Nxp USA, Inc.

Matthew Wayne Muddiman

David Blake Munsinger

Albert Stanislavovich Chekanov

Russell Joseph Lynch

Michael Collins

Camille Maryse Saint-Jean

Zbigniew Baranski

John J Tatarchuk

A system includes first and second modules, each having a sensor and a processing circuit. First and second fault detection circuits are coupled with respective first and second modules. Each of the first and second fault detection circuits determines from a processed signal output from a corresponding module whether the module is faulted, prevents output of the processed signal when the module is faulted, and enables output of the processed signal when the module is not faulted. A signal processing unit combines the processed signals from the first and second modules to produce a first output signal when neither of the first and second modules is faulted, and the signal processing unit produces a second output signal by utilizing only the processed signal from a non-faulted one of the first and second modules when the other of the first and second modules is faulted.

Redundant sensor system with fault detection and mitigation

A system includes sensor modules, each associated with a wheel on a vehicle, and a receiver unit. Each sensor module calculates a rotation period associated with the wheel during turn mode vehicular motion and determines rotation direction of the associated wheel during straight vehicular motion. A data packet that includes a unique identifier for the sensor module, the rotation period, and the rotation direction are transmitted from each sensor module for receipt at the receiver unit. The receiver unit determines the steered wheels and non-steered wheels based on the rotation period, and the receiver unit can determine which wheels are on the right side or the left side of the vehicle based on the rotation direction. Knowledge of the steered and non-steered wheels and the rotation direction of the wheels, enables the receiver unit to assign locations of the sensor modules, and hence positions of the wheels of the vehicle.

Determining vehicular wheel positions from tire pressure monitoring system signals

A system includes a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) module coupled with a wheel on a vehicle and a vehicle navigation system of the vehicle. A method entails determining a movement signal at the TPMS module and receiving the movement signal at the vehicle navigation system. The vehicle navigation system includes an inertial sensor system configured to supply motion signals indicative of motion of the vehicle and the vehicle navigation system determines output data in response to the motion signals. The vehicle navigation system output data is calibrated at the vehicle navigation system by utilizing movement signals from the TPMS module to remove an error component from the vehicle navigation system output data. Thus, calibration can be performed in lieu of or in addition to utilizing signals from satellites, which may not be available at all times.

Calibrating inertial navigation data using tire pressure monitoring system signals

An apparatus for installation within a tire for a vehicle includes a flexible arm and a power generating element coupled to the flexible arm for generating electrical energy. One end of the flexible arm is coupled to a rim of the tire. The opposing end of the flexible arm is configured to be in contact with the inside tread surface of the tire. The flexible arm is capable of deformation in response to a variability of distance between the rim and the inside tread surface during rolling movement of the tire, and the power generating element generates the electrical energy in response to deformation of the flexible arm. The apparatus may be combined with a tire pressure sensor module as a system so as to provide electrical energy for powering the tire pressure sensor module.

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Gilbert, AZ, United States of America

Matthew Wayne Muddiman