Data logging tire monitor with condition predictive capabilities and integrity checking

A method of monitoring the condition of a non-rotating pneumatic tire for use with a monitoring system having a transmitter device including a power supply, a condition sensor, a microcontroller and a radio signal generating circuit, and a receiving device for receiving radio signals, the method comprising the steps of:

• disposing the transmitter device within the pneumatic tire;
• placing a hand-held external electromagnetic signal generating device inclose proximity to said tire while maintaining said tire in a non-rotating state;
• sensing application of said external electromagnetic signal generated inclose proximity to said tire;
• enabling a microcontroller by connection of the microcontroller to the power supply through a first switch responsive to said sensed external signal;
• sensing said pneumatic tire condition with said condition sensor;
• controlling the radio signal generating circuit with the enabled microcontroller to generate a radio signal representative of said sensed pneumatic tire condition;
• and
• receiving the generated radio signal with the receiver device,
• wherein said step of enabling said microcontroller by connection of the microcontroller to the power supply through said first switch responsive to said sensed external electromagnetic signal further includes the steps of;
• amplifying said sensed external electromagnetic signal to form an amplified first command signal for immediate and direct use by said first switch;
• operating said first switch exclusively in a presence of said first command signal;
• providing a buffering circuit in said first switch, the buffering circuit having a characteristic time constant;
• connecting said microcontroller to the power supply through said first switch responsive to i) said first command signal and ii) said buffering circuit being in a first state;
• and
• maintaining said microcontroller connected to said power supply while said buffering circuit remains in said first state for at least a time period corresponding to said buffering circuit characteristic time constant.

A method of monitoring the condition of a non-rotating pneumatic tire for use with a monitoring system having a transmitter device including a power supply, a condition sensor, a microcontroller and a radio signal generating circuit, and a receiving device for receiving radio signals, the method comprising the steps of:

• disposing the transmitter device within the pneumatic tire;
• placing a hand-held external electromagnetic signal generating device inclose proximity to said tire while maintaining said tire in a non-rotating state;
• sensing application of said external electromagnetic signal generated inclose proximity to said tire;
• enabling a microcontroller by connection of the microcontroller to the power supply through a first switch responsive to said sensed external signal;
• sensing said pneumatic tire condition with said condition sensor;
• controlling the radio signal generating circuit with the enabled microcontroller to generate a radio signal representative of said sensed pneumatic tire condition;
• and
• receiving the generated radio signal with the receiver device,
• wherein said step of enabling said microcontroller by connection of the microcontroller to the power supply through said first switch responsive to said sensed external electromagnetic signal further includes the steps of;
• providing a buffering circuit in said first switch, the buffering circuit having a characteristic time constant;
• connecting said microcontroller to the power supply through said first switch responsive to i) a first command signal and ii) said buffering circuit being in a first state;
• and
• maintaining said microcontroller connected to said power supply while said buffering circuit remains in said first state for at least a time period corresponding to said buffering circuit characteristic time constant.