Systems, devices and methods for dynamically logging and distributing tire profile data

Abstract

A method may include: wirelessly receiving tire information at a tire sensor device; acquiring sensor data with at least the tire sensor device; storing at least the tire information and sensor data in a tire profile data structure; periodically transmitting the tire profile data structure from the tire sensor device according to at least one wireless standard; and updating the tire profile data structure in response to changes in a condition of the tire; wherein the tire information identifies the tire. Corresponding devices and systems are also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to vehicle communication systems, and more particularly, to generating, updating, and transmitting records for vehicle tires.BACKGROUNDVehicles may include tires with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to monitor the pressure of tires. A conventional TPMS may include TPMS sensors installed in each tire. TPMS sensors periodically generate tire pressure values and transmit them to a central TPMS receiver node. A conventional TPMS sensor includes an RF transmitter and an LF receiver. The RF transmitter transmits tire pressure measurements to a central TPMS node at a relatively high frequency (300-400 MHz). The low frequency receiver may receive input signals at a relatively low frequency (125 kHz). Tire pressure values received at a central node may be displayed to a driver and / or compared to predetermined limits to indicate when a low pressure condition exists.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREEmbodiments may include systems, devices, and methods that can wirelessly receive tire information data at a tire sensor. Tire information may identify a tire. Sensor data may be acquired with a tire sensor. The tire information and other tire-related data may be stored in a tire data structure. The tire data structure may be periodically transmitted from the tire sensor according to one or more wireless standards. In response to changes in a state of the tire, the tire profile data structure may be transmitted.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for storing and distributing tire tread data according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating operations of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a tire tread data structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating vehicle systems according to embodiments. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of tire sensor devices according to embodiments. FIG. 6 is a diagram of a valve stem assembly according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle system according to an embodiment. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating tire tread processing systems according to embodiments. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a remote computing system, according to an embodiment. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams of machine learning systems according to embodiments. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method according to another embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method according to another embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAccording to embodiments, a system may include tire sensing devices that may sense tire information for respective tires. Tire information may be included in a tire tread data structure, may include additional tire data including, but not limited to, pre-history data about tire conditions and usage. A tire tread data structure may be periodically updated and transmitted to other vehicle systems and / or to a remote computing system via a wireless network or the like.In some embodiments, a tire sensor device may receive tire information data from a tire according to one or more Bluetooth standards.In some embodiments, a tire sensor device may transmit a tire profile data structure to another vehicle system according to one or more Bluetooth standards. The other vehicle system may transmit the tire profile data structure to a remote system according to another wireless standard, such as an IEEE 802.11 wireless standard and / or a cellular network standard.In some embodiments, a tire sensor device or other vehicle system may include processing circuitry that operates on tire sensor data and / or other vehicle system data to generate additional data included in a tire tread data structure. Such processing may include aggregating data values. Such processing may also include generating derivative values, which may include, but are not limited to, wheel revolution values from accelerometer data and / or types of miles traveled / km (e.g., city or highway).FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100, according to an embodiment. A system 100 may include tire sensing devices ( 102- 0 to 102- 3), one or more vehicle systems 104, and a remote computing system 108. Each tire sensor device ( 102- 0 to -3) may store tire profile data 110 and perform a tire event analysis 112. The tire profile data 110 may include, but is not limited to, tire information 110- 0, a tire history 110- 1, and tire events 110- 2. Tire information 110- 0 may identify a tire including, but not limited to, tire manufacturer data (e.g., date of manufacture, type of tire, serial number). The tire history 110- 1 may include history data regarding use of a tire. Tire events 110- 2 may include events experienced by a tire as detected by sensors. The tire event analysis 112 may be performed by processing circuitry on tire sensor devices ( 102- 0 to 102- 3) and may include generating values from sensor data for the respective tires. Such values may be aggregated values that combine sensor readings, including sensor readings over different periods of time. Each tire sensor device ( 102- 0 through -3) may wirelessly transmit tire profile data 110 according to any suitable protocol, including, but not limited to, one or more Bluetooth standards (including BLE) and / or an IEEE 802.15.4 related standard (e.g., Zigbee).A vehicle system 104 may include first wireless circuitry 114, processing circuitry 116, memory circuitry 118, and second wireless circuitry 120. The first wireless circuitry 114 may receive tire profile data 110 from each tire sensor device ( 102- 0 through -3) and provide such data to the processing circuitry 116. The processing circuitry 116 may receive tire tread data from tire sensor devices and store such data to memory circuitry 118 as tire tread 122- 0 through 122- 3. In some embodiments, the tire profiles ( 122- 0 to -3) may be the same as the tire profile data 110 received from the tire sensor devices ( 102- 0 to -3). However, in other embodiments, the tire profiles ( 122- 0 through -3) may include additional data generated by processing circuitry and / or received from other systems of a vehicle.The processing circuitry 116 may take any suitable form, including one or more processors, standard logic, custom logic, or programmable logic. The processing circuitry 116 may perform tire profile update operations 116- 0, tire data analysis 116- 1, and tire profile upload operations 116- 2. The tire profile update operations 116- 0 may update tire profiles ( 122- 0 to -3) over time. Such updates may be responsive to any suitable system operations including, but not limited to, receiving new tire profile data 110 from tire sensor devices ( 102- 0 through -3), new tire data generated by processing circuitry 116, and / or new data received from other systems of a vehicle. Thus, in some embodiments, a tire profile may be a dynamic data structure that is updated over a life of a tire.The tire data analysis 116- 1 may include processing received tire data 110 and / or data received from other sources to generate processed values that may be stored as part of a tire tread ( 122- 0 through -3). The tire data analysis 116- 1 may also include evaluating tire profile data 110 and / or tire profiles ( 122- 0 through -3) for values that result in a warning or alert to a driver of the vehicle. The tire profile upload 116- 2 may include controlling second wireless circuitry 120 to transmit tire profiles ( 112- 0 through -3) from a vehicle system 104 to one or more other systems external to the vehicle, such as the remote computing system 108.The memory circuits 118 may store tire profiles ( 112- 0 to -3). In some embodiments, the memory circuits are nonvolatile and store tire profiles ( 112- 0 through -3) when no power is available. The second wireless circuits 120 may be controlled by the processing circuits 116 to transmit tire profiles ( 112- 0 through -3). In some embodiments, the second wireless circuits 120 may be compatible with a different standard than the first wireless circuits 114. Tire profiles ( 112- 0 through -3) may be transmitted to a remote computing system 108 via a network 124, which may include a wireless network. Optionally, the second wireless circuits 120 may transmit tire profiles (122-0 through -3) to a user device 128, which may forward such data to the remote computing system 108 through the operation of one or more applications 128-0. A network 124 may include one or more wireless networks, including the Internet.A remote computing system 108 may receive tire profiles ( 112- 0 through -3) from the vehicle system 104, as well as tire profiles 126 from other vehicles or sources. A remote computing system 108 may store 130- 0 tire profile datasets and analyze 130- 1 such datasets. Such analysis may include any suitable analysis, and in the embodiment shown may include predicting tire use and / or wear 130- 2 with a machine learning system.In this way, tire profile data may be logged by a tire sensor device, periodically updated, and wirelessly distributed to other systems, including vehicle systems and / or remote computing systems.FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating operations of a system 200 according to another embodiment. System operations 200 may include operations of one or more logging devices 230 and operations of one or more reporting device(s) 232. A tire may be manufactured and assigned an identification value (ID) as well as other parameters that may be stored with the tire. Such action may include programming a wireless device included in or associated with the tire. In some embodiments, such a wireless device may be separate from a tire valve assembly or included in a tire valve assembly. In still other embodiments, such data may be provided by a tire assembler / vendor.The logging device(s) 230 may be (may be) wireless device(s) included in or associated with a tire. The logging device(s) 230 may receive tire sensor data and include processing circuitry to calculate tire profile values based on tire sensor data and / or data from other sources. In some embodiments, logging device(s) 230 may be a single device (e.g., a tire sensor or other vehicle system), however, in other embodiments logging device(s) 230 may include more than one device (e.g., a tire sensor in communication with another vehicle system). A tire may be added to a vehicle and logged 234- 1. Such action may include a tire sensor device communicating with other devices of a vehicle and / or with a tire assembly. Such an action may result in a mounting date and optionally a mounting position for the tire being determined. Such data may be added to a tire tread for the assembled tire.Once a tire is mounted to a vehicle, logging device(s) may log and / or generate data for a tire profile. Such actions may include receiving sensor data from tire sensors, receiving data from other systems of the vehicle, or analyzing or otherwise processing such data. Logged data may take any suitable form and, in the embodiment shown, may include estimated next maintenance 230- 0, determining a tire class 230- 1, estimating tread wear 230- 2, determining tire fill data 230- 3, determining tire pressure 230- 4, determining impact events 230- 5, determining rotation data 230- 6, and determining revolutions 230- 7. Estimating next maintenance 230- 0 may include processing circuitry to evaluate the tire condition based on any suitable sensor or other data to arrive at a recommended time for tire maintenance. Such operation may include, but is not limited to, evaluating history data for a tire (e.g., revolutions, events experienced by the tire, e.g., impacts events), fill events and levels, weather conditions, types of miles driven, tire revolutions, estimated tread wear, or tire type.Tire class 230- 1 may include processing circuitry generating a value representing a current state of a tire. A tire classification operation 230- 1 may include storing and / or processing any suitable tire data including, but not limited to, tread wear and tire information from a manufacturer, such as a nominal temperature value and a nominal traction value. When a tire is used, a tire class 230- 1 may be dynamically updated in response to tire events and / or history. The estimated tread 230- 2 may include processing circuitry to calculate tread wear based on any suitable tire values, including, but not limited to, revolutions, tire grade, and / or tire history (e.g., types of miles / km, weather, temperature, driven locations). The estimated tread 230- 2 may be used as a tread wear value used in calculating other logged values. In some embodiments, the estimated tread 230- 2 may also be updated by external data input (e.g., a service technician measurement).The tire inflation data 230- 3 may be recorded data at which a tire has been inflated. In some embodiments, such data may be automatically generated by a tire sensor device that detects changes in pressure in a tire. However, embodiments also anticipated such data to be provided by a user or "smart" fill device (e.g., a device filling a tire communicates with a tire sensor device). Tire pressure 230- 4 may be periodic values read and stored by a tire sensor device and / or reported by a tire sensor device (e.g., wirelessly transmitted from a tire sensor device to another vehicle system).The impact events 230- 5 may be generated from accelerometer readings that are captured and stored by a tire sensor device and / or reported by a tire sensor device. In some embodiments, impact events 230- 5 may be generated with data from other systems of a vehicle, such as a suspension system. The rotation data 230- 6 may be automatically generated by processing circuitry that detects a change in position of a tire. In some embodiments, such action may include wirelessly determining range with a tire sensing device operating with other tire sensing devices or other systems of a vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, such an action may include receiving data from an external source (e.g., tire rotation technician). The revolution values 230- 7 may be generated by processing accelerometer readings from a tire sensor. However, alternative embodiments may include receiving data from other sources, such as wheel brake or wheel motor assemblies. It should be understood that the type of logged data shown in FIG. 2 is provided as an example. One skilled in the art would recognize that numerous other types of data may be logged.Data logged by the logging device(s) 230 may be periodically transmitted 236 to the reporting device(s) 232. Such action may include the reporting device(s) requesting / requesting such logged data and / or periodically transmitting such logged data. Further, logged data may be transmitted to more than one reporting device.The reporting device 232 may include any suitable device, including systems of a vehicle 204 or a user device 228. The reporting device(s) 232 may include one or more devices that may request or otherwise receive 232- 0 logged data. Such action may include receiving such data over a wired or wireless connection. Receiving data over a wired connection may include receiving data over a vehicle bus or other wired signal path. Receiving data over a wireless connection may include generating wireless requests to one or more logging devices 230 and / or monitoring one or more channels used by the logging devices 230 to transmit logged data.The reporting device(s) 232 may collect and aggregate logged data 232- 1. Such action may include any suitable organizing of received logged data according to an application for such data. Logging and aggregating logged data 232- 1 may include, but is not limited to, organizing logged data according to date, tire, tire location, and / or tire type. The reporting device(s) may also analyze 232- 2 logged data. In the embodiment shown, such analysis may be performed by wireless nodes, such as BT nodes. Such nodes may advantageously receive logged data from other BT transmission devices and include processing circuitry to perform processing operations. The processing of logged data may take the form of any of the equivalents described herein. Further, such processing may be partially and / or distributed. That is, a portion of the processing may be performed by one wireless node and completed by one or more other wireless nodes, and / or the logged data may be split among more than one wireless nodes for processing and then combined as an output dataset.Once logged data has been collected / aggregated and processed, a reporting device may transmit such data to a remote computing system 232- 3. In the embodiment shown, this may include reporting devices transmitting collected, aggregated, and / or analyzed data according to one or more IEEE 802.11 wireless standards (referred to herein as Wi-Fi). However, any other suitable wireless communication may be used, including cellular networks and / or proprietary networks. In some embodiments, a remote computing device that receives such data may include one or more servers accessed through the Internet (e.g., cloud computing devices).In this way, data related to tires and tire operations may be logged, collected, or aggregated and analyzed by multiple devices of the vehicle system and then transmitted to a remote computing system.FIG. 3 is a diagram of a tire tread data structure 322 according to an embodiment. A tire tread data structure 322 may include various parameters having corresponding values. In the embodiment shown, the tire profile data structure 322 may include: tire information 322- 0 that may identify a particular tire; date of manufacture and sale 322- 1 and 322- 2; a current vehicle type 322- 3, a current driver 322- 4, a number of wheel revolutions 322- 5; impacts experienced by a tire grouped by severity 322- 6; a current tire class 322- 7, and an estimated tread amount 322- 8. It is noted that while some parameters are static (e.g., tire information, date of manufacture), other parameters are dynamic (e.g., wheel revolutions, impacts, tire grade, estimated tread) and may be generated by processing circuitry.In this way, embodiments may generate tire profile data structures that may identify a tire and include parameters that are dynamically updated over time and / or tire usage.FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating various systems of a vehicle 438 according to an embodiment. A vehicle 438 may include a tire sensor device 402 and one or more vehicle systems 404- 0 through 404- 3. A tire sensor device 402 may store 440- 0 tire profile data and wirelessly transmit 436 tire data. In the embodiment shown, a tire sensor device 402 may be a BT device. Optionally, a tire sensor device 402 may perform tire tread analysis 440- 2. Such action may include processing tire and related data as described herein or equivalents including, but not limited to, collection, aggregation, and analysis of such data.Tire data transmitted from a tire sensor device 402 may be received at a vehicle system 404- 0. A vehicle system 404- 0 may store 440- 0 tire profiles received from other devices and systems, including from a tire sensor device 402, and may upload 440- 1 tire profiles to other systems (including remote systems). Optionally, a vehicle system 404- 0 may perform tire tread analysis as described herein and equivalents 440- 2. In the embodiment shown, a vehicle system 404- 0 may be part of a telematics control unit (TCU).Optionally, tire tread storage 440- 0 and / or analysis 440- 2 may be performed by other systems of a vehicle 438 including, but not limited to, an electronic control unit (ECU) 404- 1, an in-vehicle infotainment system (IVI) 404- 2, or a BT peripheral unit 404- 3. Other systems ( 404- 1 through -3) may enable distribution of tire profile data and / or analysis as described herein and equivalents.In this way, the tire profile data and analysis may be distributed across multiple systems of a vehicle.FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a tire sensor device 502 according to an embodiment. A tire sensor device 502 may include a power supply management circuit 502- 1, an analog-to-digital converter circuit (ADC) 502- 3, a microcontroller 502- 4, wireless circuits 502- 5, and a nonvolatile memory 502- 6. A tire sensor device 502 may be connected to or include sensors 502- 2 and a battery 502- 0. The sensors 502- 2 may include any suitable sensors for detecting features of a tire, including a pressure sensor 502- 20, an accelerometer 502- 21, and other sensors 502- 22 (such as temperature as just one of many possible examples). A battery 502- 0 may allow the tire sensor device to operate without a wired connection to vehicle power.The ADC 502- 3 may convert analog signals received from the tire sensors 502- 2 to digital values, including converting tire pressure measurements to digital values for inclusion in a tire tread or subsequent processing to generate associated tire tread data (e.g., fill data, positive / negative pressure events, impact events, wheel / tire revolutions, tire position).A microcontroller 502- 4 may be programmed to perform various functions including, but not limited to, capturing / updating tire data 502- 40 and creating a tire tread 502- 41. Capturing / updating tire data 502- 40 may include receiving / reading sensor data, but may also include receiving data from other sources, including other vehicle systems or systems external to the vehicle. Such acquired data may then be stored as tire profile data and then updated as new tire related data is periodically acquired. Creating a tire tread 502- 41 may include establishing a data structure to store tire parameters and / or filling an existing parameter previously programmed into the device 502.Optionally, a microcontroller 502- 4 may detect impact events 502- 42, detect positive and / or negative pressure conditions 502- 43, and / or determine tire position 502- 44. Detecting impact events 502- 42 may include analyzing sensor measurements, such as accelerometer 502- 21, and / or other vehicle sensor data, including data received from other vehicle systems. Detecting over / under pressure conditions 502- 43 may include analyzing readings from pressure sensor 502- 20 and storing such events with a corresponding time stamp. Determining the tire position 502- 44 may include performing direction direction finding operations with other devices (e.g., other tire sensor devices or other vehicle systems) to determine a position of the tire. In some embodiments, determining the tire position may include the angle of arrival (AoA) and / or the angle of departure (AoD). The impact event data, the positive / negative pressure data, and the tire position data may be stored in a tire profile data structure.The wireless circuitry 502- 5 may operate in accordance with one or more wireless standards to transmit data from and receive data at the tire sensor device 502. In the embodiment shown, the wireless circuits 502- 5 may include BT circuits 502- 50. The BT circuitry 502- 50 may receive and / or transmit tire information 542. Tire information may be received in any suitable manner and from any suitable source, including, but not limited to, another wireless device associated with a tire, another vehicle system, or a system external to a vehicle (e.g., a service provider system). The BT circuitry 502- 50 may also transmit tire profile data 522 to other vehicle systems for distributed storage and / or processing of tire profile data.The non-volatile memory circuits 502- 6 may store data tire profile data 502- 61 accessed and / or generated by the microcontroller 502- 4. Such tire profile data may be periodically updated by the microcontroller 502- 4. The non-volatile memory circuits 502- 6 may also include firmware 502- 60 that may include instructions executable by the microcontroller 502- 4 to provide the various operations described. The nonvolatile memory circuits 502- 6 may be integrated with a microcontroller 502- 4 or may be a separate device from the microcontroller 502- 4.FIG. 5B is a diagram of a tire sensor device 552 according to an embodiment. A tire sensor device 552 may include circuits such as those shown as 502 in FIG. 5A, and may be in the form of a single integrated circuit (IC) device. Alternative embodiments may include another type of package and / or an unpackaged die attached to the system substrate in any suitable manner.In this way, a tire sensor device may include circuitry for detecting and updating a tire tread and transmitting such a tread to other systems of a vehicle. In some embodiments, a tire sensor device may be advantageously included in a single IC device.FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a tire valve stem assembly 644 according to an embodiment. A tire valve stem assembly 644 may include a tire sensor device 602, such as that shown in FIG. 5A or 5B, or an equivalent, and may be mounted in a tire of a vehicle. A tire sensor device 602 may acquire, update, and transmit tire profile data as described herein.In this way, a valve stem assembly may include a tire sensor device for generating and distributing tire profile data.FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle system 704, according to an embodiment. A system 704 may include processor circuitry 716, memory circuitry 718, wireless circuitry 714 / 720, and optionally sensor circuitry 750. The processor circuitry 716 may include one or more processors to perform operations related to the generation and distribution of tire tread data. Such operations may include, but are not limited to, tire tread operations 716- 1 and tire tread related computations 716- 0. The tire profile operations 716- 1 may include acquiring 716- 10, storing 716- 11, updating 716- 12, and uploading 716- 13 tire profile data. Acquiring tire profile data 716- 10 may include receiving data values to be added to a tire profile data structure and / or full tire profile data structures (with or without all parameter values). Storing tire profile data 716- 11 may include storing tire profile data, including full tire profile data structures or portions thereof (e.g., parameters), in memory circuitry. Updating tire profile data 716- 12 may include storing new parameter data into an existing tire profile data structure in response to receiving and / or generating new parameter data. Uploading tire profile data 716- 13 may include transmitting a tire profile data structure using wireless circuitry 714 / 720.The tire profile-related computations 716- 0 may include any of the or equivalents described herein, including, but not limited to, generating tire profile parameters from sensor and other data, analyzing tire profile values (including generating alerts or notifications), or aggregating / collecting tire profile data.The memory circuitry 718 may store tire profiles 722 and instructions 718- 0. The tire profiles 722 may include multiple tire profiles ( 722- 0 to 722- 3) each corresponding to a different tire. Although FIG. 7 shows four tire profiles, alternative embodiments may include a larger number of profiles (e.g., one or more spare tires or a vehicle transporting a set of tires) or a smaller number of profiles (e.g., vehicle with less than four tires). Instructions 718- 0 may be executable by processor circuitry 716 to provide the described operations.FIG. 7 shows an example of a tread 722- 0 according to an embodiment. A tire tread 722- 0 may include tire information 710- 0 and pre-history data 710- 1. The tire information 710- 0 may include any suitable data related to a tire, and in the embodiment shown, has trademark, type and year 746- 0, sales date / data 746- 1, guarantee information 746- 2, tire position 746- 3, miles / km on the tire 746- 4, including types of miles 746- 40, a current class for the tire 746- 5, and rotation date / data of a tire 746- 6.The pre-layer data 710- 1 may include data values for a tire characteristic over time. For example, values with different time stamps. In the embodiment shown, history data may include pressure values 748-0, including distinguishing times from positive pressure 748-00 and negative pressure 748-01. The history data 710- 1 may include load values over time. In some embodiments, load values may be associated with geographic regions (e.g., GPS coordinates). The tire acceleration data 748- 2 may be logged over time, including distinguishing impact events. The temperature 748- 4 may also be logged over time.The wireless circuitry 714 / 720 may include circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving tire profiles and associated data. While the wireless circuits may operate according to any suitable method, in the embodiment shown, the wireless circuits 714 / 720 may include Wi-Fi circuits 720-0, BT circuits 714, and cellular circuits 720-1. In some embodiments, Wi-Fi circuitry 720- 0 and / or cellular circuitry 720- 1 may transmit tire profile data to remote computing systems or the like. The BT circuitry 714 may receive tire tread data from other systems and / or transmit tire tread data to other systems.Other sensor circuitry 750 may include sensors that may detect a condition or operating environment of a vehicle, which may be used in the calculation and / or analysis of tire tread related data.In this way, a vehicle system may receive tire-related profiles, update such profiles, and wirelessly transmit such tire profiles.While systems according to embodiments may take any suitable form, some embodiments may advantageously be compact single integrated circuit devices capable of providing wireless communications according to multiple standards. Tire profile data for distribution in accordance with one wireless standard (e.g., a relatively shorter range standard) among vehicle systems and for uploading in accordance with another standard (e.g., a longer range standard) to networks.FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a tire tread processing and distribution system 804 according to another embodiment. In some embodiments, a system 804 may include a single integrated circuit (IC) device 874 that may be connected to an antenna system 870. The IC device 874 may include a Wi-Fi portion 804- 0, a BT portion 804- 1, a coexistence interface (GCI) 872, power amplifiers (PAs) 868- 0, 868- 1, and low noise amplifiers (LNAs) 866- 0, 866- 1.A Wi-Fi portion 804- 0 may include processor circuits 856- 0, memory circuits 818- 0, first input / output (I / O) circuits 858- 0, bridge control circuit 864, Wi-Fi control circuits 820- 0, and Wi-Fi radio circuits 820- 03 interconnected via a backplane 876. Processor circuitry 856- 0 may include one or more processors executing instructions for tire tread-related operations including, but not limited to, tire tread-related computations 816- 0 and warning operations 860. Tire profile related computations 816- 0 may include any of those described herein, including tread wear 822- 8, tire class 822- 7, load 848- 1, and miles / km 848- 4. The warning operations 860 may include generating warnings in response to tire profile data values. In the embodiment shown, such warnings may include a low tread warning 860- 1 and a use warning 860- 2. A usage alert 860- 2 may include alerts based on an undesirable position with respect to rotation or non-matching of tire types, as only two of many possible examples.The memory circuits 818- 0 may store data accessible by a system 804, including processor circuits 818- 0 including tire profiles 822. In some embodiments, the memory circuits may include non-volatile memory circuits that store tire profiles.The first I / O circuits 858-0 may enable communication with the system 804 according to any suitable interface, including a serial interface or parallel interface. In some embodiments, the first I / O circuits 858- 0 may be compatible with one or more serial standards, including, but not limited to, an SPI standard, I 2 C standards, USB standards, CAN bus, PCI express, and / or a proprietary standard.The Wi-Fi control circuits 820 may include circuitry for performing wireless communications according to one or more IEEE 802.11 wireless standards, including those operating in the 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz band. In some embodiments, this may include Wi-Fi compatible media access control (MAC) layer circuits 820- 00 and Wi-Fi compatible physical interface (PHY) layer circuits 820- 01. The Wi-Fi RF circuitry 820-03 may include multiband radio circuitry that transmits and receives data on one or more Wi-Fi bands. In the embodiment shown, Wi-Fi RF circuits 820- 03 may drive one or more PAs 868-0 and receive input signals from one or more LNAs 866-0.In some embodiments, the Wi-Fi portion 804- 0, when proximate to a suitable network, may connect to such a network and transmit tire profile data for receipt by a remote computing system.The BT portion 804- 1 may provide wireless communications according to one or more BT standards. BT portion 804- 1 may include processor circuits 878- 1, memory circuits 818- 1, media control circuits 862, second I / O circuits 858- 1, and BT radio control circuits 814- 0 interconnected by a bus 878.In the embodiment shown, processor circuits 878-1 may perform various operations related to tire profile data processing, including detecting impact events 802-42, determining over / under pressure conditions 802-43, and determining tire position 802-44. Such operations may take the form of any of the ones described herein or equivalents. The memory circuitry 818- 1 may store data tire sensor data 854, such as those transmitted from BT20 tire sensor devices.The BT RF circuitry 814- 1 may be controlled by BT radio control circuitry 814- 0 and may include radio circuitry to enable transmission of messages in accordance with one or more BT standards. In the embodiment shown, the BT RF circuitry 814- 1 may drive one or more PAs 868- 1 and receive input signals from one or more LNAs 866- 1.In some embodiments, a BT portion 804- 1 may communicate with tire sensing devices to receive tire sensor data and / or tire tread data.The media control circuits 862 may communicate with the Wi-Fi portion 804- 0 using bridge control circuits 864 to control access to a transmission medium (e.g., 2.4 GHz band). In some embodiments, such a communication path may be used to transfer data between processor circuits 818- 0 and 818- 1. The second I / O circuits 858- 1 may enable communication with the system 804 according to any of the embodiments or equivalents described herein.The Wi-Fi portion 804- 0 and the BT portion 804- 1 may communicate with a coexistence interface 872. Coexistence interface 872 may allow Wi-Fi portion 804- 0 and BT portion 812- 1 to interface with other wireless systems, such as cellular network systems, including, but not limited to, 3G, 8G, LTE, and 5G networks. Via such an interface, a system 804 may transmit tire profiles via another such system / wireless systems.In some embodiments, a BT portion 804- 1 may communicate with BT-based tire sensors to receive tire information and / or tire profile data. Such data may be processed by the BT processor circuits 856- 1 and / or provided to the Wi-Fi processor circuits 856- 0 for processing. In this way, processing of tire tread data may be split between different processor circuits of the same device.FIG. 8B shows a packaged single-chip system 805 that may include a profile-based tire inflation system as described herein, or equivalents. In some embodiments, a system 805 may include those circuits shown in FIG. 8A.In this way, a system may include a single integrated circuit device with various wireless circuits for receiving, processing, and transmitting tire tread data.FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a remote computing system 908, according to an embodiment. A remote computing system 908 may include a network IF 908- 0, a processing system 908- 1, and a storage system 908- 2. A network interface 908- 0 may receive tire profiles 922- 0 through 922- nfrom various vehicles via a wireless network. Optionally, a network interface may receive tire related data 954-0 through 954-k and transmit warning / notification messages 980-0 through 980-I.A processing system 908- 1 may perform various operations including, but not limited to, storing / updating tire profiles 908- 10 and analyzing tire profiles 908- 11. Storing and updating tire profiles 908- 10 may include processing received wireless messages to extract tire profiles and storing them in storage system 908- 2. Such tire profiles may then be updated as new, updated tire profiles are received at the network IF 908- 0. Analyzing tire profile data 908- 11 may include processing such data in any suitable manner including, but not limited to, predicting trends in tire usage including predicting maintenance trends.Optionally, a processing system 908- 1 may include processing tire data 908- 12. Such an operation may include processing tire data (e.g., 954-0 through -k) to generate values for a tire profile (e.g., parameters) as described herein or an equivalent. That is, in some embodiments, processing tire-related data for a tire profile may be distributed over processing circuitry in a vehicle as well as processing circuitry of a remote system (e.g., a server).Optionally, a processing system 908- 1 may generate 908- 13 notifications or alerts. Such operations may include analyzing tire profile data and generating messages for transmission to vehicles (980-0 through -I) via network IF 908-0. Such notifications / warnings (980-0 through -I) may be based on fixed limits (e.g., tread wear limits) and / or predictive (e.g., suggested actions based on trends or inferred results).A storage system 908- 2 may provide memory of any suitable type to a processing system 908- 1. A storage system 908- 2 may store tire profiles 922 and optionally tire data 954.In this way, a remote computing system may include a processing system that aggregates and analyzes tire profile data to predict tire usage and performance trends.FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams of a machine learning system 1008- 0 / 1008- 1 that may generate tire usage-related notifications and / or alerts. FIG. 10A shows a system 1008- 0 that may include a trainable statistical model 1008- 00, an error function 1008- 01, a model fit 1008- 02, and training data 1082. A trainable statistical model 1008- 00 may include any suitable model, including an artificial neural network. An error function 1008- 01 may determine an error between training data input and training output. A model adjustment 1008- 02 may adjust the model 1008- 00 in response to error data 1084. A model adjustment 1008- 02 may include any suitable machine learning operation (e.g., backpropagating neuron weights). Training data 1082 may include tire profile parameters 1082-0 and corresponding tire life and / or failure events 1082-1. Tire tread parameters 1082-0 may include any of the ones described herein or equivalents. The lifetime / failure events 1082-1 may correspond to tire profile parameters. In some embodiments, the training data 1082 may be data for a same type or category of tires. In some embodiments, such training data may be logged or acquired at a final disposition point for a tire.FIG. 10B is a diagram of a trained system 1008- 1, according to an embodiment. A system 1008- 1 may be implemented on a vehicle system and / or a remote computing system. A system 1008- 1 may include a trained statistical model 1008- 10, which may be a model such as that shown in FIG. 10A after the model is trained with the training data. In response to tire profile data 1022, a trained model 1008- 10 may generate (e.g., infer) a lifetime and / or potential failure for a tire 1086. From such generated data, a warning and / or notification 1080 may be generated.In this way, machine learning may be used to generate a warning regarding tire usage based on tire profile data.While embodiments may include the various methods described in connection with systems and devices described herein, additional methods will now be described with reference to flowcharts.FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method 1190, according to an embodiment. A method 1190 may include acquiring tire information for a tire 1190- 0. Such action may include, but is not limited to, a vehicle system that receives tire information from a tire itself (e.g., the tire includes its own wireless device or a wireless readable device) and / or such data provided from another source (e.g., technician). Tire sensor data may be acquired 1190- 1. Such action may include sensing tire sensor data as described herein or equivalents. Optionally, a method 1190 may include generating tire profile data 1190- 2. Such action may include processing tire sensor data and / or data received from other sources to generate parameters for a tire profile. A method 1190 may include creating a tire tread 1190- 3. In some embodiments, such an action may include creating a data structure that includes tire parameter identifiers (e.g., "tire class") and their corresponding value (e.g., "B-").A tire tread may be stored 1190- 4 in a non-transitory manner. Such action may include storing tire tread data such that the data is maintained when no power is available. A tire tread may be distributed over one or more other systems 1190-5. Such action may include transmitting tire profiles or portions thereof for storage in other systems. Such another system may be a system of the same vehicle and / or a remote computing system (e.g., server).A method 1190 may determine whether tire profile data is received 1190-6. Such action may include receiving a tire tread and / or parameters for a tire tread. Such data may be different from or identical to an existing tire tread. Such tire profile data may be received automatically or in response to a request. If no tire tread data is received (N of 1190-6), a method may continue to store and distribute a tire tread (1190-4 / 5). When tire profile data is received (J of 1190-6), a method may update a tire profile 1190-7. Such action may include overwriting an existing tire tread with a received tire tread, or may include updating only a subset of parameters in a tire tread.In this way, a tire profile may be created, distributed over more than one system, and updated periodically.FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1290 according to another embodiment. In some embodiments, a method 1290 may be performed by a tire sensor device. A method 1290 may include establishing a tire tread data structure 1290- 0. Such action may include, but is not limited to, a tire tread data structure being programmed into a device by a manufacturer or created by processing circuitry of a device.A method 1290 may include receiving a BT transmission with tire information 1290- 1. Such action may include, but is not limited to, receiving a BT transmission from a tire or from an external source. Tire information may identify a tire as described herein and equivalents. Tire sensor data may be read 1290-2. In some embodiments, such action may include a tire sensor device reading tire sensors that monitor tire condition (e.g., pressure, acceleration, temperature). Optionally, a method 1290 may include generating other profile data from sensor data 1290- 3.A method 1290 may include filling a tire tread data structure with tread data 1290- 4. Such action may include storing parameter values in a tire tread data structure. This may include parameter values corresponding to tire sensor data as well as parameters generated from tire sensor data. A tire tread may be uploaded to one or more other vehicle systems 1290- 5. Such action may include wirelessly transmitting a tire tread according to a BT or other standard.In this way, tire sensor data may be received via BT transmissions, a tire profile may be filled with profile data (e.g., parameters), and the tire profile may be transmitted to another vehicle system.FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method 1390 according to another embodiment. In some embodiments, a method 1390 may be performed by a vehicle system in communication with tire sensing devices. Optionally, a method may include receiving tire data from tire sensors 1390-0 and generating other profile data from tire sensor data 1390-1. Such action may include those described for FIG. 12. Also optionally, a method 1390 may include receiving tire-related data from other vehicle systems 1390- 2. Such other sensor data may be included in tire profile data or used to generate data for a tire profile (e.g., GPS data, brake / engine data, driver ID data).A method 1390 may also include receiving tire profile data from a tire sensor 1290- 3. In some embodiments, such action may include receiving a transmission from a BT tire sensor device. A tire profile may be updated 1390-4. Such action may include any of those described in FIG. 11 or equivalents. Tire tread data may be stored in a non-volatile memory 1390- 5.A method 1390 may also include determining whether any tire profile data is outside a boundary 1390- 6. If tire profile data is outside a boundary (J of 1390-6), a method may generate a warning 1390-7. Such action may include generating a message to inform a vehicle occupant of a tire condition that may need maintenance or other action. A method 1390 may also wirelessly transmit a tire tread to a location external to a system 1390- 8. Such action may include transmitting a tire tread to a server system or the like over a wireless network.In this way, tire profile data may be received from tire sensors, periodically updated, stored in a non-transitory manner, and then wirelessly transmitted to an external system.Embodiments may include methods, apparatuses, and systems, may include: wirelessly receiving tire information at a tire sensor device; acquiring sensor data with at least the tire sensor device; storing at least the tire information and sensor data in a tire tread data structure; periodically transmitting the tire tread data structure from the tire sensor device according to at least one wireless standard; and in response to changes in a state of the tire, updating the tire tread data structure. The tire information may identify the tire.Embodiments may include methods, apparatus, and systems having wireless circuitry compatible with at least one wireless standard and configured to receive tire information identifying a tire, receive tire sensor data indicative of a condition of the tire, and periodically transmit a tire tread data structure. Processing circuitry may be configured to update the tire tread data structure in response to at least tire sensor data. Non-volatile memory circuitry may be configured to store the tire tread data structure. The tire profile data structure may include at least the tire information.Embodiments may include methods, apparatuses, and systems including: a first apparatus having first non-volatile memory circuitry configured to store a tire tread data structure; first processing circuitry configured to update data in the tire tread data structure in response to receiving update data; first wireless circuitry compatible with at least a first standard and configured to transmit the tire tread data structure from the first apparatus; and an antenna system coupled to the wireless circuitry. A tire profile data structure may include at least tire information identifying a tire.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include wirelessly receiving tire information via wireless communications compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard.Methods, apparatuses, and systems according to embodiments may include: periodically collecting sensor data over time; aggregating sensor data of different time to generate aggregated data; and storing the aggregated data in the tire profile data structure.Methods, apparatus, and systems according to embodiments may include: processing tire sensor data with processing circuitry of the tire sensor to generate processed data; and storing the processed data in the tire tread data structure.Methods, apparatus, and systems according to embodiments may include periodically generating a tire class value that varies with tire usage.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include generating a warning in response to the sensor data being outside a predetermined limit.Methods, apparatuses, and systems according to embodiments may include: a tire associated with a vehicle; transmitting the tire profile data structure from the tire sensor to a system of the vehicle; and storing the tire profile data structure in a non-volatile memory of the system.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include wirelessly transmitting the tire tread data structure from the system to a server system via a wireless network.Methods, apparatus, and systems according to embodiments may include: receiving a plurality of tire profile data structures for tires of different vehicles; and processing the plurality of tire profile data structures to predict times for tire maintenance.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include wireless circuits, processing circuits, and nonvolatile memory circuits formed in the same integrated circuit substrate.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include: a first device including a tire sensor for a tire; and first wireless circuitry configured to receive the tire information.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include: a first device including a vehicle system; and first wireless circuitry transmitting tire profile data may be compatible with at least one standard selected from the group consisting of an IEEE 802.11 wireless standard and a cellular network standard.Methods, apparatus, and systems according to embodiments may include first processing circuitry configured to receive tire sensor data, process the tire sensor data to generate processed data, and store the processed data in the tire tread data structure.Methods, apparatus, and systems according to embodiments may include first processing circuitry configured to generate a warning message in response to tire tread data structure data being outside a predetermined limit.Methods, devices, and systems according to embodiments may include: a second device including: second non-volatile memory circuitry configured to store the tire tread data structure; second wireless circuitry compatible with at least the first standard and configured to receive the tire tread data structure from the first device; and third wireless circuitry compatible with at least a second standard and configured to transmit the tire tread data structure from the second device.Methods, apparatuses, and systems according to embodiments may include a server system configured to receive the tire profile data structure and other tire profile data structures via at least one wireless network.It should be understood that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it is emphasized and understood that two or more references to "one embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" in various parts of this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined as appropriate in one or more embodiments of the invention.Likewise, it should be understood that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in order to keep the disclosure short and thereby aid in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure is not, however, to be construed as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single embodiment disclosed above. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.Although this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the specification. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

A method comprising: wirelessly receiving tire information at a tire sensor device; acquiring sensor data with at least the tire sensor device; storing at least the tire information and the sensor data in a tire profile data structure; periodically transmitting the tire profile data structure from the tire sensor device according to at least one wireless standard; and in response to changes in a state of the tire, updating the tire profile data structure; wherein the tire information identifies the tire.The method of claim 1, wherein wirelessly receiving tire information comprises receiving wireless communications compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard.The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring the sensor data comprises: periodically acquiring sensor data over time; aggregating sensor data of different time to generate aggregated data; and storing the aggregated data in the tire tread data structure.The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing tire sensor data with processing circuitry of the tire sensor to generate processed data; and storing the processed data in the tire tread data structure.The method of claim 4, wherein processing tire sensor data comprises periodically generating a tire class value that varies with tire usage.The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a warning in response to the sensor data being outside a predetermined limit.The method of claim 1, further comprising: the tire being associated with a vehicle; transmitting the tire profile data structure from the tire sensor to a system of the vehicle; and storing the tire profile data structure in a non-volatile memory of the system.The method of claim 7, further comprising wirelessly transmitting the tire tread data structure from the system to a server system over a wireless network.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of tire profile data structures for tires of different vehicles; and processing the plurality of tire profile data structures to predict times for tire maintenance.An apparatus comprising: wireless circuitry compatible with at least one wireless standard and configured to: receive tire information identifying a tire, receive tire sensor data indicative of a condition of the tire, and periodically transmit a tire tread data structure; processing circuitry configured to update the tire tread data structure in response to at least tire sensor data; and non-volatile memory circuitry configured to store the tire tread data structure; wherein the tire tread data structure comprises at least the tire information.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one standard is a Bluetooth standard.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: process the tire sensor data to generate processed data; and store the processed data in the tire tread data structure.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wireless circuits, the processing circuits, and the nonvolatile memory circuits are formed in the same integrated circuit substrate.A system, comprising: a first device comprising: first non-volatile memory circuitry configured to store a tire tread data structure; first processing circuitry configured to update data in the tire tread data structure in response to receiving update data; first wireless circuitry compatible with at least a first standard and configured to transmit the tire tread data structure from the first device; and an antenna system coupled to the wireless circuitry; wherein the tire tread data structure comprises at least tire information identifying a tire.The system of claim 14, wherein: the first device includes a tire sensor for a tire; and the first wireless circuitry is configured to receive the tire information.The system of claim 14, wherein: the first device comprises a vehicle system; and the at least one standard is selected from the group consisting of: an IEEE 802.11 wireless standard and a cellular network standard.The system of claim 14, wherein: the first processing circuitry is configured to: receive tire sensor data, process the tire sensor data to generate processed data, and store the processed data in the tire tread data structure.The system of claim 14, wherein the first processing circuitry is configured to generate a warning message in response to data of the tire tread data structure being outside a predetermined limit.The system of claim 14, further comprising: a second device comprising: second non-volatile memory circuitry configured to store the tire tread data structure; second wireless circuitry compatible with at least the first standard and configured to receive the tire tread data structure from the first device; and third wireless circuitry compatible with at least a second standard and configured to transmit the tire tread data structure from the second device.The system of claim 14, further comprising a server system configured to receive the tire profile data structure and other tire profile data structures over at least one wireless network.

Images