CONTROLEUR DE CONDITION DE VEHICULE ET SYSTEME DE GESTION UTILISANT LES COMMUNICATIONS PAR SATELLITE

ABSTRACT VEHICLE STATUS MONITOR AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM EMPLOYING SATELLITE COMMUNICATION Apparatus and method for monitoring the status of amultiple part vehicle are disclosed. Apparatus according to theinvention comprises a tag on a second part of the vehicle whichimpresses a unique ID code of the vehicle's existing electricalsystem. An interface unit in a first part of the vehicledetects the presence of a valid ID code on the vehicle'selectrical system and in response provides an indication that thesecond part of the vehicle is connected. A mobile satellitetransmitter provides data indicative of the status of the vehicleto an earth station via a satellite. Vehicle position data isalso provided to the earth station with each transmission.