Method for controlling the power supply of lamps in a motor vehicle, associated device and vehicle.

Abstract

A method for controlling a power supply circuit (120) of a vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Receiving a state data from the vehicle (100), Determining, from the state data of the vehicle (100): A lamp type, An instruction, either to turn on or to turn off, Reading, from a memory, a first value associated with the lamp type in an association table (111), If the first value does not indicate the absence of an output of the associated power supply circuit (120), sending to the power supply circuit (120) an instruction commanding the power supply circuit (120): To power an output (s1, s2, s3) of the power supply circuit (120) identified by the first value, if the instruction is a turn-on instruction, or To cut off the power supply to an output (s1, s2, s3) of the power supply circuit (120) identified by the first value, if the instruction is an extinction instruction.Figure for the abbreviation: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling the power supply of lamps in a motor vehicle, associated device and vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to the power supply of lighting lamps for motor vehicles.

[0002] There is a need to control the power supply of a greater number and variety of motor vehicle lighting lamps.

[0003] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling an electrical power supply circuit (for electric lamps) of a motor vehicle (in other words: of a first motor vehicle) (, implemented in a motor vehicle), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Receiving status data from the motor vehicle (for example, via wireless or wired communication, for example from an electronic component of the motor vehicle), then - Determination, based on the vehicle's status data: - Of a type of lamp (lighting), and - From an instruction, the instruction being either an on / off instruction or a shutdown instruction (in other words: a power cut-off instruction), - Then, reading, from a memory (for example, of the electronic device implementing the process), a first value associated with the type of lamp in a table associating: - Each lamp type in a first (non-empty) set of lamp types (including, for example, at least one lamp type) has a value identifying a (preferably different) power supply output of the power supply circuit, - Each lamp type in a second (non-empty) set of lamp types (including, for example, at least one lamp type) has a value indicating the absence of a power supply output from the power supply circuit (in other words: indicating that no power supply circuit output is) associated with it, - Then, if the first value does not indicate the absence of an output from the associated power supply circuit, an instruction is sent (for example, via a data bus) to the power supply circuit, commanding the power supply circuit (and the process may include a step of executing this instruction by the power supply circuit):

[0004]

[0005]

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011] - To electrically supply an output of the power supply circuit identified by the first value, if the instruction is an ignition instruction, and / or (the instruction may include, for example, the first value and the ignition instruction), - To cut off the power supply to an output of the power supply circuit identified by the first value, if the instruction is a shutdown instruction (the instruction may include, for example, the first value and the shutdown instruction). Thanks to the use of the table, the lighting of lamps can be controlled by identical electronic devices (except for the table itself), including identical computer programs, for vehicles with different lighting implemented on detection of different vehicle states, and this without increasing the number of outputs of the power supply circuit, thus limiting costs. Thus, the output of the power supply circuit identified by the first value can, for example, power (electrically) a first lamp, the first lamp being, for example, of the lamp type. According to one embodiment, the type of lamp is; - A motor vehicle interior door handle light, or - A motor vehicle exterior door handle light, or - More generally, a motor vehicle door handle lamp, or - A lamp for a vehicle door sill (or, more precisely, for example, door), or - A lamp from a vehicle's glove compartment, or - A lamp from a motor vehicle door medallion. According to one embodiment, the status data is received from an opening or closing sensor of an opening of the motor vehicle (for example, a door, a trunk lid, or an engine hood), and the status data indicates whether the opening is open or closed. The type of lamp could be, in this case, for example, a threshold lamp (or door lamp). For example, if the state data indicates that the opening is open, then the instruction is an on instruction, and if the state data indicates that the opening is closed, then the instruction is an off instruction. According to another embodiment, the status data indicates whether the motor vehicle's ignition is on or off. The type of lamp could be, in this case, for example, an interior vehicle door handle lamp (or more generally a door handle lamp), or a door medallion lamp.

[0012] For example, if the state data indicates that the ignition is on then the instruction is an ignition instruction, and if the data indicates that the vehicle ignition is off then the instruction is an extinction instruction.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the state data indicates whether the motor vehicle is locked or unlocked (in other words: that the vehicle's opening(s) have been locked or unlocked).

[0014] The type of lamp may be, in this case, for example, an interior vehicle door handle lamp, an exterior vehicle door handle lamp (or more generally a door handle lamp), or a door medallion lamp.

[0015] For example, if the state data indicates that the motor vehicle has been unlocked then the instruction is an ignition instruction, and if the state data indicates that the motor vehicle has been locked then the instruction is an extinction instruction.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the status data is received from a presence sensor of a void near the motor vehicle, and the status data indicates whether a presence (near the storage compartment, for example, of a hand) has been detected by the presence sensor or has not been detected.

[0017] The type of lamp can be, in this case, for example, a pocket lamp.

[0018] For example, if the status data indicates that a presence has been detected by the sensor If the data indicates that a presence has not been detected by the presence sensor, then the instruction is an on instruction, and if the data indicates that a presence has not been detected by the presence sensor then the instruction is an off instruction.

[0019] For example, the output of the power supply circuit identified by the first value, supplies (electrically) a light-emitting diode.

[0020] Alternatively, other lamp designs may be used.

[0021] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, to implement the steps of the process according to the invention, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0022] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device. The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0023] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0024] According to one embodiment, another electronic device (from another motor vehicle, different from the motor vehicle) is configured to implement the steps of the process according to the invention but with a different table, for example, combining: - Each lamp type in the second (non-empty) set of lamp types (including, for example, at least one lamp type) has a value identifying a power supply output (preferably different) from the other vehicle's power supply circuit, - Each lamp type in the first (non-empty) set of lamp types has a value indicating the absence of an output from the other vehicle's power supply circuit (in other words: indicating that no power supply circuit output is associated with it),

[0025] The invention also relates to an assembly (in other words: system) comprising the motor vehicle (in other words: the first motor vehicle) and another motor vehicle comprising the other electronic device.

[0026] For example, the method according to the invention is implemented, in the motor vehicle, by a computer program when it is executed by the electronic device and, in the other motor vehicle, by the same program when it is executed by the other electronic device.

[0027] When the electronic device, the motor vehicle (the other electronic device or the other vehicle), or another element is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element includes means for performing the step or operation. These means preferably include electronic means, for example, a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor, and / or a microcontroller.

[0028] For example, the electronic device includes a computer program, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: - [Fig. 1] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.2] represents an implementation of the process according to the invention, according to a example of realization, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.1].

[0030] In [Fig.1], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0031] Detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 1 represents a motor vehicle 100 comprising a microprocessor 110, connected, via a data bus dl 1 to a power supply circuit 120.

[0033] With reference to [Fig.1] and 2, at step S00, the microprocessor 110 receives data indicating that the vehicle has been unlocked.

[0034] At step S10, the microprocessor 110 determines, accordingly: - Instructions for illuminating an exterior vehicle door handle lamp, - Instructions for illuminating an interior vehicle door handle lamp,

[0035] At step S20, the microprocessor 110 reads the association table 111, represented in Table 1 below, and determines that: - Output s3 is associated with an exterior door handle light, and - Output s2 is associated with an interior door handle light. [Tables 1] Lamp Type | Associated 120V Circuit Output | Interior Vehicle Door Handle Lamp s2 | Exterior Vehicle Door Handle Lamp s3 | Door Sill Lamp (if present) | Storage Compartment Lamp (No power output) | Door Medallion Lamp (No power output)

[0036] At step S30, the microprocessor 110 sends the following to the power supply circuit 120: - An instruction commanding the power supply circuit 120 to electrically supply output s3, - An instruction commanding the power supply circuit 120 to electrically supply output s2,

[0037] At step S40, the light-emitting diode 12 of the inner handle 140 of the vehicle 100 and the light-emitting diode 13 of the outer handle 130 of the vehicle 100 light up accordingly.

[0038] At step S50, the microprocessor 110 receives data from sensor 151 indicating that door 150 has been opened.

[0039] At step S60, the microprocessor 110 consequently determines an instruction to illuminate a threshold lamp for an opening,

[0040] At step S70, the microprocessor 110 reads from the association table 111 represented in table 1, and determines that the output si is associated with an opening threshold lamp.

[0041] At step S80, the microprocessor 110 then sends an instruction to the power supply circuit 120, commanding the power supply circuit 120 to electrically supply the output if,

[0042] At step S90, the light-emitting diode 11 of the threshold of the door 150 lights up in consequence.

[0043] At step S100, the microprocessor 110 receives data indicating that the vehicle's ignition has been switched on.

[0044] At step SI 10, the microprocessor 110 consequently determines an instruction to illuminate a door medallion lamp,

[0045] At step S120, the microprocessor 110 reads from the association table 111 shown in Table 1, and determines that no output is associated with a door medallion lamp. The microprocessor 110 then sends no instructions to the power supply circuit 120.

[0046] At step S130, the microprocessor 110 receives data from a presence sensor (not shown) indicating that a hand has been brought near a storage compartment (not shown) on door 150.

[0047] At step S140, the microprocessor 110 consequently determines an instruction to illuminate a pocket light,

[0048] At step S150, the microprocessor 110 reads from the association table 111 shown in Table 1, and determines that no output is associated with a pocket light. The microprocessor 110 then sends no instructions to the power supply circuit 120.

[0049] Steps S10 to S90 illustrate the lighting of the diode, but of course the instruction can be a diode extinguishing instruction, in particular when a vehicle locking, a door closing, or a ignition cut-off is detected.

[0050] Fig. 1 represents only a power supply circuit 120 and diodes 11, 12, 13 which this power supply circuit powers, but of course, a vehicle most often includes several power supply circuits, controlled in the same way by the microprocessor 110, powering other diodes.

[0051] Steps S00 to S150 can be implemented by the execution of a computer program (not shown) by the microprocessor 110.

[0052] Another vehicle (not shown) may include a different association table represented by Table 2 below, and implement the method according to the invention by executing the same computer program (not shown) by a microprocessor identical to microprocessor 110.

[0053] [Tables2] Lamp Type | Associated 120V Circuit Output | Interior Vehicle Door Handle Lamp | No Power Output | Exterior Vehicle Door Handle Lamp s4 | Door Sill Lamp | No Power Output | Storage Compartment Lamp s5 | Door Medallion Lamp s6

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling an electrical power supply circuit (120) of a motor vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Reception (S00, S50, S100, S130) of a status data from the motor vehicle (100), - Determination (S 10, S60, SI 10, S140) from the data Motor vehicle condition (100): - Of a type of lamp, - From an instruction, the instruction being either an on / off instruction or a shutdown instruction, - Reading (S20, S70, S120, S150) a first value associated with the lamp type in an association table (111) associating: - Each lamp type in a first set of lamp types has a value identifying a power supply output (s1, s2, s3) of the power supply circuit (120), - Each lamp type in a second set of lamp types has a value indicating the absence of a power output from the associated power supply circuit (120), - If the first value does not indicate the absence of a power output from the associated power supply circuit (120), an instruction is sent (S30, S80) to the power supply circuit (120) to control the power supply circuit (120): - To electrically supply an output (s1, s2, s3) of the power supply circuit (120) identified by the first value, if the instruction is an ignition instruction, or - To cut off the power supply to an output (si, s2, s3) of the power supply circuit (120) identified by the first value, if the instruction is an extinction instruction.

2. A control method according to the preceding claim, wherein the The type of lamp is: - A vehicle interior door handle lamp, or - A vehicle exterior door handle lamp, or - A door sill lamp, or - A storage compartment lamp, or - A door medallion lamp.

3. A control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status data is received from an opening or closing sensor (151) of an opening (150) of the motor vehicle (100), and wherein the status data indicates whether the opening (150) is open or closed.

4. Control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status data indicates whether the contact of the motor vehicle (100) is on or off.

5. A control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status data indicates whether the motor vehicle (100) is locked or unlocked.

6. A control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status data is received from a presence sensor of a vacuum near the motor vehicle, and wherein the status data indicates whether a presence has been detected by the presence sensor or has not been detected.

7. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the output of the power supply circuit (si, s2, s3) identified by the first value, powers a light-emitting diode (11,12,13).

8. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when executed by the microprocessor or microcontroller.

9. Electronic device (110) configured to carry out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 7

10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to claim 9.

Images