Abstract: A method for using an RFID tag to retain information of an environment, such as high temperature, that is beyond the operable limits of the RFID tag. The method generally comprises providing an RFID tag that has nonvolatile RFID memory that can communicate with an RFID interrogator system. Exposing the RFID tag to a first environment (such as a high temperature) that renders the RFID tag inoperable. Collecting a first sensor value of the first environment and storing the first sensor value in nonvolatile memory accessible by the RFID interrogation system. Later, exposing the RFID tag and the sensor to a second environment that renders the RFID tag operable (such as room temperature). Wirelessly transmitting the first sensor value to the RFID tag via the RFID interrogator system while the first sensor is in the second environment, and storing the first sensor value in the nonvolatile RFID memory while the RFID tag is in the second environment.

Abstract: A method for using an RFID tag to retain information of an environment, such as high temperature, that is beyond the operable limits of the RFID tag. The method generally comprises providing an RFID tag that has nonvolatile RFID memory that can communicate with an RFID interrogator system. Exposing the RFID tag to a first environment (such as a high temperature) that renders the RFID tag inoperable. Collecting a first sensor value of the first environment and storing the first sensor value in nonvolatile memory accessible by the RFID interrogation system. Later, exposing the RFID tag and the sensor to a second environment that renders the RFID tag operable (such as room temperature). Wirelessly transmitting the first sensor value to the RFID tag via the RFID interrogator system while the first sensor is in the second environment, and storing the first sensor value in the nonvolatile RFID memory while the RFID tag is in the second environment.

Abstract: RFID tags, such as those in boluses for ruminant animals, comprise RFID tags may be provided with energy harvesting (EH) capability so that they may collect energy from the environment, either deliberately radiated (such as RF) or gathered from existing sources (i.e., motion, heat, etc.). The energy collected by the RFID tag allows for independent (stand-alone) operation of the tag, such as for logging of temperature in one hour intervals, then transmitting the temperature readings (and ID) periodically (such as six times per day) to a reader (or equivalent, such as an active receiver) using an active RF transmitter (radio) or passive RFID techniques.

Abstract: According to the invention there is in conjunction with a pneumatic tire having a central tread, one or more radially-extending belt(s) disposed radially inwardly of the tread and an innerliner disposed radially inwardly of the belt. Apparatus for mounting an electronic tag (40) within the tire is characterized by a patch (70) having a first side (72) for mounting against the innerliner of the tire; a second arcuately-shaped side (73) and an internally threaded member (71); and an externally threaded member (64) having a portion extending from a side (74) of the tag and threadable into the internally threaded member of the patch.

Abstract: An annular antenna loop is electrically coupled to a transponder. The antenna and the transponder are at least partially embedded into a non-conductive carrier strip to form a ring assembly to render the antenna and transponder package unitarily transportable. The annular assembly affixes to a tire in a post-manufacture attachment procedure and at a location that minimizes exposure of the annular apparatus to strain and to electromagnetic interference from the metallic wheel rim.

Abstract: An antenna comprises two elongate antenna segments (740, 740?, 862, 940, 970, 1208/1212, 1300, 1320, 1322/1324, 1360, 1360?, 1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1523, 1523?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) which extend from first ends (742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1322e, 1362, 1362?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922)/(744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1324e, 1364, 1364?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924) connected to the antenna coupling coil in opposite directions to second ends (744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1322c, 1366, 1366?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924)/(742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1324c, 1368, 1368?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922) at least partially around the inner surface of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (400, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1751, 1752, 1852, 1852?, 1951, 1951a) and a separate antenna (1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) to an inner surface (1504, 1504?, 1504?, 1704, 1804) of a pneumatic tire (312, 650, 1204, 1350, 1350?, 1550, 1550?, 1550?), and for coupling the transponder module to the antenna by coupling coils which are included with the transponder module (450, 760, 953, 1004, 1024) and the antenna (750, 750?, 866, 938, 968, 1538, 1538?, 1538?, 1638, 1638?, 1738, 1738?, 1838, 1838?, 1938). The transponder module mounting methods generally allow it to be inserted, removed, or accessed for maintenance at any time during the tire's life cycle, and allow sensing access to the tire's inner atmosphere.

Abstract: A method (650) of calibrating a transponder (200, 604) capable of measuring temperature data (NT) and pressure data (NP) in an object (e.g., a tire, (104)) and transmitting a data stream (FIG. 3C) to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). The transponder includes memory (238) for storing measurements, calibration data (662), transponder ID number and the like. Since the transponder combines temperature and pressure information in the “pressure” data, the ratio NT/NP is a direct indicator of pressure only, and is also relatively insensitive to transponder power variations. The calibration method employs a calibration chamber (602) containing reference pressure (614) and temperature (612) sensors. The transducer to be calibrated is placed in the chamber and exposed (652) to a number of predetermined temperatures and pressures (as measured by the reference sensors) at a number of calibration points.

Abstract: Annular apparatus comprises a toroidal body composed of a material having high electromagnetic permeability and the body a through bore; an electrical device coupled to the toroidal body; and a loop antenna disposed to extend through the through bore in direct magnetic coupled relationship with the toroidal body. The loop antenna is in a mechanically de-coupled relationship with the toroidal body and lies substantially in a first plane that intersects the toroidal body opening at a right angle. In one embodiment, the electrical device comprises a transponder for monitoring cavity parameters in a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tire condition value in each of a plurality of pneumatic tires of a moving vehicle, wherein each of the tires has associated therewith a passive electronic tire tag for sensing the at least one tire condition value and is responsive to an interrogation signal transmitted thereto to transmit a data modulated signal representative of the at least one tire condition value. The monitoring system includes portable ramp apparatus for supporting the moving vehicle, portable vehicle sensing apparatus for sensing the presence of the moving vehicle and tire pressure sensing apparatus embedded in the ramp apparatus for detecting the presence thereon of a vehicle tire on the ramp apparatus. In addition, the monitoring system includes transmitter antenna structure and receiver antenna structure respectively embedded in the ramp apparatus.

Abstract: A method for monitoring pressure with a transponder (200, 604) capable of measuring temperature data (NT) and pressure data (NP) in an object (e.g., a tire, (104)) and transmitting a data stream (FIG. 3C) to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). The transponder includes a memory (238) for storing measurements, calibration data (662), transponder ID number and the like. Since the transponder combines temperature and pressure information in the “pressure” data, the ratio NT/NP is a direct indicator of pressure-only, and is also relatively insensitive to transponder power variations. The calibration method employs a calibration chamber (602) containing reference pressure (614) and temperature (612) sensors. The transducer to be calibrated is placed in the chamber and exposed (652) to a number of predetermined temperatures and pressures (as measured by the reference sensors) at a number of calibration points.

Abstract: Provided is a method of monitoring conditions of a pneumatic tire comprising a central tread, one or more belt(s) disposed radially inwardly of the tread and an inner-liner disposed radially inwardly of the belt(s), the belt(s) having a side edge. An electronic tag and associated condition sensors are disposed within the tire. The method includes: sensing a first temperature which is temperature of the tire inner-liner adjacent to the bet edge with the electronic tag; sensing a second temperature which is the air temperature within the tire with the electronic tag; and sensing air pressure within the tire with the electronic tag.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (602, 602a, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1102, 1102′, 1402) and an antenna (740, 740′, 862, 940, 1140, 1140′, 1200, 1300, 1320, 1360, 1360′, 1440, 1460) in a pneumatic tire (312, 630, 1204, 1350, 1350′), and for coupling or connecting the antenna to the transponder module. A patch (600, 700, 700′, 850, 950, 980, 1100, 1100′, 1210, 1356, 1356′, 1400) has an opening (620, 720, 720′, 856, 956, 986, 1120, 1120′, 1420) extending to a cavity (622, 722, 860, 960, 990, 1122, 1122′, 1422) within the body of the patch. The transponder module is removably retained in the cavity by a resilient annular lip (624, 724, 724′, 858, 958, 988, 1124, 1124′, 1424) extending around the opening.

Abstract: A transponder measures temperatures and pressure within a pneumatic tire. A temperature count is transmitted, which is a function of temperature. A pressure count is transmitted, which is a function of both temperature and pressure. The pressure is determined by dividing the temperature count by the pressure count. Within the transponder, a timing generator generates a first timing window during which temperature is measured and a second timing window during which pressure is measured; a temperature register captures first data indicative of the temperature within the tire; a pressure register captures second data indicative of the pressure within the tire; and a modulator circuit impresses the first data as a first portion of a data stream on a signal output by the transponder, and impresses the second data as a second portion of the data stream on the signal output by the transponder.

Abstract: A package (104) for encapsulating electronic components (102, 122, 550, 660) has at least two chambers (112, 212). Electronic components and modules within the chambers are interconnected by a leadframe (130) extending between the two chambers. One chamber may surround (FIGS. 1A, 2A) the other chamber, or it may be adjacent the other chamber (FIGS. 4, 4A, 8A, 9A). The sidewall (310) of one chamber (314) may be higher than the sidewall (308) of the other chamber (312). Each of the chambers may individually be filled with encapsulating material (713, 715). Temporary connections (742) to the leadframe may be made after one chamber is filled with encapsulating material, in an unfilled other chamber of the package which is subsequently filled with encapsulating material. A portion of a leadframe may extend to the exterior of the package. Openings (656, 658) may be provided in an external surface of the package for making connections with external components (650).

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a hose (100) including an inner liner (104) and a carcass (106) having at least one ply (108a, 108b, 108c, 108d or 108e) disposed in surrounding relationship with the inner liner (104) and an outer cover (300) about the carcass (106). The monitoring apparatus includes an electronic hose tag (310) connected to the hose (100) for measuring the vibration of the hose. In another embodiment, the hose includes at least one sensing element (112) helically wound about the inner liner (104) and an inner sensing element monitoring circuit (404) with a microprocessor (500) connected thereto for determining whether there is a discontinuity in the inner sensing element (112) and thus a worn through area of the inner liner (104). An alarm signal can be transmitted with transmitter structure (430) to a remote receiver (654).

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) transponder (200) capable of measuring parameters associated with an object and transmitting data to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). In use with a pneumatic tire (104), the transponder measures temperature and pressure within the tire. The transponder includes circuitry (226) for controlling windows of time (WT and WP) during which real-time temperature and pressure measurements are made, and for storing (236) calibration data, transponder ID number and the like, and for transmitting this information in a data stream (FIG. 3C) to the reader/interrogator. An excessive temperature condition may also be sensed (MTMS 218) and included in the data stream. The circuitry of the transponder is preferably implemented on a single IC chip (204), using CMOS technology, with few components external to the IC chip. The transponder is preferably passive, deriving its operating power from an RF signal provided by the exernal reader/interrogator.

Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one tire condition value in each of a plurality of pneumatic tires of a moving vehicle, wherein each of the tires has associated therewith a passive electronic tire tag for sensing the at least one tire condition value and is responsive to an interrogation signal transmitted thereto to transmit a data modulated signal representative of the at least one tire condition value. The monitoring system includes portable ramp apparatus for supporting the moving vehicle, portable vehicle sensing apparatus for sensing the presence of the moving vehicle and tire pressure sensing apparatus embedded in the ramp apparatus for detecting the presence thereon of a vehicle tire on the ramp apparatus. In addition, the monitoring system includes transmitter antenna structure and receiver antenna structure respectively embedded in the ramp apparatus.

Abstract: A temperature-sensor is implemented with a temperature-sensitive component of an IC chip which functions as a radio frequency transponder capable of measuring parameters associated with an object and transmitting data to an external reader/interrogator. In use with a pneumatic tire, the transponder measures temperature and pressure within the tire. The transponder includes circuitry for controlling windows of time during which real-time temperature and pressure measurements are made, and for storing calibration data, transponder ID number and the like, and for transmitting this information in a data stream to the reader/interrogator. An excessive temperature condition may also be sensed and included in the data stream.

Abstract: A method of monitoring at least one tire condition value of each of a plurality of tires of a moving vehicle, with a monitoring system. Each of the tires has an electronic tire tag for sensing the tire condition value of the associated tire. The monitoring system has vehicle sensing apparatus, ramp apparatus, tire sensing apparatus, transceiver apparatus and computer apparatus removably electrically connected thereto and to the vehicle sensing apparatus and tire sensing apparatus. The method comprises the steps of determining whether the vehicle sensing apparatus has sensed the moving vehicle on the ramp apparatus supporting the moving vehicle. In addition the method includes the steps of determining whether respective tires of the moving vehicle have been sensed by the tire sensing apparatus, and transmitting an interrogation signal when the tire sensing apparatus senses at least one tire.