System for preventing unauthorized trailer uncoupling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
- a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) determining a location of the trailer with a global positioning system; and
, d) taking a picture of a vehicle driver when it is determined that the trailer has been uncoupled outside the planned uncoupling area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting uncoupling of a trailer outside a planned uncoupling area. A global positioning system determines the location of the trailer. A vehicle computer coupled to the global positioning system is used to determine whether the trailer has been uncoupled outside a planned uncoupling area.
57 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) determining a location of the trailer with a global positioning system; and
,d) taking a picture of a vehicle driver when it is determined that the trailer has been uncoupled outside the planned uncoupling area.
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2. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) determining a location of the trailer with a global positioning system. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) automatically securing the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) automatically securing said trailer by deflating a tire of said trailer.
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13. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area; and
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
,c) a camera coupled to said computer for taking a picture of the driver when it is determined that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
,c) a trailer battery backup controlled by said computer for powering electronics on said trailer, said computer being programmed to activate said battery backup when said trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area.
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19. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
,c) a fifth wheel on said vehicle having a lock controlled by said computer, said computer being programmed to activate said lock on said fifth wheel when said trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area.
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20. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area; and
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area and programmed to automatically securing said trailer when said trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) a vehicle computer programmed to define a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) a global positioning system coupled to said computer for determining a location of the trailer, said computer being programmed to determine that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area and programmed to automatically securing said trailer when said trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
,c) wherein said automatically securing said trailer comprises automatically deflating tires of said trailer.
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24. A method of monitoring a vehicle trailer uncoupling, comprising:
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a) defining a planned trailer uncoupling area;
b) automatically determining that the trailer has been uncoupled outside said planned uncoupling area; and
c) determining a location of the trailer.
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Specification