Vehicle parking arrangements

• US 6,373,401 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2001
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ho, George
• Original Assignee: Ho, George
• Inventors: Ho, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US09/780,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20010019308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/539, 340/309.15, 340/905, 455/456
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• 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: G07C 1/30 Parking meters registering or indicating waiting time of vehicles by means driven by the vehicle G07C5/02; coin-freed parking meters G07F17/24
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries

Abstract

A parking meter device that is devoted to a separate person or vehicle comprises a housing unit 10 that has an LED 11 that in use is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The device includes a two-way radio circuit 12, a display 14 and a keyboard 15. The unit also includes a computer 19. In use, the user communicates, using the keyboard 15, with a remote central parking service provide via radio data network channels to demand a parking period. The parking service provider checks the authenticity of the demand and approves the parking request. During lawful, paid for, parking the LED 11 remains ON so that a patrolling parking attendant can easily monitor that parking approval has been given. The parking meter device is in effect a personal device and overcomes disadvantages and limitations inherent for usual side-of-the-road parking meter devices that are devoted to parking bays or zones rather than individuals.

Claims

1. A vehicle parking meter arrangement having a device for separate devoted use by a vehicle user arranged to be located in the vehicle during use and visible from outside the vehicle, the device comprising a portable housing unit arranged to be supported inside the vehicle and including a visual indicator for portraying a positive condition of the device during use, a two-way radio circuit for a user for communicating with a parking service provider to alert the service provider of his desire to park in a parking bay and for the service provider to check payment arrangements of the user and approve vehicle parking for a time period, in which the approval is confirmed via the two-way radio circuit and the device initiated for that time period by signals generated by the two-way radio circuit to adopt the positive condition.

2. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the two-way radio circuit is incorporated in the device and includes a manually responsive switch for use in alerting the service provider of the desire to park in the parking bay.

3. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 2, in which the manually responsive switch means is a keypad.

4. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claims 1, in which the device is releasably attachable in the vehicle.

5. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the unit includes a timer arranged to change the device from the positive condition after a predetermined time interval.

6. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 5, in which the visual indicator is arranged to portray another condition of the device after the termination of the predetermined time interval.

7. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the device is arranged to incorporate a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card).

8. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the device has a port arranged to receive and hold a pre-paid tariff parking card.

9. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claims 1, in which the device is arranged to respond to signals from a vehicle security alarm system and to transmit a warning signal when initiated by the vehicle security alarm system.

10. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 9, in which the warning signal is a radio signal.

11. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 10, in which the radio signal is transmitted to a telephone network.

12. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the device is arranged to communicate with a Global Positioning System (GPS).

13. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 12, in which the device is arranged to receive information from the parking service provider identifying on a screen any unoccupied parking bays in locations adjacent to the vehicle.

14. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, including a voice actuated switch for alerting the service provider of the desire to park.

15. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the two-way radio circuit comprises a mobile telephone.

16. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the two-way radio circuit comprises a telephone hand set installed in the vehicle.

17. A vehicle parking meter arrangement according to claim 1, in which the two-way radio circuit comprises a Global Navigation System installed in the vehicle.