Vehicle status monitor and management system employing satellite communication

We claim:

1. Status monitoring apparatus for a vehicle having at least first and second parts comprising:

(a) a tag for placement on the second part of the vehicle, the tag providing signals containing a unique ID code when the second part of the vehicle is coupled to the first part of the vehicle; and

(b) an interface unit (IFU) for placement in the first part of the vehicle for detecting the presence of a valid ID code from the tag and for providing a status indication that the second part is connected when a valid ID code is detected and that the second part is disconnected when a valid ID code is not detected, the IFU having means for providing the status indication, and the ID code when a valid ID code has been detected, to a mobile satellite transmitter (MST) on the vehicle.

2. Appartus according to claim 1 wherein the MST operates under control of the IFU to normally transmit the status indication, and the ID code when available, at regular preselected intervals but is responsive to a command from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit (i) the status indication and ID code when the presence of a valid ID code is initially detected and (ii) the status indication and the last detected ID code when the lack of a valid ID code is initially detected.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle comprises a power bus and the tag impresses the signals on the power bus for receipt by the IFU.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the tag modulates the power bus with the ID code.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the MST includes a position locating system for providing vehicle position data and each transmission by the MST includes vehicle position data.

6. Apparatus to claim 1 wherein the tag is dumb and cyclically and repeatedly provides the signals containing the ID code.

7. Apparartus according to claim 1 wherein the tag is smart and is responsive to a request from the IFU to provide the signals containing the ID code.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the tag is responsive to commands from a field programmer to alter the ID code.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a RDSS system provides vehicle position data to an earth station based upon each MST transmission.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the tag is responsive to commands from a field programmer to alter an operating program stored in a memory in the tag.

11. Status monitoring system for a vehicle of the type comprising a tractor and a detachable trailer, the tractor having a power bus with a power cable that is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is coupled to the tractor, the trailer having a power bus that is energized and electrically coupled to the tractor's power bus when the power cable is connected thereto, the system comprising:

(a) a tag on the trailer for electronically impressing an ID code on the trailer's power bus when energized, the ID code uniquely identifying the trailer:

(b) an interface unit (IFU) on the tractor for detecting the presence of a valid ID code on the tractor's power bus and for providing a status indication that a trailer is connected to the tractor when a valid ID code is detected and that no trailer is connected to the tractor when a valid ID code is not detected;

(c) a mobile satellite transmitter (MST) for receiving the status indication from the IFU and transmitting the same at preselected intervals to an earth station via a space-based satellite.

12. System according to claim 1 wherein the tag repeatedly and cyclically impresses the ID code on the trailer's power bus and the IFU monitors the tractor's power bus to determine whether a valid ID code has been impressed thereon.

13. Systems according to claim 11 wherein the tag has inputs for trailer sensors that provide trailer parameter data, the tag further impressing the trailer parameter data on the trailer's power bus, the IFU reading the trailer parameter data from the tractor's power bus and providing the same to the MST for transmission to the earth station.

14. System according to claim 11 wherein the tag comprises a modem and the ID code is impressed on the trailer's power bus by modulating the same with serial digital data.

15. System according to claim 11 wherein the tag comprises:

(a) nonvolatile memory means for storing the ID code;

(b) counter means for repeatedly and cyclically addressing sequential locations of the memory means and reading out data stored therein;

(c) modem means for modulating the data read out from the memory;

(d) a buffer/transmitter means for impressing the modulated data on the trailer's power bus.

16. System according to claim 11 wherein the tag comprises:

(a) alterable memory means for storing the ID code;

(b) microcomputer means coupled to the memory means for reading data stored therein;

(c) modem means coupled to the microcomputer means for modulating data read from the memory means and for demodulating data to be processed by the microcomputer means;

(d) receiver/transmitter/buffer means for impressing modulated data from the modem means onto the trailer's power bus and for providing modulated data appearing on the trailer's power bus to the modem means.

17. System according to claim 16 wherein the microcomputer means is responsive to a field programmer connectable to the power bus to alter the ID code stored in the memory means.

18. System according to claim 11 wherein the IFU has inputs for tractor sensors that provide tractor parameter data, the IFU reading the tractor parameter data and providing the same to the MST for transmission to the earth station.

19. System according to claim 9 wherein the IFU has an input for receiving an alarm signal from a vehicle protection device, the IFU providing the alarm indication to the MST for transmission to the earth station.

20. System according to claim 14 wherein the IFU comprises:

(a) receiver/buffer means for receiving modulated serial digital data appearing on the tractor's power bus;

(b) modem means operatively coupled to the receiver/buffer means for demodulating received data;

(c) first means for converting demodulated data to parallel data format;

(d) microcomputer means for determining whether the parallel data includes a valid ID code, the microcomputer means providing the status indication and further providing any detected ID code;

(e) second means for converting the status indication and any detected ID code provided by the microcomputer means into serial data format for presentation to a serial communications port of the MST.

21. System according to claim 20 wherein the IFU further comprises a display for visually presenting vehicle status information.

22. System according to claim 20 wherein the first and second means comprise universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters.

23. System according to claim 11 wherein the MST operates under control of the IFU to normally transmit the status indication at the preselected intervals but is responsive to a command from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit (i) the status indication when the presence of a valid ID code is initially detected and (ii) the status indication and the last detected ID code when the lack of a valid ID code is initially detected.

24. System according to claim 11 wherein the IFU has an input for receiving an alarm signal from a vehicle protection device and wherein the MST operates under control of the IFU to normally transmit the status indication at the preselected intervals but is responsive to a command from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit an alarm indication when an alarm signal is received by the IFU.

25. System according to claim 11 wherein, when the IFU detects a valid code, the ID code is provided to the MST together with the status indication for transmission to the earth station.

26. System according to claim 11 wherein the MST includes a clock and each MST transmission is accompanied by data indicating the time of the transmission.

27. System according to claim 11 wherein the MST includes its own identifier in each transmission.

28. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the MST includes a position locating unit and the MST receives vehicle position data therefrom for inclusion with each transmission.

29. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a RDSS system provides vehicle position data to the earth station based upon each MST transmission.

30. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the microcomputer is responsive to a field programmer connectable to the power bus to alter an operating program stored in a memory means.

31. Method of monitoring the status of a multiple part vehicle having at least first and second parts comprising the steps of:

(a) impressing unique ID code on an existing electrical system of the vehicle when a second part of the vehicle is connected to a first part of the vehicle;

(b) detecting whether a valid ID code has been impressed on the vehicle's existing electrical system;

(c) providing a status indication representing the connect/disconnect status of the second part of the vehicle based upon the result of step (b);

(d) transmitting the status indication, and also the ID code if a valid ID code has been detected, to a central station at regular preselected intervals;

(e) transmitting the status indication and the ID code to the central station substantially immediately upon any change in the status indication.

32. Method according to claim 31 further comprising the step of providing vehicle position data with each transmission to the central station.

33. Method according to claim 31 wherein the step of impressing a unique ID code on the vehicle's existing electrical system comprises modulating the electrical system with data indicative of the code.

34. Method according to claim 31 wherein the ID code is cyclically and repeatedly impressed to the vehicle's existing electrical system.

35. Method according to claim 31 wherein an RDSS provides vehicle position data based upon each transmission to the central station.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for managing and monitoring the status of a fleet of vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for periodically transmitting status and position data from a vehicle to a central station via satellite.

The present invention has particular application to multiple part vehicles such as tractor-trailers of the type which comprise a tractor that can be detachably coupled to a trailer(s). However, the invention is also applicable to other types of vehicles such as railroad cars, buses, boats or ships and any other type of transportation apparatus wherein it is desirable to monitor the status and location thereof on a regular basis.

Fleet management is a major concern in the trucking industry. The fleet manager(s) must keep track of the status and location of each tractor and trailer in the fleet. Thus, for each trailer in the fleet, the fleet manager must know whether it is in service (i.e., coupled to a tractor) or out of service (i.e., not coupled to any tractor); the fleet manager must have similar information with respect to whether each tractor in the fleet is hauling a trailer or is available for service. The fleet manager should also be able to monitor the progress of each vehicle in the fleet for scheduling purposes. Only with this information can the fleet be efficiently managed.

Security is also a major concern to the fleet manager. Vehicle theft is commonplace in the trucking industry, and the fleet manager should be kept aware of unauthorized use of vehicles. Moreover, it is desirable that the fleet manager have the capability of tracking the travel of a vehicle in unauthorized use so that law enforcement authorities can be kept apprised accordingly.

The mechanical condition and various operating parameters of each vehicle in the fleet are also of importance to the fleet manager. The fleet manager should have regular access to operating parameters of the vehicle such as speed, engine temperature, oil pressure, brake line pressure and the like, as well as trailer parameter data such as interior temperature and humidity of the trailer (if applicable) for each trailer that is in service. The fleet manager should also be immediately apprised of any abnormality in any of the operating parameters.

Known systems and methods for accomplishing the foregoing are either expensive, impractical, inefficient or time consuming. It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle status monitor and management system which accomplishes the foregoing which is simple, practical, inexpensive and easy to implement. The present invention achieves these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described herein for particular use on a tractor-trailer vehicle of the type comprising a tractor and a detachable trailer, but also has application to other types of vehicles. Accordingly, the following description is not intended to limit application of the invention in any way to tractor-trailer vehicles and reference should be made to the appended claims for the true scope of the invention.

A status monitoring system for a vehicle of the type comprising a tractor and a detachable trailer is provided. As is known, the tractor has a power bus with a power cable that is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is coupled to the tractor. As is also known, the trailer has a power bus that is energized and electrically coupled to the tractor's power bus when the power cable is connected thereto. According to the invention, the status monitoring system comprises a tag (identifying apparatus), an interface unit (IFU) and a mobile satellite transmitter (MST). The tag is mounted on or in the trailer and electronically impresses an ID code on the trailer's power bus when the power bus is energized. (Alternatively, the tag may communicate ID code data by other means such as infrared, acoustic, RF or other electromagnetic transmitters.) The ID code is unique and identifies the trailer. The IFU detects the presence of a valid ID code that appears on the tractor's power bus (or in the particular transmission medium employed) when the power cable is connected to the trailer. When a valid ID code is detected, the IFU provides a status indication that a trailer is connected to the tractor; similarly, when a valid ID code is not connected, the IFU provides a status indication that no trailer is connected to the tractor. The IFU may be situated within the tractor's cab or tool compartment, or wherever convenient.

The MST is also preferably situated within the tractor's cab or tool compartment or wherever convenient and may be of the type that includes a position locating unit, for example, of the type employing LORAN. The MST receives the status indication from the IFU and may also receive vehicle position data from the position locating unit, if provided. The MST transmits at least the status indication, and the ID code if available, at preselected (preprogrammed) intervals to an earth station via a space-based satellite. The MST operates under control of the IFU to normally transmit the status indication (and vehicle position data, if provided) at the preselected intervals, but is responsive to a command from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit (i) the status indication (and vehicle position data, if provided) when the presence of a valid ID code is initially detected (thereby indicating that a trailer has initially been connected to the tractor), and (ii) the status indication and the last detected ID code when the lack of a valid ID code is initially detected (thereby indicating that a trailer has initially been disconnected).

The MST may alternatively be of a type that does not include a position locating unit. Rather, the RDSS (radio determination satellite system) may be employed to determine the location of each MST, and hence its associated vehicle, when an MST transmission occurs. As is known, the RDSS uses the actual transmission from a satellite transmitter (such as the MST) to pinpoint its position. Position is computed at the satellite and provided to the earth station. Thus, as in the case of an MST equipped with a position locating unit, each MST transmission results in vehicle position data that is provided to an earth station, even though in one case the position data is generated by the MST and in the other case is generated by the satellite.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the trailer's power bus is modulated with the ID code so that the same appears on the tractor's power bus when the two are connected. According to one preferred embodiment, the tag is "dumb" and repeatedly and cyclically impresses the ID code on the trailer's power bus; the IFU monitors the tractor's power bus to determine whether a valid ID code has been impressed thereon. According to another embodiment, the tag is "smart" and the IFU requests ID code data from the tag. The tag may be provided with inputs for trailer sensors that provide trailer parameter data. If provided, the tag further impresses the trailer parameter data on the trailer's power bus so that the IFU can read the trailer parameter data from the tractor's power bus and provide the same to the MST for transmission to the earth station. The tag may also be responsive to a field programmer connectable to the power bus to alter the ID code stored therein and/or change the tag's operating program.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the IFU may be provided with inputs for tractor sensors that provide tractor parameter data. If provided, the IFU reads the tractor parameter data and provides the same to the MST for transmission to the earth station.

The IFU may also be provided with an input for receiving an alarm signal from a vehicle protection device, and, if provided, the IFU provides any alarm indication to the MST for transmission to the earth station. According to this embodiment, the MST operates under control of the IFU to normally transmit the status indication (and vehicle position data, if provided) at the preselected intervals, but is responsive to a command from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit an alarm indication (and vehicle position data, if provided) when an alarm signal is received by the IFU. Also, according to this embodiment, the MST may be responsive to commands from the IFU to substantially immediately transmit tractor and/or trailer parameter indications (and vehicle position data, if provided) when an abnormality in any of the tractor/trailer parameter data or a security violation (e.g., from the vehicle protection device) is detected by the IFU.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tag (identifying apparatus) comprises a code generator for providing a digital ID code that is unique to the vehicle, a short haul modem for modulating the code at a preselected baud rate, and a transmitter/buffer for impressing the modulated code on an existing electrical system (power bus) of the vehicle. As mentioned, the tag may alternatively employ other available or specially installed lines or other communication means for communicating the ID code.

A method of monitoring the status of a multiple-part vehicle according to the present invention comprises the steps of impressing a unique ID code on an existing electrical system (power bus) of the vehicle when a second part of the vehicle is connected to a first part of the vehicle; detecting whether a valid ID code has been impressed on the vehicle's existing electrical system; providing a status indication representing the connect/disconnect status of the second part of the vehicle based upon the aforementioned detecting step; transmitting the status indication, and also the ID code if a valid ID code has been detected, to a central station at regular preselected intervals; and, transmitting the status indication and ID code to the central station substantially immediately upon any change in the status indication. Each transmission to the central station may include vehicle position data therewith if the MST is of the type employing a position locating unit. However, each MST transmission always results in vehicle position data being provided to an earth station.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and from the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as utilized in a tractor-trailer.

FIG. 2 is a overview of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in block diagram form.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a tag (identifying apparatus) according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another preferred embodiment of a tag (identifying apparatus) according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an IFU according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart providing an overview of the IFU function.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the function of a tag according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the function of a tag according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A-9C are flow charts illustrating in greater detail the function of an IFU according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like elements, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a tractor-trailer vehicle 10 comprising a tractor 12 and a detachable trailer 14. Tractor 12 includes a cab 13. As is well known, tractor 12 is adapted to be coupled to one of a plurality of trailers 14 in a fleet. As is also well known, tractor 12 includes a 12-volt battery 16 that energizes a 12-volt power bus (existing electrical system) 18 that runs throughout the tractor. As is also known, trailer 14 comprises a normally de-energized power bus (existing electrical system) 20 that runs throughout trailer 14. When trailer 14 is mechanically coupled to tractor 12, the trailer's power bus 20 is energized and electrically coupled to the tractor's power bus 18 by means of the tractor's power cable 22 that is connectable to the trailer 14. Thus, in normal operation, when trailer 14 is coupled to tractor 20, the trailer's power bus 20 is energized, and when the trailer 14 is not connected to a tractor 12, its power bus 20 is not energized.

According to the invention, each trailer 14 in the fleet is provided with an electronic tag 24 (identifying apparatus) and each tractor 12 is provided with an interface unit (IFU) 26 that communicates with an on-board mobile satellite transmitter (MST) 28. MST 28 is coupled to a microwave antenna 32 for transmitting messages to an earth station via a space-based satellite. In the preferred practice of the invention, the MST 28 transmits messages to the well known GEOSTAR satellite(s) that is currently in geosynchronous orbit above the continental U.S. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,359,733 and 4,744,083 incorporated herein by reference.

The tag 24, IFU 26 and MST 28, and the manner of communication therebetween, will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As explained in more detail herein, tag 24 communicates with IFU 26 for the purpose of providing ID code data when the trailer's power bus 20 is energized and coupled to the tractor's power bus 18 by power cable 22. An important feature of the invention is that the tag 24 and IFU 26 communicate with each other by means of the power bus 18, 20 (including the power cable 22 connecting them) so that n additional wiring or interconnections are necessary, although other means and methods of communication are not precluded. Thus, the tag 24 and the IFU 26 preferably use the vehicle's existing electrical system for communication therebetween but other means such as infrared, acoustic, and RF receivers and transmitters can be employed. Thus, it should be understood that although the following description refers to use of the vehicle's existing electrical system for communication between the IFU and the tag, the present invention is not limited ther