Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Radar transponder system
Patent
1992-11-12
1995-01-03
Sotomayor, John B.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Radar transponder system
342 50, 342 51, G01S 1380
Patent
active
053790421
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of storing data relating to the life or history of complicated products. An example of such products are various kinds of automotive vehicles, particularly cars.
2. Description of the Related Art
The kind of device used to this end is a transponder, a registration transmitter or a so-called escort memory. A common feature of all devices of this kind is that they are able to communicate with a so-called registration unit which includes a transmitter/receiver unit. This communication is two-directional, since the registration unit is able to transmit a signal containing information which is received by the transponder and stored therein. Furthermore, the registration unit can transmit a query signal which is reflected by the transponder while the signal is modulated with a signal corresponding to the information found stored in the transponder. By reflection is meant that the transmitted query signal is received by the transponder and re-transmitted without adding new energy to the signal. Registration units and transponders of this kind are known from the Swedish Patent Specification Nos. 7503620-2, which has a corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,661, to Bengt Henoch and Eilert Berglind, dated Dec. 30, 1980, and 7609732-8, which has a corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,880, to Bengt Henoch, dated Jun. 28, 1983, among others.
In modern product and service apparatus, it is important that data is continuously collected and stored with respect to the complicated product concerned, and that the correct data is available at the right time for the right product.
This is particularly important in the case of so-called computer assisted and computer integrated manufacture, CAM and CIM, where data feedback relating to complicated products, such as cars, household machines, etc., is essential during the whole of their life cycle.
In automated and computer assisted production lines for complicated products, for example cars, it is normal to use transponders or escort memories fitted to the product, so that different production data is automatically stored on the product.
Such registration transmitter, transponders or escort memories are well known to the art. These units are based on a two-way communication link which utilizes electromagnetic waves in a frequency range of from 100 kHz and up to IR.
Such registration transmitters have properties which are adapted to different applications, with respect to signal range, memory capacity, data speed, etc.
One requirement in the car industry is that the registration transmitter shall be able to pass through varnishing furnaces heated to temperatures of up to 250.degree. C. This requirement is satisfied by providing the registration transmitter with a heat protector, or by supplying the registration transmitter with energy in a cordless fashion from the registration unit and therewith omitting a battery, although the range is much smaller in this case.
When using a registration transmitters or escort memories in a production line, the registration transmitters or escort memories are reused subsequent to having passed through a production line, i.e. are returned to the beginning of the line and fitted to a new product. It is also normal to use different registration transmitters in different sections of a production line.
It is desirable to be able to use one and the same registration transmitter throughout the whole of the production line, and also to allow such a registration transmitter to stay permanently with the product, the car, and therewith provide a function in subsequent service and maintenance of the vehicle. It has not been possible to fulfil these desiderata for several reasons, as will be explained below.
One problem with the use of such registration transmitters or transponders in storing life data relation to a product, such as a car, is that they must be so inexpensive as to render it unnecessary to reuse the same for cost reasons. The actual problem lies in the fac
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