Wireless sensing system

• US 7,551,070 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Talty, Timothy J., MacDonald, Andrew J., Alrabady, Ansaf I., Ames, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu; Shirley
• Application Number:
  US11/468,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20070052519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/10.6, 340/5.92, 340/447, 340/691.6, 455/523
• 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 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0461 externally triggered, e.g. by wireless request signal, magnet or manual switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0464 to avoid signal interference
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2072 with means for preventing jamming or interference of a remote switch control signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles

Abstract

A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a plurality of energizers within the predefined area for transmitting radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors, and at least one reader within the predefined area physically independent from the energizers for receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors wherein the number of energizers exceeds the number of readers. The method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle includes providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within the vehicle, providing a plurality of energizers and at least one reader within the vehicle wherein the number of readers is less than the number of energizers, transmitting radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors from the plurality of energizers, and receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors with the at least one reader.

Claims

1. Wireless sensing system for a vehicle comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within the vehicle;

a plurality of energizers within the vehicle for transmitting radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors; and

at least one reader within the vehicle physically independent from the energizers for receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors;

wherein the number of energizers exceeds the number of readers; and

wherein at least one of the energizers has a radiation pattern that is attenuated orthogonal to a centerline of the vehicle.

2. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the energizers is located adjacent a boundary of the vehicle and has a radiation pattern that is attenuated in directions external to the vehicle.

3. The wireless sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said radiation pattern is dual-lobed.

4. Method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle, comprising:

providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within the vehicle;

providing a plurality of energizers and at least one reader within the vehicle wherein the number of readers is less than the number of energizers;

transmitting radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors from the plurality of energizers; and

,

receiving radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency sensors with said at least one reader;

wherein transmitting radio frequency signals includes attenuating transmissions from at least one energizer in directions orthogonal to a centerline of said vehicle.

5. The method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

providing a plurality of energizers and at least one reader within the vehicle includes locating at least one energizer adjacent a boundary of the vehicle; and

transmitting radio frequency signals includes attenuating transmissions from said at least one energizer that is located adjacent a boundary of the vehicle in directions external to the vehicle.

6. The method for wireless sensor interrogation within a vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

transmitting radio frequency signals includes transmitting radio frequency signals in a dual-lobed pattern.