Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a substrate. The substrate has a front side and a back side. A device is formed on the front side of the substrate. A vertical spring is etched in the substrate about the device. A trench is etched in the front side of the substrate about the device. A wall of the trench forms a side of the vertical spring.

Abstract: A management server system may obtain sensor data generated by a plurality of sensors from a plurality of gateway devices. The sensor data may be associated with a plurality of vehicles. The management server system may identify, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, a subset of the sensor data associated with a particular vehicle. The management server system may generate, in real time, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, a virtual representation of the particular vehicle based on the subset of the sensor data associated with the particular vehicle. The management server system may generate a user interface that includes visualizations of virtual representations of the plurality of vehicles. The management server system may update, in real time, the visualizations of the virtual representations of the plurality of vehicles based on obtaining additional sensor data from the plurality of gateway devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS pressure sensor and a manufacturing method. The pressure is formed by a top cap wafer, a MEMS wafer and a bottom cap wafer. The MEMS wafer comprises a frame and a membrane, the frame defining a cavity. The membrane is suspended by the frame over the cavity. The bottom cap wafer closes the cavity. The top cap wafer has a recess defining with the membrane a capacitance gap. The top cap wafer comprises a top cap electrode located over the membrane and forming, together with the membrane, a capacitor to detect a deflection of the membrane. Electrical contacts on the top cap wafer are connected to the top cap electrode. A vent extends from outside of the sensor into the cavity or the capacitance gap. The pressure sensor can include two cavities and two capacitance gaps to form a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for resetting or reprogramming tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensor data in a vehicle control system or electronic control unit (ECU). The system and method uses a single TPMS relearning tool which (a) receives a first TPMS tire sensor data signals from the TPMS tire sensors, (b) initiates the vehicle control system to enter into a relearning or resetting mode, and (c) re-emits the first TPMS tire sensor data signal as a second TPMS tire sensor data signal to the vehicle control system to reset the vehicle control system to the present TPMS tire sensor data. In one example, the TPMS relearning tool decodes, stores in memory, encodes and transmits a second TPMS tire sensor data signal which simulates the first TPMS tire sensor data signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a tire pressure includes a controller configured to determine whether vehicle state information and tire information satisfy a reference condition when a reset button of a tire pressure is operated, detect the tire pressure when the vehicle state information and the tire information satisfy the reference condition, and reset the tire pressure when the tire pressure is within a reference pressure range.

Abstract: The invention concerns a power supply system for a field device connected to a wire-line network with a radio module configured for data communication with an external unit, wherein the radio module is connected to the field device and has a power supply unit. The power supply adapter is provided with a power transmitter for the wireless power transfer to the power supply unit. The power supply unit is configured with a power receiver, while the power receiver and the power transmitter are inductively coupled for the power transfer.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring, recording and reporting vehicle tire temperatures and/or pressures. In one aspect, a sensing device including a convex protective vessel, with pressure and/or temperature sensors enclosed therein. The sensing device is dropped freely within the interior of a tire prior to rim mounting. A movement sensor can also be included in the sensing device. The protective vessel, including all sensors, is not attached or connected in any way to the vehicle tire, rim, or valve stem such that the sensing device is independent of the vehicle tire, rim, and valve stem, and moves freely within the interior of the tire. A balancing set including a dummy device, substantially equal in weight to a sensing device, and means for connecting the dummy device to the sensing device at 180 degrees separation around the tire may also be employed.

Abstract: A monitoring device (20) of a vehicle wheel (11) is configured for detecting and transmitting, by a wireless connection, information relating to at least one characteristic quantity of the status of the wheel (11), such as the inflating pressure of a tire thereof. The device (20) has a casing (21-22) housing a circuit (30) adapted to transmit said information, the casing (21-22) being designed for coupling to an end portion (3a) of electrically conductive body (3) of a tire valve (2) of the wheel (11). The casing (21-22) includes a casing body (21) integrating interconnection means (28, 29, 40) prearranged to obtain both an electric connection of the circuit (30) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?), and a mechanical coupling of the casing (21-22) to the end portion (3a) of the electrically conductive body (3) of the valve (2; 2?; 2?).

Abstract: A TPMS setting tool includes a housing carrying a display unit and an input device on the outside and a circuit board and a power supply device on the inside, the power supply device and the circuit board being electrically coupled together to provide the TPMS setting tool with the necessary working power supply. The housing has a receptacle provided at one side thereof and a connection port with multiple pins mounted inside the receptacle for the connection of a TPMS, enabling the desired communication protocol and ID code to be written into the inserted TPMS.

Abstract: Frames of data are received. Each frame includes at least a sensor identifier and a changeable data field and is sent from one of a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors is associated with a respective one of a plurality of sensor identifiers. The changeable data field includes, in some of the frames, data representing a sensed condition and, in others of the frames, counter data. The counter data is analyzed to determine whether any of the sensor identifiers can be associated with one of a plurality of sensor locations.

Abstract: A tire condition monitoring method and a monitoring system having a simple configuration and that can process data with a high degree of reliability. The method or system determines at a sensor module whether a measured value from a sensor satisfies a preset condition. If determined that the measured value does not satisfy the preset condition, at least one flag is set in the data packet to be transmitted from the sensor module. If, at the receiver, it is determined that the measured value of the received data does not to satisfy a preset condition, whether a flag is included in the received data is determined. If it is determined that the received data includes a flag, the received data is used, and if it is determined that a flag is not included, the received data is discarded.

Abstract: A self-powered tire pressure sensor device. The sensor device includes a power circuit, an air pressure measurement sensor, a signal circuit and a wireless transmission circuit. The power circuit converts mechanical acceleration experienced by the device into electrical potential using an electromechanical transducer. Mechanical acceleration due to collisions between the mobile sensor device and the wall of the tire while the tire is in motion cause the transducer to emit a small electrical charge. An electrical potential storage element in the power circuit accumulates and stores the charge as electrical potential. Alternatively the power circuit receives and converts electromagnetic energy into electrical potential. The electrical potential powers an air pressure measurement sensor within the tire. A signal circuit and wireless transmission circuit transmit the measurement to a chassis-mounted receiver, which makes the tire pressure measurement available to systems remote from the tire.

Abstract: A method of detecting a decrease in tire air pressure includes calculating tire rotation information obtained from the wheel tires; computing a first determination value showing a difference between the sums of the wheel rotation information of pairs of wheel tires on two diagonal lines and a second determination value showing a difference between the sum of the wheel rotation information of right wheel tires and the sum of the wheel rotation information of left wheel tires; assuming the computed first and second determination values as points on orthogonal coordinates; determining position of tire(s) having a decreased pressure based on the argument of the points on the polar coordinates; and comparing the moving radii of the points on the polar coordinates with a predetermined threshold value to thereby determine a decrease in tire air pressure.

Abstract: A blank tire pressure monitoring device includes a housing having an air valve at one end and connection terminals at an opposite end, a circuit board mounted in the housing and carrying a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, an analog-digital converter electrically connected with the pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the acceleration sensor, a general purpose I/O terminal unit electrically connected with the connection terminals of the housing; an embedded microcontroller module electrically connected with the general purpose I/O terminal unit and the analog-digital converter and having built therein a flash memory, a microcontroller core and a special-function register controller, a LF receiver electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module, and a transmitter electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module; and a method is still also disclosed for setting up a blank tire pressure monitoring device.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers, a receiver and a warning device. Each transceiver is mounted on a respective wheel having a tire in a vehicle. The receiver is mounted on a body of the vehicle. The warning device receives a warning signal transmitted from the receiver. Each transceiver includes a sensing unit, a first control unit and a transmitting unit. The receiver includes a receiving unit and a second control unit. Each transceiver or the receiver includes a determination unit, which determines whether the tire pressure increases while the vehicle is parked. When the determination unit determines that the tire pressure is increased while the vehicle is parked, the second control unit calculates the selected threshold value, and stores the selected threshold value.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for allocating identifiers of wheel electronics of a tire pressure monitoring system to positions of wheels of a vehicle, the simultaneously occurring rotation speeds of the wheels, normalized on a consistently chosen rolling radius of the wheels differ during cornering because of the different positions of the wheels on the vehicle, so that the positions of the wheels can be sorted according to increasing speed of the wheels during cornering, the wheel electronics of each wheel comprising a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a memory and a transmitter, which transmits signals to a receiver being connected to an evaluation device, which receives the transmitted identifiers and compares the distances which the corresponding wheels have traveled in a defined time span, sorts the identifiers according to the length of the distance traveled in the defined time span and allocates the identifiers to the wheel positions.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring, recording and reporting vehicle tire temperatures and/or pressures. In one aspect, a sensing device including a convex protective vessel, with pressure and/or temperature sensors enclosed therein. The sensing device is dropped freely within the interior of a tire prior to rim mounting. A movement sensor can also be included in the sensing device. The protective vessel, including all sensors, is not attached or connected in any way to the vehicle tire, rim, or valve stem such that the sensing device is independent of the vehicle tire, rim, and valve stem, and moves freely within the interior of the tire. A balancing set including a dummy device, substantially equal in weight to a sensing device, and means for connecting the dummy device to the sensing device at 180 degrees separation around the tire may also be employed.

Abstract: A transmission device of a tire condition monitoring system comprises a sensor which detects, as tire information, the condition of gas filled into a tire cavity region, a transmitter which transmits the detected tire information by radio, and a housing which covers the sensor and the transmitter. A surface of the housing defines an opening that connects an internal space within the housing and the tire cavity region. The opening extends on the surface of the housing while forming the shape of a straight line, a curved line, or a combination of a straight line and a curved line. The maximum value of the opening width orthogonal to the direction in which the opening extends is 0.8 mm or less. Even if a flat tire is fixed using a puncture sealant, tire information such as tire pressure information can be appropriately measured and acquired by this transmission device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring tires of a vehicle are provided. The systems can include a sensing device adapted to engage a tire of a vehicle and sense properties of a tire such as pressure and/or temperature. The sensing devices can be adapted to transmit sensed data to a system receiver adapted to provide the data to a user. The systems and methods can provide a user the desired information pertaining to one or more tires of a vehicle that are to be monitored, and the respective locations of the tires. The systems and methods can be adapted to monitor tires on any vehicle with inflatable tires, including off-the-road (OTR) vehicles.

Abstract: A wireless dual tire pressure monitor and equalizer apparatus is adapted to install on a vehicle dual wheel and connect to the two tire valve stems. The apparatus includes capabilities of monitoring individual tire pressure and transmitting tire data to be received by a remote receiver, equalizing pressure in the two tires when pressure is above a selected level, isolating the two tires when pressure is below the selected level, and transmitting warning signals upon detection of low pressure and air leaks. The apparatus further includes capability to integrate with available tire inflation systems for providing tire pressure monitoring and equalizing functionalities.

Abstract: A tire condition acquisition device located in a tire and that transmits at least tire internal air pressure information includes: a housing that allows outside air to enter in only through a ventilation hole; an air pressure detecting element disposed in the housing and that detects an air pressure of air that enters in through the ventilation hole, and converts the detected air pressure to an electric signal which is then output; and a transmission circuit disposed in the housing and that transmits the detected air pressure information via electromagnetic waves based on the electric signal output from the air pressure detecting element; wherein at least the ventilation hole and an area peripheral thereto are treated so as to be water repellent.

Abstract: An inflation pressure sensor is mounted in a wheel of a vehicle and determines a tire inflation pressure. A wheel-side communication device transmits a detected tire inflation pressure to a body-side communication device at a predetermined interval. An inflation pressure storing unit stores, as an after-travel inflation pressure, a tire inflation pressure after start of travel of the vehicle. A comparing unit compares the after-travel inflation pressure with a lowest reference pressure. The lowest reference pressure is a tire inflation pressure immediately after start of the vehicle or a predetermined recommended inflation pressure.

Abstract: An improved hand-held tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tool for communicating and transferring data between the tool and an onboard vehicle TPMS. The improved tool includes absolute air pressure and temperature compensation components and processes which improve the accuracy of service on a vehicle tire equipped with TPMS sensors and diagnosing TPMS error codes generated by the vehicle TPMS.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system distinguishes a mounted tire from a non-mounted tire, and which automatically changes over IDs and tire-pressure thresholds without any exclusive apparatuses. A tire pressure monitoring unit stores an identification code of a tire pressure sensor unit and a tire-pressure set value as a pair. While a vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or faster than a predetermined vehicle speed, if an identification code received within a predetermined time coincides with any one of identification codes of registered tires and the number of coinciding identification codes is equal to the number of tires, and, at least one of the coinciding identification codes is an identification code other than specified identification codes, the specified identification codes are replaced with those coinciding identification codes which are newly specified as respective identification codes of tire pressure sensor units mounted in tires mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small-sized pressure measuring module suitable for replacement of a tire, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The pressure measuring module detects pressure of air within a tire included in a wheel assembly attached to a vehicle body, and wirelessly transmits data on the detected pressure and a module ID of the pressure measuring module to a pressure monitoring device mounted on the vehicle body. The pressure measuring module has an antenna and an identification code. At least a portion of the antenna protrudes to the outside of the wheel assembly from the surface of a wheel included in the wheel assembly through a through-hole communicating with an inner space of the tire. The antenna wirelessly transmits the detected pressure value and the module ID to the pressure monitoring device. The identifier can be viewed from the outside of the wheel assembly and indicates the module ID.

Abstract: A swinging apparatus comprising an energy provider and a swinging mechanism disposed thereon. By means of adjusting the size and shape of the swinging mechanism and adjusting a distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider so as to control the ratio of the distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider to a characteristic value corresponding to the swing mechanism in a range between 4 and 0.25, the swinging frequency of the swinging mechanism may be adjusted automatically to comply with the variation of the motion frequency of the energy provider. The present invention further provides an energy harvester to work with the swinging apparatus and a coil to generate an induced current for power generation during the swing of the swing mechanism. In the present invention, the natural frequency of the swing mechanism may be adjusted according to the rotational velocity of the energy provider.

Abstract: A tire pressure warning device having a detection circuit is mounted to an inflation valve on every tire of a car to implement tire pressure detection. First, a microprocessing controller in the detection circuit sends a tire location ID assigned to every tire to a signal receiving circuit provided in a dashboard of the car. Then, the microprocessing controller detects a tire pressure value of the corresponding tire and uses the detected tire pressure value as a standard pressure point for the tire. Thereafter, the microprocessing controller keeps detecting the tire pressure value of the tire. When a detected new tire pressure value is higher or lower than the standard pressure point by a preset percentage, a wireless RF is transmitted to the signal receiving circuit for the latter to identify the tire with high or low tire pressure and emit an alarm while displaying the tire pressure value.

Abstract: A tire pressure detecting apparatus has a micro-controller, a detecting module and a transceiver. The detecting module is electronically connected to the micro-controller and has a tire pressure detecting unit controlled by the micro-controller to detect a tire pressure inside a tire. The transceiver is electronically connected to the micro-controller, transmits a high frequency signal corresponding to detected characteristic tire parameters from the detecting module to a monitoring system inside a car and receives an external high frequency signal sent from external tire pressure detecting apparatus for the micro-controller, with the micro-controller temporarily delaying sending of the high frequency signal until a waiting time has expired to prevent signal collision between the high frequency signal and the external high frequency signal.

Abstract: A tire control system for a vehicle is provided includes an RFID tag mounted to the tire and having a unique tire serial number stored within tag memory accessible to an external reader; a pass-through portal operatively entered and exited by the vehicle; one or more tire-directed antenna positioned within the portal for operatively receiving one or more one data transmissions of the unique tire serial number from the tire-based RFID tag; and one or more tire-directed RFID reader coupled to the tire-directed antennas for operably reading and storing within a tire-based database the unique tire serial number data. A vehicle-based RFID tag is mounted to the vehicle having a unique vehicle serial number stored within tag memory and transmitted to an external reader as the vehicle moves through the portal.

Abstract: A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system on a vehicle comprising tracking number of burst transmissions sent by a sensor, building a pareto of potential sensor identifications based on the greatest number of burst transmissions received from the sensor associating a potential sensor identification to a respective tire location on the vehicle and storing the associated sensor identification in memory.

Abstract: A run flat safety band 1 has a wireless sensor 11 incorporated therein, which can be remotely interrogated in order remotely to confirm that the safety band is fitted on a wheel 4. The sensor 11 includes a pressure and temperature sensor, enabling the pressure and temperature within the tire 2 mounted on the wheel 4 to be remotely checked, by means of which remote indication can be provided that the tire 2 has deflated and is running on the runflat band 1 and also that the tire 2 is overheating and likely to break up prematurely while running on the runflat band 1.

Abstract: A tire pressure-monitoring device (TPMD) directly mounted onto an air-pumping inlet-stem on a tire. The TPMD includes a light emitter connected to a battery through an electrical connecting loop wherein the electrical connecting loop comprising a plurality of electrical conductive structural components and at least two of the structural components are physically separated in a normal tire pressure condition and connected in a low pressure tire pressure condition for providing power to the light emitter for emitting a low tire pressure warning light.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle abnormality detection method detecting an abnormal state in which a high temperature occurs due to maladjustment of a vehicle bearing mechanism section or vehicle brake mechanism section, and a device thereof and a sensor unit thereof. By use of the sensor unit 100 mounted in a rim 31, an air temperature within a tire 2 is sensed as a first temperature and a temperature (second temperature) of the rim 31 is sensed as a temperature related to at least one of a temperature of the vehicle bearing mechanism section and a temperature of the vehicle brake mechanism section 40. Then a temperature difference between the first and second temperatures is calculated and when the temperature difference is a predetermined value or more, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the vehicle bearing mechanism section or vehicle brake mechanism section 40. The abnormality is thus detected.

Abstract: A tire monitoring system and associated method is disclosed. The tire monitoring system includes a plurality of tire sensor modules, employing contactless sensors, configured to transmit tire data at a predetermined time interval. The system also includes a central control unit that is configured to receive the tire data from the tire sensor modules, and is further configured with an external control unit that can communicate with the tire sensor modules, the central control units and outside sources.

Abstract: A tire air pressure monitoring system has a plurality of sensor units and a receiver. The pressure sensor units are mounted near corresponding tires to measure tire air pressures and transmit transmission signals indicating the respective measured tire air pressures. The receiver has an antenna element, a variable capacitor and a power supply source. The variable capacitor is coupled to the antenna element. The power supply source supplies electric power to the antenna element. The voltage supplied to the variable capacitor is controlled so that a current flowing in the antenna element is changed and its directivity is changed. Thus, the transmission signals will be received more surely.

Abstract: A method and system for eliminating cross talk in a tire pressure monitoring system that ranks potential sensor identifications based on the number of times the sensors respond to an initiator. Upon determination of a sufficient separation between second and third ranked sensors, an assignment of the first and second ranked potential sensor identifications is made to the tire locations expected to respond to the initiator signal.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system includes receiving antennas installed in a vehicle corresponding to vehicle wheels, a monitoring main unit disposed near a driver's seat, tire pressure sensors respectively installed in the wheels of the vehicle to wirelessly transmit detected data in the form of a data packet for being received by one corresponding adjacent antenna, and a signal combining circuit formed of multiple combiners and having multiple input terminals electrically connected to the receiving antennas and an output terminal electrically connected to the monitoring main unit for combining data packets received from the receiving antennas and transmitting the combined data signal to the monitoring main unit by means of a wired transmission path.

Abstract: Method of transmitting an electromagnetic identification request signal, generated by an antenna (11-14) connected to a central unit (15) mounted on a vehicle (1), to an electronic housing (6-9) mounted on a wheel (2-5) of the vehicle. This transmission method includes successively transmitting, after starting of the vehicle (1), a plurality of identical identification request signals (S1 . . . , Si, Si+1, . . . ), and wherein, after each transmission at an instant Ti of a signal Si, the speed of travel V of the vehicle (1) is measured, the time Tr of a complete rotation of the wheel (2-5) is calculated for the speed V, and the following signal Si+1 is triggered at an instant Ti+1 such that: Ti+1=Ti+nTr+T? with n integer ?1 and 0<T?<Tr.

Abstract: A combined tire pressure gauge and remote tire pressure display includes a port adapted to couple to a vehicle tire valve stem and to open a valve in the valve stem; a chamber in physical communication with the port; a local pressure transducer in the chamber for detecting a pressure of a fluid within the vehicle tire and providing an output signal representative of the detected pressure; a wireless receiver for receiving a signal identifying a tire pressure sensor and having a detected tire pressure and for providing an output signal; a processor for receiving the output signal from the pressure transducer and the output signal from the wireless receiver, and for providing a processor output signal indicative of an identified tire and a value of the detected pressure, in a remote tire display mode, and for providing a processor output signal indicative of a detected tire pressure, in a tire pressure gauge mode; and a display coupled to the processor for providing a visible indication of detected pressure val

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system which can readily identify information transmitted from each detecting device without requiring registration of identifying information of the detecting device is to be provided. Detecting devices transmit vehicle information including at least the result of detection and self-identifying information; a tractor relaying device and a trailer relaying device add their self-identifying information to vehicle data received on the basis of the identifying information of the detecting devices and transmit the vehicle data, and transmit registration data including their own relaying device IDs and types indicating the registration of the relaying device IDs; the tractor relaying device stores the relaying device ID of the registration data transmitted from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the type information and transmits that registration data, and transmits vehicle data received from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the relaying device ID.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system is capable of ensuring accuracy of the rate of transmission of data via wireless communications without an increase in the number of oscillators and an increase in the cost. The tire pressure monitoring system includes a tire pressure measuring module. The tire pressure measuring module has a microcomputer, an activation control circuit, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a frequency divider, a transmitting circuit, and a battery. The microcomputer has a clock pulse generator, analog-to-digital converter circuits and a controller. The transmitting circuit has an oscillator circuit. The frequency divider divides the frequency of a carrier wave CW output from the oscillator circuit to generate a clock signal, and outputs the clock signal to the controller included in the microcomputer. The clock signal is used for the timing for outputting data to a data signal line DL.

Abstract: A valve-integrated transponder includes an air valve and a casing that are integrated with each other, and is disposed within a tire. The air valve is press-fitted to a valve hole in a wheel rim. The casing houses a substrate having a detecting element mounted thereon, an inverse F antenna element, a supporting member, and the like, and is provided with a partition-like reinforcement rib. The reinforcement rib extends along an extension of an axis of the air valve and is loosely fitted in a recessed slot of the supporting member. The antenna element supported by the supporting member has a substantially line symmetrical shape where a pair of radiation conductors symmetrically extend away from each other.

Abstract: A valve-integrated transponder includes an air valve and a casing that are integrated with each other, and is disposed within a tire. The casing houses a substrate having a detecting element mounted thereon, an inverse F antenna element, and a supporting member. The antenna element has a substantially line symmetrical shape where a pair of radiation conductors extend away from each other. A longitudinal direction of the substrate is substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the air valve, and a lateral direction of the substrate is inclined relative to a well of a wheel rim. The two radiation conductors of the antenna element disposed on the substrate are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the substrate, so as to be disposed substantially in parallel to the well that extends at the inner side of the transponder as viewed in the radial direction of the tire.

Abstract: A tire management system includes a sensor module secured to inside of a tire that is mounted on a vehicle, for measuring a tire state value and transmitting the measured data to the vehicle side, and a receiver module secured to the vehicle side for transmitting a signal demanding the measured data to the sensor module at a predetermined cycle and receiving the measured data transmitted from the sensor module. The sensor module measures a tire status value at a predetermined cycle, judges whether the measured data is out of a predetermined normal range, and immediately transmits the measured data and an abnormal state data through a predetermined channel exclusively used for transmitting the abnormal state data to the receiver module, if the data is judged to be out of the normal range. With this structure, if an abnormal state occurs, the receiver module can receive the abnormality without any delay, while preventing shortening of the cell life.

Abstract: A method of detecting the separation of an electronic module (1) from a vehicle on which the module is mounted. According to this method, the module (1) has associated with it an inductance (17) inseparable from the module, the inductance (17) and the associated module (1) are connected to an element of the vehicle, in the immediate vicinity of an element (18) made of ferromagnetic material, the current passing through the inductance (17) is measured (monitored), so as to detect any variation of current and, when a current variation greater than a predetermined variation threshold is detected, representative of a relative distance between the inductance (17) and the element made of ferromagnetic material (18), there is ordered the emission of a signal indicating the separation of the module (1) associated with the inductance from the vehicle.

Abstract: A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting to the inside of a pneumatic tire, which includes sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature within the tire and an RF transmitter for transmitting measured data to an on-board display remote location. The unit (100) includes a piezoelectric element (114) supported in a housing (112) with an actuator (136) arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The unit (100) includes control means which controls the consumption of stored charge when measuring and transmitting data and is arranged to vary the rate of transmission of data from the unit (100) in dependence on the rotary speed of the tire.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining tire location in a tire pressure monitoring system having the steps of generating an initiation frequency signal having a controllable output adapted to be received by a selected one of a plurality of tires of the tire pressure monitoring system. At least two tires of the tire pressure monitoring system have associated initiation signal receivers. The method also includes transmitting a response signal from the selected tire receiving the initiation signal, the response signal having at least a unique identification signal portion associated with the selected tire. The method also receives the transmitted response signal and associates the identification signal with a location of the selected tire.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for monitoring a remote tire monitoring sensor. The system includes a tire-based unit (16) having a sensor (42) and transmitter (44) that receives power from a power supply (18) located within the tire-based unit (16). The transmitter (44) transmits a signal (22) relating to a parameter measured by the sensor (42). The system (10) further includes a controller (36) that evaluates the life of the power supply (18) by monitoring energy usage of the power supply (18) by counting the number of occurrences in which the energy usage is above a prescribed amount (59) and comparing the number of occurrences to an energy threshold (60).

Abstract: A swinging apparatus comprising an energy provider and a swinging mechanism disposed thereon. By means of adjusting the size and shape of the swinging mechanism and adjusting a distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider so as to control the ratio of the distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider to a characteristic value corresponding to the swing mechanism in a range between 4 and 0.25, the swinging frequency of the swinging mechanism may be adjusted automatically to comply with the variation of the motion frequency of the energy provider. The present invention further provides an energy harvester to work with the swinging apparatus and a coil to generate an induced current for power generation during the swing of the swing mechanism. In the present invention, the natural frequency of the swing mechanism may be adjusted according to the rotational velocity of the energy provider.

Abstract: A method for estimating the magnitude of a back-and-forth-direction force exerted on a tire comprises: using a plurality of strain sensors fixed to a tire sidewall capable of outputting data on the magnitude of a strain occurred at the position of the strain sensor; reading the output data from the strain sensors when come to fixed measuring positions predetermined around the tire rotational axis; in relation to each of the strain sensors at the respective measuring positions, calculating the back-and-forth-direction force as an intermediate result by the use of the data read from the strain sensor and a relational expression, whereby the intermediate results are obtained from the respective strain sensors; and computing a mean value of only the valid intermediate result(s) so as to output it as the estimated magnitude of the force.