Patent · US Expired

Vehicle identification system

US4970389A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 27, 1989
Grant dateNov 13, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K19/02
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Vehicle (4) are automatically identified using a specially constructed windshield (8) which carries identifying indicia (10). The window is a layered construction, similar to safety glass, and includes an intermediate layer (20) sandwiched between inner and outer glass layers (22, 24). The intermediate layer carries the identifying indicia, typically in a bar coded pattern. The indicia are invisible to the unaided human eye but are detectable when illuminated with a chosen electromagnetic radiation, typically infrared light from a CO.sub.2 laser. The bar coded indicia are preferably unique to the particular vehicle. Since the bar coded indicia can cover substantially an entire windshield, and since windshields are normally kept clean, sensing of the indicia is aided. The vehicle identification system thus permits the non-invasive identification of a vehicle even under adverse environmental condition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.