Vehicle identifier with contact-free readable electronic data carrier, and production process

• US 6,628,209 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tonnjes ISI Patent Holding GmbH
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Rother, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/549,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 340/933, 340/693.5, 340/825.34, 340/941, 340/928, 402/00, 402/02
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices

Abstract

A vehicle identifier having a substantially flat carrier with at least one labeling field and an identification to identify a vehicle. The identification is applied on the at least one labeling field. An electronic data carrier carries data associated with the identification and is mounted on the identification carrier. The data are at least readable by a reading device in a contact-free manner. A process for manufacturing a vehicle identifier includes, in a first step, adhering an electronic data carrier carrying data associated with an identification to identify a vehicle to a protective covering. Furthermore, the electronic data carrier is applied onto an identification carrier such that the electronic data carrier is sandwiched between the protective covering and the identification carrier.

Claims

1. A vehicle identifier, comprising:

a substantially flat identification carrier having at least one labeling field on an outer surface of the identification carrier and an identification to identify a vehicle, the identification being applied on the at least one labeling field; and

an electronic data carrier carrying data associated with the identification and mounted on the outer surface of the identification carrier, the electronic data carrier comprising;

at least one electronic processing unit to at least receive and store the data associated with the identification, the data being at least readable by a reading device in a contact-free manner;

an antenna connected to the electronic processing unit; and

a housing to at least accommodate the electronic processing unit and the antenna.

2. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the identification is embossed on the at least one labeling field.

3. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the identification carrier further comprises a free area on which the electronic data carrier is mounted.

4. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the identification carrier further comprises:

an electrically conducting material;

an antenna connected to the electronic data carrier; and

a substantially flat shielding element mounted between the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier to electromagnetically decouple the antenna from the identification carrier.

5. The vehicle identifier according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conducting material of the identification carrier comprises a metal.

6. The vehicle identifier according to claim 4, wherein the shielding element covers the identification carrier substantially entirely.

7. The vehicle identifier according to claim 4, wherein the shielding element comprises ferritic material.

8. The vehicle identifier according to claim 7, wherein the shielding element comprises a flexible foil of a composite of at least a plastic material and the ferritic material.

9. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, further comprising a protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier.

10. The vehicle identifier according to claim 9, wherein the protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier comprises a light-reflecting protective covering.

11. The vehicle identifier according to claim 9, wherein the protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier comprises a self-adhering protective covering.

12. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the electronic data carrier has an adhesive underside to mount the electronic data carrier on the outer surface of the identification carrier.

13. The vehicle identifier according to claim 12, wherein the housing of the electronic data carrier consists essentially of a self-adhering foil.

14. The vehicle identifier according to claim 12, wherein the housing of the electronic data carrier comprises a plaque with substantially the size of a coin.

15. The vehicle identifier according to claim 12, wherein the at least one electronic processing unit and the antenna are removably mounted in the housing.

16. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the size and form of the antenna is adapted to the size and form of the identification carrier.

17. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the identification carrier further comprises a receiving opening into which the electronic data carrier is mounted.

18. The vehicle identifier according to claim 17, wherein the electronic data carrier is fully recessed into the receiving opening.

19. The vehicle identifier according to claim 17, further comprising a protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier.

20. The vehicle identifier according to claim 19, wherein the protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier comprises a light-reflecting protective covering.

21. The vehicle identifier according to claim 19, wherein the protective covering to cover the identification carrier and the electronic data carrier comprises a self-adhering protective covering.

22. The vehicle identifier according to claim 17, further comprising a covering provided on a back side of the identification carrier to cover the receiving opening.

23. The vehicle identifier according to claim 1, wherein the identification carrier further comprises a receiving recess, in which the electronic data carrier is mounted.

24. A process for manufacturing a vehicle identifier, comprising:

(a) adhering an electronic data carrier carrying data associated with an identification to identify a vehicle to at least one of a light-reflecting protective covering and a self-adhering protective covering; and

(b) applying the electronic data carrier connected to the at least one of the light-reflecting protective covering and the self-adhering protective covering onto an identification carrier such that the electronic data carrier is sandwiched between the at least one of the light-reflecting protective covering and the self-adhering protective covering and the identification carrier.

25. The process according to claim 24, further comprising applying the identification to identify the vehicle on a labeling field of the identification carrier.

26. The process according to claim 24, further comprising removing the electronic data carrier, which has no housing, from a carrier material before the adhering step (a).

27. A process for manufacturing a vehicle identifier, comprising:

(a) providing a substantially flat identification carrier with a receiving opening;

(b) adhering a protective covering to a front side of the identification carrier such that the receiving opening is covered;

(c) applying an identification to identify a vehicle on a labeling field of the identification carrier; and

(d) from a back side of the identification carrier which is not covered by the protective covering, laying an electronic data carrier carrying data associated with the identification into the receiving opening.

28. The process according to claim 27, further comprising sealing the receiving opening on the back side of the identification carrier with a covering.