This application relates to a tire sensor configuring device and a smart tire system including the same. In one aspect, the tire sensor configuring device includes a transceiver receiving a communication module identification code of a communication module provided in a vehicle to communicate with a smart tire management server, tire identification codes of a plurality of tires mounted to the vehicle, and sensor identification codes of sensor modules respectively attached to the plurality of tires. The tire sensor configuring device may also include a controller configured to arrange the communication module identification code, the tire identification codes, and the sensor identification codes according to a protocol previously created in association with the smart tire management server to form a packet. The transceiver transmits the packet to the communication module.

Restricting commands for a tire monitoring device including controlling entry into a configuration mode and restricting operation based on detection of an abnormal command pattern. The method includes, at a tire monitoring device: receiving a configuration request from a first device for the tire monitoring device to operate in a configuration mode, the configuration request provided using a first wireless communication protocol; responsive to receipt of the configuration request, initiating communication using a second wireless communication protocol; establishing successful communication using the second wireless protocol; and entering the configuration mode responsive to establishing successful communication using the second wireless communication protocol. In another example, a method restricts operation of a lire monitoring device including receiving instructions via a wireless communication interface; detecting an abnormal instruction pattern based on the received instructions; and restricting the operation of the tire monitoring device responsive to detecting the abnormal instruction pattern.

A transmitter includes a power source of the transmitter, a condition detecting section that detects a condition of a tire, a data generating section that generates transmission data that contains tire condition data indicating the condition of the tire detected by the condition detecting section, a transmitting section that modulates the transmission data and transmits the modulated data, a storage section storing a correspondence relationship in which values of a specific bit among bits of the transmission data that change as the wheel assembly rotates are respectively assigned to specific angles set for the rotation angle of the wheel assembly, and a transmission control section that transmits the transmission data from the transmitting section when detecting that the rotation angle of the wheel assembly is any of the specific angles.

A wireless programming method for tire pressure detectors includes the following steps. A wireless programmer sends an activating command. The tire pressure detectors send a responding message. The wireless programmer receives the responding messages and records identification codes in the received responding messages. The wireless programmer sends a stop-responding command to make the tire pressure detector with the identification codes, which is recorded in the wireless programmer, enter a stop-responding mode. The wireless programmer sends the activating command again. The tire pressure detectors not in the stop-responding mode send the responding messages. The wireless programmer receives the responding message and records the identification code in the received responding message. The wireless programmer sends a code to the tire pressure detectors corresponding to the recorded identification code to program the code. With such design, it could be ensured that the code could be sent and programmed into all the tire pressure detectors.

A method of determining an orientation of a tire mounted device with respect to a wheel rim using an acceleration sensor. With the wheel in a designated orientation and not rotating, a polarity of acceleration along a vertical axis is determined. Then it is determined which of a first absolute orientation or a second absolute orientation the tire mounted device is in depending on the determined polarity. The determined absolute orientation is correlated with the designated orientation to determine which of a first or second orientation with respect to the wheel rim the tire mounted device is in.

A tire pressure monitoring sensor comprises an environmental pressure sensor, a non-volatile memory for storing a first program and a second program, a processing unit for executing the first program, a communication module including a wireless transmitter for transmitting at least one parameter indicative of conditions within a tire and a wireless or wired receiver for loading the second program into the non-volatile memory and a battery for powering the sensor. The second program contains a sensor operation description which is used by the first program.

A method of communicating configuration data of a tire pressure monitoring device configured to be affixed to a wheel is disclosed. The method includes, at the tire pressure monitoring device, receiving a request to confirm configuration data, and responsive to receipt of the request to confirm configuration data, transmitting a configuration data signal which encodes the configuration data. The configuration data signal is configured to be received and understood by a human.

An automatic dispensing device for use in storing and selectively dispensing electronic transmission devices, for example tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensors. The dispensing device assists a user in determining the proper transmission device to be dispensed and programs or configures the transmission device in the dispenser prior to dispensing the programmed or configured transmission device to the user. When used for TPMS tire sensors, the dispenser determines the type of TPMS sensor to be programmed, programs the sensor with the proper communication protocol, and dispenses the programmed or configured sensor to the user for installation in the vehicle wheel and tire.

A method and device may be used for scanning communication protocols for a sensor of a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system. The method may include selecting a make and a model of a motor vehicle. The method may include transmitting one or more activation signals. The one or more activation signals may be transmitted in sequential order according to a scanning protocol. The scanning protocol may be based on a predefined parameter. Each of the one or more activation signals may be associated with a different communication protocol. The method may include stopping the transmission of the one or more activation signals on a condition that a signal from a sensor is received.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for upgrading a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) diagnostic tool. The TPMS diagnostic tool is provided with a wireless communications interface. The method includes: obtaining latest version information of the TPMS diagnostic tool from a server through the wireless communications interface, the latest version information including a latest version number and an upgrade path, the upgrade path being used for indicating a storage location of an upgrade package of the TPMS diagnostic tool in the server; obtaining a current version number of the TPMS diagnostic tool; obtaining an upgrade package corresponding to the upgrade path from the server through the wireless communications interface when it is determined that the latest version number is different from the current version number; and upgrading the TPMS diagnostic tool according to the upgrade package. In this way, not only the TPMS diagnostic tool can be upgraded in a timely manner, but also a process of upgrading the TPMS diagnostic tool can be simplified.