Electronic module for conventional parking meter

• US 5,903,520 A
• Filed: 12/01/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integrated Cannabis Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metervision.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Dee, Mark R., Richard, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/980,610
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 368/7, 368/90, 368/92, 194/200, 194/202, 194/203, 194/217-219, 194/317, 194/320, 194/334, 194/335, 340/932.2
• US Class Current: 368/90
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/248 Housing construction casings for coin-freed apparatus G07F9/10

Abstract

An electronic module for enhancing an operation of a conventional parking meter. The electronic module comprises a shell defining a hollow conformation and being attachable to a conventional parking meter, in substitution to an upper housing portion of that conventional parking meter. The electronic module has a meter condition sensor for detecting from a distant point one of the time expiry indicator and the violative condition indicator of that parking meter, when the indicator is in an indicating mode, and a vehicle sensor affixed to the shell for detecting from a distant point, a parked vehicle. The electronic module further has: an electronic circuitry mounted inside the shell and having a power source for operating the module; means for receiving a first signal from the meter condition sensor and a second signal from the vehicle sensor; means for processing the first and second signals and means for transmitting a coded message to a remote receiver. Each side of the shell has a light operable into an ON mode by the electronic circuitry simultaneously to a transmission of the coded message. There is also provided on a front face of the shell, an electronic display screen for displaying an advertisement message to a user of this parking meter, and on a top portion thereof, a solar panel to recharge the battery of the electronic circuitry.

Claims

1. An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, said electronic module comprising:

a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the meter;

a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when said shell is attached to the meter and the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;

a power source; and

electronic circuitry connected to said power source for operation thereof, said circuitry receiving said condition indicating signal from said sensor, processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal and transmitting said message to a remote receiver, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, whereby when said electronic module is attached to the meter, said message is transmitted to said remote receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator.

2. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a mechanical member which changes position to indicate said condition thereof, and said sensor is a proximity sensor mounted in proximity with the indicator to sense position movement of the mechanical member.

3. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a mechanical member which changes position to indicate said condition thereof, and said sensor is a sensor producing a light beam directed to strike the mechanical member and thereby sensing position movement of the mechanical member.