System and Method for In-Vehicle Communications

• US 20080129475A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental

Abstract

Method for in-vehicle communications during use of the vehicle, in which a first, data-processing component is arranged on the vehicle, at least one second component is arranged on a non-rotating part of the vehicle, each second component being a sensor arranged to measure a property of the vehicle or a component thereof or an actuator arranged to control a system, subsystem or other component of the vehicle, and the first and second components wirelessly communicate with one another. When the second component is a sensor, it wirelessly transmits data about the measured property and the first component receives the data wirelessly from the second component and processes the received data. When the first component is an actuator, it processes data relating to control of the second component and generates and wirelessly transmits signals to the second component to control the system, subsystem or other component of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining information about or relating to a vehicle or a vehicular component located within the vehicle, comprising:

arranging at least one sensor system in the vehicle or in connection with the component to generate information about or relating to the vehicle or component;

enabling the at least one sensor system to wirelessly transmit the generated information;

arranging an interrogator on the vehicle apart from the at least one sensor system; and

directing a transmission from the interrogator when information about or relating to the vehicle or component is desired such that if and when the at least one sensor system receives the transmission, it transmits generated information to the interrogator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the generated information at the interrogator.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing power to the at least one sensor system wirelessly via the interrogator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is a seat in the vehicle and the at least one sensor system includes a pressure sensor arranged in connection with the seat, the information being generated by the pressure sensor being information about pressure applied by an occupant to a bottom cushion of the seat.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system is a radio frequency identification type sensor or a surface acoustic wave type sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the at least one sensor system to transmit an identification signal associated therewith in conjunction with the transmission of the generated information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

arranging at least one additional sensor system in conjunction with at least one other component to generate information about or relating to that component;

enabling the at least one additional sensor system to wirelessly transmit the generated information;

directing a transmission from the interrogator when information about or relating to the vehicle or component is desired such that if and when the at least one additional sensor system receives the transmission, it transmits generated information to the interrogator; and

distinguishing between the information being transmitted by the sensor systems using time, code, space or frequency multiplexing.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor system is arranged in connection with a non-rotating component of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing transmissions from the interrogator at periodic intervals; and

varying the periodic intervals based on at least one of the type of sensor system, the component and the information generated by the sensor system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein information about or relating to a component is obtained, further comprising determining the location of the component based on analysis of the transmitted information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is a seat, further comprising:

controlling an occupant restraint system which is designed to protect an occupant of the seat in the event of a crash involving the vehicle based on the generated information.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

directing transmissions from the interrogator at periodic intervals; and

varying the periodic intervals based on occupancy of the seat.

13. A system for obtaining information about or relating to a vehicle or a vehicular component in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor system arranged in the vehicle or in connection with the component to generate information about or relating to the vehicle or component, each of said at least one sensor system including means for enabling wireless transmission of the generated information; and

an interrogator arranged on the vehicle apart from said at least one sensor system, said interrogator being arranged to transmit a signal into an area including said at least one sensor system such that if and when said at least one sensor system receives the transmission, it transmits generated information to said interrogator, the generated information being processed at said interrogator.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said interrogator is arranged to provide power to said at least one sensor system wirelessly.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the component is a seat in the vehicle and said at least one sensor system includes a pressure sensor arranged in connection with the seat, the information being generated by said pressure sensor being information about pressure applied by an occupant to a bottom cushion of the seat.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one sensor system is a radio frequency identification type sensor or a surface acoustic wave type sensor.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one sensor system is arranged to transmit an identification signal in conjunction with the transmission of the generated information.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one additional sensor system arranged in conjunction with at least one other component to generate information about or relating to that component, said at least one additional sensor system including means for enabling wireless transmission of the generated information;

said interrogator being arranged to direct a transmission to cause said at least one additional sensor system to transmit the generated information to said interrogator, the information being transmitted by said sensor systems being distinguished using time, code, space or frequency multiplexing.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said at least one sensor system is at least one of a pressure and temperature sensor system and the component is a tire.

20. A system for obtaining information about or relating to a vehicle or a vehicular component in a vehicle, comprising:

sensor means arranged in the vehicle or in connection with the component for generating information about or relating to the vehicle or component;

transmission means coupled to or integral with said sensor means for enabling wireless transmission of the generated information; and

interrogator means arranged on the vehicle apart from said at least one sensor system for transmitting a signal into an area including said sensor means such that if and when said sensor means receives the transmission, it transmits generated information to said interrogator means, the generated information being processed at said interrogator means.