Communications: electrical – Vehicle parking indicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-02-13
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Vehicle parking indicators
C340S309160, C340S905000, C368S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188328
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to vehicle parking devices.
2. Description of Prior Art
At present for vehicle parking arrangements a stationary parking meter is provided for each parking bay, or zone, that must be charged with cash either before parking or at the end of a period of parking. The parking meters may in some instances be operated using a credit card or devoted pre-paid card. In all cases, each meter is committed to its own parking bay or zone, and being generally accessible, remains vulnerable to vandalism and robbery. Further inherent problems arise in adjusting or varying the parking tariff at each meter from time to time, as each meter must then be visited and adjusted. Maintenance crews and breakdown crews are also required to service and repair the parking meters as an on-going expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least reduce these problems.
According to the invention there is provided a parking meter device for separate devoted use by a vehicle user arranged to be located in the vehicle and visible from outside the vehicle during use, the device comprising a portable housing unit arranged to be supported inside the vehicle and including a visual indicator for portraying a positive condition of the device during use, a two-way radio circuit for communicating with a parking service provider, a screen and manually responsive switch means, including a computer programmed to enable the user by using the switch means to alert the service provider of his desire to park in a parking bay and for the service provider to approve vehicle parking for a time period, in which the approval is confirmed during that time period by maintaining the device in the positive condition.
The manually responsive switch means is preferably a keypad.
The unit is preferably releasably attachable in the vehicle.
The unit may include a timer arranged to change the device from the positive condition after a predetermined time interval.
The visual indicator may be arranged to portray another condition of the unit after the termination of the predetermined time interval.
The unit is preferably arranged to incorporate a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card).
The unit may have a port arranged to receive and hold a pre-paid tariff parking card.
The device may be arranged to respond to signals from a vehicle security alarm system and to transmit a warning signal when initiated by the vehicle security alarm system.
The warning signal is preferably a radio signal and transmitted to a telephone network.
The device may be arranged to communicate with a Global Positioning System (GPS).
The device may be arranged to receive information from the parking service provider identifying on the screen any unoccupied parking bays in locations adjacent to the vehicle.
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patent: 5382780 (1995-01-01), Carmen
patent: 5737710 (1998-04-01), Anthonyson
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patent: 5918180 (1999-06-01), Dimino
patent: 5977884 (1999-11-01), Ross
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Nguyen Phung
Pollock, Vande Sande & Amernick RLLP
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