VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION MEANS

Abstract

A vehicle identification means serve to identify vehicles by means of a unique identification. The protection of such identifications against falsification and tampering proves particularly problematic. For this purpose, known vehicle identification means have data carriers which can be read out in a contactless fashion and on which data for permitting unambiguous identification are stored. However, such identification means are very complex in design and are susceptible to faults. The invention provides an improved vehicle identification means which has a design which is as simple as possible and has a lower level of susceptibility to faults. This is ensured in that at least one NFC transponder which can be read out in a contactless fashion and has the purpose of near-field communication with a data carrier and an antenna is assigned to a registration number plate body, wherein at least part of the antenna is arranged in a breakthrough.

Claims

1. A vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41), in particular a vehicle registration number plate having a registration number plate body (11, 36) which has at least one inscription space (13), and having at least one inscription (14) which is assigned to the inscription space (13) of the registration number plate body (11, 36), wherein at least one NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) which can be read out in a contactless fashion and has the purpose of near-field communication is assigned to the registration number plate body (11, 36), having a data carrier (21, 30, 31) and an antenna (20, 26), and wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) is covered with a protective cover (12, 39), wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) has a breakthrough (16, 23), to which the antenna (20, 26) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is at least partially assigned.

2. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 1, wherein the data carrier (21, 30, 31) and/or at least sections of the antenna (20, 26) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) are cast in the breakthrough (16, 23) in an electrically non-conductive sealing compound, in particular a plastic or a resin, in particular in that the breakthrough (16, 23) is filled with the sealing compound.

3. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (20, 26) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42), includes, in particular, windings of the antenna (20, 26), a conductor loop or a coil, a rectangular or a round or circular surface, and a side edge (27) of this face corresponds in its length, or a circumference of this surface corresponds in its diameter (29), at maximum to a length (17) of the breakthrough (16, 23), is preferably smaller, and a height (18) of the breakthrough (16, 23) corresponds to at least 10%, in particular at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, of a width (28) of the surface or of the diameter (29) of the surface.

4. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 1, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42), in particular the antenna (20, 26) is arranged at any desired position in the breakthrough (16, 23), wherein at least two partial regions of the antenna (20, 26) which lie opposite one another are arranged over the breakthrough (16, 23).

5. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 1, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) with the antenna (20, 26) and the data carrier (21, 30, 31) is arranged on a, preferably self-adhesive, carrier material (22, 24, 37) directly on a front side (47) of the registration number plate body (11, 36) and at least partially over the breakthrough (16, 23), and the protective cover (12, 39) is applied to the registration number plate body (11, 36) over the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42).

6. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 1, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) with the antenna (20, 26) and the data carrier (21, 30, 31) is arranged on a, preferably self-adhesive, carrier material (22, 24, 37) directly on a rear side (48) of the registration number plate body (11, 36) and at least partially over the breakthrough (16, 23).

7. A vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41), in particular vehicle registration number plate having a registration number plate body (11, 36) which has at least one inscription space (13), and having at least one inscription (14) which is assigned to the inscription space (13) of the registration number plate body (11, 36), wherein at least one NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) which can be read out in a contactless fashion and has the purpose of near-field communication is assigned to the registration number plate body (11, 36), having a data carrier (21, 30, 31) and an antenna (20, 26), and wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) is covered with a protective cover (12, 39), wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) with the antenna (20, 26) and the data carrier (21, 30, 31) on a carrier material (22, 24, 37) is assigned to a registration number plate body (11, 36).

8. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 7, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is attached directly or on the protective cover (12, 39) on a front side (47), preferably in a recess in the registration number plate body (11, 36) and the protective cover (12, 39) or a protective film is applied to the registration number plate body (11, 36) over the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) wherein, in particular, the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is cast in the recess (Z) with a sealing compound.

9. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 7, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is attached directly on a rear side (48), preferably in a recess, in the registration number plate body (11, 36), wherein, in particular, the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is cast in the recess with a sealing compound.

10. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 7, wherein an electrically insulating layer (38), preferably a plastic or a surface coating agent layer, is arranged between the, preferably self-adhesive, carrier material (22, 24, 37) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) and the registration number plate body (11, 36).

11. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 7, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is arranged in an electrically non-conductive housing, and the housing is positioned directly on the registration number plate body (11, 36).

12. A vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41), in particular vehicle registration number plate having a registration number plate body (11, 36) which has at least one inscription space (13), and having at least one inscription (14) which is assigned to the inscription space (13) of the registration number plate body (11, 36), wherein at least one NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) which can be read out in a contactless fashion and has the purpose of near-field communication is assigned to the registration number plate body (11, 36), having a data carrier (21, 30, 31) and an antenna (20, 26), and wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) is covered with a protective cover (12, 39), wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) has a UHF antenna which is formed by a slot (43), and this UHF antenna is assigned a data carrier (45) which generates a magnetic field, wherein the antenna (20, 26) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is at least partially assigned to the slot (43), or the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) with the antenna (20, 26) and the data carrier (21, 30, 31) on a carrier material (22, 24, 37), is assigned to the registration number plate body (11, 36).

13. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is arranged, in particular with the antenna (20, 26) and the data carrier (21, 30, 31), in a recess in the registration number plate body (11, 36).

14. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the antenna (20, 26) of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in or over the slot (43) or a breakthrough (16, 23), in particular on a front side (47) or a rear side (48) of the registration number plate body (11, 36).

15. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier (45) is coupled inductively to the slot (43), wherein the data carrier (45) has a chip, at least one coil which is connected thereto in an electrically conductive fashion, and a carrier composed of an insulating or non-conductive material, and the chip is embodied, in particular, as a passive radio-frequency-identification chip (44) (RFID chip).

16. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier (45) is arranged in an electrically insulated fashion in the region of an end of the slot (43), and the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) is assigned to an opposite end region of the slot (43), wherein the slot (43) is preferably extended by the length over which the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) covers the slot (43).

17. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier (45) is arranged in an insulated fashion within the slot (43) or over the slot (43), preferably electrically conductive components of the data carrier (45) are spaced apart from boundary faces of the slot (43).

18. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier (45) is embedded in the registration number plate body (11, 36), in particular secured in the slot (43), preferably by at least one coating on the registration number plate body (11, 36).

19. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein at least one visible coating is embodied as an, in particular, self-adhesive reflective film which is preferably embodied in the region of the data carrier (45) and/or of the slot (43) and/or of the NFC transponder (19, 25, 35, 42) in such a way that it does not have any electrically conductive components, in particular in that the coating has a very high ohmic resistance.

20. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier (45) is arranged in a receptacle recess in the registration number plate body, wherein the receptacle recess is preferably assigned to one end of the slot and preferably has a base wall into which one end of the slot (43) extends, or the base wall has an opening which is smaller than the data carrier (45).

21. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 15, wherein the RFID chip and the NFC transponder form one structural unit with two antennas for the HF and UHF frequency range, which RFID chip and NFC transponder can be read out independently of one another.

22. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the protective cover (12, 39) is embodied as a flexible, self-adhesive and retroreflective film, with preferably integrated or encapsulated microglass beads, or as a prismatic film, wherein preferably at least one layer of the film contains metallic particles which are electrically conductive, or in that the protective cover is constructed from an electrically conductive material, in particular from aluminium or sheet metal or from an electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic or acrylic.

23. The vehicle identification means (10, 34, 41) according to claim 12, wherein the registration number plate body (11, 36) is constructed from an electrically conductive material, in particular from aluminium or sheet metal, or from an electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic or acrylic, or in that the registration number plate body is embodied as a flexible, self-adhesive and retroreflective film, with preferably integrated or encapsulated microglass beads or as a prismatic film, wherein preferably at least one layer of the film contains metallic particles which are electrically conductive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle identification means according to the invention with a breakthrough;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a section through a vehicle identification means according to the invention in the region of a breakthrough and of a data carrier according to FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a breakthrough with an NFC transponder;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a breakthrough with an NFC transponder;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a vehicle identification means according to the invention with an NFC transponder;

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a section through the NFC transponder according to FIG. 5; and

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a vehicle identification means according to the invention with an RFID chip and an NFC transponder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] A vehicle identification means 10 or else vehicle registration number plate according to the invention is composed of a flat registration number plate body 11 with a front side 47 and a rear side 48, wherein the registration number plate body 11 has a protective cover 12 (FIG. 1). The present case is concerned with essentially rectangular exemplary embodiments of the vehicle identification means 10. However, virtually any desired other geometric shapes of the registration number plate body 11 are also possible. This depends, in particular, on the local, regional or national provisions such as corresponding legal or other regulations.

[0039] The vehicle identification means 10 which is illustrated in the figures has an inscription space 13 which is assigned to the front side 47 of the identification means 10. An inscription 14, which serves for the purpose of identification, is provided in this inscription space 13. The inscription 14 of the registration number plate 10 can be implemented, for example, by printing, bonding, punching out or stamping. However, it is also conceivable that the inscription 14 of the registration number plate 10 is applied by a generative method or by means of a 3D printing method. The inscription 14 itself is not limited to the letters and numbers shown here. Instead, it can contain any type of inscription and combination of characters or the like, including figurative representations. However, in particular at least the official registration number plate or the number is frequently applied at this point to a number plate for the purpose of identifying the vehicle.

[0040] Furthermore, the vehicle identification means 10 illustrated here has a peripheral border 15 which is manufactured by stamping. In addition to the vehicle identification means 10 which is illustrated here and is composed of aluminium or sheet metal, it is also conceivable to manufacture an identification means and/or the registration number plate body 11 from plastic or acrylic. The use of the material is generally also predefined by national provisions.

[0041] The vehicle identification means 10 which is illustrated in FIG. 1, or the registration number plate body 11, is assigned a rectangular breakthrough 16. This breakthrough 16 is provided as a cutout or as a free space in the registration number plate body 11, and extends from a surface of the registration number plate body 11 to an underside and/or from the front side 47 to a rear side 48. In the exemplary embodiment of the breakthrough 16 which is illustrated in FIG. 1, a length 17 of the rectangular breakthrough 16 is larger than a height 18 of the breakthrough 16. In the exemplary embodiment of the breakthrough 16 illustrated here, the length 17 is oriented in parallel with a side edge of the vehicle identification means 10. However, the length 17 or the breakthrough 16 can also have any desired orientation with respect to the side edge of the vehicle identification means 10.

[0042] An NFC transponder 19, which has an antenna 20 and a data carrier 21 or chip, is arranged over the breakthrough 16. According to the invention, the NFC transponder 19 is positioned over the breakthrough 16 in such a way that the antenna 20 extends at least partially over the breakthrough 16.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the NFC transponder 19 is arranged with the antenna 20 and the data carrier 21 on a carrier material 22. This carrier material 22 is electrically insulating and can be embodied at least partially to be self-adhesive on one side or on both sides. According to FIG. 2, this carrier material 22 is applied, together with the NFC transponder 19, to the registration number plate body 10, specifically in such a way that it covers the breakthrough 16 at least partially. The carrier material 22 and the remaining free surface of the registration number plate body 11 are covered by the protective cover 12. This protective cover 12 can be a flexible, self-adhesive and/or retroreflective film, with preferably integrated or encapsulated microglass beads or else a prismatic and PVC film which serve for reflecting light. Furthermore, at least one layer of this protective cover 12 can contain metallic particles which are electrically conductive. As a result of the planar application of the carrier material 22 together with the NFC transponder 19 and the coverage of the protective cover 12 of the registration number plate body 11, the presence of the NFC transponder 19 is not apparent on the surface of the vehicle identification means 10. Furthermore, there can be provision that the breakthrough 16 is always filled with a material, wherein the material serves to secure and to protect the electronic components (transponder, antenna, conductor, memory).

[0044] A further exemplary embodiment (not illustrated here) can provide that the NFC transponder 19 is assigned to the rear side 48 of the registration number plate body 11. In this context, the NFC transponder 19 is to be attached to the rear side 48 in the same way as previously described for the front side 47. With this positioning, the NFC transponder 19 is provided with increased protection since the registration number plate body 11 serves as a further protective shield against mechanical influences.

[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 show two possible exemplary embodiments of a breakthrough 16, 23 with a carrier material 22 or 24, wherein the carrier materials 22, 24 are each assigned an NFC transponder 19, 25, with different antenna structures 20, 26. While the antenna structure 20 of the NFC transponder 19 is embodied as a rectangle, the antenna structure 26 of the NFC transponder 25 describes a ring.

[0046] So that an external electromagnetic field can couple to the NFC transponder 19, 25 in a reliable and efficient way, it is essential that the breakthrough 16, 23 is larger than the antenna 20, 26 at least one in dimension. There is therefore provision, for example, for the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 that a side edge 27 of the antenna 20 or of the antenna structure 20 is smaller than the height 18 of the breakthrough 16. If this is the case, a width 28 of the antenna 20 or of the antenna structure can be larger than the height 18 of the breakthrough 16. It is essential that at least one dimension of the antenna 20 is smaller than the length 17 or the height 18 of the breakthrough 16, with the result that an electromagnetic field can penetrate the breakthrough 16 and/or the antenna 20. The antenna 20, 26 of the NFC transponder 19, 25, 35, 42, in particular windings of the antenna 20, 26, a conductor loop or a coil, encloses a rectangular or a round or circular surface, wherein a side edge 27 of this surface corresponds in its length, or a circumference of this surface corresponds in its diameter 29, at maximum to a length 17 of the breakthrough 16, 23, or is smaller. The height 18 of the breakthrough 16, 23 corresponds to at least 10%, in particular at least 25%, preferably at least 50% of a width 28 of the surface or of the diameter 29 of the surface. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle identification means 10 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, effective coupling of the electromagnetic field to the NFC transponder 19 can take place only if there is such penetration.

[0047] At the same time, an external diameter 29 of the antenna 26 must be smaller than at least one dimension (length/height) of the breakthrough 23 (FIG. 4). How the antenna is ultimately embodied is of secondary importance. The antennas 20, 26 which are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are embodied as coil-like conductor loops which are each connected to a data carrier 30, 31 and a connecting piece 32, 33. The data carrier 30, 31 can be located either likewise in the breakthrough 16, 23 or on the registration number plate body 11. According to the invention, it is also conceivable for the NFC transponder 19, 25 to be positioned completely in the breakthrough 16, 23.

[0048] In particular in order to provide mechanical protection but also securement, the NFC transponder 19, 25 is cast at least partially in the breakthrough 16, 23 by a sealing compound. By virtue of the fact that the NFC transponder 19, 25 is arranged with the carrier material 22, 24 both between the registration number plate body 11 and the protective cover 12 and is cast in the breakthrough 16, 23, the NFC transponder 19, 25 cannot be removed from the vehicle identification means 10 without destruction. Therefore, a simple layered structure can provide a reliably functional identification means with increased protection against tampering.

[0049] The exemplary embodiment of a vehicle identification means 34 which is illustrated in FIG. 5 is structurally identical to the vehicle identification means 10 described above, with the exception that the vehicle identification means 34 illustrated in FIG. 5 does not have a breakthrough 16, 23. Instead, in the case of the exemplary embodiment illustrated there an NFC transponder 35 is positioned on the front side 47 of the registration number plate body 36, wherein an electrically insulating layer 38 is arranged between a carrier material 37 of the NFC transponder 35 and the registration number plate body 36. This electrically insulating layer 38 can be embodied as a plastic layer which is adhesive on both sides or as a surface coating layer. Furthermore, the carrier material 37 of the NFC transponder 35 on the layer 38 is covered by a protective cover 37. This protective cover 37 is embodied in the same way as described above with reference to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment of the vehicle identification means 34 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in particular an antenna 40 of the NFC transponder 35 is electrically insulated from the registration number plate body 36 by the layer 38. This is configured advantageously, in particular, for a case in which the registration number plate body 36 is of metallic design. By virtue of this layer structure, an external electromagnetic field can also be coupled to the antenna 40 of the NFC transponder 35 in a very reliable way, both to exchange data stored on a data carrier and to supply sufficient electrical energy to the NFC transponder which is embodied as a passive component. In this exemplary embodiment, the NFC transponder 35 can be arranged with the carrier material 37 at virtually any desired position on the registration number plate body 36. Moreover, there can be provision that the electrically insulating layer 38 is arranged only between the carrier material 37 and the registration number plate body 36.

[0051] A further exemplary embodiment (not illustrated here) can provide that the NFC transponder 35 is assigned to the rear side 48 of the registration number plate body 36. In this context, the NFC transponder 35 is to be attached to the rear side 48 in the same way as described above for the front side 47. Furthermore, the NFC transponder 35 which is arranged on the rear side 48 of the registration number plate body 36 is assigned a breakthrough in the registration number plate body 36 in the way described above. With this positioning, the NFC transponder 35 is provided with increased protection, since the registration number plate body 36 serves as a further protective shield against mechanical influences.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment of a vehicle identification means 41 which is illustrated in FIG. 7, a breakthrough for an NFC transponder 42 is embodied as a slot 43. While the slot 43 has the same function for the NFC transponder 42 as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 4, the slot 43 serves at the same time as a slot antenna for an RFID chip 44. The RFID chip 44 also has a data carrier 45 which is inductively coupled to the slot antenna or the slot 43 via a further conductor track or coil. While the RFID chip 44 is assigned to one end of the slot 43, in FIG. 7 the NFC transponder 42 is located at another end of the elongate, preferably rectangular, slot 43, specifically on a front side 47 of the registration number plate body 11. The NFC transponder 42 is positioned on the slot 43 in such a way that both a corresponding external electromagnetic field can couple to the NFC transponder 42, and the power of the slot antenna or of the slot 43 is not adversely affected by the NFC transponder 42.

[0053] The RFID chip 44 can be arranged here in a widened portion 46 at an end of the slot 43 or a recess and can be secured in this widened portion 46 or the recess by means of a sealing compound. This sealing compound can be the same compound which is also used to embed the NFC transponder 42 in the slot.

[0054] Otherwise, the vehicle identification means 41 is embodied in the same way as the vehicle identification means 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Moreover, it is to be noted that both the shape and the dimensions of the vehicle identification means 10, 34, 41, as well as those of the breakthrough 16, 23 or of the slot 43, can differ from those illustrated here.

[0055] A further exemplary embodiment (not illustrated here) can provide that the NFC transponder 42 can be assigned to a rear side 48 of the registration number plate body 11. In this context, the NFC transponder 42 is to be attached to the rear side 48 in the same way as described above for the front side 47. Furthermore, the NFC transponder 42 which is arranged on the rear side 48 of the registration number plate body 11 is assigned a breakthrough in the registration number plate body 11 in the way described above. With this positioning, the NFC transponder 42 is provided with increased protection, since the registration number plate body 11 serves as a further protective shield against mechanical influences.

[0056] A further exemplary embodiment (not illustrated) of the vehicle identification means 10, 34, 41 according to the invention can provide that the NFC transponder 19, 35, 42 is arranged in a recess in the registration number plate body 11, 36. The recess can be assigned here both to a front side 47 and to a rear side 48. As a result of the positioning of the NFC transponder 19, 35, 42 in the recess, said NFC transponder is, on the one hand, protected against environmental influences and, on the other hand, is virtually imperceptible under a protective cover, and therefore additionally protected against attempts at tampering.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0057] 10 Vehicle identification means
11 Registration number plate body
12 Protective cover
13 Inscription space

14 Inscription

15 Border

16 Breakthrough

17 Length

18 Height

[0058] 19 NFC transponder

20 Antenna

[0059] 21 Data carrier
22 Carrier material

23 Breakthrough

[0060] 24 Carrier material
25 NFC transponder

26 Antenna

[0061] 27 Side edge

28 Width

29 Diameter

[0062] 30 Data carrier
31 Data carrier
32 Connecting piece
33 Connecting piece
34 Vehicle identification means
35 NFC transponder
36 Registration number plate body
37 Carrier material

38 Layer

[0063] 39 Protective cover

40 Antenna

[0064] 41 Vehicle identification means
42 NFC transponder

43 Slot

[0065] 44 RFID chip
45 Data carrier
46 Widened portion
47 Front side
48 Rear side