System and method for identifying component parts in an assembly

• US 6,888,462 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Brodine
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Brodine
• Inventors: Brodine, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/265,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20040075559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/10.1, 340/5.1, 340/5.8, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 340/10.3, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/10.2, 340/825.57, 340/10.4, 340/10.41, 342/42, 342/44, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2485 Simultaneous detection of multiple EAS tags

Abstract

A system and method for identifying stolen component parts contained within an assembly and/or identifying the origin of a component part. To utilize the system, a passive integrated transponder is attached to at least some component parts within an assembly. Each of the passive integrated transponders transmits an identification code when activated. In a database, the identification codes of the passive integrated transponders are recorded along with the identification of the assembly into which they were originally installed. Assemblies in the marketplace are periodically scanned. As assemblies are scanned, the passive integrated transponders contained in those assemblies are activated and transmit their identification codes. The identification codes are read and compared to the data in a database. If a scan reveals a component part listed as stolen, an indication is provided.

Claims

1. A method of identifying stolen component parts contained within an assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching passive integrated transponders to at least some component parts in an assembly, said passive integrated transponders being independent electronic assemblies that are electronically isolated from said component parts, wherein each of said passive integrated transponders transmits an identification code when activated;

providing a database;

recording the identification codes of the passive integrated transponders for different component parts in said database;

indicating in said database which identification codes belong to stolen component parts, as component parts are reported stolen;

scanning assemblies with an external scanning system, thereby activating said passive integrated transponders in said component parts of said assemblies and reading identification codes transmitted by said passive integrated transponders;

comparing said identification codes read during scanning to said database; and

providing an indication if an identification code read during scanning matches an identification code of a stolen component part.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is a vehicle and said step of scanning occurs during a periodic state inspection of said vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is a vehicle and said step of scanning occurs during said vehicle being driven through a check point.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said passive integrated transponders in said at least some component parts of an assembly transmit a common identification code when activated.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said assembly is a vehicle having a vehicle identification number and said common identification code corresponds to said vehicle identification number.

6. A method of identifying an origin of a component part in an assembly, comprising the steps of:

attaching passive integrated transponders to at least some component parts in an assembly, said passive integrated transponders being independent electronic assemblies that are electronically isolated from said component parts, wherein each of said passive integrated transponders transmits an identification code when activated;

providing a database;

recording the identification codes of the passive integrated transponders of different component parts in said database;

scanning a component part of a questionable origin that contains a passive integrated transponder, therein activating said passive integrated transponder in said component part and reading the identification code transmitted by said passive integrated transponder; and

comparing the identification code read during scanning to said database to identify an origin of said component part.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said assembly is a vehicle and said step of scanning a component part occurs during a periodic state inspection of said vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said assembly is a vehicle and said step of scanning a component part occurs during said vehicle being driven through a check point.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said assembly contains multiple component parts with passive integrated transponders, wherein said passive integrated transponders transmit a common identification code when activated.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said assembly is a vehicle having a vehicle identification number and said common identification code corresponds to said vehicle identification number.

11. The method according to claim 6, further including the step of indicating in said database identification codes that correspond to component parts that are reported stolen.

12. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of providing an indication after a scan if the identification code transmitted by a passive integrated transponder corresponds to an identification code of a stolen component part in said database.

13. A vehicle comprised of component parts, wherein at least some of said component parts contain passive integrated transponders that transmit an identification code when activated, wherein said passive integrated transponders are independent electronic assemblies that are electronically isolated from said component parts.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein all said passive integrated transponders in said vehicle transmit a common identification code when activated.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said vehicle has a vehicle identification code and said common identification code corresponds to said vehicle identification code.