US6445287B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 2000-11-10
•
Granted: 2002-09-03
•
Expires: 2020-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular tire inflation monitoring system is provided for a vehicle that includes at least one tire inflation indicator assembly, visible or audible exterior of the vehicle or experienced by tactile feedback, preferably positioned at a vehicle portion outside the interior cabin of the vehicle, such as at an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The at least one tire inflation indicator assembly provides an indication of the inflation condition of at least one of the vehicle tires. The tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving at least one input from at least one tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of at least one vehicle tire. The control produces an output to illuminate the at least one tire inflation indicator assembly or cause it to make a sound audible outside the interior cabin of the vehicle and indicative of a tire pressure condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0401; B60C23/0406; B60C23/0408; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0118; G02B2027/012; G02B6/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 94
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system, comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted on a side of a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element and a support for said reflective element; and a tire inflation monitoring system including at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly, said audible tire inflation indicator assembly generating a sound audible to a person exterior the vehicle engaged in an act of adjusting the tire pressure of at least one vehicle tire mounted on a wheel of the vehicle, said audible tire inflation indicator providing an audible indication of the inflation condition of the at least one vehicle tire, wherein said tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving input from a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of the at least one vehicle tire and said control producing an output to cause said audible tire inflation indicator assembly to generate a sound indicative of a tire pressure condition of the at least one vehicle tire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror system, comprising: an exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted on a side of a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element and a support for said reflective element; and a tire inflation monitoring system including at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly, said audible tire inflation indicator assembly generating a sound audible to a person exterior the vehicle engaged in an act of adjusting the tire pressure of at least one vehicle tire mounted on a wheel of the vehicle, said audible tire inflation indicator providing an audible indication of the inflation condition of the at least one vehicle tire, wherein said tire inflation monitoring system includes a control receiving input from a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of the at least one vehicle tire and said control producing an output to cause said audible tire inflation indicator assembly to generate a sound indicative of a tire pressure condition of the at least one vehicle tire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a movable portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 2 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at one of said fixed portion and said movable portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 3 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at said fixed portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 3 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at an under surface of said fixed portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 3 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at said fixed portion adjacent said reflective element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 3 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly is positioned at said movable portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 7 wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said at least one audible tire inflation indicator assembly produces a pattern of sound indicative of a tire being in an over inflated condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicular exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input indicative of operation of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 10 wherein said control includes a lockout function which precludes producing said output during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 11 wherein said control produces said output during a particular period of time after operation of the vehicle is discontinued.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 12 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 12 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 12 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 11 wherein said control receives another input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said output in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 16 wherein said control produces said output for a predetermined period of time in response to said door lock sensor indicating the vehicle door changes to an unlocked state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 17 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 17 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 17 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control receives an input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said output in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 21 wherein said control produces said output for a predetermined period of time in response to said door lock sensor indicating the vehicle door changes to an unlocked state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 22 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said control produces said output in response to said at least one tire pressure sensor sensing a substantial change in tire pressure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 1 wherein said at least one audible tire pressure indicator assembly produces a first indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially within a predetermined normal pressure range.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
75 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 27 wherein said at least one audible tire pressure indicator assembly produces at least one of a second indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially less than said predetermined normal pressure range and a third indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor being substantially greater than said predetermined normal pressure range.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 28 wherein said at least one audible tire pressure indicator assembly produces a fourth indication in response to pressure sensed by said at least one tire pressure sensor undergoing change indicative of the associated tire undergoing inflation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 28 wherein said first through third indications are produced with one sound.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
59 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 30 wherein one of said indications is produced by continuously indicating said one indication sound, another of said indications is produced by repeating said one indication sound at a first predetermined rate and another of said indications is produced by repeating said one indication sound at a second higher predetermined rate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 31 wherein said first indication is produced by continuously indicating said one indication sound, said second indication produced by repeating said one indication sound at said first predetermined rate, said third indication is produced by flashing said one indication sound at said second higher predetermined rate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 28 wherein said first through third indications are produced with more than one sound.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vehicle exterior rearview mirror system in claim 33 wherein said first indication is produced by indication with one said sound, said second indication is produced with a different sound and said third indication is produced by repeating said different sound.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
98 words
A vehicular tire pressure monitoring system comprising: a tire pressure indicator assembly including a control and at least one of an audible tire inflation status indicator and a visual tire inflation status indicator, said tire inflation status indicator providing indication of the inflation condition of a vehicle tire to a person exteriorly of the vehicle when the person is engaged in an act of adjusting the tire pressure of the vehicle tire, said control receiving inputs from tire pressure sensors sensing pressure of the vehicle tires and said control producing outputs to actuate said tire inflation status indicator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
98 words
A vehicular tire pressure monitoring system comprising: a tire pressure indicator assembly including a control and at least one of an audible tire inflation status indicator and a visual tire inflation status indicator, said tire inflation status indicator providing indication of the inflation condition of a vehicle tire to a person exteriorly of the vehicle when the person is engaged in an act of adjusting the tire pressure of the vehicle tire, said control receiving inputs from tire pressure sensors sensing pressure of the vehicle tires and said control producing outputs to actuate said tire inflation status indicator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 further comprising a tactile tire pressure indicator at at least one tire, said tactile tire pressure indicator providing tactile feedback of the tire's pressure to the person adjusting the tire's pressure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 wherein said tire inflation status indicator is positioned exteriorly of the vehicle.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 37 wherein said tire inflation status indicator is positioned at an exterior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 38 wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, said tire inflation status indicator being positioned at said fixed portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 39 wherein said tire inflation status indicator is positioned at an under surface of said fixed portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 39 wherein said rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element, said tire inflation indicator being positioned at said fixed portion adjacent said reflective element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 38 wherein said rearview mirror assembly includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, said tire pressure indicator assembly being positioned at said movable portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 42 wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 wherein said control receives an input indicative of operation of the vehicle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 44 wherein said control includes a lockout function which precludes producing said outputs during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 45 wherein said control produces said outputs during a particular period of time after operation of the vehicle is discontinued.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 46 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 46 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 46 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 45 wherein said control receives another input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said outputs in response to the vehicle doors being in an unlocked state.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 50 wherein said control produces said outputs for a predetermined period of time in response to said door lock sensor indicating the vehicle door changes to an unlocked state.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 51 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 51 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 51 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 54 wherein said control produces said output for a predetermined period of time in response to said door lock sensor indicating the vehicle door changes to an unlocked state.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 55 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 55 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 30 minutes.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 55 wherein said predetermined period of time is less than or equal to about 15 minutes.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 wherein said control receives an input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said outputs in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 wherein said control produces said outputs in response to an associated tire pressure sensor of said tire pressure sensors sensing a substantial change in tire pressure.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 35 wherein said tire inflation status indicator produces a first indication in response to pressure sensed by an associated tire pressure sensor of said tire pressure sensors being substantially within a predetermined normal pressure range.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
75 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 61 wherein said tire inflation status indicator produces at least one of a second indication in response to pressure sensed by an associated tire pressure sensor of said tire pressure sensors being substantially less than said predetermined pressure range and a third indication in response to pressure sensed by an associated tire pressure sensor of said tire pressure sensors being substantially greater than said predetermined pressure range.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 62 wherein said tire inflation status indicator produces a fourth indication in response to pressure sensed by an associated tire pressure sensor of said tire pressure sensors undergoing change indicative of the associated tire undergoing inflation.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 62 wherein said first through third indications are produced with one of a color and a sound.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
71 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 64 wherein one of said indications is produced by continuously indicating said one of a color and a sound, another of said indications is produced by flashing said one of a color and a sound at a first predetermined rate and another of said indications is produced by flashing said one of a color and a sound at a second higher predetermined rate.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
67 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 65 wherein said first indication is produced by continuously indicating said one of a color and a sound, said second indication is produced by flashing said one of a color and a sound at said first predetermined rate, said third indication is produced by flashing said one of a color and a sound at said second higher predetermined rate.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system in claim 62 wherein said first through third indications are produced with more than one of a color and a sound.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system claim 67 wherein said first indication is produced by indication with one of a color and a sound, said second indication is produced with a different one of a color and a sound, and said third indication is produced by flashing said different one of a color and a sound.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 35 wherein said indication comprises a sound.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicular tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 69 wherein said sound is produced by a horn.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
101 words
A tire inflation monitoring system suitable for use on a vehicle comprising: a control receiving input from a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of a vehicle tire; and at least one tire inflation indicator positioned at one of an interior portion and an exterior portion of the vehicle, said tire inflation indicator providing at least one of a visual indication visible exteriorly of the vehicle and an audible indication audible exteriorly of the vehicle of the inflation condition of the vehicle tire, and said control producing an output to actuate said tire inflation indicator in response to a tire pressure condition.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
101 words
A tire inflation monitoring system suitable for use on a vehicle comprising: a control receiving input from a tire pressure sensor sensing pressure of a vehicle tire; and at least one tire inflation indicator positioned at one of an interior portion and an exterior portion of the vehicle, said tire inflation indicator providing at least one of a visual indication visible exteriorly of the vehicle and an audible indication audible exteriorly of the vehicle of the inflation condition of the vehicle tire, and said control producing an output to actuate said tire inflation indicator in response to a tire pressure condition.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said tire inflation indicator is positioned at said exterior portion.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tire inflation monitoring system according to claim 72 further comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly at said exterior portion, said tire inflation indicator being positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 72 wherein said exterior portion comprises an exterior body panel.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 72 wherein said exterior portion comprises a door panel.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 72 wherein said exterior portion comprises a side marker.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said control receives an input indicative of operation of the vehicle.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said control includes a lockout function which precludes producing said output during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said control produces said output during a particular period of time after operation of the vehicle is discontinued.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 79 wherein said period of time is less than or equal to about 2 hours.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said control receives an input from a vehicle door lock sensor and produces said output in response to the vehicle door being in an unlocked state.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 71 wherein said tire inflation indicator provides an audible indication.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tire inflation monitoring system in claim 82 wherein said audible indication is provided by a horn.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
103 words
A tire inflation assistance system comprising: a tire pressure sensor adapted for sensing pressure of a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, the tire being pressurized by a gas; a valve stem adapted for allowing the gas to be introduced into or escape from the tire; a controller for receiving input from said tire pressure sensor; and a vibrator element, said controller producing an output to cause said vibrator element to vibrate as a function of the pressurized gas in the tire to thereby provide a tactile indication of the tire pressure condition of the vehicle tire at said valve stem.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
103 words
A tire inflation assistance system comprising: a tire pressure sensor adapted for sensing pressure of a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, the tire being pressurized by a gas; a valve stem adapted for allowing the gas to be introduced into or escape from the tire; a controller for receiving input from said tire pressure sensor; and a vibrator element, said controller producing an output to cause said vibrator element to vibrate as a function of the pressurized gas in the tire to thereby provide a tactile indication of the tire pressure condition of the vehicle tire at said valve stem.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 84 wherein said vibrator element vibrates said stem.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 84 wherein said vibrator element vibrates when said tire is over pressurized.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 86 wherein said vibrator element ceases to vibrate when the tire pressure in the vehicle tire is reduced to the correct tire pressure.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 84 wherein said vibrator element vibrates when the tire pressure in the vehicle tire is too low and ceases to vibrate when the tire pressure in the vehicle tire reaches the correct tire pressure.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 84 wherein said stem, said controller, said tire pressure sensor, and said vibrator element are contained in a unitary module.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tire pressure monitoring system according to claim 84 wherein said pressurized gas comprises pressurized air.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |