Tire data collection and communication device, multi-purpose handheld data collection and communication tool, and method for communicating tire data between a vehicle tire and a remote computing device

A direct tire data collection and communication device adapted for use in combination with a pneumatic vehicle tire, said device comprising:

• a tire-mounted electronics module comprising a microcontroller, and at least one tire property sensor in electronic communication with said microcontroller and capable of measuring at least one operational property of the vehicle tire;
• means for comparing the measured operational tire property to a predetermined threshold value, said threshold value defining a positive tire safety condition and a negative tire safety condition;
• means for calculating accumulated travel data of the vehicle tire while in the negative tire safety condition;
• and
• means for transmitting said travel data to an electronic remote terminal.