A method for adjusting the periodicity of wireless communications between a tire pressure monitoring system for a motor vehicle and a smart device for a user of the vehicle in question is disclosed. On the basis of the position and any movement of the user's smart device in the environment of the vehicle, the periodicity of the alternation, by the different units of the system, of phases of transmission/polling of ultra high frequency signals with standby phases is modified.

A tire pressure monitoring system used for a vehicle includes a sensor unit, a receiving device, and a control device. The sensor unit is provided at each wheel of the vehicle, detects tire pressure of the each wheel with a tire pressure sensor and transmits data of the detected tire pressure by radio waves. The receiving device includes a receiving antenna that is provided at an outside of the vehicle to receive the data of the tire pressure transmitted from the sensor unit. The control device includes a data acquisition unit that acquires the data of the tire pressure received by the receiving device.

A wireless vehicle data communications device is adapted for mounting on a wheel hub assembly of a vehicle and incorporates a self-generating electrical power supply. The vehicle data communications device includes a housing, a microprocessor located inside the housing, a signal transmitting device, a signal receiving device, an electric generator, and an energy storage and supply medium. The housing is adapted to rotate simultaneously with the wheel hub assembly when the vehicle is in motion. Rotation of the housing relative to the components carrier induces an electric current.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for activation of tire pressure measurement systems. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle sensor, a tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) sensor, a communication module, a display, and a controller. The controller is to activate the TPMS sensor responsive to detecting, via the handle sensor, engagement of a handle and collect, via the communication module, a measurement from the TPMS sensor upon activation. The controller also is to present, via the display, a low-pressure alert in response to determining the measurement is less than a threshold.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes a transceiver operating in a sub-GHz frequency band configured to transmit and receive data from a RKE user terminal of the vehicle, a set of TPMS sensors and at least one remote control terminal located outside the vehicle; and an ECU connected to the transceiver and configured to: perform lock or unlock and engine start functions in responding to data from the RKE user terminal, receive tire pressure data from the TPMS sensors and control the remote control terminal in responding to a user action.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for localizing vehicle TPMS sensors. An example vehicle includes a plurality of TPMS sensors, an antenna, and a processor. The processor is configured for determining signal strength values between each of the plurality of TPMS sensors and the antenna, and based on the signal strength values, determining a location of each of the plurality of TPMS sensors.

A wireless vehicle data communications device is adapted for mounting on a wheel hub assembly of a vehicle and incorporates a self-generating electrical power supply. The vehicle data communications device includes a housing, a microprocessor located inside the housing, a signal transmitting device, a signal receiving device, an electric generator, and an energy storage and supply medium. The housing is adapted to rotate simultaneously with the wheel hub assembly when the vehicle is in motion. The electric generator include a plurality of wire coils and magnets. One of the wire coils and magnets is attached to an independently influenced components carrier, and the other of the wire coils and magnets is designed to rotate substantially simultaneously with the housing. The wire coils and magnets are arranged such that rotation of the housing relative to the components carrier generates a magnetic field and induces an electric current.

A transmitter includes a transmitter control section, which generates transmission data to be transmitted to a receiver. The transmission data contains variable data and verification data. The verification data is data for causing a verifying section of the receiver to verify an ID code registered in the transmitter against an ID code registered in the receiver. The transmitter control section is capable of switching between a first state and a second state. The first state is a state in which fixed data representing identification information is transmitted as the verification data. The second state is a state in which computation data computed from the variable data and the fixed data is transmitted as the verification data.

A brake pad wear measuring system is for use on a vehicle equipped with a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system including a wheel mounted TPM sensor, and a floating caliper disc brake system including a piston supporting an inner brake pad and a floating caliper supporting an outer brake pad, wherein the piston and floating caliper move toward each other along a braking axis in response to application of the brake system so that the brake pads engage and apply a braking force to a brake rotor. The brake pad wear system includes a permanent magnet attached to the floating caliper. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field and being positioned on the floating caliper so that the TPM sensor of the wheel passes through the magnetic field as the wheel rotates during vehicle operation. The system also includes a field sensor implemented in the TPM sensor. The field sensor detects the magnetic field as the TPM sensor passes through the magnetic field. The system further includes a ferromagnetic target mounted to the piston. The target has a portion positioned to move between the magnet and the TPM sensor in response to brake pad wear to attenuate the strength of the magnetic field acting on the TPM sensor.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for activation of tire pressure measurement systems. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle sensor, a tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) sensor, a communication module, a display, and a controller. The controller is to activate the TPMS sensor responsive to detecting, via the handle sensor, engagement of a handle and collect, via the communication module, a measurement from the TPMS sensor upon activation. The controller also is to present, via the display, a low-pressure alert in response to determining the measurement is less than a threshold.