Method and system for calibrating a tire pressure sensing system for an automotive vehicle

• US 6,745,624 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas Lee, Tenbusch, John, Rust, John LeBeau, McQuade, Thomas Michael, Porter, Frederick James
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US09/683,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20030145645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 731/462, 731/46, 73/15.9, 731/464, 731/465, 702/98, 340/870.04, 340/870.07, 340/870.16, 340/445, 340/447, 340/448
• US Class Current: 73/146.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A pressure monitoring system for a tire of an automotive vehicle comprising:

a first pressure sensor coupled to said wheel;

an EM pressure transmitter coupled to said pressure sensor, said transmitter having calibration information associated therewith;

an EM calibration device having a transmitting range, said EM calibration device having an actuator therein, said actuator when actuated generating an EM calibration signal within said transmitting range;

wherein said calibration signal causing said EM pressure transmitter to EM transmit said calibration information,

a controller EM coupled to said pressure transmitter, said controller receiving said calibration information and associating said calibration information with a tire location relative to said vehicle.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting range is less than three feet.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said EM calibration device is hand-held.

4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said EM calibration device is incorporated into a remote keyless entry device.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a receiver coupled to said controller for receiving said calibration signal.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a memory, said controller storing said calibration information in said memory.

7. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an EM pressure receiver for receiving said calibration signal.