DE2804085A1 - FULLY ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR MONITORING A TIME UNIT CORRESPONDING TO A CHARGE - Google Patents

Description

DtPLOMING ENGINEER

HELMUT LAMPRECHT

PAT E N TA N WA LT

ADVERTISING 2P04085

8OOO MÜNCHEN 5 CO R N E LI U S STRAS S E 42 TELEPHONE 24 07 75

FROM CALE-INDUSTRI Uppköparvägen 5

S-121 73 Johanneshoν Sweden

2525

Fully electronic device for monitoring a fee

corresponding time unit

The invention relates to a fully electronic device for monitoring a time unit corresponding to a fee, in particular a parking meter, that is to say a device that primarily does this is intended to be used in connection with the monitored parking of vehicles. An application is also on possible in other areas where fees have to be paid in order to obtain use during a certain time unit.

Since the first parking meters came into operation in the United States in 1935, the design has been independent by the respective manufacturer on a construction that

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POST CHECK ACCOUNT MUNICH ββΟ 43-806 (BLZ 7OO 1 OO 8O)

OEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN, PROM ENAD E PLATZ, ACCOUNT NUMBER 19 / 2Ο 6S4 C3 LZ 700 700 1 O) TELEGRAMS / CABLES LAWCLAIMS MUNICH

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to the generally similar construction of a precision instrument was constructed in which a mechanism comprising gears and pinions was used to drive a express a certain coin value as a unit of time.

The application of such mechanical constructions leads however, the accuracy and reliability is limited by the number of teeth used for the determination the end position of the pointer on the parking meter. The longer the time to be displayed by the parking meter If the unit of time is, for example, 12 to 24 hours, the greater the resulting error range will be.

For legal reasons, the Attention was drawn as a result of a sharp increase in parking fees and the resulting demands the drivers according to the accuracy of the measuring devices used. The mechanical ones currently on the market Measuring devices that correspond to two types, namely a purely manual type or an automatic type with a windable Spring mechanism provided type, all have the mentioned shortcomings in terms of their reliability. A driver who introduces a fee into a parking meter in which there is still a remaining time, becomes - at least from his Visibility - lose time as a result of the defects inherent in the gearing.

The invention is based on the object of overcoming these disadvantages, and the margin of error regardless of the maximum

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paint to reduce the measurable unit of time to a large extent.

In many cases it may be desirable to use a negative unit of time (in other words: a display of the exceeded parking time is desired). If such an ad is carried out by mechanical measuring devices, it is proportional to the maximum time unit of the device and is linked to it, which is why the invention is based on the object of this connection to avoid the negative time display with the maximum measurable time unit. Another task is instead to enable the display in decimal numbers, which is common with mechanical devices, using pointers and subdivided scales.

Another disadvantage of the mechanical devices is that a separate clockwork is required for each display unit is. The invention is therefore also based on the object of creating a device in which a centrally arranged, quartz-controlled clock operate one or more display units can.

Finally, a device is to be created in which the inserted coins can be checked, so that the device cannot be operated by, for example, plastic parts or other non-metallic parts. After all, should too Operation either with standard batteries or rechargeable batteries and with solar cells should be possible. Also an operation the electrical network via devices for generating a rectified low voltage should be possible.

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Generally speaking, the invention is based on the object of replacing the known mechanically operated parking meters with an electronic one Solution to replace.

The solution to the problem is that the device comprises a central unit with which a display unit or whose several and a coin validation unit are connected that this central unit means for generating a number of pulses corresponding to one introduced into the coin validation unit Coin includes that these pulses a register circuit which is suitable for counting a corresponding number of steps upwards or downwards that this register circuit is arranged in the display unit, in which the coin has been inserted, the respective state of the register circuit being a display device in this display unit so that information corresponding to a unit of time corresponding to the value of the inserted coin it is generated that a decoder for monitoring permitted limits of the register setting is connected to the first-mentioned register is, and that a time-out register is connected to the former register to indicate whether the Measurement of the timeout is in operation.

This solution according to the invention brings the following advantages with himself:

Precise display of the time by means of numbers on a minute basis over the entire time range;

Operation of one or more parking spaces by a central clock and calculation unit, whereby 'each special place its individual equipment including a display

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hext for the acquired time, the slot for the Introduction of a coin or token of the cashier unit is preferably included in the same housing; The coin / time ratio is precise, even if the time is acquired gradually (replenishment); The measuring device is practically maintenance-free; The operating time of the device is practically unlimited; The device does not require any calibration or other setting except for programming the rate of charge; The coin / time ratio can be selected as desired; The amount of time that has elapsed after the paid parking time has expired can be displayed exactly, regardless of the maximum counting range of the device for the parking time; The measuring device is designed in such a way that it can be easily disassembled, thus making it possible to replace the various functional units is easily possible (e.g. to change the fee rate);

The measuring device is battery operated and can be used with commercially available Standard batteries or rechargeable batteries and solar cells can be fed.

On the basis of the following description of an embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, this will be explained in more detail.

It shows:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram to illustrate the design of the parking meter according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the central unit of the invention Parking meter,

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3 is a block diagram showing the display unit,
Fig. 4 is a block diagram to show the Münzregistrie-

rungsblocks,
Fig. 5A is a block diagram to show a code pulse

Converter blocks
FIG. 5B shows the code field of the code-pulse converter block according to FIG.

5A in a schematic representation,

6 shows a schematic block diagram of a normal pulse generator block ,

7 shows a schematic illustration of a decoder block, FIG. 8 shows the schematic illustration of a register block, FIG. 9 shows the schematic illustration of a logic block, FIG. 10 shows the schematic illustration of a timeout register,
11 shows a display device,

FIGS. 12a and 12b show a monitoring unit, and FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of one according to the invention electronic parking meter.

In one embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the comprises electronic parking meter according to the invention a central unit 1, two identical display units 2 and 3 and a coin validator unit 4. The central unit can feed two display units, but is not limited thereto.

The basic structure of the central unit is shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, the central unit comprises a monitoring block 7, a coin registration block 6, a normal pulse generator block 8 and a code pulse conversion

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converter block 9. The individual components of the central unit are explained in more detail below.

Figure 3 is a general overview of one of the display units according to FIG. 1. This display unit is connected to the central unit and contains a register block 11 and a logic block 10 as well as a display device 16, which comprises a number display section 14 and a signal section 15. In addition, there is a decoder block 13 for decoding the registers and a register 12 for monitoring and displaying timeouts provided, this last-mentioned register being designed as an overflow register. The individual components the display unit are explained in more detail below.

Coin registration block

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the coin registration block 6, the purpose of which can be seen in a somewhat more detailed context from FIG. The coin registration block 6 consists from four D flip-flops, where Dl - 4 setting and reset inputs Sl to S4 or Rl to R4 have. The setting input of each individual flip-flop is with a coin check ization unit 4 via corresponding inverters or NO elements Il - 14 connected. The Q outputs are connected to the monitoring block. The flip-flops can by means of a pulse are set to zero from the monitoring block 7 and - at the start - from the "general zero position" (block 5).

The operation of the coin registration block is such that that when a coin sensor contact is operated, a binary number 1 appears at the Q output of the flip-flop assigned to this contact will. The outputs of the flip-flops become parallel

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decoded by two NOR gates Gl and G2. If one or both of these goals determine that a flip-flop in his ¹¹ I state "is, the monitoring block is instructed to perform a Münzbehandlung. The monitoring ^one block knows which flip-flop is set, and sets this flip -Flop after completing the coin handling by transmitting a clock pulse back to the flip-flop, which then feeds the information of the D input.

Since all D inputs are at 0 volts, a zero is entered, which corresponds to resetting the Q output, which the flip-flop can be activated again by the coin sensor contact. The above explanations are for all flip-flops valid.

The coin sensors are grouped on the basis of the parking spaces, with two coin sensors assigned to each parking space. which means that two flip-flops belong to each individual parking space, for example MIA and M2A or MIB and M2B. This relates to the exemplary embodiment described, which is therefore used to operate two parking spaces can.

Code-Pulse Conversion Block

The code-pulse conversion block 9 according to FIG. 2 serves as a back calculation s unit, which converts coin values into time. The coin value is given to the converter in a four-decade period binary-coded decimal code, with a number of pulses corresponding to the input code

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Fig. 5A shows an embodiment of the code-pulse converter, which four conversion stages DRM1 to DRM4 of the type "Speed multiplier for binary-coded decimal code". These stages are connected in cascade. Every level DRM is provided with a code field which is shown in more detail in FIG. 5B and which is for two codes which are independent of one another can be programmed. Each code can in turn have ten meaningful combinations 0-9. The coding is made such that each broken line in Fig. 5B is replaced with a diode.

The code converter shown in Fig. 5A can have a total of 9999. Generate impulses. The respective conversion takes place as follows: The monitoring unit initiates the conversion in that it supplies the input 11 with a binary low level, while at the same time the input 13 with a binary level is supplied, which corresponds to the introduced coin type. If two types of coins are used for each space, one of the Coin types are assigned the binary digit "zero", while the other then receives the binary digit "one". The supervision se inhe it now sends clock pulses to input 10 until an output pulse is received at output 12 to indicate that the conversion is complete. The number of pulses programmed in the code field, those of the coin type indicated by 13 corresponds, then appears at output 14. The pulses correspond to the number of minutes and are used to set the register to be extrapolated according to the display unit.

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Normal pulse generator block

The normal pulse generator block 8 according to FIG. 2 comprises three components, which are shown in Fig. 6, namely a crystal-controlled oscillator OSZ, a frequency divider FD and a so-called J-K flip-flop FF,

The normal pulse generator is designed so that it is through the Monitoring unit (over 15) cannot be operated if in there is no time monitoring of the machine. The frequency

23
of the oscillator was chosen with 2 Hz and is determined by a corresponding crystal. The frequency obtained is divided down to 1/60 Hz by means of a frequency divider, which corresponds to one pulse per minute. The minute pulse triggers the JK flip-flop FF and the output signals MIN and MIN are then made usable by the monitoring block. The monitoring block resets the flip-flop FF every time the minute pulse has been processed. The frequency divider generates two additional frequencies, namely f ,, which is used as the system clock by the monitoring unit 1, and f _? what is used by the binary display device in the display unit 2 of FIG.

Monitoring block

The monitoring block 7 according to FIG. 2 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 12A and 12B, respectively. This monitoring block is used for Coordination of the various other blocks. Its most important tasks are listed below:

Acceptance of the received coin information from the coin register 6 as the starting point, the monitoring block 7 instructs the code pulse -Converter 9 to generate a number of pulses that

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correspond to a coin, and pass these pulses on to a corresponding display unit 2 or 3.

It determines the presence of a minute signal in the normal pulse generator block 8. If this signal is present, register 11 shown in Fig. 3 becomes the operated display unit put into operation.

He supervises the extrapolation or counting up and counting down for the display unit in operation by.

It triggers the oscillator of the normal pulse generator block 8 when one of the coin sensors 4 is actuated and when there is no display unit is in operation.

It switches the oscillator off when both display units 2 and 3 exceed the individually set maximum time achieved.

It resets the display unit if it times out when a coin is inserted.

It monitors the voltage level of the battery and generates an alarm signal via the display unit if the voltage drops below has dropped an alarm level.

Since the circuit diagrams of FIGS. 12A and 12B can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, and since the constructional details of the monitoring block are of no essential importance for a further understanding of the invention, this was done Block not described in detail.

Register block

The register block according to FIG. 3 is shown in detail in FIG.

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and includes four counting circuits RKNl to RKN4, the can count up and down and are rechargeable. These Counters are designed to provide information about one of minutes (RKNl) tens of minutes (RKN2), one of hours (RKN3) and tens of hours (RKN4) save in binary-encrypted decimal code. The registers supply the display units 14 and 15 and the decoder block 13 with time information and switch on the timeout register 12, if the paid parking time has expired.

Logic block

The logic block 10 according to FIG. 3 is shown in detail in FIG and supplies the registers 11 with pulses for counting up or down and also supplies a signal the monitoring unit 13 when the predetermined maximum of Timeout has been reached. The monitoring unit controls the counting direction of the registers via the logic block.

Timeout register

The timeout register 12 of FIG. 3 is shown in detail in FIG. 10 and consists of a NOR gate and two D flip flops. The first flip-flop is set when the tens register is zero and the monitoring unit is backwards counting while the second flip-flop is used as a flip-flop for setting or resetting and is set when the first flip-flop is set. In this case there is a dependent servo connection. The output of the second flip-flop is used to control the display device and the logic block. Setting the Registers means that the timeout is monitored.

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Decoder block

The decoder block 13 according to FIG. 3 has the purpose of decoding the registers in the register block and the two following signals to create:

A signal that indicates that the maximum permitted parking time has been reached and

a signal to indicate that the maximum timeout has been reached was achieved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the decoder block comprises four decoders DECl - DEC4 and two AND gates G 12 and G 22, each of which has four inputs. The decoder DECl decodes the one of the minutes, DEC2 decodes the tens of minutes, DEC3 decodes the one of the hours and DEC4 decodes the Tens of hours.

The purpose of the gate G 12 is to generate a signal to indicate the maximum timeout (N _{M. Y} ) and the gate G 22 generates a signal which indicates that the maximum permissible parking time has been reached. In the circuit diagram according to FIG. 7, the

Signal N _AY 30 minutes after the expiry of the paid parking time MAX

submitted. The signal Ρ _ΜΛΥ occurs when the paid parking time is 12 hours. In this context, reference is made to the entries made in broken lines.

Display device

The display device 16 according to FIG. 3 is shown in detail in FIG. 11 and consists of two parts, namely a part 14, which shows digits and a signal display 15. The digit

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showing part 14 shows one of minutes, tens of minutes, one of hours, tens of hours. The time information takes place through liquid crystals in 7-segment form.

The signal display 15 shows with a minus sign that the measurement of the timeout is running. In the embodiment shown the signal indicator has a marking that shows that the voltage level of the battery is the Has fallen below the alarm level, which is indicated by a wedge.

How the electronic parking meter works

The oscillator OSC is in the d-r Fig. 6 not in operation, the measuring device is put into operation by inserting e5.ne coin, whereby a D flip-flop in the Coin register block 6 is operated. The monitoring block determines this and sets the oscillator of the normal pulse generator block 8 in operation. The monitoring block is now supplied with pulses. The monitoring block checks which coin value has been taken and commands the code-pulse conversion block to generate a number of pulses that correspond to the coin value and sends these pulses to the display unit corresponding to the coin slot. Before the impulses are sent out, the register block 11 is set for counting up. When all the pulses have been sent, the D flip-flop in the coin register block reset, the monitoring block then being prepared to process the next coin.

The number of impulses transmitted corresponds to the number of minutes assigned to the corresponding coin. This will be for

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every coin inserted is repeated.

If the maximum specified parking time is reached, the impulses in the display unit are automatically blocked. If a minute signal is received from the normal pulse generator block 8, the monitoring unit processes this signal by that the register of the display unit is set for counting down and that a pulse is transmitted thereon, as well as by resetting the minute signal. This will be every minute repeatedly until the register content is equal to zero, which corresponds to the expiry of the parking time. Regarding the following Minute signals, the counting direction is such that the minute signals are evaluated as counting up pulses while at the same time the signal display 15 indicates that a measurement of the timeout is taking place. This takes place until the maximum timeout has been reached. The incrementing of the minute impulses is automatically blocked when this occurs. If the meter is in the timeout range and a new coin is inserted into the meter the register block is first reset, whereupon normal processing of the coin begins.

If both display units are in operation and each of them has individually reached the maximum timeout, the oscillator of the normal pulse generator is made ineffective. The measuring device is only then put back into operation when a new coin is introduced.

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Claims (7)

FROM CALE-INDUSTRI Uppköparvägen 5 S-121 73 Johanneshoν Sweden Protection claims: 2525 Ij Fully electronic device for monitoring a time unit corresponding to a fee, thereby known that it comprises a central unit (1) with which a display unit (2, 3) or several and a coin validator unit (4) are connected, that this central unit means (6, 7, 8, 9) for generating a number of pulses accordingly a coin introduced into the coin validation unit comprises that these pulses are fed to a register circuit which is suitable for counting a corresponding number of steps upwards or downwards that this register circuit is arranged in the display unit into which the coin has been inserted, the respective state of the register circuit a display device (14, 15) in this display unit (2, 3) influenced in such a way that information is accordingly SNSPECTED - 2 - 2525 2604085 a time unit corresponding to the value of the inserted coin is generated that a decoder (13) is allowed to monitor Limits of the register setting is connected to the first-mentioned register (11), and that a time monitoring register connected to the former register (11) to indicate whether the measurement timeout is in operation is. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that this means in the central unit (1) a coin register block (6) with flip-flops (Dl, D2) corresponding to the coin sensors (MlA, M2A), one or more coin sensors being assigned to different application points. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the means in the central unit comprise a normal pulse generator (8) which has a crystal oscillator (OSZ) contains a frequency divider (FD) and a flip-flop (FF), wherein the oscillator frequency after division is an output pulse supplies which corresponds to a correspondingly selected time unit (for example one pulse per minute) that this Pulse is fed to a monitoring unit (7) which is located in the central unit (1) above this flip-flop. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means of the central unit (1) comprises a code-pulse converter (9) to convert the coin value into time information, and that the converter has a number of conversion stages (DRM1 to DRM4) and one associated with each of these stages, 8Ü9832 / 073S - 3 - 2525 includes programmable code field. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the limits of the register setting are programmed individually are bar, with one of the limits the maximum of the available, allocable time and the other limit the maximum of the displayable Represents timeout. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the corresponding setting of the register dureh the monitoring unit (7) in cooperation with the normal pulse generator (S) and the code-pulse converter (9). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in particular as a parking meter, characterized in that the display device has a digital display. 609832/0731