Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling tractor/trailer vehicle systems

• US 7,059,689 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Talk Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Power Talk Incorporated
• Inventors: Weant, Bobby Ray, Lesesky, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, PAMELA
• Application Number:
  US10/957,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20050040701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 303/7, 303/122.02, 303/122.05, 303/122.06, 303/122.08, 303/123, 303/124, 340/431, 340/438, 340/3.1, 340/825.36
• US Class Current: 303/122.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2016/0322 Temporary code for documents to be reclassified to G08C, H04L or H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/66 Electrical control in fluid-pressure brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/406 Test-mode; Self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/20 specially for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of or overrunning by trailer inertia-actuated overrun brakes B60T13/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1708 for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/323 Systems specially adapted for tractor-trailer combinations
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry

Abstract

A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the command is received from an operator positioned in the tractor.

Claims

1. A method of remotely monitoring a subsystem positioned on a vehicle that produces a data signal representing a status of the subsystem and a power bus which distributes electrical power to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

producing a data communications signal from the data signal;

modulating the data communications signal to produce a spread spectrum data communications signal;

transmitting the spread spectrum data communications signal using the power bus;

remotely receiving the spread spectrum data communications signal; and

determining the status of the subsystem from the received spread spectrum data communications signal.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting the spread spectrum data communications signal comprises the step of superposing the spread spectrum data communications signal on the power bus.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining the status of the subsystem comprises the step of indicating said status of the subsystem to an operator of the vehicle.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining the status of the subsystem comprises the steps of:

producing a data-modulated digital carrier signal including a plurality of transitions from the received spread spectrum data communications signal; and

detecting the status of the subsystem from the transitions of said data-modulated digital carrier signal occurring during a predetermined time interval.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of communicating a command to the subsystem wherein said communicating step comprises the steps of:

producing a data communications signal representing the command;

modulating the data communications signal to produce a spread spectrum data communications signal;

transmitting the spread spectrum data communications signal using the power bus;

receiving the spread spectrum data communications signal; and

controlling the subsystem based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of transmitting the spread spectrum data communications signal comprises the step of superposing the spread spectrum data communications signal on the power bus.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of communicating is preceded by the step of receiving a command from an operator of the vehicle.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of controlling the subsystem comprises the step of producing a command signal from the spread spectrum data communications signal.