The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 23, 2001
George Chene, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Lee A. French, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Dennis A. Kramer, Troy, MI (US);
Gerald D. Lawruk, Clarkston, MI (US);
Brian Jeffrey Mueller, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Reno V. Ramsey, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Wayne Shintaku, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Jack R. Worrall, Novi, MI (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a system for automatically shutting down a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle system for performing a vehicle function such as brakes for performing braking of the vehicle. A vehicle control system controls the vehicle system by controlling valve switches or actuators to manipulate the vehicle system. A portable handheld computing device includes a program defining a vehicle shutdown sequence. Preferably, the portable handheld computing device is what is known as a personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a Handspring® or Palmpilot®. A cradle removably receives the portable handheld computing device to connect the portable handheld computing device with the vehicle control system, such as through the vehicle databus. A switch enables the portable handheld computing device to command the vehicle control system to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence. The switch may be an ignition switch, a dedicated vehicle shutdown sequence switch, or an icon on a PDA display touch screen. Once the switch has been actuated, the program residing on the portable handheld computing device commands the vehicle control systems to perform the vehicle shutdown sequence. For example, the vehicle shutdown sequence may command the pneumatic power control system to purge a wet tank to remove the water from the wet tank to prevent it from rusting.