System and method for remotely monitoring the connect/disconnect status of a multiple part vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Status monitoring apparatus for a vehicle having a first part and at least one second part comprising:
- (a) tag means for placement on the second part of the vehicle, the tag providing a unique ID code;
(b) processing means for placement on the first part of the vehicle for detecting the presence of a valid ID code from the tag means and or providing a status indication that the second part has been connected to the first part when a valid ID code is detected and that the second part has been disconnected from the first part when a valid ID code has not been detected; and
,(c) transmitting means for placement on the first part of the vehicle for transmitting at least the status indication to a remote location.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a tag for placement on a second part of the vehicle. The tag communicates a unique ID code to an interface unit on the first part of the vehicle. The interface unit detects the presence of a valid ID code, and in response, provides an indication that the second part of the vehicle is connected. A transmitter provides data indicative of the connect/disconnect status of the vehicle to a central station. Vehicle position data may also be provided to the central station.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. Status monitoring apparatus for a vehicle having a first part and at least one second part comprising:
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(a) tag means for placement on the second part of the vehicle, the tag providing a unique ID code; (b) processing means for placement on the first part of the vehicle for detecting the presence of a valid ID code from the tag means and or providing a status indication that the second part has been connected to the first part when a valid ID code is detected and that the second part has been disconnected from the first part when a valid ID code has not been detected; and
,(c) transmitting means for placement on the first part of the vehicle for transmitting at least the status indication to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 39, 43)
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14. Status monitoring system for a vehicle of the type comprising a tractor and a detachable trailer, the tractor having a power source coupled to a power bus with a power cable that is connectable to the trailer to energize a power bus of the trailer, the system comprising:
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a) a tag on the trailer for electronically impressing an ID code onto a medium when the trailer'"'"'s power bus is 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 medium 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; and
,c) a transmitter for receiving the status indication from the IFU and transmitting at least the status indication at periodic intervals to a receiving station. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 37, 41)
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29. Method of monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle having a first and at least one second part comprising the steps of:
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a) impressing a unique ID code on a medium when the second part of the vehicle is connected to the first part of the vehicle; b) detecting whether a valid ID code has been impressed on the medium; 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, a to a central station at periodic intervals; and
,e) transmitting the status indication and the ID code to the central station upon any change in the status indication. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 40)
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42. Apparatus according to claim wherein the transmitter transmits at least the status indication to a satellite, and data indicative of vehicle position is determined remotely of the vehicle based, at least in part, upon the transmission from the transmitter.
Specification