Parking meter
US5777951A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/246
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A parking meter includes a microcontroller and a timer coupled with the microcontroller. A mechanism for accepting payment by coin, credit card or both is coupled with the microcontroller for accepting payment for use of an associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates the timer for a prepaid parking interval upon receiving a signal from the payment acceptance mechanism. A vehicle detector is coupled with the microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space. A communications modem is coupled with the microcontroller. The microcontroller initiates a call notifying authorities as to a parking violation upon the vehicle detector signalling to the microcontroller the presence of a vehicle in the associated parking space after the expiration of the prepaid parking interval.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.