DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED'EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new identification investigating and ticket issuing system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the identification investigating and ticket issuing system 10 generally comprises a housing 12 that includes a first end 13 and a second end 14 opposite the first end 13. The housing 12 includes a top wall 15, a bottom wall 16 and a pair of side walls 17 extending between the top 15 and bottom 16 walls of the housing 12 defining an interior 18 of the housing 12.
The second end 14 of the housing 12 includes an elongated slot 19 for selectively receiving the identification of a person. The elongated slot 19 preferably extends from the second end 14 of the housing 12 toward the first end 13 of the housing 12. The elongated slot 19 preferably extends through the top wall 15 of the housing 12 such that the identification is insertable in the top wall 15 of the housing 12 and pulled or swiped downwardly toward the second end 14 of the housing 12. The housing 12 may include a longitudinal axis extending between the first 13 and second 14 ends of the housing 12.
The second end 14 of the housing 13 also includes an elongated aperture 20 extending into the interior 18 of the housing 12. The elongated aperture 20 may include a longitudinal axis orientated generally perpendicular to the elongated slot 19.
The housing 12 may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, a plastic or metal material. The housing 12 may also preferably water resistant permitting it to be used in adverse weather conditions. The housing 12 may measure approximately four inches in height, six inches in width and eleven inches in length. However, the housing may employ a variety of shapes and sizes.
An input assembly 22 is provided for inputting data about a person into the identification investigating and ticket issuing system 10. The input assembly 22 is preferably mounted on the top wall 15 of the housing 12. The input assembly 22 includes a data reading means 23 for reading the computer readable magnetic tape on the identification. The data reading means 23 is mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12 and is preferably positioned generally adjacent to the elongated slot 19 such that when the identification is positioned in the elongated slot 19 the data reading means 23 reads the data contained on the magnetic tape.
The input assembly 22 may also include a plurality of buttons 24 for selectively receiving a finger of a user. Each of the buttons 24 may be depressibly mounted on the top wall 15 of the housing 12. The plurality of buttons 24 may include a plurality of alphabetical buttons 25 for inserting letters and a plurality of numerical buttons 26 for inputting numbers. Other types of buttons may be employed for operating the identification investigating and ticket issuing system 10 such as, for example, a power button, an enter button, a clear button, a print button, or transmit button.
Control circuitry 28 may be provided for controlling the input and output of data. The control circuitry 28 is preferably mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12. The control circuitry 28 may be electrically connected to the data reading means 23.
A main power supply 29 may be provided for selectively providing power to the control circuitry 28. The main power supply 29 may be removably mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12. The main power supply 29 may comprise a rechargeable battery permitting extended usage of the identification investigating and. ticket issuing system 10.
A backup power supply 51 may be mounted in said interior 18 of the housing 12 for supplying power to the control circuitry 28 if the main power supply 29 fails. The backup power supply 51 may comprise a lithium ion battery for extended life. The backup power supply 51 prevents the loss of data due to a loss of power from the main power supply 29.
An electrical socket 30 may be provided for selectively receiving an electrical cord for recharging the main power supply 29. The electrical socket 30 may be mounted on one of the side walls 17 of the housing 12 and may be electrically connected to the main power supply 29.
A transceiver assembly 32 is provided for permitting the identification investigating and ticket issuing system 10 to remotely communicate with a computer such as a police computer containing a database of data pertaining to motorists. The transceiver assembly 32 is mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12. The transceiver assembly 32 may include a receiver means 33 for receiving data from the computer. The receiver means 33 may be electrically connected to the control circuitry 28.
The transceiver assembly 32 may also include a transmitter means 34 for transmitting data received by the input assembly 22. The transmission means 34 may be electrically connected to the control circuitry.
An antenna 35 may be provided for receiving and transmitting data from the receiver 33 and transmitter 34 means. The antenna 35 may be pivotally mounted on one of the side walls 17 of the housing 12. The antenna 35 may be removably mounted on the side wall 17 of the housing 12 for transportation.
A storage means 37 may be provided for storing data entered in the input assembly 22. The storage means 37 may be mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12 and may be position generally adjacent to one of the side walls 17 of the housing 12. The storage means 37 may comprise a disk-drive. The storage means 37 may also comprise a drive and a removable storage medium removably positionable in the drive such as, for example a floppy drive and floppy disks, a compact disk drive and compact disks, or high capacity storage drives and high capacity storage disks.
A data port 38 may be provided for selectively receiving a data cable of a computer. The data port 38 permits transferring of data between the storage means 37 and the computer. The data port 38 may be mounted on one of the side walls 17 of the housing 12.
A display 39 is provided for displaying data entered into the input assembly 22. The display 39 may be pivotally mounted on the housing 12 and may be positioned generally adjacent to the first end 13 of the housing 12. The display 39 is preferably electrically connected to the control circuitry 28. The display 39 may comprise a liquid crystal display or an active matrix display. Other types of conventional displays may be employed.
A printer assembly 40 is mounted in the interior 18 of the housing 12 for printing tickets. The printer assembly 40 may be positioned generally adjacent to the second end 14 of the housing 12. The printer assembly 40 may include a substrate 41 for receiving indicia. The substrate 41 may be positioned generally adjacent to the second end 14 of the housing 12. The substrate 41 preferably includes an end 42 that is extendable through the elongated aperture 20 in the second end 14 of the housing 12. The substrate 41 may comprise a paper material.
The printer assembly 40 may also include a printer means 44 for printing indicia on the substrate 41. The printer means 44 may be positioned generally adjacent to the second end 14 of the housing 12. The substrate 41 may be coupled to the printer means 44 such that when the printer means 44 prints indicia on the substrate 41 the substrate 41 is advanced through the elongated aperture 20 in the second end 14 of the housing 12.
A global positioning means 50 may be removably mounted on the housing 12 for receiving a signal from a global positioning satellite. The global positioning means 50 permits a user, such as a police officer to determine their location. Many police vehicles have global positioning systems, however, the technology is of no use to a police officers on foot. The global positioning means 50 mounted on the housing 12 permits a police officer to determine his location when traveling on foot away from his vehicle. The global positioning means 50 may be positioned generally adjacent to one of the side walls 17 of the housing 12.
The global positioning means 50 may be electrically connected to the control circuitry 28 and may receive a signal from a global positioning satellite through the antenna 35.
In use, a user such as, for example, a police officer obtains identification from a person. The police officer then inserts the identification into the elongated slot 19 in the housing 12. The data reading means 23 of the input assembly 22 reads the data contained in the magnetic tape mounted on the identification. The data on the magnetic tape of the identification is stored in the storage means 37.
The transmitter means 34 of the transceiver assembly 32 transmits the data to a computer containing a database of information on the person stopped by the police officer. The information in the database of the computer is transmitted and received by the receiver means 33 of the transceiver assembly 32. The data received by the receiver means 33 is then displayed on the display 33 where it may be read by the police officer.
The police officer may, if issuing a ticket, depress the plurality of buttons 24 of the input assembly 22 to input the type and amount of the ticket. The printer means 44 of the printer assembly 40 prints indicia on the substrate 41 of the printer assembly 40 which is advanced through the second end 14 of the housing 12. The police officer may then tear the substrate 41 and present it to the person stopped by the police officer.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.