Parking meter reset device
First Claim
1. A parking meter reset device adapted for use with a parking meter mounted on a parking meter pole to control the allocation of parking time for parking of a vehicle in an associated parking space, the parking meter including an unpaid time indicator, a timer for timing a preselected period of paid time for a vehicle to remain parked in the associated parking space, and a coin responsive actuator for deactuating the unpaid time indicator and actuating the timer for a period of paid time selected in accordance with the coins utilized to initiate operation of the actuator, following which the unpaid time indicator is actuated, said parking meter reset device comprising:
- a housing adapted for mounting on a parking meter pole;
an infra-red radiation transmitter mounted within said housing for transmitting infra-red radiation toward an associated parking space in a direction generally below horizontal;
an infra-red radiation detector mounted within said housing for detecting infra-red radiation from said transmitter after reflection thereof from a vehicle parked in the associated parking space; and
a controller connected to said detector and responsive to passage of a predetermined time interval without said detector detecting infra-red radiation of at least a predetermined level for providing an output signal for application to a parking meter to actuate an unpaid time indicator within the parking meter asaid housing including a first window member positioned adjacent said transmitter for passage therethrough of radiation transmitted from said transmitter toward the associated parking space and a second window member positioned adjacent said detector for passage therethrough of radiation reflected from the vehicle, said second window member having an edge abutting an edge of said first window member for passage thereinto of radiation from said transmitter entering said first window member and refracted to said first window member edge, at least a portion of the last-named radiation being refracted within said second window member toward said radiation detector.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A parking meter reset device includes an infra-red radiation transmitter element slidably positioned within a transmitter module and an infra-red radiation detector element positioned within a cavity in a detector module. The modules are within a housing adapted for mounting on a parking meter pole so that the detector element is directed downwardly from 5° to 10° below horizontal and the transmitter element is directed downwardly at an angle about 5° less than the downward angle of the detector element. This minimizes detection of stray radiation such as from sunlight. An edge of a first window, positioned in front of the transmitter module, abuts an edge of a second window, in front of the detector module. A portion of the radiation transmitted into the first window is refracted through the abutting edges into the second window. If either window is blocked, refracted radiation causes the parking meter to function like a non-resetting meter. The transmitter and receiver circuitry draws power only during brief pulses occurring at greater intervals, minimizing power requirements.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A parking meter reset device adapted for use with a parking meter mounted on a parking meter pole to control the allocation of parking time for parking of a vehicle in an associated parking space, the parking meter including an unpaid time indicator, a timer for timing a preselected period of paid time for a vehicle to remain parked in the associated parking space, and a coin responsive actuator for deactuating the unpaid time indicator and actuating the timer for a period of paid time selected in accordance with the coins utilized to initiate operation of the actuator, following which the unpaid time indicator is actuated, said parking meter reset device comprising:
-
a housing adapted for mounting on a parking meter pole; an infra-red radiation transmitter mounted within said housing for transmitting infra-red radiation toward an associated parking space in a direction generally below horizontal; an infra-red radiation detector mounted within said housing for detecting infra-red radiation from said transmitter after reflection thereof from a vehicle parked in the associated parking space; and a controller connected to said detector and responsive to passage of a predetermined time interval without said detector detecting infra-red radiation of at least a predetermined level for providing an output signal for application to a parking meter to actuate an unpaid time indicator within the parking meter a said housing including a first window member positioned adjacent said transmitter for passage therethrough of radiation transmitted from said transmitter toward the associated parking space and a second window member positioned adjacent said detector for passage therethrough of radiation reflected from the vehicle, said second window member having an edge abutting an edge of said first window member for passage thereinto of radiation from said transmitter entering said first window member and refracted to said first window member edge, at least a portion of the last-named radiation being refracted within said second window member toward said radiation detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification