GB2214688A

GB2214688A - Indicating devices

Info

Publication number: GB2214688A
Application number: GB8824834A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gabriel Ordonez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-21
Filing date: 1988-10-24
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Also published as: GB8824834D0; GB8801346D0

Abstract

In a vehicle registration plate 20, at least part of the plate comprises an electronically alterable display. The display may be an LCD device of the type requiring no power to maintain the display. An electronic memory and control circuitry 22 built into the plate sets the registration number for normal display. Messages, e.g. those seeking assistance, may be displayed instead or in addition by an occupant of the vehicle operating a switch or control panel 30 to actuate circuitry 22 via a control box 26. An infra-red or microwave detector facilitates display of information regarding the vehicle stored at 22 and required by outsiders such as police. Vehicle theft may be indicated if an appropriate code is not used at starting. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION PLATES The present invention relates to vehicle registration plates and more particularly to registration plates fitted to the front and or rear of vehicles.

Known vehicle registration plates carry the vehicle identification code comprising for example three letters and three numerals these being arranged in a desired order on a plate which is affixed to the front and rear of a vehicle.

Whilst providing an identification of the vehicle these plates ao not perform any other function.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle registration plate which, in addition to providing the vehicle number is also capable of performing other functions.

The present invention provides a vehicle registration plate in which at least part of the plate comprises an electronically controlled display which can be altered electronically.

The display may comprise the whole plate and the electronic control may be used to produce the required registration number on the plate the plate then being attached to the vehicle. On sale of the vehicle the plate may then be removed and the registration number altered to the number of a new vehicle. This may be particularly useful for trailers which require a number plate matching the vehicle.

The registration plate can therefore be provided with means for identifying the owner of the vehicle since the owner will be able to retain the same plate, merely changing the vehicle number.

By suitable electronic memory and control circuitry built into the registration plate the plate can be made to change its display. In a preferred embodiment this can be accomplished by external apparatus, for example an infrared remote control. This would enable for example the police to ascertain the identity of the registered owner.

In a preferred embodiment the display on the registration plate is alterable under the control of the driver of the vehicle to provide a display which gives information to others. For example such displays may include the substitution of the word "HELP" for the vehicle number if the driver becomes ill or requires assistance due to a breakdown.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a vehicle equipped with a registration plate according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a first display; Figure 3 shows a second display; and Figure 4 shows a third possible display.

With reference now to Figure 1, a car 10 is provided with a rear registration plate 20. The registration plate is electronically programmable and may contain electronic circuitry 22 which stores information for display on the plate by means of a control signal received on cable 24.

Cable 24 is connected to a control box 26 and control box 26 is operated via a cable 28 by a switch or control panel 30.

The operation of the system is as follows with reference to Figures 1 and 2 to 4.

Normally the registration plate will display the vehicle number as shown in Figure 2. The registration plate is constructed in accordance with a technology of the liquid crystal display type such as described in British Patent No. 2146787. Thus the display can be addressed and the display altered in accordance either with a present programme stored in electronic circuitry 22 or in control box 26. Once the display is established it requires no electrical power to be maintained.

In a preferred embodiment circuitry 22 will store programmes selectable by control box 26 to change the display from that shown in Figure 2 to that in Figure 3 or Figure 4.

The display of Figure 3 can be selected by the driver, or passenger if assistance is required. This can be useful if for example the driver suffers a heart attack which although allowing time to park the vehicle on a hard shoulder renders the driver immobile.

Alternatively it can enable a lone female driver to request help without having the leave the vehicle.

If desired the display can be made to flash between Figure 2 and Figure 3 displays or between Figure 3 and for example a plain white display to draw greater attention. this can be accomplished by suitable programming of the control box 26.

With reference to Figure 4, an infrared or microwave detector 32 is provided on the plate 20. This enables, on transmission of an appropriately coded signal the display of the vehicle owner and other details. As shown the address is displayed but the vehicle chassis number etc.

could be given. For this programme stored in electronic circuitry 22 additional security could be provided enabling only alteration with a key code known only to the owner of the vehicle. Thus vehicle thefts would be much more difficult.

The police could thus have a suitable transmitter and could "interrogate" the plate to immediately find the vehicle details. Thus if stopped a driver would have to know not only the registration number but also the other details.

In a variation of figure 3 the vehicle registration plate can display information relating to the status of the vehicle.

For example, if the owner sets an alarm condition then, unless an appropriate code is used in restarting the vehicle the plate could display statically or flashing the word STOLEN.

In addition to recording the service history by a garage the involvement of the vehicle in an accident could be recorded. Also the plate could readily display the country of issue and therefore eliminate the requirement for separate plates.

When alternative messages are displayed the registration number could still be displayed at a smaller size.

Any vehicle data e.g. mileage, accidents, can be recorded on a non-volatile memory which will therefore be tamper proof.

The registration plate will be waterproof and able to withstand temperatures both high and low likely to be encountered on a vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle registration plate in which at least part of the plate comprises an electronically controlled display which can be altered electronically.

2. A vehicle registration plate as claimed in claim 1 which comprises the whole plate and the electronic control is used to produce the required registration number on the plate the plate then being attached to the vehicle.

3. A vehicle registration plate as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the registration plate is provided with means for identifying the owner of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle registration plate as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 in which an electronic memory and control circuitry is built into the registration plate to enable the plate to change its display. In a prefered embodiment this can be accomplished by external apparatus, for example an infrared remote control.

This would enable for example the police to ascertain the identity of the registered owner.

5. A vehicle registration plate as claimed in claim 4 in which the plate includes receptor means for receiving an external signal to change the displayed information.

6. A vehicle registration plate as claimed in claim 4 in which the display on the registration plate is alterable under the control of the driver of the vehicle to provide a display which gives information to others.

7. A vehicle registration plate substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.