Method and system of notifying of use of a tire in a tire pressure monitoring system for an automotive vehicle

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring system ( 12 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ) has a plurality of tires ( 14 a - d ) in respective rolling locations having a respective plurality of tire transmitters ( 16 a - d ) that generate a respective plurality of transmitter identification signals. A controller ( 22 ) is coupled to a counter that counts ignition cycle transitions. The controller enters a learn mode in response to the count and the brake condition signal. The system may also include a display for signaling the vehicle operator to perform a desired action. The controller generates a plurality of display signals on the display indicative of the respective plurality of tire locations and activates a timer when the plurality of transmitter identification signals are received before a predetermined time is counted by the timer.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system comprising: 
 receiving a spare tire identification signal indicative that the spare tire has replaced a rolling tire;    in response to receiving the spare tire identification signal, determining a distance corresponding to the traveled distance of the spare tire; and    generating a warning signal when the traveled distance signal exceeds a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20  wherein determining a distance comprises reading an odometer signal, wherein the distance is a function of an odometer signal.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 20  wherein said determining a distance comprises determining a distance from a vehicle speed during a predetermined time.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 22  wherein determining a distance comprises determining said predetermined time comprises a measure time from the step of receiving a spare identification signal.  
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 20  further comprising generating a display in response to said warning signal.  
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 20  wherein receiving a spare tire identification signal indicative that the spare tire has replaced a rolling tire is performed manually.  
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 20  wherein receiving a spare tire identification signal indicative that the spare tire has replaced a rolling tire is performed automatically.  
     
     
         27 . A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system comprising: 
 receiving a tire identification signal indicating that the tire has replaced a rolling tire;    in response to receiving the tire identification signal, starting a timer and generating a time signal;    measuring a vehicle speed;    determining a distance in response to the time signal and the speed signal; and    generating a warning signal when the distance signal exceeds a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 27  further comprising generating a display in response to said warning signal.  
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 27  wherein receiving a tire identification signal indicating that the tire has replaced a rolling tire is performed manually.  
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 27  wherein receiving a tire identification signal indicative that the tire has replaced a rolling tire is performed automatically.  
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 27  wherein the receiving comprises storing a tire identification in a warning status memory.  
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 27  further comprising setting a tire status in response to generating a warning signal.  
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 32  wherein saving the tire status in a memory comprises saving the tire status, the tire identification number and the distance signal in the memory.  
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 27  further comprising generating a warning signal when the speed exceeds a tire speed threshold.  
     
     
         35 . A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a warning status memory having warning statuses therein;    a spare tire having a spare tire transmitter generating a spare transmitter identification signal;    a distance sensor generating a distance signal; and    a controller coupled to the spare tire, said controller starting a timer in response to receiving the spare tire identification signal indicative that the spare tire having replaced a rolling tire, said controller determining a spare distance signal generating a warning signal when the spare distance signal exceeds a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         36 . A system as recited in  claim 35  wherein the distance sensor comprises a vehicle speed sensor generating a vehicle speed signal and a timer generating a time signal, said distance signal being a function of said time signal and said speed signal.  
     
     
         37 . A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle comprising: 
 an indicator;    a tire having a tire transmitter generating a tire transmitter identification signal;    a speed sensor generating a tire distance signal; and    a controller coupled to the tire transmitter, said controller monitoring said tire distance signal in response to receiving the tire identification signal, said controller generating a warning signal when the tire distance signal exceeds a tire distance threshold.    
     
     
         38 . A system as recited in  claim 37  wherein said tire distance signal is derived from a tire speed signal.