Universal adaptor for electronic parking meters

• US 5,852,411 A
• Filed: 10/09/1996
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Devices Inc. (Heico Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Devices Inc. (Heico Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacobs, James P., Yost, Vincent G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US08/731,096
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/825.33, 340/825.35, 340/870.02, 340/933, 902/26, 235/384, 368/90, 194/900, 194/217, 194/200
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/248 Housing construction casings for coin-freed apparatus G07F9/10

Abstract

A universal adaptor for use with electronic parking meters which provides these electronic parking meters with the ability to detect the presence of a parked vehicle and to adjust the position of the detector for accomplishing the vehicle detection, to gather statistics on the parking spaces and the meters, to alert the parking authority of meters that are expired in connection with vehicles still parked, and zeroing the remaining time off of any meter once the parked vehicle departs.

Claims

1. An adaptor for coupling an electronic parking meter to a vault on a stanchion at a corresponding curb side parking space, or at a parking lot space, said adaptor comprising:

(a) an enclosure disposed between the vault and the electronic parking meter, said enclosure comprising a closed wall defining an internal passageway for permitting coins to drop therethrough from the electronic parking meter to the vault;

(b) a vehicle detector, inside said enclosure, for detecting the presence of a vehicle in the corresponding curb side parking space or parking lot space, said vehicle detector being in electrical communication with the electronic parking meter; and

(c) securement means comprising a plurality of sleeves adapted to receive respective bolts for securing the electronic parking meter and said adaptor to the vault by parking authority personnel only.

2. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector comprises a sonar transducer disposed in said closed wall for emitting sonar signals and for receiving sonar signals.

3. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises electronics coupled to said sonar transducer for controlling the emission of sonar signals and for processing said received sonar signals.

4. The adaptor of claim 3 wherein said electronics further comprise a microprocessor coupled to said sonar transducer for determining a distance between the electronic parking meter and a target in the vicinity of the parking space from said received sonar signals.

5. The adaptor of claim 4 wherein said distance between the meter and the target is determined by said microprocessor to be in a too-close range, in a valid vehicle range or in a too-far range, said target being considered a vehicle whenever said determined distance falls within said valid vehicle range.

6. The adaptor of claim 5 wherein said valid vehicle range is adjustable by parking authority personnel.

7. The adaptor of claim 6 wherein said microprocessor comprises means for debouncing said received sonar signals whenever said determined distance changes from one of said ranges to another.

8. The adaptor of claim 7 wherein said debouncing means includes a respective debounce count for each of said ranges, each of said debounce counts being adjustable by parking authority personnel.

9. The adaptor of claim 8 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a phototransistor disposed closely adjacent said sonar transducer, said phototransistor detecting a brightness level adjacent said meter.

10. The adaptor of claim 9 wherein said phototransistor is coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor using said brightness level to determine whether said sonar transducer is being blocked whenever said determined distance is within said too close range.

11. The adaptor of claim 10 wherein said microprocessor energizes and de-energizes said vehicle detector.

12. The adaptor of claim 4 wherein said electronics further comprises an internal RF transceiver coupled to said microprocessor, said internal RF transceiver transmitting parking meter data to an external RF transceiver and said microprocessor providing said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data for transmission.

13. The adaptor of claim 12 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external RF transceiver.

14. The adaptor of claim 13 wherein said external RF transceiver provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

15. The adaptor of claim 14 wherein said external RF transceiver comprises a plurality of RF repeaters that are in RF communication with a central facility.

16. The adaptor of claim 14 wherein said external RF transceiver is mobile and wherein said internal RF transceiver transmits parking meter data to said external mobile RF transceiver when requested by said external mobile RF transceiver and said microprocessor provides said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data.

17. The adaptor of claim 16 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external mobile RF transceiver.

18. The adaptor of claim 17 wherein said external mobile RF transmitter provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

19. The adaptor of claim 15 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

20. The adaptor of claim 16 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

21. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said enclosure comprises a plurality of facet surfaces and wherein said sonar transducer is mounted in one of said facet surfaces.

22. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said enclosure comprises three facet surfaces.

23. The adaptor of claim 21 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises electronics coupled to said sonar transducer for controlling the emission of sonar signals and for processing said received sonar signals.

24. The adaptor of claim 23 wherein said electronics further comprise a microprocessor coupled to said sonar transducer for determining a distance between the electronic parking meter and a target in the vicinity of the parking space from said received sonar signals.

25. The adaptor of claim 24 wherein said distance between the meter and the target is determined by said microprocessor to be in a too-close range, in a valid vehicle range or in a too-far range, said target being considered a vehicle whenever said determined distance falls within said valid vehicle range.

26. The adaptor of claim 25 wherein said valid vehicle range is adjustable by parking authority personnel.

27. The adaptor of claim 26 wherein said microprocessor comprises means for debouncing said received sonar signals whenever said determined distance changes from one of said ranges to another.

28. The adaptor of claim 27 wherein said debouncing means includes a respective debounce count for each of said ranges, each of said debounce counts being adjustable by parking authority personnel.

29. The adaptor of claim 28 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a phototransistor disposed closely adjacent said sonar transducer, said phototransistor detecting a brightness level adjacent said meter.

30. The adaptor of claim 29 wherein said phototransistor is coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor using said brightness level to determine whether said sonar transducer is being blocked whenever said determined distance is within said too close range.

31. The adaptor of claim 30 wherein said microprocessor energizes and de-energizes said vehicle detector.

32. The adaptor of claim 31 wherein said electronics further comprises an internal RF transceiver coupled to said microprocessor, said internal RF transceiver transmitting parking meter data to an external RF transceiver and said microprocessor providing said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data for transmission.

33. The adaptor of claim 32 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external RF transceiver.

34. The adaptor of claim 33 wherein said external RF transceiver provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

35. The adaptor of claim 34 wherein said external RF transceiver comprises a plurality of RF repeaters that are in RF communication with a central facility.

36. The adaptor of claim 34 wherein said external RF transceiver is mobile and wherein said internal RF transceiver transmits parking meter data to said external mobile RF transceiver when requested by said external mobile RF transceiver and said microprocessor provides said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data.

37. The adaptor of claim 36 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external mobile RF transceiver.

38. The adaptor of claim 37 wherein said external mobile RF transmitter provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

39. The adaptor of claim 35 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

40. The adaptor of claim 36 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

41. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises outer and inner concentric surfaces whereby said outer surface is in sliding engagement with said inner surface, said vehicle detector being mounted in said outer concentric surface and disposed in a slot in said inner concentric surface to permit said vehicle detector to be positioned at a desired angular orientation about a vertical axis of said adaptor.

42. The adaptor of claim 41 wherein

said vehicle detector comprises a sonar transducer disposed in said closed wall for emitting sonar signals and for receiving sonar signals, and wherein

said enclosure comprises a second securement means for locking said sonar transducer at said desired angular orientation.

43. The adaptor of claim 42 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises electronics coupled to said sonar transducer for controlling the emission of sonar signals and for processing said received sonar signals.

44. The adaptor of claim 43 wherein said electronics further comprise a microprocessor coupled to said sonar transducer for determining a distance between the electronic parking meter and a target in the vicinity of the parking space from said received sonar signals.

45. The adaptor of claim 44 wherein said distance between the meter and the target is determined by said microprocessor to be in a too-close range, in a valid vehicle range or in a too-far range, said target being considered a vehicle whenever said determined distance falls within said valid vehicle range.

46. The adaptor of claim 45 wherein said valid vehicle range is adjustable by parking authority personnel.

47. The adaptor of claim 46 wherein said microprocessor comprises means for debouncing said received sonar signals whenever said determined distance changes from one of said ranges to another.

48. The adaptor of claim 47 wherein said debouncing means includes a respective debounce count for each of said ranges, each of said debounce counts being adjustable by parking authority personnel.

49. The adaptor of claim 48 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a phototransistor disposed closely adjacent said sonar transducer, said phototransistor detecting a brightness level adjacent said meter.

50. The adaptor of claim 49 wherein said phototransistor is coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor using said brightness level to determine whether said sonar transducer is being blocked whenever said determined distance is within said too close range.

51. The adaptor of claim 50 wherein said microprocessor energizes and de-energizes said vehicle detector.

52. The adaptor of claim 51 wherein said electronics further comprises an internal RF transceiver coupled to said microprocessor, said internal RF transceiver transmitting parking meter data to an external RF transceiver and said microprocessor providing said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data for transmission.

53. The adaptor of claim 52 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external RF transceiver.

54. The adaptor of claim 53 wherein said external RF transceiver provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

55. The adaptor of claim 54 wherein said external RF transceiver comprises a plurality of RF repeaters that are in RF communication with a central facility.

56. The adaptor of claim 54 wherein said external RF transceiver is mobile and wherein said internal RF transceiver transmits parking meter data to said external mobile RF transceiver when requested by said external mobile RF transceiver and said microprocessor provides said internal RF transceiver with said parking meter data.

57. The adaptor of claim 56 wherein said internal RF transceiver is powered up only when energy is received from said external mobile RF transceiver.

58. The adaptor of claim 57 wherein said external mobile RF transmitter provides data to said internal RF transceiver for use by said microprocessor in programming the electronic parking meter.

59. The adaptor of claim 55 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

60. The adaptor of claim 56 wherein said internal RF transceiver operates in a frequency band of at least 900 MHz to transmit said parking meter data.

61. The adaptor of claim 2 further comprising a rotation device for permitting an adjustable rotation of the electronic parking meter, about a vertical axis, said rotation device comprising:

(a) a vault cover plate having a top periphery containing a plurality of countersunk receiving channels for receiving bolts that secure said vault cover plate to the vault;

(b) a rotator adaptor comprising a flat upper surface for supporting said enclosure, a conical-shaped midsection and a cylindrical bottom portion having an outer wall that includes an annular collar and a threaded portion just below said annular collar, said cylindrical bottom portion projecting through a hole in said cover plate adjacent the plurality of holes, said flat upper surface, said conical-shaped midsection and said cylindrical bottom having respective open interiors for further defining said passageway for a deposited coin to pass from the electronic parking meter to the vault;

(c) a tamper proof member disposed on top of said countersunk receiving channels to conceal said receiving bolts; and

(d) a rotator adaptor ring for engaging said threaded portion and for releasably securing the electronic parking meter in a desired orientation about said vertical axis and for securing said tamper proof member between said annular collar and said countersunk receiving channels.

62. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining a parked vehicle count based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

63. The adaptor of claim 62 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated parked time.

64. The adaptor of claim 63 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average park time.

65. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining an empty parking space count based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

66. The adaptor of claim 65 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated empty parking space time.

67. The adaptor of claim 66 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average empty parking space time.

68. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining a paid vehicle count based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

69. The adaptor of claim 68 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated paid time.

70. The adaptor of claim 69 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average paid time.

71. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor resets said electronic parking meter whenever said detector no longer detects a parked vehicle, said microprocessor including means for determining a reset car count based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

72. The adaptor of claim 71 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated reset time of said meter.

73. The adaptor of claim 72 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average reset time of said meter.

74. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining said meter has expired.

75. The adaptor of claim 74 wherein said means for determining said meter has expired is coupled to means for indicating an expired meter condition, said microprocessor deactivating said indicating means for a certain period of time with no purchased time on said meter and with a vehicle being parked in the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space, said certain period of time defining a grace period, said microprocessor including means for determining a grace period count of said meter based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

76. The adaptor of claim 75 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated grace time of said meter.

77. The adaptor of claim 76 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average grace time of said meter.

78. The adaptor of claim 74 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an expired time count of said meter based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

79. The adaptor of claim 78 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an accumulated expired time of said meter.

80. The adaptor of claim 79 wherein said microprocessor includes means for determining an average expired time of said meter.

81. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining a slug count of slugs inserted into said meter.

82. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining extended time attempts by a patron to purchase more time on said meter.

83. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining cash total in said meter.

84. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining maximum coin capacity in said meter.

85. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor and wherein said meter is powered by batteries, said microprocessor including means for determining a low battery condition of said electronic meter.

86. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining said meter is jammed.

87. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining that said sonar transducer is broken.

88. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for determining revenue of said meter per day.

89. The adaptor of claim 88 wherein said means for determining revenue of said meter determines revenue according to the day of the week.

90. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for tracking how often and when the parking space or parking lot space has been occupied or empty based on vehicles parked at the curb side parking space or at the parking lot space.

91. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for tracking how often and when time has been purchased on said meter.

92. The adaptor of claim 71 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking how often and when said meter has been reset upon departures of vehicles from the parking space or parking lot space.

93. The adaptor of claim 71 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking how often and when a first vehicle departs with a certain amount of purchased time still on said meter, that is subsequently reset thereby defining a reset amount of time, and another patron repurchases time on said meter just after said first vehicle departs and wherein said repurchased time is defined as the amount of time purchased by the another patron that is equal to or less than said reset amount of time.

94. The adaptor of claim 71 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking how often and when a new vehicle enters the parking space or parking lot space with time still on said meter.

95. The adaptor of claim 75 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking how often and the duration of said grace period on said meter.

96. The adaptor of claim 74 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking how often and when said meter becomes expired.

97. The adaptor of claim 96 wherein said microprocessor includes means for tracking a longest expired time on said meter according to day and time.

98. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for tracking unrecognized coins or tokens inserted into said meter.

99. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for tracking how often valid/invalid coins have been fed to said meter.

100. The adaptor of claim 99 wherein said vehicle detector further comprises a microprocessor, said microprocessor including means for tracking by hour how often valid/invalid coins have been fed to said meter.