With Particular Telemetric Coupling Patents (Class 340/445)
  • Publication number: 20080143507
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system and method for a vehicle having multiple wheels. The system and method provide an efficient means for accurately associating TPM sensors on the vehicle with specific vehicle wheel locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Cotton, Jason Summerford
  • Patent number: 7388478
    Abstract: A sensor detects values of inflation pressure of a tire of a vehicle one after another. A controller calculates, from the values of the tire inflation pressure, a deflation rate at which the tire is deflating per unit time. When the deflation rate is higher than a first predetermined value, the controller judges that the tire is suddenly punctuated. When the deflation rate is not higher than the first predetermined value but is higher than a second predetermined value, the controller judges that the tire is deteriorated. When the deflation rate is not higher than the second predetermined value, the controller judges that compressed air is naturally leaked from the tire. An alarm unit gives an alarm indicating punctuation or deterioration of the tire or natural air leaking in response to the judgment of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuya Watabe
  • Patent number: 7385485
    Abstract: A tire monitoring system and associated method includes a plurality of tire sensor modules configured to transmit tire data in a wireless fashion at a predetermined time interval. The system also includes a vehicle control module that is configured to receive the tire data from the tire sensor modules, and is further configured to dictate the predetermined time interval at which the tire data is transmitted by the tire sensor modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael A. Thomas, Robert D. LeFort, John T. McGowan, Chris A. Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 7385492
    Abstract: A tire distortion detecting method for detecting a detection of the tire during the running of a vehicle, a distortion detector, a sensor unit thereof, and a tire having the same whereby the occurrence of a deterioration can be reduced and applicability is widened to a control system such as a stability control system. Sensor units 100 are embedded at some intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire. In the sensor unit 100, a conductor pattern is changed in shape according to a distortion of a tire 300 so as to change the resonance frequency of a radiated electromagnetic wave. An electromagnetic wave is radiated from a monitoring device 200. An electromagnetic wave radiated from the sensor unit 100 is compared with a detection result stored when no distortion occurs on the tire 300, so that a distortion of the tire 300 is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Hattori
  • Patent number: 7385493
    Abstract: A tire inflation pressure detection apparatus includes a detection portion provided in a tire of a vehicle for detecting a tire inflation pressure, a transmitting portion for wirelessly transmitting a signal of a tire inflation pressure information, a receiving portion for feeding the signal transmitted from the transmitting portion, a wheel speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of a wheel of the tire, a control portion for feeding a signal from the wheel speed sensor and the signal from the receiving portion, an electric power source wire for connecting the wheel speed sensor to the control portion, a signal input wire for connecting the electric power source wire to the receiving portion, and a filter disposed at the electric power source wire between a connection point with the signal input wire and the control portion for blocking the signal transmitted from the transmitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Kato, Eiji Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7382239
    Abstract: An onboard wireless communication system for a vehicle, such as a tire pressure monitoring system (“TPMS”) is disclosed. The TPMS includes wheel-mounted radio frequency (“RF”) sensor/transmitters that transmit RF signals conveying tire pressure information, at least one RF relay element, and an RF receiver coupled to a TPMS processor. The RF relay element(s) relay the RF signals from the sensor/transmitters to the RF receiver to reduce the negative effect of electromagnetic field scattering caused by conductive parts of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyok J. Song, Hui-Pin Hsu, Richard W. Wiese
  • Patent number: 7377156
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitor system is provided including a sensor housing forming an internal housing mount chamber. An air inlet port is formed on a housing side surface and is orientated parallel to the wheel rim rotational axis. A sensor assembly including an air pressure sensor element is mounted within the internal housing mount chamber. A filter element and a gasket element are positioned between the air pressure sensor element and the air inlet port. A potting material fills the internal housing mount chamber. The filter element and the gasket element creating an air pressure flow path from the air inlet port to the air pressure sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Mattson, Lawrence W. Hamm, William K. Cotton, Robert A. Stewart, Michael A. Uleski, Rex B. Belden, Mark A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7375625
    Abstract: A sunken condition of a vehicle provided with a sensor for measuring air pressure inside a tire, a communication device that carries out wireless communications between a vehicle main body and a tire, a steering torque sensor that measures steering torque, a sensor for measuring rotary speeds of driver and follower wheels of the vehicle or a navigating apparatus including a global positioning system and a dead-reckoning device is detected by a detector having a controller without requiring a sensor for detecting the sunken condition. The controller identifies a sunken condition on the basis of a momentary change in detected data, the status of communication from the sensor, a drop in the measured steering torque, a relative drop of the rotary speed of a follower wheel with respect to that of a driver wheel or a disagreement in measured position data by the navigating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7373228
    Abstract: In a method for providing identification registration of a tire air pressure monitoring apparatus, an external equipment receives transmission data including the sensor identification from transmitters. The external equipment identifies the transmitter that transmitted the transmission data based upon the transmission data and registers the identified transmitter at the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Taguchi, Shintarou Itou, Ryozo Okumura
  • Publication number: 20080106394
    Abstract: A multi-port tire pressure detecting system includes a plurality of pressure detection units and a pressure processing unit. Each of the pressure detection units is mounted to an inflation valve on a tire via a tire pressure inlet port, and includes an internal pressure detector and an outward projected pumping inlet port. The pressure processing unit includes a microprocessor, a transmitter, and a power supply connected to the microprocessor, the transmitter, and the pressure detectors for supplying power thereto. When the pressure detectors detect the pressure of tires, tire pressure data are generated. The generated tire pressure data are processed by the microprocessor and then transmitted by the transmitter to a receiving unit near a driver seat for display in real time. When a tire is indicated as having insufficient internal pressure, the tire may be conveniently inflated via the pumping inlet port of a corresponding pressure detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Teng-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 7369043
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) has a plurality of tires (14A-D) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters (16A-D) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A respective plurality of initiators (20A-D) are fixedly attached to the vehicle at a respective plurality of locations. The initiators may include orthogonal coils (112, 114). A controller (22) activates the plurality of initiators using the coils (112, 114) and receives a plurality of respective sensor signals having respective tire identifications. The activations may occur with a duty cycle of less than about fifty percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. McQuade
  • Patent number: 7362218
    Abstract: A tire monitor for mounting to a vehicle as part of a remote tire monitoring system includes a tire condition sensor to produce a tire condition signal, a controller coupled to the tire condition sensor to control operation of the tire monitor, and a radio circuit coupled to the controller to transmit radio signals based at least in part on the tire condition signal. A shock sensor is coupled to the controller of the tire monitor to produce a motion signal indicating motion of the tire monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Schrader Bridgeport International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Kenneth McCall, William David Stewart
  • Patent number: 7352276
    Abstract: A transmitter in an apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire of a vehicle includes a circuit portion and a casing that accommodates the circuit portion. The casing has a first pressure transmitting portion that transmits the pressure in the tire to the circuit portion so that the circuit portion can detect the pressure in the tire. The pressure transmitted to the circuit portion through the first pressure transmitting portion produces force that presses the circuit portion. The casing further has a second pressure transmitting portion that transmits the pressure in the tire to the circuit portion to apply force that acts against the pressing force to the circuit portion. Therefore, the transmitter prevents a substrate from flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiya Katou
  • Publication number: 20080074249
    Abstract: A tire pressure detection device is composed of a housing, a washer, an air valve, and a lead-wire antenna. The tire pressure detection device can be installed in an interior side of a tire to detect the tire pressure and temperature in time. In addition, this kind of information is transmitted to a receiver for determination, through the lead-wire antenna. The air valve is provided with a dual function of the transmission antenna and the air valve of tire, and the tire pressure detection device is integrated into one body by using an injection molding method. Furthermore, the tire pressure detection device can be replaced for a different rim, so as to achieve an all-round installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Ling-Ho Cheng, Chia-Yi Wang, Shu-Mei Kuo
  • Patent number: 7348879
    Abstract: A tire information transmitter measures tire inflation pressure in a tire cavity region and wirelessly transmits it outside the tire cavity region. A control unit of the transmitter controls the transmitting of the measured pressure and compares the level of the pressure signal with a threshold value continually after a supply of driving power is started. The transmitter has a comparing mode in which the operation signal is transmitted at a first time interval, and a transmitting mode in which the pressure signal is transmitted at a second time interval, which is shorter than the first time interval. Further, the control unit irreversibly shifts from the comparing mode to the transmitting mode, once the level of the pressure signal exceeds the threshold value as a result of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakatani, Toshimitsu Ebinuma, Hideki Nihei
  • Patent number: 7337659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for remote tire pressure monitoring that is secured onto a wheel surface. The apparatus as a unit comprises or includes a circuit including at least a sensor element to sense air pressure, signal processing circuitry, and data transmitting circuitry and an antenna. The apparatus also comprises or includes a housing at least partially contains the circuit. The housing retains the circuit and the housing and is itself engaged to the wheel surface by adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sensfab Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Srini Naidu, Sooriakumar Kathigamasundaram, Wai Mun Chong, Bryan Keith Patmon
  • Patent number: 7336161
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for the wheels of a motor vehicle determines the position of each wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: David Walraet
  • Patent number: 7336164
    Abstract: A system for monitoring tire pressure and producing a first signal in the event that a low tire pressure condition has been sensed and a second, different signal in the event that a low tire pressure condition has not been sensed and a third signal in the event that the system is not operable. The system comprises a sensor for each tire and an associated transceiver antenna coil. Each sensor comprises a pressure switch and a circuit that has a first resonant frequency when the pressure switch is in a first state and a second, different resonant frequency when the switch is in a second state. An excited circuit associated with each transceiver antenna coil generates an AC electromagnetic field across the transceiver antenna coil and a detector circuit is operable to demodulate information communicated passively by the sensor that reflects its resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Dymos Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dimi Apostolopoulos, Stuart Heys, James Teza, Michael Wagner, Donggi Kim
  • Patent number: 7333008
    Abstract: A tire deflation warning system having a means for detecting the rotational speeds of wheels on a vehicle and a means for judging tires with reduced air pressure from the rotational speed information of the wheels including a means for judging whether driving force works to respective wheels or not a means for calculating a vehicle speed when driving force works to respective wheels, a means for comparing the average of the rotational speeds of the driving wheels against the average of the rotational speeds of the following wheels, with the average of the rotational speeds of the driving wheels against the average of the rotational speeds of the following wheels at normal air pressure in running state in which the vehicle has driving force and a means for judging that the air pressures of the all wheels which are mounted on the vehicle are simultaneously reduced, or that the air pressures of the driving wheels are reduced by the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Minao Yanase
  • Patent number: 7331220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tire pressure monitoring device for a motor vehicle. A tire pressure monitoring system with direct measurement includes a transmission device for transmitting tire pressure values determined by pressure sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system with indirect measurement that operates on the basis of wheel speed sensors. The tire pressure monitoring system with direct measurement includes a tire pressure measuring device for measuring a tire pressure value only on each wheel of a driven vehicle axle and on at most one wheel of a non-driven axle. The tire pressure monitoring system with indirect measurement includes wheel speed sensors on the non-driven vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Peter Lauer, Stefan Stölzl, Martin Griesser, Andreas Köbe, Peter Säger, Vladimir Koukes
  • Patent number: 7327244
    Abstract: A valve device includes a metal tube fixed to a tire rim of a vehicle. A valve is mounted in an end of an air passageway of the metal tube. A transmitter includes two switches respectively connected to two contact members fixed on the metal tube. A Bourdon tube includes a fixed end in communication with the air passageway of the metal tube and a movable end. When a tire pressure of the tire is in a normal range, the movable end of the Bourdon tube is between the contact members, leading to an open circuit. When the tire pressure is too high or too low, the movable end of the Bourdon tube is in contact with one of the contact members. One of the switches is turned on to activate the transmitter to send a signal for reminding the driver of the abnormal tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Hui-Cheng Chung
  • Patent number: 7327243
    Abstract: A method for warning deflation of tires which can detect the deflation of 2 wheels at the same axle including a following axle, the simultaneous deflation of 4 wheels or the abrasion of tires only by the information of wheel speeds is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7323975
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle with at least one tire includes at least one pressure sensor adapted for sensing pressure inside the at least one tire. The system also includes at least one indicator adapted to communicate a stop signal indicating that pressure inside the at least one tire is equal to a target pressure. The indicator is also adapted to communicate a continue signal indicating that pressure inside the at least one tire is unequal to a target pressure. The continue signal is adapted to indicate how close the pressure inside the at least one tire is to the target pressure. The tire pressure monitoring system further includes a controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the at least one indicator. The controller is adapted to determine the target pressure according to a predicted operating condition of the at least one tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace T. Hall, Richard J. Knoll, Brian K. Bartnick
  • Patent number: 7317382
    Abstract: Remote communications devices, wireless communications systems, and wireless communications methods are described. In one aspect, a remote communications device includes communication circuitry configured to communicate wireless communication signals externally of the remote communications device, sensor circuitry configured to sense at least one condition with respect to the remote communications device, and wherein the communication circuitry is coupled with the sensor circuitry and is configured to determine a plurality of different moments in time responsive to criteria originating within the remote communications device and to communicate data indicative of the at least one sensed condition externally of the remote communications device to a reader using the wireless communication signals at the different moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Richard M. Pratt, Jeffrey Wayne Scott, Michael A. Hughes, Michael A. Lind, Gary B. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20080001729
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes a plurality of tire pressure monitoring devices mounted within corresponding tires that transmit information to a handheld receiver that is mounted and supported within a cradle of a vehicle cabin. The handheld device is removable from the cradle to reveal a primary display that communicates specific information regarding the conditions of the system and individual tires. The remote handheld device can also be utilized to prompt a tire pressure monitoring device to display temperature compensated pressure measurements in real time during tire inflation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Leopold Kyllmann, Fabian Gallardo-Vazquez, Victor Rodrigo Jauregui Sandoval, Ricardo Montes-Perez, Jorge Antonio Vazquez-Murillo, Eduardo Zenteno-De los Santos
  • Patent number: 7310044
    Abstract: A tire condition monitoring system for a vehicle has a chassis-side transmitter/receiver and a tire-side transmitter/receiver. The tire-side transmitter/receiver measures an interval between two successive request signals of the chassis-side transmitter and controls a time point of transmission of a response signal of the tire-side transmitter/receiver based on the measured interval so that the response signal is transmitted when the tire-side transmitter/receiver is in the communication range of the chassis-side transmitter/receiver. A control unit determines a time interval of one rotation of a tire based on a vehicle speed, and drives the chassis-side transmitter/receiver to transmit the request signal at an interval set to be shorter than an interval in which the tire rotates the communication range of the chassis-side transmitter/receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7301446
    Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of an undersized, e.g., mini-spare, or an underinflated, oversized or overinflated tire or tires on a passenger motor vehicle improves operation of traction control, stability and anti-lock brake systems by compensating for such operating anomalies. The method includes the steps of sensing the steering angle, sensing the actual rotational speeds of each wheel, determining the actual vehicle speed, calculating each expected wheel speed based upon the sensed steering angle and wheel speeds, calculating each tire diameter based upon the calculated wheel speeds and, finally, determining whether such diameters are within various defined ranges which permit normal operation, permit reduced function operation, or require system shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Ray, Dan Reich, Todd Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7289021
    Abstract: Apparatus and method in the use thereof attaches an annular transponder unit to an annular tire surface, the transponder unit being of a type having a sensor housing coupled to an annular antenna. The apparatus includes a rotary turntable for supportably rotating a tire having an annular tire surface in an accessible disposition and an arm proximately disposed to the turntable and having end-of-arm tooling for attaching the transponder unit section by section to the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated. The tooling includes a gripping mechanism engaging the sensor housing and placing the sensor housing at a preselected location on the annular tire surface and a guide mechanism engaging the annular antenna and positioning the annular antenna section by section along the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Weaver, Joseph Carmine Lettieri, Gary Edwin Tubb, Dwayne Richard Huston, James Michael Hart, William Allen Rex, Robert Allen Birch
  • Patent number: 7289020
    Abstract: An intuitive and context sensitive system facilitating the proper identification and service of a vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure. The system is configured with a mapping of relevant vehicle identification assistance data or vehicle specific information to one or more selection locations in the user interface of a vehicle service software application. The mapping identifies the availability of additional vehicle identification assistance information, vehicle specific functional applets, and the context within the vehicle service software application at which the additional vehicle identification assistance information or vehicle specific functional applets are relevant. The additional vehicle identification assistance information or applets are maintained external to the vehicle service software application, permitting the additional vehicle identification assistance information and applets to be updated, changed, or replaced without altering the vehicle service software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Larson, Daniel R. Dorrance, William D. Heine
  • Patent number: 7284418
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a tire pressure sensor assembly that includes a battery and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured with electronics to measure tire pressure and to transmit an electromagnetic signal related to the measured tire pressure. The PCB and battery are contained in a housing that allows the PCB and the battery to be angularly oriented with respect to each other. Such orientation permits the sensor to conform to the curved surface of the rim. An embodiment of the disclosed tire pressure sensor assembly is adapted to fasten to a valve stem via a metal terminal. The attachment configuration permits the valve stem assembly to deform as the valve stem is installed in a rim and also allows the valve stem to function as a portion of the antenna structure to facilitate transmitting the RF signal to a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Yin, Jen-Huang A. Chiou, John T. Meagher
  • Patent number: 7283924
    Abstract: The present device relates to a method for automatically determining the installation positions of wheels in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a direct measure tire pressure monitoring system includes individual wheel tire pressure measuring devices and transmitting devices for the transfer of TPMS data containing tire air pressure values and identification numbers of the individual wheels to a receiving and evaluating device installed in or on the vehicle. The motor vehicle also includes an indirect measuring tire pressure monitoring system determining DDS data containing air pressure changes and installation positions from the rotational behavior of the individual wheels. The method includes determining correlation coefficients from the TPMS data and the DDS data by using a correlation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Peter Lauer, Stefan Stölzl, Martin Griesser, Andreas Köbe, Frank Edling, Peter Säger, Vladimir Koukes
  • Patent number: 7271733
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for determining at least one parameter of at least one member (1) rotating with respect to a fixed structure (2), comprising, for each rotating member (1), an assembly comprising a transponder (3), a code (5) comprising a reference singularity, a sensor (6) able to deliver a signal comprising a reference pulse corresponding to the detection of the reference singularity, a device (4) for detecting the parameter or parameters issuing from the transponder (3) and a device for measuring the speed of rotation of the rotating member (1); the said system also comprising an activation device (7) which is connected to each sensor (6), to each detection device (4) and to each speed measurement device, the said activation device being able, when a reference pulse issuing from the sensor (6) of an assembly is recorded, to activate the detection device (4) of the assembly at a moment which is a function of the indexed position of the transponder (3) and of the measured speed, so that the tr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: S.N.R. Roulements
    Inventors: Christophe Nicot, Christophe Duret
  • Patent number: 7271711
    Abstract: A device and a method for determining a wheel position on a vehicle, for example an automobile. Long-wave antennae of a vehicle access system already present in the vehicle transmit a signal, which is measured by a long-wave receive unit of a tire electronic system and used to detect the position of the wheel on the vehicle. The electrical or magnetic receive field strength of the signal of a specific long-wave antenna for example is in particular detected by a tire electronic system and used to determine the position of the wheel on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Armin Daiss, Frank Fischer, Herbert Froitzheim, Stefan Hammes, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 7259663
    Abstract: A pressure detection sensor for detecting a tire internal air pressure and a wheel side communication device for transmitting a detection result of the pressure detection sensor using a preset transmission mode are provided on each wheel. The detection result from the pressure detection sensor is transmitted to an ECU via a vehicle body side communication device provided on a vehicle body. The ECU is able to notify a transmission mode determination device provided on each wheel that adjustment of the tire internal air pressure is being performed by manipulating a state of the tire internal air pressure. The transmission mode determination device determines a transmission mode to be used by the wheel side communication device such that a transmission frequency of a notification related to the occurrence of an abnormality of the wheel is reduced while adjustment of the tire internal air pressure is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7257997
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a longitudinal force of a tire is provided with at least one mark (3) provided in on one circumferential line (j) in a tire (2), a first sensor (5) disposed in a vehicle body side (4) and capable of detecting a passage of the mark (3), a second sensor (7) capable of detecting a rotation angle (?) of an axle (6), and a computing device (8) for computing a longitudinal force (Fr) of the tire (2) on the basis of an information of the first and second sensors (5, 7). The computing device (8) sequentially stores a rotation angle (?r) of the axle (6) when the mark (3) passes through the first sensor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Miyoshi, Keita Nakano
  • Patent number: 7256702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure alarm for use in conjunction with conventional pressure gauge unit systems, as a replacement pressure gauge and alarm, or as a pressure alarm system. The invention provides adaptable alarm feedback signals for an operator, preventing the unexpected loss of pressure when using a gas cylinder, pressure boiler, or other device. The invention provides an alarm that may be a visual, audible, electronic, or mechanical low-pressure alarm and may include a means of ordering replacement supplies or sending a warning message. A system controller and memory module prevents false alarms and eases the burden of the operator while allowing external input and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Michael S. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7256687
    Abstract: A tire pneumatic pressure monitoring system contains tire pneumatic pressure monitoring receivers that receive radio signals transmitted from sensors and detect RSSI signals and pneumatic pressure data. A console processes the RSSI signals and the pneumatic pressure data and outputs indicating signals. An indicator indicates the tire pneumatic pressure with the indicating signals. The tire pneumatic pressure monitoring receivers are individually provided corresponding to the tires of a vehicle. The console is provided with a level adjusting unit for adjusting output levels of the RSSI signals by controlling the tire pneumatic pressure monitoring receivers. The levels of the respective RSSI signals input to the console from the respective tire pneumatic pressure monitoring receivers are set approximately equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Etsuya Shibata
  • Patent number: 7253726
    Abstract: A tire condition monitoring apparatus comprises transmitters and a receiver. Each transmitter is provided in a tire and the receiver is provided in a body frame of a vehicle. The apparatus further comprises initiators each corresponding to one of the transmitters. Based on a trigger signal from the corresponding initiator, each transmitter wirelessly transmits a predetermined determination signal, which includes tire information, two or more times in a fixed time period from the transmission circuit. The determination signal from the transmission circuit is received by the reception circuit of the receiver and a controller determines whether there is a match between the received determination signals. When there is a match, the position of the tire is located and the tire information is processed as valid information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 7250852
    Abstract: A device for interrogating at least one data sensor positioned at least one of within a vehicle tire and adjacent to a vehicle tire. The device includes a housing, remotely located from the at least one data sensor having a processor positioned therein. Means for sending and receiving at least one data signal for receipt by said sensor is connected to the processor. A least one input button is connected to the processor for activation thereof. A display is connected to the processor for displaying data thereon. The sensor generates, in response to the at least one data signal, a response signal having data corresponding to at least one of a sensed and a stored data value and the response signal is received by the sending and receiving means for display on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Curtis Kell
  • Patent number: 7250851
    Abstract: Each sensor is provided with an emitter and the vehicle is provided with a corresponding receiver adapted to receive signals emitted by each sensor. The receiver is provided with at least one antenna disposed such that it is not located substantially equidistantly from the sensors, the antennas being located on a same side of the vehicle. The location of the sensors is carried out by analyzing the power of the field received by the receiver of each antenna for each sensor, the field power received by one antenna being the greater, the nearer to the antenna is the sensor that emitted the corresponding signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive
    Inventor: Philippe Lefaure
  • Patent number: 7248953
    Abstract: A wheel-state obtaining apparatus for a vehicle, including wheel-side devices (10–16) each having an air pressure sensor (32) for detecting an air pressure of a wheel tire of the vehicle, and a body-side device (18) having receiver antennas (20–26) and arranged to receive wheel-side information from the wheel-side devices through the receiver antennas and extract air-pressure information representative of the detected air pressure, that is, detected-air-pressure information, and wherein the body-side device includes an estimating portion (54) which is operable, in the event of a failure of any of the receiver antennas to receive the wheel-side information, to estimate the tire air pressure on the basis of detected speeds of the wheel, and obtain estimated-air-pressure information representative of the estimated air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7245208
    Abstract: A tire condition detecting system has transmitters and a receiver. The transmitter is installed in a plurality of wheels and the receiver is installed in a chassis of a vehicle. The receiver has a controller which determines transmission timings in which a transmitting/receiving unit transmits the electrical wave for electrical charging to the transmitters. Moreover the controller detects an electrical wave from a nearby vehicle at the transmission timing. If the detected wave from the nearby vehicle is stronger, the controller waits for a predetermined period before making the transmitting/receiving unit transmit the electrical wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuya Watabe
  • Patent number: 7234345
    Abstract: In a vehicle tire air pressure detection system, a charging electromagnetic wave is transmitted for a predetermined period from a vehicle chassis side and stored as a charge voltage in a transmitter unit attached to a tire wheel. When the charge voltage reaches a predetermined level, a sensor in the transmitter unit detects a tire air pressure and a transmitter/receiver of the transmitter unit transmits a detection data on an electromagnetic wave in the same frequency band as the charging electromagnetic wave after the predetermined period from a time point at which the charge voltage has reached the predetermined level. Thus, interference between the charging electromagnetic wave and the electromagnetic wave of the detection data is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuya Watabe, Hideki Saito
  • Patent number: 7233881
    Abstract: To enable indoor and outdoor physical conditions to be detected for very fine control thereof. Self-contained transmitting sensors 10-1 through 10-8 which monitor physical quantities and convert them into electrical data signals for radio-transmission are disposed in desired positions in housing. The wirelessly transmitted data signals are received by a portable information terminal 20 for controlling the operation of a device 30 to be controlled based upon the received information and its information history. By wearing a self-contained transmitting sensor 10-9 on a user 40 physical quantities such as temperature, humidity and illumination at a place in which the user is located can be controlled to desired values wherever the user moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ikutaro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7233237
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the physical integrity of a tire. The system and method include measuring a signal proportional to the speed of rotation of the wheel and calculating a harmonic signal of the round of wheel (e.g., equal to the energies of the harmonics of this signal), then comparing the result with a threshold and activating an alarm when over-passing this threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Dufournier Technologies SAS
    Inventor: Arnaud Dufournier
  • Patent number: 7230525
    Abstract: A tire air pressure monitoring system is provided that comprises a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a tire identification number registration device. The transmitting device is mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, and configured and arranged to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of at least tire air pressure information of a tire coupled to the wheel and a tire identification number assigned to the wheel. The receiving device is mounted on the vehicle, and configured and arranged to receive the signal transmitted from the transmitting device. The tire identification number registration device is configured to estimate a position of the wheel with respect to the vehicle based on correlation information corresponding to an extent of a correlation between strength of the signal and a tire rotational angle of the wheel, and to register the tire identification number with the position of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Hirai
  • Patent number: 7227458
    Abstract: A tire inflation pressure sensing apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is provided on a wheel of a vehicle and includes a pressure sensor working to sense an inflation pressure of a tire on the wheel and an acceleration sensor working to generate a signal as a function of a component of gravitational acceleration in the sensing direction thereof. The transmitter is configured to determine a position thereof depending on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor and transmit the signal representative of the inflation pressure of the tire toward the receiver when a transmitting request is issued and the determined position thereof falls in a predetermined range. The receiver is provided on the body of the vehicle and is configured to receive the signal transmitted from the transmitter and determine the inflation pressure of the tire depending on the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuya Watabe, Ryozo Okumura
  • Patent number: 7227455
    Abstract: An mileage communication system for a vehicle, such as a trailer, is disclosed. Mileage data is communicated to a processor by a sensor. The processor calculates cumulative mileage and encodes the mileage data into a code, such as an ON-OFF code, that is capable of being communicated to an output device. The vehicle operator may activate a user interface that is capable of generating a request signal to be sent to the processor. Upon receipt of the request signal, the processor communicates the code to the output device. In response to the code from the processor, the output device communicates a visual or audible signal, such as an ON-OFF signal, that is capable of being received by the vehicle operator or other user. The signal corresponds to the cumulative mileage data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems
    Inventor: Paul J. Waszkowski
  • Patent number: 7227456
    Abstract: An interrogator is disposed in a main body of a vehicle for transmitting interrogating signals. A responder is mounted to each tire of the vehicle for returning tire information such as air pressure to the interrogator in response to the interrogating signals. The responder is provided with at least one sensor for detecting tire information and a sensor specifying means for specifying properties of the sensor. The interrogator is provided with a control means for processing tire information, and correction tables for correcting properties of a sensor specified by the sensor specifying means. The control means corrects the tire information by the correction tables and then outputs data related to the tire information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouta Iijima
  • Patent number: 7227457
    Abstract: A tire inflation pressure sensing apparatus includes a transmitter on a wheel of a vehicle and a receiver on a body of the vehicle. The transmitter includes a pressure sensor working to generate a pressure signal and a charging unit configured to be charged with electrical power via a radio wave from the receiver. The receiver performs a “packet charge” for the charging unit of the transmitter, during which operation of the receiver is changed alternately between an ON-mode and an OFF-mode. When the receiver receives in the OFF-mode an informing signal from the transmitter, it stops the packet charge to receive the pressure signal sent out from the transmitter following the informing signal. The transmitter starts, when the electrical power charged in the charging unit has increased to a predetermined level, to repeatedly send out the informing signal a plurality of times, and then sends out the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuya Watabe