Enhanced vehicle identification card
AssigneeUnited States Automobile Association (USAA)
InventorsJohn Chandler Hopkins, III, Judy Margaret Cotter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle identification card is provided to an insured that includes proof of automotive insurance information and charge account information. The card may include an insurance policy covering the insured's vehicle, the VIN number of the vehicle, and other information about the vehicle such as the vehicle's make and model. The card may include account information that allows the card to be used like a credit card. The card may further include means for wirelessly updating information and providing a display to the user, which includes, but is not limited to, a housing, a memory module, a processor, one or more displays, and a power source.
Claims21
A wirelessly updated vehicle identification card, comprising:
- a housing;
- a memory module within the housing;
- a processor coupled to the memory module;
- a display within the housing and operably coupled to the processor;
- and
- a transceiver within the housing configured to connect to a wireless network and transmit and receive information regarding an account associated with a vehicle,
- wherein the card is configured to display a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, and wherein the card is configured to debit an account designated for expenses related to the vehicle, whereby cross-referencing the VIN displayed on the card and the VIN of the vehicle provides a mechanism for authenticating use of the card for charges related to the vehicle.
A method for providing a wirelessly updated vehicle identification card, comprising:
- providing a housing;
- providing a memory module within the housing;
- providing a processor coupled to the memory module;
- providing a display within the housing, said display operably coupled to the processor;
- and
- providing a transceiver within the housing configured to connect to a wireless network and transmit and receive information regarding an account associated with a vehicle;
- displaying a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle on the card;
- and
- allowing use of the card as a credit card to debit an account designated for expenses related to the vehicle, whereby cross-referencing the VIN displayed on the card and the VIN of the vehicle provides a mechanism for authenticating use of the card for charges related to the vehicle.
A computer readable medium bearing instructions for providing a wirelessly updated vehicle identification card, comprising:
- instructions for configuring a memory module within the housing;
- instructions for configuring a processor coupled to the memory module;
- instructions for configuring a display within the housing, said display operably coupled to the processor;
- and
- instructions for configuring a transceiver within the housing to connect to a wireless network and transmitting and receiving information regarding an account associated with a vehicle;
- instructions for displaying a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle on the card;
- and
- instructions for allowing use of the card to debit an account designated for expenses related to the vehicle, whereby cross-referencing the VIN displayed on the card and the VIN of the vehicle provides a mechanism for authenticating use of the card for charges related to the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.