Circuits for coupling signals carrying information to a tire pressure monitoring system in the absence of a receiver
First Claim
1. A tire pressure monitoring system connectable to a valve stem for supplying air to a respective tire, the system comprising:
- a pressure sensing device;
a printed circuit board;
a microprocessor mounted on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the pressure sensing device;
a connector for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a respective valve stem end disposed within the tire;
a circuit providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived pulses to the valve stem, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the processor to perform a respective operational function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Circuit and method for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire in the absence of a receiver are provided. The circuit comprises a coupling circuit that provides capacitance or electromagnetic coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to a microprocessor therein by either, in the case of capacitance coupling, connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses to a valve stem of the tire and an electrical ground. In the case of electromagnetic coupling, by placing a suitable external device proximate the coupling circuit. The stream of pulses carries information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A tire pressure monitoring system connectable to a valve stem for supplying air to a respective tire, the system comprising:
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a pressure sensing device;
a printed circuit board;
a microprocessor mounted on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the pressure sensing device;
a connector for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a respective valve stem end disposed within the tire;
a circuit providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived pulses to the valve stem, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the processor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system connectable to a valve stem for supplying air to a respective tire, the method comprising:
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providing a pressure sensing device;
providing a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board;
electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a respective valve stem end disposed within the tire;
providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived pulses to the valve stem and an electrical ground, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the processor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire and comprising:
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a pressure sensing device;
a microprocessor electrically coupled to the pressure sensing device;
a circuit configured to provide electromagnetic coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses being placed proximate the circuit providing the electromagnetic coupling, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for coupling signals to tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire, the method comprising:
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providing a pressure sensing device;
electrically coupling a microprocessor to the pressure sensing device;
providing electromagnetic coupling by way of a magnetic sensor to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses being placed proximate the sensor, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function.
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15. A circuit for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire, the circuit comprising:
a coupling circuit providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to a microprocessor therein upon connecting respective leads from an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses to a valve stem of the tire and an electrical ground, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A circuit for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire, the circuit comprising:
a coupling circuit configured to provide electromagnetic coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to a microprocessor therein upon an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses being placed proximate the coupling circuit, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function
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22. A tire pressure monitoring system connectable to a valve stem for supplying air to a respective tire, the system comprising:
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a pressure sensing device;
a printed circuit board;
a microprocessor mounted on the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the pressure sensing device;
a connector for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a respective valve stem end disposed within the tire, wherein the valve stem receives at least one electrical signal indicative of the level of pressure sensed by the pressure sensing device and radiates said electrical signal to the surrounding environment;
a circuit providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon connecting respective leads from an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived pulses to the valve stem and an electrical ground therein, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the processor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system connectable to a valve stem for supplying air to a respective tire, the method comprising:
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providing a pressure sensing device;
providing a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board;
electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a respective valve stem end disposed within the tire, receiving through the valve stem at least one electrical signal indicative of the level of pressure sensed by the pressure sensing device and radiating said electrical signal to the surrounding environment;
providing capacitive coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to the microprocessor upon connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived pulses to the valve stem and an electrical ground, the stream of pulses carrying information usable by the processor to perform a respective operational function. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification