Electronic module for conventional parking meter

• US 6,312,152 B2
• Filed: 10/04/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integrated Cannabis Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metervision.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Richard, James J., Dee, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US09/411,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 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, 194/339, 340/932.2, 340/933
• 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, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an information signal containing reprogramming information, 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 receiver configured to receive the information signal from the remote transmitter;

a memory storing changeable operational information; and

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor and process said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry configured to perform a function based on said stored operational information in said memory, and said electronic circuitry connected to receive said information signal from said receiver and to store in said memory said reprogramming information contained in said information signal as said stored operational information for future use by said electronic circuitry.

2. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with the remote transmitter being one of a wireless and infrared transmitter, and wherein the receiver is a corresponding one of a wireless and infrared receiver.

3. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with the remote transmitter being one of a wireless and infrared hand-held transmitter, and wherein the receiver is a corresponding one of a wireless and infrared receiver.

4. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the indicator includes a mechanical member which changes position to indicate said condition thereof, and said sensor senses position movement of the mechanical member.

5. The electronic module of claim 4 wherein said sensor is a sensor producing a light beam directed to strike the mechanical member and thereby sensing position movement of the mechanical member.

6. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the indicator generates a light beam which changes to indicate said condition thereof, and said sensor produces an electrical signal in response to sensing said light beam, thereby sensing the condition of the indicator.

7. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuitry transmits said message to a remote receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator.

8. The electronic module of claim 1 further including an electronic display mounted to said shell and configured to display an informational message to a user of the meter, and wherein said stored operational information includes at least information for display on said electronic display, and said function performed by said electronic circuitry based on said stored operational information in said memory is to generate said stored informational message on said electronic display.

9. The electronic module of claim 1 for use when the indicator is a light source, wherein said sensor is photoelectric type sensor responsive to a light intensity of the light source.

10. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with a meter which is a conventional parking meter having a time indicating dial and a time pointer pointing at the dial, wherein said sensor includes a pair of photoelectric sensors electrically connected in series with one-another and having their respective beam spaced apart a distance greater than a width of the time pointer, during an operation of the parking meter when said shell is mounted on the parking meter, the time pointer intersecting any one of said beams does not cause said signal.

11. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuitry further comprises timer means for effecting an intermittent operation of said sensor.

12. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with a meter which is a conventional parking meter having a time indicating dial and a time pointer pointing at the dial, wherein said shell has a transparent window on a first side thereof being substantially similar in shape as an area defined by the dial, said window being further horizontally and vertically mountable in alignment with the dial, such that when said shell is mounted on the parking meter, a user of the parking meter has a visual access through said window to the time pointer and the dial.

13. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with a meter which is a conventional parking meter having parking time indicating means, wherein said shell further includes a window in substantially horizontal and vertical alignment with the parking time indicating means.

14. The electronic module of claim 1 for use with a meter which is a conventional parking meter having an intermediate housing having an upper end, and wherein said hollow conformation has an opening and said opening has a contour and dimensions as those of the upper end of the intermediate housing.

15. An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an information signal containing reprogramming information, said electronic module comprising:

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

a receiver configured to receive the information signal from the remote transmitter;

a memory storing changeable operational information; and

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor and process said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry configured to perform a function based on said stored operational information in said memory, and said electronic circuitry connected to receive said information signal from said receiver and to store in said memory said reprogramming information contained in said information signal as said stored operational information for future use by said electronic circuitry.

16. The electronic module of claim 15 wherein said electronic circuitry is configured to transmit said message to a remote receiver, and wherein when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message is transmitted to the remote receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator.

17. The electronic module of claim 15 further including a vehicle proximity sensor configured to sense the presence of a vehicle in a parking location associated with the meter.

18. The electronic module of claim 15 wherein the indicator generates a light beam which changes to indicate said condition thereof, and said sensor produces an electrical signal in response to sensing said light beam, thereby sensing the condition of the indicator.

19. An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal, 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 receiver configured to receive the input signal from the remote transmitter; and

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive said input signal from said receiver, said electronic circuitry configured to change from a first operational state to a second operational state in response to said input signal received from said receiver.

20. The electronic module of claim 19 further including a light with an ON mode and an OFF mode, and wherein said first operational state of said electronic circuitry is with said light in said ON mode and said second operational state of said electronic circuitry is with said light in said OFF mode, and said electronic circuitry changes said light from said ON mode to said OFF mode in response to said input signal received from said receiver.

21. The electronic module of claim 19 further including a display device configured to display at least first and second informational messages, and wherein said first operational state of said electronic circuitry is having said display device display said first informational message and said second operational state of said electronic circuitry is having said display device display said second informational message, and said electronic circuitry changes said display from said first informational message to said second informational message in response to said input signal received from said receiver.

22. An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal containing operating instructions, said electronic module comprising:

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

a receiver configured to receive the input signal from the remote transmitter; and

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive the input signal containing the operating instructions from said receiver and configured to change operation in accordance with the operating instructions received.

23. An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal, said electronic module comprising:

a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the meter;

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

a second sensor detecting an input condition and generating an input condition signal; and

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive said input condition signal from said second sensor, said electronic circuitry configured to change from a first operational condition to a second operational condition in response to said input condition signal received from said second sensor.

24. The electronic module of claim 23 further including a display with an OFF mode and an ON mode displaying an informational message, and wherein said first operational condition of said electronic circuitry is having said display in said OFF mode and said second operational condition of said electronic circuitry is having said display in said ON mode, and said electronic circuitry changes said display from said OFF mode to said ON mode in response to said input condition signal received from said second sensor.

25. The electronic module of claim 24 wherein said input condition sensed by said second sensor is the presence of a user near the meter.

26. The electronic module of claim 24 wherein said second sensor is a proximity sensor and said input condition sensed by said proximity sensor is the presence of one of a vehicle and a person near the meter.

27. The electronic module of claim 23 wherein said electronic circuitry is configured to transmit said message to a receiver, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message is transmitted to said receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator, and said input condition sensed by said second sensor is the presence of a vehicle in a space associated with the meter, wherein said first operational condition of said electronic circuitry is allowing said message to be transmitted to the receiver and said second operational condition of said electronic circuitry is preventing said message from being transmitted to the receiver more than a preselected number of times while the sensed vehicle is sensed by the second sensor as being in the associated space.

28. The electronic module of claim 23 further including a light with an ON mode and an OFF mode, and wherein said first operational condition of said electronic circuitry is with said light in said ON mode and said second operational condition of said electronic circuitry is with said light in said OFF mode, and said input condition sensed by said second sensor being the presence of a vehicle in a space associated with the meter, said electronic circuitry changing said light from said ON mode to said OFF mode in response to said input condition signal received from said second sensor when said second sensor no longer senses the sensed vehicle present in the associated space.

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

a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the parking meter;

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

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry transmitting said message to a receiver, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message is transmitted to said receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator.

30. The electronic module of claim 29 wherein said receiver is a remote receiver.

31. The electronic module of claim 29 for use when the indicator is at least one of a time expiry indicator and a violative condition indicator, the electronic module further including a vehicle sensor for detecting from a distant point a vehicle parked in a parking space in proximity with the parking meter and generating a vehicle signal, said electronic circuitry receiving said vehicle signal from said vehicle sensor, and processing said vehicle signal.

32. The electronic module of claim 29 wherein said electronic circuitry transmits said message to said receiver, said message comprising at least an identification relative to a location of the parking meter, whereby when said electronic module is mounted on the parking meter and said message is transmitted to said receiver, a law enforcement officer in communication with said receiver may be effectively dispatched to said location of the parking meter.

33. The electronic module of claim 29 for use with a conventional parking meter having an intermediate housing containing a coin receiving and registering mechanism, a clockwork and an opened upper end having latch members about the opened upper end, and an upper housing having an opened plane and catch members near the opened plane, the catch members being removably attachable to the latch members of the intermediate housing such that the opened plane normally fits over the opened upper end and the upper housing covers the opened upper end, wherein said shell has an opening and mounting means including clasp members near said shell opening, said clasp members being substantially similar in shape, spacing and number as the catch members, with said shell being optionally removably attachable to the intermediate housing in substitution of the upper housing.

34. The electronic module of claim 33 wherein said opening has a substantially similar outline as a contour and dimension of the opened plane, such that when said shell is mounted on the opened upper end of the intermediate housing, said shell is aesthetically and securely compatible with the intermediate housing relative to a conventional mounting of the upper housing on the intermediate housing.

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

an electronic display screen configured to display a promotional message to a user of the parking meter, said electronic display screen comprising a programmable memory and an input circuitry;

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

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator; and

a vehicle sensor for detecting from a distant point a vehicle parked in a parking space in proximity with the parking meter, said vehicle sensor generating a vehicle signal, said electronic display screen input circuitry connected to said electronic circuitry in a manner to receive said vehicle signal, in response to receipt of said vehicle signal by said input circuitry said display screen displaying a promotional message to the user of the parking meter.

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

a light operable in an ON mode and an OFF mode;

a reset receiver;

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

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said light being operable in said ON mode by said electronic circuitry with generation of said message, and operable in said OFF mode by said reset receiver on receipt of a reset signal from a remote transmitter, such that when said light is in said ON mode, the parking meter is visible from a distance.

37. 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;

electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator; and

a wireless transmitter connected to said electronic circuitry and configured to transmit said message to a remote receiver in a wireless transmission mode.