Portable Tire Sensor Localization Using Camera and RFID

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire sensor localization methods in vehicles, such as manual configuration and existing auto-location methods, are prone to errors and require additional hardware, making them inefficient and unreliable.

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 detect tire sensors via a user interface, eliminating the need for manual input and additional hardware by transmitting sensor identities to the Electronic Control Unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual configuration method is used to determine tire sensor positions, then the system can be configured without additional hardware, but the method is prone to human errors and reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical configuration process (using a mallet to create pressure variations) with an automated optical detection system. The portable electronic device uses a camera to capture images of the tire and identifies tire sensors through image recognition, eliminating the need for manual physical interaction and reducing human error while maintaining configuration simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic localization accuracyVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the localization function from the vehicle's existing sensor systems (ABS sensors and transmission extenders) and implements it in a standalone portable electronic device. This separates the localization capability from the vehicle's complex hardware architecture, allowing automatic tire sensor position determination without requiring any additional installation on the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable electronic device combines multiple functions into a single tool: it captures images using a camera, processes images to identify tire sensors, and communicates with the ECU. This multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized components (camera system, image processing unit, RFID reader, and communication module) that would otherwise be required as separate vehicle installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If existing auto-location methods are used, then tire positions can be determined automatically, but the system requires additional vehicle sensors and transmission extenders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the imaging function, image processing capability, sensor detection, and ECU communication into a single portable electronic device. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate components and vehicle installations, achieving efficient automatic tire sensor localization with a unified tool that can be independently operated and maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 or additional hardware, 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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage recognition: Image Processing

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio Frequency Identification: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4101661B1A portable electronic device and method therein for locating tire sensors on a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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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.