Patent ID: 6933837

Claim:
A trailer based collision warning system comprising: a sensor; a sensor control unit coupled to the sensor, the sensor control unit having a signal processor to determine a presence of a hazard and a controller to control multiple sensors, the sensor control unit capable of determining an object within a predetermined field of view for each sensor coupled thereto, and within a predetermined detection range; a driver vehicle interface coupled to the sensor control unit, the driver vehicle interface configured to receive signals from the sensor control unit representative of objects determined by the sensor control unit; an alarm unit coupled to the driver vehicle interface capable of providing a representation of objects detected by the sensor control unit, wherein the trailer based collision warning system is adapted for mounting to a trailer; and a security feature built into the driver vehicle interface that utilizes existing collision warning sensors of one or more types along with additional sensors capable of determining alarm conditions, wherein the alarm conditions include unauthorized opening of trailer doors, unauthorized opening of fluid valves, unauthorized movement of the trailer, and movement of persons in close proximity to the trailer for a preprogrammed period of time.