Patent Description:
In vehicles today, in particular heavy-duty vehicles such as semi-trailer vehicles or trucks for cargo transport, one or more central electronic control units, ECUs, may be implemented on-board the vehicle in order to read and collect sensor readings from various different types of wireless wheel sensors on-board the vehicle. In some cases, tire sensors may be located in or on the tires or rims on the wheels of the vehicle. The sensor data transmitted from these tire sensors may comprise, for example, tire pressure, tire temperature, tire deformation, the identity of the sensor, etc. These types of systems are conventionally referred to as Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, TPMS, or Tire Health Systems, THS. TPMS/THS systems also normally employ Radio Frequency, RF, transmissions operating on specifically dedicated frequencies for transmitting its sensor data the on-board ECU or external sensor data receivers. In additional to such TPMS/THS systems, each tire and/or rim of a wheel may also have one or more integrated or mounted Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, sensors, i.e. RFID tags, for enabling identification of the specific tire and/or specific rim of a wheel. RFID also employs RF signals or transmissions, albeit on other dedicated frequencies.

However, there is a need to improve how wheels are fitted with a tire and properly associated to its tire sensors, particularly in a noisy environment comprising multiple transmitting tire sensors.

<CIT> describes RF identification automotive service systems using RFID interrogators and RFID transponders/tags associated with a vehicle or component undergoing service.

<CIT> describes a method of managing data between an RFID marker carried by a tyre and a sensor carried by a rim.

<CIT> describes a method for managing tyre identifiers.

<CIT> describes a tire pressure monitoring apparatus.

It is an object of embodiments herein to provide a systems and method therein, along with computer program product and carrier, for enabling a determination of a wheel location for wheels on a vehicle that seeks to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate all or at least some of the above-discussed drawbacks of presently known solutions.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a tire fitting system for discriminating between tire sensors of a wheel to be assembled on a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving an identity of an RFID tag mounted on a rim, or in a tire, of a wheel. The method also comprise receiving, from the at least two tire sensors, tire sensor signals comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor was activated. The method further comprise determining which identity of the at least two tire sensors is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag based on the status information.

By discriminating between tire sensor signals from tire sensors using the received status information in the tire sensor signals, it is possible to determine which of the tire sensors should be associated with the RFID tag, i.e. which tire sensor that is currently being worked on. Hence, any confusion in the tire fitting system about which tire sensor to associate with the RFID tag is eliminated. This means that, as a tire is to be fitted on the rim of a wheel by the tire fitting system, the correct tire sensor will unambiguously be associated with the correct RFID tag on the wheel. Hence, the process of fitting wheels with a tire and properly associate its tire/rim sensors is improved.

In some embodiments, the status information may indicate that the at least two tire sensors was activated by an RF signal or by a pressure change in the tire of the wheel. IN this case, an RF signal activation or a pressure change activation indicated in the status information from a tire sensor is used to determine whether or not the tire sensor is associated with the wheel that is currently being worked on by the tire fitting system.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining which identity of the at least two tire sensors is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag based on registered activation times of the at least two tire sensors. This advantageously allows the tire fitting system to further discriminate between RF transmissions received from different tire sensors, e.g. by checking the time stamp of the activation of the tire sensor, and thus ensure that the correct tire sensor is unambiguously associated with the correct RFID tag on the wheel. In this case, according to some embodiments, the activation time may be registered for a tire sensor when a tire sensor signal is received comprising status information indicating that the tire sensor was activated by a pressure change in the tire of the wheel.

In some embodiments, the tire sensor signals from the tire sensor are radio signals using one or more of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. In some embodiments, the RF signal may be a <NUM>-signal. In some embodiment, the RFID tag utilizes a <NUM> frequency. These are examples of preferable frequency ranges for the different signals.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a tire fitting system for discriminating between tire sensors of a wheel to be assembled on a vehicle is provided. The tire fitting system comprise a processing circuitry configured to receive an identity of an RFID tag mounted on a rim, or in a tire, of a wheel. The processing circuitry is also configured to receive, from the at least two tire sensors, tire sensor signals comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor was activated. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag based on the status information.

In some embodiments, the status information may indicate that the at least two tire sensors were activated by an RF signal or by a pressure change in the tire of the wheel.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be configured to determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag based on registered activation times of the at least two tire sensors. In this case, according to some embodiments, the activation time may be registered for a tire sensor when a tire sensor signal is received comprising status information indicating that the tire sensor was activated by a pressure change in the tire of the wheel.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed in a processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to carry out the methods described above. According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a carrier containing any of the computer program products described above, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer-readable storage medium.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a vehicle <NUM>. In this case, the vehicle <NUM> is exemplified as a heavy-duty vehicle combination for cargo transport, i.e. a truck/towing vehicle <NUM> configured to tow a trailer unit <NUM> in a known manner, e.g. by a fifth wheel connection. The vehicle <NUM> comprises wheels <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. It should be noted that with the term heavy-duty vehicle herein is meant a vehicle designed for the handling and transport of heavier objects or large quantities of cargo. The term heavy-duty vehicle may, however, also refer to a vehicle designed for use in construction, mining operations, or similar, such as, a working or construction machine. It should also be noted that even though the embodiments herein for enabling a determination of a location of a tire sensor on a chassis of a vehicle are described mainly with respect to a heavy-duty vehicle, such as, the heavy-duty vehicle combination <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>, the embodiments herein should not be considered restricted to this particular type of vehicle but may also be used in other types of vehicles, such as, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, busses, etc..

<FIG> illustrates a first top-side view of the vehicle <NUM> and wheel positions A-L thereon. In this example, the wheel position A is the front left wheel position of the truck or towing vehicle <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, while the wheel position L is the front right wheel position of the truck or towing vehicle <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Furthermore, the wheel positions of the trailer unit <NUM> ranges around the trailer unit <NUM> from the wheel position B for the front left wheel of the trailer unit <NUM> to the wheel position K of the front right wheel of the trailer unit <NUM>. In some cases, certain wheel positions may comprise a set of twin wheels as illustrated for the wheel positions C, D, I, and J. In this case, the outermost wheel position of the set of twin wheels is referred to as C, D, I, and J, respectively, while the innermost wheel position of the set of twin wheels is referred to as C', D', I', and J'. It should also be noted that the notation of the wheel positions is merely made for sake of illustrative purposes to provide a clear and concise references to different wheel positions; in other words, this notation should not be construed as limiting to the embodiments herein.

<FIG> illustrates a second top-side view of the vehicle <NUM> having wheels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprising tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> at each wheel position A-L on the vehicle <NUM> as described above in <FIG>. The vehicle <NUM> further comprise an electronic control unit, ECU <NUM>. In this example, the wheel <NUM> at the wheel position A of the truck or towing vehicle <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise at least one tire sensor <NUM>, while the wheel <NUM> at the wheel position L of the truck or towing vehicle <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise at least one tire sensor <NUM>. Similarly, each wheel 120a, 120b, 120c at the two front left wheel positions B, C, C' of the trailer unit <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise each at least one tire sensor 121a, 121b, 121c, respectively. Also, each wheel 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d at the three back left wheel positions D, D', E, F of the trailer unit <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise each at least one tire sensor 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, respectively. Furthermore, each wheel 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d at the three back right wheel positions I, I', H, G of the trailer unit <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise each at least one tire sensor 141a, 141b, 141c. Lastly, each wheel 150a, 150b, 150c at the two front right wheel positions K, J, J' of the trailer unit <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprise each at least one tire sensor 151a, 151b, 151c. The ECU <NUM> and each of the one or more tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM> may be part of an on-board Tire Pressure Monitor System/Tire Health System, TPMS/THS. In other words, the one or more tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM> may be TPMS/THS sensors, and the ECU <NUM> may be a TPMS/THS sensor reader. The one or more tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM> may also be referred to as TPMS/THS transponders, tire pressure sensors, or tire pressure and temperature sensors. Furthermore, each tire and/or rim of each of the wheels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may also have one or more integrated or mounted Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, sensor, i.e. RFID tag. The RFID tags (not shown) enable identification of the specific tire and/or specific rim of each of the wheels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> using radio frequency transmissions.

As part of the developing of the embodiments described herein, it has been realized that, for example, during pairing of tire sensors and RFIDs for a wheel at a tire fitment station, once a tire is inflated, the tire sensor inside of the tire will get activated and start a scheduled broadcasting. However, several different wheels all around the tire fitment station may send their tire sensor readings simultaneously, which all then may be registered by a receiver. In order to obtain a correct pairing, a tire fitting system needs to be able to discriminate the around sensors and only use the sensor being currently fitted inside the wheel. Consequently, in order to, for example, be able to determine at which wheel position A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I J K, L each of the one or more tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and RFID tags of the tire and/or rim of the wheels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are located, it is important each of the one or more tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and RFID tags are properly associated. This may, as described above, be particularly difficult in a noisy environment comprising multiple transmitting tire sensors, such as, e.g. in a tire fitment centre, station or workshop. This problem is addressed by the embodiments described herein.

<FIG> shows a schematic illustration of a tire fitting system <NUM> for discriminating between at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> of a wheel <NUM>, <NUM> to be assembled on a vehicle <NUM> according to some embodiments. It should be noted that, although not shown in <FIG>, known conventional features of the tire fitting system <NUM>, such as, for example, a power source, e.g. a battery or main connection, may be assumed to be comprised in the tire fitting system <NUM>.

The tire fitting system <NUM> may comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and configured to communicate with, an RFID scanner <NUM>. The RFID scanner <NUM> may be configured to scan for RFID tags, such as, e.g. the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> in the tire <NUM>, <NUM>. The RFID scanner <NUM> may comprise an antenna 401a for transmitting and receiving RFID signals from RFID tags, such as, e.g. the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> in the tire <NUM>, <NUM>. The RFID signal may, for example, be an RFID interrogation signal and/or a generated electromagnetic field configured to trigger a RFID response from the RFID tag. The RFID tag may, for example, utilize the <NUM> frequency band. For example, in <FIG>, as the RFID tag <NUM> receives the RFID signal 401b from the RFID scanner <NUM>, the RFID tag <NUM> will respond with a RFID response signal 401c comprising the identity of the RFID tag. In other words, the RFID scanner <NUM> may receive a RFID response signal from the RFID tag <NUM> in response to the RFID tag <NUM> receiving its transmitted RFID signal 401b.

The tire fitting system <NUM> may also comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and configured to communicate with, a tire sensor receiver <NUM>. The tire sensor receiver <NUM> may be configured to receive or read tire sensor signals transmitted from tire sensors in a tire of a wheel prior to the wheel being assembled on the vehicle, such as, e.g. the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM>. The tire sensor receiver <NUM> may be a TPMS/THS system receiver in case the tire sensor is a TPMS/THS sensor. The tire sensor receiver <NUM> may comprise an antenna 402a for receiving tire sensor signals from tire sensors, e.g. the tire sensor signals 402b-402e from the tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>. Here, it should also be noted that tire sensors are normally scheduled to send frames of information in its tire sensor signals, such as, e.g. supplier identity, sensor identity, pressure info, temperature info, status information, etc. Depending on the mode of operation of the tire sensor, frames may be sent in different ways. Also, since the tires sensors conventionally are battery-powered sensors, the tire sensors are configured in an off-mode prior to fitment inside a wheel. This in order to save battery lifetime. Hence, the tire sensors needs to be activated in order to transmit its tire sensor signals.

As shown in <FIG>, according to some embodiments, the tire sensor <NUM> may be activated by a Low-Frequency, LF, actuator <NUM>. The LF actuator <NUM> may comprise an antenna 501a configured to transmit a LF signal 501b, 501c, e.g. a low-frequency magnetic field using <NUM>, causing the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> to be activated and transmit a tire sensor signal 402b, 402d. Here, it should be noted that this type of LF signal 501b, 501c is normally used to in a controlled way make the tire sensors send a limited number of frames, e.g. for diagnostics or quick checks during production. The LF signal 501b, 501c normally has a very short range, e.g. up to <NUM>.

Furthermore, the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> may optionally be activated by a delta pressure, DP, occurring in the tire <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. a pressure difference. For example, as the tire <NUM>, <NUM> is being inflated on the rim <NUM>, <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>, <NUM>, the tire <NUM>, <NUM> will conventionally be provided with a recommended pressure, usually about <NUM>-<NUM> bars. As the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> usually have a programmed threshold pressure level after which it gets activated, e.g. from <NUM> bars and above, the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> will sense the change in pressure and become activated, and thus transmit the tire sensor signal 402c, 402d. Here, it should be noted that if the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> is activated by means of a LF signal 501b, 501c or by a delta pressure, the tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e will comprise a frame carrying this status information. In <FIG>, for example, if the tire sensor <NUM> has been activated by a LF signal 501b from the LF actuator <NUM>, the frame in the tire sensor signal 402b may comprise "LF" to indicate how the tire sensor <NUM> was activated. Optionally, if the tire sensor <NUM> has been activated by the event of a delta pressure, the frame in the tire sensor signal 402c may comprise "DP" to indicate how the tire sensor <NUM> was activated.

According to some embodiments, the tire fitting system <NUM> may also comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and communicate with, a display <NUM> and/or an automated tire fitting station <NUM>. The display <NUM>, or display interface, may be used by the tire fitting system <NUM> to communicate with an operator of the system <NUM>. The automated tire fitting station <NUM> may be arranged to automatically fit and inflate a tire <NUM> on a rim <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. Additionally, the system <NUM> may also comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and configured to communicate with, a database server or cloud service <NUM> in a connected or remote network <NUM> for digital information storage.

The tire fitting system <NUM> further comprise a processing circuitry <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. It should also be noted that some or all of the functionality described in the embodiments herein as being performed by the tire fitting system <NUM> may be provided by the processing circuitry <NUM> executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as, the memory <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Besides being arranged to communicate with the RFID scanner <NUM> and the tire sensor receiver <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM> may further be arranged to communicate with the display <NUM> and/or automated tire fitting system <NUM>. Furthermore, the processing circuitry <NUM> may further comprise additional components, such as, for example, a receiving module <NUM> and a determining module <NUM>, each responsible for providing its functionality to support the embodiments described herein.

The tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to, or may comprise the receiving module <NUM> configured to, receive an identity of an Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tag <NUM>, <NUM> mounted on a rim <NUM>, <NUM>, or in a tire <NUM>, <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>, <NUM>. Also, the tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to, or may comprise the receiving module <NUM> configured to, receive, from the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> was activated. The tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is further configured to, or may comprise the determining module <NUM> configured to, determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> based on the status information.

In some embodiments, the status information indicate that the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> was activated by an RF signal 501b, 501c or by a pressure change in the tire <NUM>, <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to, or may comprise the determining module <NUM> configured to, determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> based on registered activation times of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. In this case, according to some embodiments, the activation time may be registered for a tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> when a tire sensor signal 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e is received comprising status information indicating that the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> was activated by a pressure change in the tire <NUM>, <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e from the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> may be radio signals using one or more of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, the RF signal 501b, 501c may be a radio signal using <NUM>, and the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> may utilize the <NUM> frequency.

Furthermore, the embodiments for discriminating between at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> of a wheel <NUM>, <NUM> to be assembled on a vehicle <NUM> described above may be at least partly implemented through one or more processors, such as, the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code or code means for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM>. The data carrier, or computer readable medium, may be one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer-readable storage medium. The computer program code may e.g. be provided as pure program code in the tire fitting system <NUM> or on a server and downloaded to the tire fitting system <NUM>. Thus, it should be noted that the tire fitting system <NUM> may in some embodiments be implemented as computer programs stored in memory <NUM> in <FIG>, e.g. the computer readable storage unit/module, for execution by processors or processing modules, e.g. the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM> in <FIG>.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the processing circuitry <NUM> and the memory <NUM> described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a computer readable storage unit/module, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processing circuitry <NUM> perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

Further to illustrating the tire fitting system <NUM>, <FIG> also illustrates how the tire fitting system <NUM> may be used by an operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> according to the method described by the embodiments presented below with reference to <FIG>.

In a first step at time TRFID as shown by the dashed area in <FIG>, an operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may start by picking up a tire <NUM> for the wheel <NUM>. The operator may then use the RFID scanner <NUM> to scan and read the RFID tag <NUM> in the tire <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. In a second step at time TLF as shown by the dashed area in <FIG>, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may pick up a tire sensor <NUM> for mounting in the tire <NUM>, and/or on the rim <NUM>, of the wheel <NUM>. Optionally, the tire sensor <NUM> may already be mounted in the tire <NUM>, and/or on the rim <NUM>, of the wheel <NUM>. The operator may then use the LF actuator <NUM> to activate the tire sensor <NUM> causing the tire sensor <NUM> to send the tire sensor signal 402b to the tire sensor receiver <NUM> with the status information "LF" in its frame. Hence, the tire fitting system <NUM> becomes aware of that the tire sensor <NUM> is the tire sensor that is currently being worked on and establish an association with the RFID tag <NUM> for the wheel <NUM>. This association also comprise the received status information from the tire sensor <NUM>. In a third step at time TDP as shown by the dashed area in <FIG>, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may mount the tire sensor <NUM> on the tire <NUM> and/or rim <NUM> and then fit the tire <NUM> to the rim <NUM>. As the tire <NUM> is inflated on the rim <NUM>, the tire sensor <NUM> will activate itself and send the tire sensor signal 402c to the tire sensor receiver <NUM> with the status information "DP" in its frame. The tire fitting system <NUM> may then register or update the status information from "LF" to "DP" comprised in the association between the tire sensor <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM>. Furthermore, the tire fitting system <NUM> may also register the time when the tire sensor <NUM> got activated by the pressure change. This means that the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> is finished with the wheel <NUM> and may put the wheel <NUM> on a shelf or other close-by storage until it is time to assemble the wheel <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM>.

However, in fourth step at time TRFID as shown by the dotted area in <FIG>, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may continue by picking up a second tire for a second wheel to be fitted, e.g. the tire <NUM> for the wheel <NUM>. As for the previous wheel <NUM>, the operator may use the RFID scanner <NUM> to scan and read the RFID tag <NUM> in the tire <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>, i.e. RFID signals 401d, 401e. In a fifth step at time TLF as shown by the dotted area in <FIG>, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may pick up a tire sensor <NUM> for mounting in the tire <NUM>, and/or on the rim <NUM>, of the wheel <NUM>. The operator may then use the LF actuator <NUM> to transmit the LF signal 501c activating the tire sensor <NUM> causing the tire sensor <NUM> to send the tire sensor signal 402d to the tire sensor receiver <NUM> with the status information "LF" in its frame. One problem may here be that, as tire sensor receiver <NUM> receives the tire sensor signal 402d from the tire sensor <NUM>, the tire sensor receiver <NUM> may also receive the tire sensor signal 402c from the tire sensor <NUM> from the wheel <NUM> that may still be transmitting from the shelf where the wheel <NUM> is stored, as shown by the dashed area in <FIG>. It should here be noted that tire sensors operating in the <NUM>/<NUM> or <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> frequency ranges normally has a range of up to <NUM>-<NUM> meters and may transmit its tire sensor signals intermittently for a period of time in accordance with a configured transmission configuration, e.g. once every <NUM> seconds for <NUM> minutes. This could cause a confusion as to which of the tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the RFID tag <NUM>. However, since the tire fitting system <NUM> is able to discriminate the tire sensor signal 402d having status "LF" from the tire sensor signal 402c having status "DP", the tire fitting system <NUM> is aware that the tire sensor <NUM> is the tire sensor that is currently being worked on and establish an association with the tire sensor <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM> for the wheel <NUM>.

In sixth step at time TDP as shown by the dotted area in <FIG>, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> may mount the tire sensor <NUM> on the tire <NUM> and/or rim <NUM> and then fit the tire <NUM> to the rim <NUM>. As the tire <NUM> is inflated on the rim <NUM>, the tire sensor <NUM> will activate itself and send the tire sensor signal 402e to the tire sensor receiver <NUM> with the status information "DP" in its frame. One problem may here be that, as tire sensor receiver <NUM> receives the tire sensor signal 402e from the tire sensor <NUM>, the tire sensor receiver <NUM> may also still receive the tire sensor signal 402c from the tire sensor <NUM> from the wheel <NUM> that may still be transmitting from the shelf where the wheel <NUM> is stored, as shown by the dashed area in <FIG>. This could again cause a confusion as to which of the tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the RFID tag <NUM>. However, the tire fitting system <NUM> is here able to discriminate between the tire sensor signal 402e having status "DP" and the tire sensor signal 402c having status "DP" by checking the activation time registered for the tire sensor signal 402c, 402e. The tire sensor signal 402c will have an earlier activation time registered than the tire sensor signal 402e from the recently activated tire sensor <NUM>. Thus, the tire fitting system <NUM> is aware that the tire sensor <NUM> is the tire sensor that is currently being worked on and may register or update the status information from "LF" to "DP" comprised in the association between the tire sensor <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM>. By this, the operator of the tire fitting system <NUM> is finished with the wheel <NUM> and may put the wheel <NUM> on a shelf or other close-by storage until it is time to assemble the wheel <NUM> on the vehicle <NUM>.

Examples of embodiments of a method performed by a tire fitting system <NUM> for discriminating between at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> of a wheel <NUM>, <NUM> to be assembled on a vehicle <NUM>, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in <FIG> is an illustrated example of actions, steps or operations which may be performed a tire fitting system <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. The method may comprise the following actions, steps or operations.

Action <NUM>. The tire fitting system <NUM> receives an identity of a RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> mounted on a rim <NUM>, <NUM>, or in a tire <NUM>, <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>, <NUM>. This may, for example, be performed by the RFID scanner <NUM> in <FIG>. Here, the RFID may, for example, utilize the <NUM> frequency.

Action <NUM>. The tire fitting system <NUM> may also receive from the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> was activated. This may, for example, be performed by the tire sensor receiver <NUM> in <FIG>. Here, the tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e from the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> may, for example, be radio signals using one or more of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. In some embodiments, the status information may indicate that the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> was activated by an RF signal 501b, 501c or by a pressure change in the tire <NUM>, <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>. Here, the RF signal 501b, 501c may, for example, be a radio signal using <NUM>. The RF signal may, for example, be generated by the LF actuator <NUM> in <FIG>.

Action <NUM>. After receiving the identity of the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> in Action <NUM> and the tire sensor signals 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> in Action <NUM>, the tire fitting system <NUM> determines which identity of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> based on the status information. According to some embodiments, the tire fitting system <NUM> may also determine which identity of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM> based on registered activation times of the at least two tire sensors <NUM>, <NUM>. Here, an activation time may be registered for a tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> when a tire sensor signal 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e is received comprising status information indicating that the tire sensor <NUM>, <NUM> was activated by a pressure change in the tire <NUM>, <NUM> of the wheel <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to a first additional aspect of the embodiments described herein, it is also presented a method performed by a tire fitting system for discriminating between Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tags. The method comprise detecting an RFID tag. The method also comprise comparing the identity of the RFID tag with a registered list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or tire, of a wheel. The method further comprises rejecting the RFID tag if its identity do not match with any of the identities in the determined list of RFID tags. By having a list of pre-approved RFID tags, the tire fitting system is able to discriminate the RFID tags dedicated to a rim or a tire of a wheel from other detected RFID tags. One example of other RFID tags that may be detected by the tire fitting system is RFID tagged work-outfits of personnel in a tire fitment center, or assembly line of a factory, in which the tire fitting system is located. In this case, work-outfits of personnel may be equipped with RFID tags in order to facilitate and assist in cleaning and washing of the work-outfits. In some embodiments, the method may comprise registering all RFID tags of rims, or tires, of wheels to be fitted by the tire fitting system in a list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or a tire, of a wheel. Optionally, the registered list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or tire, of a wheel may be provided by the manufacturer and be made available to the tire fitting system.

According to a second additional aspect of the embodiments described herein, it is also presented a tire fitting system for discriminating between Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tags. The tire fitting system comprise a processing circuitry configured to detect an RFID tag, compare the identity of the RFID tag with a determined list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or tire, of a wheel, and reject the RFID tag if its identity do not match with any of the identities in the determined list of RFID tags. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be further configured to register all RFID tags of rims, or tires, of wheels to be fitted by the tire fitting system in the list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or a tire, of a wheel.

Examples of embodiments of a method performed by a tire fitting system <NUM> for discriminating between Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tags, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in <FIG> is an illustrated example of actions, steps or operations which may be performed a tire fitting system <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. The method may comprise the following actions, steps or operations.

Action <NUM>. Optionally, the tire fitting system <NUM> may register all RFID tags of rims <NUM>, or tires <NUM>, of wheels <NUM> to be fitted by the tire fitting system <NUM> in a list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim <NUM>, or a tire <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>. This may advantageously be performed as a rim or tire arrives in a tire fitment center or factory. According to another option, a registered list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim, or tire, of a wheel may be made available to the tire fitting system. Here, the registered list may for example, be provided by the manufacturer of the rims and/or tires. The registered list may be registered and accessible via a memory, a database server, or cloud service.

Action <NUM> The tire fitting system <NUM> detects an RFID tag <NUM>. This may, for example, be performed by the RFID scanner <NUM> in <FIG>.

Action <NUM>. After detecting the RFID tag <NUM> in Action <NUM>, the tire fitting system <NUM> compares the identity of the RFID tag 931with a registered list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim <NUM>, or a tire <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>.

Action <NUM>. After the comparison in Action <NUM>, the tire fitting system <NUM> rejects the RFID tag <NUM> if its identity do not match with any of the identities in the registered list of RFID tags. This means that any RFID tag not listed in the registered list of RFID tags will be rejected by the tire fitting system. Hence, any confusion in the tire fitting system about which RFID tags to use is eliminated. This means that, as a tire is to be fitted on the rim of a wheel by the tire fitting system, the correct RFID tag will unambiguously be associated the wheel. Hence, the process of fitting wheels with a tire and properly associate its tire/rim sensors is improved.

<FIG> shows a schematic illustration of a tire fitting system <NUM> for discriminating between RFID tags <NUM> according to some embodiments. It should be noted that, although not shown in <FIG>, known conventional features of the tire fitting system <NUM>, such as, for example, a power source, e.g. a battery or main connection, may be assumed to be comprised in the tire fitting system <NUM>.

The tire fitting system <NUM> may comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and configured to communicate with, an RFID scanner <NUM>. The RFID scanner <NUM> may be configured to scan for RFID tags, such as, e.g. the RFID tag <NUM>. The RFID scanner <NUM> may comprise an antenna 901a for transmitting and receiving RFID signals from RFID tags, such as, e.g. the RFID tag <NUM>. The RFID signal may, for example, be an RFID interrogation signal and/or a generated electromagnetic field configured to trigger a RFID response from the RFID tag <NUM>. The RFID tag may, for example, utilize the <NUM> frequency band. For example, in <FIG>, as the RFID tag <NUM> receives the RFID signal 901b from the RFID scanner <NUM>, the RFID tag <NUM> will respond with a RFID response signal 901c comprising the identity of the RFID tag. In other words, the RFID scanner <NUM> may receive the RFID response signal 901c from the RFID tag <NUM> in response to the RFID tag <NUM> receiving its transmitted RFID signal 901b. According to some embodiments, the tire fitting system <NUM> may also comprise, or be arranged to be connected to and configured to communicate with, a database server or cloud service <NUM> in a connected or remote network <NUM>.

The tire fitting system <NUM> further comprise a processing circuitry <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. It should also be noted that some or all of the functionality described in the embodiments herein as being performed by the tire fitting system <NUM> may be provided by the processing circuitry <NUM> executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as, the memory <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may be arranged to communicate with the RFID scanner <NUM>. Furthermore, the processing circuitry <NUM> may further comprise additional components, such as, for example, a detecting module <NUM>, a comparing module <NUM> and a rejecting module <NUM>, each responsible for providing its functionality to support the embodiments described herein.

The tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to, or may comprise the detecting module <NUM> configured to, detect an RFID tag <NUM>. Also, the tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is configured to, or may comprise the receiving module <NUM> configured to, compare the identity of the RFID tag <NUM> with a registered list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim <NUM>, or a tire <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>. The tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> is further configured to, or may comprise the rejecting module <NUM> configured to, reject the RFID tag <NUM> if its identity do not match with any of the identities in the registered list of RFID tags. In some embodiments, the tire fitting system <NUM> or processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to, or may comprise the determining module <NUM> configured to, register all RFID tags of rims <NUM>, or tires <NUM>, of wheels <NUM> to be fitted by the tire fitting system <NUM> in a list of identities of RFID tags dedicated for a rim <NUM>, or a tire <NUM>, of a wheel <NUM>.

Furthermore, the embodiments for discriminating between Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tags described above may be at least partly implemented through one or more processors, such as, the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code or code means for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM>. The data carrier, or computer readable medium, may be one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer-readable storage medium. The computer program code may e.g. be provided as pure program code in the tire fitting system <NUM> or on a server and downloaded to the tire fitting system <NUM>. Thus, it should be noted that the tire fitting system <NUM> may in some embodiments be implemented as computer programs stored in memory <NUM> in <FIG>, e.g. the computer readable storage unit/module, for execution by processors or processing modules, e.g. the processing circuitry <NUM> in the tire fitting system <NUM> in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a tire fitting system (<NUM>) for discriminating between at least two tire sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a wheel (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be assembled on a vehicle (<NUM>), wherein the method comprises:
receiving (<NUM>) an identity of an Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, tag (<NUM>, <NUM>) mounted on a rim (<NUM>, <NUM>), or in a tire (<NUM>, <NUM>), of a wheel (<NUM>, <NUM>);
receiving (<NUM>), from the at least two tire sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>), tire sensor signals (402b, 402c, 402d, 402e) comprising status information indicating how their respective tire sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) was activated; and
determining (<NUM>) which identity of the at least two tire sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>) is to be associated with the identity of the RFID tag (<NUM>, <NUM>) based on the status information.