Automated fee collection and parking ticket dispensing machine

An isolated, stand alone automated fee collection machine adapted to operate in a multitude of environmental conditions, comprising:

• a protective enclosure;
• an access door interconnected to said protective enclosure;
• a locking means for selectively securing said access door to said protective enclosure;
• a computer housed in an interior of said enclosure;
• a first rewriteable digital storage device operatively connected to said computer,
• wherein said first rewriteable digital storage device contains at least one operating program;
• at least one of a plurality of environmental monitoring devices operatively interconnected to said computer, wherein the internal environmental conditions of said fee collection machine may be monitored and controlled;
• a first printer operatively connected to said computer for printing an acknowledgment of payment;
• a color liquid crystal display having a touch sensitive screen for receiving input from a user;
• a device for accepting payment of a fee;
• and
• at least one dispensing chute for dispensing at least one of coins, paper legal tender, receipts, tickets or decals and in operative communication with a dispensing tray.

An isolated, self contained, interactive method of automating a collection of user fees, comprising:

• providing a protective enclosure designed for inclement weather and enclosing a programmable device having a plurality of selective operating modes comprising a plurality of files and operatively interconnected to a means for accepting payment of a fee, said operating modes including at least one of pay on foot, pay by space, pay and display and park pass operating modes;
• monitoring at least one of a plurality of internal environmental conditions of said protective enclosure with at least one of a plurality of environmental control devices which are operatively interconnected to said programmable device;
• selecting at least a one of said operating modes for access by a user, wherein said plurality of operating modes are resident in said device;
• calculating an amount due from a user;
• accepting payment of the amount due;
• and
• issuing an acknowledgment of payment.

A method of fee collection in an isolated, self contained automated parking meter, comprising the steps of:

• providing a device comprising:
• a durable protective enclosure adapted for use in inclement weather;
• an access door for providing entry to said durable protective enclosure;
• a computer positioned within said protective enclosure having a first rewriteable digital storage device and operatively interconnected to at least one environmental control device to monitor and control the internal environmental conditions of said automated parking meter;
• computer programming stored in said digital storage device;
• a visual display of a possible transaction;
• a fee collection means for collecting a payment from a user;
• an output device for providing an acknowledgment of a payment or transaction;
• an input device for selecting a predetermined function;
• means for supplying power to said device;
• and
• a speaker;
• greeting a user;
• requesting the user to choose a desired transaction;
• determining a fee due;
• determining whether proper payment has been entered by the user;
• and
• issuing an acknowledgment after a sufficient payment has been provided by a user.