Handheld tire sensor communication device

• US 7,250,852 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curtis Kell
• Original Assignee: Curtis Kell
• Inventors: Kell, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US11/042,657
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/447
• 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

Abstract

A device for interrogating at least one data sensor positioned at least one of within a vehicle tire and adjacent to a vehicle tire. The device includes a housing, remotely located from the at least one data sensor having a processor positioned therein. Means for sending and receiving at least one data signal for receipt by said sensor is connected to the processor. A least one input button is connected to the processor for activation thereof. A display is connected to the processor for displaying data thereon. The sensor generates, in response to the at least one data signal, a response signal having data corresponding to at least one of a sensed and a stored data value and the response signal is received by the sending and receiving means for display on the display.

Claims

1. A device for interrogating a data sensor positioned within each tire of a vehicle comprising:

a) A handheld wand remotely located from each said data sensor;

b) Said wand comprising a remote housing and a handle housing, said handle housing containing a processor and having a keypad and a display for displaying a data signal received from a sensor, said remote housing containing a transceiver for sending an initiating signal to activate said sensor and receive data signal sent by said sensor, and an extension tube connecting said remote housing to said handle housing, whereby said keypad provides instructions to said transceiver in said remote housing, and whereby said extension tube allows a user to plaice said remote housing adjacent said sensor within said tire;

c) Said keypad having an input button connected to said processor for activation of said transceiver to send said initiating signal to said sensor;

d) Said display connected to said processor for displaying data thereon;

wherein said sensor generates, in response to said initiating signal, the data signal having data corresponding to at least one of a sensed and a stored data value, said data signal received by said wand for display on said display;

e) Each said sensor being programmed with a unique ID number for a particular tire and positional data corresponding to a position of said tire on the vehicle;

f) Said processor having a record of the tire in which each sensor is located; and

g) Said keypad having a plurality of input buttons for re-associating the unique ID number with correct positional data in each said sensor when said tire rotated into a new position on said vehicle and a button for each wheel on the vehicle for displaying data obtained for a particular tire, whereby the processor is reprogrammed when said remote housing is placed adjacent a wheel which has been moved to a different location on said vehicle and an additional button on said keypad corresponding to a different position is pressed.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating signal is at least one of a request and an instruction signal.

3. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein request signal includes request data for requesting said at least one of sensed data and stored data.

4. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said instruction signal includes data for replacing said stored data with a new data value.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle housing includes a plurality of buttons each connected to and controlling the processor to operate a number of functions including the establishment of threshold pressure and temperature data values in the sensor for each of said tires.

6. The device as recited in claim 5, in which said buttons on said hand housing includes buttons for increasing and decreasing a value of a new threshold pressure value in a sensor.

7. The device as recited in claim 6, where said extension tube includes means for telescopically adjusting length of said tube.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, further comprising connection wires within said extension tube for connecting said remote housing to said handle housing.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein each sensor transmits said unique identification therewith.

10. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein each sensor transmits said positional data associated therewith.