Vehicle status monitor and management system employing satellite communication
First Claim
1. Status monitoring apparatus for a vehicle having at least first and second parts comprising:
- (a) a tag for placement on the second part of the vehicle, the tag providing signals containing a unique ID code when the second part of the vehicle is coupled to the first part of the vehicle; and
(b) an interface unit (IFU) for placement in the first part of the vehicle for detecting the presence of a valid ID code from the tag and for providing a status indication that the second part is connected when a valid ID code is detected and that the second part is disconnected when a valid ID code is not detected, the IFU having means for providing the status indication, and the ID code when a valid ID code has been detected, to a mobile satellite transmitter (MST) on the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle are disclosed. Apparatus according to the invention comprises a tag on a second part of the vehicle which impresses a unique ID code of the vehicle'"'"'s existing electrical system. An interface unit in a first part of the vehicle detects the presence of a valid ID code on the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system and in response provides an indication that the second part of the vehicle is connected. A mobile satellite transmitter provides data indicative of the status of the vehicle to an earth station via a satellite. Vehicle position data is also provided to the earth station with each transmission.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. Status monitoring apparatus for a vehicle having at least first and second parts comprising:
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(a) a tag for placement on the second part of the vehicle, the tag providing signals containing a unique ID code when the second part of the vehicle is coupled to the first part of the vehicle; and (b) an interface unit (IFU) for placement in the first part of the vehicle for detecting the presence of a valid ID code from the tag and for providing a status indication that the second part is connected when a valid ID code is detected and that the second part is disconnected when a valid ID code is not detected, the IFU having means for providing the status indication, and the ID code when a valid ID code has been detected, to a mobile satellite transmitter (MST) on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 19, 28)
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11. Status monitoring system for a vehicle of the type comprising a tractor and a detachable trailer, the tractor having a power bus with a power cable that is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is coupled to the tractor, the trailer having a power bus that is energized and electrically coupled to the tractor'"'"'s power bus when the power cable is connected thereto, the system comprising:
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(a) a tag on the trailer for electronically impressing an ID code on the trailer'"'"'s power bus when energized, the ID code uniquely identifying the trailer; (b) an interface unit (IFU) on the tractor for detecting the presence of a valid ID code on the tractor'"'"'s power bus and for providing a status indication that a trailer is connected to the tractor when a valid ID code is detected and that no trailer is connected to the tractor when a valid ID code is not detected; (c) a mobile satellite transmitter (MST) for receiving the status indication from the IFU and transmitting the same at preselected intervals to an earth station via a space-based satellite. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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31. Method of monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle having at least first and second parts comprising the steps of:
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(a) impressing unique ID code on an existing electrical system of the vehicle when a second part of the vehicle is connected to a first part of the vehicle; (b) detecting whether a valid ID code has been impressed on the vehicle'"'"'s existing electrical system; (c) providing a status indication representing the connect/disconnect status of the second part of the vehicle based upon the result of step (b); (d) transmitting the status indication, and also the ID code if a valid ID code has been detected, to a central station at regular preselected intervals; (e) transmitting the status indication and the ID code to the central station substantially immediately upon any change in the status indication. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification