Scanning Method And Device For Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Protocols

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for scanning communication protocols for a sensor of a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising: performing a scan based on a make and a model of a motor vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the scan comprises: transmitting one or more activation signals in a sequential order according to a scanning protocol based on a predefined parameter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more activation signals is associated with a different communication protocol.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the predefined parameter includes one or more of a sensor transmission delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, a number of sensor types activated by a specific activation signal, a sensor response time, or a frequency of occurrence of a sensor type.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the predefined parameter is selected by a user or predetermined.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising: stopping transmission of the one or more activation signals on a condition that a signal from the sensor is received.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the signal received from the sensor is associated with a communication protocol for enabling reception of the signal, wherein the method further comprises storing the communication protocol.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: processing the signal received from the sensor according to different communication protocols.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting a communication protocol from a database.

10. A method for scanning communication protocols for a sensor of a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system, the method comprising: selecting a make and a model of a motor vehicle; transmitting one or more sensor activation signals in a sequential order according to a scanning protocol based on a predefined parameter, wherein each of the one or more activation signals is associated with a different communication protocol; and stopping the transmission of the one or more activation signals on a condition that a signal from the sensor is received.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predefined parameter includes one or more of a sensor transmission delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, a number of sensor types activated by a specific activation signal, a sensor response time, or a frequency of occurrence of a sensor type.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the signal received from the sensor is associated with a communication protocol for enabling reception of the signal, wherein the method further comprises storing the communication protocol.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the predefined parameter is selected by a user or predetermined.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: processing the signal received from the sensor according to different communication protocols.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: selecting a communication protocol from a database.

16. A sensor activation device for a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system, the sensor activation device comprising: at least one sensor activation module; a receiving module configured to receive signals from a plurality of sensors; and an electronic device configured to perform a scan based on a make and a model of a motor vehicle.

17. The sensor activation device of claim 16, wherein the electronic device is configured to: transmit one or more sensor activation signals in a sequential order according to a scanning protocol based on a predefined parameter.

18. The sensor activation device of claim 17, wherein each of the one or more activation signals is associated with a different communication protocol.

19. The sensor activation device of claim 17, wherein the predefined parameter includes one or more of a sensor transmission delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, a number of sensor types activated by a specific activation signal, a sensor response time, or a frequency of occurrence of a sensor type.

20. The sensor activation device of claim 17, wherein the predefined parameter is selected by a user or predetermined.

21. The sensor activation device of claim 17, wherein the electronic device is further configured to: stop transmission of the one or more activation signals on a condition that a signal from the sensor is received.

22. The sensor activation device of claim 21, wherein the signal received from the sensor is associated with a communication protocol for enabling reception of the signal, wherein the method further comprises storing the communication protocol.

23. The sensor activation device of claim 21, wherein the electronic device is further configured to: process the signal received from the sensor according to different communication protocols.

24. The sensor activation device of claim 16, wherein the electronic device is further configured to: select a communication protocol from a database.

25. A sensor activation device for a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system, the sensor activation device comprising: at least one sensor activation module; a receiving module configured to receive signals from a plurality of sensors; an electronic unit configured to: select a make and model of a motor vehicle; transmit one or more sensor activation signals in a sequential order according to a scanning protocol based on a predefined parameter, wherein each of the one or more activation signals is associated with a different communication protocol; and store information conveyed by the signals from the plurality of sensors; and a memory configured to store a database relating to communication protocols of the plurality of sensors.

26. The sensor activation device of claim 25, wherein the predefined parameter includes one or more of a sensor transmission delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, a number of sensor types activated by a specific activation signal, a sensor response time, or a frequency of occurrence of a sensor type.

27. The sensor activation device of claim 25, wherein the predefined parameter is selected by a user or predetermined.

28. The sensor activation device of claim 9, wherein each of the communication protocols comprises a degree of priority predefined in a database, wherein the degree of priority is based on the make and the model of the motor vehicle.

29. The sensor activation device of claim 25, wherein the electronic unit is further configured to process the information conveyed by the signals from the plurality of sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a sensor activation device.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged and detailed view of the sensor activation device shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a control system for the sensor activation device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a scanning method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The embodiments disclosed herein include a method for scanning tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) protocols, as well as to a device configured for carrying out the scanning method. The device makes it possible, in particular, to activate, communicate and/or reprogram one or more element(s) of electronic tire pressure monitoring systems. This type of device is may be referred to as a “sensor activation device” or a “TPMS tool.”

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a sensor activation device 126. As shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 for resetting TPMS tire sensor data in a vehicle control system is shown. In the example, a single sensor activation device 126 is shown in use with a vehicle 102 having pneumatic tires 104 (only two tires 104 shown for convenience) each having TPMS tire sensor 110. The sensor activation device 126 may be referred to as a TPMS tool. Tire sensor 110 can be a conventional TPMS tire sensor mounted on the valve stem of a tire placing the sensor in fluid communication with the air pressure inside the tire and sealed by the tire rim. The system 100 is useful on all vehicles having TPMS and other products having an interior air volume which may be monitored for one or more conditions, for example, air pressure, temperature and other conditions known by those skilled in the art.

[0023] In use with a modern passenger vehicle, system 100 is adapted to operate with a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) 114 onboard the vehicle and in communication with other vehicle systems including safety systems such as instrument panel alert indicators and vehicle onboard diagnostic systems (OBD). In one example, the vehicle OBD includes an OBD II port which allows connection of external devices to interface and communicate with the OBD and ECU systems of the vehicle. It is understood that sensor activation device 126 may interact and communicate with additional systems on the vehicle as known by those skilled in the art.

[0024] Still referring to the exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a sensor activation device 126 which is selectively placed or adapted to communicate with the TPMS tire sensors 110 and vehicle ECU 114 as described below. In the example, sensor activation device 126 is a portable, hand-held device having a housing 130, an input keypad 140, a visual display 146, an antenna 150 for sending and receiving electronic and digital wireless signals and/or data to and from sources, for example, the TPMS tire sensors 110 and ECU 114 as generally shown, and an OBD socket 160. The OBD socket 160 may be configured to allow, for example, the connection of the sensor activation device 160 to the vehicle ECU 114, e.g. by means of an OBD cable. It is understood that other devices, including different hardware and software and/or different individual components and configurations making up the sensor activation device 126 known by those skilled in the art may be used. It is further understood that sensor activation device 126 may be a permanent or semi-permanent device (not shown) which is positioned in a service garage bay where a vehicle is selectively positioned in close proximity to the sensor activation device 126 providing for communication between the sensor activation device 126, the sensors 110 and ECU 114.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged and detailed view of the sensor activation device 126 shown in FIG. 1. The sensor activation device 126 includes at least one sensor activation module 231, such as a module for generating sensor activation signals. The sensor activation signals may be continuous and/or modulated. The activation module 231 may be electrically coupled to the antenna 150, which in particular may be configured to enable the generated signals to be propagated as far as possible to the tire sensors 110.

[0026] The sensor activation device 126 may include a receiving module 233, for example a receiver configured to receive signals from the tire sensors 110. The sensor activation device 126 may include another antenna disposed in the housing 130 and configured, for example, to receive signals in a frequency band between 300 MHz and 500 MHz, where the tire sensor 110 is configured to emit a signal after being activated by the activation module 231.

[0027] The sensor activation device 126 may include an electronic unit 235, such as a processor and a memory, configured to store and/or process information conveyed by the signals from the tire sensors 110. The signals may be received via the receiving module 233. In some embodiments, the electronic unit 235 may be electrically coupled to a memory 236. The memory 236 may be configured to store a database relating to communication protocols of the plurality of sensors. Each of the communication protocols may include a degree of priority predefined in a database. The degree of priority may be based on the make and/or the model of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The electronic unit 235 may be configured to select a make of a motor vehicle, a model of a motor vehicle, or both. The electronic unit 235 may be configured to transmit one or more sensor activation signals. The one or more sensor activation signals may be transmitted in sequential order according to a scanning protocol. The scanning protocol may be based on a predefined parameter. In one or more embodiments, each of the one or more activation signals may be associated with a different communication protocol. The electronic unit 235 may be configured to store information conveyed by the signals from the plurality of sensors. The electronic unit 235 may be configured to process the information conveyed by the signals from the plurality of sensors.

[0029] The predefined parameters may include one or more of a sensor transmission delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, a number of sensor types activated by a specific activation signal, a sensor response time, or a frequency of occurrence of a sensor type. The predefined parameter may be selected by a user or it may be predetermined.

[0030] The sensor activation device 126 may include a communication module 237. The communication module 237 may be configured to communicate with a motor vehicle on-board computer such as ECU 114 for transmitting information from at least one of the tire sensors 110, where the information may be received via signals from the tire sensors 110.

[0031] For example, the communication module 237 is an OBD module which includes an OBD communication management circuit 238 and the above-mentioned OBD socket 160. It should be noted that the OBD communication management circuit 238 can also be integrated into the electronic unit 235. It should also be noted that the activation signals may be continuous or modulated electromagnetic signals emitted by the activation module 231, which has, for example, a frequency of 125 kHz.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a control system 166 for the sensor activation device 126. In the example, control system 166 includes a conventional memory storage device 170 which may include conventional permanent (read only memory, ROM) and/or non-permanent data memory storage devices (random access memory, RAM) on a medium for storing and recalling digital data, software programs, operating systems, executable instructions and other information known by those skilled in the art. Examples of storage devices and media include a hard disk drive, solid state drive and other temporary and permanent memory data storage devices known by those skilled in the art.

[0033] Exemplary control system 166 further includes a conventional microprocessor 174 for processing executable instructions, manipulating information, making calculations and/or other functions known by those skilled in the art. Also shown by example are input/output device port(s) 180 for use with, for example, external devices which may be connected to the sensor activation device 126 and placed in communication with the control system 166 to send and receive data, information, power and other signals.

[0034] Exemplary control system 166 further includes a receiver 184 which is adapted or operable to detect and collect electronic signals, digital signals, and other signals either through wired connections or through wireless communication, for example from the TPMS tire sensors 110 and ECU 114. In one example, receiver 184 is in communication with antenna 150 on the sensor activation device 126 as generally shown in FIG. 3. In one aspect described further below, receiver 184 receives radio frequency (RF) data signals from the TPMS tire sensors 110 when the TPMS tire sensors 110 are activated as described above. Conventional TPMS tire sensors 110 transmit RF signals including sensor ID and other information at a frequency between 314-434.2 Megahertz (MHz). The sensor activation device 126 then communicates that data to the processor 174 for decoding the received tire sensor signal data according to preprogrammed signal decoding instructions stored in the memory storage device 170. The decoded tire sensor 110 data is temporarily stored in memory 170 pending emission by the sensor activation device 126 of a second TPMS tire sensor data signal which simulates the received TPMS tire sensor data signal from the TPMS tire sensors 110. The sensor activation device 126 thereafter sends the second or simulated TPMS tire sensor data signal to the ECU 114 as further described below.

[0035] Exemplary system 100 control system 166 further includes a transmitter 190 which is adapted or operable to wirelessly emit signals to, for example, activate or awaken TPMS tire sensors 110 as described above. A common activation frequency signal used to activate TPMS tire sensors 110 is in a low frequency (LF), for example, 125 KHz (kilohertz). In one example, the transmitter 190 is in communication with the antenna 150 to focus and direct the emission and/or transfer of data signals from the sensor activation device 126. In one aspect, a transceiver-type device (not shown) is used which functions both as a receiver and a transmitter for receiving and emitting wireless signals respectively. It is understood that the sensor activation device 126, tire sensors 110, and the vehicle control systems may receive and emit/transmit signals having alternate frequencies, carrying additional or alternate data/information and having different characteristics known by those skilled in the art.

[0036] Exemplary control system 166 also includes a control module 194 to direct, coordinate and sequence functions and other operations of the control system 166 and its components according to preprogrammed instructions based on predetermined features, functions and operations of the sensor activation device 126 and system 100. The above control system 166 exemplary components are in one aspect connected to a communication bus 198 allowing communication between some or all of the above control system 166 components. Other devices for the selective or open communication between the above control system components known by those skilled in the art may be used. It is further understood that alternate or additional control system 166 hardware, software and/or operating systems known by those skilled in the art may be used.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a scanning method 400 implemented by the sensor activation device 126 when a user of the sensor activation device 126 wishes to know, for example, the type of sensor mounted in a motor vehicle tire. The method 400 for scanning the communication protocols for sensors of a motor vehicle electronic tire pressure monitoring system may include selecting 410 a make of a motor vehicle, a model of a motor vehicle, or both. For example, the selection may be performed using a human-machine interface (HMI) such as a keyboard and/or touch screen. The method 400 may include transmitting 420 one or more sensor activation signals and determining 430 whether a signal is received from a sensor in response. Each activation signal may be transmitted according to different communication protocols. The transmission of activation signals may be performed sequentially. The sequential order of transmission of the signals may be according to a scanning protocol. The scanning protocol may be based on predefined parameters. Accordingly, an activation signal is transmitted according to a first protocol, and then a check is made as to whether or not a response signal has been received. If, after a predetermined time, there is no reception of a response signal, then an activation signal is sent according to another communication protocol. The transmission of activation signals is iterated according to different communication protocols until a response signal is received, in which case the transmission of activation signals is stopped 440. The method 400 may include processing 460 the signal received from the sensor according to different communication protocols. In some implementations, the method 400 may include selecting a communication protocol from a database.

[0038] This method 400 may also include a step of storing 450 the communication protocol that enabled the emission of an activation signal activating the pressure sensor. In particular, the sensor activation device 126 contains in a memory a database relating to the pressure sensors mounted in motor vehicles. Thus, the communication protocols will first be sorted by make and model and then ordered according to different parameters. The parameters may include one or more of the time delay between two successive response signals from the sensor, also referred to as the sensor “dead time,” the number of sensor types activated by a given activation signal, the sensor response time, and the frequency of occurrence (or the prevalence) of a sensor type.

[0039] For example, the user of the sensor activation device 126 selects the make and then the model of the vehicle on which he/she wants to identify the pressure sensor. Then, the sensor activation device 126 may present one or more possible options. For example, the activation device 126 may perform a scan based on the frequency of occurrence of the sensor type or on the duration of the dead time depending on the sensor type. In one or more embodiments, an on-board database may include information on the sensors and their communication protocols, including the dead time of each of the sensors. Thus, after the user has selected the make and/or the model of the vehicle, the number of communication protocols is then restricted to those sensors that have actually been mounted on that vehicle, as well as reprogrammable sensors that are compatible with that vehicle. Then, the user may select one or more parameters that may be most relevant to him/her. In an example, if the user selects “sensor dead time,” then the activation signals are sent from the communication protocol (and its associated sensor type) with the longest dead time to the protocol with the shortest dead time.

[0040] Similarly, if the user selects by frequency of occurrence of the sensor type, the database includes an order of priority relative to the frequency of occurrence of the communication protocols used for that vehicle model. That is to say that for a given vehicle model, the frequency of the type of sensor mounted on the vehicle is integrated into the base (either directly or by an index) and makes it possible to start the scan with the most represented type of sensor. The frequencies of occurrence of the sensor types can be adapted according to the wavelengths of the response signal from the sensor, the wavelength used being characteristic of the geographical area, or by geographical area if the sensor activation device 126 has been located by the user (e.g. by indicating the country when registering the device on-line). In one or more embodiments, these parameters may be combined, it is may be possible to perform a scan by frequency of occurrence taking into account the dead times of said sensors and/or the number of sensor types activated by a given activation signal, in order to reduce the scanning time.

[0041] While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, combinations, and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. One or more elements of the embodiments disclosed may be combined with one or more elements of any other embodiment disclosed.