having a portion of said program for comparing, in cooperation with said microprocessor, the contents of the "time of day" and "time of departure" portions of said variable storage means, a signal being produced when the stored "time of day" information and the stored "time of departure" information are equal for clearing said indicating means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification