Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-30
2001-10-23
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
C340S439000, C340S572300, C340S572100, C340S870030, C200S06145M, C200S181000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307467
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for resetting a micro-mechanical condition sensor and more particularly with a process and apparatus for resetting a maximum temperature memory switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,609 ('609) to Mehregany et al., incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, describes a micro-mechanical condition sensor, fabricated on a silicon or bimetallic substrate, that is constructed and arranged for sensing a threshold value. As discussed in the '609 Patent, when an extreme temperature condition occurs and is sensed by a micro-mechanical temperature sensor, the sensor latches, and remains latched to provide a memory of the event available for detection purposes. Due to such characteristics, the micro-mechanical temperature sensing circuit has come to be known in the art as a maximum temperature memory switch (MTMS). For detection purposes, test ports are provided to permit the detection of the latched or unlatched states of the MTMS. The detection circuitry applied to the test ports typically detects an electrical condition of the latch, including a resistance, capacitance, continuity or other electrical condition.
In addition, to the foregoing, it is well-known in the art to combine one or more conventional sensors for measuring various temperatures and pressure conditions, with an integrated circuit (IC) to form a multi-chip module. A typical IC generally includes a suitable complimentary, metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) having a read only memory (ROM) circuit and an analog to digital (A/D) converter circuit. The IC is also typically constructed and arranged for converting analog temperature and pressure signals from the sensors to digital data corresponding thereto for storage in the ROM circuit of the CMOS chip.
For recording temperature and pressure conditions within pneumatic tires, the aforesaid multi-chip module has been incorporated into an electronic tire tag. A typical electronic tag includes a suitable radio frequency RF transponder having an antenna electrically connected thereto. In addition, the transponder includes one or more temperature or pressure sensors and an integrated circuit. Further, the integrated circuit has a serial number (SN) stored in the ROM circuit thereof, for identifying the electronic tire tag. Moreover, the integrated circuit includes suitable circuitry that is responsive to energization of the RF transponder from an external RF transceiver circuit, for causing the RF transponder to transmit data corresponding to the SN, followed by data corresponding the then current temperature or pressure conditions of the pneumatic tire.
Such electronic tire tags are conventionally encapsulated in rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as urethanes, epoxies or polystyrene resins, hard rubber compounds and the like. Thereafter, the encapsulated electronic tire tags have been wrapped with a green rubber material and, either incorporated within an uncured rubber tire or within a retread tire for vulcanization therewith to form an integral part of a cured or retreaded pneumatic tire, or separately vulcanized to form a cured rubber patch that may be fixedly attached to the innerliner of a pneumatic tire.
More recently, a MTMS as discussed in the '609 Patent, has been conventionally incorporated into an electronic tire tag. The MTMS provides an indication as to whether or not a predetermined, extreme threshold temperature has been experienced by the pneumatic tire in the course of usage thereof. Typically, the predetermined temperature has been selected to evaluate whether the warranties concerning the pneumatic tire will become void because the tire experiences the predetermined, extreme temperature. In effect, achieving the predetermined temperature can be considered irrefutable evidence of abusive use of the tire, i.e. operating the tire in an overloaded or underpressurized condition. However, the elevated temperatures and pressures achieved in the course of the vulcanization of tires, retreads or patches containing a MTMS have caused the latter switches to latch, indicating that the predetermined temperature has been reached. As a result, the MTMS has to be reset before it is useful for the intended purpose of providing an indication of abusive use of the tire in the course of operation thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a method of resetting a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) having an unlatched state and latched state in an electronic tag with a transponder having a logic circuit and first apparatus for providing a first direct current (D.C.) signal. The method includes the steps of providing a second D.C. signal with a second apparatus; receiving the first and second D.C. signals with an electronic switching circuit; and normally applying the first D.C. signal to the logic circuit and diverting the first D.C. signal to the MTMS for resetting the MTMS in response to receiving the second D.C. signal with an electronic switching circuit.
The method also includes receiving the second D.C. signal with an electronic switching circuit to divert the first D.C. signal from energization of the logic circuit to energize the MTMS to reset from the latched state thereof to the unlatched state thereof. Also, the method includes providing the first D.C. signal apparatus with a first radio frequency (RF) antenna for receiving a first RF signal; providing the transponder with a first RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the first RF antenna for receiving the first RF signal therefrom; and rectifying the first RF signal for providing the first D.C. signal.
The method also includes providing the second D.C. signal providing apparatus with a second radio frequency (RF) antenna for receiving a second RF signal; and providing the second D.C. signal providing apparatus with a second RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the second RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying the second RF signal for providing the second D.C. signal. Moreover, providing the second RF antenna includes the step of tuning the second RF antenna to a predetermined frequency, such as to a frequency within the range of from 13.553 to 13.567 megahertz.
Preferably, the method includes disposing the tag within a tire and the MTMS is reset to the unlatched state subsequent to the tire reaching a predetermined temperature causing the MTMS to go into the latched state.
Also according to the invention, an electronic tag includes a transponder and a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) having an unlatched state and a latched state. The transponder includes a logic circuit. The electronic tag includes first apparatus for providing a first direct current (D.C.) signal. The electronic tag has second apparatus for providing a second D.C. signal; an electronic switching circuit for receiving the first and second D.C. signals; and the electronic switching circuit is connected for normally applying the first D.C signal to the logic circuit and for diverting the first D.C. signal therefrom to the MTMS for resetting the MTMS in response to receiving the second D.C. signal.
Also, the electronic switching circuit is operable in response to receiving the second D.C. signal to divert the first D.C. signal from energization of the logic circuit to energization of the MTMS to reset from the latched state thereof to the unlatched state thereof. Moreover, the first D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a first radio frequency (RF) antenna for providing a first RF signal, and the transponder includes a first RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the first RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying the first RF signal for providing the first D.C. signal. Also, the second D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a second radio frequency (RF) antenna for providing a second RF signal, the transponder including a second RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the second RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying t
Pollack Richard Stephen
Starkey Gene Raymond
Cohn Howard M
Hofsass Jeffery
Nguyen Tai T.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
LandOfFree
Process and apparatus for resetting a micro-mechanical... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process and apparatus for resetting a micro-mechanical..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process and apparatus for resetting a micro-mechanical... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559572