# US 11,027,582 B2 · Method to lock TPMS sensor protocol pressure definition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,582 B2 - Document ID: US11027582B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/579,953 - Filed: 2019-09-24 - Published: 2020-07-02 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-27 - Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew D. McIntyre; Brian Farrell; Yasser Gad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027582B2 ## CPC - B60C 23/0474: {Measurement control, e.g. setting measurement rate or calibrating of sensors; Further processing of measured values, e.g. filtering, compensating or slope monitoring} - B60C 23/002: {by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation} - B60C 23/0442: {the transmitted signal comprises further information, e.g. instruction codes, sensor characteristics or identification data} - B60C 23/0477: {Evaluating waveform of pressure readings} - G01L 17/00: Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract An apparatus and method is provided that includes measuring a tire pressure for at least one tire with at least one tire pressure sensor. The tire pressure sensor has at least a first resolution for transmitting pressure information and a second resolution for transmitting pressure information that is higher than the first resolution. If a measured tire pressure is determined to be above a predetermined pressure threshold, the apparatus and method identify whether the tire pressure sensor has experienced at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic, and/or identify whether the tire pressure sensor has been activated by a command. The tire pressure sensor is only locked into the second resolution if the tire pressure sensor has experienced the at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic or if the tire pressure sensor has been activated by the command. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: measuring a tire pressure for at least one tire with at least one tire pressure sensor, wherein the tire pressure sensor has at least a first resolution for transmitting pressure information and a second resolution for transmitting pressure information that is higher than the first resolution; determining if a measured tire pressure is above a predetermined pressure threshold; identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has experienced at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic, and/or identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has been activated by a command; and only locking the tire pressure sensor into the second resolution if the tire pressure sensor has experienced the at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic or if the tire pressure sensor has been activated by the command. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein setting a sensor resolution for transmitting pressure information is based on a type of vehicle, and wherein the first resolution is for a light-duty vehicle and the second resolution is for a heavy-duty vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein a tire pressure for a light-duty vehicle is 50 psi or less and a tire pressure for a heavy-duty vehicle is greater than 50 psi. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first resolution is a first psi per bit and the second resolution is a second psi per bit that is greater than the first psi per bit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has experienced at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic includes: identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has exceeded a predetermined vehicle speed, and/or identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has been in motion on a vehicle for a certain period of time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has been in motion on a vehicle for a certain period of time includes determining whether the vehicle has been operating above a predetermined speed for a predetermined amount of time and/or determining whether the sensor has been rotating above a predetermined wheel rotational speed for a predetermined amount of time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the command comprises a LF trigger command that is communicated to the tire pressure sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the LF trigger command is configured to be emitted by a tool in response to a user action. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, including automatically setting the tire pressure sensor at the first resolution and only resetting the tire pressure sensor to the second resolution if: a measured tire pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold, and the tire pressure sensor has experienced the at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic and/or if the tire pressure sensor has been activated by the command. ### Claim 10 An apparatus comprising: at least one tire pressure sensor that measures a tire pressure for at least one tire, wherein the tire pressure sensor has at least a first resolution for transmitting pressure information and a second resolution for transmitting pressure information that is higher than the first resolution; and a control configured to determine if a measured tire pressure is above a predetermined pressure threshold, identify whether the tire pressure sensor has experienced at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic, and/or identify whether the tire pressure sensor has been activated by a command, and only lock the tire pressure sensor into the second resolution if the tire pressure sensor has experienced the at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic or if the tire pressure sensor has been activated by the command. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control is configured to set a sensor resolution for transmitting pressure information based on a type of vehicle, and wherein the first resolution is for a light-duty vehicle and the second resolution is for a heavy-duty vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a tire pressure for a light-duty vehicle is 50 psi or less and a tire pressure for a heavy-duty vehicle is greater than 50 psi. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first resolution is a first psi per bit and the second resolution is a second psi per bit that is greater than the first psi per bit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control identifies whether the tire pressure sensor has experienced at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic by: identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has exceeded a predetermined vehicle speed, and/or identifying whether the tire pressure sensor has been in motion on a vehicle for a certain period of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control identifies whether the tire pressure sensor has been in motion on a vehicle for a certain period of time by determining whether the vehicle has been operating above a predetermined speed for a predetermined amount of time, and/or by determining whether the sensor has been rotating above a predetermined wheel rotational speed for a predetermined amount of time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the command comprises a LF trigger command that is communicated to the tire pressure sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the LF trigger command is configured to be emitted by a tool in response to a user action. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control automatically sets the tire pressure sensor at the first resolution and only resets the tire pressure sensor to the second resolution if: a measured tire pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold, and the tire pressure sensor has experienced the at least one predetermined vehicle operating characteristic and/or if the tire pressure sensor has been activated by the command.