Granted Patent B2

US 12,202,485 · App. 17/336,635 · Granted Jan 21, 2025

Inventors: Thomas J Hayes (Lakewood, OH); Michael D Cremona (Lakewood, OH); Steven C Schapel (Akron, OH); Daniel P Zula (North Ridgeville, OH); Nianqing Zhou (Avon, OH)

Assignee: RM ACQUISITION, LLC

B60W30/18109B60W40/09B60W50/14G08G1/20B60W2050/146B60W2420/403B60W2554/4048

Abstract

Claims (22)

1. A monitoring system for a combination vehicle having a tractor and a trailer coupled to the tractor, comprising:

at least one image capture device mounted on the tractor, having a trailer mounted control system within its field of view when the trailer is coupled to the tractor, the trailer mounted control system having a visual indicator; and

a controller associated with the at least one image capture device;

wherein the controller:

captures images of the visual indicator;

determines if the visual indicator meets a predetermined event condition; and

provides notification to at least one of a driver of the tractor, a remote fleet operator and a tractor control system in response to the visual indicator meeting the predetermined condition.

2. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the trailer mounted control system is an antilock braking system and determining if the visual indicator meets a predetermined condition comprises identifying the visual indicator associated with the antilock braking system is a light being on.

3. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the trailer mounted control system is a refrigeration system and determining if the visual indicator meets a predetermined condition comprises identifying that the visual indicator associated with the refrigeration system is a light that has changed colors.

4. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the trailer mounted control system is a tire inflation system and determining if the visual indicator meets a predetermined condition comprises identifying that the frequency of a light being on has increased.

5. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the trailer mounted control system is a rear door latching system and determining if the visual indicator meets a predetermined condition comprises identifying that the door is open within the field of view.

6. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the trailer mounted control system is a lift axle and determining if the visual indicator meets a predetermined condition comprising identifying that the wheels of the lift axle are in contact with the ground.

7. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , further comprising the controller providing a corrective action to be acted upon in response to the visual indicator meeting the predetermined condition.

8. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the controller further records the time the visual indicator met the predetermined condition.

9. The monitoring system as in claim 1 , wherein the controller further transmits a request to a maintenance location and informs the driver of the location for maintenance.

10. A method for monitoring a vehicle having a tractor and a trailer, comprising:

receiving a video signal through a tractor mounted image capture device of a visual indicator of a trailer mounted control system when the trailer is coupled to the tractor;

determining if a change has occurred in the visual indicator; and

providing a notice to at least one of a driver of the vehicle, a remote fleet operator and a tractor control system in response to the change in the visual indicator.

11. The method as in claim 10 , further comprising providing a corrective action to be acted upon in response to the change in the visual indicator.

12. The method as in claim 10 , further comprising transmitting a request to a maintenance location and informing the driver of the maintenance location.

13. The method as in claim 10 , further comprising recording the time the visual indicator changes condition.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (11)