WO1999031636A2

WO1999031636A2 - Parking enforcement system

Info

Publication number: WO1999031636A2
Application number: PCT/IB1998/002152
Authority: WO
Inventors: Show Yu Yang; Wie Tiong Hie; Hsiao Yun Tian
Original assignee: Asm-Automation Pte Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-12-12
Filing date: 1998-12-11
Publication date: 1999-06-24
Also published as: AU2293199A; WO1999031636A3

Abstract

A parking management system (10) which allows a parking attendent to remotely determined whether any of a plurality of vehicles within a certain zone is in violation of applicable parking regulations without having to visually inspect the meter (14) corresponding to each vehicle one at a time. The system includes a verification unit (12), a meter (14), and an indicator (18). The verification unit (12) is for generating and transmitting a command signal, wherein the command signal having a first parking parameter value. The meter (14) is for receiving the command signal and generating a verification signal, wherein the verification signal having a second parking parameter value, the meter (14) further includes a comparator (86) coupled to receive and compare the first parameter value and the second parameter value and operative to generate a parameter confirmation signal. The indicator is for generating an output signal in accordance with the confirmation signal.

Description

Specification PARKING ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Referenced is made to and priority claimed from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.

60/069.545, filed December 12, 1997, titled "Efficient and Accurate Remotely Verifiable Electronics Parking Meter and System," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for enforcing parking regulations and more particularly to a parking regulation enforcement system including a remotely verifiable electronic parking meter. Description of the Prior Art:

Methods of enforcing of parking regulations commonly employ parking meters having mechanisms for setting and indicating a valid parking duration commensurate with parking fees. Typical coin operated parking meters require deposit of coins into the meter to set it for a valid parking duration which is proportional to the value of the coins deposited. Such meters commonly include a display which indicates to a parking attendant, representing a parking authority, whether or not the valid parking duration has expired and the time remaining until expiration. In such systems, the parking attendant is required to inspect each meter and corresponding parking space to determine whether a vehicle is parked in violation of the parking regulations. One problem with the use of coin operated parking meters is inconvenience to the user who must estimate a planned parking duration and who may be penalized for allowing time to expire while the vehicle is parked. Also, the user may be required to return to the meter repeatedly to insert additional coins in order to avoid a violation. Further, a user may be subjected to over-spending in the case of over-estimation of the parking duration. An additional problem with such systems is inconvenience to parking attendants who must repeatedly inspect the status of each meter and corresponding parking space to determine whether a vehicle is illegally parked. The frequency of meter inspections by parking attendants depends on the number of meters to be inspected, the number of parking officials on duty, and the time required to inspect each meter. Because it may be cost prohibitive to employ an adequate number of parking attendants to inspect a certain number of meters, the frequency of meter inspections may be low enough to allow for periods during which parking violations are not detected. Therefore, users may risk parking violations in reliance upon a low meter inspection frequency. This problem translates into a loss of income to public and private parking authorities. Another type of parking regulation enforcement system employs a coupon parking scheme wherein a user receives a coupon indicating an initial time of parking. In some such parking schemes, the user is required to display the coupon on the vehicle in plane view, such as on the dash board, so that it may be inspected by a parking authority official. In other coupon parking schemes, the user is required to present the coupon to an attendant upon exit from a secure parking lot. One problem with this type of parking system is that the user is required to spend time obtaining and displaying a coupon. The inconvenience to the parking authority is more apparent with this system because the parking authority must provide a secure parking lot, and usually a parking attendant, to ensure that users pay proper fees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method for metered parking enforcement wherein it is unnecessary to visually inspect a parking meter corresponding to each parked vehicle in a parking zone to determine if the vehicle is parked in violation of applicable parking regulations. Another object of the invention to provide a parking regulation enforcement system which allows a parking attendant to remotely determine whether any of a plurality of vehicles within a certain zone is in violation of applicable parking regulations without having to visually inspect the meter corresponding to each vehicle one at a time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a parking regulation enforcement system which provides for a parking attendant to more efficiently enforce parking regulations and administer the collection of parking fees by enabling the parking attendant to input the operating status of a large number of parking meters in a short period of time;

Yet another object of the invention to provide a parking regulation enforcement system having a parking meter wherein a user is not required to return to and inspect the meter and is not required to feed coins into the meter.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment includes a verification unit, a meter, and an indicator. The verification unit is for generating and transmitting a command signal, wherein said command signal having a first parking parameter value. The meter is for receiving said command signal and generating a verification signal, wherein said verification signal having a second parking parameter value, said meter further including a comparator coupled to receive and compare said first parameter value and said second parameter value and operative to generate a parameter confirmation signal. The indicator is for generating an output signal in accordance with said confirmation signal.

One alternative embodiment includes a method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations upon a vehicle parked in a zone. The method including the steps of: receiving a verification command signal from a verification unit, wherein said signal carrying a first parking parameter values; generating a verification signal carrying a second parking parameter value corresponding to a said first parking parameter value; determining whether or not said first parking parameter values matches said corresponding first parking parameter value, and generating a confirmation code for said matching parking parameter value; and activating an indicator if said first parking parameter value does not match said second parking parameter value.

One advantage of the invention is it provides an apparatus and method for metered parking enforcement wherein it is unnecessary to visually inspect a parking meter corresponding to each parked vehicle in a parking zone to determine if the vehicle is parked in violation of applicable parking regulations.

Another advantage of the invention it provides a parking regulation enforcement system which allows a parking attendant to remotely determine whether any of a plurality of vehicles within a certain zone is in violation of applicable parking regulations without having to visually inspect the meter corresponding to each vehicle one at a time. Yet another further advantage of the invention is that it provides a parking regulation enforcement system wliich provides for a parking attendant to more efficiently enforce parking regulations and administer the collection of parking fees by enabling the parking attendant to input the operating status of a large number of parking meters in a short period of time; It is still another advantage of the invention that it provides a parking regulation enforcement system having a parking meter wherein a user is not required to return to and inspect the meter and is not required to feed coins into the meter.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which make reference to the several figures of the drawing.

IN THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a generalized block diagram of a parking regulation enforcement system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed block diagram depicting a remote verification unit of the parking enforcement system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an electronic parking meter of the parking enforcement system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4A is a block diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of a parking meter of Fig. 3 as disposed within the interior of a vehicle;

Fig. 4B depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of user interfaces of the parking meter of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary parking meter display, representing meter- specified parking rule parameters, rendered on display units coupled to the parking meter of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4D is a top view of the vehicle of Fig. 4A illustrating the exterior of the vehicle including signaling lights which are coupled with the parking meter for indicating whether or not the meter is currently operating in accordance with parking regulations; and Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process in accordance with the present invention for operating an electronic parking meter which responds to remote verification signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of a parking regulation enforcement system at 10 according to the present invention. System 10 includes: a remote verification unit 12 for transmitting parking verification command signals carrying verification information including remotely-specified parking parameter values related to parking regulations applicable to a specified parking zone at a particular time of day; an electronic parking meter 14 for receiving the verification command signals, generating a meter-specified parameter value corresponding to each of the remotely-specified parking parameter values, performing electronic debiting functions, comparing the remotely-specified parking parameter values to the meter- specified parking parameter values, and generating a response signal to indicate whether or not the meter is functioning in compliance with the parking regulations specified by the remotely- specified parking parameter values; a stored value card 16 for storing card information including a meter value against which parking fees are charged by the meter in accordance with the electronic debiting functions; and indicators 18 which respond to indicator signals provided by the parking meter to indicate whether the parking meter is currently operating in compliance with the parking regulations specified by the remotely-specified parking parameter values. In an embodiment of the present invention, the meter-specified parameters and remotely-specified parameters include an area code parameter representative of a specific parking zone, a tariff parameter representative of a parking tariff, or fee, for parking in the zone, and a maximum limit parameter representative of a maximum time duration for parking in the zone.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the meter value stored in the card 16 is proportional to a pre-paid amount of money which is received by a parking authority associated with the card. Also, in the preferred embodiment, parking meter 14 is disposed within the interior of a vehicle (not shown) and indicators 18 are implemented by signal lights attached to the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, the parking meter 14 and the indicators 18 are disposed proximate to each parking space which may accommodate a vehicle such as, for example, on a pole beside or designated for the parking space. In a preferred embodiment, indicators 18 are activated by parking meter 14 in response to the transmitted verification command signals if the parking meter is not currently operating in compliance with the parking regulations specified by the remotely-specified parking parameter values as further explained below.

Remote verification unit 12 includes a verification signal generator 24 operative to generate verification signals carrying verification information including remotely-specified parking parameter values identifying parking regulations associated with a particular parking zone as further explained below. An encoder/transmitter unit 26 is coupled to receive the verification signals from signal generator 24 via a bus 28, and operates to encode the verification information and generate the verification command signals. The encoder/transmitter unit 26 further carries and transmits the encoded verification information via a transmit antenna 29 to one or more electronic parking meters 14. The verification unit 12 further includes a send interface 30 having an output 32 connected to provide a send signal to an input 34 of encoder/transmitter unit 26 for activating transmission of the verification command signals as further explained below. The encoder/transmitter unit 26 also includes an output 36 coupled to provide a verification unit display signal to an input 38 of a verification display unit 40 which displays images representing the current remotely-specified parking parameter values as further described below.

Electronic parking meter 14 includes: a receiver (RX) unit 42 having a receiver antenna 44 for receiving the verification command signals transmitted by remote verification unit 12; a decoder unit 46 coupled to receive the verification command signals from the receiver 48 via a bus 48 and operative to provide a decoded verification signal carrying decoded verification information including the remotely-specified parking parameter values as explained further below; a read/write driver 50 for writing and reading the card information to and from card 16, and having a port 51 connected to a port 52 of a central processing unit (CPU) 54 via a bus 56; a card decoder 58 having an input 60 connected to receive an encoded card information signal from an output 62 of the read/write driver 50, and having an output 64 connected to provide a card information signal carrying the card information to an input 66 of the CPU 54; a meter verification unit 68 for generating meter-specified verification signals carrying meter-specified parking parameter values, and having an output 70 coupled to provide the meter specified verification signal to an input 72 of the CPU; start and stop user interfaces 74 and 76 having outputs 78 and 80 coupled to provide start and stop signals to inputs 82 and 84 respectively of the CPU for starting and stopping a meter timer implemented by the CPU; a comparator 86 having a first port 88 coupled to receive the decoded verification signals from the decoder unit 46 via a bus 90, and a second port 92 coupled to provide confirmation signals to a port 93 of the CPU via a bus 94; and a display 96 having an input 98 coupled to receive a display signal from an output 100 of the CPU 54. Vehicle indicators 18 include an input 102 coupled to receive an indicator signal from a CPU 54 output 104 at the parking meter 14.

Comparator 86 receives the meter-specified parking parameter values and the card information from port 93 of the CPU via bus 94 and compares this information to the remotely- specified parking parameter values. For each one of the meter-specified parking parameter values which matches it's corresponding remotely-specified parking parameter value, the comparator unit 86 transmits a unique confirmation code to the CPU 54 as further explained below. Depending on whether or not all the confirmation codes are received by the CPU, the CPU activates the indicator signal provided to input 102 of vehicle indicators 18.

In operation of the electronic parking meter 14, a user is required to follow a meter initialization procedure including inserting an appropriate card 16 into read/write driver 50, and activating the start interface 74 to start the meter timer for a parking duration. Internal display 96 receives a display signal from the CPU 54 for displaying images, such as text or symbols, representing the meter-specified parking parameter values, the current stored meter value, and whether or not the meter is currently running. In a preferred embodiment, meter verification unit 68 includes user interface modules which require a user to select the meter-specified parking parameter values, and the display unit 96 displays images representing the meter-specified parking parameter values as further explained below.

In operation of the verification transmitter unit 12, the attendant is required to follow a verification procedure including activating the send interface 30 to transmit the verification command signals, and determining whether any indicators 18 corresponding to vehicles within a perceivable range of the parking zone are activated in response to the verification command signals. In a preferred embodiment, the attendant is also required to select the remotely-specified parking parameter values for a particular zone via operator interfaces of generator 24. Display unit 40 displays images, such as text or symbols, representing the meter-specified parking parameter values as further explained below. In an embodiment, the vehicle indicators 18 are activated in response to transmission of the verification command signals if the corresponding parking meter 14 is currently operating in P

accordance with the parking regulations specified by the verification command signals. In an alternative embodiment, activation of the vehicle indicators 18 indicates a violation of the parking regulations specified by the command signals.

Fig. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the remote verification unit 12 of the parking enforcement system of Fig. 1. The verification signal generator 24 is shown to include: an area code select interface 120 operative to generate a remotely-specified area code signal carrying remotely-specified area code information including a remotely-specified area code parameter value in response to the attendant specifying a particular parking zone in which the parking validity of multiple vehicles is to be remotely verified; a tariff select interface 122 operative to generate a remotely-specified tariff signal carrying remotely-specified tariff information including a remotely-specified tariff parameter value in response to the attendant specifying a parking tariff, or rate, for the specified parking zone; and a maximum limit select interface 124 operative to generate a remotely-specified maximum limit signal carrying remotely-specified maximum limit information including a remotely-specified maximum limit parameter value in response to the attendant specifying a maximum parking duration for vehicles parked in the specified parking zone. In this embodiment, the verification signals generated by generator 24 include the remotely-specified area code signals, tariff signals, and maximum limit signals.

Encode/transmit unit 24 includes inputs 126, 128, and 130 coupled to receive the remotely-specified area code signal, tariff signal, and maximum limit signal from interfaces 120, 122, and 124 respectively via the bus 28. In an embodiment, each interface command signal represents a string of binary data containing at least sixteen bits of binary code which are processed by circuitry of the encode/transmit unit 26 into a string of frequency modulated signals. Multiple strings of frequency modulated signals, each representing a different verification command, can be transmitted either continuously or at intervals while a parking attendant is on duty.

In operation of the depicted verification unit 12, the parking attendant is required to specify an area code, a parking tariff, and a maximum parking duration via select interfaces 120, 122, and 124. As mentioned, the area code select interface 120 provides for selection of an area code indicating a specific parking zone. In an embodiment, the remotely-specified parking parameter values generated by interfaces 120, 122, and 124 are generated in a hexadecimal format. As examples, the area codes for the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Singapore can be represented in hexadecimal format as 7425, 8973, 2981, and 7034 respectively. Also, the tariff for a first parking zone may be $0.45 per hour while the tariff for another parking zone is $0.90 per hour while both of these parking zones may have a parking tariff of $2.00 per night for overnight parking. Tariff rates of $0.45 per hour and $0.90 per hour may be represented, in hexadecimal format, as 5505 and 6832 respectively. As another example, a tariff rate of $2.00 per night may be represented'as 1345. Maximum limits of half an hour, an hour, and "unlimited parking" may be represented in hexadecimal format as 8806, 2981 and 5509 respectively. The final selections for verification criteria selected by a parking attendant will be shown as icons on the display 40 for ease of confirmation. For example, if the area code of the US is selected by parking attendant, an icon "USA" will appear on the display 40.

In the depicted embodiment, send interface 30 includes a SEND button 31. In one embodiment, transmission of the verification command signals is activated by pressing button 31 from a fixed position. In another embodiment, the wireless verification signal is activated by pressing and locking the SEND button. In a further embodiment, the wireless verification signal is activated by pushing the SEND button to activate transmission wherein transmission is immediately terminated upon release of the button. In yet another embodiment, the wireless verification signal is activated by pushing the SEND button to initiate a continuous transmission and terminated by pressing the button a second time. In this embodiment, the verification signal is activated by pressing and locking the SEND button and the attendant may move in a parking zone by means of a motorized vehicle. The parking attendant stops if he finds a vehicle for which the corresponding indicators indicate a violation.

In varying embodiments, the verification unit 12 may transmit the verification signals via cable transmission, radio wave transmission, or infra-red transmission. In the preferred embodiment, the encode/transmit unit 26 implements radio wave transmission using a carrier frequency within the frequency spectrum allocated for short range transmission, such as for example 415 MHz in the case of Singapore. However, the transmitter can be configured to transmit using other carrier frequencies in accordance with the spectrum allocated by local communications authorities, such as the federal communications commission (FCC) in the United States. Radio frequency transmission provides the advantage of unidirectional transmission which eliminates the need to aim at a specific vehicle. Generally, a transmission range of 200 meters is adequate because the perceivable range for which a parking attendant is able to determine whether indicators 18 are activated is limited. Therefore, in an embodiment, transmission power is optimized for a transmission range having a radius of approximately 200 meters.

Fig. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the electronic parking meter 14 of the parking enforcement system of Fig. 1. The depicted meter is shown coupled with an external display unit 132 having an input 133 connected to receive an external display signal from an output 134 of the CPU 54 in the meter 14; and an alert unit 135 including a first input 136 connected to receive an alert signal from an output 137 of the CPU 54, and a second input 138 coupled to receive a reminder signal from an electronic system (not shown) of the vehicle. The reminder signal may be received from standard electronic components of a vehicle such as. for example, a signal indicating that a door is open or a signal indicating that the ignition has been activated. Alert unit 135 is operative to remind the user, driver, to terminate the parking fee deduction sequence when returning to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the alert unit includes a sound "buzzer" device. In other embodiments, the alert unit may include a blinking indicator light, or an electronic control device which disables the vehicle ignition while the meter timer is "running".

The depicted decoder unit 46 includes an area code decoder 140, a tariff decoder 142, and a maximum limit decoder 144. The comparator unit 86 includes an area signal comparator 146, a tariff comparator 148, and a maximum limit comparator 150. Area code decoder 140 includes an input 152 connected to receive the verification command signal from an output 154 of the receiver 42, and an output 156 connected to provide a decoded area code signal carrying a decoded area code value X" to an input 158 of the area code comparator 146. Tariff decoder 142 includes an input 160 connected to receive the verification command signal from an output 162 of the receiver 42. and an output 164 connected to provide a decoded tariff signal carrying a decoded tariff value Y^" to an input 166 of the tariff comparator 148. Maximum limit decoder 144 includes an input 168 connected to receive the verification command signal from an output 170 of the receiver 42. and an output 172 connected to provide a decoded maximum limit signal carrying a decoded maximum limit value Z" to an input 174 of the maximum limit comparator 150.

In the depicted embodiment, the card information stored in stored value card 16 includes an encoded card-specified area code value indicative of a parking zone associated with the card. In this embodiment, the user is required to purchase, or otherwise obtain, a card 16 associated with a parking authority which governs the parking zone.

As mentioned, the read/write driver 50 reads the card information stored in card 16 and provides the card information signal to card decoder 58 which decodes the card information. The decoded card information signal, provided at output 64 of card decoder 58, carries a card- specified area code value X' to input 66 of CPU 54. The card-specified area code value X' is stored in a temporary memory of the CPU awaiting further comparison with other values as explained further below.

In the depicted embodiment, parking meter verification unit 68 includes a tariff user interface (Tariff I/F) 176 and a maximum limit user interface (maximum limit I/F) 178. Tariff I/F 176 is operative to generate a meter-specified tariff signal carrying a meter-specified tariff value Y" in response to selection by the user of a tariff value for parking in a specific parking zone at a particular time of the day. Maximum limit I/F 178 is operative to generate a meter- specified maximum limit signal carrying a meter-specified maximum limit value Z' in response to selection by the user of a maximum parking duration for the parking zone. Interfaces 176 and 178 include outputs 180 and 182 connected to provide the meter-specified tariff signal and meter-specified maximum limit signal to inputs 184 and 186 of CPU 54. The meter-specified tariff value Y" and meter-specified maximum limit value Z' are stored in the temporary memory of the CPU 54 awaiting comparison with the decoded values received from the verification unit as explained further below.

In operation of the depicted meter, the user is required to perform an initialization procedure including: ( 1) selecting an appropriate parking tariff and maximum limit via interfaces 176 and 178; (2) inserting a valid card 16 into the read/write driver 50; and (3) activating the start interface 74. After completing these steps, parking meter 14 begins deduction of parking fees from the meter value stored in card 16. At specific time intervals (e.g. one minute time intervals), after activation of the start interface and before activation of the stop interface 76, CPU 54 determines parking fees based on the meter-specified tariff value X' and the time elapsed as recorded by the meter timer. The CPU 54 deducts parking fees from the meter value by: (1) providing a read signal via bus 56 to the read-write driver 50 instructing the driver to read the meter value stored in card 16; (2) receiving the current meter value from the read/write driver: (3) deducting a parking fee from the meter value to determine a new meter value; (4) providing the new meter value to the read/write drive; and (5) instructing the driver to write the new meter value to card 16.

If the parking fee exceeds the balance amount in the stored-value card 16, the CPU continues to deduct the parking fee from the stored-value card 16 and a negative balance will be registered in a memory unit (not shown) of the electronic parking meter 14. This negative balance will automatically be deducted when the user inserts a new or refreshed stored-value card 16 into the read-write driver 50. It is advantageous to store the negative balance in a register of the meter 14 as opposed to storing it in the stored-value card 16 in order to prevent the user from disposing of the stored-value card with the negative balance and using another stored value card. While the meter timer is "running" and the meter is deducting parking fees from the stored-value card 16. the CPU provides a signal carrying a "WORKING" code W to the internal and external display units 96 and 132 and a "WORKING" icon is displayed via the internal and external display units to indicate to the user and the attendant whether or not the meter is running. Comparators 146. 148, and 150 include inputs 194, 196, and 198 connected to receive the card information signal carrying the card-specified area code value X', the meter-specified tariff signal carrying the meter-specified tariff value Y', and the meter-specified maximum limit signal carrying the meter-specified maximum limit value Z' from outputs 200, 202, and 204 of the CPU 54 respectively via bus 94. Comparators 146, 148, and 150 also include outputs 206, 208, and 210 connected to provide confirmation signals to inputs 212, 214, and 216 of the CPU respectively via bus 94.

Area code comparator 146 compares the decoded area code value X" received from the verification unit 12 (Fig. 1 ) with the card-specified area code value X' read from stored value card 16. If X" matches X', comparator 146 provides an area code confirmation signal carrying an area code confirmation code X to input 212 of the CPU 54. Conversely, if X' does not match X", comparator 146 does not provide the code X to the CPU 54. Tariff comparator 148 compares the decoded tariff value Y" received from the verification unit 12 (Fig. 1) with the meter-specified tariff value Y\ If Y" matches Y', the tariff comparator 148 provides a tariff confirmation signal carrying a tariff confirmation code Y to input 214 of the CPU 54. Conversely, if Y¹' does not match Y', the comparator does not provide the code Y to the CPU 54. Maximum limit comparator 150 compares the decoded maximum limit value Z" received from the verification unit 12 (Fig. 7) with the meter-specified maximum limit value Z'. If Z" matches Z\ the maximum limit comparator 198 provides a maximum limit confirmation signal carrying a maximum limit confirmation code Z to input 216 of the CPU. Conversely, if Z" does not match Z\ the maximum limit comparator does not provide the maximum limit confirmation code Z to the CPU.

The external display 132 allows for further verification and confirmation of the operating status of meter 14 by the parking attendant when indicators 18 indicate a parking violation. Information displayed via the external display 132 includes the card-specified area code value X', the meter-specified parking tariff value Y\ the meter-specified maximum limit value Z', the cumulative parking duration and charges, the current balance of the meter value stored in the card, and the "working" status W' of the electronic parking meter. The external display serves as a dependable reference for final decision making by the parking attendant.

If each of the confirmation codes X, Y, Z, and W is provided to the CPU, CPU 154 determines that the meter is currently operating in compliance with the parking regulations specified by the verification command signals and therefore does not require further verification by the parking attendant. In the preferred embodiment, the meter activates indicators 18 corresponding to the vehicle for a fixed duration of time (e.g., 5 seconds) when the CPU determines that the meter is in compliance. Conversely, if one or more of the confirmation codes X, Y, Z. and W is not provided to the CPU, CPU 54 determines that the meter is probably in violation of the parking regulations specified by the verification command signals and therefore the meter requires further verification by the parking attendant.

In the preferred embodiment, if indicators 18 are not activated for a specific period of time after transmission of the verification command signal, one of the following may have occurred: the stored-value card 16 may have been purchased from another parking authority which has a different area code (confirmation code X is not provided to the CPU); an incorrect parking tariff is selected by the user (confirmation code Y is not provided to the CPU); incorrect maximum parking limit is selected by user, or the vehicle has been parked for a time exceeding the maximum limit selected (code Z is not provided to the CPU); or the parking meter 14 is not deducting the parking fee from a valid stored-value card (confirmation code W is not provided to the CPU). The "working^" code W may not be provided due to one of the following reasons: (a) no stored-value card is inserted into the read/write driver 50 of parking meter 14; (b) the START interface 74 has not been activated; or (c) a negative balance registered in the electronic parking meter 14 has not been fully topped up and the read-write driver 50 is disabled from performing automatic deduction.

If CPU 54 determines that the vehicle is in violation of parking regulations, the parking attendant may unambiguously determine the violation of a vehicle by checking the detailed information shown on the external display 132. For vehicles that have responded accordingly, valuable time is saved as the parking attendant is able to skip further verification. In accordance with principles of the present invention, additional verification criteria may be added into the electronic parking system by reconfiguring of the verification transmitter unit 12 and the electronic parking meter 14.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the parking meter 14 of Fig. 1 as disposed within the interior of a vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the meter 14 is installed beside a driver seat 226 of the vehicle in order to allow a user, driver, to conveniently insert the stored-value card 16 into the read/write driver 50 and also to allow the user to conveniently view the internal display 96. In an alternative embodiment, meter 14 may be installed elsewhere within the vehicle, such as for example in an empty slot 227 of a center console of the vehicle interior. External display 132 is shown mounted proximate to a top portion of a windshield 228 of the vehicle such that the external display unit may be viewed by the parking attendant from the exterior of the vehicle through the windshield. Alternative, external display 132 may be mounted at other locations of the vehicle for the convenience examination by parking attendant.

Fig. 4B is a top view illustrating a preferred embodiment of user interfaces of the parking meter of Fig. 3. In the depicted embodiment, tariff interface 176 (Fig. 3) is implemented by a first array of buttons 242 for selecting an appropriate tariff wherein each button is adapted to select a tariff value (e.g. $0.45/hr, $0.90/hr, $1.50/hr, $2.00/hr, $3.00/hr). Maximum limit interface 178 (Fig. 3) is implemented by a second array of buttons 244 for selecting an appropriate maximum parking duration wherein each button is adapted to select a maximum limit (1/2 l r. 1 hr. 1.5 hr, 2 hr, unlimited). Start interface 74 (Fig. 3) is implemented by a START button 246 and stop interface 76 (Fig. 3) is implemented by a STOP button 248. Also, in the depicted embodiment, a slot 248 is provided for guiding card 16 (Fig. 3) into read/write driver 50 (Fig. 3). Fig. 4C is a diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a parking meter display including icons representing meter-specified parking parameter values rendered on display units 96 and 132 (Fig. 3). In the depicted embodiment, internal display 96 includes an area code icon 230 representing the card-specified area code value X' (e.g., USA, CAN, SNG), a parking tariff icon 232 representing the meter-specified tariff value Y', a "working" status icon 234 representing the "working" status W' (e.g., WKG) which indicates whether or not the parking meter is currently running as explained above, a maximum parking duration limit icon 236 representing the meter-specified maximum limit value Z', a cumulative parking duration value 238 representing elapsed time recorded by the meter timer, a cumulative parking fee charge value icon 240 representing the meter value stored in the stored-value card wherein "-" signal represents a negative balance amount. In an embodiment, the external display unit 132 is enhanced with sunlight protective features, such as translucent sun-screened film, and back light illumination.

Fig. 4D is a top view illustrating a vehicle 250 including standard equipment type signal lights 252 which are coupled with the parking meter of Fig. 3 for implementing the indicators 18 (Fig. 3). In the preferred embodiment, the signal lights 252 are turned ON by the parking meter 14 for a fixed time period to indicate if a vehicle is in compliance. The signal lights are controlled by the meter to blink ON and OFF for a first period and then remain turned ON for a second period of time before resuming the blinking sequence thereby distinguishing the activated indicators from blinking standard equipment type hazard lights. Advantages of using the signal lights of a vehicle for indicators 18 include ease of installation and ease of inspection by the parking attendant from the front, rear, or side of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the present invention, indicators 18 are implemented by special purpose indicator lights, not normally provided as standard equipment for vehicles, disposed proximate to the front and the rear of the vehicle.

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram at 310 illustrating a process according to the present invention for operating the parking meter of Fig. 3 which indicates the occurrence of a violation of parking regulations in response to the parking verification signals transmitted by the remote verification unit 12 (Fig. 2). The depicted process begins with step 312 in which the parking meter reads the meter-specified tariff value Y' and the meter-specified maximum limit value Z'. In the preferred embodiment, the values Y" and Z' are provided to the CPU 54 (Fig. 3) by interfaces 180, 182 (Fig. 3). In step 314. the meter reads the card information including the card-specified area code value X" and the meter value. In the preferred embodiment, the value X' and the meter value are read by read/write driver 50 from the stored value card 16 (Fig. 3) and provided to the CPU 54. CPU 54 then determines at 316 whether or not the start signal for initializing the timer has been received. If it is determined at 316 that the start signal has not been received, the process repeats the determination at 316 until the start signal is received. After the start signal has been received, the depicted process proceeds to step 318 in which the meter timer, implemented by CPU 54 (Fig. 3), begins running, or tracking elapsed time. CPU 54 further set a "WORKING" status W' to 1. In step 320, CPU 54 of the parking meter 14 determines a parking fee based on the meter-specified tariff value Y' and the cumulative parking duration which is equal to the elapsed time recorded by the timer. In step 322. CPU 54 of the parking meter 14 deducts the parking fee from the meter value as described above.

In step 324, parking meter 14 displays an internal and external display units 96 and 132 the "working" status W" of the parking meter, the card-specified area code value X', the meter- specified tariff value Y^". the meter-specified maximum limit value Z', the current balance of the meter value stored in the card, the cumulative parking duration (elapsed time), and the cumulative parking charges. It is then determined at 326 whether the stop signal is activated by the stop interface 76. If the stop signal is activated, CPU 54 stops the timer and sets the working status W' equal to zero to indicate that the meter is not currently running, after which the depicted process proceeds to 330. If the stop signal is not received at 326, the depicted process proceeds directly to 330 at which it is determined whether the verification command signals have been received by the receiver 40 (Fig. 1) from the remote verification unit 12 (Fig. 1). If the verification command signals have not been received, the depicted process proceeds to step 331 in which the CPU 54 stalls the process for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 1 second), and then proceeds to repeat steps 318-330 as described above. If the verification command signals have been received, the depicted process proceeds to step 332 in which the decoder unit 46 (Fig. 3) of the meter decodes the verification command signals to provide the decoded area code value X", the decoded tariff value Y", and the decoded maximum limit value Z" The meter 14 then determines, either simultaneously or in a sequential order, whether or not corresponding pairs of the remotely-specified parking parameter values and the meter-specified parking parameter values match.

At 334. the area code comparator 146 (fig. 3) of the meter determines whether the card- specified area code value X' matches the decoded area code value X" and if so, the area code comparator 146 (Fig. 3) provides the area code confirmation code X to CPU 54 and the depicted process proceeds to 338. If X' does not match X", then the area code comparator 146 (Fig. 3) does not provide the code X to the CPU 54 and the process proceeds to step 336 in which CPU 54 determines that the meter is potentially in violation of the remotely-specified parking regulations, after which the depicted process proceeds back to step 331 as described above. As mentioned above, in the less preferred embodiment, the meter 14 activates the indicators 18 (Fig. 1) upon determining a potential violation while in the more preferred embodiment, meter does not activate the indicators 18 upon determining the potential violation.

At 338. the tariff comparator 148 (Fig. 3) of the meter determines whether the meter- specified tariff value Y' matches the decoded tariff value Y" and if so, the tariff comparator 148 provides the tariff confirmation code Y to the CPU 54 and the depicted process proceeds to 340. If Y' does not match Y", then the tariff comparator 148 does not provide the code Y to the CPU 54 and the process proceeds to step 336 in which CPU 54 determines that the meter is potentially in parking violation, and then back to step 331 as described above. At 340, the maximum limit comparator 150 (Fig. 3) determines whether the meter- specified maximum limit value Z' matches the decoded maximum limit value Z" and if so, the comparator 150 provides a maximum limit confirmation code Z to the CPU 54 and the depicted process proceeds to 342. If Z' does not match Z", then the maximum limit comparator 150 does not provide the code Z to the CPU 54 and the process proceeds to step 336 in which CPU 54 determines that the meter is potentially in violation of parking regulation and then back to step 331 as described above.

At 342. CPU 54 determines whether or not the "WORKING" status W' is equal to "1" (indicating that the meter is running) and if so, the depicted process proceeds to step 344 in which CPU 54 determines that the meter is operating in accordance with the parking regulations specified by the remote verification unit 12, after which the depicted process proceeds back to step 331 as described above. If CPU 54 determines that the "working" status W is equal to "0" (indicating that the meter is not running), the depicted process proceeds to 336 in which the CPU determines that the meter is not operating in accordance with the parking regulations specified by the remote verification unit 12 (Fig. 1), after which the depicted process proceeds back to step 331 as described above.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modifications thereof will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the following claims be inteφreted as covering all such alterations and modification as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A parking enforcement system, comprising: a verification unit for generating and transmitting a command signal, wherein said command signal having a first parking parameter value; a meter for receiving said command signal and generating a verification signal, wherein said verification signal having a second parking parking parameter value, said meter further including a comparator coupled to receive and compare said first parameter value and said second parameter value and operative to generate a parameter confirmation signal; and an indicator responsive to said confirmation signal and operative to generate an output in accordance with said confirmation signal.

2. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said meter further comprising: a storage for storing meter information including a meter value against which parking fees are charged; a processor coupled to said storage for performing meter functions including determining parking fees at a predetermined time interval and deducting said parking fees from said meter value; and a timer for tracking duration of parking, said time is activated in response to a start signal and deactivated in response to a stop signal.

3. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first parking parameter value include a first maximum limit value indicative of a maximum parking duration, and wherein said second parking parameter value include a second maximum limit value corresponding with said first maximum limit value.

4. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first parking parameter values include a first tariff value which provides a parking fee value, and wherein said second parking parameter value include a second tariff value corresponding with said first tariff value.

5. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first parking parameter value include a first area code value indicative of a parking zone, and wherein said second parking parameter value include a second area code value corresponding with said first area code value.

6. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 5, further comprising an information storage card and a read/write driver for reading and writing said second value from and to said card.

7. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verification unit further including an encoder means operative to encode said first parking parameter value, and wherein said meter further including a decoder coupled to receive and decode said command signal.

8. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verification unit further including a display for displaying images representing said first parking parameter value.

9. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said meter further including a display for displaying images representing said second parking parameter value.

10. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 9, wherein said display includes an internal display unit coupled with said meter.

11. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 9, wherein said display includes an external display coupled with said meter.

12. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verification unit transmitting signals via a radio transmitter, and said meter receiving signals via a radio receiver tuned to receive said signals transmitted by said radio transmitter.

13. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verification unit transmitting signals via an infrared transmitter, and said meter receiving signals via an infrared receiver adapted to receive said signals transmitted by said infrared transmitter.

14. A parking enforcement system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verification unit including a send interface operative to activate said transmission of said command signal in response to a transmission request.

15. A method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations upon a vehicle parked in a zone, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a verification command signal from a verification unit, wherein said signal carrying a first parking parameter values; generating a verification signal carrying a second parking parameter value corresponding to a said first parking parameter value; determining whether or not said first parking parameter values matches said corresponding first parking parameter value, and generating a confirmation code for said matching parking parameter value; and activating an indicator if said first parking parameter value does not match said second parking parameter value.

16. A method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations as recited in claim 15, further comprising the steps of: activating a timer in response to a start signal and deactivating said timer in response to a stop signal; determining parking fees at a predetermined time interval based on a parking fee value and said interval since the activation of said timer; deducting said parking fees from said meter value; and activating said indicator based on whether said meter timer is running and whether said remotely-specified parking parameter values match said meter-specified parking parameter values.

17. A method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations as recited in claim 15, wherein said first parking parameter value include a first tariff value which provides said parking fee value, and wherein said second parking parameter value include a second tariff value corresponding with said first tariff value.

18. A method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations as recited in claim 15, wherein said first parking parameter value include a first maximum limit value indicative of a maximum parking duration, and wherein said second parking parameter value include a second maximum limit value corresponding with said first maximum limit value.

19. A method foi operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations as recited in claim 15, wherein said first parking parameter value include a first area code value indicative of a parking zone, and wherein said second parking parameter value includes second area code value indicative of a parking zone corresponding with said remotely-specified area code value.

20. A method for operating a parking meter to enforce parking regulations as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying images indicative of said second parking parameter values on a display unit.