Abstract: When a vehicle is “off” many electrically powered devices will continue to draw power from the battery, which will eventually deplete the battery. Instead of leaving such devices on, when the engine is shut off, a message is transmitted from a vehicle's telematics communications device to one or more of: the operator, a telematics service provider or elsewhere, and which notifies the recipient of the power-down condition. The recipient of the message can thereafter respond with a directive that tells the telematics communications device which devices to leave powered on, turn off or schedule to be shut off. Absent such a message, the system powers down devices according to a default power down ordering.

Abstract: A trailer is provided with various parametric sensors. Trailer operating characteristics obtained from the sensors are conveyed to an attached tow vehicle. The tow vehicle is configured to respond to trailer operating conditions or characteristics and/or warn the tow vehicle operator of trailer conditions. The tow vehicle's operation can also be changed responsive to an attached trailer.

Abstract: A smart trailer RFID system includes a vehicle such as a trailer or cargo van having one or more RFID tag readers configured to acquire load-specific data from RFID tags attached to a load. The load-specific data is collected by a computer and conveyed wirelessly to a tow vehicle. Depending on the nature of the load, the load data can be used to control or change operation of the tow vehicle or be displayed to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: When a vehicle is “off” many electrically powered devices will continue to draw power from the battery, which will eventually deplete the battery. Instead of leaving such devices on, when the engine is shut off, a message is transmitted from a vehicle's telematics communications device to one or more of: the operator, a telematics service provider or elsewhere, and which notifies the recipient of the power-down condition. The recipient of the message can thereafter respond with a directive that tells the telematics communications device which devices to leave powered on, turn off or schedule to be shut off. Absent such a message, the system powers down devices according to a default power down ordering.

Abstract: A smart trailer RFID system includes a vehicle such as a trailer or cargo van having one or more RFID tag readers configured to acquire load-specific data from RFID tags attached to a load. The load-specific data is collected by a computer and conveyed wirelessly to a tow vehicle. Depending on the nature of the load, the load data can be used to control or change operation of the tow vehicle or be displayed to a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A trailer is provided with various parametric sensors. Trailer operating characteristics obtained from the sensors are conveyed to an attached tow vehicle. The tow vehicle is configured to respond to trailer operating conditions or characteristics and/or warn the tow vehicle operator of trailer conditions. The tow vehicle's operation can also be changed responsive to an attached trailer.

Abstract: A camera that is movable is provided for a vehicle. It can be placed at the rear of a vehicle or at the rear of a towed trailer to capture images that might not be within the driver's field of view. Captured images are modulated onto a radio frequency signal, which is broadcast and picked up by a mating radio frequency receiver, typically located inside the towing vehicle. Captured-picture information on the radio frequency signal is recovered and used to generate an image on a display device that can be seen by the driver. An attaching device is provided to the camera to allow the camera to be attached to the vehicle or a trailer and its location changed as needed. The camera thus provides a method and apparatus for wirelessly conveying to the driver, images in an otherwise obstructed field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a rear-facing, ceiling-mounted entertainment display for a vehicle can be made transparent or virtually transparent to a vehicle's driver uses a camera and a second, forward-facing display panel on which an image what the entertainment display blocks from the driver's view. The camera is attached to the entertainment display and captures image-forming light blocked to the driver's rear-view mirror by the downwardly extending entertainment display. The second display panel projects forwardly, i.e., toward the rear-view mirror, what the camera sees looking rearwardly.

Abstract: A system and method of providing security for a vehicle starting system. The method including a first step of storing secure information identifying an authorized user of a vehicle. A next step includes detecting an attempt to start a vehicle without an authorized coded starting device. A next step includes placing a telephone call using a vehicle communication device to a service operator requesting service. A next step includes calling the vehicle by the service operator. A next step includes confirming the particular user of the vehicle using the stored information. A next step includes authorizing the starting of the vehicle. Unauthorized coded starting devices can include a non-programmable key, an unprogrammed programmable key, and a code scanning device.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring belt wear or tread wear of a tire includes at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with unique identification embedded in the belt or tread of the tire at one or more wear points. An RF tag reader periodically monitoring signals from the at least one RFID tag. If the RF tag reader fails to obtain any signals from the at least one RFID tag, indicating a destroyed RFID tag, the user can be warned about a wear problem of that belt or tire. RFID tags can be distributed at different depths of the tire(s), or across the tread at the same depth, of the tire(s) to determine different wear problems. The same RFID tag can also be used for inventory tracking purposes.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.

Abstract: A communication system and method for transmitting and receiving teletype information in a vehicle (20). The communication system (22) includes an external interface (24) and a communication control unit (26). The external interface (24), embedded in the vehicle (20), is capable of receiving a first set of teletype signals from a portable TTY terminal (50) and capable of sending a second set of teletype signal to the portable TTY terminal (50). The communication control unit (26), also embedded in the vehicle (20), is connected to the external interface (24) and comprises a controller (36) and a transceiver (34). The transceiver (34) is capable of transmitting messages over a wireless communication link (A) that contain information from the first set of teletype signals. The transceiver (34) is also capable of receiving messages over the wireless communication link (A) that contain information for the second set of teletype signals.