Patents by Inventor Shawn D. Lammers
Shawn D. Lammers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230271580Abstract: A system for assessing operating conditions for a vehicle includes. a power source and first and second sensors coupled to the power source and configured to generate corresponding first and second sensor signals indicative of first and second operating conditions of the vehicle. The second operating condition is indicative of an operating state of the vehicle. A transmitter is coupled to the power source and configured to transmit an informational signal responsive to the first sensor signal. A controller is configured to receive the second sensor signal, determine, responsive to the second sensor signal, whether the operating state of the vehicle meets a predetermined condition and then provide control signals to one or both of the first sensor and the transmitter to control the sampling rate of the first sensor and/or the transmission rate of the transmitter depending on whether the operating state meets the predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventor: Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 11285765Abstract: An apparatus is provided for auto-locating positions of a plurality of wireless sensors on a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a receiving unit for receiving signals from the plurality of wireless sensors. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit arranged to calculate a probability value for each one of the plurality of wireless sensors based upon signals that have accumulated over a period of time to provide a table of probability values. Each probability value contained in the table during a calculation cycle of the processing unit is indicative of likelihood of one of the plurality of wireless sensors being located at a corresponding one of a plurality of positions on the vehicle. Each one of the plurality of wireless sensors is associated with the position having the highest probability value during the calculation cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Qing Chen, Kian Sheikh-Bahaie, Robert G Patterson, Shawn D Lammers
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Publication number: 20210170812Abstract: An apparatus is provided for auto-locating positions of a plurality of wireless sensors on a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a receiving unit for receiving signals from the plurality of wireless sensors. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit arranged to calculate a probability value for each one of the plurality of wireless sensors based upon signals that have accumulated over a period of time to provide a table of probability values. Each probability value contained in the table during a calculation cycle of the processing unit is indicative of likelihood of one of the plurality of wireless sensors being located at a corresponding one of a plurality of positions on the vehicle. Each one of the plurality of wireless sensors is associated with the position having the highest probability value during the calculation cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Qing Chen, Kian Sheikh-Bahaie, Robert G. Patterson, Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 9851227Abstract: In order to mitigate a need for reprogramming tire pressure sensors after tire rotation, tire change, etc., all sensors on a vehicle are preprogrammed with a lookup table that correlates modulation frequency to axle and wheel end positions on the vehicle. Dual antenna initiator coils are mounted to a vehicle such that each wheel end has one directional antenna directed toward it. Each initiator coil is programmed to modulate its transmission frequency by a predetermined modulation frequency such that each antenna transmits using a different modulation frequency. Each sensor receives a modulated signal, identifies the modulation frequency, and performs a table lookup to determine its axle and wheel end location. The sensor transmits its identified wheel end and axle location to a controller unit along with tire pressure status information for its wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 9821613Abstract: Various examples of a transmitting device with an antenna are disclosed. In one example, a transmitting device comprises a planar circuit board; a sensor mounted on the planar circuit board; a transmitter mounted on the planar circuit board and in communication with the sensor, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit signals containing a plurality of packets; and an antenna mounted on the planar circuit board and in electrical communication with the transmitter for transmitting the signals containing the plurality of packets. The antenna comprises a first end connected to the planar circuit board and a first support section; a meander line section connected to the first support section and a second support section and lying in a plane parallel with the circuit board; a second end connected to the second support section and an electrical ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Robert G Patterson, Shawn D Lammers
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Publication number: 20170021680Abstract: Various examples of a transmitting device with an antenna are disclosed. In one example, a transmitting device comprises a planar circuit board; a sensor mounted on the planar circuit board; a transmitter mounted on the planar circuit board and in communication with the sensor, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit signals containing a plurality of packets; and an antenna mounted on the planar circuit board and in electrical communication with the transmitter for transmitting the signals containing the plurality of packets. The antenna comprises a first end connected to the planar circuit board and a first support section; a meander line section connected to the first support section and a second support section and lying in a plane parallel with the circuit board; a second end connected to the second support section and an electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Robert G. Patterson, Shawn D. Lammers
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Publication number: 20160258830Abstract: In order to mitigate a need for reprogramming tire pressure sensors after tire rotation, tire change, etc., all sensors on a vehicle are preprogrammed with a lookup table that correlates modulation frequency to axle and wheel end positions on the vehicle. Dual antenna initiator coils are mounted to a vehicle such that each wheel end has one directional antenna directed toward it. Each initiator coil is programmed to modulate its transmission frequency by a predetermined modulation frequency such that each antenna transmits using a different modulation frequency. Each sensor receives a modulated signal, identifies the modulation frequency, and performs a table lookup to determine its axle and wheel end location. The sensor transmits its identified wheel end and axle location to a controller unit along with tire pressure status information for its wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 9393845Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Shawn D Lammers, Jon D Intagliata, Joseph M Macnamara, Sharon A Seitz, Daniel P Zula
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Publication number: 20160039256Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Shawn D. Lammers, Jon D Intagliata, Joseph M Macnamara, Sharon A Seitz, Daniel P Zula
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Patent number: 9139054Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Shawn D. Lammers, Jon D. Intagliata, Joseph M. Macnamara, Sharon A. Seitz, Daniel P. Zula
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Patent number: 9067466Abstract: An electronic component in a vehicle tire condition monitor system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processor. The first antenna is oriented at an angle with respect to the second antenna. Both of the antennas are capable of receiving RF signals transmitted from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. The processor receives the RF signals transmitted by the sensor from at least one of the antennas. The first and second antennas receive the condition signals from any of a plurality of the sensors associated with respective tires on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Robert Patterson, Kian Sheikh-Bahaie, Shawn D. Lammers
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Publication number: 20150057873Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire pressure monitoring system are disclosed. One method comprises rotating a first tire of a plurality of tires on a vehicle and receiving a signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first tire from a wheel speed sensor associated with the first tire. A controller associates the first tire with a wheel location in response to receiving the signal from the wheel speed sensor. A tire pressure sensor in the first tire generates a tire characteristic signal in response to the rotation of the first tire. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and associates the tire characteristic signal with the wheel location in response to receiving the tire characteristic signal within a predetermined time period from receiving the signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the first wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Shawn D. Lammers, Jon D. Intagliata, Joseph M. Macnamara, Sharon A. Seitz, Daniel P. Zula
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Patent number: 8907774Abstract: An electronic device includes an antenna that receives RF signals from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. A processor receives the RF signals from the antenna. The processor converts the RF signals to a proprietary serial bus formatted message. The processor transmits the proprietary serial bus formatted message to an electronic control unit via a vehicle communication bus.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: William P. Amato, Timothy J. Frashure, Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 8606461Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Shawn D. Lammers, Robert Patterson, Timothy J. Frashure, Thomas Weed, Daniel P. Zula
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Publication number: 20130151067Abstract: A vehicle electronic control unit includes a power input port, which receives electric power from a vehicle battery, and a power output port, which provides electric power to a vehicle electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device receives data transmissions from a vehicle sensor. The power output port provides substantially uninterrupted electric power from the vehicle battery to the vehicle electronic device. A communication port is electrically connected to a vehicle communication bus. The communication port receives data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device via the communication port. An electronic component, electrically connected to the communication port, is initially in a first state when a vehicle ignition is off. The electronic component, while in a second state and while the vehicle ignition is off, receives additional data transmissions from the vehicle electronic device indicating statuses of respective vehicle sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Shawn D. Lammers, Robert Patterson, Timothy J. Frashure, Thomas Weed, Daniel P. Zula
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Publication number: 20120223828Abstract: An electronic device includes an antenna that receives RF signals from a sensor associated with a respective tire of the vehicle. The RF signals represent a condition of the respective tire. A processor receives the RF signals from the antenna. The processor converts the RF signals to a proprietary serial bus formatted message. The processor transmits the proprietary serial bus formatted message to an electronic control unit via a vehicle communication bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: William P. Amato, Timothy J. Frashure, Shawn D. Lammers
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Patent number: 5335540Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a physical quantity, property or condition and for transmitting a code representing the measured physical quantity, property or condition. The method includes the steps of developing a first signal in response to a physical quantity, property or condition, sampling the first signal to produce an instantaneous first signal value, assigning a first code to the instantaneous first signal value, and transmitting the first code for reception by a receiver. The method and apparatus are explained in connection with a vehicle tire monitoring apparatus wherein plurality of tire units measure tire pressures and temperatures and transmit values representing pressure and temperature to a central receiver located in a cab portion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: TTC Truck Tech Corp.Inventors: Paul R. Bowler, John Mackay, Shawn D. Lammers, Robert H. Fulton
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Patent number: 5231872Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a physical quantity, property or condition and for transmitting a code representing the measured physical quantity, property or condition. The method includes the steps of developing a first signal in response to a physical quantity, property or condition, sampling the first signal to produce an instantaneous first signal value, assigning a first code to the instantaneous first signal value, and transmitting the first code for reception by a receiver. The method and apparatus are explained in connection with a vehicle tire monitoring apparatus wherein plurality of tire units measure tire pressures and temperatures and transmit values representing pressure and temperature to a central receiver located in a cab portion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1991Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: TTC/Truck Tech Corp.Inventors: Paul R. Bowler, John Mackay, Shawn D. Lammers, Robert H. Fulton