Method, Tire Sensor Device, Central Control Unit and System for Anti-Theft Protection Through Tire Removal Recognition

• US 20090085732A1
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Pohl, Alfred, Tschofen, Robert, Gila, Janos, Osterreicher, Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 8,183,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.330
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

A method for recognizing the removal of a tire provided with a tire sensor device, includes recognizing, with the tire sensor device, if a respective tire is mounted on the motor vehicle and storing an item of information relating to a mounting status in the tire sensor device. If a removal is determined, the tire sensor device sends an item of information characterizing the removal to a central control unit and the central control unit outputs a warning. A tire sensor device, a central control unit and a system for anti-theft protection through tire removal recognition, are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for recognizing a removal of a tire from a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:

providing the tire with a tire sensor device;

recognizing, with the tire sensor device, if a respective tire is mounted on the motor vehicle;

storing an item of information relating to a mounting status of the tire in the tire sensor device;

transmitting an item of information characterizing a removal of the tire, from the tire sensor device to a central control unit, upon determining a removal of the tire; and

outputting a warning with the central control unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises announcing an imminent removal to the central control unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises outputting the warning from the central control unit as soon as it has received the item of information characterizing a removal, without notice having been given of an imminent removal.

4. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises transmitting an alarm message from the central control unit by way of an electronic data transmission system, as soon as it has received the item of information characterizing a removal, without notice having been given of an imminent removal.

5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises manually deactivating the warning of the central control unit by a user of the motor vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 4, which further comprises manually deactivating the alarm of the central control unit by a user of the motor vehicle.

7. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises entering a code by the user to stop the alarm message.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the code characterizes the user and is only known to the user.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the user has to enter the code within a predetermined time period.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the tire sensor device, once it has sent an alarm to the central control unit, receives a response from the central control unit and the central control unit communicates a result of an evaluation.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tire sensor device emits higher power radio signals at specific intervals to facilitate a positioning, if the central control unit has given notice of a theft.

12. The method according to claim 11, which further comprises facilitating the positioning by using a radio bearing.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tire sensor device transmits radio signals at specific intervals, containing a position of the tire sensor device, if the central control unit has given notice of a theft.

14. A tire sensor device for a tire, the tire sensor device comprising:

a recognition device for determining if a respective tire is mounted on a vehicle;

a memory for storing an item of information relating to a mounting status of the tire on the vehicle; and

a transmitter for transmitting an item of information characterizing a removal of the tire from the vehicle.

16. A system for recognizing removal of a tire, the system comprising:

a tire sensor device according to claim 14; and

a central control unit for recognizing removal of a tire associated with a motor vehicle, the central control unit including a receiver, and

a device for outputting a warning message as soon as the central control unit has received information relating to the removal of the tire, without notice having been given of an imminent removal.

15. A central control unit for recognizing removal of a tire associated with a motor vehicle, the central control unit comprising:

a receiver; and

a device for outputting a warning message as soon as the central control unit has received information relating to the removal of the tire, without notice having been given of an imminent removal.