METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADDRESSING IMPROPER TOWING OF A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. Method for addressing improper towing of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving a vehicle power signal that is representative of the power status of the vehicle;
b) receiving a wheel movement signal that is representative of movement in a wheel of the vehicle;
c) utilizing the vehicle power signal and the wheel movement signal to determine if the vehicle is being improperly towed; and
d) if the vehicle is being improperly towed, then responding with a remedial action.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system that can be used to address improper towing of a vehicle so that unnecessary damage to the vehicle can be detected, recorded, prevented, avoided, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a vehicle power signal and one or more wheel movement signal(s) to detect instances of improper towing and, if detected, initiates a remedial action. Remedial actions could include, for example, alerting the tow truck operator through a visual and/or audible alarm, sending a wireless warning message to a remote call center, and recording the relevant information for subsequent analysis. In one embodiment, the wheel movement signals are provided by tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors already located in the vehicle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Method for addressing improper towing of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a vehicle power signal that is representative of the power status of the vehicle; b) receiving a wheel movement signal that is representative of movement in a wheel of the vehicle; c) utilizing the vehicle power signal and the wheel movement signal to determine if the vehicle is being improperly towed; and d) if the vehicle is being improperly towed, then responding with a remedial action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. System for addressing improper towing of a vehicle, comprising:
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a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensor that is coupled to a wheel of the vehicle and provides a wheel movement signal that is representative of movement of the wheel; a first electronic module that receives the wheel movement signal from the TPM sensor and is usually powered up when the vehicle is in a power-mode off condition; and a second electronic module that is coupled to the first electronic module and is usually powered down when the vehicle is in a power-mode off condition; wherein during a power-mode off condition, movement of the wheel causes;
i) the TPM sensor to send the wheel movement signal to the first electronic module, ii) the first electronic module to wake up the second electronic module, iii) the second electronic module to utilize the wheel movement signal and the power-mode off condition to determine if the vehicle is being improperly towed, and iv) the second electronic module to initiate a remedial action if the vehicle is being improperly towed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification