초록 ▼

A system for electronically locating particular vehicles from within a large plurality of vehicles parked on a holding lot of an assembly plant. A control system transmits a signal encoded with a particular Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a plurality of signal repeaters disposed on lamp posts

A system for electronically locating particular vehicles from within a large plurality of vehicles parked on a holding lot of an assembly plant. A control system transmits a signal encoded with a particular Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a plurality of signal repeaters disposed on lamp posts or other fixed items throughout the holding lot, where the lamp posts or other like items are disposed in a grid pattern or network over the holding lot. The signal repeaters transmit VIN-encoded low power radio frequency signals covering the entire holding lot. Each vehicle includes a Single Body Engine Controller (SBEC) which includes the VIN of the vehicle and a Body Control Module (BCM) in communication with its associated SBEC which is capable of activating the Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) of the vehicle, to thereby activate the horn and/or lights of the vehicle. The VTA includes an RF receiver associated therewith which receives the RF signal from the repeaters. The BCM checks to determine if the VIN encoded in its SBEC matches the VIN encoded in the received RF signal. If so, the BCM activates the lights and/or horn of the vehicle. Alternatively, the BCM or the VTA includes a radio frequency transceiver which transmits a location identifying signal back to one or more repeaters disposed closely adjacent the vehicle. The location identifying signal is displayed on a display system to enable the location of the vehicle to be relatively precisely determined on the holding lot.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for locating particular vehicles on a holding lot having a large plurality of vehicles parked thereon, wherein each said vehicle is equipped with a single board engine controller (SBEC), the SBEC containing a code corresponding to the vehicle's Vehicle Identifica

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for locating particular vehicles on a holding lot having a large plurality of vehicles parked thereon, wherein each said vehicle is equipped with a single board engine controller (SBEC), the SBEC containing a code corresponding to the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and the vehicle further having a Body Control Module (BCM) having a Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) system for activating at least one of the vehicle's lights or horn, the VTA having a radio frequency receiver associated therewith, the system comprising:a control system for transmitting a locating signal encoded with a particular VIN of a vehicle located on said holding lot, said control system including a computer system for enabling an individual to enter a particular VIN associated with a particular vehicle;a plurality of radio frequency signal repeaters arranged in a grid network on said holding lot and responsive to said locating signal, said signal repeaters each operating to transmit a low power radio frequency signal encoded with said particular VIN;a display system operably associated with said control system which includes a display corresponding to said grid network;wherein said SBEC of said vehicle having said particular VIN causes said VTA of said same vehicle to generate a radio frequency location identifying reply signal upon receipt of said low power radio frequency locating signal, back to one of said repeaters in proximity to said vehicle having said particular VIN; andwherein said repeater relays said location identifying signal back to said display system to enable an individual to determine a location of said vehicle having said particular VIN on said holding lot.