Patent ID: 7415325

Claim:
A method for data interchange between a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle coupled thereto, the tractor vehicle including a first electronic control and measurement device and an output device, the trailer vehicle including a second electronic control and measurement device, a data link connecting said first and second electronic devices, each of said first and second electronic devices being connected to at least one of a sensor and an actuator for measuring status information of and controlling operating functions for the vehicle associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of initiating an information request and transmitting request data via said data link from said first electronic control and measurement device to said second electronic control and measurement device, receiving status information in said first electronic control and measurement device via said data link transmitted by said second electronic control and measurement device in response to said request data, establishing an output scheme for output of said status information of both said tractor vehicle and said trailer vehicle, and, utilizing said output device, outputting from said first electronic control and measurement device said status information received from said second electronic control and measurement device in accordance with said output scheme.