Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes an electrical connector coupled to a first vehicle and including a plurality of pins configured to carry signals between the first vehicle and a second vehicle, the plurality of pins including a first pin configured to receive electrical power and a second pin configured to act as a signal ground, and a communication circuit coupled to the first and second pins of the electrical connector and configured to transmit an identification signal on the first pin to the second vehicle.

Abstract: Connected tractor and trailer identifications and the order of hook-up of multiple trailers to a tractor is are determined by identifying trailer VINs using a PLC system and eliminating Bluetooth signals that do not broadcast trailer VINs that match the PLC system. A tractor-based Bluetooth trailer order and a trailer-based Bluetooth trailer order utilizing RSSI value strengths are determined. The trailer order is set if the tractor-based Bluetooth trailer order matches the trailer-based Bluetooth order. If the order does not match, a RSSI value weighting process is used to choose between the tractor-based order and the trailer-based order.

Abstract: Connected tractor and trailer identifications and the order of hook-up of multiple trailers to a tractor is are determined by identifying trailer VINs using a PLC system and eliminating Bluetooth signals that do not broadcast trailer VINs that match the PLC system. A tractor-based Bluetooth trailer order and a trailer-based Bluetooth trailer order utilizing RSSI value strengths are determined. The trailer order is set if the tractor-based Bluetooth trailer order matches the trailer-based Bluetooth order. If the order does not match, a RSSI value weighting process is used to choose between the tractor-based order and the trailer-based order.

Abstract: Methods for connected tractor and trailer identifications and the order of hook-up of multiple trailers to a tractor enable the tractor and trailer identification and the order of trailer hook-up to be remotely broadcast from the tractor or trailers. In one aspect, the detection of vehicle identification and the order of trailer hook-up are determined by PLC tags mounted in the trailers or by a PLC Gateway mounted in the tractor or one of the trailers utilizing the PLC system on the tractor/trailers. In another aspect, the vehicle identifications are extracted from electronic modules existing on the tractor and trailers and sent to the PLC Gateway for broadcast from tractor/trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely communicating with the vehicle to control functional circuits in the vehicle. The apparatus includes a pager based communication apparatus mounted in the vehicle for receiving a command signal from a pager service provider in response to a user generated telephone number, security code and a command. A microcontroller is responsive to the received command and, in response to a stored control program, generates outputs to various vehicle functional circuits. The microcontroller generates outputs in response to selected user generated commands to deactivate the vehicle engine in the event of a hijack command when the engine RPM drops below a prestored engine RPM magnitude. The microcontroller is also capable of generating outputs to control engine starting and stopping, door lock and unlock operations, and other vehicle accessories.

Abstract: An electronic compass and method. The electronic compass includes circuitry for generating a control signal and circuitry responsive to the control signal for producing reference signals having a frequency established by the control signal. The compass also includes circuitry for phase shifting the reference signals to generate an output signal shifted by a phase shift which is a function of the angle between a reference heading of the compass and the direction of the magnetic flux lines of the earth's magnetic field in a local area. Further, the compass includes circuitry for monitoring the frequency of one of the reference signals, for varying the control signal to thereby cause reference signals having a predetermined frequency, and for measuring the phase shift between the monitored reference signal and the output signal to calculate the angle between the heading of the compass and the direction of the magnetic flux lines of the earth's magnetic field in a local area.