METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING VEHICLE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for programming (Pr1) vehicle tire pressure sensors (1) (2), comprising: – activating at least one programmable pressure sensor (1); – receiving at least one signal (s1) emitted by said at least one pressure sensor (1) following said activation; – determining a current position (i2) in the vehicle of said at least one activated pressure sensor (1); – 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); – programming said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (i1'). 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 forcer), in particular 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] Generally, to determine the position of a pressure sensor housed in a tire, the vehicle's on-board computer 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 position in the vehicle. 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.

[0005] For safety reasons, when a tire is too worn, it must be replaced with a new one. The replacement can be carried out by any maintenance service. The new tire includes a new pressure sensor without an identifier known to the on-board computer.

[0006] One drawback of this prior art is that, in the case of a truck, a tire can be changed at any time, for example on the road during a truck journey, and the truck driver can call on any Which maintenance service intervenes along the route to replace the tire with a new one and a new sensor? 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 port to update the new pressure sensor with an identifier and position that corresponds to the new tire it is installed in. 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 present.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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 one pressure sensor following said activation; - a determination of a current position in the vehicle of said at least one activated pressure sensor; - 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, - programming of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0009] According to non-limiting embodiments, said programming method may further comprise one or more additional features taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, among the following.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said database is located on a remote server or in a memory of a programming device.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device is a TPMS tool.

[0012] 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.

[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 performed sequentially for all pressure sensors said vehicle before the next step, or all the steps of the programming method are performed 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 criterion is defined among: - a vehicle identification number, - a vehicle registration plate, - a communication protocol for said pressure sensor, - a tire configuration.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the determination of the current position is determined according to a defined order.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the defined order is predetermined by the programming device.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the defined order is defined by an operator and the programming device is configured to ask the operator what the defined order is.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, programming is carried out by sending a programming signal including the stored identifier from the programming device to the pressure sensor.

[0021] 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 said pressure sensor following said activation; (c) - an electronic entity configured for: - determine a current position in the vehicle of said activated pressure sensor, - search in a database for a stored identifier-stored position pair whose stored position corresponds to the current position of said pressure sensor, - to program said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device includes said database in which the torque is stored.

[0023] 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 a criterion according to which said torque is stored in said database.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said criterion is defined among: - a vehicle identification number, - a vehicle registration plate, - a communication protocol for said pressure sensor, - a tire configuration.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said programming device is a TPMS tool.

[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 the activation of said at least pressure sensor; - a determination of the current position in the vehicle of said at least one activated pressure sensor; - 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, - programming of said at least one pressure sensor with the stored identifier.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said instruction sequences are loaded into a pressure sensor programming device for an electronic tire pressure control system of a vehicle.

[0028] A non-transient, computer-readable data storage medium is also proposed in which instructions are stored which, when executed by an information processing unit, cause said information processing unit to execute the programming method according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0029] A method for maintaining a vehicle is further proposed, said vehicle comprising an electronic system for controlling the tire pressure of said vehicle and said tires, said tires each comprising a pressure sensor, characterized in that said maintenance method comprises: - a change of at least one tire in said vehicle with a new tire, - an execution of the programming method according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0030] 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 including an electronic system for controlling the pressure of the vehicle's tires and said tires.

[0031] Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing on different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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].

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 truck 3.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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. Thus, the position of each pressure sensor 1 corresponds to the actual position of each corresponding tire 2 on the vehicle 3.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] In the non-limiting example of six tires 2, the on-board computer 30 has thus memorized, for example, the following information for each pressure sensor 1: - a memorized identifier il'.l of a first pressure sensor 1 of value 1 associated with the memorized position i2'. 1 front-right of a first corresponding tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.2 of a second pressure sensor 1 of value 2 associated with the memorized position i2'.2 front-left of a second corresponding tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.3 of a third pressure sensor 1 of value 3 associated with the memorized position i2'.3 center-right of a third corresponding tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.4 of a fourth pressure sensor 1 of value 4 associated with the memorized position i2'.4 center-left of a fourth corresponding tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.5 of a fifth pressure sensor 1 of value 5 associated with the memorized position i2'.5 rear-right of a corresponding fifth tire 2, - a memorized identifier il'.6 of a sixth pressure sensor 1 with a value of 6 associated with the memorized position i2'.6 rear-left of a corresponding sixth tire 2. .

[0043] 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'.l, 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.

[0044] Thus, for each pressure sensor 1, there is a torque il'—i2' stored in the on-board computer 30. The set of torques il'—i2' is thus 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 torque recorded in the database bdd is the same as that which is in the on-board computer 30. As will be seen below, if there is a change in tires 2 by a new tire 2, we reprogram the identifier il of the pressure sensors 1 concerned according to this database bdd and thus what is stored in the on-board computer 30 and this without needing to access the on-board computer 30.

[0045] Typically, a truck 3 travels long distances. Therefore, for safety reasons, if they are worn, it is advisable to replace the tires 2 with new tires 2.

[0046] When a tire 2 of the truck 3 is changed with a new tire 2, the old pressure sensor 1 corresponding to the old tire 2 is also changed with a new pressure sensor 1. This new pressure sensor 1 does not have an identifier 1 in a format recognizable by the truck's on-board computer 30 and therefore not known to the on-board computer 30. Therefore, if the latter wants to communicate with it, it will not be able to do so without an identifier.

[0047] 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 can always identify it by the identifier il of the corresponding pressure sensor 1.

[0048] The Prl programming method allows this without any external third party having access to the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3 (whether by accessing the cab 31 of the truck 3 or via a wireless connection from outside the cab 31).

[0049] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the Prl programming method comprises the following steps.

[0050] In a step E10 illustrated in F10(4, 1), the programming device 4 activates a pressure sensor 1. Activation wakes up the pressure sensor 1. When activated, the pressure sensor 1 emits at least one "if" signal. This signal is an activation confirmation signal. By this signal, the pressure sensor 1 also indicates that it is ready to be programmed.

[0051] In a step E12 illustrated F12(4, si), following said activation, the programming device 4 receives said at least one si signal emitted by said pressure sensor 1.

[0052] In a step E14 illustrated F14(4, i2), the programming device 4 determines the current position i2 in the vehicle 3 of the pressure sensor 1 that has been activated.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In a step E16 illustrated F16(4, bdd, (il'— i2')), the programming device 4 searches in a database bdd for a pair il' — i2' stored identifier-stored position whose stored position i2' corresponds to the current position i2 of the pressure sensor 1.

[0057] In a non-limiting embodiment, the database bdd is located on a remote server 6 (illustrated in [Fig. 4]), or is a database embedded in a memory 44 of the programming device 4 (illustrated in [Fig. 3]). In another non-limiting embodiment, it may be located on the remote server 6 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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, the latter is a pressure sensor that was originally mounted on the tire 2 and is therefore the original pressure sensor, while the new pressure sensor 1 is a pressure sensor that was mounted on the second tire (in "aftermarket" according to the established English expression) to replace the original pressure sensor.

[0060] In a step E18 illustrated F18(4, 1, il'), the programming device 4 programs the pressure sensor 1, which has been changed, 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 value of its identifier il. Therefore, the activated pressure sensor 1 includes an identifier il recognizable by the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3. The programming is carried out by the programming device 4 sending a programming signal comprising the stored identifier il' to the pressure sensor 1. In a 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 non-limiting embodiment, the programming signal is transmitted according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to by the acronym BLE. The programming signal is thus a so-called BLE signal.

[0061] 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 the second equipment. In the latter case, the stored identifier il' of the original equipment pressure sensor has been cloned into a programmable pressure sensor.

[0062] The steps E10 to E18 described above are performed for all pressure sensors 1 whose tires 2 have been changed.

[0063] In a first, non-limiting embodiment, each step of the Prl programming method is performed sequentially for all the pressure sensors 1 of the truck 3 (which have been changed) before the next step. Thus, for example, all these pressure sensors 1 are activated before determining the current position i2 of these pressure sensors 1. Thus, for example, the current position i2 of all these activated pressure sensors 1 is determined before performing the search in the database bdd.

[0064] 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 (which has been changed) before moving on to the next pressure sensor 1 (which has been changed). Thus, a first pressure sensor 1 is activated, its current position i2 is determined, the pair il'—i2' is searched in the database bdd, and the pressure sensor 1 is programmed with the stored identifier il', before performing the same steps for a subsequent pressure sensor 1. In a In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are performed according to a predetermined sequence. Thus, in a non-limiting example, the sequence indicates that one must 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 using the programming device 4, the latter displays a message with said sequence on its display device 42 to guide the operator.

[0065] The Prl programming method includes additional, non-limiting steps illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0066] In a non-limiting embodiment (branch B illustrated in [Fig.2]), prior to any change of tires 2 and therefore of pressure sensors 1 in the vehicle 3, the programming method Prl comprises, for each pressure sensor 1, the execution of the activation steps E10, the reception of said at least one signal E12, the determination of said current position i2 E14, and for each pressure sensor 1: - a step E14' illustrated F14'(4, il — i2, bdd(il'— i2')) of comparison of the identifier il and the current position i2 of said pressure sensor 1 of said vehicle 3 with the set of pairs il' — i2' 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 the current position i2.

[0067] This allows you to have an up-to-date database or to create one and thus have a database that corresponds to reality.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The database bdd relates to pressure sensors 1 mounted in different vehicles 3.

[0071] In a non-limiting embodiment, the pair il'— i2' is stored in the database according to a criterion et. In non-limiting embodiments, the criterion et 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.

[0072] In a non-limiting example, tire configuration 2 is a single or dual tire configuration.

[0073] Also, in a non-limiting embodiment, the programming method Prl 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 enter the vehicle identification number VIN, which they find written on a door of the truck 3, for example, via the keypad 47 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.

[0074] Thus, thanks to the Prl programming method, the new sensor 1 of the new tire 2 will be able, thanks to its identifier il which will have been programmed, to be recognized by the on-board computer 30 of the truck 3 when the latter queries it to know the state of the tire 2 in which it is housed.

[0075] Thus, the Prl programming method is carried out by a pressure sensor programming device 4 for a tire pressure control electronic system 2 of a vehicle 3. The programming device 4 is described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0076] In a non-limiting embodiment, the programming device 4 is a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) tool. It is a tire pressure monitoring tool 2 that allows communication with the electronic tire pressure monitoring system 5, in particular with the pressure sensors 1.

[0077] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 comprises: - an activation module 41, - a receiving module 43, - an electronic entity 45.

[0078] These different elements are described in detail below.

[0079] The activation module 41 is configured to activate the pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated 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, referred to as BF. In a 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 as BLE. The activation signal sO is thus a so-called BLE signal.

[0080] The activation module 41 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and includes an antenna 410 (illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) configured to transmit said activation signal sO. It should be noted that the programming device 4 knows the communication protocol used by the pressure sensor 1. Therefore, it sends the activation signal sO using the appropriate communication protocol.

[0081] 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 the 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'.

[0082] 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 programmable pressure sensors 1 compatible with said vehicle 3.

[0083] The receiving module 43 is configured to receive at least one signal from the pressure sensor 1 following its activation (function illustrated f430(43, 1, si)). Indeed, following the activation signal sO, the pressure sensor 1 sends back at least one signal si to indicate, in particular, that it is active, i.e., awake, and ready to be programmed. In a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one signal si 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 variant of the embodiment, the reception of the signal si is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referred to 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 an antenna 430 illustrated in [Fig.3] configured to receive said at least one signal if. .

[0084] Electronic entity 45 is configured to: - determine the current position i2 in the vehicle 3 of said activated pressure sensor 1 (function illustrated f450(45, 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')), - program said pressure sensor 1 with the stored identifier il' (function illustrated f453(45, 1, il)).

[0085] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic entity 45 is, in non-limiting examples, a processor with a memory.

[0086] 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)).

[0087] 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'— i2' 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)).

[0088] In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the programming device 4 includes 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.

[0089] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the programming device 4 further includes a battery 46.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] It should be noted that the implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, E18 described above can be carried out using a microprogrammed software device, hardwired logic, and / or electronic hardware components. In a non-limiting embodiment, the implementation of steps E14' and E14”, and / or step E15 described above, according to the embodiments realized, is also carried out using the microprogrammed software device, hardwired logic, and / or electronic hardware components.

[0093] 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 enabling implementation of steps E10, E12, E14, E16, and E18 described above and where applicable steps E14' and E14”, and / or step E15.

[0094] 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.

[0095] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.3], a computer program product Pg is written into the memory 44 of the programming device 4.

[0096] 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, and E18.

[0097] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are further steps E14' and E14”, and / or step E15.

[0098] The computer program product Pg is incorporated on a non-transient data storage medium Md that is readable by a computer and 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] A non-transient, computer-readable data recording medium Md such as the one used herein shall not be construed 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.

[0102] 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 to change the tires 2 of the truck 3 with new tires 2 incorporating new pressure sensors 1. 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, said tires 2 each comprising a pressure sensor 1. The maintenance method Pr2 comprises: - in a first stage E30 illustrated F30(2), a change of at least one tire 2 in said vehicle 3 with a new tire 2, - in a second step E31 illustrated F31(Prl), an execution of the programming method Prl.

[0103] Thus, it will be noted that it is the operator who changes the tire(s) 2 who programs the pressure sensor(s) 1 of said tire(s) 2 by means of the programming device 4.

[0104] 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.

[0105] Thus, the described invention has, in particular, the following advantages: - it allows re-associating an identifier 1, recognizable by the vehicle's on-board computer 30, with the current position of a new pressure sensor 1 without requiring relearning of the on-board computer 30 in cases where the latter is not accessible during maintenance of the vehicle 3, - it allows the on-board computer 30 to always be able to communicate with a pressure sensor 1 even after a tire change 2, - it is simple and quick to implement.

Claims

Demands

1. Programming method (Prl) for tire pressure sensors (1) of vehicle (3) (2), said programming method (Prl) comprising: - activating at least one programmable pressure sensor (1); - receiving at least one signal (si) emitted by said at least pressure sensor (1) following said activation; - determining a current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of said at least one activated pressure sensor (1); - 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); - programming said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il').

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 stored in an on-board computer (30) of said vehicle (3) and in that said stored position (i2') is a position stored in said on-board computer (30).

4. 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.

5. Programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each step of the programming method (Prl) is carried out sequentially for all pressure sensors (1) of said vehicle (3) before the next step, or 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).

6. 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 (et) and in that said programming method (Prl) further comprises, prior to the search step of said pair (il'-12') in said database (bdd), a search in said database (bdd) of said criterion (et).

7. 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 of said pressure sensor (1), - a tire configuration (2).

8. Programming device (4) for a pressure sensor (1) for an electronic tire pressure control system (5) 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 said pressure sensor (1) following said activation; (c) — an electronic entity (45) configured to: — determine a current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of said activated pressure sensor (1), — search in 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), — perform a programming of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il').

9. Programming device (4) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said electronic entity (45) is further configured to, prior to the activation of said pressure sensor (1), search in said database (bdd) for a criterion (et) according to which said couple (il'— i2') is stored in the database (bdd).

10. 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 the implementation of the following steps, when said sequences of instructions are loaded onto a computer, the steps being: - activation of at least one programmable pressure sensor (1); - a reception of at least one signal (if) emitted by said at least pressure sensor (1) following said activation; - a determination of the current position (i2) in the vehicle (3) of said at least one pressure sensor (1) activated; - a 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), - a programming of said at least one pressure sensor (1) with the stored identifier (il').

11. A maintenance method (Pr2) for a vehicle (3), said vehicle (3) comprising an electronic system for controlling the tire pressure (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 at least one tire (2) in said vehicle (3) with a new tire (2), - an execution of the programming method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

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