US 2008/0157944 A1Published application

Method and apparatus for binding transceivers of telematic devices

AssigneeAsset Intelligence, LLC

InventorThomas Bernard Breen

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for binding a first wireless communication unit installed on a first asset and a second wireless communication unit installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset is connected to the second asset by electrical power lines. The method and system can be used for binding a wireless communication unit of a tractor and a wireless communication unit on a trailer. The method monitors the current in the auxiliary power connection between the assets. By transmitting and detecting power pulses through the auxiliary power line, the wireless communication units can ensure that the two assets are attached and therefore it would be proper to establish a wireless connection between the two wireless communication units. The number of power pulses can be used to identify differing devices. Such method can also be used to detect an open fuse or circuit breaker. In the case of an open fuse, voltages can be used in place of power pulses to complete the binding process.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method of binding a first wireless communication unit of a first telematics system of a first asset to a second wireless communications unit of a second telematics system of a second asset, wherein the first asset and second asset are electrically connected, comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing communications between the first wireless communications unit and an other wireless communications unit of an other telematics system on an other asset that is proximate to said first asset;
(b) sending via the first wireless communications unit to the other communications unit a request for the other telematics system to apply one or more requested power pulses to one or more power lines connected to the other telematics system;
(c) receiving said request at said other wireless communications unit;
(d) said other wireless telematics system applying the requested power pulses through the one or more power lines connected to said other telematics system;
(e) detecting at said first telematics system any pulses applied on said one or more power lines to which the first telematics system is connected electrically to the second telematics system;
and
(f) if the requested pulses are detected by the first telematics system, thus confirming that the other wireless communications system is the second wireless communications system of the second telematics system that is connected electrically to the first telematics system, binding the first wireless communications unit of the first telematics system to the other wireless communications unit of the other telematics system.

4 more elements

A system for binding a first wireless communications unit of a first telematics system installed on a first asset to a second wireless communications unit of a second telematics system installed on a second asset, wherein the first asset and second asset are electrically connected, comprising:

(a) a first wireless communications unit for
establishing communication with an other wireless communications unit of an other telematics system on an other asset that is proximate to said first asset;
sending a request for one or more power pulses to said other wireless communications unit;
(b) said other wireless communications unit for receiving said request from said first wireless communications unit;
(c) said other telematics system for
receiving said request from said other wireless communications unit;
and
for applying one or more power pulses through one or more power lines connected to said other telematics system;
wherein said first telematics system detects any pulses applied on said one or more power lines to which the first telematics system is connected electrically to the second telematics system;
and
wherein said first telematics system binds the first wireless communications unit to the other wireless communications unit if the first telematics system detects the requested pulses, which confirms that the other wireless communications system is the second wireless communications system of the second telematics system that is connected electrically to the first telematics system.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.