Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-27
2001-05-15
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...
C340S438000, C340S444000, C340S445000, C340S447000, C073S146200, C116S03400R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232875
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to monitoring a condition of a vehicle tire and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling operation of a tire condition module that monitors a condition of a vehicle tire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous tire pressure monitoring systems have been developed in order to detect when the air pressure within a tire drops below a threshold pressure value. A system typically includes a pressure switch, an internal power source, and a communications link. The pressure switch provides tire pressure information to a central receiver through the communications link. The communications link may be a wired or wireless link.
There has been an increasing need for tire pressure monitoring systems due to the use of “run flat” tires in vehicles. “Run flat” tires enable a driver to travel an extended distance after a substantial loss of air pressure within a vehicle tire.
Examples of tire pressure monitoring systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,189, U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,985, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,917.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention provides a tire condition sensor module that includes a tire condition sensor operative to sense a tire condition of a vehicle tire and provide a tire condition signal having a characteristic indicative thereof. A motion detector is operative to detect movement of the associated vehicle tire and provide a motion signal having a characteristic indicating movement of the vehicle tire. A transmitter is operative to transmit a tire transmitter signal having a characteristic based on the tire condition signal. A controller is connected with the motion detector, the transmitter, and the tire condition sensor. The controller transitions from a first operating mode to a temporary second operating mode in response to determining from the motion signal a change in tire movement from a first amount of tire movement to an amount that is less than the first amount. When the controller is in the second operating mode, it controls the tire condition sensor to sense tire condition at a rate that is substantially the same rate as when the controller is in the first operating mode. Also, when in the second operating mode, the controller controls the transmitter to transmit the tire transmitter signal in response to determining that the sensed tire condition has a preselected relationship relative to a tire condition threshold.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a tire condition sensor module for a vehicle tire that includes a tire condition sensor operative to sense a tire condition of an associated vehicle tire and provide a tire condition signal having a characteristic indicative thereof. A motion detector is operative to detect movement of the associated vehicle tire and provide a motion signal indicative thereof. A transmitter is operative to transmit a tire transmitter signal having a characteristic based on the tire condition signal. A controller is connected with the motion detector, the transmitter, and the tire condition sensor. The controller operates in a normal mode in response to the motion signal indicating at least a first amount of tire movement. The controller operates in a transition mode for a time period in response to determining from the motion signal a change in tire movement from at least the first amount of tire movement to an amount less than the first amount of tire movement. The controller operates in a sleep mode that occurs after the transition mode so long as the motion signal indicates less than the first amount of tire movement. The controller controls the tire condition sensor and the tire transmitter according to in which mode the controller is operating.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a tire condition sensor module for a vehicle tire. The module includes a tire condition sensor operative to sense a tire condition of an associated vehicle tire and provide a tire condition signal having a characteristic indicative thereof. A motion detector is operative to detect movement of the associated vehicle tire and provide a motion signal indicating movement of the associated vehicle tire. A transmitter is operative to transmit a tire transmitter signal having a characteristic based on the tire condition signal. A controller is connected with the motion detector, the transmitter, and the tire condition sensor. The controller transitions from a first operating mode to a temporary second operating mode in response to determining a change in tire movement from a first amount of tire movement to an amount that is less than the first amount. The controller operates in a third operating mode after the second operating mode so long as the motion signal indicates tire movement less than the first amount. When the controller is in the second operating mode, it controls the tire condition sensor to sense tire condition at a rate that is greater than when the controller is in the third operating mode.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling operation of the tire condition module. The method includes the steps of sensing movement of a vehicle tire and providing a signal based on the sensed tire movement. A first mode is operated in while the signal indicates at least a first amount of tire movement. The method changes from the first mode to a second mode in response to the signal indicating that tire movement has changed from at least the first amount to an amount less than the first amount. The second mode is operated in for a predetermined time period provided that the signal indicates less than the first amount of tire movement. The method changes from the second mode to a third mode after the predetermined time period so long as the signal indicates less than the first amount of tire movement. The third mode is operated in so long as the signal indicates less than the first amount of tire movement.
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U.S. Munch et al. Patent Application entitled Apparatus and Method for Tracking an Abnormal Tire Condition.
Pope Daryl
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino & SzaboL.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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