Programming device for implementing a programming method for vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors

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) following the activation; (c) - an electronic entity configured to: - Determining a current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of the activated pressure sensor (1), - 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), - Carrying out a programming of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1').

Description

[0001] The invention also relates to a programming device configured to implement a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors. It finds 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. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product for implementing a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors.

[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] Generally, to determine the position of the pressure sensor located in a tire, the vehicle's on-board computer 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 position within the vehicle. This identifier-position pair is updated in the on-board computer's memory by transmitting information via an OBD connection between the TPMS tool and the on-board computer.

[0005] If a tire is excessively worn, it must be replaced with a new one for safety reasons. The replacement can be performed by any service center. The new tire includes a new pressure sensor with no identification known to the on-board computer.

[0006] A disadvantage of this prior art is that, in the case of a truck, the change can be carried out at any time, for example, en route along a route covered by the truck, and the truck driver can call any maintenance service located along his route to replace the pneumatic tire with a new pneumatic tire equipped with a new sensor. For safety reasons, these maintenance services generally do not have access to the truck cab and therefore cannot connect to the vehicle's on-board computer via the OBD connection to update the new pressure sensor with an identifier and position corresponding to that of the new pneumatic tire in which it is housed. 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.

[0007] In this context, the present invention aims to propose a programming device for implementing a programming method of vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors and a computer program product for executing a programming method of vehicle pneumatic tire pressure sensors, which make it possible to remedy the aforementioned disadvantage.

[0008] Indeed, the invention proposes a method of programming 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; - a determination of a current position in the vehicle of the at least one activated pressure sensor; - a search in a database for a pair of stored identifiers and stored positions, the stored position of which corresponds to the current position of the pressure sensor, - programming of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0009] According to non-limiting embodiments, the programming method may also comprise one or more additional features, taken alone or according to any technically possible combination, including the following.

[0010] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the database is located on a remote server or in a memory of a programming device.

[0011] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0012] 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.

[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, or the set of steps of the programming method for each pressure sensor of the vehicle is performed 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 criterion ct is defined as: - a vehicle identification number, - a type plate, - a communication protocol of the pressure sensor, - a configuration of pneumatic tires.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the determination of the current position is determined depending on a defined order.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the defined order is predetermined by the programming device.

[0019] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the sequence is defined by an operator, and the programming device is configured to ask the operator which sequence has been defined.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the programming is performed by sending by the programming device to the pressure sensor a programming signal comprising the stored identifier.

[0021] 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 coming from the pressure sensor following activation; (c) - an electronic entity configured to: - to determine the current position of the activated pressure sensor 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, - Programming at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device comprises the database in which the pair is stored.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity is further configured to search the database for a criterion, depending on which the pair is stored in the database, before activating the pressure sensor.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the criterion ct is defined as: - a vehicle identification number, - a type plate, - a communication protocol of the pressure sensor, - a configuration of pneumatic tires.

[0025] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the programming device is a TPMS tool.

[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 activation of the at least one pressure sensor; - a determination of the current position in the vehicle of at least one activated pressure sensor; - a search in a database for a pair of stored identifiers and stored positions, the stored position of which corresponds to the current position of the pressure sensor, - programming of at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the instruction sequences are loaded into a pressure sensor programming device for an electronic control system for the pressure of pneumatic tires of a vehicle.

[0028] 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 according to one of the preceding features.

[0029] 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: - replacement of at least one pneumatic tyre in the vehicle with a new pneumatic tyre, - an embodiment of the programming method according to one of the preceding features.

[0030] 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 pneumatic tires of the vehicle tire and the pneumatic tires.

[0031] Elements that are identical in structure or function and that appear in different figures retain the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 on Fig. 4 is designated by the reference number 5.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Each pressure sensor 1 is conventionally equipped 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 risk to the safety of the user of the truck 3.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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. The position of each pressure sensor 1 thus corresponds to the actual position of each corresponding tire 2 on vehicle 3.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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, in non-limiting examples, a pressure problem, a temperature problem or even a wear problem (depending on the pressure).

[0041] 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.

[0042] For example, in the non-limiting example with six pneumatic tires 2, the on-board computer 30 has 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,

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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 located in the on-board computer 30. As will be seen below, when a tire 2 is replaced with a new tire 2, the identifier i1 of the pressure sensors 1 concerned is reprogrammed according to this database bdd and therefore to what is stored in the on-board memory 30, without having to access the on-board memory 30.

[0045] Truck 3 typically travels long distances. For safety reasons, it is therefore useful to replace the pneumatic tires 2 with new ones when they are worn.

[0046] When a pneumatic tire 2 of the truck 3 is replaced with a new pneumatic tire 2, the old pressure sensor 1 corresponding to the old pneumatic tire 2 is also replaced with a new pressure sensor 1. This new pressure sensor 1 does not have the identifier i1 in a format recognizable by the truck's on-board computer 30 and therefore known to the on-board computer 30. If the on-board computer 30 wishes to communicate with it, it cannot do so without the identifier.

[0047] In order for the on-board computer 30 to always correctly warn the user when a pneumatic tire 2 has any problem and therefore avoid the on-board computer 30 providing false information, it is necessary that it can always identify it with the identifier i1 of the corresponding pressure sensor 1.

[0048] The programming method Pr1 allows this without an external third party having access to the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3 (either by accessing the cab 31 of the truck 3 or via a wireless connection from outside the cab 31).

[0049] As on Fig. 1, the programming procedure Pr1 therefore comprises the following steps.

[0050] In a step E10, illustrated by F10(4, 1), the programming device 4 activates the pressure sensor 1. Activation allows the pressure sensor 1 to be awakened. Once activated, the pressure sensor 1 emits at least one signal s1. This signal is an activation confirmation signal. Through this signal, the pressure sensor 1 also indicates that it is ready to be programmed.

[0051] In a step E12, illustrated F12(4, s1), the programming device 4 receives, following the activation, at least one signal s1 emitted by the pressure sensor 1.

[0052] In a step E14, illustrated F14(4, i2), the programming device 4 determines the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 that has been activated in the vehicle 3.

[0053] The determination of the current position i2 is determined depending on a defined sequence. Therefore, the defined sequence in a non-limiting example is: front right, front left, center right, center left, rear right, rear left, in a non-limiting example with six pneumatic tires 2.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In a step E16, illustrated F16(4, bdd, (i1'-2')), the programming device 4 searches 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.

[0057] In one non-limiting embodiment, the database bdd is located on a remote server 6 (which is Fig. 4) or is an on-board database in memory 44 of the programming device 4 (which is Fig. 3. In another non-limiting embodiment, it may be located on the remote server 6 and also 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 therefore access the database bdd.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 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.

[0060] In a step E18, illustrated by F18(4, 1, i1'), the programming device 4 programs the pressure sensor 1 that has been replaced 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 value of its identifier i1. The activated pressure sensor 1 comprises an identifier i1 that is recognizable by the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3. The programming is performed by the programming device 4 sending a programming signal comprising 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 a non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is transmitted 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] Note that the bdd database contains pairs of stored tire position identifiers 2 of the original equipment or second-equipment pressure sensors 1. In the latter case, the stored identifier i1' of the original equipment pressure sensor was cloned into a programmable pressure sensor.

[0062] Steps E10 to E18 described below are performed for all pressure sensors 1 whose pneumatic tires 2 have been replaced.

[0063] 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 (which have been replaced) before the next step. Therefore, for example, all these pressure sensors 1 are activated before the position i2 of these pressure sensors 1 is determined. Therefore, for example, the current position i2 of all activated pressure sensors 1 is determined before the search in the database bdd is performed.

[0064] 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 (which has been replaced) before moving on to the next pressure sensor 1. Therefore, a first pressure sensor 1 is activated, its position i2 is determined, a search is performed in the bdd database for a pair i1'-i2', 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. As a non-limiting example, the sequence indicates starting with the front right pressure sensor 1, 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, as a non-limiting example, when the operator starts 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.

[0065] The programming procedure Pr1 includes the non-limiting additional steps that are based on Fig. 2 are illustrated.

[0066] In a non-limiting embodiment (branch B referring to Fig. 2), the programming method Pr1 comprises, before any replacement of pneumatic tires 2 and therefore pressure sensors 1 in the vehicle 3, for each pressure sensor 1, the execution of the steps of activation E10, reception of the at least one signal s1, E12, determination of the current position i2, E14, and for each pressure sensor 1: - a step E14', illustrated F14'(4, i1-i2, bdd(i1'-i2')), of comparing the identifier i1 and the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 of the vehicle 3 with all the pairs i1'-i2' 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.

[0067] This makes it possible to have or create an updated database bdd and therefore to have a database bdd that corresponds to reality.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The database bdd is relative to the pressure sensors 1 mounted in different vehicles 3.

[0071] In one non-limiting embodiment, the pair i1'-i2' is stored in the database depending on a criterion ct. In one non-limiting embodiment, 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.

[0072] As a non-limiting example, the configuration of pneumatic tires 2 is a single or double tire configuration.

[0073] 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 the vehicle identification number (VIN), written, for example, on a door of the truck 3, via the keyboard 47 of the programming device 4 to allow the latter to start the search. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle identification number (VIN) is the chassis number of the vehicle 3.

[0074] Thanks to the programming procedure Pr1, the new sensor 1 of the new pneumatic tire 2 can be recognized by the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3, thanks to its identifier i1 thus programmed, when the latter queries it to determine the state of the pneumatic tire 2 in which it is housed.

[0075] The programming method Pr1 is therefore carried out by a programming device 4 for pressure sensor 1 for electronic control system of the pressure of a pneumatic tire 2 of a vehicle 3. The programming device 4 is described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 described.

[0076] 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.

[0077] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 comprises: - an activation module 41, - a receiving module 43, - an electronic unit 45.

[0078] These different elements are described in detail below.

[0079] The activation module 41 is 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 embodiment, 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.

[0080] The activation module 41 is configured to create a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and comprises an antenna 410 (on the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4), which 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.

[0081] 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 the keyboard 47 located on Fig. 4 as a 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'.

[0082] 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 the programmable pressure sensors 1 compatible with the vehicle 3.

[0083] The receiving module 43 is configured to receive at least one signal s1 from the pressure sensor 1 and following its activation (illustrated function f430(43, 1, s1)). Following the activation signal s0, the pressure sensor 1 sends back the at least one signal s1, in particular to indicate that it is active, i.e., awake, and ready to be programmed. 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.

[0084] The electronic entity 45 is configured to: - Determining the current position i2 in the vehicle 3 of the activated pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f450(45, 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')), - Programming of pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier i1' (illustrated function f453(45, 1, i1)).

[0085] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is, in non-limiting examples, a processor with a memory.

[0086] 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)).

[0087] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - Compare the identifier i1 and the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 of the vehicle 3 with all the pairs i1'-i2' stored in the database bdd (illustrated functions 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)).

[0088] 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.

[0089] As on Fig. 3, the programming device 4 also comprises a battery 46.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] It should be noted that the implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, and E18 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 described above according to the performed embodiments is also performed using the microprogrammed "software" device, hard-wired logic, and / or electronic "hardware" components.

[0093] 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 and E18 and, where appropriate, steps E14' and E14'' and / or step E15.

[0094] 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.

[0095] In the non-limiting example of Fig. 3, a computer program Pg is written into the memory 44 of the programming device 4.

[0096] 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 and E18.

[0097] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are also steps E14' and E14'' and / or step E15.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] As can be understood, the programming method Pr1 can therefore be used by an operator when maintenance of the truck 3 is carried out and in particular for replacing the pneumatic tires 2 of the truck 3 with the new pneumatic tires 2 integrating the new pressure sensors 1. 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 replacement of at least one pneumatic tire 2 in the vehicle 3 with a new pneumatic tire 2, - in a second step E31, F31(Pr1) illustrated an execution of the programming procedure Pr1.

[0103] It should therefore be noted that it is the operator who replaces the pneumatic tire(s) 2 who reprograms the pressure sensor(s) 1 of the pneumatic tire(s) 2 using the programming device 4.

[0104] 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.

[0105] The invention described therefore has the following advantages in particular: - it allows an identifier i1, which is recognizable by the on-board computer 30 of the vehicle 3, to be reassigned to a current position of a new 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 communicate with a pressure sensor 1 even after replacing the pneumatic tire 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) following the activation; (c) - an electronic entity configured to: - Determining a current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of the activated pressure sensor (1), - 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), - Carrying out a programming 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 electronic entity (45) is further configured to search the database (bdd) for a criterion (ct) before activating the pressure sensor (1), depending on which criterion the pair (i1'-i2') is stored in the database (bdd). [3] A computer program product (Pg) comprising one or more instruction sequences 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 (1); - receiving at least one signal (s1) emitted by the at least one pressure sensor (1) following activation; - Determining the current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of the at least one activated pressure sensor (1); - a search in a database (bdd) for a pair (i1'-i2') of stored identifier-stored position whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of the pressure sensor (1), - programming of the at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1').]

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