Product assembly method and apparatus using wireless communication capability

• US 7,117,061 B1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John D. Mckenzie
• Original Assignee: John D. Mckenzie
• Inventors: McKenzie, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini, Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shectman, Sean
• Application Number:
  US11/030,238
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/19, 700/66, 700/95, 700/96, 700/99, 700113-116, 709/200
• US Class Current: 700/116
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31175 Message comprises identification of sender, receiver, command and parameter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36371 Barcode reader
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45018 Car, auto, vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45051 Transfer line
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45055 Assembly

Abstract

An assembly line data communication system using wireless transmissions between access point transceivers along a plant data network and a mobile transceiver temporarily physically associated with each product proceeding down an assembly line served by the network. The unique identity of the product is communicated to the assembly line network controller at the entry end of each series of work cells and correct product order in a queue is maintained so that the specific identity and specification of the product is known at each of several subsequent and serially arranged work cells through which the product passes. Each work cell can talk to one or more access point transceivers in the network to communicate data to the mobile transceiver on the vehicle and to receive information back from it.

Claims

1. A method for establishing and maintaining data communication between a product and an assembly plant network serving controllers in multiple work cells through which the product is caused to pass in sequence during an assembly procedure, wherein the product has an onboard intelligent controller, a wiring system with a plug connector for access to the onboard controller, and an individual identifier code, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

connecting to the controller plug connector a mobile wireless transceiver having a data communication capability, an address and a connector compatible with the controller connector;

initially correlating the address of the mobile wireless transceiver with the individual identifier code of the product in the plant network thereby to identify the product as it moves into and between work cells;

attaching the mobile wireless transceiver to the product by way of the connectors associated with the transceiver and controller, respectively;

providing a plurality of spatially distributed access point transceivers connected to the assembly plant network;

progressively advancing the product between the work cells while maintaining interrupted communication between the mobile transceiver and the network via the access point transceivers; and

performing pre-assigned assembly operations on the product in the work cells using data which is communicated between the mobile wireless transceivers and the assembly plant network by way of the access point transceivers during the assembly procedure.

2. The method of claim 1 including the further step of receiving signals from two adjacent access point transceivers and using data for assembly operations only from one transceiver.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the product is a vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the individual identifier code is a VIN.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the unique address is implemented on the outside surface of the mobile wireless transceiver as a bar code.

6. The process of claim 5 including the step of reading the bar code by an optical scanner.