AU2015202760A1 - Gen II Meter system - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems, including: 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 other operational parameters; multiple low power microprocessors associated with each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters 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 and awakening the multiple low power microprocessors; 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; 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; and a power supply powering the application processor and low power microprocessors and including 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.

Description

1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The Gen II Meter system of the invention comprises multiple task specific 5 processors such as an Application Processor, a Meter Controller and a Radio Processor all controlled via shared SPI bus and using rechargeable batteries and solar power sources for controlling and monitoring a vehicle parking meter system. 10 RELATED ART: The U.S. patent application Serial No. 11/802244 entitled: Parking Systems Employing RAM Techniques, filed 21 May 2007 and assigned to the same assignee, Innovapark, LLC as the present invention. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems, including: 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 20 vehicle departure and other operational parameters; multiple low power microprocessors associated with each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters capable of waking up to perform a specialized task; an application processor connected through a shared bus to each of the 25 multiple low power microprocessors capable of monitoring and controlling changes in logic for setting the operational parameters and awakening the multiple low power microprocessors; a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel capable of monitoring and controlling the plurality of programmable single space 30 parking meters from a remote location; 2 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; and a power supply powering the application processor and low power 5 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. The apparatus may further include a circuitry switch including a magnetic reed relay, radio frequency or physical connection switch configured to 10 temporarily disconnect the power supply and initiate a re-start of processes on the microprocessors enabling running of pre-scripted commands and/or enabling a listening mode to receive the operating parameters. The pass-through communication device preferably operates at either 900MHz or 2.4GHz and implements a combination of star and mesh network 15 topologies. The application processor and the multiple low power-microprocessors may be permanently potted into an injection molded housing with the power supply being attached outside of the housing. Removal of the high energy density - low current battery and/or the solar 20 panel mounted onto the power supply may cause each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters to power down after a set time period. Each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters preferably includes a low power electronic display for displaying an information pertaining to a vehicle space controlled by the plurality of programmable single 25 space parking meter, the low power electronic display receives updated instructions from the application processor to update the information to be displayed pertaining to the vehicle space. The pass-through radio frequency communication device preferably communicates the operational parameters to the application processor whereby 30 changes in logic for the parking meters are effected. The application processor preferably has output channels for communication with and programmable logic capabilities for connection to and 3 communication with multiple makes and models of commercially available single space parking meters. A set of logical rules are preferably employed on the centralized operational controller, on the application processor or the low power 5 microprocessors to determine an operational status of a vehicle space and allow for an adherence of an occupant of a vehicle space being monitored to a parking policy. The apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems may further include a vehicle presence sensor connected to at least one 10 of the multiple low power microprocessors and the vehicle detection sensor configured to detect presence of a vehicle using a vehicle detection methodology that comprises at least one of an induction, magnetic anomaly, sonar, RADAR, weight detection, or vibrational detection sensor to monitor a vehicle space occupancy status. 15 The specialized task may include monitoring and communicating regarding a vehicle space occupancy, a single space parking meter's payment status and any other specialized requirements of the multiple low power microprocessors associated with each of the plurality of programmable single space parking meters to assure reliable operation. 20 The GEN II Meter System of the invention comprises: A method of powering a parking meter and various peripheral devices thereof such as a radio, vehicle detector and digital rate plate or other low power electronic display using a high energy density- low current battery to charge a 25 rechargeable battery with lesser energy density. Using the above-described system with an additional photovoltaic solar panel to supplement the high energy battery or using the above system without the high energy battery and only the photovoltaic cell. Alternatively, using any of the foregoing above powering methods in conjunction with a non-rechargeable battery or batteries as a backup 30 power source for parking meters or its peripherals. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System of the invention is that in prior art systems the power consumption limits the features available at a single space parking meter. Battery power can be used to meet the needs, but requires 4 excessively frequent replacements of the batteries. Longer life (higher energy density) batteries and power sources exist, but have low current or non-linear output than is required by the electronics of the known parking meter system. In the GEN II Meter System of the invention, by using a combination of one 5 or more of the high energy density batteries with intermittent current as a means to charge higher current/lower density batteries with a "trickle charge" allows long life and higher current for powering remote electronics in parking meters. The electronics require power intermittently with long periods of low-no power consumption which allows the high current batteries to recover their charge 10 during the low power requirement cycles. In the GEN II Meter System of the invention multiple, interconnected microprocessors are used as a power saving methodology of parking meter systems having a plurality of features. The problem solved is that power consumption limits the features available 15 at a single space parking meter. Many low power microprocessors exist, but have limited capacity to manage operations. In the GEN II Meter System using multiple low power microprocessors to perform specialized tasks and only "wake up" for the purpose of performing that specialized task allows for the system overall to consume less power without 20 giving up processing capacity. Power is not wasted keeping processors "awake" when not needed. The GEN II Meter System uses a specialized network topology for applications of radio transmissions between single space parking meters in traditional high-impact meter housings and a network operations center. 25 The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System is that single space parking meters rely on battery power to enable operation of the associated electronics. Radio transmissions require relatively high levels of power. Additionally, the thick metal of many hardened single space parking meter housings provide an additional obstacle to radio frequency transmissions. Many 30 existing low-power radio systems rely on short range transmissions and "mesh" topologies to overcome this limitation. While such topology provides the benefit of allowing transmissions to succeed in the context of single space parking meters, it has a number of problems. First, regardless of the redundancy 5 provided by standard mesh topologies, standard paths for data flow are established. These pathways converge for multiple individual parking meters as the data flow approaches the endpoint of a network segment. Network nodes closest to the segment endpoints experience unordinary higher periods of time in 5 active communication with other nodes and consume large amounts of power. Second, mesh networks reach a limitation in the number of nodes that can be supported. While pure "star" topologies can solve this problem, they do not provide an adequate level of redundancy. Lastly the shorter ranges of the radios used in the mesh topologies require a continuous string of radios in order to 10 communicate with remote assets. The GEN II Meter System uses of a Reed Relay or any other type of circuitry switch as a method of waking a power-saving radio to trigger the download of information from a centralized controller. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System is that a meter node radio 15 as described above can not be manually forced to initiate a communications sessions with the network unless the secure, hardened meter housing is opened. The GEN II Meter System can use a reed relay switch on a circuit that provides power to an appropriate pin on a microprocessor, the reed relay switch is closed when a magnetic object is within adequate proximity to the switch. The 20 closed circuit allows current to flow to the microprocessor prompting it to initiate a communications session with the upstream collector. Any other form of switch that can likewise be used to physically close the circuit without requiring the meter housing to be opened can be substituted for the reed relay described here. The GEN II Meter System uses a Radio Frequency Switch as a method of 25 waking a power-saving radio to trigger the download of information from a centralized controller. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System is that described for the "use of a Reed Relay" in paragraphs [0012] and [0014]. In the GEN II Meter System the problem is solved by the use of an 30 alternate switch as described above except that a passive Radio Frequency sensitive coil is energized by radio waves to close the circuit to power the appropriate pin on the microprocessor. The source of the radio waves can be of any sufficient magnitude of radio waves directed at the meter including, but not 6 limited to, a handheld device, a Radio Frequency wave generator in a collector unit or a passing vehicle. In the GEN II Meter System of the invention a digital reprogrammable display allows dynamic display of parking policy information at a single space 5 parking meter in a vehicle parking meter system. In the GEN II Meter System a universal electronic parking meter interface allows a single peripheral device to communicate with any plurality of parking meters including two or more of the following commercially known systems: Duncan Eagle 2000 and 2010, POM APM, Mackay Guardian or any other parking 10 meter from any other manufacturer. In the GEN II Meter System a method allows a parking meter to be re programmed or re-configured for various rates, time limits or hours of operation and other operational parameters including, but not limited to enabling the resetting of time upon a vehicle departure, enabling software that prevents s 15 user's ability to add time to the meter beyond the time limit even if payments are received during multiple time frames of the motorists occupancy of the space and granting of free time upon a vehicle's arrival or the enforcement of different rates being charged for an occupant depending on how long they are in the space. Additionally, the Gen II meter system incorporates the ability to display changes 20 in operating policy to users by means of a low power electronic display as described in paragraph [0018] affixed in the stead of a traditional meter's rate plate. A problem of known parking meter systems is that any change in the operating parameters of a single space parking meter requires someone to 25 physically visit each parking meter. In the GEN II Meter System of the invention the provision of a peripheral radio, operational microprocessor and connecting radio network, the peripheral radio communicates such changes to the operational microprocessor. The operational microprocessor, in turn, initiates a change in the logic for all the connected devices to establish the new operating 30 parameters and updates of the displays on both the meter and the low powered electronic display as needed. The GEN II Meter System of the invention provides a method that allows a merchant to purchase time at a parking meter for a patron by use of a web, 7 cellular or other type of telecommunications medium in which the time purchased may also be posted to the meter monitoring the space in which the patron parked their vehicle. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System of the invention is that 5 merchants wishing to attract new customers or improve the experience of potential customers may want to pay for the parking fees of such customers. In some cases, they may want simply to make a change. In either case, either the merchant or the customer must return to the parking meter monitoring the space in which they parked and initiate payments. 10 In the GEN II Meter System of the invention, by creating a readily available interface for a merchant through either a stand-alone device with a web, telecom or other type of network to a secured command and control interface as described in U.S. patent application, Serial No. 11/802244 and entitled; Parking System Employing RAM Parking Techniques, a merchant and/or customer 15 initiates payment from a location more conveniently located to the store. This interface will then initiate a signal to the meter monitoring the space identified as well as enforcement personnel that the space is paid for and, display the time purchased on the display of the parking meter as appropriate. The GEN II Meter System of the invention provides a method to display 20 time purchased by any remote payment system to an independent parking meter by use of a radio frequency network. Another problem solved by the GEN II Meter System of the present invention is that payments made using systems disconnected from the parking meter monitoring the space for which payment is being made requires additional 25 and error prone verification by enforcement personnel to avoid writing invalid parking tickets. This problem is dealt with by the GEN II Meter System of the present invention by connecting the parking meter to a radio network, time can be posted directly to the meter by a centralized command and control interface (CCI). The 30 CCI is similarly connected via any form of networking technology to the payment system including but not limited to telephone payment systems, internet payment systems, stand-alone kiosks and Point-of-Sale systems.

8 The GEN II Meter System of the invention provides an antenna specifically designed to optimize the communications of a radio to a centralized collector radio from within a hardened, single space meter housing. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System of the present invention is 5 that hardened meter housings create unique radio frequency propagation and reflection properties for any radio contained inside. In the GEN II Meter System a specific design for radios deployed in this manner can maximize the transmission range and minimize power requirements. The GEN II Meter System of the invention provides a space status logic 10 form to monitor and control a parking space and the various assets installed at that space as well as record a historical data stream reflecting the usage characteristics of the parking space. The problem solved by the GEN II Meter System of the present invention is that low power microprocessors can not efficiently perform the complex logic 15 needed to capture and respond to all of the various elements of managing a parking space in a linear manner. In the GEN II Meter System of the present invention by, establishing the various elements of the state of a parking meter into various yes/no states and creating a matrix of instructions for the microprocessor to execute for the 20 occurrence of any event in each of the various compilations of those states, the microprocessor can more efficiently react to events. Additionally, changes in the programmatic logic to be used by the microprocessor require updating only the matrix of instructions but not the detailed methods used to perform those instructions. 25 The Gen II Meter System of the present invention is adaptable to various forms of vehicle detection including, but not limited to induction loop, magnetometer, ultrasonic and/or doppler radar sensors. In all cases, the Gen II Meter system is most reliable when the components are deployed so as to avoid any interference from passing vehicular, pedestrian or other traffic and protected 30 from potential vandalism. The problem solved by the Gen II Meter System of the present invention is that while inductance loop vehicle detection remains the most reliable form of vehicle detection for monitoring the stationary vehicles in a parking space, 9 installation of inductance loops may be impractical in certain situations. The use of other sensors has often been impractical by interference for movement and events outside of the intended monitoring space of the parking space being monitored. This is due part to the placement of monitoring sensors in "line of 5 sight" of the space. If an object is placed or moves between the sensor and the space being monitored, detection errors can occur. Finally, many other forms of detection have shortcomings in terms of their ability to reliably sense a non moving vehicle over long periods of time. The Gen II Meter System of the present invention's preferred embodiment 10 is that of an induction loop placed in the roadbed of the space to be monitored. If the preferred embodiment is not possible, a doppler radar sensor placed either in the roadbed of the space to be monitored and communicating via the wireless radio interface to the Gen II meter system node can be used. Both of these methods ensure that no interference from objects or events outside the space 15 being monitored affect the detection and are able to reliably track the presence of stationary vehicle over the long term. The flexibility inherent in this design also allows for the use of any of the lesser sensor technologies should the preferred embodiments not be possible or feasible. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates the basic features of the GEN II Meter System; and Figure 2 is an example of an antenna specification tuned for operation in a Model 95 Zinc-Iron housing for use with a 900 MHz radio. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION System Overview The GEN II Meter System of the present invention comprises multiple task specific processors as shown in the Figure. The system is controlled by the Application Processor (AP) and the remaining devices are controlled via a shared 30 SPI bus.

10 Processor Functions The AP is a controller for the entire system and its functions include power management and monitoring, managing the state of the parking spaces, and controlling firmware upgrades. The Radio (RP) is essentially a pass-through 5 communications device which passes messages from the AP to the collector and back. The Meter Processor (MP) handles the communications to/from the parking meter, and the Vehicle Sensor Processor (VP) located on the circuit board provides information to the AP on the status of the sensor loop. 10 The components of the GEN II Meter System are mounted on a circuit board. System Power The system comprises a LiPo rechargeable battery, 3 AA primary cells and 15 a solar panel. The system is powered by the LiPo battery which is recharged by the solar panel. The AA batteries provide backup power if the voltage on the LiPo battery drops due to lack of sunlight in a particular installation location. To enhance power efficiency each processor has its own voltage regulator that can be disabled by the AP to conserve power. 20 PCB Configuration To allow maximum flexibility and the use of either 900MHz or 2.4GHz, the radio is designed as a daughter board mounted to the main system circuit board. The main sensor circuit board also attaches as a module to the main system 25 board. Mechanical Configuration The entire PCB assembly, including the rechargeable battery, is designed to be permanently potted into an injection molded housing. The solar panel and 30 AA battery holder are attached to the outside of the housing. Both a pigtail sensor cable and meter interface cable exit the housing for connection to the sensor loop and meter, respectively.

11 Power Control To prevent the sealed rechargeable battery from being drained prior to installation, the system monitors the presence of the AA batteries. If no external batteries are installed the system remains powered down. Additionally, removal 5 of the external batteries causes the system to power down after a set time period. Tables 3a-3d - Examples of Stored Programming Event Handler Matrices This collection of tables is actually an example of a single set of programming 10 event handler matrix. This matrix shows along the left hand side the parking state the monitored space is in at the time the observed event is registered by the various components designed into the Gen II system. The programming on the Application Processor (AP) then cross references both the event and the state currently registered for the space for an instruction set to enact various 15 messaging to other component of the Gen II system and/or to initiate communications to be passed up to the centralized operational control system. This command set is a representation of one such set of instructions that could be compiled for the operation of a Gen II system. Additional states, Events and instruction sets could be added or changed to alter the operation of the system as 20 policies change or new event types are defined.

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Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems, comprising: a plurality of programmable single space parking meters for variable rates, 5 time limits or hours of operation, enabling the resetting of time upon a vehicle departure and the occurrence of any other operational parameter; multiple low power microprocessors associated with each of said plurality of programmable parking meters for monitoring and initiating changes in the logic for all the devices monitoring the spaces associated with the parking meter and 10 said space's occupancy, and monitoring payment and operational statuses; a plurality of microprocessors specialized in purpose for any needed monitoring of and communication regarding the monitored space's occupancy, the parking meter's payment status, communication to upstream data transmission and any other specialized requirements of the system to assure 15 reliable operation thereof; a master operational microprocessor connected to each of the additional low power microprocessors for monitoring of and control of any changes in the logic to establish new operating parameters for said low power microprocessors or operational status as well as the initiation of message relays to various 20 connected components - such as but not limited to the communication of vehicle arrivals or departures, payments accepted by alternative payment mechanisms such as "pay by cellphone" or "web-based transactions" to the parking meter; a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel to monitor and control the space monitoring units from a remote location; 25 a pass-through radio frequency communication device for passing messages from the centralized operational controller to and from each space monitoring unit by way of the internet with or without the use of secure communications tunnels; and 30 a power supply 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. 17

2. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein a circuitry switch including but not limited to a magnetic reed relay, radio frequency or physical connection switch can be used to temporarily disconnect the power source from the unit and initiate a re-start of 5 the unit's processes allowing the running of any pre-scripted commands and/or the invocation of a listening mode to receive new operating code or commands without the need to open the meter housing in which the unit is enclosed.

3. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein said pass-through communication device operates 10 at either 900MHz or 2.4GHz and implements a combination of star and mesh network topologies between individual pass through communication devices and space monitoring units to allow for maximum power savings across the population of space monitoring units and 15 uses the antenna specifically designed for the optimal operation of its operational frequency and the need to communicate from within a hardened meter housing.

4. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the system is permanently potted into an injection 20 molded housing with the power supply being attached to the outside of the housing.

5. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein in the event no external batteries are installed the system remains powered down and removal of the external batteries causes the 25 system to power down after a set time period.

6. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein each of said parking meters includes a low power electronic display for displaying information pertaining to the vehicle space controlled by the parking meter which can receive updated instructions from said 18 master operational microprocessor to update the information to be displayed regarding the space in question.

7. Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems according to claim 1, wherein the radio communicates operational system 5 changes to the operational system controller whereby changes in the logic for all the parking meters can be effected.

8. A design of the space monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the processor embedded on the unit has appropriate output channels for communication with and programmable logic capabilities for connection to and 10 communication with multiple makes and models of commercially available single space parking meters.

9. A programmable logic set for the Space Monitoring Unit according to claim 1, wherein a set of logical rules can be employed to determine the operational status of a given space and allow for the adherence of any given occupant of the 15 space being monitored in a flexible manner such that any unit can be deployed for any type of parking control scenario established by parking policy makers.

10. A space Monitoring Unit according to claim 1, wherein any type of vehicle detection methodology including but not limited to induction, magnetic anomaly, sonar, RADAR, weight detection, vibrational detection sensors can equally be 20 used to monitor the space's occupancy status. INNOVAPARK, LLC WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS 25 P32895AU01