Devices and methods useful for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle

• US 7,907,058 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gasngo R&D Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Petratec International Ltd.
• Inventors: Weitzhandler, Shimon, Yalon, Avi, Vilnai, Yoav, Levie, Ilay
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/083,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.4, 340/539.11, 141/94, 141/98, 141/68, 700/282, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Various devices are useful as components of a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle that are generally simple to install, operate and maintain and are generally resistant to abuse. The devices include theft-resistant vehicular identification tags, sealed identification tag reader and variable range tag-readers.

Claims

1. A vehicle identification tag, comprising

a) a constricting band having a looped configuration and comprising an electrically conducting fastener;

b) a vehicle identification circuit attached to said constricting band; and

c) at least one electrical conductor embedded in said band as a component of an anti-tamper circuit of said vehicle identification circuit

wherein when said constricting band is in said looped configuration said at least one electrical conductor is closed through said electrically conducting fastener for closing a part of said anti-tamper circuit, and when said band is in a non-looped configuration said part of said anti-tamper circuit is broken whereby said vehicle identification circuit is rendered substantially inoperable.

2. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical conductor embedded in said band are at least two mutually insulated electrical conductors, each as a component of said anti-tamper circuit.

3. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein said constricting band is a non-releasable constricting band.

4. The identification tag of claim 1, wherein said constricting band has at least two configurations:

i) a linear configuration where said constriction band has a first end and an opposing end, where said at least one electrical conductor is open; and

ii) said looped configuration, where said at least one electrical conductor is closed

wherein said band is configured to be looped into said looped configuration from said linear configuration.

5. The identification tag of claim 4, wherein in a region in proximity of said first end and said opposing end are provided electrical contacts apparent on a surface of said constricting band, each electrical contact in contact with an electrical conductor from amongst said at least one electrical conductors so that when a said electrical contact in proximity of said first end is contacted with a said electrical contact in proximity of said opposing end, a said electrical conductor is closed.

6. The identification tag of claim 4, wherein said looping into said looped configuration includes coupling said first end to said opposing end.

7. The identification tag of claim 6, wherein said first end is provided with locking features and said opposing end is provided with a locking head configured to receive said first end and to engage said locking features so as to prevent withdrawal of said first end from said locking head whereby said first end is coupled to said opposing end and said band is looped.

8. The identification tag of claim 1 wherein said electrically conducting fastener includes at least one pawl.

9. The identification tag of claim 8 wherein said constricting band includes teeth for engaging said at least one pawl.

10. The identification tag of claim 9 wherein said at least one pawl electrically contacts said at least one electrical conductor inside a gap between said teeth.

11. A vehicle identification tag reader, comprising:

a) a casing configured for attachment to a fuel-dispensing nozzle;

b) an identification tag reading transceiver sealed within said casing;

c) a power storage unit for supplying energy to said transceiver; and

d) a movement detector for detecting movement of the fuel-dispensing nozzle for activating said transceiver.

12. The tag reader of claim 11, wherein said casing is monolithic.

13. The tag reader of claim 11, wherein said transceiver is enclosed within a sealed chamber inside said casing.

14. The tag reader of claim 13, wherein said chamber is seamless.

15. The identification tag reader of claim 11 wherein said movement detector includes a mercury switch.

16. A vehicle identification tag reader, comprising:

a) a casing configured for attachment to a fuel-dispensing nozzle;

b) an identification tag reading transceiver associated with said casing;

c) a rechargeable power storage unit for supplying energy to said transceiver; and

d) a generator to convert mechanical energy from actuation of a trigger of said fuel-dispensing nozzle into electrical energy to recharge said power storage unit.

17. A vehicle identification tag reader, comprising:

a) a casing configured for attachment to a fuel-dispensing nozzle;

b) an identification tag reading transceiver associated with said casing;

c) a rechargeable power storage unit for supplying energy to said transceiver; and

d) a generator to convert mechanical energy from movement of the tag-reader into electrical energy to recharge said power storage unit.

18. A method of producing a theft-resistant vehicle identification tag comprising:

a) attaching a vehicle identification circuit to a constricting band having a looped configuration and an electrically conducting fastener; and

b) embedding at least one electrical conductor in said constricting band as a component of an anti-tamper circuit of said vehicle identification circuit such, that when said constricting band is in said looped configuration said at least one electrical conductor is closed through said electrically conducting fastener for closing a part of said anti-tamper circuit, and when said band is in a non-looped configuration said part of said anti-tamper circuit is broken whereby said vehicle identification circuit is rendered substantially inoperable.