Electronic module for conventional parking meter

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an information signal containing reprogramming information, said electronic module comprising:

• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• a receiver configured to receive the information signal from the remote transmitter;
• a memory storing changeable operational information;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor and process said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry configured to perform a function based on said stored operational information in said memory, and said electronic circuitry connected to receive said information signal from said receiver and to store in said memory said reprogramming information contained in said information signal as said stored operational information for future use by said electronic circuitry.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal, said electronic module comprising:

• a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the meter;
• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when said shell is attached to the meter and the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• a receiver configured to receive the input signal from the remote transmitter;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive said input signal from said receiver, said electronic circuitry configured to change from a first operational state to a second operational state in response to said input signal received from said receiver.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal containing operating instructions, said electronic module comprising:

• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• a receiver configured to receive the input signal from the remote transmitter;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive the input signal containing the operating instructions from said receiver and configured to change operation in accordance with the operating instructions received.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, and operating in response to a remote transmitter transmitting an input signal, said electronic module comprising:

• a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the meter;
• a first sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when said shell is attached to the meter and the indicator is in an indicating mode, said first sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• a second sensor detecting an input condition and generating an input condition signal;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry connected to receive said input condition signal from said second sensor, said electronic circuitry configured to change from a first operational condition to a second operational condition in response to said input condition signal received from said second sensor.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a parking meter having an indicator, said electronic module comprising:

• a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the parking meter;
• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when said shell is attached to the parking meter and the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said electronic circuitry transmitting said message to a receiver, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message is transmitted to said receiver to identify said detected condition of the indicator.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a parking meter having an indicator, said electronic module comprising:

• an electronic display screen configured to display a promotional message to a user of the parking meter, said electronic display screen comprising a programmable memory and an input circuitry;
• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator;
• and
• a vehicle sensor for detecting from a distant point a vehicle parked in a parking space in proximity with the parking meter, said vehicle sensor generating a vehicle signal, said electronic display screen input circuitry connected to said electronic circuitry in a manner to receive said vehicle signal, in response to receipt of said vehicle signal by said input circuitry said display screen displaying a promotional message to the user of the parking meter.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a parking meter having an indicator, said electronic module comprising:

• a light operable in an ON mode and an OFF mode;
• a reset receiver;
• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• and
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the parking meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator, said light being operable in said ON mode by said electronic circuitry with generation of said message, and operable in said OFF mode by said reset receiver on receipt of a reset signal from a remote transmitter, such that when said light is in said ON mode, the parking meter is visible from a distance.

An electronic module for enhancing operation of a meter having an indicator, said electronic module comprising:

• a shell defining a hollow conformation attachable to the meter;
• a sensor detecting a condition of the indicator when said shell is attached to the meter and the indicator is in an indicating mode, said sensor generating a signal indicative of said detected condition of the indicator;
• electronic circuitry connected to receive said condition indicating signal from said sensor, said electronic circuit processing said condition indicating signal to generate a message in response to said condition indicating signal, said message including at least an identification of said detected condition of the indicator, such that when said electronic module is used with the meter, said message identifies said detected condition of the indicator;
• and
• a wireless transmitter connected to said electronic circuitry and configured to transmit said message to a remote receiver in a wireless transmission mode.