Abstract: An unattended, automated bicycle rental system utilizes a bicycle rental station having a locking bicycle rack and a control tower. The bicycle rack has an inventory of rental bicycles of non standard size as inventory and the bicycles are locked in place on the rack in distinct bicycle-receiving bays. The control tower incudes a credit card reader that unlocks a specific bicycle from its bay upon insertion of a bank or credit card and begins timing the period of time in which the bicycle is away from the rental station. When the bicycle is returned, it is placed into the bay and in contact with the rack so that an identification sensor can determine if it is a system bicycle and lock it in place in the rack and bill the credit card for the rental charge.

Abstract: An entrance-control and departure-control station in which the return of the used car-park tickets to the entrance-side issuing apparatus is automated. The issuing apparatus of the entrance-control station are connected to one another via a car-park-ticket-return device. The car-park tickets which are to be returned are moved, in a pushed group, through a transporting duct which bridges a spatial distance between the issuing apparatus and the retrieval apparatus. In addition to the spatial distance bridged, a vertical ascent is also surmounted, in order that the retrieved car-park tickets running in under the action of gravity are brought once again to a higher level, from where they can be discharged again as required under the action of gravity during an issuing operation.

Abstract: A dispenser for disc-shaped car-park tickets which makes it possible on a permanent basis for the car-park tickets provided for issuing to be made available reliably, as required, from a supply of car-park tickets, and which is of simple design. The dispenser separates car-park tickets coming from a supply container and moves them, in a pushed group, through a transporting duct which bridges a spatial distance between the supply container and the issuing apparatus. In addition to the spatial distance bridged, a vertical ascent is also surmounted, in order that the car-park tickets can be moved into the issuing apparatus and issued from the same under the action of gravity. Further configurations of the invention can be gathered from the claims and from the following description.

Abstract: An expired parking meter indicator with electronic components which detect the presence of a vehicle in the parking place. When a vehicle pulls into a parking place a signal is received by the parking meter which after a grace period emits a signal if no payment has been made. Furthermore, if a payment has been made and the vehicle remains in the parking place longer than the time received for the payment, a signal will also be generated. A parking control officer will be capable of receiving the signal and, thus, very efficiently citing parking violations.

Abstract: A method and system to prevent auto theft from parking areas, such as airport parking lots, includes a ticket dispenser, at an entry gate, which issues a numbered ticket to each driver. The driver is advised to carry the ticket with him and not to leave it in the car. At the same time the ticket is issued, the color of the car, or its length or part of its license plate number, is automatically determined and entered into computer memory, in association with the ticket number. At the exit, the ticket is presented by the driver, read by a ticket reader, and its associated data (car color, length or license number) is retrieved from computer memory. Also at the exit, the car's color, length or part of its license plate is again automatically obtained and compared with the data retrieved from the computer memory. In the event of a mismatch, a warning signal is generated.

Abstract: A low power parking meter to control two or four parking bays. A display, either by a flag-wheel or a digital display will normally indicate the status of each bay. When funds are deposited without indicating the bay to be credited, the meter will escrow the amount until a bay is chosen. The meter normally operates in an idle loop unless an individual bay is being checked or vended.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and/or directing system for parking areas which exhibit parking spaces. In order that the risk of theft is reduced and/if appropriate, incoming vehicles can be guided specifically to empty parking spaces, the monitoring and/or directing system is designed with at least one entrance and departure station provided for issue and retrieval of parking tickets fitted with an electronic identification element, with communicators which detect the parking tickets, there being arranged, at each parking space, at least one communicator which has a detection region directed towards the associated parking space, and with data lines via which the communicators and the entrance and departure stations are connected to a central computer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a parking card to operate a barrier for pay parking. The card is in the form of a round, flat piece with a front and back, and a machine-readable data medium for storing and identifying information on the parking facility and the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parking card which is intended for the charge-related actuation of a parking barrier and is in the form of a sheet-like plastic piece having a front side and rear side and having a machine-readable data carrier for storing car-park information and user information and, if appropriate, the entrance time and departure time. In order to provide a parking card which is easily constructed and can be handled with ease and permits the installation of an inexpensive parking service system, the invention provides that the plastic piece (1) is in the form of a round coin, on or in which there is mounted an identification and/or communication component (5) which operates in a contactless manner and comprises a chip and a data-transmission device which emits electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A collection and issuing apparatus for round parking cards which exhibit an identification and/or communication element and are intended for the charge-related actuation of a parking barrier. The apparatus includes a supply container which exhibits, on the base side, a separation device for the parking cards, having an adjoining vertical shaft with at least one central guiding shaft and side shafts which branch off from the guiding shaft. The shafts exhibit a respective inclination and are intended for issuing and collecting parking cards in a rolling manner under the force of gravity. The apparatus also includes a measuring point which is located in the central shaft, intended for reading the parking cards, which are to be issued and/or collected again, and which is connected to a control device for actuating the parking barrier.

Abstract: A computerized parking meter uses an ultrasonic transducer to precisely measure the distance to a parked vehicle and to reset the parking meter to zero when the vehicle leaves. The computerized parking meter utilizes low power and may be recharged by solar power. The computerized parking meter can be programmed with differing rates, calendar days, advertising and alarms. Unlocking the coin box requires both the proper computer code and a key. When the computerized parking meter receives the proper computer code a solenoid is activated which retracts a plunger allowing the key to unlock the coin box. A coin discriminator allows only proper coins to be inserted into the meter. Audible messages and alarms can be sounded and written messages displayed. A portable terminal can communicate with a central computer to enhance collections security and identify repeat parking violators.

Abstract: A system for managing a plurality of motor vehicles that are driven by different people is provided. A parking area having an entrance and an exit is provided with a data acquisition device for controlling user access, as well as a receiver that is disposed in the vicinity of a barrier and that receives vehicle operation data that is transmitted by a transmitter that is integral with the vehicle, with this data being transmitted to a central control unit that controls the barriers, the data acquisition device, and the receiver.

Abstract: A time accounting system for accounting parking subject to charge periods which includes a card having an electronic memory in which each memory location can be individually and irreversibly written in order to represent a time unit credit allocated to the holder of the card. The system also includes a portable case in which the card can be inserted and which has an internal clock circuit and a coupling circuit, as well as a writing circuit. The case is designed with means for temporary storage of a time unit credit which is activable if the time credit remaining in the inserted card is less than the parking time of the holder.

Abstract: An automatic ticket dispenser of the type which prints onto a ticket, as or before it is dispensed, information including that as to time and date is provided. The ticket dispenser employs an electronic time clock advantageously with a battery back-up power supply and an electronic print head such as a dot matrix print head in the path of movement of tickets being dispensed. The ticket dispenser is of a type which is particularly suitable for use at entrances to parking areas and the like.

Abstract: An automatic ticket dispenser of the type which prints onto a ticket, as or before it is dispensed, information including that as to time and date is provided. The ticket dispenser employs an electronic time clock advantageously with a battery back-up power supply and an electronic print head such as a dot matrix print head in the path of movement of tickets being dispensed. The ticket dispenser is of a type which is particularly suitable for use at entrances to parking areas and the like.

Abstract: A system for controlled meter parking of road vehicles comprising a parking meter and a portable terminal for use by a checker of the controlled meter parking. A keyboard allows drivers to enter vehicle data. A parking time limit is calculated as the function of the amount of money paid. The parking meter then stores pairs of data items, where each pair contains a vehicle data item and an associated parking time limit. In one embodiment, the amount of money is read from a memory card to allow the driver to receive credit for any time not used upon return to pick up the car. The system includes a clock for comparison with the parking time limits. When the comparison with the clock indicates that a parking time limit has expired, the associated pair of data items are deleted from the parking meter memory. A portable terminal allows a checker to enter identification data corresponding to a vehicle actually parked in one of the parking spaces.

Abstract: An individual parking meter intended to be fitted in a vehicle so as to be visible for inspection from the outside comprises a parking time storage for storing of a prepaid parking time, a display (3) for displaying parking time information, and a switch means (7) for starting and stopping the parking meter. The parking time storage is a self-destructing disposable time storage which, after purchase of the parking meter, cannot be extended or renewed and reused. There is provided a parking zone selector (10) affecting the time consumption so that this runs in dependance on a set parking zone (9). The display (3) shows the remaining time stored in the storage (1), and thereafter the allowed parking time (8) remaining at any time in the current zone, and also the set zone (9). Preferably, the parking meter is designed as a card (6) in which the components of the parking meter are embedded.

Abstract: A novel drive-in traffic control for a bank which includes a computer for controlling the various signs, teller stations, supervisor's desk panel, sensors and a printer and which has provisions for allowing various timing to be varied with a number of control switches. Furthermore, additional teller stations and additional waiting lanes of cars can be added without rewiring the computer terminal and only additional modular wiring units need be added so as to allow additional elements and stations to be added.