License Plate ID Mount With Retractable Tracking Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dealer license plates are often stolen, leading to significant financial losses for vehicle dealers due to the inability to track and manage them effectively, and existing solutions do not provide secure, tamper-proof, and unobtrusive tracking and storage options.

Innovation Solution

An identification device for a license plate featuring a base structure with a movable member that can transition between retracted and extended positions, incorporating electronic circuitry for data transfer, and a fastener for secure attachment, allowing for tracking and storage with minimal interference and obscurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a chip is implanted in the license plate for identification and tracking, then the ability to track and identify the license plate is improved, but the license plate becomes more complex and potentially more vulnerable to theft and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidlicense plate complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification function is extracted from the license plate itself and placed in a separate portable identification device. The license plate only carries a minimal identifier, while the full identification capabilities reside in the removable device that can be attached to or separated from the plate, reducing the plate's complexity while maintaining tracking reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification system is divided into separate functional components: a base structure attached to the license plate, a movable member with electronic circuitry that can be positioned as needed, and a portable identification device. This segmentation allows the license plate to remain simple while the identification functionality is distributed across multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the license plate is locked in a cabinet for secure storage, then theft prevention is improved, but the ability to automatically track which license plates are held in storage is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft riskVSAvoidtracking information

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The portable identification device incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically communicate with the storage system. When a license plate with the identification device is placed in or removed from storage, the system receives automatic feedback signals, maintaining real-time tracking information without requiring manual intervention while keeping plates secured in the cabinet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual tracking system is replaced with an automated electronic tracking system. The portable identification device uses electronic circuitry and communication protocols to automatically report the presence and status of license plates to the storage system, substituting mechanical inventory management with electronic automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the movable member is extended to provide additional functionality, then the identification capabilities are improved, but the obscurement of license plate information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification functionalityVSAvoidlicense plate visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable member is designed to be dynamically positionable between retracted and extended states. When not in use or when license plate visibility is required, the movable member is retracted to minimize obscurement. When identification functionality is needed, it extends to provide additional capabilities, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the identification device is attached directly to the license plate, then tracking reliability is improved, but the device interferes with the vehicle and obscures plate information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidinterference and obscurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The identification device is designed with localized functional zones. The base structure attaches to the license plate at specific locations, while the movable member with electronic circuitry is positioned to provide identification functionality only where needed. This localized approach maintains tracking reliability while minimizing overall interference with the vehicle and obscurement of plate information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12483281B2Identification device, license plate arrangement and license plate system

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 MARCON INT INC

AI summary

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. A license plate arrangement comprising a license plate and an identification device, and a license plate system comprising at least one license plate arrangement, are also provided.