An actuator for an electric parking brake, EPB, is described. The actuator comprises a motor configured to actuate an actuating member of the EPB, as well as a reception interface configured to receive an enablement code. An enablement code is assigned to the EPB actuator which individualizes the EPB actuator against other EPB actuators. The actuator further comprises an evaluation unit configured to verify the received enablement code on the basis of the enablement code allocated to the EPB actuator and to enable a control of the motor in case of a positively verified enablement code. There is further provided a control device for the EPB actuator, an electric parking brake and a vehicle having the EPB actuator and corresponding operating methods.

An actuator for an electric parking brake, EPB, is described. The actuator comprises a motor configured to actuate an actuating member of the EPB, as well as a reception interface configured to receive an enablement code. An enablement code is assigned to the EPB actuator which individualizes the EPB actuator against other EPB actuators. The actuator further comprises an evaluation unit configured to verify the received enablement code on the basis of the enablement code allocated to the EPB actuator and to enable a control of the motor in case of a positively verified enablement code. There is further provided a control device for the EPB actuator, an electric parking brake and a vehicle having the EPB actuator and corresponding operating methods.

An immobilizer arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a brake that can be electrically actuated by at least one motor. The motor is controlled by a brake control, and with an immobilizer control that serves for activating and deactivating the immobilizer of the motor vehicle. The immobilizer control is configured to receive an authorization for deactivating the immobilizer from a user identification device. With the brake serving as the immobilizer, at least one current path is provided for actuating the motor, which is coupled to the immobilizer control.

An immobilizer arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a brake that can be electrically actuated by at least one motor. The motor is controlled by a brake control, and with an immobilizer control that serves for activating and deactivating the immobilizer of the motor vehicle. The immobilizer control is configured to receive an authorization for deactivating the immobilizer from a user identification device. With the brake serving as the immobilizer, at least one current path is provided for actuating the motor, which is coupled to the immobilizer control.

There is provided a method to stop or slow down a vehicle in an emergency, the method involving a vehicle comprising an emergency stop system which is able to cause the vehicle to stop or slow down, said emergency stop system comprising at least one microphone for detecting sounds in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a sound analysis unit for analysing sound, the method involving the steps: a) the microphone of the emergency stop system receiving a sound and sending a signal representing the sound to the sound analysis unit, b) the sound analysis unit of the emergency stop system determining that the received sound is a predetermined sound or a predetermined sound pattern, and c) the emergency stop system causing the vehicle to stop or slow down.

A control system and a related method includes determining an access state of a vehicle and communicating a locking command message from an off-board control system to remotely change the access state of the vehicle between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, an operator is unable to one or more of access a location of the vehicle, access an area internal to the vehicle, change a power setting of a component of the vehicle, or engage a propulsion system of the vehicle. The operator onboard the vehicle may be prohibited from changing the access state from the locked state to the unlocked state without assistance from the off-board control system, but the operator may be allowed to change the access state from the unlocked state to the locked state without assistance from the off-board control system.

A control system and a related method includes determining an access state of a vehicle and communicating a locking command message from an off-board control system to remotely change the access state of the vehicle between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, an operator is unable to one or more of access a location of the vehicle, access an area internal to the vehicle, change a power setting of a component of the vehicle, or engage a propulsion system of the vehicle. The operator onboard the vehicle may be prohibited from changing the access state from the locked state to the unlocked state without assistance from the off-board control system, but the operator may be allowed to change the access state from the unlocked state to the locked state without assistance from the off-board control system.

A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.

A tractor trailer monitoring system includes a network having a server and a database; a first computing device; a monitoring platform to be accessible from the first computing device; a tractor trailer system, having a tractor unit; an air supply control system to control air supply to a brake system of the trailer, the air supply control system having a CPU to receive commands from the first computing device; the first computing device and monitoring platform are to receive an identifying code from a user to activate air supply to the brake system of the trailer.

A system and method for managing a tractor-trailer and a method are provided. The system includes: a control server to manage a position of a trailer, identification information on the trailer, and identification information on a tractor matched to the trailer with respect to each hub; a trailer to authenticate the tractor by comparing the identification information, which is received from the control server, on the tractor, with identification information received from the tractor, and to release an electronic parking brake (EPB) when an authentication result for the tractor is correct; and a tractor to authenticate the trailer by comparing the identification information, which is received from the control server, on the trailer with identification information received from the trailer to authenticate the trailer, and to be coupled to the trailer, when an authentication result for the trailer is correct.