Tire pressure characterization method and key fob

• US 7,215,243 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Rimkus, Robert A, Walenty, Allen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lau; Hoi C.
• Application Number:
  US10/939,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 340443-449, 731/46, 731/462, 731/465, 116/42.R, 116/34.A, 116/34.B, 116/34.R
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• 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 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/36 With pressure-responsive pressure-control means

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing a tire pressure characterization in a vehicle having a motor and an ignition for starting the motor, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a tire pressure characterization sequence by placing the ignition in a first position in which the motor of the vehicle is not running and simultaneously depressing the odometer reset button;

measuring the air pressure in a left front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left front tire when the air pressure in the left front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a right front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right front tire when the air pressure in the right front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a left rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left rear tire when the air pressure in the left rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a right rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right rear tire when the air pressure in the right rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

testing whether flag marker approvals exist for all four tires; and

authorizing a characterization when all four tires have flag marker approvals.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of determining engine status.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an audible feedback when the tire pressure characterization sequence is initiated.

2. A method for authorizing a tire pressure characterization of a vehicle comprising the steps of:

measuring the air pressure in a left front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left front tire when the air pressure in the left front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a right front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right front tire when the air pressure in the right front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a left rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left rear tire when the air pressure in the left rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

measuring the air pressure in a right rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;

setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right rear tire when the air pressure in the right rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;

testing whether flag marker approvals exist for all four tires;

authorizing a characterization when all four tires have approved flag markers; and

after each of the measuring steps, transmitting tire pressure to a remote function actuator and resetting a timer when, upon a subsequent measurement of air pressure, a transmission to the actuator of a change in pressure of greater than 1 PSI occurs.

4. The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of initiating a tire pressure verification mode by simultaneously depressing two keys on a key fob.