Patent ID: 7854310

Claim:
A parking meter including: a coin sensor; a card reader; an electronic device electrically connected to the sensor and reader so as to receive information electronically therefrom, the electronic device having a screen to provide information visually, a telephone connection to provide receiving information in respect of a card used in respect of said card reader, and connections for at least one rechargeable battery to power the reader, sensor and device; a solar cell operatively associated with said connections to charge said battery; a housing in which the coin sensor, card reader, and electronic device are located, the housing comprising an intermediate panel set and a cover panel, wherein the cover panel is movably attached to the intermediate panel set, and a surface of the cover panel and a surface of the intermediate panel set comprise a front face, and the front face surface of the cover panel includes a control panel having a window and a plurality of buttons that operate the parking meter upon manipulation by a user; a coin slot in the front face into which coins are inserted for delivery to the sensor and then to a coin receptacle; a card slot in the front face into which a card is inserted to be read by said reader; a rear face comprising a surface of the cover panel and a surface of the intermediate panel set providing a window aperture via which said solar cell is exposed to light; wherein the coin sensor and the card reader are electrically linked to provide information to the electronic device to provide information of whether payment has been made; wherein the screen of the electronic device is visible through the window of the control panel when the cover panel is attached to the intermediate panel.