Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A parking meter comprising:
- a mechanism housing comprising;
an upper mechanism section enclosing a display module for displaying parking meter related information including an amount of parking meter time purchased; and
a lower mechanism section enclosing parking meter mechanism components for operating the parking meter;
a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the parking meter mechanism components through an electrical cable for wirelessly communicating parking meter information;
a parking meter housing enclosing at least the mechanism housing, the parking meter housing comprising;
an upper housing enclosing the upper mechanism section, the upper housing comprising an opening in the upper housing for viewing at least a portion of the display module and a second opening located above the upper mechanism section; and
a lower housing enclosing the lower mechanism section;
an antenna coupled to the radio communication module located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signal, the antenna at least partially located within the second opening and extending outward from an interior side of the upper housing past the upper housing;
a dome located within the upper housing sealing the opening in the upper housing, the dome comprising an opening coincident with the second opening of the upper housing; and
a fin cover at least partially located within the second opening of the upper housing, extending outward and enclosing the antenna, the fin cover constructed from a material providing a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna, wherein the fin cover passes through the opening in the dome, locating a base portion of the fin cover between a top surface of the upper mechanism section and the dome.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A parking meter with an antenna for radio frequency (RF) communication is provided. An antenna for the parking meter may be located in order to transmit the RF signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signals.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A parking meter comprising:
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a mechanism housing comprising; an upper mechanism section enclosing a display module for displaying parking meter related information including an amount of parking meter time purchased; and a lower mechanism section enclosing parking meter mechanism components for operating the parking meter; a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the parking meter mechanism components through an electrical cable for wirelessly communicating parking meter information; a parking meter housing enclosing at least the mechanism housing, the parking meter housing comprising; an upper housing enclosing the upper mechanism section, the upper housing comprising an opening in the upper housing for viewing at least a portion of the display module and a second opening located above the upper mechanism section; and a lower housing enclosing the lower mechanism section; an antenna coupled to the radio communication module located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signal, the antenna at least partially located within the second opening and extending outward from an interior side of the upper housing past the upper housing; a dome located within the upper housing sealing the opening in the upper housing, the dome comprising an opening coincident with the second opening of the upper housing; and a fin cover at least partially located within the second opening of the upper housing, extending outward and enclosing the antenna, the fin cover constructed from a material providing a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna, wherein the fin cover passes through the opening in the dome, locating a base portion of the fin cover between a top surface of the upper mechanism section and the dome. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A parking meter comprising:
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a mechanism housing comprising; an upper mechanism section enclosing a display module for displaying parking meter related information including an amount of parking meter time purchased; and a lower mechanism section enclosing parking meter mechanism components for operating the parking meter; a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the parking meter mechanism components through an electrical cable for wirelessly communicating parking meter information; a parking meter housing enclosing at least the mechanism housing, the parking meter housing comprising; an upper housing enclosing the upper mechanism section, the upper housing comprising an opening in the upper housing for viewing at least a portion of the display module and a second opening located above the upper mechanism housing; and a lower housing enclosing the lower mechanism section; an antenna coupled to the radio communication module located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signal, the antenna at least partially located within the second opening and extending outward from an interior side of the upper housing past the upper housing; a dome located within the upper housing sealing the opening in the upper housing; and a fin cover at least partially located within the second opening of the upper housing, extending outward and enclosing the antenna, the fin cover constructed from a material providing a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna, wherein a base portion of the fin cover is located between a top surface of the dome and the upper housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A parking meter comprising:
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a mechanism housing comprising; an upper mechanism section enclosing a display module for displaying parking meter related information including an amount of parking meter time purchased; and a lower mechanism section enclosing parking meter mechanism components for operating the parking meter; a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the parking meter mechanism components through an electrical cable for wirelessly communicating parking meter information; a parking meter housing enclosing at least the mechanism housing, the parking meter housing comprising; an upper housing enclosing the upper mechanism section, the upper housing comprising an opening in the upper housing for viewing at least a portion of the display module and a second opening located above the upper mechanism housing; and a lower housing enclosing the lower mechanism section; and an antenna coupled to the radio communication module located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signals, the antenna at least partially located within the second opening and extending outward from an interior side of the upper housing past the upper housing; a dome located within the upper housing sealing the opening in the upper housing, the dome comprising an opening coincident with the second opening of the upper housing; and a fin cover at least partially located within the second opening of the upper housing, extending outward and enclosing the antenna, the fin cover constructed from a material providing a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna, wherein the antenna passes through the opening in the dome, and a base portion of the fin cover is located between a top surface of the dome and the upper housing. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A parking meter comprising:
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a mechanism housing comprising; an upper mechanism section enclosing a display module for displaying parking meter related information including an amount of parking meter time purchased; and a lower mechanism section enclosing parking meter mechanism components for operating the parking meter; a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the parking meter mechanism components for wirelessly communicating parking meter information; a parking meter housing enclosing at least the mechanism housing, the parking meter housing comprising; an upper housing enclosing the upper mechanism section, the upper housing comprising a display opening in the upper housing for viewing at least a portion of the display module; and a lower housing enclosing the lower mechanism section; and an antenna coupled to the radio communication module, the antenna located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the antenna having a shape selected from the group consisting of; a ‘
T’
shaped antenna, wherein a RF source and a capacitor connected in parallel with the RF source are coupled to a base of the T antenna through an inductor;an ‘
F’
shaped antenna, wherein a RF source is coupled to an arm of the F antenna; andan V shaped antenna, wherein a RF source and a capacitor connected in parallel with the RF source are coupled to a leg of the L antenna; and an antenna cover connected to at least a portion of the parking meter housing and enclosing the antenna to provide protection from an external environment, the antenna cover providing a low attenuation transmission path for the RF signals separate from the display opening. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A parking meter comprising:
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a meter mechanism comprising components for providing metering functionality and a display; a radio communication module coupled to at least one of the components of the meter mechanism for wirelessly communicating parking meter information; a parking meter housing enclosing the meter mechanism, the parking meter housing comprising; an upper housing comprising a display opening for viewing at least a portion of the display; and a lower housing enclosing a lower portion of the meter mechanism; and an antenna coupled to the radio communication module to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, the antenna at least partially located externally to the meter mechanism and at least partially located externally to the parking meter housing; and an antenna cover connected to at least a portion of the parking meter housing and enclosing the antenna to provide protection from an external environment, the antenna cover providing a low attenuation transmission path for the RF signals separate from the display opening. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification