SYSTEM FOR SIMPLIFIED TRAILER DRIVER COMMUNICATION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

• US 20080111667A1
• Filed: 11/15/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Asset Intelligence LLC (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Calver, Andrew John, Mackenzie, Patricia Denise, Graziano, Robert August, Forman, Douglas Roy, Intrator, Morgan Fredric
• Application Number:
  US11/559,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20080111667A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A device mounted on a tractor trailer is disclosed. The device includes at least one input from a sensor input device or at least one external communication device. The device further includes a receiver configured to receive an incoming data via either the sensor input device or the external communication device. The device also includes a processor configured to generate an alert message to be associated with the trailer on which the system is mounted. The device also includes a transmitter configured to broadcast a signal containing the alert message.

Claims

1. A device mounted on a trailer of a tractor trailer comprising:

at least one sensor input device or one external communication device

a receiver configured to receive an incoming data via either the sensor input device or the external communication device;

a processor configured to generate an alert message to be associated with the trailer on which the system is mounted; and

a transmitter configured to broadcast a signal containing the alert message to a cab in the tractor trailer.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a position sensing device configured to send position data to the processor.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the position sensing device is a global positioning device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor input device comprises a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor or a humidity sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the incoming data comprises a text message.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the incoming data comprises a voice message.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the alert message comprises a text message.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the alert message comprises a voice message.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal to be broadcasted to the cab comprises a signal transmitted via a FM radio signal, XM radio signal or WiFi signal.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal to be broadcasted to the cab comprises a signal transmitted from a radio frequency ID tag.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the incoming data received by the receiver comprises incoming data transmitted over a GEO satellite, a LEO satellite, a satellite radio or a cellular radio.

12. A system for communication comprising:

a remote hub; and

a receiver in a cab of the tractor trailer configured to receive a wireless signal containing an alert message from the remote hub.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of sensors disposed in a trailer of the tractor trailer configured to transmit data to the remote hub.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a back end control station configured to transmit a message to the remote hub for presentation to the receiver in a cab.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the signal is transmitted over a GEO satellite, a LEO satellite, a satellite radio or a cellular radio.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the alert message comprises a text message.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the alert message comprises a voice message.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the alert message is transmitted from a radio frequency ID tag.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the signal containing the alert message comprises a signal transmitted from the remote hub via a FM radio signal, XM radio signal or a WiFi signal.

20. A method of operation comprising:

receiving a signal corresponding to an incoming data via a remote hub;

determining if the incoming data needs to be compared with a preset data threshold;

transmitting the incoming data to a receiver in a cab of a tractor trailer if no comparison is needed;

comparing the incoming data with the preset data threshold if a comparison is needed;

determining if an alert message should be made based upon comparison;

producing the alert message; and

broadcasting the alert message to the receiver in the cab of the tractor trailer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving a signal comprises receiving via a GEO satellite, a LEO satellite, a satellite radio or a cellular radio.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein producing the alert message comprises converting the signal received to a text message.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein producing the alert message comprises converting the signal received to a voice message.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein broadcasting the alert message comprises broadcasting as a FM radio signal, XM radio signal or a WiFi signal.