System and method for remote tire pressure monitoring Number:7,154,414 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a batter providing power to the transmitter. To conserve battery power, each tire pressure signal transmitted by the transmitters includes a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal ensures receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver alternating between active state and inactive states.<H monitoring, pressure, System, and, meth, 7154414.html, Patent, pto, 7154414

Title: System and method for remote tire pressure monitoring

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicle tire pressure. A tire pressure monitor for each tire includes a pressure sensor for sensing tire pressure, a transmitter for transmitting a tire pressure signal representative of the sensed tire pressure, and a batter providing power to the transmitter. To conserve battery power, each tire pressure signal transmitted by the transmitters includes a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal ensures receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver alternating between active state and inactive states.

Patent Number: 7,154,414 Issued on 12/26/2006 to King, et al.

Inventors: King; Ronald O. (Brownstown, MI), Nantz; John S. (Brighton, MI), Tang; Qingfeng (Novi, MI)
Assignee: Lear Corporation (Southfield, MI)

Appl. No.: 10/295,112

Filed: November 15, 2002

Current U.S. Class: 340/870.28 ; 307/10.1; 340/426.16; 340/442; 340/825.69; 340/870.27; 73/146; 73/146.4

Current International Class: B60C 23/02 (20060101); B60C 23/00 (20060101); G08C 17/00 (20060101); G08C 19/12 (20060101); B60R 25/10 (20060101); E01C 23/00 (20060101); G01M 17/02 (20060101); G08C 19/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 455/127.1,127.5 340/870.39,870.28,539.1,539.22,870.27,3.4,42,425.5,426.16,825.69 73/146.4,146 116/34.8 307/10.1

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


3580353	May 1971	Thompson
3723966	March 1973	Mueller et al.
3916688	November 1975	Dendy et al.
4067235	January 1978	Markland et al.
4101870	July 1978	Ekman
4330774	May 1982	Doty
4450431	May 1984	Hochstein
4468650	August 1984	Barbee
4570152	February 1986	Melton et al.
4609905	September 1986	Uzzo
4660528	April 1987	Buck
4670845	June 1987	Etoh
4684853	August 1987	Coash
4717905	January 1988	Morrison, Jr. et al.
4749993	June 1988	Szabo et al.
4758969	July 1988	Andre et al.
4761830	August 1988	Izumi
4951208	August 1990	Etoh
4978941	December 1990	Brown
5040561	August 1991	Achterholt
5109213	April 1992	Williams
5156230	October 1992	Washburn
5165497	November 1992	Chi
5285189	February 1994	Nowicki et al.
5289160	February 1994	Fiorletta
5300875	April 1994	Tuttle
5335541	August 1994	Sharpe
5444448	August 1995	Schuermann et al.
5451959	September 1995	Schuermann
5461385	October 1995	Armstrong
5463374	October 1995	Mendez et al.
5473938	December 1995	Handfield et al.
5479171	December 1995	Schuermann
5483827	January 1996	Kulka et al.
5485381	January 1996	Heintz et al.
5500637	March 1996	Kokubu
5505080	April 1996	McGhee
5515014	May 1996	Troutman
5531109	July 1996	Tsagas
5562787	October 1996	Koch et al.
5573610	November 1996	Koch et al.
5573611	November 1996	Koch et al.
5585554	December 1996	Handfield et al.
5600301	February 1997	Robinson, III
5602524	February 1997	Mock et al.
5654689	August 1997	Peyre et al.
5661651	August 1997	Geschke et al.
5677667	October 1997	Lesesky et al.
5705746	January 1998	Trost et al.
5717376	February 1998	Wilson
5724028	March 1998	Prokup
5728933	March 1998	Schultz et al.
5731754	March 1998	Lee et al.
5740548	April 1998	Hudgens
5741966	April 1998	Handfield et al.
5753809	May 1998	Ogusu et al.
5760682	June 1998	Liu et al.
5774047	June 1998	Hensel, IV
5783992	July 1998	Eberwine et al.
5822683	October 1998	Paschen
5835868	November 1998	McElroy et al.
5838229	November 1998	Robinson, III
5844130	December 1998	Hilgart et al.
5853020	December 1998	Widner
5880363	March 1999	Meyer et al.
5883305	March 1999	Jo et al.
5900808	May 1999	Lebo
5920234	July 1999	Hill
5926087	July 1999	Busch et al.
5929620	July 1999	Dobkin et al.
5939977	August 1999	Monson
5942971	August 1999	Fauci et al.
5959365	September 1999	Mantini et al.
5963128	October 1999	McClelland
5999091	December 1999	Wortham
6002327	December 1999	Boesch et al.
6025777	February 2000	Fuller et al.
6034596	March 2000	Smith et al.
6034597	March 2000	Normann et al.
6043738	March 2000	Stewart et al.
6043752	March 2000	Hisada et al.
6053038	April 2000	Schramm et al.
6060984	May 2000	Braun et al.
6087930	July 2000	Kulka et al.
6111520	August 2000	Allen et al.
6112587	September 2000	Oldenettel
6118369	September 2000	Boesch
6127939	October 2000	Lesesky et al.
6169480	January 2001	Uhl et al.
6175302	January 2001	Huang
6175787	January 2001	Breed
6181241	January 2001	Normann et al.
6204758	March 2001	Wacker et al.
6232875	May 2001	DeZorzi
6232884	May 2001	Gabbard
6239753	May 2001	Kado et al.
6243007	June 2001	McLaughlin et al.
6246317	June 2001	Pickornik et al.
6252498	June 2001	Pashayan, Jr.
6255940	July 2001	Phelan et al.
6259361	July 2001	Robillard et al.
6259362	July 2001	Lin
6275148	August 2001	Takamura et al.
6278363	August 2001	Bezek et al.
6292095	September 2001	Fuller et al.
6304610	October 2001	Monson
6329917	December 2001	Leonard
6340929	January 2002	Katou et al.
6362731	March 2002	Lill
6369703	April 2002	Lill
6384720	May 2002	Juzswik et al.
6408690	June 2002	Young et al.
6417766	July 2002	Starkey
6420967	July 2002	Ghabra et al.
6441728	August 2002	Dixit et al.
6445287	September 2002	Schofield et al.
6476712	November 2002	Achterhold
6489888	December 2002	Honeck et al.
6499343	December 2002	Haas et al.
6501372	December 2002	Lin
6518877	February 2003	Starkey et al.
6543279	April 2003	Yones et al.
6571617	June 2003	Van Niekerk et al.
6581449	June 2003	Brown et al.
6609419	August 2003	Bankart et al.
6612165	September 2003	Juzswik et al.
6885282	April 2005	Desai et al.
2001/0008083	July 2001	Brown
2002/0030592	March 2002	Hakanen et al.
2002/0130771	September 2002	Osborne et al.
2003/0201879	October 2003	Munch et al.

Foreign Patent Documents


2656235	Jun., 1978	DE
35 14 438	Sep., 1986	DE
3514439	Oct., 1986	DE
4232240	Mar., 1994	DE
197 37 945	Mar., 1999	DE
10237699	Jul., 2003	DE
0 016 991	Oct., 1980	EP
0 646 985	Apr., 1995	EP
0671289	Sep., 1995	EP
0 753 897	Jan., 1997	EP
0 760 299	Mar., 1997	EP
0995619	Apr., 2000	EP
1059177	Dec., 2000	EP
1 113 582	Jul., 2001	EP
1 172 236	Jan., 2002	EP
1 211 104	Jun., 2002	EP
1 215 056	Jun., 2002	EP
1 262 339	Dec., 2002	EP
1 267 021	Dec., 2002	EP
1 215 056	Apr., 2003	EP
2801728	Jun., 2001	FR
1483735	Aug., 1977	GB
2179480	Mar., 1987	GB
2318696	Apr., 1998	GB
2363463	Dec., 2001	GB
2381972	May., 2003	GB
260212	Feb., 1990	JP
8244424	Mar., 1995	JP
10-107548	Apr., 1998	JP
2001-007712	Jan., 2001	JP
WO 01/08614	Jun., 1991	WO
WO 96/15919	May., 1996	WO
WO 98/26946	Jun., 1998	WO
WO 99/29523	Jun., 1999	WO
WO 01/26069	Apr., 2001	WO
WO 01/69803	Sep., 2001	WO
WO 01-76007	Oct., 2001	WO
WO 01/81104	Nov., 2001	WO
WO 02/057097	Jul., 2002	WO
WO 02/072369	Sep., 2002	WO
WO 02/093857	Nov., 2002	WO
WO/03103993	Dec., 2003	WO

Other References

UK Search Report dated Jun. 13, 2003. cited by other .
"Elektronisches Reifendruck-Kontrollsystem" and English translation thereof. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Hofsass; Jeffery
Assistant Examiner: Yacob; Sisay
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brooks Kushman P.C.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/360,762, filed Mar. 1, 2002.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires, the system comprising: a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising a sensor for sensing tire pressure, and a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the sensed tire pressure; and a receiver for mounting on-board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver having at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off; wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, the wake-up signal being provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state, and wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each tire monitor further comprises a sensor for sensing rotation of the tire and for generating a signal representative of the sensed tire rotation, the tire rotation signal for use in determining when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each tire monitor further comprises a controller provided in communication with the rotation sensor, the controller for receiving the tire rotation signal and determining, using the tire rotation signal, if the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits the wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller for mounting on-board the vehicle and to be provided in communication with the receiver, the controller for processing the received tire pressure signals and for generating tire pressure information signals for use in conveying tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using the same modulation scheme.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using different modulation schemes.

8. A method for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires, the method comprising: providing a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires, each monitor comprising a sensor for sensing tire pressure and a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the sensed tire pressure; wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, the wake-up signal being provided to ensure receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver in an inactive state, and wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing the receiver for mounting on-board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals, the receiver alternating between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein each tire monitor further comprises a sensor for sensing rotation of the tire and for generating a signal representative of the sensed tire rotation, the tire rotation signal for use in determining when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein each tire monitor further comprises a controller provided in communication with the rotation sensor, the controller for receiving the tire rotation signal and determining, using the tire rotation signal, if the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitter transmits the wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing a controller for mounting on-board the vehicle, the controller to be provided in communication with the receiver, the controller for processing the received tire pressure signals and for generating tire pressure information signals for use in conveying tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using the same modulation scheme.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using different modulation schemes.

16. A method for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle, the method comprising: transmitting from a tire mounted transmitter a wireless signal representative of a sensed tire pressure; and placing a vehicle mounted receiver for receiving the tire pressure signal in at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off; wherein the tire pressure signal has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, the wake-up signal being provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state, and wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising generating a signal representative of a sensed tire rotation, the tire rotation signal for use in determining when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using the same modulation scheme.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the wake-up signal and the tire pressure signal are transmitted using different modulation schemes.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the transmitter transmits the wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

24. The system of claim 4 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

25. A method for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires, the method comprising: providing a receiver for mounting on-board the vehicle for receiving wireless signals representative of a sensed tire pressure, the receiver having at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off; wherein each of the plurality of tires has a tire monitor for use in transmitting wireless tire pressure signals; and wherein a tire pressure signal has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, the wake-up signal being provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state, and wherein a tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the tire pressure signal includes the wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for the predetermined time period.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the receiver alternates between the inactive state and an active state when the vehicle is off to reduce a current drawn by the receiver.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to wireless vehicle tire pressure monitoring and, more particularly, to a system and method for wireless vehicle tire pressure monitoring with improved operating efficiency.

2. Background Art

It is known in the automotive industry to provide for remote monitoring of vehicle tire parameters, particularly tire pressure. In such tire pressure monitoring systems, tire pressure sensors and radio frequency (RF) transmitters are mounted inside each tire, typically adjacent the inflation valve stem. In each tire, the tire pressure sensed by the tire pressure sensor is transmitted by the transmitter to a receiver located on-board the vehicle. The tire pressure information delivered to the receiver by the RF signals from the transmitters is subsequently conveyed to a vehicle operator or occupant, typically in the form of a display. Exemplary tire pressure monitoring systems are described and shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,112,587 and 6,034,597.

The vehicle mounted receivers used in such tire pressure monitoring systems have super-regenerative topologies. It is well known that such receivers do not draw a great deal of current, and can therefore be left on or active at all times. As they are left on at all times, such receivers can detect all tire pressure information transmitted by the tire transmitters.

Such receivers, however, have low sensitivity and, in turn, lower performance. Newer receiver topologies, such as super-heterodyne, have much better performance. However, such newer receivers draw more current than receivers with older topologies. While the vehicle is on, this presents no problem and the newer receivers can be left on. However, when the vehicle is off, to meet current specifications, such receivers must be strobed on and off to keep current levels below a maximum. As a result, when the vehicle is off, it is necessary for tire transmitters to transmit a wake-up tone or signal to give the receiver time to wake-up and read the incoming tire pressure information from the tire transmitters.

The tire transmitters used in such tire pressure monitoring systems are typically battery powered. As a result, a transmitter has a limited amount of functioning time before its battery must be replaced. Transmitters typically transmit tire pressure information at short, predetermined time intervals when the vehicle is moving. To help conserve battery power, once the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined amount of time, the transmitters transmit tire pressure information at longer predetermined time intervals.

As noted above, however, newer vehicle mounted receivers alternate between active and inactive states when the vehicle is off in order to reduce current draw. As a result, tire pressure information from tire transmitters must include a wake-up tone or signal to ensure receipt by such receivers. However, transmitting such a wake-up signal, such as in the form of a preamble or a header at the beginning of a message including tire pressure information, further shortens the limited life of a transmitter battery.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved tire pressure monitoring system and method. Such an improved system and method would include a wake-up tone or signal to ensure receipt of tire pressure information by a receiver alternating between active and inactive states. To improve operating efficiency, such a system and method would transmit such a wake-up signal only when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, thereby facilitating conservation of transmitter battery life.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved vehicle tire pressure monitoring system and method. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires. The system comprises a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires. Each monitor comprises a sensor for sensing tire pressure, and a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. The system further comprises a receiver for mounting on-board the vehicle for receiving the tire pressure signals. The receiver has at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal is provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires. The method comprises providing a plurality of tire monitors, each monitor for mounting in one of the plurality of tires. Each monitor comprises a sensor for sensing tire pressure, and a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal representative of the sensed tire pressure. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal is provided to ensure receipt of the tire pressure signal by a vehicle mounted receiver in an inactive state. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle. The method comprises transmitting from a tire mounted transmitter a wireless signal representative of a sensed tire pressure, and placing a vehicle mounted receiver for receiving the tire pressure signal in at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off. The tire pressure signal has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period, the wake-up signal being provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

Instill another exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for remote monitoring of tire pressure in a vehicle having a plurality of tires. The method comprises providing a receiver for mounting on-board the vehicle for receiving wireless signals representative of a sensed tire pressure, the receiver having at least an inactive state when the vehicle is off. Each of the plurality of tires has a tire monitor for use in transmitting wireless tire pressure signals. A tire pressure signal has associated therewith a wake-up signal when the vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined time period. The wake-up signal is provided to ensure receipt by the receiver of the tire pressure signal when the receiver is in the inactive state. A tire pressure signal transmitted by a transmitter lacks an associated wake-up signal at least once when the vehicle has not been stationary for the predetermined time period.

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified, representative block diagram of one embodiment of the tire pressure monitoring system of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a simplified, representative flowchart of one embodiment of the tire pressure monitoring method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described. As previously noted, it is known in the automotive industry to provide for remote monitoring of vehicle tire parameters, particularly tire pressure. In such tire pressure monitoring systems, tire pressure sensors and radio frequency (RF) transmitters are mounted ins