Method for managing the states of a plurality of switches in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the states of a plurality of switches in a motor vehicle, comprising in particular the steps of: in a so-called "standby" mode in which the electronic control unit is by default in its standby state, detection (E1) of the wake-up state of a first switch on at least one of the inputs, transition (E2) of the electronic control unit from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch, when a problem related to the first switch has been detected, transition (E7) of the electronic control unit into a so-called "scanning" mode in which the electronic control unit periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit reads each input to determine the resting or wake-up state of each switch. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing the states of a plurality of switches in a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly concerns a method for managing the states of a plurality of switches in a motor vehicle as well as an electronic control unit implementing said method. Prior art

[0002] Nowadays, in a motor vehicle, it is known to monitor the wake-up states of different switches of the vehicle using an electronic control unit, each switch to be monitored being electrically connected to an input of said electronic control unit. It is known, for example, to monitor the electrical contact state of the contactors of the opening elements to monitor their closing or opening or the depression state of the pedals, in particular the brake pedal.

[0003] This monitoring consists of periodically reading the voltage on each input corresponding to a switch to be monitored. In other words, in this so-called "scanning" mode, the electronic control unit periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit reads each input to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch.

[0004] However, such readings force the microcontroller of the electronic control unit to periodically activate all the input stages using an internal counter, to wait for their state to stabilize and then to acquire the inputs through an internal analog-digital converter or a comparator internal to the microcontroller.

[0005] The activation period of the electronic control unit is generally between 75 and 100 ms in order to allow the electronic control unit to quickly activate functions associated with the waking up of one or more switches of the vehicle.

[0006] Also, regular activation of the electronic control unit results in a significant consumption of current from the vehicle battery, which contributes significantly to the discharge of the vehicle battery, particularly when the vehicle is stationary without the possibility of recharging the battery, and therefore presents significant disadvantages.

[0007] The invention therefore aims to provide a simple, reliable and effective solution making it possible to remedy at least in part these drawbacks. Statement of the invention

[0008] To this end, the invention firstly relates to a method for managing the states of a plurality of switches in a motor vehicle, said vehicle comprising at least one electronic control unit comprising a plurality of inputs, each switch being electrically connected to an input of the electronic control unit in order to determine the state, wake-up or rest, of said switch, said electronic control unit being configured to operate in a standby state or in an active state, said method, implemented by the electronic control unit, comprising the steps of, all of the switches being previously in a rest state: - in a so-called “standby” mode in which the electronic control unit is by default in its standby state, detection of the wake-up state of a first switch on at least one of the inputs, - switching the electronic control unit from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch, - identification, in the active state, of the input corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch, - waiting, for a first predetermined period, for a user action on the vehicle, - when a user action has been detected during the first predetermined duration, implementation of at least one command associated with said action, detection of the return to the rest state of all the switches once the command has been carried out and switching to the standby state so as to return to standby mode, - in the absence of user action during the first predetermined duration, detection of a problem linked to the first switch and transition to a so-called "scanning" mode in which the electronic control unit periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit reads each input (except the input of the switch for which a problem has been detected) to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch, - when the wake-up state of a second switch has been detected on at least one of the inputs during the active state of the electronic control unit in scanning mode, implementation of at least one command associated with said second switch, detection of the return to the rest state of all the switches and switching to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

[0009] In the method according to the invention, the standby mode is a very low consumption mode of the electronic control unit because said electronic control unit is in its standby state when all the switches are in the rest state, that is to say most of the time, in particular when the vehicle is stopped, and in its active state only when a switch is in the wake-up state. The scanning mode corresponds to the operating mode of the electronic control units of the prior art but it is only activated when a problem is detected on one of the switches which then remains in the wake-up state, in order to avoid in this case the electronic control unit remaining in the standby mode in which the electronic control unit would be in the active state permanently and therefore would consume such a quantity of electrical energy that it would discharge the battery quickly.

[0010] An obvious solution would have been to increase the activation period of the electronic control unit to consume less current, but it is agreed that this period must generally be less than 250 ms in order to allow the electronic control unit to react sufficiently quickly to the awakening of one or more switches of the vehicle.

[0011] Preferably, the detection of the wake-up state of the first switch is carried out by detecting a voltage change on one of the inputs.

[0012] More preferably, the detection of the transition of the at least one second switch to the wake-up state is carried out by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs.

[0013] Advantageously, the method comprises the detected problem corresponding to a failure of the first switch or to a blocking of the first switch in its wake-up state beyond the first predetermined duration. In other words, a problem linked to the first switch may be a failure of the switch which remains blocked in the wake-up state or else an unusual use of the switch, for example a half-open door which leaves the door contactor in the wake-up state for an abnormally long duration.

[0014] The invention also relates to a computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement a method as presented previously.

[0015] The invention also relates to an electronic control unit for a motor vehicle, said vehicle comprising a plurality of switches, said electronic control unit comprising a plurality of inputs, each configured to be electrically connected to a switch of the plurality of switches in order to determine the state, wake-up or rest, of said switch, said electronic control unit being configured to operate in a standby state or in an active state, and for, all of the switches being previously in a rest state: - in a so-called "standby" mode, the electronic control unit being by default in its standby state, detect the wake-up state of a first switch on at least one entrances, - switch from standby state to active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch, - identify, in the active state, the input corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch, - wait, for a first predetermined period, for an action by a user on the vehicle, - when a user action has been detected during the first predetermined duration, implement at least one command associated with said action, detect the return to the rest state of all the switches once the command has been carried out and switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode, - in the absence of user action during the first predetermined duration, detect a problem related to the first switch and switch to a so-called "scanning" mode in which the electronic control unit periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit reads each input to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch, - when the wake-up state of a second switch has been detected on at least one of the inputs during the active state of the electronic control unit in scanning mode, implement at least one command associated with said second switch, detect the return to the rest state of all the switches and switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

[0016] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to detect the transition from the wake-up state of the first switch by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs.

[0017] More preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to detect the transition of the at least one second switch to the wake-up state by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs.

[0018] Advantageously, the electronic control unit is configured to detect a problem corresponding to a failure of the first switch or to a blocking of the first switch in its wake-up state beyond the first predetermined duration.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of switches and an electronic control unit as presented above, each switch being electrically connected to an input of the electronic control unit. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading of the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the attached drawings in which: [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates one embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention. [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0021] A schematic example of a motor vehicle 1 comprising an electronic control unit 10 according to the invention has been shown in [Fig.l].

[0022] The vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of switches 5 to be monitored. Each switch 5 is a switch with two voltage levels, high and low, which each characterize a wake-up state or a rest state of the switch 5. A wake-up state of a switch 5 can be associated either with the low level of the switch 5, or with the high level of the switch 5. Similarly, a rest state of a switch 5 can be associated either with the low level of the switch 5, or with the high level of the switch 5. When the rest state is associated with the low level and the wake-up state is associated with the high level, the switch 5 is said to be “normally open”. When the rest state is associated with the high level and the wake-up state is associated with the low level, the switch 5 is said to be “normally closed”. The vehicle 1 conventionally comprises both types of switches depending on the associated equipment (door switch, brake pedal, etc.).

[0023] The state of the switches 5 defines, for example, a sequence for activating one or more functions of the vehicle 1 or at least allows the electronic control unit 10 to be given information on the state of the vehicle 1.

[0024] For example, the switch 5 of the contactor of a door is by default in the closed state and its opening, once detected by the electronic control unit 10, allows the electronic control unit 10 to trigger the lighting of the passenger compartment and to wait for the command to start the engine, failing which the electronic control unit 10 commands, after a predetermined duration, the extinction of the lighting of the passenger compartment and for example the sending of an alert message to the smartphone of the user of the vehicle 1.

[0025] The electronic control unit 10 comprises a plurality of inputs 110 and a microcontroller 120.

[0026] Each switch 5 is electrically connected to an input 110 in order to determine the state of said switch 5 (wake-up or rest).

[0027] The microcontroller 120 comprises input stages, not shown for the sake of clarity, each connected to an input to enable reading thereof, and a converter analogue-digital (or a comparator), also not shown for clarity.

[0028] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to operate in a standby state, at very low consumption and in which in particular the input stages and the analog-digital converter are deactivated (not supplied with current), or in an active state, in which the input stages and the analog-digital converter are deactivated (supplied with current).

[0029] The electronic control unit 10 operates by default in a so-called “standby” mode, in which the electronic control unit 10 is by default in its standby state.

[0030] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to, with all the switches 5 being previously in a rest state, detect the wake-up state of a first switch 5 on at least one of the inputs 110, for example by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs 110.

[0031] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to switch from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch 5.

[0032] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to identify, in the active state, the input corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch 5.

[0033] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to wait, for a first predetermined duration D1, for a subsequent action by the user. This subsequent action must, in a predefined manner, normally follow the action which triggered the awakening of the first switch 5 in a predefined state machine.

[0034] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to implement at least one CMD command associated with an action detected during the first predetermined duration D1, to detect the return to the rest state of all the switches 5 once the command has been carried out and to switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

[0035] The electronic control unit 10 is configured, in the absence of an action from a user during the first predetermined duration D1, to switch into a so-called “scanning” mode in which the electronic control unit 10 periodically oscillates between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit 10 reads each input 110 (with the exception of the first switch deemed faulty) to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch 5.

[0036] The electronic control unit 10 is configured, when the wake-up state of a second switch 5 has been detected on at least one of the inputs 110 during the active state of the electronic control unit 10 in scanning mode, to implement at least one CMD command associated with said second switch 5, to detect the return to the rest state of all the switches 5 and to switch to the rest state. standby so as to return to standby mode.

[0037] The electronic control unit 10 is configured to, in scanning mode, detect the return to the rest state of all the switches 5 and switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

[0038] The microcontroller 120 is configured to implement a set of instructions for performing these functions.

[0039] An example of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to [Fig.2],

[0040] In a preliminary step E0, all of the switches 5 are previously in a rest state and the electronic control unit 10 is in its standby state (waiting mode).

[0041] In a step E1, the electronic control unit 10 detects the wake-up state of a first switch 5 on at least one of the inputs 110, by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs 110.

[0042] In a step E2, the electronic control unit 10 then switches from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch 5.

[0043] In a step E3, the electronic control unit 10 identifies, while in the active state, the input 110 corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch 5 (i.e. the input 110 connected to the first switch 5).

[0044] In a step E4, the electronic control unit 10 waits, for a first predetermined duration D1, for a subsequent action by the user triggering the transition of at least one second switch 5 to the wake-up state. This detection can be done by detecting a voltage change on one of the inputs 110 corresponding to another switch 5, that is to say other than the input 110 corresponding to the first switch 5 or without modification of the inputs 110, for example coming from a command not linked to the switches 5 but whose activation information is received by the electronic control unit 10 via the communication network of the vehicle 1, in a manner known per se.

[0045] When an action of a user has been detected during the first predetermined duration D1, at least one command CMD associated with said action of the user is implemented in a step E5, then the return to the rest state of all the switches 5 is detected in a step E6 once the command has been carried out, causing the electronic control unit 10 to switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

[0046] In a step E7, in the absence of an action from a user during the first predetermined duration D1, the electronic control unit 10 determines that a problem is linked to the first switch 5 and switches to a so-called “scanning” mode. In this scanning mode, the electronic control unit 10 periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit 10 reads each input 110 (with the exception of the first switch 5 deemed faulty) to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch 5.

[0047] When the wake-up state of a second switch 5 has been detected on at least one of the inputs 110 during the active state of the electronic control unit 10 in scanning mode, the electronic control unit 10 implements, in a step E8, at least one CMD command associated with said second switch 5, then detects, in a step E9, the return to the rest state of all the switches 5, then causing the switch to its standby state, so as to return to standby mode.

[0048] The invention therefore makes it possible to use the electronic control unit 10 in very low consumption operation most of the time, except when a switch 5 goes into the wake-up state. Switching to scanning mode makes it possible to prevent the electronic control unit 10 from remaining in the active state (high energy consumption) when a problem (failure or unusual behavior) is detected on one of the switches, otherwise the electronic control unit 10 would discharge the vehicle battery quickly.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing the states of a plurality of switches (5) in a motor vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising at least one electronic control unit (10) comprising a plurality of inputs (110), each switch (5) being electrically connected to an input (110) of the electronic control unit (10) in order to determine the state, wake-up or rest, of said switch (5), said electronic control unit (10) being configured to operate in a standby state or in an active state, said method, implemented by the electronic control unit (10), comprising the steps of, all of the switches (5) being previously in a rest state: - in a so-called "standby" mode in which the electronic control unit (10) is by default in its standby state, detecting (El) the wake-up state of a first switch (5) on at least one of the inputs (110),- switching (E2) of the electronic control unit (10) from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch (5), - identifying (E3), in the active state, the input (110) corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch (5), - waiting (E4), for a first predetermined duration (D1), for an action by a user on the vehicle (1), - when an action by a user has been detected during the first predetermined duration (D1), implementing (E5) at least one command (CMD) associated with said action, detecting (E6) the return to the rest state of all the switches (5) once the command has been carried out and switching to the standby state so as to return to standby mode, - in the absence of an action by a user during the first predetermined duration (D1),detection of a problem linked to the first switch (5) and passage (E7) into a so-called "scanning" mode in which the electronic control unit (10) periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit (10) reads each input (110) to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch (5), - when the wake-up state of a second switch (5) has been detected on at least one of the inputs (110) during the active state of the unit, electronic control (10) in scanning mode, implementation (E8) of at least one command (CMD) associated with said second switch (5), detection (E9) of the return to the rest state of all the switches (5) and switching to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of the wake-up state of the first switch (5) is performed by detecting a voltage change on one of the inputs (110).

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detection of the transition of the at least one second switch (5) to the wake-up state is carried out by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs (110).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the detected problem corresponds to a failure of the first switch (5) or to a blocking of the first switch (5) in its wake-up state beyond the first predetermined duration (Dl).

5. A computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. Electronic control unit (10) for a motor vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of switches (5), said electronic control unit (10) comprising a plurality of inputs (110), each configured to be electrically connected to a switch (5) of the plurality of switches (5) in order to determine the state, wake-up or rest, of said switch (5), said electronic control unit (10) being configured to operate in a standby state or in an active state, and for, all of the switches (5) being previously in a rest state: - in a so-called "standby" mode, the electronic control unit (10) being by default in its standby state, detecting the wake-up state of a first switch (5) on at least one of the inputs (110), - switching from the standby state to the active state following the detected wake-up state of the first switch (5), - identifying, in the active state,the input corresponding to the detected wake-up state of the first switch (5), - wait, for a first predetermined duration (Dl), for an action by a user on the vehicle (1), - when a user action has been detected during the first predetermined duration (Dl), implement at least one command (CMD) associated with said action, detect the return to the rest state of all the switches (5) once the command has been carried out and switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode, - in the absence of a user action during the first predetermined duration (Dl), detect a problem linked to the first switch (5) and switch to a so-called "scanning" mode in which the electronic control unit (10) periodically switches between its standby state and its active state during which the electronic control unit (10) reads each input (110) to determine the rest state or the wake-up state of each switch (5), - when the wake-up state of a second switch (5) has been detected on at least one of the inputs (110) during the active state of the electronic control unit (10) in standby mode scrutiny,implement at least one command (CMD) associated with said second switch (5), detect the return to the rest state of all the switches (5) and switch to the standby state so as to return to standby mode.,

7. Electronic control unit (10) according to the preceding claim, said electronic control unit (10) being configured to detect the transition to the wake-up state of the first switch (5) by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs (110).

8. Electronic control unit (10) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, said electronic control unit (10) being configured to detect the transition of the at least one second switch (5) to the wake-up state by detecting a change in voltage on one of the inputs (110).

9. Electronic control unit (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, configured to detect a problem corresponding to a failure of the first switch (5) or to a blocking of the first switch (5) in its wake-up state beyond the first predetermined duration (Dl).

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of switches (5) and an electronic control unit (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, each switch (5) being electrically connected to an input (110) of the electronic control unit (10).

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