Access devices for semi-trailers
AssigneeDriverTech, LLC
InventorsMark C Haslam, James Robert Mullins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door access device for a semi-trailer includes: a lock device to control access to the semi-trailer and a controller for the lock device. The lock device includes a door lock at a door of the semi-trailer, the lock device to be electrically actuated to lock and unlock the door. The controller programmed to: determine that a semi-tractor has established an electrical connection with the semi-trailer; determine whether the semi-tractor is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer; and, in response to a determination that the semi-trailer is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer, actuate the lock device to unlock the door.
Claims12
A door access device for a semi-trailer, comprising:
- a lock device to control access to the semi-trailer, the lock device comprising a door lock. at a door of the semi-trailer, the lock device to be electrically actuated to lock and unlock the door;
- a controller to:
- determine that a semi-tractor has established an electrical connection with the semi-trailer;
- determine whether the semi-tractor is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer;
- and,
- in response to a determination that the semi-tractor is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer, the controller waits to receive a remote authorization signal before actuating the lock device to unlock the door before actuating the lock device to unlock the door;
- and
- a user interface through which an accessing entity can transmit a request to an authorizing entity for the authorizing entity to send the remote authorization signal to the controller, wherein the controller is to disable the user interface until determining that the connected semi-tractor is authorized to connect to the semi-trailer.
A method, comprising:
- determining that a semi-tractor has established an electrical connection with a semi-trailer:
- determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer:
- enabling an access request interface in response to determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer, the access request interface to allow an accessing entity to send an access request to an authorizing entity;
- receiving, at a controller of the semi-trailer, a remote authorization signal to unlock a door of the semi-trailer:
- actuating a lock device of the semi-trailer in response to determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer and receiving the remote authorization signal:
- in response to user input when the access request interface is enabled, sending an access request from the accessing entity to the authorizing entity;
- and
- receiving, from the authorizing entity, an indication whether the accessing entity is permitted to open the door.
A method, comprising:
- determining that a semi-tractor has established an electrical connection with a semi-trailer:
- determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer:
- enabling an access request interface in response to determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer. the access request interface to allow an accessing entity to send an access request to an authorizing entity:
- receiving, at a controller of the semi-trailer, a remote authorization signal to unlock a door of the semi-trailer;
- actuating a lock device of the semi-trailer in response to determining that the semi-tractor is permitted to connect to the semi-trailer and receiving the remote authorization signal;
- and
- disabling the access request interface in response to determining that a permitted connection to the semi-trailer has not been made.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.