Apparatus and method for remote sensing and receiving

• US 6,672,151 B1
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sentech Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sentech Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Campbell, Alan J., Schultz, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/051,967
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 731/465, 731/468, 731/181, 731/78.R, 737/06, 737/15--27, 737/14, 737/53, 737/56, 340/442-448
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/009 having wheels on a trailer
• 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 23/0423 Photo-electric, infrared or visible light means
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0496 Valve stem attachments positioned outside of the tyre chamber
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/086 for remote indication

Abstract

A sensing and displaying system is provided including a sensor unit having a transducer disposed in intimate contact with a vessel. The transducer senses a characteristic within the vessel like pressure and outputs an electrical signal representative thereof. The sensor unit further includes a response signal generator which transmits a signal representative of the characteristic. A receiver unit receives the transmitted signal and converts it to visual indicia of the characteristic, for example, a number on a liquid crystal display. The system is capable of two-way communication between the sensor unit and the receiver unit. Both the sensor unit and receiver unit store transmitted data in internal memory.

Claims

1. A sensor and display system comprising:

a sensor unit coupled to a vessel and receptive to a command signal, the sensor unit sensing a parameter of the vessel and generating a response signal indicative of the parameter in response to receiving the command signal; and

a display unit in remote communication with the sensor unit and being operable for selectively transmitting the command signal to the sensor unit, for receiving from the sensor unit the response signal indicative of the parameter, and for displaying information relating to the parameter.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vessel is a tire.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.

4. A sensor and display system comprising:

a sensor unit coupled to a vessel and receptive to a command signal, the sensor unit sensing a parameter of the vessel and generating a response signal indicative of the parameter in response to receiving the command signal; and

a transmitting and receiving unit in remote communication with the sensor unit and being operable for selectively transmitting the command signal to the sensor unit, for receiving from the sensor unit the response signal indicative of the parameter, and for enabling the display of information relating to the parameter.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the vessel is a tire.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.

7. A sensor and display system comprising:

a sensor unit coupled to a vessel and receptive to a command signal, the sensor unit sensing a parameter of the vessel and generating a response signal indicative of the parameter in response to receiving the command signal; and

a display unit in remote communication with the sensor unit and being operable for transmitting the command signal to the sensor unit in response to an indication from a user for a sensor reading, for receiving from the sensor unit the response signal indicative of the parameter, and for displaying information relating to the parameter.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the vessel is a tire.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.

10. A sensor and display system comprising:

a sensor unit coupled to a vessel and receptive to a command signal, the sensor unit sensing a parameter of the vessel and generating a response signal indicative of the parameter in response to receiving the command signal; and

a transmitting and receiving unit in remote communication with the sensor unit and being operable for selectively transmitting the command signal to the sensor unit in response to an indication from a user for a sensor reading, for receiving from the sensor unit the response signal indicative of the parameter, and for processing information conveyed in the response signal.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the vessel is a tire.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit enables information related to the parameter to be displayed.

14. In a system comprising a sensor unit operatively coupled to a vessel and in remote communication with a receiving unit, a method for obtaining information related to a parameter of a vessel, the method comprising:

receiving at the receiving unit an indication from a user to activate the sensor unit;

remotely activating the sensor unit in response to receiving the indication;

obtaining information related to the parameter with the sensor unit;

sending a signal indicative of the parameter from the sensor unit to the receiving unit; and

receiving the signal at the receiving unit.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the vessel is a tire.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.

17. A method of receiving and displaying information in a display unit, wherein the information is conveyed in a signal transmitted from a sensor unit physically separate from the display unit, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication from the user to activate the sensor unit;

in response to receiving the indication from the user, remotely activating the sensor unit;

remotely receiving the signal from the activated sensor unit;

conditioning the signal for display; and

displaying information conveyed in the signal.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the vessel is a tire.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the vessel is a fire extinguisher.