Facilitated monitoring of the position of an accelerator pedal for vehicle homologation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for homologating a motor vehicle based on a test measurement obtained for a target position of an accelerator pedal on which a marker is arranged. A camera is capable of detecting a movement of the marker. The method comprises receiving (313) at least one image acquired by the image acquisition device comprising the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal, and synchronously receiving (314) at least one test measurement. From a position of the marker in the at least one image, the position of the accelerator pedal is determined (315) and compared (316) with the target position defined by the homologation criterion. According to a result of the comparison, the method comprises validating (320) the test situation and processing (321) the test measurement on the basis of the homologation criterion in order to homologate the vehicle or not.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Easy control of the position of an accelerator pedal for vehicle approval

[0003]

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2209966 filed on 09 / 30 / 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention belongs to the field of approval of motor vehicles prior to their putting into circulation.

[0004] [2]It is particularly advantageous in the context of approval tests, for example for pass-by noise, in order to ensure that the vehicle put into circulation is below a regulatory threshold.

[0005] [3] “Vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle, a moped, a motorcycle, a storage robot in a warehouse, etc.

[0006] [4]Some of the pass-by noise test procedures impose certain predefined test driving situations, such as:

[0007] - cruising speed at a given speed, for example 50 km / h;

[0008] - acceleration with full throttle opening, also called maximum acceleration or "full throttle", from a given speed, in particular 50 km / h. Such acceleration may be conditioned by the fact that it does not exceed a maximum value, for example 2m / s 2 . In case of excess, in order to limit acceleration below this threshold, a mechanical device, such as a shim, can be used to limit the travel of the accelerator pedal or software can be provided to limit acceleration.

[0009] [5]In these situations, test measurements are carried out, particularly of noise, in order to verify that these measurements remain below regulatory thresholds.

[0010] [6]Some regulatory / approval procedures provide for the use of around fifteen test situations randomly determined by a test team responsible for approval. The test situations may differ in particular by the percentage of maximum acceleration of the vehicle for which test measurements are carried out.

[0011] [7]In order to know the path of the accelerator pedal while test measurements are being carried out, CAN bus data can be recorded, or INCA data.

[0012] [8]However, CAN bus data only provides estimates of the accelerator pedal travel, and recording it synchronously with test measurements on a test device requires a large number of channels, which are not always available.

[0013] [9]INCA data are also estimates and cannot be recorded synchronously with test measurements.

[0014]

[0010] Thus, to control the travel of the accelerator pedal so that it precisely reaches the maximum acceleration percentage imposed by the test situation, a mechanical device or a software limitation solution must be designed for each vehicle and for each test situation.

[0015] [1 l]Thus, existing solutions for limiting the travel of an accelerator pedal in the context of a vehicle approval procedure have the following disadvantages:

[0016] - CAN bus data only provides an estimate of the percentage of maximum acceleration, and recording it synchronously with test measurements requires a large number of channels;

[0017] - INCA data only provides an estimate of the percentage of maximum acceleration, and their synchronous recording with test measurements is not possible;

[0018] - the use of a mechanical device requires a lot of time, since it is necessary to make a shim corresponding to the percentage of maximum acceleration, then position it precisely under the accelerator pedal;

[0019] - developing software per vehicle requires a team dedicated to each vehicle to be approved, a solution that is both costly and time-consuming.

[0020]

[0012] There is thus a need to facilitate the achievement of a maximum acceleration percentage of an accelerator pedal within the framework of a vehicle approval procedure, in a precise, inexpensive and time-consuming manner.

[0021]

[0013] The present invention improves the situation.

[0022]

[0014] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for approving a motor vehicle, at least one approval criterion being based on a test measurement in a test situation defining at least one target position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, in which a marker is arranged on the accelerator pedal and in which an image acquisition module is capable of detecting a movement of said marker, the method comprising a current phase comprising the following steps:

[0023] - receiving at least one image acquired by the image acquisition device comprising the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal;

[0024] - receiving at least one test measurement synchronously with the acquisition of said at least one image;

[0025] - determining from the position of the marker in said at least one image, the position of the accelerator pedal;

[0026] - comparison of the position of the accelerator pedal with the target position defined by the approval criterion;

[0027] - depending on a result of said comparison, validation of the test situation and processing of said at least one test measurement depending on the approval criterion for approving or not approving the vehicle.

[0028]

[0015] Thus, it is possible to determine whether the target position is reached, and, consequently, whether the test measurement has been acquired in the test situation and whether the approval criterion can be verified or not. Such a determination only requires installing a camera and a marker in the vehicle to be approved. The method can then be simply repeated for different target values, without having to modify a mechanical device or develop software dedicated to the vehicle to be approved. Furthermore, in the case of a series of several approval criteria with several respective target positions, a time saving proportional to the number of target positions is ensured compared to the solutions of the prior art.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the test situation is validated only if a difference between the position of the accelerator pedal and the target position is less than a given threshold.

[0029]

[0017] Thus, a tolerance can be applied to the position of the accelerator pedal, the given threshold being able to be configured by a technical team in charge of the test.

[0030]

[0018] Other criteria may be taken into account to validate the test situation. For example, it may be required to maintain the deviation below the given threshold during a predefined given period.

[0031]

[0019] According to some embodiments, the current phase may further comprise a display of a visual indicator based on the determined accelerator pedal position, the visual indicator being displayed with a target indicator corresponding to the target position.

[0032]

[0020] It is thus made possible to correct the pressure on the accelerator pedal when the deviation from the target position is too great. The precision and speed of the approval procedure are thus improved.

[0033]

[0021] Additionally, the determination of the position of the accelerator pedal and the comparison with the target position can be implemented by a data processing device, and the visual indicator and the target indicator can be displayed on a screen of said data processing device.

[0034]

[0022] Thus, the data processing device can implement all of the steps of the method, and can advantageously be handled by a technical team in charge of approval.

[0035]

[0023] Alternatively, the determination of the position of the accelerator pedal and the comparison with the target position may be implemented by a data processing device, and the visual indicator and the target indicator may be displayed on a screen external to the data processing device.

[0036]

[0024] Thus, the external screen can advantageously be positioned in a position different from that of the data processing device, in particular inside the vehicle, in order to allow the driver to directly correct the pressure on the accelerator pedal when the difference with the target position is too great.

[0025] In addition or as a variant, the method can comprise the emission of an audible signal as a function of a difference between the position of the accelerator pedal and the target position.

[0037]

[0026] Correction of the pressure on the accelerator pedal is thus facilitated and can be ensured with great responsiveness, which makes it possible to shorten the approval procedure.

[0038]

[0027] According to certain embodiments, the method may comprise a preliminary phase comprising the following steps:

[0039] - receiving a first image identifying the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal when it is in a rest position;

[0040] - receiving a second image identifying the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal, when it is in a maximum acceleration position.

[0041] The target position can be an intermediate position between the rest position and the maximum acceleration position.

[0042]

[0028] It is thus made possible to calibrate the approval system simply and only once for the entire approval procedure.

[0043]

[0029] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0044]

[0030] A third aspect of the invention relates to a data processing device for the approval of a motor vehicle, the device comprising:

[0045] - a first interface capable of receiving at least one image acquired by an image acquisition device, said image identifying a marker arranged on an accelerator pedal of the vehicle;

[0046] - a second interface capable of receiving at least one test measurement synchronously with the acquisition of said at least one image;

[0047] - a processor capable of determining, from the position of the marker in said at least one image, the position of the accelerator pedal; comparing the position of the accelerator pedal with a target position defined by a test situation associated with an approval criterion; depending on a result of said comparison, validating the test situation and processing said at least one test measurement depending on the approval criterion to approve or not the vehicle.

[0048]

[0031] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a data approval system comprising a data processing device according to the third aspect of the invention, an image acquisition module capable of acquiring said at least one image and a marker arranged on the accelerator pedal of the vehicle, in the field of the image acquisition module.

[0049]

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings in which:

[0050]

[0033] [Fig 1] illustrates a system for approving a motor vehicle according to certain embodiments of the invention;

[0051]

[0034] [Fig 2] illustrates a marker of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle certification system according to certain embodiments of the invention;

[0052]

[0035] [Fig 3] is a diagram illustrating a method of approving a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0053]

[0036] [Fig 4] illustrates the structure of a data processing device according to certain embodiments of the invention.

[0054]

[0037] Figure 1 shows a system for approving a motor vehicle 100 according to certain embodiments of the invention.

[0055]

[0038] In particular, the approval is based on at least one test situation which defines a target percentage, or a target fraction, of the maximum travel of an accelerator pedal, or an interval centered around such a target percentage or such a target fraction.

[0056]

[0039] Equivalently, the test situation may define a target percentage of maximum acceleration, or an interval around a target percentage of maximum acceleration. This target percentage of maximum acceleration corresponds bijectively to a target percentage of the maximum travel of the accelerator pedal 101, although the function that connects them is not linear.

[0057]

[0040] The test situation may thus require the accelerator pedal to be held in a target position or in a range of positions around the target position, the distance between the rest position and the target position corresponding to the target percentage of the maximum distance. Each test situation may further define a given distance of the vehicle on a test track, for example between a starting position of the test and a finishing position of the test.

[0058]

[0041] With reference to Figure 2, the accelerator pedal 101 can in fact vary between a rest position 201.1, when no pressure is applied to it by a driver, corresponding to zero acceleration, and a maximum acceleration position 201.2, when the driver presses the pedal so that it pivots or translates to an extreme position beyond which the pedal can no longer go. Such an extreme position may, on certain vehicles, correspond to a position just before a kickdown downshift.

[0059]

[0042] The path 202.1 between the rest position 201.1 and the maximum acceleration position 201.2 is thus the maximum path of the accelerator pedal 101.

[0060]

[0043] A target position 201.3 is thus strictly between the rest position

[0061] 201.1 and the maximum acceleration position 201.2, and it defines a target course

[0062] 202.2 from the rest position 201.1, corresponding to a target fraction or a target percentage of the maximum course 202.1.

[0063]

[0044] Referring again to Figure 1, the approval system may comprise a marker 102 arranged on the accelerator pedal 101, preferably on a lateral surface, substantially vertical, so that the translational or rotational path of the accelerator pedal can be determined by detecting the trajectory of the marker 102. For example, if the pedal makes a rotational path around a horizontal Y axis, the marker is preferably arranged on a surface along a vertical plane normal to the Y axis, in particular on a lateral surface of the pedal, which is not covered by the driver's foot when pressing the accelerator pedal 101.

[0064]

[0045] No restrictions are attached to the marker or to the manner in which the marker 102 is attached to the accelerator pedal 101. For example, the marker 102 may be a paper or plastic based sticker. Advantageously, the marker 102 is of a color that contrasts significantly with the color of the accelerator pedal 101. If the accelerator pedal 101 is black, the marker 102 may advantageously be white. Alternatively, the marker 102 is an identifiable part of the accelerator pedal 101, already forming part of the accelerator pedal 101, and requiring no addition. For example, the accelerator pedal 101 may include a mark or marking of a different color from the rest of the accelerator pedal and which can be identified.

[0065]

[0046] The system may further comprise an image acquisition device 103 such as a camera or preferably a video camera. In the following, the example of a camera 103 is used to simplify the description.

[0066]

[0047] The camera 103 is arranged inside the vehicle so as to acquire still images or preferably videos comprising the marker 102. The marker 102 is thus in the field of the camera 103 which is preferentially positioned near the accelerator pedal 101, under the steering wheel near the floor of the vehicle 100 for example. No restriction is attached to the resolution of the camera 103, which must at least be capable of identifying the position of the marker 102.

[0067]

[0048] The approval system may further comprise a data processing device 104, such as a computer, a laptop, a touchscreen tablet, or more generally any device having a memory, a data processing unit and a human-machine interface for interacting with a user. In the following, it is considered, for illustrative purposes only, that the device 104 is a laptop. It may for example be a laptop with an Intel™ i5 or i7 microprocessor, in which software capable of implementing some of the steps of the method according to the invention has been downloaded and installed, and which makes it possible to follow visually or by audio feedback, the path of the accelerator pedal 101, as will be better understood upon reading what follows.

[0068]

[0049] The computer 104 is thus able to communicate and exchange data with the camera 103, in particular via a communication interface 108, preferably wireless. The communication interface 108 can be integrated into the camera 103. The communication interface 108 can be of the Wifi or Bluetooth type for example.

[0050] The computer 104 can, according to certain embodiments of the invention, display images or a video stream comprising a visual indicator identifying the position of the accelerator pedal 101, and identifying the target position or the target path. It is thus possible for a technical team to visualize, for example in real time, the position of the accelerator pedal 101, which allows them to indicate instructions to the driver.Alternatively, the data processing device 104 is installed directly in the vehicle 100 so that the driver can directly monitor in real time the position of the accelerator pedal 101, and in particular its deviation from the target position. The image or video stream displayed may further comprise information indicating whether the deviation between the target position 201.3 and the position of the accelerator pedal 101 is less than a given threshold or not. Such information may correspond to a given color, in order to facilitate its understanding by the driver of the vehicle 100. Such information may be binary. For example, a green pictogram may be displayed when the deviation is less than the given threshold, and a red pictogram may be displayed when the deviation is greater than the given threshold.Alternatively, such information can take three values: a first value when the deviation is less than the given threshold, a second value when the deviation is greater than the given threshold and the position of the accelerator pedal 101 is closer to the rest position than the target position, and a third value when the deviation is greater than the given threshold and the position of the accelerator pedal 101 is less close to the rest position than the target position. Thus, a dedicated color can correspond to each of these three values.

[0069]

[0051] As a variant or in addition, the computer 104 can indicate the aforementioned information audibly, either via a loudspeaker of the computer 104, or via a loudspeaker of a human-machine interface of the vehicle 100, when the computer 104 can communicate with the ECU 107 described below.

[0070]

[0052] The vehicle 100 comprises a control unit 107 of the vehicle 100, such as a centralized control unit of the ECU type, for “Electronic Control Unit” in English. The ECU 107 can also exchange data with the computer 104 according to certain embodiments of the invention, in particular in order to provide test measurements in synchronization with the data transmitted from the camera 103 to the computer 104.

[0071]

[0053] The vehicle 100 may further comprise its own human machine interface, or HMI, 106 capable of transmitting data unidirectionally to the driver of the vehicle, or, preferably, of exchanging data bidirectionally with the driver. No restriction is attached to the HMI 106 of the vehicle 100 which may comprise a screen, such as a touch screen, a set of one or more buttons, a speaker, a microphone, a steering wheel vibration system, etc.

[0072]

[0054] The approval system may further comprise a screen 105 external to the data processing device 104, which is functionally connected to the data processing device 104, by a wired connection or preferably by a wireless connection. As will be better understood from reading what follows, the data processing device 104 may transmit images or a video stream comprising a visual indicator identifying the position of the accelerator pedal 101, and identifying the target position or the target path. The transmitted video stream may in particular identify, in real time, the position of the accelerator pedal 1, which is displayed on the screen 105. The external screen 105 may thus be advantageously installed in the motor vehicle 100 so as to allow the driver to follow the path of the accelerator pedal 101 and thus facilitate the achievement of the target position 201.3 or the target path 202.2 by the driver.The external screen 105 can in particular be installed on the dashboard or on the driver's windshield, so as to allow the driver to follow the path of the accelerator pedal 101 while concentrating on other driving maneuvers, changing gears, turning the steering wheel, and observing the driving situation in front of the vehicle 100.

[0073]

[0055] The system may further comprise a light device 109 capable of illuminating the accelerator pedal 101, and in particular the surface of the accelerator pedal 101 comprising the marker 102, so as to facilitate the identification and tracking of the marker 102 in the image(s) acquired by the camera 103.

[0056] Figure 3 is a diagram which illustrates the steps of a method for approving a vehicle according to certain embodiments of the invention.

[0074]

[0057] The method may comprise a preliminary phase 300 comprising the following steps 301 to 303.

[0075]

[0058] In a step 301, the marker 102 is arranged on the accelerator pedal 101 of the vehicle 100 to be approved and the camera 103 is installed in the vehicle 100, as well as optionally the associated communication interface 108, as described previously. In addition, the light device 109 can also be installed inside the vehicle. A wireless communication link can also be established between the computer 104 and the camera 103, in particular via the communication module 108.

[0076]

[0059] At a step 302, a first image identifying the marker 102 arranged on the accelerator pedal 101 when it is in the rest position 201.1, is received by the computer 104 from the camera 103. To acquire such a first image, an instruction can be given to the driver not to press the accelerator pedal 101. The computer can thus store a correspondence between the position of the marker in the first image and the rest position

[0077] 201.1 of the accelerator pedal 101.

[0078]

[0060] At a step 303, a second image identifying the marker 102 arranged on the accelerator pedal 101, when it is in the maximum acceleration position 201.2, is received by the computer 104 from the camera 103. To acquire such a second image, an instruction may be given to the driver to press the accelerator pedal 101 as hard as possible, without however exceeding the maximum position 201.2 and reaching the kickdown position. The computer 104 may thus store a correspondence between the position of the marker 102 in the second image and the maximum acceleration position.

[0079] 201.2 of the accelerator pedal 101.

[0080]

[0061] Steps 302 and 303 thus make it possible to calibrate the approval system in order to be able to detect in the images the position of the accelerator pedal 101 and to be able to compare it with the target position.

[0062] The method further comprises a current phase 310 which may comprise steps 311 to 324 described below.

[0081]

[0063] In a step 311, an operator can define at least one approval criterion based on at least one test measurement obtained in a given test situation, defining in particular a target position 201.3 of the accelerator pedal, or a target path of the accelerator pedal, as well as a given path of the vehicle. The given path of the vehicle can be a predetermined path, for example a straight line or curve over several tens of meters, for example over 20 meters. The given path can define a starting position and an arrival position of the vehicle. As mentioned previously, several criteria can thus be defined, for several target positions determined randomly or not. The vehicle 100 must thus validate each of these criteria to be approved. No restriction is attached to the test measurement, which can be a sound intensity measurement for example.The approval criterion may thus define a test threshold below which the sound intensity measurement must be lower for the given target position 201.3, to approve the vehicle. Such sound measurements may be acquired by a microphone, or a system of microphones, connected to another computer not shown, such as a computer in a control room. Other test measurements may be provided alternatively or in addition, such as engine measurements obtained by the ECU 107 and transmitted to the computer 104 for example or to the computer in the control room.

[0082]

[0064] At a step 312, the approval begins with a first approval criterion corresponding to a first test situation defining a first target position, or a first target path of the accelerator pedal 101. The software stored and executed on the computer 104 can then be configured with the first target position. The first test of the approval procedure then begins.

[0083]

[0065] The driver then brings the vehicle into the starting position of the given vehicle route to begin the test. The first test begins once the vehicle reaches the starting position.

[0066] At a step 313, an image is received by the computer 104 from the camera 103. In parallel, and synchronously, one or more test measurements are received by the computer 104 at a step 314.

[0084]

[0067] In a step 315, at least one position of the accelerator pedal 101 is determined by the computer 104, in real time, from a position of the marker 102 in the received image.

[0085]

[0068] In a step 316, the position of the accelerator pedal 101 is compared with the first target position. In particular, step 316 may comprise determining a difference between the position of the accelerator pedal 101 and the first target position.

[0086]

[0069] In a step 317, a visual indicator representative of the position of the accelerator pedal 101 may be displayed on the computer 104 or on the external screen 105, with the indicator of the target position. In addition, the information, binary or three-level, indicating whether the deviation is less than the given threshold may be displayed. In addition to or as a variant of step 317, an audible signal may be produced to indicate whether the deviation is less than the given threshold. Such an audible signal may be produced by the computer 104, or may be transmitted by the computer 104 to the ECU 107 for broadcast by the HMI 106 of the vehicle 100.

[0087]

[0070] In a step 318, it is determined, by the computer 104 or by an operator, whether the given route of the vehicle is completed, that is to say whether the vehicle has reached the arrival position of the given route of the vehicle.

[0088]

[0071] If this is not the case, the first test continues, the method moves to a step 319 during which the driver can adapt the pressure on the accelerator pedal according to the comparison of step 316 and the indicators displayed in step 317. The first test then continues continuously, and a new image is received from the camera in step 313 to continue the method. It will be understood that the driver is not able to adapt the pressure at each image reception of step 313, but, in practice, after several iterations of the method and several repetitions of steps 313 to 319. Indeed, in a video stream, more than 20 images are acquired per second and the driver cannot adapt the pressure at each image reception. In the event that the data displayed in step 317 indicates that the position of the accelerator pedal is sufficiently close to the target position, the adaptation step 319 may consist of maintaining the support for the driver.Otherwise, the driver presses harder or less hard to readjust the position of the accelerator pedal and thus enable validation of the first test situation.

[0089]

[0072] It will thus be understood that the succession of steps 313 and 315 to 319 are implemented in real time, and that these steps are iterated continuously for each image of the video stream acquired by the camera 103, until the given route of the vehicle is completed when the vehicle reaches the arrival position.

[0090]

[0073] When it is determined in step 318 that the given route of the vehicle is completed, the computer 104 determines in a step 320 whether the first test situation is validated or not. Such a decision may be based on the fact that the position of the accelerator pedal 104 was kept close to the target position for a sufficient time during the first test, or on the fact that the target route of the accelerator pedal corresponding to the first test was achieved. In particular, when the deviation is less than a given threshold over a given duration, it may be considered that the test measurements of step 314 were carried out under the conditions provided for by the first approval criterion, the first test situation is validated and the first test is thus completed. The method then proceeds to step 321.

[0091]

[0074] In the case where the first test situation is validated in step 320, the test measurement(s) acquired in step 314 may be processed in a step 321 as a function of the first approval criterion to approve or not approve the vehicle. In particular, the test measurement may be compared to the test threshold, and an approval decision may be taken as a function of this comparison. When several test criteria have been defined in step 311, the approval decision may take into account several comparisons of step 321, the current phase 310 of the method 300 being iterated as described below. The processing of step 321 is thus implemented only if the first test is considered to be completed, that is to say that the test measurements obtained in step 314 have been carried out in the test situation associated with the first approval criterion.The implementation of step 321 is therefore dependent on the comparison results of step 316 obtained for the different images.

[0092]

[0075] If the first test is not validated at step 320, the driver must repeat the first test and the method returns to steps 313 and 314.

[0093]

[0076] In a step 322 following step 321, it is determined by the computer 104 or by the approval team whether approval criteria other than the first approval criterion have been defined in step 311. If this is the case, a second approval criterion is considered in step 324, and the software executed on the computer 104 is configured according to a second test situation identifying a second target position, or a second target path, associated with the second approval criterion. Steps 313 and following are thus iterated for the second target position or for the second target path. If no other approval criterion has been defined in step 311, the method ends in step 323.

[0094]

[0077] Step 321 is shown as being performed before step 322 in Figure 3. Thus, for each validated test, a partial approval decision can be obtained at step 321, a final approval decision being obtained when all the tests have been performed. Alternatively, a single decision is made at step 322, after all the tests have been performed, and in this case step 321 takes place between steps 322 and 323.

[0095]

[0078] The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous when several tests in several target positions must be carried out successively. Indeed, the solutions of the prior art providing for example the use of a shim dedicated to each target position, require a calibration of the approval system for each test. On the other hand, according to the invention, once the camera and the marker are installed, the transition from one test situation to another, therefore from one approval criterion to another, only requires redefining the target position on the computer 104, which is much faster than the solutions of the prior art.

[0096]

[0079] Figure 4 shows the structure of a data processing device 104 according to certain embodiments of the invention.

[0080] As indicated above, the data processing device 104 is preferably a computer, such as a laptop computer.

[0097]

[0081] The device 104 comprises a processor 401 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 402 such as a memory of the “Random Access Memory” type, RAM, or a memory of the “Read Only Memory” type, ROM, or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 402 may comprise several memories of the aforementioned types.

[0098]

[0082] The memory 402 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of the method according to the invention illustrated with reference to FIG. 3. In particular, the memory 402 may be capable of storing, during step 202, at least temporarily, the images from the camera 103, the test measurements, the rest position 201.1 and the maximum acceleration position 201.2, the target positions and / or the target paths.

[0099]

[0083] The target positions and target paths may be indicated by a user via a human machine interface, HMI, 406 of the device 104.

[0100]

[0084] No restriction is attached to the HMI 406 which preferably comprises a screen, which may be touch-sensitive, and a keyboard. Alternatively, the HMI 406 may comprise keys, a microphone associated with a voice recognition module, a vibration system, or any other user interface.

[0101]

[0085] The processor 401 is capable of executing instructions, stored in the memory 402, for the implementation of the steps of the current phase 310, with the exception of step 319 implemented by the driver, as well as steps 301 and 302 of the prior phase 300, of the method according to the invention, described with reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively, the processor 401 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to carry out the aforementioned steps of the method according to the invention.

[0102]

[0086] The device 104 may further comprise a first interface 403 capable of receiving images, series of images or video streams from the camera 103, in particular at steps 302, 303 and 313 described previously.

[0087] The device 104 may further comprise a second interface 404 capable of receiving test measurements at step 314 described previously, in particular from sensors to which the device is connected, from a microphone of the device 104, from the ECU 107 of the vehicle 100 or from other sensors not shown in the figures.

[0103]

[0088] The device 104 may further comprise a third interface 405 capable of transmitting data to the external screen 105, in particular to enable the external screen to display the visual indicators described previously, as well as the difference between the position of the accelerator pedal 101 and the target position.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for approving a motor vehicle (100), at least one approval criterion being based on a test measurement obtained for a test situation defining at least one target position (201.3) of an accelerator pedal (101) of the vehicle, in which a marker (102) is arranged on the accelerator pedal and in which an image acquisition device (103) is capable of detecting a movement of said marker, the method comprising a current phase comprising the following steps: - receiving (313) at least one image acquired by the image acquisition device comprising the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal; - receiving (314) at least one test measurement synchronously with the acquisition of said at least one image; - determination (315) from a position of the marker in said at least one image, of the position of the accelerator pedal; - comparison (316) of the position of the accelerator pedal with the target position defined by the approval criterion; - depending on a result of said comparison, validation (320) of the test situation and processing (321) of said at least one test measurement depending on the approval criterion for approving or not approving the vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the test situation is validated only if a difference between the position of the accelerator pedal (101) and the target position (201.3) is less than a given threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising displaying (317) a visual indicator as a function of the determined accelerator pedal (101) position, the visual indicator being displayed with a target indicator corresponding to the target position (201.3).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the determination (315) of the position of the accelerator pedal (101) and the comparison (316) with the target position (201.3) are implemented by a data processing device (104), and wherein the visual indicator and the target indicator are displayed (317) on a screen (406) of said data processing device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the determination (315) of the position of the accelerator pedal (101) and the comparison with the target position are implemented by a data processing device (104), and wherein the visual indicator and the target indicator are displayed (317) on a screen (105) external to the data processing device.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the emission (317) of an audible signal as a function of a deviation between the position of the accelerator pedal and the target position (201.3).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the method comprises a preliminary phase (300) comprising the following steps: - receiving (302) a first image identifying the marker (102) arranged on the accelerator pedal (101) when it is in a rest position (201.1); - receiving (303) a second image identifying the marker arranged on the accelerator pedal, when it is in a maximum acceleration position (201.2); wherein the target position is an intermediate position between the rest position and the maximum acceleration position.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (401).

9. Data processing device (104) for the approval of a motor vehicle (100), the device comprising: - a first interface (403) capable of receiving at least one image acquired by an image acquisition device (103), said image identifying a marker (102) arranged on an accelerator pedal (101) of the vehicle; - a second interface (404) capable of receiving at least one test measurement synchronously with the acquisition of said at least one image; - a processor (401) configured to: determine, from the position of the marker in said at least one image, the position of the accelerator pedal; compare the position of the accelerator pedal with a target position (201.3) defined by a test situation associated with an approval criterion; depending on a result of said comparison, validate the test situation and process said at least one test measurement depending on the approval criterion to approve or not the vehicle.

10. A data approval system comprising a data processing device (104) according to claim 9, a device image acquisition module (103) capable of acquiring said at least one image and a marker (102) arranged on the accelerator pedal of the vehicle, in the field of the image acquisition module.

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