Tire Code Reader Laser Sensor Low-Light Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for reading tire codes on automobile tires are inefficient, particularly in low light conditions, as the codes are "black on black" and difficult to decipher, and there is a need for a more rapid and accurate means to capture and decode these codes for tire identification and vehicle information.
Innovation Solution
A laser-sensing device with a touch screen and Wi-Fi connectivity that captures two-dimensional images of tire codes, uses optical character recognition software to decode them, and transmits the information to a cloud-based server for processing, along with the vehicle's VIN, enabling quick and accurate tire-related data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional visual inspection methods are used to read tire codes, then the process can be simple and direct, but the reading accuracy is poor especially in low light conditions and the reading speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated laser sensing system. The laser sensor emits light and captures reflected light patterns to detect the tire code, substituting human eyes and brain processing with optical sensing and automated image recognition algorithms. This mechanical/optical substitution enables accurate reading of black-on-black codes regardless of ambient lighting conditions and dramatically reduces reading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system between the laser sensor and the decoding process. The sensor captures light reflection patterns from the tire code, converts them into digital images, and transmits them to remote servers for OCR processing. This intermediary imaging and communication layer enables accurate code capture in various lighting conditions while allowing complex decoding to occur remotely, resolving the contradiction between reading accuracy and speed.
2Ease of operation
If continuous operation mode is maintained for the tire code reader, then all functions are always available, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through automatic sleep mode activation. The device alternates between active operation mode and low-power sleep mode based on usage patterns. When no operation is detected for a predetermined period, the system automatically transitions to sleep mode to conserve battery power. This periodic switching between operational states maintains device availability when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.
3Speed
If the tire code reader processes all functions locally, then response time is fast, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tire code reading system into distinct functional components: a portable handheld device for code capture and a remote server system for complex processing. The handheld device contains only the laser sensor, image capture capabilities, and basic communication functions. The complex OCR decoding, database querying, and information retrieval are segmented and performed remotely on the server. This segmentation allows the handheld device to remain simple and portable while still achieving fast overall processing through efficient division of labor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid capture and decoding of tire codes in under 5 seconds, supports low-power operation, and allows for wireless communication, facilitating efficient tire identification and reporting, even in low-light conditions, while minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the laser sensor scans the tire code to capture a two-dimensional image of the tire code based on small variations in the distance to the tire side wall surface
Data Source
AI summary
A tire code reader scans an automobile tire to capture an image of the tire code molded on the tire sidewall and associates it with the vehicle identification number (VIN) read by a bar code scanner also on the reader. Both tire code and VIN are uploaded to a control server and then to a cloud-based server that is programmed with optical character recognition software for reading the tire code and for accessing databases for information about that tire, such as re-call information, and the make, model and year of the automobile. The cloud-based server transmits a report back to the control server for printing a full report by a printer and to the tire code reader for display of the tire code.