Abstract: A bicycle power meter has a strain gauge sensor assembly mounted on a relatively compressible portion of the end of the rear fork of the bicycle frame. The relatively compressible portion is near the rear hub and subject to the forces exerted by the cyclist to the crankset, and transferred via the chain, and sprocket assembly to the hub. The sensor assembly has two ohmically interconnected stretch sensors each having a first layer bearing a variable resistance element, whose resistance changes with displacement of the compressible portion, and a second layer for providing support for the first layer. The sensor assembly is connected in a bridge circuit to two other resistances to generate signals representative of cyclist applied force. These signals are processed along with velocity signals to generate power signals and the power signals are supplied to a display.

Abstract: A brushless D.C. motor has a rotor with a plurality of magnets secured to a mounting surface. Each magnet has an RFID tag secured to a magnet surface, with each RFID tag having stored therein a unique identification character serving to identify the magnet. A stator has a plurality of pole teeth separated by slots, each pole tooth having a power coil wound thereabout. A plurality of RFID interrogation antennae are mounted adjacent the pole teeth. An RFID reader generates r.f. interrogation signals broadcast by the antennae to the RFID tags. The RFID tags respond by broadcasting the unique identification character whenever an interrogation signal is sensed as the tag enters the region of a pole tooth. This position and magnet identification information is received by the RFID reader, which processes the information and sends it to a motor controller and driver unit, which supplies operating power to the individual power coils.

Abstract: A tire parameter monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units for monitoring tire parameters, with each sensor unit mounted with a different vehicle tire. Each sensor unit has an RFID tag reader for interrogating an RFID tag securely mounted to the vehicle adjacent the corresponding tire and containing a unique identification code. Each sensor unit has a microcontroller for combining each RFID identification code with corresponding tire parameter signals, and a transmitter for transmitting the combined signals to a receiving location. Received tire parameter signals are correlated with the tire location using the RFID identification code, and driver advisory signals are presented to the driver by a display/alarm unit. Two alternative power supplies are provided. A first type uses a battery and a power management circuit for eliminating power drain when the RFID tag reader is energized. A second type uses inductive power to provide an inexhaustible power source.

Abstract: A brushless D.C. motor has a rotor with a plurality of magnets secured to a mounting surface. Each magnet has an RFID tag secured to a magnet surface, with each RFID tag having stored therein a unique identification character serving to identify the magnet. A stator has a plurality of pole teeth separated by slots, each pole tooth having a power coil wound thereabout. A plurality of RFID interrogation antennae are mounted adjacent the pole teeth. An RFID reader generates r.f. interrogation signals broadcast by the antennae to the RFID tags. The RFID tags respond by broadcasting the unique identification character whenever an interrogation signal is sensed as the tag enters the region of a pole tooth. This position and magnet identification information is received by the RFID reader, which processes the information and sends it to a motor controller and driver unit, which supplies operating power to the individual power coils.

Abstract: A tire parameter sensor unit for monitoring one or more vehicle tire parameters such as internal tire pressure and temperature and developing a permanent log of the operational history of the tire. The sensor unit has a power system, a processor/transmitter, a radio time clock, one or more sensors, and a memory mounted on a substrate. This assembly is permanently attached to the tire in the side wall or tread wall. Initial tire identification information is stored in the memory upon tire fabrication. During the lifetime of the tire, operational information specifying the tire operating conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.) is permanently stored in the memory along with real time data. The operational information and real time data can be read out from memory to provide the history log.

Abstract: A tire parameter sensor unit for monitoring one or more vehicle tire parameters such as internal tire pressure and temperature and developing a permanent log of the operational history of the tire. The sensor unit has a power system, a processor/transmitter, a radio time clock, one or more sensors, and a memory mounted on a substrate. This assembly is permanently attached to the tire in the side wall or tread wall. Initial tire identification information is stored in the memory upon tire fabrication. During the lifetime of the tire, operational information specifying the tire operating conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.) is permanently stored in the memory along with real time data. The operational information and real time data can be read out from memory to provide the history log.

Abstract: A “coil-on-a-chip” RFID tag having an rfid integrated circuit and an antenna contemporaneously formed on a substrate. The antenna is a helical multiple layer, multi-turn coil having an axis of revolution oriented at an angle, preferably ninety degrees, with respect to the major body plane of the rfid integrated circuit. The coil has a central opening with an annular core of magnetically permeable material. The RFID tag has an increased operating range over known ID tags.

Abstract: A tire parameter monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units each mounted with a different vehicle tire. Each sensor unit has a magnetic sensing element for converting magnetic field signals generated by a proximate set of magnets mounted to the vehicle at the tire locations. Each magnet set generates a unique magnetic field which identifies the magnet set location. Each sensor unit has a microcontroller for combining the converted magnetic field signals with fire parameter signals, and a transmitter for transmitting the combined signals to a receiving location. Received tire parameter signals are correlated with the tire location using the location signals, and driver advisory signals are presented to the driver.

Abstract: A tire parameter monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units each mounted with a different vehicle tire. Each sensor unit has a magnetic sensing element for converting magnetic field signals generated by a proximate set of magnets mounted to the vehicle at the tire locations. Each magnet set generates a unique magnetic field which identifies the magnet set location. Each sensor unit has a microcontroller for combining the converted magnetic field signals with fire parameter signals, and a transmitter for transmitting the combined signals to a receiving location. Received tire parameter signals are correlated with the tire location using the location signals, and driver advisory signals are presented to the driver.

Abstract: A battery powered vehicle tire pressure sensor system has a power saving unit which controls the application of electrical power to the system as a function of tire speed to prolong battery life. The power saving unit has a power control switch which is responsive to tire angular speed. Each sensor assembly of the system is mounted on or in the side wall of a pneumatic tire to generate signals representative of tire pressure whenever power is applied. A processor periodically samples the signals. When the processor determines that the tire pressure is outside a safe range, an r.f. generator is activated by the processor to generate an unsafe tire pressure signal. This signal is converted by a receiver to a warning for the driver.

Abstract: An RFID tag having an rfid integrated circuit and an antenna is combined with a first passive antenna circuit to provide an extended operating range. The first passive antenna circuit has a first coil and a first capacitor to tune the passive antenna circuit to a resonant frequency the same as the operating frequency of the RFID tag. The first coil has a central opening larger than the size of the antenna. The passive antenna circuit is arranged with the antenna located in the central opening of the coil, preferably in a co-planar manner, to promote inductive interaction therebetween. A second passive antenna circuit essentially identical to the first, but having larger dimensions, is positioned with the coil of the second passive antenna circuit surrounding the first coil to extend the operating range even further.

Abstract: A battery-less tire parameter sensor system for monitoring a vehicle tire parameter such as pressure and temperature. A sensor assembly has a power system, a processor/transmitter, a sensor, and a power coil mounted on a substrate. This assembly is mounted on or in the side wall or tread wall of a tire. A magnet is mounted on the vehicle in proximity to the path of the power coil during tire rotation. The moving power coil passes through the magnetic field and generates operating voltage for the sensor assembly components. The power system includes a voltage multiplier, a voltage regulator, and a storage capacitor. Two or more sensor assemblies can be mounted on the same tire to monitor different parameters.

Abstract: A battery-less tire parameter sensor system for monitoring a vehicle tire parameter such as pressure and temperature. A sensor assembly has a power system, a processor/transmitter, a sensor, and a power coil mounted on a substrate. This assembly is mounted on or in the side wall or tread wall of a tire. A magnet is mounted on the vehicle in proximity to the path of the power coil during tire rotation. The moving power coil passes through the magnetic field and generates operating voltage for the sensor assembly components. The power system includes a voltage multiplier, a voltage regulator, and a storage capacitor. Two or more sensor assemblies can be mounted on the same tire to monitor different parameters.

Abstract: A battery powered vehicle tire pressure sensor system has a power saving unit which controls the application of electrical power to the system as a function of tire speed to prolong battery life. The power saving unit has a power control switch which is responsive to tire angular speed. Each sensor assembly of the system is mounted on or in the side wall of a pneumatic tire to generate signals representative of tire pressure whenever power is applied. A processor periodically samples the signals. When the processor determines that the tire pressure is outside a safe range, an r.f. generator is activated by the processor to generate an unsafe tire pressure signal. This signal is converted by a receiver to a warning for the driver.

Abstract: A battery powered tire pressure sensor system with a high sensitivity stretch sensor assembly having a variable resistance longitudinal displacement characteristic. The stretch sensor assembly has at least two juxtaposed stretch sensors, each with a first layer bearing the variable resistance element and a second support layer. The sensor assembly is mounted on or in the side wall of a pneumatic tire so that the assembly is displaced by the tire side wall and the resistance is a function of internal tire pressure. The assembly is coupled to a processor which samples the resistance of the stretch sensor assembly periodically. When the processor determines that the pressure is outside a safe range, an r.f. generator is activated by the processor to generate an unsafe tire pressure signal. This signal is converted by a receiver to a warning for the driver. A power saving unit controls application of electrical power to the system as a function of tire speed to prolong battery life.

Abstract: A battery powered tire pressure sensor system with a high sensitivity stretch sensor assembly having a variable resistance longitudinal displacement characteristic. The stretch sensor assembly has at least two juxtaposed stretch sensors, each with a first layer bearing the variable resistance element and a second support layer. The sensor assembly is mounted on or in the side wall of a pneumatic tire so that the assembly is displaced by the tire side wall and the resistance is a function of internal tire pressure. The assembly is coupled to a processor which samples the resistance of the stretch sensor assembly periodically. When the processor determines that the pressure is outside a safe range, an r.f. generator is activated by the processor to generate an unsafe tire pressure signal. This signal is converted by a receiver to a warning for the driver. A power saving unit controls application of electrical power to the system as a function of tire speed to prolong battery life.

Abstract: An RFID tag having an rfid integrated circuit and an antenna is combined with a first passive antenna circuit to provide an extended operating range. The first passive antenna circuit has a first coil and a first capacitor to tune the passive antenna circuit to a resonant frequency the same as the operating frequency of the RFID tag. The first coil has a central opening larger than the size of the antenna. The passive antenna circuit is arranged with the antenna located in the central opening of the coil, preferably in a co-planar manner, to promote inductive interaction therebetween. A second passive antenna circuit essentially identical to the first, but having larger dimensions, is positioned with the coil of the second passive antenna circuit surrounding the first coil to extend the operating range even further.

Abstract: A “coil-on-a-chip” RFID tag having an rfid integrated circuit and an antenna contemporaneously formed on a substrate. The antenna is a helical multiple layer, multi-turn coil having an axis of revolution oriented at an acute angle, preferably ninety degrees, with respect to the major body plane of the rfid integrated circuit. The coil has a central opening with an annular core of magnetically permeable material. The RFID tag has an increased operating range over known ID tags.

Abstract: A multi-phase A.C. vehicle motor having one or more disk rotor assemblies and pairs of stator sub-assemblies. Each disk rotor assembly has a disk and a plurality of permanent magnets distributed along one or more circular paths in the disk inboard of the peripheral edge of the rotor. Each stator sub-assembly has a corresponding number of pole pieces and coils distributed along a mounting plate in corresponding circular paths. The disk is rotatably mounted to a support member; while the stator sub-assemblies are fixed to the support member.

Abstract: An object circuit for use in an r.f. identification system for locating a specific object by generating identification signals of a specific frequency assigned to a given object, said object circuit including a receiving antenna, a crystal coupled to said receiving antenna, said crystal having a resonant frequency equal to the frequency assigned to the associated object, and circuitry coupled to said crystal for responding to a signal of said assigned frequency received by said object circuit.