Communication method for locating an exhaust line, associated electronic device and motor vehicle.

Abstract

Communication method, implemented by an electronic device of an exhaust line (L1) of a motor vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Determination of a geographical location of the exhaust line (L1), Transmission of data, via a radiofrequency communication (300), the data comprising the geographical location of the exhaust line (L1). Figure for the abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Communication method for locating an exhaust line, associated electronic device and motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles. There is a need to protect against the theft of exhaust lines from motor vehicles, which is becoming increasingly frequent.

[0002] For this purpose, the invention relates to a communication method, for example implemented by an electronic device of an exhaust line of a motor vehicle, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Determination of a geographical location of the exhaust line of the motor vehicle, - Transmission of data (to a server) via radio frequency communication (and a radio frequency communication module of the exhaust line capable of communicating via radio frequency communication), the data including the geographical location of the exhaust line of the motor vehicle.

[0003] Thanks to the invention, the geographical location of an exhaust line can be tracked, which can make it possible to find a stolen exhaust pipe.

[0004] For example, these two steps can be repeated, for example periodically.

[0005] Alternatively, the transmission of data is implemented upon receipt of a request, for example from the server (below) or from a mobile phone.

[0006] For example, the exhaust line comprises a catalytic converter, an expansion chamber and / or a silencer (in other words: an exhaust pipe).

[0007] For example, radio frequency communication is implemented via a mobile telephone network. This is alternatively a so-called “V2X” or “Bluetooth” communication.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the data comprises an identifier of the motor vehicle, for example of the so-called “VIN” type.

[0009] Alternatively or in combination, the data includes an identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the exhaust line or an identifier of the owner.

[0010] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0011] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device (or a motor vehicle or an exhaust line). The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device (or a motor vehicle or an exhaust line) configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as an exhaust line comprising the electronic device.

[0012] The identifier of the motor vehicle, the exhaust line, or the owner can be loaded beforehand into the electronic device, for example when the exhaust line is mounted on the vehicle.

[0013] For example, the geographical location of the exhaust line is determined by a geolocation module of the electronic device. The geolocation module may be a satellite geolocation module (for example of the so-called “GPS” type). Alternatively, the geographical location may be received from the motor vehicle, from a geolocation module of the motor vehicle. The geographical location may also be received from the road infrastructure, for example by a so-called “V2X” communication.

[0014] Alternatively, other location technologies can of course be used.

[0015] The geographic location may include a latitude and a longitude (in variant, a postal address or a map image).

[0016] For example, the electronic device comprises a power supply battery. Alternatively, the electronic device is powered by a battery of the motor vehicle external to the exhaust line.

[0017] For example, the electronic device is configured to operate at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius (or above 400 degrees). Such electronic devices are known to those skilled in the art. The following article provides some examples of technologies that may be used: - R. Khazaka, L. Mendizabal, D. Henry and R. Hanna, "Survey of High-Temperature Reliability of Power Electronics Packaging Components," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 2456-2464, May 2015.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the electronic device is fixed (for example, riveted, glued and / or welded. For example, irremovably) to a (in other words: on an) (exterior of an) element of the exhaust line of the motor vehicle.

[0019] The electronic device may be ventilated, in order to reduce its operating temperature.

[0020] Alternatively, the electronic device is in a compartment of an element of the exhaust line.

[0021] The compartment (or electronic device) may be ventilated, for example, by openings from the compartment to the exterior of the exhaust (or electronic device).

[0022] For example, the element is a silencer of the exhaust line. It is in fact one of the least hot parts of the exhaust line.

[0023] Of course, the element can be another part of the exhaust line, such as the catalytic converter.

[0024] For example, the electronic device is thermally isolated from the rest of the exhaust line, by a thermal insulator.

[0025] By thermal insulation, we mean for example a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W nr1 K-1. It may be possible to choose an insulator resistant to high temperatures such as a ceramic insulator, for example ceramic fiber.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the exhaust line according to the invention.

[0027] The invention also relates to a communication system (in other words; a tracking system) comprising: - The motor vehicle, - A server capable of receiving the data via radiofrequency communication.

[0028] Thus, during the data transmission step, the data can be transmitted to the server.

[0029] Alternatively, the data may be transmitted to another electronic entity such as a computer or a mobile telephone, for example of an owner of the motor vehicle.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the server is capable of transmitting the geographical location of the exhaust line (for example in the form of a geographical map showing this location, or alternatively, in the form of geographical coordinates of this location), upon receipt of a request (for example from a mobile telephone), or alternatively, periodically.

[0031] This sending may be conditional on authentication with the server, for example of the owner of the motor vehicle.

[0032] Alternatively, the geographical location of the exhaust line can be used by the server without being sent to another electronic entity.

[0033] The server may also include non-fungible tokens of the exhaust lines, including a non-fungible token of the exhaust line. The non-fungible tokens may be used to verify that an exhaust line is associated with a motor vehicle or an owner.

[0034] Such an association can occur, for example, when mounting the exhaust line on the motor vehicle.

[0035] The exhaust line of the motor vehicle may include a marking and reading this marking indicates an internet link (in other words a multimedia marking). (linking to an internet link) to read the non-fungible token from the vehicle's exhaust line.

[0036] It is thus possible to easily check who owns the exhaust line, by following this link on the internet.

[0037] For example, the marking is an optically readable code (such as a quick response code, a bar code, or an alphanumeric code) and can be read optically. The marking can also be in a radio frequency tag, and read by a radio frequency reader.

[0038] Conventionally, non-fungible tokens are implemented in the form of a blockchain. A blockchain is, for example, a distributed ledger comprising confirmed blocks organized in an incremental sequential chain using cryptographic links. The blockchain is, for example, compliant with the 22739:2020 standard of the International Organization for Standardization. The database is, for example, in this case, compliant with one of the standards known as "ERC-721" (ERC for "Ethereum Request for Comments"), "ERC-1155" or "TZIP-12".

[0039] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, the exhaust line, the vehicle and the system are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0040] When the electronic device, motor vehicle, server (or other element) is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0041] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents a communication system, an exhaust line and a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, • [Fig.2] represents part of the exhaust line of [Fig.l] comprising an electronic device according to the invention, • [Fig.3] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.l].

[0042] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0043] [Fig.l] represents a system 1000 comprising a vehicle 100, which is a motor vehicle, and a server 200.

[0044] The vehicle 100 comprises an exhaust line L1 comprising a catalytic converter 130, an expansion chamber 120, a silencer 140 (in other words: an exhaust pipe), and a housing 110 welded to the silencer 140 (i.e., outside the silencer 140). The exhaust line L1 treats the gases produced by the propulsion engine M1 of the motor vehicle 100 before releasing them into the atmosphere.

[0045] [Fig.2], the housing 110, which may be made of stainless steel, comprises a component electronics 111 isolated from the catalytic converter 130 (and therefore from the rest of the catalytic converter) by a ceramic fiber insulator 112. The housing 110 can be ventilated by openings provided for this purpose.

[0046] The electronic component 111 may comprise several electronic circuits mounted on a printed circuit, but of course other architectures are conceivable (for example, a single integrated circuit and / or a system-on-chip architecture).

[0047] For example, the electronic component 111 is shaped to operate at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius (or above 400 degrees). Such electronic components are known to those skilled in the art. The following article provides some examples of technologies that may be used: - R. Khazaka, L. Mendizabal, D. Henry and R. Hanna, "Survey of High-Temperature Reliability of Power Electronics Packaging Components," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 2456-2464, May 2015.

[0048] The electronic component 111 comprises a power supply battery (not shown).

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 3], in step S00, the electronic component 111 determines a geographical location of the exhaust line LL

[0050] For example, the geographical location of the exhaust line L1 is determined by a satellite geolocation module (not shown) of the electronic component 111, for example of the so-called “GPS” type.

[0051] In step S10, the electronic component 111 transmits this geographical location and an identifier of the motor vehicle 100, via a radiofrequency communication module (not shown) of the electronic component 111 and the mobile telephone network 300, to the server 200.

[0052] The identifier of the motor vehicle 100 can be loaded beforehand into the electronic component 111, for example when the exhaust line L1 is mounted on the motor vehicle 100.

[0053] In step S20, the owner of the vehicle 400 authenticates himself via his mobile phone 410.

[0054] In step S30, the server 200 sends, to the mobile telephone 410, the location of the exhaust line L1 to the mobile telephone 410 in the form of a geographical map showing this location.

[0055] For example, steps S10 and S30 may be repeated periodically to allow the owner 410 of the motor vehicle 100 to track the movement of the motor vehicle 100.

[0056] The server 200 may also include non-fungible tokens of exhaust lines, in particular a non-fungible token of the exhaust line L1 of the motor vehicle 100. The non-fungible tokens may make it possible to verify that an exhaust line is indeed associated with a motor vehicle or an owner.

[0057] Such an association may occur, for example, when mounting an exhaust line on a motor vehicle.

[0058] The non-fungible tokens are stored, in the memory of the server 200, in the form of a blockchain 210 compliant with the standard 22739:2020 of the international organization for standardization.

[0059] The exhaust line L1 of the motor vehicle 100 may comprise a barcode 141 (for example two-dimensional, also called “QR code”) and reading this barcode 141 indicates an internet link) for reading the non-fungible token of the exhaust line L1 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0060] It is thus possible to easily check who owns the exhaust line L1, by following this link via the internet, for example using the mobile phone 410.

Claims

Claims

1. Communication method, implemented by an electronic device (111) of an exhaust line (L1) of a motor vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Determination (S00) of a geographical location of the exhaust line (L1) of the motor vehicle (100), - Transmission of data (S10), via a radiofrequency communication (300), the data comprising the geographical location of the exhaust line (L1) of the motor vehicle (100).

2. A communication method according to claim 1 wherein the data comprises an identifier of the motor vehicle (100).

3. Electronic device (111) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

4. Electronic device (111) according to claim 3 wherein the electronic device (111) is attached to an element (140) of the exhaust line (L1) of the motor vehicle (100).

5. Exhaust line (L1) comprising the electronic device (110) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the exhaust line (L1) according to the preceding claim.

7. Communication system (1000) comprising: - The motor vehicle (100) according to the preceding claim, - A server (200) capable of receiving the data via radiofrequency communication.

8. Communication system (1000) according to the preceding claim in which the server (200) is capable of transmitting the geographical location of the exhaust line (L1) of the motor vehicle (100).

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