INTEGRATION SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSORS

• US 20150015387A1
• Filed: 07/15/2013
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2013
• 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-Chrstophe, Farrell, Brian J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,487,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/447
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0471 System initialisation, e.g. upload or calibration of operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0472 to manually allocate ID codes or mounting positions, e.g. by service technicians
• 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

The present invention relates to systems, methods and devices for the integration of tire pressure monitoring sensors to a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of integrating a tire pressure monitoring sensor with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. The method includes the step of selecting with a computer a program software for a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. The method further includes transmitting the selected program software from the computer to a configuration tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The method further includes utilizing the selected program software to integrate the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of integrating a tire pressure monitoring sensor with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

selecting with a computer a program software for a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle;

transmitting the selected program software from the computer to a configuration tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor; and

utilizing the selected program software to integrate the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the program software comprises communication protocol for the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the program software comprises operating instructions for the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the program software comprises instructions for the configuration tool to utilize for communicating with the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of programming the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the program software.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the program software includes operation instructions and communication protocol for the tire pressure monitoring sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of utilizing the configuration tool to instruct the tire pressure monitoring sensor which operating instructions, communication protocol or both to be utilized.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of accessing a database of program software for selection of the program software, the database of program software being stored on a memory device of the computer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of updating the database of program software with additional program software, replacement program software or both.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of causing the tire pressure monitoring sensor to transmit an identifier to the configuration tool.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of transmitting the identifier to the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a wireless communication link for transmission of the selected program software to the configuration tool.

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

14. A system for integrating a tire pressure monitoring sensor with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle, comprising:

a configuration tool adapted to communicate with a tire pressure monitoring sensor that is useable with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle;

a computer having access to a program software for a tire pressure monitoring sensor; and

a communication link formed between the configuration tool and the computer,

wherein the computer is configured to transmit the program software to the configuration tool through the communication link.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a database of program software for tire pressuring monitoring sensors, the computer being configured to select the program software from the database of program software.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the database of program software is stored on a memory device of the computer.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the database of program software is stored on a memory device remote from the computer.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the program software includes communication protocol, software instructions for operation of the tire pressure monitoring sensor, or both.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless link.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising a wireless hub communicatively disposed between the computer and configuration tool.

21. The system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of configuration tools, each configuration tool being in communication with the computer through a communication link.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of configuration tools are in communication with the computer through a wireless network.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the computer is in selective communication with one of the plurality of configuration tools.

24. The system of claim 14, further comprising an on-board diagnostic connector for communication between the configuration tool and the vehicle.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the configuration tool includes a first low frequency transmitter and receiver a second transmitter and receiver.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer includes a user interface for inputting identification information of a vehicle, selection of the program software, transfer of the program software to the configuration tool, or combinations thereof.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the configuration tool includes a user interface for initiating communication with the vehicle, initiating communication with the computer, programming of the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the selected program software, or combinations thereof.

28. A hand-held configuration tool adapted to communicate with a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle, comprising:

a low frequency transmitter and receiver suitable for communication with a tire pressure monitoring sensor;

a radio frequency receiver suitable for receiving data over a Wi-Fi network; and

a memory device configured to store information received by the radio frequency receiver.

29. The hand-held configuration tool of claim 28, further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting data over a Wi-Fi network.

30. The hand-held configuration tool of claim 28, further comprising a user interface for initiating communication over a Wi-Fi network.

31. The hand-held configuration tool of claim 28, wherein the user interface is further configured for programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor.

32. The hand-held configuration tool of claim 28, wherein the user interface is further configured for initiating communication with a vehicle.

33. The hand-held configuration tool of claim 28, further comprising an on-board diagnostic connector for forming a communication link with a vehicle.

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

generating a user interface for selection of a program software for a tire pressure monitoring sensor; and

transmission over a Wi-Fi network the selected program software to a configuration tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor.

35. The computer-readable memory device of claim 34, further resulting in the generation of a list of vehicles or program software for tire pressure monitoring sensors.

36. The computer-readable memory device of claim 34, further resulting in accessing a database of program software for tire pressure monitoring sensors.

37. A tire pressure monitoring sensor, comprising:

a pressure sensor configured for monitoring air pressure and generating signals indicative thereof;

a receiver configured for communication with a computer; and

a processing unit and memory device including software for storing configuration or program software, transmitted by the computer and received by the receiver, onto a memory device of the tire pressure sensor.

38. The tire pressure monitoring sensor of claim 37, wherein the tire pressure monitoring sensor is in communication with the computer through a configuration tool.

39. The tire pressure monitoring sensor of claim 37, wherein the tire pressure monitoring sensor is in further communication with a configuration tool.

40. The tire pressure monitoring sensor of claim 38, wherein the processing unit and memory device including software is further configured to transmit an identifier to the computer through the configuration tool.

41. The tire pressure monitoring sensor of claim 37, wherein the receiver comprises a low frequency receiver configured to receive wireless signals in the range of about 30 to 300 kHz.

42. The tire pressure monitoring sensor of claim 37, wherein the wireless transmitter comprises a high frequency transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals in the range of about 300 MHz to 3 GHz.