Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements

• US 9,494,922 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J.J. MacKay Canada Limited (137954 Canada Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: J.J. MacKay Canada Limited (137954 Canada Ltd.)
• Inventors: MacKay, George Allan, Chauvin, Gregory Emile, Erskine, Neil Stuart, Cameron, Darren Scott, Church, Donald Wesley, Garvey, Ben, Bablitah, Josh Michael, Gonia, Matt, Pederson, Glenn Eric, Buczkiewicz, Robert Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Epstein, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/141,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20110276519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,554 Days
• Field of Search: 705/418, 705/13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 11/026 the time-piece preparing itself on set times on the reception of the sychronising signal
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 7/026 the time-piece preparing itself on set times on the reception of the synchronising signal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• 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: H01Q 1/225 used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

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.

2. The parking meter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome is constructed from a material providing a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna.

3. The parking meter as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the antenna comprises a self-supporting wire and is connected to the radio communication module.

4. The parking meter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dome is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

5. The parking meter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fin cover is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

6. The parking meter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio communication module is located on a radio board and the antenna comprises a trace of a configuration of the antenna on the radio board.

7. The parking meter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the configuration of the antenna is a monopole antenna.

8. The parking meter as claimed in claim 7, wherein a RF source and a capacitor connected in parallel with the RF source are coupled to the monopole antenna through an inductor.

9. 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 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.

10. The parking meter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fin cover is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

11. The parking meter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the radio communication module is located on a radio board and the antenna comprises a trace of a configuration of the antenna on the radio board.

12. The parking meter as claimed in claim 11, wherein the configuration of the antenna is a monopole antenna.

13. The parking meter as claimed in claim 12, wherein a RF source and a capacitor connected in parallel with the RF source are coupled to the monopole antenna through an inductor.

14. The parking meter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dome is constructed from a material with a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna.

15. The parking meter as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

the antenna comprises a self-supporting wire and is connected to the radio communication module.

16. The parking meter as claimed in claim 15, wherein the configuration of the antenna is a monopole antenna.

17. The parking meter as claimed in claim 14, wherein the dome is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

18. The parking meter as claimed in claim 17, wherein a RF source and a capacitor connected in parallel with the RF source are coupled to the monopole antenna through an inductor.

19. 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 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.

20. The parking meter as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fin cover is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

21. The parking meter as claimed in claim 19, wherein the radio communication module is located on a radio board and the antenna comprises a trace of a configuration of the antenna on the radio board.

22. The parking meter as claimed in claim 19, wherein the dome is constructed from a material with a low attenuation of the RF signals of the antenna to provide the transmission path of the antenna.

23. The parking meter as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

the antenna comprises a self-supporting wire and is connected to the radio communication module.

24. The parking meter as claimed in claim 23, wherein the dome is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.

25. 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 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; and

an 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.

26. The parking meter as claimed in claim 25, wherein the antenna is formed as a metal trace on a radio board.

27. A parking meter comprising:

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.

28. The parking meter of claim 27, wherein the parking meter housing comprises a section comprised of a material that provides a low attenuation of RF signals, the section located adjacent the antenna and providing the transmission path.

29. The parking meter of claim 27, further comprising a transparent cover sealing the opening in the parking meter housing.

30. The parking meter of claim 27, wherein the antenna cover passes through an antenna opening in the parking meter housing.

31. The parking meter of claim 30, wherein the antenna opening comprises an opening in the transparent cover.

32. The parking meter of claim 27, wherein the antenna is provided on an antenna printed circuit board (PCB).

33. The parking meter of claim 32, wherein the radio communication module is located on the antenna PCB.

34. The parking meter of claim 33, wherein the antenna cover has a fin shape.

35. The parking meter of claim 34, wherein the transparent cover has a dome shape.

36. The parking meter as claimed in claim 27, wherein the transmission path comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

LEXAN;

CYCOLOY;

GELOY;

XENOY;

XYLEX;

NORYL;

ULTEM; and

VALOX.