Method of marking a motor vehicle with an identification number split into several sub-elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for marking a motor vehicle with an identification number split into several sub-elements. The marking method implements a step of separating the identification number into several distinct sub-elements, then writing each sub-element in a different location on a motor vehicle. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for marking a motor vehicle with an identification number split into several sub-elements Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive industry sector and, more particularly, to the field of marking motor vehicles in order to enable their identification. Technological background

[0002] Marking the chassis of motor vehicles is a common practice in the automotive industry for several important reasons.

[0003] First of all, the affixing of a mark in the form of a unique number on the chassis of a motor vehicle makes it possible to identify the vehicle precisely and reliably. This makes it possible to trace the complete history of the vehicle, including the maintenance carried out, the repairs undergone and the identity of all previous owners.

[0004] Secondly, chassis marking helps prevent vehicle theft. Assigning a unique and easily identifiable number to a motor vehicle makes it more difficult for malicious people to sell or use a stolen or banned vehicle.

[0005] Currently, motor vehicles are identified by a chassis number engraved in the same location for each motor vehicle. This method has major drawbacks in terms of safety and reliability.

[0006] Fraudsters are well-informed about the location of identification numbers on motor vehicle chassis, which makes it easy for them to falsify them. For example, they may cut out the part of the chassis where the identification number is located and replace it with a part from another chassis bearing a different identification number. This illegal practice aims to substitute the history of one motor vehicle for another, in order to hide the vehicle's defects and problems from a future buyer.

[0007] This deception can have serious consequences for used vehicle buyers, as it may lead them to purchase a vehicle that is unsafe or in poor condition. In addition, it can also cause problems for regulators and insurers, as it can make it difficult to accurately identify the vehicle and its history.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve this problem by proposing an alternative method of marking a motor vehicle, with an identification number, which is more difficult to falsify. Subject of the invention

[0009] For this, the invention proposes a method for marking a motor vehicle with an identification number, composed of a series of characters.

[0010] The method is remarkable in that the following steps are implemented:

[0011] - separation of the sequence of characters into several distinct sub-elements;

[0012] - registration of each sub-element in a different location of a motor vehicle.

[0013] Thus, advantageously, the marking is carried out at different locations of the motor vehicle. As a result, it is no longer possible to falsify the identification number by cutting out the part of the chassis where the said number is present, in order to substitute it with a part of another chassis bearing a different identification number. Indeed, the fact that the identification number appears partially in different places on the motor vehicle makes it impossible to implement this falsification technique.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the smallest distance between two sub-elements making up the identification number is equal to or greater than 30 cm, preferably equal to or greater than 50 cm.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least two sub-elements are inscribed on different parts of a motor vehicle. By "different parts" is meant here two distinct elements of a motor vehicle, for example its chassis, a door, its hood or other.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one sub-element is inscribed on the chassis of a motor vehicle.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one sub-element is inscribed on a door of a motor vehicle.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, each sub-element comprises an indication making it possible to know its location in the identification number.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, each sub-element is represented in a matrix comprising a number of elements identical to the number of characters making up the identification number, and the sub-element is entered in the matrix so as to know its location in the identification number. Preferably, the matrix is ​​represented in the form of a grid or a one-dimensional table.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the number of characters forming the sub-elements may be identical or different between said sub-elements.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the identification number comprises sufficient characters to allow its separation into at least three distinct sub-elements. Preferably, the identification number comprises a number of characters greater than 3, preferably greater than 10, preferably greater than 15.

[0022] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an identification number produced using one of the methods described above. Description of figures

[0024] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given as a non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] illustrates the first steps of a vehicle marking process automobile with an identification number, according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] As a reminder, the invention proposes a method of marking a motor vehicle with an identification number which is more difficult to falsify.

[0027] [Fig.l] illustrates an example of an identification number, designated by the reference 2, used for tracking a motor vehicle. This identification number 2 is a string of alphanumeric characters, composed of seventeen characters in total. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this number of characters, so that the identification number may comprise a different number of characters.

[0028] Each character is chosen from a predefined set of alphanumeric characters, including the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to Z.

[0029] The character sequence is organized so that each identification number is distinct and can be associated with a specific vehicle. This unique organization makes it possible to track the vehicle's history, such as maintenance, repairs, and successive owners, by associating the identification number with specific information stored in a database.

[0030] The invention is remarkable in that it implements a first step which consists of separating or isolating the characters composing the identification number into several sub-elements 4. According to the present example, the identification number 2 is broken down into three sub-elements. The first sub-element 4A is composed of the first five characters of the identification number 2. The second sub-element 4B is consists of the following eight characters of the identification number 2 and finally, the third sub-element 4C is formed by the last four characters of said number.

[0031] It should be noted that for each sub-element 4, the order of the characters is preserved.

[0032] According to a second step, each sub-element 4 is entered in a one-dimensional table comprising as many boxes as characters forming the identification number 2. As illustrated by [Fig.l], each sub-element 4 is entered in a one-dimensional table so as to easily and quickly know the position of the sub-element in the identification number.

[0033] Thus, the first table 6 comprises seventeen boxes, the first 5 boxes of which are filled in order by the characters forming the first sub-element 4A.

[0034] The second table 8 comprising the same number of boxes as the first, includes the characters of the second sub-element 4B occupying in order boxes 6 to 13 of said table.

[0035] Finally, the third table 10 of the same dimension as the two previous ones includes the characters of the third sub-element 4C which occupy in order the last four boxes of said table.

[0036] According to a third step not illustrated, the sub-elements 4 are marked, engraved or inscribed by stamping by known means on a motor vehicle, so that the smallest distance between two sub-elements is equal to or greater than 30 cm.

[0037] The marking method described above advantageously makes it possible to solve the problem of falsification of motor vehicle identification numbers in an ingenious way. Indeed, fraudsters know the location of the identification number on the chassis of a motor vehicle and can therefore easily falsify it.

[0038] In order to prevent this falsification, the invention recommends dividing this identification number into several sub-elements or distinct parts and engraving each part in a different location on the vehicle.

[0039] The breakdown of the identification number into three distinct parts according to the present example will make it more difficult to falsify or replace the identification number, because fraudsters will have to locate and modify the three distinct locations to succeed in their deception. This innovative solution will thus ensure the integrity of vehicle tracking and protect consumers against fraudulent practices.

[0040] In summary, the invention proposes an ingenious and effective solution for reinforcing the security of vehicle tracking by dividing the chassis number into several distinct parts and engraving them in different locations on the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for marking a motor vehicle with an identification number (2), composed of a series of characters, characterized in that the following steps are implemented: - separation of the series of characters into several distinct sub-elements; - inscription of each sub-element in a different place on a motor vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the smallest distance between two sub-elements is equal to or greater than 30 cm, preferably equal to or greater than 50 cm.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two sub-elements are inscribed on different parts of a motor vehicle.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one sub-element is inscribed on the chassis of a motor vehicle.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one sub-element is inscribed on a door of a motor vehicle.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each sub-element comprises an indication making it possible to know its location in the identification number (2).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that each sub-element is represented in a matrix comprising a number of elements identical to the number of characters making up the identification number (2), and in that the sub-element is entered in the matrix so as to know its location in the identification number (2).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the matrix is ​​a one-dimensional array (6, 8, 10).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the identification number (2) comprises sufficient characters to allow its separation into at least three distinct sub-elements (4A, 4B, 4C).

10. Motor vehicle comprising an identification number (2) produced using a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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