Vehicle tag reader

• US 7,015,802 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Forster, Ian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US10/214,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20040027241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/505, 340445-447, 340/442, 116 34 R- 34 B, 152/152.1, 731/465, 731/46
• US Class Current: 340/445
• 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 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/66 using electric or magnetic means G01P3/80 takes precedence; measuring short time intervals G04F8/00, G04F10/00

Abstract

A remote communication device, such as a radio frequency type device, that receives temperature indicia concerning a container and/or its contents and communicates such temperature indicia along with an identification indicia to a reader. The remote communication device can measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container in a periodic manner. The remote communication device can also measure and communicate temperature indicia associated with a container when such temperature indicia exceed a certain minimum or maximum threshold temperature. The remote communication device can also include power circuitry to store energy when energized in the range of an interrogation reader so that the remote communication device can be powered for temperature indicia measurements when not in the range of an interrogation reader. The temperature associated with the container and/or its contents may be determined by various techniques including thermal contact between the temperature sensor and the container, measuring the discharge rate in a discharge capacitor associated with the remote communication device, and determining the frequency of maximum energy absorption of the remote communication device to correlate it to temperature.

Claims

1. A method of interrogating a transponder mounted on a vehicle tire with an interrogator associated with the vehicle, comprising:

determining a circumferential location of the transponder on the vehicle tire;

interrogating the transponder in a window when the transponder moves in an arc proximate the interrogator; and

not interrogating the transponder when the transponder is expected to be outside the window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a circumferential location of the transponder comprises determining the circumferential location empirically.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining a circumferential location of the transponder comprises determining the circumferential location with reference to a vehicle controller.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein interrogating the transponder comprises interrogating the transponder with an antenna positioned in a wheel well associated with the vehicle tire.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein interrogating the transponder comprises demodulating a signal from the transponder with a demodulator.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein demodulating a signal from the transponder comprises demodulating the signal with a demodulator proximate an antenna.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein demodulating a signal from the transponder comprises demodulating the signal with a demodulator remote from an antenna.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising processing a baseband signal after demodulation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein processing a baseband signal after demodulation comprises processing a baseband signal at a location remote from the demodulator.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein processing a baseband signal after demodulation comprises processing a baseband signal at a location proximate the demodulator.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a tire condition relating to the vehicle tire.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising reporting the tire condition to the interrogator when interrogated.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing a tire condition comprises at least one of sensing a pressure within the vehicle tire, sensing a temperature of the vehicle tire, sensing humidity in relation to the vehicle tire, and sensing a tread of the vehicle tire.

14. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a tire condition sensor adapted to sense a tire condition relating to a vehicle tire;

a transponder associated with said tire condition sensor;

an interrogator; and

a control system adapted to

determine a circumferential location of said transponder on the vehicle tire;

interrogate, through said interrogator, the transponder in a window when the transponder moves in an arc proximate said interrogator; and

not interrogate said transponder when said transponder is expected to be outside the window.

15. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein said interrogator comprises an antenna, a demodulator, and a baseband processor.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein said demodulator is adapted to be positioned in a wheel well.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein said baseband processor is adapted to be positioned in a wheel well.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein said demodulator is adapted to be positioned remotely from a wheel well.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein said baseband processor is adapted to be positioned remotely from a wheel well.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein said transponder is adapted to operate in at least two modes depending on the presence or absence of a predetermined type of electromagnetic field.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein said tire condition sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor and tread sensor.