Abstract:
A system involves the use of one or more sensor pins which generate a binary output to determine the position of the tire on the sensor module, and if the depth of the tire tread meets the recommended depth for safe operation. The vehicle drives over two linear sensor modules, one for the driver side tires and the other for the passenger side tires. As the tires pass over the sensor modules, the sensor pins on/off status is recorded and analyzed to determine whether the tires are centered on the module and whether the depth of the threads meet or exceed the recommended depth for safe operation. When both front and rear tires have passed over the sensor modules, the tire statuses will be displayed on a tire status indicator, and a receipt with the tire status will be printed for the vehicle. When used with fleet management systems, the vehicle identification and the tire statuses will also be sent to a data center for further processing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/000,289, filed on May, 19, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to automatically evaluating the wear characteristics of automobile and truck tires. 
         [0003]    The average vehicle owner rarely checks the wear, tear, and tread depth of his or her vehicle tires and is typically prone to wait until there is a flat or a defective tire occurs. It is fully understood that the depth of the grooves on the tire greatly affect the performance of the tire and consequently the vehicle itself. As the groove depth is reduced due to wear and tear, the tires become less stable when they encounter water, ice or snow. 
         [0004]    The problem of tire wear is even more important when applied to fleet vehicles, such as police cars, due to being exposed to continuous high speeds and severe maneuvers. Gone unchecked, a tire failure in these circumstances could lead to serious consequences. 
         [0005]    Car rental agencies are also exposed to large liabilities, for renting a vehicle with worn tires. Therefore, these tires must be checked each time the vehicle is rented. The agencies are also exposed to tire thieves, which rent a car, exchange its new tires for a set of old ones, and return the vehicle to the rental agency. If the tires are not checked immediately when the vehicle is returned, it would become difficult to identify the culprits. If that vehicle is rented to a new customer with the worn tires, the rental company would potentially be liable for damages, should an accident occur due to the worn tires. 
         [0006]    The problem of worn tires also applies to heavy duty truck transportation. Because of their large size and restricted accessibility, checking truck tires is often overlooked or ignored. Not checking the tires could lead to serious consequences, should a tire fail while transporting heavy loads on public highways. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates to multiple systems for easily checking tire wear with little or no effort from the driver, other than driving the vehicle through the tire evaluation station. 
         [0008]    A key component is a pins sensor module, which deploys the use of pins sensors and return springs. Pins which are used to determine the depth of the tire tread basically functions as an on-off switch. The pin length is important. However, once the sensor module is installed, it never needs calibration. The sensor module is designed to operate for many years in the harshest environments. 
         [0009]    An automatic tire checking station, in which the vehicle is simply driven over two pin sensing modules, is comprised of an array of pins sensing devices, such as but not limited to, a spring-loaded pin with a contact surface, held in place by a pin guide block, a printed circuit board, and a wire spring connected to a ground bar. When no downward pressure is applied to the end of the sensor pin, the contact surfaces of the sensor pin are pressed against the contact surfaces of the printed circuit card, grounding the input voltage to a scanning microprocessor and generating a zero state input to the scanning microprocessor. When pressure is applied to the end of the sensor pin, the contact surfaces of the sensor pins are separated from the contact surfaces of the printed circuit card, removing the ground from the scanning microprocessor digital input and generating a one state to a digital input. Each sensor pin printed circuit contact is connected to a separate pull-up resistor and digital input on a scanning microprocessor. At least two or more sensor pins, but preferably a hundred or more, are arranged in a row and mounted as close as physically possible to each other to form a pin sensing area. When it is not possible to place the sensing pins as close as desired, a second row of pins may be installed behind and in parallel to the first row. The second set of pins is shifted to align with the center of the first row of pins, thus increasing the sensor resolution. 
         [0010]    When a vehicle tire is driven over the sensor array that is wider than the tire itself, some sensor pins will not be under the tire and therefore not depressed. Some sensor pins that are under the tire tread will be depressed to the surface and some sensor pins will be located under the grooves in the tires. When the tire grooves meet or exceed the recommended safe depths, the sensor pins will not be pressed, therefore generating a zero input to the scanning processor for these pin locations. When the vehicle detector senses the presence of a vehicle, the scanning microprocessor will store the status and location of each of the sensor pins. When the scanning microprocessor detects that a tire is no longer pressing on the sensor pins, it transmits to the data processor the status and location of each sensor pin. Two sensor arrays are provided, one for the driver side and one for the passenger side. Both pin sensing modules transmit their pin status and locations to the data processor. As long as a vehicle is detected, the data processor will wait for additional data from the pins sensing modules that is generated by the second set of tires going over the modules. 
         [0011]    When the vehicle is no longer detected and all of the data from the pin sensor modules have been transmitted to the data processor, the data processor, based on the sensor pins status and locations, will determine if the tires were correctly located on the pin sensor modules and the tread depth meets or exceeds the safety standards. The status of each tire will preferably be presented on a visual display in the form of green light indicating tire passed inspection, and red light indicating that the tire should be visually inspected. A visual indicator is also provided to alert the driver that the tires were not located properly on the sensor modules and that it is necessary to drive the vehicle over the sensors again. The data processor will also provide a printed receipt for the driver with the date, time, location and status of each tire. In addition, the data may also be sent to a central data processor via the internet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an annotated isometric view of the approach of a vehicle tire about to be checked for wear; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an annotated isometric view of a single tire check sensor pin; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an annotated cutaway side view of a pin sensor detecting a good tread depth; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an annotated cutaway side view of a pin sensor detecting a worn tread depth; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an annotated cutaway side view of a pin sensor detecting no tread depth; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an annotated schematic diagram of a closed contact pin sensor; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an annotated schematic diagram of an open contact pin sensor; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an annotated bottom view of a group of pin sensors and a section of the sensor module printed circuit card; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire check sensor module; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an annotated schematic diagram of a pin sensor scanning processor; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an annotated top plan view of a single tire check sensor module; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an annotated side view of a single tire check sensor module; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an annotated top plan view of a dual tire check sensor module; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an annotated side view of a dual tire check sensor module; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an annotated plan view of a vehicle approaching a tire check station; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an annotated side view of a vehicle approaching a tire check station; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire checking sensor module; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire checking sensor module detecting an offset tire; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire checking sensor module detecting a good tire tread depth; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire checking sensor module detecting a worn tire tread depth; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is an annotated cutaway side view of a tire checking sensor module detecting a worn tire edge; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a simple elevation view of an air compressing section of a tire thread cleaning station; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a simple elevation view of the air blast section of the tire thread cleaning station; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is an annotated block diagram of a driver side dual tire check sensor module; 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is an annotated block diagram of a passenger side dual tire check sensor module; 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is an annotated block diagram of a control module; 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is an annotated block diagram of a car tire status indicator module; 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  is an annotated block diagram of a vehicle data collection terminal; 
           [0040]      FIG. 29  is an annotated block diagram of a vehicle identification module; 
           [0041]      FIG. 30  is a flow chart illustrating steps and methods of an automatic system with self-test, vehicle detection, and front tire detection; 
           [0042]      FIG. 31  is a flow chart illustrating steps and methods of an automatic front tire checking; 
           [0043]      FIG. 32  is a flow chart illustrating steps and methods of an automatic rear tire detection; 
           [0044]      FIG. 33  is a flow chart illustrating steps and methods of transferring data and clearing tire status displays; 
           [0045]      FIG. 34  is a flow chart illustrating steps and methods of an automatic rear tire checking; 
           [0046]      FIG. 35  is an annotated front view of a tire check processor module; 
           [0047]      FIG. 36  is an annotated front view of a car tire status module; 
           [0048]      FIG. 37  is an annotated front view of a vehicle identification and control module; 
           [0049]      FIG. 38  is an annotated front view of a fuel island data terminal; 
           [0050]      FIG. 39  is an annotated front view of a truck tire status module; 
           [0051]      FIG. 40  is an annotated front view of a tire check status receipt printer module and barcoded receipt; 
           [0052]      FIG. 41  is an annotated block diagram of a fleet vehicle tire checking station; 
           [0053]      FIG. 42  is an annotated block diagram of a rental vehicle tire checking station; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 43  is an annotated block diagram of a transportation truck tire checking station. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a system automatically determines if the groove depths  202  in vehicle tires  201  are adequate for safe operation. The vehicle tire  201  is driven over a thread depth sensor module generally designated by the numeral  100 . The thread depth sensor module  100  contains a row of sensor pins  103  which are held in place by the sensor pin guide block  104 . The thread depth sensor pins  103  protrude from the sensor pin guide block  104  to a height that is equal to the recommended tread depth for safe tire operation. The sensor pin stop ring  108  is attached at one end to the sensor pin  103 . A sensor pin stop ring  108  is made of conductive material and forms the sensor pin contact  108 A. The sensor pin  103  and the attached sensor pin stop ring  108  are forced upward in the sensor pin guide block  104  by a conductive return spring  109  until the sensor pin stop ring  108 A comes in contact with a printed circuit contact  107  on a printed circuit card  106 . The return spring  109  is attached to a conductive ground bar  110 . 
         [0056]    When the sensor pin  103  aligns with a tire grove  202 A, that meets or exceeds the recommended depth for safe operations, the sensor pin contact  108 A will be connected to the circuit contact  107 , grounding the input to the scanning processor digital input  116 . 
         [0057]    When the sensor pin  103  aligns with a tire tread  201 A, the sensor pin contact  108 A will not be connected to the circuit contact  107 , removing the ground from the input to the scanning processor digital input  116 . 
         [0058]    A pull up resistor  111  is connected to a pull up voltage  112  and the scanning processor digital input  116 . When the printed circuit contact  107  is grounded by the sensor pin contact  108 A, a logic level zero  114  is detected for that sensor pin  103  position on the thread depth sensor module  100 . When the printed circuit contact  107  is not grounded by the sensor pin contact  108 A, a logic level one  115  is detected for that sensor pin  103  position on the thread depth sensor module  100 . 
         [0059]    The thread depth sensor module  100  houses a thread depth sensor assembly  101  which includes one or more sensor pins  103  held in a row by the sensor guide block  104  and passing through the sensor printed circuit card  106 . Each sensor pin  103  is forced upward by a separate return spring  109  connected to a grounding bar  110 . Each printed circuit contact  107  is connected to the pull up resistor  111  and the separate scanning processor digital input  116  via a connecting wire  118 . 
         [0060]    The sensor pin scanning processor  117  communicates with the tire check processor module  300  using transmit and receive signals  120 . 
         [0061]    The single thread depth sensor module  100  is formed by attaching an end bevel  121 . 
         [0062]    To increase the sensor area  207 ,  208 , two thread depth sensor modules  100  are mounted back-to-back to form a dual thread depth sensor module  102 . Two dual thread depth sensor modules  102  are mounted on the ground surface in the tire paths  207 ,  208 , one for the driver side  202 A and the second for the passenger side  202 B. Two vehicle guideposts  226  are provided to help center the tires of vehicle  200  over the dual thread sensor module  102 . 
         [0063]    When a driver wishes to check the tire condition of the vehicle  200 , the driver simply drives between the vehicle guidepost  226  and over the thread depth sensor modules  102 A and  102 B. As the vehicle  200  approaches the thread depth sensor modules  102 A and  102 B, the vehicle detector  302  will sense the presence of vehicle  200  before its tires  203  and  205  pass over the thread sensor module  102 A and  102 B ( FIG. 17 ). At that time, all thread depth pin sensors  103  are scanned by the sensor pin scanner processor  117 . 
         [0064]    The digital inputs  116  should all be logic level zero  114 . If a thread depth sensor pin is damaged or stuck in the down position, thereby causing a logic level one  115  for that position, that sensor pin  103  position will be ignored during the tire thread depth checking operation. A message will be sent to maintenance  225  alerting it of the defective sensor pin  103 . 
         [0065]    A vehicle tire  201  that is not centered properly passes over thread depth sensor modules  102 A and  102 B ( FIG. 18 ). The lower order (1 to 10) thread depth pins  202 D will be at a logic level zero and the higher order (37 to 40) thread depth pins  202 E will be at a logic one  124 . This unbalance will signal the tire status data processor  301  and it will alert the driver of vehicle  200  using the vehicle misalignment indicator  410  on the car tire status indicator module  400 . 
         [0066]    When a properly centered vehicle tire  201  passes over thread depth sensor modules  102 A and  102 B ( FIG. 19 ), the lower order (1 to 3) thread depth pins will be at a logic level zero and the higher order (41 to 40) thread depth pins are also at a logic zero  124 . This balance will signal the tire status data processor  301  that the tires  203  and  205  are centered and that the thread depth sensor pins between the lower and upper order logic level zero  114  may be checked to see how many thread depth sensor pins  103  are at a logic level zero  114  and how many thread depth sensor pins  103  are at a logic level one  115 . 
         [0067]    When the thread depth sensor pins  103  with logic level zero, exceed a set percentage of the thread depth sensor pins  103  with logic level ones, the tire grooves are deep enough for safe operations. The tire status data processor  301  will alert the driver of vehicle  200  using the green tire pass indicator  402  and  404  on the car tire status indicator module  400 . 
         [0068]    When the logic level zero, thread depth sensor pins  103 , is less than a set percentage of the logic level ones, thread depth sensor pins  103 , ( FIG. 20 ) the tire grooves are not deep enough for safe operations. The tire status data processor  301  will alert the driver of vehicle  200  using the red check tire visual indicator  403  and  405  on the car tire status indicator module  400 . 
         [0069]    When the logic level zero thread depth sensor pins  103  are not spread evenly  202 C ( FIG. 21 ) over the width of tire thread  201 , it is an indication that the tire  201  was not worn evenly and not safe for operation. The tire status data processor  301  will alert the driver of vehicle  200  using the red, check tire visual indicator  403  and  405 , on the car tire status indicator module  400 . 
         [0070]    After the front tires  203 ,  205  on vehicle  200  exit the dual thread depth sensor modules  102 A,  102 B and a vehicle  200  is still detected by the vehicle detector  302 , a second set of vehicle tires  204 ,  206  will be analyzed when they pass over the dual thread sensor modules  102 A,  102 B. The tire  204 ,  206  status will be indicated to the vehicle  200  driver, using the rear tire status indicators  404 ,  405 ,  408 ,  409  on the car tire status indicator module  400 . 
         [0071]    To insure that the grooves  202  in the tires being checked  201  are free of debris  608 , a groove cleaning station  600  is incorporated into the thread depth sensor module  100  ( FIG. 22 ). As the vehicle tire  201  approaches the thread depth sensor module  100 , it presses down  105  on an air blather plunger  601 , forcing air in an air blather  602  through the air outlet check valve  604  into the compressed air tank  605 . When the vehicle tire  201  exits the air blather plunger  601  ( FIG. 23 ) it is allowed to raise sucking air into the blather  602 , through an inlet check valve  603 . When the vehicle tire  201  presses down  105  on the air slide valve  606  and the air slide valve return spring  607 , a blast of air  608  is released from the compressed air tank  605 , directed at the tire groove test area  610 , ejecting debris  609 . 
         [0072]    Sensor pins  103  status data  207 ,  208  are sent from the driver side dual thread sensor module  102 A and the sensor pins  103  status data  209 ,  210  are sent from the passenger side dual thread sensor module  102 A to the tire status data processor  301  for tire groove depth qualification ( FIGS. 24, 25 ). 
         [0073]    The tire check processor module  300  ( FIGS. 26, 35 ) detects vehicles  302  in the tire check station lane  217 , indicates when the tire check is in process  303 , stores and analyzes pin sensor data for each vehicle tire location and transmits the tire status data  306  to the car tire status indicator module  400  ( FIG. 27 ). The tire status data processor  301  also receives vehicle identification  305  from either the vehicle data collection terminal  500  ( FIG. 28 ) or the vehicle identification module  508  ( FIG. 29 ). 
         [0074]    The tire check processor module  300  ( FIGS. 26, 38 ) is equipped with a tire status data processor  301  a vehicle detector  302 , and a ready indicator  303 . The unit communicates with up to four thread depth sensor modules  307 ,  308 ,  309 ,  310  ( FIGS. 24, 25 ), with a status indicator module  400 ,  423  ( FIG. 28 ), a vehicle data collection terminal  500  ( FIGS. 28, 38 ) or a vehicle identification module  508  ( FIGS. 29, 37 ), and with network communications  304 . 
         [0075]    The car tire status indicator module  400  ( FIGS. 27, 36 ) is equipped with a tire status indicator processor  401 , a vehicle misalignment indicator  410 , four pass or check tire visual indicators and one communication port  424 . 
         [0076]    The fuel island data terminal  500  ( FIGS. 28, 38 ) is equipped with vehicle data collection processor  501 , a display  506 , a key board  507 , tire check module communications  519 , and will support an RF transceiver  502 , an RFID reader  203 , a barcode reader  504 , and a receipt printer  505 . The tire check receipt printer  505  ( FIG. 28, 40 ) is equipped with a receipt and barcode printer. 
         [0077]    The vehicle identification module  508  ( FIG. 29, 37 ) is equipped with a vehicle identification processor  509 , stop and go indicators  511 ,  512 , tire check module communications  519 , and will support an RF transceiver  502 , an RFID reader  203 , and a barcode reader  504 . 
         [0078]    The truck tire status indicator module  423  ( FIG. 39 ) is equipped with a tire status indicator processor  401 , a vehicle misalignment indicator  410 , eighteen pass or check tire visual indicators and one communication port  424 . 
         [0079]    The automated commercial tire check station  217  ( FIGS. 15, 16 ) comprises two single or dual thread depth sensor modules  100 , one tire check processor module  300 , one car tire status indicator module  400 , one receipt printer  505 , and two vehicle guideposts  226 . 
         [0080]    When the ready indicator  303  located on the tire check processor module  300  is lit, the vehicle  200 ,  212  is driven between the two vehicle guideposts  226  and over two thread depth sensor modules  102 A,  102 B. When the vehicle  200  is sensed by the vehicle detector  302 , a sensor pin test is performed on each of the thread depth sensor modules  102 A,  102 B to determine if there are any defective sensor pins  103 . Defective sensor pins  103  will not be used in the tire check process. When tires  103 ,  105  pass over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the scanning processors  117  located in each thread depth sensor module  100  will sample, store and transmit each sensor pin status and location to the tire check processor module  300 . 
         [0081]    When the vehicle and tires  203 ,  205  are not centered on the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the misalignment indicator light  410  located on the car tire status indicator module  400  will be lit, instructing the vehicle driver to repeat the tire test. When the tires  203 ,  205  are centered over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  1028 , the sensor pins  103  status and position are analyzed by the tire status data processor  301  to determine if the tire groove depths are deep enough to ensure safe operations. When vehicle tires  203 ,  205  exit the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the results are transmitted to the tire status indicator module  400  and displayed using status indicator lights  402 ,  403  and  406 ,  407 . Status indicators  402 ,  406  are lit green when the front tires pass the test. Status indicators  403 ,  407  are lit red when the front tires fail the test. 
         [0082]    When the vehicle detector  302  continues to sense the presence of vehicle  200  and the pin sensor modules  102 A,  102 B senses a second set of vehicle tires  204 ,  206 , they are identified as rear tires  204 ,  206 . The same tire check test is performed on the rear tires and the results are also displayed on the status indicator module  400  using indicator lights  404 ,  405 ,  408  and  409 . The test results are also sent to the receipt printer  505  and a barcoded receipt  514  is printed for the vehicle  200 . The receipt  514  contains the tire status, date, time and location of the tire check. Also printed are coupons and advertisements for new tires. 
         [0083]    The automated fleet vehicle tire check system  218  ( FIG. 41 ) comprises two single or dual thread depth sensor modules  100 , one tire check processor module  300 , one car tire status indicator module  400 , one receipt printer  505 , and two vehicle guideposts  226 . 
         [0084]    When a fleet vehicle  213  returns to fleet service island  218  to refuel using fuel dispenser  518 , the vehicle  213  is identified by either a barcode label  209 , an RFID tag  211  or a vehicle OBDM transceiver  210  as the vehicle is driven between the two vehicle guideposts  226  and over two thread depth sensor modules  100 . When the vehicle  200  is sensed by the vehicle detector  302 , a sensor pin test is performed on each of the thread depth sensor modules  102 A,  102 B to determine if there any defective sensor pins  103 . Defective sensor pins  103  will not be used in the tire check process. When tires  103 ,  105  pass over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the scanning processors  117  located in each thread depth sensor module  100  will sample, store and transmit each sensor pin status and location to the tire check processor module  300 . If the vehicle  213  and tires  203 ,  205  are not centered on the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the misalignment indicator light  410  located on the car tire status indicator module  400  will be lit, instructing the vehicle driver to repeat the tire test. If the tires  203 ,  205  are centered over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the sensor pins  103 , status and position are analyzed by the tire status data processor  301  to determine if the tire groove depths are deep enough to ensure safe operation. When the vehicle tires  203 ,  205  exit the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the results are transmitted to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  and tire status indicator module  400  and displayed using status indicator lights  402 ,  403  and  406 ,  407 . Status indicators  402 ,  406  are lit green when the front tires pass the test. Status indicators  403 ,  407  are lit red when the front tires fail the test. 
         [0085]    When the vehicle detector  302  continues to sense the presence of vehicle  213  and the pin sensor modules  100  sense a second set of vehicle tires  204 ,  206 , they are identified as rear tires  204 ,  206 . The same tire check test is performed on the rear tires and the results are also transmitted to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  displayed on the status indicator module  400 , using indicator lights  404 ,  405  and  408 ,  409 . The test results are sent to the receipt printer  505  and a barcoded receipt  514  is printed for the vehicle  213 . The receipt contains the tire status, date, time and location of the tire check. In addition to other data important to vehicle  213 , this data  515 ,  516  is also sent via a local area network  222  to the data center computer  223  for storage and processing. Tire status messages  504  and  516  are also sent to the maintenance department terminal  225  and to the supervisor terminal  224 . 
         [0086]    The automated rental vehicle tire check station  213  ( FIG. 42 ) comprises two single or dual thread depth sensor modules  100 , one tire check processor module  300 , one car tire status indicator module  400 , one vehicle identification module  508 , one vehicle data collection terminal  500 , one receipt printer  505 , and two vehicle guideposts  226 . 
         [0087]    When a rental vehicle  214  returns to rental car service island  219  to refuel using fuel dispenser  518 , the vehicle  214  is identified by a barcode label  209 , an RFID tag  211  or a vehicle OBDM transceiver  210 . When the service is completed, a barcoded receipt  517  is printed by the receipt printer  505  and placed in the vehicle  214 . The vehicle  214  then proceeds to the rental car wash station  220 . 
         [0088]    When the vehicle  214  enters the car wash station  220 , it is identified by scanning the barcode on receipt  517  with the barcode scanner  510  mounted on the vehicle identification module  508 . The vehicle may also be identified by the RFID tag  211  or the OBDM transceiver  210 . 
         [0089]    When the vehicle  214  passes through the vehicle guideposts  226 , it is sensed by the vehicle detector  302 , located on the tire check processor module  300 , which initiates a sensor pin test. The test is performed on each of the thread depth sensor pins  103  in each of the modules  102 A,  102 B to determine if there any defective sensor pins  103 . Defective sensor pins  103  will not be used in the tire check process. When tires  103 ,  105  pass over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the scanning processors  117  located in each thread depth sensor module  100  will sample, store and transmit each sensor pin status and location to the tire check processor module  300 . 
         [0090]    If the tires  203 ,  205  of vehicle  213  are not centered on the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the misalignment indicator light  410  located on the car tire status indicator module  400  will be lit, instructing the vehicle driver to repeat the tire test. If the tires  203 ,  205  are centered over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the sensor pins  103  status and position are analyzed by the tire status data processor  301  to determine if the tire groove depths are deep enough to ensure safe operation. When vehicle tires  203 ,  205  exit the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the results are transmitted to the vehicle identification module  508  and the tire status indicator module  400 . The tire status will be displayed using status indicator lights  402 ,  403  and  406 ,  407 . Status indicators  402 ,  406  are lit green when the front tires pass the test. Status indicators  403 ,  407  are lit red when the front tires fail the test. 
         [0091]    When the vehicle detector  302  continues to sense the presence of vehicle  214  and the pin sensor modules  100  sense a second set of vehicle tires  204 ,  206 , they are identified as rear tires  204 ,  206 . The same tire check test is performed on the rear tires and the results are also transmitted to the vehicle identification module  508  and the tire status indicator module  400 . The tire status will be displayed on the status indicator module  400  using indicator lights  404 ,  405  and  408 ,  409 . 
         [0092]    When the vehicle  214  exits the car wash station  220 , the test results  516  are sent to the data center computer  223  via the vehicle identification module  508 . The message contains the vehicle identification, tire status, date, time and location of the tire check. This data  515  is also sent via a local area network  222  to the data center computer  223 , for further processing. Tire status messages  504  are also sent to the maintenance department terminal  225  and tire status messages  516  are sent to the supervisor terminal  224 . 
         [0093]    The automated transport truck tire check station  221  ( FIG. 43 ) comprises two single or dual thread depth sensor modules  100 , one tire check processor module  300 , one truck tire status indicator module  423 , one vehicle data collection terminal  500 , one receipt printer  505 , and two vehicle guideposts  226 . 
         [0094]    When a transport truck  221  returns to service island  221  to refuel using fuel dispenser  518 , the vehicle  221  is identified by a barcode label  209 , an RFID tag  211  or a vehicle OBDM transceiver  210 . When the transport truck  215  enters the service island  221 , it is driven between the two vehicle guideposts  226  and over two thread depth sensor modules  100 . When the vehicle  215  is sensed by the vehicle detector  302 , a sensor pin test is performed on each thread depth sensor pin  103 , to determine if there any defective sensor pins  103 . Defective sensor pins  103  will not be used in the tire check process. When tires  103 ,  105  pass over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the scanning processors  117  located in each thread depth sensor module  100  will sample, store and transmit each sensor pin status and location to the tire check processor module  300 . If the tires  203 ,  205  of vehicle  213  are not centered on the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the misalignment indicator light  410  located on the truck tire status indicator module  400  will be lit, instructing the vehicle driver to repeat the tire test. If the front tires  425 ,  428  are centered over the dual thread depth sensors  102 A and  102 B, the sensor pins  103  status and position are analyzed by the tire status data processor  301  to determine if the tire groove depths are deep enough to ensure safe operations. When truck tires  425 ,  428  exit the sensor modules  102 A,  102 B, the results are transmitted to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  and tire status indicator module  423  are displayed using status indicator lights  411 ,  412  and  415 ,  416 . Status indicators  411 ,  415  are lit green if the front tires pass the test. Status indicators  412 ,  416  are lit red if the front tires fail the test. 
         [0095]    When the vehicle detector  302  continues to sense the presence of vehicle  215  and the pin sensor modules  100  sense a second set of vehicle tires  426 ,  429 , they are identified as cab rear tires. The same tire check test is performed on the cab rear tires and the results are also transmitted to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  and displayed on the status indicator module  423  using indicator lights  417 ,  418  and  413 ,  414 . 
         [0096]    When the vehicle detector  302  continues to sense the presence of vehicle  215  and the pin sensor modules  100  sense a third set of vehicle tires  427 ,  430 , they are identified as trailer tires. The same tire check test is performed on the trailer tires and the results are also transmitted to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  and displayed on status indicator module  423  using indicator lights  419 ,  420  and  421 ,  422 . 
         [0097]    The test results  305  are sent from the tire check processor module  300  to the vehicle data collection terminal  500  and the receipt printer  505  and a barcoded receipt  517  is printed for the vehicle  215  containing the tire status, date, time and location of the tire check. In addition to other data important to vehicle  215 , this data  515 ,  516  is also sent via a local area network  222  to the data center computer  223  for storage and further processing. Tire status messages  504  are also sent to the maintenance department terminal  225  and tire status messages  516  are sent to the supervisor terminal  224 .