Parameter control system for electronic parking meter
First Claim
1. A parameter control system for use in an electronic parking meter which can receive at least one type of payment element, said parking meter having at least one changeable parameter, said parameter being at least one of a temperature of the electronic parking meter, an adjustment for identifying the payment element and a low level of input voltage in the electronic parking meter, comprising:
- means for providing power having at least a voltage regulator and a means for providing an input voltage to said voltage regulator;
means for processing connected to said means for providing power, said means for processing having at least a power-up mode, a standby mode and an operational mode, said means for processing being placed in said power-up mode by reset logic connected to the means for processing, said reset logic providing a reset signal to said means for processing at least when the electronic parking meter is first placed in operation;
means for receiving the payment element and generating a payment signal upon receipt thereof;
means for activating said means for processing in response to said payment signal, receipt of said payment signal causing said means for processing to change from said standby mode to said operational mode;
adjustable means for identifying the type of payment element and providing an identification signal to said means for processing indicative of the payment element, said means for identifying having a setpoint, the setpoint being a predetermined adjustment of the means for identifying at which adjustment the means for identifying provides said identification signal in response to said meter receiving said payment element, said means for processing thereby determining from said identification signal if said payment element is acceptable;
means for oscillating providing an oscillator output signal having a predetermined frequency, said oscillator output signal frequency divided by means for dividing to supply a clock signal to said means for processing, said means for dividing being deactivated by said means for activating when said means for processing is in said standby mode and activated by said means for activating when said means for processing is in said operational mode;
means for displaying information connected to said means for processing; and
means for controlling responsive to said changeable parameter and connected to at least one of said means for processing, said means for providing power and said means for identifying;
wherein, when said changeable parameter is the low level of input voltage, said means for controlling shuts down said voltage regulator in said means for providing power whenever said input voltage to said voltage regulator has a level which is less than a predetermined voltage level;
wherein, when said changeable parameter is the adjustment for identifying the payment element, said means for identifying sends a setpoint signal to said means for processing which thereby adjusts said setpoint of said means for identifying via said means for controlling; and
wherein, when said changeable parameter is a temperature of the electronic parking meter, said means for controlling sends a signal indicative of said temperature to said means for processing to cause said means for processing to control at least said means for identifying.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic parking meter system for receiving at least one type of coin or other payment device and including circuits for controlling changeable parameters, such as temperature drift, low voltage levels, aging etc. The electronic parking meter has a power source which may be a solar type power source with a low voltage control circuit. The meter also has a microprocessor with a memory connected to the power supply. The microprocessor has a power-up mode, a standby mode and an operational mode. An electronic display is connected to the microprocessor and displays pertinent information. A coin received in the meter causes a signal to be generated upon receipt of the coin by a sensor. The meter also has a coin detector and a microprocessor controlled circuit for adjusting a setpoint of the coin detector.
131 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A parameter control system for use in an electronic parking meter which can receive at least one type of payment element, said parking meter having at least one changeable parameter, said parameter being at least one of a temperature of the electronic parking meter, an adjustment for identifying the payment element and a low level of input voltage in the electronic parking meter, comprising:
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means for providing power having at least a voltage regulator and a means for providing an input voltage to said voltage regulator; means for processing connected to said means for providing power, said means for processing having at least a power-up mode, a standby mode and an operational mode, said means for processing being placed in said power-up mode by reset logic connected to the means for processing, said reset logic providing a reset signal to said means for processing at least when the electronic parking meter is first placed in operation; means for receiving the payment element and generating a payment signal upon receipt thereof; means for activating said means for processing in response to said payment signal, receipt of said payment signal causing said means for processing to change from said standby mode to said operational mode; adjustable means for identifying the type of payment element and providing an identification signal to said means for processing indicative of the payment element, said means for identifying having a setpoint, the setpoint being a predetermined adjustment of the means for identifying at which adjustment the means for identifying provides said identification signal in response to said meter receiving said payment element, said means for processing thereby determining from said identification signal if said payment element is acceptable; means for oscillating providing an oscillator output signal having a predetermined frequency, said oscillator output signal frequency divided by means for dividing to supply a clock signal to said means for processing, said means for dividing being deactivated by said means for activating when said means for processing is in said standby mode and activated by said means for activating when said means for processing is in said operational mode; means for displaying information connected to said means for processing; and means for controlling responsive to said changeable parameter and connected to at least one of said means for processing, said means for providing power and said means for identifying; wherein, when said changeable parameter is the low level of input voltage, said means for controlling shuts down said voltage regulator in said means for providing power whenever said input voltage to said voltage regulator has a level which is less than a predetermined voltage level; wherein, when said changeable parameter is the adjustment for identifying the payment element, said means for identifying sends a setpoint signal to said means for processing which thereby adjusts said setpoint of said means for identifying via said means for controlling; and wherein, when said changeable parameter is a temperature of the electronic parking meter, said means for controlling sends a signal indicative of said temperature to said means for processing to cause said means for processing to control at least said means for identifying. - 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 parameter control system for use in an electronic parking meter which can receive at least one type of payment element, said parking meter having at least one changeable parameter, said parameter being at lest one of a temperature of the electronic parking meter, an adjustment for identifying the payment element and a low level of input voltage in the electronic parking meter, comprising:
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means for providing power having at least a voltage regulator and a means for providing an input voltage to said voltage regulator; means for processing connected to said means for providing power; means for receiving the payment element and generating a payment signal upon receipt thereof; means for activating said means for processing in response to said payment signal; adjustable means for identifying the type of payment element and providing an identification signal to said means for processing indicative of the payment element, said means for identifying having a setpoint, the setpoint being a predetermined adjustment of the means for identifying at which adjustment the means for identifying provides said identification signal in response to said meter receiving said payment element, said means for processing thereby determining from said identification signal if said payment element is acceptable; means for oscillating providing an oscillator output signal having a predetermined frequency, said oscillator output signal frequency divided by means for dividing to supply a clock signal to said means for processing; means for displaying information connected to said means for processing; and means for controlling responsive to said changeable parameter and connected to at least one of said means for processing, said means for providing power and said means for identifying; wherein, when said changeable parameter is the low level of input voltage, said means for controlling shuts down said voltage regulator in said means for providing power whenever said input voltage to said voltage regulator has a level which is less than a predetermined voltage level; wherein, when said changeable parameter is the adjustment for identifying the payment element, said means for identifying sends a setpoint signal to said means for processing which thereby adjusts said setpoint of said means for identifying via said means for controlling; and wherein, when said changeable parameter is a temperature of the electronic parking meter, said means for controlling sends a signal indicative of said temperature to said means for processing to cause said means for processing to control at least said means for identifying. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification