Method and apparatus for determining correct tire pressure inflation during adjustment
First Claim
1. A method for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing a pressure of the tire;
calculating whether the sensed tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range wherein the step of calculating comprises;
determining a difference between a stored pressure and the tire pressure and comparing the determined difference to a predetermined pressure difference; and
providing one of a first combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, a second combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is within the predetermined pressure range, and a third combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different from one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, wherein the tire is coupled to a tire pressure monitoring system including a sensor coupled to a transmitter, the sensor configured to sense tire pressure and the transmitter configured to transmit the sensed tire pressure to a receiver. First, a first tire pressure is sensed. Then, a calculation is made as to whether the sensed first tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure threshold, equal to the predetermined pressure threshold, or less than the predetermined pressure threshold. Next, an indication is provided external to the vehicle that the sensed first tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a pressure of the tire; calculating whether the sensed tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range wherein the step of calculating comprises; determining a difference between a stored pressure and the tire pressure and comparing the determined difference to a predetermined pressure difference; and providing one of a first combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, a second combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is within the predetermined pressure range, and a third combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the tire pressure is less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different from one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a first pressure of the tire during a first predetermined time interval; measuring a second pressure of the tire during a second predetermined time interval having a duration that is substantially equal to the first predetermined time interval; determining a pressure change between the first and second tire pressures and detecting whether a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed threshold; if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed threshold and the pressure change is greater than a predetermined change threshold, automatically sensing a third pressure of the tire during a third predetermined time interval, wherein the third predetermined time interval is shorter in duration than the first predetermined time interval; calculating whether the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range; and providing one of a first combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, a second combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is within to the predetermined pressure range, and a third combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A tire pressure monitor system for a vehicle having a plurality of tires each mounted on a wheel at one of a plurality of locations relating to the vehicle, the tire pressure monitor system comprising:
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a plurality of tire pressure detectors each coupled to one of the plurality of wheels, each tire pressure detector further comprising; a transmitter; and a pressure sensor coupled to the transmitter and configured to detect changes in the pressure in the one tire mounted on the wheel; a receiver in communication with each of the tire pressure detectors of the plurality of tire pressure detectors and configured to receive the detected pressure changes; a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor is configured to; measure a first tire pressure during a first predetermined time interval and measure a second tire pressure during a second predetermined time interval that is substantially equal in duration to the first predetermined time interval; calculate a pressure change between the first and the second tire pressures and detect whether a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed threshold; if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed threshold and if the pressure change is greater than the predetermined change threshold, sense a third tire pressure during a third predetermined time interval, wherein the third predetermined time interval is smaller than the first predetermined time interval; determine whether the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range; and cause one of a first audible and visual indications external to the vehicle to indicate that the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, a second audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the third tire pressure within to the predetermined pressure range, and a third audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the third tire pressure less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification