Vehicle identification and information system control device and system

• US 5,963,129 A
• Filed: 12/01/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Warner
• Original Assignee: Kevin Warner
• Inventors: Warner, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/980,708
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/988, 340/989, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/541, 340/438, 340/461, 340/463, 340/524, 340/825.45, 340/991, 340/993, 340/468
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

A vehicle identification and information system for obtaining information on a plurality of vehicles is disclosed by the present invention. The system includes an identification unit, a remote unit and a central microprocessor. The identification unit is installed in each of the plurality of vehicles and includes a first receiver for receiving information signals containing information regarding the vehicle from the central computer, a display device positioned on said vehicle for displaying information regarding the vehicle contained within the received information signal and an emergency signaling device for transmitting a distress signal to the receiver for display on the display device. The remote unit is positioned in a monitoring station and includes a transmitter for transmitting an information request signal to the central computer, a receiver for receiving an information response signal from the central computer, a microprocessor for processing the information response signal and a device for displaying the information received from the central computer. The central computer includes a database for storing the information regarding the plurality of vehicles and generates an information signal for transmission to both the identification unit and the remote unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle identification and information monitoring system for a plurality of vehicles comprising:

a) an identification unit in each of said vehicles being monitored, a remote unit installed in one or more official vehicles, and a central computer;

b) each an identification unit comprising a first receiver for receiving information signals from an central computer, a first microprocessor connected to the first receiver for processing the information signals, first display means for displaying status of insurance, theft and other pertinent information continuously regarding said vehicle connected to an first microprocessor and positioned on the outside of said vehicle, and an emergency signaling device connected to said first microprocessor for transmitting a distress signal to said first microprocessor for display on said first display means;

c) each an remote unit comprising a second transmitter for transmitting an information request signal to said central computer, a second receiver for receiving an information signal from said central computer, a second microprocessor connected to said second receiver for processing the information signal received from said central computer, and second display means for displaying within said official vehicle said information signal received from said central computer; and

d) said central computer storing information on said plurality of vehicles, receiving information request signals from a remote unit about a specific vehicle, generating the information requested from the remote unit, and transmitting an information signal about the status of said specific vehicle to the remote unit requesting the information and to the identification unit in said specific vehicle for display of said status on the outside of the specific vehicle by said first display means.

2. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a remote control unit for transmitting a distress signal to the identification unit in a vehicle for display on said first display means.

3. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein an information signal includes data representative of a registration status of said vehicle identified by an information request signal.

4. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein an information signal includes data representative of an insurance status of said vehicle identified by an information request signal.

5. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein an information signal includes data representative of a state of registration of an vehicle identified by an information request signal.

6. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein an information signal includes data representative of a license plate number of a vehicle identified by an information request signal.

7. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein said official vehicle is a police car.

8. The vehicle identification and information system as recited in claim 1, wherein an information signal includes data representative of a registration status, an insurance status, state of registration and license plate number of the vehicle identified by said request information signal.

9. The method of monitoring a plurality of vehicles comprising the steps of:

a) installing an identification unit in each of said vehicles being monitored, a remote unit in one or more official vehicles, and a central computer in a fixed location;

b) each an identification unit receiving information signals from said central computer, processing the information signals, and displaying status of insurance, theft and other pertinent information continuously regarding the vehicle containing the identification unit on the outside of the vehicle, using an emergency signaling device within the vehicle for transmitting a distress signal for display on the outside of the vehicle and transmitting said distress signal to an central computer, and receiving an information signal from said central computer for processing the information signal received and displaying within said official vehicle said information signal received from said central computer; and

c) said central computer receiving information request signals from said remote unit, storing information on said plurality of vehicles and generating information signals for transmission to said identification unit for display on the outside of each of said plurality of vehicles and to said display in said remote unit in response to receipt of an information request signal from a remote unit.