METHODS, SYSTEMS AND TOOLS FOR PROGRAMMING TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSORS

• US 20140165026A1
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: McIntyre, Matthew D, Deniau, Jean Christophe, Farrell, Brian J
• Granted Patent: US 9,122,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/100
• 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 23/0471 System initialisation, e.g. upload or calibration of operating parameters
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/013 Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/02 Tyres
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/10 Requirements analysis; Specification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, systems and tools for programming tire pressure monitoring sensors based upon ascertained vehicle identification numbers. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a vehicle wheel unit. The method includes obtaining identification information of a vehicle with a programming tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The method further includes comparing the identification information with a database of identification information to determine a program software that is compatible with the vehicle. The method further includes programming the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the program software.

Claims

1. A method of programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a vehicle wheel unit, comprising the steps of:

obtaining identification information of a vehicle with a programming tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor;

comparing the identification information with a database of identification information to determine a program software that is compatible with the vehicle; and

programming the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the program software.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises an identification code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database of identification information comprises a database of identification codes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information is recorded on a memory device of the programming tool.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the identification information of the vehicle includes scanning a bar code that is representative of the identification information of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the programming tool includes an integrally formed scanner.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the programming tool is in communication with a separately formed scanner.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the identification information of the vehicle includes downloading the identification information from an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the programming tool is connected to an on-board diagnostic connector of the on-board diagnostic system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the identification information of the vehicle includes manual entry of the identification information into the programming tool.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the database of identification information is integrally disposed with the programming tool.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the database of identification information is stored on a digital memory device remote from the programming tool, the programming tool being in communication with the digital memory device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the program software is integrally disposed with the programming tool.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the program software is downloaded to the programming tool.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the programming tool includes a plurality of program software for use with different makes and models of vehicles.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the program software includes operation commands and transmission protocols for the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the tire pressure monitoring sensor is programmed through a wired connection formed between the tire pressure monitoring sensor and the programming tool.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the tire pressure monitoring sensor is programmed through a wireless connection formed between the tire pressure monitoring sensor and the programming tool.

19. A tire pressure monitoring sensor for a wheel unit programmed according to the method of claim 1.

20. A programming system for a tire pressure monitoring sensor, comprising:

a database of program software stored on a digital memory device, each of the program software includes operation commands and transmission protocols for a tire pressure monitoring sensor;

a vehicle identification code reader for obtaining an identification code of a particular vehicle;

software instructions that utilizes the identification code to determine a suitable program software for the particular vehicle; and

a programming tool for programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor with the suitable program software.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a database of vehicle identification codes stored on a digital memory device, the vehicle identification codes being unique to identify a particular make and model of a vehicle.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising software instructions that selects the suitable program software from the database of program software.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the database of vehicle identification codes is stored on a memory device of the programming tool.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the database of program software is stored on a memory device of the programming tool.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification code reader is disposed with the programming tool.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification code reader is separately formed and in communication with the programming tool.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the software instructions that utilizes the identification code to determine a suitable program software for the particular vehicle and selects the suitable program software from the database of program software are stored on a memory device of the programming tool.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification code reader includes a bar code scanner that is connected to a digital memory device configured to receive and store the identification code.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification code reader includes an on-board diagnostic connector that is connected to a digital memory device configured to receive and store the identification code.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle identification code reader includes keypad that is connected to a digital memory device configured to receive and store the identification code.

31. The system of claim 22, wherein the programming tool includes a user interface for initiating reading of the vehicle identification code, determining a suitable program software, selection of the suitable program software, programming of the tire pressure monitoring system, or combinations thereof.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein the programming system for the tire pressure monitoring sensor is integrated into a single hand-held device.

33. A hand-held programming tool for programming tire pressure monitoring sensors, the programming tool comprising:

a vehicle identification code reader for obtaining a vehicle identification code of a particular vehicle;

a database of program software for tire pressure monitoring sensors stored on a digital memory device;

a control unit including operating instructions for utilizing the identification code to determine a suitable program software for the particular vehicle; and

a programming device for programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor with the suitable program software.

34. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, further comprising a database of vehicle identification codes stored on a digital memory device;

35. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, wherein the vehicle identification code reader includes a scanner suitable for reading a bar code, the scanner being in communication with a digital memory device configured to receive and store a scanned vehicle identification code.

36. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, wherein the vehicle identification code reader includes an on-board diagnostic connector for receiving the vehicle identification code, the on-board diagnostic connector being in communication with a digital memory device configured to receive and store a downloaded vehicle identification code.

37. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, wherein the vehicle identification code recorder includes keypad that is in communication with a digital memory device configured to receive and store a keyed identification code.

38. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, wherein each vehicle identification code of the database of vehicle identification codes indicate a particular make and model of a vehicle.

39. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, wherein the programming device forms a communication link with a tire pressure monitoring sensor, wherein the control unit causes the program device to program the tire pressure monitoring sensor through the communication link.

40. The hand-held programming tool of claim 39, wherein the communication link includes a wired connection.

41. The hand-held programming tool of claim 39, wherein the communication link includes a wireless connection.

42. The hand-held programming tool of claim 33, further comprising a user interface for initiating reading of the vehicle identification code, utilizing the identification code to determine the suitable program software, selection of the suitable program software, programming of the tire pressure monitoring system, or combinations thereof.

43. A computer-readable memory device storing computer program instructions which when executed by a computer comprising at least one processor results in:

obtaining identification information of a particular vehicle;

comparing the identification information with a database of vehicle identification information to determine a program software that is compatible with the particular vehicle; and

programming a programmable tire pressure monitoring sensor with the program software.

44. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in selecting a program software for a programmable tire pressure monitoring sensor that is compatible with a tire pressure monitoring system of the particular vehicle.

45. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in generating a communication link with the programmable tire pressure monitoring sensor;

and

46. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in scanning of a bar code to determine a vehicle identification code of the particular vehicle.

47. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in retrieving a vehicle identification code from an on-board diagnostic system of the particular vehicle.

48. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in retrieving a vehicle identification code typed into a keypad.

49. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, further resulting in generating a communication link with the programmable tire pressure monitoring sensor.

50. The computer-readable memory device of claim 49, wherein the communication link with the programmable tire pressure monitoring sensor comprises a wireless link.

51. The computer-readable memory device of claim 43, wherein the computer-readable memory device is stored within a hand-held programming tool.