Gen II meter system

• US 9,489,776 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fybr LLC
• Original Assignee: Fybr LLC
• Inventors: Goltz, John R, Keller, Scott, Swiedler, Tom, Krstanovic, Chris, Hamilton, Al, Groft, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Curtis
• Application Number:
  US12/656,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20110205087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,472 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/539.3, 340/7.32, 340/7.33, 340/7.36, 340/7.37, 340/7.38, 340/10.33, 368/90, 368/7, 713/320, 713/323
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• 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: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems wherein a plurality of programmable single space parking meters enable the resetting of time upon a vehicle departure and the occurrence of any other operational parameter; multiple low power microprocessors for monitoring and initiating changes in the logic for all the devices monitoring the parking meter spaces; a plurality of specialized microprocessors for monitoring the system to assure reliable operation thereof; a master operational microprocessor connected to each of the additional low power microprocessors for monitoring of and control of any changes in the logic to establish new operating parameters for the low power microprocessors; a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel to monitor and control the space monitoring units from a remote location; a pass-through radio frequency communication device for passing messages from the centralized operational controller to and from each space monitoring unit by way of the internet; and a power supply comprising a rechargeable battery receiving a charge from any combination of high energy density-low current battery and/or a solar panel mounted onto the power supply.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems, comprising:

a plurality of programmable single space parking meters having variable rates, time limits and/or hours of operation and capable of resetting a time upon vehicle departure and changing other operational parameters, each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters including

multiple low power microprocessors capable of waking up to perform a specialized task,

an application processor connected through a shared bus to each of the multiple low power microprocessors capable of monitoring and controlling changes in logic for setting the operational parameters, monitoring and controlling power management functions, controlling firmware upgrades and awakening the multiple low power microprocessors, and

a power supply powering the application processor and the multiple low power microprocessors and comprising a rechargeable battery receiving a charge from any combination of high energy density-low current battery and/or a solar panel mounted onto the power supply;

a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel capable of monitoring and controlling the plurality of programmable single space parking meters from a remote location; and

a pass-through radio frequency communication device capable of passing messages from the centralized operational controller to and from each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters by way of the internet.

2. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters further comprises a circuitry switch comprising a magnetic reed relay, radio frequency or physical connection switch configured to temporarily disconnect the power supply and initiate a re-start of processes on the microprocessors enabling running of pre-scripted commands and/or enabling a listening made to receive the operational parameters.

3. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein said pass-through communication device operates at either 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz and implements a combination of star and mesh network topologies.

4. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the application processor and the multiple low power microprocessors are permanently potted into an injection molded housing with the power supply being attached outside of the housing.

5. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein removal of the high energy density-low current battery causes a respective one of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters to power down after a set time period under control of the application processor.

6. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters includes a low power electronic display for displaying an information pertaining to a vehicle space controlled by the plurality of programmable single space parking meters, the low power electronic display receives updated instructions from the application processor to update the information to be displayed pertaining to the vehicle space.

7. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the pass-through radio frequency communication device communicates the operational parameters to the application processor whereby changes in logic for a respective one of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters are effected.

8. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the application processor has output channels for communication with and programmable logic capabilities for connection to and communication with multiple makes and models of commercially available single space parking meters.

9. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein a set of logical rules are employed on the centralized operational controller, on the application processor or the low power microprocessors to determine an operational status of a vehicle space and allow for an adherence of an occupant of a vehicle space being monitored to a parking policy.

10. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters further comprises, a vehicle presence sensor connected to at least one of the multiple low power microprocessors, the vehicle presence sensor being configured to detect presence of a vehicle using at least one of an induction, magnetic anomaly, sonar, RADAR, weight detection, or vibrational detection sensor to monitor a vehicle space occupancy status.

11. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the specialized task comprises monitoring and communicating regarding a vehicle space occupancy, a single space parking meter'"'"'s payment status.