Method and device for detecting illegal operation of vehicles

• US 20050285743A1
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tory S. Weber
• Original Assignee: Tory S. Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Tory S.
• Application Number:
  US11/154,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20050285743A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/105 Licence- or registration plates, provided with mounting means, e.g. frames, holders, retainers, brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/06 Arrangements for road pricing or congestion charging of vehicles or vehicle users, e.g. automatic toll systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

This document outlines a system and device for detecting incorrect or absent information related to legal operation of a motor vehicle. Information is periodically gathered by an in-vehicle system capable of reading RFID-tagged documents (such as registration and insurance) and vehicle features (such as license plate and vehicle identification number). Radio-frequency transmission of the information (or an abbreviated version thereof) is performed on receipt of a valid RF activation signal from a portable or fixed-location extra-vehicle reading system. Upon receipt of the information, the extra-vehicle reading system ensures that no discrepancy in on-vehicle information is present by performing a local check and consulting an authoritative database. If a discrepancy is encountered, information is missing, or the authoritative database entry is flagged, law-enforcement officials are notified. The system may also be used for detection of moving infractions such as speeding and red light violations and logging of vehicle locations for security purposes.

Claims

1. A method for detecting illegal operation of a vehicle comprising:

providing in each of a plurality of vehicles a location for receiving

a vehicle identification RFID tag;

a vehicle Registration RFID tag;

an insurance RFID tag;

providing in the vehicle an RFID tag reader and periodically reading the above tags;

providing in the vehicle an RF module for communication externally of the vehicle;

communicating from an outside sensor to the vehicle a signal to activate the in-vehicle communication system so as to cause the system to transmit data representative of the above tags to the sensor;

and correlating information gathered by the sensor from the transmitted data locally and/or with a database to determine the legality of the operation of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein there is provided in the vehicle a tag reader, which is preferably but not necessarily a low frequency passive reader for reading the tags in the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the tag reader and tags are located in the glove box.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein there is provided an RF module on or near the exterior of the vehicle for communicating with the sensor.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the RF module is mounted on or near the exterior of the vehicle adjacent a license plate and includes a low frequency passive tag reader for reading a tag on the license plate.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein there is provided one or more sensors arranged to detect one or more of:

running of red-lights and stop-signs;

speeding, via placement of two law-enforcement systems at a known distance apart and determining the time interval for detection of the same vehicle; and

operation of a vehicle outside of curfew hours

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein facility is made for logging of vehicle position and operating conditions at three levels:

within the in-vehicle system proper;

within the sensor; and

within the law-enforcement database.

8. An apparatus for use in a vehicle in a method for detecting illegal operation of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle for receiving and supporting providing in each of a plurality of vehicles a location for receiving

a vehicle identification RFID tag;

a vehicle Registration RFID tag;

an insurance RFID tag;

an RFID tag reader arranged for periodically reading the above tags;

and an RF module for communication externally of the vehicle and arranged in response to communicating from an outside sensor to the vehicle a signal to transmit data to the sensor representative of the above tags.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there is provided in the vehicle a low frequency passive tag reader for reading the tags in the vehicle.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the tag reader and tags are arranged to be located in the glove box.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there is provided an RF module arranged to be mounted on or near the exterior of the vehicle for communicating with the sensor.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the RF module is arranged to be mounted on or near the exterior of the vehicle adjacent a license plate of the vehicle and includes a low frequency passive tag reader for reading a tag on the license plate.