Abstract: A telematics device having a voltage drop detector and a switchable voltage monitor is provided. The voltage drop detector detects a drop in the battery voltage characteristic of cranking and notifies a controller. In response, the controller switches on the switchable voltage monitor for obtaining the battery voltage. The telematics device may be used in vehicles or other equipment powered by engines.

Abstract: A telematics device having a voltage drop detector and a switchable voltage monitor is provided. The voltage drop detector detects a drop in the battery voltage characteristic of cranking and notifies a controller. In response, the controller switches on the switchable voltage monitor for obtaining the battery voltage. The telematics device may be used in vehicles or other equipment powered by engines.

Abstract: A wire-management module is configured to be installable to a vehicle having an operable system configured to be energized in response to operative connection between a first wire and a second wire. A user-authentication module is configured to transmit a wire-management signal including a wire-inhibit signal configured to indicate lack of authorization to use the operable system of the vehicle. The wire-management module is configured to be operatively coupled to the first wire and the second wire. The wire-management module has a signal input port configured to receive the wire-inhibit signal that is transmittable from the user-authentication module. The wire-management module is also configured to inhibit operative connection between the first wire and the second wire.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring and reporting the tethered/untethered status of a mobile asset are described. An asset tracking device comprises a sensor and circuit that detects whether a physical connection exists between a tractor portion and a trailer portion of a tractor/trailer vehicle. The physical connection is detected through the connection of an air hose coupling (or glad hand) at the trailer front wall. The sensor is continuously monitored by the sensor circuit and when a change is detected, the circuit sends a signal that turns on the power to the rest of the system. This enables the system to run in a very low power mode for extended periods of time. The sensor, which is located on the air hose (glad hand) coupling, senses the presence (or non-presence) of a tractor attached to the trailer and sends a trigger signal to turn on the power to the rest of the system, enabling the system to operate for extended periods of time on battery power.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring and reporting the tethered/untethered status of a mobile asset are described. An asset tracking device comprises a sensor and circuit that detects whether a physical connection exists between a tractor portion and a trailer portion of a tractor/trailer vehicle. The physical connection is detected through the connection of an air hose coupling (or glad hand) at the trailer front wall. The sensor is continuously monitored by the sensor circuit and when a change is detected, the circuit sends a signal that turns on the power to the rest of the system. This enables the system to run in a very low power mode for extended periods of time. The sensor, which is located on the air hose (glad hand) coupling, senses the presence (or non-presence) of a tractor attached to the trailer and sends a trigger signal to turn on the power to the rest of the system, enabling the system to operate for extended periods of time on battery power.