Method for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system

A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:

• (a) at each tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic;
• (b) transmitting a data word in response to the data;
• (c) after a time delay, transmitting a next data word;
• and
• (d) repeating acts (b) and (c) for a predetermined number of data words, the time delay for each respective data word being defined according to a local copy of a repeating pattern common to the plurality of tires, the local copy being preassigned to the each tire so that transmission at each tire begins at a different location in the repeating pattern.

A method for interference-free communication of data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system including a plurality of transmitters associated with tires of a vehicle and a receiver in radio communication with the plurality of transmitters, the method comprising the acts of:

• (a) at each respective transmitter, establishing a respective repeating pattern of data elements, the respective repeating pattern being a unique version of a code which is common to each transmitter by having a different starting point of said code so that each transmitter has a unique transmission code;
• (b) collecting respective data representative of a tire characteristic of an associated tire;
• (c) transmitting respective first data words in response to the respective data;
• (d) at each transmitter, determining a respective first delay time using a respective first data element of the respective repeating pattern;
• (e) at each transmitter,
• (e1) waiting the respective first delay time,
• (e2) transmitting respective next data words,
• (e3) determining a respective next delay time using a respective next data element of the repeating pattern,
• (e4) repeating acts (e1), (e2) and (e3) until a predetermined number of data words has been transmitted;
• and
• (f) at the receiver, receiving without interference at least some data words and next data words from each of the plurality of transmitters.

A transmitter for use in a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle having a plurality of tires, the transmitter comprising:

• a sensor for detecting an operating condition of a tire associated with the transmitter and producing an indication;
• and
• a controller coupled to the sensor and including:
• a data receiving circuit configured to receive the indication, and
• a control circuit which formats data words for communication to a remote receiver during a plurality of time windows having timing defined by a preassigned, respective different starting point of a predetermined, multiple-valued code common to the plurality of tires of the vehicle to form a unique code for the respective tire.

A method for communicating data in a remote tire pressure monitor system, the system including a plurality of transmitters associated with tires of a vehicle and a receiver configured to receive information from the plurality of transmitters, the method comprising the acts of:

• at each respective transmitter, collecting data representative of a characteristic of a tire associated with the transmitter at a data collection time;
• waiting a respective variable delay time which is defined by a respective phase of a code which is common to the plurality of transmitters, the respective phase having been preassigned to the respective transmitter, so that the respective variable delay time is different from respective variable delay times at other transmitters of the plurality of transmitters by having different starting point of said code for each respective tire;
• and
• transmitting respective data words in response to the data after the respective variable delay time has elapsed to reduce clashing of data words at the receiver.

A method for transmitting data in a remote tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising the acts of:

• (a) at each respective tire of a plurality of tires of a vehicle, collecting data representative of a tire characteristic;
• (b) transmitting a respective data word based on the data;
• (c) determining a respective time delay as a product of a time unit and a selected element of a preassigned, respective repeating pattern which is based on a pattern common to the plurality of tires, the selected element defining a different respective local-starting point of the repeating pattern for each respective tire;
• (d) after the time delay, transmitting a respective next data word;
• and
• (e) repeating (c) and (d) for a predetermined number of data words, the respective time delay for each respective data word being defined according to a sequentially selected element of the preassigned, respective repeating pattern.