Apparatus, method and system for determining the position of vehicles connected to a tractor by the use of a global positioning satellite (GPS)
US11427169B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T2250/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Various examples of a controller, method and system for determining positions of a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving, in response to the electrical start signal, a data signal at the communications port which includes a GPS signal and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.