Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a refinancing offer in response to the transmission.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically identifying a vehicle and facilitating a transaction related to the vehicle. The system includes a first mobile apparatus with an image sensor that captures an optical image of a vehicle license plate and convert the optical image into an electrical signal, a license plate detector that identifies the vehicle license plate information, and an interface that transmits the vehicle license plate information. The system further includes a remote server that automatically identifies vehicle configuration information based on the vehicle license plate information, automatically transmits the vehicle configuration information to the first mobile device, and automatically provide for access vehicle sales information in response to a posting request from the first mobile apparatus. Moreover, a second mobile apparatus displays the vehicle sales information and automatically initiates the transaction related to the vehicle in response to a user input.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive verification of vehicle ownership in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a broadcast radio service offer corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a vehicle history report corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus, receive vehicle configuration information for a vehicle corresponding to the vehicle license plate in response to the transmission, and receive user input to post the vehicle configuration information to an external website.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive verification for a loan in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive car parts data corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a listing corresponding to another vehicle in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive an insurance quote for a vehicle corresponding to the vehicle license plate in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive an estimated value for a vehicle corresponding to the vehicle license plate in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a vehicle identification number corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a location of a vehicle service center corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission.

Abstract: A display unit includes a number of connectors for attaching and powering electrically powered devices, such as illuminated jewelry items, each including a battery and an end cap which is removed when the item is placed on the display connector. Each of the connectors includes a threaded mounting surface engaging a threaded mounting surface of one of the devices. The orientation of each device is adjusted by its rotation in engagement with the connector as a resiliently mounted electrical contact surface of the connector is held in contact with a contact surface of the device so that electrical power is retained within the device.