Patents by Inventor Stephen John Hunter
Stephen John Hunter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20150332587Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER
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Patent number: 9127964Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: 9047712Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: IPS GROUP, INC.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: 9002723Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: IPS Group, Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20150084786Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: David William KING, Alexander SCHWARZ, Stephen John HUNTER
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Publication number: 20140231505Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: IPS Group, Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20130285455Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Patent number: 8513832Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: IPS Group Inc.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Publication number: 20130027218Abstract: A parking meter detects an object in proximity, based on a change in a proximity measurement at the meter, activates a directional sensor in response to detecting the object, receives sensor data at a meter processor from the directional sensor, wherein the received sensor data indicates a predetermined direction to the detected object relative to the meter. The parking meter determines a presence of the object, or lack thereof, in the predetermined direction based on the sensor data, and upon a positive determination of the presence of the object, stores an indication of the presence of the object along with a time of the positive determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: 7806248Abstract: A system for validating a coin has a passageway through which the coin passes, in use; an oscillator having a component positioned relative to the passageway for the frequency and amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator to be varied, in use, by passage of the coin along the passageway; a period (or frequency) determining unit for determining the period (or frequency) of an oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined period (or frequency) value; an amplitude determining unit for determining the amplitude of the oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined amplitude value; and an assessing unit for assessing if the determined period (or frequency) and amplitude values lie in a predetermined window of period (or frequency) and amplitude values.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: IPS Group, Inc.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Publication number: 20090192950Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a meter uniquely associated with a physical location are provided. The method includes monitoring a communication channel for a message from a remote device and identifying an initial message directed to the meter uniquely associated with the physical location, establishing a communication session with a data manager in response to the initial message from the remote device, receiving configuration information from the data manager, the configuration information associated with operation of the meter and uniquely associated with the physical location of the meter, and transmitting meter operating data to the data manager, wherein the meter is self-powered.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: IPS Group, Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20090183966Abstract: A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: IPS Group, Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Publication number: 20090032368Abstract: A system for validating a coin has a passageway through which the coin passes, in use; an oscillator having a component positioned relative to the passageway for the frequency and amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator to be varied, in use, by passage of the coin along the passageway; a period (or frequency) determining unit for determining the period (or frequency) of an oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined period (or frequency) value; an amplitude determining unit for determining the amplitude of the oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined amplitude value; and an assessing unit for assessing if the determined period (or frequency) and amplitude values lie in a predetermined window of period (or frequency) and amplitude values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Publication number: 20090026842Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying power to a device has a rechargeable, main battery; a charging arrangement for charging the main battery; a non-rechargeable back-up battery; load terminals for connection to a load; and a control unit for controlling supply of power to the load primarily from the main battery and secondarily from the back-up battery. The device is, in particular, a single bay, stand alone parking meter. In the event that the main battery runs low, the control unit is configured to supply power to the load from both the main battery and the back-up battery or only from the back-up battery. The back-up battery is easily replaceable, and the power supply unit has a bay, with connectors for receiving the back-up battery. The main battery is charged from solar panels. A communication device is provided to communicate status messages wirelessly to a control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: IPS GROUP INC.Inventors: Stephen John Hunter, Andre Malan Joubert
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Patent number: D707140Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: IPS Group Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: D707141Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: IPS Group Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter
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Patent number: D707142Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: IPS Group Inc.Inventors: David William King, Alexander Schwarz, Stephen John Hunter