US 2,005,192,727 · Filed 2005-05-02
The Wireless Tire Sensor That Listens for Radio Signals
Imagine a tiny computer chip inside your car tire that can measure temperature and air pressure, then beam that data wirelessly to your car. This patent describes how a sensor wakes up only when it receives a specific radio signal, saving battery power by staying quiet until your car actually asks for a reading.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a sensor assembly that combines three key elements: an antenna that picks up radio signals, an RFID chip that recognizes a specific signal, and a smart switch that only connects the actual sensor into the circuit when that signal arrives. What's protected here is the specific mechanism of using an RFID signal as a trigger to activate the sensor measurement and transmission—essentially the wiring logic that makes the sensor listen before it measures.
Why it matters
This patent tackles a real problem in vehicle safety: monitoring tire pressure and temperature remotely without draining the battery. By using RFID signal detection as a power-saving trigger, the sensor only activates when queried, extending battery life and reliability. This kind of wireless tire monitoring became increasingly important as vehicles adopted tire-pressure warning systems required by safety regulations.
Real-world use
Every time your car's onboard computer checks your tire pressure and displays it on the dashboard, it may be sending a radio signal that wakes up sensors like the one described in this patent, which then measure and transmit back the real-time pressure and temperature data.
Original USPTO abstract
Sensor assembly capable of obtaining and providing a measurement of a physical quantity, e.g., measurement of temperature and/or pressure of a vehicular tire, includes an antenna capable of receiving a radio frequency signal, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to the antenna, a sensor coupled to the RFID device arranged to generate a measurement of the physical quantity or quantities, and a switch coupled to the RFID device and arranged to connect or disconnect the sensor from a circuit with the antenna dependent on whether the antenna receives a particular signal associated with the RFID device. When the antenna receives the particular signal associated with the RFID device, the RFID device causes the switch to close and connect the sensor in the circuit with the antenna to enable the measurement generated by the sensor to be directed to and transmitted by the antenna.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,005,192,727
- Filing date
- 2005-05-02
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- Automotive Technologies International Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- SHOSTAK OLEKSANDR T., KOLOMEYKO ANATOLIY V., BREED DAVID S., DUVALL WILBUR E., JOHNSON WENDELL C.
- CPC class
- B60R21/0136
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