MULTI-FUNCTION ELECTRONIC DISPLAY LICENSE PLATE SYSTEM

• US 20140249713A1
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnell A. Davis
• Original Assignee: Donnell A. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Donnell A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,221,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• 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

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying license plate information and regulating the use of a vehicle'"'"'s license plate through the use of a multi-function electronic display license plate system are disclosed. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the multi-function electronic display license plate system utilizes a combination of motion sensors, position sensors, identification verification systems, and the like to allow a vehicle owner to regulate who may use the vehicle, while providing for a safer and more efficient use of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating the display of information related to vehicle registration when the vehicle is being operated by an authorized user, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving from a user, via an input module connected to a vehicle, user identification information;

(b) comparing the user identification information received from the user with authorized user information within an authorized users database;

(c) determining if the user is authorized to operate the vehicle based on the comparison of the user identification information received from the user with the authorized user information within the authorized users database; and

(d) where determining step (c) is positive;

(i) displaying vehicle registration information during the operation of the vehicle by the user via at least one external display system positioned on an end portion of the vehicle; and

(ii) deactivating the at least one external display system at the conclusion of vehicle operation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(e) identifying a current date;

(f) comparing the current date to a vehicle registration validity period; and

(g) visually alerting the user when the current date is outside the vehicle registration validity period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the visually alerting step (g) comprises inverting the displayed vehicle registration information on the at least one external display system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(h) determining the vehicle has remained motionless for at least a pre-determined idle period;

(i) reducing the illumination of the at least one external display system from an operating level; and

(j) increasing the illumination of the at least one external display system to the operating level upon the vehicle resuming motion.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(k) receiving from the user, via the input module, a user message selection;

(l) displaying, via the at least one external display system, a user message related to the user message selection received from the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user message requests assistance.

7. A system for facilitating the display of information related to vehicle registration when the vehicle is being operated by an authorized user, comprising:

(a) an input module located on a vehicle, configured to receive user inputs from a user;

(b) at least one external display system positioned on an end portion of a vehicle, configured to display vehicle registration information during the operation of the vehicle; and

(c) an authorization service, communicatively coupled with the input module, controlling the at least one external display system, comprising an authorized user database containing authorized user information, the authorization service configured to compare user inputs received at the input module with authorized user information;

wherein the information related to vehicle registration is supplied to the at least one external display system by the authorization service; and

wherein the information related to vehicle registration is displayed during authorized vehicle operation.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(d) a registration module, communicatively coupled with the authorization service, configured to identify a current date, configured to compare the current date to a vehicle registration validity period;

wherein the authorization service is further configured to visually alert the user when the current date is outside the vehicle registration validity period.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one external display system is integrated into the vehicle at the time of vehicle manufacture.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(e) a housing configured to removably attach to an automobile at a license plate attachment location, containing the authorization service and the at least one external display system.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(f) an external power source configured to provide power for the at least one external display system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the external power source is one of:

a battery; and

a photovoltaic cell.

13. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(g) a message board positioned on an end portion of a vehicle, communicatively coupled with the authorization service, configured to display a user indicated message to the surrounding environment;

wherein the user indicated message is received from the user at the input module.

14. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(h) a toll transponder.

15. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

(i) a position detecting sensor configured to detect obstacles near the vehicle; and

(j) a user alert device communicatively coupled with the position detecting sensor, configured to alert the user when the position detecting sensor detects an obstacle.

16. The system of claim 7, further comprising;

(k) a global positioning system module;

(l) a communications service; and

(m) a theft prevention module, communicatively coupled with the global positioning system module, communicatively coupled with the communications service, configured to provide the location of the vehicle via the communications service.

17. The system of claim 7, further comprising;

(o) a motion sensor configured to detect vehicle motion; and

(p) a power saving service, communicatively coupled with the authorization service, receiving inputs from the motion sensor, configured to determine when the vehicle has remained motionless for an idle period, reducing via the authorization service, the illumination of the at least one external display from an operating level and increasing the illumination of the at least one external display to the operating level upon the vehicle resuming motion.

18. One or more computer storage media having stored thereon multiple instructions that facilitate the display of information related to vehicle registration when the vehicle is being operated by an authorized user, causing the one or more processors to:

(a) receive from a user, via an input module connected to a vehicle, user identification information;

(b) compare the user identification information received from the user with authorized user information within an authorized users database;

(c) determine if the user is authorized to operate the vehicle based on the comparison of the user identification information received from the user with the authorized user information within the authorized users database; and

(d) where determining step (c) is positive;

(i) display vehicle registration information during the operation of the vehicle by the user via at least one external display system positioned on an end portion of the vehicle; and

(ii) deactivate the at least one external display system at the conclusion of vehicle operation.

19. One or more computer storage media as recited in claim 18, wherein the multiple instructions further cause one or more processors to:

(f) identify a current date;

(g) compare the current date to a vehicle registration validity period; and

(h) visually alert the user when the current date is outside the vehicle registration validity period.

20. One or more computer storage media as recited in claim 18, wherein the multiple instructions further cause one or more processors to:

(i) receive from the user, via the input module, a user message selection;

(j) display, via the at least one external display system, a user message related to the received user message selection.