Method of interacting with a monitoring device fixed to an inner surface of a tyre mounted on a rim and respective system of interaction.

Abstract

Method, and system (99), of interacting with a monitoring device (1) fixed to an inner surface (2) of a tyre (3) mounted on a rim, the system (99) comprising a source (90) configured for providing, upon request, an identification code of the monitoring device (1) univocally associated with the monitoring device (1), wherein the source (90) comprises at least one physical means (91) firmly applied to the tyre (3), and an interrogation device (92) configured to obtain the identification code of the monitoring device (1) from the source (90) by at least one respective interaction with the physical means (91), and for performing at least one interaction with the monitoring device (1) based on the identification code of the monitoring device (1) obtained.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH A MONITORING DEVICE FIXED TO AN INNER SURFACE OF A TYRE MOUNTED ON A RIM AND RESPECTIVE SYSTEM OF INTERACTION.

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a method of interacting with a monitoring device fixed on an inner surface of a tyre mounted on a rim, and a respective system of interaction.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Typically a tyre has a structure substantially toroidal around an axis of rotation thereof during the operation and comprises an equatorial plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation, said equatorial plane being typically a plane of (substantial) geometric symmetry (e.g. disregarding any minor asymmetries, such as the tread design and / or markings on the sidewalls and / or the inner structure).

[0007] For "outer surface" of the tyre, it is meant the tyre surface that remains visible once the tyre is mounted on a respective rim.

[0008] For "inner surface" of the tyre, it is meant the tyre surface that is not visible once the tyre is mounted on a respective rim.

[0009] Tyres are known comprising a monitoring device fixed to the inner surface of the tyre at the crown portion implementing a measuring functionality or estimating one or more physical quantities related to the tyre, such as for example temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation of the inner surface, etc.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the term monitoring device can also generally refer to an electronic device capable of transmitting information related to the tyre, such as for example the DOT number, the tyre model, the physical dimensions, etc., without necessarily implementing any of the aforementioned measuring or estimating functionalities.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] In the context of tyres comprising a monitoring device, the Applicant considers it useful to be able to interact with the monitoring devices fixed on the inner surface of a tyre when mounted on the respective rim (wherein the monitoring device not directly visible).

[0013] For example, such interacting can comprise one or more diagnostic operations of the monitoring device, typically to be carried out by means of an instrument external to the onboard systems of the vehicle mounting the tyre and / or even without the tyre being mounted on the vehicle. Such diagnostic operations of a monitoring device are typically aimed at evaluating the operation thereof, as well as the correct maintenance of one or more of the functionalities implemented by the same, even long after being fixed to the tyre and generally multiple times throughout its service life.

[0014] In addition or alternatively to the above example, the interacting can comprise a reading, by an operator, of a measurement or estimation performed by the monitoring device, such as the measurement or estimation of an internal temperature of the tyre and / or the inflation pressure of the tyre, to be carried out quickly, for example without using onboard systems of the vehicle to read such measurements, and therefore without accessing the cabin and / or the onboard computer of the vehicle, and / or also in this case with the tyre not mounted on the vehicle.

[0015] In the aforesaid context, the Applicant also considers it useful to make use of wireless communication methods with such monitoring devices. It follows that typically, each monitoring device is capable of emitting a respective radio signal (e.g. Bluetooth™ signal) interceptable by an operator in order to interact with the monitoring device. Such radio signal typically contains all the information necessary to interact, at least in the cases described above (diagnostics and / or measurement reading), with the corresponding monitoring device.

[0016] The Applicant also observes that each radio signal is associated (e.g. at a digital / computer level) to an identification code of the specific emitting monitoring device, namely an identification code univocally associated to the monitoring device and typically reported on the physical structure of the monitoring device itself. Therefore, by knowing such identification code it is possible to determine with certainty which radio signal originates from the specific monitoring device.

[0017] In the aforesaid scenarios, the Applicant has also observed that situations can occur in which two or more monitoring devices, each fixed on a respective tyre, in turn mounted on a respective rim, in relative mutual spatial proximity within the same environment, to the point that the two or more respective radio signals are simultaneously present and observable by the operator. Sometimes, additional radio signals originating from other sources (e.g. not monitoring devices) can also be present in the aforesaid environment together with the radio signals of the monitoring devices.

[0018] When such a circumstance occurs, the monitoring devices being thus not directly observable by the operator, the Applicant has found that there is a real risk of not being able to discern with the desired level of confidence which radio signal is emitted by a specific monitoring device, as it is not possible to trace the identification code of the monitoring device (since this is not directly visible), with consequent problems of reliability and precision of the interaction result, both in terms of diagnostics and reading of one or more of the aforesaid measurements, as it is not possible to attribute the interaction results to the specific monitoring device with certainty.

[0019] Such a situation, for example, can occur when the tyres are each mounted on a respective wheel of a vehicle (to whose onboard computer there is no access, it cannot be accessed, or access to it is not desired), or in a warehouse context wherein numerous tyres mounted on rims are arranged next to each other / stacked.

[0020] It is furthermore evident how, in such situations, it is not practically possible to remove each tyre from the respective rim, as such an operation would involve a significant and undesirable increase in the difficulty of the interaction procedure.

[0021] The Applicant has therefore addressed the problem of interacting with a monitoring device fixed at the inner surface of a tyre mounted on a rim, wherein such inner surface is inaccessible from the outside, in a simple yet reliable and precise way, in particular with regard to the attribution of the interaction result to a specific monitoring device.

[0022] The Applicant has found that the aforementioned problem can be solved by providing a source configured for providing, upon request, the identification code of the given monitoring device, wherein the source comprises at least one physical means (different from the monitoring device), firmly applied to the tyre, and providing for obtaining such identification code by at least one respective interaction with the physical means, which takes place at least partially externally to the tyre.

[0023] According to one aspect the present invention relates to a method of interacting with a monitoring device fixed on an inner surface of a tyre mounted on a rim. The method comprises:

[0024] - providing an identification code of said monitoring device univocally associated to said monitoring device;

[0025] - providing a source configured for providing, upon request, said identification code of said monitoring device, wherein said source comprises at least one physical means, different from said monitoring device, firmly applied to said tyre;

[0026] - obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device from said source by at least one respective interaction with said at least one physical means;

[0027] - performing at least one interaction with said monitoring device based on said identification code of said monitoring device obtained from said source.

[0028] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a system of interaction with a monitoring device fixed on an inner surface of a tyre mounted on a rim, said system comprising:

[0029] - a source configured to provide, upon request, an identification code of said monitoring device univocally associated to said monitoring device, wherein said source comprises at least one physical means, different from said monitoring device, firmly applied to said tyre;

[0030] - an interrogation device configured for:

[0031] - performing at least one respective interaction with said at least one physical means for obtaining, from said source, said identification code of said monitoring device;

[0032] - performing at least one interaction with said monitoring device based on said identification code of said monitoring device obtained from said source.

[0033] According to the Applicant, providing therefore the aforesaid source configured for providing the identification code of the monitoring device allows to have at disposal a secondary source (namely additional to the monitoring device) from which for obtaining, when desired, the identification code of the monitoring device, on the basis of which to identify the radio signal emitted by the detection device itself, and therefore interact with the monitoring device in a reliable and precise way.

[0034] In particular, thanks to at least one physical means applied to the tyre, and the corresponding respective interaction, which therefore takes place at least partially externally to the tyre, it is possible to have a physical key (in order to obtain, from the source, the identification code of the device) that will always accompany the tyre (and therefore the corresponding monitoring device), resulting reliable and precise in terms of certain correspondence between the identification code obtained and the corresponding physical monitoring device fixed to the tyre, simple and immediate for consulting, since it is concretely always available with the tyre, eliminating the need to directly observe the monitoring device (and therefore without having to remove the tyre from the rim or perform further similar operations).

[0035] The Applicant further observes that the present solution allows avoiding empirical methods for determining the origin of a given radio signal from a specific monitoring device inside a tyre, such as a determination based on measurements of the received radio signal power as a function of the distance from the tyre, a procedure typically subject to a high risk of error.

[0036] It is further observed that the present solution allows avoiding the use of any on-board system of the vehicle (in the case of a tyre mounted on the vehicle) and is also applicable with the tyre (mounted on a rim) not mounted on a vehicle.

[0037] The present invention, in one or more of its aspects, can feature one or more of the following preferred characteristics.

[0038] Preferably said monitoring device comprises an electronic unit.

[0039] Preferably said electronic unit comprises at least one sensor for detecting at least one of the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation; a processing unit; a transceiver.

[0040] Preferably said at least one sensor is suitable for detecting at least two of the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation, for example temperature and pressure. Even more preferably said at least one sensor is suitable for detecting at least three, or even all four, said physical quantities. Preferably said at least one sensor is suitable for detecting said acceleration, more preferably at least one component (axial, radial, and / or tangential) of said acceleration. In this way the monitoring device provides data particularly useful for deriving the state and / or functioning of the tyre, and / or the behaviour of the vehicle on which it is mounted.

[0041] Preferably said monitoring device comprises an electric power supplier electrically connected to said electronic unit. By ‘electric power supplier' it is meant a component structured to provide electrical energy, whether the supplied energy is pre-stored (as in accumulators, e.g. the batteries or the capacitors) or whether the supplied energy is generated and / or received in situ in real-time (as, for example, in energy recovery devices or ‘energy harvesting', combined or not with energy accumulators).

[0042] Typically said electric power supplier is an energy accumulator, more preferably comprising a battery, for example, a button cell battery.

[0043] In one embodiment said method comprises providing an identification code of said tyre univocally associated to said tyre.

[0044] In one embodiment providing said source comprises providing a digital environment (e.g. a database). In one embodiment said source comprises said digital environment.

[0045] In one embodiment said method comprises univocally correlating, in said digital environment, said identification code of said tyre to said identification code of said monitoring device. In this way the knowledge of one certainly implies obtaining the other, to the further advantage of the reliability and precision of the interaction (as will be better described below with reference to some embodiments of the present invention).

[0046] In one embodiment providing said source comprises applying a graphic sign on said outer surface of said tyre.

[0047] In one embodiment said graphic sign coincides with said at least one physical means. In this way said physical means is operationally simple to implement, reliable, and durable over time.

[0048] In one embodiment said graphic sign is univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre. For example, said graphic sign can coincide with said identification code of the tyre (e.g. serial number in numerical or alphanumerical sequence), or can be a geometric graphic sign (e.g. barcode and / or QR code, etc.) from which it is possible to univocally retrieve said identification code of said tyre.

[0049] In one embodiment, obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises acquiring said identification code of said tyre from said graphic sign (on said outer surface of said tyre).

[0050] In one embodiment, obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises accessing said digital environment and obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device based on said identification code of said tyre. In this way cybersecurity of said method is optimized since the tyre does not carry any sensitive information directly inherent to said monitoring device placed inside, but such sensitive information is protected within said digital environment (which must be accessed for obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device). Furthermore, in this way, versatility of said method is improved, as a single identification code of said tyre can be correlated (in the digital environment) with more than one identification code of respective monitoring devices, simultaneously or at successive stages of said tyre's lifecycle, particularly useful in case of failure of said monitoring device (as will be better described later).

[0051] In one embodiment, said graphic sign is univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device.

[0052] In one embodiment, obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises acquiring said identification code of said monitoring device from said graphic sign on said outer surface of said tyre. In this way obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device is fast and direct.

[0053] In one embodiment, providing said source comprises providing a communication device for proximity radio communication.

[0054] In one embodiment said communication device coincides with said at least one physical means. In this way communication devices typically already present on or in the tyre can be utilized, benefiting from further simplicity in implementing said method. Furthermore, the communication with said communication device can be encrypted, as a further advantage for security.

[0055] In one embodiment said communication device is configured to transmit, upon request, digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre.

[0056] In one embodiment, obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises acquiring said identification code of said tyre from said digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre (by means of proximity radio communication with said communication device).

[0057] In one embodiment, obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises accessing said digital environment and obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device based on said identification code of said tyre. In such manner, the intrinsic safety of the method is optimized in that the tyre does not carry any sensitive information directly related to the monitoring device placed inside the tyre, but such sensitive information is protected in the digital environment.

[0058] In one embodiment said communication device is configured to transmit, upon request, digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device.

[0059] In one embodiment obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device comprises acquiring said identification code of said monitoring device from said digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device (by means of proximity radio communication with said communication device). In this way, the method is fast and secure.

[0060] Preferably placing said graphic sign is performed on a sidewall of said tyre during a manufacturing phase of said tyre. In this way it is operationally advantageous.

[0061] Preferably placing said graphic sign comprises performing one or more of the following techniques: laser writing, manual or automated writing, application of a label prior to a tyre curing phase, application of a label subsequent to a tyre curing phase. Such methodologies have proven to be particularly advantageous, for example in terms of ease of implementation, and / or costs, and / or durability of the applied graphic sign, etc.

[0062] Preferably, said graphic sign comprises (more preferably consists of) one or more of the following: numerical sequence, alphanumerical sequence, barcode, QR code. Such forms of the graphic sign are particularly useful for the purposes of the present invention.

[0063] Preferably univocally correlating said identification code of said tyre to said identification code of said monitoring device is carried out during a manufacturing phase of said tyre comprising said monitoring device fixed on said inner surface of said tyre. In this way, the process is highly rational and controlled, to the advantage of the reliability of the correlation.

[0064] Preferably univocally correlating said identification code of said tyre to said identification code of said monitoring device comprises storing in said digital environment (e.g. in a memory of said digital environment) information representative of a univocal correlation between said identification code of said tyre and said identification code of said monitoring device. In this way the correlation information is protected and durable, to the advantage of accuracy and reliability in obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device.

[0065] Preferably acquiring said identification code of said tyre or of said monitoring device from said graphic sign comprises acquiring at least one digital image of at least one portion of said outer surface of said tyre, said at least one portion containing at least part of said graphic sign. In this way, the acquisition is fast and direct.

[0066] Preferably acquiring said identification code of said tyre or of said monitoring device comprises processing said at least one digital image to obtain digital information representative of said identification code of said tyre (or respectively of said monitoring device). In this way, the reliability of obtaining the acquired information is improved. Preferably providing said communication device is performed during a manufacturing phase of said tyre.

[0067] Preferably providing said communication device comprises embedding said communication device within a structure of said tyre. In this way, the protection of the communication device is improved.

[0068] In one embodiment performing said at least one interaction with said monitoring device comprises performing at least one diagnostic operation of said monitoring device.

[0069] Preferably performing said at least one diagnostic operation comprises assessing a transmission status of a radio signal from said monitoring device. Preferably performing said at least one diagnostic operation comprises, if said monitoring device is not transmitting said radio signal, determining a first malfunction condition of said monitoring device.

[0070] Preferably performing said at least one diagnostic operation comprises, if said monitoring device transmits said radio signal, performing the following steps:

[0071] - retrieving from said signal at least one value of a physical quantity measured by said monitoring device among the following: pressure, temperature, and / or a value of the electric power supply voltage of said power supplier of said monitoring device,

[0072] - performing a comparison between said at least one value of said physical quantity and / or said value of electric power supply voltage with a respective reference value,

[0073] - determining a second malfunction condition of said monitoring device based on said comparison.

[0074] In this way, it is possible to determine different conditions of the status of the monitoring device, to the advantage of the effectiveness of the diagnostics.

[0075] In one embodiment (alternatively or in combination with the above embodiment), performing said at least one interaction with said monitoring device comprises performing a reading of one or more measurements or estimates corresponding to one or more physical quantities measured or estimated by said monitoring device.

[0076] Preferably said method comprises storing a result of said at least one interaction in a memory of said digital environment. In this way the result can be retrieved later, for example for statistical purposes.

[0077] Preferably said communication device is configured to transmit, upon request, said digital information (univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre or of said identification code of said monitoring device) to said interrogation device.

[0078] Brief description of the figures

[0079] Figure 1 conceptually shows a first embodiment of a method of interacting according to the present invention; figure 2 conceptually shows a second embodiment of the method according to the present invention; figure 3 conceptually shows a third embodiment of the method according to the present invention; figure 4 conceptually shows a fourth embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

[0080] Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

[0081] The features and advantages of the present invention will be further apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of example and not limitation of the present invention, with reference to the attached figures.

[0082] In the following description, the same reference numbers will be used to describe the same elements, even in the different embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] According to one aspect the present invention relates to a system of interaction 99 with a monitoring device 1 fixed to an inner surface 2 of a tyre 3 mounted on a rim (not shown).

[0084] For example the monitoring device 1 comprises an electronic unit (not shown) which in turn comprises at least one sensor (not shown) for detecting at least one of (preferably all) the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation; a processing unit (not shown); a transceiver (not shown). For example the monitoring device also comprises an electric power supplier (not shown, e.g. a button cell battery) electrically connected to the electronic unit. For example, as shown in the figures, the monitoring device 1 can comprise a portion of enlarged surface suitable for durable attachment to the inner surface 2 of the tyre 3. Exemplarily, such surface can be made from an elastomeric material patch (possibly reinforced with textile or metallic cords), as described for example in the patent application WO 2018 / 065846 in the name of the same Applicant, or from an enlarged base portion of an encapsulant used to protect the electronic unit and / or the electric power supplier, as described for example in the patent application WO 2019 / 123118 in the name of the same Applicant. In another example, the monitoring device can comprise a container element suitable for housing the electronic unit and securing it, preferably reversibly (that is with the possibility of extracting the electronic unit from the container element, for example in case of malfunction) to the inner surface of the tyre.

[0085] Exemplarily the system 99 comprises a source 90 configured to provide, upon request, an identification code of the monitoring device 1 univocally associated with the monitoring device 1 .

[0086] Exemplarily the source 90 comprises at least one physical means 91 , different from the monitoring device 1 , firmly applied to the tyre 2.

[0087] Exemplarily the system 99 further comprises an interrogation device 92 configured for performing one or more of the steps of the method of interacting described below. For example, the interrogation device can be a smartphone, or tablet, or another electronic device appropriately equipped with a processing unit, and provided with suitable software programmed to execute the steps of the method.

[0088] According to another aspect the present invention relates to a method of interacting with the monitoring device 1, executable by means of the system of interaction 99.

[0089] Exemplarily, the method comprises providing the identification code of the monitoring device 1. For example, the identification code of the monitoring device 1 can comprise, or coincide with, a Unique Identifier (UID) code and / or a MAC (" media access control’) address of the monitoring device 1 .

[0090] Exemplarily, the method comprises, by the interrogation device 92, obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 from the source 90 by means of at least one respective interaction with the at least one physical means 91. Exemplarily the at least one respective interaction takes place at least partially externally to the tyre 3 (as will be described in greater detail below).

[0091] Depending on the embodiment of the method of interacting according to the present invention, the obtaining of the identification code of the monitoring device 1 can be achieved by different methodologies, exemplarily by the interrogation device 92. This will now be described in greater detail with reference to four distinct embodiments of the method according to the present invention.

[0092] In a first embodiment (conceptually shown in Figure 1), the method exemplarily also comprises providing an identification code of the tyre 3 univocally associated with the tyre. For example, the identification code of the tyre comprises, or consists of, a serial production number of the tyre, typically represented by a numerical string.

[0093] In said first embodiment, providing the source 90 comprises providing a digital environment. Exemplarily the source 90 comprises the digital environment. For example, the digital environment can comprise a computer database loaded on suitable memories, for example implemented by one or more servers (local and / or remote, e.g. in cloud) to which the interrogation device 92 is able to connect, for example via a telecommunications network.

[0094] Exemplarily the method therefore comprises univocally correlating, in the digital environment, the identification code of the tyre 3 to the identification code of the monitoring device 1 .

[0095] Exemplarily, in the first embodiment, providing the source 90 comprises applying a graphic sign GS (in figure 1 symbolically represented by the symbols X) on the outer surface 4 of the tyre 3, wherein the graphic sign GS coincides with the at least one physical means 91 and is univocally representative of the identification code of the tyre 3. For example, the graphic sign can coincide with the identification code of the tyre, or can be a geometric graphic sign (e.g. barcode and / or QR code, etc.) from which it is possible to univocally retrieve the identification code of the tyre.

[0096] In the first embodiment, obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 therefore exemplarily comprises:

[0097] - acquiring the identification code of the tyre 2 from the graphic sign GS applied on the outer surface 4 of the tyre 3, and

[0098] - accessing the digital environment and obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 based on the identification code of the tyre 3 (thanks to the aforementioned unique correlation made in the digital environment). This first embodiment is particularly advantageous in terms of intrinsic security of obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device, as the only information freely visible on the outer surface of the tyre can consist solely of the identification code of the tyre, which does not provide any useful information to those without the interrogation device and / or the correct credentials to access the digital environment. Such security is further strengthened in the case of a graphic sign made using a barcode or QR code, whose digital information can be encrypted to prevent unauthorized users from obtaining any information (thus resulting in the presence of a graphic sign that is undecipherable by non-experts).

[0099] Furthermore, in this first embodiment it is possible to obtain a wide versatility of the method, since, a single identification code of the tyre can be associated (in the digital environment) with more than one identification code of respective monitoring devices, simultaneously or at temporally successive stages of the tyre's lifecycle. This is particularly useful, for example, in the case of failure of the monitoring device. For example, indeed, in the event of failure of the monitoring device and its replacement with a new monitoring device (still fixed to the inner surface of the tyre), it is possible to update the information contained in the digital environment by digitally associating the identification code of the tyre with the identification code of the new monitoring device (that is performing a new unique correlation), without having to perform any operation on the tyre and still being able to use the same graphic sign already applied to the tyre.

[0100] In a second embodiment (conceptually shown in figure 2), providing the source 90 exemplarily comprises applying a graphic sign GS on the outer surface 4 of the tyre 3. Except where explicitly indicated (see below), exemplarily, the graphic sign GS is of the type described with reference to the first embodiment.

[0101] In the second embodiment, the graphic sign GS is exemplarily univocally representative of the identification code of the monitoring device 1 (unlike in the first embodiment). In this embodiment, advantageously the graphic sign does not include the identification code of the monitoring device written in plain text, but preferably in the form of encrypted barcode and / or QR code.

[0102] Exemplarily, even in the second embodiment, the graphic sign GS coincides with the at least one physical means

[0103] 91.

[0104] In the second embodiment, obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 exemplarily comprises directly acquiring the identification code of the monitoring device from the graphic sign GS on the outer surface 4 of the tyre.

[0105] In the second embodiment the graphic sign GS can be removed from the outer surface of the tyre if necessary, for example, by laser abrasion (e.g. in case of replacement of the faulty monitoring device).

[0106] In the first and second embodiments described above, the at least one respective interaction with the physical means 91 takes place exemplarily entirely externally to the tyre, as the graphic sign GS is applied to this outer surface, and the acquisition of the graphic sign is limited to interaction with only the outer surface of the tyre 3.

[0107] In a third embodiment (conceptually shown in figure 3), it is exemplarily provided (e.g. similarly to the first embodiment, except where explicitly indicated):

[0108] - providing the identification code of the tyre 3,

[0109] - providing the digital environment that is part of the source 90, and

[0110] - correlating univocally, in the digital environment, the identification code of the tyre 3 to the identification code of the monitoring device 1.

[0111] Exemplarily, in the third embodiment, providing the source 90 comprises providing a communication device 93 for proximity radio communication. For example, the communication device can be of the passive type, that is the communication device transmits when powered by an external device, such as for example the interrogation device

[0112] 92, or of the active type (e.g. comprising a respective electric power supplier). For example, the communication device 93 can exploit RFID or NFC (" near field communication") technology.

[0113] Between the two NFC technology is preferred. The Applicant has in fact found that NFC technology is particularly advantageous for the present invention wherein such technology allows communication of the interrogation device 92 with the communication device only at very short distances from the tyre (e.g. almost substantially only by placing the interrogation device in contact with the tyre), wherein this largely reduces the risk that the interrogation device may communicate with the communication device of another tyre.

[0114] In this third embodiment, the communication device 93 coincides exemplarily with the at least one physical means 91.

[0115] In the third embodiment the communication device 93 is exemplarily configured for trasmitting, upon request and to the interrogation device 92, digital information univocally representative of the identification code of the tyre 3, and obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 exemplarily comprises:

[0116] - acquiring the identification code of the tyre 3 from the digital information univocally representative of the identification code of the tyre 3 by means of proximity radio communication with the communication device 93, and

[0117] - accessing the digital environment and obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 based on the identification code of the tyre 3.

[0118] In a fourth embodiment (conceptually shown in figure 4), providing the source 90 comprises exemplarily providing a communication device 93 for proximity radio communicaiton. Exemplarily (in contrast to the third embodiment) the communication device 93 is configured for transmitting, upon request, digital information univocally representative of the identification code of the monitoring device 1 .

[0119] In the fourth embodiment, the communication device 93 coincides exemplarily with the at least one physical means 91.

[0120] In the fourth embodiment, obtaining the identification code of the monitoring device 1 comprises exemplarily acquiring the identification code of the monitoring device 1 from the digital information univocally representative of the identification code of the monitoring device by means of proximity radio communication with the communication device 93.

[0121] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it), providing the communication device 93 comprises embedding the communication device 93 in a structure of the tyre 3. In figures 3 and 4 the communication device 93 is exemplarily shown in a purely schematic way with dashed lines and embedded in a sidewall 5 of the tyre 3.

[0122] It is observed that in this case (exemplarily in the third and fourth embodiment), the at least one respective interaction with the physical means 91 takes place at least partially inside the structure of the tyre (that is, in the wall of the tyre), wherein the communication between the interrogation device 92 and the communication device 93 takes place by means of radio waves that pass through the thickness of the tyre towards the outside.

[0123] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it), providing the communication device 93 comprises performing it during a manufacturing phase of the tyre 3.

[0124] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it) applying the graphic sign GS is executed on the sidewall 5 of the tyre 3 during a manufacturing phase of the tyre 3.

[0125] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it) applying the graphic sign GS comprises performing one or more of the following techniques: laser writing, manual or automated writing (e.g. by means of a robotic arm moving a graphic marker), application of a label prior to a tyre curing phase, application of a label subsequent to a tyre curing phase.

[0126] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it), univocally correlating the identification code of the tyre 3 to the identification code of the monitoring device 1 is performed during a manufacturing phase of the tyre comprising the monitoring device fixed to the inner surface of the tyre.

[0127] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it) univocally correlating the identification code of the tyre 3 to the identification code of the monitoring device 1 comprises storing in the digital environment (e.g. in a memory of the digital environment) information representative of a unique correlation between the identification code of the tyre 3 and the identification code of the monitoring device 1.

[0128] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it), acquiring the identification code of the tyre 3 or of the monitoring device 1 from said graphic sign GS comprises acquiring at least one digital image (e.g. matrix image) of at least a portion of the outer surface 4 of the tyre 3, the at least one portion containing at least part of the graphic sign GS. Exemplarily acquiring the at least one digital image is performed by the interrogation device 92 for example using a matrix camera.

[0129] Exemplarily (in the embodiments that provide for it) acquiring the identification code of the tyre 3 or of the monitoring device 1 comprises processing the at least one digital image for obtaining digital information representative of the identification code of the tyre 3 or respectively of the monitoring device 1.

[0130] Exemplarily, in one or more of the embodiments that provide for the graphic sign GS in the form of a numerical or alphanumeric string, processing the digital image comprises using optical character recognition software and / or numeric character recognition software based on images (e.g. software OCR - "optical character recognition").

[0131] Exemplarily processing the digital image is performed by the interrogation device 92, for example by means of a processing unit (not shown) installed on board the interrogation device 92 and / or installed remotely and in data connection with the interrogation device 92.

[0132] Exemplarily, regardless of the aforementioned embodiments, the method of interacting comprises performing at least one interaction with the monitoring device 1 based on the identification code of the monitoring device 1 obtained from the source 90. Exemplarily the interaction is performed by the interrogation device 92, for example by the aforementioned processing unit.

[0133] In one embodiment performing the at least one interaction comprises performing at least one diagnostic operation of the monitoring device 1. Exemplarily performing the at least one diagnostic operation comprises evaluating a transmission status of a radio signal (e.g. a Bluetooth™ signal) by the monitoring device 1.

[0134] Exemplarily evaluating the transmission status comprises identifying the radio signal emitted by the monitoring device 1 , possibly among other radio signals received by the interrogating device 92, based on the identification code of the monitoring device 1 obtained.

[0135] Exemplarily performing the at least one diagnostic operation comprises, if the monitoring device does not transmit the radio signal, determining a first malfunction condition of the monitoring device 1. For example, if among the various radio signals received by the interrogator device 92 placed near the tyre 3 there is no radio signal that corresponds to the identification code of the monitoring device 1 obtained, it can be reasonably concluded that the monitoring device 1 inside the tyre 3 is not transmitting and is therefore faulty or energy-depleted.

[0136] Exemplarily performing the at least one diagnostic operation comprises, if the monitoring device 1 transmits the radio signal, performing the following steps:

[0137] - retrieving from the radio signal at least one value of a physical quantity measured by the monitoring device 1 among the following: pressure, temperature, and / or a value of the electric power supply voltage of the power supplier of the monitoring device,

[0138] - performing a comparison between the at least one value of the physical quantity and / or the value of electric power supply voltage with a respective reference value,

[0139] - determining a second malfunction condition of the monitoring device 1 based on said comparison.

[0140] For example, if with the tyre 3 mounted on the rim and in a resting condition, separated from the vehicle or with the vehicle stationary, correctly inflated to the nominal pressure (e.g. with reasonable certainty that there are no air leaks and / or punctures and / or that the tyre has not been subjected to extreme thermal conditions), the monitoring device 1 transmits an abnormal pressure and / or temperature value (e.g. lower or higher than the extremes of a symmetric range of the respective reference value and / or different from a value measured with a third-party device), it is then possible to conclude with reasonable certainty that the monitoring device has a malfunction or failure of at least one sensor contained inside it.

[0141] Regarding the value of electric power supply voltage, if such value is lower than the respective reference value, it can be concluded that the battery of the monitoring device 1 is, for example, to be replaced.

[0142] In one embodiment (alternative or combinable with the aforementioned embodiment), performing the at least one interaction with the monitoring device 1 comprises performing the reading of one or more measurements or estimates corresponding to one or more physical quantities measured or estimated by the monitoring device 1, for example, via the aforementioned sensor. For example, it is possible to know the temperature and / or pressure of the air contained in the internal cavity of the tyre (between the tyre and the rim) with the desired certainty and simply by approaching the tyre with the interrogation device 92, without accessing the vehicle's cabin and related onboard systems, and / or without even having to mount the tyre (and the rim) on the vehicle.

[0143] For example the method further comprises storing the result of the interaction with the monitoring device (which summarizes for example one or more of the pieces of information that can be obtained as described above) in a memory of the digital environment (e.g. by the interrogation device 92).

[0144] At the same time the result of the interaction can advantageously be displayed in real time to an operator 100, for example sent to a terminal and / or shown on a screen (not shown) of the interrogation device 92.

[0145] The present invention also encompasses the mutual combination of two or more of the aforementioned embodiments described above with reference to the method according to the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method of interacting with a monitoring device (1) fixed to an inner surface (2) of a tyre (3) mounted on a rim, said method comprising:- providing an identification code of said monitoring device (1) univocally associated to said monitoring device (1);- providing a source (90) configured for providing, upon request, said identification code of said monitoring device (1), wherein said source (90) comprises at least one physical means (91), different from said monitoring device (1), firmly applied to said tyre (3);- obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) from said source (90) by at least one respective interaction with said at least one physical means (91);- performing at least one interaction with said monitoring device (1) based on said identification code of said monitoring device (1) obtained from said source (90).

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising providing an identification code of said tyre (3) univocally associated to said tyre (3), wherein providing said source (90) comprises providing at least one digital environment, and wherein said method comprises univocally correlating, in said digital environment, said identification code of said tyre (3) to said identification code of said monitoring device (1).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein providing said source (90) comprises placing a graphic sign (GS) on an outer surface (4) of said tyre (3), said graphic sign (GS) coinciding with said at least one physical means (91).

4. Method according to claims 2 and 3, wherein said graphic sign (GS) is univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre (3), and wherein obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) comprises:- acquiring said identification code of said tyre (3) from said graphic sign (GS);- accessing said digital environment and obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) based on said identification code of said tyre (3).

5. Method according to claim 3, wherein said graphic sign (GS) is uniquely representative of said identification code of said monitoring device (1), and wherein obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) comprises acquiring said identification code of said monitoring device (1) from said graphic sign (GS).

6. Method according to claim 1 , wherein providing said source (90) comprises providing a communication device (93) for proximity radio communication, said communication device (93) coinciding with said at least one physical means (91).

7. Method according to claims 2 and 6, wherein said communication device (93) is configured for transmitting, upon request, digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre (3), and wherein obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) comprises:- acquiring said identification code of said tyre (3) from said digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre (3);- accessing said digital environment and obtaining said identification code of said monitoring device (1) based on said identification code of said tyre (3).

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein said communication device (93) is configured for transmitting, upon request, digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device (1).

9. Method according to claim 6, wherein providing said communication device (93) is performed during a manufacturing phase of said tyre (3) and comprises embedding said communication device (93) within a structure of said tyre (3).

10. Method according to claim 3, wherein placing said graphic sign (GS) is performed on a sidewall (5) of said tyre (3) during a manufacturing phase of said tyre (3) and comprises performing one or more of the following techniques: laser writing, manual or automated writing, application of a label prior to a tyre curing phase (3), application of a label subsequent to a tyre curing phase (3), and wherein said graphic sign (GS) comprises one or more of the following: numerical sequence, alphanumeric sequence, barcode, QR code.

11. Method according to claim 2, wherein univocally correlating said identification code of said tyre (3) to said identification code of said monitoring device (1) is performed during a manufacturing phase of said tyre (3) comprising said monitoring device (1) fixed on said inner surface (2) of said tyre (3), and comprises storing in said digital environment information representative of a univocal correlation between said identification code of said tyre (3) and said identification code of said monitoring device (1).

12. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein acquiring said identification code of said tyre (3) or of said monitoring device (1) from said graphic sign (GS) comprises acquiring at least one digital image of at least one portion of said outer surface (4) of said tyre, said at least one portion containing at least part of said graphic sign (GS), and wherein acquiring said identification code of said tyre (3) or of said monitoring device (1) comprises processing said at least one digital image to obtain digital information representative of said identification code of said tyre (3) or of said monitoring device (1) respectively.

13. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein performing said at least one interaction with said monitoring device (1) comprises performing at least one diagnostic operation of said monitoring device (1) comprising assessing a transmission status of a radio signal from said monitoring device (1), and wherein performing said at least one diagnostic operation comprises:- if said monitoring device (1) is not transmitting said radio signal, determining a first malfunction condition of said monitoring device (1),- if said monitoring device (1) is transmitting said radio signal, performing the following steps:- retrieving from said signal at least one value of a physical quantity measured by said monitoring device (1) among the following: pressure, temperature, and / or a value of electric power supply voltage of an electric power supplier of said monitoring device (1),- performing a comparison between said at least one value of said physical quantity and / or said value of electric power supply voltage with a respective reference value,- determining a second malfunction condition of said monitoring device (1) based on said comparison.

14. System of interaction (99) with a monitoring device (1) fixed to an inner surface (2) of a tyre (3) mounted on a rim, said system (99) comprising:- a source (90) configured for providing, upon request, an identification code of said monitoring device (1) univocally associated to said monitoring device (1), wherein said source (90) comprises at least one physical means (91), different from said monitoring device (1), firmly applied to said tyre (3);- an interrogation device (92) configured for: - performing at least one respective interaction with said at least one physical means (91) for obtaining, from said source (90), said identification code of said monitoring device (1);- perform at least one interaction with said monitoring device (1) based on said identification code of said monitoring device (1) obtained from said source (90).

15. System (99) according to claim 14, wherein said source (90) comprises at least one digital environment and / or said at least one physical means (91) coincides with:- a graphic sign (GS) placed on an outer surface (4) of said tyre (3) and univocally representative of an identification code of said tyre (3) univocally associated to said tyre (3) or univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device (1), or- a communication device (93) for proximity radio communication configured for transmitting, upon request, to said interrogation device (92) digital information univocally representative of said identification code of said tyre (3) or univocally representative of said identification code of said monitoring device (1).

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