Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Dilip B Patel

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Ali Hassani

Steven Yellin Schondorf

Greg Swadling

Brian Bennie

Thomas Michael McQuade

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Robert Bruce Kleve

Gregory Swadling

Sai Prasanth Velusamy

Jonathan Engels

Arick Evan Rushing

Mohsen Katiba

Mark Anthony Cuddihy

Jochen Schubert

James Edwin Blatchford

Mark Andre Zielinski

Christopher Henderson

Karthikeyan Sadatsharan

Stavros Dionyssopoulos

Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Michael James Uhrich

Imad Hassan Makki

Thomas Lee Miller

Eric L Reed

James Weinfurther

Fakhreddine Landolsi

Frederick James Porter

Jim Michael Weinfurther

Leena Shah

Craig Stephens

Vishal Bhushan

Dante K Crockett

Nimish H Patel

James Edward Gregoire

A method to facilitate secure communication between a first tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a vehicle is disclosed. The method may include obtaining a trigger signal to auto-locate the first TPMS from a plurality of TPMSs. The method may further include obtaining learning mode advertisements from each TPMS responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The learning mode advertisements may include a random value and a test value associated with each TPMS. The test value may be an encrypted value generated using TPMS keys. The method may further include calculating a vehicle test value using the random value and a vehicle pre-shared key, and comparing the test value with the vehicle test value. The method may further include auto-locating the first TPMS based on the comparison. The method may include receiving vehicle tire condition data from the first TPMS responsive to auto-locating the first TPMS.

Tire pressure monitoring system communication method and system

A wheel motor compensation system is for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wheel motor and a tire coupled to the wheel motor. The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of the tire, a processor electrically connected to the wheel motor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data to compensate the wheel motor so that preferred torque is applied to the tire.

Wheel motor compensation systems and methods using wheel sensor data

Systems and methods for implementing two-way tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) learning and authenticated pairing. A random value may be used to determine a test value and a pairing PIN by use of a HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) function and a pre-shared key that is accessible to a TPMS sensor and a vehicle (e.g., controller system thereof). The random value and test value may be broadcasted by the TPMS sensor and received by the vehicle. The vehicle may calculate the pairing PIN using the random value and the pre-shared key.

Two-way tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) learning and authenticated pairing

A drive mode adaptation system is for a vehicle. The vehicle has a drive mode selector. The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor electrically connected to the drive mode selector, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data with the drive mode selector to determine a preferred drive mode.

Drive mode adaptation systems and methods using wheel sensor data

This disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods that guard against information piracy by selective activation of tire pressure sensor learning operations in a vehicle. An example method can include receiving, by a processor in a vehicle, a sensor signal from a wheel movement sensor provided in a wheel of the vehicle. The processor may evaluate the sensor signal and detect a tire-changing operation. The tire-changing operation may be detected, for example, based on a major surface of the wheel coming in contact with ground or determining that an angular displacement of a major surface of the wheel exceeds a threshold angle. The processor may then enable a learning mode of operation that can include a wireless pairing of a tire pressure sensor in the wheel to a tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle. The processor disables the learning mode of operation after a period of time.

Systems and methods to selectively activate TPMS learning mode operations in a vehicle

A theft detection system for a vehicle is provided. The theft detection system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including detecting a change in voltage across the HWTS responsive to a change in deformation of the tire, and determining, based on the change in deformation of the tire, if a theft is occurring.

Vehicle wheel theft detection systems and methods using wheel sensor data

Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example remote transceiver can be centrally located on a seat that is configured to be rearranged within a vehicle. The remote transceiver can include a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a unique code identifying the remote transceiver. The processor executes the instructions to receive low power signals from transmitters within an interior of the vehicle, determine received signal strength values of the low power signals. The received signal strength values are used by the vehicle receiver to determine a location of the remote transceiver within the vehicle.

Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats

A computer-implemented method for detecting a working condition of one or more vehicle components includes communicating with a cellular communication module in a vehicle over a telecommunications network. A vehicle component characteristic or identifier for the vehicle components is received over the telecommunication network. One or more operation status identifiers for the one or more vehicle components based on data from the vehicle is also received. A location for servicing or purchasing the one or more vehicle components based on the vehicle component characteristic or identifier is determined. A service status of the one or more vehicle components based on the one or more operation status identifiers is also determined. Based on the service status, a message including an identification of the vehicle components and a service or purchase location for the vehicle components is generated. The message is transmitted to a terminal for display.

Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of vehicle components from a nomadic wireless device or computer

Locating systems and methods for wireless seat belt monitoring in vehicles with removable or reconfigurable seats are provided herein. An example device includes a first transceiver associated with a seat belt buckle, the first transceiver having a processor and memory for storing instructions that include a first unique code identifying the first transceiver and a first orientation value of the seat belt buckle to a vehicle receiver, the first orientation value indicating a location of the seat belt buckle on a seat, the processor executes the instructions to transmit the first unique code and the first orientation value to a vehicle receiver.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling vehicle TPMS sensor localization. An example vehicle includes a plurality of tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors, a communication module, and a controller. The controller is to detect an initiation event associated with the vehicle, and, in response to detecting the initiation event, determine whether first localization information is valid based on information associated with the TPMS sensors. The controller is also to initiate, via the communication module, a localization procedure at the TPMS sensors when the first localization information is not valid.

Systems and methods for controlling vehicle TPMS sensor localization

A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to acquire a first image of a tire of a vehicle upon shutdown of the vehicle. The instructions include instruction to then, upon startup of the vehicle, and in response to determining that the tire is unmoved since the shutdown and, in response, acquire a second image of the tire. The instructions include instruction to actuate a component of the vehicle in response to determining that the first image is different that the second image.

Vehicle tire pressure monitoring system

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.

Activation of tire pressure measurement systems

Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a TPMS sensor of a vehicle tire. An example vehicle includes a communication module, a tire, and a TPMS sensor corresponding to the tire. The TPMS sensor is configured to receive a target pressure from the communication module, determine a modified target pressure based on vehicle data determined by a vehicle sensor, and, responsive to determining that a measured pressure differs from the modified target pressure by a threshold amount, transmit an alert to the communication module.

Systems and methods for vehicle TPMS sensor control

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a shock absorber coupled to a vehicle tire. In one example, a sensor of a tire pressure measurement system coupled inside a tire is used to measure a tire pressure as well as an oscillatory behavior of the tire. A state of health of a shock absorber coupled to the tire is estimated based on the oscillatory behavior.

Method and system for vehicle suspension system

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.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Dilip B Patel