US6693522B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for tire pressure monitoring including automatic tire location recognition
Assignee: Lear Corp
•
Filing: 2001-10-12
•
Granted: 2004-02-17
•
Expires: 2021-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals, and includes an antenna to be located at a vehicle site. Each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and collects and processes the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire location associated with each tire pressure signal based on the unique amplitude patterns. The controller further generates control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.
Inventors
- 👤 Qingfeng Tang
- 👤 John S. Nantz
- 👤 Riad Ghabra
- 👤 Salman Khreizat
- 👤 Ronald O. King
- 👤 David Kosokowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/02; B60C23/04; B60C23/0408; B60C23/0415; B60C23/0416; B60C23/0474; B60C23/0477; G; G08; G08C; G08C17/00; G08C17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising: a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site without regard to a data encoding scheme for the tire pressure signal; and a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising: a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site without regard to a data encoding scheme for the tire pressure signal; and a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each means for determining tire pressure comprises a pressure sensor, the sensor having an identification associated therewith, and each transmitter is also for transmitting the sensor identification of the associated pressure sensor for receipt by the receiver and for use by the controller in identifying the tire pressure signals as associated with the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises a receiver housing and the antenna is integrated inside the receiver housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises a receiver housing and the antenna is external to the receiver housing so that the receiver housing can be located at a different vehicle site than the antenna.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising: a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site; and a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant, wherein the amplitude patterns of the tire pressure signals vary depending on vehicle speed, and the controller is further to be provided with vehicle speed information so that, for each tire location, a stored amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal at a vehicle speed can be used in identifying the tire location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
227 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a system for monitoring tire pressure comprising: a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site; and a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant, wherein the amplitude patterns of the tire pressure signals vary depending on vehicle speed, and the controller is further to be provided with vehicle speed information so that, for each tire location, a stored amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal at a vehicle speed can be used in identifying the tire location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each transmitter includes a battery and, to extend battery life, each transmitter transmits tire pressure signals intermittently according to a period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the periods may vary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 wherein each transmitter further transmits a protocol for receipt by the receiver, the protocol for use by the controller in determining the periods according to which the transmitters will transmit tire pressure signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is provided with a initial programming mode for the tire locations, the programming mode comprising, for each tire location, providing the controller with the tire location, transmitting a tire pressure signal from the transmitter associated with the tire location while the tire associated with the tire location rotates, receiving the tire pressure signal at the antenna site, and collecting and processing the tire pressure signal so that the amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal is associated with the tire location provided.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the amplitude patterns of the tire pressure signals vary depending on vehicle speed and the controller is further to be provided with vehicle speed information, and wherein, for each tire location, the controller is further for storing an amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal for at least one vehicle speed for use in identifying the tire location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a method for monitoring tire pressure comprising: providing a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; providing a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site without regard to a data encoding scheme for the tire pressure signal; and providing a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a vehicle having a plurality of tires, each tire having a tire location associated therewith, a method for monitoring tire pressure comprising: providing a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising means for determining tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the tire pressure determined; providing a receiver for mounting on board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver comprising an antenna to be located on the vehicle at a site, wherein each tire pressure signal has an amplitude and, for each tire location, the amplitude has a unique pattern over time for the antenna site without regard to a data encoding scheme for the tire pressure signal; and providing a controller for mounting on board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver for collecting and processing the tire pressure signals to automatically identify the tire locations associated therewith based on the unique amplitude patterns, the controller further for generating control signals for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a vehicle occupant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 11 wherein each means for determining tire pressure comprises a pressure sensor, the sensor having an identification associated therewith, and each transmitter is also for transmitting the sensor identification of the associated pressure sensor for receipt by the receiver and for use by the controller in identifying the tire pressure signals as associated with the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the receiver further comprises a receiver housing and the antenna is integrated inside the receiver housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the receiver further comprises a receiver housing and the antenna is external to the receiver housing so that the receiver housing can be located at a different vehicle site than the antenna.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the amplitude patterns of the tire pressure signals vary depending on vehicle speed, and the controller is further to be provided with vehicle speed information so that, for each tire location, a stored amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal at a vehicle speed can be used in identifying the tire location.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 wherein each transmitter includes a battery and, to extend battery life, each transmitter transmits tire pressure signals intermittently according to a period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the periods may vary.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each transmitter further transmits a protocol for receipt by the receiver, the protocol for use by the controller in determining the periods according to which the transmitters will transmit tire pressure signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the controller is provided with a initial programming mode for the tire locations, the programming mode comprising, for each tire location, providing the controller with the tire location, transmitting a tire pressure signal from the transmitter associated with the tire location while the tire associated with the tire location rotates, receiving the tire pressure signal at the antenna site, and collecting and processing the tire pressure signal so that the amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal is associated with the tire location provided.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the amplitude patterns of the tire pressure signals vary depending on vehicle speed and the controller is further to be provided with vehicle speed information, and wherein, for each tire location, the controller is further for storing an amplitude pattern of the tire pressure signal for at least one vehicle speed for use in identifying the tire location.
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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) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-08-18 | 2012-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-16 | 2015-08-18 | 2016-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |