Communications link between a tractor and trailer utilizing tractor circuitry
First Claim
1. A tractor communication system for establishing communications with an external system comprising:
- an electrical connector mounted to a tractor and having a number of electrical terminals adapted for connection to an electrical system external to the tractor;
a tractor electrical system including a first turn signal circuit having a first turn signal circuit path connected to one of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector; and
a communications device having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path, said communications device monitoring said first communications port and permitting communications over said first turn signal circuit path as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication link between a tractor and trailer is established utilizing existing dormant tractor and trailer circuitry. In one embodiment of the invention, a tractor communications device has a communications port connected to a turn signal circuit and a trailer communications device has a communications port connected to the same turn signal circuit. The two communications devices permit communications therebetween over the turn signal circuit as long as the turn signal circuit is inactive, and otherwise inhibits such communications. In another embodiment of the invention, each communications device includes a second communications port connected to the remaining tractor/trailer turn circuit. If electrical power is being supplied to the first turn signal circuit, the two communications devices automatically switch communications to the remaining dormant turn signal circuit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tractor communication system for establishing communications with an external system comprising:
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an electrical connector mounted to a tractor and having a number of electrical terminals adapted for connection to an electrical system external to the tractor; a tractor electrical system including a first turn signal circuit having a first turn signal circuit path connected to one of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector; and a communications device having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path, said communications device monitoring said first communications port and permitting communications over said first turn signal circuit path as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A trailer communication system for establishing communications with an external system comprising:
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an electrical connector mounted to a trailer and having a number of electrical terminals adapted for connection to an electrical system external to the trailer; a trailer electrical system including a first turn signal circuit having a first turn signal circuit path connected to one of said electrical terminals of said electrical connector; and a communications device having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path, said communications device monitoring said first communications port and permitting communications over said first turn signal circuit path as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tractor and trailer communications link comprising:
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a tractor electrical system associated with a tractor and including a first turn signal circuit defining a first turn signal circuit path; a tractor communications device associated with the tractor and having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path of said tractor electrical system; a trailer electrical system associated with a trailer and including a first turn signal circuit defining a first turn signal circuit path; a trailer communications device associated with the trailer and having a first communications port connected to said first turn signal circuit path of said trailer electrical system; and an electrical connection device extending between the tractor and trailer and connecting said first turn signal circuit path of said tractor electrical system to said first turn signal circuit path of said trailer electrical system to thereby complete a first turn signal circuit, said tractor and trailer communications devices monitoring said first communications ports respectively thereof and permitting communication therebetween over said first turn signal circuit as long as said first turn signal circuit is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of establishing a communications link between a tractor and a trailer, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a first tractor turn signal circuit to a first trailer turn signal circuit to complete a first turn signal circuit; monitoring said first turn signal circuit; and establishing a communications link on said first turn signal circuit as long as said first trailer turn signal circuit is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification