A parking meter is described that comprises components for providing parking meter functionality and a display for displaying parking information and a metal housing for protecting the parking meter components from an environment that has a display aperture through which the display is visible. The parking meter also comprises an antenna for a contactless payment reader arranged in or on the parking meter in close proximity to the display.

A self-diagnostic and automated monitoring and maintenance system for use with parking meter systems. The maintenance system improves functionality, and detects and mitigates unexpected behavior and errors with parking meters. In order for a parking meter to seamlessly function during inoperable situations with respect to municipality regulations, automated self-diagnosis coupled with an enforcement policy configuration can be utilized to mitigate unexpected behaviors.

A parking meter may have a housing that is formed at least significantly of an impact resistant material. In particular, the impact resistant material may comprise one of a polycarbonate copolymer or polycarbonate blended resin, a nylon-based copolymer, or a nylon-based polymer that includes long glass fiber or Kevlar fiber. The housing encloses the parking meter components to provide protection for the parking meter components against an external environment and vandalism attacks.

A parking meter is described that comprises components for providing parking meter functionality and a display for displaying parking information and a metal housing for protecting the parking meter components from an environment that has a display aperture through which the display is visible. The parking meter also comprises an antenna for a contactless payment reader arranged in or on the parking meter in close proximity to the display.

Described are timer apparatus comprising: a timer configured to measure a predetermined time period associated with a physical location; a display screen for displaying information pertaining to the predetermined time period; a radio frequency (RF) electronic card reader; and a metal housing comprising: a housing cover comprising a display aperture through which the display screen is visible, the housing cover interfacing with an existing housing base to enclose and protect the timer, the display screen, and the RF electronic card reader from an environment of the physical location.

Described are timer apparatus comprising: a timer configured to measure a predetermined time period associated with a physical location, the timer comprising: a front housing; and input controls comprising one or more buttons for interacting with the timer to configure the predetermined time period associated with a physical location; a lower housing; and a cover housing reversibly attachable to the lower housing to form an interior and to secure the timer within the interior; wherein when the cover housing is attached to the lower housing and the timer is secured within the interior: the front housing is exposed to an external environment of the physical location, and the input controls are located above a highest edge of the lower housing.

A single space parking meter assembly for retrofitting onto an existing coin vault assembly includes a number of parking meter components enclosed within a protective outer covering that is rotatably or slidably engageable with the coin vault assembly when a bottom surface of the protective outer covering is positioned against or adjacent to an upper surface of the coin vault assembly. A locking mechanism secures the protective outer covering to the coin vault assembly when the protective outer covering is engaged with the coin vault assembly.

A parking meter may incorporate a touchscreen display assembly that uses a low-power wake trigger, which may be a proximity sensor overlaid on the display, that can power on the display and touch sensor when a user's proximity is detected. The parking meter may incorporate a replaceable panel insert that allows user interface components to be easily retrofitted or upgraded by simply replacing the panel insert. Additionally, the parking meter may incorporate multiple solar panels on the exterior of the parking meter.

A parking meter mechanism is described that may include a front housing, having a display opening for viewing a display through, connected to an internal structure. Additionally or alternatively the parking meter mechanism may include a contactless payment reader located behind the display. The parking meter mechanism may be secured to a lower housing. A back housing may be secured to the lower housing as well. The front or back housing may include a solar panel compartment and solar panel mounted therein.

An upper parking meter outer housing component that includes a parking meter cap is provided. The parking meter cap includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining an interior cavity, and a lower edge portion defining an opening into the interior cavity. The lower edge portion is configured to be coupled to a lower housing component of single space meter such that a meter mechanism may be enclosed within the interior cavity of the upper meter dome. The meter cap includes a vehicle sensor coupled to the inner surface of the upper meter dome. The meter cap includes a solar panel coupled to the inner surface of the upper meter dome and configured to supply power to the vehicle sensor.