Automatic part mapping system

摘要

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying parts in a vehicle. Signals are received from a plurality of transponders associated with the parts in the vehicle. Locations of the parts are identified based on signal strengths for the signals received from the plurality of transponders and an identification of the parts in the signals.

主权项

1. A method for identifying parts in a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving signals by a reader positioned at a number of locations on a path relative to the vehicle from a plurality of transponders associated with the parts in the vehicle, the parts including a number of fixed parts and a number of unfixed parts with respect to the vehicle, the number of fixed parts including any part that has a location that cannot be changed in the vehicle and the number of unfixed parts including any part that is usable in more than one location in the vehicle; identifying the parts from the identification of the parts in the signals; creating a number of associations between each of said parts and a higher level assembly in which the part is used, the higher level assembly comprises a plurality of fixed parts having a known location; determining nearness index information between transponders to associate an unfixed part with a fixed part using signal strengths of said received signals; and forming a map of the parts using a number of locations identified for the parts by identifying the known locations for the number of fixed parts and determining the locations for the number of unfixed parts, wherein the location of each of the unfixed parts is determined based upon a known location of a fixed part, said created number of associations, and said nearness index information associating an unfixed part with a fixed part.