Patents by Inventor Stephen McClelland

Stephen McClelland 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).

  • Patent number: 7423532
    Abstract: A tire monitor system employs a single RF detector mounted on the vehicle. The tire monitor system also includes a control unit and a receiver. The single RF detector is positioned to be proximate a front axle or a rear axle. The RF detector also may be positioned off-center. The control unit distinguishes front tire monitors from rear tire monitors by comparing a number of RF transmissions received by each tire monitor. The control unit also may distinguish between left tire monitors and right tire monitors by comparing the number of RF transmissions received by each tire monitor. In other embodiment, the tire monitor system may further use a received signal strength and/or acceleration signals to determine position information of the tire monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Stewart, Idir Boudaoud, Thomas David Stephen McClelland
  • Patent number: 7088226
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Stephen McClelland, David Samuel Porter, Alastair Thomas Johnston
  • Publication number: 20050134446
    Abstract: A tire monitor system and method rely on only two RF detector mounted on the vehicle, one in close proximity to one of the front wheels and the other in close proximity to one of the rear wheels. An RF detector can distinguish between its local transmitter and the other transmitter on the same axle by the amount of signal received. Every time the controller decodes transmitted RF data, the controller looks to see if and which RF detector has detected the transmission. The controller can then determine over a short period of time which sensor identifier belongs to which corner of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: William Stewart, Idir Boudaoud, Thomas Stephen McClelland
  • Patent number: 6906624
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Stephen McClelland, David Samuel Porter, Alastair Thomas Johnston
  • Patent number: 6882270
    Abstract: A tire monitor system and method rely on only two RF detector mounted on the vehicle, one in close proximity to one of the front wheels and the other in close proximity to one of the rear wheels. An RF detector can distinguish between its local transmitter and the other transmitter on the same axle by the amount of signal received. Every time the controller decodes transmitted RF data, the controller looks to see if and which RF detector has detected the transmission. The controller can then determine over a short period of time which sensor identifier belongs to which corner of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Stewart, Idir Boudaoud, Thomas David Stephen McClelland
  • Publication number: 20040183664
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Stephen McClelland, David Samuel Porter, Alastair Thomas Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040183665
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Stephen McClelland, David Samuel Porter, Alastair Thomas Johnston
  • Patent number: 6710708
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Stephen McClelland, David Samuel Porter, Alastair Thomas Johnston
  • Publication number: 20030080860
    Abstract: A tire monitor system and method rely on only two RF detector mounted on the vehicle, one in close proximity to one of the front wheels and the other in close proximity to one of the rear wheels. An RF detector can distinguish between its local transmitter and the other transmitter on the same axle by the amount of signal received. Every time the controller decodes transmitted RF data, the controller looks to see if and which RF detector has detected the transmission. The controller can then determine over a short period of time which sensor identifier belongs to which corner of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: William David Stewart, Idir Boudaoud, Thomas David Stephen McClelland
  • Publication number: 20020003474
    Abstract: A tire characteristic monitoring method allows automatic programming of tire position information in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10). The method includes, from a remotely located exciter (16) using a primary coil (18) to transmit a relatively low frequency signal to a secondary coil (L1) of a tire monitor (12) associated with a tire of a vehicle. The method further includes the step of, at the tire monitor, in response to the relatively low frequency signal, transmitting a relatively high transmitting signal to convey data. The data are received at the exciter and subsequently loaded into a receiving unit (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS DAVID STEPHEN MCCLELLAND, DAVID SAMUEL PORTER, ALASTAIR THOMAS JOHNSTON
  • Patent number: 5963128
    Abstract: A system which monitors a vehicle's tire pressures and displays real-time pressure values on a dashboard display while the vehicle is on the road. An electronic unit with pressure sensor, roll switch, reed switch, tilt switch, battery and control electronic, mounted to the valve stem inside each tire uses the pressure sensor to periodically measure the tire pressure, and uses a transmitter to transmit the measured pressure values, via RF transmission, to a dashboard mounted receiver. The receiver controls a display which indicates to the driver the real-time tire pressure in each wheel. the display also indicates an alarm condition when the tire pressure falls below certain predefined thresholds. The pressure values are compensated for temperature changes inside the tire, and also may be compensated for altitude changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen McClelland
  • Patent number: 5302939
    Abstract: The diaphragm of a dual tire equalizer has an axial probe actuating or not actuating a switch in a radio frequency transmitter circuit mounted on the wheel. The transmitter sends a signal varying, depending on the condition of the switch. A radio frequency receiver on the vehicle and connected to an indicator in the driver's cab responds to the signal and issues appropriate information to the driver concerning condition of the equalizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Schrader Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Downs, Stephen McClelland