Tractor-trailer connections for image capture data
First Claim
1. A system for use on a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer, the system comprising:
- a transmitter unit configured for mounting at the trailer, the transmitter unit comprising;
a video input configured to receive video data from one or more cameras mounted at the trailer, at least one of the one or more cameras spaced away from the transmitter unit;
a power input configured to receive power from a power line of the trailer;
a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a hand-held mobile communication device via a short range wireless communication link, the hand-held mobile communication device comprising a tablet or a smartphone;
a memory of the transmitter unit configured to store trailer information received from the hand-held mobile communication device via the wireless communication module, the trailer information comprising at least trailer ID data that uniquely identifies the trailer; and
a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the video data;
a receiver unit configured for mounting at the tractor, the receiver unit comprising;
a receiver configured to wirelessly receive the video data transmitted by the transmitter;
a power input configured to receive power from a power line of the tractor; and
an output configured to output the received video data;
wherein the receiver unit is further configured to receive the trailer information from the transmitter unit;
a media recorder configured for mounting at the tractor, the media recorder coupled to the receiver and configured to store the video data received by the receiver;
an onboard computer configured for mounting at the tractor, wherein one of the media recorder and the onboard computer is configured to associate the trailer ID with the video data stored on the media recorder; and
an onboard communication device coupled to one or both of the media recorder and the onboard computer, wherein the onboard communication device is configured to transmit the video data and associated trailer ID to a remote system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system comprises a transmitter unit configured for mounting at a trailer connected to a tractor. The transmitter unit comprises a video input for receiving video data from one or more trailer cameras, a power input for receiving power from a power line of the trailer, and a wireless communication module for communicating with a mobile communication device. A memory is configured to store trailer information received from the wireless communication module, the trailer information uniquely identifying the trailer. A transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the video data. A receiver unit is configured for mounting at the tractor and comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the video data transmitted by the transmitter, a power input for receiving power from a power line of the tractor, and an output for outputting the received video data. The receiver unit is further configured to receive the trailer information from the transmitter unit.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for use on a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer, the system comprising:
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a transmitter unit configured for mounting at the trailer, the transmitter unit comprising; a video input configured to receive video data from one or more cameras mounted at the trailer, at least one of the one or more cameras spaced away from the transmitter unit; a power input configured to receive power from a power line of the trailer; a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a hand-held mobile communication device via a short range wireless communication link, the hand-held mobile communication device comprising a tablet or a smartphone; a memory of the transmitter unit configured to store trailer information received from the hand-held mobile communication device via the wireless communication module, the trailer information comprising at least trailer ID data that uniquely identifies the trailer; and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the video data; a receiver unit configured for mounting at the tractor, the receiver unit comprising; a receiver configured to wirelessly receive the video data transmitted by the transmitter; a power input configured to receive power from a power line of the tractor; and an output configured to output the received video data; wherein the receiver unit is further configured to receive the trailer information from the transmitter unit; a media recorder configured for mounting at the tractor, the media recorder coupled to the receiver and configured to store the video data received by the receiver; an onboard computer configured for mounting at the tractor, wherein one of the media recorder and the onboard computer is configured to associate the trailer ID with the video data stored on the media recorder; and an onboard communication device coupled to one or both of the media recorder and the onboard computer, wherein the onboard communication device is configured to transmit the video data and associated trailer ID to a remote system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for use on a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer, the system comprising:
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an onboard system configured for mounting at the tractor comprising; an event detector configured to generate a trigger signal in response to occurrence of predetermined events derived from a vehicle computer; a media recorder; a communications device configured to effect communications between the system and a remote system; and an onboard computer coupled to the event detector, the media recorder, and the communications device; one or more image capture devices mounted at the trailer; and a wireless communication apparatus coupled to the media recorder and comprising; a transmitter unit configured for mounting at the trailer and to wirelessly transmit image data received from the one or more image capture devices, the transmitter unit comprising a wireless communication module configured to effect communication with a hand-held mobile communication device via a short range wireless communication link and further comprising a memory of the transmitter unit configured to store trailer information comprising trailer ID received from the hand-held mobile communication device via the wireless communication module; and a receiver unit configured for mounting at the tractor and to wirelessly receive the image data transmitted by the transmitter unit, the receiver unit further configured to output the received image data to the media recorder and to receive the trailer information from the transmitter unit; wherein the onboard computer is configured to coordinate recording of at least the image data on the media recorder in response to the trigger signal and to associate the trailer ID with at least the image data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23)
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18. A method for use on a vehicle comprising a tractor and a trailer, the method comprising:
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wirelessly receiving, at the trailer, trailer information including trailer ID from a hand-held mobile communication device via a short range wireless communication link; transmitting the trailer information including trailer ID information from the trailer; monitoring for occurrences of predetermined events derived from a vehicle computer while the vehicle is in operation; and in response to detecting a predetermined event; wirelessly transmitting video from the trailer; receiving the video and the trailer information at the tractor; recording at least the video at the tractor; and associating the trailer information with at least the video. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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Specification