# US 2013/0158740 A1 · Motor vehicle combination and method for operating > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158740 A1 - Document ID: US20130158740A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/711,337 - Filed: 2012-12-11 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Peter KAHLER; Marten WITTORF - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158740A1 ## CPC - G06F 17/00: Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions (information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00) - B60D 1/62: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like - B60T 8/1708: {for lorries or tractor-trailer combinations} - G01C 21/34: Route searching; Route guidance - G01C 21/3688: {Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## Abstract A motor vehicle combination is provided. The motor vehicle combination includes a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is embodied as passenger car. In addition, the motor vehicle combination includes at least one trailer. The at least one trailer can be mechanically connected to the towing vehicle. In addition, the motor vehicle combination comprises a bidirectional communication unit, which is designed for exchanging data between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A motor vehicle combination, comprising: a towing vehicle; at least one trailer mechanically connected to the towing vehicle; and a bidirectional communication unit that exchanges data between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 1, wherein the at least one trailer is a caravan and the towing vehicle is a passenger car. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional communication unit is designed for the wire-based exchanging of data between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 3, wherein the bidirectional communication unit exchanges data between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer via an energy supply line. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional communication unit exchanges data wirelessly between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle system of the towing vehicle is altered as a function of transmitted data of the at least one trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle combination according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit carries out a communication between occupants of the towing vehicle and occupants of the at least one trailer. ### Claim 8 A method for operating a motor vehicle combination, comprising: starting a towing vehicle, determining if there is a mechanical connection between the towing vehicle and at least one trailer, in the case that it is determined that there is a mechanical connection between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer, transmitting of data of the at least one trailer to the towing vehicle by means of a communication unit, altering at least one vehicle system of the towing vehicle as a function of the transmitted data. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein transmitting of data of the towing vehicle to the at least one trailer by means of the communication unit takes place in the case that it is determined that there is a mechanical connection between the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the data of the towing vehicle to the at least one trailer further comprises: transmitting of data of at least one of an information and entertainment system and a mobile radio station of the towing vehicle to the at least one trailer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining at least one parameter selected from the group comprising dimensions of the at least one trailer, a mass of the at least one trailer and a current tire inflation pressure of at least one tire of the at least one trailer, wherein the transmitting of the data of the at least one trailer includes a transmitting of the at least one determined parameter and the at least one vehicle system is altered as a function of the at least one determined parameter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: determining at least one travelling route for the motor vehicle combination by means of a navigation system, wherein the determined travelling route is transmitted to at least one of the towing vehicle and the at least one trailer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the transmitting of the data of the towing vehicle to the at least one trailer and the transmitting of the data of the at least one trailer to the towing vehicle further comprises transmitting of data of a computer network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: determining image data by means of an optical camera arranged in the region of the towing vehicle; and transmitting the determined image data to the at least one trailer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: determining image data by means of an optical camera arranged in the region of the at least one trailer; and transmitting the determined image data to the towing vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the transmitting of the data of the towing vehicle to the at least one trailer further comprises: transmitting of access authorization data to the at least one trailer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the transmitting of the data of the at least one trailer to the towing vehicle further comprises: transmitting of access authorization data to the at least one trailer.