Electronic parking meter and system
First Claim
1. A vehicle detector system for a parking meter comprising a processor having an input and an output, an R.F. transmitter having an input and an output, a R.F. receiver having a first and a second input and an output, said processor output being connected to said transmitter input and to said first input of said receiver, an antenna connected to said transmitter output and to said receiver second input and an energy detector having an input and an output, said energy detector input being connected to said receiver output and said energy detector output being connected to said processor input and said antenna transmitting a beam of R.F. energy for detecting a vehicle, as well as for detecting all objects that may come between said vehicle detector system and the vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low-powered electronic parking meter which can be powered solely by non-rechargeable, commercially available batteries. The meter includes a coin receptor with unique means for coin detection, slug detection, determination of coin denomination, and jam detection, which require very little power. The coin detection and denomination determination are performed using pivotable lever arms in contact with Piezo strips. The slug detection uses a permanent magnet mounted opposite a reed switch and the jam detection is performed by IR diode emitters and photocells. The meter also includes processing means, a liquid crystal display, a sonar transducer or alternatively an RF transmitter and receiver (RADAR) for detecting the presence of vehicles, and an IR transceiver enabling parking authority personnel to communicate with the meter. The components of the meter are operated in three conditions or states including an off state, an inactive state, and an active state, to provide further conservation of power so that the meter is entirely operated by non-rechargeable batteries.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A vehicle detector system for a parking meter comprising a processor having an input and an output, an R.F. transmitter having an input and an output, a R.F. receiver having a first and a second input and an output, said processor output being connected to said transmitter input and to said first input of said receiver, an antenna connected to said transmitter output and to said receiver second input and an energy detector having an input and an output, said energy detector input being connected to said receiver output and said energy detector output being connected to said processor input and said antenna transmitting a beam of R.F. energy for detecting a vehicle, as well as for detecting all objects that may come between said vehicle detector system and the vehicle.
Specification