US5741966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for monitoring a parameter of a vehicle tire
Assignee: MHL TEK LLC
•
Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1998-04-21
•
Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring a parameter of a vehicle tire. In one embodiment, a detector unit disposed within the tire communicates with a central receiver unit over an electromagnetic path comprising one or more conductive components of the vehicle. Other embodiments of the invention include additional communications links for receiving information from and controlling the detector unit and the receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Handfield
- 👤 Helene Laliberte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0408; B60C23/041; B60C23/0411; B60C23/0401; B60C23/0422; B60C23/0433; B60C23/0447; B60C23/0452; B60C23/0455; B60C23/0471; B60C23/0483; B60C23/0491; B60C23/0498; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for monitoring a status of a parameter of a tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire independently of magnitude of the parameter; a programmable processor, in electrical communication with the sensor for determining status of the tire parameter by comparing the tire parameter to a selected threshold; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the processor for transmitting a status signal indicative of the status of the tire parameter along a first communications link; a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the status of the tire parameter; a communication unit in electrical communication with the processor having a first receiver for receiving a processor control command; and a remote controller, positionable for communication with the communication unit via a second communications link, for initiating the processor control command.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for monitoring a status of a parameter of a tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire independently of magnitude of the parameter; a programmable processor, in electrical communication with the sensor for determining status of the tire parameter by comparing the tire parameter to a selected threshold; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the processor for transmitting a status signal indicative of the status of the tire parameter along a first communications link; a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the status of the tire parameter; a communication unit in electrical communication with the processor having a first receiver for receiving a processor control command; and a remote controller, positionable for communication with the communication unit via a second communications link, for initiating the processor control command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the communication unit further includes a second transmitter for sending a transmission in response to the processor control command.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the remote controller further comprises a second receiver for receiving the transmission sent by the second transmitter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the processor control command includes a command to change the selected threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the processor control command includes a command to transmit a controller parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the controller parameter includes a tire identification code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the controller parameter includes a controller identification.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the processor control command includes a command to test the sensor and to transmit a test result.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the second communications link comprises an inductively coupled channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the tire parameter is inflation pressure within the tire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the tire parameter is temperature within the tire.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for monitoring a parameter of a tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the sensor for transmitting the generated signal along a first communications link; a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the tire parameter by receiving the generated signal; a proqrammable processor, in electrical communication with the monitor for determining an alarm condition based upon the monitored tire parameter; a communication unit in electrical communication with the processor having a first receiver for receiving a processor control command; and a remote controller, positionable for electrical communication with the communication unit along a second communications link, for initiating the processor control command.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for monitoring a parameter of a tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the sensor for transmitting the generated signal along a first communications link; a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the tire parameter by receiving the generated signal; a proqrammable processor, in electrical communication with the monitor for determining an alarm condition based upon the monitored tire parameter; a communication unit in electrical communication with the processor having a first receiver for receiving a processor control command; and a remote controller, positionable for electrical communication with the communication unit along a second communications link, for initiating the processor control command.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for monitoring a parameter of an inflatable tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the sensor for transmitting the generated signal along a first communications link; a piezo-electric element, for supplying power to the transmitter independent of inflation pressure of the time; a capacitive element connected to the piezo-electric element for storing energy and providing power to the transmitter when the inflatable tire is stationary; and a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the tire parameter by receiving the generated signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for monitoring a parameter of an inflatable tire for a vehicle, the system comprising: a sensor, disposed within the tire, for generating a signal indicative of the parameter of the tire; a transmitter, in electrical communication with the sensor for transmitting the generated signal along a first communications link; a piezo-electric element, for supplying power to the transmitter independent of inflation pressure of the time; a capacitive element connected to the piezo-electric element for storing energy and providing power to the transmitter when the inflatable tire is stationary; and a monitor, in communication with the first communications link, for monitoring the tire parameter by receiving the generated signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the second communications link includes an inductively coupled channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the piezo-electric element is mounted on a weighted member which vibrates when the inflatable tire spins.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the remote controller generates a processor control command to change the selected threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the processor control command changes the system configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |