Position identification system and method

• US 8,188,848 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2011
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Lange, Thomas, LeMense, Thomas, Schuchter, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/102,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20110210840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.1, 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 340/426.33, 731/46, 731/462, 731/464, 731/465
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0416 allocating a corresponding wheel position on vehicle, e.g. front/left or rear/right
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0437 Means for detecting electromagnetic field changes not being part of the signal transmission per se, e.g. strength, direction, propagation or masking
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/044 Near field triggers, e.g. magnets or triggers with 125 KHz
• 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: B60C 23/045 Means for detecting electromagnetic field changes being not part of the signal transmission per se, e.g. strength, direction, propagation or masking

Abstract

A position identification system and method include a receiver configured to receive an initiation signal and attenuate the initiation signal until the initiation signal is within a first predetermined range of a reference signal. A controller identifies the position of the receiver in response to the attenuation.

Claims

1. A position identification system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an initiation signal and attenuate the initiation signal until the initiation signal is within a first predetermined range of a reference signal; and

a controller configured to identify the position of the receiver in response to the attenuation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to adjust the reference signal until the attenuated initiation signal is within a second predetermined range of the adjusted reference signal;

and the controller is configured to identify the position of the receiver in response to the amount of adjustment of the reference signal.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a tire;

wherein the receiver is mounted to the tire.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a vehicle;

wherein the tire is mounted to the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

a plurality of the tires are mounted to the vehicle,

a plurality of the sensor systems, and

each sensor system is mounted to a respective tire.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the receiver includes a resistor network that receives the initiation signal.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter configured to send the initiation signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

the initiation signal is a low frequency signal.

9. A method of determining position, comprising:

receiving an initiation signal by a receiver;

attenuating the received initiation signal until the initiation signal is within a first predetermined range of a reference signal; and

identifying the position of the receiver in response to the amount of attenuation of the initiation signal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the attenuated initiation signal is within the first predetermined range of the reference signal, adjusting the reference signal until the attenuated initiation signal is within a second predetermined range of the adjusted reference signal; and

identifying the position of the receiver in response to the amount of adjustment of the reference signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the reference signal is adjusted in predetermined increments; and

the position of the receiver is identified in response to the number of predetermined increments.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the initiation signal is received by a sensor mounted to a tire.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting the initiation signal from a transmitter mounted to a vehicle associated with the tire.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the initiation signal is received by a plurality of sensors mounted to a corresponding plurality of tires.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein:

transmitting the initiation signal includes transmitting a low frequency signal.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the initiation signal is attenuated in predetermined increments; and

the position of the receiver is identified in response to the number of predetermined increments.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein:

attenuating the initiation signal includes applying the initiation signal to a resistor network.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting the initiation signal from a transmitter.