Communications: electrical – Traffic control indicator – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-25
2001-04-24
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Traffic control indicator
Combined
C340S905000, C340S988000, C342S051000, C455S517000, C701S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222463
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a communication network and, more particularly, to a vehicle communication network for providing an integrated record management and collection system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, as the number of vehicles on the road has dramatically increased, there has been an increased need for a more efficient record management and collection system. Today, record management, such as for registration, insurance and inspection records, is provided by administrative agencies generally untrained or too poorly equipped to do so. For example, each department of motor vehicles (DMV) only has several employees who unfortunately are burden with the responsibilities for renewing registrations, conducting inspections, and issuing license plates and driver licenses for hundreds of vehicles and drivers a day. The DMV is as well responsible for collecting fees for most of these latter services, which for obvious reasons is time consuming.
With administrative agencies generally ill-suited to handle the latter administrative tasks, it is estimated that their efficiency is low, as no doubt evident by the long lines at the DMVs. Although allocating some of these administrative tasks to local independent service centers has been beneficial, it has not been entirely successful. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide for a cost-effective record management and collection system which enhances the work force utilization of today's vehicular administrative agencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a bi-directional vehicle communication network which has the ability for record management and collection, including updating registration, insurance, inspection and/or maintenance records, as well as for collecting for the transaction fee or cost thereof. Additionally, the present vehicle communication network readily affords the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations. Importantly, vehicles are equipped with an electronic tag containing records associated therewith. In response to radio frequency signals from a portable interrogator, vehicular records may be selectively retrieved from the electronic tag. Updated records are then transmitted to the electronic tag for storage. Similarly, those updated records may be also transmitted to a centralized control center for archival purposes, as well as for effecting record management and collection.
The network includes a control center linked to a plurality of vehicle base stations and a point of sale (POS) or automated teller machine (ATM) system. Vehicles equipped with electronic tags respond to radio frequency signals sent out by the portable interrogator when activated by an authorized person. Each vehicle base station is capable of communicating through radio communication with the portable interrogator which selectively queries the electronic tag for registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. The response of the electronic tag takes the form of encoded radio frequency signals corresponding to the desired vehicular records requested by the portable interrogator.
Preferably, both permanent and variable information are stored in memory residing within the electronic tag, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make and model of the vehicle, the license plate number, as well as other registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records.
In a preferred embodiment, each cell is allocated at least one cellular radio channel used to effect bidirectional communication between the portable interrogator and the vehicle base station to effect record management and collection using information transmitted to and received from the electronic tag. The portable interrogator includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of displaying both data and graphics. Four keypads are used to control the functions of the portable interrogator in a menu driver fashion. Also, an alphanumeric keypad is used for entering or updating data into the portable interrogator. Updated records once entered are then transmitted to the electronic tag and the control center for storage. Such updated records may include registration, inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance records for the vehicle and may be readily displayed on the LCD to an authorized personnel.
The control center also includes a database containing registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. Advantageously, this allows control center operators to update those records for particular vehicles and later transmit such records to the electronic tag when the vehicle is taken to an authorized center. Also, control personnel may request the control center to prepare various reports for a specific vehicle or search for specific records. Notices, such as for expired registration, insurance and/or inspection, may be generated and mailed to individuals. Such capabilities enhance record management as well as minimize the amount of work performed by service personnel on administrative tasks.
In another aspect of the present vehicle communication network, if desired, the control center may also effect collection, such as for registration, repairs or traffic violations. Specifically, billing may be effected by the control center preparing and transmitting an appropriate invoice to the portable interrogator. After obtaining the driver's bank account, credit card or ATM number, the portable interrogator transmits the latter information to the control center so as to transfer funds from the driver's financial institution.
Still another unique aspect of the present vehicle communication network is the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations without the need for an officer to manually approach a vehicle and obtain the registration records. Advantageously, the portable interrogator may query the electronic tag for the registration records for the vehicle and then populate a standardized traffic ticket with those records.
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De La Rosa J.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Swarthout Brent A.
LandOfFree
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