Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.

Tommy Gustavsson

Michael Dean Blackard

John Bate

Brian Kidd

Jon Michael Quigley

Riley Muse

A multiple purpose antenna system for installation on a highway truck to receive and transmit signals. The system includes an antenna for communication of electromagnetic frequency signals having multiple band widths, a multiplex unit coupled to the antenna having circuitry for simultaneously passing multiple signals of band widths, and a filter unit. The filter is coupled to the multiplex unit for filtering signals received from the multiplex unit into multiple sets of band width ranges. The sets include a first frequency range for use by a first receiver apparatus, a second frequency range for use by a second receiver apparatus, and a third frequency range for use by a third receiver apparatus. The filter unit may be included within a satellite electronic communications unit. The first receiver apparatus may be a weather band radio apparatus. The third receiver apparatus may be an AM/FM commercial radio.

Multiple purpose antenna system

A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle milleage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

Vehicle tampering protection system

A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.

Integrated vehicle communications display

A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

A method of providing an incentive in the form of increased allowable vehicle operating speed for meeting a minimum fuel economy goal. The operation of the vehicle is limited to speeds below the allowable vehicle operating speed. Signals indicative of vehicle fuel economy over a predetermined distance of vehicle travel are collected and stored. A determination is made as to whether the operator has met the minimum fuel economy based on the collected signals, such as percentage of operating time spent idling. The allowable vehicle operating speed is increased to an incentive speed when said operator has met the minimum fuel economy. The collected signals are replaced with newly collected signals after the vehicle has traveled the predetermined distance. The allowable vehicle operating speed is equal to the incentive speed during the interval in which the vehicle has not yet traveled the predetermined distance of vehicle travel.

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Greensboro, NC, United States of America

Tommy Gustavsson