# US 6,720,868 B2 · Back-up warning system in a license plate holder and related method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,720,868 B2 - Document ID: US6720868B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/117,540 - Filed: 2002-04-04 - Published: 2002-12-05 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2001-05-31 - Assignees: Omega Patents, L.L.C. - Inventors: Kenneth E. Flick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6720868B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/22: for reverse drive - B60Q 9/007: {providing information about the distance to an obstacle, e.g. varying sound} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract A back-up warning system for a vehicle having a back-up lighting circuit includes a license plate holder including a housing, and a proximity sensor and external audible indicator carried by the housing. The back-up warning system also includes an internal indicator for providing an internal indication of proximity to an object based upon the proximity sensor. The back-up warning system may be connected to the back-up lighting circuit so that the proximity sensor is powered and operable to detect proximity of the object adjacent the license plate holder when a reverse transmission position is selected. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A back-up warning system for a vehicle comprising a back-up lighting circuit selectively powered upon selection of a reverse transmission position, the back-up warning system comprising: a license plate holder for mounting and displaying a license plate; a housing connected to said license plate holder; an external audible indicator carried by said housing and connected to the back-up lighting circuit to be powered in parallel therewith for generating an external audible indication based upon selection of the reverse transmission position; a proximity sensor carried by said housing for sensing proximity of an object positioned rearward of said license plate holder; and an internal indicator to be positioned within the vehicle and cooperating with said proximity sensor to generate an indication of proximity of the object to said license plate holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle passenger compartment; and wherein said internal indicator is positioned within the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 further comprising a wireless communications link connecting said proximity sensor and said internal indicator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A back-up warning system according to claim 3 wherein said wireless communications link comprises: a wireless transmitter connected to said proximity sensor; and a wireless receiver within the vehicle and connected to said internal indicator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 wherein said external audible indicator is connected to said proximity sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A back-up warning system according to claim 5 wherein said external audible indicator generates an audible indication relating to proximity of the object to said license plate holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 wherein said internal indicator comprises a visual warning indicator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A back-up warning system according to claim 7 wherein the vehicle comprises at least one rearview mirror; and wherein said visual warning indicator is carried by the at least one rearview mirror. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 wherein said proximity sensor comprises a radar sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 further comprising sensing circuitry carried by said proximity sensor; and wherein said sensing circuitry comprises a signal emitter for emitting signals, and a collector for collecting reflected signals from the object positioned rearward of said license plate holder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A back-up warning system according to claim 1 wherein said license plate holder comprises: a generally rectangular body portion with an opening therein to mount and display the license plate; and at least one bracket portion connected to said body portion for facilitating mounting of said license plate holder to the rear of the vehicle. ### Claim 12 A back-up warning system for a vehicle comprising a back-up lighting circuit selectively powered upon selection of a reverse transmission position, the back-up warning system comprising: a license plate holder for mounting and displaying a license plate; a housing connected to said license plate holder; a proximity sensor carried by said housing for sensing proximity of an object positioned rearward of said license plate holder; an internal indicator to be positioned within the vehicle and cooperating with said proximity sensor to generate an indication of proximity of the object to said license plate holder; and an external audible indicator connected to the back-up lighting circuit to be powered in parallel therewith and connected to said proximity sensor for generating an audible indication relating to proximity of the object to said license plate holder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 wherein said external audible indicator is carried by said housing for generating an external audible indication based upon selection of the reverse transmission. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle passenger compartment; and wherein said internal indicator is positioned within the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 further comprising a wireless communications link connecting said proximity sensor and said internal indicator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A back-up warning system according to claim 15 wherein said wireless communications link comprises: a wireless transmitter connected to said proximity sensor; and a wireless receiver within the vehicle and connected to said internal indicator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 wherein said internal indicator comprises a visual warning indicator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A back-up warning system according to claim 17 wherein the vehicle comprises at least one rearview mirror; and wherein said visual warning indicator is carried by the at least one rearview mirror. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 wherein said proximity sensor comprises a radar sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 further comprising sensing circuitry carried by said proximity sensor; and wherein said sensing circuitry comprises a signal emitter for emitting signals, and a collector for collecting reflected signals from the object positioned rearward of said license plate holder. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) A back-up warning system according to claim 12 wherein said license plate holder comprises: a generally rectangular body portion with an opening therein to mount and display the license plate; and at least one bracket portion connected to said body portion for facilitating mounting of said license plate holder to the rear of the vehicle. ### Claim 22 A back-up warning system for a vehicle comprising a back-up lighting circuit selectively powered upon selection of a reverse transmission position, the back-up warning system comprising: a license plate holder for mounting and displaying a license plate; a housing connected to said license plate holder; a proximity sensor carried by said housing for sensing proximity of an object positioned rearward of said license plate holder; an internal indicator to be positioned within the vehicle and cooperating with said proximity sensor to generate an indication of proximity of the object to said license plate holder; an external audible indicator carried by said housing and connected to the back-up lighting circuit to be powered in parallel therewith; and a wireless communications link connecting said proximity sensor and said internal indicator, said wireless communications link comprising a wireless transmitter connected to said proximity sensor, and a wireless receiver within the vehicle and connected to said internal indicator. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A back-up warning system according to claim 22 wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle passenger compartment; and wherein said internal indicator is positioned within the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A back-up warning system according to claim 22 wherein said internal indicator comprises a visual warning indicator. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A back-up warning system according to claim 24 wherein the vehicle comprises at least one rearview mirror; and wherein said visual warning indicator is carried by the at least one rearview mirror. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A back-up warning system according to claim 22 wherein said proximity sensor comprises a radar sensor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) A back-up warning system according to claim 22 further comprising sensing circuitry carried by said proximity sensor; and wherein said sensing circuitry comprises a signal emitter for emitting signals, and a collector for collecting reflected signals from the object positioned rearward of said license plate holder. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) A back-up warning system according to claim 22 wherein said license plate holder comprises: a generally rectangular body portion with an opening therein to mount and display the license plate; and at least one bracket portion connected to said body portion for facilitating mounting of said license plate holder to the rear of the vehicle. ### Claim 29 A method for making a back-up warning system for a vehicle comprising a back-up lighting circuit selectively powered upon selection of a reverse transmission position, the method comprising: providing a license plate holder and a housing connected thereto; positioning an external audible indicator in the housing; connecting the external audible indicator in parallel to the back-up lighting circuit for generating an external audible indication based on selection of the reverse transmission position; positioning a proximity sensor in the housing for sensing objects positioned rearward of the license plate holder; and positioning an internal indicator within the vehicle passenger compartment to cooperate with the proximity sensor and generating an indication of proximity of an object to the license plate holder. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29 wherein the vehicle further comprises a vehicle passenger compartment; and wherein positioning the internal indicator comprises positioning the internal indicator within the vehicle passenger compartment. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29 wherein the internal indicator comprises a wireless internal indicator. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29 wherein the proximity sensor comprises a radar sensor.