US6369712B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Response adjustable temperature sensor for transponder
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
•
Filing: 2000-12-21
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Granted: 2002-04-09
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Expires: 2020-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A response-adjustable temperature sensor ( 306 , Rext), particularly for a transponder ( 102, 200, 400 ) capable of measuring one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure) and transmitting a data stream (FIGS. 3 C, 4 B) to an external reader/interrogator ( 106 ). The transponder typically operates in a passive mode, deriving its power (Vxx, Vcc, Vdd) from an RF interrogation signal received by an antenna system ( 210, 410 ), but can also operate in a battery-powered active mode. The transponder includes memory ( 238, 438 ) for storing measurements, calibration data, programmable trim settings ( 436 b ), transponder ID and the like. The temperature sensor is a temperature measurement device characterized by a resistance (Rext, 216, 416, 716 ) and a temperature sensing circuit ( 306 ) comprising a temperature sensing transistor (Q 1 ) which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors (P 1 , N 1 , P 2 , N 2 ) connected for mirroring a current (I(T)) through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance. The resistance may be a fixed, temperature-independent resistor or a resistance that has a resistance value that predictably varies with temperature, such as a thermistor ( 716 ). Temperature response and resolution can be adjusted while maintaining desired current levels by varying the value of the resistance and also by selecting a thermistor with a suitable temperature coefficient. User-settable trimming bits can be used to determine scaling of the transponder output. Replacing an external pressure-sensing capacitor with a fixed-value capacitor allows further flexibility in scaling of the output when only temperature readings are needed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Michael Letkomiller
- 👤 Dale Lee Yones
- 👤 Richard Stephen Pollack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0408; B60C23/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A temperature measurement device, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); and a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current (I(T)) through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A temperature measurement device, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); and a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current (I(T)) through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 1 , further characterized in that: the resistance is a fixed resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 2 , further characterized in that: the fixed resistor has a resistance value which is substantially independent of temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 3 , further characterized in that: the resistance value is a fixed value between about 20.5 kilohms and about 455 kilohms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 3 , further characterized in that: the resistance value is a fixed value greater than about 200 kilohms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 1 , further characterized in that: the resistance has a resistance value which predictably varies with temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 6 , further characterized in that: the resistance is a thermistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A temperature measurement device according to claim 6 , further characterized in that: within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has a resistance value great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the step of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the step of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 9 , characterized by: utilizing a fixed resistor for the resistance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 9 , characterized by: utilizing a resistance that predictably varies with temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method according to claim 11 , characterized by: selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that has a value great enough compared to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to increase the slope of the temperature response compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the resistance values are great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 11 , characterized by: selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature response within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the temperature-varying resistance value is great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within the desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; and a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; and a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An RF transponder according to claim 14 , further characterized in that: the resistance is a thermistor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
An RF transponder according to claim 14 , further characterized in that: within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has resistance values great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the mirrored current.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
An RF transponder according to claim 16 , further characterized in that: the resistance has a temperature coefficient great enough, relative to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor, to increase the slope of the temperature reading versus temperature compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
An RF transponder according to claim 16 , further characterized in that: the resistance has a temperature coefficient which counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature reading versus temperature within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
103 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; an external measuring capacitor having a capacitance value which is fixed and substantially independent of temperature and pressure; a relaxation oscillator circuit which utilizes the external measuring capacitor to convert the temperature-indicative current to an output signal; and a data capture circuit for converting the output signal to a reading which is proportional to the temperature-indicative current.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
103 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; an external measuring capacitor having a capacitance value which is fixed and substantially independent of temperature and pressure; a relaxation oscillator circuit which utilizes the external measuring capacitor to convert the temperature-indicative current to an output signal; and a data capture circuit for converting the output signal to a reading which is proportional to the temperature-indicative current.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
An RF transponder according to claim 19 , further characterized in that: the value for the capacitance of the external measuring capacitor is selected so that the reading plotted versus temperature has a monotonic slope for all values of temperature within a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the steps of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response; utilizing a resistance that predictably varies with temperature; selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that has a value great enough compared to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to increase the slope of the temperature response compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the resistance values are great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the steps of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response; utilizing a resistance that predictably varies with temperature; selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that has a value great enough compared to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to increase the slope of the temperature response compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the resistance values are great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the steps of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response; utilizing a resistance that predictably varies with temperature; selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature response within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the temperature-varying resistance value is great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within the desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of adjusting temperature response for a temperature sensing circuit connected to a voltage-to-current converting resistance (Rext) wherein the temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature sensing transistor which exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance, characterized by the steps of: selecting the resistance value in order to produce a desired slope for the temperature response; utilizing a resistance that predictably varies with temperature; selecting a temperature coefficient for the resistance that counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature response within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range; and selecting a nominal value for the resistance such that the temperature-varying resistance value is great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the current within the desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
143 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature; such that within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has resistance values great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the mirrored current; and the resistance has a temperature coefficient great enough, relative to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor, to increase the slope of the temperature reading versus temperature compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
143 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature; such that within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has resistance values great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the mirrored current; and the resistance has a temperature coefficient great enough, relative to the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor, to increase the slope of the temperature reading versus temperature compared to the slope that would result from utilizing a minimum resistance valued fixed resistor for the resistance.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
136 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature; such that: within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has resistance values great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the mirrored current; and the resistance has a temperature coefficient which counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature reading versus temperature within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
136 words
An RF transponder, characterized by: a resistance (Rext); a temperature sensing circuit comprising a temperature sensing transistor that exhibits a predictable change in its base-emitter voltage due to temperature, and transistors connected for mirroring a temperature-indicative current through the temperature sensing transistor and through the resistance; circuitry for converting the mirrored current to a temperature reading that is proportional to the mirrored current; a value for the resistance that predictably varies with temperature; such that: within a desired temperature measurement range, the resistance has resistance values great enough to prevent unacceptable levels of the mirrored current; and the resistance has a temperature coefficient which counterbalances the temperature coefficient of the temperature sensing transistor in order to produce an approximately zero slope of the temperature reading versus temperature within a portion of a desired temperature measurement range.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-08 | 2005-10-08 | 2006-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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