Abstract: A post attachment including an anchor receptacle (20) mounted in the ground. A post (30) is attached to the anchor receptacle by a removable locking bar (40) which engages a slot (34) in the post and a groove (28) in the anchor receptacle. A first tool (12) is utilized which straightens the locking bar for attachment of the post to the anchor receptacle. A second tool (14) is utilized which bends the locking bar for disengagement from the post slot and anchor receptacle groove so that the post may be removed from the anchor receptacle.

Abstract: A parking meter contains both optical detection elements, to detect the presence and the diameter of inserted coins, and conventional coils which are inductively coupled to a passing coin and which load a RF oscillator. The optical detection information is used to control the sampling of the frequency of the oscillators which are loaded by the metal in the falling coins. This provides a synergistic way to combine optical detection with electromagnetic detection to achieve compact recognition templates which readily perform difficult discrimination. Addition of a temperature compensation algorithm makes the resulting system extraordinarily insensitive to temperature-dependent variation in the permeability of a falling coin.

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: An auditing system for vending machines, preferably parking meters, that facilitates external exchange of digital information. The instant auditing system provides for electronic interrogation of the parking meter circuitry from portable, hand-held apparatus. The auditor is capable of processing and storing data derived from parking meters. In one form of the invention, communication is derived through the meter debit card payment slot. In an alternative embodiment data is optically exchanged and communicated between the auditor and the parking meter through infrared light. The auditor of the present invention can be interfaced with a personal computer through a standard RS232 serial port and appropriate interfacing software.

Abstract: A power conserving electronic parking meter system for receiving at least one type of payment element.

Abstract: An electronic parking meter, having a flip-dot display arranged within a viewing area of an electronic parking meter housing, and selectively connected to a magnetic pulse generating circuit by a magnetic field, where the magnetic pulse generating circuit is driven by a microprocessor in the electronic parking meter, produces a highly visible light-reflecting display, such that an operating message in the viewing area is readily discernable to a viewer or law enforcement official.