Method and apparatus for determining correct tire pressure inflation during adjustment

The method of claim 17 further comprising:

• measuring the tire pressure at a first time instant;
• measuring a pressure of the tire at a second time instant after the first time instant;
• determining a differential between the second time instant tire pressure and the first time instant tire pressure;
• and
• measuring a third pressure of the tire at a third time instant, if the differential is greater than zero.

A method for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• measuring a first pressure of the tire during a first predetermined time interval;
• measuring a second pressure of the tire during a second predetermined time interval having a duration that is substantially equal to the first predetermined time interval;
• determining a pressure change between the first and second tire pressures and detecting whether a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed threshold;
• if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed threshold and the pressure change is greater than a predetermined change threshold, automatically sensing a third pressure of the tire during a third predetermined time interval, wherein the third predetermined time interval is shorter in duration than the first predetermined time interval;
• calculating whether the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range;
• and
• providing one of a first combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is rater than a predetermined pressure range, a second combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is within to the predetermined pressure range, and a third combination of audible and visual indications external to the vehicle if the third tire pressure is less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different.

A tire pressure monitor system for a vehicle having a plurality of tires each mounted on a wheel at one of a plurality of locations relating to the vehicle, the tire pressure monitor system comprising:

• a plurality of tire pressure detectors each coupled to one of the plurality of wheels, each tire pressure detector further comprising:
• a transmitter;
• and
• a pressure sensor coupled to the transmitter and configured to detect changes in the pressure in the one tire mounted on the wheel;
• a receiver in communication with each of the tire pressure detectors of the plurality of tire pressure detectors and configured to receive the detected pressure changes;
• a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor is configured to:
• measure a first tire pressure during a first predetermined time interval and measure a second tire pressure during a second predetermined time interval that is substantially equal in duration to the first predetermined time interval;
• calculate a pressure change between the first and the second tire pressures and detect whether a speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed threshold;
• if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed threshold and if the pressure change is greater than the predetermined change threshold, sense a third tire pressure during a third predetermined time interval, wherein the third predetermined time interval is smaller than the first predetermined time interval;
• determine whether the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range;
• and
• cause one of a first audible and visual indications external to the vehicle to indicate that the third tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, a second audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the third tire pressure within to the predetermined pressure range, and a third audible and visual indications external to the vehicle that the third tire pressure less than the predetermined pressure range, wherein each of the first, second, and third audible and visual indications are different.