Method and control system for vehicle fuel distribution

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling fuel distribution for a vehicle (10) by a fuel dispenser (12d). For this purpose, the vehicle (10) transmits initial data representing at least one type of fuel suitable for the vehicle (10). The fuel dispenser (12d) determines the presence or absence of the vehicle (10) in a distribution zone (13d) associated with the fuel dispenser (12d). The fuel dispenser (12d) controls the locking state of the distribution means for each type of fuel from a set of fuel types available at the fuel dispenser (12d) based on the initial data and the presence or absence of the vehicle (10) in the distribution zone (13d). Figure 1 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and system for controlling fuel distribution for a vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for dispensing fuel to a vehicle by a fuel dispenser. The present invention also relates to a method, device and system for communicating data between a vehicle and at least one fuel dispenser for controlling the dispensing of fuel to the vehicle by the fuel dispenser. Technological background

[0002] A large number of contemporary vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank to power a thermal engine or a fuel cell of the vehicle. The tank of a vehicle is designed to receive a fuel (also called combustible) adapted to the engine equipping the vehicle, for example gasoline, ethanol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or hydrogen.

[0003] Such a tank must be regularly refilled with fuel so that the vehicle's engine can continue to operate. Each vehicle thus includes an orifice made in the vehicle bodywork for filling the fuel tank. Such an orifice is provided for inserting the nozzle of a fuel dispenser (also called a fuel pump) at a service station to at least partially fill the tank.

[0004] To avoid filling the tank with fuel that is not suitable for the engine fitted to the vehicle, the diameter of the orifice of a diesel tank is larger than the diameter of the orifice of a petrol tank on certain vehicles. In fact, at the fuel dispensers, the diesel dispensing nozzle has a diameter larger than the diameter of the petrol dispensing nozzle.

[0005] This makes it possible, for example, to reduce the risk of filling a tank of a gasoline engine with diesel, the diesel dispensing nozzle having a diameter too large to be inserted into the orifice of a gasoline tank. However, such a solution does not avoid all risks, in particular does not prevent the risk of filling a tank of a diesel vehicle with gasoline or ethanol, for example. Summary of the present invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of error in filling a fuel tank of a vehicle with fuel not suitable for the vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling dispensing fuel for a vehicle by a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser and the vehicle each being configured to communicate data via at least one wireless connection, the method comprising the following steps: - obtaining, by the vehicle, a first piece of information representative of a current position of the vehicle and a second piece of information representative of a location of the fuel dispenser; - wireless transmission, by the vehicle, of first data representative of at least a first type of fuel suitable for the vehicle based on a result of a comparison between the first information and the second information; - determination, by the fuel distributor, of a third piece of information representative of the presence of the vehicle in a distribution zone associated with the fuel distributor based on second data communicated between the vehicle and the fuel distributor using a direct wireless communication mode; - control of a locking state of means for distributing each type of fuel from a set of types of fuel available at the fuel distributor, by said fuel distributor, based on the first data and based on the third information.

[0009] Such a method allows a connected fuel dispenser to receive from the vehicle information relating to the type of fuel suitable for it in order to control the locking state of the means for dispensing the types of fuel available at the dispenser depending on the presence of the vehicle in a dispensing zone associated with the fuel dispenser. Thus, when the vehicle is detected as present in the dispensing zone of the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser is able to authorize the dispensing of the type of fuel suitable for the vehicle, for example to the exclusion of any other type of fuel.

[0010] Such a solution makes it possible to avoid filling the tank of a vehicle with fuel which is not suitable for the vehicle by controlling the fuel distribution means of the distributor according to the information transmitted by the vehicle on the fuel which is suitable for it.

[0011] According to one variant, the control comprises: - a transition from a locked state to an unlocked state of first means for dispensing at least one first type of fuel only to authorize only a dispensing of at least one first type of fuel by the fuel dispenser when the third information is representative of a presence of the vehicle in the dispensing zone associated with the fuel dispenser, and - maintaining the distribution means in a locked state to inhibit any dis fuel distribution when the third information represents an absence of the vehicle in the distribution zone associated with the fuel distributor.

[0012] According to another variant, the control of a locking state of the distribution means is furthermore a function of a fourth item of information representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in the distribution zone, the distribution means being maintained in the locked state when the fourth item of information is representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in the distribution zone.

[0013] According to another variant, the first data are transmitted when the result of the comparison between the first information and the second information indicates that the vehicle is at a distance from the fuel dispenser less than a threshold.

[0014] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - wireless transmission, by the fuel dispenser to the vehicle, of a fifth piece of information representing a result of the locking status check; - display control, by the vehicle, of a first graphic content on a screen on board said vehicle as a function of the fifth information.

[0015] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - wireless transmission, by the fuel dispenser to the vehicle, of a sixth item of information representative of the set of types of fuel available for distribution by the fuel dispenser; - display control, by the vehicle, of a second graphic content representative of the set of fuel types available on a touch screen embedded in the vehicle; - wireless transmission, by the vehicle to the fuel dispenser, of third data representing a selection of a second type of fuel from the set of available fuel types obtained by a touch on the touch screen; - controlling a locking state of second means for dispensing the second type of fuel by the fuel dispenser according to the third data to change the second dispensing means from a locked state to an unlocked state to authorize dispensing of the second type of fuel by the fuel dispenser.

[0016] According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a third graphic content on the touch screen as a function of the first and third data, the third graphic content being representative of an alert associated with a difference between the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

[0017] According to an additional variant, the at least one wireless connection corresponds to a Bluetooth® type connection or to a connection via a terrestrial cellular wireless network.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a fuel distribution control system, the system comprising a fuel dispenser and a vehicle connected in wireless communication to the fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser and the vehicle each comprising a device comprising a memory (31) associated with at least one processor (30) configured to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0020] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0022] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0023] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0024] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention. invention below, with reference to the attached figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0026] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a system comprising a vehicle and a fuel dispenser, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to control the delivery of fuel for the vehicle of the system of [Fig.l] by the fuel dispenser of the system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of the distribution of fuel for the vehicle of the system of [Fig.l] by the fuel dispenser of the system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0029] A method and a device for controlling the distribution of fuel for a vehicle by a fuel dispenser will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0030] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0031] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of fuel distribution to a vehicle by a fuel dispenser (also called fuel pump) is implemented by a system comprising the vehicle and one or more fuel dispensers, the vehicle and the fuel dispenser(s) each being configured to transmit data via one or more wireless connections, for example via Bluetooth® or via a terrestrial cellular wireless network (for example implementing 5G (for 5th generation) technology). To this end, the vehicle obtains a first piece of information representative of a current position of the vehicle (for example from a navigation or location system of the GPS type) and a second piece of information representative of a location of the fuel dispenser (for example from map data associated with the navigation system).The vehicle transmits via a wireless link first data representative of one or more first types of fuel suitable for the vehicle based on a result of a comparison between the first information and the second information, the wireless transmission being for example implemented by the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned at a distance from the dispenser of . fuel below a threshold. The fuel dispenser determines a third piece of information representative of the presence of the vehicle in a distribution zone associated with the fuel dispenser based on second data communicated between the vehicle and the fuel dispenser using a direct wireless communication mode, for example using a device-to-device (D2D) communication mode provided for in the 5G wireless communication standard. Finally, the fuel dispenser controls a locking state of the distribution means (for example a pump, a valve, an electronic fuel distribution control circuit) of each type of fuel from a set of fuel types available at the fuel dispenser based on the first data and based on the third piece of information.

[0032] Such a method thus makes it possible to control the distribution of fuel to a vehicle based in particular on information relating to the type of fuel which is suitable for the vehicle, i.e. the type of fuel intended to operate the vehicle's engine, which information is transmitted by the vehicle.

[0033] The method makes it possible, for example, to authorize the distribution of the type of fuel which is suitable for the vehicle and to prohibit or inhibit the distribution of the other type(s) of fuel also available at the fuel dispenser.

[0034] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a system comprising a vehicle (10) and at least one fuel dispenser (12a 12d) as well as a wireless communication environment 1 between the vehicle (10) and one or more fuel dispensers (12a to 12d), according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, to an electric vehicle with a fuel cell or even to a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus.

[0036] The vehicle 10 has at least one engine powered by energy. The source of this energy is a fuel stored in a tank of the vehicle 10, such as gasoline, ethanol, diesel, hydrogen or LPG. When the engine corresponds to a thermal or combustion engine, the fuel stored in the tank directly powers the engine via the combustion of the fuel. When the engine corresponds to an electric motor, hydrogen stored in the tank powers a fuel cell to generate electricity which powers the electric motor.

[0037] The vehicle 10 corresponds to a so-called connected vehicle, that is to say a vehicle configured to communicate (receive and / or transmit) data with other communication devices and / or an infrastructure of a communication network. using a wireless communication mode.

[0038] The other communication devices correspond to fixed or mobile systems or devices each incorporating or integrating a communication module or interface, for example a wireless communication module associated with one or more antennas. According to one variant, a communication device incorporates a wireless communication module or interface and a wired connection module or interface.

[0039] Other communication devices correspond to: - one or more fuel dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of a fuel dispensing station 12 (also called a service station); and / or - a mobile communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a connected object such as a smart watch.

[0040] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a communication device corresponding for example to a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”) associated with one or more antennas.

[0041] The communication device, for example the TCU unit, is connected in communication with a set of computers of the vehicle 10 to form the on-board system of the vehicle 10. These computers and the TCU unit form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of one or more systems on board the vehicle 10, for example one or more AD AS systems (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Système avance d'aide à la conduite”).The computers and the TCU communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0042] The environment 1 of the vehicle 10 comprises, for example, a mobile communication infrastructure, for example an infrastructure of a mobile telephone network or a terrestrial cellular network, with which the vehicle 10 is configured to communicate data. The communication infrastructure implements, for example, communications according to the 5G wireless communication technology as defined in the standards ETSI TS V15.6.0 (3GPP rel. 15) of October 2019 and ETSI F5G (rel. 1.1.1) of December 2020. The network infrastructure comprises, for example, communication devices 110 corresponding to relay antennas. The relay antennas 10 are advantageously connected to one or more remote servers 111, for example via the “cloud” 100 (or in French “nuage”), via a wired and / or wireless connection. Each antenna 110 is thus configured to act as a relay between the “cloud” 100 (and the remote server 111) and the vehicle 10.

[0043] The vehicle 10 is thus configured to communicate data according to one or more communication modes, for example: - a 5G wireless communication mode via the network infrastructure (antenna 110, “cloud” 100, remote device 111) to communicate (transmit and / or receive) data with one or more communication devices such as one or more fuel dispensers 12a to 12d; and / or - a direct wireless communication mode for communicating (transmitting and / or receiving) data with one or more communication devices, such as one or more fuel dispensers 12a to 12d and / or a mobile communication device (e.g. a smartphone); the wireless communication mode is for example implemented according to 5G technology (in D2D (from the English “Device-to-Device” or in French “Device to Device”)), according to Bluetooth® technology or according to Wifi® technology, for example as defined in IEEE 802.1 Ip of ITS G5; and / or - a wired communication mode for communicating (transmitting and / or receiving) data with a communication device such as a smartphone or a tablet, for example using USB technology (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or in French “Universal Serial Bus”).

[0044] The environment 1 comprises a fuel distribution station 12, the vehicle 10 being for example approaching the station 12 to fill its tank with fuel. According to the particular example of [Fig.l], the station 12 comprises four fuel dispensers 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d (also called volume meters). Obviously, the invention is not limited to four fuel dispensers but extends to any number of fuel dispensers greater than or equal to 1.

[0045] A so-called vehicle distribution (or stop) zone 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d is associated with each fuel dispenser 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively. A distribution zone corresponds to an area where the vehicle 10 must be placed to fill (in whole or in part) the fuel tank from the fuel dispenser associated with this distribution zone, by inserting a fuel nozzle connected to the fuel dispenser via a hose into an access port to the tank of the vehicle 10. Each distribution zone 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d is represented in [Fig.l] via hatched rectangles.

[0046] Each fuel dispenser 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d is configured to deliver or distribute several types of fuel from among the following fuel types: gasoline (for example unleaded (SP) 95 and / or 98), diesel, diesel with additive, ethanol (for example E85), LPG and / or hydrogen. Each fuel dispenser 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d thus comprises fuel distribution means comprising for example a volumetric pump for each type of fuel, a non-return valve (or bypass) associated with each pump, an electronic circuit for controlling the pumps and a nozzle connected to each pump via a hose.

[0047] Each fuel dispenser 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d is configured to communicate data with the vehicle 10 via one or more wireless connections, for example: - a 5G wireless communication mode via the network infrastructure (antenna 110, “cloud” 100, remote device 111); and / or - a direct wireless communication mode for communicating (transmitting and / or receiving), for example using 5G technology, Bluetooth® or, alternatively, using Wifi® (for example, using IEEE 802.1 Ip).

[0048] A process for controlling fuel distribution by a fuel dispenser for the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by a system comprising the vehicle 10 and the fuel dispenser. The operations forming the process are described using the fuel dispenser 12d as an example, the process applying similarly to any fuel dispenser at the station 12.

[0049] In a first operation, a first piece of information representative of a current position of the vehicle 10 and a second piece of information representative of a location of the fuel dispenser 13d are obtained by the vehicle 10, for example by an on-board computer of the vehicle 10.

[0050] The first information is for example obtained or received from a navigation system or a geolocation system, also called a GNSS system (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System), for example a GPS type system (from the English “Global Positioning System” or in French “Geo-positioning system by satellites”).

[0051] Such a system is for example embedded in the vehicle 10, the computer receiving the current position of the vehicle 10 from the computer controlling the GNSS system.

[0052] According to another example, the computer receives the first information from a mobile communication device embedded in the vehicle 10 and connected in communication to the vehicle 10, the mobile communication device incorporating such a navigation and / or geolocation system. The mobile communication device is connected in wireless communication to the vehicle 10 (for example in Bluetooth® or in Wifi®) or in wired communication (for example in USB).

[0053] Similarly, the second information is received from a navigation system comprising in memory mapping data, the location of the fuel detector 12d corresponding for example to the geographical position (for example the GPS position) of the station 12 recorded as a point of interest of the gas station type map. The navigation system is embedded in the vehicle 10 or unloaded from this vehicle 10, that is to say embedded in the mobile communication device connected in communication to the vehicle 10. The mapping data is for example received from a server by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device via the wireless network infrastructure.

[0054] A comparison of the first and second information by the computer of the vehicle 10 having obtained this information allows the vehicle 10 to determine the distance separating the vehicle 10 from the fuel detector 12d (or more generally from the station 12) at any time.

[0055] In a second operation of the process, the vehicle 10 transmits first data representative of at least a first type of fuel suitable for the vehicle 10 according to a wireless communication mode depending on a result of a comparison between the first information and the second information.

[0056] The first type of fuel is said to be suitable in that it corresponds to the type of fuel necessary for the proper functioning of the engine. The first type of fuel corresponds to a single type of fuel or to several types of fuel, for example a group (or family of fuel).

[0057] For example, the fuel suitable for a diesel engine corresponds to diesel or diesel with additive.

[0058] The fuel suitable for a gasoline engine corresponds to SP95 gasoline or SP98 gasoline.

[0059] The fuel suitable for a gasoline engine called “flexfuel” (or “modulable” in French) corresponds to SP95 gasoline, SP98 gasoline and ethanol.

[0060] The first data is transmitted in Bluetooth® or in 5G via the wireless network, for example in a broadcast mode or in a so-called multicast mode (for example to communication devices such as fuel dispensers).

[0061] The first data are for example transmitted several times, for example at regular intervals for a determined duration (for example every 200, 500 or 1000 ms for 30, 60 or 120 s) when the vehicle 10 is at a distance from the station 12 (or the fuel dispenser 12d) less than a threshold (for example a threshold equal to 10, 20 or 50 m). Thus, as soon as the distance separating the vehicle 10 from the station 12 (or the fuel dispenser 12d) falls below the threshold, the wireless transmission of the first data is triggered for a determined duration, or until receipt of an acknowledgment of the first data by the fuel dispenser 12d. using a wireless communication method (Bluetooth® or 5G for example).

[0062] According to a particular embodiment, the first data further comprises identification data of the vehicle 10.

[0063] In a third operation of the process, the fuel dispenser 12d (for example a data processing device such as an electronic circuit or a processor or a group of processors of the dispenser 12d) having received the first data (via a wireless communication module or interface embedded in the dispenser 12d) determines a third item of information representative of the presence of the vehicle 10 in a distribution zone 13d associated with the fuel dispenser 12d as a function of second data communicated between the vehicle 10 and the fuel dispenser 12d according to a direct wireless communication mode.

[0064] The third information takes for example two values, a first value (for example “1” or “01”) when the vehicle 10 is detected as present in the distribution zone 12d and a second value (for example “0” or “00”) when the vehicle is absent from the distribution zone 12d, that is to say not detected as present in the distribution zone 12d.

[0065] The determination of the presence or absence of the vehicle 10 in or on the detection zone 12d is for example implemented by using the data exchanged by the communication modules or interfaces of the vehicle 10 and the distributor 12d in direct mode, as provided for example in the 5G standard (D2D communication).

[0066] A process for locating the vehicle 10 is for example implemented by the fuel dispenser 12d on the basis of D2D technology according to a method called D2D-based cooperative positioning, as described for example in the document entitled “D2D-Based Cooperative Positioning Paradigm for Future Wireless Systems: A Survey”, published by N. Chukhno et al, in IEEE Sensors Journal (Volume: 2, Issue: 6, March 15, 2022) or according to a method based on filling a matrix of Euclidean distances using the D2D communication data, as described in the document entitled “D2D Cooperative Localization Approach Based on Euclidean Distance Matrix Completion”, published by Y. Li et al., in 2020 IEEE / CIC International Conference on Communication in China (ICCC) from August 9 to 2020.

[0067] Such a method makes it possible to determine the position of the vehicle 10 relative to the fuel dispenser 12d and thus makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle 10 is present in the distribution zone 12d (and therefore ready to receive fuel from the fuel dispenser 12d) or whether the vehicle 10 is absent from this distribution zone 12d.

[0068] According to another example, the location of the vehicle 10 relative to the fuel dispenser 12d using a direct Bluetooth® communication mode, as described in the document entitled “A D2D relative Positioning System on Smart Devices”, published by Jun-Wei Giu et al, in 2014 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) on April 6-9, 2014.

[0069] According to a particular embodiment, the second data further comprises identification data of the vehicle 10 transmitted by the vehicle 10.

[0070] In a fourth operation of the process, the fuel dispenser 12d controls a locking state of the means for dispensing each type of fuel from a set of types of fuel available at the fuel dispenser 12d based on the first data and based on the third information.

[0071] The set of fuel types available at the fuel dispenser 12d groups together all the fuels that the dispenser 12d offers for distribution.

[0072] The control is for example implemented by the data processing device having determined the third information.

[0073] The control corresponds for example to an electronic, software and / or mechanical control of one or more elements forming the distribution means of each available fuel to authorize or inhibit (i.e. prevent or prohibit) the distribution of one or more types of fuel from the fuel dispenser 12d via the distribution means associated with each type of fuel available at the dispenser 12d.

[0074] The control corresponds to the control of a locking state of the distribution means, the distribution means being configured to take two states, namely: - a locking state (or locked state) in which the distribution means are locked to inhibit the distribution of the type of fuel associated with these distribution means; and - an unlocked state (or unlocked state) in which the dispensing means are unlocked or activated to authorize and enable the dispensing of the type of fuel associated with those dispensing means.

[0075] The control comprises for example the control of the transition from a locking state to a locking state of first means for dispensing the first type of fuel only to authorize only a dispensing of the first type of fuel by the fuel dispenser when the third information is representative of a presence of the vehicle 10 in the dispensing zone 13d associated with the fuel dispenser 12d.

[0076] According to this example, when the vehicle 10 is detected as present in the dispensing zone 12d, the fuel dispenser 12 unlocks each first dispensing means allowing the dispensing of each first type of fuel indicated in the first data received by the fuel dispenser. For example, if the first data indicates that the vehicle 10 is compatible with SP95 gasoline and SP98, the dispenser unlocks the first dispensing means for SP95 and SP98 (or one of the two if only one of the two fuels is available at the dispenser 12d) so that a person can fill the tank of the vehicle 10 with one of these fuels. The dispensing means for each of the other available types of fuel remain in the locked state to prevent filling the tank of the vehicle 10 with a fuel other than SP95 or SP98 gasoline.

[0077] According to a particular embodiment, the distributor further verifies that the identification of the vehicle 10 obtained via the first data corresponds to the identification of the vehicle 10 obtained via the second data to unlock the first distribution means.

[0078] The control further comprises, for example, maintaining all of the distribution means in the locked state to inhibit any distribution of fuel by the distributor 12d when the third information item is representative of an absence of the vehicle 10 in the distribution zone 13d associated with the fuel distributor 12d.

[0079] According to this example, when the vehicle 10 is not detected as being parked or positioned in or on the dispensing area 13d, the dispensing means all remain in the locked state to prevent anyone from obtaining fuel from the fuel dispenser 12d.

[0080] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the control of a locking state of the distribution means is furthermore a function of a fourth item of information representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in the distribution zone, the distribution means being maintained in the locked state when the fourth item of information is representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in the distribution zone 12d.

[0081] According to this other example, when the presence of several vehicles is detected in the distribution zone 12d (via the D2D data exchange), the distributor 12d maintains all of the distribution means in the locked state to prevent any distribution of fuel and avoid the risk of distributing a type of fuel to a vehicle not suited to this type of fuel.

[0082] According to this other example, the person wishing to fill up his fuel selects the fuel he wants on the fuel dispenser via a human-machine interface (HMI) of the dispenser 12d, as known from the state of the art.

[0083] According to an alternative embodiment, the fuel dispenser 12d transmits to the vehicle 10 using a wireless communication mode (for example Bluetooth® or 5G), when the latter is detected as the only vehicle present in the distribution zone 13d, a fifth piece of information representing the locking state of the distribution means. The fifth piece of information comprises, for example: information on each of the types of fuel authorized for distribution by the distributor 12d.

[0084] According to this variant, the vehicle 10 controls the display of a first graphic content on a screen on board the vehicle 10, which first graphic content is a function of the fifth information.

[0085] The display is for example controlled by the calculator of the infotainment system, called IVI calculator (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the vehicle 10 and the first graphic content is displayed on a screen, for example a touch screen, of the vehicle 10.

[0086] The first graphic content corresponds for example to a message and / or a set of graphic objects to indicate to the driver of the vehicle 10 which fuel(s) is(are) available for distribution by the fuel dispenser, in accordance with the first data.

[0087] The driver can thus verify that the fuel(s) authorized for distribution by the fuel distributor actually correspond to the first type(s) of fuel suitable for the vehicle 10.

[0088] When several first types of fuel are displayed as available and authorized, the driver can for example select one of the first types of fuel from the list, for example by a touch on the touch screen. The touch triggers for example the transmission of data from the vehicle 10 to the distributor 12d so that the latter controls the distribution means again to leave unlocked only the distribution means of the fuel selected by the driver via the touch.

[0089] According to a particular embodiment, the process further comprises the following operations: - the transmission, in a wireless communication mode, by the fuel dispenser 12d to the vehicle 10, of a sixth piece of information representative of the set of fuel types available for distribution by the fuel dispenser; - the display control, by the vehicle 10 (for example by the IVI computer), of a second graphic content representative of the set of fuel types available on a touch screen embedded in the vehicle: the second graphic content comprises for example a set of graphic objects each representing a different type of fuel available; - the transmission according to a wireless communication mode, by the vehicle 10 to the fuel dispenser 12d, of third data representative of a selection of a second type of fuel from the set of available fuel types obtained by a touch on the touch screen: when the driver selects selects a second type of fuel by touching the corresponding graphic object or icon displayed on the touch screen, third data representative of the second type of fuel selected are transmitted (either in Bluetooth® or in 5G) to the fuel dispenser 12d; - controlling a locking state of second means for dispensing the second type of fuel by the fuel dispenser 12d as a function of the third data to switch the second dispensing means from a locked state to an unlocked state to authorize dispensing of the second type of fuel by the fuel dispenser. 12d

[0090] Such a particular embodiment allows a person (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) to control the unlocking of the distribution of a type of fuel different from the type of fuel adapted to the vehicle 10 (and automatically indicated to the distributor 12d via the first data). This allows for example to fill up another tank (for example a can or a lawnmower transported in the vehicle 10) with a type of fuel other than the first type of fuel.

[0091] According to a variant of this particular embodiment, the display control of a third graphic content on the touch screen of the vehicle 10 is implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer. The third graphic content is advantageously a function of the first and third data, the third graphic content being representative of an alert associated with a difference between the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

[0092] The third graphic content corresponds for example to a text message (optionally accompanied by a particular graphic object to attract the attention of the driver 10) informing the driver of the vehicle 10 that the second type of fuel selected does not correspond to the first type of fuel suitable for the vehicle 10.

[0093] According to yet another variant, graphic content similar to the third graphic content is further displayed on a screen arranged on the fuel dispenser 12d to alert the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0094] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a device 2, according to various particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer or a TCU unit. According to other examples, the device 2 corresponds to a device on board a fuel dispenser, for example a data processing device or a wireless communication device (or interface). According to other examples, the device 2 corresponds to a mobile communication device or the remote device 111.

[0095] The device 2 is for example configured for the implementation of at least one part of the operations described with respect to [Fig.l] and / or the steps of the method described with respect to [Fig.3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a TCU, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a server. The elements of the device 2, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 2 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0096] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0097] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 21.

[0098] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0099] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, 5G; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0100] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 23 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0101] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0102] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling fuel distribution for a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, by a fuel dispenser, for example the dispenser 12d, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a system comprising the vehicle 10 and the fuel dispenser 12d connected in wireless communication, or by one or more devices such as the device 2 of [Fig. 2] embedded in the vehicle 10 and by one or more devices such as the device 2 of [Fig. 2] embedded in the dispenser 12d.

[0103] In a first step 31, the vehicle obtains or receives a first piece of information representative of a current position of the vehicle and a second piece of information representative of a location of the fuel dispenser.

[0104] In a second step 32, the vehicle transmits, using a wireless communication mode, first data representative of a first type of fuel adapted to the vehicle as a function of a result of a comparison between the first information and the second information.

[0105] In a third step 33, the fuel distributor determines a third piece of information representative of the presence of the vehicle in a distribution zone associated with the fuel distributor based on second data communicated between the vehicle and the fuel distributor using a direct wireless communication mode.

[0106] In a fourth step 34, the fuel dispenser controls a locking state of means for dispensing each type of fuel from a set of types of fuel available at the fuel dispenser based on the first data and based on the third information.

[0107] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.l] apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.3].

[0108] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method of communication between a vehicle and a fuel dispenser which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0109] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, and one or more fuel dispensers connected in wireless communication to the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling fuel distribution for a vehicle (10) by a fuel dispenser (12d), the fuel dispenser (12d) and the vehicle (10) each being configured to communicate data via at least one wireless connection, said method comprising the following steps: - obtaining (31), by said vehicle (10), a first piece of information representative of a current position of said vehicle (10) and a second piece of information representative of a location of said fuel dispenser (12d); - wireless transmission (32), by said vehicle (10), of first data representative of at least a first type of fuel suitable for said vehicle (10) as a function of a result of a comparison between said first information and said second information; - determination (33), by said fuel dispenser (12d), of a third item of information representative of the presence of said vehicle (10) in a distribution zone (13d) associated with said fuel dispenser (12d) as a function of second data communicated between said vehicle (10) and said fuel dispenser (12d) according to a direct wireless communication mode; - control (34) of a locking state of means for distributing each type of fuel from a set of types of fuel available at said fuel dispenser (12d), by said fuel dispenser (12d), as a function of said first data and as a function of said third information.

2. Method according to claim 1, for which said control comprises: - a change from a locked state to an unlocked state of first means for dispensing said at least one first type of fuel only to authorize only a dispensing of said at least one first type of fuel by said fuel dispenser (12d) when said third information is representative of a presence of the vehicle (10) in said dispensing zone (13d) associated with said fuel dispenser (12d); and - a maintenance in the locked state of said dispensing means to inhibit any dispensing of fuel when said third information is representative of an absence of the vehicle (10) in said dispensing zone (13d) associated with said fuel dispenser (12d).

3. Method according to claim 2, for which said control of a locking state of the distribution means is furthermore a function of a fourth item of information representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in said distribution zone, said distribution means being maintained in the locked state when said fourth item of information is representative of the presence of a plurality of vehicles in said distribution zone (13d).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said first data are transmitted when the result of the comparison between said first information and said second information indicates that said vehicle (10) is at a distance from said fuel dispenser (12d) less than a threshold.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following steps: - wireless transmission, by said fuel dispenser (12d) to said vehicle (10), of a fifth piece of information representative of a result of said check of the locking state; - display control, by said vehicle (10), of a first graphic content on a screen on board said vehicle (10) as a function of said fifth piece of information.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following steps: - wireless transmission, by said fuel dispenser (12d) to said vehicle (10), of a sixth piece of information representative of said set of fuel types available for distribution by said fuel dispenser (12d); - display control, by said vehicle (10), of a second graphic content representative of said set of fuel types available on a touch screen on board said vehicle (10); - wireless transmission, by said vehicle (10) to said fuel dispenser (12d), of third data representative of a selection of a second type of fuel from said set of available fuel types obtained from a touch press on said touch screen;- controlling a locking state of second means for dispensing said second type of fuel by said fuel dispenser (12d) as a function of said third data to switch said second dispensing means from a locked state to an unlocked state to authorize a dispensing of said second type of; fuel by said fuel dispenser (12d).

7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of controlling the display of a third graphic content on said touch screen as a function of said first and third data, said third graphic content being representative of an alert associated with a difference between the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, for which said at least one wireless connection corresponds to a Bluetooth® type connection or to a connection via a terrestrial cellular wireless network.

9. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

10. A fuel distribution control system, said system comprising a fuel dispenser and a vehicle connected in wireless communication to said fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser and said vehicle each comprising a device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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