GB2574454A

GB2574454A - Vehicle registration plate method

Info

Publication number: GB2574454A
Application number: GB1809352.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Daykin Adrian
Original assignee: Vps Group Ltd
Current assignee: VPS GROUP LIMITED
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Also published as: GB201809352D0

Abstract

Authorising distribution of a vehicle registration plate 6 uses a searchable database of records for applications for registration plates. When an application for a new registration plate is made 1, documentation is inspected 2 and data is input into the database 3. The database is then reviewed 4 for prior applications for the same registration as the new application. Documentation may be inspected remotely. For example, a passport or driving licence may be scanned and submitted online. The data recorded may be required by statute. A supplementary search may occur if the new application is for the same registration as a prior application in the database. The supplementary search may use the applicant’s name and the data and location of the last sale of the vehicle. Also claimed is a vehicle registration plate having a security code applied to it. The security code comprises a unique alphanumeric code generated 5 based on the registration mark, the identity of the person requesting the plate, and the supplier of the plate. The code may be applied to the plate using invisible ultraviolet ink or an RFID tag.

Description

Vehicle registration plate method

The present invention relates to a vehicle registration plate method and in particular to a method for the authorization and distribution of a vehicle registration plate.

Motor vehicle registration plates, sometimes known as number plates, identification plates, or licence plates, are a way of identifying vehicles. The supply of registration plates is regulated in most countries. In the UK, for example, it is only possible to obtain a vehicle registration plate from an authorized supplier. Before such a supplier can sell a registration plate, the prospective purchaser must provide evidence of identity and evidence of entitlement to use the registration plate on a vehicle. Such documentary evidence is important to ensure that vehicle registration plates are only supplied for legitimate reasons; and to prevent attempts to attach plates to other vehicles, for example to avoid congestion charges, parking tickets, speeding fines, fuel payments at garages, and the use of cars for criminal activity.

Nevertheless, the cloning of vehicle registration plates, i.e. the nonlegitimate obtaining of a duplicate plate, is a considerable and increasing problem.

Existing processes are not sufficient to effectively prevent cloning. For example, when an application is made to obtain a vehicle registration plate, the provision of the documentation normally has to be made in person for a visual inspection to a member of staff at, for example, a garage. That visual inspection may not always be thorough. Furthermore, official documents that are presented may have been illegally modified to show a false vehicle registration. This is often how plates can be cloned. Finally, once the plate has been supplied, there are no mandatory checks on subsequent purchases relating to the same registration.

-2There is a need for an improved method of approving the sale of vehicle registration plates that provides a high level of security against misuse, yet is simple to use for a prospective purchaser of a plate.

We have developed a method which is simple for the legitimate purchaser to use and provides improved approval processes for first and subsequent sales of a vehicle registration plate.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for authorization and distribution of a vehicle registration plate, which method comprises:

(a) storing a searchable database of records for applications for vehicle registration plates;

(b) inspecting documentation for a new application for a vehicle registration plate;

(c) inputting data from the inspected documentation into the database;

(d) reviewing the database for prior applications for the same registration as the new application.

The method of this invention may be operated by an authorized vehicle registration plate supplier. Alternatively, it is an appropriate method to be employed by an official government-appointed body.

In the first step of the method, a searchable database is maintained of specific records relating to applications for, and sale of, vehicle registration plates. It is important that the database is searchable, rather than merely a list of records, so that new applications for registration plates can be readily compared with existing records, based on one or more search terms, preferably a plurality of search terms. Searchable databases are well known in the art and are usually computer-based.

-3The records that are maintained in the database are suitably those records that authorized vehicle registration plate suppliers are required by statute to maintain. Such records include, for example, the name and address of the purchaser, the registration mark to be displayed on the plate and the date of sale of the plate. Records to be maintained in the database may also be extracted from the evidence of entitlement to use the registration plate on a vehicle, including, for example, the date of first registration of the vehicle, the make of the vehicle, the model of the vehicle, the body type, the body colour and the type of fuel. Other information from the evidence of entitlement document, which may be recorded in the database includes the vehicle identification number, the engine number and the cylinder capacity. Any or all of these data, and/or any further data from the statutory required documents, may be recorded in the database.

Even if only the records required by statute are entered into the database of the method of this invention, those records exceed the statutory requirements, which can be satisfied by a copy of the relevant documents. A copy of a document does not comprise a searchable database.

Nevertheless, it is preferred that records additional to the statutory requirements are also maintained in the database, such as the place of manufacture of the registration plate, the location of the sale, the current mileage of the vehicle, the driving licence number and other identification information, such as passport number. In addition, an image of the registration plate may be stored in the database, which will show other indicia on the plate, such as a country code, and manufacturer's details.

The documentation provided by a prospective purchaser of a registration plate is inspected, prior to inputting data therefrom into the database. The inspection may be carried out by physical presentation of the

-4documents. Preferably, however the inspection is carried out remotely, via a computer network. The advantage of such a remote inspection of the documentation is that there is a reduction of the administrative burden of a prospective purchaser. Thus, the method simplifies the process to obtain a vehicle registration plate, compared to manual presentation of documentation to staff in a garage, for example. More importantly, however, because the inspection of the present invention is carried out via a computer network, it can be carried out directly by an authorized vehicle registration plate supplier, and the data are recorded into a database. That ensures that the inspection step is thorough and therefore has increased security.

The remote inspection step of the present method may be carried out in a manner which is convenient to a prospective purchaser of a registration plate. For example, the documentation may be scanned by the prospective purchaser and submitted online via a computer network. Preferably, however, the documentation may be displayed to a camera via a computer network, commonly known as a webcam.

Information from the inspection step is recorded in the database. The input of the data may be carried out manually, such as via a computer keyboard, or the documents may be scanned to capture the relevant information electronically. The step of inputting data into the database also ensures that the inspection step is sufficiently thorough to be effective.

When a new application for a vehicle registration plate is made, the registration mark for that application is compared to the existing records in the database, to determine if there has been a prior application for the same registration mark. Even if a match is found in the database, that does not preclude the new application from being approved. However, if the registration mark in a new application is the same as a prior

-5registration mark in the database, then the database may be subjected to a supplementary search, using data from the inspected documentation. Such a supplementary search can be used to ascertain whether the new application should be approved. The object of the supplementary search is to find if there is a legitimate reason to issue a registration plate identical to a previously issued plate.

Suitably at least two search terms are used in a supplementary search. Preferably 3, 4 or 5 search terms are used. Suitable search terms used in the supplementary search include the name of the applicant, the date of the last sale and the location of the last sale.

The search terms may also include data from the evidence of entitlement to use the registration plate on a vehicle.

There are many ways in which a supplementary search can be carried out. For example, the Vehicle Identification Number could be compared with the prior record, to verify that the plate is to be applied to the same vehicle.

If the location of sale is different from an earlier recorded location, a registered change of address or ownership could be checked. Lack of change of address or ownership could provide a factor in suggesting an unauthorized application.

The supplementary search may also include mileage data, as this can be approximately checked. An authorized supplier would have access to the details of the latest vehicle test certificate, known in the UK as a MOT (Ministry of Transport) test, which records the mileage at the date of the test.

-6If the event that the registration mark in a new application is not found as a prior registration mark in the database, or that a supplementary search confirms that the new application appears legitimate, then the new application is approved, and a registration plate is produced.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method comprises the further steps of: (e) creating a security code for the registration of the new application; and (f) applying the security code to a vehicle registration plate for the new application, prior to distribution of the plate.

The security code is a designation that is unique to the application. Suitably the security code is an alphanumeric designation. The purpose of the security code is to provide a link to the relevant information contained in the database. The security code is conveniently generated automatically by the database and may be simply based on the database ID for the set of records pertaining to the registration application. The security code preferably also includes a designation specific to the authorized vehicle registration plate supplier.

In step (f) of the method of this invention, the vehicle registration plate is manufactured, and the security code is applied thereto. Processes for the manufacture of vehicle registration plates are well known in the art and any such process may be adapted for use in the method of this invention. The security code is suitably printed onto the plate during the manufacturing process. The security code may be applied to a portion of the front of the plate, that is, on the same surface as the alphanumeric characters that comprise the registration mark. Preferably, however, the security code is applied to the rear of the plate, so that it is not visible when the plate is attached to a vehicle.

-7Alternatively, the security code may be applied to the plate using security ink, also known as invisible ink, which is only visible under ultraviolet light.

In a further embodiment, the security code can be stored electronically, in a microchip attached to the rear of the registration plate. The storage means may use RFID (Radio frequency identification) technology. The information on the microchip can be accessed using a RFID reader.

The completed registration plate is then distributed to the purchaser thereof.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for remote authorization and distribution of a vehicle registration plate, which method comprises:

(b) inspecting documentation for a new application for a vehicle registration plate via a computer network;

(c) inputting data from the inspected documentation into the database;

(d) reviewing the database for prior applications for the same registration as the new application;

(e) creating a security code for the registration of the new application; and (f) applying the security code to a vehicle registration plate for the new application, prior to distribution of the plate.

In a further aspect, this invention also provides a vehicle registration plate having a security code applied thereto, which security code comprises a designation that is unique to the registration mark, the identity of the user and the supplier of the plate.

-8Preferably, the security code comprises an alphanumeric designation.

The security code provides a unique identifier which corresponds to a record in the database of this invention. In that way, knowledge of the security code will provide an authorized user access to information stored on the database. To enable wider application of this security check, access to the database may be shared with authorities such as the police. A cloned plate can easily be detected, often by simply comparing the plate with the stored image of the plate in the database.

The method of this invention enables a purchaser of a vehicle registration plate to obtain a security-enhanced plate directly from the manufacturer, using a simple process to submit the required documentation. Because the registration plate supplied contains a unique security code, linked to a database record, the present method reduces the risk of non-legitimate applications for vehicle registration plates.

In addition, the method of this invention provides a remedy in the event that the plate is stolen from the vehicle, as the security code will enable the legitimate owner of the plate, and its manufacturer, to be identified.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 is a schematic representation of the steps of a method according to this invention

The method is carried out as follows:

A prospective purchaser wishes to make a new application for a vehicle registration plate (1) and is directed via a computer link to a website of an authorized supplier; the website provides details of the documentation that are required. Some documents are those that are statutory requirements. Other documents, or information, are in addition to the

-9statutory requirements. The website explains that the additional information is required in order to improve the security of the plate to be made, by reducing the risk of future cloning.

The purchaser proposes a convenient time when the documentation can be inspected visually via a computer network. The authorized supplier inspects the documentation (2) presented by the purchaser, then inputs data taken from the documentation into a database (3).

The authorized supplier reviews the application (4) by comparing the data from the new application with existing records in the database. If an identical registration mark is identified in the database, a supplementary search if carried out. If that search provides evidence that suggests the new application may be for a non-legitimate clone, the application is rejected.

If there is no registration mark in the database that is identical to that of the new application, or the supplementary search identifies legitimate reasons why a duplicate plate is needed, then the new application is approved, and a security code is generated (5) which is unique for the new record in the database.

The security code is applied to a new registration plate (6) using an ink that is visible only under ultraviolet light. The manufacture of the registration plate is completed and dispatched to the purchaser.

Claims

1. A method for authorization and distribution of a vehicle registration plate, which method comprises:

(c) inputting data from the inspected documentation into the database;

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inspection is carried out remotely, via a computer network.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein data from the statutory required documentation are recorded in the database.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the documentation is scanned by a prospective purchaser for a registration plate and submitted online.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein, if the registration mark in a new application is the same as a prior registration mark in the database, then the database is subjected to a supplementary search, using data from the inspected documentation.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least two search terms are used in the supplementary search.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the search terms comprise the name of the applicant, the date of the last sale and the location of the last sale.

8. A method for remote authorization and distribution of a vehicle registration plate, which method comprises:

(c) inputting data from the inspected documentation into the database;

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the security code is an alphanumeric designation that is unique to the registration application.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the security code includes a designation specific to the authorized vehicle registration plate supplier.

11. A vehicle registration plate having a security code applied thereto, which security code comprises an alphanumeric designation that is unique to the registration mark, the identity of the user and the supplier of the plate.