Tire communication device ID registration system, tire communication device ID registration method, and registration tool

Abstract

To provide a tire communicator ID registration system, a tire communicator ID registration method, and a registration tool capable of improving registration accuracy.SOLUTION: When each tire communicator 4 of a double tire 26 is registered in association with an inner / outer ring, a registration tool 30 is disposed in a tire center of the double tire. A tire communicator ID registration system 29 generates a first state where the tire communicators 4 of the inner and outer rings of the double tire 26 both communicate with the registration tool 30 and a second state where only the tire communicator 4 fitted to the outer ring 43 of the double tire 26 communicates with the registration tool 30. The tire communicator ID registration system 29 determines association between the inner / outer ring of the double tire 26 and each tire communicator 4 on the basis of switching between the first state and the second state, and registers the determination result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire communicator ID registration system, a tire communicator ID registration method, and a registration tool. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional technology for registering the IDs of tire communicators in a receiver in association with tire positions in a tire pressure monitoring system is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 uses a registration tool to wirelessly collect IDs from the tire communicators, and relays the IDs to a receiver in each tire communicator, thereby registering the association between the IDs of the tire communicators and tire positions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-201332 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-196103 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, in vehicles (such as trucks) that have two tires on each end of an axle, the air pressure of each tire may be monitored by attaching a sensor to each tire that detects pressure and temperature. That is, there are vehicles that have dual tires with sensors attached to each tire, and the air pressure of each tire is monitored individually.

[0005] In such vehicles, the pair of dual tires are positioned extremely close to each other. Therefore, even if a registration tool attempts to wirelessly collect IDs from the sensors of each dual tire in order, it is possible that the ID of the intended sensor may not be received. This raises concerns that ID registration may not be performed correctly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire communicator ID registration system that solves the above problem is configured for use in a tire pressure monitoring system that causes tire communicators attached to each tire of a vehicle to transmit tire pressure information, and receives the pressure information with a receiver on the vehicle body to monitor the tire pressure. The system includes: a measurement unit that is provided in at least one of a registration tool used to register the location of the tire communicators and the tire communicators attached to the vehicle's dual tires, and measures the received signal strength of the radio waves communicated between the tire communicators and the registration tool; a communication state switching unit that, after the registration tool is positioned at the tire center of the dual tires, creates a first state in which both the tire communicators attached to the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires communicate with the registration tool, and a second state in which only the tire communicator attached to the outer wheel of the dual tires communicates with the registration tool; a judgment unit that determines the linkage between the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires and each tire communicator based on switching between the first state and the second state; and a registration unit that registers the judgment result of the judgment unit in the receiver.

[0007] A tire communicator ID registration method that solves the above problem is a method used in a tire pressure monitoring system that causes tire communicators attached to each tire of a vehicle to transmit tire pressure information, and receives the air pressure information with a receiver on the vehicle body to monitor the tire pressure.After a registration tool used to register the location of the tire communicators is placed in the center of a double tire, the tire communicators attached to each of the inner and outer wheels of the double tire both communicate with the registration tool, and a second state is created in which only the tire communicator attached to the outer wheel of the double tire communicates with the registration tool.Based on switching between the first and second states, the tire communicator ID registration system that registers the location of the tire communicators determines whether the inner and outer wheels of the double tire are linked to each tire communicator, and registers the linking determination result in the receiver.

[0008] The registration tool that solves the above problem is configured to be used in a tire pressure monitoring system that causes tire communication devices attached to each tire of a vehicle to transmit tire pressure information, and receives the air pressure information with a receiver on the vehicle body to monitor the tire pressure.The registration tool is equipped with a communication state switching unit that, after the registration tool is placed at the center of a double tire, creates a first state in which both tire communication devices attached to each of the inner and outer wheels of the double tire communicate with the registration tool, and a second state in which only the tire communication device attached to the outer wheel of the double tire communicates with the registration tool; a judgment unit that judges the linkage between the inner and outer wheels of the double tire and each tire communication device based on switching between the first state and the second state; and a registration unit that registers the judgment result of the judgment unit in the receiver. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention can improve registration accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a tire communicator ID registration system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of a registration operation. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how to operate a registration tool. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing switching of the communication state of the registration tool. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the distance relationship between the tire communication devices of the inner and outer wheels and the registration tool. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how to register a communication device ID in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how to register a communication device ID. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. (Overview of Tire Pressure Monitoring System 1) As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 2 is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) 1 that monitors the air pressure of each tire 3. The tire pressure monitoring system 1 is equipped with a tire communicator 4 that measures the air pressure in the tire 3 and transmits the air pressure information Spr wirelessly. The tire pressure monitoring system 1 of this example may be of either a type in which the tire communicator 4 itself transmits the air pressure information Spr at a specified timing, or a type in which the tire pressure information Spr is transmitted in response to radio waves from an initiator (not shown) provided on a vehicle body 5.

[0012] The tire communication device 4 is attached to each tire 3. The tire communication device 4 is, for example, a tire mount sensor embedded inside the tire 3 or a tire valve attached to a tire plug. The tire communication device 4 rotates synchronously with the tire 3 along the rotation direction of the tire 3.

[0013] The tire communicator 4 includes a communicator control unit 9 that controls the operation of the tire communicator 4. The communicator control unit 9 has a memory (not shown) in which a communicator ID, which is a unique ID assigned to each tire communicator 4, is written. The tire communicator 4 includes a pressure detection unit 10 that detects the air pressure of the tire 3. The pressure detection unit 10 is, for example, a pressure sensor. The communicator control unit 9 inputs a signal from the pressure detection unit 10.

[0014] The tire communicator 4 includes an antenna 12 for performing communication. The antenna 12 includes, for example, a receiving antenna 12a for receiving radio waves and a transmitting antenna 12b for transmitting radio waves. The receiving antenna 12a receives, for example, radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band. The transmitting antenna 12b transmits, for example, radio waves in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The communicator control unit 9 performs wireless communication via the receiving antenna 12a and the transmitting antenna 12b.

[0015] The tire communicator 4 transmits the air pressure information Spr from the transmitting antenna 12b at a predetermined timing. The air pressure information Spr includes, for example, pressure information detected by the pressure detection unit 10 and a communicator ID registered in the memory of the communicator control unit 9. The tire communicator 4 transmits the air pressure information Spr, for example, when it determines that the tire pressure should be notified or when it receives a radio wave transmission instruction from an initiator (not shown).

[0016] The tire pressure monitoring system 1 is provided with a receiver 14 on the vehicle body 5, which receives pressure information Spr transmitted from the tire communicator 4 and monitors the pressure of each tire 3. The receiver 14 is provided with an antenna 15 which receives the pressure information Spr transmitted from the tire communicator 4, and a monitoring control unit 16 which monitors the pressure of the tires 3 based on the received pressure information Spr. A memory 17 of the monitoring control unit 16 has registered therein communication device IDs associated with tire positions. In other words, the memory 17 registers which communication device ID corresponds to which tire 3 at which mounting position. The antenna 15 receives radio waves in the UHF band, for example.

[0017] When the monitoring control unit 16 receives the air pressure information Spr transmitted from the tire communication device 4 via the antenna 15, it checks the communication device ID included in the air pressure information Spr. If the communication device ID is registered in the memory 17, the monitoring control unit 16 checks the air pressure information Spr included in the same radio wave. If the tire air pressure is below a threshold, the monitoring control unit 16 displays on the display unit 18 that the tire air pressure is low, correlating it with the tire position. The monitoring control unit 16 performs this air pressure check for each piece of air pressure information Spr it receives, thereby notifying the driver whether or not there is an abnormality in the air pressure of each tire 3.

[0018] (Example of vehicle 2) As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 2 is, for example, a cargo transport vehicle 21. The transport vehicle 21 is, for example, a truck or a trailer. The transport vehicle 21 has a drive unit 22 having a driver's seat and a driving source for traveling, and a cargo unit 23 towed by the drive unit 22. The transport vehicle 21 is equipped with a plurality of axles 24 arranged in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. The axles 24 in this example include a first axle 24a provided in the drive unit 22 and four axles, second axle 24b to fifth axle 24e, provided in the cargo unit 23.

[0019] A single tire 25 with only one tire 3 is attached to both ends of the first axle 24a and the second axle 24b. The single tire 25 of the first axle 24a is steered by operating the steering wheel. Double tires 26 with two tires 3 lined up are attached to both ends of the third axle 24c to the fifth axle 24e.

[0020] (Overview of Tire Communication Device ID Registration System 29) 1, the tire pressure monitoring system 1 has a function (tire communicator ID registration system 29) for registering the association between a communicator ID and a tire position. The tire communicator ID registration system 29 of this example executes registration of the association between the communicator ID and the tire position by using a registration tool 30. The tire communicator ID registration system 29 of this example executes registration that distinguishes between the inner and outer wheels of a dual tire 26, for example.

[0021] The registration tool 30 includes a tool control unit 31, a transmitting antenna 32, a receiving antenna 33, an operation unit 34, a display 35, and a data output unit 36. The tool control unit 31 executes, for example, a tire communicator ID registration process that links a communicator ID with a tire position. The transmitting antenna 32 is capable of transmitting, for example, LF band radio waves and transmits radio waves to the tire communicator 4. The receiving antenna 33 is capable of receiving, for example, UHF band radio waves and receives radio waves transmitted from the tire communicator 4. The operation unit 34 is, for example, a push button. The display 35 is, for example, a touch panel.

[0022] The data output unit 36 ​​outputs the determination result of the linking determination executed by the tool control unit 31 to the receiver 14. The data output unit 36 ​​may output the determination result wirelessly or via a wired connection. In the case of wireless output, the data output unit 36 ​​is, for example, a communication module that transmits radio waves in the UHF band. In the case of wired output, the data output unit 36 ​​is, for example, a connector that connects one end of a cable connected to the receiver 14.

[0023] The tire communicator ID registration system 29 includes a measurement unit 39, a communication state switching unit 40, a determination unit 41, and a registration unit 42. The measurement unit 39, the communication state switching unit 40, the determination unit 41, and the registration unit 42 execute registration of the linkage between the communicator ID and the tire position by switching the communication state between the registration tool 30 arranged at the tire center (on the axle 24) of the double tire 26 and each tire communicator 4. The measurement unit 39 is provided, for example, in the tire communicator 4 (communicator control unit 9). The communication state switching unit 40, the determination unit 41, and the registration unit 42 are provided, for example, in the tool control unit 31.

[0024] After the registration tool 30 is placed at the tire center (on the axle 24) of the double tire 26, the communication state switching unit 40 creates a first state in which both the tire communication devices 4 attached to the inner and outer wheels of the double tire 26 communicate with the registration tool 30, and a second state in which only the tire communication device 4 attached to the outer wheel 43 of the double tire 26 communicates with the registration tool 30. Note that the order in which the first state and the second state are created may be either first.

[0025] The communication state switching unit 40 generates the first state and the second state by changing the intensity of the radio waves (transmitted radio waves) of the registration tool 30. That is, the communication state switching unit 40 generates the first state and the second state by gradually weakening or gradually strengthening the output intensity of the transmitted radio waves of the registration tool 30. In this example, by gradually weakening the output intensity of the transmitted radio waves of the registration tool 30, the communication state switching unit 40 selectively generates the first state in which both the tire communicators 4 of the inner and outer wheels respond, and the second state in which only the tire communicator 4 of the outer wheel 43 responds.

[0026] The determination unit 41 determines the association between the inner and outer wheels of the tire 3 (dual tires 26) and each tire communication device 4 based on the switching between the first state and the second state. In this example, when switching from the first state to the second state, the determination unit 41 determines that the tire communication device 4 that maintains established communication is the tire communication device 4 attached to the outer wheel 43. On the other hand, when switching from the first state to the second state, the determination unit 41 determines that the tire communication device 4 that does not maintain established communication is the tire communication device 4 attached to the inner wheel 44.

[0027] The registration unit 42 registers the determination result of the determination unit 41 in the receiver 14. The registration unit 42 registers the determination result in the receiver 14 via the data output unit 36 ​​provided in the registration tool 30. The determination result may be registered either wirelessly or via wired communication. In the case of wireless communication, the registration unit 42 registers the determination result in the receiver 14 by transmitting the determination result to the receiver 14 from the data output unit 36. In the case of wired communication, the registration unit 42 registers the determination result in the receiver 14 by outputting the determination result to the receiver 14 via a cable connected to the data output unit 36.

[0028] Next, the operation of the tire communicator ID registration system 29 (tire communicator ID registration method and registration tool 30) of this embodiment will be described. (Communication device ID registration process) 2, in this example, the registration order of the communication device IDs is assumed to be, for example, the following order: right double tire 26e on the fifth axle, right double tire 26c on the fourth axle, right double tire 26a on the third axle, right single tire 25c on the second axle, right single tire 25a on the first axle, left single tire 25b on the first axle, left single tire 25d on the second axle, left double tire 26b on the third axle, left double tire 26d on the fourth axle, and left double tire 26f on the fifth axle. This registration order may be notified to the operator by the registration tool 30, for example. However, the registration order is not limited to this order.

[0029] (Specific registration procedures) 3, the registration tool 30 first enters a mode for determining the linkage between the communication device ID and tire position for the fifth-axle right-side dual tire 26e. That is, the registration tool 30 recognizes that the object for which the communication device ID is to be registered is the fifth-axle right-side dual tire 26e, and then performs a determination on the tire communication device 4 attached to this fifth-axle right-side dual tire 26e.

[0030] At this time, the communication state switching unit 40 makes an announcement to the worker, for example, to position the registration tool 30 on the axle 24 of the fifth axle right dual tires 26e. This announcement may be made, for example, by displaying text on the screen of the registration tool 30, or by audio from the speaker of the registration tool 30.

[0031] Following the announcements made by the registration tool 30, the worker positions the registration tool 30 on the axle 24 for the fifth axle right-side dual tire 26e, which is the first registration target. The registration tool 30 may be placed anywhere on the axle 24, but it is preferable to position it near the tire. Then, the worker operates an operation start button (not shown) provided on the registration tool 30. The operation start button may be, for example, a mechanical switch or a touch button on the screen.

[0032] 4(a) and (b) show specific examples of switching of the communication state of the registration tool 30. In the figures, the tire communication device 4 attached to the outer wheel 43 of the double tire 26 is referred to as the "first tire communication device 4a," and the tire communication device 4 attached to the inner wheel 44 of the double tire 26 is referred to as the "second tire communication device 4b."

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the operation start button of the registration tool 30 is operated, the communication state switching unit 40 starts transmitting a trigger radio wave Str for position determination. The trigger radio wave Str is, for example, a radio wave in the LF band, and is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 32. The trigger radio wave Str may have any signal content as long as it is, for example, a radio wave that can request a response from the tire communicator 4. The trigger radio wave Str continues to be transmitted from the transmitting antenna 32, for example, until registration of the communicator ID is completed.

[0034] In this example, the communication state switching unit 40 first sets the transmission strength of the transmission antenna 32 of the registration tool 30 to a high level, thereby creating a first state in which the trigger radio wave Str reaches both the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b. The registration tool 30 forms a first communication area Ea, which includes both the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b, as the communication area E of the transmission antenna 32. In this way, the first state is a state in which both the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b respond to an inquiry from the registration tool 30.

[0035] When the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b receive the trigger radio wave Str, they transmit a response radio wave Sres to the registration tool 30. The response radio wave Sres includes, for example, the communicator ID registered in each tire communicator 4. The response radio wave Sres is, for example, a UHF band radio wave, and is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 12b after a random delay. Note that it is preferable that the random delay time be different for each of the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b.

[0036] When the communication state switching unit 40 receives the response radio waves Sres transmitted from the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b via the receiving antenna 33, the communication state switching unit 40 stores the communicator IDs included in these response radio waves Sres in the memory 17. In other words, the registration tool 30 acquires the communicator IDs of both the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b.

[0037] When the communication state switching unit 40 creates the first state and receives multiple response radio waves Sres (communication device IDs) in response to the trigger radio wave Str, it recognizes that the tire 3 currently being registered is the dual tire 26. Therefore, the communication state switching unit 40 continues to execute the process of determining whether the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b that responded to the trigger radio wave Str are mounted on the inner or outer tire 3 of the fifth axle right-side dual tire 26e.

[0038] 4(b), when the communication state switching unit 40 acquires multiple communicator IDs in the first state, it gradually weakens the transmission strength of the transmitting antenna 32 of the registration tool 30 to create a second state in which the trigger radio wave Str reaches only the first tire communicator 4a. The registration tool 30 forms a second communication area Eb, which includes only the first tire communicator 4a, as the communication area E of the transmitting antenna 32. In this way, the second state is a state in which only the first tire communicator 4a responds to inquiries from the registration tool 30.

[0039] At this time, of the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b, only the first tire communicator 4a receives the trigger radio wave Str and transmits a response radio wave Sres to the registration tool 30. The response radio wave Sres includes, for example, the communicator ID registered in the first tire communicator 4a. The response radio wave Sres is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 12b by radio waves in the UHF band after, for example, a random delay.

[0040] When the communication state switching unit 40 receives the response radio wave Sres transmitted from the first tire communicator 4a via the receiving antenna 33, it stores the communicator ID included in this response radio wave Sres in the memory 17. That is, the registration tool 30 acquires the communicator ID of the first tire communicator 4a. Note that when the communication state switching unit 40 enters a state in which it receives a response from only one of the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b, it ends transmission of the trigger radio wave Str.

[0041] After switching from the first state to the second state, the determination unit 41 determines the association between the inner and outer wheels of the tire 3 and each tire communicator 4. Specifically, the determination unit 41 determines that the tire communicator 4 from which the communicator ID was acquired during the process of switching from the first state to the second state is the tire 3 closer to the registration tool 30, i.e., the tire communicator 4 attached to the outer wheel 43. On the other hand, the determination unit 41 determines that the tire communicator 4 from which the communicator ID can no longer be acquired during the process of switching from the first state to the second state is the tire 3 farther from the registration tool 30, i.e., the second tire communicator 4b attached to the inner wheel 44.

[0042] After determining the linkage between the communicator ID and the tire position, the registration unit 42 registers the determination result in the receiver 14. In this example, since the position registration of the tire communicator 4 is performed in the registration mode of the fifth axle right-side double tire 26e, when the determination of the inner and outer wheels is completed, the first tire communicator 4a attached to the outer wheel 43 is determined as the "tire communicator 4 of the outer wheel 43 of the fifth axle right-side double tire 26e," and the second tire communicator 4b attached to the inner wheel 44 is determined as the "tire communicator 4 of the inner wheel 44 of the fifth axle right-side double tire 26e."

[0043] The registration unit 42 then registers this determination result in the receiver 14 via the data output unit 36. That is, the registration unit 42 associates the communicator ID of the tire communicator 4 with the tire position and writes them in the memory 17 of the receiver 14.

[0044] Once the registration of the communication device ID of the tire communication device 4 for the fifth-axle right-side double tire 26e is completed, the tire communication device ID registration work is then performed for the fourth-axle right-side double tire 26c, following the registration order. Note that the registration work for the fourth-axle right-side double tire 26c is similar to the work for the fifth-axle right-side double tire 26e, so details will be omitted. Then, following the registration order, the registration work is performed for each of the single tire 25 and the double tire 26. Note that in the case of the single tire 25, communication is established with only one tire communication device 4, so the communication device ID obtained through communication is directly linked to the tire position and registered.

[0045] Then, the tire communicator ID registration system 29 completes the tire communicator ID registration process when the above-mentioned linking work is completed for all of the single tires 25 and double tires 26. The completion of the tire communicator ID registration may be notified to the operator, for example, by displaying that fact on the display unit 18.

[0046] 5, if the registration tool 30 is placed at a position other than the center of the tire during tire communicator ID registration, the second tire communicator 4b of the inner wheel 44 may be closer to the first tire communicator 4a of the outer wheel 43, depending on the position, which may hinder consistent determination results. On the other hand, in this example, the registration tool 30 is placed at the center of the tire, so the first tire communicator 4a of the outer wheel 43 is consistently kept closer to the registration tool 30 than the second tire communicator 4b of the inner wheel 44. This contributes to improving the accuracy of tire communicator ID registration.

[0047] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the tire communicator ID registration system 29 (tire ID registration method, registration tool 30) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0048] (1-1) A tire pressure monitoring system 1 monitors the air pressure of tires 3 by transmitting tire pressure information Spr of the tires 3 from tire communicators 4 attached to each tire 3 of a vehicle 2 and receiving the air pressure information Spr with a receiver 14 on a vehicle body 5. A tire communicator ID registration system 29 is used in this tire pressure monitoring system 1. The tire communicator ID registration system 29 includes a measurement unit 39, a communication state switching unit 40, a determination unit 41, and a registration unit 42. The measurement unit 39 is provided in at least one of a registration tool 30 used to register the position of the tire communicator 4 and the tire communicator 4 attached to the dual tires 26 of the vehicle 2, and measures the received signal strength of radio waves communicated between the tire communicator 4 and the registration tool 30. After the registration tool 30 is placed at the tire center (axle 24) of the double tire 26, the communication state switching unit 40 creates a first state in which both tire communication devices 4 attached to the inner and outer wheels of the double tire 26 communicate with the registration tool 30, and a second state in which only the tire communication device 4 attached to the outer wheel 43 of the double tire 26 communicates with the registration tool 30. The determination unit 41 determines the association between the inner and outer wheels of the double tire 26 and each tire communication device 4 based on the switching between the first state and the second state. The registration unit 42 registers the determination result of the determination unit 41 in the receiver 14.

[0049] According to this configuration, by creating a first state in which both the tire communicators 4 of the inner and outer wheels respond to the registration tool 30, and a second state in which only the tire communicator 4 of the outer wheel 43 responds to the registration tool 30, it is possible to determine whether each tire communicator 4 is attached to the inner or outer wheel. This makes it possible to clearly identify each tire communicator 4 of the inner and outer wheels. Therefore, the association between the tire communicators 4 and the tire positions can be registered with high accuracy.

[0050] (1-2) The communication state switching unit 40 generates the first state and the second state by changing the strength of the radio waves from the registration tool 30. With this configuration, after placing the registration tool 30 at the center of the dual tires 26, the process can be completed without moving the registration tool 30. This simplifies the registration process.

[0051] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which the method of switching the communication states (first state, second state) of the first embodiment is changed. Therefore, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted, and only the different parts will be described in detail.

[0052] (Overview of Tire Communication Device ID Registration System 29) 6 and 7, the tire communicator ID registration system 29 of this example has an operator move a registration tool 30 positioned at the center of a double tire 26 along the axial direction L1 of the axle 24. That is, the communication state switching unit 40 generates the first state and the second state by having the operator move the registration tool 30 toward or away from the double tire 26 along the axial direction L1. In this example, the output strength of the radio waves from the registration tool 30 is constant. The operation in this example is, for example, moving the registration tool 30 away from the double tire 26.

[0053] (Operation of the embodiment) 6, the communication state switching unit 40 instructs the operator to position the registration tool 30 at the center of the tire near the outer wheel 43 of the dual tires 26. At this time, the registration tool 30 forms a communication area E in which radio waves can reach both the first tire communicator 4a of the outer wheel 43 and the second tire communicator 4b of the inner wheel 44. In other words, a first state is created in which both the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b can respond to inquiries from the registration tool 30.

[0054] When the registration tool 30 transmits the trigger radio wave Str and receives responses from the tire communication devices 4, the communication state switching unit 40 makes an announcement to the worker to move the registration tool 30 away in the axial direction L1. This announcement may be made, for example, by displaying text on the screen of the registration tool 30 or by audio from a speaker of the registration tool 30.

[0055] 7, when the registration tool 30 moves a predetermined distance away from the dual tires 26 while the output strength of the radio waves remains constant, a second state is created in which only the first tire communicator 4a of the outer wheel 43 is within the communication area E of the registration tool 30. Note that the communication state switching unit 40 ends transmission of the trigger radio waves Str when it receives a response from only one of the first tire communicator 4a and the second tire communicator 4b.

[0056] Then, even when the communication state is switched from the first state to the second state, the determination unit 41 determines that the first tire communicator 4a, from which the communicator ID was obtained, is the tire communicator 4 attached to the outer wheel 43. On the other hand, when the communication state is switched from the first state to the second state, the determination unit 41 determines that the second tire communicator 4b, from which the communicator ID could not be obtained, is the tire communicator 4 attached to the inner wheel 44. Then, the registration unit 42 registers this determination result in the receiver 14.

[0057] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the tire communicator ID registration system 29 (tire ID registration method, registration tool 30) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.

[0058] (2-1) The communication state switching unit 40 generates the first state and the second state by having the worker move the registration tool 30 closer or farther away along the axle direction L1 of the dual tires 26. With this configuration, the output strength of the radio waves from the registration tool 30 remains constant during work, so the registration tool 30 does not need to perform burdensome processing such as changing the output strength.

[0059] (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0060] In each embodiment, the communication area E is not limited to an area that spreads in all directions from the center of the registration tool 30. For example, the communication area E may be an area that has directionality with the registration tool 30 as the starting point.

[0061] In each embodiment, at the start of registration, whether the tire 3 to be registered is a single tire 25 or a double tire 26 may be input into the registration tool 30.

[0062] In each embodiment, the double tires 26 may be provided on the drive unit 22. In each embodiment, the delay time may be set randomly or individually.

[0063] In each embodiment, the registration tool 30 is not limited to a dedicated tool, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal or a personal computer to which an application for the tire communicator ID registration system 29 is downloaded.

[0064] In each embodiment, the dual tires 26 are not limited to two wheels, but may also include three or more wheels by definition. In each embodiment, the measurement unit 39, communication state switching unit 40, determination unit 41, and registration unit 42 may be configured by [1] one or more processors operating according to a computer program (software), or [2] a combination of such a processor and one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), that perform at least some of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, that stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform the processes. The memory (computer-readable medium) includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Alternatively, instead of a computer including the processor, a processing circuit configured by one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform all of the various processes may be used.

[0065] In each embodiment, the measurement unit 39, the communication state switching unit 40, the determination unit 41, and the registration unit 42 may be configured from independent processors, or may be configured from a processor that shares some of its functions. In this way, the measurement unit 39, the communication state switching unit 40, the determination unit 41, and the registration unit 42 are not limited to being independent functional blocks, but may be configured from a single functional block, or may be configured from a functional block that shares some of its functions.

[0066] In each embodiment, the present disclosure has been described with reference to an example, but it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the example or structure. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...Tire pressure monitoring system, 2...Vehicle, 3...Tire, 4...Tire communication device, 5...Vehicle body, 14...Receiver, 26...Double tire, 29...Tire communication device ID registration system, 30...Registration tool, 39...Measuring unit, 40...Communication state switching unit, 41...Determination unit, 42...Registration unit, 43...Outer wheel, Spr...Air pressure information

Claims

1. A tire communicator ID registration system used in a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors the tire pressure by transmitting tire pressure information from tire communicators attached to each tire of a vehicle and receiving the tire pressure information with a receiver on a vehicle body, comprising: a measurement unit provided in at least one of a registration tool used to register the location of the tire communication device and the tire communication device attached to the dual tires of the vehicle, for measuring a received signal strength of radio waves communicated between the tire communication device and the registration tool; a communication state switching unit that, after the registration tool is placed at the tire center of the dual tires, creates a first state in which both of the tire communication devices attached to the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires communicate with the registration tool, and a second state in which only the tire communication device attached to the outer wheel of the dual tires communicates with the registration tool; a determination unit that determines whether the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires are associated with each tire communication device based on the switching between the first state and the second state; a registration unit that registers the determination result of the determination unit in the receiver; A tire communication device ID registration system comprising:

2. The communication state switching unit generates the first state and the second state by changing the intensity of the radio wave of the registration tool. The tire communicator ID registration system according to claim 1 .

3. The communication state switching unit generates the first state and the second state by having an operator change the position of the registration tool so that the registration tool moves away from or approaches the registration tool along the axial direction of the dual tires. The tire communicator ID registration system according to claim 1 .

4. 1. A tire communicator ID registration method used in a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors the tire pressures by transmitting tire pressure information from tire communicators attached to each tire of a vehicle and receiving the tire pressure information with a receiver on a vehicle body, comprising: After a registration tool used for position registration of the tire communication devices is placed at the tire center of the double tire, a first state is created in which both of the tire communication devices attached to the inner and outer wheels of the double tire communicate with the registration tool, and a second state is created in which only the tire communication device attached to the outer wheel of the double tire communicates with the registration tool; determining whether the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires are associated with each tire communication device based on the switching between the first state and the second state; registering the result of the association determination in the receiver; a tire communicator ID registration system that registers the location of the tire communicator;

5. A registration tool used in a tire pressure monitoring system that monitors the tire pressure by transmitting tire pressure information from a tire communication device attached to each tire of a vehicle and receiving the tire pressure information with a receiver in a vehicle body, comprising: a communication state switching unit that, after the registration tool is placed at the tire center of the dual tire, creates a first state in which both of the tire communication devices attached to the inner and outer wheels of the dual tire communicate with the registration tool, and a second state in which only the tire communication device attached to the outer wheel of the dual tire communicates with the registration tool; a determination unit that determines whether the inner and outer wheels of the dual tires are associated with each tire communication device based on the switching between the first state and the second state; a registration unit that registers the determination result of the determination unit in the receiver; A registration tool comprising:

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