Programming device of a pressure sensor for an electronic control system of the pressure of pneumatic tires of a vehicle

Abstract

Programming device (4) of a pressure sensor (1) for an electronic control system (5) of the pressure of pneumatic tires (2) of a vehicle (3), the programming device (4) comprising: (a) - an activation module (41) configured to activate the pressure sensor (1); (b) - a receiving module (43) configured to receive at least one signal (s1) coming from the pressure sensor (1); (c) - an electronic entity (45) configured to: - determining an identifier (i1) of the activated pressure sensor (1) on the basis of the at least one received signal (s1) and determining its current position (i2) in the vehicle (3), - searching in a database (bdd) a pair (i1'-i2') stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of the pressure sensor (1), - comparing the identifier (i1) of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1') of the pair (i1'-i2'); - if the comparison is negative, reprogramming of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1').

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a programming device configured to implement a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors. It has a particular, but not limited, application in the field of electronic tire pressure control systems for motor vehicles (known in English as "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems," commonly abbreviated to "TPMS"), particularly for trucks.

[0002] The programming device makes it possible, in particular, to activate, communicate with and / or reprogram one or more elements of the electronic tire pressure control systems (a type of device sometimes also referred to as a TPMS valve lock), in particular the pressure sensors of the systems.

[0003] As is known to those skilled in the art, an electronic tire pressure control system comprises an on-board computer housed in the vehicle and one or more pressure sensors located inside the tires, which measure the tire's internal pressure and are configured to transmit this pressure value to the vehicle's on-board computer. The on-board computer can therefore warn the vehicle user if one of the tires should burst or deflate, posing a safety risk.

[0004] When a truck travels long distances, it is sometimes necessary to rotate the position of the tires within the truck for safety reasons in order to even out tire wear. Depending on the truck's load, in fact, with heavy loads, the rear tires, which support the trailer with the load, tend to wear out faster than the front tires, which support the part of the truck that tows the trailer. It is therefore also advisable to swap the front and rear tires to even out tire wear over time, thus avoiding uneven tire wear and optimizing tire life. Tires are therefore swapped based on, for example, a certain number of kilometers driven.

[0005] The tires on an axle are generally swapped at the same time because they tend to wear at the same rate. The tires are therefore swapped depending on the position of their axle. Two tires on the same axle are therefore swapped with two other tires on a different axle.

[0006] Generally, to determine the new position of the pressure sensor housed in a tire whose position has been changed, the vehicle's on-board computer (here, the truck) performs a position relearning process. This involves a learning tool called a TPMS tool, which activates the various pressure sensors to determine their unique identifier and their new position within the truck. This identifier-position pair is updated in the on-board computer's memory by transferring the information between the TPMS tool and the on-board computer via an OBD connection.

[0007] A disadvantage of this prior art is that, in the case of a truck, the repositioning of several tires can be performed at any time along a truck's route, and the truck driver can call any maintenance service located along his route to perform the tire repositioning. However, for safety reasons, these maintenance services generally do not have access to the truck's cab and therefore cannot connect to the vehicle's on-board computer via OBD. Likewise, for safety reasons, these maintenance services cannot connect to the truck's on-board computer via a wireless connection. Incidentally, the on-board computer is often switched off when a maintenance service intervenes.

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to propose a programming device for implementing a programming method of vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors, which makes it possible to remedy the aforementioned drawback.

[0009] Indeed, the invention proposes a programming device for implementing a programming method of vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors, the programming method comprising: - activation of at least one programmable pressure sensor; - receiving at least one signal emitted by the at least one pressure sensor following activation; - determining an identifier of the at least one activated pressure sensor based on the at least one received signal and determining its current position in the vehicle; - a search in a database for a stored pair of stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position corresponds to the current position of the pressure sensor, - a comparison of the identifier of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of the pair; - if the comparison is negative, reprogramming of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0010] According to non-limiting embodiments, the programming method may further comprise one or more additional features, taken alone or according to any technically possible combination, including the following.

[0011] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the database is located on a remote server or in a memory of a programming device.

[0012] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0013] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the stored identifier is an identifier of a non-programmable pressure sensor.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, each step of the programming method is performed sequentially for all pressure sensors of the vehicle before the next step, wherein the unit of steps of the programming method is performed for each pressure sensor of the vehicle before moving on to the next pressure sensor.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the pair is stored in the database as a function of a criterion, and the programming method further comprises a search for the criterion in the database before the step of searching the pair in the database.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the programming method further comprises, prior to the pair search step, a search for the identifier in the database of the pressure sensor, and if it does not exist in the database, the programming method further comprises sending a warning message indicating that the at least one pressure sensor must be returned to its stored position.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the programming method comprises, prior to a change in position of the at least one pressure sensor in the vehicle, performing the steps of activation, receiving the at least one signal, determining the identifier and the current position, and - a comparison of the identification and the current position of at least one pressure sensor of the vehicle with the pairs stored in the database, - if no stored identifier of the pairs corresponds to the identifier, an update of the database with a new pair consisting of the identifier and the current position.

[0018] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the stored identifier is an identifier stored in an on-board computer of the vehicle, and the stored position is a position stored in the on-board computer.

[0019] Furthermore, a programming device of a pressure sensor for an electronic control system of the pressure of pneumatic tires of a vehicle is also proposed, the programming device comprising: (a) - an activation module configured to activate the pressure sensor; (b) - a receiving module configured to receive at least one signal from the pressure sensor; (c) - an electronic entity configured to: - Determining an identifier of the activated pressure sensor based on the at least one received signal and determining its current position in the vehicle, - Search in a database of a stored pair of stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position corresponds to the current position of the pressure sensor, - comparing the identifier of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of the pair; - if the comparison is negative, reprogramming of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device comprises the database in which the pair is stored.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity is further configured to search the database for an identification number of the vehicle in which the at least one pressure sensor is located before activating the pressure sensor.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity is further configured to, if the identifier of the pressure sensor is not in the database, send a warning message indicating that the at least one pressure sensor must be returned to its stored position.

[0023] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0024] Furthermore, a method for servicing a vehicle is proposed, the vehicle comprising an electronic control system for the pressure of the pneumatic tires of the vehicle and of the pneumatic tires, the pneumatic tires each comprising a pressure sensor, characterized in that the maintenance method comprises: - a change of position of at least two pneumatic tyres in the vehicle, - an embodiment of the programming method according to one of the preceding features.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the change of position is carried out for four tires, including two tires carried by the same axle which are exchanged with two other tires which are exchanged with the other two tires carried by a different axle.

[0026] Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which comprises one or more instruction sequences which are executable by a data processing unit, wherein the execution of the instruction sequences allows implementation of the following steps when the instruction sequences are loaded into a computer, which are the following steps: - activation of at least one programmable pressure sensor; - receiving at least one signal emitted by the at least one pressure sensor following activation; - determining an identifier of the at least one activated pressure sensor based on the at least one received signal and determining its current position in the vehicle; - a search in a database for a stored pair of stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position corresponds to the current position of the pressure sensor, - a comparison of the identifier of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of the pair; - if the comparison is negative, reprogramming of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0027] Furthermore, a computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium is proposed in which instructions are stored which, when executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to carry out the programming method characterized in one of the preceding features.

[0028] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages will become clearer in the course of the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given only by way of illustration and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of programming vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 2 the programming procedure of the Fig. 1, wherein the programming method comprises additional steps according to non-limiting execution modes, - Fig. Figure 3 is a very schematic representation of a pressure sensor programming device with different functions that it performs, the programming device being configured to carry out the programming method of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to implement, - Fig. 4 a view of the programming device of the Fig. 3, which interacts with a pressure sensor of an electronic tire pressure control system of a vehicle, - Fig. 5 is an organization chart of a maintenance procedure of a vehicle, the vehicle being an electronic control system of the pressure of the vehicle tires and the pneumatic tires.

[0029] Elements that are identical in structure or function and that appear in different figures retain the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated.

[0030] The programming method Pr1 of pressure sensors 1 of pneumatic tires 2 of a vehicle 3 according to the invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It is controlled by a programming device 4 which is connected to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is illustrated.

[0031] In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 3 is a motor vehicle. In non-limiting embodiments, the motor vehicle 3 is an electric or hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The vehicle 3 is Fig. 4. It is equipped with pneumatic tires 2, otherwise referred to as tires 2, in which pressure sensors 1 are housed. There is a single pressure sensor 1 per pneumatic tire 2. The pressure sensors 1 are programmable pressure sensors 1. This means that they include a programmable, i.e., rewritable memory. In non-limiting examples, this memory is an EEPROM, flash memory, or FRAM.

[0032] The vehicle 3 also comprises an electronic control unit 30 (on Fig. 4), which will be referred to in the following description by the abbreviation ECU or otherwise referred to as on-board computer 30. The terms electronic control unit 30 or on-board computer 30 will be used interchangeably in the following description. The arrangement of pressure sensors 1-on-board computer 30 is referred to as the electronic tire pressure control system (or in English "Tire Pressure Monitoring System" with the corresponding abbreviation "TPMS") and is based on Fig. 4 is designated by the reference number 5.

[0033] In a non-limiting example, the vehicle 3 is a truck. This non-limiting example will be used in the further course of the description. The on-board computer 30 is connected to the control unit 30 via a cabin 31 (on Fig. 4) of the truck 3.

[0034] Each pressure sensor 1 is conventionally provided with a radio frequency transmitter to allow the transmission of data to the electronic control unit 30. The electronic control unit 30, which receives the data from the pressure sensors 1, can thus warn a user of the vehicle 3 if one of the pneumatic tires 2 should burst or deflate, thus avoiding any danger to the safety of the user of the vehicle 3.

[0035] It should be noted that each pressure sensor 1 is configured to communicate with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 according to its own communication protocol. A separate communication protocol is therefore defined according to the type (make and model) of a pressure sensor 1. Depending on the type of vehicle 3, each vehicle includes one or more types of pressure sensors 1.

[0036] The current position of pressure sensor 1 corresponds to that of the tire 2 in which it is housed. Pressure sensor 1 includes a unique identifier i1 and therefore a current position i2, which thus corresponds to the current position of tire 2 on vehicle 3. The position of each pressure sensor 1 thus corresponds to the actual position of each corresponding tire 2 on vehicle 3.

[0037] Note that the identifier i1 and its current position i2 are written into the programmable memory of the pressure sensor 1. Furthermore, the on-board computer 30 includes, recorded in memory, a set of pairs associated with each pressure sensor 1, each pair comprising the identifier of the pressure sensor 1 and a position of the corresponding tire 2 on the truck 3 corresponding to a given instant t. The pair is denoted by i1'-i2', where i1' is the stored identifier and i2' is the stored position at a given instant t.

[0038] Thanks to the pressure sensor 1, the on-board computer 30 can manage the corresponding pneumatic tire 2 and warn the user when the corresponding pneumatic tire 2 has a problem such as, by way of non-limiting example, a pressure problem, a temperature problem or even a wear problem (depending on the pressure).

[0039] The stored position i2' of a pressure sensor 1 allows the on-board computer 30 to know which tire 2 is involved, namely the front right, front left, rear right, rear left, possibly the middle right, middle left tire in the case of a truck 3 having six tires 2, as a non-limiting example. The example with six tires 2 will be used as a non-limiting example in the remainder of the description.

[0040] In the non-limiting example with six pneumatic tires 2, the on-board computer 30 has thus stored the following information for each pressure sensor 1: - a stored identifier i1'.1 of a first pressure sensor 1 with the value 1, which is assigned to the stored position i2'.1 front right of a first corresponding pneumatic tire 2, - a stored identifier i1'.2 of a second pressure sensor 1 with the value 2, which is associated with the stored position i2'.2 front left of a corresponding second pneumatic tire 2, - a stored identifier i1'.3 of a third pressure sensor 1 with the value 3, which is associated with the stored position i2'.3 center right of a third corresponding pneumatic tire 2, - a stored identifier i1'.4 of a fourth pressure sensor 1 with the value 4, which is associated with the stored position i2'.4 center left of a fourth corresponding pneumatic tire 2, - a stored identifier i1'.5 of a fifth pressure sensor 1 with the value 5, which is associated with the stored position i2'.5 rear right of a fifth corresponding pneumatic tire 2, - a stored identifier i1'.6 of a sixth pressure sensor 1 with the value 6, which is associated with the stored position i2'.6 rear left of a sixth corresponding pneumatic tire 2,

[0041] The values are given as non-limiting examples. Therefore, when the on-board computer 30 queries the first pressure sensor 1 via its stored identifier i1'.1, it receives, for example, a pressure and assigns it to the stored position i2' stored in the memory, and here, therefore, to tire 2, whose stored position i2' is the front right. It therefore correlates the queried pressure with the front right tire 2 and warns the user that the pressure of the front right tire 2 is problematic, if this is the case.

[0042] For each pressure sensor 1, there is therefore a stored pair i1'-i2' in the on-board computer 30. The unit of the pairs i1'-i2' is therefore stored by the on-board computer 30, but also in a database bdd, remote from the on-board computer 30, which is on Fig. 4. For each pressure sensor 1, the last pair recorded in the database bdd is the same as the one stored in the on-board computer 30. As will be seen below, when a tire 2 is modified, namely, a change of position between at least two tires 2 of the truck 3, and therefore what is stored in the on-board computer 30, the identifier i1 of the pressure sensors 1 concerned is reprogrammed as a function of this database bdd.

[0043] The truck 3 typically travels long distances. For safety reasons, it is therefore useful to alternate the position of the tires 2 of the truck 3, for example, by swapping the rear tires 2 with the front tires 2, two at a time, as a non-limiting example, in order to achieve uniform wear of the tires 2 over time. Indeed, the tires 2 (positioned at the rear or center of the truck 3) that support the load of the truck 3 generally wear out faster than those (positioned at the front of the truck 3) that support the towing part of the truck 3.

[0044] If the pneumatic tires 2 of the truck 3 are swapped, the corresponding pressure sensors 1 are also swapped. Accordingly, the position assigned to the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 changes. For example, if the first pneumatic tire 2 at the front right is swapped with the fifth pneumatic tire 2 at the rear right and the second pneumatic tire 2 at the front left with the sixth pneumatic tire at the rear left, the result is - the rear right position, which is assigned to the identifier of the first pressure sensor 1 with the value 1, - the rear left position, which is assigned to the identifier of the 2nd pressure sensor 1 with the value 2, - the front right position, which is assigned to the identifier of the 5th pressure sensor 1 with the value 5, - the front left position, which is assigned to the identifier of the 6th pressure sensor 1 with the value 6,

[0045] This no longer corresponds at all to what the on-board computer 30 has stored. If nothing is done, the on-board computer 30, when it queries the first pressure sensor 1 via its stored identifier i1'.1, will therefore receive a pressure, for example, and assign it to the stored position i2' stored in the memory, and in this case, therefore to tire 2, whose stored position i2' is the front right. It therefore correlates the received pressure with the front right tire 2 and warns the user that the pressure of the front right tire 2 is problematic, if this is the case. However, this warning is incorrect information, because it ultimately refers to the rear right tire 2.

[0046] In order for the on-board computer 30 to always correctly warn the user when a tire 2 has any problem and thus avoid the on-board computer 30 providing false information, it is necessary for it to be informed of the new position of the pressure sensors 1 of the tires 2 (and therefore of the tires 2) that have been swapped at an instant after the given instant t.

[0047] The programming method Pr1 allows this without an external third party having access to the cabin 31 of the truck 3 and therefore to the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3.

[0048] As on Fig. 1, the programming procedure Pr1 therefore comprises the following steps.

[0049] In a step E10, illustrated by F10(4, 1), the programming device 4 activates the pressure sensor 1. Once activated, the pressure sensor 1 emits at least one signal s1 including its identifier i1. Note that the signal s1 may include other information, such as the pressure of the corresponding tire 2 and its temperature, as non-limiting examples.

[0050] In a step E12, illustrated F12(4, s1(i1), the programming device 4 receives, following the activation, at least one signal s1 emitted by the pressure sensor 1.

[0051] In a step E14, illustrated F14(4, i1, i2, s1), the programming device 4 determines the current identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 that has been activated based on the at least one received signal s1, as well as its current position i2 in the truck 3.

[0052] The determination of the current position i2 is determined depending on a defined sequence. Therefore, the defined sequence is, in a non-limiting example, front right, front left, center right, center left, rear right, rear left, in a non-limiting example with six pneumatic tires, 2.

[0053] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the defined sequence is predetermined by the programming device 4. The current position i2 is therefore known to the programming device 4. In this case, the programming device 4 is configured to display this predetermined sequence on a display device 42 such that the operator positions himself in front of each pressure sensor 1 and activates them in this predetermined sequence.

[0054] In a second non-limiting embodiment, the defined sequence is determined by the operator himself, who positions himself in front of each pressure sensor 1, according to a sequence he has decided on, and activates them in this order. In this case, the programming device 4 is configured to ask the operator via its display device 42 which sequence has been defined. The operator can then, in a non-limiting example, enter the defined sequence via a keyboard 47, and thus the programming device 4 determines the current position i2 of each pressure sensor 1.

[0055] In a step E16, illustrated F16(4, bdd, (i1'-i2')), the programming device 4 searches in a database bdd a pair i1'-i2' stored identifier-position whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1.

[0056] In one non-limiting embodiment, the database bdd is located on a remote server 6 or in an on-board database in the memory 44 of the programming device 4. In another non-limiting embodiment, it may be located on the remote server 6 (on Fig. 4) and are also located in the memory 44 of the programming device 4. If the database bdd is located on a remote server 6, the programming device 4 is configured to communicate with this remote server 6 and thus access the database bdd.

[0057] The database bdd comprises a set of pairs i1'-i2' stored identifier-position of the pneumatic tire 2, which are the last ones recorded in the on-board computer 30. It therefore forms a mirror of the memory of the on-board computer 30 as regards the pairs i1'-i2'. In the non-limiting example based on Fig. 4, it comprises the six pairs i1'.1-i2'.1 to i1'.6-i2'.6 described above.

[0058] In a non-limiting embodiment, the stored identifier i1' is an identifier of a non-programmable pressure sensor comprising a non-modifiable, non-rewritable memory, such as, in the non-limiting example, a ROM. The latter is a pressure sensor mounted on the tire 2 during the original equipment and is therefore an original pressure sensor, while the current pressure sensor 1 is a pressure sensor mounted on the tire 2 during the second equipment (in the "aftermarket," as the English term is used) to replace the original pressure sensor.

[0059] In a step E18, illustrated F18(4, i1, i1'), the programming device 4 compares the current identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier i1' of the pair i1'-i2'.

[0060] In a step E20, illustrated by F20(4, 1, i1'), if the comparison is negative, namely, the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 is different from the stored identifier i1', this means that the pressure sensor 1 located at the current position i2 is no longer the same and has been replaced. The tire 2 housing the activated pressure sensor 1 has therefore changed position. In this case, the programming device 4 programs the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier i1' of the pair i1'-i2'. The programmable memory of the pressure sensor 1 is modified with the value of the stored identifier i1', which thus becomes the new value of the identifier i1. The activated pressure sensor 1 thus includes a new identifier i1. To this end, the programming device 4 sends the pressure sensor 1 a programming signal including the stored identifier i1'.In one non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is a low-frequency signal. In one non-limiting example, the low-frequency signal is a signal emitted at 125 kHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is a Bluetooth™ signal. In one non-limiting variant, the programming signal is emitted according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the abbreviation BLE. The programming signal is therefore referred to as a BLE signal.

[0061] It should be noted that if the comparison is positive, namely the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 is identical to the stored identifier i1', this means that the pressure sensor 1 located at the current position i2 has not been modified and that its corresponding pneumatic tire 2 has not changed position.

[0062] It should be noted that the bdd database contains pairs of stored tire 2 position identifiers of the original equipment or second-equipment pressure sensors 1 when the original equipment pressure sensors were replaced by new pressure sensors 1 due, for example, to the replacement of a worn tire 2. In this latter case, the stored identifier i1' of the original equipment pressure sensor was cloned into the programmable pressure sensor.

[0063] Steps E10 to E20 described below are carried out for all pressure sensors 1 whose pneumatic tires 2 have been swapped.

[0064] In a first non-limiting embodiment, each step of the programming method Pr1 is performed sequentially for all pressure sensors 1 of the truck 3 before the next step. Therefore, for example, all pressure sensors 1 are activated before the identifier i1 and the current position i2 of the pressure sensors 1 are determined. Therefore, all identifiers i1 and the current positions i2 of all activated pressure sensors 1 are determined before the search in the database bdd is performed. Therefore, for example, the comparison step in E18 is performed for all identifiers i1 found for all activated pressure sensors 1.

[0065] In a second non-limiting embodiment, all the steps of the programming method Pr1 are performed for each pressure sensor 1 of the truck 3 before moving on to the next pressure sensor 1. Therefore, a first pressure sensor 1 is activated, its identifier i1 and its current position i2 are determined, a search is performed in the database bdd for a pair i1'-i2' whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2, this search is compared with the stored identifier i1', and the pressure sensor 1 is reprogrammed with the stored identifier i1' before performing the same steps for a subsequent pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are performed according to a predetermined sequence.By way of non-limiting example, the sequence indicates that pressure sensor 1 is started at the front right, then the front left, then the middle right, then the middle left, then the rear right, then the rear left. In a first non-limiting embodiment, the sequence is pre-programmed in the programming device 4. In this case, by way of non-limiting example, when the operator initiates the programming procedure Pr1 using the programming device 4, the latter displays a message containing the sequence on its display device 42 to instruct the operator.

[0066] The programming procedure Pr1 includes the non-limiting additional steps that are based on Fig. 2 are illustrated.

[0067] In a non-limiting embodiment (branch B referring to Fig. 2), the programming method Pr1 comprises, before any change of position of the pressure sensor 1 in the vehicle 3, for each pressure sensor 1, the execution of the steps of activation, reception of the at least one signal s1, determination of the current identifier i1 and the current position i2 and for each pressure sensor 1: - a comparison step E14', illustrated F14'(4, i1- i2, bdd(i1'-i2')) of the identifier i1 and the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 of the vehicle 3 with all the pairs (i1'-12') stored in the database bdd, - a step E14'', illustrated F14''(4, bdd, i1-i2), if no stored identifier i1' of the pairs i1'-i2' corresponds to the identifier i1, an update of the database bdd with a new pair consisting of the identifier i1 and the current position i2.

[0068] This makes it possible to have or create an updated database bdd and therefore to have a database bdd that corresponds to reality.

[0069] These additional steps E14' and E14'' are performed by the programming device 4. It should be noted that the operator performing maintenance on the truck 3 and using the programming device 4 knows whether or not he has changed the pneumatic tires 2 of the truck 3.

[0070] In a non-limiting embodiment, the following additional steps are carried out after a change of position of the pneumatic tires 2 of the truck 3 (branch A, which is based on Fig. 2). It should be noted that Fig. 2 the bubble containing a 0 indicates the beginning of the programming procedure Pr1.

[0071] The database bdd is relative to the pressure sensors 1 mounted in different vehicles 3.

[0072] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the pair i1'-i2' is stored in the database depending on a criterion ct. In non-limiting embodiments, the criterion ct is defined as: - a vehicle identification number, known in English as VIN for “Vehicle Identification Number”, - a type plate, - a communication protocol of the pressure sensor 1, - a configuration of pneumatic tires 2.

[0073] As a non-limiting example, the configuration of pneumatic tires 2 is a single or double tire configuration.

[0074] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming method Pr1 also includes, before step E16 of searching for the pair i1'-i2', a step E15'', illustrated by F15''(4, 3, ct, bdd), for searching for the criterion ct in the database bdd. This allows for a faster search for the pair i1'-i2' in the database bdd. The search is performed by the programming device 4. In practice, in a non-limiting example of the criterion ct being a vehicle identification number (VIN), an operator using the programming device 4 enters, for example, the vehicle identification number (VIN), written, for example, on the door of the truck 3, on the human-machine interface of the programming device 4 to allow the latter to initiate the search. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle identification number (VIN) is the chassis number of the vehicle 3.

[0075] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming method Pr1 further comprises: - before step E16 of searching for the pair i1'-i2', a step E15, illustrated F15(4, bdd, i1), for searching in the database for the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1, and - if it does not exist in the database bdd (branch C, which points to Fig. 2), a step E15', illustrated F15(4, msg), for sending a warning message indicating that the at least one pressure sensor 1 must be returned to its stored position i2', namely the one known and recorded in the memory of the on-board computer 30.

[0076] If the identifier i1 is not found in the bdd database, it is not possible to swap the tires 2, because if it is not known in the bdd database, it cannot be reprogrammed. Otherwise, the on-board computer 30 believes it sees the corresponding tire 2 in the correct position, while this is not the case.

[0077] If the pressure sensor identifier i1 is in the database bdd (branch D, which is Fig. 2) exists, the next step E16 described above is performed.

[0078] These two additional steps E15 and E15' are carried out by the programming device 4.

[0079] The programming method Pr1 is therefore carried out by a programming device 4 for pressure sensor 1 for electronic control system 5 of the tire pressure of a vehicle 3. The programming device 4 is described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 described.

[0080] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 is a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) tool. It is a tire pressure control tool 2 that allows communication with the electronic tire pressure control system 5, in particular with the pressure sensors 1.

[0081] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 comprises an activation module 41 configured to activate the pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f410 (41, 1, s0)). To this end, the activation module 41 is configured to emit an activation signal s0 to the pressure sensor 1. The activation signal s0 is an electromagnetic, continuous, or modulated signal. In one non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal s0 is a low-frequency signal BF. In one non-limiting example, the activation signal s0 is emitted at 125 kHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal s0 is a Bluetooth™ signal. In one non-limiting variant, the emission of the activation signal s0 is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the abbreviation BLE. The activation signal s0 is therefore a BLE signal.

[0082] The activation module 41 is configured to create a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and comprises an antenna 410 which is Fig. 4 and is configured to emit the activation signal s0. Note that the programming device 4 knows the communication protocol used by the pressure sensor 1. It therefore transmits the activation signal s0 using the appropriate communication protocol.

[0083] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 comprises an on-board database containing the list of communication protocols for each type of pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting embodiment, communication protocols in the database are sorted by vehicle brands and models. In this case, the operator using the programming device 4 (via a keyboard 47 located on Fig. 4 in the non-limiting example), the user selects the make and then the model of the vehicle 3 to which he wishes to apply the programming procedure Pr1 before starting the procedure. This on-board database therefore contains all the vehicles whose pressure sensors 1 have been programmed or reprogrammed by the programming device 4. In a non-limiting embodiment, the on-board database is the same as the bdd, which comprises a set of pairs i1'-i2'.

[0084] Therefore, once the operator has selected the make and model of the truck 3, the number of communication protocols is limited to the pressure sensors 1 actually mounted on the truck 3 and to the reprogrammable pressure sensors 1 compatible with the vehicle.

[0085] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 further comprises a receiving module 43 configured to receive at least one signal s1 coming from the pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f430(43, 1, s1)). Following the activation signal s0, the pressure sensor 1 transmits back the at least one signal s1. The signal s1 includes, in particular, its identifier i1. In one non-limiting embodiment, the at least one signal s1 is a radio frequency signal. In one non-limiting embodiment, it is a radio frequency signal emitted and received between 300 MHz and 500 MHz. In one non-limiting variant, it is a radio frequency signal emitted and received at 433 MHz or 315 MHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the signal s1 is a Bluetooth™ signal.In a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of the signal s1 is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the abbreviation BLE. The signal s1 is therefore referred to as a BLE signal. The receiving module 43 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and includes an antenna 430 mounted on a . Fig. 3 and is configured to receive the at least one signal s1.

[0086] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 further comprises an electronic entity 45 configured to: - Determining an identifier i1 of the activated pressure sensor 1 on the basis of the at least one received signal s1 and determining its current position i2 in the vehicle 3 (illustrated function f450(45, i1-i2)), - Search in the database bdd of a pair i1'-i2' stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f451(45, bdd, i1'-i2')), - comparing the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier i1' of the pair i1' - i2' (illustrated function f452(45, i1, i1'-i2')); - if the comparison is negative, reprogram the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier i1' (illustrated function f453(45, 1, i1)).

[0087] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is, in non-limiting examples, a processor with a memory.

[0088] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - Search in the database bdd of a criterion ct depending on which the pairs i1'-i2' are stored in the database bdd (illustrated function f454(45, 3, ct, bdd)).

[0089] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - Search in the database bdd of the identifier i1 of the pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f455(45, bdd, i1)), and - if it does not exist in the database bdd, sending a warning message msg indicating that the at least one pressure sensor 1 must be returned to its stored position i2' (illustrated function f456(45, msg)).

[0090] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - comparing the identifier i1 and the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 of the vehicle 3 with the unit of pairs i1'-i2' stored in the database bdd (illustrated function f457(45, i1- i2, bdd(i1'-i2')), - if no stored identifier i1' of the pairs i1'-i2' corresponds to the identifier i1, update the database bdd with a new pair consisting of the identifier i1 and the current position i2 (illustrated function f458(45, bdd, i1-i2)).

[0091] In a non-limiting embodiment, Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the programming device 4 comprises the database bdd. It is located in a memory 44 of the programming device 4. The database bdd comprises a set of pairs i1'-i2' corresponding to each pressure sensor 1 of each tire 2 of the truck 3 when the tires 2 are in a position corresponding to a stored position i2' at a given instant t.

[0092] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 also comprises a battery 46.

[0093] As on Fig. 4, the programming device 4 also comprises: - a housing 40, in a non-limiting example made of plastic, - a display device 42, such as a screen. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen, - a keyboard 47 and - an OBD socket 49 configured to allow, for example, the connection of the programming device 4 to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3, in particular via an OBD cable.

[0094] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 further comprises a communication port 48 which is Fig. 4. By way of non-limiting example, the communication port 48 is a USB-type port. The communication port 48 is configured to connect the programming device 4 to an electronic device, such as a computer. The communication port 48 is also configured to be connected to a power source to receive electrical energy intended to charge the battery 46. The power source may be a power plug, but also any type of electronic or electrical device capable of supplying electrical power to the battery 46, such as a computer.

[0095] It should be noted that the implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18, and E20 set forth above may be performed using a microprogrammed "software" device with hard-wired logic and / or electronic "hardware" components. In a non-limiting embodiment, the implementation of steps E14 and E14' and / or step E15'' and / or steps E15 and E15' described above according to the performed embodiments is also performed using the microprogrammed "software" device, hard-wired logic, and / or electronic "hardware" components.

[0096] The programming device 4 may therefore comprise one or more computer program products comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by a processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a processing unit of a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc., wherein the execution of the sequences of instructions allows implementation of the above-described steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18 and E20 and, where appropriate, steps E14 and E14' and / or step E15'' and / or steps E15 and E15'.

[0097] Such a computer program can be written into non-volatile writable memory (ROM) or rewritable non-volatile memory (EEPROM) or FLASH memory. The computer program can be written into the memory at the factory, or it can be loaded into the memory or downloaded into the memory remotely. The sequences of instructions can be machine instruction sequences or sequences of a command language that are interpreted by the processing unit at the time of their execution.

[0098] In the non-limiting example of Fig. 3, a computer program Pg is written into the memory 44 of the programming device 4.

[0099] The computer program product Pg thus comprises one or more instruction sequences that can be executed by a data processing unit, wherein the execution of the instruction sequences allows implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18 and E20.

[0100] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are also steps E14 and E14' and / or steps E15'' and / or steps E15 and E15'.

[0101] The computer program product Pg is contained in a computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium Md in which the instructions are stored which, when executed by a data processing unit, cause the data processing unit to carry out the programming method Pr1 described above.

[0102] In non-limiting embodiments, the non-volatile data recording medium Md that the computer can read is an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In non-limiting examples, the non-volatile computer-readable data recording medium Md is a ROM or the like, such as a PROM, a programmable erasable read-only memory EPROM or the like, such as an EEPROM, a flash memory, a semiconductor memory, a DVD, etc. In the non-limiting example of the Fig. 3, the non-volatile computer-readable data recording medium Md is the memory 44 described above.

[0103] Although the computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium Md, as in the non-limiting embodiment, Fig. 3 is represented as a single carrier, the term computer-readable non-transitory data recording medium must be considered as including a single carrier or multiple carriers.

[0104] A non-transitory computer-readable data recording medium Md as used herein shall not be construed as a transitory signal in itself, such as a radio wave, an electromagnetic wave propagating through an optical fibre or other transmission medium, or an electrical signal propagated through a wire.

[0105] As will be understood, the programming method Pr1 can therefore be used by an operator when servicing the truck 3, and in particular for replacing the pneumatic tires 2 of the truck 3. Fig. Figure 5 therefore illustrates a maintenance method Pr2 of a vehicle 3 according to a non-limiting embodiment, wherein the vehicle 3 comprises an electronic control system 5 of the pressure of the tires 2 of the vehicle 3 and of the tires 2, wherein the tires 2 each comprise a pressure sensor 1. The maintenance method Pr2 comprises the following: - in a first step E30, F30(2) illustrated a change in the position of at least two pneumatic tires 2 in the vehicle 3, - in a second step E31, F31(Pr1) illustrated an execution of the programming procedure Pr1.

[0106] In a non-limiting embodiment, the change of position is carried out for four tires 2, including two tires 2 driven by the same axle 32 (on Fig. 4) which are exchanged with two other pneumatic tires 2 carried by another axle 32 (on Fig.4). This allows the tires 2, which are worn in the same way, to be replaced with two other, less worn tires.

[0107] It should therefore be noted that it is the operator who changes the pneumatic tires 2 who reprograms the pressure sensors 1 of the pneumatic tires 2 by means of the programming device 4.

[0108] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments and to the field described above. Therefore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the display device 42 and the keyboard 47 of the programming device 4 can be replaced by a single element, such as a touchscreen, which allows, on the one hand, the display of information and, on the other hand, the activation of functions via dedicated icons or the confirmation of an operation by an operator. Therefore, in other non-limiting embodiments, the search criterion ct in the database bdd can be: - a date and time of the last intervention on the vehicle 3, - a name of the user of the TPMS tool, - a geographical position at the time of the last intervention on the vehicle 3.

[0109] The invention described therefore has the following advantages in particular: - it allows the reassignment of an identifier i1 to a current position of the pressure sensor 1, without relearning the on-board computer 30 in the event that the latter is not accessible during maintenance of the vehicle 3, - it allows the on-board computer 30 to always know the correct position of the pneumatic tires 2 even after a change of position of the pneumatic tires 2, - it is quick and easy to implement.

Claims

[1] Programming device (4) of a pressure sensor (1) for an electronic control system (5) of the pressure of pneumatic tires (2) of a vehicle (3), the programming device (4) comprising: (a) - an activation module (41) configured to activate the pressure sensor (1); (b) - a receiving module (43) configured to receive at least one signal (s1) coming from the pressure sensor (1); (c) - an electronic entity (45) configured to: - determining an identifier (i1) of the activated pressure sensor (1) on the basis of the at least one received signal (s1) and determining its current position (i2) in the vehicle (3), - searching in a database (bdd) a pair (i1'-i2') stored identifier-stored position, whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of the pressure sensor (1), - comparing the identifier (i1) of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1') of the pair (i1'-i2'); - if the comparison is negative, reprogramming of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1'). [2] Programming device (4) according to claim 1, characterized by that the programming device (4) comprises the database (bdd) in which the pair is stored. [3] Programming device (4) according to claim 2, characterized by that the electronic entity (45) is further configured to search the database (bdd) for an identification number of the vehicle in which the at least one pressure sensor (1) is located before activating the pressure sensor (1). [4] Programming device (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the electronic entity (45) is further configured to send, if the identifier of the pressure sensor (1) is not in the database (bdd), a warning message indicating that the at least one pressure sensor (1) must be returned to its stored position (i2'). [5] Programming device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the programming device (4) is a TPMS tool.

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