Abstract: A diagnostic display device is coupled to a vehicle data bus and receives vehicle identification information which is used to identify one or more expected onboard systems installed on the vehicle. Expected systems are queried to determine that they are present and operating properly. Presence and operation status information are stored and/or presented to a user to facilitate automated vehicle system inspection.

Abstract: A system for conveying information includes a visual signaling device and a processor. The visual signaling device is capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of messages. The processor electrically communicates with the visual signaling device. The processor receives a plurality of messages from respective systems via a communication system, identities a respective priority and at least one respective attribute of each of the messages, and transmits signals based on the priorities of the messages to cause the visual signaling device to simultaneously convey the respective priority and at least one attribute of at least one of the messages. The respective priorities and the at least one attributes of each of the messages is previously assigned, and a diagnostic message having a lowest of the priorities is previously assigned.

Abstract: When monitoring the forward area in front of a vehicle, video of the forward area and the driver of the vehicle is concurrently captured by a single forward facing camera with a rearward facing mirror assembly reflects an image of the driver, who is positioned behind the forward facing camera, into the forward facing field of view of the camera. The mirror assembly is positioned in an inactive portion of the field of view of the camera so that the reflected image of the driver appears in the inactive portion of the field of view in the captured video. In this manner, synchronized video of the forward area in the driver is generated without requiring computationally expensive post processing.

Abstract: A diagnostic display device is coupled to a vehicle data bus and receives vehicle identification information which is used to identify one or more expected onboard systems installed on the vehicle. Expected systems are queried to determine that they are present and operating properly. Presence and operation status information are stored and/or presented to a user to facilitate automated vehicle system inspection.

Abstract: A system and method of diagnosing and/or mitigating the effects of a malfunctioning brake valve configured to supply pressurized fluid to a brake unit via a pressure delivery line during automated braking operations including detecting a period of no braking activity, venting the pressure delivery line to atmosphere during the period of no braking activity, monitoring pressure in the pressure delivery line to detect a pressure change resulting from the venting, and generating an error signal if a detected pressure change exceeds a threshold value. The pressure modulating valve can be periodically cycled once a fault is detected to reduce the effects thereof.

Abstract: A dash switch module for a vehicle includes a controller transmitting a parking brake control request message to a vehicle ECU, a signal receiving component receiving a transmitted status signal from a sensor on the vehicle indicating a status of a vehicle component, and a processor receiving the transmitted status signal from the signal receiving component. The processor generates a dash switch module signal based on the transmitted status signal. The processor transmits the dash switch module signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an antenna that receives RF signals from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. A processor receives the RF signals from the antenna. The processor converts the RF signals to a proprietary serial bus formatted message. The processor transmits the proprietary serial bus formatted message to an electronic control unit via a vehicle communication bus.

Abstract: A tool for configuring a replacement electronic control unit for a vehicle is provided. The tool includes a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon which may be stored on an electronic module or installed on a computing device that connects to a communications bus in the vehicle. The program includes code for accessing a first memory associated with an original electronic control unit for the vehicle, retrieving a configuration for the original electronic control unit from the first memory, associating the configuration with a vehicle identification number associated with the vehicle in a second memory remote from the vehicle and downloading the configuration from the second memory to a third memory associated with the replacement electronic control unit for the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method of controlling an electronic parking brake system for an air braked vehicle are disclosed. A dash switch module receives a signal indicative of a parking brake request. The dash switch module transmits a parking brake control message using a first communication path in response to the parking brake request. A braking system controller transmits a check message in response to the parking brake control message using a second communication path. The dash switch module transmits a confirmation message using the second communication path in response to the confirmation message. The brake system controller transmits a control signal to the park control module to park or un-park the vehicle in response to the confirmation message.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.

Abstract: A dash switch module for a vehicle includes a controller transmitting a parking brake control request message to a vehicle ECU, a signal receiving component receiving a transmitted status signal from a sensor on the vehicle indicating a status of a vehicle component, and a processor receiving the transmitted status signal from the signal receiving component. The processor generates a dash switch module signal based on the transmitted status signal. The processor transmits the dash switch module signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.

Abstract: When detecting unacceptably large airgaps between wheel speed sensors and their exciter rings on wheel ends of a vehicle, wheel speed sensor output is filtered and monitored to detect signal amplitudes that correspond to the airgaps. When signal peak amplitude below a predetermined threshold is detected, the airgap is too large. Wheel ends having unacceptably large air gaps are indicated to the driver or technician via blink sequences (e.g., on an electronic stability program (ESP) indicator light or other suitable indicator), wherein each wheel end is associated with a unique blink sequence.

Abstract: When monitoring the forward area in front of a vehicle, video of the forward area and the driver of the vehicle is concurrently captured by a single forward facing camera with a rearward facing mirror assembly reflects an image of the driver, who is positioned behind the forward facing camera, into the forward facing field of view of the camera. The mirror assembly is positioned in an inactive portion of the field of view of the camera so that the reflected image of the driver appears in the inactive portion of the field of view in the captured video. In this manner, synchronized video of the forward area in the driver is generated without requiring computationally expensive post processing.

Abstract: A vehicle braking control system includes a vehicle brake associated with a wheel on the vehicle. A pedal activated by an operator of the vehicle controls application of the brake. An electronic control unit determines a grade mode of the vehicle and controls application of the brake independent of the operator activating the pedal while in an automatic braking mode. The electronic control unit sends a control signal to apply the brake in a manner to reduce brake fade while controlling a speed of the vehicle when the electronic control unit is in the automatic braking mode and the vehicle is in a downhill grade mode.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a vehicle having components of a parking brake system and components of a service brake system. The apparatus comprises a normally-energized solenoid operatively coupled to components of the parking brake system and for, when de-energized, exhausting air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system to set park brakes. The apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a service brakes holding function, (ii) monitor a combination of one or more signals indicative of a fault condition, and (iii) provide one or more signals to de-energize the normally-energized solenoid to exhaust air pressure in at least some components of the parking brake system and thereby to set park brakes when both signals indicative of a service brakes holding function and signals indicative of a fault condition of the vehicle are detected.

Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A tool for configuring a replacement electronic control unit for a vehicle is provided. The tool includes a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon which may be stored on an electronic module or installed on a computing device that connects to a communications bus in the vehicle. The program includes code for accessing a first memory associated with an original electronic control unit for the vehicle, retrieving a configuration for the original electronic control unit from the first memory, associating the configuration with a vehicle identification number associated with the vehicle in a second memory remote from the vehicle and downloading the configuration from the second memory to a third memory associated with the replacement electronic control unit for the vehicle.

Abstract: A component to be mounted on a vehicle includes a housing, a pair of component mounting passages, defined in the housing, aligning with a pair of respective vehicle mounting passages when the component is any of a plurality of orientations with respect to the vehicle, and a component orientation element, on the housing. The component orientation element cooperates with a vehicle orientation element only when the component is in one of the plurality of orientations with respect to the vehicle. A hub on the component orientation element acts to tune the component orientation element for attenuating vibration received by the component orientation element from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a brake associated with a respective wheel of the vehicle, a multi-pressure valve associated with the brake, and a controller electrically communicating with the multi-pressure valve. The multi-pressure valve receives fluid at a first pressure at a supply port and is capable of delivering the fluid at a delivery port at a plurality of pressure profiles. A control signal is transmitted to the multi-pressure valve. The multi-pressure valve delivers the pressurized fluid to the brake, via the delivery port, at one of the plurality of delivery pressure profiles based on the control signal.