Low power vehicle detection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a parking meter, the method comprising:
- positioning a meter unit in a housing, wherein the housing comprises a wireless tag storing a unique identification code that corresponds in a database at a central management system to location specific settings, wherein the meter unit comprises a control module, a short-range communications interface, a contactless electronic payment reader, and a wireless transceiver;
receiving, by the control module via the short range communications interface, the unique identification code stored in the wireless tag;
detecting an object in proximity to the meter unit, the detecting being based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter unit, performed with a low power proximity sensor;
activating a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, wherein the directional sensor draws more power than the proximity sensor;
receiving sensor data at the control module from the directional sensor, the received sensor data indicating a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter unit;
determining a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data;
upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, storing an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination;
and transmitting, by the control module via the wireless transceiver, the unique identification code and payment information received at the contactless electronic payment reader to the central management system.
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Abstract
A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of operating a parking meter, the method comprising:
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positioning a meter unit in a housing, wherein the housing comprises a wireless tag storing a unique identification code that corresponds in a database at a central management system to location specific settings, wherein the meter unit comprises a control module, a short-range communications interface, a contactless electronic payment reader, and a wireless transceiver; receiving, by the control module via the short range communications interface, the unique identification code stored in the wireless tag; detecting an object in proximity to the meter unit, the detecting being based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter unit, performed with a low power proximity sensor;
activating a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, wherein the directional sensor draws more power than the proximity sensor;receiving sensor data at the control module from the directional sensor, the received sensor data indicating a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter unit; determining a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data; upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, storing an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination; and transmitting, by the control module via the wireless transceiver, the unique identification code and payment information received at the contactless electronic payment reader to the central management system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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5. A parking meter comprising:
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a housing comprising a wireless tag storing a unique identification code that corresponds in a database at a central management system to location specific settings; a meter unit comprising a control module, a short-range communications interface, a contactless electronic payment reader, and a wireless transceiver; a low-power proximity sensor configured to detect an object in proximity to the parking meter based on a proximity measurement, and configured to produce a trigger signal in response to the detection of the object; a directional sensor configured to detect a direction of the object relative to the meter; wherein the directional sensor draws more power than the proximity sensor, wherein the control module is coupled to the proximity sensor and the directional sensor, and wherein the parking meter is configured to; receive, by the control module via the short range communications interface, the unique identification code stored in the wireless tag; receive the trigger signal from the proximity sensor and, in response to receiving the trigger signal, activate the directional sensor; receive sensor data from the directional sensor; determine a presence of an object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the directional sensor data; upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, store an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination; and transmit, by the control module via the wireless transceiver, the unique identification code and payment information received at the contactless electronic payment reader to the central management system. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification