US 5,463,374 A · Method and apparatus for tire pressure monitoring and for shared keyless entry control

Abstract

Vehicle tires each contain a sender including a microprocessor, a radio transmitter, a pressure detector and a magnetic switch for sending a radio signals indicating sender ID, pressure data and change of switch state. An on-board receiver unit having a microprocessor evaluates the transmitted data and displays pressure condition information. A portable magnet is placed near each tire, in turn, to operate the magnetic switches, resulting in a sequential transmission of sender ID codes which allows the receiver unit to learn the tire position of each sender. An inertia switch in the tire triggers a radio transmission and the receiver unit considers the absence of a transmission when expected as a failure and displays a service needed message. A remote portable sender transmits signals for door unlocking or locking, trunk opening and interior light control. The receiver unit responds to the signals and issues commands to appropriate actuators.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A vehicle remote function actuator system having a single on-board radio receiver, comprising

at least one remote tire transmitter for transmitting radio frequency tire condition data;
at least one remote vehicle function transmitter for transmitting radio frequency vehicle function data;
a radio receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving data from said remote tire transmitter and said remote vehicle function transmitter;
a controller having a pressure detector for providing pressure condition data to said remote tire transmitter and causing said remote tire transmitter to transmit the pressure condition data to said receiver;
the remote transmitters all having the same data format but distinctive codes for tire transmitters and vehicle function transmitters;
a processor connected to the receiver and coupled to a display device and to a vehicle function device for responding to the transmitted data;
and
the processor being programmed to effect display of pressure condition data on said display device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for tire transmitters, and to activate said vehicle function device when a transmitted data contains a distinctive code for the vehicle function transmitters.

5 more elements

In an automotive vehicle having a plurality of tires each equipped with a pressure sensor and a pressure data message transmitter, a visible display for pressure condition information, a keyless entry system including door operating apparatus and remote keyless entry command transmitters, and a receiver on the vehicle for receiving messages and commands from the transmitters and a processor coupled to the receiver, the display and the door operating apparatus for interpreting and executing the messages and commands, a method of operation comprising the steps of:

detecting a tire pressure condition in at least one tire and formulating tire pressure data;
transmitting a tire pressure signal including tire pressure data along with a code peculiar to said pressure data message transmitter;
transmitting an entry signal including a door operation command along with a code peculiar to said keyless entry command transmitters;
receiving the tire pressure and entry signals;
determining from the code for each received signal whether such signal contains tire pressure data or a door operation command;
displaying tire pressure information for received signals containing tire pressure data;
and
executing door operation commands for received signals containing door operation commands.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for tire pressure monitoring and for shared keyless entry control

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for tire pressure monitoring and for shared keyless entry control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7