Method and apparatus for data exchange between towing vehicle and trailer
First Claim
1. A method for the exchange of data between a towing vehicle and an attached trailer, wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are connected electrically via a connection line, and wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are equipped for transmitting and receiving radio signals, comprising the following steps:
- a. upon starting up said towing vehicle, transmitting an identification signal from said towing vehicle, b. said towing vehicle also simultaneously modifying the status of said connection line, c. upon said trailer receiving said identification signal transmitted from said towing vehicle, and simultaneously recognizing said modified status of said connection line, said trailer then storing said identification signal, d. subsequently exchanging data between said towing vehicle and said trailer using said identification signal as an enabling code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for data exchange between a towing vehicle and an attached trailer uses radio contact via transmission/receiving modules contained in the towing vehicle and in the trailer. To recognize that the towing vehicle and the trailer are connected, the transmission/receiving module of the towing vehicle transmits an identification signal, and at the same time, changes the electrical status of a connection line between the towing vehicle and the trailer. If the transmission/receiving module located in the trailer recognizes the change in the electrical status of the connection line simultaneously with receiving the transmitted identification signal, the identification signal is stored within the trailer. In subsequent communications between the towing vehicle and the trailer, the identification signal is always transmitted before the message. As such, only the attached trailer, with the appropriate stored identification signal, can communicate with its towing vehicle. Moreover, the same technique can be used for multiple trailers attached to the same towing vehicle.
77 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for the exchange of data between a towing vehicle and an attached trailer, wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are connected electrically via a connection line, and wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are equipped for transmitting and receiving radio signals, comprising the following steps:
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a. upon starting up said towing vehicle, transmitting an identification signal from said towing vehicle, b. said towing vehicle also simultaneously modifying the status of said connection line, c. upon said trailer receiving said identification signal transmitted from said towing vehicle, and simultaneously recognizing said modified status of said connection line, said trailer then storing said identification signal, d. subsequently exchanging data between said towing vehicle and said trailer using said identification signal as an enabling code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for the exchange of data between a towing vehicle and a trailer, said towing vehicle having a brake and a directional signal blinker, wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are connected electrically via a connection line, and wherein said towing vehicle and said trailer are equipped for transmitting and receiving radio signals, comprising the following steps:
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a. upon actuating either said brake or said directional signal blinker of said towing vehicle, transmitting an identification signal from said towing vehicle, b. said towing vehicle also simultaneously modifying the status of said connection line, c. said trailer receiving said identification signal transmitted from said towing vehicle, and simultaneously recognizing said modified status of said connection line, said trailer then storing said identification signal, d. subsequently exchanging data between said towing vehicle and said trailer using said identification signal as an enabling code. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for exchanging data between a towing vehicle and an attached trailer, comprising:
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a. a first electronic control system located in said towing vehicle, b. a second electronic control system located in said trailer, c. a connection line which electrically connects said first and second control systems, d. a first transmission/receiving module located in said towing vehicle, for wireless communication, e. a second transmission/receiving module located in said trailer, for wireless communication, wherein said first transmission/receiving module transmits an identification signal when said towing vehicle is started, and simultaneously, said first electronic control system modifies the electrical status of said connection line, and when said second electronic control system receives said identification signal via said second transmission/receiving module, and simultaneously recognizes said modified electrical status of said connection line, said second control system stores said identification signal, and subsequently recognizes only those transmitted messages which are preceded by said identification signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for exchanging data between a towing vehicle, having a brake and a directional signal blinker, and an attached trailer, comprising:
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a. a first electronic control system located in said towing vehicle, b. a second electronic control system located in said trailer, c. a connection line which electrically connects said first and second control systems, d. a first transmission/receiving module located in said towing vehicle, for wireless communication, e. a second transmission/receiving module located in said trailer, for wireless communication, wherein said first transmission/receiving module transmits an identification signal when either said brake or said directional signal blinker of said towing vehicle is actuated, and simultaneously, said first electronic control system modifies the electrical status of said connection line, and when said second electronic control system receives said identification signal via said second transmission/receiving module, and simultaneously recognizes said modified electrical status of said connection line, said second control system stores said identification signal, and subsequently recognizes only those transmitted messages which are preceded by said identification signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification