US5905433A — Trailer communications system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 54 words

A trailer communications system comprising: a trailer transducer unit for location on a trailer; a vehicle transducer unit for location on a vehicle; and the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit operable to communicate information in the form of acoustic signals broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 54 words

A trailer communications system comprising: a trailer transducer unit for location on a trailer; a vehicle transducer unit for location on a vehicle; and the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit operable to communicate information in the form of acoustic signals broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined event comprises one of a synchronization event, an alarm event, or the lapse of a predetermined interval.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined event comprises an event occurring on a seven-pin connector between the trailer and the vehicle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor located on the trailer and coupled to the trailer transducer unit, the sensor operable to monitor at least one of temperature, humidity, and pressure within the trailer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor located on the trailer and coupled to the trailer transducer unit, the sensor operable to detect an application of brakes on the trailer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the trailer transducer unit is further operable to support ranging between the trailer and another object.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 80 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the trailer transducer unit comprises: a trigger circuit operable to detect the predetermined event; a microprocessor coupled to the trigger circuit, the microprocessor operable to generate an electrical signal in response to the predetermined event; and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the microprocessor, the ultrasonic transducer operable to convert the electrical signal generated by the microprocessor into an acoustic signal, the ultrasonic transducer further operable to transmit the acoustic signal at an ultrasonic frequency.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system of claim 7, wherein the trigger circuit is coupled to a seven-pin connector wiring of the trailer, the trigger circuit operable to detect at least one of a brake signal, a turn signal, and a flasher signal on the seven-pin connector wiring.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the information communicated between the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit comprises at least one of identification information, status information, alarm information, and control information.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 1, further comprising a relay unit coupled to the vehicle transducer unit, the relay unit operable to relay the information communicated between the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit to a host.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 10, wherein the relay unit comprises a mobile positioning receiver operable to receive position determining information from a positioning system, the relay unit further operable to relay the position determining information to the host.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 10, wherein the relay unit comprises an interface operable to display the information communicated between the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle transducer unit comprises: an ultrasonic transducer operable to receive an acoustic signal from the trailer transducer unit, the ultrasonic transducer further operable to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal; and a microprocessor coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the microprocessor operable to receive and process the electrical signal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit on board the trailer and coupled to the trailer transducer unit, the control unit operable to adjust at least one of temperature, humidity, and pressure within the trailer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit are each operable to transmit information in the form of acoustic signals.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 1, wherein: the predetermined event comprises a synchronization event occurring substantially simultaneously on the trailer and the vehicle; and the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit detect the synchronization event.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 53 words

The system of claim 1, wherein: the predetermined event comprises a synchronization event; the trailer transducer unit transmits information in response to the synchronization event; and the vehicle transducer unit receives the information and determines that the received information is valid if received within a predetermined window of time after the synchronization event.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 84 words

A trailer communications system comprising: a trailer transducer unit for location on a trailer, the trailer transducer unit operable to store trailer identification information uniquely identifying the trailer, the trailer transducer unit operable to transmit the trailer identification information in the form of an acoustic signal broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event; and a vehicle transducer unit for location on a vehicle, the vehicle transducer unit operable to receive the trailer identification information transmitted by the trailer transducer unit.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 84 words

A trailer communications system comprising: a trailer transducer unit for location on a trailer, the trailer transducer unit operable to store trailer identification information uniquely identifying the trailer, the trailer transducer unit operable to transmit the trailer identification information in the form of an acoustic signal broadcast at an ultrasonic frequency in response to a predetermined event; and a vehicle transducer unit for location on a vehicle, the vehicle transducer unit operable to receive the trailer identification information transmitted by the trailer transducer unit.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 18, further comprising a relay unit coupled to the vehicle transducer unit, the relay unit operable to relay the trailer identification information to a host.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the trailer transducer unit is further operable to transmit at least one of status information and alarm information.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 18, wherein: the vehicle transducer unit is further operable to transmit control information in the form of an acoustic signal broadcast at ultrasonic frequency; and the trailer transducer unit is further operable to receive the control information transmitted by the vehicle transducer unit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the predetermined event comprises one of a synchronization event, an alarm event, or the lapse of a predetermined interval.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the predetermined event comprises an event occurring on a seven-pin connector between the trailer and the vehicle.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle transducer unit is further operable to transmit information in the form of acoustic signals.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 18, wherein: the predetermined event comprises a synchronization event occurring substantially simultaneously on the trailer and the vehicle; and the trailer transducer unit and the vehicle transducer unit detect the synchronization event.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 53 words

The system of claim 18, wherein: the predetermined event comprises a synchronization event; the trailer transducer unit transmits information in response to the synchronization event; and the vehicle transducer unit receives the information and determines that the received information is valid if received within a predetermined window of time after the synchronization event.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 183 words

A system for communication between a trailer and a vehicle, comprising: a trailer transducer unit located on the trailer, the trailer transducer unit comprising: a trigger circuit operable to detect a predetermined event; a first microprocessor coupled to the trigger circuit, the first microprocessor operable to generate an electrical signal for conveying information in response to the detection of the predetermined event; and a first ultrasonic transducer coupled to the first microprocessor, the first ultrasonic transducer operable to convert the electrical signal generated by the first microprocessor into an acoustic signal, the first ultrasonic transducer operable to transmit the acoustic signal at an ultrasonic frequency; and a vehicle transducer unit located on the vehicle, the vehicle transducer unit comprising: a second ultrasonic transducer operable to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the first ultrasonic transducer of the trailer transducer unit, the second ultrasonic transducer further operable to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal; and a second microprocessor coupled to the second ultrasonic transducer, the second microprocessor operable to process the electrical signal from the second ultrasonic transducer to recover the information.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 183 words

A system for communication between a trailer and a vehicle, comprising: a trailer transducer unit located on the trailer, the trailer transducer unit comprising: a trigger circuit operable to detect a predetermined event; a first microprocessor coupled to the trigger circuit, the first microprocessor operable to generate an electrical signal for conveying information in response to the detection of the predetermined event; and a first ultrasonic transducer coupled to the first microprocessor, the first ultrasonic transducer operable to convert the electrical signal generated by the first microprocessor into an acoustic signal, the first ultrasonic transducer operable to transmit the acoustic signal at an ultrasonic frequency; and a vehicle transducer unit located on the vehicle, the vehicle transducer unit comprising: a second ultrasonic transducer operable to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the first ultrasonic transducer of the trailer transducer unit, the second ultrasonic transducer further operable to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal; and a second microprocessor coupled to the second ultrasonic transducer, the second microprocessor operable to process the electrical signal from the second ultrasonic transducer to recover the information.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 27, wherein the predetermined event comprises one of a synchronization event, an alarm event, or the lapse of a predetermined interval.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 21, wherein the predetermined event comprises an event occurring on a seven-pin connector between the trailer and the vehicle.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 27, wherein the second ultrasonic transducer is further operable to transmit information in the form of an acoustic signal.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system of claim 27, wherein the vehicle transducer unit further comprises: a second trigger circuit operable to detect the predetermined event; and the second microprocessor further operable to determine that the acoustic signal received by the second ultrasonic transducer is valid if received within a predetermined window of time after the predetermined event.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-05-17	2002-11-16	2003-05-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-05-17	2006-11-16	2007-05-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-05-17	2010-11-16	2011-05-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Trailer communications system

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