Microchip-enhanced license plate tab and method

• US 20020044069A1
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce R. Jenkinson
• Original Assignee: Bruce R. Jenkinson
• Inventors: Jenkinson, Bruce R.
• Application Number:
  US09/981,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044069A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/928
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

An improved annual license plate tab affixed to a license plate designed to inform law enforcement personnel if the annual motor vehicle registration period has expired. The tab includes a built-in microchip that store a unique motor vehicle identification code associate with the motor vehicle. The tab includes a transmitter that is activated and transmits the motor vehicle identification code to a wireless receiver operated nearby by law enforcement personnel. The body may also include a bar code or other identification means which enable the law enforcement personnel to quickly access the information. Also disclosed herein is a method of determining the validity of the registration using the above described tab.

Claims

1. An improved license plate tab, comprising:

a. a license plate tab body;

b. a microchip attached to said tab body;

c. a unique motor vehicle identification code stored within said microchip, and;

d. a transmitting means coupled to said microchip used to transmit said motor vehicle identification code to a suitable receiver.

2. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 1, further including a receiver coupled to said microchip used to activate said microchip and said transmitter means to transmit said motor vehicle identification code.

5. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 1, further including means to attach said tab to a license plate.

6. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 5, wherein said means to attach said tab to a license plate is an adhesive layer applied to the back surface of the tab.

7. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 5, wherein said means to attach said tab to a transparent piece of glass on said motor vehicle.

8. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 1, wherein said tab is built into the body of a license plate.

3. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claiml, further including visual indicia printed on said tab to indicated the current registration status of said tab.

4. The improved license plate tab, as recited in claim 3, wherein said visual indicia is a bar code.

9. A method of determining the validity of a motor vehicle registration, comprising the following steps:

a. selecting a license tab with a built-in microchip with a unique motor vehicle identification code stored therein, said tab having a transmitter to selectively transmitting the motor vehicle identification code to a compatible receiver;

b. selecting a receiver capable of communicating with said transmitter in said license tab and a central computer coupled to a database file containing specific motor vehicle registration information of a plurality of motor vehicles, each said motor vehicle in said database being assigned to said motor vehicle identification code;

c. attaching said license tab to a motor vehicle;

d. activating said license tab to being transmitting said motor vehicle identification code to said receiver;

e. transmitting said motor vehicle identification code to said central computer;

f. receiving the specific motor vehicle information associated with said motor vehicle identification code; and

,

g. reviewing said specific motor vehicle information to determine if the motor vehicle'"'"'s registration is current.