Process and apparatus for resetting a micro-mechanical condition sensor

• US 6,307,467 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Pollack, Richard Stephen, Starkey, Gene Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/699,974
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/572.3, 340/572.1, 340/825.54, 200/61.45 R, 200/181
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0413 Wireless charging of active radio frequency circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic tag (60) that includes a transponder (62) and a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) (16a) having an unlatched state (24a) and latched state (26a) and a method of resetting the MTMS (16a). The method includes the step of providing second apparatus (68, 72) for providing a second D.C. signal (73) and an electronic switching circuit (67) for receiving the first and second D.C. signals (48a, 73). The electronic switching circuit (67) is connected for normally applying the first D.C. signal (48a) to the logic circuit (50a) and for diverting the first D.C. signal (48a) therefrom to the MTMS (16a) for resetting the MTMS (16a) in response to receiving the second D.C. signal (73).

Claims

1. A method of resetting a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) having an unlatched state and latched state in an electronic tag with a transponder having a logic circuit and first apparatus for providing a first direct current (D.C.) signal, the method having the steps of:

providing a second D.C. signal with a second apparatus;

receiving the first and second D.C. signals with an electronic switching circuit; and

normally applying the first D.C. signal to the logic circuit and diverting the first D.C. signal to the MTMS for resetting the MTMS in response to receiving the second D.C. signal with an electronic switching circuit.

2. The method according to claim 1 including the step receiving the second D.C. signal with an electronic switching circuit to divert the first D.C. signal from energization of the logic circuit to energize the MTMS for causing the MTMS to reset from the latched state thereof to the unlatched state thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, including the steps of

providing the first D.C. signal apparatus with a first radio frequency (RF) antenna for receiving a first RF signal;

providing the transponder with a first RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the first RF antenna for receiving the first RF signal therefrom; and

rectifying the first RF signal for providing the first D.C. signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, including the steps of

providing the second D.C. signal providing apparatus with a second radio frequency (RF) antenna for receiving a second RF signal;

and

providing the second D.C. signal providing apparatus with a second RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the second RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying the second RF signal for providing the second D.C. signal.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing the second RF antenna includes the step of tuning the second RF antenna to a predetermined frequency.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing the second RF antenna includes the step of tuning the second RF antenna to a frequency within the range of from 13.553 to 13.567 megahertz.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the tag is disposed within a tire and the MTMS is reset to the unlatched state subsequent to the tire reaching a predetermined temperature causing the MTMS to go into the latched state.

8. An electronic tag including a transponder and a micro-mechanical temperature memory switch (MTMS) having an unlatched state and a latched state, wherein the transponder includes a logic circuit, the electronic tag including first apparatus for providing a first direct current (D.C.) signal, the electronic tag characterized by:

second apparatus for providing a second D.C. signal;

an electronic switching circuit for receiving the first and second D.C. signals; and

the electronic switching circuit connected for normally applying the first D.C signal to the logic circuit and for diverting the first D.C. signal therefrom to the MTMS for resetting the MTMS in response to receiving the second D.C. signal.

9. The electronic tag according to claim 8 including the electronic switching circuit operable in response to receiving the second D.C. signal to divert the first D.C. signal from energization of the logic circuit to energization of the MTMS for causing the MTMS to reset from the latched state thereof to the unlatched state thereof.

10. The electronic tag according to claim 8, wherein the first D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a first radio frequency (RF) antenna for providing a first RF signal, the transponder including a first RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the first RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying the first RF signal for providing the first D.C. signal.

11. The electronic tag according to claim 8 wherein the second D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a second radio frequency (RF) antenna for providing a second RF signal, the transponder including a second RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the second RF antenna for receiving therefrom and rectifying the second RF signal for providing the second D.C. signal.

12. The electronic tag according to claim 8, wherein the second D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a second radio frequency (RF) antenna tuned to a predetermined radio frequency.

13. The electronic tag according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined frequency is in an ISM equipment frequency band.

14. The electronic tag according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined frequency is within the range of from 13.553 to 13.567 megahertz.

15. The electronic tag according to claim 12, wherein the second D.C. signal providing apparatus includes a second RF rectifier circuit electrically connected to the second RF antenna for receiving the second RF signal and providing the second D.C. signal.

16. The electronic tag according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined frequency is within the range of from 13.553 to 13.567 megahertz.