Product assembly method and apparatus using wireless communication capability

A method for establishing and maintaining data communication between a product and an assembly plant network serving controllers in multiple work cells through which the product is caused to pass in sequence during an assembly procedure, wherein the product has an onboard intelligent controller, a wiring system with a plug connector for access to the onboard controller, and an individual identifier code, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• connecting to the controller plug connector a mobile wireless transceiver having a data communication capability, an address and a connector compatible with the controller connector;
• initially correlating the address of the mobile wireless transceiver with the individual identifier code of the product in the plant network thereby to identify the product as it moves into and between work cells;
• attaching the mobile wireless transceiver to the product by way of the connectors associated with the transceiver and controller, respectively;
• providing a plurality of spatially distributed access point transceivers connected to the assembly plant network;
• progressively advancing the product between the work cells while maintaining interrupted communication between the mobile transceiver and the network via the access point transceivers;
• and
• performing pre-assigned assembly operations on the product in the work cells using data which is communicated between the mobile wireless transceivers and the assembly plant network by way of the access point transceivers during the assembly procedure.