Vehicle data retrieval system

• US 20040083040A1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Sibley, Robert, Malinowski, Mark, Parrott, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/281,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20040083040A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A vehicle data retrieval system comprises a trailer and a data unit on the trailer. The data unit has access to vehicle information about the trailer and has a power input. A portable handheld computing device has a power output that powers the data unit through the power input and permits the retrieval of vehicle information from the data unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle data retrieval system, comprising:

a trailer;

a data unit on said trailer, accessing vehicle information about said trailer and having a power input; and

a portable handheld computing device having a power output in communication with said power input, powering said data unit and retrieving said vehicle information from said data unit.

2. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said portable handheld computing device includes a battery storing power for said power output.

3. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said power output supplies a dc voltage to said power input.

4. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 including a line between said portable handheld computing device and said data unit, communicating power from said power output to said power input.

5. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 4 wherein said line further communicates data between said portable handheld computing device and said data unit.

6. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said portable handheld computing device stores data from said data unit.

7. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said portable handheld computing device displays data from said data unit.

8. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said portable handheld computing device converts data from said data unit from a first computer protocol to a second computer protocol.

10. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said vehicle information comprises at least one of trailer mileage information, fault status information, or vehicle identification information.

11. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said data unit comprises a portion of an anti-lock braking system.

9. The vehicle data retrieval system of claim 9 wherein said first computer protocol comprises PLC format and said second computer protocol comprises 1587 format.

12. A portable handheld computing device, comprising:

a housing having a display;

a processor within said housing in communication with said display; and

a battery within said housing, storing a predetermined amount of power sufficient to activate a data unit holding vehicle information on a trailer and to permit said processor to access the vehicle information from the data unit.

13. The portable handheld computing device of claim 12 wherein said power comprises a direct current voltage.

14. The portable handheld computing device of claim 13 wherein said direct current voltage is 12 volts.

15. The portable handheld computing device of claim 12 including a power supply link.

16. The portable handheld computing device of claim 15 wherein said power supply link serves as a data link to provide said processor with the vehicle information.

17. The portable handheld computing device of claim 16 wherein said power supply link comprises a J560 trailer harness.

18. A method of vehicle data retrieval comprising the steps of:

a) supplying power from a battery of a portable handheld computing device to a data unit on a trailer;

b) activating the data unit to retrieve vehicle data concerning a status of the trailer;

c) retrieving the vehicle information through the portable handheld computing device; and

d) storing the vehicle information on the portable handheld computing device.

19. The method of claim 18 including the step of e) downloading the vehicle data to a computer.

20. The method of claim 18 including the step of f) converting the vehicle data from a first computer format to a second computer format.