Claims
- 1. An electronic parking meter comprising:
a meter housing; electronic metering means within the housing; memory means positioned within the housing separate from the electronic metering means for storing configuration information associated with a pre-selected group comprising one or more electronic meters; and means for coupling the memory means to the electronic metering means for downloading the configuration information into the electronic metering means.
- 2. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory means includes means for storing parking meter status information.
- 3. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the memory means includes means for providing access to it from the exterior of the housing.
- 4. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory means includes a real time clock chip.
- 5. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an electronic lock for providing access to cash accumulated within the meter housing, wherein the memory means is located within the electronic lock.
- 6. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the configuration information includes parking meter location and/or parking restriction information.
- 7. An electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the configuration information includes one or more of the following: city defined post location number, street name and closest civic number, latitude & longitude coordinates as defined by a GPS system, parking rates, parking time limit, allowed parking periods, payment required parking periods.
- 8. An electronic parking meter as claimed 1 wherein the pre-selected group of electronic meters is determined by location.
- 9. An electronic parking meter as claimed 8 wherein the pre-selected group of electronic meters is determined by geographical location.
- 10. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter having a replaceable electronic metering means within a meter housing, comprising:
positioning a memory means within the housing separate from the electronic metering means; storing configuration information associated with a pre-selected group of one or more electronic meters within the memory means; and coupling the memory means to the electronic metering means for loading the configuration information into the electronic metering means.
- 11. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 10, which further includes storing parking meter status information within the memory means.
- 12. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 11, which further includes accessing the memory means from the exterior of the meter housing.
- 13. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 10, which further includes providing a real time clock chip within the memory means.
- 14. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 10 wherein the pre-selected group of electronic meters are selected by location.
- 15. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter having a replaceable electronic metering means within a meter housing, comprising:
positioning a memory means within the housing separate from the electronic metering means, wherein configuration information associated with a pre-selected group of one or more meters is stored within the memory means; and coupling the memory means to the electronic metering means for loading the configuration information into the electronic metering means.
- 16. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 15, which further includes storing parking meter status information within the memory means.
- 17. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 16, which further includes accessing the memory means from the exterior of the meter housing.
- 18. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 15, which further includes providing a real time clock chip within the memory means.
- 19. A method of configuring an electronic parking meter as claimed in claim 15 wherein the pre-selected group of electronic meters are selected by location.
- 20. A method of replacing an electronic metering means within a meter housing of an electronic meter, comprising:
removing the electronic metering means from the meter housing; maintaining configuration information associated with the electronic meter in storage in the meter housing; inserting a replacement electronic metering means within the meter housing; and loading the configuration information stored in the meter housing into the replacement electronic metering means.
- 21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the configuration information is common to a group of electronic meters pre-selected by location.
- 22. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the configuration information is common to a group of electronic meters pre-selected by geographical location.
- 23. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the configuration information includes parking meter location and/or parking restriction information.
- 24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the configuration information includes one or more of the following: city defined post location number, street name and closest civic number, latitude & longitude coordinates as defined by a GPS system, parking rates, parking time limit, allowed parking periods, payment required parking periods.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/339,467 filed on Dec. 14, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60339467 |
Dec 2001 |
US |