Blank Tire Pressure Sensor Flash Memory Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire pressure monitoring devices cannot easily update their communication programs after fabrication, leading to outdated software when installed in vehicles, and previous solutions for rewriting identification codes are impractical due to limitations in ROM and data persistence during power failures.
Innovation Solution
A blank tire pressure monitoring device with a setup tool that allows loading and updating communication programs via a wired connection, using a microcontroller module with RAM, flash memory, and a USB port, enabling storage and updating of the latest communication protocols, and inputting ID data through a keyboard, ensuring the program remains current and persistent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the communication program is directly programmed into the tire pressure monitoring device during fabrication, then the device is ready for immediate use, but the program cannot be updated after fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the tire pressure monitoring device with a blank program storage area (flash memory) during fabrication, but leaving the actual communication program to be loaded later through a setup tool. This allows the device to be manufactured quickly while maintaining the flexibility to update programs afterward, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the communication program is updated after fabrication, then the device uses the latest program version, but it requires additional setup time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the tire pressure monitoring device to load its own communication program through a simple setup tool connection. The device automatically receives and stores the program data from the setup tool via wireless or wired communication, eliminating the need for complex manual programming procedures and reducing setup time while maintaining program update capability.
3Reliability
If identification code rewriting is implemented using ROM, then the code can be stored permanently, but ROM does not allow rewriting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the storage medium parameter from ROM (read-only memory) to flash memory, which maintains permanent data persistence like ROM but adds the capability to be rewritten. The flash memory allows the identification code and communication programs to be updated after fabrication while ensuring the data remains stored permanently without power, thus satisfying both reliability and adaptability requirements.
4Ease of operation
If a setup tool is used to load programs wirelessly, then the device can be updated remotely, but wireless transmission from a failed sensor is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by providing multiple communication interfaces: wireless communication for normal remote updates and wired communication (through connection terminals) as a backup for reliable data transmission. When wireless transmission fails or is unavailable, the setup tool can connect via wired interface to ensure reliable program loading and device configuration, thus maintaining both ease of operation and transmission reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A blank tire pressure monitoring device includes a housing (10) having an air valve (11) at one end and connection terminals (12) at an opposite end, a circuit board (13) mounted in the housing (10) and carrying a pressure sensor (14), a temperature sensor (15), an acceleration sensor (16), an analog-digital converter (17) electrically connected with the pressure sensor (14), the temperature sensor (15) and the acceleration sensor (16), a general purpose I/O terminal unit (19) electrically connected with the connection terminals (12) of the housing (10); an embedded microcontroller module (18) electrically connected with the general purpose I/O terminal unit (19) and the analog-digital converter (17) and having built therein a flash memory (21), a microcontroller core (23) and a special-function register controller (24), a LF receiver (25) electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module (18), and a transmitter (26,27) electrically connected to the embedded microcontroller module (18); and a method is still also disclosed for setting up a blank tire pressure monitoring device.