Self-declaring electronic license plate with immobilizer features

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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an input device;   a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and   an RFID-enabled license plate;   wherein:
 the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and trigger 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; and 
 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.