Apparatus for providing convenience services to stationary vehicles
First Claim
1. A service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer, comprising;
- a housing;
a supply panel coupled to said housing and operable to attach to a cab of a tractor trailer, said supply panel providing conditioned air to said cab and providing at least one convenience service selected from the group consisting of radio signals, electrical power, telephone, computer network and video;
an interactive control configured to activate said service unit, to generate a signal initiated by a user to terminate usage of said service unit, and to electronically obtain payment for prior use of said service unit based on time of usage of said service unit; and
a display configured to provide information to an operator of said service unit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for providing convenience services to a stationary vehicle independent of the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system. At least one conduit is attached to a housing for transferring the services to a supply panel. The supply panel includes a face on which the various controls and connectors associated with the supplied convenience services, such as heating, cooling, electrical power, compressed air, computer network communications, telephone, video, and television, are disposed. The supply panel is dimensioned to interface with the stationary vehicle through an opening in the vehicle, such as a window or service door, and includes means for providing a substantially airtight seal for climate control.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer, comprising;
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a housing; a supply panel coupled to said housing and operable to attach to a cab of a tractor trailer, said supply panel providing conditioned air to said cab and providing at least one convenience service selected from the group consisting of radio signals, electrical power, telephone, computer network and video; an interactive control configured to activate said service unit, to generate a signal initiated by a user to terminate usage of said service unit, and to electronically obtain payment for prior use of said service unit based on time of usage of said service unit; and a display configured to provide information to an operator of said service unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer, comprising:
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a housing; a supply panel coupled to said housing and operable to attach to a cab of a tractor trailer; wherein said supply panel provides conditioned air to said cab and having at least one interface selected from the group consisting of telephone, computer network and video; an interactive control operable to activate said service unit, to generate a signal initiated by a user to terminate usage of said service unit, and to electronically obtain payment for prior use of said service unit based on time of usage of said service unit; and a display configured to provide information to an operator of said service unit.
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21. A service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer, comprising:
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a housing; a supply panel coupled to said housing and operable to attach to a cab of a tractor trailer, said supply panel providing conditioned air to said cab; an interactive control operable to activate said service unit so as to provide conditioned air to said cab, to generate a signal initiated by a user to terminate usage of said service unit, and to electronically obtain payment for prior use of said service unit based on time of usage of said service unit; and a display configured to provide information to an operator of said service unit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer, comprising;
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a housing; a supply panel coupled to said housing and operable to attach to a cab of a tractor trailer, said supply panel providing at least one convenience service selected from the group consisting of radio signals, electrical power, telephone, computer network and video; an interactive control operable to activate said service unit, to generate a signal initiated by a user to terminate usage of said service unit, and to electronically obtain payment for prior use of said service unit based on time of usage of said service unit; and a display configured to provide information to an operator of said service unit.
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Specification