Power supply unit
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for controlling the supply of power to a parking meter comprising:
- a) monitoring, by a control unit, a status of a main battery which is rechargeable and a back-up battery which is non-rechargeable;
b) charging at least partially, by the control unit, the main battery via one or more charging sources;
c) supplying power, by the control unit, to the parking meter primarily from the main battery;
d) switching the supply of power, by the control unit, to come from the back-up battery when the voltage across the main battery falls below a predetermined level;
e) supplementing the supply of power during a peak power demand, by the control unit, to the main battery by utilizing at least one capacitor; and
f) signaling, by the control unit, a wireless communication device to communicate a status message to a control system external to the parking meter regarding the status of the main batter and the back-up battery;
wherein the main battery, the back-up battery, the at least one capacitor, the wireless communication device, and the control unit are received within the parking meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the supply of power to a parking meter comprising:
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a) monitoring, by a control unit, a status of a main battery which is rechargeable and a back-up battery which is non-rechargeable; b) charging at least partially, by the control unit, the main battery via one or more charging sources; c) supplying power, by the control unit, to the parking meter primarily from the main battery; d) switching the supply of power, by the control unit, to come from the back-up battery when the voltage across the main battery falls below a predetermined level; e) supplementing the supply of power during a peak power demand, by the control unit, to the main battery by utilizing at least one capacitor; and f) signaling, by the control unit, a wireless communication device to communicate a status message to a control system external to the parking meter regarding the status of the main batter and the back-up battery; wherein the main battery, the back-up battery, the at least one capacitor, the wireless communication device, and the control unit are received within the parking meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A power supply for supplying power to a parking meter comprising:
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a) a main battery which is rechargeable; b) a charging arrangement comprising one or more terminals for connecting the main battery to one or more charging sources; c) a back-up battery which is replaceable and non-rechargeable; d) at least one capacitor; e) a connection to a wireless communication device for communicating a status message regarding the state of the main battery and the state of the back-up battery to a control system external to the parking meter; and f) a connection to a control unit for controlling supply of power to the parking meter primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery, wherein the at least one capacitor assists during a peak power demand; wherein the main battery, the back-up battery, the at least one capacitor, the wireless communication device, and the control unit are received within the parking meter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification