Method for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system
First Claim
1. A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:
- at each tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic; and
at each respective tire, transmitting data words responsive to the data representative of the tire characteristic during a plurality of time windows, transmission timing of the plurality of timing windows being defined by a preassigned, respective different starting point of a predetermined, multiple-valued code common to the plurality of tires of the vehicle to form a unique code for the respective tire.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system (10) which includes a plurality of transmitters (12) associated with tires (T(1), T(2), T(3), and T(4)) of a vehicle (V) and a receiver (14) in radio communication with the plurality of transmitters. At each tire, data is collected (82), the data being representative of a tire characteristic, such as tire pressure. Data representative of the tire characteristic is transmitted (86). After a time delay (94, 96) next data are transmitted (98) until a predetermined number of data words have been transmitted. The time delay for each respective data word is defined according to a repeating pattern common to the plurality of tires so that data words are transmitted during a plurality of aperiodic time windows.
77 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:
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at each tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic; and
at each respective tire, transmitting data words responsive to the data representative of the tire characteristic during a plurality of time windows, transmission timing of the plurality of timing windows being defined by a preassigned, respective different starting point of a predetermined, multiple-valued code common to the plurality of tires of the vehicle to form a unique code for the respective tire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
at each tire, detecting a signal indicative of vehicle speed; and
when the signal exceeds a threshold, varying the update frequency, the threshold at each tire differing from the threshold at other respective tires.
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10. The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprise data indicative of air pressure of the tire.
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11. A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) at each tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic;
(b) transmitting a data word in response to the data;
(c) after a time delay, transmitting a next data word; and
(d) repeating acts (b) and (c) for a predetermined number of data words, the time delay for each respective data word being defined according to a local copy of a repeating pattern common to the plurality of tires, the local copy being preassigned to the each tire so that transmission at each tire begins at a different location in the repeating pattern. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
determining the time delay as a product of a time unit and a selected element of the local copy of the repeating pattern; and
for subsequent words, determining the time delay as a product of the time unit and a sequentially selected element of the local copy of the repeating pattern.
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14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the act of, at each tire, upon initiation of operation, selecting as a first selected element a different element of the local copy of the repeating pattern.
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15. A method for interference-free communication of data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system including a plurality of transmitters associated with tires of a vehicle and a receiver in radio communication with the plurality of transmitters, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) at each respective transmitter, establishing a respective repeating pattern of data elements, the respective repeating pattern being a unique version of a code which is common to each transmitter by having a different starting point of said code so that each transmitter has a unique transmission code;
(b) collecting respective data representative of a tire characteristic of an associated tire;
(c) transmitting respective first data words in response to the respective data;
(d) at each transmitter, determining a respective first delay time using a respective first data element of the respective repeating pattern;
(e) at each transmitter, (e1) waiting the respective first delay time, (e2) transmitting respective next data words, (e3) determining a respective next delay time using a respective next data element of the repeating pattern, (e4) repeating acts (e1), (e2) and (e3) until a predetermined number of data words has been transmitted; and
(f) at the receiver, receiving without interference at least some data words and next data words from each of the plurality of transmitters. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
selecting the respective first data element; and
producing the respective first delay time as a product of the respective first data element and a time unit.
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17. The method of claim 16 said act of wherein the determining the respective next delay time comprises the acts of:
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selecting the respective next data element; and
producing the respective next delay time as a product of the respective next data element and the time unit.
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18. A transmitter for use in a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle having a plurality of tires, the transmitter comprising:
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a sensor for detecting an operating condition of a tire associated with the transmitter and producing an indication; and
a controller coupled to the sensor and including;
a data receiving circuit configured to receive the indication, and a control circuit which formats data words for communication to a remote receiver during a plurality of time windows having timing defined by a preassigned, respective different starting point of a predetermined, multiple-valued code common to the plurality of tires of the vehicle to form a unique code for the respective tire. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitor system, the system including a plurality of transmitters associated with tires of a vehicle and a receiver configured to receive information from the plurality of transmitters, the method comprising the acts of:
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at each respective transmitter, collecting data representative of a characteristic of a tire associated with the transmitter at a data collection time;
waiting a respective variable delay time which is defined by a respective phase of a code which is common to the plurality of transmitters, the respective phase having been preassigned to the respective transmitter, so that the respective variable delay time is different from respective variable delay times at other transmitters of the plurality of transmitters by having different starting point of said code for each respective tire; and
transmitting respective data words in response to the data after the respective variable delay time has elapsed to reduce clashing of data words at the receiver.
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26. A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:
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(a) at each respective tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic;
(b) transmitting a respective data word based on the data;
(c) determining a respective time delay as a product of a time unit and a selected element of a preassigned, respective repeating pattern which is based on a pattern common to the plurality of tires, the selected element defining a different respective local-starting point of the repeating pattern for each respective tire;
(d) after the time delay, transmitting a respective next data word; and
(e) repeating (c) and (d) for a predetermined number of data words, the respective time delay for each respective data word being defined according to a sequentially selected element of the preassigned, respective repeating pattern.
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Specification