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US 8,009,027 B2Granted
Contactless sensor systems and methods
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsMichael A. Thomas, Peter Knittl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tire monitoring system and associated method is disclosed. The tire monitoring system includes a plurality of tire sensor modules, employing contactless sensors, configured to transmit tire data at a predetermined time interval. The system also includes a central control unit that is configured to receive the tire data from the tire sensor modules, and is further configured with an external control unit that can communicate with the tire sensor modules, the central control units and outside sources.
Claims18
A tire monitoring system, comprising:
- at least one tire sensor module comprising one or more contactless sensors located within a tire and configured to acquire data from multiple, distinct locations on a surface of the tire and a sensor controller configured to analyze the acquired data and determine when one or more tire parameters are not within a predetermined range;
- a tire sensor module transceiver configured to transmit the acquired data and determinations, wherein the sensor controller is located inside the tire and is configured to transfer the acquired data and the determinations to the tire sensor module transceiver;
- and
- a tire sensor module antenna, wherein the tire sensor module transceiver and the tire sensor module antenna are configured to cooperatively operate to transmit the acquired data and the determinations wirelessly, and wherein an external control unit is configured to set predetermined time intervals at which the acquired data is transmitted by the at least one tire sensor module.
1 more element
A tire monitoring system, comprising:
- at least one tire sensor module comprising at least one contactless sensor, a tire sensor controller and a tire sensor module transceiver, wherein the at least one contactless sensor, the tire sensor controller and the tire sensor module transceiver are located within a tire, wherein the at least one contactless sensor is configured to acquire data associated with tire characteristics at different, distinct locations on a tire surface, wherein the tire sensor module transceiver is configured to receive the acquired data from the tire sensor controller and transmit the acquired data in a wireless fashion, and wherein an external control unit is configured to set predetermined time intervals at which the acquired data is transmitted by the tire sensor module transceiver.
A tire monitoring system that facilitates communication with an external control unit, comprising:
- at least one tire sensor module configured inside a tire and comprising at least one contactless sensor configured to acquire data at multiple, distinct, diverse locations, wherein the at least one tire sensor module is configured to communicate the acquired data with a central control unit resident on a vehicle and the external control unit, wherein the central control unit is configured to communicate the acquired data with the at least one tire sensor module and the external control unit utilizing a transceiver in a wireless fashion, and wherein the external control unit is configured to set predetermined time intervals at which the acquired data is transmitted by the central control unit, the at least one tire sensor module, or both.
A tire monitoring system that facilitates communication of tire data, comprising:
- a contactless sensor configured inside a tire, wherein the contactless sensor is configured to acquire tire data measurements at multiple, distinct, diverse positions on a tire surface;
- and
- a tire sensor module configured inside of the tire and configured to utilize the contactless sensor to obtain or transmit or both, the tire data measurements, wherein the tire sensor module is configured to transmit the tire data measurements to a central control unit, an external control unit, or both at predetermined time intervals which are set by the external control unit.
A method for measuring tire data, comprising:
- contactlessly acquiring tire data at multiple, distinct and diverse locations on a tire surface utilizing a tire sensor monitor comprising a single tire sensor and a tire sensor controller, wherein the tire sensor and a tire sensor controller are located within the tire;
- transmitting the tire data to a central control unit at predetermined time intervals which are set by an external control unit;
- analyzing the tire data;
- and
- selectively indicating a warning in response thereto.
2 more elements
A tire monitoring system, comprising:
- a single means for acquiring contactless sensor tire data at multiple, distinct, diverse tire data points on a tire surface and transmitting the tire data in a wireless fashion;
- and
- a means for receiving the transmitted tire pressure data and determining whether a tire meets a predetermined specification, wherein the means for determining whether the tire meets the predetermined specification comprises a sensor controller and a sensor both located within a tire, and wherein an external control unit is configured to set predetermined time intervals at which the tire data points are transmitted.
A tire monitoring system, comprising:
- a contactless sensor configured to acquire data from multiple, distinct, diverse locations on a surface of a tire;
- a sensor controller configured to analyze the data and determine when one or more tire parameters are not within a predetermined range;
- a sensor module transceiver for transmitting the acquired data, wherein the contactless sensor, the sensor controller, and the sensor module transceiver are located inside the tire, and wherein an external control unit is configured to set predetermined time intervals at which the acquired data is transmitted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.