System and method for identifying component parts in an assembly
First Claim
1. A method of identifying stolen component parts contained within a product, said method comprising the steps of:
- attaching an integrated transmitter assembly to at least some component parts in a product, wherein each of said integrated transmitter assemblies transmits an identification code;
providing a database;
recording the identification codes of the integrated transmitter assemblies for said component parts in said database;
indicating in said database which identification codes belong to stolen component parts, as component parts are reported stolen;
scanning component parts, thereby reading identification codes transmitted by said integrated transmitters assemblies;
determining if said integrated transmitter assemblies in a product are transmitting more than one identification code;
comparing said identification codes read during scanning to said database if said integrated transmitter assemblies in a product transmit more than one identification code; and
providing an indication if an identification code read during scanning matches an identification code of a stolen component part.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for identifying stolen component parts contained within a product and/or identifying the origin of a component part. To utilize the system, an integrated transmitter assembly is attached to at least some component parts within a product. Each of the integrated transponder assemblies transmits an identification code. In a database, the identification codes of the integrated transponder assemblies are recorded along with the identification of the assembly into which they were originally installed. Products in the marketplace are periodically scanned. As products are scanned, the integrated transponders contained in those products 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.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of identifying stolen component parts contained within a product, said method comprising the steps of:
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attaching an integrated transmitter assembly to at least some component parts in a product, wherein each of said integrated transmitter assemblies transmits an identification code; providing a database; recording the identification codes of the integrated transmitter assemblies for said component parts in said database; indicating in said database which identification codes belong to stolen component parts, as component parts are reported stolen; scanning component parts, thereby reading identification codes transmitted by said integrated transmitters assemblies; determining if said integrated transmitter assemblies in a product are transmitting more than one identification code; comparing said identification codes read during scanning to said database if said integrated transmitter assemblies in a product transmit more than one identification code; and providing an indication if an identification code read during scanning matches an identification code of a stolen component part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification