Method for identifying a vehicle tire pressure sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for identifying (Pr1) a pressure sensor (1) of a vehicle tire (2) (3), said identification method (Pr1) comprising: – the transmission by an activation device (5) of the pressure sensor (1) to said pressure sensor (1) of an activation signal (s1), said activation signal (s1) being a low-frequency radio frequency signal, characterized in that said identification method (Pr1) further comprises: – following the transmission of said activation signal (s1), the reception by an electronic device (4) of return radio frequency signals (s2) emitted by said pressure sensor (1), the return radio frequency signals (s2) being radio frequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for identifying a tire pressure sensor on a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for identifying a vehicle tire pressure sensor. It also relates to a system for activating a vehicle tire pressure sensor, enabling the implementation of said identification method. It further relates to a method for pairing vehicle tire pressure sensors with an electronic control unit of said vehicle. It finds particular, but not limited, application in the field of motor vehicles.

[0002] In the field of vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, a method for identifying a tire pressure sensor known to a person skilled in the art comprises: - an emission by a pressure sensor activation device towards said pressure sensor of an activation signal, said activation signal being a low frequency radio frequency signal for example emitted at 125 kHz, - a reception by said activation device of return radio frequency signals emitted by said pressure sensor, said return radio frequency signals being high frequency signals emitted for example at 433MHz or 315MHz.

[0003] The activation device is a tire pressure monitoring system, also known as a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). It communicates with an electronic tire pressure monitoring system, also known as a TPMS, which includes an electronic control unit installed in the vehicle, as well as one or more pressure sensors located inside the tires, configured to measure the internal pressure of the tires, and configured to transmit pressure information to this electronic control unit in the vehicle. The electronic control unit can thus alert a vehicle user if one of the tires were to puncture or deflate, thereby preventing any risk to their safety.

[0004] One drawback of this prior art is that new generation pressure sensors are appearing on the market. These new pressure sensors incorporate a technology that allows them to send return radio frequency signals between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz instead of high-frequency radio frequency signals. However, current activation devices are not suitable for these new generation pressure sensors.

[0005] In this context, the present invention aims to propose a method for identifying a tire pressure sensor for a vehicle which makes it possible to resolve at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire, said identification method comprising: - an emission by a pressure sensor activation device towards said pressure sensor of an activation signal, said activation signal being a low frequency radio frequency signal, characterized in that said identification method further comprises: - following the emission of said activation signal, a reception by an electronic device of return radio frequency signals emitted by said pressure sensor, the return radio frequency signals being radio frequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0007] Thus, as will be seen in detail later, thanks to the electronic device, it is possible to receive the return radio frequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz and sent by the pressure sensor. It is not necessary to adapt the existing activation devices by integrating a new communication module or to replace them. Therefore, the identification process reduces costs and is environmentally friendly and responsible since the existing activation devices are not discarded.

[0008] According to non-limiting embodiments, said method for identifying a tire pressure sensor of a vehicle may further comprise one or more additional features taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, among the following.

[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the return radio frequency signals are emitted at a frequency within the ISM frequency band of 2.4 GHz.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of said return radio frequency signals is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further includes a transmission by said electronic device to said activation device of information included in said radio frequency return signals.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further includes storing in memory information contained in said return radio frequency signals.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, storage is carried out by the electronic device and / or by the activation device.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises an association of a position of the corresponding tire with information contained in said radio frequency return signals.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the position is entered manually by an operator or is defined according to a predetermined order of activation of said pressure sensor among a set of tire pressure sensors of said vehicle.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further includes a display of information contained in said radio frequency return signals.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the display is performed by the electronic device and / or by the activation device.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said radio frequency return signals include identification information of said pressure sensor, pressure and / or temperature of said tire.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises detection by said electronic device of the emission of said activation signal by said activation device. The detection is automatic or manual.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, - said activation signal is emitted by said activation device via a low-frequency data transmission module, - said return radio frequency signals are received by said electronic device via a first data communication module configured to communicate at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first data communication module is a Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication module.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further includes a transition by said electronic device into a reception mode so as to receive said radio frequency return signals emitted by said pressure sensor.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to receive mode is achieved following the emission of an activation signal by the activation device to the pressure sensor of a vehicle tire.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic device is a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises: - a display of initial instructions by the activation device, said initial instructions indicating the start of a procedure to be followed for the identification of said tire pressure sensor, - a display of second instructions by the electronic device, said second instructions indicating the continuation of the procedure to be followed for the identification of said tire pressure sensor.

[0026] A method for pairing tire pressure sensors of a vehicle with an electronic control unit of said vehicle is further proposed, characterized in that said pairing method comprises: - for each tire pressure sensor of said vehicle, an execution of the identification process characterized according to any one of the preceding characteristics, - pairing of the pressure sensors with said electronic control unit of the vehicle by means of their identification information and a position of their corresponding tire.

[0027] An electronic device is further proposed, characterized in that said electronic device is configured to: - to switch to a reception mode so as to receive return radio frequency signals emitted by a tire pressure sensor of a vehicle, said return radio frequency signals being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - receive said radio frequency return signals from said pressure sensor.

[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to receive mode is achieved following the emission of an activation signal by an activation device towards said pressure sensor.

[0029] A system for identifying a tire pressure sensor for a vehicle is further proposed, characterized in that said identification system comprises: - an activation device for said pressure sensor configured to emit an activation signal to said pressure sensor, said activation signal being a low-frequency signal, and - an electronic device according to the previous characteristic.

[0030] A computer program product is further proposed comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said instruction sequences enabling the implementation of the following steps, when said instruction sequences are loaded onto an electronic device, the steps being: - a transition to a reception mode so as to receive return radio frequency signals emitted by a tire pressure sensor of a vehicle, said return radio frequency signals being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - a reception of said return radio frequency signals.

[0031] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0032] [Fig. 1] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a method for identifying a vehicle tire pressure sensor according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.2] is a diagram of the identification process of [Fig.1], said process identification including additional steps according to non-limiting embodiments,

[0034] [Fig.3] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a process pairing according to the invention of a tire pressure sensor with an electronic control unit of a vehicle,

[0035] [Fig.4] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a system identification according to the invention of a tire pressure sensor for a vehicle configured to implement said identification method of Figures 1 or 2, said identification system comprising an activation device and an electronic device,

[0036] [Fig.5] is a very schematic representation of the identification system of the [Fig.4], and the functions of said activation device and said electronic device.

[0037] Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing on different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0038] The method of identifying Prl of a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 according to the invention is described with reference to figures 1 and 2.

[0039] In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 3 is a motor vehicle. The vehicle 3 is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. It is equipped with tires 2 in which pressure sensors 1 are housed. There is only one pressure sensor 1 per tire 2. The vehicle 3 also includes an electronic control unit 30, referred to as the ECU in the following description, or otherwise called the on-board computer 30. The terms electronic control unit 30 and on-board computer 30 are used interchangeably in the following description. The pressure sensor 1-on-board computer 30 assembly is referred to as the "electronic tire pressure monitoring system" (or in English, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," abbreviated as "TPMS").

[0040] Each pressure sensor 1 is conventionally equipped with a radio frequency transmitter to allow the transmission of data to the electronic control unit 30. The electronic control unit 30 receiving the data from the pressure sensors 1 can thus alert a user of the vehicle 3 if one of the tires 2 were to puncture or deflate, and thus avoid any risk to the safety of the user of the vehicle 3.

[0041] It should be noted that each pressure sensor 1 is configured to communicate according to its own communication protocol with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3. Thus, a specific communication protocol is defined according to the type (make and model) of a pressure sensor 1. Depending on the type of vehicle 3, each vehicle has one or more types of pressure sensors 1. To determine the communication protocol used by each pressure sensor 1 of a vehicle 3, it is necessary to select the type of vehicle 3, a type being defined by the manufacturer, model and year of manufacture of a vehicle 3.

[0042] The pressure sensor 1 which is housed in a tire 2 is not ordinarily removable, so changing a tire 2 implies changing the pressure sensor 1, the new pressure sensor 1 is then no longer recognized by the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3.

[0043] It is therefore necessary, when changing the tires 2, to pair (or associate) the pressure sensors 1 housed in the new tires 2 with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3.

[0044] To this end, it is first necessary to identify each pressure sensor 1. Each pressure sensor 1 includes an identification information il.

[0045] As will be seen below, the Prl identification process allows each pressure sensor 1 to be identified and this identification is done by means of an electronic device 4 and an activation device 5.

[0046] In a non-limiting embodiment, the selection of the vehicle type 3 is performed manually beforehand by an operator using the activation device 5 via a database that is loaded into memory or accessible on a remote server by the activation device 5, in non-limiting examples. The database includes different vehicle types 3 with their associated pressure sensor types 1 and the communication protocols specific to the different pressure sensors 1.

[0047] In non-limiting embodiments, the electronic device 4 is a mobile phone, also known as a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, or any other type of electronic device comprising a data communication module configured to communicate at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. It should be noted that smartphones typically include a data communication module configured to communicate at this frequency. frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. The activation device 5 is a dedicated learning tool (generally referred to in English as a "TPMS tool").

[0048] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.1], the Prl identification process comprises the following steps.

[0049] In a step El 1 illustrated Fl 1(5, 1, si) on the [Fig.1], the activation device 5 emits towards the pressure sensor 1 an activation signal si, said activation signal si being a low frequency radio frequency signal.

[0050] The activation signal si wakes up the pressure sensor 1. Initially, the pressure sensor 1 is in a sleep mode, which conserves its battery. The activation signal si is emitted according to the communication protocol specific to the pressure sensor 1.

[0051] It should be noted that the activation device 5 knows the position pl of the tire 2 in which the pressure sensor 1 is housed and towards which it emits the activation signal si. Since the pressure sensor 1 is not removable from the tire 2 in which it is housed, the position pl also represents its position. Therefore, in the following description, we will refer interchangeably to the position pl of the tire 2 and the position pl of the pressure sensor 1.

[0052] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency between 30 kHz and 300 kHz. In a non-limiting variant, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency between 100 kHz and 150 kHz. In a non-limiting example, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency of 125 kHz. It should be noted that said activation signal si is an electromagnetic signal, either continuous or modulated.

[0053] In a step E12 illustrated F12(4, 1, s2) on [Fig.1], following the emission of the activation signal si, the electronic device 4 receives radio frequency return signals s2 emitted by the pressure sensor 1, said radio frequency return signals s2 being radio frequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0054] In a non-limiting embodiment, the return radio frequency signals s2 are emitted at a frequency within the ISM frequency band of 2.4 GHz. This frequency band is the frequency band of the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range from 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz.

[0055] In a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of said return radio frequency signals s2 is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the acronym BLE. The return radio frequency signals s2 are thus BLE signals.

[0056] The radio frequency return signals s2 include information: - identification of the pressure sensor 1, and - of tire pressure i2 of tire 2, and / or - of temperature i3 of tire 2.

[0057] In the rest of the description, this information is also referred to as information il, i2, i3.

[0058] In a non-limiting example, the identification information is an alphanumeric code specific to each pressure sensor 1. Thanks to this alphanumeric code, the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 can distinguish the four tires 2 in which the pressure sensors 1 are housed and thus warn the user of the vehicle 3 of any problem occurring on one of the tires 2.

[0059] In a non-limiting embodiment, the return radio frequency signals s2 further include information relating to a state of a battery of the pressure sensor 1.

[0060] Thus, the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 is retrieved and can therefore subsequently be associated with the position pl of the tire 2 in which said pressure sensor 1 is housed.

[0061] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the Prl identification process further comprises other non-limiting steps described below.

[0062] Steps E1 and E12 illustrated in [Fig.2] are the same as those described in [Fig.1].

[0063] Prior to steps E1 and E12, in a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E00 illustrated F00(5, 55, i4), the activation device 5 displays initial instructions i4 indicating the start of a procedure to be followed for identifying the pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting example, the display is on a human-machine interface 55 such as a screen (illustrated in [Fig. 4]). This allows an operator to be guided through the procedure to identify the pressure sensor 1 and thus avoid making a mistake.

[0064] In a non-limiting example, the first i4 instructions for the operator are as follows: - Launch a dedicated application for pressure sensor identification on electronic device 4, - press a specific dedicated key on a keyboard or a specific pictogram on a touch screen of the dedicated activation device 5 to confirm that the application is launched.

[0065] Prior to steps E1 and E12, also, in a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E10 illustrated F10(4, 43, i4'), the electronic device 4 displays second instructions i4' indicating the continuation of the procedure to be followed for identifying the pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting example, the display is on a human-machine interface 43 such as a screen (illustrated in [Fig. 4]). This allows the operator to be guided through the rest of the procedure to follow to identify pressure sensor 1.

[0066] In a non-limiting example, the second instructions i4' for the operator are as follows: - press a specific dedicated key on a keyboard or a specific pictogram on a touchscreen of the activation device 5 to emit the activation signal if, for example, you are standing in front of the front left tire 2, - when the electronic device 4 has received the radio frequency return signals s2 from the pressure sensor 1 of the front left tire 2, and to display the information il, i2, i3 included in these radio frequency return signals s2, confirm via such dedicated key of a keyboard or such pictogram of a touch screen of the activation device 5, - Repeat the procedure, positioning yourself in front of tire 2 (front right), etc.

[0067] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step Eli' illustrated Fl l'(4, si) in [Fig. 2], after step Eli, the electronic device 4 detects the emission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5. In non-limiting embodiments, the detection is either manual, as described above, or automatic. In a non-limiting example, automatic detection is achieved by means of a confirmation signal (not shown) received by the electronic device 4 and sent by the activation device 5.

[0068] In a non-limiting embodiment, in an illustrated step E11 F11(4, ml), the electronic device 4 switches to a receive mode ml so as to receive the return radio frequency signals s2. In a non-limiting embodiment, it remains in receive mode ml for a duration t1. In a non-limiting example, this duration t1 is approximately 120 seconds. This time is sufficient to receive the return radio frequency signals s2 and avoids the reception of spurious signals.

[0069] In a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to receive mode ml is performed following the emission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5 towards the pressure sensor 1. In another non-limiting embodiment, the switch to receive mode ml is performed before the emission of the activation signal si.

[0070] In a non-limiting embodiment, when the communication protocol is the BLE protocol, the reception mode ml is a scanning mode where the electronic device 4 periodically scans communication channels on which the return radio frequency signals s2 are broadcast by the pressure sensor 1. It should be noted that when the electronic device 4 is in scanning mode, the pressure sensor 1 is in a transmission mode, a broadcasting or announcement mode. In English, this is called "advertising mode". In this broadcast mode, the pressure sensor 1 periodically broadcasts, in this case, the return radio frequency signals s2 on said communication channels.

[0071] In a non-limiting embodiment, after step E12, following the reception of the return radio frequency signals s2, in a step E13 illustrated F13(4, 5, il, i2, i3), the electronic device 4 decodes these return radio frequency signals s2 to extract the information il, i2, i3 and transmits this information il, i2, i3 to the activation device 5. In a non-limiting embodiment, the information il, i2, i3 is transmitted in real time, namely as soon as the electronic device 4 receives the return radio frequency signals s2 and after decoding them to extract the information il, i2, i3.

[0072] In a non-limiting embodiment, after step E12, following the reception of the return radio frequency signals s2, in a step E14 illustrated F14(i 1, i2, i3), the information il, i2, i3 included in the return radio frequency signals s2 is stored in memory.

[0073] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the storage in memory of the information il, i2, i3 is performed by the electronic device 4. In this case, this step E14 can take place after step E13, or in parallel with step E13. Thus, the electronic device 4 saves this information il, i2, i3 in its memory.

[0074] In a second, non-limiting embodiment, the memory storage of the information il, i2, i3 is performed by the activation device 5. In this case, this step E14 takes place after step E13. Thus, the activation device 5 saves this information il, i2, i3 in its memory.

[0075] In a third non-limiting embodiment, the storage in memory of the information il, i2, i3 is carried out by the electronic device 4 and by the activation device 5. Thus, each saves in its own memory this information il, i2, i3.

[0076] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E15 illustrated F15(il, i2, i3), the information il, i2, i3 contained in the return radio frequency signals s2 is displayed. This allows an operator to know that the identification process Prl has been executed correctly and that the information il, i2, i3 from the pressure sensor 1 has been retrieved correctly.

[0077] In a first, non-limiting embodiment, the display is performed by the electronic device 4 on a human-machine interface 43 as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In a second, non-limiting embodiment, the display is performed by the activation device 5 on a human-machine interface 55 as illustrated in [Fig. 4] in the case where this information i1, i2, i3 has been previously transmitted to it by the electronic device 4. In a third embodiment non-limiting, the display can be achieved by the electronic device 4 and by the activation device 5.

[0078] According to the non-limiting embodiment variants described, it should be noted that this step E15 can be done after step E13, or after step E14 or in parallel with one of these steps.

[0079] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E16 illustrated F16(pl, il, i2, i3), a position pl of the tire 2 is associated with the information il, i2, i2 of the pressure sensor 1.

[0080] The position pl of the pneumatic 2 in which the pressure sensor 1 is housed: - is entered manually by an operator (via a human-machine interface of the activation device 5 in a non-limiting example) or - is defined according to a predetermined order of activation of said pressure sensor 1 among the set of tire pressure sensors 1 of vehicle 3. The predetermined activation order indicates the sequence for activating the pressure sensors 1. In a non-limiting example, the predetermined activation order is: front-left tire; front-right tire; rear-left tire; rear-right tire. Thus, the first pressure sensor 1 activated by the activation device 5 is the one located in the front-left tire, and the last pressure sensor 1 activated by the activation device 5 is the one located in the rear-right tire.

[0081] It should be noted that this step E16 can be carried out at the same time as the step E14 of storing the information il, i2, i3 in memory.

[0082] The association is made in memory by the electronic device 4 and / or by the activation device 5.

[0083] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the association between the position pl and the information il, i2, i3 is made by the electronic device 4. Thus, the electronic device 4 saves this association in its memory.

[0084] In a second, non-limiting embodiment, the association between the position 11 and the information 11, 11, 113 is performed by the activation device 5. Thus, the activation device 5 saves this association in its memory. It should be noted that if the information 11, 11, 113 has been transmitted by the electronic device 4 to the activation device 5, then the activation device 5 can perform the association.

[0085] In a second non-limiting embodiment, the association between the position pl and the information il, i2, i3 is made by the electronic device 4 and the activation device 5. Thus, each saves this association in its own memory.

[0086] Thus, the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5 include a database with the position pl of each tire 2 and the information identification of the corresponding pressure sensor 1 as well as the corresponding pressure information i2 and / or temperature information i3.

[0087] Thus, we retrieve in particular the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 and the corresponding position pl of the tire 2 in which it is housed.

[0088] This Prl identification method is used in the pairing of pressure sensors 1 with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3. Pairing (or association) allows the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 to identify a new pressure sensor 1 that was installed on the vehicle 3 when a tire 2 was replaced. This new pressure sensor 1 includes identification information that is new and different from that of the old pressure sensor 1 that was replaced. The electronic control unit 30 must be made aware of this new identification information in order to recognize and receive the signals emitted by this new pressure sensor 1. This is done by the pairing process Pr2 illustrated in [Fig. 3] according to a non-limiting embodiment. It comprises the following steps.

[0089] In a step E21 illustrated in F21(l(2), Pr1), for each pressure sensor 1 of each tire 2 of the vehicle 3, the identification process Pr1 described above is carried out. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the identification process Pr2 is performed.3], the vehicle 3 includes N tires 2 with N an integer. In a non-limiting example, N=4. We thus begin with a first pressure sensor 1 by initializing N=1. At the end of this step, if applicable, the information li, i2, i3 associated with each pressure sensor 1 are displayed on a human-machine interface of the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5.

[0090] This step E21 is repeated as many times as there are tires 2 in the vehicle 3, namely three times here, up to N=4. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.3], this step is repeated by passing through branch A. Once this step is completed, we obtain the set of pressure sensors 1 with their information il, i2, i3 and their association to a position pl of the corresponding tire 2, namely in which each of the pressure sensors 1 is housed.

[0091] Once this step is completed, we proceed to the next step (branch B indicated on [Fig.3]).

[0092] In a step E22 illustrated F22(l, 30, il, p 1(2)), pairing of the set of pressure sensors 1 with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 is carried out by means of the identification information il and the position pl of the tire 2 corresponding to each pressure sensor 1.

[0093] This step is performed by the electronic device 4 or by the activation device 5. In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is configured to display the procedure to follow to perform this pairing step. In another non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is configured to display the procedure to follow to perform this pairing step.

[0094] In a first, non-limiting embodiment, the pairing is performed: - by directly transmitting to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 all the previously described information il, i2, i3 from each pressure sensor 1, as well as their respective associated positions pl, which have been previously saved in memory, and - by directly writing this data into a memory of the electronic control unit 30.

[0095] In a first, non-limiting embodiment, this transmission takes place between the electronic device 4 (which has stored in memory 44 the information i1, i2, i3 of each pressure sensor 1 and their respective associated positions p1) and the electronic control unit 30. In this case, in a non-limiting example, wired means such as a USB cable are used for the transmission. In a second, non-limiting embodiment, the transmission takes place between the activation device 5 (which has stored in memory 59 the information i1, i2, i3 of each pressure sensor 1 and their respective associated positions p1) and the electronic control unit 30. In this case, in a non-limiting example, wired means such as an OBD connector are used for the transmission.

[0096] If it is not possible to directly modify the memory of the electronic control unit 30 by writing the information i1, i2, i3 and corresponding respective positions pl, two other non-limiting embodiments are possible and described below. For these two non-limiting embodiments, the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 is positioned in a learning mode (for example, manually via a human-machine interface connected to the electronic control unit 30, such as a touchscreen in a non-limiting example).

[0097] In a second, non-limiting embodiment, each pressure sensor 1 is activated in a predetermined activation order via an activation signal emitted by the activation device 5. The currently activated pressure sensor 1 transmits a signal to the electronic control unit 30. The electronic control unit 30 thus identifies the pressure sensor 1 and the position pl of the corresponding tire 2. The predetermined activation order is known to both the activation device 5 and the electronic control unit 30. Each activated pressure sensor 1 sends a signal to the electronic control unit 30 containing its information i1, i2, i3. In practice, an operator moves around the vehicle 3 with the activation device 5 in hand and positions themselves in front of each tire 2 to activate its pressure sensor 1, according to the predetermined activation order.

[0098] In a third, non-limiting embodiment, an emulation of the signals from each pressure sensor 1 is carried out. An emulated signal from each pressure sensor 1 is emitted by the electronic device 4 or the activation device 5.

[0099] It should be noted that in this case, the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5 is aware of the communication protocol specific to each pressure sensor 1 in order to communicate with the electronic control unit 30.

[0100] The emulated signal from each pressure sensor 1 is transmitted by the electronic device 4 or the activation device 5 to the electronic control unit 30 via the communication protocol specific to the emulated pressure sensor 1. The emulated signal includes, in particular, the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 and its corresponding position pl.

[0101] This second non-limiting embodiment and this third non-limiting embodiment being known to a person skilled in the art, they are not described in more detail here.

[0102] The method for identifying a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 is implemented by a system for identifying a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0103] The identification system 6 comprises the electronic device 4 and the activation device 5 illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0104] The electronic device 4 is configured to: - switch to a reception mode ml so as to receive return radio frequency signals s2 emitted by said pressure sensor 1, said return radio frequency signals s2 being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz (function illustrated f41(4, ml) illustrated on [Fig.5]), - receive said pressure sensor 1 the said radio frequency return signals s2 (function illustrated f42(4, 1, s2) on the [Fig.5]).

[0105] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to detect the emission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5 (function illustrated f43(4, si) in [Fig.5]).

[0106] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to transmit to said activation device 5 information il, i2, i3 included in said radio frequency return signals s2 (function illustrated f44(4, 5, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0107] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to store in memory information il, i2, i3 included in said return radio frequency signals s2 (function illustrated f45(4, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0108] Said information il, i2, i2 are: - an identification information il, and - a pressure information i2, and / or - a temperature information i3.

[0109] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to display second instructions i4' indicating the continuation of the procedure to be followed for the identification of a tire pressure sensor 1 2 (function illustrated f46(4, i4') in [Fig.5]).

[0110] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to display the information il, i2, i3 included in the return radio frequency signals s2 (function illustrated f47(4, 43, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0111] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to associate the information il, i2, i3 contained in the radio frequency return signals s2 with a position pl of the corresponding tire 2 (function illustrated f47(4, pl, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0112] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the electronic device 4 includes a processing unit 40 configured to perform the functions f41 to f48 described above.

[0113] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the electronic device 4 further comprises: - a first data communication module 41 configured to communicate with the pressure sensor 1 at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - a second communication module 42 configured to communicate with the activation device 5.

[0114] The first data communication module 41 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and includes an antenna 410, illustrated in [Fig. 5], configured to receive the return radio frequency signals s2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first data communication module 41 is a BLE communication module. In this case, it is configured to establish a BLE wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 (the latter being, in this case, a BLE sensor). Its antenna 410 is thus configured to receive return radio frequency signals s2 in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band according to the BLE communication protocol.

[0115] In non-limiting embodiments, the second communication module 42 is configured to communicate with a third communication module 52 of the activation device 5 via wired or wireless means to transmit data to it. In one non-limiting example, the wired means are a USB cable. In other non-limiting examples, the wireless means are a Wi-Fi™ network or a conventional Bluetooth™ network. Thus, the following use cases are possible: - the electronic device 4 transmits data such as information i1, i2, i3 to the activation device 5 via the USB cable, or - if the activation device 5 includes a third communication module 52 capable of communicating via Wi-Fi™ with the electronic device 4, and the electronic device 4 transmits data such as information i1, i2, i3 via the Wi-Fi™ communication protocol, or - if the activation device 5 includes a third communication module 52 capable of communicating in classic Bluetooth™ with the electronic device 4 but is not capable of communicating in Bluetooth Low Energy™ with a pressure sensor 1 which is a BLE sensor, the electronic device 4 transmits data such as the information il, i2, i3 to it via the classic Bluetooth™ communication protocol.

[0116] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 further comprises a human-machine interface 43 such as a screen, in a non-limiting example configured to display the information i1, i2, i3 or the second instructions i4', for example, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen.

[0117] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 further includes a memory 44 (illustrated in [Fig.5]) in which the information il, i2, i3 described above and their association with a position pl of a tire 2 can be saved in particular.

[0118] The activation device 5 is configured to transmit to the pressure sensor 1 an activation signal si, said activation signal si being a low frequency signal (function illustrated f51(5, 1, si) in [Fig.5]).

[0119] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to receive from the electronic device 4 the information il, i2, i2 included in the return radio frequency signals s2 (function illustrated f52(5, 4, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0120] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to display the information il, i2, i2 included in the return radio frequency signals s2 (function illustrated f53(5, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0121] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to store in memory the information il, i2, i2 included in the return radio frequency signals s2 (function illustrated f54(5, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0122] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is configured to display initial instructions i4 indicating the start of the procedure to be followed for the identification of a pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated f55(5, 55, i4) in [Fig.5]).

[0123] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to associate the information il, i2, i3 included in the radio frequency return signals s2 with a position pl of the corresponding tire 2 (function illustrated f56(5, pl, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0124] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the activation device 5 includes a processing unit 50 configured to perform the functions f51 to f56 described above.

[0125] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the activation device 5 further comprises: - a low-frequency data transmission module 51 configured to transmit the activation signal if towards the pressure sensor 1, - a third communication module 52 configured to communicate with the second communication module 42 of the electronic device 4.

[0126] The low frequency data transmission module 51 includes an antenna 510 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 configured to transmit the activation signal if low frequency.

[0127] The activation device 5 further comprises: - a 53 mm casing illustrated in [Fig. 4], in a non-limiting example made of plastic, - a battery 54 illustrated in [Fig.5], - a display device 55 illustrated in [Fig. 4], such as a screen in a non-limiting example, and configured to display the information i1, i2, i2 transmitted by the electronic device 4, for example, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen, - a keyboard 56 illustrated in [Fig. 4], and - an OBD 57 socket illustrated in [Fig.4] configured to allow, for example, the connection of the activation device 5 to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3, in particular via an OBD cable.

[0128] In a non-limiting example, the display device 55 is an LCD or TFT screen.

[0129] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 comprises In addition, a communication port 58 is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In a non-limiting example, the communication port 58 is a USB port. The communication port 58 is configured to connect the activation device 5 to an electronic device, such as a computer or the electronic device 4 itself. The communication port 58 is further configured to be connected to a power supply to receive electrical energy for charging the battery 54. This power supply can be a mains power outlet, but also any type of electronic or electrical device capable of supplying power to the battery 54, such as a computer.

[0130] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 further includes a memory 59 (illustrated in [Fig.5]) in which the information il, i2, i3 described above and their association with a position pl of a tire 2 can be saved.

[0131] It should be noted that the implementation of the Eli” and E12 steps described above can be carried out using a microprogrammed device “software”, hardwired logic and / or electronic components “hardware”.

[0132] Thus, the electronic device 4 may include one or more computer program products comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by a processing unit such as a microprocessor, or a processing unit of a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc., the execution of said sequences of instructions enabling implementation of the steps Eli” and E12 described above.

[0133] Such a computer program can be stored in writable non-volatile memory of the ROM type or in rewritable non-volatile memory of the EEPROM or FLASH type. The computer program can be stored in memory at the factory, loaded into memory, or downloaded remotely into memory. The instruction sequences can be machine instruction sequences or sequences of a command language interpreted by the processing unit at the time of their execution.

[0134] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.5], a computer program product Pg is written into a memory 44 of the electronic device 4.

[0135] Thus, the computer program product Pg comprises one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions enabling the implementation of the following steps, when it is loaded onto said electronic device 4, the steps being: - a passage into a reception mode ml so as to receive return radio frequency signals s2 emitted by said pressure sensor 1, said return radio frequency signals s2 being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - a reception of said return radio frequency signals s2 from a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of vehicle 3.

[0136] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are further steps E10, and / or E11', and / or E13, and / or E14, and / or E15 and / or E16 described above. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the computer program product Pg comprises one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said instruction sequences enabling the implementation of the following steps when it is loaded onto said electronic device 4, the steps being steps E10, and E11' to E16 described above.

[0137] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments and the field described above. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the display device 55 and the keypad 56 of the activation device 5 can be replaced by a single element such as a touchscreen allowing, on the one hand, the display of information and, on the other hand, the activation of functions via dedicated pictograms or the confirmation of an operation by an operator.

[0138] Thus, the described invention has, in particular, the following advantages: - it allows the use of existing activation devices 5 with new generation pressure sensors 1 thanks to the use of an electronic device 4 already adapted to communicate with the pressure sensors 1; - it reduces economic and environmental costs since it is not necessary to modify existing activation devices 5 to adapt them by integrating a new communication module, and it is not necessary to discard existing activation devices 5 to replace them, - it is simple to implement.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for identifying (Prl) a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said method of identification (Prl) comprising: - an emission by an activation device (5) of the pressure sensor (1) to said pressure sensor (1) of an activation signal (si), said activation signal (si) being a low frequency radio frequency signal, characterized in that said method of identification (Prl) further comprises: - following the emission of said activation signal (si), a reception by an electronic device (4), separate from said activation device (5), of return radio frequency signals (s2) emitted by said pressure sensor (1), the return radio frequency signals (s2) being radio frequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

2. Identification method (Prl) according to claim 1, wherein the reception of said return radio frequency signals (s2) is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol.

3. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises a transmission by said electronic device (4) to said activation device (5) of information (11, 12, 13) included in said radio frequency return signals (s2).

4. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises a memory storage of information (il, i2, i3) included in said return radio frequency signals (s2).

5. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises an association of a position (pl) of the corresponding tire (2) with information (il, i2, i3) included in said radio frequency return signals (s2).

6. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises a display of information (il, i2, i3) included in said radio frequency return signals (s2).

7. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said radio frequency return signals (s2) include identification information (il) of said pressure sensor (1), pressure (i2) and / or temperature (i3) of said pneumatic (2).

8. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises a passage into a receiving mode (ml) by said electronic device (4) so ​​as to receive said radio frequency return signals (s2) emitted by said pressure sensor (1).

9. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic device (4) is a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer.

10. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises: - a display of first instructions (i4) by the activation device (5), said first instructions (i4) indicating the start of a procedure to be followed for the identification of said tire pressure sensor (1) (2), - a display of second instructions (i4') by the electronic device (4), said second instructions (i4') indicating the continuation of the procedure to be followed for the identification of said tire pressure sensor (1) (2).

11. A method for pairing (Pr2) tire pressure sensors (1) of a vehicle (3) with an electronic control unit (30) of said vehicle (3), characterized in that said pairing method (Pr2) comprises: - for each tire pressure sensor (1) of each tire (2) of the vehicle (3), an embodiment of the identification method (Prl) characterized according to any one of the preceding claims, - pairing of the pressure sensors (1) with said electronic control unit (30) of the vehicle (3) by means of their identification information (il) and a position (pl) of their corresponding tire (2).

12. Identification system (6) for a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), characterized in that said identification system (6) comprises: - an activation device (5) for said pressure sensor (1) configured to transmit to said pressure sensor (1) an activation signal (si), said activation signal (si) being a low frequency signal, and - an electronic device (4) configured to: - switch to a receive mode (ml) so as to receive return radio frequency signals (s2) emitted by a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said return radio frequency signals (s2) being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, and - receive from said pressure sensor (1) said return radio frequency signals (s2).

13. Product computer program (Pg) comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions enabling implementation of the following steps, when said sequences of instructions are loaded onto an electronic device (4), the steps being: - a transition to a receive mode (ml) so as to receive return radio frequency signals (s2) emitted by a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said return radio frequency signals (s2) being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - a reception of said return radio frequency signals (s2).

Images