Gen II meter system

Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems, comprising:

• a plurality of programmable single space parking meters having variable rates, time limits and/or hours of operation and capable of resetting a time upon vehicle departure and changing other operational parameters, each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters including
• multiple low power microprocessors capable of waking up to perform a specialized task,
• an application processor connected through a shared bus to each of the multiple low power microprocessors capable of monitoring and controlling changes in logic for setting the operational parameters, monitoring and controlling power management functions, controlling firmware upgrades and awakening the multiple low power microprocessors, and
• a power supply powering the application processor and the multiple low power microprocessors and comprising a rechargeable battery receiving a charge from any combination of high energy density-low current battery and/or a solar panel mounted onto the power supply;
• a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel capable of monitoring and controlling the plurality of programmable single space parking meters from a remote location;
• and
• a pass-through radio frequency communication device capable of passing messages from the centralized operational controller to and from each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters by way of the internet.