Patent Publication Number: US-2023163793-A1

Title: Identification device, license plate arrangement and license plate system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an identification device. In particular, an identification device for a license plate, a license plate arrangement and a license plate system, are provided. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many jurisdictions, dealer license plates are only allowed to be used on a vehicle by a person affiliated with the dealership of the vehicle, such as an owner, an employee or a customer that is test driving the vehicle. A dealer license plate is normally only allowed to be placed on a vehicle that is held for sale. 
     Dealer license plates are often stolen from dealerships. For a vehicle dealer, the loss of a dealer license plate can be very expensive. For example, if the dealer cannot account for all dealer license plates during an inspection by an authority, the dealer may face substantial fines. Although license plates can be locked in a cabinet, prior art solutions do not enable the vehicle dealer to automatically keep track of which license plates are held therein. 
     US 2004207526 A1 discloses a multifunctional identification and management device for vehicles that implants a chip in the automobile and the license plate for identification and comparison with comparison numbers or data provided. By comparing the comparison number built in the two chips, a specific detector sends out an error message if the numbers do not match. If the comparison numbers or data match, the policemen, security guard or parking lot manager can examine the identity of the automobile, ban or fine for violating the law as well as emit unusual frequency or signal to notify the police station automatically, so as to enhance working performance and prevent automobiles and license plate from being stolen and being used in a crime. 
     SUMMARY 
     One object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved identification device for a license plate. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device enables improved tracking and identification of the license plate. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device enables improved storage of the license plate. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device enables improved attachment of the license plate to a vehicle. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device enables attachment of the license plate to a vehicle with little or no obscurement of information on the license plate. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device enables attachment of the license plate to a vehicle with little or no interference of the identification device with the vehicle. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device has a compact design. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device has a tamper proof design. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device can be attached to the license plate with little or no modification of the license plate. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an identification device for a license plate, which identification device solves several or all of the foregoing objects in combination. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a license plate arrangement solving one, several or all of the foregoing objects. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a license plate system solving one, several or all of the foregoing objects. 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided an identification device for a license plate, the identification device comprising a base structure for attachment to the license plate; a movable member movable relative to the base structure between a retracted position and an extended position; and electronic circuitry configured to transfer identification data associated with the identification device. 
     Since the identification device can be attached to the license plate and since the identification device comprises the electronic circuitry, the identification device can be used to track and identify the license plate. The movement of the movable member between the retracted position and the extended position enables a dual functionality of the identification device. Since the movable member can adopt the retracted position, attachment of the license plate to the vehicle is facilitated and a risk that the movable member damages the vehicle is reduced. In the extended position, the movable member can be received in a storage hole in a storage such that the license plate is suspended from the storage hole. The movable member can thus provide suspension functionality in the extended position. When the license plate is suspended in the storage, the identification data associated with the identification device and the license plate can be read by a reader in the storage. 
     The movable member may be manually movable between the retracted position and the extended position, for example by hand of a human. The base structure may comprise a slot. The movable member may travel in the slot between the retracted position and the extended position. Alternatively, or in addition, the base structure may comprise a retracted position seat in which the movable member is seated in the retracted position, and an extended position seat in which the movable member is seated in the extended position. In this way, the base structure can provide two distinct positions for the movable member. The movable member may move out from each of the retracted position seat and the extended position seat against an elastic deformation of the base structure. The retracted position seat and/or the extended position seat may be arc-shaped. 
     The base structure may comprise a license plate seat. An edge of the license plate may be seated in the license plate seat when the identification device is attached to the license plate. The license plate seat may be a step having two perpendicular surfaces. 
     The electronic circuitry may be located in the movable member. In this way, the electronic circuitry will come closer to the reader in the storage when the movable member enters the storage hole. Moreover, elongated intelligent fobs (iFobs) are commercially available and can be used as the movable member comprising the electronic circuitry. 
     The movable member may be rotatable relative to the base structure between the retracted position and the extended position. The ability of the movable member to rotate in this way contributes to enabling a small size of the identification device. In some variants, the base structure only serves to provide a pivot for the movable member, seats for the movable member in the retracted position and the extended position, and an attachment structure for attachment to the license plate. The pivot may comprise a pivot pin connected to, or integrally formed with, the base structure. The attachment structure may comprise the license plate seat. 
     As possible alternatives, the movable member may be linearly movable and/or telescopically movable between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     The movable member may be rotatable at least 80 degrees between the retracted position and the extended position. For example, an angular distance of the movable member between the retracted position and the extended position maybe 90 degrees. 
     The movable member may be elongated. A length of the movable member may be at least three times a width of the movable member. The movable member may comprise a cylindrical portion. In this case, the width of the movable member may be the diameter of the cylindrical portion. 
     In the retracted position, the movable member may be parallel with the license plate and offset from the license plate in a direction normal to the license plate when the identification device is connected to the license plate. The movable member may for example be positioned in front of the license plate and extend in a longitudinal direction along a long side of the license plate in the retracted position. 
     In the extended position, the movable member may be parallel with the license plate and may protrude outside the license plate when the identification device is connected to the license plate. The movable member may for example be positioned in front of the license plate and extend transverse to a long side of the license plate in the extended position. 
     The base structure may comprise two halves. The halves may be fastened together, for example by means of screws. The movable member may be positioned between the halves. 
     The base structure may be made of plastic. 
     The base structure may be transparent. In this way, the base structure obscures less information on the license plate. 
     The electronic circuitry may be configured to wirelessly transmit the identification data. To this end, the electronic circuitry may comprise a remotely machine readable identification tag. The electronic circuitry may for example comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag may be passive. Each reader may comprise a transceiver, an antenna and a source for generating and interrogating radio-frequency (RF) signals connected to the transceiver. The interrogating RF signal from the source may have a suitable frequency, such as 915 MHz. When the source is energized, the transceiver transmits the interrogating RF signal through the antenna to a suitable antenna (such as a dipole antenna) of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a data source, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which provides a sequence of binary 1’s and binary 0’s in an individual pattern to provide the identification data for identification of the identification device and the license plate. In further examples of wirelessly transmitting the identification data, the electronic circuitry may comprise an infrared transmitter or an NFC (near-field communication) transmitter. Alternatively, the movable member may comprise a movable member contact that is brought into electrical contact with a reader contact when the movable member is received in a storage hole. 
     According to a second aspect, there is provided a license plate arrangement comprising a license plate and an identification device according to the first aspect fixedly attached to the license plate. Throughout the present disclosure, the license plate may be a dealer license plate. 
     The movable member may be movable between the retracted position and the extended position in a plane parallel with the license plate. 
     The license plate arrangement may further comprise a fastener. In this case, the identification device may be fixedly attached to the license plate by the fastener. 
     The fastener may be a deformable single use fastener. Upon attachment of the identification device to the license plate by the fastener, the fastener is deformed. The identification device cannot be removed from the license plate without breaking the identification device and/or the license plate. In this way, the fastener contributes to a tamper proof design. The fastener may be a pop rivet. The pop rivet is a deformable single use fastener. 
     According to a third aspect, there is provided a license plate system comprising at least one license plate arrangement according to the second aspect and a storage configured to store the at least one license plate arrangement. The storage may comprise an access member, such as a door, movable between an open position and a closed position. The access member may be lockable in the closed position. In this way, one or more license plate arrangements can be locked in the storage. 
     The storage may comprise one or more storage holes, each for receiving the movable member in the extended position. By storing one or more license plate arrangements in the storage such that the movable member of each license plate arrangement is received in a unique storage hole, the storage enables an orderly storage of one or more license plates. The storage may comprise a plurality of horizontally offset storage holes. 
     The storage may comprise a reader configured to receive the identification data from the electronic circuitry. The storage may comprise one reader associated with each storage hole. In this way, the storage can determine which license plates are in the storage at each given time. 
     The license plate system may further comprise an electronic control system including at least one data processing device and at least one memory having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform the steps of receiving the identification data from the reader; and storing the identification data. The at least one computer program may further comprise program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform, or command performance of, various steps described herein. The control system may be configured to store time information representative of the time when a license plate leaves the storage and is put into the storage. Alternatively, or in addition, the control system may be configured to store user information indicative of the identify of a user accessing the storage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A : schematically represents a perspective side view of an identification device when a movable member is in an extended position; 
         FIG.  1 B : schematically represents a perspective rear view of the identification device when the movable member is in the extended position; 
         FIG.  2 A : schematically represents a perspective side view of the identification device when the movable member is in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  2 B : schematically represents a perspective rear view of the identification device when the movable member is in the retracted position; 
         FIG.  3 A : schematically represents a perspective rear view of a first half of a base structure of the identification device; 
         FIG.  3 B : schematically represents a perspective rear view of the first half and the movable member; 
         FIG.  3 C : schematically represents a perspective front view of a second half of the base structure; 
         FIG.  4 A : schematically represents a front view of a license plate arrangement comprising a license plate and the identification device attached to the license plate when the movable member is in the extended position; 
         FIG.  4 B : schematically represents a rear view of the license plate arrangement in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  4 C : schematically represents a license plate system comprising a storage and a plurality of license plate arrangements; 
         FIG.  4 D : schematically represents a partial cross-sectional top view of the license plate system; 
         FIG.  5 A : schematically represents a front view of the license plate arrangement when the movable member is in the retracted position; and 
         FIG.  5 B : schematically represents a rear view of a vehicle and the license plate arrangement attached to the vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following, an identification device for a license plate, a license plate arrangement and a license plate system, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features. 
       FIG.  1 A  schematically represents a perspective side view of an identification device  10 , and  FIG.  1 B  schematically represents a perspective rear view of the identification device  10 . With collective reference to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the identification device  10  comprises a base structure  12  and a movable member  14 . 
     The movable member  14  is movable relative to the base structure  12 . In  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the movable member  14  is in an extended position  16  in relation to the base structure  12 . 
     The base structure  12  of this example is made of plastic. The base structure  12  of this example comprises a first half  18   a  and a second half  18   b . The first half  18   a  and the second half  18   b  are mated and secured together, for example by using two screws  20   a  and  20   b  passing through a first through hole  22   a  and a second through hole  22   b , respectively, in the second half  18   b . The movable member  14  is in this example positioned between the first half  18   a  and the second half  18   b . The second half  18   b  of this example further comprises a second fastening hole  24   b . 
     The movable member  14  is here exemplified as an elongated cylindrical body. One end of the movable member  14  extends outside the base structure  12 . The other end of the movable member  14  is rotatably connected to the base structure  12  to rotate about a pivot pin  26 . In this example, the pivot pin  26  is integrally formed with the first half  18   a  and is received in a pivot opening  28  in the second half  18   b . The movable member  14  of this example is an intelligent fob (iFob), such as the Traka iFob. 
     The base structure  12  of this example comprises a slot  30 . An extended position seat  32  is provided at one end of the slot  30 , and a retracted position seat  34  is provided at the opposite end of the slot  30 . In this example, the extended position seat  32  and the retracted position seat  34  are both arc-shaped and provided in the second half  18   b . When the movable member  14  is in the extended position  16 , the movable member  14  is seated and held in the extended position seat  32 . 
     The base structure  12  of this example further comprises a license plate seat  36 . In this example, the license plate seat  36  is provided in the second half  18   b . The license plate seat  36  of this example is a step comprising two perpendicular surfaces. In this example, the movable member  14  is perpendicular to one of the surfaces, and parallel with the other of the surfaces, of the license plate seat  36  in the extended position  16 . 
       FIG.  2 A  schematically represents a perspective side view of the identification device  10 , and  FIG.  2 B  schematically represents a perspective rear view of the identification device  10 . With collective reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  , the movable member  14  is in a retracted position  38  in relation to the base structure  12 . In this example, the movable member  14  is parallel with both surfaces of the license plate seat  36  in the retracted position  38 . 
     The movable member  14  can be manually moved from the extended position  16  to the retracted position  38 . In this example, the movable member  14   rotates 90 degrees about the pivot pin  26  between the extended position  16  and the retracted position  38 . In the retracted position  38 , the movable member  14  is seated and held in the retracted position seat  34 . The movable member  14  can thus travel along the slot  30  between the extended position seat  32  and the retracted position seat  34  under the force of a user. 
     The base structure  12  may undergo a slight elastic deformation when the movable member  14  travels between the extended position seat  32  and the retracted position seat  34 . The extended position seat  32  and the retracted position seat  34  provide two distinct positions for the movable member  14 . 
       FIG.  3 A  schematically represents a perspective rear view of the first half  18   a  of the base structure  12 . As shown, the first half  18   a  of this example comprises a first blind hole  40   a  for receiving the first screw  20   a  and a second blind hole  40   b  for receiving the second screw  20   b . When the first half  18   a  is secured to the second half  18   b , the first blind hole  40   a  aligns with the first through hole  22   a  and the second blind hole  40   b  aligns with the second through hole  22   b . 
     The first half  18   a  of this example further comprises a first fastening hole  24   a . The first fastening hole  24   a  aligns with the second fastening hole  24   b  when the first half  18   a  is secured to the second half  18   b . In this example, the pivot pin  26  is integrally formed with the first half  18   a . 
       FIG.  3 B  schematically represents a perspective rear view of the first half  18   a  and the movable member  14 . As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the pivot pin  26  passes through a movable member hole  42  in the movable member  14 . In this way, the movable member  14  can pivot around the pivot pin  26 . A length of the movable member  14  is in this example approximately four times a width of the movable member  14 . 
       FIG.  3 C  schematically represents a perspective front view of the second half  18   b . In  FIG.  3 C , the extended position seat  32 , the retracted position seat  34 , the first through hole  22   a , the second through hole  22   b  and the second fastening hole  24   b  can be seen more clearly. 
       FIG.  4 A  schematically represents a front view of a license plate arrangement  44 . The license plate arrangement  44  comprises a license plate  46  and the identification device  10  attached to the license plate  46 . The license plate  46  is here exemplified as a dealer license plate. In  FIG.  4 A , the movable member  14  is in the extended position  16 . In this example, the movable member  14  is parallel with the license plate  46  and protrudes outside the license plate  46  in a direction transverse to a main extension direction or length direction  48  of the license plate  46 . Moreover, the movable member  14  is offset from the license plate  46  a direction normal to the license plate  46  (in front of the license plate  46  in  FIG.  4 A ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the identification device  10  has a very small size in comparison with the license plate  46 . The license plate  46  is rectangular and may have a size of 15.24 cm (6 inches) by 35.56 cm (14 inches). In case the base structure  12  is made of transparent plastic, the base structure  12  does not obscure the lettering on the license plate  46 . 
       FIG.  4 B  schematically represents a rear view of the license plate arrangement  44  in  FIG.  4 A . The license plate arrangement  44  of this example comprises a fastener  50 .  FIG.  4 B  shows that the base structure  12  of the identification device  10  is affixed to the license plate  46  by the fastener  50 . In this example, the fastener  50  passes through the license plate  46 , through the second fastening hole  24   b , and into the first fastening hole  24   a . The identification device  10  can thus be secured to the license plate  46  with very little modification of the license plate  46 . The fastener  50  of this example is a pop rivet. Any tampering or efforts to remove the identification device  10  from the license plate  46  will therefore be visible. 
       FIG.  4 C  schematically represents a license plate system  52 . The license plate system  52  comprises a storage  54 . The storage  54  is here exemplified as a cabinet comprising a lockable door  56  and a user interface  58 , such as a touchscreen. The license plate system  52  may be located at a vehicle dealer. 
     The license plate system  52  further comprises a plurality of license plate arrangements  44  stored in the storage  54 . The storage  54  comprises a plurality of storage holes  60 . As illustrated, the storage holes  60  are arranged along a horizontal line in this example. Each storage hole  60  is configured to receive a movable member  14  in its extended position  16 . Each license plate arrangement  44  is thereby suspended in a unique storage hole  60  by the movable member  14  in the extended position  16 . In the specific and non-limiting illustration in  FIG.  4 C , the storage  54  comprises eight storage holes  60  and three of these storage holes  60  receive a movable member  14  of a respective identification device  10 . The identification device  10  creates a new way of storing license plates  46 . As shown in  FIG.  4 C , the license plate system  52  enables a tidy storage of the license plates  46 . 
     The license plate system  52  comprises an electronic control system  62 . The control system  62  may for example be located in the storage  54 . The control system  62  comprises a data processing device  64  and a memory  66 . The memory  66  has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device  64 , causes the data processing device  64  to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein. The control system  62  is configured to store information associated with the license plates  46 , such as removal and insertion information and times for these events. The storage  54  enables a better control over who can access the license plates  46  and keeps track of which license plates  46  are held therein and which license plates  46  are removed therefrom. The vehicle dealer is thus provided with information regarding which license plates  46  are kept in the storage  54  at each point in time. 
       FIG.  4 D  schematically represents a partial cross-sectional top view of the license plate system  52 . In the example in  FIG.  4 D , each movable member  14  contains electronic circuitry  68 . Each electronic circuitry  68  is configured to transfer unique identification data  70 , such as a unique identification number. Each electronic circuitry  68  may optionally be positioned elsewhere with respect to the respective identification device  10 . 
     The electronic circuitry  68  comprises a data store having a read only memory portion for storing the unique identification data  70 . The electronic circuitry  68  may also have a re-writable memory portion for storing additional information, for example about the user. 
     In this specific and non-limiting example, the movable member  14  comprises a metal outer sleeve  71  and an insulating material  73 . The insulating material  73  electrically insulates at least a portion of an internal bore defined by the outer sleeve  71 . 
     The movable member  14  of this example further comprises a movable member contact  75 . The movable member contact  75  fits into the open end of the outer sleeve  71  and is electrically insulated from the outer sleeve  71  by the insulating material  73 . The electronic circuitry  68  has connections to the outer sleeve  71  and the movable member contact  75 . 
     The storage  54  comprises a plurality of readers  72 , each associated with a respective storage hole  60 . The readers  72  are in signal communication with the control system  62 . In this specific and non-limiting example, each reader  72  comprises a reader contact  77 . When the movable member  14  is received in the storage hole  60 , the movable member contact  75  is brought into electrical contact with the reader contact  77  and the outer sleeve  71  is electrically connected to ground. The reader  72  can now read the identification data  70 , associated with the identification device  10  and the license plate  46 , from the electronic circuitry. 
       FIG.  4 D  further shows that an edge of each license plate  46  is seated in the license plate seat  36  of the base structure  12  of the respective identification device  10 . The license plate seat  36  forms one example of a license plate attachment structure. 
     Before a user accesses the storage  54  to retrieve an license plate arrangement  44 , i.e. a license plate  46  with the identification device  10  fixed thereto, the user is in this example asked to enter his/her credentials to the user interface  58 . Upon entry of valid credentials, the control system  62  unlocks the door  56   and gives the user access to the storage  54 . When a license plate arrangement  44  is removed from the storage  54 , the control system  62  may store the identification data  70 , the time when the license plate arrangement  44  was removed, and/or the credentials of the user. In this way, the license plate system  52  can keep track of the license plates  46 . When a user returns the license plate arrangement  44  and inserts the movable member  14  into a storage hole  60 , the control system  62  receives the identification data  70  from the reader  72  associated with the storage hole  60  and stores the identification data  70 . The control system  62  may further store the time when the license plate arrangement  44  was returned to the storage  54  and/or the identity of the user accessing the storage  54 . 
       FIG.  5 A  schematically represents a front view of the license plate arrangement  44 . In  FIG.  5 A , the movable member  14  is in the retracted position  38 . The movable member  14  is movable from the extended position  16  to the retracted position  38  in a plane parallel with the license plate  46 , here in parallel with the drawing plane of  FIG.  5 A . In the retracted position  38 , the movable member  14  is parallel with the main extension direction or length direction  48  of the license plate  46 . Moreover, the movable member  14  is offset from the license plate  46  a direction normal to the license plate  46  (in front of the license plate  46  in  FIG.  5 A ). 
       FIG.  5 B  schematically represents a rear view of a vehicle  74 . The license plate arrangement  44  is attached to the vehicle  74 . The retracted position  38  of the movable member  14  facilitates attachment of the license plate arrangement  44  to the vehicle  74 . When the movable member  14  is in the retracted position  38 , the vehicle  74  is protected from being damaged by the movable member  14 . Since the movable member  14  lies in parallel with the length direction  48  of the license plate  46  in the retracted position  38 , the movable member  14  only covers a small part at the very edge of the license plate  46 . A risk that the movable member  14  obstructs any information on the license plate  46  is thereby very low or eliminated. 
     The present disclosure provides the following itemized listing of embodiments: 
     1. An identification device  10  for a license plate  46 , the identification device  10  comprising: 
     a base structure  12  for attachment to the license plate  46 ;   a movable member  14  movable relative to the base structure  12  between a retracted position  38  and an extended position  16 ; and   electronic circuitry  68  configured to transfer identification data  70  associated with the identification device  10 .   

     2. The identification device  10  according to item 1, wherein the electronic circuitry  68  is located in the movable member  14 . 
     3. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the movable member  14  is rotatable relative to the base structure  12  between the retracted position  38  and the extended position  16 . 
     4. The identification device  10  according to item 3, wherein the movable member  14  is rotatable at least 80 degrees between the retracted position  38  and the extended position  16 . 
     5. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the movable member  14  is elongated. 
     6. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the movable member  14  in the retracted position  38  is parallel with the license plate  46  and offset from the license plate  46  in a direction normal to the license plate  46  when the identification device  10  is connected to the license plate  46 . 
     7. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the movable member  14  in the extended position  16  is parallel with the license plate  46  and protrudes outside the license plate  46  when the identification device  10  is connected to the license plate  46 . 
     8. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the base structure  12  comprises two halves  18   a ,  18   b . 
     9. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the base structure  12  is made of plastic. 
     10. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the base structure  12  is transparent. 
     11. The identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items, wherein the electronic circuitry  68  is configured to wirelessly transmit the identification data  70 . 
     12. A license plate arrangement  44  comprising a license plate  46  and an identification device  10  according to any of the preceding items fixedly attached to the license plate  46 . 
     13. The license plate arrangement  44  according to item 12, wherein the movable member  14  is movable between the retracted position  38  and the extended position  16  in a plane parallel with the license plate  46 . 
     14. The license plate arrangement  44  according to item 12 or 13, further comprising a fastener  50 , wherein the identification device  10  is fixedly attached to the license plate  46  by the fastener  50 . 
     15. The license plate arrangement  44  according to item 14, wherein the fastener  50  is a deformable single use fastener. 
     16. A license plate system  52  comprising at least one license plate arrangement  44  according to any of items 12 to 15 and a storage  54  configured to store the at least one license plate arrangement  44 . 
     17. The license plate system  52  according to item 16, wherein the storage  54  comprises one or more storage holes  60 , each for receiving the movable member  14  in the extended position  16 . 
     18. The license plate system  52  according to item 17, wherein the storage  54  comprises a reader  72  configured to receive the identification data  70  from the electronic circuitry  68 . 
     19. The license plate system  52  according to item 18, further comprising an electronic control system  62  including at least one data processing device  64  and at least one memory  66  having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device  64 , causes the at least one data processing device  64  to perform the steps of:
     receiving the identification data  70  from the reader  72 ; and   storing the identification data  70 .   

     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.