Automatic tractor/trailer tracking system

• US 9,409,510 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott Feagan
• Original Assignee: Scott Feagan
• Inventors: Feagan, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US14/080,392
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member

Abstract

An automatic tractor/trailer tracking system (ATTS) that functions in combination with a power connector and an electronic circuit. The power connector has a hinged cover which can be positioned in either a closed vertical position or in an open horizontal position. The electronic circuit interfaces with the hinged cover such that when the cover is placed in an open position the attached electronic circuit is enabled. The enabled electronic circuit produces asset a set of trailer status signals that are sent by a wireless means to a remote receiver where the signals are reviewed.

Claims

1. An automatic tractor/trailer tracking system ATTS that functions in combination with a power connector attached to a front structure of a trailer and a tractor, wherein the power connector has a hinged cover that is either in a closed vertical position or in an open horizontal position, and a remote receiver, wherein said ATTS is comprised of an electronic circuit comprising,

a) a microcontroller having a first input, a second input, a third input and an output,

b) a set of preset signals applied to the first input of said microcontroller,

c) a transmitter having a first input, a second input and an output, wherein the first input is connected to the second output of said microcontroller,

d) a switching unit having an input and an output, wherein the output is connected to the second input of said microcontroller,

e) a battery having a first output connected to the third input of said microcontroller, a second output connected to the input of said switching unit, a third output connected to the second input of said transmitter, and a fourth output connected to circuit ground, and

f) an RF antenna connected to the output of said transmitter, wherein when the hinged cover of the power connector transitions from the closed vertical position to the open horizontal position, said switching unit closes, causing power from said battery to enable said microcontroller, thereby causing said microcontroller to wirelessly and automatically send via said transmitter and said RF antenna a set of trailer status signals to the remote receiver.

2. An automatic tractor/trailer tracking system ATTS that functions in combination with a power connector attached to a front structure of a trailer and a tractor, wherein the power connector has a hinged cover that is either in a closed vertical position or in an open horizontal position, and a remote receiver, wherein said ATTS is comprised of an electronic circuit comprising,

a) a microcontroller having a first input, a second input, a third input and an output,

b) a set of preset signals applied to the first input of said microcontroller,

c) a transmitter having a first input, a second input and an output, wherein the first input is connected to the second output of said microcontroller,

d) a switching unit having an input and an output, wherein the output is connected to the second input of said microcontroller,

e) a battery having a first output connected to the third input of said microcontroller, a second output connected to the input of said switching unit, a third output connected to the second input of said transmitter, and a fourth output connected to circuit ground, and

f) an RF antenna connected to the output of said transmitter, wherein when the hinged cover of the power connector transitions from an open horizontal position to a closed vertical position, said switching unit opens, causing the power from said battery to not be applied to said microcontroller, wherein said microcontroller goes into a sleep mode which is maintained until the hinged cover transitions from the closed vertical position to the open horizontal position.