Anne Devries Green

US Patent:

20050108115, May 19, 2005

Filed:

Feb 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/906049

Inventors:

Anne Green - Howell MI, US
Lawrence Mallia - Plymouth MI, US
Kenneth Butler - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

FORD MOTOR COMPANY - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705028000, 235385000, 340005920

Abstract:

A method of tracking automotive production in the manufacture of automotive vehicles () is provided. The method includes manufacturing a plurality of automotive vehicles along an assembly line (). Each of the plurality of automotive vehicles having a build characteristic (). The build characteristics varying among the plurality of automotive vehicles. The method includes installing a radio frequency transmitter within each of the plurality of automotive vehicles as they move along the assembly line (). Each of the radio frequency transmitters generating a unique identifier signal (). Associating each unique identifier signal with the build characteristics of one of the plurality of automotive vehicles (). The method includes transferring the plurality of automotive vehicles to a plant storage lot as they exit the assembly line (). The method includes receiving the unique identifier signals (). The unique identifier signals are used to determine the identity and location of each of the plurality of automotive vehicles within the plant storage lot ().