METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING THE COORDINATES OF A VISUAL DISPLAY OF THE CONFORMITY OF AN IDENTIFIED TIRE WITH AN RFID CHIP

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method implemented by a system to record the coordinates of a visual indication of the uniformity of an identified tire equipped with an RFID chip. Context

[0002] Considering tire geometry, it's clear that a perfectly balanced and perfectly round tire doesn't exist. Due to tire irregularities, the additional force acting on the rotating axle during rolling causes vibrations and a deviation of the vehicle, affecting speed, comfort, and smoothness of operation. Therefore, tire uniformity is crucial for vehicle performance. Tire manufacturers conduct uniformity tests on each tire to ensure optimal performance in terms of steering, traction, braking, and load-bearing capacity.

[0003] Tire uniformity refers to their dynamic mechanical properties as defined by a set of measurement standards and test conditions accepted by global tire and vehicle manufacturers. These standards include parameters for radial force variation, lateral force variation, front / rear force variation, taper, ply direction, radial exit, lateral exit, and sidewall bulge. Tire manufacturers use uniformity measurements to identify underperforming tires so they are not sold on the market.

[0004] For high-performance tires, manufacturers mark any inconsistencies in uniformity with visual indicators so they can be corrected during the tire-to-rim mounting process. Typically, the manufacturer places colored dots on the tire sidewalls to guide the mounting process. These colored dots help the technician properly balance the tire. For example, radial force must be minimized to ensure correct installation and a smooth ride. Radial force is indicated by a white dot.

[0005] The colored dots are entirely managed by the uniformity machines, which analyze the tire's surface to extract uniformity information. Using a barcode as a reference, the uniformity machines store the position and values ​​of these measurements. These machines also apply a colored dot to the tire sidewall at the measurement location for visual reference. The colored dot (not the barcode) serves as the reference because the barcode is not visible during tire and rim assembly. Unfortunately, these colored dots are quite complex to implement. For example, they can peel off, resulting in lost time and money for the tire manufacturer and its customers. Such a process is described in US document 6417918B1.

[0006] In the field of tire manufacturing, electronic components already exist that are attached inside a tire casing by means of a mounting device (for example, a TMS, or Tire-Mounted System, electronic component). Each mounting device is made from an elastomeric material (for example, natural rubber, synthetic elastomer, and combinations and equivalents thereof) that enables the electronic component to communicate. The electronic component mounted in the mounting device measures parameters within a cavity formed by the inflated tire casing and the wheel rim to which the tire is mounted.The measured parameters are chosen from among those deemed essential for the safe operation of the assembled vehicle, which include, but are not limited to, tire pressure (including tire pressure variation), tire temperature (including tire temperature variation), wheel speed, acceleration (including acceleration variation), tread variation (including expected tread wear), and related data (e.g., track test data that can be captured by each electronic component). Communication with these electronic components (particularly for communicating the parameters of the assembled vehicle) is generally via radio frequency transmission to transmitter / receiver devices (e.g., using radio frequency identification, or RFID, devices).A tire currently equipped with an RFID chip has a unique identifier that allows information associated with that tire to be retrieved in the traceability chain.

[0007] Thus, the disclosed invention uses RFID tags to retrieve uniformity information, thereby eliminating the need for colored dots. The invention therefore implements a digitization of the colored dot to optimize the process of applying visual indicators of tire uniformity. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a method implemented by a system to record the coordinates of a visual indication of the uniformity of an identified tire equipped with an RFID chip, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: a step of detecting the identified tire, during which an imaging system of the system obtains one or more digital images of the identified tire, this step comprising the following steps: capturing the placements of a tag and a barcode in the image(s) of the identified tire obtained by the imaging system; analyzing the image(s) of the identified tire obtained by the imaging system to determine the size of the identified tire allowing the identification of the locations of the tag and the barcode; a step of calculating an angle α 1 which represents an angular distance between the tag and the barcode, such that the respective coordinates of the tag and the barcode are used to calculate the angle α 1 between them, during which the measurement of the angle α 1 is recorded in a database of the system;a step of detecting the visual indication displayed on the tire identified by its producer, during which the visual indication is detected in one or more images of the identified tire obtained by the imaging system, the placement of which is captured; a step of calculating an angle α2 which represents an angular distance between the barcode and the visual indication, such that the respective coordinates of the barcode and the visual indication are used to calculate the angle α2 between them, during which the measurement of angle α2 is recorded in the system's database; a step of recording angle α1 and angle α2, allowing their summation to determine a total angle αT between the plate and the visual indication, during which the total angle αT is recorded in the system's database as the general information of the identified tire; so that determining the placement of the tag allows the location of the coordinates of the uniformity point represented by the visual indication; and so that the general information is incorporated into the database, associated with the RFID chip identifier to allow access to the coordinates of the visual information.

[0009] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the method further includes a step of comparing the angles α1, α2 calculated for the identified tire with the parameters of known tires, this step being performed by the system's processor. In one embodiment of the method of the invention, during the step of detecting the identified tire, the imaging system scans to determine the data corresponding to the leading vertical edges of the identified tire so that a centerline of the identified tire can be identified.

[0010] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the step of detecting the identified tire further comprises at least one of the following steps: a step of determining the diameter of the identified tire; a step of determining the radius of the tire of the identified tire; a step of determining the rim radius of the identified tire; a step of identifying the center point of the identified tire; and a step of determining the location of the internal and external limits of the sidewall of the identified tire.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the method further includes a step of comparing the angles α 1 , α 2 calculated for the identified tire with the parameters of commercially available tires that most closely correspond to the parameters of the identified tire, this step being carried out by the system processor.

[0012] In one embodiment of the process of the invention: the plate incorporates the week and year of manufacture of the identified tire; and the barcode includes all information relating to the manufacture of the identified tire which allows its exact source to be identified; so that this information forms part of the general information of the identified tire. In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the method is implemented by computer so that the system can build a model for predicting the uniformity information corresponding to the identified tire.

[0013] The invention also relates to a system for implementing the disclosed method, characterized in that the system comprises: a communication network that manages incoming data to the system from various sources, the communication network comprising: at least one communication server with at least one processor that manages the data corresponding to the general information concerning an identified tire; and one or more communication devices that capture and transmit the data obtained to the server, the communication devices including an imaging system that captures images of an identified tire to transmit the data corresponding to the images obtained to the server; and one or more databases in which data incorporating the general information are recorded to construct one or more tire uniformity profiles; in which the server includes an image processing module which analyzes images of tires obtained by the imaging system so that general information of the identified tire including data corresponding to the identified tire is incorporated into its RFID identifier.

[0014] In one embodiment of the system of the invention, the server is associated with one or more tire producers.

[0015] Other aspects of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The nature and various advantages of the invention will become more evident upon reading the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, on which the same reference numbers designate identical parts throughout, and in which: [ Fig 1] [Fig 2 ] THE figures 1 and 2represent constituents of a known pneumatic system in a meridian plane. [ Fig 3 ] There figure 3 represents an embodiment of a system of the invention for implementing a method of applying visual indications of tire uniformity. [ Fig 4 ] There figure 4 represents an identified tire processed by the system of the figure 3 during the implementation of a method of the invention for the application of visual indications of tire uniformity. Detailed description

[0017] Considering the geometry of the tires, the figures 1 and 2 These are schematic representations of a tire P which, conventionally, includes two circumferential beads designed to allow the tire to be attached to a rim. Each bead includes a reinforcing annular bead. With particular reference to the figure 1The tire P includes an internal limit F1 and an external limit FE, which together define the limits of a sidewall F of the tire P. The internal limit FI separates the sidewall F of the tire from a rim (not shown) on which the tire is intended for mounting. The tire P also includes a rim radius RJ, defined as the distance between a central point C of the tire and the internal limit FI, which separates the rim and the sidewall F of the tire. The tire P also includes an internal sidewall diameter, defined as twice the rim radius RJ. The tire P also includes a tire radius RP, defined as the distance between the central point C and an external limit FE of the sidewall F, which represents the tread area of ​​the tire. The tire P also includes a tire diameter, defined as twice the tire radius RP. Referring to the figure 2A tire P, inflated and unloaded, includes several parameters of its geometry, including a nominal section width LP and a height HP (the height HP being often expressed as a percentage of the width LP). The tire P also includes a measurement DJ which represents the diameter of a rim on which the tire is intended for mounting (this measurement being approximately equal to the inner sidewall diameter FI). It is understood that each of these parameters can be expressed in equivalent known length measurements (for example, in millimeters (mm) or inches (in)).

[0018] The construction of a tire is typically described by representing its components in a meridian plane, that is, a plane containing the tire's axis of rotation. The radial, axial, and circumferential directions respectively refer to the directions perpendicular to the tire's axis of rotation, parallel to the tire's axis of rotation, and perpendicular to any meridian plane. The terms "radially," "axially," and "circumferentially" mean, respectively, "along a radial direction," "along an axial direction," and "along a circumferential direction" of the tire. The terms "radially inside" and "radially outside" mean "closer to, or farther from, the tire's axis of rotation, respectively, along a radial direction."

[0019] Now, referring to figures 3 and 4 , on which the same numbers identify identical elements, the figure 3 represents an embodiment of a system 100 for implementing a method of applying visual indicators of tire uniformity. As used here, the visual indicators refer to the colored dots (but it is understood that other visual indicators could be processed by the system 100). The method of the invention takes advantage of the RFID identifier of a tire (for example, a tire of the type shown in the figure 2) to retrieve its uniformity information. The RFID identifier refers to the data corresponding to the general information of an identified tire, this data may include, without limitation, its size (which may be represented by the tire type and / or its nomenclature), its construction code (for example, "R" for radial), its production provenance (for example, the name and / or brand of the producer of the identified tire, its date of manufacture and its place of manufacture, distribution and / or storage), its unique identification number (or "serial number"), its load index, its speed symbol (for example, "A5" which represents 25 km / h), and / or its expected mileage.For example, for a tire with a size of 250 / 70 R 15, the number "250" represents the nominal section width of the tire in millimeters, the number "70" represents the height / width ratio (or "aspect ratio") of the tire, the letter "R" represents a radial tire, and the number "15" represents the rim diameter in inches.

[0020] It is understood that the RFID identifier, using the disclosed invention, can include the uniformity information of the identified tire.

[0021] Referring again to the figure 3The system 100 includes a communication network (or "network") 102 that manages incoming data to the system 100 from various sources. The communication network 102 incorporates at least one communication server (or "server") 104 with at least one processor that manages data corresponding to general information concerning an identified tire. The term "identified tire" (in the singular or plural) is used here to refer to a tire equipped with an RFID chip that is present in the physical environment of the system 100 and is subject to uniformity testing. The server 104 may include (or access) one or more databases of the system 100 in which data incorporating general information is recorded to construct one or more tire uniformity profiles. The server 104 may be associated with one or more tire manufacturers.

[0022] The communication network 102 of system 100 may include one or more communication devices (or "devices") that capture and transmit the data obtained to the server 104. The communication device(s) may include one or more portable devices such as one or more mobile network devices (e.g., one or more mobile phones, one or more laptops, one or more network-connected wearable devices, including "augmented reality" and / or "virtual reality" type devices, and / or any combination thereof and / or any equivalent). In all cases, the communication devices may include clothing and / or network-connected wearable devices worn by one or more operators of the uniformity machines (where each operator is a human or a device known as a robot and / or an autonomous vehicle).As an example, a monitoring device worn by the operator can monitor by video the display conditions of the coloured dots and send the corresponding data to server 104 of the communication network 102.

[0023] The communication device(s) may also include one or more remote computers capable of transferring data via the communication network 102. For example, a portable device of system 100 can transmit general information about the identified tire (including uniformity information about the identified tire) to a remote computer of system 100. Based on the transmitted data, the remote computer can transmit to the portable device the summary of colorized dot locations for the identified tire, indicating a planned poster design (for example, a location of a red dot corresponding to the runout).

[0024] In embodiments of system 100, the communication network device(s) may also include one or more data capture devices that capture and transmit data from the identified tire to the server 104. In these embodiments, the data capture device(s) include an imaging system 106 for capturing images of an identified tire P* and for transmitting the corresponding data to the server 104. The imaging system may include at least one camera that captures tires entering its field of view for a specified period (for example, images of an identified tire during uniformity measurement). The imaging system 106 (including its camera) is selected from commercially available devices (for example, line scan cameras, matrix cameras, or even 3D profilometers).

[0025] Server 104 incorporates an image processing module that analyzes the tire images obtained by the imaging system 106. The image processing module finds the center point C of the target tire and the rim radius RJ (see the figure 1Since the central point C is already known, the image processing module can determine the distance corresponding to the tire radius RP of a tire identified P* (for example, the radius of the tire identified P* can be determined using the Pythagorean theorem by using vertical and horizontal distances between points in the point cloud and the boundaries of the resulting image). Once the rim radius RJ and the tire radius RP are known, the parameters of the identified tire can be determined. The image processing module can use these dimensions RJ and RP to determine the corresponding tire size (for example, as an index in a tire size reference).

[0026] The corresponding data from the obtained images are recorded in the System 100 database (for example, to facilitate the construction of a predicted location model for displaying a colored dot). This data is updated continuously or intermittently. System 100 thus enables continuous improvement across all tires processed by the system, ensuring that System 100 improves based on the information it acquires from each tire (including uniformity information).

[0027] The 102 communication network can include wired or wireless connections and can implement any data transfer protocol known to a person skilled in the art. Examples of wireless connections may include, without limitation, radio frequency (RF), satellites, mobile phones (analog or digital), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, infrared, ZigBee, local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wide area network (WAN), NFC (Near Field Communication), other wireless communication configurations and standards, their equivalents, and a combination thereof.

[0028] It is understood that the communication network 102 (including the server 104) involves the use of one or more processors as understood by those skilled in the art. The term "processor" (or, alternatively, the term "programmable logic circuit") (in the singular or plural) refers to one or more devices capable of processing and analyzing data and comprising one or more software programs for their processing (for example, one or more integrated circuits known to those skilled in the art as being included in a computer, one or more controllers, one or more microcontrollers, one or more microcomputers, one or more programmable logic controllers (or "PLCs"), one or more application-specific integrated circuits, one or more neural networks, and / or one or more other known equivalent programmable circuits).The processor includes software for processing data captured by elements associated with system 100 (and the corresponding data obtained) as well as software for identifying and locating variances and identifying their sources in order to correct them.

[0029] Referring again to figures 3 and 4 Embodiments of a method of the invention (“method”) implemented by the system 100 for recording the coordinates of a visual indication of the uniformity of a tire identified P* and equipped with an RFID chip are disclosed. As used herein, the term “method” or “process” may include one or more steps performed by at least one computer system comprising one or more processors to execute instructions that perform the steps. Any sequence of steps is given by way of example and does not limit the described methods to any particular sequence.

[0030] In initiating the process of the invention, the process includes a step of detecting the tire identified P* equipped with an RFID chip. During this step, the imaging system 106 obtains one or more digital images of the tire identified P* within the field of view of the imaging system's camera. During this step, the placements of a tag 200 and a barcode 300 are captured. The tag 200, which is affixed to the tire identified P* by its manufacturer, incorporates the week and year of manufacture (SAF) number of the identified tire, this information forming part of its general information. The barcode 300, which is also affixed to the tire identified P* by its manufacturer, includes all the manufacturing information of the identified tire that allows its exact source to be identified (including, without limitation, the manufacturing plant, the materials incorporated, and the machine(s) used to manufacture the tire).

[0031] During this step, the image of the target tire P* is analyzed to identify the locations of the plate 200 and the barcode 300. During this step, the imaging system 106 can scan to determine the data corresponding to the front vertical edges B AV so that a centerline M of the tire identified P* can be identified. During this step, the diameter of the tire identified P* can be determined (for example, by determining the distance between the imaged front vertical edge B AV and the rear vertical edge B AR). During this step, the tire radius RP of the tire identified P* can be determined as half the diameter of the identified tire. During this step, the rim radius RJ of the tire identified P* can be determined as half the diameter of the inner edge FI of the sidewall of the target tire.During this step, the central point C can be identified as a distance from the rim radius RJ to the front vertical edge B AV or the rear vertical edge B AR and located along the midline M.

[0032] Knowing the radius (RP) of the tire and the rim (RJ) of the tire identified as P* would allow the image processing module to determine the location of the internal (FI) and external (FE) limits of the sidewall (F) of the identified tire. This knowledge of the tire identified as P* would allow the processor to determine the size of the target tire and therefore the locations of the tag (200) and the barcode (300).

[0033] The method of the invention further includes a step of calculating an angle α1, which represents an angular distance between the plate 200 and the barcode 300. The respective coordinates of the plate 200 and the barcode 300 are used to calculate the angle α1 between them. During this step, the measurement of the angle α1 is recorded in the database of system 100.

[0034] The method of the invention further includes a step of detecting a colored dot 400 that is displayed on the tire identified P* by its manufacturer. It is understood that the tire identified P* has already undergone uniformity testing by the manufacturer. During this step, the colored dot 400 is detected in one or more images of the tire identified P*, the placement of which is captured.

[0035] The method of the invention further includes a step of calculating an angle α2, which represents an angular distance between the barcode 300 and the colored dot 400. The respective coordinates of the barcode 300 and the colored dot 400 are used to calculate the angle α2 between them. During this step, the measurement of the angle α2 is recorded in the database of system 100.

[0036] Recording angles α1 and α2 allows their summation to determine a total angle αT between plate 200 and the colored point 400. This total angle is also recorded in the system's database, so that determining the position of plate 200 allows the coordinates of colored point 400 to be located. The total angle αT, which allows finding the point of uniformity represented by the physical colored point, provides general information about the tire identified P*. Thus, this general information can be incorporated into the database, associated with the identifier contained in the RFID chip, to allow access to the coordinates of colored point 400 without needing a corresponding physical visual cue.

[0037] The method of the invention further includes a step of comparing the angles α₁, α₂ calculated for the tire identified P* with the parameters of known tires (for example, the known parameters recorded in a reference of tires manufactured by the producer and / or by other known commercially available tire manufacturers). This step is performed by the processor of system 100, which can retrieve the parameters of known tires corresponding to commercially available tires that most closely match the parameters of the tire identified P*. The tire reference may include measurements corresponding to a plurality of commercially available tires.

[0038] During the comparison step, the central point C of the tire identified P* is already known (see the figure 1). Thus, the angular distance between plate 200 and coloured point 400 can be determined.

[0039] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the method is implemented by computer (for example, by the server 104) so ​​that the system 100 can build a model for predicting the uniformity information corresponding to an identified tire (for example, an identified tire intended for mounting on an associated vehicle).

[0040] It is conceivable that one or some steps of the process could be carried out iteratively.

[0041] System 100 of the invention may include pre-programmed information concerning expected events. For example, a process setting of the invention may be associated with the parameters of typical physical environments (e.g., uniformity testing machines) in which System 100 operates.

[0042] In embodiments of the invention, the system 100 (or an installation incorporating the system 100) can receive audio commands (including voice commands) or other audio data representing (for example, the starting or stopping of one or more steps of the process of the invention). The application may include a request for the actual calculation of the total angle αT between the plate 200 and the colored point 400. A generated response can be represented audibly, visually, tactilely (for example, using a haptic interface), and / or virtually and / or augmented. This response, together with the corresponding data, can be stored in a neural network.

[0043] It is understood that the system 100 may include several computing devices that perform various aspects of learning. In these embodiments, the processor may configure the system 100 to one or more known uniformity parameters. In these embodiments, it is understood that one or more means of reinforcement learning could be employed.

[0044] The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Ranges presented as being "between a and b" encompass the values ​​"a" and "b".

[0045] Although particular embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Method implemented by a system (100) for recording the coordinates of a visual indication of the uniformity of an identified tyre (P*) equipped with a RFID chip, the system (100) comprising a communication network (102) incorporating at least one communication server (104) with at least one processor, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of detecting the identified tyre (P*), during which an imaging system (106) of the system (100) obtains one or more digital images of the identified tyre (P*), this step comprising the following step: - capturing the position of a barcode (300) in the one or more images of the identified tyre (P*) that were obtained by the imaging system (106); - a step of detecting the visual indication displayed on the identified tyre (P*) by its manufacturer, during which the visual indication is detected in one or more images of the identified tyre (P*) that were obtained by the imaging system (106) and in which the position of the visual indication has been captured; - a step of calculating an angle α2 which represents an angular distance between the barcode (300) and the visual indication, such that the respective coordinates of the barcode (300) and of the visual indication are used to calculate the angle α2 between them, during which the measurement of the angle α2 is recorded in the database of the system (100); Characterized in that: the step of detecting the identified tyre (P*) comprises the following step: - capturing the position of a tag (200) in the one or more images of the identified tyre (P*) that were obtained by the imaging system (106); - analysing the one or more images of the identified tyre (P*) that were obtained by the imaging system (106) to determine the size of the identified tyre, making it possible to identify the locations of the tag (200) and of the barcode (300); the method comprises the following steps: - a step of calculating an angle α1 which represents an angular distance between the tag (200) and the barcode (300), such that the respective coordinates of the tag (200) and of the barcode (300) are used to calculate the angle α1 between them, during which the measurement of the angle α1 is recorded in a database of the system (100); - a step of recording the angle α1 and the angle α2, making it possible to add them together to determine a total angle αT between the tag (200) and the visual indication, during which the total angle αT is recorded in the database of the system (100) as the overall information of the identified tyre (P*); such that a determination of the position of the tag (200) makes it possible to locate the coordinates of the uniformity dot that are represented by the visual indication; and such that the overall information is incorporated in the database, associated with the identifier of the RFID chip to enable access to the coordinates of the visual indication.

2. Method according to Claim 1, additionally comprising a step of comparing the angles α1, α2 calculated for the identified tyre P* with known tyre parameters, this step being carried out by the processor of the system (100).

3. Method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein, during the step of detecting the identified tyre (P*), the imaging system (106) performs a scan to determine the data corresponding to the front vertical edges (BAV) of the identified tyre such that a midline (M) of the identified tyre can be identified.

4. Method according to Claim 3, wherein the step of detecting the identified tyre (P*) additionally comprises at least one of the following steps: - a step of determining the diameter of the identified tyre (P*); - a step of determining the tyre radius (RP) of the identified tyre (P*); - a step of determining the rim radius (RJ) of the identified tyre (P*); - a step of identifying the central point (C) of the identified tyre (P*); and - a step of determining the location of the internal limit (FI) and external limit (FE) of the sidewall (F) of the identified tyre.

5. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, additionally comprising a step of comparing the angles α1, α2 calculated for the identified tyre (P*) with the parameters of commercially available tyres which most closely match the parameters of the identified tyre, this step being carried out by the processor of the system (100).

6. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein: - the tag (200) incorporates the calendar week and year of manufacture (part of the DOT date code) of the identified tyre (P*); and - the barcode (300) includes all the information relating to the manufacture of the identified tyre (P*) which makes it possible to identify its exact source; such that this information forms part of the overall information of the identified tyre.

7. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the method is implemented by the server (104) such that the system (100) can construct a model for forecasting the uniformity information corresponding to the identified tyre (P*).

8. System (100) for implementing the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the system (100) comprises: - a communication network (102) which manages the data entering the system (100) from various sources, the communication network comprising: - at least one communication server (104) with at least one processor which manages the data corresponding to the overall information relating to an identified tyre (P*); and - one or more communication devices which capture and transmit the data obtained to the server (104), the communication devices comprising an imaging system (106) which captures images of an identified tyre (P*) to transmit the data corresponding to the images obtained to the server (104); - and one or more databases in which data incorporating the overall information are recorded for constructing one or more tyre uniformity profiles; wherein the server (104) comprises an image processing module which analyses images of the tyres obtained by the imaging system (106) such that the overall information of the identified tyre comprising data corresponding to the identified tyre are incorporated in its RFID identifier.

9. System (100) according to Claim 8, wherein the server (104) is associated with one or more tyre manufacturer