Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle having a plurality of inflatable tires includes a plurality of rotation sensors that generate rotation signals based on a rotation of each of the tires and a pressure sensor that is responsive to a pressure within one of the tires and that generates a pressure signal based on the pressure. A control module receives the pulse signals and the pressure signal and that detects a low pressure condition of at least one of the tires based on the pressure signal and the pulse signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for recommending proper tire pressure using a tire pressure recommendation system having a processor. The method comprises obtaining a cold placard tire pressure (PPl) for a cold placard air temperature (TPl) and obtaining a measured outside air temperature (TOutside). The cold placard tire pressure (PPl), the cold placard air temperature (TPl) and the measured outside air temperature (TOutside) are entered into the tire pressure recommendation system. The recommended tire pressure (PRe) is then calculated with the processor for the measured outside air temperature (TOutside), the recommended tire pressure (PRe) being based upon the cold placard tire pressure (PPl).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting whether a tire rotation event or tire inflation even has occurred on a vehicle. The method comprises determining a first front average temperature (FAT) of a first front tire and a second front tire, determining a first rear average temperature (RAT) of a first rear tire and a second rear tire, and calculating a first ratio of the first FAT to the first RAT. The method further comprise determining a second FAT of the first front tire and the second front tire after determining the first FAT, determining a second RAT of the first rear tire and the second rear tire after determining the first RAT, calculating a second ratio of the second FAT to the second RAT, and identifying the tire rotation event based at least in part upon a comparison of the first ratio and the second ratio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the cause of tire pressure change. The method includes obtaining a first tire pressure (P1) at a first tire temperature (T1) and obtaining a measured second tire pressure (P2) at a second tire temperature (T2). The tire pressure is then estimated (Pest) at the second tire temperature (T2) and the estimated tire pressure (Pest) is compared to the second tire pressure (P2). A diagnostic message is then generated indicative of the cause of tire pressure change, the diagnostic message being responsive to the comparing of the measured second tire pressure (P2) with the estimated tire pressure (Pest).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting whether a tire rotation event or tire inflation even has occurred on a vehicle. The method comprises determining a first front average temperature (FAT) of a first front tire and a second front tire, determining a first rear average temperature (RAT) of a first rear tire and a second rear tire, and calculating a first ratio of the first FAT to the first RAT. The method further comprise determining a second FAT of the first front tire and the second front tire after determining the first FAT, determining a second RAT of the first rear tire and the second rear tire after determining the first RAT, calculating a second ratio of the second FAT to the second RAT, and identifying the tire rotation event based at least in part upon a comparison of the first ratio and the second ratio.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the cause of tire pressure change. The method comprises obtaining a first tire pressure (P1) at a first tire temperature (T1) and obtaining a measured second tire pressure (P2) at a second tire temperature (T2). The tire pressure is then estimated (Pest) at the second tire temperature (T2) and the estimated tire pressure (Pest) is compared to the second tire pressure (P2). A diagnostic message is then generated indicative of the cause of tire pressure change, the diagnostic message being responsive to the comparing of the measured second tire pressure (P2) with the estimated tire pressure (Pest).

Abstract: A method is provided for recommending proper tire pressure using a tire pressure recommendation system having a processor. The method comprises obtaining a cold placard tire pressure (PPl) for a cold placard air temperature (TPl) and obtaining a measured outside air temperature (TOutside). The cold placard tire pressure (PPl), the cold placard air temperature (TPl) and the measured outside air temperature (TOutide) are entered into the tire pressure recommendation system. The recommended tire pressure (PRe) is then calculated with the processor for the measured outside air temperature (TOutside), the recommended tire pressure (PRe) being based upon the cold placard tire pressure (PPl).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle having a plurality of inflatable tires includes a plurality of rotation sensors that generate rotation signals based on a rotation of each of the tires and a pressure sensor that is responsive to a pressure within one of the tires and that generates a pressure signal based on the pressure. A control module receives the pulse signals and the pressure signal and that detects a low pressure condition of at least one of the tires based on the pressure signal and the pulse signals.