Tire parameter sensing system with signal relay device and associated method

A tire parameter sensing system for a vehicle having at least one tire, the tire parameter sensing system comprising:

• a tire-based unit associated with the at least one tire for sensing a parameter of the at least one tire and for transmitting a tire parameter signal indicative of the sensed parameter;
• a transceiver device located on the vehicle for receiving the tire parameter signal and for transmitting a relay signal indicative of the received tire parameter signal;
• a vehicle-based unit mounted on the vehicle in a location spaced away from the transceiver device, the vehicle-based unit adapted to receive both the tire parameter signal and the relay signal;
• and
• an indicator coupled to the vehicle-based unit for providing an indication of the sensed parameter of the at least one tire,
• the vehicle-based unit controlling the indicator in response to receiving at least one of the tire parameter signal and the relay signal;
• and
• wherein a time delay spaces the relay signal in time relative to the tire parameter signal.

A method of monitoring a parameter of at least one tire of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing the parameter of the at least one tire;
• transmitting a tire parameter signal indicative of the sensed parameter;
• receiving the tire parameter signal at a first location;
• transmitting a relay signal from the first location, the relay signal being indicative of the received tire parameter signal;
• monitoring at a second location for both the tire parameter signal and the relay signal;
• and
• displaying an indication of the sensed parameter in response to receiving at least one of the tire parameter signal and the relay signal at the second location.

A method of monitoring a parameter of at least one tire of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing the parameter of the at least one tire;
• transmitting a tire parameter signal indicative of the sensed parameter;
• receiving the tire parameter signal at a first location;
• transmitting a relay signal from the first location, the relay signal being indicative of the received tire parameter signal;
• monitoring at a second location for both the tire parameter signal and the relay signal;
• displaying an indication of the sensed parameter in response to receiving at least one of the tire parameter signal and the relay signal at the second location;
• and
• spacing the transmission of the relay signal from the receipt of the tire parameter signal at the first location by a time delay.