Electronic license plate having a secure identification device

• US 5,657,008 A
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bantli, Heinrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/718,691
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 340/933, 340/941, 340/928, 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.54, 362/83.2, 342/44, 342/51, 343/711, 343/713
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence

Abstract

A electronic license plate system having an identification device embedded in a license plate portion and electronics stored in a license plate holder ensures that the proper identification device is connected to the electronics. The identification device is constructed in a manner such that tampering with the device will render is inoperable. Also, if an improper license plate is mounted to the license plate holder of a vehicle, a security system will disable the electronics of the system or will transmit a alarm signal.

Claims

1. An electronic license plate system comprising:

a license plate portion comprising;

support means for providing structure to said license plate portion, said support means having visual information thereon; and

an identification device integrated in said support means for storing restricted electronic information;

an antenna;

a holder for supporting said license plate portion;

electronic means for electronic communication with said identification device and said antenna and for data processing; and

security means for ensuring the integrity of said electronic license plate system.

2. The electronic license plate system according to claim 1, wherein said security means renders said identification device inoperable when said identification device is removed from said license plate portion.

3. The electronic license plate system according to claim 2, wherein said identification device comprises:

a first substrate having a first side and a second side;

an identification chip mounted on said first side of said first substrate;

first conductive means electrically connected to said identification chip;

a second substrate having a first side and a second side;

second conductive means located on said first side of said second substrate;

a connector located on said second side of said second substrate, said connector electrically connected to said second conductive means;

and wherein said security means comprises;

first bonding means having a first bonding strength, said first bonding means affixing said first side of said first substrate to said first side of said second substrate; and

second bonding means having a second bonding strength, said second bonding strength being greater than said first bonding strength, said second bonding means affixing said second side of said first conductive substrate to said support means.

4. The electronic license plate system according to claim 3, wherein said identification device further comprises a molding and wherein said security means further comprises third bonding means having a third bonding strength, said third bonding strength being greater than said first bonding strength and less then said second bonding strength, said third bonding means affixing said molding to said second side of said second substrate.

5. The electronic license plate system according to claim 2, wherein said support means comprises a support substrate having a first side and a second side and having an opening therethrough, said opening sized to accommodate said identification device, and wherein said identification device comprises:

a first substrate having a first side and a second side;

an identification chip mounted on said first side of said first substrate;

first conductive means electrically connected to said identification chip;

a second substrate having a first side and a second side;

second conductive means located on said first side of said second substrate;

a connector located on said second side of said second substrate, said connector electrically connected to said second conductive means;

and wherein said security means comprises;

first bonding means having a first bonding strength, said first bonding means affixing said first side of said second substrate to said first side of said support substrate, said second conductive means positioned within said opening of said support substrate; and

second bonding means having a second bonding strength, said second bonding strength being less than said first bonding strength, said second bonding means affixing said first side of said first substrate to said first side of said second substrate; and

third bonding means having a third bonding strength, said third bonding strength being greater than said first bonding strength, said third bonding means affixing said first side of said first substrate to said second side of said support substrate, said first conductive means electrically connected with said second conductive means.

6. The electronic license plate system according to claim 5, wherein said identification device further comprises a molding and wherein said security means further comprises fourth bonding means having a fourth bonding strength, said fourth bonding strength being greater than said first bonding strength and less then said third bonding strength, said fourth bonding means affixing said molding to said second side of said second substrate.

7. The electronic license plate system according to claim 1, wherein said security means identifies when an improper identification device is connected to said electronic means.

8. The electronic license plate system according to claim 7, wherein said security means comprises:

a first code stored in said identification device;

a second code stored in said electronic means;

means for comparing said first code and said second code, said security means determining said identification device is said improper identification device when said first code and said second code do not match.

9. The electronic license plate system according to claim 8, wherein said security means further comprises means for disabling said electronic means when said first code and said second code do not match.

10. The electronic license plate system according to claim 8, wherein said security means further comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal when said first code and said second code do not match.

11. The electronic license plate system according to claim 7, wherein said security means comprises:

a code stored in said identification device; and

an electronic key for authorizing programming of said code onto said electronic means.

12. The electronic license plate system according to claim 11, wherein said security means further comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal when said code stored in said identification device does not match the code stored in said electronic means.

13. The electronic license plate system according to claim 11, wherein said electronic means retains said code even when said identification device is removed from said system.

14. The electronic license plate system according to claim 11, wherein said electronic means does not retain said code when said identification device is removed from said system.

15. The electronic license plate system according to claim 7, wherein said security means comprises:

a first code stored in said identification device;

an electronic key storing a second code;

a third code derived from said first code and said second code, said third code stored in said electronic means; and

means for enabling said electronic means when said electronic means receives said first code and said second code concurrently.

16. The electronic license plate system according to claim 15, wherein said security means further comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal when said first code and said second code are not received concurrently by said electronic means.

17. A security device for use with an electronic license plate system, said system including a license plate portion having an identification device embedded therein, an antenna and electronic means for electronic communication with said identification device and said antenna, said security device comprising:

means for identifying when an improper identification device is communicating with said electronic means, wherein said means for identifying when an improper identification device is connected to said electronic means includes;

a first code stored in said identification device;

a second code stored in said electronic means;

means for comparing said first code and said second code, said security device determining said identification device is said improper identification device when said first code and said second code do not match.

18. A security device for use with an electronic license plate system, said system including a license plate portion having an identification device embedded therein, an antenna and electronic means for electronic communication with said identification device and said antenna, said security device comprising:

means for identifying when an improper identification device is communicating with said electronic means, wherein said means for identifying when an improper identification device is connected to said electronic means includes;

a first code stored in said identification device;

an electronic key storing a second code;

a third code derived from said first code and said second code, said third code stored in said electronic means; and

means for enabling said electronic means when said electronic means receives said first code and said second code.