US 2011/0220560 A1 · APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF GENUINE SERVICEABLE PRODUCT COMPONENTS

Abstract

A process, system, and component configuration are described that discourages customer acceptance/use of will-fit, reconditioned, and counterfeit product components, by determining whether or not a serviceable product component is genuine. If a component is determined to not be genuine, then appropriate action may be taken to warn operators and document such findings. For example, one or more markers are disposed or otherwise put on the subject serviceable product component and serves as a targeted feature, and/or a particular characteristic of the filter itself is identified as the targeted feature. A sensor is used to detect the targeted feature and obtain information unique to the serviceable product component. The targeted feature(s) identifies the particular serviceable component as genuine and forms the basis for determining whether a genuine component has been installed. In some circumstances, a fluid filter product is the component that is the subject detection.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of detecting the presence of a genuine product component to be installed as a serviceable product component of an engine comprising:

detecting, with a sensor, information from a serviceable product component to be installed in an engine;
receiving, with an electronic control module, the information detected from the serviceable product component;
determining with the electronic control module whether the serviceable product component is genuine based on the information received from the sensor, where the determination is made such that:
if the information detected by the sensor is verified by the electronic control module as being from an appropriate targeted feature of the serviceable product component, the serviceable product component is deemed genuine, the appropriate targeted feature including one or more of a marker disposed on or within the serviceable product component and/or a characteristic of the serviceable product component itself;
but if the information detected by the sensor is determined by the electronic control module as not being from the appropriate targeted feature, the serviceable product component is deemed as a suspect, or
if no information is detected by the sensor, the electronic control module deems the serviceable product component as a suspect.

3 more elements

A system for detecting the presence of a genuine fluid filter apparatus comprising:

a fluid filter that has a media that filters fluid therethrough;
a targeted feature possessing at least one or more of a unique marker and/or design characteristic, the targeted feature is disposed on or within the fluid filter;
a sensor configured to detect the targeted feature, the sensor is configured to obtain information on the targeted feature and create an output based on the information;
an electronic control module configured to receive the output from the sensor, and compare the information to one or more expected values, the electronic control module is configured to determine whether the fluid filer is genuine based on the comparison, and if the fluid filter is not genuine, is configured to perform any one or more the following:
(1) generate and log a fault code, (2) inform of potential functional consequences of installing a non-genuine fluid filter, and (3) report to a party potential of unauthorized use.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus, system and method for detecting the presence of genuine serviceable product components

Life of this patent

Apparatus, system and method for detecting the presence of genuine serviceable product components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20