REMOTE CONTROL CONVENIENCE AND INFORMATION CONVEYANCE SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE

• US 20020087250A1
• Filed: 01/02/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Pacsai, Ernest Edmond
• Granted Patent: US 6,438,467 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/78
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations

Abstract

A system (10) for a vehicle (12) that has a plurality of inflatable tires (14-20), wherein the system has a plurality of sensor units (22-28) associated with the plurality of tires. Each of the sensor units (e.g., 22) senses inflation pressure of the associated tire (e.g., 14) and transmits a signal (e.g., 30) indicative of the sensed tire inflation pressure. A portable unit (44) of the system (10) is located remote from the vehicle (12) and is operable by a person (66) to transmit a signal (48) that conveys a remote control function request. The portable unit (44) also receives a signal (46) indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure and provides an indication of tire inflation pressure to the person (66). A control/communication unit (40) is located at the vehicle and receives the signal (48) conveying the remote function request and causes performance of the remotely requested function. The control/communication unit (40) also receives the signals (e.g., 30) transmitted from the sensor units (e.g., 22) and transmits the signal (46) indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure to the portable unit (44).

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle that has a plurality of inflatable tires, said system comprising:

a plurality of sensor means associated with the plurality of tires, each for sensing inflation pressure of the associated tire and for transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed tire inflation pressure;

portable transceiver means, located remote from the vehicle, operable by a person for transmitting a signal conveying a remote control function request and for receiving a signal indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure and providing an indication of tire inflation pressure to the person; and

control and communication means, located at the vehicle, for receiving the signal conveying the remote function request and causing performance of the remotely requested function, and for receiving the signals transmitted from said sensor means and transmitting the signal indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure to said portable transceiver means.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for transmitting the associated signal indicative of the sensed tire inflation pressure in response to a change in sensed tire inflation pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for transmitting the associated signal indicative of the sensed tire inflation pressure in response to a sensed increase in tire inflation pressure.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said sensor means includes means for transmitting the signal indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure as a first signal type, said control and communication means includes means for transmitting the signal indicative of sensed tire inflation pressure as a second signal type, said second signal type is different than the first signal type.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first signal type has a first signal format and said second signal type has a second, different signal format.

6. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first signal type is at a first frequency and said second signal type is at a second, different frequency.