Digital license plate system
A digital license plate supporting both access and analysis of vehicle relevant information is disclosed. The digital license plate includes sensors that provide status data to a processor in the digital license plate. A power path control module can initiate power state changes and adjust power depending on system state as determined by at least one the multiple sensors. In some embodiments a temperature control module is connected to a temperature sensor and configured to modify heat relevant display parameters as critical temperatures are approached.
1. A digital license plate having a display and supporting multiple power states, comprising:
a temperature sensor;
a power path control module to initiate power state changes and adjust power depending on a system state as determined by the temperature sensor; and
wherein the display that as critical temperatures are approached acts to display only legally required information or information that would not interfere with viewing of legally required information.
2. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein state changes include an off state, a sleep state, a wake state, and a semi-wake state.
3. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein state changes are triggered in response to detected vehicle voltage.
4. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein state changes are triggered in response to vehicle motion.
5. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein state changes are triggered in response to wireless connection status.
6. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein state changes are triggered in response to location or location changes.
7. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the display is a bistable display.
8. The digital license plate of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature control module connected to the temperature sensor and configured to modify heat relevant display parameters as critical temperatures are approached;
wherein the heat relevant display parameters include a displayed pattern to modify reflectivity, with the displayed pattern being modified to increase heat absorption as critical low temperatures are approached and modified to decrease heat absorption as critical high temperatures are approached.
9. The digital license plate of claim 1 , further comprising
an interface to a vehicle systems module to receive vehicle identification information, including a vehicle identification number; and
a communication module to transmit vehicle identification number and digital license plate identifier to a central server, the central server able to act in the event of a security mismatch to modify operation of the digital license plate.
10. The digital license plate of claim 1 , further comprising
a first locking element attached to the digital license plate;
a second locking element attachable to a vehicle and engageable with the first locking element; and
wherein disengagement of the first and second locking elements triggers at least one of a wireless theft communication signal and an internal theft status indicator.
11. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the digital license plate is connectable to send and receive data; wherein the data is sendable to at least one of a parking related facility, meter, and fine system, and further wherein data is sendable to a payment authority.
12. The digital license plate of claim 1 , further comprising an external user interface to the digital license plate, configured to allow a user to provide user authorization to control release of sensor and other data from the digital license plate.
13. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the digital license plate supports a payment system that receives road usage information from digital license plate and wirelessly connects to a payment authority to pay fees based on the road usage information, and wherein the display indicates current payment status.
14. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the digital license plate has an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one antenna of an antenna system attached to the digital license plate is positioned at the lower portion to reduce electromagnetic screening when the digital license plate is attached to a vehicle.
15. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the digital license plate has a display able to present electronically readable visual information; and wherein the electronically readable visual information is usable to facilitate provision of services.
16. The digital license plate of claim 1 , wherein the digital license plate has a display able to present electronically readable visual information comprising two-dimensional barcodes.
17. A method of operating a digital license plate having a bistable display and a temperature sensor, comprising:
measuring temperature of at least one of ambient temperature or the bistable display;
modifying heat relevant display parameters as critical low temperatures are approached; and
displaying only legally required information or information that would not interfere with viewing of legally required information as the critical low temperatures are approached.