Smart cart and box system for parking meter

Claim 2

A coin collection apparatus comprising: a coin box for collecting at a remote location; second means for processing when said coin box for storing audit information in a first means for storing; means for collecting coins from said coin box at a central location wherein said means for collecting is portable; means for unlocking an opening of said means for collecting and said coin box when said means for collecting has been engaged with said coin box wherein said means for unlocking comprises a first solenoid means in said means for collecting and a second solenoid means in said coin box wherein said first and second solenoid means are actuated in response to said proper security code entered into said data input means; and first means for processing to provide power to said means for unlocking in response to a proper security code entered into a data input means operatively connected to said first means for processing wherein said first means for processing retrieves said audit information relating to said collected coins from said first means for storing within said second means for processing contained within said coin box.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first means for storing stores audit information and maintains a security code, and said second means for processing provides power for solenoid actuation.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said proper security code is unique to said coin box.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first means for processing further comprises a second means for storing said retrieved audit information.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second means for storing is a touch memory.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for downloading said audit information from said first means for processing to a central computer.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for providing power to said means for collecting.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for recognizing unauthorized entry wherein such entry may be recorded in said first means for storing.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a remote locked collection vault wherein said means for collecting may be emptied by activating a solenoid interlock at said remote vault.

Claim 13

The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of: maintaining a unique security code for said coin box.

Claim 14

The method according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of: recognizing unauthorized entry and recording such in said first memory means.

Claim 15

The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of: unlocking a remote vault in response to solenoid actuation of a locking means at said remote vault to thereby empty said means for collecting.

Claim 16

A parking meter comprising: a housing; mounting means for positioning the housing adjacent a designated parking space; a coin box in said housing; second means for processing within said coin box for storing audit information in a first means for storing; portable coin collection means remote from said housing for receiving said coin box when said coin box has been removed from said housing for emptying its contents; means for unlocking an opening of said means for collecting and said coin box when said means for collecting has been engaged with said coin box wherein said means for unlocking comprises a first solenoid means in said means for collecting and a second solenoid means in said coin box wherein said first and second solenoid means are actuated in response to said proper security code entered into said data input means; and first means for processing to provide power to said means for unlocking in response to a proper security code entered into a data input means operatively connected to said first means for processing wherein said first means for processing retrieves said audit information related to said contents of said coin box from said first means for storing within said second means for processing contained within said coin box.

Claim 17

A parking meter comprising: a housing; mounting means for positioning the housing adjacent a designated parking space; a coin box in said housing; second means for processing within said coin box for storing audit information in a first means for storing; portable coin collection means remote from said housing for receiving said coin box when said coin box has been removed from said housing for emptying its contents; means for unlocking an opening of said means for collecting and said coin box when said means for collecting has been engaged with said coin box wherein said means for unlocking comprises a first solenoid means in said means for collecting and a second solenoid means in said coin box wherein said first and second solenoid means are actuated in response to said proper security code entered into said data input means; and first means for processing to provide power to said means for unlocking in response to a proper security code entered into a data input means operatively connected to said first means for processing wherein said first means for processing retrieves said audit information related to said contents of said coin box from said first means for storing within said second means for processing contained within said coin box.

Claim 18

The parking meter according to claim 14 wherein said first means for storing stores audit information and maintains a security code, and said second means for processing provides power for solenoid actuation.

Claim 19

The parking meter according to claim 14 wherein said proper security code is unique to said coin box.

Claim 20

The parking meter according to claim 14 wherein said first means for processing further comprises a second means for storing said retrieved audit information.

Claim 21

The parking meter according to claim 17 wherein said second means for storing is a touch memory.

Claim 22

The parking meter according to claim 14 further comprising means for downloading said audit information from said first means for processing to a central computer.

Claim 23

The parking meter according to claim 14 further comprising means for providing power to said coin collection means.

Claim 24

The parking meter according to claim 14 further comprising means for recognizing unauthorized entry wherein such entry may be recorded in said first means for storing.

Claim 25

The parking meter according to claim 14 further comprising: a remote locked collection vault wherein said coin collection means may be emptied by activating a solenoid interlock at said remote vault.