Patent Publication Number: US-6222463-B1

Title: Vehicle communication network

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a communication network and, more particularly, to a vehicle communication network for providing an integrated record management and collection system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, as the number of vehicles on the road has dramatically increased, there has been an increased need for a more efficient record management and collection system. Today, record management, such as for registration, insurance and inspection records, is provided by administrative agencies generally untrained or too poorly equipped to do so. For example, each department of motor vehicles (DMV) only has several employees who unfortunately are burden with the responsibilities for renewing registrations, conducting inspections, and issuing license plates and driver licenses for hundreds of vehicles and drivers a day. The DMV is as well responsible for collecting fees for most of these latter services, which for obvious reasons is time consuming. 
     With administrative agencies generally ill-suited to handle the latter administrative tasks, it is estimated that their efficiency is low, as no doubt evident by the long lines at the DMVs. Although allocating some of these administrative tasks to local independent service centers has been beneficial, it has not been entirely successful. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide for a cost-effective record management and collection system which enhances the work force utilization of today&#39;s vehicular administrative agencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a bi-directional vehicle communication network which has the ability for record management and collection, including updating registration, insurance, inspection and/or maintenance records, as well as for collecting for the transaction fee or cost thereof. Additionally, the present vehicle communication network readily affords the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations. Importantly, vehicles are equipped with an electronic tag containing records associated therewith. In response to radio frequency signals from a portable interrogator, vehicular records may be selectively retrieved from the electronic tag. Updated records are then transmitted to the electronic tag for storage. Similarly, those updated records may be also transmitted to a centralized control center for archival purposes, as well as for effecting record management and collection. 
     The network includes a control center linked to a plurality of vehicle base stations and a point of sale (POS) or automated teller machine (ATM) system. Vehicles equipped with electronic tags respond to radio frequency signals sent out by the portable interrogator when activated by an authorized person. Each vehicle base station is capable of communicating through radio communication with the portable interrogator which selectively queries the electronic tag for registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. The response of the electronic tag takes the form of encoded radio frequency signals corresponding to the desired vehicular records requested by the portable interrogator. 
     Preferably, both permanent and variable information are stored in memory residing within the electronic tag, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make and model of the vehicle, the license plate number, as well as other registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each cell is allocated at least one cellular radio channel used to effect bidirectional communication between the portable interrogator and the vehicle base station to effect record management and collection using information transmitted to and received from the electronic tag. The portable interrogator includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of displaying both data and graphics. Four keypads are used to control the functions of the portable interrogator in a menu driver fashion. Also, an alphanumeric keypad is used for entering or updating data into the portable interrogator. Updated records once entered are then transmitted to the electronic tag and the control center for storage. Such updated records may include registration, inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance records for the vehicle and may be readily displayed on the LCD to an authorized personnel. 
     The control center also includes a database containing registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. Advantageously, this allows control center operators to update those records for particular vehicles and later transmit such records to the electronic tag when the vehicle is taken to an authorized center. Also, control personnel may request the control center to prepare various reports for a specific vehicle or search for specific records. Notices, such as for expired registration, insurance and/or inspection, may be generated and mailed to individuals. Such capabilities enhance record management as well as minimize the amount of work performed by service personnel on administrative tasks. 
     In another aspect of the present vehicle communication network, if desired, the control center may also effect collection, such as for registration, repairs or traffic violations. Specifically, billing may be effected by the control center preparing and transmitting an appropriate invoice to the portable interrogator. After obtaining the driver&#39;s bank account, credit card or ATM number, the portable interrogator transmits the latter information to the control center so as to transfer funds from the driver&#39;s financial institution. 
     Still another unique aspect of the present vehicle communication network is the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations without the need for an officer to manually approach a vehicle and obtain the registration records. Advantageously, the portable interrogator may query the electronic tag for the registration records for the vehicle and then populate a standardized traffic ticket with those records. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in which like elements are labeled similarly and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the present vehicle communication network, including a control center, a plurality of vehicle base stations, and a plurality of vehicles; 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a portable interrogator communicating with an electronic tag and vehicle base station; 
     FIG. 3 is a pictorial block diagram of the electronic tag of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the control center for the vehicle communication network of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of the portable interrogator; 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the transmitter and receiver portions of the portable interrogator used in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an illustrative display of records displayed on the portable interrogator; 
     FIG. 8 is an illustrative data format for messages transmitted among the portable interrogator, electronic tag, vehicle base station and control center of the present vehicle communication network; 
     FIGS. 9A-9B depict a flow chart illustrating the operation of the portable interrogator and electronic tag of FIG. 1; and 
     FIGS. 10A-10B depict a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control center of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The inventive vehicle communication network has the ability, among other things, for readily managing and updating registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records, as well as for collecting for the transaction fee or cost thereof. Additionally, the present vehicle communication network readily affords the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations without the need for an officer to manually approach a vehicle and obtain the registration records. Importantly, vehicles, such as cars and trucks, as well as other related vehicles found on today&#39;s highways, are equipped with an electronic tag containing records associated with the corresponding vehicle. In response to radio frequency signals from a portable interrogator, vehicular records may be readily retrieved from the electronic tag and updated by an authorized person using the portable interrogator. The updated records are then transmitted to the electron tag for storage. Similarly, the updated records may be also transmitted to a centralized control center for archival purposes, as well as for effecting record management and collection. 
     The capability to integrate such services affords a highly efficient means for vehicular record management and collection. Of course, the vehicle communication network may be customized to the particular needs of administrative, insurance and law enforcement agencies, and due to the use of wireless communication, such as cellular radio communication, may be installed and used virtually anywhere in the world. 
     It is contemplated that the present vehicle communication network is realized by wireless communication, such as cellular radio. It is to be understood, however, that the network described below is for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation. Other suitable communication, whether radio, microwave or optical, may be used with the present invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-2, there is shown in schematic block diagram a communication system  100  in accordance with the principles of the invention. An arbitrary geographic area is divided into a plurality of radio coverage areas or cells  105  (C 1 -C n ). These cells may be located over wide areas of highways and roads within, for example, different cities. Within each of cells  105  (C 1 -C n ) are vehicles  110  (A 1 -A n ), the actual number depending on the volume of traffic within the particular cells. Each vehicle  110  (A 1 -A n ) is provided with an electronic tag  115 , preferably including a RF transmitter  120 , a RF receiver  125 , a communication microprocessor  130 , an antenna  135 , EPROM  140  and ROM  145 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     Electronic tag  115  responds to radio frequency signals sent out by a portable interrogator  150  when activated by an authorized person, such as a service personnel or law enforcement officer. Preferably, a personal identification number (PIN) or code must be entered prior to using portable interrogator  150 . RF transmitter  120  radiates in a cone of about ten ( 10 ) degrees when queried or “pinged” by portable interrogator  150 . In this manner, radio signals from other electronic tags do not interfere with signals from the desired electronic tag. 
     The response of electronic tag  115  takes the form of encoded radio frequency signals corresponding to the desired vehicular records requested by portable interrogator  150 . The interrogation of electronic tag  115  is activated as desired by an authorized person when portable interrogator  150  is within the transmission range of electronic tag  115 . Preferably, both permanent and variable information are stored in memory residing within electronic tag  115 . Permanent information is stored in read-only memory (ROM)  145  and may include, for example, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the make and model of the corresponding vehicle. Similarly, the license plate number as well as registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records may be stored in electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM)  140 , which likewise can be retrieved for later use. These latter records, however, may be updated annually, or as needed. To preserve the data contents of electronic tag  115 , a memory back-up battery is used. Preferably, electronic tag  115  resides in the license plate, but may also reside in the trunk or dashboard of the vehicle. 
     Vehicle base stations  155  (B 1 -B n ) may be found within respective cells  105  (C 1 -C n ). Each vehicle base station  155  (B 1 -B n ) is capable of communicating through cellular radio or other wireless means with portable interrogator  150  which selectively queries electronic tag  115  for registration, inspection, insurance and/or maintenance records. Likewise, each vehicle base station  155  (B 1 -B n ) includes a RF transmitter  160 , a RF receiver  165 , an antenna  170  and a communication microprocessor  175  so as to effect cellular radio communication with portable interrogator  150 . Of course, satellite, microwave or infrared communication may also be used in accordance with principles known to those skilled in the art. 
     Preferably, each of cells  105  (C 1 -C n ) is allocated at least one cellular radio channel used to effect bidirectional communication between portable interrogator  150  and vehicle base stations  155  to effect record management, collection and ticketing using information transmitted to and received from electronic tag  115  of the corresponding vehicle. Those skilled in the art will readily note that the communication channels may operate either in an analog or a digital mode, or a combination thereof. In the digital mode, analog signals are converted to digital representations prior to transmission over a RF channel. Purely data messages, such as those generated by a microprocessor may be formatted and transmitted directly over a digital channel. 
     The required low-level software to effect cellular communication is readily capable of implementation by those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that such software and the like, for example, may be stored in standardized memory cards, such as a flash memory card. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, communication is also provided between vehicle base stations  155  (B 1 -B n )and a control center  180  through communication links  185  of a data network  190 . Control center  180  may be attended by one or more trained operators through terminal(s)  195 . Digital links operating at 128 Kb/sec or higher may be used as communication links  185 . Data network  190  may be an integrated system digital network (ISDN) facility. In this latter instance, the X.25 protocol, may be used for facilitating the sending of message, data or records between vehicular base stations  155  (B 1 -B n )and control center  180 . The X.25 protocol is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed herein for the sake of clarity. 
     It should be understood that control center  180  includes registration, inspection and insurance database  200  used for archival as well as record management and billing purposes. In addition, each vehicle base station  155  may contain internally resident databases necessary or useful in the effecting those latter services. Control center  180  may be, for example, located within the same physical location as the cells. For extended coverage, however, a plurality of control centers linked to each other may be employed. 
     Portable interrogator  150  may interrogate a specific electronic tag located within a moving or stationary vehicle to transmit particular vehicular records, which records may be immediately displayed to the authorized user and/or communicated to control center  180 . It is contemplated that such vehicular records can be used to identify the vehicle or used for registration, inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance purposes. Additionally, such information may be used to identify stolen cars or those used in the commission of crimes, as well as in ticketing vehicles for traffic violations, among other things. Record management may be automatically controlled by control center  180 , including but not limited to the following: 
     Registration Renewal Notices 
     Inspection Renewal Notices 
     Outstanding Traffic Violation Notices 
     License Plate Query Search 
     Vehicle Query Search by Make, Model &amp; Year 
     Expired Insurance Notices 
     Owner Query Search 
     Outstanding Traffic Violations 
     If desired, some of these functions may be distributed to the vehicle base stations or performed manually by a control center operator at the request of, for example, law enforcement agencies. 
     Vehicle communication network  100  also is preferably linked to a generic point of sale (POS) or an automated teller machine (ATM) system  205  which is linked to each of vehicle base stations  155  through data communication network  190 . ATM/POS system  205  includes a POS/ATM data communication network  210 . Plurality of independently operated ATM/POS systems all intercommunicate simultaneously in order to provide billing service to drivers, such as for registration renewals, maintenance, traffic violations, and the like. A clearing house data communication network also interconnects the plurality of ATM/POS systems to clearing house network centers. By transferring information among the different ATM/POS systems operated by various merchants, the clearing housing data communication network and the clearing house network centers allow direct inter-institution transactions, such as between ATM/POS system  205  and the particular ATM/POS system operated by the driver&#39;s financial institution. 
     Referring to the illustration of FIG. 4, control center  180  may include a communication controller  215 , and a display controller  220 , there being a suitable conventional interface  225  therebetween. As stated above, control center  210  includes database  200  containing, for example, driver, registration, insurance and/or inspection records to effect record management. Interface  225  may be a local area network (LAN) interface, having one or more terminals  195 , allowing control center operators to also enter information into database  200 . Terminals  195  are understood to include any of a variety of input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, or other user interfaces. 
     Communication controller  215 , among other things, serves as a processor and buffer between vehicle base stations  155 , and display controller  220  and database  200 . Data transmitted through communication controller  215  may be displayed on a communication display  230 . If desired, display controller  220  may use a map to depict information regarding particular vehicles in a graphical manner, such as on pre-existing digitized maps of arbitrarily large geographical areas. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, portable interrogator  150  likewise includes a local RF receiver  235 , a RF transmitter  240 , a microprocessor  245 , read-only-memory (ROM)  250  and random access memory (RAM)  255 . RF transmitter  240  is provided with an antenna  260  by which it communicates to electronic tag  115  and vehicle base station  155  within the cell portable interrogator  150  is located. 
     Furthermore, portable interrogator  150  preferably includes a LCD  265  capable of displaying both data and graphics. Also, four keypads  270   1-4  may be used to control the functions of portable interrogator  150  in a menu driver manner. An alphanumeric keypad  275  may be used for entering data into portable interrogator  150 , such as for updating or entering records. Updated records once entered are then transmitted to electronic tag  115  and control center  180  for storage. Such updated records may include registration, inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance records for the vehicle and may be readily displayed on LCD  265  to an authorized personnel. 
     Referring next to FIG. 6, there is shown therein a simplified schematic block diagram of portable interrogator  150  used to transmit and receive data from vehicle base stations  155  as well as electronic tag  115 . Data destined for transmission to vehicle base station  155  or electronic tag  115  is divided into data packets of messages in accordance, for example, with the time division multiple access (TDMA) technique of digital communications. Those skilled in the art will readily note that other techniques may be used, such as CDMA. Data packets along with supervisory messages are time division multiplexed and provided as an input to a RF modulator  280 . RF modulator  280  is used for modulating a carrier frequency in a manner well known those in the art of cellular radio communication. The modulated carrier signal output of RF modulator  280  is amplified by a power amplifier  285  and then transmitted to vehicle base station  155  or electronic tag  115  through antenna  170 . 
     Portable interrogator  150  receives modulated RF signals from both vehicular base station  155  and electronic tag  115  through antenna  170  connected to RF receiver  165 . A receiver carrier frequency for the selected receiving channel is generated by a receiving frequency synthesizer  295  and supplied to a RF demodulator  290 . RF demodulator  290  is used to demodulate the received carrier signal into the original digital information. For a more detailed description on the use of cellular radio communication, see, for example,  Cellular Radio: Principles and Design , Raymond C. V. Macario, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1993. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily note that much of the equipment used by portable interrogator  150  to effect radio communication may also be used by electronic tag  115  and vehicular base station  155 . Accordingly, for the sake of simplicity, that equipment will not be discussed herein. There is, however, one important difference. Vehicle base stations  155 , unlike the electronic tags and the portable interrogator are preferably connected to control center  180  through high speed communication links of data network  190 . It should be clearly understood that vehicle base stations  155  each includes microprocessor  175  that controls the activities of the base station and the communication to portable interrogator  150  and control center  180 . Information is routed by microprocessor  175  in accordance with messages received from control center  180  or portable interrogator  150 . Microprocessor  175  may also be provided with a terminal keyboard and display unit that allows information to be transmitted to electronic tag  115  or control center  180 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7, the license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), owner, make and model of the vehicle can be displayed on LCD  265 , once portable interrogator  150  has queried electronic tag  115  for the desired registration records. If desired, other records can be readily retrieved and displayed on LCD  265  for the vehicle, such as inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance records. 
     Keypads  270   1-4  are used to control the functions of portable interrogator  150 , with alphanumeric keypad  275  used for entering data into portable interrogator  150 . Keypads  270   1-4  are respectively label “M” for menu, “□” for select, “↑” for scroll up and “↓” for scroll down. When selecting one of these keypads, an audible signal is heard by the user. The display screen can be switched to display a main menu by pressing keypad  270   1  (“M”) , which menu may consist of, for example, the following submenu: 
     1. Registration 
     2. Insurance Records 
     3. Inspection Records 
     4. Maintenance Records 
     5. Billing 
     6. Traffic Ticket 
     Initially, submenu “1” is highlighted, but by using scroll keypad  270   3  (“↑”) and/or keypad  270   4  (“↓”), other submenus may be accordingly highlighted. Pressing keypad  270   2  (“□”) selects the highlighted submenu which then selectively queries electronic tag  115  for the corresponding vehicular records. Of course, portable interrogator  150  must be within the transmission range of electronic tag  115 , but the vehicle may be either stationary or moving. Preferably, electronic tag  115  performs authentication, wherein the identity of portable interrogator  150  is confirmed as having authorization to receive the requested vehicular records, such as by using a pre-assigned 24-bit personal identification number (PIN). It is contemplated that other suitable authentication means known in the art may also be used, including the use of encryption algorithms. 
     To retrieve the registration records, submenu “1” is selected using keypad  270   2  (“□”) which then queries or “pings” electronic tag  115  for the desired records. This information is retrieved from electronic tag  115  and, for example, displayed on the LCD  265  as: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Owner: 
                 John Rosa 
               
               
                   
                 Address: 
                 81 Main Street 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Randolph, NJ 
               
               
                   
                 DOB: 
                 12/30/68 
               
               
                   
                 License:  
                 D2002 40676 12347 
               
               
                   
                 License Plate No. MZX68Z9L 
               
               
                   
                 State of New Jersey 
               
               
                   
                 VIN: 
                 JH4FUAS265I7CO22078 
               
               
                   
                 Make: 
                 1998 Acura 
               
               
                   
                 Model: 
                 3.5 TL 4 DR. BEIGE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     To update this information, each field can be highlighted in sequence by pressing keypad  270   2  (“□”) in a sequential fashion. Then using alphanumeric keypad  275 , each field can be appropriately changed. Menu keypad  270   1  (“M”) can then be pressed to exit, causing the updated records to be transmitted to electronic tag  115  and the appropriate vehicle base station for storage in control center  180 . Inasmuch as the VIN, make and model of the vehicle are permanent identifiers of the vehicle, these records, however, cannot be modified. 
     In a like manner, the current insurance records for the vehicle can retrieved, displayed and, if desired, modified by selecting submenu “2” from the main menu. In this latter case, a typical display may look as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Insurance Co: 
                 NJ Manufacturers Insurance Co. 
               
               
                   
                 Policy No.: 
                 FA709698-8 
               
               
                   
                 Effective Date: 
                 Jun 20, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 Expiration Date: 
                 Jun 20, 1998 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Select keypad  270   2  (“□”) is used to highlight each field, with alphanumeric keypad  275  used to change the contents of each field. When the insurance records have been updated, keypad  270   2  (“□”) is again pressed and then transmitted to control center  180  as well as to electronic tag  115 . 
     Selecting submenu “3” and submenu “4” similarly retrieves and displays the inspection and maintenance records for the vehicle, respectively, as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Submenu “3” 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Inspection Expiration Date 
                 September 20, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 Failed 
                 None 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Or 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Temporary Inspection Sticker Expires 
                 September 1998 
               
               
                   
                 Failed 
                 Lights 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Brakes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Exhaust 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Submenu “4” 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Maintenance Records 
               
               
                   
                 12,000 Km Service Performed 9/97 
               
               
                   
                 24,000 Km Service Performed 6/98 
               
               
                   
                 Replaced Engine Oil 
               
               
                   
                 Reset Idle Speed 
               
               
                   
                 Adjusted front &amp; Rear Brakes 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Again these latter records may be updated using alphanumeric keypad  275 , as discussed herein above. 
     The “billing” submenu or submenu “5” is selected using likewise scroll up keypad  270   3  (“↑”) and/or scroll down keypad  270   4  (“↓”) in conjunction with select keypad  270   2  (“□”). Importantly, this feature affords the driver of the vehicle to pay on demand for services performed, or for any traffic violations issued by an officer. When selected, submenu “5” itself consists of another submenu having the following items: 
     1. Amexp 
     2. Visa 
     3. MasterCard 
     4. Bank Account 
     After selecting the appropriate submenu of the “billing” submenu, the account number for the corresponding credit card, bank account or ATM card, as well as the amount of the service or fine, is entered using alphanumeric keypad  275 . This latter amount is then deducted from the driver&#39;s bank account or charged to the appropriated credit card. Returning to the main menu is effected using keypad  270   1  (“M”), causing the account number and the amount to be transmitted to control center  180  via vehicular base station  155  for processing through POS/ATM network  210 . 
     One unique aspect of the present vehicular communication network is the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations without the need for an officer to manually approach a vehicle and obtain the registration records. After selecting the “traffic violation” menu or submenu “6”, portable interrogator  150  queries electronic tag  115  for the registration records for the vehicle and then displays a standardized traffic ticket on LCD  265  obtained, for example, from control center  180  and populated with those records. An exemplary traffic ticket is shown below, with the retrieved registration records as well as the current date and time shown in bold. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Traffic Ticket No: LA124-56ASD 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Last Name: 
               
               
                 Number and Street: 
               
               
                 City: 
                 State: 
                 Zip code 
               
               
                 Motorist Identification 
               
               
                 Number: 
               
               
                 Lic. State: 
                 Lic: Class: 
                 Date Expired: 
               
               
                 Sex: 
                 Date of Birth: 
               
               
                 Plate Number: MZX68Z9L 
                 Reg. State: NJ 
                 Color: Beige 
               
               
                 VIN: JH4FUAS265I7CO22078 
                 Vehicle Year/Make: 
               
               
                   
                 1998 Acura 3.5TL 
               
               
                 Weekday: Monday 
                 Date: 05/30/98 
                 Time: 9:10 AM 
               
               
                 Street Name: 
               
               
                 County: 
                 State: 
               
               
                 In Violation of: 
               
               
                 Description of Violation: 
               
               
                 Officer Name: 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Likewise, select keypad  270   2  (“□”) is used to highlight each field, with alphanumeric keypad  275  used to enter the missing information, including the nature of the traffic violation and the driver&#39;s name and address. When the traffic ticket has been completed, keypad  270   2  (“□”) is again pressed and a record of the ticket transmitted to control center  210 . If desired, the “billing” menu may be used for the driver to pay the fine, if pleading guilty to the offense charged. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, it is contemplated that the message format for the records transmitted to portable interrogator  150 , vehicle base station  155  and/or control center  180  may follow a general frame structure  300  having a preamble  305 , one or more data words  310 , and ending with a block code check sequence  315  for purposes of detecting error transmission. The size and number of data words in every message are made variable depending upon the size of the records transmitted. 
     It is contemplated that an 8-bit sequence after the preamble may be used, for example, to denote the type of request made by portable interrogator  150 . If, for example, portable interrogator  150  initiates a request for registration records, the preamble may be followed by a bit sequence of 0000 0001 to denote that a registration request has been made. Similarly, other requests may each have a unique bit sequence as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 0000 0001 
                 Registration 
               
               
                   
                 0000 0010 
                 Records for Insurance 
               
               
                   
                 0000 0011 
                 Records for Inspection 
               
               
                   
                 0000 0100 
                 Records for Maintenance 
               
               
                   
                 0000 0101 
                 Records for Traffic Violations 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Additionally, bit sequences may be used to designate commands, such as a request for the billing of, or updating for particular records. 
     In general, an application-oriented protocol is used to coordinate the activities between the electronic tags and portable interrogator  150  to ensure common syntax semantics for the transmitted records. For example, the application-oriental protocol may specify a particular type of encoding for vehicular identification data as well as the origination of such information with a message. The application-oriented protocol formats the messages and transmits the records to portable interrogator  150 . As discussed herein above, electronic tag  115  may transmit, for example, registration, insurance, inspection and/or maintenance records for the vehicle, or, in general, data associated with the identification of the vehicle. Record management is then effected by control center  180  after portable interrogator  150  has selectively transmitted the desired records. 
     Shown in FIGS. 9A-B is a flow chart illustrating a simplified communication protocol between electronic tag  115  and portable interrogator  150 . This communication protocol may be readily implemented by microprocessor  130  and microprocessor  245  residing within electronic tag  115  and portable interrogator  150 , respectively. Briefly, the flow chart includes a sequence of generally repetitive instructions arranged in a loop until electronic tag  115  is queried, wherein the flowchart then branches to an appropriate point to retrieve or store the desired vehicular records. 
     More specifically, at start (block  318 ), control passes to block  320  which determines whether electronic tag  115  has been queried by portable interrogator  150 . If a query has been initialized, control passes to block  325  to effect retrieval of the desired records in response to signals from portable interrogator  150 . Block  325  determines which records portable interrogator  150  has requested, and then transmits the appropriate records to portable interrogator  150  at block  330 . Otherwise, block  335  determines whether updated vehicular records need to be entered into electronic tag  115 . If so, at block  340  the updated records are appropriately entered and transmitted to electronic tag  115  and vehicle base station  155  at block  345 . 
     If no records need to be updated, then block  365  determines whether to issue a traffic ticket, with the identify of the driver and nature of the violation then entered at block  370 . Block  350  then determines whether the driver is to be billed for any services or traffic fines. If so, the driver is requested to enter a valid credit card, bank or ATM account number, as well as the amount, using portable interrogator  150  at block  355 . This latter information is then transmitted to vehicle base station  155  for control center  180  to debit the driver&#39;s bank account or credit card number via POS/ATM data communication network  205  at block  360 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10A-B, the generalized operation of the control center  180  is illustrated. FIGS. 10A-B show the manner in which control center  180  in the present embodiment effects record management and collection. It should be understood that control center  180  includes updated inspection, insurance, and/or registration records which may have been received from electronic tag  115  via portable interrogator  150  and vehicle base station  155 . Integrated with this function is the system&#39;s capability to bill the driver for the corresponding service, such as for maintenance, traffic violations, and/or registration renewal. 
     Normally, data from vehicular base station  155  consists of four different types: updated records, billing requests, traffic violation, or reports. At decision blocks  385 ,  390 ,  395  and  400 , control center  210  determines which type of request it is. Block  385  checks for updated records. If, in decision block  385 , updated records has been received from vehicle base station  155 , control then passes to block  405  which appropriately stores the updated records for the corresponding vehicle. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily note that the network system of the present invention allows the control center to effect record management and collection located over wide geographical areas. If the updated records, however, are invalid, control center  180  may communicate and display on the display of portable interrogator  150  a suitable message to that effect at blocks  410  and  415 . If desired, control center  180  may be programmed to check its internal database to identify stolen vehicles or those used in the commission of a crime. Likewise, a suitable message may be transmitted to portable interrogator  150  at block  415  via the appropriate vehicle base station. Alternatively, control center  180  may alert the local law enforcement agency to dispatch a patrol car to the location of the stolen vehicle. 
     It is contemplated that control center  180  may also effect collection, such as for registration renewals, maintenance and/or traffic violations. According to the preferred embodiment, control center  180  determines at block  390  whether a billing request has been made. If billing has been requested, control center  180  prepares and transmits at block  420  an appropriate invoice or bill to portable interrogator  150 . At block  425 , the driver then may enter his or her bank account or credit card number and the amount into portable interrogator  150 , thereby authorizing funds to be transferred from the driver&#39;s financial institution. Alternatively, the driver&#39;s signature may be digitalized and captured using portable interrogator  150  adapted to accept such a signature. Upon approval, control center  180  at block  430  initiates a transfer of funds from the driver&#39;s financial institution. 
     Alternatively, inasmuch as portable interrogator  150  contains the necessary records to effect collection, the invoice may be prepared by portable interrogator  150 . In this latter case, portable interrogator  150  is embedded in memory with a standard billing format or invoice. Once prepared, the billing records may be transmitted to control center  180 . In this manner, collection may be distributed or off loaded to portable interrogator  150 . Of course, those skilled in the art will readily realize that vehicle base stations  155  may also be programmed to effect collection. These latter choices are dependent on whether the network is structured as a highly centralized or distributed architecture. 
     It should be clearly understood that one uniqueness of the present vehicular communication network is that a law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle and obtain the registration records of the vehicle without the need of leaving the safety of his car. If desired, the officer may then proceed to issue a traffic ticket at block  395 . To do so, the registration records of the vehicle are transmitted to control center  180  at block  435 , which then prepares using a standardized format a traffic ticket. Of course, additional information is provided to the control center, such as the identify of the driver, and the type and nature of the traffic violation, which may be entered through portable interrogator  150 . A populated traffic ticket is then transmitted to control center  180  at blocks  440 ,  445 . If desired, the driver may plead guilty to the offense charged, with control center  180  debiting the driver&#39;s bank account or credit card in a similar manner as discussed above herein. 
     Importantly, control center  180  includes database  200  containing registration, inspection, insurance, and/or maintenance records. Advantageously, this allows control center operators to update those records for a particular vehicle and later transmit such records to electronic tag  115  when the vehicle is taken, for example, to an authorized center. Also, control personnel may request at block  400  for center  180  to generate or prepare various records for a specific vehicle. Notices, such as for expired registration, insurance and/or inspection, may be generated and mailed to individuals. Such capabilities enhance record management as well as minimize the amount of work performed by service personnel on administrative tasks. Database management software running under UNIX may be employed in control center  180 , which is readily capable of implementation by those skilled in the art. 
     It should be emphasized that the above described flow charts are merely examples of the how the system may be programmed in order to effect record management and collection. Other application-specific software may readily be realized by those skilled in the art and who have been equipped with the understanding of the operation of the present invention as set forth in the above description. 
     Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiment herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and the scope thereof. For example, in the embodiments above, record management and collection is provided and coordinated through a centralized control center. It should, however, be clearly understood that some of these services may be distributed or off loaded to the vehicle base stations which may be programmed to effect these latter services. The choice is dependent on whether the network is structured as a highly centralized or distributed architecture.