Lear Corporation

Infineon Technologies Ag

Trw Limited

Thomas J Lemense

Qingfeng Tang

Thomas Lange

Riad Ghabra

John S Nantz

Jooil Park

Ronald O King

Yi Luo

Michael Kandler

Maximilian Werner

Pawel W Sleboda

Keith Walker

Michael C McCarthy

Michael G Fullerton

Calvin Edward Modawell

Kenneth Jon Cunningham

Oingfeng Tang

Guan Lifeng

A sensor device and a communication method are provided. The sensor includes a microcontroller unit, and a receiver electrically connected to the microcontroller unit and configured to receive at least one communication signal. The receiver includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect a modulated electromagnetic carrier signal as a first communication signal and output an encoded measurement signal based on the detected modulated electromagnetic carrier signal. The sensor device further includes a demodulator configured to convert the encoded measurement signal into a data signal and output the data signal to the microcontroller unit.

Magnetic sensor used for communication

Embodiments may provide a system, a wheel localizer, a wheel localization device, or methods for locating a position of at least one wheel out of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system comprises a detector that obtains information related to a reference magnetic field in which the at least one wheel rotates, an antilock braking system (ABS) unit that obtains information related to angular rotations of the plurality of wheels, and a locator that determines the position of the at least one wheel based, at least in part, on the information related to the reference magnetic field and the information related to the angular rotations of plurality of wheels, where the position comprises a wheel location from among the plurality of wheels. The reference magnetic field may be the earth's magnetic field.

Wheel localization from reference magnetic field and angular rotation information in TPMS application

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor and a communication method are provided. The TPMS sensor includes a microcontroller unit, a pressure sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller unit and configured to measure an internal air pressure of a tire and a receiver electrically connected to the microcontroller unit and configured to receive at least one communication signal. The receiver includes a magnetic sensor configured to detect a modulated low-frequency electromagnetic carrier signal as a first communication signal and output an encoded measurement signal based on the detected modulated low-frequency electromagnetic carrier signal. The TPMS sensor further includes a demodulator configured to convert the encoded measurement signal into a data signal and output the data signal to the microcontroller unit.

Magnetic sensor used for LF communication in TPMS application

A pressure monitoring device comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to receive an analog signal and to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. The pressure monitoring device is configured to apply in a first state a first set of calibration coefficients to the digital signal, the first set of calibration coefficients being associated with a first pressure range. The pressure monitoring device is further configured to apply in a second state a second set of calibration values to the digital signal, the second set of calibration coefficients being associated with a second pressure range different than the first pressure range.

Pressure monitoring circuits and methods

An antenna coupler for a wireless communication system in a vehicle couples a transmit signal source to a plurality of antennas arranged within the vehicle. A first saturable reactor has a first load winding and a first control winding wound on a first saturable core, the first load winding coupling the signal source to a first antenna. A first current source is coupled to the first control winding for providing a selected current to the first control winding. A second saturable reactor has a second load winding and a second control winding wound on a second saturable core, the second load winding coupling the signal source to a second antenna. A second current source is coupled to the second control winding for providing a selected current to the second control winding. A controller is coupled to the first and second current sources for commanding the first and second selected currents to selectably attenuate or non-attenuate a transmit signal from the transmit signal source to each respective antenna.

Transmit antenna multiplexing for vehicular passive entry systems

A vehicle tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system, the system including an immobilizer transmitter that transmits at least one low frequency (LF) sensor diagnostic signal, at least one TPM sensor, wherein the at least one TPM sensor includes a transceiver that receives the at least one LF sensor diagnostic signal and, when the at least one TPM sensor is operating properly, presents at least one radio frequency (RF) message signal, and a TPM receiver that receives the at least one RF message signal and provides an indication to an operator when the at least one RF message signal is received, wherein the LF sensor diagnostic signal is transmitted to determine proper operation of the at least one TPM sensor.

Tire pressure monitoring sensor diagnosis via vehicle antitheft and entry system

A vehicle locating system for directing a user to a remotely-located vehicle comprises a vehicle-mounted location unit and a personal fob. The vehicle-mounted location unit includes a first global positioning receiver for receiving satellite location signals which operates at a duty cycle sufficient to maintain predetermined aiding data. The vehicle-mounted location unit processes vehicle location data and further includes a first local data transceiver for transmitting the predetermined aiding data. The portable fob includes a second global positioning receiver for receiving the satellite location signals, wherein the second global positioning receiver operates substantially only when the user initiates a request for directions to the vehicle. The portable fob further includes a second local data transceiver for receiving the predetermined aiding data from the first local data transceiver. The portable fob processes fob location data in response to the predetermined aiding data.

Vehicle locating system using GPS

The present invention provides a vehicle information display and communication system having a plurality of operative modules, the system includes a control processing unit adapted to provide an interface among the plurality of operative modules. The operative modules include a display module adapted to provide visual information to the occupants of the vehicle, a navigation module adapted for global positioning satellite reception to provide vehicle position information to the control processing unit, and a telecommunications module adapted for wireless communication to provide communication between the control processing unit and a wireless telecommunications network and between the control processing unit and any one of a plurality of local wireless devices. The system further includes a local network interface module adapted to provide communication between a vehicle control bus and the control processing unit, and an antenna array including a GPS antenna mounted in an overhead console, the overhead console adapted to extend forward over the upper edge of the vehicle windshield such that GPS antenna maintains line-of-sight with at least one global positioning satellite transmitter at all times.

Vehicle information display and communication system having an antenna array

A method is provided for replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, the vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to the first wheel. The first sensor unit is interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the interrogation is detected. The at least one tire is removed from the first wheel. If the nominal result is detected during the interrogating step, then the first sensor unit is re-interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the re-interrogation is detected. If either of the interrogation or the re-interrogation provide a faulted result then the first ID code is cloned into a replacement sensor unit and then the replacement sensor unit is swapped for the first sensor unit on the first wheel. A new tire is installed onto the first wheel. The first wheel is installed onto the vehicle in the first wheel position.

Tire pressure monitoring system

A tire monitoring system for a vehicle. The tire monitoring system includes a sensor assembly mountable on a wheel and has a first sensor for detecting a tire parameter and a second sensor for detecting proximity of the sensor assembly to the wheel. The sensor assembly is detached from the wheel when the second sensor is not proximate to the wheel.

Tire monitoring system

A system for controlling a magnetic field strength includes a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field for receipt by a responsive device and a controller in communication with the magnetic field generator for determining a strength of the magnetic field to a level sufficient for use in controlling the responsive device.

System and method for adaptive variable magnetic field generator

The present invention is directed to a weight sensing apparatus (,) for a vehicle seat (,). The weight sensing apparatus (,) includes a differential capacitor (,) including a first capacitor (,) and a second capacitor (,). The first capacitor (,) includes first and second opposed plate assemblies (,and,). The second capacitor (,) includes a third plate assembly (,) and the second plate assembly (,). Each plate assembly (,and,) includes a plurality of electrically conductive elongated members that extend in an axial direction. The second plate assembly (,) is interposed between the first and third plate assemblies (,and,) and is movable in an axial direction relative to the first and third plate assemblies (,and,) in response to a load being applied to a vehicle seat. A source of alternating current supplies electrical energy to the differential capacitor (,) and an output circuit is electrically connected with the differential capacitor (,).

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, MI, United States of America

Thomas J Lemense