US 5,825,286 AGranted

Vehicular data collection and transmission system and method

AssigneeSemisystems, Inc.

InventorJohn J. Coulthard

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Abstract

Selected vehicle operational parameters such as tire pressure, wheel temperature and vibration are sensed by sensors mounted on wheel modules secured to the individual vehicle wheels. The sensed parameters are converted to digital format and the resulting digital data is manipulated to determine if the data falls within predetermined operating ranges. The data and information resulting from the manipulation are used to modulate an RF signal transmitted to another location on the vehicle. Additional parameters are sensed at the second location, and calculations are performed on the data received from the wheel modules and the data sensed at the second location to display operational, efficiency and safety information to the vehicle operator and to make such information available to others such as vehicle owners and maintenance personnel.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A vehicle data collection system comprising:

(a) wheel module means mounted on a vehicle wheel inside a tire mounted on said wheel including;
i. a plurality of sensors each sensing a different vehicle operating parameter to provide an analog data signal representing said parameter;
ii. means for digitizing said data signals;
iii. microprocessing means connected to receive said digitized data signals and to encode such signals for transmission;
said microprocessor responsive to the receipt of digitized data signals corresponding to a sensed parameter for;
1. averaging a plurality of successive digitized data signals corresponding to said sensed parameter and storing said average;
2. averaging a second plurality of successive digitized data signals corresponding to said sensed parameter and storing said average;
3. averaging said first and second stored averages;
4. comparing said first and second stored averages to detect any change in said sensed parameter;
5. scheduling transmission of said data at predetermined intervals;
6. reducing said predetermined interval if said change in said sensed parameter is greater than a predetermined percentage change;
iv. a transmitter connected to receive encoded signals from said microprocessor and to transmit said encoded signals;
(b) receiving means in said vehicle positioned remote from said wheel module for receiving said encoded data signals transmitted from said wheel modules;
(c) computer means, connected to said receiving means, for receiving said data signals;
and
(d) display means connected to said computer for displaying said data.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/692,117Filed 5 Aug 1996 · continuation in part
Priority: 8 May 1995
Granted: 20 Oct 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B60C 23/0408
Mounted on the wheel or tyre: transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
B60C 23/009
Devices specially adapted for special wheel arrangements: having wheels on a trailer
B60C 23/0433
Characterised by the type of signal transmission means: radio signals
B60C 23/0455
Wheel or tyre mounted circuits: transmission control of wireless signals