VEHICLE-INTEGRATED AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS

• US 20130222156A1
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philmore H. Colburn III
• Original Assignee: Philmore H. Colburn III
• Inventors: Colburn, Philmore H. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,872,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/928
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

An automatic identification apparatus includes a control module configured as an integrated component of a vehicle and an electrical power interface receptive to a power signal from the vehicle. The electrical power interface provides electrical power to the control module. The automatic identification apparatus also includes an antenna electrically connected to the control module. The antenna transmits a radio wave indicative of a unique identification. The antenna is configured as an integrated component of the vehicle and is located to communicate the radio wave external of the vehicle. The automatic identification apparatus further includes a memory interface assembly configured as an integrated component of the vehicle. The memory interface assembly is receptive to a memory device encoded with the unique identification. The memory interface assembly communicates the unique identification to the control module when the memory device is received in the memory interface assembly.

Claims

1. An automatic identification apparatus, comprising:

a control module configured as an integrated component of a vehicle;

an electrical power interface receptive to an electrical power signal provided from the vehicle, the electrical power interface electrically connected to the control module to provide electrical power thereto, the electrical power interface configured as an integrated component of the vehicle;

a radio frequency identification antenna electrically connected to the control module, the radio frequency identification antenna responsive to the control module transmits a radio wave indicative of a unique identification, the radio frequency identification antenna configured as an integrated component of the vehicle and located to communicate the radio wave external of the vehicle; and

a memory interface assembly configured as an integrated component of the vehicle, the memory interface assembly receptive to a memory device encoded with the unique identification, the memory interface assembly electrically connected to the control module for communicating the unique identification from the memory device when the memory device is received in the memory interface assembly to the control module.

2. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory device is a programmed microchip.

3. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power converter electrically connected to the electrical power interface, the power converter controlling voltage levels to the control module.

4. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification antenna is integrally formed in a rear view minor assembly.

5. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory interface assembly includes:

a drawer configured to be removably inserted in an opening formed in the memory interface assembly, the drawer including a compartment for receiving the memory device; and

a fixing element configured to frictionally engage the drawer in the memory interface assembly.

6. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory interface assembly includes:

an opening formed in the memory interface assembly, the opening configured to removably receive the memory device; and

a fixing element configured to frictionally engage the memory device in the memory interface assembly.

7. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory interface assembly is integrally formed in a mirror of a rear view mirror assembly of the vehicle.

8. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory interface assembly is integrally formed in a console of the vehicle.

9. A rear-view mirror assembly, comprising:

a mirror housing;

a mirror element disposed within a surface opening in the minor housing;

a mounting structure configured to secure the minor housing to a vehicle; and

an automatic identification apparatus integrally formed with at least one of the minor housing and the mounting structure, the automatic identification apparatus, including;

a control module;

an electrical power interface receptive to an electrical power signal provided from the vehicle, the electrical power interface electrically connected to the control module to provide electrical power thereto;

a radio frequency identification antenna electrically connected to the control module, the radio frequency identification antenna responsive to the control module transmits a radio wave indicative of a unique identification, the radio frequency identification antenna located to communicate the radio wave external of the vehicle; and

a memory interface assembly receptive to a memory device encoded with the unique identification, the memory interface assembly electrically connected to the control module for communicating the unique identification from the memory device when the memory device is received in the memory interface assembly to the control module.

10. The rear-view mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the memory device is a programmed microchip.

11. The rear-view minor assembly of claim 9, further comprising a power converter electrically connected to the electrical power interface, the power converter controlling voltage levels to the control module.

12. The rear-view minor assembly of claim 9, wherein the memory interface assembly includes:

a drawer configured to be removably inserted in an opening formed in the memory interface assembly, the drawer including a compartment for receiving the memory device; and

a fixing element configured to frictionally engage the drawer in the memory interface assembly.

13. The rear-view minor assembly of claim 9, wherein the memory interface assembly includes:

an opening formed in the memory interface assembly, the opening configured to removably receive the memory device; and

a fixing element configured to frictionally engage the memory device in the memory interface assembly.

14. The rear-view mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the minor housing is formed of non-metallic material to provide a communication pathway between the radio frequency identification antenna and a reader device.

15. An automatic identification apparatus, comprising:

a control module configured as an integrated component of a vehicle;

an electrical power interface receptive to an electrical power signal provided from the vehicle, the electrical power interface electrically connected to the control module to provide electrical power thereto, the electrical power interface configured as an integrated component of the vehicle;

a radio frequency identification antenna electrically connected to the control module, the radio frequency identification antenna responsive to the control module transmits a radio wave indicative of a unique identification, the radio frequency identification antenna configured as an integrated component of the vehicle and located to communicate the radio wave external of the vehicle; and

a wireless interface communicatively coupled to the control module, the wireless interface configured to receive the unique identification over a wireless network and communicate the unique identification to the control module.

16. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 15, wherein the unique identification is received from a mobile communications device.

17. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wireless network is a Bluetooth™

network.

18. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a software mobile application stored on the mobile communications device for controlling communication of the unique identification.

19. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 15, wherein the radio frequency identification antenna is integrally formed in a rear view minor assembly of the vehicle.

20. The automatic identification apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the rear-view mirror assembly is formed of non-metallic material to provide a communication pathway between the radio frequency identification antenna and a reader device.