U.S. patent application number 12/166626 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for universal tire pressure monitoring sensor.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.. Invention is credited to Franck Bigot, John R. Costello, Jean-Christophe Deniau, Tejas B. Desai, Brian J. Farrell.
Application Number | 20090033478 12/166626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39745407 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090033478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deniau; Jean-Christophe ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
UNIVERSAL TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR
Abstract
A tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory that
includes a plurality of selectable communication protocols to
govern communication and operation.
Inventors: |
Deniau; Jean-Christophe;
(Fenton, MI) ; Farrell; Brian J.; (Troy, MI)
; Costello; John R.; (Rochester Hills, MI) ;
Desai; Tejas B.; (Troy, MI) ; Bigot; Franck;
(Neutraubling, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD, SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Assignee: |
CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US,
INC.
Auburn Hills
MI
CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Hannover
|
Family ID: |
39745407 |
Appl. No.: |
12/166626 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60958203 |
Jul 3, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/442 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 23/0408 20130101;
Y10T 29/49 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/442 |
International
Class: |
B60C 23/02 20060101
B60C023/02 |
Claims
1. A method of programming a tire pressure monitoring device
comprising: storing a plurality of selectable programs for
operating a tire pressure monitoring device within a first memory
device; and activating one of the selectable programs for operating
the tire pressure monitoring device according to a defined protocol
corresponding to the selected program.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of activating
one of the selectable programs for operating the tire pressure
monitoring device comprises loading one of the plurality of
selectable programs into a second memory device within the tire
pressure monitoring device.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the first memory
device is disposed in a programming device and the method includes
the step of communicating the activate one of the selectable
programs from the first memory device disposed in the programming
device to the second memory device within the tire pressure
monitoring device.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, including the step of
electrically connecting the programming device with the tire
pressure monitoring device for communicating the desired one of the
plurality of selectable programs from the programming device to the
tire pressure monitoring device.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of activating
one of the plurality of selectable programs comprises communicating
a signal selecting which of the plurality of selectable programs is
to control operation of the tire pressure monitoring device.
6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the programming device
transmits a wireless signal for communicating which of the
plurality of selectable programs is to govern operation of the tire
pressure monitoring device.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first memory
device is disposed within the tire pressure monitoring device.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first memory
device is disposed within a programming device separate from the
tire pressure monitoring device.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, including the step of
deactivating a currently selected one of the plurality of
selectable programs and providing for selection of a different one
of the plurality of selectable programs.
10. A tire pressure monitoring device comprising: a memory device
storing a plurality of selectable communication protocols; a
transmitter/receiver for communicating information to an outside
device; and a sensor for measuring at least one parameter
indicative of conditions within a tire.
11. The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in claim 11,
wherein the transmitter/receiver is configured to receive a signal
for selecting which of the plurality of selectable communication
protocols governs operation of the tire pressure monitoring
device.
12. The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in claim 11,
wherein the signal for selecting which of the plurality of
selectable communication protocols governs operation of the tire
pressure monitoring sensor comprises a wireless signal.
13. The tire pressure monitoring device as recited in claim 11,
wherein the plurality of selectable communication protocols
comprises communication protocols corresponding to at least two
different desired communication schemes.
14. A tire pressure monitoring system comprising: at least one tire
pressure monitoring devices mountable within a vehicle tires; and a
programming device for instructing the tire pressure monitoring
device which of a plurality of selectable communications protocols
will govern operation.
15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of
selectable communication protocols are stored within a memory
device of the at least one tire pressure monitoring device.
16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the programming
device is configured to send a wireless signal to the tire pressure
monitoring device for selecting which of the plurality of
selectable communication protocols will govern operation of the
tire pressure monitoring sensor.
17. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of
selectable communication protocols are stored within a memory
device of the programming device.
18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the programming
device includes an interface adapted for communicating on of the
plurality of selectable communication protocols that will govern
operation of the tire pressure monitoring device.
19. A computer readable storage medium containing a plurality of
computer executable instructions for programming a tire pressure
monitoring device, comprising: a first set of instructions storing
a plurality of selectable programs for operating a tire pressure
monitoring device within a first memory device; and a second set of
instructions for activating one of the selectable programs for
operating the tire pressure monitoring device according to a
defined protocol corresponding to the selected program.
20. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 19,
wherein the second set of instructions includes instructions
controlling the step of communicating the selected one of the
programs from the first memory device disposed in the programming
device to a second memory device within the tire pressure
monitoring device.
21. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 19,
including instructions for activating one of the plurality of
selectable programs by communicating a signal selecting which of
the plurality of selectable programs is to control operation of the
tire pressure monitoring device.
22. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 19,
including instructions for controlling a transmission of a wireless
signal for communicating which of the plurality of selectable
programs is to govern operation of the tire pressure monitoring
device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/958,203 which was filed on Jul. 3, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to tire pressure monitoring devices.
More particularly, this disclosure relates to a universal tire
pressure monitoring device and method that is adaptable for
operation according to different manufacture protocols.
[0003] A tire pressure monitoring device is typically mounted to a
wheel within the tire and transmits information indicative of
conditions within the tire. The transmissions and order of
information are defined by a defined protocol corresponding to a
receiver within the vehicle. Each automobile manufacturer has a
unique preferred defined protocol to meet application specific
needs and designs.
[0004] Disadvantageously, such different and unique protocols
require corresponding unique tire pressure monitoring sensors,
thereby complicating maintenance and service operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A disclosed example tire pressure monitoring device includes
a memory that is configurable to either hold a plurality of
communication protocols or to be flash programmed with a single
communication program to govern operation.
[0006] An example disclosed tire pressure monitoring device
includes a memory that holds several different communication
protocols. Each of these communication protocols correspond to each
manufacturers preferred communications protocol.
[0007] The example disclosed tire pressure monitoring device
includes a memory device adapted to store a plurality of different
communication protocols. Upon installation of the tire pressure
monitoring device, a programming module initiates a signal to each
of the tire pressure monitoring devices that selects which
communication protocol will govern operation of that tire pressure
monitoring device.
[0008] Another disclosed example tire pressure device includes a
memory that does not include a communications protocol. The tire
pressure monitoring device is flash programmed from a programming
device including each of the different communication protocols for
each of the different original equipment manufacturers. The tire
pressure monitoring device is interfaced with the programming
device and flash programmed with the desired communication
protocol. The programmed tire pressure monitoring devices is then
installed within the vehicle tire.
[0009] Accordingly, the example tire pressure monitoring devices
are capable of operating with different systems and operating
according to different communications protocols.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention can be
best understood from the following specification and drawings, the
following of which is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example universal
tire pressure monitoring system.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another example
universal tire pressure monitoring system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a tire pressure monitoring system 10 is
shown assembled within a vehicle 12. The system 10 includes a
receiver 16 that receives communications from tire pressure
monitoring devices 14 assembled within each of the vehicle's tires
18. As is understood by those skilled in the art, each of the tire
pressure monitoring devices 14 are assembled within the tires 18
and communicate information indicative of conditions within the
tires 18 to the receiver 16. These conditions include temperature,
pressure, and any other desired information that aids in the
monitoring of tire conditions.
[0014] The example system 10 includes the tire pressure monitoring
devices 14 that all include a memory device 26. The memory device
26 is utilized for the storage of a plurality of communication
protocols 28. The communication protocols 28 include individual and
unique protocols that govern operation and communication between
the tire pressure monitoring device 14 and the receiver 16. Because
each tire pressure monitoring device 14 includes several desired
communication protocols for different manufacturers, all that is
required is that the tire pressure monitoring device 14 be
installed within the tire 18. Once the tire pressure monitoring
device 14 is installed with the tire 18, one of the plurality of
communication protocols 28 is selected to govern operation and
communication.
[0015] Selection of a desired one of the communication protocols is
accomplished through the use of a programming device 20. The
example programming device 20 emits a wireless signal 22 that is
received by a corresponding one of the tire pressure monitoring
devices 14. The programming device 20 includes a series of
selectable buttons 24 that are actuated by an operator to indicate
which of the several communication protocols is desired for that
tire pressure monitoring device to operate. Although the example
device 20 is shown with buttons, other display and selection
configurations, such as touch screen or other selection interface
are within the contemplation of this invention.
[0016] Accordingly, installation of the example universal tire
pressure monitoring devices 14 includes the initial step of
physically installing the tire pressure monitoring devices 14
within each of the corresponding tires 18. At this step in the
installation process, no communication protocol selection is
required. This is so because each of the tire pressure monitoring
devices 14 has stored within it all of the desired communication
protocols 28 required for communicating with any of several
original equipment receivers 15.
[0017] Once the tire pressure monitoring devices 14 are physically
installed within each of the tires 18, the programming device 20 is
actuated. The programming device is placed proximate each of the
tire pressure monitoring devices 14 to send a signal 22. The
example signal 22 is a low frequency transmission received by the
proximate tire pressure monitoring device 14. The signal 22
triggers the tire pressure monitoring device to operate according
to a selected one of the stored communication protocols 28. For
example, in this instance, if the operator selects button number
one, the corresponding tire pressure monitoring device 14 will
operate according to the stored communication protocol 28 indicated
as 1. The tire pressure monitoring device 14 can be reclaimed and
the communication protocol reset by deactivating a currently
selected one of the plurality of selectable communication protocols
28 and selecting a different one of the plurality of selectable
programs 28.
[0018] Of course it is within the contemplation of this invention
that the controller may include other control operations not just
the buttons 24 indicated in the illustrated example. Further, it is
also within the contemplation of this invention that the
programming device 20 may utilize other wireless communication
protocols to communicate and trigger the selection of the desired
communication protocol in which the corresponding tire pressure
monitoring device 14 would operate.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, another example tire pressure
monitoring system 32 utilizes a tire pressure monitoring device 34
that includes a memory 40. The memory 40 of the tire pressure
monitoring device 34 does not include any communication protocol
data. Instead, the memory 40 is provided with a space for a
communications protocol. The tire pressure monitoring device 34
with the blank memory 40 is in essence a blank slate as indicated
by 42. The blank tire pressure monitoring device 42 is inserted
within a programming device 36. The programming device 36 includes
a memory device 38 that stores the plurality of communication
protocols 28. The tire pressure monitoring device 34 is placed into
electrical communication by way of an interface with the programmer
36. The programmer 36 is then actuated to download or flash program
one of the communication protocols 28 from the memory device 38
into the memory device 40 of the tire pressure monitoring device.
This step is accomplished prior to installation into the vehicle
12.
[0020] Accordingly, each tire pressure monitoring device 34 that is
to be assembled into a vehicle is first flash programmed using the
programming device 36 to install and select a desired communication
protocol 28. The tire pressure monitoring device is thereby set and
capable of operation only according to that flash programmed
communication protocol. Programmed tire pressure monitoring devices
34 are indicated as being programmed by reference numeral 44, can
then be installed within the vehicle 12 to operate with the
specific vehicle receiver 16.
[0021] During the installation process of the example system
illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of blank tire pressure
monitoring devices 34 would be available for flash programming upon
the desired need. The example non-programmed tire pressure
monitoring devices are indicated at 42. Prior to installation
within the vehicle 12, each tire pressure monitoring device 34 is
loaded with a program by the programming device 36. The example
interface between the programming device 36 and the tire pressure
monitoring device 34 is a physical connection. However, wireless
connections could also be utilized for loading the desired
communication protocol into the tire pressure monitoring device 34.
The programmed tire pressure monitoring devices indicated at 44 can
then be installed within the vehicle 12.
[0022] It should be understood that a computing device can be used
to implement various functionality and operation of the example
programming devices 20, and 36. In terms of hardware architecture,
such a computing device can include a processor, a memory, and one
or more input and/or output (I/O) device interface(s) that are
communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface
can include, for example but not limited to, one or more buses
and/or other wired or wireless connections. The processor may be a
hardware device for executing software, particularly software
stored in memory. The processor can be a custom made or
commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU),
an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the
computing device, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form
of a microchip or chip set) or generally any device for executing
software instructions.
[0023] The memory can include any one or combination of volatile
memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM,
SRAM, SDRAM, VRAM, etc.)) and/or nonvolatile memory elements (e.g.,
ROM, hard drive, tape, CD-ROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory may
incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of
storage media. Note that the memory can also have a distributed
architecture, where various components are situated remotely from
one another, but can be accessed by the processor.
[0024] The software in the memory may include one or more separate
programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable
instructions for implementing logical functions. When constructed
as a source program, the program is translated via a compiler,
assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be
included within the memory.
[0025] Accordingly, the example tire pressure monitoring devices
14, 34 and programming devices 20, 36 provide a system and device
capable of operating according to different communication
protocols.
[0026] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been
disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize
that certain modifications would come within the scope of this
invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied
to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
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