Managing, tracking, and communicating of state of components associated with an unpowered vehicle

Abstract

A taillight assembly comprising long-range radio module/circuitry, GNSS location determination circuitry, and secondary short-range radio module/circuitry may be configured to receive messages from various sensors, equipment, and cargo to verify proper operating conditions, determine or notify of potential theft, and facilitate cargo carriage. The short-range and long-range modules may comprise authentication checking to authenticate messages and the priority of messages. Sensors of the taillight assembly may be used to determine removal of, or damage to, the taillight assembly. Remote sensors may be used to transmit, to the short-range module, information indicative of removal or theft of the trailer from a towing vehicle or other condition, and the long-range circuitry may transmit an indication of the theft, removal, or condition, to a third party. Circuitry of the taillight assembly may be powered by a battery within the taillight assembly that is charged during operation of the taillight.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.