Radio communication module to be installed on vehicular license plate

• US 7,535,342 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Oda, Kazuo, Yoshida, Shingo, Tanaka, Yukiomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally; Kerri L
• Application Number:
  US11/232,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0098 using electric or electronic means, e.g. alarms, codes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone

Abstract

A radio communication module to be installed on a license plate of a vehicle has a module body and a removal protector. The module body is provided with a memory device, which stores a vehicle information, and a radio communication portion, which transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave to exchange the vehicle information with an outer apparatus. The removal protector is for protecting the module body from a detachment from the license plate to prevent the vehicle information from being used by a third person.

Claims

1. A radio communication module to be installed on a license plate of a vehicle, the module comprising:

a module body includes;

a memory device which stores vehicle information, and

a radio communication portion which transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave to exchange the vehicle information with an outer apparatus;

wherein

a removal protector which protects the module body from detachment from the license plate to prevent the vehicle information from being used by a third person is provided in the module body; and

an indicator is provided in the module body, the indicator being activated to indicate the module body is detached when the module body is detached from the license plate;

wherein

the indicator includes a fixing portion which is integrally formed with the module body to be screw-fastened together with the license plate to the vehicle by a fastening bolt, the fixing portion being formed to be covered by a seal fixed thereon to cover the fastening bolt and having a construction to be broken together with a breakage of the seal.

2. A radio communication module to be installed on a license plate of a vehicle, the module comprising:

a module body provided with;

a memory device which stores vehicle information, and

a radio communication portion which transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave to exchange the vehicle information with an outer apparatus; and

a removal protector which protects the module body from detachment from the license plate to prevent the vehicle information from being used by a third person, where in

the removal protector includes a fixing portion which is integrally formed with the module body to be screw-fastened together with the license plate to the vehicle by a fastening bolt, the fixing portion being formed to be covered by a seal fixed thereon to cover the fastening bolt and having a construction to be broken together with a breakage of the seal; and

wherein the fixing portion includes;

a plurality of plate portions which are aligned to surround the fastening bolt; and

a connection portion which connects the plate portions with each other and is formed to engage with the seal.

3. A radio communication module to be installed on a license plate of a vehicle, the module comprising:

a module body includes;

a memory device which stores vehicle information, and

a radio communication portion which transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave to exchange the vehicle information with an outer apparatus;

wherein

a removal protector which protects the module body from detachment from the license plate to prevent the vehicle information from being used by a third person is provided in the module body; and

an indicator is provided in the module body, the indicator being activated to indicate the module body is detached when the module body is detached from the license plate;

wherein

the removal protector includes;

an insertion portion which is integrally formed with the module body;

a fixing member which is inserted into the insertion portion to interpose a fastening bolt between itself and the module body; and

a hook portion which is integrally formed with the module body to lock the fixing member inserted into the insertion portion and has a construction to be broken when the fixing member is pulled out of the insertion portion.

4. A radio communication module to be installed on a license plate of a vehicle, the module comprising:

a module body provided with;

a memory device which stores vehicle information, and

a radio communication portion which transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave to exchange the vehicle information with an outer apparatus; and

a removal protector which protects the module body from detachment from the license plate to prevent the vehicle information from being used by a third person;

wherein

the removal protector includes;

an insertion portion which is integrally formed with the module body;

a fixing member which is inserted into the insertion portion to interpose a fastening bolt between itself and the module body; and

a hook portion which is integrally formed with the module body to lock the fixing member inserted into the insertion portion and has a construction to be broken when the fixing member is pulled out of the insertion portion.