Patent ID: 7029167
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: G04F,G07B,G07F

Abstract:
1. A parking meter, comprising: i) a microcontroller; ii) a timer coupled with the microcontroller; iii) payment acceptance means coupled with the microcontroller for accepting payment for use of an associated parking space, such that the microcontroller initiates the timer for a prepaid parking interval upon receiving a signal from the payment acceptance means; iv) vehicle detection means coupled with the microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space; v) means for identifying a vehicle parked in the associated parking space, comprising an interrogation station coupled with the microcontroller, said interrogation station adapted to direct an interrogation signal, having a maximum range of approximately the length of the associated parking space or less, at the associated parking space in the area of the parking space where the license plate of a parked vehicle is located, receive a reply signal encoded with a vehicle identification code and to decode said signal, the microcontroller initiating the interrogation station to direct said interrogation signal at the associated parking space in the area of the parking space where the license plate of a parked vehicle is located upon determining the existence of a parking violation; and vi) digital storage means for storing said decoded vehicle identification code; wherein said vehicle detection means comprises a digital camera which detects the presence of a vehicle.