Apparatus for automatically detecting coupling between electronic devices

Abstract

A method for automatically detecting a sensor (2, 20) coupled to an electronic computer (4) comprises the steps of detecting the sensor (2, 20) and configuring a hardware interface (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the coupling of electronic devices. It finds application in particular in the field of motor vehicles. It can be implemented for example in an electronic computer. BACKGROUND

[0002] Today's motor vehicles comprise an increasing number of on-board electronics (such as for example sensors coupled to electronic computers). Such on-board electronics require more or less complex connections in the motor vehicle.

[0003] In the case of an internal combustion engine, sensors are used and coupled to at least one electronic computer (such as an engine control computer) in order to ensure the correct operation of the internal combustion engine and thus allow better control of fuel consumption and consequently of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere.

[0004] In order to implement these sensors, it is known in the prior art to use sensors of the voltage source type positioned facing a movable slotted target. The sensors generally have three sensor pins for transmitting the detection signal in the form of a variation in voltage to the engine control computer.

[0005] In recent years, new sensor technologies have been developed: this is the case for sensors of the current source type. These sensors transmit information in the form of a variation in current.

[0006] Depending on the type of sensor used, there is a different and dedicated hardware interface at the engine control computer which allows the coupling of the sensor to the engine control computer. This interface (in the electronic computer) allows the generation and reception of an electrical signal appropriate for managing an internal combustion engine in a specific case with adapted electronics.

[0007] Thus, when designing an engine control computer, it is necessary to modify its hardware interface depending on the type of sensor connected, that is to say a sensor of the voltage source type or a sensor of the current source type. It is thus no longer possible to change the type of sensor once the choice of sensor has been implemented, for example during the lifetime of the vehicle, because the hardware interface is not adapted. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention proposes a device for automatically detecting a coupling which allows to partially or completely remedy the technical deficiencies in the cited prior art.

[0009] To this end, the present invention proposes a method for automatically detecting a sensor coupled to an electronic computer, comprising the following steps:

[0010] - a first step el) comprising switching the transistor so as to short-circuit the first resistor and to apply an impedance of the order of the second resistor between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer,

[0011] - a second step e2) comprising reading the signal generated by the sensor coupled to the computer,

[0012] - a third step e3) comprising comparing the value of the signal generated by the sensor coupled to the computer with a reference value Vrefl,

[0013] - a fourth step e4) comprising, in the affirmative case of the comparison, configuring the hardware interface in the voltage source type sensor mode and controlling the transistor in the open circuit mode,

[0014] - a sixth step e6) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt to allow reading the signal delivered by the voltage source type sensor,

[0015] - a seventh step e7) comprising monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled,

[0016] - an eighth step e8) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of the voltage source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer,

[0017] - a ninth step e9) indicating the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the voltage source type sensor at the terminals of the computer,

[0018] - a tenth step e10) indicating a potential anomaly of the sensor, comprising switching the transistor into the short-circuit mode,

[0019] - an eleventh step el l) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt to allow reading the signal delivered by the current source type sensor,

[0020] - a twelfth step e12) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of the current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer,

[0021] - a thirteenth step e13) indicating the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer,

[0022] - a fourteenth step e14) indicating the presence of an anomaly, comprising acknowledging the anomaly at the sensor coupled to the computer,

[0023] - a fifth step e5) which represents a negative comparison result, comprising: configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode, and configuring the software of the hardware interface to allow reading the signal delivered by the current source type sensor,

[0024] - a fifteenth step e15) which comprises: monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled,

[0025] - a sixteenth step e16) which comprises: verifying the presence and correct operation of the current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer,

[0026] - a seventeenth step e17) which represents the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising: confirming said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer,

[0027] - an eighteenth step e18) which represents the presence of an anomaly, and comprises: confirming an anomaly at the sensor coupled to the computer.

[0028] Advantageously, it is possible to detect the presence and correct operation of the sensor coupled to the computer. Moreover, by means of the present application, it is possible to detect and configure the computer according to the type of sensor coupled, without the need for hardware modifications of said computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present application will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0030] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 schematic representation of a computer of the prior art coupled to a voltage source type sensor.

[0031] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 schematic representation of a computer of the prior art coupled to a current source type sensor.

[0032] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 schematic representation of a computer comprising a hardware interface according to the present application.

[0033] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 algorithmic diagram of the method according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1A voltage source type sensor 2 of the prior art is shown, for example, coupled to an engine control computer 4. The voltage source type sensor 2 is, for example, a sensor dedicated to detecting the positioning of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine by the passage in front of said voltage source type sensor 2 of a tooth of said target.

[0035] Such a voltage source type sensor 2 generally comprises three pins, among which a sensor first pin 2_1 is coupled to a computer first pin 4_1, for example, and is adapted to supply said voltage source type sensor 2 with electrical energy; a sensor second pin 2_2 is coupled to a computer second pin 4_2, dedicated to receiving a signal representative of the position of the camshaft; and finally, a sensor third pin 2_3 is coupled to a computer third pin 4_3, which is generally coupled to the electrical ground of the motor vehicle. The internal structure of the voltage source type sensor 2 is well known to the person skilled in the art; it will therefore not be detailed here.

[0036] The engine control computer 4 has a hardware interface 6, which comprises, for example, a sensor supply module 8 and a signal processing module 10.

[0037] The sensor supply module 8 is adapted to supply the voltage source type sensor 2 with electrical energy. To this end, it has a sensor supply module first pin 8_1, which is adapted to generate said supply of electrical energy to said voltage source type sensor 2 through the computer first pin 4_1. For example, the supply of electrical energy has a value of 5 V. The internal structure of the sensor supply module 8 is well known to the person skilled in the art, and a large number of variants are available to them.

[0038] In an embodiment, the sensor supply module 8 comprises an electrical energy supply, which can be an internal supply of the engine control computer 4 and a so-called "pull-up" resistor 12. Said pull-up resistor 12 has the role of polarizing the output 2_2 of the voltage source type sensor 2. The pull-up resistor 12 comprises a resistor first pin 12_1, which is coupled on the one hand to the electrical energy supply and on the other hand to the sensor supply module first pin 8_1. It also comprises a resistor second pin 12_2, which is coupled to the electrical energy supply module second pin 8_2.

[0039] The signal processing module 10 is adapted to shape and / or filter the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor 2. To this end, the signal processing module 10 comprises a signal processing module first pin 10_1, a signal processing module second pin 10_2 and a signal processing module third pin 10_3.

[0040] For example, the signal processing module first pin 10_1 is coupled to the computer second pin 4_2 and further coupled to the signal processing module third pin 10_3. The signal processing module second pin 10_2 is coupled to the computer third pin 4_3 and the signal processing module third pin 10_3 is coupled to the electric energy supply module second pin 8_2. The signal processing module fourth pin 10_4 is adapted to generate a filtered signal for at least one further function of the engine control computer 4.

[0041] Furthermore, the internal structure of the signal processing module 10 can comprise a first capacitor 14 having a first capacitor first pin 14_1 and a first capacitor second pin 14_2. The first capacitor first pin 14_1 is coupled to an electrical ground and the first capacitor second pin 14_2 is coupled to the resistor first pin 16_1 on the one hand and to the signal processing module third pin 10_3 on the other hand. Furthermore, the third pin 10_3 is coupled to the first pin 10_1. The signal processing module 10 further has a resistor 16 having a resistor second pin 16_2. The resistor second pin 16_2 is coupled to the signal processing module fourth pin 10_4. The values of the various elements, like resistors and capacitors, are well known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not given here.

[0042] Figure 2 An example of a prior art current source type sensor 20 is presented. This current source type sensor 20 is functional and coupled to the engine control computer 4. The current source type sensor 20 delivers information in the form of a current variation, requiring a different hardware interface 6 at the engine control computer 4 in order to be able to detect the proximity current level originating from the current source type sensor 20.

[0043] For this purpose, a resistor 30 designated by the person skilled in the art can be used as a shunt resistor, comprising a resistor first pin 30_1 and a resistor second pin 30_2. The resistor first pin 30_1 is coupled to the electrical supply of said engine control computer 4 and the resistor second pin 30_2 is coupled to the computer second pin 4_2 on the one hand and to the conversion device first pin 32_1 on the other hand. The conversion device 32 is adapted to compare and adapt the voltage applied on the conversion device first pin 32_1 and a reference voltage applied on the conversion device second pin 32_2.

[0044] The conversion device 32 also has a conversion device second pin 32_2 coupled to a reference voltage. For example, the value of the reference voltage can be 4.5 V. Moreover, the conversion device 32 has a conversion device third pin 32_3 coupled to an internal function of the engine control computer 4. The latter is thus adapted to generate an electrical signal in the form of at least two voltage levels representative of the current flowing through the shunt resistor 30. Preferably, the shunt resistor 30 has a value of relatively low magnitude (for example, 10 ohms).

[0045] As mentioned in the text described above, for each type of sensor 2, 20, the internal structure of the hardware interface 6 must therefore be modified upstream.

[0046] As Figure 3 As illustrated in the figure in the middle, the present application proposes a hardware interface 100 which allows to couple either a voltage source type sensor 2 or a current source type sensor 20, without having to modify the internal structure of the hardware interface 100 upstream.

[0047] To this end, ingeniously, it is proposed to adapt the hardware interface 100 to connect the voltage source type sensor 2 or the current source type sensor 20 indifferently to said engine control computer 4 without modifying the hardware interface 100 of said engine control computer 4. Advantageously, therefore, the hardware interface 100 is compatible with both types of sensors 2, 20.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the hardware interface 100 comprises a hardware interface first input 100_1, a hardware interface second input 100_2 and a hardware interface third input 100_3 coupled to the computer first pin 4_1, to the computer second pin 4_2 and to the computer third pin 4_3, respectively. The hardware interface 100 also comprises a hardware interface first output 100_4 coupled to an internal and / or external device of the engine control computer 4.

[0049] The hardware interface 100 comprises a first resistor 110, a second resistor 120, a transistor 130 and a comparator 140.

[0050] The first resistor 110 comprises a first resistor first pin 110_1 and a first resistor second pin 110_2. The second resistor 120 comprises a second resistor first pin 120_1 and a second resistor second pin 120_2. The first resistor first pin 110_1 is coupled on one hand to the hardware interface first pin 100_1 and on the other hand to the transistor first pin 130_1. The first resistor second pin 110_2 is coupled on one hand to the second resistor first pin 120_1 and on the other hand to the transistor second pin 130_2. Moreover, the transistor 130 comprises a transistor third pin 130_3 which, in the case of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type transistor 130, corresponds to the gate well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0051] The second resistor second pin 120_2 is coupled on one hand to the hardware interface second pin 100_2 and on the other hand to the comparator second input 140_2. The comparator 140 further comprises a first input 140_1 coupled to a reference voltage which, in an embodiment, can have a value of 4.5 V. The comparator first output 140_3 is coupled to the hardware interface first output 100_4. The hardware interface third input 100_3 is coupled to the ground of the motor vehicle.

[0052] Advantageously, with the hardware interface 100 according to the application, and more precisely with the combined coupling of the first resistor 110, the second resistor 120 and the transistor 130, it is possible to select a low impedance value corresponding to the value of the second resistor 120 between the hardware interface first pin 100_1 and the hardware interface second pin 100_2 or a high impedance value corresponding to the value of the first resistor 110 plus the value of the second resistor 120. The low impedance value is understood to be a value of the order of ten ohms and the high impedance value is understood to be a value of the order of one thousand ohms. Thus, advantageously, with the selection of the impedance value, it is possible to connect the voltage source type sensor 2 or the current source type sensor 20 indifferently to the terminals of the computer 4 without modifying the hardware interface 100.

[0053] As mentioned in the text described above, the voltage source type sensor 2 or the current source type sensor 20 can thus be coupled to the computer first pin 4_1, to the computer second pin 4_2 and to the computer third pin 4_3.

[0054] The application also proposes a method for controlling a hardware interface 100 as represented in Figure 4 in an automatic manner allowing to detect the type of sensor 2 or 20 coupled to the engine control computer 4.

[0055] The method according to the present application has a first step el which comprises: switching the transistor 130 into a closed state which allows the first resistor 110 to be short-circuited. Thus, during this first step el, an impedance is applied between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2 which is equivalent to the impedance of the second resistor 120. The control of the transistor 130 is performed by a control signal applied on the third pin 130_3 of said transistor. Such a control signal is well known to the person skilled in the art and will therefore not be further stated or explained.

[0056] During a second step e2, a reading of the signal present on the hardware interface first output 100_4 is performed, which signal represents the input voltage of the sensor 2 coupled to the engine control computer 4. The second step e2 can be performed by a module internal to the engine control computer 4, which will not be provided here as it is not useful to understand the method of the present application. Once the signal present on the hardware interface first output 100_4 has been read, a third step e3 is then performed.

[0057] During the third step e3, a comparison of the value of the signal present on the hardware interface first output 100_4 with a reference value Vrefl is performed. In the embodiment, in the case where the result of the comparison is positive, representing a high level on the hardware interface first output 100_4, the method provides to move to a fourth step e4, and in the case where the result of the comparison is negative, to move to a sixth step e6. In the embodiment, the comparison of the value of the signal present on the first output 100_4 is performed by a module external to the hardware interface 100.

[0058] According to the method of the present application, in the case where the result of the comparison is positive (third step e3), according to the fourth step e4 this means that a voltage source type sensor 2 is presumably coupled to the engine control computer 4, allowing for example to optimize the detection / calibration time when a new sensor is installed on the vehicle. Moreover, during this fourth step e4, it is achieved to control the transistor 130 in open circuit mode, that is to say, the first resistor 110 is no longer short-circuited by the transistor 130, in order to apply between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2 an impedance compatible with a voltage source type sensor 2 coupled to said pins.

[0059] According to the method of the present application, in the sixth step e6, a configuration of the software of the hardware interface 100 is performed in order to allow the reading of the signal delivered by the voltage source type sensor 2.

[0060] According to the method of the present application, in the seventh step e7, a search and detection of information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled is performed. Advantageously, according to the method of the present application, the eighth step e8 is not initiated as long as said information that the starter has been initiated is not detected.

[0061] In an eighth step e8, the method of the application proposes to verify the presence and the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor 2 coupled between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2. To this end, the method implements in the eighth step e8 the analysis of the signal originating from the sensor coupled to the pins 4_1 and 4_2 over a given time period. This given time period can be for example a few milliseconds (ms); the time required for the passage of at least one tooth of the slotted wheel coupled to the crankshaft, which represents the activation of said engine by the starter.

[0062] In the case where a frequency variation of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor 2 is detected over the given time period, the method according to the application then proposes to move to a ninth step e9. In the case where no frequency variation of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor 2 is detected, the method according to the application then proposes to move to a tenth step e10.

[0063] Advantageously, in the ninth step e9, the method according to the application confirms the presence and the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor 2 at the terminals of the computer 4.

[0064] Advantageously, the method according to the application tests the sensor 2, 20 coupled to the computer 4 during the tenth step e10. Indeed, the absence of a frequency variation of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor 2 at the terminals of the computer 4 can be synonymous with several manifestation cases. It can involve either a current source type sensor 20 rather than a voltage source type sensor 2 coupled to the computer 4, or the presence of an anomaly at said coupled sensor 2, 20 which does not allow the type of the coupled sensor 2, 20 to be determined.

[0065] To determine the presence of an anomaly, the method according to the application proposes to position the transistor 130 in a closed / short-circuit mode in the tenth step e10, so as to short-circuit the first resistor 110 and thus to position the hardware interface 100 in a software configuration mode for the current source type sensor 20. In this embodiment, the impedance applied between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2 is compatible with the impedance of the current source type sensor 2.

[0066] The method next proposes to move to an eleventh step e11 in which the configuration of the software of the hardware interface 100 is performed, so as to allow the signal delivered by the current source type sensor 20 to be read before moving to a twelfth step e12 is performed.

[0067] In a twelfth step e12, the method according to the application proposes verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor 20 coupled between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2. To this end, the method implements in a given time period (for example, a few milliseconds (ms) - the time required for the passage of at least one tooth of a slotted wheel coupled to the crankshaft, which represents the activation of said engine by the starter) the analysis of the signal originating from the sensor 2, 20 coupled to the pins 4_1 and 4_2.

[0068] In the case where a frequency variation of the signal originating from the current source type sensor 20 is detected in the given time period, the method according to the application then proposes moving to a thirteenth step e13. In the case where no frequency variation of the signal originating from the current source type sensor 20 is detected, the method according to the application then proposes moving to a fourteenth step e14.

[0069] Advantageously, in the thirteenth step e13, the presence and correct operation of the current source type sensor 20 coupled to the terminals of the computer 4 are detected and confirmed.

[0070] Advantageously, in the fourteenth step e14 of the method according to the application, an anomaly at the sensor 2, 20 coupled to the computer 4 is confirmed.

[0071] The method according to the application, in the case where the result of the comparison is negative (third step e3) according to a fifth step e5, this means that the current source type sensor 20 is probably coupled to the engine control computer 4, allows for example to optimize the detection / calibration time when a new sensor is installed on the vehicle. Advantageously, in the fifth step e5, a configuration of the software of the hardware interface 100 is performed in order to allow the reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor 20.

[0072] The method according to the application, in a fifteenth step e15, searches for and detects information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled. Advantageously, the method according to the application does not initiate a sixteenth step e16 as long as said information that the starter has been initiated is not detected.

[0073] In the sixteenth step e16, the method according to the application proposes verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor 20 coupled between the computer first pin 4_1 and the computer second pin 4_2. To this end, the method implements in the sixteenth step e16 the analysis of the signal originating from the sensor coupled to the pins 4_1 and 4_2 in a given time period. This given time period can be for example a few milliseconds (ms) - the time required for the passage of at least one tooth of a slotted wheel coupled to the crankshaft, which represents the activation of said engine by the starter.

[0074] In the case where a variation in the frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor 20 is detected within the given period, the method according to the application then proposes moving to a seventeenth step e17. In the case where no variation in the frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor 20 is detected, the method according to the application then proposes moving to an eighteenth step e18.

[0075] Advantageously, in the seventeenth step e17, the method according to the application confirms the presence and correct operation of the current source type sensor 20 at the terminals of the computer 4.

[0076] In the eighteenth step e18, the method according to the application confirms the presence of an anomaly at the current source type sensor 20. In the case where an anomaly is detected, this anomaly is advantageously confirmed to be an anomaly of the ground short circuit type for the current source type sensor 20.

[0077] With the present application, it is now possible to automatically detect the presence of a voltage source and / or a current source type sensor at the terminals of an engine control computer. Furthermore, it is possible to change the sensor type during the lifetime of the engine control computer without having to change the engine control computer according to the type of sensor. Furthermore, it is now also possible to detect a particular type of anomaly at the sensor.

[0078] The electronic circuit of the hardware interface is given by way of illustration and in no way limits the scope of the present application. As for the order of the steps of the method according to the present application and their number, they are also given by way of illustration and the person skilled in the art will be able to modify them as required to reach the same result.

Claims

1. A method for automatically detecting a sensor coupled to an electronic computer, comprising: a first step el) comprising switching a transistor so as to short-circuit a first resistor and to impose, between a first pin of the computer and a second pin of the computer, an impedance of the order of a second resistor, a second step e2) comprising reading a signal generated by the sensor coupled to the computer, a third step e3) comprising comparing the value of the signal generated by the sensor coupled to the computer with a reference value, in the case where the result of the comparison in the third step e3) is positive, performing: a fourth step e4) comprising configuring the hardware interface in a voltage source type sensor mode and controlling the transistor in an open circuit mode, in which the first resistor is no longer short-circuited by the transistor, a sixth step e6) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the voltage source type sensor, a seventh step e7) comprising monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled, an eighth step e8) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a voltage source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is detected, performing: a ninth step e9) indicating the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the voltage source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is not detected, performing: a tenth step e10) indicating a potential anomaly of the sensor, comprising switching the transistor into a short-circuit mode so as to short-circuit the first resistor and positioning the hardware interface in a software configuration mode for a current source type sensor, configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode, an eleventh step el l) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a twelfth step e12) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is detected, performing: a thirteenth step e13) indicating the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, and in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is not detected, performing: a fourteenth step e14) indicating the presence of an anomaly, comprising acknowledging an anomaly at the sensor coupled to the computer, in the case where the result of the comparison in the third step e3) is negative, performing: a fifth step e5) indicating the negative result of the comparison in step e3), comprising configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode and configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to allow reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a sixth step e6) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the voltage source type sensor, a seventh step e7) comprising monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled, an eighth step e8) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a voltage source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is detected, performing: a ninth step e9) indicating the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the voltage source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is not detected, performing: a tenth step e10) indicating a potential anomaly of the sensor, comprising switching the transistor into a short-circuit mode so as to short-circuit the first resistor and positioning the hardware interface in a software configuration mode for a current source type sensor, configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode, an eleventh step el l) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a twelfth step e12) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is detected, performing: a thirteenth step e13) indicating the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, and in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is not detected, performing: a fourteenth step e14) indicating the presence of an anomaly, comprising acknowledging an anomaly at the sensor coupled to the computer, in the case where the result of the comparison in the third step e3) is negative, performing: a fifth step e5) indicating the negative result of the comparison in step e3), comprising configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode and configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to allow reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a sixth step e6) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the voltage source type sensor, a seventh step e7) comprising monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled, an eighth step e8) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a voltage source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is detected, performing: a ninth step e9) indicating the correct operation of the voltage source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the voltage source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the voltage source type sensor is not detected, performing: a tenth step e10) indicating a potential anomaly of the sensor, comprising switching the transistor into a short-circuit mode so as to short-circuit the first resistor and positioning the hardware interface in a software configuration mode for a current source type sensor, configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode, an eleventh step el l) comprising configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to adapt it for allowing reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a twelfth step e12) comprising verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is detected, performing: a thirteenth step e13) indicating the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, and in the case where a variation in frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is not detected, performing: a fourteenth step e14) indicating the presence of an anomaly, comprising acknowledging an anomaly at the sensor coupled to the computer, in the case where the result of the comparison in the third step e3) is negative, performing: a fifth step e5) indicating the negative result of the comparison in step e3), comprising configuring the hardware interface in a current source type sensor mode and configuring the software of the hardware interface so as to allow reading of the signal delivered by the current source type sensor, a fifteenth step e15) which comprises: repeatedly monitoring and detecting information that the starter of the vehicle has been controlled, and a sixteenth step e16) which comprises: verifying the presence and correct operation of a current source type sensor coupled between the first pin of the computer and the second pin of the computer, in the case where a variation in the frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is detected, a seventeenth step e17) is performed, which indicates the correct operation of the current source type sensor, comprising: acknowledging said presence and said correct operation of the current source type sensor at the terminals of the computer, in the case where a variation in the frequency of the signal originating from the current source type sensor is not detected, an eighteenth step e18) is performed, which indicates the presence of an anomaly, and comprises: acknowledging the anomaly at the current source type sensor coupled to the computer.

Images