Wireless replication, verification, and tracking apparatus and methods for towed vehicles

• US 20060028327A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delbert Amis
• Original Assignee: Delbert Amis
• Inventors: Amis, Delbert
• Application Number:
  US11/197,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028327A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/00 Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates

Abstract

In some preferred embodiments, a smart socket adapter is utilized. The male plug on the towed end of the wiring harness is unplugged from the female tow port that is part of the towed vehicles wiring package. A smart socket adapter is inserted into the towed unit'"'"'s female tow port and the wiring harness male plug is then plugged into the new adapter. Preferred embodiments of this adapter have smart circuits that transmit wireless signals to a verification device that is located in the towing unit. Advantages of the present invention include facilitation of a safer tow operation, because the towing operator will know at all times if the integrity of the tow connections and replication of signals has been maintained. In another embodiment, a wireless transmitting smart plug is plugged onto a standard wiring socket on the towing unit and a wireless receiving smart plug is plugged into a standard wiring socket on the towed unit. Replication of the command signal at the receiving unit is accomplished by utilization of the receiving unit'"'"'s existing wiring in conjunction with the addition of a power source to run the lights. Verification of receiver unit signal activation is accomplished by utilization of the same additional power source. In yet another embodiment, command signal replication and verification is accomplished by replacing brake, turning signal, and running light bulbs in both the command and the receiving units with smart bulbs that communicate with each other. In still another embodiment, command replication and verification is accomplished by the addition of smart bulb sockets in both the command and the receiver units that communicate with each other. In yet a further embodiment, signal replication and verification can be accomplished by utilizing the receiving unit'"'"'s existing wiring with no additional power source. In such embodiments, an identification chip may further be integrated therein.

Claims

1. In a wireless lighting control system between towing and towed vehicles, each having a respective lighting system, for enabling the towed vehicle to replicate the lighting condition of the towing vehicle, the improvement comprising:

lighting replication means including a wireless signal connection means disposed between the respective lighting systems of the towing and towed vehicles, and further including transmitter and receiver means operatively and physically connected to said respective lighting systems of said towing and towed vehicles.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said transmitter and receiver means further comprises respective towing and towed electrical connecting means for respectively electrically interconnecting the transmitter means with the electrical system of the towing vehicle and the receiving means with the electrical system of the towed vehicle.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said towing and towed electrical connecting means comprises means for physically plugging the transmitter and receiver means into respective wiring harnesses carried respectively by the towing and towed vehicles to establish an electrical signal therebetween.

4. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising verification means operatively connected to at least one of said transmitter and receiving means for indicating signal interconnection therebetween.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises a transmitter socket adaptor operatively connected to said towing vehicle electrical system.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said receiver means comprises a receiver socket adaptor operatively connected to said towed vehicle electrical system.

7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises a transmitter light bulb operatively connected to said towing vehicle electrical system.

8. The improvement of claim 1 wherein a receiving light bulb is operatively connected to said towed vehicle electrical system.

9. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means comprises a screen disposed within said towing vehicle for viewing by the operator thereof.

10. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means includes means for indicating the operational condition of the lighting system of the towed vehicle.

11. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means includes means for displaying at least one discrete signal received from the towing vehicle.

12. The improvement of claim 11, wherein said towing vehicle displayed discrete signal is selected from the group consisting of brake, running, left and right signals.

13. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means displays at least one discrete signal received from said towed vehicle.

14. The improvement of claim 13 wherein said towed vehicle displayed discrete signal is selected from the group consisting of brake, running, left and right signals.

15. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means includes a locator indicator.

16. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said verification means includes a power indicator.

17. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said wireless connector comprises Bluetooth apparatus.

18. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said wireless connector comprises radio frequency (RF) apparatus.

19. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a towed vehicle power source operatively connected to said towed vehicle electrical system.

20. The improvement of claim 19 wherein said power source for said towed vehicle is rechargeable.

21. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising a locator chip operatively connected to and carried by said towed vehicle.

22. The improvement of claim 21 wherein said locator chip sends an active signal.

23. The improvement of claim 21 wherein said locator chip is passive.

24. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said wireless connection means includes internal random code writers whereby to assure signal independence, non-interference and integrity.

25. In a lighting control system between towing and towed vehicles, each having a respective lighting system, for enabling the towed vehicle to replicate the lighting condition of the towing vehicle, the improvement comprising:

lighting replication means including a signal connection means disposed between the respective lighting systems of the towing and towed vehicles, and further including transmitter and receiver means operatively and physically connected to said respective lighting systems of said towing and towed vehicles.

26. The improvement of claim 25 further comprising verification means operatively connected to at least one of said transmitter and receiving means for indicating signal interconnection therebetween.