Park card system for electronic parking meter

• US 4,880,097 A
• Filed: 03/25/1988
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: POM, Inc.
• Original Assignee: POM, Inc.
• Inventors: Speas, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/173,719
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 194/205, 194/209, 194/211, 194/213, 194/214, 194/900, 194/901, 194/902, 194/239, 235/441, 235/492, 232/7, 232/9, 232/12
• US Class Current: 194/239
• 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 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus

Abstract

A card system for an electronic parking meter. At least one card is provided and has an electrically erasable programmable memory containing data therein. At least one coin slot in the electronic parking meter is provided and the card has at least a portion thereof dimensioned to fit into the coin slot. A card switch in the coin slot is activated only by the card and provides a card switch signal. A microprocessor in the electronic parking meter receives the card switch signal and in response thereto supplies power for the card and exchanges data with the card. An interface circuit connects the microprocessor to the card. The portion of the card has electrical contacts for engagement with electrical contacts of a power supply and with the interface circuit.

Claims

1. A card system for an electronic parking meter, comprising:

at least one coin;

at least one card having an electrically erasable programmable memory containing data therein;

at least one coin slot in said electronic parking meter, said card having at least a portion thereof dimensioned to fit into said coin slot, said coin slot also capable of receiving said coin when deposited in said coin slot;

a card switch in said coin slot activated only by said card and providing a card switch signal;

microprocessor in said electronic parking meter receiving said card switch signal and in response thereto, enabling means for supplying power for said card and exchanging data with said card;

means for interfacing connecting said microprocessor to said card;

said portion of said card having electrical contacts for engagement with electrical contacts of said means for supplying power and said means for interfacing

wherein said system further comprises a door switch located adjacent said coin slot and wherein said coin slot also receives said deposited coin which activates only said door switch to change said microprocessor from a standby mode to an operational mode, said card activating said card switch.

2. The card system according to claim 1, wherein said means for interfacing has at least an eight bit addressable latch connected at least between said microprocessor and said electrical contacts of said means for interfacing.

3. The card system according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying power has a step-up switching regulator for supplying a high voltage to said card and connected to a stepdown voltage regulator for supplying a low voltage to said card.

4. A card system for an electronic parking meter according to claim l, wherein said electronic parking meter has only one coin slot for accepting both said deposited coin and said card.

5. A card meter system for an electronic parking meter, comprising:

at least one coin;

at least one card having an electrically erasable programmable memory containing data therein;

at least one coin slot in said electronic parking meter, said card having at least a portion thereof dimensioned to fit into said coin slot, said coin slot also capable of receiving said coin when deposited in said coin slot;

a card switch in said coin slot activated only by said card and providing a card switch signal;

microprocessor in said electronic parking meter receiving said card switch signal and in response thereto, enabling means for supplying power for said card and exchanging data with said card, said means for supplying power having a step-up switching regulator for supplying a high voltage to said card and connected to a step-down voltage regulator for supplying a low voltage to said card;

means for interfacing connecting said microprocessor to said card;

said portion of said card having electrical contacts for engagement with electrical contacts of said means for supplying power and said means for interfacing, said means for interfacing having at least an eight bit addressable latch connected to at least between said microprocessor and said electrical contacts of said means for interfacing wherein said system further comprises a door switch located adjacent said coin slot and wherein said coin slot also receives said deposited coin which activates only said door switch to change said microprocessor from a standby mode to an operational mode, said card activating said card switch.

6. A card system for an electronic parking meter according to claim 5, wherein said electronic parking meter has only one coin slot for accepting both said deposited coin and said card.