Method, apparatus, and system for implementing vehicle identification

An apparatus for implementing vehicle identification, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one sensing device;
• a processor;
• and
• a data storage comprising program instructions executable by the processor to:
• obtain characteristic data from the at least one sensing device, the characteristic data being reflective of at least one characteristic of a vehicle;
• compare the characteristic data to a pattern in a pattern-recognition database, the pattern being associated with identification data corresponding to a combination of vehicle characteristics;
• receive the identification data when the characteristic data substantially matches the pattern;
• and
• create, in response to receiving the identification data, an identifier based at least in part on the identification data, the created identifier reflecting that the vehicle has the combination of vehicle characteristics.

A system for implementing vehicle identification, the system comprising:

• a network;
• a pattern-recognition database server programmed to communicate over the network, the pattern-recognition database server having access to a pattern-recognition database;
• at least one sensing device;
• and
• a computer programmed to communicate (i) with the at least one sensing device via a sensing-devices interface and (ii) over the network via a network interface, the computer comprising a processor and a data storage comprising program instructions executable by the processor to:
• obtain characteristic data from the at least one sensing device via the sensing-devices interface, the characteristic data being reflective of at least one characteristic of a vehicle;
• transmit a first message over the network via the network interface to the pattern-recognition database server, the first message including the characteristic data, the first message requesting comparison of the characteristic data to at least one pattern in the pattern-recognition database, each pattern being associated with identification data corresponding to a respective combination of vehicle characteristics;
• receive a second message over the network via the network interface when the characteristic data substantially matches a particular pattern, the second message including the identification data associated with the particular pattern;
• and
• create, in response to receiving the second message, an identifier based at least in part on the included identification data, the created identifier reflecting that the vehicle has the corresponding combination of vehicle characteristics.