A method and system for communication between a vehicle and trailer over existing power lines, such as by using a power line communication (PLC) arrangement. A PLC modem may convey data over electrical power that is supplied on the power lines and/or may elicit data from electrical power supplied on the power lines. This enables one or more electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle to communicate with input/output devices on the trailer, such as rearward-facing cameras or braking devices, without having to provide separate, dedicated communication lines therebetween.

A brake controller is provided as an inline plug between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle or trailer. The electronics including an accelerometer and wireless communication radio are potted within a brake controller housing package. There is no conventional display or input controls on the exterior of the brake controller package. Input settings, and possibly output messages, are communicated through a smartphone or similar software or hardware application. The brake controller can identify a hazard lighting condition and avoid braking the towed vehicle during the hazard lighting condition, and can also distinguish when braking during signaling a turn, using the turn signals of the towing vehicle.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle light with adjustable light output is provided, whereby the apparatus includes a processor configured to receive on-board diagnostics (OBD) data and to determine a light output mode for the vehicle light in accordance with the OBD data, whereby the OBD data indicates a vehicle condition. The apparatus includes a transceiver coupled to the processor that is configured to signal the light output mode to the vehicle light. A method of controlling a vehicle light is provided that includes receiving OBD data from an OBD system in a vehicle, whereby the OBD data determines a vehicle condition, determining a light output mode of the vehicle light in accordance with the OBD data, and sending to the vehicle light appropriate commands for adjusting the light output in accordance with the determined light output mode.

An illumination apparatus includes a housing with a faceplate, at least one light source, at least one optical assembly coupled to the faceplate, a frame supporting the at least one light source, and a yoke assembly having a camshaft and a yoke with a set of lobes, the yoke assembly coupled to the faceplate and slideably received by the frame, such that the at least one optical assembly is moveable in a linear direction towards and away from the at least one light source by rotation of the camshaft.

The electronic device described in the present patent application applies to the accessories used to automate the main beams that use sensors to detect the light coming from the vehicles met along roads. The device reduces or even suppresses the undesired effects produced by reflections, onto the surrounding objects, of the lights of the vehicle on which it is mounted, thus avoiding undesired main beam turn-off signals. Said device is particularly convenient to use if mounted after the vehicle is commissioned, being it compatible with wireless transmission systems which make its installation easier.

A system for remotely opening a land vehicle door is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle and operative to produce a first signal in the form of a first electromagnetic field defined by a field envelope. A hand-held communication device is operative to detect the first electromagnetic field and produce a second signal in the form of a second electromagnetic field when the hand-held device is located within the field envelope. Control logic is coupled to the mobile device and is operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device. The control logic is operative to determine if a pedestrian carrying an authorized hand-held device is located within the field envelope and to generate a door-opening command signal when the authorized device is located within the field envelope for a predetermined period of time.

A vehicle can include a base assembly, a rack assembly, and a processing system. The base assembly can include a platform, a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels. The rack assembly can include a storage shelf connected to the base assembly through a coupling, which includes a bearing assembly enabling the storage shelf to rotate with respect to the platform. The processing system can be configured to communicatively couple with the rack assembly and include one or more processors configured to: determine a location of a target good; cause the storage shelf to move based on the determined location.

Disclosed is a digital sign system and method of use thereof. The system includes a digital sign having a controller board having a microcontroller, a temperature sensor communicably coupled to fans or a cooling/heating unit, an ambient light sensor, a GPS unit, a radar, a communication module, and a power source, wherein the controller board is in communication with an LED panel or another display module for digitally outputting messages, further wherein the digital sign is mounted on a pilot truck to allow the pilot truck to relay messages to a transport truck and oncoming vehicles. The digital sign is in communication with a second GPS unit disposed on the transport truck so as to track the real-time location of the truck. The digital sign measures the distance between a transport and the digital pilot truck sign and displays the relative distances between the two on the digital message board. In operation, the digital sign is configured to automatically adjust its brightness so as to optimize its visibility while reducing glare to other drivers on the road.

An electronic signage assembly for creating and wirelessly posting messages to a display unit includes a display unit comprising a display transceiver and a control unit comprising a remote transceiver, so that the control unit is positioned for wireless communication with the display unit. The display unit also comprises a display screen. The control unit comprises an entry module, which allows for entry of a message. The remote transceiver is positioned to communicate the message, via the display transceiver, to the display screen for display of the message to persons proximate to the display unit.

A wireless U-turn indicator lamp includes a switch, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a receiver switch, an indicator lamp. The switch is activated before making a U-turn to illuminate the indicator lamp. The wireless transmitter is connected to the switch. The wireless transmitter transmits a signal when the switch is activated. The wireless receiver receives the signal from the wireless transmitter. The receiver switch is connected to the wireless receiver. The receiver switch is activated when the wireless receiver receives the signal. The indicator lamp is connected to the receiver switch. The indicator lamp illuminates when the receiver switch is activated.