Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an amplitude modulation (AM) radio frequency (RF) oscillator includes a modulator and a generator. The modulator may be configured to generate a modulation signal in response to a data input signal. The generator may be configured to generate an AM output signal having an RF carrier frequency and an envelope, wherein the envelope is amplitude modulated by the modulation signal and the generator includes a frequency determining device.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure include monitors in each tire to transmit signals representative of tire pressure and receive control signals for use in regulating transmission of the tire pressure signals. A vehicle receiver receives the tire pressure signals and passive entry signals transmitted by a remote passive entry device. A vehicle transmitter transmits the control signals for use in regulating transmission of the tire pressure signals. A controller on-board the vehicle in communication with the receiver and transmitter conveys tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant based on the tire pressure signals, determines whether the vehicle is occupied based on the passive entry signal, and generates a control signal operative to halt transmission of the tire pressure signals when the vehicle is unoccupied.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure and remote vehicle immobilization. Transmitters are provided for mounting in the vehicle tires for transmitting wireless tire information signals. A receiver is provided for mounting on the vehicle for receiving both the tire information signals transmitted by the transmitters and a remote wireless encrypted vehicle immobilization signal including an authentication code. A controller is provided for mounting on the vehicle in communication with the receiver. The controller processes the tire information signals received by the receiver to convey tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant, and processes the encrypted vehicle immobilization signal received by the receiver to determine if the immobilization signal is valid based on the authentication code and to generate a control signal for use in immobilizing the vehicle if the immobilization signal is determined valid.

Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, a frequency modulation (FM) radio frequency (RF) oscillator includes a modulator and a generator. The modulator may be configured to generate a modulation signal in response to a data input signal. The generator may be configured to generate an FM output signal having a carrier frequency modulated by the modulation signal, wherein the generator includes a frequency determining device.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of tire pressure provide an indication of optimal tire pressure when a tire inflation valve is actuated. A tire monitor mounted a tire includes sensors for sensing tire pressure and temperature, and a transmitter for transmitting wireless tire information signals having tire pressure and tire temperature data. A controller mounted on board the vehicle determines an optimal pressure for the tire based on the temperature data and vehicle load information. The controller generates a control signal for use in providing an audible and/or visual indication during tire pressure adjustment when the sensed tire pressure represented by the tire pressure data is substantially equal to the determined optimal tire pressure.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure, a system and method for identifying tire location. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a sensor for sensing an impact to the tire and for actuating the transmitter to transmit a tire pressure signal in response. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and is for use in conveying tire pressure and location information to a user. When the vehicle is stationary, each tire is struck in a preselected sequence so that each received tire pressure signal is automatically associated with one of the plurality of tire locations.

Abstract: For use in a tire pressure monitoring system, an initiator generator includes an oscillator/divider configured to generate an output signal in response to a switched, regulated voltage. The output signal has a fundamental frequency and a gating frequency.

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, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a batter providing power to the transmitter. To conserve battery power, each tire pressure signal transmitted by the transmitters includes a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal ensures receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver alternating between active state and inactive states.

Abstract: An antenna system for a radio frequency (RF) electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an active element. The PCB may have a top surface and a bottom surface. The ground plane may be on the bottom surface. The active element may be mounted on the top surface. The active element includes a first segment positioned in a top surface plane and connected to a second segment oriented perpendicular to the top surface.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having front tires including a right tire and a left tire, and rear tires including a right tire and a left tire, a system and method are provided for automatically identifying tire location. A transmitters mounted in each tire transmits tire information signals conveying tire pressure data and associated tire rotation direction data. A vehicle mounted receiver has a location a first distance from the front tires and a second distance from the rear tires, the first distance being different from the second. A vehicle mounted controller in communication with the receiver determines whether pressure data is associated with a front tire or a rear tire based on the strength of the tire information signal, and whether pressure data is associated with a right tire or a left tire based on the associated rotation direction data.

Abstract: In a system for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure, a system and method for automatically identifying tire location. A tire pressure monitor mounted in each tire includes a sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a magnetic switch for actuating the transmitter. An electromagnets is mounted on the vehicle in proximity to each tire location and generates a magnetic field causing the magnetic switch to actuate the transmitter of the associated tire pressure monitor. A controller mounted on the vehicle is provided in communication with the electromagnets, processes the tire pressure signals from the transmitters, and conveys tire pressure and location information to a user. The controller energizes the electromagnets so that each received tire pressure signal is automatically associated with a specific tire location.

Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having multiple tires includes a controller mounted on the vehicle and provided in communication with a vehicle radio. The vehicle radio is for use in receiving wireless broadcast signals and includes a display. The controller generates tire information signals based on tire pressure data transmitted from each of the tires. The tire information signals are used by the vehicle radio to convey tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant using the vehicle radio display.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals is positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes a module disposed within a headrest of the seat for receiving RF signals. The seat is separated from an interior boundary that defines the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

Abstract: A remote access device which may comprise an antenna having a first inductor with a first axis, a second inductor with a second axis, and a third inductor with a third axis, where the first, second and third axes may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, respectively, such that the first inductor generates a first magnetic field associated with a first plane, the second inductor generates a second magnetic field associated with a second plane different than the first plane, and the third inductor generates a third magnetic field associated with a third plane different than the first and second planes. The remote access device preferably includes a single form for the first, second and third inductors, where the first, second and third inductors are each wound on the form.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system responsive to radio frequency (RF) signals is positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes a module disposed within a headrest of the seat for receiving RF signals. The seat is separated from an interior boundary that defines the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A receiver for mounting on the vehicle receives the tire pressure signals. The transmitters and the receiver utilize code division multiple access (CDMA) for the tire pressure signals so that tire pressure signals transmitted simultaneously by the transmitters can be received by the receiver. A controller for mounting on the vehicle communicates with the receiver and collects and processes the tire pressure signals, and generates control signals for use in conveying tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A transmitter circuit includes an oscillator circuit and an amplifier circuit. The oscillator circuit includes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator and generates a carrier signal. The amplifier circuit receives the carrier signal and a data signal, and generates an output signal as the carrier signal modulated with the data signal.

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.