Electronic license plate frame for displaying static and non-static information

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods related to electronic vehicle registration and tag displays, specifically a vehicle license plate frame containing multiple low power e-paper type displays configured to replace the stickers used for vehicle registration and parking authorizations as well as provide indication of purchased parking increments and/or allow for display of advertisement or other messages. The system may also allow the display of driver or vehicle specific information such as the user's driver's license number or insurance at the request of a third party authorities such as the police. The system allows for use of a mobile computing device having software connected with the internet to access a server allowing for communication with various registrations authorities including the DMV, municipal parking authorities, and private parking authorities. Displays may be overwritten and changed depending on the location of the vehicle and need to provide display of certain authorizations.

1 . A system for electronically displaying data on a vehicle comprising:
 a server storing and executing an instance of software from a non-transient memory connected to a wide area network;   at least one computerized display device having one or more electronic displays, the display device enabled to securely mount to the outside surface of a vehicle;
 the display device having a controller, memory enabled to store and execute an instance of the software, and an electronic timer; 
   wherein the display device is enabled to receive and display first data transmitted from the server; and   wherein upon receipt of the data from the server, the display device initiates the timer and displays the first data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the timer triggers a modification of the display after a specific time period. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data received from the server triggers a modification of the display after a specific time period. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a transaction initiated by an owner of the vehicle with the server causes the server to transmit second data which when the data is received by the display device causes the display device to modify the display. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein upon receipt of the second data from the server, the display device reinitiates the timer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is part of any one of a governmental department that registers motor vehicles. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the server is a parking management system that transacts with a user to reserve and manage parking spaces. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is hosted by an insurance provider that provides insurance services for a driver and motor vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein any one of the first and second data is vehicle registration of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein any one of the first and second data depicted on the display is parking validation information. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first data depicted on the display is current insurance status. 
     
     
         12 . A method of displaying data on a display device security mounted to the outside surface of a vehicle including the steps of:
 (a) connecting a server storing and executing software from a non-transient memory connected to a wide area network and data depository;   (b) providing at least one electronic display on the display device having a controller and memory enabled to store and execute an instance of the software, the display device having an electronic timer;   (c) the owner of the vehicle initiates a transaction at the server resulting in the server transmitting data to the display device, and   (d) upon receipt of the data from the server, the display device initiates the timer and displays the data.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the timer triggers a modification of the display after a specific time period. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the data includes a specific time period associated with the transaction and triggers a modification of the display for the specific time period. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the owner connects with the server initiating a second transaction causing the server to modify the display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein upon the initiation of a second transaction the server reinitiates the timer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the server is a part of any one a governmental department that registers motor vehicles. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the server is a parking management system that transacts with a driver to reserve and manage parking spaces. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the server is an insurance provider that provides insurance services for a driver and motor vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the data depicted on the display is any one of vehicle registration of the motor vehicle.