Tire pressure characterization method and key fob
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.
1. A method for authorizing a tire pressure characterization in a vehicle having a motor and an ignition for starting the motor, the method comprising the steps of:
initiating a tire pressure characterization sequence by placing the ignition in a first position in which the motor of the vehicle is not running and simultaneously depressing the odometer reset button;
measuring the air pressure in a left front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left front tire when the air pressure in the left front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a right front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right front tire when the air pressure in the right front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a left rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left rear tire when the air pressure in the left rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a right rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right rear tire when the air pressure in the right rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
testing whether flag marker approvals exist for all four tires; and
authorizing a characterization when all four tires have flag marker approvals.
2. A method for authorizing a tire pressure characterization of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
measuring the air pressure in a left front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left front tire when the air pressure in the left front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a right front tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right front tire when the air pressure in the right front tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a left rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the left rear tire when the air pressure in the left rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
measuring the air pressure in a right rear tire with a tire valve stem interface disposed on a key fob;
setting a flag marker approval corresponding to the right rear tire when the air pressure in the right rear tire meets or exceeds placard pressure;
testing whether flag marker approvals exist for all four tires;
authorizing a characterization when all four tires have approved flag markers; and
after each of the measuring steps, transmitting tire pressure to a remote function actuator and resetting a timer when, upon a subsequent measurement of air pressure, a transmission to the actuator of a change in pressure of greater than 1 PSI occurs.
3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of determining engine status.
4. The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of initiating a tire pressure verification mode by simultaneously depressing two keys on a key fob.
5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an audible feedback when the tire pressure characterization sequence is initiated.