Networked computerized parking system of networked computerized parking meters and a method of operating said system

The method of operating a networked computerized parking system of networked computerized parking meters individually controlled by a mother board placed inside each networked computerized parking meter and connected to a central database computer, each mother board determining parking rate for each parking space, unique identification of each networked computerized parking meter, comprising geographic location and unique identification number of each networked computerized parking meter, last date of service for each networked computerized parking meter, and parking status, parking rate and maximum amount of parking time of each networked computerized parking meter, said method comprising:

• (a) parking a vehicle in a parking space in front of a networked computerized parking meter with a turned-on parking violation light;
• (b) state of occupation of the parking space by the vehicle being constantly determined by a motion detector located on a front surface of the networked computerized parking meter, said motion detector, operated through the mother board, scanning in front of the networked computerized parking meter to locate the parked vehicle and notifying the central database computer of occupation of the parking space upon passage of a set period of time from locating of the parked vehicle;
• (c) placing a parking charge card, comprising prepaid parking cards, parking credit account cards and credit cards, in a card insertion opening of a magnetic strip reader of the networked computerized parking meter, with information, comprising account information, being scanned off a magnetic strip on the parking charge card by the magnetic strip reader connected to the mother board in the networked computerized parking meter, with any scanned information being sent to the mother board and with some scanned information being sent to the central database computer;
• (d) pressing a personal identification number on a numeric code pad connected to the mother board to obtain credit on the parking charge card and entering any correct personal identification number by pressing an "ENTER" button on the numeric code pad while correcting any errors in entrance of the personal identification number that may show on a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen connected to the mother board by pressing a "CANCEL" button, said personal identification number being transferred to the mother board and checked through the central database computer;
• (e) upon verification of the personal identification number and any information read off the magnetic strip of the parking charge card through the central database computer, a timer being commenced if the networked computerized parking meter functions properly and the parking violation light being automatically turned off, said timer used for starting a requested parking time allowance upon noting parking payment rate and maximum parking time allowed by:
• A. upon usage of a prepaid parking card, subtracting the requested parking time allowance, using the magnetic strip reader, from a parking time allowance of the prepaid parking card and indicating the unused, remaining parking time allowance on the prepaid parking card, as long as:
• (i) the requested parking time allowance is at most equal to the maximum parking time allowed on the timer by the central database computer, and
• (ii) the requested parking time allowance is at most equal to the parking time allowance of the prepaid parking card, with the parking time allowance lowering automatically in set time intervals until a "zero" position is reached by a pointer on the timer or on the LCD screen, or
• B. upon usage of a credit card, including but not limited to a credit card and a parking credit account card, for which bills are received periodically:
• (i) on the LCD screen, adding up total parking time being used while indicating "Computerized Parking Meter" ("CPM"), or on the timer, starting the timer while moving the pointer to the "CPM" position,
• (ii) continuing to add up used parking time as long as sum of the used parking time does not exceed the maximum parking time allowed for said parking space by the central database computer,
• (iii) lowering the parking time allowance to the "zero" position upon reinsertion of the credit card, entrance of a cancellation request on the numeric code pad by the user, and removal of the credit card, and
• (iv) crediting any unused, remaining parking fee to the credit card upon entrance of the cancellation request, and
• with the information visible on the LCD screen disappearing after a few seconds until any button on the numeric code pad is pressed;
• and
• (f) turning on the parking violation light on the front surface of the networked computerized parking meter upon reaching of the "zero" position by the pointer of the timer or on the LCD screen, notifying the central database computer as well as any passing police officers of a parking violation if the vehicle remains parked for a period longer than a few minutes, and continuing to charge parking credit account cards or credit cards as long as the vehicle remains parked.