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US005903520A
United States Patent [19] [li] Patent Number: 5,903,520
Dee et al. [45] Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
[54] ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR
CONVENTIONAL PARKING METER
[75] Inventors: Mark R. Dee, New Maryland; James J. Richard, Fredericton. both of Canada
[73] Assignee: Metervision. Com Inc. New Brunswick, Canada
[21] Appl. No.: 48/980,610 [22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1997
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of application No. 08/661,470, Jun. 11, 1996, Pat. No. 5,710,743.
[51] Int CI.6 G04F 1/00; G07F 17/24
[52] U.S. CI 368/90; 194/217; 194/340;
194/932.2
[58] Field of Search 368/7, 90, 92;
194/200, 202. 203, 217-219, 317. 320, 334, 335; 340/932.2
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,091,918 6/1963 Collins et al 58/142
3,535,870 10/1970 Mitchell 58/142
3,999,372 12/1976 Welch et al 58/142
4,043,117 8/1977 Maresca 58/142
4,482,258 11/1984 Kiehl et al 368/90
4,823,928 4/1989 Speas 194/217
4,825,425 4/1989 Turner 368/7
4,872,149 10/1989 Speas 368/90
4,876,540 10/1989 Berthon et al 340/932.2
4,908,617 3/1990 Fuller 340/932.2
4,967,895 11/1990 Speas 194/200
5,029,094 7/1991 Wong 364/467
5,065,156 11/1991 Bernier 340/932.2
5,088,073 2/1992 Speas 368/90
5,103,957 4/1992 Ng et al 194-717
5,109,972 5/1992 Van Horn et al 194/217
5,184,707 2/1993 Van Horn et al 194/204
5^66,947 11/1993 Fujiwaraetal 340/932.2
5,360,095 11/1994 Speas 194/217
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5,422,624 6/1995 Smith 340/438
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5,454,461 10/1995 Jacobs 194/200
5,475,373 12/1995 Speas 340/815.58
5,570,771 11/1996 Jacobs 194/200
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 2097099 3/1994 Canada.
Primary Examiner—Vit W. Miska
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Seed and Berry LLP
[57] ABSTRACT
An electronic module for enhancing an operation of a conventional parking meter. The electronic module comprises a shell defining a hollow conformation and being attachable to a conventional parking meter, in substitution to an upper housing portion of that conventional parking meter. The electronic module has a meter condition sensor for detecting from a distant point one of the time expiry indicator and the violative condition indicator of that parking meter, when the indicator is in an indicating mode, and a vehicle sensor affixed to the shell for detecting from a distant point, a parked vehicle. The electronic module further has: an electronic circuitry mounted inside the shell and having a power source for operating the module; means for receiving a first signal from the meter condition sensor and a second signal from the vehicle sensor; means for processing the first and second signals and means for transmitting a coded message to a remote receiver. Each side of the shell has a light operable into an ON mode by the electronic circuitry simultaneously to a transmission of the coded message. There is also provided on a front face of the shell, an electronic display screen for displaying an advertisement message to a user of this parking meter, and on a top portion thereof, a solar panel to recharge the battery of the electronic circuitry.
3 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
