IE86178B1 - Licence plate assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A licence plate assembly for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle is described. The licence plate assembly comprises a paper licence and a licence holder, which in turn comprises front and rear plate members and a watertight sealing means. The watertight sealing means defines a sealable enclosed volume between the front plate member, the rear plate member and the sealing means. The licence plate assembly has a closed position, in which the paper licence is sealed within the enclosed volume, and an open position, in which the rear plate member is reversibly removed from the front plate member to allow access to the paper licence. A hire vehicle, a method of creating a licence plate assembly and a method of obtaining information about a vehicle are also described.

Description

Licence plate assembly The present invention relates to a licence plate assembly, suitable for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method of creating a licence plate assembly and a method of obtaining information about a vehicle.

Licence plates for hire vehicles (e.g. private hire vehicles and taxis) display data relating to that vehicle. Such data typically includes the name ofthe issuing authority, the plate number, the maximum number of passengers, the category of licensed vehicle, a description of the licensed vehicle, the vehicle registration mark and the expiry date ofthe licence.

Hire vehicles are typically licensed for a period of one year, after which the licence plate is removed and replaced by a new licence plate for the following year.

Conventional licence plates are typically made from 3mm thick moulded polycarbonate. Many such licence plates are still in good condition after a year’s use, and an expired plate on a vehicle could probably escape discovery unless examined closely. To eliminate the possibility of any expired plates leaking back into circulation and being used on unlicensed vehicles, expired licence plates are returned to the manufacturer and destroyed. To ensure complete destruction, the expired plates are fed into a heavy-duty industrial shredder, and reduced to granules less than 10mm square.

On a large scale, the cost (both financial and environmental) of the complete destruction of thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of such licence plates, on a yearly basis, becomes significant. 861 78 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a licence plate assembly for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle, comprising: a paper licence; and a licence holder comprising: a front plate member; a rear plate member; and a watertight sealing means arranged to define a sealable enclosed volume between the front plate member, the rear plate member and the sealing means, the sealing means comprising a protrusion on one of the front and rear plate members and a corresponding groove on the other of the front and rear plate members, wherein the protrusion and groove are shaped to engage each other in a tight interference fit, such that the protrusion and groove cannot be engaged or disengaged by hand; wherein the licence plate assembly has a closed position, in which the paper licence is sealed within the enclosed volume, and an open position, in which the rear plate member is reversibly removed from the front plate member to allow access to the paper licence.

The term paper covers not only conventional paper, but also any synthetic, flexible, printable material.

The term plate member means a substantially planar member of sufficient toughness, thickness and rigidity for mounting on the exterior of a hire vehicle, for use in all weathers without allowing leakage of water/air through the plate member.

Typically, the protrusion and groove are located between interior surfaces of the front and rear plate members.

Typically, the protrusion and groove are integrally formed with the front and rear plate members.

Optionally, the licence plate assembly also includes a collar, locatable around the outer perimeter of the licence holder, to prevent access to the outer perimeter of the licence holder Optionally, the licence plate assembly also includes a locking means, which is adapted to lock the collar around the outer perimeter of the licence holder.

Optionally, the locking means comprises at least one security tag, which extends through respective apertures in the collar.

Optionally, the security tag is shaped to allow insertion of the security tag through the apertures in the collar, and to prevent removal of the inserted security tag through the apertures.

Optionally, the security tag has an inclined leading face and a stepped rear face, the stepped rear face preventing removal of the inserted security tag through the apertures.

Optionally, the licence holder has an internal protrusion and the paper licence has a corresponding aperture, and the aperture in the paper licence is locatable over the internal protrusion.

Optionally, the licence plate assembly includes licence data readable by RFID.

Optionally, the licence plate assembly includes: an active RFID system; and a passive RFID tag located on the paper licence.

Typically, the paper licence includes printed data, at least some of which corresponds to data stored in a data memory of the passive RFID tag.

Typically, the active RFID system comprises: a radio transmitter/ receiver; a processor; and an RF reader adapted to read the RFID tag of the paper licence.

Optionally, the active RFID system is adapted to write data to the passive RFID tag of the paper licence.

Optionally, the active RFID system is located within the sealable enclosed volume of the licence holder.

Alternatively, the licence plate assembly includes a mount for mounting 20 the licence holder on a vehicle, and the active RFID system is located on the mount.

Optionally, the active RFID system includes a power supply that is replenished using energy obtained from movement of the active RFID system relative to a hire vehicle to which the licence plate assembly is attached.

Alternatively, the active RFID system includes a powersupply that is replenished using energy obtained from a solar panel. The solar panel may optionally be mounted on the licence plate assembly, or alternatively may be mounted directly on a vehicle to which the licence plate assembly is attached. By solar panel, we mean any solar energy to electrical energy conversion means; hence, the solar panel does not necessarily have any one specific form.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for obtaining information, comprising: a licence plate assembly according to the first aspect of the invention; and an interrogator device adapted to communicate with the active RFID system.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a hire vehicle having a licence plate assembly according to the first aspect of the invention attached to the exterior surface of the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of creating a licence plate assembly for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle, comprising: taking a licence holder comprising front and rear plate members and a watertight sealing means formed from a protrusion on one of the front and rear plate members and a corresponding groove on the other of the front and rear plate members, which together define a sealable enclosed volume; inserting a paper licence into the sealable enclosed volume; reversibly applying the rear plate member to the front plate member such that the protrusion and groove engage each other in a tight interference fit, such that the protrusion and groove cannot be engaged or disengaged by hand and the paper licence is sealed within the enclosed volume.

Typically, the step of engaging the protrusion and groove comprises passing the licence holder through a compression device.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of obtaining information about a vehicle, including the steps of: attaching a licence plate assembly according to the first aspect of the invention to a vehicle, the licence plate assembly including a passive RFID tag; and transmitting data from the licence plate assembly to an interrogator device; wherein data is read from the RFID tag by an active RFID system provided within the sealable enclosed volume of the licence plate assembly.

Optionally, the method includes the further step of using the active RFID system to write data to the RFID tag.

Optionally, the method includes the steps of assigning a unique 20 identification number to the active RFID system and transmitting this number to the interrogator device.

Optionally, the method includes the step of comparing the data from the licence plate and the unique identification number of the active RFID system to information in a database relating to licensed vehicles and their valid licence plate data.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:Fig 1 shows a front view of a licence plate assembly of the invention; Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the licence plate assembly of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the licence plate assembly of Fig 1; Fig 4 shows a passive RFID tag for attachment to a paper licence of the licence plate assembly of Fig 1; Fig 5 shows a schematic representation of an active RFID system of the licence plate assembly of Fig 1; and Fig 6 shows a schematic representation of an interrogator device which can be used with the active RFID system of Fig 5.

Referring now to Figs 1 to 3, a licence plate assembly 10 comprises a licence holder. The licence holder comprises a front plate member 12, which overlies a rear plate member 14. The rear plate member 14 is typically opaque and the front plate member 12 is transparent. The front plate member 12 is made from moulded polycarbonate. The rear plate 14 is a soft plastic, e.g. low density polyethylene.

The licence plate assembly also includes a paper licence 16, which is located between the front and rear plate members 12, 14 of the licence holder. The paper licence 16 has some variable data and some fixed data printed thereon. The variable data includes the name of the issuing authority, the plate number, the maximum number of passengers, the category of licensed vehicle, a description of the licensed vehicle, the vehicle registration mark and the expiry date of the licence. Optionally, the paper licence 16 may or may not have some security features, e.g. a watermark, a hologram, fluorescent UV ink, which make the licence 16 difficult to forge.

The licence holder also includes a watertight sealing means for sealing the paper licence 16 between the front and rear plate members 12,14. The watertight sealing means comprises a mechanical seal 18.

The seal 18 is located between interior surfaces of the front and rear plate members 12, 14 (i.e. the faces of the front and rear plate members 12, 14 which are closest to each other). The front and rear plate members 12, 14 and the seal 18 define a sealable enclosed volume.

Fig 1 shows the licence plate assembly 10 in a closed position, in which the paper licence 16 is sealed within the enclosed volume. The paper licence 16 is visible through the transparent front plate member 12.

The seal 18 has a substantially rectangular form, with rounded corners. The paper licence 16 is also substantially rectangular with rounded comers, so that the entire paper licence 16 fits within the enclosed volume bounded by the seal 18. The exemplary paper licence 16 shown is similar in size to an A5 sheet of paper (200mm x 142mm), but the invention is not limited to paper licences 16 of any particular size.

Fig 3 shows that the seal 18 is formed from two separate components: a protrusion 18a formed on the underneath (interior) face of the front plate member 12; and a correspondingly shaped recess 18b formed in the uppermost (interior) face of the rear plate member 14.

The protrusion 18a and the recess 18b are integrally formed with the front and rear plate members 12, 14.

The protrusion 18a and the groove 18b are shaped to resist pulling apart, once they are engaged. Specifically, the protrusion 18a and the groove 18b form a very close interference fit The interference fit is tight enough such that the protrusion 18a cannot be pushed into, or removed from, the groove 18b by hand. Instead, a compression device is required to push the front and rear plate members 12, 14 together, to engage the protrusion 18a in the groove 18b. The interference fit is tight enough to prevent entry of any water past the seal 18 into the sealable enclosed volume. The seal 18 is typically substantially airtight, as well as watertight.

The protrusion 18a and the groove 18b are not permanently engaged, once they have been pushed together. However, due to the strong engagement described above, typically, additional specialised equipment is required to disengage (prise apart) the protrusion 18a and the groove 18b.

Hence, the protrusion 18a and the groove 18b are reversibly engageable with each other. The licence plate assembly 10 has an open position, in which the protrusion 18a and the groove 18b are not engaged/have been disengaged from each other, and the front and rear plate members 12, 14 are separate from each other. An open position of the licence plate assembly 10 is achieved when the protrusion 18a has been disengaged from the groove 18b and the rear plate member 14 has been removed from the front plate member 12 to allow access to the paper licence 16.

The licence plate assembly 10 also includes a collar, locatable around the outer perimeter of the licence holder (see Fig 2). The collar is made from glass-reinforced polyamide (Nylon™). The inner perimeter of the collar corresponds in size and shape to the outer perimeter of the licence holder. The collar is formed in two parts, 20a, 20b, each of which spans half the perimeter of the licence holder. The collar parts 20a, 20b have a recess in their interior walls, this recess being bounded by overhanging upper and lower lips, which retain the edges of the licence holder in the recess.

The collar prevents access to the outer perimeter of the licence holder. Specifically, whilst the collar is in place, a knife blade cannot be inserted between the front and rear plate members 12,14, to try to prise these apart.

The licence plate assembly also includes a locking means, which is adapted to lock the collar around the outer perimeter of the licence holder. The locking means comprises two security tags 24.

The locking means also comprises respective apertures 22, which are provided in the ends of the collar parts 20a, 20b. Pairs of these apertures 22 are arranged to overlie each other, once the collar parts 20a, 20b are both correctly installed around the licence holder.

Each security tag 24 is shaped to allow insertion ofthe security tag 24 through a pair of overlaid apertures 22, and to prevent removal ofthe inserted security tag 24 through the apertures 22. The security tag 24 has harpoon-like projections/barbs, which engage the collar once the security tag 24 has been inserted through the apertures 22. Specifically, each security tag 24 has an inclined leading face and a stepped rear face, the stepped rear face preventing removal ofthe inserted security tag 24 through the apertures 22.

Hence, when the security tags 24 have been installed through the apertures 22, they cannot then be removed without cutting the security tags 24 or the collar. Both of these acts would damage the licence plate assembly in an obvious, tamper-evident way.

Hence, the installed security tags 24 prevent the two parts of the collar 20a, 20b from being removed from the licence holder, which in turn prevents knife-blade access to the perimeters of the front and rear plate members 12, 14.

The rear plate member 14 ofthe licence holder also includes a cuboidshaped recess 26 in its interior wall (the wall facing the front plate member 12). A dehumidifying agent (e.g. a silicon gel dehumidifier) can be located in the recess 26. The recess 26 is provided with a cover plate 28, which has grip holes 30. The dehumidifying agent prevents/reduces the amount of condensation building up within the sealable enclosed volume. Hence, the licence plate assembly 10 should not steam up.

The front and rear plate members 12,14 are respectively provided with apertures 32, 34, one aperture being provided in each corner. The apertures 32 in the front plate member 12 are arranged to overlie the apertures 34 in the rear piate member 14 when the licence plate assembly is in the closed position of Figs 1 and 2. These apertures 32, 34 provide holes for fixing devices (e.g. screws) so that the licence plate assembly 10 may be attached to a hire vehicle. As shown, the apertures 32, 34 all lie outside of the sealable enclosed volume defined by the seal 18.

The apertures 32, 34 are slightly elongate, to allow the licence piate assembly 10 to be attached to a wide variety of bracket/plate platforms. Alternatively, the licence plate assembly 10 may be attached to a hire vehicle directly, and not via a bracket/plate platform.

The licence plate assembly 10 also includes licence data readable by RFID. Specifically, the licence plate assembly 10 includes: a passive RFID tag 40 located on the paper licence 16; and an active RFID system 60.

The passive RFID tag 40 is shown in Fig 4. The passive RFID tag 40 includes a chip 42 and an aerial 44. The chip 42 comprises a data memory. At least some of the printed data on the paper licence 16 corresponds to data stored in the data memory of the chip 42.

The aerial 44 comprises three square, concentric, copper tracks 44a, 44b 44c. All of the tracks 44a, 44b, 44c connect to the chip 42. The base of the tag 40 comprises a thin transparent carrier material. In some embodiments, the RFID tag 40 could be obscured from view, e.g. by affixing a hologram or other item on top of the RFID tag 40. The passive RFID tag 40 is typically laminated/adhered/bonded to the paper licence 16.

The active RFID system 60 is shown in Fig 5 and comprises: a radio transmitter/ receiver 62 with an antenna 63; a processor 64; and an RFID tag reader 66 with an RFID tag reader antenna 68. The active RFID system 60 also includes a power source (not shown). Also shown in Fig 5 is the paper licence 16 and attached passive RFID tag 40.

The antenna 63 is a radio antenna and provides the means by which the active RFID system 60 and an interrogator device 70 can communicate.

The processor 64 includes a unique identification number embedded in the processor software, which enables the active RFID system 60 to be registered to a particular vehicle. The unique identification number security locks the active RFID system 60, and cannot be modified.

In some embodiments, the active RFID system 60 is located within the sealable enclosed volume of the licence holder. For example, a further recess (not shown) could be provided in the rear plate member 14, to house the active RFID system 60. In alternative embodiments, the active RFID system 60 is located on a mounting plate, which is located on the vehicle, and to which the licence plate assembly 10 is mounted.

The RFID tag reader 66 is adapted to read the RFID tag 40 of the paper licence 16. The RFID tag reader antenna 68 is located in close proximity to the position of the RFID tag 40 of the paper licence 16, when the paper licence 16 is installed in the licence holder. This is done by fixing the RFID tag 40 to a precisely defined location on the paper licence 16, which is aligned with the location of the RFID tag reader antenna 68 on the licence holder/licence plate assembly mount. For this reason, it is essential the paper licence 16 is installed in the correct orientation (the correct way up) in the licence holder.

To aid correct orientation, the licence holder typically has at least one internal protrusion (not shown), e.g. extending upwards from the rear plate member 14 in the direction of the front plate member 12. The paper licence 16 may have a corresponding aperture(s), in a corresponding location and shape. When the paper licence 16 is in the correct position/orientation within the sealable enclosed volume, the aperture in the paper licence 16 locates over the internal protrusion. This helps to define the correct position and orientation of the paper licence 16.

The power source is typically a battery, which may or may not be rechargeable. Optionally, the active RFID system 60 includes a power supply that is replenished using energy obtained from relative movement between the active RFID system 60 and the vehicle. I.e. the power supply may be recharged by converting energy from the movement of the vehicle by a power-scavenging means. For example, the power-scavenging means could include a moveable element that is contained within a housing. The moveable element could be caused to move relative to the housing with the movement of the vehicle, and kinetic energy from this movement could be converted into electrical energy that is used to power the active RFID system 60. In some embodiments, therefore, a battery for the active RFID system 60 may not be necessary. In alternative embodiments, a power-scavenging device may top-up a rechargeable battery, which powers the active RFID system 60. In other alternative embodiments, the active RFID system 60 may be powered by a solar panel (not shown), which may be mounted on the licence plate assembly 10 or may be mounted directly on a vehicle to which the licence plate assembly 10 is attached.

The radio transmitter/receiver 62 is adapted to communicate with an interrogator device 70 shown in Fig 6.

The interrogator device 70 comprises a computer 72 and a radio transmitter/receiver 74 with an antenna 76. The interrogator device 70 is adapted to read data from the active RFID system 60 and is optionally also adapted to write data to the active RFID system 60.

The computer 72 could either contain a database for verifying the data collected from a number of active RFID systems 60, or it could have an online internet-type connection 78 to a remote database for such verification. The database typically includes information relating to all licensed vehicles in one or more licensing authority domains (preferably, all licensed vehicles in the country); in particular, it includes the unique identification number embedded in the processor of the vehicle's active RFID system 60, and information relating to the data stored in the passive RFID tag 40 of that vehicle's valid licence plate.

The interrogator device 70 can be battery powered and can be either in a fixed location or carried within a vehicle. If the interrogator device 70 is carried in a vehicle, the antenna 76 is typically externally mounted on the vehicle, to improve the operating range.

The creation and servicing of a licence plate assembly 10 will now be described. The paper licence 16 is typically created for a particular vehicle by a licensing authority, specific to its requirements. This is not difficult, since the minimum necessary equipment for creating a paper licence is a standard laser printer and some paper.

A silicon gel dehumidifier is placed in the recess 26, and covered by the cover plate 28. The paper licence 16 is now inserted into the sealable enclosed volume between the front and rear plate members 12, 14. If present, any apertures in the paper licence 16 are located over corresponding protrusions in the licence holder, to ensure the correct location and orientation of the paper licence 16. This is particularly important if the paper licence 16 includes a passive RFID tag 40, because this tag 40 will need to be in the correct position to be read by the RFID tag reader 66.

The licence holder is then passed through a compression device (e.g. a mangle, or a cold laminating machine). This causes engagement of the protrusion 18a in the groove 18b, which seals the sealable enclosed volume from entry of water, and also substantially from entry of air.

Hence, the paper licence 16 is now protected from the environment.

Typically, the respective sizes and shapes of the protrusion and groove 18a, 18b are such a tight interference fit that the front and rear plate members 12, 14 cannot now be prised apart by hand.

The collar parts 20a, 20b are fitted around the perimeter of the licence holder, such that the respective apertures 22 at opposite ends of each collar part 20a, 20b overlie each other. Security tags 24 are inserted through the apertures 22, to lock the collar around the licence holder.

After the licence has expired (e.g. after 1 year), the licence plate assembly 10 is removed from the vehicle and returned to the manufacturer, who cuts off the security tags 24 and removes the collar parts 20a, 20b. The manufacturer then opens the licence plate assembly 10 with specialised equipment. The expired paper licence 16 is removed and destroyed, and the licence holder is cleaned and returned to the licensing authority, together with the collar and new security tags 24.

In use, a licence enforcement officer can obtain information about a 5 particular vehicle using the interrogator device 70, whilst sitting in a vehicle or an office. The interrogator device 70 continuously interrogates all active RFID systems 60 within a specified area, for example a 100-metre radius. The interrogator device 70 polls by transmission of a single character ASCII R.

To conserve power, the active RFID systems 60 are programmed to spend most of the time in a reduced-power sleep mode, but they wake up at regular intervals to check for following R signals from interrogator devices 70. If an R signal is received, the active RFID system 60 stays awake and responds by sending a reply to the interrogator device with: (1) data held in the RFID tag 40, read by the RFID tag reader 66 and transmitted via the radio transmitter/receiver 62, and (2) the embedded unique identification number held in the processor 64.

There are three possible responses to the polling: (a) if there are no "awake" active RFID systems 60 within range, then no replies will be transmitted; (b) if there is a single "awake" active RFID system 60 within range, this system will transmit a reply after a time delay set randomly within the processor 62; or (c) if more than one "awake" active RFID system 60 is within range, all awake systems 60 will transmit a reply after a time delay set randomly within each respective processor 64.

In case (c), if each time delay is different enough to ensure that none of the transmitted replies overlap, then the active RFID system 60 will correctly receive, in turn, the reply from each active RFID system 60. Alternatively, if replies from two or more RFID systems 60 overlap, only the non-overlapping replies will be correctly received. However, as the internal "clocks ofthe active RFID systems 60 are not synchronised, the degree of overlapping will change over time and repeated polling will eventually recognise all ofthe active RFID systems 60 correctly.

If no genuine paper licence 16 (with attached passive RFID tag 40) is located in the licence holder, upon interrogation, the active RFID system 60 will communicate this to the interrogator device 70. This could happen if, for example, the licence plate assembly 10 has been broken into and a genuine plate (with RFID tag 40) has been replaced by a forged, printed plate, with no RFID tag 40. The appearance ofthe forged printed plate might fool the eye, but the lack of RFID tag 40 will not fool the interrogator device 70.

If a paper licence 16 (with passive RFID tag 40) is detected, but the licence is not genuine, or is out of date, this could also be reported back to the interrogator device 70. By comparing the data from the passive RFID tag 40 with the visual data on the paper licence 16, any discrepancies will be revealed.

In addition to verifying that the licence is valid (e.g. not expired), an advantage of some embodiments ofthe invention is the ability to check whether there is a correct match between the vehicle (as evidenced by the identification number embedded in the processor 62 ofthe active RFID system 60) and the licence plate data ofthe RFID tag 40.

In embodiments where the active RFID system 60 is located within the sealed volume of the licence holder, if a paper licence 16 has been fitted in a licence holder belonging to a vehicle different to that for which the licence was issued, the data polled from the RFID tag 40 will not match the data printed on the licence plate/visual appearance of the vehicle.

In embodiments where the active RFID system 60 is located on a mounting platform of the vehicle, if a licence plate assembly 10 is fitted into the mounting platform of the wrong vehicle, this would also show up as a mismatch.

Such mismatches could indicate a stolen licence plate or illegal swapping of licence plate assemblies between vehicles.

Typically, at least some of the data transmitted is in the form of a unique licence plate identification number, which is programmed at the licence office when the licence plate assembly 10 is issued, and which typically serves to identify every hire vehicle licensed in the UK.

Preferably, the operator has a choice of displaying on the computer 72, the entire unique licence plate identification number, or its corresponding description; for example the licence plate identification number 1-42-17902-00123 could correspond to a description "Scottish Strathclyde City of Glasgow Private Hire Plate Number 123".

Optionally, the data transmitted could include whether or not a passive RFID tag 40 is present, and some or all of the variable data printed on the paper licence 16. The licence expiry date could also be transmitted to the computer 72, together with the time of transmission of the data.

In some embodiments, the active RFID system 60 includes an RFID writer and associated antenna, and data can be written to the RFID tag 40 by transmitting the data from the antenna 76 of the interrogator device 70 to the antenna 62 of the active RFID system 60, and writing this data to the RFID tag 40 via the RFID writer.

The data received by the interrogator device 70 is transmitted to the computer 72, where it can be compared with data from its database/ a database accessed on-line using internet-type communication line 78. Thus, from the unique vehicle identification number embedded in the processor 64, the licence enforcement officer knows exactly which vehicle has been detected. From the unique licence plate identification number, the licence enforcement officer knows which licence plate that vehicle is carrying. The correct match between the vehicle and the licence plate can be checked; also whether the licence plate is current or expired, or even missing completely.

The invention provides an environmentally-friendly licence plate. There is no longer any need to destroy an entire licence plate at the end of every year. Instead, the only components which are destroyed and replaced annually are the paper licence 16 and the security tags 24.

The expired paper licence 16 can be recovered, shredded, and recycled. The paper from which the paper licence 16 is made can easily be sourced from 100% recycled stock, making the licence assembly 10 even more environmentally-friendly. The security tags 24 are a relatively small component, and can be made from uncontaminated single specification plastic. After use, the security tags 24 can be regranulated and recycled.

The front and rear plate member 12, 14, the seal 18 and the collar can also be made from uncontaminated single specification plastic, so these parts can also be regranulated and recycled when eventually worn out (after much longer than one year's use).

No adhesives are used in the construction of the licence plate assembly. Hence, the issue of residual adhesive preventing components of the licence plate assembly from being recycled, does not arise.

The paper licences can be easily designed and created by the licence authorities themselves, without specialised equipment.

Furthermore, whilst using a printed paper licence is utterly new and different from conventional plates, mounting the paper licence within the licence holder as described herein means that embodiments of the invention can appear so similar to conventional licence plates that the casual observer will not be able to distinguish between them.

The invention allows both embodiments which are incredibly simple to create (paper licence printed on ordinary paper) and embodiments which are as difficult to forge as banknotes (incorporating UV ink, holograms, etc.).

Embodiments incorporating RFID tags have the following additional advantages.

The passive RFID tags 40 are recoverable, washable and reprogrammable, and therefore are also suitable for multiple re-issue. After the expired paper licence 16 has been removed, the licence holder can be washed and returned to the licensing authority for re-use.

Using RF signals, the operator can gain information relating to vehicles in a relatively large area, even if the vehicles themselves are out of sight.

The licence 16 can be read by RFID even if the printed data on the licence is obscured by dirt, and even if the vehicle is moving at the time.

In relatively short-range embodiments, licence plates assemblies according to the invention can be read from a distance of up to twenty metres, day or night, and in any weather conditions. In longer range embodiments, licence plate assemblies 10 anywhere in the UK/other country can be read by satellite.

Licence enforcement officers can work from the comfort of their own cars. Information relating to all licensed hire vehicles/taxis within a specified area can be reported to the interrogator device in response to a single request. if the altered expiry date on an otherwise genuine licence is tampered with, the information read by the interrogator device would not match the visible expiry date on the licence plate assembly, thus indicating fraud.

The active RFID system 60 can be reused together with the rest of the licence holder/licence plate assembly mount.

The power requirement for the active RF system is very small and can be provided by batteries suitable for pocket calculators. In particular, embodiments which use a reduced-power mode require very little power.

The RFID tag 40 is disguisable, e.g. as a hologram security label.

The invention can also be used to improve communications between different licensing authorities, as information relating to the particular licensing authority can be incorporated into the data transmitted.

Therefore, a licence enforcement officer can also read the licences of vehicles licensed by other licensing authorities. This can help to check whether other licensing authorities’ vehicles are working within a territory for which they are not licensed.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the licence holder internal protrusion could alternatively extend downwardly from the front plate member 14. Also, such an internal protrusion is not only helpful for embodiments including RFID technology. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the paper licence 16 is nearly the same size as the seal 18.

However, this is not necessary, and some embodiments could have paper licences of particular shapes/sizes which could be much smaller than the area bounded by the seal 18. Hence, in these embodiments, internal protrusions on the licence holder and corresponding apertures in the paper licence could be used to accurately locate and retain the paper licence in the correct position in the licence holder.

Optionally, both the front and rear plate members 12, 14 are transparent The paper licence 16 can be any shape/size which can fit within the area defined by the seal 18.

The exemplary materials given above, used to form the licence plate assembly 10, are not essential to the invention, and any suitable materials can be used.

The collar and security tags are not essential to the invention.

Optionally, the collar may be a single component (e.g. a hinged element), instead of comprising two different parts. Hence, two pairs of apertures 22 and corresponding security tags 24 are not necessary.

The RFID tag 40 could be embedded in a recess within the licence holder, instead of being laminated to the paper licence. The particular types of printed/ RF data are exemplary only; other kinds of data could also be used. The printed and RFID data do not necessary contain any ofthe same information.

The means of mounting the licence plate assembly on the vehicle is not fundamental to the invention.

Typically, the radio transmitter/receivers 62, 74 operate on the 433MHz frequency band; however, other frequencies could also be used, and the invention is not limited to this particular frequency.

Optionally, multiple interrogator devices may be used at the same time in a particular area.

Claims (30)

Claims

1. A licence plate assembly for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle, comprising: 5 a paper licence; and a licence holder comprising: a front plate member; a rear plate member; and a watertight sealing means arranged to define a sealable 10 enclosed volume between the front plate member, the rear plate member and the sealing means, the sealing means comprising a protrusion on one of the front and rear plate members and a corresponding groove on the other of the front and rear plate members, wherein the protrusion and groove are shaped to engage 15 each other in a tight interference fit, such that the protrusion and groove cannot be engaged or disengaged by hand; wherein the licence plate assembly has a closed position, in which the paper licence is sealed within the enclosed volume, and an open position, in which the rear plate member is reversibly removed from the 20 front plate member to allow access to the paper licence.

2. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion and groove are located between interior surfaces of the front and rear plate members.

3. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protrusion and groove are each integrally formed with one of the front and rear plate members.

4. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, also including a collar, locatable around the outer perimeter of the licence holder, to prevent access to the outer perimeter of the licence holder.

5. 5. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 4, also including a locking means, which is adapted to lock the collar around the outer perimeter of the licence holder.

6. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking 10 means comprises at least one security tag, which extends through respective apertures in the collar.

7. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the security tag is shaped to allow insertion of the security tag through the apertures in 15 the collar, and to prevent removal of the inserted security tag through the apertures.

8. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the security tag has an inclined leading face and a stepped rear face, the stepped rear 20 face preventing removal of the inserted security tag through the apertures.

9. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the licence holder has an internal protrusion and the paper licence has a corresponding aperture, and the aperture in the paper licence is 25 locatable over the internal protrusion.

10. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the licence plate assembly includes licence data readable by RFID.

11. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 10, also including: an active RFID system; and a passive RFID tag located on the paper licence. 5

12. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the paper licence includes printed data, at least some of which corresponds to data stored in a data memory of the passive RFID tag.

13. A licence plate assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, 10 wherein the active RFID system comprises: a radio transmitter/ receiver; a processor; and an RF reader adapted to read the RFID tag of the paper licence.

14. 15 14. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the active RFID system is adapted to write data to the passive RFID tag ofthe paper licence. 15. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, 20 wherein the active RFID system is located within the sealable enclosed volume ofthe licence holder.

15. 16. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the licence plate assembly includes a mount for mounting the 25 licence holder on a vehicle, and the active RFID system is located on the mount.

16. 17. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the active RFID system includes a power supply that is 30 replenished using energy obtained from movement ofthe active RFID system relative to a hire vehicle to which the licence plate assembly is attached.

17. 18. A licence plate assembly as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, 5 wherein the active RFID system includes a power supply that is replenished using energy obtained from a solar panel.

18. 19. A system for obtaining information, comprising: a licence plate assembly according to any of claims 11 to 18; and 10 an interrogator device adapted to communicate with the active RFID system.

19. 20. A hire vehicle having a licence plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 18 attached to the exterior surface of the vehicle.

20. 21. A method of creating a licence plate assembly for attachment to the exterior of a hire vehicle, comprising: taking a licence holder comprising front and rear plate members and a watertight sealing means formed from a protrusion on one of the 20 front and rear plate members and a corresponding groove on the other of the front and rear plate members, which together define a sealable enclosed volume; inserting a paper licence into the sealable enclosed volume; reversibly applying the rear plate member to the front plate member 25 such that the protrusion and groove engage each other in a tight interference fit, such that the protrusion and groove cannot be engaged or disengaged by hand and the paper licence is sealed within the enclosed volume.

21. 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of engaging the protrusion and groove comprises passing the licence holder through a compression device. 5

22. 23. A method of obtaining information about a vehicle, including the steps of: attaching a licence plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 18 to a vehicle, the licence plate assembly including a passive RFID tag; and 10 transmitting data from the licence plate assembly to an interrogator device; wherein data is read from the RFID tag by an active RFID system provided within the sealable enclosed volume of the licence plate assembly.

23. 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, also including the further step of using the active RFID system to write data to the RFID tag.

24. 25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, also including the 20 steps of assigning a unique identification number to the active RFID system and transmitting this number to the interrogator device.

25.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, also including the step of comparing the data from the licence plate and the unique identification 25 number of the active RFID system to information in a database relating to licensed vehicles and their valid licence plate data.

27. A licence plate assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

28. A hire vehicle as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

29. A method of creating a licence plate assembly as hereinbefore 5 described with reference to the drawings.

30. A method of obtaining information about a vehicle as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.