Abstract: A parking system is disclosed which includes a parking meter (10) which has a transceiver (12) and (14) for transmitting and receiving information and which in one embodiment may comprise an over the air telephone, fixed land line telephone or the like. The transmitter receiver (12, 14) communicates with a host central station (50) for receiving and transmitting information. In order to park at the meter a user telephones a telephone number associated with the parking meter and connects with the host station (50). Commands are input into the user's telephone to provide an indication of the amount of parking time required and payment for the parking time and information is downloaded from the station (50) to the parking meter (10) to indicate that parking has been paid for and the parking meter should activate to indicate that parking has been paid for.

Abstract: The present invention provides a parking system having a parking meter in close proximity to a corresponding parking bay in which a user's vehicle is able to be parked. A payment receiving means is further provided for receiving payment and thereafter establishing a parking period in which the vehicle is able to be legitimately parked in the bay. There is provided a communication means for sending a message to the user's mobile phone prior to the expiry of the parking period. The message alerts the user that the parking period will soon expire and that the user must either move the vehicle before the expiry of the parking period or make an additional payment, if allowable, to remain legitimately parked.