Device and Method for Wireless Vehicle Communication

Abstract

The invention provides a device, system, and method for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle for receiving data from a wireless transmitter, and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver for processing the data. The data has a format adapted to be processed by the microprocessor and is intended for receipt by all vehicles within a predetermined wireless range that have microprocessors capable of processing its standard format. The invention also provides a method for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising transmitting data having a standard format, receiving the data having a standard format, and processing the data having a standard format. The data is intended for receipt by all vehicles within a predetermined range that have microprocessors capable of processing its standard format. The invention further provides a device, system, and method for disabling a vehicle using only information transmitted to the vehicle, comprising a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle and for receiving data wirelessly, and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver for processing the data. The data includes a unique vehicle identifier and an instruction to disable the vehicle. The invention further provides a device for wirelessly monitoring environmental conditions of a livestock trailer towed by a vehicle, comprising a wireless transmitter mounted on the livestock trailer, a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle and adapted to receive data from the wireless transmitter, and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver and processing the data.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A device for disabling a vehicle using only information transmitted to the vehicle, the device comprising:
 a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle and adapted to receive data wirelessly; and   a microprocessor in communication with the receiver and adapted to process the data;   wherein in the data includes a unique vehicle identifier based on a vehicle identification number (VIN), a public encryption key, and an instruction to disable the vehicle, and   wherein the vehicle is disabled by slowly decreasing power and speed and eventually stopping the vehicle.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the unique vehicle identification comprises the vehicle identification number. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the receiver comprises a remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver. 
     
     
         27 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method for disabling a vehicle, the method comprising:
 transmitting data having a standard format and including a unique vehicle identifier based on a vehicle identification number (VIN), a public encryption key, and an instruction to disable the vehicle;   receiving the data within the vehicle; and   processing the data with a microprocessor within the vehicle; and   disabling the vehicle by slowly decreasing power and speed and eventually stopping the vehicle.   
     
     
         32 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A device for wirelessly monitoring environmental conditions of a livestock trailer towed by a vehicle, the device comprising:
 a wireless transmitter mounted on the livestock trailer;   a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle and adapted to receive data from the wireless transmitter; and   a microprocessor in communication with the receiver and adapted to process the data;   wherein in the data represents environmental conditions within the livestock trailer.   
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the transmitted data includes a unique serial code to establish wireless communication between the vehicle and the trailer. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the environmental conditions include temperature and humidity within the trailer. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the environmental conditions include information regarding food for livestock within the trailer. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the environmental conditions include information regarding water for livestock within the trailer. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the receiver comprises a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the instrument cluster. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the engine controller. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting the data. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the vehicle can be disabled within a given transmission range, even if the vehicle is not within sight of the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the instrument cluster. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the microprocessor is part of the engine controller.