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US 2014/0174881 A1Published application
Parking Meter
AssigneeIps Group Inc.
InventorsDavid William King, Murray David Kirby Hunter, Matthew James Hall, David Andrew Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).
Claims15
A parking meter including:
- a coin sensor that receives coins for making payment;
- a card reader that reads a card for making payment;
- an electronic device electrically connected to the coin sensor and card reader so as to receive information electronically therefrom, the electronic device having a screen to provide information visually, a communication connection to provide receiving information in respect of a card used in respect of said card reader, and connections for at least one rechargeable battery to power the card reader, coin sensor and electronic device;
- a solar cell operatively associated with said connections to charge said battery;
- a housing in which the electronic device is located, the housing comprising an intermediate panel set and a cover panel, wherein the cover panel is movably attached to the intermediate panel set and is configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position in which the electronic device is received into the housing;
- and
- a rear face comprising a surface of the cover panel and a surface of the intermediate panel set;
- wherein the coin sensor and the card reader are electrically linked to provide information to the electronic device to provide information of whether payment has been made;
- wherein the screen of the electronic device is visible through the window of the cover panel when the cover panel is attached to the intermediate panel.
6 more elements
A parking meter comprising:
- a housing comprising an intermediate panel set and a cover panel, the cover panel being movably attached to the intermediate panel set, wherein a rear surface of the cover panel and a rear surface of the intermediate panel set comprise a parking meter rear face;
- a module configured to be removably received by the housing, the module comprising:
- (a) a coin sensor that receives coins for making payment,
- (b) a card reader that reads a card for making payment, and
- (c) an electronic device electrically connected to the coin sensor and the card reader so as to receive information electronically therefrom, the electronic device comprising:
- (i) a screen to provide information visually via a window in the cover panel when the cover panel is attached to the intermediate panel set,
- (ii) a communications connection to provide receiving information in respect of the card reader,
- (iii) a rechargeable battery electrically coupled to provide power to the card reader, the coin sensor, and the electronic device, and
- (iv) a solar cell operatively coupled with the rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery, the solar cell configured to receive light for charging;
- wherein the coin sensor and the card reader are electrically linked to provide information to the electronic device to provide information of whether payment has been made;
- and
- wherein the cover panel is configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position in which the electronic device is received into the housing.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.