Portable Tire Sensor Localization Using Camera and RFID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating tire sensors on vehicles are prone to human error and require additional hardware, such as transmission extenders and ABS sensors, making them inefficient and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device equipped with a camera and RFID circuitry that uses image recognition to determine tire locations and guides the user to scan each tire sensor sequentially, eliminating the need for manual configuration and additional hardware by transmitting sensor identities to the Electronic Control Unit via wireless communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used to determine tire sensor positions, then the TPMS system can be set up, but human errors occur during the configuration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-configuration by having the portable device autonomously detect tire sensors through RFID circuitry and capture tire positions through camera imaging, eliminating the need for manual intervention and thereby preventing human errors in the configuration process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical configuration process with an automated system combining RFID electromagnetic detection and optical image recognition, substituting human physical actions with electronic detection and processing mechanisms
2Extent of automation
If auto-location method using ABS sensors and transmission extenders is used, then tire sensor positions can be determined automatically, but additional hardware must be installed on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location determination function from the vehicle's existing sensor systems (ABS, transmission extenders) and relocates it to a portable external device, eliminating the need for additional vehicle-mounted hardware while maintaining automatic location capability
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device combines multiple functions including RFID detection, camera imaging, GPS location tracking, and wireless communication into a single universal tool that can determine tire sensor positions without requiring vehicle-specific modifications
3Measurement precision
If portable device with camera and RFID circuitry is used, then tire sensor positions can be determined accurately without additional vehicle hardware, but the process requires sequential user guidance to each tire location
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the portable device continuously communicate detected tire sensor information back to the user interface, providing real-time guidance on which tires have been scanned and which remain, enabling efficient sequential processing without redundant operations
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
This method accurately and efficiently determines tire sensor positions on a vehicle without manual errors, reducing the need for additional hardware and ensuring precise communication of sensor identities to the ECU, enhancing the reliability of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.
Implementation Method 1
determining the tire location of each tire on the vehicle using image recognition on image data from the camera
Implementation Method 2
detecting one or more tire sensors of each tire via the RFID circuitry as the portable electronic device sequentially guides a user
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device and method therein for locating tire sensors on a vehicle is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a camera and RFID circuitry. The portable electronic device determines the tire location of each tire on the vehicle using image recognition on image data from the camera. The portable electronic device also detects one or more tire sensors of each tire via the RFID circuitry as the portable electronic device sequentially guides a user of the portable electronic device via a user interface to motion the portable electronic device in proximity of each tire at each determined tire location. Further, the portable electronic device also identifies each of the one or more detected tire sensors on the vehicle.