Electronic vehicle tag

• US 7,551,088 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compliance Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian Bannister, Findlay W. David
• Inventors: Findlay, W. David, Bannister, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Lam P
• Application Number:
  US11/786,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/928, 340/988, 340/5.91, 340/815.45, 340/568.2, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 402/00, 402/01, 402/04, 404/48, 405/84, 405/91, 235/383, 235/385, 235/492
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/825 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card

Abstract

The present invention consists of an electronic vehicle tag (EVT), which is preferably 12×6 inches. It consists of an encasement mountable by 4 screws to a motor vehicle. The front face is comprised of an electronic paper display technology, which requires no power consumption to maintain its image. The electronic paper display will hold a high resolution full color graphic design relating to the vehicle tag selected and tag information depending on the state of issuances requirements. The display is reflective and can be easily read in sunlight or dimly lit environments and at virtually any angle. The plate has an electronic paper technology for display, wireless communication transmitter/receiver, logic board for electronic paper manipulation, high impact encasement, and a battery pack. The battery pack is used to change the display when required. The electronic vehicle tag is independent of the vehicle in which it is attached.

Claims

1. An electronic vehicle tag comprising:

an electronic paper display that maintains display of vehicle tag information without further consuming power;

a wireless communication transmitter/receiver having a perimeter;

a logic board having a central processing unit;

a battery pack;

an encasement having a front and a back both having a perimeter;

a security wire grid substantially expanding the area of the encasement, and has the capability to accommodate a closed circuit connection;

an antenna disposed along or within the perimeter of the encasement;

wherein the transmitter/receiver, the logic board and the electronic paper display are all interconnected through said security wire grid using current conducting material;

wherein upon tampering of the security wire grid, the electronic vehicle tag will become disabled.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a binding connection holding the transmitter/receiver, the logic board, the electronic paper display and the battery together, wherein the display will become disabled if any of the transmitter/receiver, the logic board, the electronic paper display and the battery are separated.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the binding connection is a low amperage conductor.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the low amperage conductor is a ribbon cable.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the electronic paper display has at least a single display that changes depending on the instructions received.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the electronic paper display is a thin-film transistor liquid crystal.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the antenna is disposed around the perimeter of the wireless communication transmitter/receiver.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the wireless communication transmitter/receiver does not consume power except when a signal is being sent to change the display.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the encasement is made of a high impact plastic.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the encasement measures 12 inches by 6 inches.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the front of the encasement is clear.

12. The invention of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of holes disposed on the back of the encasement.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the plurality of holes are disposed around the perimeter of the back of the encasement.