Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling tractor/trailer vehicle systems

Abstract

A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the command is received from an operator positioned in the tractor.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . Apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving the data-modulated signal using a power bus;   means for determining the status of the vehicle subsystem from said data-modulated signal; and   means for controlling an indicator of the status of the vehicle subsystem.   
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the vehicle subsystem comprises an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the data-modulated signal is a data-modulated spread spectrum signal. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the data-modulated signal is a data-modulated spread spectrum signal. 
     
     
         55 . Apparatus comprising:
 a transceiver to receive data-modulated signals, a data-modulated signal having been produced from a data signal representing a command for a vehicle subsystem; and   a combination of a microprocessor and software stored therewith, the software causing the microprocessor to be operable to determine the command for the vehicle subsystem from said data-modulated signal when said data-modulated signal is received from a power bus and forward the command to the vehicle subsystem.   
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the data-modulated signals are data-modulated spread spectrum signals. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the vehicle subsystem comprises an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 56  wherein the vehicle subsystem comprises an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
         59 . Apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving the data-modulated signal using a power bus;   means for determining a command for a vehicle subsystem from said data-modulated signal; and   means for causing the command to be communicated to the vehicle subsystem.   
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 59  wherein the vehicle subsystem comprises an anti-lock braking system. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 59  wherein the data-modulated signal is a data-modulated spread spectrum signal. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 60  wherein the data-modulated signal is a data-modulated spread spectrum signal. 
     
     
         63 . Apparatus comprising:
 means for producing a data signal representing the status of a vehicle subsystem.   means for producing a data-modulated spread spectrum signal for a power bus, the data-modulated spread-spectrum signal being produced from the data signal; and   means for coupling the data-modulated spread-spectrum signal to a power bus.   
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 63  wherein the vehicle subsystem comprises an anti-lock braking system.