GB1416256A - Automatic fee determining system for parking garages - Google Patents

Abstract

1416256 Fee computing system (e.g. for car parks) CINCINNATI TIME RECORDER CO 2 March 1973 [14 April 1972] 10375/73 Heading G4T Relates to a system for computing the fee charged for use of a facility (e.g. a car park) in accordance with the number of elapsed time intervals (e.g. 15 minute intervals) following the time at which use began (car park IN time). A register 42 driven by a clock 40 holds data representing the current time interval, which is used to record the IN time on a ticket issued at 11 upon entry to the car park. Upon leaving the car park, the IN time is read from the ticket at 21, stored at 45 and compared at 46 with the current time (OUT time) held at 42, the thus computed number of elapsed time intervals being set at 50 and used, via a fee matrix 52 to set the fee at 54. Either the fee signals are fed to a cash register, Fig. 26 (not shown), which upon manual operation to register receipt of the corresponding amount of cash issues a signal to open the car park exit gate 14, or the fee signals are reduced at 58 by signals from cash acceptance mechanism 31, the gate 14 being opened when the fee signals have been reduced to or beyond zero, change being issued at 32 in the latter case. Recording and reading time data.-The day is divided into 96 fifteen minute intervals. Each interval is represented by a two digit decimal number between 01 to 96. Four-bit binary coded forms of the units digit and tens digit of this decimal number are magnetically recorded at two respective locations spaced along the length of the ticket, Figs. 2-6 (not shown). The fourbit units digit code is recorded first by four recording heads. The ticket is then fed to the tens digit recording position beneath the same four heads and, during such feeding, a switch is thrown to supply the four-bit tens digit code (instead of the units code) to the heads. A fifth head records a signal which will enable the ticket reader to check the ticket orientation. A guide surface of the head carrier is spring urged against one longitudinal edge of the ticket. The ticket reader, Figs. 7-11 (not shown), is similar to the recorder. A switch responsive to the position of the ticket directs the tens and unit digit codes, read by one and the same set of four read heads, to the respective tens and unit output lines to register 45. A fifth head reads the check signal; the ticket is returned through the inlet slot if it has been inserted wrongly. Registers 42, 45, 50 and comparator 46.-In a first electromechanical form, Figs. 14-17, the registers comprise fixed printed circuit contact plates traversed by wiper contacts. The current (OUT) time wipers are indexed by the clock and constantly register the current time. Before reading of a ticket, the IN time and elapsed time registers will be at home positions. The IN time read from a ticket is held in an electronic store, a signal from which energizes a motor to drive the elapsed time or the IN time wipers. These two wipers are connected by gearing, the position of part of which is set by the current (OUT) time wiper. The motor is de-energized when the IN time wiper corresponds to the IN time held in the electronic store-this correspondence is sensed by a comparator associated with the store. The gearing is such that when the motor is de-energized, the elapsed time will indicate the difference between the IN and OUT times as the number of 15 minute intervals elapsed. In an alternative form, the three registers and the comparator are wholly electronic, Figs. 24, 25 (not shown).