Granted Patent B2

US 6,941,801 · App. 10/742,490 · Granted Sep 13, 2005

Abstract

Claims (50)

1. A method of replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, said vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to said first wheel, said method comprising the steps of:

interrogating said first sensor unit;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of said interrogation;

removing said one tire from said first wheel;

if said nominal result is detected during said interrogating step, then re-interrogating said first sensor unit;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of said re-interrogation;

if either of said interrogation or said re-interrogation provide a faulted result then cloning said first ID code into a replacement sensor unit and swapping said replacement sensor unit for said first sensor unit on said first wheel;

installing a new tire onto said first wheel; and

installing said first wheel onto said vehicle in said first wheel position.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrogating step and said re-interrogating step each comprises the steps of:

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code; and

said service tool receiving said radio-frequency response message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrogating step comprises the steps of:

establishing a high pressure in said one tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a first radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code;

said service tool receiving said first radio-frequency response message;

establishing a low pressure in said one tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from said service tool to said first sensor unit;

said first sensor unit transmitting a second radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said first ID code; and

said service tool receiving said second radio-frequency response message.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said first detecting step comprises comparing said sensor data in said first and second radio-frequency response messages with predetermined data.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

recording said results of said interrogation and said re-interrogation to establish involvement of said removing step in any faulted result.

6. A method of replacing a plurality of tires of a vehicle on respective wheel in respective wheel positions, said vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with respective sensor units having respective ID codes mounted to said respective wheels, said method comprising the steps of:

sequentially interrogating said respective sensor units;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of each of said interrogations;

removing said plurality of tires from said respective wheels;

re-interrogating said respective sensor units for which a nominal result was detected during said respective interrogations;

detecting either a nominal result or a faulted result of each of said re-interrogations;

if either of said interrogation or said re-interrogation for a respective sensor unit provide a faulted result then cloning said respective ID code of said respective sensor unit into a replacement sensor unit and swapping said replacement sensor unit for said respective sensor unit on said respective wheel;

installing a respective new tire onto each of said respective wheels; and

installing said respective wheels onto said vehicle in their respective wheel positions.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said interrogating steps and said re-interrogating steps each comprise the steps of:

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to a respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code; and

said service tool receiving said radio-frequency response message.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said interrogating steps each comprise the steps of:

establishing a high pressure in a respective tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from a service tool to said respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a first radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code;

said service tool receiving said first radio-frequency response message;

establishing a low pressure in said respective tire;

transmitting a low-frequency command from said service tool to said respective sensor unit;

said respective sensor unit transmitting a second radio-frequency response message including sensor data and said respective ID code; and

said service tool receiving said second radio-frequency response message.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said first detecting step comprises comparing said sensor data in said first and second radio-frequency response messages with predetermined data.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:

recording said results of said interrogation and said re-interrogation to establish involvement of said removing step in any faulted result.

Assignments (13)