The present disclosure encompasses to solar power charging system adapted for use with a parking meter, and methods of using this solar power charging system. Also encompassed are assemblies and assembly methods for the solar power charging system.

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.

A control button for installation on a touchscreen display responding upon contact of an electrical conductor. The control button comprises a central portion comprising a touch sensitive component which has an electrical characteristic changed when touched by a user, and a body comprising electrical contacts and biasing device. The control button adopts at least one of a non-conducting position and a conducting position, whereby the biasing device biases the control button toward the non-conducting position. Upon pressure being applied by a user over the central portion, the control button moves from the non-conducting position until the control button reaches the conducting position, whereby in the conducting position an electrical circuit is completed from the touch sensitive component to the touchscreen display through the electrical contacts. The control button is further mounted to a gaming machine.

An edge display on a gaming machine comprises a front display having a front surface and a side edge. The edge display comprises a mounting body having a lateral edge and a longitudinal surface extending in a longitudinal direction; and a lighting component mounted on the mounting body about the longitudinal surface. When the edge display is on the gaming machine, the lateral edge of the mounting body is contiguous with the side edge of the edge display and the longitudinal surface and the front surface are flush with each other whereby the edge display forms an extension of the front display. The edge display further provides an extension to the front display, whereby a first portion of a visual animation is sent to the front display and a second portion sent for display to the edge display to be displayed in a continuous fashion.

The invention provides a compact, coinless, ticketless parking meter device which includes a timer means; a payment facilitating arrangement operable in cooperation with a non-cash payment instrument for effecting payment of a monetary amount for a parking period; a display means for displaying a balance remaining of the parking period; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the timer means, the payment facilitating arrangement and the display means.

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.

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.

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.

A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).

Disclosed are parking pay stations, media display caps for parking pay stations, parking pay station advertising platforms including a housing, wherein at least one side of the housing comprises at least one transparent window and at least one media display screen visible through the window, wherein the media display screen is configured to display media to parking users and others, including pedestrians. Also disclosed are methods of retrofitting existing parking pay stations to upgrade them to include media display capability.