JP2013252777A - Tire state monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately notify a tire state in accordance with a vehicle without preregistering reference proper identification information in a facility side unit, or without arranging a large-scale facility for managing the reference proper identification information.SOLUTION: A signal transmitted from a tire sensor unit at each wheel is received by a facility side unit 40 of a gas station GS. The unit 40 collates an ID code in the signal with a reference ID code set according to the tire sensor unit. A vehicle is identified based on a collation result, and displayed by a display 44 by making the identified vehicle associated with information on the tire state corresponding to the collated ID code. In such a tire state monitoring system, an ID code recording card 6 of prerecording the reference ID code of the whole tire sensor units in the respective vehicles is arranged at each vehicle. The facility side unit 40 reads the reference ID code by a card reader 45 arranged in the gas station GS, and uses it for collation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire condition monitoring system for monitoring a tire condition of a wheel provided in a vehicle.

  Various types of wireless tire condition monitoring devices have been proposed for monitoring the condition of tires on wheels provided in a vehicle, for example, the air pressure (tire pressure) and temperature (in-tire temperature) within the tire. This tire condition monitoring device includes a transmitter (wheel side unit) provided in a tire for each wheel and a receiver (receiver unit) provided in a vehicle body of the vehicle. Each wheel side unit detects a tire state by a sensor, and wirelessly transmits a signal including data indicating the tire state. On the other hand, the receiver unit receives a signal transmitted from each wheel side unit.

  Some tire condition monitoring devices display information on the tire condition received by the receiver unit on a display provided in the vehicle compartment as necessary. Therefore, the occupant can quickly deal with information related to the tire condition, for example, lack of tire air pressure, by looking at the display.

  By the way, some tire condition monitoring devices are not equipped with the above-mentioned display device, and some are equipped with a display device, but are not capable of displaying specific numerical values of the tire condition. Therefore, there is a possibility that the occupant cannot obtain information he / she wants to know about the tire condition. Such a problem is not limited to the display, and may occur in the same manner even in a tire condition monitoring device that notifies information about the tire condition by voice or the like.

  Therefore, a tire condition monitoring system has been proposed in which a facility side unit is provided in a specific facility such as a gas station having a vehicle stop area. In this tire condition monitoring system, a signal including data indicating the tire condition is wirelessly transmitted from the receiver unit of the vehicle. In the facility side unit, the signal from the receiver unit is received, and data indicating the tire condition included in the signal is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, if the display content of the display unit is more specific, such as each value of tire air pressure and tire temperature, the occupant can obtain the desired information about the tire condition by looking at the display unit It becomes.

  However, when a signal is simultaneously transmitted from the receiver units of a plurality of vehicles, the facility-side unit does not know from which vehicle receiver unit the signal is transmitted. Therefore, there is a possibility that the tire state cannot be accurately displayed on the display unit.

  In this regard, for example, in the tire condition monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, unique identification information capable of identifying the wheel-side unit wirelessly transmitted is included in the signal transmitted from the receiver unit. In addition, in the facility side unit or the information center (data center) outside the specific facility, reference unique identification information set in correspondence with all the wheel side units for each vehicle is stored in advance. In the facility side unit, the unique identification information included in the signal transmitted from the receiver unit of the vehicle and the reference unique identification stored in advance in the facility side unit or provided from the information center (data center) Information is collated. In the facility side unit, the vehicle is identified based on the collation result, and the identified vehicle and the information on the tire state corresponding to the collated unique identification information are associated with each other and accurately displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, the occupant can know the exact tire state for each wheel of the host vehicle by looking at the display section of the specific facility.

Japanese Patent No. 3815310

  However, in the tire condition monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, when the reference unique identification information accumulated in advance in the facility side unit is used for collation, the reference unique identification information is preliminarily stored in the facility side unit as a precondition. The registration work is complicated. In addition, when the reference unique identification information provided from the information center (data center) outside the specific facility is used for collation, a large-scale facility is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to pre-register reference unique identification information in the facility side unit or install large-scale equipment for managing the reference unique identification information. An object of the present invention is to provide a tire condition monitoring system capable of accurately reporting the tire condition for each vehicle without having to do so.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided at each wheel for each vehicle entering and exiting a specific facility, detects the state of the wheel in the tire as a tire state, and determines the tire state. A wheel-side unit that wirelessly transmits a signal including data to be shown and unique identification information; and a unique identification that is provided in the specific facility, receives the signal transmitted from the wheel-side unit, and is included in the signal Information and reference unique identification information set in correspondence with the wheel side unit, identify a vehicle based on the comparison result, and identify the vehicle, and information on the tire state corresponding to the verified unique identification information; And a facility-side unit that is informed by the notification unit, and is provided for each vehicle, in front of all the wheel-side units in each vehicle. The facility-side unit further includes an information recording unit in which reference unique identification information is recorded in advance, and an information reading unit that is provided in the specific facility and reads the reference unique identification information recorded in the information recording unit. The gist is that the reference unique identification information read by the information reading unit is used for the collation.

  According to the above configuration, when entering the specific facility, in the wheel side unit for each wheel of the vehicle, the state in the tire of the wheel is detected as the tire state, and the data indicating the tire state and the unique identification information are The included signal is transmitted wirelessly. An information recording unit provided for each vehicle enters the specific facility together with the vehicle. In this information recording unit, reference unique identification information set in correspondence with all wheel side units in each vehicle is recorded in advance.

  On the other hand, the facility side unit receives the signal transmitted from the wheel side unit. Further, the reference unique identification information of the information recording unit is read through the information reading unit. Then, the unique identification information included in the signal transmitted from the wheel side unit is compared with the read reference unique identification information. The vehicle is identified based on the collation result, and the identified vehicle is associated with the information on the tire state corresponding to the collated unique identification information, and is notified by the notification unit.

  In this way, each time the vehicle enters the specific facility, the reference unique identification information of the wheel side unit is taken into the facility side unit, so there is no need to register the reference unique identification information in the facility side unit in advance. There is no need to install a large-scale facility that manages the unique identification information.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the card according to claim 1, wherein the information recording unit is a card in which the reference unique identification information of all the wheel side units in each vehicle is recorded in advance. The gist is that the reading unit is a card reader installed in the specific facility.

  According to said structure, the card | curd in which the reference | standard specific identification information of all the wheel side units in each vehicle was recorded previously is a recording medium which can be carried. Therefore, the card is brought into the specific facility by the card owner entering the specific facility. This card is attached to a card reader installed in a specific facility by a passenger or an employee of the specific facility. The reference unique identification information recorded in advance on the card is read by a card reader. In this way, each time the vehicle enters the specific facility, the reference unique identification information of the wheel side unit is taken into the facility side unit through the card and the card reader.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information recording unit records in advance the reference unique identification information of all the wheel-side units in each vehicle, and records data in a non-contact manner. An RFID system radio that performs communication, wherein the information reading unit is installed in the specific facility and receives a signal from the RFID system radio, and the reference unique identification information included in the signal The gist of the invention is that it is a reader for an RFID system.

  According to the above configuration, the RFID system radio enters the specific facility together with the vehicle. When the RFID system wireless device approaches an RFID system reader installed in a specific facility, power is transmitted to the RFID system wireless device wirelessly from the RFID system reader. Further, the RFID system reader is required to wirelessly transmit a signal including reference unique identification information to the RFID system radio. In response to this request, a signal including the reference unique identification information is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID system radio. This signal is received by the reader for the RFID system, and the reference unique identification information included in the signal is read. In this way, each time the vehicle enters the specific facility, the reference unique identification information of the wheel side unit is taken into the facility side unit through the RFID system radio and the RFID system reader.

  The gist of the invention of claim 4 is that, in the invention of claim 3, the radio device for RFID system is configured as a portable member provided in a state separated from the vehicle.

  According to the above configuration, the RFID system radio is brought into the specific facility when the owner of the portable member enters the specific facility. When this RFID system radio is brought close to the RFID system reader by an occupant or an employee of a specific facility, the reference unique identification information of the wheel side unit recorded in the RFID system radio is read by the RFID system reader. Read.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is summarized in that, in the third aspect of the invention, the radio device for the RFID system is assembled to a vehicle body of the vehicle.
According to said structure, the radio | wireless machine for RFID systems assembled | attached to the vehicle body of a vehicle moves integrally with the vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle enters the specific facility, the RFID system radio also enters the specific facility. When the RFID system radio moves closer to the RFID system reader as the vehicle moves, the reference unique identification information of the wheel side unit recorded in the RFID system radio is read by the RFID system reader. In this case, the reference unique identification information is read without an occupant or an employee at a specific facility performing an operation of bringing the RFID system radio device close to the RFID system reader.

  According to the tire condition monitoring system of the present invention, it is possible to change the tire condition for each vehicle without registering the reference unique identification information in the facility side unit in advance or installing a large-scale facility for managing the reference unique identification information. It is possible to report accurately.

In one Embodiment which actualized this invention, the schematic block diagram of the vehicle by which the tire sensor unit (wheel side unit) and the receiver unit are mounted. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of each tire sensor unit in one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the facility side unit in one Embodiment. In one embodiment, the schematic plan view which shows the arrangement structure (positional relationship etc. of a fueling machine, a stop area, etc.) of a gas station. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the sensor unit controller in one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the facility side unit controller in one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the example of a change of the circuit structure of a facility side unit. The schematic block diagram which shows the example of a change of the installation location of an information recording part (RFID system radio | wireless machine) and an information reading part (RFID system reader).

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a tire condition monitoring device mounted on a vehicle 1 entering and exiting a gas station GS (see FIGS. 3 and 4) as a specific facility. The vehicle 1 is provided with a plurality (four) of wheels 2. Each wheel 2 includes a wheel portion 3 and a tire 4 attached to the wheel portion 3.

  The tire condition monitoring device includes a tire sensor unit 10 as a wheel side unit attached to each wheel 2 and a receiver unit 20 attached to the vehicle body 7 of the vehicle 1. ID information (ID code) is attached to the tire sensor unit 10 for each wheel 2 as solid identification information for identifying them. The same number of ID codes as the number of wheels 2 is assigned to each vehicle 1.

  Each tire sensor unit 10 constitutes a part of the tire condition monitoring device and also constitutes a part of the tire condition monitoring system. Each tire sensor unit 10 is attached to the wheel portion 3 so as to be disposed in the internal space of the tire 4. As shown in FIG. 2, each tire sensor unit 10 includes a sensor, a sensor unit controller 13, an RF transmission circuit 14, and a transmission antenna 15. Each part constituting the tire sensor unit 10 is operated by electric power supplied from a battery (not shown) built in the tire sensor unit 10.

  The sensor is for detecting a state (tire state) in each tire 4. In the present embodiment, the pressure (tire pressure) and temperature (in-tire temperature) in the tire 4 are in the tire state, and the pressure sensor 11 and the temperature sensor 12 are used to detect them. The pressure sensor 11 and the temperature sensor 12 are connected to a sensor unit controller 13 and output tire pressure data and tire temperature data obtained by detection to the sensor unit controller 13.

  The sensor unit controller 13 is configured by a known microcomputer including a CPU and a storage unit 13a (ROM, RAM, etc.), and executes predetermined processing according to data and programs stored in the storage unit 13a. For example, the sensor unit controller 13 detects the tire air pressure by the pressure sensor 11 and the tire internal temperature during a period when the vehicle 1 is traveling and until a certain time after the vehicle stops (for example, an average time required for refueling). Is detected by the temperature sensor 12 at a first time interval (for example, every 15 seconds).

  In addition, the sensor unit controller 13 sends a signal including the detected tire pressure data, tire temperature data, and the ID code of the tire sensor unit 10 to a second time interval longer than the first time interval ( Periodic transmission is performed by radio transmission at a multiple of the first time interval, for example, at intervals of 1 minute. Therefore, the signal transmitted by the regular transmission is a signal including tire pressure data and tire temperature data detected by the regular detection at the timing of the regular transmission.

  In the regular transmission, the sensor unit controller 13 outputs the tire pressure data, the tire temperature data, and the ID code to the RF transmission circuit 14. The RF transmission circuit 14 modulates data, code, and the like from the sensor unit controller 13 to generate a signal (RF signal) to be transmitted, and wirelessly transmits the signal from the transmission antenna 15.

  However, when the detected tire pressure and the temperature in the tire indicate abnormality, for example, when the tire pressure drops abnormally, when the tire pressure changes suddenly, when the tire temperature changes suddenly, etc. In addition to the regular transmission, the transmission operation is performed immediately.

  If periodic transmission is performed simultaneously in a plurality of (for example, all) tire sensor units 10, interference may occur and signals may not be properly received by the receiver unit 20. Therefore, the timing of regular transmission is shifted between the tire sensor units 10.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the receiver unit 20 includes a receiving antenna 21, an RF receiving circuit 22, and a receiver unit controller 23. Each of the above-mentioned parts constituting the receiver unit 20 operates with electric power supplied from, for example, an in-vehicle battery (not shown).

  The receiving antenna 21 is disposed at an arbitrary position of the vehicle body 7 and receives a signal (RF signal) transmitted from each tire sensor unit 10. Here, the receiving antenna 21 is configured by one common antenna that collectively receives signals from each tire sensor unit 10, but may be configured by a plurality of antennas corresponding to each tire sensor unit 10. Good.

The RF receiving circuit 22 demodulates the signal received through the receiving antenna 21 and sends it to the receiver unit controller 23.
The display unit 5 is connected to the receiver unit controller 23. The display device 5 is disposed at a place where the passenger of the vehicle 1 can visually recognize in the passenger compartment or the like. Indicator 5 may be constituted by a display etc. which are installed in an instrument panel (illustration abbreviation) of vehicles 1, for example.

  The receiver unit controller 23 is configured by a known microcomputer including a CPU and a storage unit 23a (ROM, RAM, etc.), and executes predetermined processing according to data and programs stored in the storage unit 23a. The operation of the receiver unit 20 is comprehensively controlled.

  For example, the receiver unit controller 23 compares the tire pressure of the wheel 2 with a preset threshold value, and if the tire pressure is lower than the threshold value, the tire pressure is insufficient below the appropriate value. The display 5 indicates that the air is being introduced and that air is preferably introduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an ID code recording card 6 as an information recording unit is issued to each vehicle 1 from, for example, the gas station GS side. In the ID code recording card 6, a reference ID code is recorded in advance as reference unique identification information set in correspondence with all the tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1. This reference ID code is used for collating ID codes when identifying a plurality of vehicles 1.

  The ID code recording card 6 includes a membership card used for payment of a fee when refueling, for example, a magnetic card in which a reference ID code is recorded with magnetic information, or a reference ID code incorporated in an IC chip. An IC chip built-in card that communicates with a card reader using the reference ID code can be used.

  On the other hand, in the gas station GS as the specific facility, as shown in FIG. 4, as shown by an arrow X, there are a plurality of islands (fuel supply bases) 30 extending in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 (vertical direction in FIG. 4) in the facility. It is provided in the place. Each island 30 is provided with a refueling machine 31. In addition, stop areas 32 and 33 indicated by alternate long and short dash lines are provided on both sides of the width direction of each island 30 in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4). It stops in one of the stop areas 32 and 33 so that it may be located near. Therefore, since there are a plurality of islands 30 and a pair of stop areas 32 and 33 are provided for each of them, a plurality (four or more) of vehicles 1 can enter the gas station GS at the same time. In order to distinguish these stop areas 32 and 33, identification information, for example, an identification number, is assigned to each stop area 32 and 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gas station GS is provided with a single facility-side unit 40 that constitutes a tire condition monitoring system together with the tire sensor unit 10 described above. The facility side unit 40 includes a reception antenna 41, an RF reception circuit 42, and a facility side unit controller 43.

  The receiving antenna 41 is disposed at an arbitrary location of the gas station GS, and receives a signal (RF signal) from each tire sensor unit 10. Here, the receiving antenna 41 is configured by one common antenna that collectively receives signals from each tire sensor unit 10 for each vehicle 1, but corresponds to each vehicle 1 and each tire sensor unit 10. A plurality of antennas may be used. In the receiving antenna 41, as shown in FIG. 3, a situation may occur in which signals including ID codes are received from the plurality of tire sensor units 10 in the plurality of vehicles 1, respectively. For example, four types of signals including ID codes ○ (○ 1 to ○ 4) from the vehicle 1 (A) and four types of signals including ID codes Δ (Δ1 to Δ4) from the vehicle 1 (B). A situation may occur in which four types of signals including ID signals □ (□ 1 to □ 4) are received from the signal, vehicle 1 (C).

The RF receiving circuit 42 demodulates the signal received through the receiving antenna 41 and sends it to the facility unit controller 43.
The facility unit controller 43 is connected to a display 44 as a notification unit. The indicator 44 is arranged at a gas station GS at a place where a passenger of the vehicle 1 can visually recognize, for example, the fueling machine 31 itself, the vicinity of the fueling machine 31, and a common place (for example, a high place near the ceiling). Has been.

  The facility unit controller 43 is connected to a card reader 45 as an information reading unit. The card reader 45 is installed in a place where a passenger of the vehicle 1 or an employee of the gas station GS can reach in the gas station GS, for example, the refueling machine 31 itself, the vicinity of the refueling machine 31, and a common place. Yes. The card reader 45 is provided with a card mounting part 46 to which the ID code recording card 6 is detachably mounted, and reads the reference ID code from the ID code recording card 6 mounted here.

  An input operation unit 47 is connected to the facility unit controller 43. The input operation unit 47 is a device operated when inputting the identification numbers of the stop areas 32 and 33 where the vehicle 1 is stopped. The input operation unit 47 may be provided in a place where a passenger of the vehicle 1 or an employee of the gas station GS can operate, for example, in each of the fuel dispensers 31, the card reader 45, or the like. Also good.

  The facility-side unit controller 43 includes a well-known microcomputer having a CPU and a storage unit 43a (ROM, RAM, etc.), and executes predetermined processing according to data and programs stored in the storage unit 43a. The operation of the facility side unit 40 is comprehensively controlled.

  For example, the facility-side unit controller 43 records the ID code from the reference ID codes of all the tire sensor units 10 read by the card reader 45 and the identification numbers of the stop areas 32 and 33 input through the input operation unit 47. The correspondence relationship between the vehicle 1 from which the card 6 is issued and the stop areas 32 and 33 where the vehicle 1 is stopped is grasped.

  When the facility-side unit controller 43 receives the tire air pressure data, the tire temperature data, and the ID code for each wheel 2 through the RF receiving circuit 42, the facility-side unit controller 43 collates the ID code with the reference ID code, and the collation result The vehicle 1 is identified based on the above.

  Furthermore, the facility-side unit controller 43 associates the identified vehicle 1 with information related to the tire air pressure and the tire internal temperature corresponding to the collated ID code, and causes the display 44 to display numerical values.

Next, the operation of the tire condition monitoring system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows a procedure of processing executed by the sensor unit controller 13 for each tire sensor unit 10. A series of processes shown in the flowchart is repeatedly executed every predetermined period (for example, a period shorter than the first time interval).

  First, in step 110, the sensor unit controller 13 determines whether it is a periodic detection timing for each first time interval. If this determination condition is not satisfied, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination condition of step 110 is satisfied, in step 120, the tire state is detected as a periodic detection process. That is, the tire pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 11 and the temperature in the tire is detected by the temperature sensor 12.

  Next, in step 130, it is determined whether it is a periodic transmission timing for each second time interval. If this determination condition is not satisfied, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination condition of the above step 130 is satisfied, in step 140, as the periodic transmission process, the tire condition data (tire pressure data, tire temperature data) and the tire sensor unit 10 ID code Is transmitted through the RF transmission circuit 14 and the transmission antenna 15. Then, after the process of step 140, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a procedure of processing executed by the facility-side unit controller 43. A series of processes shown in the flowchart is repeatedly executed every predetermined period (for example, a period shorter than the second time interval).

  In step 210, the facility-side unit controller 43 first receives a signal transmitted from each tire sensor unit 10, that is, a signal including tire pressure data, tire temperature data, and an ID code, as a receiving antenna 41 and an RF receiving circuit. It is determined whether it is received through 42. If this determination condition is not satisfied, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination condition of step 210 is satisfied, whether or not the reference ID code for each tire sensor unit 10 recorded on the ID code recording card 6 has been read by the card reader 45 in step 220 is determined. judge. If this determination condition is not satisfied, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination condition of step 220 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 230. In step 230, the vehicle 1 to which the ID code recording card 6 is issued stops in any stop area 32, 33 from the reference ID code read by the card reader 45 and the identification number input from the input operation unit 47. The vehicle 1 is grasped (identified).

  Further, the vehicle having the tire sensor unit 10 that collates the ID code received in step 210 with the reference ID code read in step 220 and transmits the ID code corresponding to the reference ID code based on the collation result. A process of identifying which 1 is (a process of identifying the vehicle 1) is performed. For example, a received ID code that has a specific correspondence (for example, a relationship indicating the same content) with the reference ID code is selected. The vehicle 1 provided with the tire sensor unit 10 that has transmitted the ID code is identified as the vehicle 1 on which the ID code recording card 6 on which the reference ID code is recorded is issued.

  Next, in step 240, the identified vehicle 1 is associated with the information related to the tire condition (tire pressure and temperature in the tire) corresponding to the collated ID code of the vehicle 1, and a numerical value is displayed on the display 44. Let For example, in which vehicle 1 the tire pressure of each wheel 2 and the temperature inside the tire are indicated numerically on the display 44. At this time, the display unit 44 displays the stop areas 32 and 33 where the vehicle 1 is stopped.

Then, after the process of step 240, a series of processes in the flowchart shown in FIG.
Therefore, when processing is performed according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, when the vehicle 1 enters the gas station GS, a signal including tire pressure data, tire temperature data, and an ID code is transmitted from each tire sensor unit 10. Wirelessly transmitted. The time of boarding here is, for example, at least one of a period from entering the gas station GS to stopping in the stop areas 32 and 33 and a period until a certain time elapses after stopping. This wireless transmission is performed for each vehicle 1. For this reason, if the facility-side unit 40 does not devise any means for associating the vehicle 1 with the wirelessly transmitted data, the tire sensor unit 10 of which vehicle 1 has the transmitted data (including the ID code). There is a possibility that the tire pressure and the temperature inside the tire cannot be displayed properly (accurately) on the display 44 without knowing whether the tire is from the above.

  However, in the present embodiment, the ID code recording card 6 that is issued for each vehicle 1 and in which the reference ID codes of all the tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 are recorded in advance is used together with the vehicle 1 at the gas station. Brought into the GS.

  On the other hand, in the facility side unit 40, signals including ID codes transmitted from all the tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 are taken into the facility side unit controller 43. Further, the reference ID code for each tire sensor unit 10 recorded on the ID code recording card 6 is read by the card reader 45 and taken into the facility-side unit controller 43. As described above, every time the vehicle 1 enters the gas station GS, the reference ID codes of all the tire sensor units 10 in the vehicle 1 are taken into the facility-side unit controller 43.

  Further, the identification numbers of the stop areas 32 and 33 are input to the facility unit controller 43 through the input operation unit 47. The ID code included in the signal is collated with the read reference ID code. Based on the collation result and the input identification number, the vehicle 1 is identified in a state associated with the stop areas 32 and 33, the tire pressure corresponding to the identified vehicle 1 and the collated ID code, and A numerical value is displayed on the display 44 in association with the temperature inside the tire.

Therefore, according to this embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The facility side unit 40 provided in the gas station GS receives signals transmitted from all the tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 (step 210). The ID code included in the signal and the reference ID code set in correspondence with the tire sensor unit 10 are collated, and the vehicle 1 is identified based on the collation result (step 230). The identified vehicle 1 and the information related to the tire state (tire pressure, tire temperature) corresponding to the ID code collated with the vehicle 1 are associated with each other and displayed numerically on the display 44 (step 240).

  In such a tire condition monitoring system, an ID code recording card 6 in which the reference ID codes of all tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 are recorded in advance is provided for each vehicle 1. A card reader 45 that reads the reference ID code recorded on the ID code recording card 6 is provided in the gas station GS (FIG. 3). Then, the reference ID code read by the card reader 45 is used for the collation (step 230) in the facility unit 40.

(1A) Therefore, the tire air pressure and the tire internal temperature for each wheel 2 can be accurately displayed numerically on the display 44 for each vehicle 1.
(1B) The occupant of each vehicle 1 can accurately know the tire air pressure and the tire internal temperature for each wheel 2 of the host vehicle by looking at the indicator 44 when refueling at the gas station GS. Then, for example, if there is a wheel 2 with insufficient tire air pressure, it can be realized that the tire air pressure should be adjusted at an early stage by introducing air.

  (1C) Each time the vehicle 1 enters the gas station GS, an occupant or an employee of the gas station GS performs an operation of mounting the ID code recording card 6 on the card mounting portion 46 of the card reader 45. By this operation, the reference ID codes of all the tire sensor units 10 of the vehicle 1 can be taken into the facility side unit 40 through the ID code recording card 6 and the card reader 45.

  As a result, prior registration of the reference ID code to the facility unit 40 can be eliminated. For the same reason, it is not necessary to install a large-scale facility such as an information center (data center) that manages the reference ID code outside the gas station GS.

  (1D) The ID code recording card 6 is a portable recording medium. Therefore, the owner of the ID code recording card 6 can bring the ID code recording card 6 into the gas station GS by entering the vehicle 1 into the gas station GS.

  (2) An input operation unit 47 for inputting identification information (identification number) of the stop areas 32 and 33 where the vehicle 1 has stopped is provided in the gas station GS (FIG. 3). Based on the reference ID code read by the card reader 45 and the identification information (identification number) of the stop areas 32 and 33 input through the input operation unit 47, the vehicle 1 from which the ID code recording card 6 has been issued, The stop areas 32 and 33 where the vehicle 1 is stopped are associated with each other. In addition to the information related to the vehicle 1 and the tire condition (tire pressure, tire internal temperature), the stop areas 32 and 33 are displayed on the display 44.

Therefore, more information can be provided to the occupant of the vehicle 1 because the stop areas 32 and 33 are added to the display content of the display 44.
(3) In addition, the effect similar to said (1) ((1A)-(1D)) and said (2) has the trigger generator near the mounting location of each wheel 2 in each stop area 32,33. It can also be realized by providing a trigger receiver for each tire sensor unit 10.

  In this case, as the vehicle 1 stops in the stop areas 32 and 33, the facility unit 40 triggers a trigger signal for requesting wireless transmission of a signal including data indicating a tire condition (tire pressure, tire temperature). Wireless transmission from the generator. When each tire sensor unit 10 receives a trigger signal by the trigger receiver, the tire pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 11 and the temperature in the tire is detected by the temperature sensor 12, and the tire pressure data, the tire temperature data, and the ID are detected. A signal including the code is transmitted wirelessly. This signal is received by the facility side unit 40 and the tire condition is displayed on the display 44. Accordingly, the occupant can know the tire condition of each wheel 2 for each vehicle 1 by looking at the display 44.

  However, in this case, it is necessary to install a trigger generator for each wheel 2 in each stop area 32, 33, that is, it is necessary to install four trigger generators for each stop area 32, 33. Therefore, the equipment of the gas station GS becomes a large scale, and the cost increases.

In this respect, in the above-described embodiment, it is only necessary to add the ID code recording card 6 and the card reader 45, which is advantageous for cost reduction.
Note that the present invention can be embodied in another embodiment described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, instead of the ID code recording card 6 as an information recording unit, the reference ID codes of all tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 are recorded in advance, and data communication is performed without contact. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system radio device 50 may be used. In this case, instead of the card reader 45, the information reading unit is installed in the gas station GS and receives a signal from the RFID system radio 50, and the reference ID code included in the signal is received. An RFID system reader 51 for reading is used.

  In this modified example, the RFID system radio device 50 enters the gas station GS together with the vehicle 1. When the RFID system wireless device 50 approaches the RFID system reader 51, power is transmitted to the RFID system wireless device 50 from the RFID system reader 51 wirelessly. That is, the RFID system radio 50 generates an electromotive force by the electromagnetic induction effect of the received radio wave. Further, the RFID system reader 51 requests the RFID system radio 50 to wirelessly transmit a signal including the reference ID code. In response to this request, a signal including the reference ID code is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID system radio 50. This signal is received by the RFID system reader 51, and the reference ID code included in the signal is read. The RFID system reader 51 is connected to the facility unit controller 43, and the read reference ID code is taken into the facility unit controller 43.

  Thus, every time the vehicle 1 enters the gas station GS, the reference ID codes of all the tire sensor units 10 in each vehicle 1 are taken into the facility side unit 40 through the RFID system radio device 50 and the RFID system reader 51. . Therefore, also in the case of this modified example, the same effect as the above-described embodiment in which the ID code recording card 6 and the card reader 45 are used can be obtained.

  In addition, the information recording unit (RFID system radio 50) does not require a power source such as a battery. Further, when reading the reference ID code, it is only necessary to bring the RFID system radio device 50 close to (hold over) the RFID system reader 51.

  In the case of the above modification, the RFID system radio device 50 may be configured as a portable member 52 provided in a state separated from the vehicle 1. The portable member 52 may have various shapes such as a card, a tag, and a key holder, for example. In this case, the RFID system radio 50 is brought into the gas station GS when the owner of the portable member 52 enters the vehicle 1 into the gas station GS. When the RFID system radio device 50 is brought close to (held over) the RFID system reader 51 by an occupant or an employee of the gas station GS, all tire sensor units recorded in the RFID system radio device 50 are recorded. Ten reference ID codes are read by the RFID system reader 51.

  In addition, the RFID system radio device 50 may be assembled to the vehicle body 7 of the vehicle 1 in place of the portable member 52. FIG. 8 shows an example of this, and the RFID system radio 50 is assembled to the bottom of the vehicle body 7 (the bottom surface or the vicinity thereof). In this case, the RFID system reader 51 may be embedded near the road surface of each of the stop areas 32 and 33, for example.

  In this way, the RFID system radio 50 moves together with the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the vehicle 1 enters the gas station GS, the RFID system radio 50 also enters the gas station GS. When the RFID system radio 50 approaches the RFID system reader 51 as the vehicle 1 moves to the stop areas 32 and 33, the reference ID code recorded in the RFID system radio 50 is used for the RFID system. Read by the reader 51.

  In this case, unlike the RFID system radio device 50 configured as the portable member 52, an occupant or an employee of the gas station GS causes the RFID system radio device 50 to approach the RFID system reader 51 ( It is possible to read the reference ID code without performing the operation, and convenience is improved.

In addition, it is not necessary to carry or search for the RFID system radio 50. There is no risk of the RFID system radio 50 being lost.
The RFID system radio device 50 may be assembled at a location different from the bottom portion of the vehicle body 7.

In the above embodiment, the example of the gas station GS is shown as the specific facility, but the specific facility may be a repair factory, a dealer, a service area of an expressway, or the like.
In addition to the indicator 44, the notification unit may be configured by a device that notifies the tire state (tire pressure, tire temperature) by voice.

  -As a tire state, any one of the said tire air pressure and tire internal temperature may be sufficient, and new parameters other than these may be added. In addition, the new parameter may be a tire state in place of the tire air pressure and the tire internal temperature.

In addition, the technical ideas that can be grasped from the respective embodiments will be described together with their effects.
(A) In the tire condition monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The specific facility has a plurality of stop areas for the vehicle to stop,
The facility-side unit has an input operation unit that inputs identification information of the stop area where the vehicle has stopped, and is input through the reference specific identification information read by the information reading unit and the input operation unit. Based on the identification information of the stop area, the vehicle provided with the information recording unit is associated with the stop area where the vehicle is stopped, and in addition to the information on the vehicle and the tire condition, the stop area is The notification unit notifies the user.

  According to said structure, when the identification information of the stop area where the vehicle stopped is input through the input operation part, in the facility side unit, the reference | standard specific identification information read by the information reading part and the input stop area of the stop area are input. Based on the identification information, the vehicle provided with the information recording unit is associated with the stop area where the vehicle is stopped. And in addition to the information regarding a vehicle and a tire state, the information about a stop area is alert | reported by the alerting | reporting part.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Wheel, 4 ... Tire, 6 ... ID code recording card (information recording part), 7 ... Vehicle body, 10 ... Tire sensor unit (wheel side unit), 11 ... Pressure sensor (sensor), 12 ... Temperature Sensor (sensor) 40 ... Facility side unit 44 ... Display (notification unit) 45 ... Card reader (information reading unit) 50 ... RFID system radio (information recording unit) 51 ... RFID system reader ( Information reading unit), 52 ... portable member, GS ... gas station (specific facility).

Claims (5)

Wheel side that is provided on each wheel for each vehicle that enters and exits a specific facility, detects the state in the tire of the wheel as a tire state, and wirelessly transmits a signal including data indicating the tire state and unique identification information Unit,
The signal received from the wheel side unit provided in the specific facility is received, and the unique identification information included in the signal is collated with the reference unique identification information set corresponding to the wheel side unit. The tire condition monitoring system includes a facility-side unit that identifies a vehicle based on the collation result and associates the identified vehicle with information related to the tire condition corresponding to the collated unique identification information to be notified by the notifying unit. And
An information recording unit provided for each vehicle, in which the reference unique identification information of all the wheel side units in each vehicle is recorded in advance;
An information reading unit provided in the specific facility and reading the reference unique identification information recorded in the information recording unit, wherein the facility-side unit reads the reference unique identification information read by the information reading unit; A tire condition monitoring system which is used for verification. The information recording unit is a card in which the reference unique identification information of all the wheel side units in each vehicle is recorded in advance.
The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit is a card reader installed in the specific facility. The information recording unit is a radio for an RFID system in which the reference unique identification information of all the wheel side units in each vehicle is recorded in advance, and performs data communication without contact,
2. The RFID system reader installed in the specific facility, receiving a signal from the RFID system radio, and reading the reference unique identification information included in the signal. The tire condition monitoring system described in 1. The tire state monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the RFID system radio is configured as a portable member provided in a state separated from the vehicle. The tire condition monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the RFID system radio is assembled to a vehicle body of the vehicle.