System and method for vehicle theft-prevention
First Claim
1. A system for preventing theft of a semi trailer having a trailer brake system, said system comprising:
- a controller for operation upon the trailer brake system, said controller operating in a first configuration to lock the trailer brake system, and said controller operating in a second configuration to release the trailer brake system upon authorization of an authorized party;
at least one sensor for outputting a signal based on a characteristic of the semi trailer; and
a processor for receiving the signal from the sensor and directing the operation of the controller to lock or release the trailer brake system in response to the characteristic of the semi trailer;
wherein the controller for operation upon a trailer brake system comprises at least one motorized air control valve or three-way solenoid valve.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A theft-prevention and tracking system and method for semi truck trailers or other vehicles. One or more status indicators, such as location, indication of unauthorized tampering, disconnection of the trailer from the truck, etc. communicate an alarm to a remote monitoring and dispatch center. A stolen vehicle can be remotely stopped at the command and control of the remote monitoring and dispatch center. Upon occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as stopping and blowing off the air from the brake system, the vehicle'"'"'s brakes remain locked until entry of an authorization code or otherwise receiving authorization to proceed from the remote monitoring and dispatch center.
20 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for preventing theft of a semi trailer having a trailer brake system, said system comprising:
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a controller for operation upon the trailer brake system, said controller operating in a first configuration to lock the trailer brake system, and said controller operating in a second configuration to release the trailer brake system upon authorization of an authorized party; at least one sensor for outputting a signal based on a characteristic of the semi trailer; and a processor for receiving the signal from the sensor and directing the operation of the controller to lock or release the trailer brake system in response to the characteristic of the semi trailer; wherein the controller for operation upon a trailer brake system comprises at least one motorized air control valve or three-way solenoid valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A theft-resistant semi trailer comprising:
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a cargo container portion with at least one cargo access door movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of wheels, a trailer air brake system operable between an engaged position restricting rolling of the wheels and a released position allowing rolling of the wheels, and at least one landing gear support structure; and a theft-prevention and tracking system for preventing movement of the semi trailer without authorization from an authorized party, said theft-prevention and tracking system comprising; at least one valve operably connected to the trailer air brake system, wherein the at least one valve is a motorized air control valve or a three-way solenoid valve, a plurality of sensors including at least one landing gear sensor for sensing a weight loading condition of the at least one landing gear support structure, at least one magnetic door lock for locking the at least one cargo access door, a vehicle a computer for controlling the at least one valve and the at least one magnetic door lock, and for receiving input from the plurality of sensors, a keypad for inputting authorization data to the computer, a transceiver for communication between the computer and a remote monitoring station; and a global positioning locator for determining a geographic location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of preventing theft of a semi trailer having a brake system, said method comprising outputting a signal based on a characteristic of the vehicle, processing the signal to determine a vehicle status, and engaging or releasing the brake system of the semi trailer in response to the determined status, wherein at least one electronically-controlled air valve external to the vehicle brake system is used to engage or release the brake system in response to the determined status, and wherein engagement of the brake system prevents movement of the semi trailer until released by an authorized party.
Specification