US6581449B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low pressure warning system for pneumatic tires with RF tags and monitors for each tire
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
•
Filing: 1999-09-15
•
Granted: 2003-06-24
•
Expires: 2019-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus ( 200 ) for monitoring vehicle tire pressure and warning the driver when a low tire inflation pressure condition occurs includes transponder tags ( 220 a . . . 220 d , 300, 300 a ) and associated sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature) for each tire and a monitor ( 230 a . . . 230 d , 400 disposed in close proximity to each tire ( 204 a . . . 204 d ). In this case manner, a low-powered radio transmission can take place between each tire tag and an associated one of the monitors. Each monitor is connected to a vehicle data bus 206, 430 ) for communicating, preferably bi-directionally, with a computer ( 208 ), and a central display ( 212 ) provides visual (or audible) warnings to the operator of the vehicle. The system is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and highly reliable, and conforms to standards established for heavy vehicles, and can be used on passenger car applications as well.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Walter Brown
- 👤 William Frank Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0408; G; G01; G01M; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; G01M17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
In a vehicle having pneumatic tires, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising an RF tag associated with each of the vehicle tires, each tag providing a signal indicative of respective tire pressure; the system characterized by: a monitor associated with each of the RF tags, each monitor being mounted in close proximity with each respective tire; one central computer; and a bi-directional serial data bus connected to the computer and to each of the monitors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a vehicle having pneumatic tires, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising an RF tag associated with each of the vehicle tires, each tag providing a signal indicative of respective tire pressure; the system characterized by: a monitor associated with each of the RF tags, each monitor being mounted in close proximity with each respective tire; one central computer; and a bi-directional serial data bus connected to the computer and to each of the monitors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a transmitter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a transponder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a passive transponder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 , characterized in that: the RF tag is an active transponder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that each monitor comprises: a ferrite rod antenna for coupling with an associated one of the RF tags.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the data bus comprises a vehicle data bus, for use in multiple vehicle data communication tasks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized by: a display connected to the data bus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the data bus comprises a dedicated data bus, for exclusive use with the system for monitoring tire pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the data bus conforms to RS-485.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , characterized in that: the RF tag provides a signal indicative of respective tire temperature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of monitoring vehicle tire pressure wherein the RF tag is associated with each of the vehicle tires, each tag providing a signal indicative of respective tire pressure; the method characterized by the steps of: mounting a monitor in close proximity to each tire such that each monitor communicates with the RF tag associated with the respective tire; using each monitor for converting between RF signals and data streams suitable for a bi-directional serial data bus; connecting the monitors and a single on board computer to the data bus; and using the computer for interpreting and displaying data form the RF tags.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of monitoring vehicle tire pressure wherein the RF tag is associated with each of the vehicle tires, each tag providing a signal indicative of respective tire pressure; the method characterized by the steps of: mounting a monitor in close proximity to each tire such that each monitor communicates with the RF tag associated with the respective tire; using each monitor for converting between RF signals and data streams suitable for a bi-directional serial data bus; connecting the monitors and a single on board computer to the data bus; and using the computer for interpreting and displaying data form the RF tags.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a transmitter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a transponder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 , characterized in that: the RF tag is a passive transponder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized by: comprising each monitor of a ferrite rod antenna for coupling with an associated one of the RF tags.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized by: conforming the data bus to RS-485.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized by: sharing the data bus as a vehicle data bus, for use in multiple vehicle data communication tasks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized by: dedicating the data bus to exclusive use with the system for monitoring tire pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , characterized by: measuring tire temperature with the RF tag.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3553060A
Cited
US3694803A
Cited
US3810090A
Cited
US4067235A
Cited
US4319220A
Cited
US4220907A
Cited
US4334215A
Cited
US5297424A
Cited
US5335540A
Cited
US5368082A
Cited
US5541574A
Cited
US5731754A
Cited
US5661651A
Cited
US5774047A
Cited
US5880363A
Cited
EP0832765A2
Cited
US5790016A
Cited
WO2000034061A1
Cited
US6369712B2
Cited
WO2001012453A1
Cited
WO2001017806A1
Cited
US6441728B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-23 | 2006-12-23 | 2007-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-23 | 2011-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | 2015-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |