Abstract: A method of determining the position of a tire on a vehicle using signal pulses is described. The method includes receiving a plurality of signal pulses from a transmitter associated with the tire in the time the tire completes approximately one rotation, providing at least one predetermined signal pattern associated with a unique tire position on the vehicle, and comparing the plurality of signal pulses to the predetermined signal pattern to determine the position of the tire on the vehicle.

Abstract: A display apparatus for indicating tire pressure or other information about a vehicle. The display apparatus includes an independent power source, having no connection to the electrical power system of the vehicle, for powering the display apparatus, and a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation containing the information from at least one transmitter coupled the vehicle, the information being indicated on a display of the display apparatus.

Abstract: A system for identifying the position of a tire on a vehicle based on wireless messages received from the tire includes a receiver circuit, a signal strength circuit, a memory, and a processing circuit. The receiver circuit is configured to receive the wireless messages. The signal strength circuit is configured to determine the signal strengths of the wireless messages. The memory is configured to store a predetermined frequency distribution. The processing circuit is configured to provide a frequency distribution of the wireless messages based on the signal strengths and to compare the frequency distribution to the predetermined frequency distribution to determine the position of the tire on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for identifying the position of a tire on a vehicle based on wireless messages received from the tire includes a receiver circuit, a signal strength circuit, a memory, and a processing circuit. The receiver circuit is configured to receive the wireless messages. The signal strength circuit is configured to determine the signal strengths of the wireless messages. The memory is configured to store a predetermined frequency distribution. The processing circuit is configured to provide a frequency distribution of the wireless messages based on the signal strengths and to compare the frequency distribution to the predetermined frequency distribution to determine the position of the tire on the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire monitor for monitoring a characteristic of tires on a vehicle includes a circuit configured to receive a first wireless signal having tire characteristic data and a first wireless protocol. The circuit is further configured to receive a second wireless signal having tire characteristic data and a second wireless protocol. The second wireless protocol is different than the first wireless protocol. The circuit is configured to monitor first tire data on the first wireless signal and second tire data on the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system identifies tire locations by recognizing that certain characteristics are unique to front-located tires verses rear-located tires as well as left-side tires and right-side tires. A control circuit is coupled to a temperature sensor and an accelerometer for each tire to receive information processed to discriminate between left and right and front and rear tires, respectively. With this information and a pressure signal, the monitoring system provides the operator with tire location and pressure information without reprogramming upon tire rotation. The system also alerts the operator to run-flat tire operational constraints.

Abstract: An electronic vehicle accessory includes a non-volatile memory, and a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory and to a speed sensor of the vehicle for receiving speed data representing the vehicle's current speed. The controller determines when the vehicle's current speed falls below a predetermined threshold and stores variable data in the non-volatile memory when the vehicle's speed is below the predetermined threshold. The electronic vehicle accessory may be an instrument panel, an electronic compass, and/or a mini-trip computer, which may be housed in an overhead housing. By storing variable data in the non-volatile memory as a function of the vehicle's speed, the present invention ensures that the most up-to-date data is stored in the non-volatile memory before the vehicle's ignition is turned off while eliminating excessive stores that shorten the lifetime of the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A visor or other vehicle housing of the present invention RF couples signals from a remote RF garage door opening transmitter located in a visor, for example, to a 1/4 wave passive antenna, which in the preferred embodiment includes a thin foil strip extending along the longitudinal length of the visor. Such an antenna thereby creates an improved radiation pattern having improved radiation strength in the forward facing direction of the vehicle.