METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING VEHICLE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a programming method (Pr1) for vehicle tire pressure sensors (1) (2), comprising: – activating at least one programmable pressure sensor (1); – receiving at least one signal (s1) emitted; – determining an identifier (i1) of said at least one activated pressure sensor (1) based on said at least one received signal (s1) and determining its current position (i2) in the vehicle; – searching a database (bdd) for a stored identifier-stored position pair (i1'-i2') whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of said pressure sensor (1); – comparing said identifier (i1) with the stored identifier (i1') of said pair (i1'-i2'); – if the comparison is negative, reprogramming said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1'). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING VEHICLE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors. The invention also relates to a programming device configured for implementing said programming method. It finds particular, but not limiting, application in the field of electronic tire pressure monitoring systems for motor vehicles (TPMS), especially for trucks.

[0002] Said programming device makes it possible in particular to activate, communicate and / or reprogram one or more elements of the electronic tire pressure control systems (this type of device is sometimes also called a TPMS valve forcing device), including the pressure sensors of said systems.

[0003] As is known to those skilled in the art, an electronic tire pressure monitoring system comprises an on-board computer housed in the vehicle, as well as one or more pressure sensors located inside the tires, thus measuring the internal pressure of the tires, and configured to communicate this pressure value to the vehicle's on-board computer. The on-board computer can then alert the vehicle user if one of the tires were to puncture or deflate, posing a risk to their safety.

[0004] When a truck travels long distances, it is sometimes necessary to rotate the tires for safety reasons and to even out tire wear. Depending on the truck's load, if the load is heavy, the rear tires, which support the trailer and its load, tend to wear out faster than the front tires, which support the part of the truck pulling the trailer. Therefore, it is beneficial to rotate the front and rear tires to even out tire wear over time, thus preventing uneven wear and optimizing tire life. The tires are rotated according to a specific mileage, for example.

[0005] The tires on the same axle are generally rotated at the same time since they tend to wear in the same way. The tires are thus rotated according to the position of their axle. Thus, two tires carried tires on the same axle will be swapped with two other tires carried by another axle.

[0006] Generally, to determine the new position of the pressure sensor housed in a tire whose position has been changed, the vehicle's on-board computer, in this case the truck, performs a position relearning procedure. This is done using a learning tool, called a TPMS tool, which activates the various pressure sensors to determine their unique identifier and their new position in the truck. This identifier-position pair is then updated in the on-board computer's memory by transmitting it via an OBD link between the TPMS tool and the on-board computer.

[0007] One drawback of this prior art is that, in the case of a truck, the position of several tires can be changed at any time on the road during a truck journey, and the truck driver can call upon any maintenance service that happens to be passing by to rotate the tires. However, these maintenance services generally do not have access to the truck cab for safety reasons and therefore cannot connect to the vehicle's on-board computer via the OBD connection. Similarly, for safety reasons, these maintenance services cannot connect to the truck's on-board computer via a wireless connection. Furthermore, the on-board computer is often switched off when a maintenance service is operating.

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to propose a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors which makes it possible to resolve the aforementioned drawback.

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a method for programming vehicle tire pressure sensors, said programming method comprising: - an activation of at least one programmable pressure sensor; - reception of at least one signal emitted by said at least pressure sensor following said activation; - a determination of an identifier of said at least one activated pressure sensor on the basis of said at least one received signal and a determination of its current position in the vehicle; - a search in a database for a stored identifier-stored position pair where the stored position corresponds to the current position of said pressure sensor, - a comparison of the identifier of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of said pair; - if the comparison is negative, a reprogramming of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0010] According to non-limiting embodiments, said programming method may further comprise one or more additional features taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, from among the following.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said database is located on a remote server or in a memory of a programming device.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said stored identifier is an identifier of a non-programmable pressure sensor.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, each step of the programming method is carried out sequentially for all pressure sensors of said vehicle before the next step, where all the steps of the programming method are carried out for each pressure sensor of said vehicle before moving on to the next pressure sensor.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said pair is stored in the database according to a criterion and said programming method further includes prior to the step of searching said pair in said database a search in said database for said criterion.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming method further includes, prior to the search step for said pair, a search in said database for said pressure sensor identifier and if it does not exist in said database, said programming method further includes sending an alert message indicating that said at least one pressure sensor must be returned to its memorized position.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming method includes prior to a change of position of said at least one pressure sensor in the vehicle the execution of the steps of activation, reception of said at least one signal, determination of said identifier and of said current position, and - a comparison of the identifier and the current position of said at least one pressure sensor of said vehicle with pairs stored in said database, - if no stored identifier of said pairs corresponds to the identifier, an update of the database with a new pair composed of said identifier and said current position.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said stored identifier is an identifier stored in an on-board computer of said vehicle and said stored position is a position stored in said on-board computer.

[0019] A pressure sensor programming device for an electronic tire pressure control system of a vehicle is also proposed, said programming device comprising: (a) - an activation module configured to activate said pressure sensor; (b) - a receiving module configured to receive at least one signal from the pressure sensor; (c) - an electronic entity configured for: - determine an identifier of said activated pressure sensor based on said at least one received signal and determine its current position in the vehicle - search a database for a stored identifier-stored position pair where the stored position corresponds to the current position of said pressure sensor, - compare the identifier of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of said pair; - if the comparison is negative, a reprogramming of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device includes said database in which the torque is stored.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic entity is further configured to, prior to the activation of said pressure sensor, search in said database for an identification number of said vehicle in which said at least one pressure sensor is located.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic entity is further configured to send an alert message if the pressure sensor identifier is not found in said database, indicating that said at least one pressure sensor must be returned to its memorized position.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0024] A method for maintaining a vehicle is further proposed, said vehicle comprising an electronic system for controlling the pressure of the tires of said vehicle and said tires, said tires each comprising a pressure sensor, characterized in that said maintenance method comprises: - a change of position of at least two tires in said vehicle, - an execution of the programming method according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the change of position is carried out for four tires, including two tires carried by the same axle which are exchanged with two other tires carried by another axle.

[0026] 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 a computer, the steps being: - activation of at least one programmable pressure sensor; - reception of at least one signal emitted by said at least pressure sensor following said activation; - a determination of an identifier of said at least one activated pressure sensor on the basis of said at least one received signal and a determination of its current position in the vehicle; - a search in a database for a stored identifier-stored position pair where the stored position corresponds to the current position of said pressure sensor, - a comparison of the identifier of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier of said pair; - if the comparison is negative, a reprogramming of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0027] It is further proposed a non-transient computer-readable data storage medium in which instructions are stored which, when executed by an information processing unit, cause said information processing unit to execute the programming method characterized in any of the preceding characteristics.

[0028] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - The [Fig. 1] is a flowchart illustrating a method of programming vehicle tire pressure sensors according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention; - Figure [Fig. 2] illustrates the programming method of Figure [Fig. 1], said programming method comprising additional steps according to non-limiting embodiments, - Figure 3 is a very schematic representation of a pressure sensor programming device with the various functions it performs, said programming device being configured to implement the programming method of Figures 1 or 2. - [Fig.4] is a view of the programming device of [Fig.3] which cooperates with a pressure sensor of an electronic tire pressure control system of a vehicle, - [Fig.5] is a flowchart of a method for maintaining a vehicle, said vehicle comprising an electronic system for controlling the pressure of the vehicle's tires and said tires.

[0029] Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing on different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0030] The programming method Prl of tire pressure sensors 1 of vehicle 3 according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. It is implemented by a programming device 4 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0031] In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 3 is a motor vehicle. In non-limiting variants of this embodiment, the motor vehicle 3 is a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid motor. The vehicle 3 is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. It is equipped with tires 2, also called tires 2, in which pressure sensors 1 are housed. There is only one pressure sensor 1 per tire 2. The pressure sensors 1 are programmable pressure sensors 1. That is to say, they include programmable, i.e., rewritable memory. In non-limiting examples, this memory is EEPROM, Flash, or FRAM memory.

[0032] The vehicle 3 also includes an electronic control unit 30 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]), 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" with the associated acronym "TPMS") and referenced as 5 in [Fig. 4].

[0033] In a non-limiting example, vehicle 3 is a truck. This non-limiting example is taken from the remainder of the description. The on-board computer 30 is accessible via a cab 31 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]) of the truck 3.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The current position of the pressure sensor 1 corresponds to that of the tire 2 in which it is housed. The pressure sensor 1 includes a unique identifier il and therefore a current position i2 which corresponds to the current position of the tire 2 on the vehicle 3. Thus, the position of each pressure sensor 1 corresponds to the actual position of each corresponding tire 2 on the vehicle 3.

[0037] It should be noted that the identifier il and its current position i2 are stored in the programmable memory of the pressure sensor 1. Furthermore, the on-board computer 30 includes stored in memory a set of pairs associated each with each pressure sensor 1, a pair comprising the identifier of the pressure sensor 1 and a corresponding position of the tire 2 on the truck 3 at a given time t. The pair is denoted il'-i2', with il' the stored identifier and i2' the stored position at the given time t.

[0038] Thanks to the pressure sensor 1, the on-board computer 30 can manage the corresponding tire 2 and alert the user if the corresponding tire 2 has a problem such as, in non-limiting examples, a pressure problem, a temperature problem, or a wear problem (depending on the pressure).

[0039] The stored position i2' of a pressure sensor 1 allows the on-board computer 30 to know which tire 2 it is, namely the front right, front left, rear right, rear left, or even center right, center left in the case of a truck 3 with six tires 2 in a non-limiting example. The example of six tires 2 is taken as a non-limiting example in the remainder of the description.

[0040] In the non-limiting example of six tires 2, the on-board computer 30 thus stored the following information for each pressure sensor 1: - a stored identifier il'.l of a first pressure sensor 1 with a value of 1 associated with the stored position i2'.1 front-right of a corresponding first tire 2, - a stored identifier il'.2 of a second pressure sensor 1 with a value of 2 associated with the stored position i2'.2 front-left of a corresponding second tire 2, - a stored identifier il'.3 of a third pressure sensor 1 with a value of 3 associated with the stored position i2'.3 center-right of a corresponding third tire 2, - a stored identifier il'.4 of a fourth pressure sensor 1 with a value of 4 associated with the stored position i2'.4 center-left of a corresponding fourth tire 2, - a stored identifier il'.5 of a fifth pressure sensor 1 with a value of 5 associated with the stored position i2'.5 rear-right of a corresponding fifth tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.6 of a sixth pressure sensor 1 of value 6 associated with the memorized position i2'.6 rear-left of a corresponding sixth tire 2.

[0041] The values ​​are given by way of non-limiting examples. Thus, if the on-board computer 30 queries the first pressure sensor 1 via its stored identifier il'.1, it will retrieve a pressure reading, for example, and associate it with the stored position i2' recorded in memory, and therefore here with the tire 2 whose stored position i2' is front-right. Therefore, it will correlate the retrieved pressure with the front-right tire 2 and will warn the user that the pressure of the front-right tire 2 is problematic if this is the case.

[0042] Thus, for each pressure sensor 1, there is a pair il'-i2' stored in the on-board computer 30. The set of all pairs il'-i2' is stored by the on-board computer 30, but also in a remote database bdd from the on-board computer 30, illustrated in [Fig. 4]. For each pressure sensor 1, the last pair recorded in the database bdd is the same as the one in the on-board computer 30. As will be seen below, if there is a change of tires 2, namely a rotation between at least two tires 2 of the truck 3, the identifier il of the pressure sensors 1 concerned is reprogrammed according to this database bdd and thus to what is stored in the on-board computer 30.

[0043] Typically, a truck 3 travels long distances. Therefore, for safety reasons, it is useful to change the position of the truck 3's tires 2 by swapping, for example, the rear tires 2 with the front tires 2, two at a time in a non-limiting example, to ensure even wear of the tires 2 over time. Indeed, the tires 2 (positioned at the rear and in the center of the truck 3) that support the truck 3's load generally wear out faster than those (positioned at the front of the truck 3) that support the part that pulls the truck 3.

[0044] When tires 2 of the truck 3 are swapped, the corresponding pressure sensors 1 are also swapped. Consequently, the position associated with the identifier 11 of the pressure sensor 1 changes. For example, if the first front-right tire 2 is swapped with the fifth rear-right tire 2, and the second front-left tire 2 with the sixth rear-left tire, the following is obtained: - the rear-right position associated with the identifier of the first pressure sensor 1 has a value of 1, - the rear-left position associated with the identifier of the 2nd pressure sensor 1 with a value of 2, - the front-right position associated with the identifier of the 5th pressure sensor 1 with a value of 5, - the front-left position associated with the identifier of the 6th pressure sensor 1 with a value of 6.

[0045] This no longer corresponds at all to what has been stored by the on-board computer 30. Therefore, if nothing is done, when the on-board computer 30 queries the first pressure sensor 1 via its stored identifier il'.l, it will retrieve a pressure reading, for example, and associate it with the stored position i2' recorded in memory, and thus here with tire 2, whose stored position i2' is front-right. It will then correlate the retrieved pressure with the front-right tire 2 and warn the user that the pressure of the front-right tire 2 is problematic if this is the case. However, this warning will be false information since it is ultimately the rear-right tire 2 that is affected.

[0046] In order for the on-board computer 30 to always correctly warn the user if a tire 2 has any problem and thus prevent the on-board computer 30 from giving false information, it is necessary that it be aware of the new position of the pressure sensors 1 of the tires 2 (and therefore of the tires 2) which have been swapped at some time after the given time t.

[0047] The Prl programming method allows this without an external third party having access to the cab 31 of the truck 3 and therefore to the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3.

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

[0049] In a step E10 illustrated in F10(4, 1), the programming device 4 activates a pressure sensor 1. When activated, the pressure sensor 1 emits at least one signal si including its identifier il. Note that the si signal may include other information such as the pressure of the corresponding tire 2, as well as its temperature, in non-limiting examples.

[0050] In a step E12 illustrated F12(4, sl(il)), following said activation, the programming device 4 receives said at least one signal emitted by said pressure sensor 1.

[0051] In a step E14 illustrated F14(4, il, i2, si), the programming device 4 determines the current identifier il of the pressure sensor 1 which has been activated on the basis of said at least one signal si received, as well as its current position i2 in the truck 3.

[0052] The determination of the current position i2 is determined according to a defined order. Thus, in a non-limiting example, the defined order is: front-right, front-left, center-right, center-left, rear-right, rear-left, in the non-limiting example of six tires 2.

[0053] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the defined order is predetermined by the programming device 4. The current position i2 is thus known to the programming device 4. In this case, the programming device 4 is configured to display this predetermined order on a display device 42 so that the operator positions himself in front of each pressure sensor 1 and activates them in this predetermined order.

[0054] In a second, non-limiting embodiment, the defined order is determined by the operator, who positions themselves in front of each pressure sensor 1 according to a predetermined order and activates them in that order. In this case, the programming device 4 is configured to prompt the operator, via its display device 42, for the defined order. The operator can then enter the defined order via a keypad 47, and thus, the programming device 4 determines the current position i2 of each pressure sensor 1.

[0055] In a step E16 illustrated F16(4, bdd, (il '-i2')), the programming device 4 searches in a database bdd for a stored identifier-position pair il'-i2' whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1.

[0056] In a non-limiting embodiment, the database bdd is located on a remote server 6 or is a database embedded in a memory 44 of the programming device 4. In another non-limiting embodiment, it can be located on the remote server 6 (illustrated in [Fig.4]) and also in the memory 44 of the programming device 4. In the case where the database bdd is located on a remote server 6, the programming device 4 is configured to communicate with this remote server 6 and thus access said database bdd.

[0057] The database bdd comprises a set of pairs il'-i2' stored identifier-tire position 2 which are the last recorded in the on-board computer 30. It thus forms a mirror of the memory of the on-board computer 30 with respect to the pairs il'-i2'. Thus, in the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig. 4], it comprises the six pairs il'.l-i2'.1 to il'.6-i2'.6 described previously.

[0058] In a non-limiting embodiment, the stored identifier il' is an identifier of a non-programmable pressure sensor, namely one that includes non-modifiable, non-rewritable memory such as, in a non-limiting example, ROM memory. Specifically, this sensor is a pressure sensor that was originally fitted to the tire 2 and is therefore the original pressure sensor. while the current pressure sensor 1 is a pressure sensor that has been fitted to the tire 2 as a second-hand (aftermarket) replacement for the original pressure sensor.

[0059] In a step E18 illustrated F18(4, il, il'), the programming device 4 compares the current identifier il of the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier il' of the pair il'-i2'.

[0060] In a step E20 illustrated F20(4, 1, il'), if the comparison is negative, i.e., the identifier il of the pressure sensor 1 is different from the stored identifier il', this means that the pressure sensor 1 at the current position i2 is no longer the same and has been changed. Consequently, the pneumatic 2 in which the activated pressure sensor 1 is housed has changed position. In this case, the programming device 4 reprograms the pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier il' of the pair il'-i2'. The programmable memory of the pressure sensor 1 is modified with the value of the stored identifier il', which thus becomes the new value of the identifier il. Therefore, the activated pressure sensor 1 has a new identifier il. To this end, the programming device 4 sends a programming signal to the pressure sensor 1 containing the stored identifier il'.In one non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is a low-frequency signal. In one non-limiting example, the low-frequency signal is a signal transmitted at 125 kHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is a Bluetooth™ signal. In a variant of this non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is transmitted according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, abbreviated as BLE. The programming signal is thus a BLE signal.

[0061] It will be noted that if the comparison is positive, namely the identifier il of the pressure sensor 1 is identical to the stored identifier il', this means that the pressure sensor 1 which is at the current position i2 has not been modified and that its corresponding pneumatic 2 has not changed position.

[0062] It should be noted that the database bdd includes the stored identifier-position pairs of the tires 2 of the pressure sensors 1 of the original equipment or of the second equipment if the pressure sensors of the original equipment have been replaced by new pressure sensors 1 due to the replacement of a worn tire 2, for example. In the latter case, the stored identifier il' of the original equipment pressure sensor has been cloned into the programmable pressure sensor.

[0063] The steps E10 to E20 described above are performed for all pressure sensors 1 whose tires 2 have been interchanged.

[0064] In a first, non-limiting embodiment, each step of the Prl programming method is performed sequentially for all pressure sensors 1 of the truck 3 before the next step. Thus, for example, all pressure sensors 1 are activated before determining the identifier il and the current position i2 of the pressure sensors 1. Thus, for example, all the identifiers il and the current positions i2 of all the activated pressure sensors 1 are determined before performing the search in the database bdd. Thus, for example, the comparison step E18 is performed for the set of identifiers il found for the set of activated pressure sensors 1.

[0065] In a second, non-limiting embodiment, all the steps of the Prl programming method are performed for each pressure sensor 1 of the truck 3 before moving on to the next pressure sensor 1. Thus, a first pressure sensor 1 is activated, its identifier il and its current position i2 are determined, a search is performed in the database bdd for a pair il'-i2' whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2, this is compared with the stored identifier il', and the pressure sensor 1 is reprogrammed with the stored identifier il', before performing the same steps for a subsequent pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting variant of the embodiment, the steps are performed according to a predetermined sequence. Thus, in a non-limiting example, the sequence indicates that it is necessary to start with the front-right pressure sensor 1, then the front-left, then the center-right, then the center-left, then the rear-right, then the rear-left.In a non-limiting embodiment, the sequence is pre-programmed in the programming device 4. In this case, in a non-limiting example, when the operator launches the programming method Prl by means of the programming device 4, the latter displays on its display device 42 a message with said sequence in order to guide the operator.

[0066] The Prl programming method includes additional, non-limiting steps illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0067] In a non-limiting embodiment (branch B illustrated in [Fig.2]), prior to any change in the position of the pressure sensor 1 in the vehicle 3, the programming method Prl comprises, for each pressure sensor 1, the execution of the steps of activation, reception of said at least one signal si, determination of said current identifier il and of said current position i2, and for each pressure sensor 1: - a step E14' illustrated F14'(4, il- i2, bdd(il'-i2')) comparing the identifier il and the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1 of said vehicle 3 with the set of pairs (il'-12') stored in said database bdd, - a step E14” illustrated F14”(4, bdd, il-i2) if no stored identifier il' of said pairs il '-i2' corresponds to the identifier il, an update of the database bdd with a new pair composed of said identifier il and said current position i2.

[0068] This allows you to have an up-to-date database or to create one and thus have a database that corresponds to reality.

[0069] These additional steps E14' and E14” are carried out by the programming device 4. It should be noted that the operator who carries out the maintenance of the truck 3 and who uses the programming device 4 knows whether he has changed the tires 2 of the truck 3 or not.

[0070] In a non-limiting embodiment, the following additional steps are performed after a change in position of the tires 2 of the truck 3 (branch A illustrated in [Fig. 2]). Note that in [Fig. 2], the bubble containing a 0 indicates the start of the Prl programming method.

[0071] The database bdd relates to pressure sensors 1 mounted in different vehicles 3.

[0072] In a non-limiting embodiment, the pair il'-i2' is stored in the database according to a criterion and. In non-limiting embodiments, the criterion and is defined from among: - a vehicle identification number, known by the acronym VIN for "Vehicle Identification Number" in English, - a vehicle registration plate, - a communication protocol for pressure sensor 1, - a tire configuration 2.

[0073] In a non-limiting example, tire configuration 2 is a single or dual tire configuration.

[0074] Also, in a non-limiting embodiment, the Prl programming method further includes, prior to step E16 of searching for the pair il'-i2', a step E15” illustrated F15”(4, 3, et, bdd) of searching the database bdd for said criterion et. This allows for a faster search for the pair il'-i2' in the database bdd. The search is performed by the programming device 4. In practice, in a non-limiting example of the criterion et being the vehicle identification number (VIN), an operator using the programming device 4 will, for example, enter the vehicle identification number (VIN), which they find written on a door of the truck 3, for example, into a human-machine interface of the programming device 4 in order to allow the latter to initiate the search. In a non-limiting example, the vehicle identification number (VIN) is the chassis number of the vehicle 3.

[0075] In a non-limiting embodiment, the Prl programming method further comprises: - prior to step E16 of searching for said pair il'-i2', a step E15 illustrated F 15(4, bdd, il) of searching in said database bdd for said identifier il of pressure sensor 1, and - if there is no such database in said database bdd (branch C illustrated on [Fig.2]), a step E15' illustrated F15(4, msg) to send an alert message msg indicating that said at least one pressure sensor 1 must be returned to its memorized position i2', namely that known and recorded in memory in the on-board computer 30.

[0076] Indeed, if the identifier is not found in the database, it is not possible to interchange tires 2 because, since it is not known to the database, it cannot be reprogrammed. Furthermore, the on-board computer 30 will believe it sees the corresponding tire 2 in the correct position when this is not the case.

[0077] If the identifier il of the pressure sensor exists in the database bdd (branch D illustrated in [Fig.2]), then the next step E16 described previously is carried out.

[0078] These two additional steps E15 and E15' are carried out by the programming device 4.

[0079] Thus, the Prl programming method is carried out by a pressure sensor programming device 4 for a vehicle tire pressure electronic control system 5. The programming device 4 is described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0080] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 is a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) tool. It is a tire pressure control tool 2 that allows communication with the electronic tire pressure control system 5, in particular with the pressure sensors 1.

[0081] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 includes an activation module 41 configured to activate the pressure sensor 1 (function shown f410(41, 1, s0)). For this purpose, the activation module 41 is configured to transmit an activation signal sO to the pressure sensor 1. The activation signal sO is an electromagnetic signal, either continuous or modulated. In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal sO is a low-frequency signal LF. In one non-limiting example, the activation signal sO is transmitted at 125 kHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal sO is a Bluetooth™ signal. In a non-limiting variant of this embodiment, the transmission of the activation signal sO is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the acronym BLE. The activation signal sO is therefore a so-called BLE signal.

[0082] The activation module 41 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and includes an antenna 410, illustrated in [Fig. 4], configured to transmit said activation signal sO. It should be noted that the programming device 4 is aware of the communication protocol used by the pressure sensor 1. Therefore, it sends the activation signal sO using the appropriate communication protocol.

[0083] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 includes an embedded database containing a list of communication protocols for each type of pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting embodiment, the communication protocols are sorted in the embedded database by vehicle make and model. In this case, the operator using the programming device 4 selects (via a keypad 47 illustrated in [Fig. 4] in a non-limiting example) the make and then the model of the vehicle 3 on which they want to apply the programming method Prl before launching said method. Thus, this embedded database contains all the vehicles whose pressure sensors 1 have been programmed or reprogrammed by the programming device 4. In a non-limiting embodiment, the embedded database is the same as the bdd database, which includes a set of pairs il'-i2'.

[0084] Thus, after the operator has selected the make and model of the truck 3, the number of communication protocols is then restricted to pressure sensors 1 that have actually been mounted on the truck 3, as well as to reprogrammable pressure sensors 1 compatible with said vehicle.

[0085] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 further includes a receiving module 43 configured to receive at least one signal si from the pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated f430(43, 1, si)). Indeed, following the activation signal sO, the pressure sensor 1 returns said at least one signal si. This signal si includes, in particular, its identifier il. In a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one signal s1 is a radio frequency signal. In a non-limiting embodiment, it is a radio frequency signal transmitted and received between 300 MHz and 500 MHz. In a non-limiting variant of the embodiment, it is a radio frequency signal transmitted and received at 433 MHz or 315 MHz. In another non-limiting embodiment, the signal si is a Bluetooth™ signal. In a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of the signal is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referenced by the acronym BLE.The signal si is thus a so-called BLE signal. The receiving module 43 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and includes a . antenna 430 illustrated in [Fig.3] configured to receive said at least one signal if.

[0086] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 further comprises an electronic unit 45 configured to: - determine an identifier of said pressure sensor 1 activated on the basis of said at least one signal if received and determine its current position i2 in vehicle 3 (function illustrated f450(45, il-i2)), - search in the database bdd for a pair il'-i2' stored identifier - stored position whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2 of said pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated f451(45, bdd, il'-i2')), - compare the identifier il of said pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier il' of said pair il' - i2' (function illustrated f452(45, il, il'-i2')); - if the comparison is negative, reprogram said pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier il' (function illustrated f453(45, 1, il)).

[0087] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is, in non-limiting examples, a processor with a memory.

[0088] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - search in said database bdd for a criterion and according to which the pairs il'-i2' are stored in said database bdd (function illustrated f454(45, 3, et, bdd)).

[0089] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - search in said database bdd for said identifier il of pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated f455(45, bdd, il)), and - if it does not exist in said database bdd, send an alert message msg indicating that it is necessary to put said at least one pressure sensor 1 back into its memorized position i2' (function illustrated f456(45, msg)).

[0090] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is further configured to: - compare the identifier il and the current position i2 of said pressure sensor 1 of said vehicle 3 with the set of pairs il'-12' stored in said database bdd (function illustrated f457(45, il- i2, bdd(il'-i2')), - if no stored identifier il' of said pairs il'-i2' corresponds to the identifier il, update the database bdd with a new pair composed of said identifier il and said current position i2 (function illustrated f458(45, bdd, il-i2)).

[0091] In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 comprises said database bdd. It is located in a memory 44 of the programming device 4. The database bdd includes a set of pairs il'-i2' corresponding to each pressure sensor 1 of each tire 2 of the truck 3 when the tires 2 are in a position corresponding to a memorized position i2' at the given time t.

[0092] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the programming device 4 further includes a battery 46.

[0093] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the programming device 4 further comprises: - a housing 40, in a non-limiting example made of plastic, - a display device 42, such as a screen. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen, - a keyboard 47, and - an OBD 49 socket configured to allow, for example, the connection of the programming device 4 to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3, in particular via an OBD cable.

[0094] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 further includes a communication port 48 illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In a non-limiting example, the communication port 48 is a USB port. The communication port 48 is configured to connect the programming device 4 to an electronic device, such as a computer. The communication port 48 is further configured to be connected to a power supply to receive electrical energy for charging the battery 46. This power supply may be a mains power outlet, but also any type of electronic or electrical device capable of supplying power to the battery 46, such as a computer.

[0095] It should be noted that the implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18, and E20 described above can be carried out using microprogrammed software, hardwired logic, and / or electronic hardware components. In a non-limiting embodiment, the implementation of steps E14 and E14', and / or step E15', and / or steps E15 and E15' described above according to the embodiments realized, is also carried out using microprogrammed software, hardwired logic, and / or electronic hardware components.

[0096] Thus, the programming 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 allowing implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18 and E20 described above and where applicable steps E14 and E14', and / or step E15”, and / or steps E15 and E15'.

[0097] 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.

[0098] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.3], a computer program product Pg is written into the memory 44 of the programming device 4.

[0099] 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 allowing an implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18 and E20.

[0100] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are further steps E14 and E14', and / or of step E15”, and / or of steps E15 and E15'.

[0101] The computer program product Pg is incorporated on a computer-readable non-transient data storage medium Md in which are stored instructions which, when executed by an information processing unit, cause said information processing unit to execute the programming method Prl described above.

[0102] In non-limiting embodiments, the computer-readable non-transient data storage medium Md is an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In non-limiting examples, the computer-readable non-transient data storage medium Md is a ROM or similar read-only memory such as a PROM, an EPROM or similar erasable programmable read-only memory such as an EEPROM, Flash memory, semiconductor memory, a DVD, etc. In the non-limiting example of [Fig. 3], the computer-readable non-transient data storage medium Md is the memory 44 described above.

[0103] Although the computer-readable non-transient data recording medium Md is represented, as in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], as a single medium, the term computer-readable non-transient data recording medium should be considered as including a single medium or multiple media.

[0104] A non-transient, computer-readable data recording medium Md such as the one used herein shall not be interpreted as being a transient signal in itself, such as a radio wave or an electromagnetic wave propagating through a waveguide of waves or other transmission medium, or an electrical signal transmitted through a wire.

[0105] Thus, as understood, the programming method Prl can be used by an operator when maintenance is being performed on the truck 3, and in particular for swapping tires 2 of the truck 3. Figure 5 illustrates a maintenance method Pr2 of a vehicle 3 according to a non-limiting embodiment, said vehicle 3 comprising an electronic control system 5 for the pressure of the tires 2 of said vehicle 3 and said tires 2, each of said tires 2 comprising a pressure sensor 1. The maintenance method Pr2 comprises: - in a first stage E30 illustrated F30(2), a change in the position of at least two tires 2 in said vehicle 3, - in a second step E31 illustrated F31(Prl), an execution of the programming method Prl.

[0106] In a non-limiting embodiment, the change of position is performed for four tires 2, two of which are mounted on the same axle 32 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]) and are exchanged with two other tires 2 mounted on a different axle 32 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]). This allows tires 2 that have worn in the same way to be replaced with two other tires that are less worn.

[0107] Thus, it will be noted that it is the operator who changes the tires 2 who reprograms the pressure sensors 1 of said tires 2 by means of the programming device 4.

[0108] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments and the scope described above. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the display device 42 and the keyboard 47 of the programming device 4 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. Thus, in other non-limiting embodiments, said criterion and search in the database can be: - a date and time of the last intervention on vehicle 3, - a username for the TPMS tool, - a geographical position at the time of the last intervention on the vehicle 3.

[0109] Thus, the described invention has, in particular, the following advantages: - it allows an identifier 11 to be re-associated with a current position of the pressure sensor 1 without requiring relearning of the on-board computer 30 in the event that the latter is not accessible during vehicle maintenance 3, - It allows the on-board computer 30 to always know the correct position of tires 2 even after a rotation of tires 2, - It is simple and quick to implement.

Claims

Demands

1. Programming method (Prl) for tire pressure sensors (1) of vehicle (3) tires, said programming method (Prl) comprising: - activating at least one programmable pressure sensor (1); - receiving at least one signal (si) emitted by said at least one pressure sensor (1) following said activation; - determining an identifier (il) of said at least one activated pressure sensor (1) based on said at least one received signal (si) and determining its current position (i2) in the vehicle (3); - searching a database (bdd) for a stored identifier-stored position pair (il'-i2') whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of said pressure sensor (1); - comparing the identifier (il) of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il') of said pair (il'-i2');- if the comparison is negative, a reprogramming of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il'), said programming method (Prl) being characterized in that it further comprises, prior to the search step of said pair (il'-i2'), a search in said database (bdd) for said identifier (il) of the pressure sensor (1) and, if it does not exist in said database (bdd), the sending of an alert message (msg) indicating that said at least one pressure sensor (1) must be put back in its stored position (i2').;

2. Programming method (Prl) according to claim 1, characterized in that said database (bdd) is located on a remote server (6) or in a memory (44) of a programming device (4).

3. Programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stored identifier (il') is an identifier of a non-programmable pressure sensor.

4. A programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each step of the programming method (Prl) is performed sequentially for all pressure sensors (1) of said vehicle (3) before the next step, where all the steps of the programming method (Prl) are carried out for each pressure sensor (1) of said vehicle (3) before moving on to the next pressure sensor (1).

5. Programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pair (il'-i2') is stored in the database (bdd) according to a criterion (and) and in that said programming method (Prl) further comprises, prior to the step of searching said pair (il'-i2') in said database (bdd), a search in said database (bdd) of said criterion (and).

6. Programming method (Prl) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said criterion (et) is defined among: - a vehicle identification number, - a vehicle registration plate, - a communication protocol for said pressure sensor (1).

7. Programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said programming method (Prl) comprises prior to a change of position of said at least one pressure sensor (1) in the vehicle (3) the performance of the steps of activation, of receiving said at least one signal (si), of determining said identifier (il) and of said current position (i2), and - a comparison of the identifier (il) and the current position (i2) of said at least one pressure sensor (1) of said vehicle (3) with pairs (il'-12') stored in said database (bdd), - if no stored identifier (il') of said pairs (il'-i2') corresponds to the identifier (il), an update of the database (bdd) with a new pair composed of said identifier (il) and said current position (i2).

8. Programming device (4) for pressure sensor (1) for electronic control system (5) of tire pressure (2) of a vehicle (3), said programming device (4) comprising: (a) - an activation module (41) configured to activate said pressure sensor (1); (b) - a receiver module (43) configured to receive at least one signal (si) from the pressure sensor (1); (c) - an electronic entity (45) configured to: - determine an identifier (il) of said pressure sensor (1) activated on the basis of said at least one signal (si) received and determine its current position (i2) in the vehicle (3), - search in a database (bdd) for a pair (il'-i2') stored identifier-stored position whose stored position (i2') corresponds to the current position (i2) of said pressure sensor (1), - compare the identifier (il) of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il') of said pair (il'-i2');- if the comparison is negative, a reprogramming of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il'), and prior to searching for said pair (il'-i2'), search in said database (bdd) for said identifier (il) of the pressure sensor (1) and, if it does not exist in said database (bdd), send an alert message (msg) indicating that said at least one pressure sensor (1) must be put back in its stored position (i2').;

9. Maintenance method (Pr2) of a vehicle (3), said vehicle (3) comprising an electronic control system (5) for the pressure of the tires (2) of said vehicle (3) and said tires (2), said tires (2) each comprising a pressure sensor (1), characterized in that said maintenance method (Pr2) comprises: - a change of position of at least two tires (2) in said vehicle (3), - an execution of the programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

Images