Method and apparatus for tire pressure monitoring and for shared keyless entry control
DCFirst Claim
1. A vehicle remote function actuator system having a single on-board radio receiver, comprisingat least one remote tire transmitter for transmitting radio frequency tire condition data;
- at least one remote vehicle function transmitter for transmitting radio frequency vehicle function data;
a radio receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving data from said remote tire transmitter and said remote vehicle function transmitter;
a controller having a pressure detector for providing pressure condition data to said remote tire transmitter and causing said remote tire transmitter to transmit the pressure condition data to said receiver;
the remote transmitters all having the same data format but distinctive codes for tire transmitters and vehicle function transmitters;
a processor connected to the receiver and coupled to a display device and to a vehicle function device for responding to the transmitted data; and
the processor being programmed to effect display of pressure condition data on said display device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for tire transmitters, and to activate said vehicle function device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for the vehicle function transmitters.
7 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Vehicle tires each contain a sender including a microprocessor, a radio transmitter, a pressure detector and a magnetic switch for sending a radio signals indicating sender ID, pressure data and change of switch state. An on-board receiver unit having a microprocessor evaluates the transmitted data and displays pressure condition information. A portable magnet is placed near each tire, in turn, to operate the magnetic switches, resulting in a sequential transmission of sender ID codes which allows the receiver unit to learn the tire position of each sender. An inertia switch in the tire triggers a radio transmission and the receiver unit considers the absence of a transmission when expected as a failure and displays a service needed message. A remote portable sender transmits signals for door unlocking or locking, trunk opening and interior light control. The receiver unit responds to the signals and issues commands to appropriate actuators.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A vehicle remote function actuator system having a single on-board radio receiver, comprising
at least one remote tire transmitter for transmitting radio frequency tire condition data; -
at least one remote vehicle function transmitter for transmitting radio frequency vehicle function data; a radio receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving data from said remote tire transmitter and said remote vehicle function transmitter; a controller having a pressure detector for providing pressure condition data to said remote tire transmitter and causing said remote tire transmitter to transmit the pressure condition data to said receiver; the remote transmitters all having the same data format but distinctive codes for tire transmitters and vehicle function transmitters; a processor connected to the receiver and coupled to a display device and to a vehicle function device for responding to the transmitted data; and the processor being programmed to effect display of pressure condition data on said display device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for tire transmitters, and to activate said vehicle function device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for the vehicle function transmitters. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A combined keyless entry and low tire pressure warning system for a vehicle having electric door locks and a warning display comprising:
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a set of remote transmitters comprising radio frequency tire transmitters one mounted in each tire for transmitting data messages including modulated data and an identification code; a radio frequency keyless entry transmitter for transmitting lock operation commands; a radio receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving data messages from the tire transmitters and lock operation commands from the keyless entry transmitter; a processor coupled with the receiver, the electric door locks and the warning display for controlling the locks and the display according to transmitted commands and messages; a controller coupled with each tire transmitter having a pressure detector for providing pressure data to the tire transmitter, an identification code for transmission with the pressure data, and a switch activated by a vehicle user for transmitting a sign-up message including the identification code for that tire location, the receiver unit including means for storing identification codes from the transmitted sign-up messages for comparison with subsequently transmitted data messages to differentiate data transmitted from various tire locations.
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4. In an automotive vehicle having a plurality of tires each equipped with a pressure sensor and a pressure data message transmitter, a visible display for pressure condition information, a keyless entry system including door operating apparatus and remote keyless entry command transmitters, and a receiver on the vehicle for receiving messages and commands from the transmitters and a processor coupled to the receiver, the display and the door operating apparatus for interpreting and executing the messages and commands, a method of operation comprising the steps of:
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detecting a tire pressure condition in at least one tire and formulating tire pressure data; transmitting a tire pressure signal including tire pressure data along with a code peculiar to said pressure data message transmitter; transmitting an entry signal including a door operation command along with a code peculiar to said keyless entry command transmitters; receiving the tire pressure and entry signals; determining from the code for each received signal whether such signal contains tire pressure data or a door operation command; displaying tire pressure information for received signals containing tire pressure data; and executing door operation commands for received signals containing door operation commands. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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Specification