Owner identification system for electronic equipment, particularly

Abstract

To provide recognition of personal data, for example the registration number of a vehicle in which a car radio is installed, the car radio includes a non-volatile memory (4) which can be selectively connected to a data input arrangement (2) for the electronic equipment (1) to store the registration number therein. A recall switch (S2) is provided to selectively connect the non-volatile memory (4) to the display (3) for displaying the personal recognition data or, in normal operation, to connect the display to the output of the electronic equipment, to display data pertinent to the operation of the electronic equipment, for example the frequency of a tuned station. Two additional memories (5, 6) store, respectively, a predetermined code word and, upon entry from the data entry arrangement, the same code word. Unless the two code words agree, the recall switch (2) is changed to display only the personal recognition data, for example the vehicle registration. Thus, the vehicle from which a radio has been stolen will be indicated unless the correct code is entered into the additional, and comparison memory. Few electronic components are needed which form part of the electronics of the car radio so that attempts to override the memory or destroy it will result in overall destruction of the electronic equipment.