Computerized parking meter system

• US 5,029,094 A
• Filed: 07/24/1989
• Issued: 07/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Y. Wong
• Original Assignee: Edward Y. Wong
• Inventors: Wong, Edward Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US07/383,724
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/943, 364/464.01, 364/467, 368/6, 368/7, 368/90
• US Class Current: 705/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/246 provided with vehicle proximity-detectors detecting hidden masses, e.g. metal detectors, G01V, e.g. G01V3/00; proximity switches per se H03K17/00; traffic control systems G08G1/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computerized parking meter system which comprises a host computer and a plurality of parking meters. Each parking meter is provided with a supersonic metal sensor to register parking time, to calculate parking fees and to automatically detect whether a specified parking space is available for a car whereby overtime parking can be accurately recorded. The parking meters are connected to the host computer over power lines.

Claims

1. A computerized parking meter system, comprising:

a host computer;

a plurality of parking meters each being connected to said host computer by multi-core cables by which electronical power as well as signals can be transferred between each parking meter and said host computer, each parking meter comprising;

a panel with front and back sides each provided with displays in order to alternatively display a remaining parking time, a remaining parking fee, an over parking time and a deficient parking fee, said panel further having an indicating lamp to illustrate the over parking time;

a pair of sensors to detect both arrival time and departure time of a car;

a keyboard both to input a car identified code for coin-discharging and for over parking time by an operator;

a housing provided with a coin-inserting port through which coins are inserted into said parking meter; and

an internal structure including a central processing unit connected with a timer controller, said panel, a speaker, a keyboard controller and said sensors so as to detect a car arrival and departure and to remotely control communication with said host computer, said internal structure further comprising a coin passage and a coin collection box, and a second sensor disposed at an inlet of said coin passage to transfer an inserted coin value signal to said central processing unit.