Method for automated VIN acquisition and close proximity VIN verification

• US 9,020,657 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph D. Uhler
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Uhler
• Inventors: Uhler, Joseph David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Shelley
• Application Number:
  US13/506,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20120294238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A new method for transmitting and receiving automated Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and used for the verification of Vehicle Identification Numbers within close proximity of one or more vehicles simultaneously. Provides a new method for real time, on scene vehicle to vehicle information which are located within close proximity to each other for the purpose of transmitting and receiving Vehicle Identification Numbers, vehicle license plate information and owner information during vehicle to vehicle crashes, vehicle to pedestrian crashes, locating stolen vehicles, missing vehicles, crashed vehicles and stranded vehicles. The new inventive method comprises of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) equipped vehicles for transmitting the vehicles 17 digit VIN and comprises of Computer Modem equipped vehicles or persons for receiving the vehicles 17 digit VIN.

Claims

1. A method for automated VIN acquisition and close proximity VIN verification wherein each of one or more vehicles comprises a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) Modem/Router and transmitting equipment, and wherein one or more vehicles further comprises a computer receiving modem and receiving equipment, whereby 17 digit VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers) are received automatically, simultaneously, continuously and within close proximity to the receiving equipment by the receiving equipment, comprising the following steps:

a) transmitting said vehicle 17 digit VIN, make, model, year, color, license plate and owner information from within said WiFi equipped vehicles,

b) transmitting an alphanumeric code comprising said 17 digit VIN modulated into a radio signal through said Mobile WiFi Modem/Router with user service set identifier (SSID), then demodulating said radio signal to return said radio signal to said alphanumeric code comprising said 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN),

c) transmitting a close proximity radio signal consisting of said vehicle 17 digit VIN, year, make, model, color, license plate number and owner information within a radius of approximately 0 to 50 feet,

d) receiving said radio signal through said computer receiving modem equipment consisting of stationary or handheld mobile WiFi receiving equipment including at least one of personal computers, handheld/stationary gaming systems, and PDAs and wherein computer receiving modems receive said 17 digit VIN from within close proximity to the computer receiving modem, and

e) receiving said close proximity transmission of said radio signal consisting of said vehicle 17 digit VIN, year, make, model, color, license plate number and owner information within said radius of approximately 0 to 50 feet,

f) transmitting said VIN and said vehicle information of said radio signal using said (WiFi) wireless fidelity equipment, and receiving said VIN of said radio signal using downloaded applications and platform definitions on laptops, PDAs, PCs and gaming systems on the 802.11a, b and g networks, and

g) said radio signal consisting of said vehicle 17 digit VIN, year, make, model, color and license plate information received from said mobile WiFi modem/router is converted to said 17 digit VIN and said vehicle information within said radius of within approximately 0 to 50 feet,

h) said VIN and vehicle information is received via said Mobile WiFi Modem/Router then compared to information visually acquired at the scene of traffic accidents and vehicle to vehicle crashes, to assist motorists and sick or injured persons within said WiFi Modem equipped vehicles,

i) transmitting by said WiFi modem equipped motor vehicles within approximately 0-50 feet of single and multiple vehicle crashes,

j) transmitting said VIN between vehicles within approximately 0-12 inches of each other,

k) receiving said VIN between vehicles within approximately 0-12 inches of each other,

l) transmitting VIN from missing, crashed or otherwise distressed vehicles that are within close proximity of patrol areas, parking lots and wooded areas which are not visible from the traveled portion of a roadway or interstate,

m) receiving VIN from missing, crashed or otherwise distressed vehicles that are within close proximity of patrol areas, parking lots and wooded areas which are not visible from the traveled portion of a roadway or interstate,

n) transmitting said 17 digit VIN, downloaded using an application from said WiFi equipped devices, while traveling or stationary by said WiFi Modem/Router and laptop modem devices within said close proximity zone of approximately 0-50 feet using said computer based application and platform definition,

o) receiving said 17 digit VIN, downloaded using an application from said WiFi equipped devices, while traveling or stationary by said WiFi Modem/Router and laptop modem devices within said close proximity zone of approximately 0-50 feet using said computer based application and platform definition,

p) transmitting said 17 digit VIN, downloaded using an application from said WiFi equipped devices, while traveling or stationary as long as said WiFi Modem/Router and laptop modem devices are within said close proximity zone of approximately 0-50 feet using said computer based application and platform definition,

q) transmitting of said 17 digit VIN from a WiFi Modem/Router equipped vehicle which is towed, driven or removed from said close proximity zone of within approximately 0-50 feet radius, wherein said 17 digit VIN information will no longer appear on the receiver or laptop modem and will therefore alert said vehicle owner, operator, security, dealership or equipment owner that said vehicle or equipment is no longer within said close proximity zone of approximately 0-50 feet using a computer based application and/or platform definition,

r) receiving of said 17 digit VIN from said WiFi Modem/Router equipped vehicle which is towed, driven or removed from said close proximity zone of within approximately 0-50 feet radius, wherein said 17 digit VIN information will no longer appear on the receiver or laptop modem and will therefore alert said vehicle owner, operator, security, dealership or equipment owner that said vehicle or equipment is no longer within said close proximity zone of approximately 0-50 feet using a computer based application and/or platform definition.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said 17 digit VIN vehicle identification number and said stolen, crashed or missing vehicle information is transmitted from said vehicle equipped with said wireless fidelity WiFi equipment and received by said vehicles equipped with said WiFi computer modem.

3. Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for transmitting and receiving said stolen, crashed or missing vehicle 17 digit VIN through means of wireless fidelity WiFi comprises:

a) transmitting means of said vehicle 17 digit VIN from said stolen, crashed or missing vehicles,

b) receiving means of said vehicle 17 digit VIN from said stolen, crashed or missing vehicles,

c) recovering means of said vehicle 17 digit VIN from said vehicle to vehicle crashes.