Vehicle tire pressure monitor

• US 20050099274A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Tranchina, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,145,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring system comprises a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter coupled to the tire pressure sensor for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of a tire pressure; and a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the tire pressure and for receiving a signal of a remote keyless entry device. The system further comprises a controller coupled to the receiver for processing the signal indicative of the tire pressure and outputting a status signal, and a status indicator for receiving the status signal and indicating a tire pressure status according to the status signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle monitoring system comprising:

a tire pressure sensor;

a transmitter coupled to the tire pressure sensor for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of a tire pressure;

a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the tire pressure and for receiving a signal of a remote keyless entry device;

a controller coupled to the receiver for processing the signal indicative of the tire pressure and outputting a status signal; and

a status indicator for receiving the status signal and indicating a tire pressure status according to the status signal.

2. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the remote keyless entry device transmit signals on a shared frequency, wherein the signals are received by the receiver.

3. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the remote keyless entry device transmit signals on different frequencies, wherein the signals are received by the receiver.

4. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the remote keyless entry device comprises the status indicator.

5. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a timer, wherein the controller periodically polls the tire pressure sensor.

6. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the tire pressure sensor is responsive to a signal of the remote keyless entry device for controlling a security system.

7. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 1, comprising a power source coupled to the tire pressure sensor.

8. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the power source is a battery.

9. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the power source is a transducer for converting a signal into a current.

10. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the signal is transmitted by the remote keyless entry device.

11. The vehicle monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the signal is transmitted by the controller.

12. A vehicle monitoring method comprising:

generating a signal for controlling a vehicle security system;

receiving the signal for controlling a vehicle security system at a tire pressure monitor;

generating a tire pressure signal in response to the signal for controlling the vehicle security system; and

receiving the signal for controlling a vehicle security system and the tire pressure signal at a controller.

13. A vehicle monitoring method of claim 12, further comprising:

performing an operation of the vehicle security system according to the signal for controlling a vehicle security system; and

generating a indication of tire pressure in response to the tire pressure signal.