Patent ID: 11922754
Assignee: ATEQ
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC G

Claim 19:
20. An automatic dispenser for use in storing and selectively dispensing a plurality of different tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tire sensors configured for different vehicles, the dispenser comprising:
a plurality of storage bays operable to temporarily store a predetermined type of the plurality of tire sensors;
an electromagnetically shielded cavity in communication with the plurality of storage bays;
a processing apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory data storage device including an information database of tire sensor types and tire sensor communication protocols;
a receiver;
a transmitter; and
a human machine interface operable to receive at least one of vehicle information or tire sensor information;

a reading module operable to individually read indicia of the plurality of tire sensors, the processing apparatus configured to determine a suitable tire sensor based on the received at least one of vehicle information or tire sensor information;
an actuator operable to engage a predetermined one of the suitable tire sensor from a predetermined one of the plurality of storage bays housing the suitable tire sensor and transfer the suitable tire sensor to the shielded cavity;
a programming module operable to program a suitable tire sensor positioned in the shielded cavity, the programming module operable to transmit a data signal including a tire sensor protocol into the shielded cavity to program the suitable tire sensor; and
a delivery tray in communication with the shielded cavity operable to receive the programmed suitable tire sensor and allow access to a user to remove the programmed suitable tire sensor from the automatic dispenser.