GB2425390A - Sign with embedded RFID tag, e.g. vehicle authorisation indicator. - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign 1 with a graphic identifier (2a, 2b, Fig. 1) is provided comprising a base plate 4, a cover layer 5, and a passive radio frequency identifier RFID device 3 permanently associated with the graphic identifier within the structure of the sign. The RFID tag may be sandwiched between the base plate and the cover layer or embedded in a recess in the cover layer and/or base plate. The RFID tag is preferably arranged so that attempted removal destroys the graphic identifier. The sign is used in relation to licensing or other indication of authorisation, particular for vehicles. Typically it relates to tax discs, taxi licenses, number plates 33b, 33c, parking permits, etc. An interpreter device 35 may also be provided to interrogate the passive RFID device and display a graphic for that RFID tag which can be compared with the graphic identifier.

Description

Indicator Signape The present invention relates to indicator signage and

more particularly to such signage used in relation to authorisation using passive radio frequency identifier devices (RFID) such as with respect to taxis and vehicles, authorised vehicle access/usage, tax discs, parking permits, vehicle registration plates and other indicator plates.

It will be understood that occupations and businesses such as those relating to taxis are generally regulated by a local authority or other authorised body. These authorised bodies limit the number of licensed vehicles allowed to operate as taxis within a particular area. It will be understood that there are inherent dangers with respect to unauthorised control of taxi services in that the vehicles may not meet necessary safety regulations or be properly maintained, the drivers may have suspicious backgrounds and there may be too many vehicles attempting to obtain business with an inherent possibility that in such circumstances attempts will be made to cut costs by unacceptable practices. It will also be understood that most regulatory authorities set charging regimes for taxi operation whereby the user of such taxis can understand the expected charging for a particular journey.

In order to meet the above regulatory requirements, the authority must perform checks upon applicants for authorised taxi status. This is a costly exercise which must be substantially borne by the taxi operators themselves.

In such circumstances the value of authorised licensing signage for taxi drivers is high leading to fraudulent activity. In such circumstances this licensing signage must represent all the necessary information in terms of licence number, operator, vehicle, etc, but also should have a reasonable level of anti-fraudulent use/counterfeiting protection. In addition, the costs of such anti-fraudulent/counterfeiting should not be high as the costs will be borne by the taxi operators themselves who may become resentful of further imposed charging.

Previous attempts at anti-fraudulent/counterfeiting prevention have taken the usual approach of incorporating security seals, unusual designs and patterning, but in view of the relatively small number of licenses for a particular regulatory authority, the proportionate costs are high particularly if the licence signage must be renewed on an annular basis. In any event, the main dangers with respect to illicit use of licensing signage for taxis occurs during the evening and generally when potential clients could be inebriated and so less conscious as to potential inconsistencies with respect to the correct signage even if they cared.

There is a requirement to provide indicator signage in a number of environments as described above including with respect to general signs and number plates for vehicles as well as with respect to provision of tax discs, parking permits, carriage licences, vehicle registration plates and other signage. It will be appreciated a common feature is the relative low cost of manufacture of this indicator signage itself in comparison with the authorisations or confirmations provided by that signage. Generally the signage itself is relatively cheap to manufacture and it is the licensing fees or other associated charges which render value to the signage sufficient to attract the attention of fraudsters.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a signage arrangement for authorised indication comprising a base plate and cover layer, the base plate and/or the cover layer arranged to present a graphic identifier and a passive radio frequency identifier (RFI) device permanently associated with the graphic identifier within the structure of the arrangement.

Possibly, the RFI device is part of the graphic identifier. Alternatively, the RFI device is separate from the graphic identifier within the arrangement.

Typically, the RFI device is sandwiched between the base plate and the cover layer. Possibly, the RFI device is embedded within a recess in the cover layer and/or base plate. Advantageously, the base plate and cover layer are laminates secured together by respective material fusion.

Typically, the graphic identifier device is applied by a relief printing process upon a plastics material film utilised as the cover layer.

Possibly, there is more than one RFI device associated with the signage arrangement. Furthermore, one or more RFI device is detachable.

Typically, removal of the RFI device destroys the licence signage arrangement. Generally, such destruction destroys the graphic identifier.

Preferably, the RFI device is a passive device stimulated by back EMF effects.

Generally, the signage arrangement is with respect to licensing or other authorisation. Typically, the license arrangement relates to tax discs, taxi carriage licences, number plates, parking permits or other authorisation denoting signage.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a signage identifier system for indicator signage identification, the system comprising a signage arrangement as described above and an interpreter device to interrogate the passive RFI device and display a correct graphic identifier for that passive RFI device to allow comparison with the plate graphic identifier or for other comparisons.

Typically, such other comparisons relate to correct taxi number or tax disc or driver badge or vehicle chassis number.

Typically, the RFI device relates to all comparisons to allow the interpreter device to provide each and every comparison. Alternatively, there is an individual RFI device for each comparison as determined by the interpreter device.

Possibly, comparison by the interpreter device is by machine transposition.

Advantageously, more than one identifier comparison may be utilised in a polling regime with respect to confidence of identification.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an indicator signage arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross section of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross section of a second indicator signage arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of an indicator signage arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic cross section of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 4; and, Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an indicator signage identifier system in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 illustrating a schematic plan view of an indicator signage arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the arrangement 1 incorporates a number of graphic identifiers 2 indicative of a licensing authority and other factors such as registration number, tax disc, etc. It will be understood that by providing a number of graphic identifiers it is perceived that transfer of signage from one authorised user to another will be rendered more difficult as there will generally be an inter-relationship between the respective graphic identifiers. In such circumstances, graphic identifier 2a may represent the licensing authority such as the local council for taxi operations, graphic identifier 2b may give the name of the authorised taxi firm whilst graphic identifier 2c may indicate the particular vehicle that the arrangement 1 relates to. In such circumstances a detailed analysis. in comparison of the arrangement 1 by an authorised licensing officer will be able to cross relate the graphic identifiers 2a, 2b, 2c. However, it will also be understood that for the more casual user, if an arrangement 1 is stolen and simply the taxi firm identifier 2b or vehicle identifier 2c are erased or overlayed with a fraudulent user's details, a cursory review will not identify the fraud. In essence, the fraudster knows which graphic identifiers 2a, 2b, 2c can be obliterated or masked and replaced with little possibility of detection.

In view of the above, an identifier which is relatively cheap but not readily apparent to a potential fraudster is desirable. Use of passive radio frequency identifier (RFI) devices has become relatively commonplace and these are used with regard to anti-shoplifting devices, goods location and transfer monitoring and production flow regulators within factories. With such widespread use, passive RFI device costs are relatively low in the order of a few pence for a passive identifier based upon back EMF induced radio frequency pulsing which is then utilised by an interrogator or interpreter device in order to determine the identifier frequency for comparison.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section of the arrangement 1 depicted in Fig. 1 incorporating a radio frequency (RFI) device 3 sandwiched between a base plate 4 and a cover layer 5. It will be appreciated that the base plate 4 provides structural integrity for the arrangement 1 whilst the cover layer typically incorporates the graphic identifiers 2 as a relief image printed on the reverse side. This printed representation of the graphic identifier is placed at the interlace between the plate 4 and cover 5. In such circumstances it will be understood that the radio frequency identifier (RFI) device 3 will also be laminated in the arrangement 1. Advantageously, as will be described later, the radio frequency identifier device 3 will generally be shaped and sized such that it is appropriately masked by one of the graphic identifiers 2 described with regard to Fig. 1. However, if necessary the RFI device could be spaced apart from the graphic identity but still permanently associated in terms of relationship and physical combinations. In such circumstances the arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention by the simple use of relief printing onto the cover layer 5 presents an initial difficulty with respect to a fraudster masking or obliterating a graphic identifier in comparison with some previous licence signage arrangements where the identifiers were secured upon the surface of simply a base plate. It will be understood that access to the graphic identifiers when printed on the interlace surface 6 is significantly reduced if the base plate 4 and cover layer 5 are secured together by a laminating process. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated, to the casual observer, a masking layer can simply be placed over the graphic identifier on the surface 7. However, in accordance with the present invention as indicated the RFI device 3 can be hidden within the arrangement 1 such that a fraudster will generally not know it is there or its position such that an appropriately authorised licensing officer can randomly check vehicles as they pass by for comparison purposes. Similarly, where several license signage arrangements are utilised with the same vehicle, such as in the licence plate, the driver's badge and possibly number plate of the vehicle, the identifiers for all these arrangements may be cross-related for comparison to ensure correct usage. Furthermore, the identifier frequencies given by each RFI device may be different in each badge but the comparison or combination therefore of the three different frequencies becomes more unique for that particular vehicle/licensed operation.

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative second embodiment of an indicator signage arrangement 11 in accordance with the present invention. Thus, two passive radio frequency identifiers 13a, 13b are embedded in a base plate 14 with a cover layer 15 secured above that base plate 14. The passive RFI devices are located within appropriately machined or formed recesses in the plate 14 with the cover layer 15 secured typically as indicated previously by an appropriate laminating process. In such circumstances thicker and larger RFI devices can be accommodated allowing more convenient use of RFI devices.

As indicated above, it may be important that to ordinary exterior visUal inspection it is not clear whether an RFI device is incorporated within the arrangement 1. Thus, the recesses in the plate 14 achieve this objective. As an alternative to providing recesses in the plate 14 it will be understood that recesses could be provided within the cover layer 15 or matching part recesses provided in both the plate 14 and the cover layer 15 for the RFI device. By providing more than one RFI device as illustrated in the second embodiment depicted in Fig. 3, it will be appreciated that a more unique combination of radio frequencies is achievable for comparison with an association to graphic identifiers formed at the interlace 16 of the arrangement 11. It will also be understood that two passive RFI devices 1 3a, 1 3b provide the potential for an increased number of identifier comparisons, e.g. two with respect to the individual reference frequencies emitted and two with respect to potential processing in terms of adding and subtracting the reference frequencies from each other to give a, b, a+b, a-b. Each one of these identifiers could be cross related to a particular graphic identifier such as as indicated, vehicle number, regulatory authority, chassis number, driver badge, driver photograph representation, authorised number of passengers, etc. It will also be understood through appropriate use of frequency filtering and with more RFI devices, it will be possible to provide additional reference identifier comparisons as required.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a third embodiment of an indicator signage arrangement 21 in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the arrangement 21 again comprises a number of graphic identifiers 22 presented upon a combination of a base plate 24 and a cover layer 25. At least one radio frequency identifier device 23 is located in the arrangement 21 at typically the interface 26 between the cover layer 25 and the base plate 24.

As previously, this device 23 will generally be hidden or masked by the graphic identifiers 22 such as a fraudster or elicit user of the indicator signage arrangement will be unaware as to the presence of the RFI device 23 within the arrangement 21.

In the third embodiment depicted in Figs. 4 and 5, a stamp section 27 is provided upon which an adhesive or otherwise adherable badge or screw plate indicative of an operator's licence may be secured. In accordance with this third embodiment of the invention, a visible RFI device 29 is incorporated within the operator plate 28. In such circumstances this RFI device 29 is replaceable over time periods to allow continuing licensed operation. In such circumstances the operator would use their plate 28 incorporating the RFI device 29 to show a comparison for consistency between the RH device 23 and the RFI device 29. The operator would need to purchase over regular periods plates 28 and/or RFI devices 29 to be secured to the arrangement 21 to allow continued operation. If the plate 28 and RFI device 29 alone were stolen then if attached to another arrangement 21 there would not be a correct association between the RFI devices 23, 29 and so a regulatory authority officer would readily be able to appreciate this.

In accordance with the present invention a signage arrangement 1, 11, 21 is provided in which there is a permanent physical association between

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passive RFI device 3, 13, 23 and the arrangement 1, 11, 21. Furthermore, this device 3, 13, 23 will normally be arranged to be in such a situation that it is not readily perceivable by visual inspection by a potential fraudster. It is an objective of the present invention to provide an arrangement 1, 11, 21 in which the action of attempting to remove the RFI device 3, 13, 23 will so damage the arrangement 21 that it is at least perceivable visually and most advantageously renders the arrangement 1, 11, 21 unusable.

It is known that there are a number of readily visible identifiers of a vehicle such as number plate, type of vehicle, chassis number, and vehicle type which can be perceived by a licensing officer and potential users of the licensed service such as a taxi service. These graphic identifiers are the normal typical checks by such individuals with respect to potential use of the vehicle or simply whether that vehicle is authorised, etc. By provision of an RFI device in accordance with the present invention it will be understood that an additional level of protection is provided whereby that RFI device is associated with a particular graphic identifier for confirmation.

In the above circumstances, the present invention also incorporates a signage identifier system in which an arrangement 1, 11, 21 in accordance with the present invention is interrogated by an interrogator or interpreter device in order to present the associated correct graphic identifier which can then be readily compared by the regulatory authority officer or a potential user of the service. These interpreter devices may be incorporated within the vehicle itself, at the roadside particularly at taxi ranks and through hand operator devices used by authorised officers at the roadside to check taxis as they drive past. If an interpreter device is located within the vehicle it will be understood that the most convenient graphic identifier would be a photographic image of the authorised driver. Thus, if an individual got into the vehicle and noted that the visual display of the interpreter device showed a different individual to the actual driver of the vehicle then suspicions would be raised. Alternatively, the display could indicate the allowed number of passengers to be carried by the vehicle, the vehicle type and all other information such as the amount of time the particular driver has been working on that particular day.

A roadside interrogator at a taxi rank would again generally incorporate a visual display which would indicate the current vehicle at the head of the taxi rank in terms of the driver authorised, vehicle type or other graphic identifier.

In such circumstances, potential users of the taxi would readily see whether the driver was the correct driver and potentially more importantly, other taxi drivers in the rank would be able to identify fraudulent use of vehicles by the wrong driver or with incorrect authorisation.

A further alternative is for a regulatory authority officer to have a hand held device such that by standing on street corners it is possible to interrogate vehicles as they pass by in order to check licence plate, vehicle type, firm or other fact. Such random determinations render the necessity of being able to read the signage arrangement visually as unnecessary. It will be understood that it is difficult to read such previous signage arrangements when a vehicle is travelling. Normally the random checks provided by such an officer will be of a single identifier such as vehicle type or number plate to allow rapid visual comparisons and therefore identification. At a more basic level a simple key fob type identifier may be purchased by potential users of taxis where a coarse graphic identifier is used such as vehicle colour or manufacturer/model or registration year or driver eye colour or otherwise. In such circumstances, a specific radio frequency identifier device for that course graphic identifier may be incorporated in the arrangement so that by use of the fob a basic confirmation as to identity is achieved. In such circumstances the fob may have a simple yes/no facility, e.g. an on/off switch such that if the fob is set to driver eye colour blue, and the radio frequency identifier indicates that the correct driver eye colour is blue, then a green Yes LED is illuminated, but if the driver's eye colour is not blue then clearly there is a discrepancy.

Similarly, if the fob was set to eye colour not blue, i.e. switched off and the a RFI device indicated that driver colour was blue then a red signal would be indicative of a discrepancy. Other simple identifiers could be used such as vehicle colour, etc. Fig. 6 provides a graphic representation of the three interpreter positions in accordance with the indicator signage identifier system of the present invention. Thus, the vehicle 31 may incorporate an interpreter 32 in the rear cabin of the vehicle 31 with the licence signage arrangement 33 secured to the windscreen or other part of the vehicle. At a taxi rank (shown as A) a post 34 will be provided upon which an interrogator 35 is located to provide a display of the correct graphic identifier for comparison by the regulatory authority officer or potential user of the service. Finally, a regulatory authority officer or potential user of the service 36 (shown as B) may have a hand held interrogator 37 in order to provide either through a simple green yes/red no indication or more sophisticated display the graphic identifier for comparison and acceptability.

As indicated, an indicator signage arrangement in accordance with the present invention may incorporate a number of radio frequency identifier devices for comparison. It will be understood that in the system described above it is essential that there is a central store of the correct graphic identifier. These correct graphic identifiers as indicated can be essentially quite generic in terms of vehicle type or model or firm or more specific in terms of a photographic representation of the driver or individual number plate or authorisation number. In such circumstances, differing levels of confidence in terms of correct comparison may be achieved as indicated above through course graphic identifiers. In such circumstances the course graphic identifiers may be located in the interrogator device itself in view of the reduced memory storage capacity required whilst the more specific graphic identifiers and in particular photographic representations of the driver may be stored at a more central location and generally more secure provider in order that this information is only obtained when required. Such a situation may occur where there is a failure or concern with respect to an initial comparison of the course graphic identifier, e.g. the potential user or licensing officer is not sure as to the correct comparison and therefore will require inspection of the more specific graphic identifier for greater certainty as to the correct determination. In such circumstances the system will operate as an essential two stage process with an initial course graphic identifier comparison and then if necessary more detailed comparison of the specific graphic identifier requiring greater memory storage capacity. It will also be understood that a number of graphic identifiers may be individually used by a regulatory authority officer or potential user of the service to increase their confidence as to the correct usage on a simple anecdotal polling comparison.

The relatively low cost of passive RFI devices as indicated above renders it possible to incorporate a number of such devices into a single indicator signage arrangement. In such circumstances and in view of the compact nature of such RFI devices, it will be understood that a potential fraudster will find it difficult to replicate each and every RFI device for correct association with the graphic or other representations clearly visible to regulatory authorities and potential consumers/users. By the layered security level effect of several RFI devices, it will be understood that greater confidence can be provided in the indicator signage arrangement authenticity than with previous arrangements.

In order to further improve security, graphic identifiers and other parts of the indicator signage may be full colour, that is to the full range of colours rather than limited to a traditional four or two hundred and fifty six colour palette. Thus, exact matching will be difficult at least for the casual copier/f raudster.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any

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patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (23)

1. Claims 1. A signage arrangement for authorised indication comprising a

   base plate and cover layer, the base plate and/or the cover layer arranged to present a graphic identifier and a passive radio frequency identifier (RFI) device permanently associated with the graphic identifier within the structure of the arrangement.
2. 2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the RFI device is part of the graphic identifier.
3. 3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the RFI device is separate from the graphic identifier within the arrangement.
4. 4. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the RFI device is sandwiched between the base plate and the cover layer.
5. 5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the RFI device is embedded within a recess in the cover layer and/or base plate.
6. 6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base plate and cover layer are laminates secured together by respective material fusion.
7. 7. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the graphic identifier device is applied by a relief printing process upon a plastics material film utilised as the cover layer.
8. 8. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is more than one RFI device associated with the signage arrangement.
9. 9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more RFI device is detachable.
10. 10. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the RFI device is arranged so that removal destroys the licence signage arrangement.
11. 11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein such destruction destroys the graphic identifier.
12. 12. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the RFI device is a passive device stimulated by back EMF effects.
13. 13. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the signage arrangement is with respect to licensing or other authorisation.
14. 14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the license arrangement relates to tax discs, taxi carriage licences, number plates, parking permits or other authorisation denoting signage.
15. 15. A signage arrangement for authorised indication substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. 16. A signage identifier system for indicator signage identification, the system comprising a signage arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and an interpreter device to interrogate the passive RFI device and display a correct graphic identifier for that passive RFI device to allow comparison with a plate graphic identifier or for other comparisons.
17. 17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein such other comparisons relate to correct taxi number or tax disc or driver badge or vehicle chassis number.
18. 18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the RFI device relates to all comparisons to allow the interpreter device to provide each and every comparison.
19. 19. A system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein there is an individual RFI device for each comparison as determined by the interpreter device.
20. 20. A system as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19 wherein comparison by the interpreter device is by machine transposition.
21. 21. A system as claimed in any of claims 16 to 20 wherein more than one identifier comparison may be utilised in a polling regime with respect 1 5 to confidence of identification.
22. 22. A signage identifier system for indicator signage identification substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. 23. Any novel subject mailer or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.