Automated fee collection and parking ticket dispensing machine

• US 6,715,673 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miti Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Miti Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Fulcher, Robert A., Beavers, Allan E., Bailinson, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Uyen-Chau N.
• Application Number:
  US10/341,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/379, 235/384, 235/449, 235/383, 705/13, 705/24, 705/40, 705/418
• US Class Current: 235/381
• 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 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/242 provided with token dispensing devices

Abstract

An automated fee collection and ticket dispensing machine is disclosed that is capable of operating under a variety of operating modes. The machine permits users to purchase a variety of passes. The disclosed machine includes printers to produce receipts or passes for services or activities. These receipts and passes may be printed for each specific user, and may feature a machine-readable bar code. The disclosed machine also includes a bar code reader, allowing users to return printed receipts or passes at the machine, and to receive credit for any unused portion. Payment may be made using credit cards, debit cards or cash. The device is provided with networking means, to allow central control and monitoring of the device. Power for the machine may be provided by hard-wiring the device to conventional AC power lines, by solar panels, by batteries, or a combination of any of these. Power consumption is held to a minimum by providing a “sleep” mode. The user interface includes a video output screen with “touch screen” capability to receive user input, audio output means, and a proximity sensor to activate the machine when a user approaches. Additionally, security means are provided to deter potential thieves or vandals.

Claims

1. An isolated, stand alone, automated fee collection and ticket and/or decal dispensing device adapted for operating in a plurality of operational modes, comprising:

a durable protective enclosure having locking means for securing an access door;

a computer positioned within said protective enclosure and operatively interconnected to monitor and control at least one of a plurality of internal environmental operating conditions associated with said isolated, stand alone, automated fee collection device;

computer programming stored in said computer, wherein said programming provides at least two operational modes;

a visual display in operable communication with said computer and operably positioned on said durable protective enclosure, said visual display comprising a durable polycarbonate screen, and a touch screen matrix;

a fee collection means for collecting a payment from a user and providing change as necessary;

an output device;

means for supplying power to said ticket and/or decal dispensing device.

2. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein said visual display comprises a liquid crystal display.

3. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein said touchscreen matrix comprises a capacitive touch screen matrix, and is positioned substantially adjacent to said polycarbonate screen on a surface away from the user of said collection device.

4. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein said touch screen matrix comprises a resistive touch screen matrix.

5. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein said visual display is adapted to display full color video, text, and images.

6. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein the brightness of said visual display is automatically adjusted based on the amount of ambient light present at said visual display.

7. The fee collection device of claim 1, wherein said polycarbonate screen is interconnected to said durable protective enclosure with a substantially water-proof gasket, wherein said automated fee collection and ticket and/or decal dispensing device may be used in an outdoor environment.

8. The fee collection device of claim 7, wherein said gasket is beveled.

9. The fee collection device of claim 1, further comprising a heater which is activated if the internal temperature falls below a predetermined level.

10. The fee collection device claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fan, wherein said fan directs a flow of air across a back portion of said touch screen display to remove any moisture associated therein.

11. A touch sensitive interactive screen adapted for use with an automated fee collection and ticket dispensing machine, comprising:

a durable polycarbonate screen which is substantially shatter proof and having an exterior surface and an interior surface;

a high resolution liquid crystal display positioned adjacent to said interior surface of said polycarbonate screen;

a touch screen matrix positioned adjacent said polycarbonate screen which is in operable communication with a computer positioned within said ticket dispensing machine, wherein information may be communicated to said computer; and

at least one environmental control means, wherein the internal temperature of the automated fee collection and ticket dispensing machine may be controlled.

12. The interactive screen of claim 11, wherein said environmental control means comprises at least one of a heater, a cooler and a defrosting fan.

13. The interactive screen of claim 11 wherein said durable polycarbonate screen is sealingly interconnected to an aperture in the automated fee collection and ticket dispensing machine with a substantially waterproof gasket.

14. The interactive screen of claim 11, wherein said substantially waterproof gasket is beveled.

15. The interactive screen of claim 11, wherein said touch screen matrix comprises a capacitive touch screen matrix, and wherein said touch screen matrix is interposed between said interior surface of said polycarbonate screen and said high resolution liquid crystal display.

16. The interactive screen of claim 11, wherein said touch screen matrix comprises a resistive touch screen matrix.

17. The interactive screen of claim 11, wherein said interactive display comprises a thin film transistor active matrix liquid crystal display.

18. A theft and vandalization resistant device for displaying and receiving information in an outdoor environment, comprising:

means for visually outputting information;

substantially transparent means for protecting said means for visually outputting information display means, wherein said means for visually outputting information is positioned adjacent an interior surface of said means for protecting;

means for receiving input information from a user, wherein said means for receiving is located immediately adjacent a surface of said means for protecting;

means for controlling at least one of a temperature and a humidity of an interior of said device;

protective enclosure means; and

means for sealing an interface between said means for protecting and said protective enclosure means.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said protective enclosure means and said means for protecting substantially define an exterior of said device.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said means for receiving input information comprises a touch screen matrix.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said touch screen matrix comprises a resistive touch screen matrix, and wherein said touch screen matrix is located adjacent an exterior surface of said means for protecting.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein said touch screen matrix comprises a capacitive touch screen matrix, and wherein said touch screen matrix is interposed between an interior surface of said means for protecting and a surface of said means for visually outputting.

23. A method for displaying and receiving information in an automated fee collection and ticket dispensing device, comprising:

displaying through a substantially transparent and shatter proof protective layer at least first information, wherein said at least first information comprises at least a first input area;

detecting a user selection from said at least a first input area;

dispensing at least one of a ticket, a receipt and a pass and requesting payment of a fee based on said user selection;

sensing an environmental condition; and

in response to said sensing an environmental condition, altering an operating parameter of said automated fee collection and ticket dispensing device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of sensing comprises sensing an amount of ambient light, and wherein said step of altering an operating parameter comprises altering a brightness with which said at least first information is displayed.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of sensing comprises sensing a temperature, and wherein said step of altering an operating parameter comprises operating a defroster.