Patent ID: 8662279
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: G06Q,G07B,G07C,G07F,G08G,H04W,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method of upgrading a single space meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing, comprising: providing a new meter mechanism comprising: opening the outer meter housing, the outer meter housing defining a preexisting internal space and including a preexisting window; removing the existing meter mechanism from the outer meter housing, wherein the existing meter mechanism does not include a credit card mag-strip reader or wireless communications hardware; inserting the new meter mechanism into the preexisting internal space of the outer meter housing; and closing the outer meter housing around the new meter mechanism, wherein the electronic display screen is viewable through the preexisting window following closing; wherein the outer meter housing includes a front face and a preexisting opening through the front face through which a payment device of the existing meter mechanism extends, wherein both the credit card slot and the money slot of the new meter mechanism are accessible through the preexisting opening following the inserting and closing steps; wherein the new meter mechanism further includes a keypad and a support structure extending outward from the front side of the inner housing, the support structure supporting both the credit card mag-strip reader and the keypad, wherein the support structure is sized to fit through the preexisting opening following the inserting and closing steps.