Wheel identifying apparatus and tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus with function of wheel identification

Claim 2

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat and transmits the response signal which conveys signal strength information indicative of the determined strength of the trigger signal, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the signal strength information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 3

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein, the triggering device outputs the trigger signal with such a low strength that one of the first and second transceivers cannot detect the trigger signal and thus no response signal is transmitted by the one of the first and second transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies the wheel on which the one of the first and second transceivers is located as the one of the first and second wheels which is farther from the triggering device than the other.

Claim 4

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein, each of the transceivers has an identification specific thereto and transmits, in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, the response signal which conveys ID information indicative of the identification of the transceiver as well as the signal strength information, and after the wheel identification for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel identifier further stores the ID information conveyed by the response signal as reference ID information associated with the identified wheel.

Claim 5

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first and second wheels are rear wheels of the vehicle and the third and fourth wheels are front wheels of the vehicle, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, when the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal, and when the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Claim 6

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the first and second triggering devices are located on the same side of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Claim 7

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 5 , wherein, the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device, the wheel identifier identifies the one of the first and second transceivers, which transmits the response signal conveying signal strength information indicative of the maximum one of the strengths of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device at the transceivers, as being located on the one of the rear wheels of the vehicle which is closer to the first triggering device than the other, the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device, the wheel identifier identifies the one of the third and fourth transceivers, which transmits the response signal conveying signal strength information indicative of the maximum one of the strengths of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device at the transceivers, as being located on the one of the front wheels of the vehicle which is closer to the second triggering device than the other, and the wheel identifier identifies, based on all the response signals received by the receiver, the other one of the first and second transceivers as being located on the other one of the rear wheels of the vehicle and the other one of the third and fourth transceivers as being located on the other one of the front wheels of the vehicle.

Claim 8

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first and second wheels are left wheels of the vehicle and the third and fourth wheels are right wheels of the vehicle, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, when the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal, and when the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Claim 9

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the first and second triggering devices are located on the same side of a lateral centerline of the vehicle.

Claim 10

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 8 , wherein, the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device, the wheel identifier identifies the one of the first and second transceivers, which transmits the response signal conveying signal strength information indicative of the maximum one of the strengths of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device at the transceivers, as being located on the one of the left wheels of the vehicle which is closer to the first triggering device than the other, the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device, the wheel identifier identifies the one of the third and fourth transceivers, which transmits the response signal conveying signal strength information indicative of the maximum one of the strengths of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device at the transceivers, as being located on the one of the right wheels of the vehicle which is closer to the second triggering device than the other, and the wheel identifier identifies, based on all the response signals received by the receiver, the other one of the first and second transceivers as being located on the other one of the left wheels of the vehicle and the other one of the third and fourth transceivers as being located on the other one of the right wheels of the vehicle.

Claim 11

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, the transceivers transmit the respective response signals at different transmission times.

Claim 12

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the transmission times, at which the response signals are transmitted, are determined by the respective transceivers according to the strengths of the trigger signal thereat.

Claim 13

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the transmission times, at which the response signals are transmitted, are randomly determined by the respective transceivers.

Claim 14

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat and transmits the response signal which conveys signal strength information indicative of the determined strength of the trigger signal as well as the tire pressure information, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the signal strength information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 15

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat and transmits the response signal which conveys signal strength information indicative of the determined strength of the trigger signal as well as the tire pressure information, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the signal strength information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 16

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat, determines a transmission time according to the determined strength of the trigger signal, and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 17

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat, determines a transmission time according to the determined strength of the trigger signal, and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 18

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 14 , wherein, the triggering device outputs the trigger signal with such a low strength that one of the first and second transceivers cannot detect the trigger signal and thus no response signal is transmitted by the one of the first and second transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies the wheel on which the one of the first and second transceivers is located as the one of the first and second wheels which is farther from the triggering device than the other.

Claim 19

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 14 , wherein, each of the transceivers has an identification specific thereto and transmits, in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, the response signal which conveys ID information indicative of the identification of the transceiver, and after the wheel identification for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel identifier further stores the ID information conveyed by the response signal as reference ID information associated with the identified wheel.

Claim 20

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first and second wheels are rear wheels of the vehicle and the third and fourth wheels are front wheels of the vehicle, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, when the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal, and when the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Claim 21

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first and second wheels are left wheels of the vehicle and the third and fourth wheels are right wheels of the vehicle, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, when the first triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal, and when the second triggering device transmits the trigger signal, at least the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal.

Claim 22

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat, determines a transmission time according to the determined strength of the trigger signal, and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 23

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, upon receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device, each of the transceivers determines the strength of the trigger signal thereat, determines a transmission time according to the determined strength of the trigger signal, and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 24

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers transmits the response signal which conveys receiving behavior information indicative of the determined receiving behavior, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the receiving behavior information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 25

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers transmits the response signal which conveys receiving behavior information indicative of the determined receiving behavior, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the receiving behavior information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 26

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 20 , wherein, after a first predetermined time period from transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device transmits the check signal, after a second predetermined time period from receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers checks whether the check signal is received thereby with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity thereof, and the receiving behavior information for each of the transceivers indicates the result of the check on whether the check signal is received by the transceiver with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity.

Claim 27

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 20 , wherein, the check signal is a continuous carrier which is transmitted by the triggering device consecutively following the trigger signal, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to the lower value in a plurality of stages, each of the transceivers determines the one of the stages from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier, and the receiving behavior information for each of the transceivers indicates the determined stage from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier.

Claim 28

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 22 , wherein, each of the transceivers makes a detection of the continuous carrier at each stage of the change in the receiver sensitivity thereof, and each of the transceivers determines the one of the stages from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier through determining the number of times the continuous carrier is detected by the transceiver during the change in the receiver sensitivity.

Claim 29

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 23 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver that are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, wherein, the triggering device is located at different distances from all the transceivers, the triggering device outputs the trigger signal with such a low strength that one of all the transceivers cannot detect the trigger signal and thus no response signal is transmitted by the one of all the transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies the wheel on which the one of all the transceivers is located as the one of all the wheels which is farthest from the triggering device.

Claim 30

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 20 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, the first and second triggering devices transmit the respective trigger signals at different times, the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the first and second transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals transmitted from the first and second transceivers to the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device, and the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the third and fourth transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals transmitted from the third and fourth transceivers to the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located.

Claim 31

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 20 , wherein, the response signals transmitted by the transceivers contain the same size of data, and the transceivers repeatedly transmit the respective response signals a plurality of times at different time intervals.

Claim 32

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers transmits the response signal which conveys receiving behavior information indicative of the determined receiving behavior as well as the tire pressure information, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the receiving behavior information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 33

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers transmits the response signal which conveys receiving behavior information indicative of the determined receiving behavior as well as the tire pressure information, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the receiving behavior information conveyed by the response signal.

Claim 34

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers determines a transmission time according to the determined receiving behavior and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 35

A wheel identifying apparatus comprising: a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; and a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers determines a transmission time according to the determined receiving behavior and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 36

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 28 , wherein, after a first predetermined time period from transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device transmits the check signal, after a second predetermined time period from receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers checks whether the check signal is received thereby with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity thereof, and each of the transceivers determines the transmission time according to the result of the check on whether the check signal is received by the transceiver with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity.

Claim 37

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 28 , wherein, the check signal is a continuous carrier which is transmitted by the triggering device consecutively following the trigger signal, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to the lower value in a plurality of stages, each of the transceivers determines the one of the stages from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier, and each of the transceivers determines the transmission time according to the determined stage from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier.

Claim 38

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 30 , wherein, each of the transceivers makes a detection of the continuous carrier at each stage of the change in the receiver sensitivity thereof, and each of the transceivers determines the one of the stages from which it becomes impossible for the transceiver to detect the continuous carrier through determining the number of times the continuous carrier is detected by the transceiver during the change in the receiver sensitivity.

Claim 39

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 31 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver that are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, wherein, the triggering device is located at different distances from all the transceivers, the triggering device outputs the trigger signal with such a low strength that one of all the transceivers cannot detect the trigger signal and thus no response signal is transmitted by the one of all the transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies the wheel on which the one of all the transceivers is located as the one of all the wheels which is farthest from the triggering device.

Claim 40

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 28 , further comprising a third and a fourth transceiver, which are respectively located on a third and a fourth wheel of the vehicle and have the same configuration as the first and second transceivers, and another triggering device that is located on the body of the vehicle at different distances from the third and fourth transceivers and has the same configuration as the triggering device, wherein, the triggering device is a first triggering device and the another triggering device is a second triggering device, the first triggering device is located closer to the first and second transceivers than the third and fourth transceivers, and the second triggering device is located closer to the third and fourth transceivers than the first and second transceivers, the first and second triggering devices transmit the respective trigger signals at different times, the first and second transceivers receive the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the first triggering device, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the first and second transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals transmitted from the first and second transceivers to the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located, the third and fourth transceivers receive the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device and transmit the respective response signals in response to receipt of the trigger signal transmitted by the second triggering device, and the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the third and fourth transceivers, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals transmitted from the third and fourth transceivers to the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located.

Claim 41

The wheel identifying apparatus as set forth in claim 28 , wherein, the response signals transmitted by the transceivers contain the same size of data, and the transceivers repeatedly transmit the respective response signals a plurality of times at different time intervals.

Claim 42

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers determines a transmission time according to the determined receiving behavior and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.

Claim 43

A tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus comprising: a first and a second pressure sensor which are respectively located on a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, each of the pressure sensors working to sense inflation pressure of an associated one of tires fitted on the first and second wheels and output tire pressure information indicative of the sensed inflation pressure of the associated tire; a first and a second transceiver which are respectively located on the first and second wheels of the vehicle, each of the transceivers working to receive a trigger signal and transmit a response signal, which conveys the tire pressure information outputted by an associated one of the first and second pressure sensors, in response to receipt of the trigger signal; a triggering device working to transmit the trigger signal, the triggering device being located on a body of the vehicle at different distances from the transceivers, so that strengths of the trigger signal at the transceivers are different from each other; a receiver working to receive the response signals transmitted by the transceivers; a wheel identifier operatively connected to the receiver, the wheel identifier working to identify, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located; and a tire pressure determiner operatively connected to the receiver and the wheel identifier, the tire pressure determiner working to determine, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the inflation pressure of the tire that is located on the same wheel as the transceiver having transmitted the response signal based on the tire pressure information conveyed by the response signal, wherein, each of the transceivers has a variable receiver sensitivity and receives the trigger signal transmitted by the triggering device with a higher value of the receiver sensitivity, in response to receipt of the trigger signal, each of the transceivers changes the receiver sensitivity thereof from the higher value to a lower value, after transmission of the trigger signal, the triggering device further transmits a check signal, each of the transceivers determines a receiving behavior thereof in reception of the check signal with the lower value of the receiver sensitivity, each of the transceivers determines a transmission time according to the determined receiving behavior and transmits the response signal at the determined transmission time, the receiver receives the response signals transmitted by the transceivers at different reception times, and the wheel identifier identifies, for each of the response signals received by the receiver, the wheel on which the transceiver having transmitted the response signal is located based on the reception time at which the response signal is received by the receiver.