Abstract: A license plate validation system for a vehicle is disclosed. This license plate validation system includes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader located inside the vehicle and configured to read from an RFID-enabled license plate on the vehicle upon detecting an attempt to start the vehicle; and a microcontroller coupled to the RFID reader and configured to receive, from the RFID reader, information obtained from the RFID-enabled license plate and subsequently determine, based at least on the received information, whether the vehicle is properly registered. In some embodiments, the microcontroller and the RFID reader are integrated as a single electronic module.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled mirror includes a mirror comprising a reflective layer. The reflective layer comprises at least one layer of a metallic material. At least one portion of the reflective layer is removed to form a booster antenna from a remaining portion of the reflective layer. A dielectric coating is applied to the mirror where the reflective layer was removed. The RFID-enabled mirror further includes an RFID chip coupled to the booster antenna.

Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the booster antenna may at least partially shield the RF module when the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: A license plate validation system for a vehicle is disclosed. This license plate validation system includes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader located inside the vehicle and configured to read from an RFID-enabled license plate on the vehicle upon detecting an attempt to start the vehicle; and a microcontroller coupled to the RFID reader and configured to receive, from the RFID reader, information obtained from the RFID-enabled license plate and subsequently determine, based at least on the received information, whether the vehicle is properly registered. In some embodiments, the microcontroller and the RFID reader are integrated as a single electronic module.

Abstract: An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled mirror includes a mirror comprising a reflective layer. The reflective layer comprises at least one layer of a metallic material. At least one portion of the reflective layer is removed to form a booster antenna from a remaining portion of the reflective layer. A dielectric coating is applied to the mirror where the reflective layer was removed. The RFID-enabled mirror further includes an RFID chip coupled to the booster antenna.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for the design and manufacturing of a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled license plate. In one aspect, a proposed RFID-enabled license plate includes a metal plate and a RFID assembly integrated with the metal plate. The RFID assembly further includes a front cover attached to a first side of the metal plate and a back cover attached to a back side of the metal plate opposite to the front cover, and the front cover and the back cover substantially overlap with each other. The RFID assembly additionally includes a RFID tag sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover and is affixed to at least one of the front cover and the back cover. As such, the RFID tag is substantially tamper-proof.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the booster antenna may at least partially shield the RF module when the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: A license plate validation system for a vehicle is disclosed. This license plate validation system includes: a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader located inside the vehicle and configured to read from an RFID-enabled license plate on the vehicle upon detecting an attempt to start the vehicle; and a microcontroller coupled to the RFID reader and configured to receive, from the RFID reader, information obtained from the RFID-enabled license plate and subsequently determine, based at least on the received information, whether the vehicle is properly registered. In some embodiments, the microcontroller and the RFID reader are integrated as a single electronic module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for the design and manufacturing of a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled license plate. In one aspect, a proposed RFID-enabled license plate includes a metal plate and a RFID assembly integrated with the metal plate. The RFID assembly further includes a front cover attached to a first side of the metal plate and a back cover attached to a back side of the metal plate opposite to the front cover, and the front cover and the back cover substantially overlap with each other. The RFID assembly additionally includes a RFID tag sandwiched between the front cover and the back cover and is affixed to at least one of the front cover and the back cover. As such, the RFID tag is substantially tamper-proof.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled mirror includes a mirror comprising a reflective layer. The reflective layer comprises at least one layer of a metallic material. At least one portion of the reflective layer is removed to form a booster antenna from a remaining portion of the reflective layer. A dielectric coating is applied to the mirror where the reflective layer was removed. The RFID-enabled mirror further includes an RFID chip coupled to the booster antenna.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various examples of a low cost, low power, fully automated, unobtrusive, and vehicle-independent radio frequency (RF) communication device to be plugged into a standard on-board diagnostic (OBD) port inside a vehicle to access OBD diagnostic data. According to one aspect, an OBD device for a vehicle is disclosed. This OBD device includes: an OBD adapter configured to be plugged into an OBD port of a vehicle and a first RFID module electrically coupled to the OBD adapter. The first RFID module is further configured to receive OBD data of a vehicle from an associated OBD port via the OBD adapter and communicate at least a portion of the received OBD data to a first RFID reader when the first RFID module is queried by the first RFID reader.

Abstract: A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-plate system includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled license plate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFID reader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. The RFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes a current number of occupants self-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. The RFID switch device may further include a visual indicator displaying a first color if the RFID switch device is in an active state and/or a second color if the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of RFID switch devices are disclosed herein. Such RFID switch devices advantageously enable manual activation/deactivation of the RF module. The RFID switch device may include a RF module with an integrated circuit adapted to ohmically connect to a substantially coplanar conductive trace pattern, as well as booster antenna for extending the operational range of the RFID device. The operational range of the RFID switch device may be extended when a region of the booster antenna overlaps a region of the conductive trace pattern on the RF module via inductive or capacitive coupling. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the booster antenna may at least partially shield the RF module when the RFID switch device is in an inactive state.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) switch tag is disclosed. This RFID switch tag includes a base component having an ultra-high frequency (UHF) booster, and a detachable component having at least one UHF RFID module and a high frequency (HF) RFID module. In some embodiments, the detachable component is positioned in close proximity to the base component in a first configuration of the RFID switch tag such that the at least one UHF RFID module is sufficiently coupled to the UHF booster in the base component to form an UHF RFID system having a desired performance. The detachable component can also be separated from the base component to obtain a second configuration of the RFID switch tag, and the HF RFID module remains functional within the detached detachable component so that the detachable component can be used as a standalone HF RFID tag.