"Intelligent License Plate" Offers Greater Deterrence Against Car Theft
Joint news release of Infineon, Schreiner Prosecure and Utsch
Munich, Germany September 17, 2002 A new digital license plate, featuring a smart radio frequency chip and holographic technology, offers greater deterrence against car theft. The new high-security document "iltag" (intelligent license tag), which is used to supplement familiar license plates, allows authorized persons such as the registration authority and the police to view electronic data that verifies the ownership and operating status of a vehicle.
The iltag was jointly developed by Infineon, Schreiner Prosecure and Utsch, three German companies that are among the world leaders in their respective industries. Infineon supplies the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip with antenna, which Schreiner ProSecure integrates with a special hologram film and self-adhesive label that secures the tag to the inside of the vehicle windshield. Erich Utsch AG is responsible for the development of the overall system and international marketing of the intelligent license plate.
The "iltag" is about the size of an identity card (105mm x 75mm). Since any attempt to remove it from the windshield destroys both the security film and the connection between chip and antenna, the "iltag cannot be transferred to other vehicles.
The "iltag" contains visible printed information like the letter/digit combination on the license plate. Further data of up to 1,000 characters is stored on the chip and typically includes the names of all authorized drivers, vehicle tax and insurance as well as vehicle registration data. This information is read over the air whether the vehicle is parked or moving slowly, using short-range tag readers. The chips memory also can be segregated into different areas which are protected by encryption codes, creating secure information areas. Only authorized parties can access the data to view or update assigned memory areas.
In Germany alone, over 40,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2001. Even before the owner has reported the vehicle stolen, however, the theft can be detected with the "iltag. This early discovery can help prevent the use of stolen vehicles in criminal activities. In addition, vehicles parked in security zones, for example, can be reliably and quickly checked without the driver having to be present.
With the "iltag", national vehicle registration authorities can more effectively verify that vehicles are properly registered and insured and that vehicle tax has been duly paid. Private companies can use individual memory areas of the chip and offer additional services, such as individual access permits to special parking lots, as well as payment of parking fees or fuel by means of electronic money units stored on the chip.
All over the world, each officially registered vehicle carries identification plates. In 2001, there were around one billion private cars and commercial vehicles worldwide including around 270 million in Europe, 295 million in America and 190 million in Asia/Australia. Around 55 million new vehicles were sold and registered in 2001.
Erich Utsch AG, Siegen, Germany, is the worldwide leader for vehicle license plate technology offering comprehensive identification and registration systems with an experience of more than 40 years. In nearly 100 countries Utsch, being the first address for governments all over the world, makes sure that highest security levels for the registration and identification of vehicles can be achieved. With about 400 employees, the Utsch group had a turnover of nearly 70 million Euro in the year 2001.
Schreiner GmbH & Co. KG, Munich/Oberschleissheim, Germany, is one of the world-wide leading suppliers of innovative self-adhesive special purpose labels as well as precision die-cut functional parts and system solutions. With over 400 employees, the company recorded sales of over 54 million Euro in 2001. The business unit Schreiner ProSecure specializes in the development and production of self-adhesive security products for protection against tampering and theft. These include self-adhesive PIN-covers and tamper-proof seals, as well as seals and decals which are protected against counterfeiting.
Munich, Germany September 17, 2002 A new digital license plate, featuring a smart radio frequency chip and holographic technology, offers greater deterrence against car theft. The new high-security document "iltag" (intelligent license tag), which is used to supplement familiar license plates, allows authorized persons such as the registration authority and the police to view electronic data that verifies the ownership and operating status of a vehicle.
The iltag was jointly developed by Infineon, Schreiner Prosecure and Utsch, three German companies that are among the world leaders in their respective industries. Infineon supplies the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip with antenna, which Schreiner ProSecure integrates with a special hologram film and self-adhesive label that secures the tag to the inside of the vehicle windshield. Erich Utsch AG is responsible for the development of the overall system and international marketing of the intelligent license plate.
The "iltag" is about the size of an identity card (105mm x 75mm). Since any attempt to remove it from the windshield destroys both the security film and the connection between chip and antenna, the "iltag cannot be transferred to other vehicles.
The "iltag" contains visible printed information like the letter/digit combination on the license plate. Further data of up to 1,000 characters is stored on the chip and typically includes the names of all authorized drivers, vehicle tax and insurance as well as vehicle registration data. This information is read over the air whether the vehicle is parked or moving slowly, using short-range tag readers. The chips memory also can be segregated into different areas which are protected by encryption codes, creating secure information areas. Only authorized parties can access the data to view or update assigned memory areas.
A host of possible applications
In Germany alone, over 40,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2001. Even before the owner has reported the vehicle stolen, however, the theft can be detected with the "iltag. This early discovery can help prevent the use of stolen vehicles in criminal activities. In addition, vehicles parked in security zones, for example, can be reliably and quickly checked without the driver having to be present.
With the "iltag", national vehicle registration authorities can more effectively verify that vehicles are properly registered and insured and that vehicle tax has been duly paid. Private companies can use individual memory areas of the chip and offer additional services, such as individual access permits to special parking lots, as well as payment of parking fees or fuel by means of electronic money units stored on the chip.
Market potential
All over the world, each officially registered vehicle carries identification plates. In 2001, there were around one billion private cars and commercial vehicles worldwide including around 270 million in Europe, 295 million in America and 190 million in Asia/Australia. Around 55 million new vehicles were sold and registered in 2001.
About Utsch
Erich Utsch AG, Siegen, Germany, is the worldwide leader for vehicle license plate technology offering comprehensive identification and registration systems with an experience of more than 40 years. In nearly 100 countries Utsch, being the first address for governments all over the world, makes sure that highest security levels for the registration and identification of vehicles can be achieved. With about 400 employees, the Utsch group had a turnover of nearly 70 million Euro in the year 2001.
About Schreiner
Schreiner GmbH & Co. KG, Munich/Oberschleissheim, Germany, is one of the world-wide leading suppliers of innovative self-adhesive special purpose labels as well as precision die-cut functional parts and system solutions. With over 400 employees, the company recorded sales of over 54 million Euro in 2001. The business unit Schreiner ProSecure specializes in the development and production of self-adhesive security products for protection against tampering and theft. These include self-adhesive PIN-covers and tamper-proof seals, as well as seals and decals which are protected against counterfeiting.
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smart cards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2001 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 5.67 billion with about 33,800 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at www.infineon.com.
Media Relations contact for Utsch
Iltag Consulting
Tel.: +49 271 3191-148
Fax: +49 271 3191-103
E-mail: info@utsch.com resp. iltag@utsch.com
Industrie-Contact
Katja Kleinau
Tel.: +49 40 899 66 60
Fax: +49 40 890 2641
E-mail: kk@ic-gruppe.com
Media Relations contact for Schreiner
Elke Hanel
Tel.: +49 89 31584-143
Fax: +49 89 31594-420
E-mail: hanel@schreiner-online.de
Reuter Public Relations
Sabine Reuter
Tel.: +49 8151 79180
Fax: +49 8151-28102
E-mail: reuter.pr@t-online.com
Information Number
INFXX200209.137 e
Press Photos
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"iltag", an intelligent license plate featuring a smart readio frequency chip of Infineon Technologies, offers greater deterrence against car theft.Press PictureJPG | 415 kb | 1535 x 1063 px
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Contactless readout of the data stored on the chip is possible by means of a handheld device..Press PictureJPG | 331 kb | 1535 x 1063 px
