Various diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for diffusing ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle to protect the vehicle against the introduction of pests, the vehicle comprising at least one loudspeaker of a vehicle infotainment system. The method consists of determining (201) whether at least one activation condition for pest protection is met, and if at least one activation condition is met, controlling (203; 204; 206) a plurality of diffusions of at least one ultrasonic wave sequence via at least one loudspeaker. According to the invention, the diffusions of the plurality differ in at least one characteristic. FIG. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Various diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of vehicle protection against pests, in particular the prevention of the introduction of pests into a space under a vehicle hood.

[0002] The term “vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle of a private type, utility vehicle or heavy goods vehicle.

[0003] The introduction of pests, such as martens, rats or other rodents, into a vehicle, particularly in the space under the hood of a vehicle, can lead to the destruction of vehicle parts, including plastic parts, generating significant repair costs and / or potentially creating safety problems when driving the vehicle.

[0004] Solutions exist to prevent such intrusions, such as, for example: - the temporary addition of a high-voltage device under the hood of a vehicle; - the temporary addition of an ultrasonic device under the hood of a vehicle; - the use of a spray, including pepper or a chemical repellent.

[0005] However, the first two solutions have the drawback that the temporary addition of a device presents the risk of forgetting to remove the device after use. Furthermore, the second solution has the disadvantage that the diffusion of an ultrasound sequence lacks effectiveness because the pests are accustomed to the continuous emission of these waves.

[0006] The third solution has the disadvantage of presenting a risk of corrosion of the metal parts and / or diffusion of the repellent product in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0007] There is therefore a need to effectively protect a vehicle against the introduction of pests, particularly in a space under the hood of the vehicle, without risking damage to the vehicle.

[0008] The present invention improves the situation.

[0009] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method of diffusing ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle to protect the vehicle against the introduction of pests, the vehicle comprising at least one loudspeaker of a vehicle infotainment system, the method comprising; - determine if at least one condition for activating pest protection is met; - if at least one activation condition is met, command a plurality of broadcasts of at least one sequence of ultrasonic waves via at least one loudspeaker. The diffusions of plurality differ in at least one characteristic.

[0010] Thus, it is possible to control various ultrasonic wave sequences. Such variation in the sequences prevents pests from becoming accustomed to a single ultrasonic wave pattern. Protection against the introduction of pests into the vehicle is thereby improved.

[0011] According to embodiments, the plurality may include at least a first diffusion of a first sequence of ultrasonic waves followed by a second diffusion of a second sequence of ultrasonic waves, the first and second sequences of ultrasonic waves being stored in a memory of the vehicle.

[0012] Thus, ultrasonic wave sequences can be predefined and stored in the vehicle, for example in the form of predefined commands allowing control of at least one vehicle loudspeaker to broadcast the ultrasonic wave sequences. The implementation of the pest control function is thus facilitated, while allowing for significant variation between the different ultrasonic wave sequence broadcasts.

[0013] In addition, the first sequence and the second sequence may differ at least in the intensity of ultrasonic waves and / or in the frequency of ultrasonic waves.

[0014] Thus, it is possible to obtain varied diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences, thereby strengthening the protection against the introduction of pests into the vehicle.

[0015] According to embodiments, the method may further include opening at least one air inlet flap of a vehicle's ventilation or air conditioning system, before the plurality of ultrasonic wave sequence diffusions.

[0016] Opening an air intake flap of a ventilation or air conditioning system makes it possible to facilitate the diffusion of ultrasonic waves in a space located under the hood of the vehicle, including sensitive parts that must be protected against pests.

[0017] According to embodiments, at least two diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences may differ by an opening level of at least one air inlet flap.

[0018] Thus, controlling the opening of the air inlet flap(s), in addition to facilitating the diffusion of ultrasonic waves, allows for modulation of the ultrasonic wave sequence, which increases the variations between the diffusions of wave sequences. ultrasonic, and thus strengthens protection against the introduction of pests into the vehicle.

[0019] According to embodiments, the vehicle includes at least a first loudspeaker and a second loudspeaker, and the method may include at least a first diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence by the first loudspeaker and at least a second diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence by the second loudspeaker.

[0020] Thus, a spatial variation of the diffusion of ultrasonic wave sequences is permitted, which strengthens the protection against the introduction of pests into the vehicle.

[0021] According to embodiments, the method may include obtaining at least one contextual information from the vehicle, and determining that at least one activation condition is met may depend on the at least one contextual information obtained.

[0022] Thus, it is possible to activate in real time the protection against the introduction of pests, based on contextual information captured by a sensor or other module of the vehicle.

[0023] In addition, at least one contextual piece of information may include one or more of the following: - an outside temperature of the vehicle; - a current season and / or a current date; - a level of brightness outside the vehicle; and / or - information about human activity outside the vehicle obtained by a camera or microphone on the vehicle.

[0024] Such contextual information allows for a relevant triggering of the protection function against the introduction of pests into the vehicle.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0026] A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle control device, the vehicle comprising at least one speaker of a vehicle infotainment system, the control device comprising a processor configured to; - determine that at least one activation condition of pest protection is verified; - if at least one activation condition is met, command a plurality of broadcasts of at least one ultrasonic wave sequence via at least one loudspeaker to protect the vehicle against the introduction of pests. The diffusions of plurality differ in at least one characteristic.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] illustrates a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating the steps of a process according to modes of realization of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] illustrates a structure of a control device according to modes of realization of the invention.

[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle 100, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0032] The vehicle 100 includes a control device 101, which may be a centralized control device responsible for a plurality of functions of the motor vehicle, or which may be dedicated to the function of protecting the vehicle against the introduction of pests into the vehicle, particularly into a space under the hood of the vehicle, a function which is described below. The device 101 may be of the ECU type, for "Electronic Control Unit".

[0033] The control device 101 is thus at least configured for the implementation of a vehicle protection function 100 described below.

[0034] The vehicle 100 further includes an infotainment system comprising at least one speaker 103.1. Preferably, the infotainment system includes several speakers, in particular at least one right speaker 103.1 and one left speaker 103.1 arranged in the passenger compartment, near the dashboard, therefore near a space located under the hood of the vehicle 100.

[0035] In a known manner, the infotainment system can broadcast audio content, such as music or information related to the driving situation.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the invention, the loudspeakers 103.1 and 103.2 can be controlled by the control device 101 to broadcast one or more sequences of ultrasonic waves.

[0037] An ultrasonic wave is understood to be a wave whose frequency is greater than 20,000 Hertz, Hz.

[0038] The vehicle 100 further comprises a ventilation and / or air conditioning system, including at least one duct with an air inlet flap 104.1 for drawing air from inside the passenger compartment to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle. Preferably, the ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprises several air inlet flaps 104.1, in particular: - a right air inlet flap 104.1 located close to, for example less than one meter and preferably less than 50 centimeters from, the right loudspeaker 103.1; - a left air inlet flap 104.2 located nearby

[0039] The air conditioning and / or ventilation system may include strictly more than two air intake flaps in the passenger compartment.

[0040] According to embodiments, the control device 101 can control an opening of at least one of the air inlet flaps, and preferably of the right air inlet flap 104.1 and the left air inlet flap 104.1, when implementing the protection function described below.

[0041] According to certain embodiments, the control device 101 can further control an opening level of each air inlet damper. There is no restriction on the number of opening levels, which includes at least one closed level and one open level, preferably with one or more partially open levels.

[0042] The vehicle 100 further comprises a memory 102 storing at least one predefined command for the diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence. The control device 101 can thus obtain said at least one predefined command and control a plurality of diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences, the diffusions of the plurality differing from one another by at least one characteristic, as detailed below. Preferably, as explained below, the memory stores several predefined commands corresponding respectively to several ultrasonic wave sequences, the sequences differing from one another by an ultrasonic wave intensity and / or by an ultrasonic wave frequency. For example, the memory 102 can store at least: - a first command for the diffusion of a first sequence of ultrasonic waves at a first frequency and at a first ultrasonic wave intensity; - a second command for the diffusion of a first sequence of ultrasonic waves at a second frequency and at a second ultrasonic wave intensity, the second frequency being different from the first frequency and / or the second ultrasonic wave intensity differing from the first ultrasonic wave intensity.

[0043] It should be noted that the memory can store strictly more than two predefined commands, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0044] In the example of [Fig.1], the memory 102 is a memory accessible from a plurality of modules or devices of the vehicle 100. Alternatively, the memory 102 can be an internal memory of the control device 101.

[0045] The vehicle 100 can obtain at least one contextual piece of information relating to the vehicle 100. Contextual information is understood to be information related to the vehicle at a current moment; it is therefore not a permanent characteristic of the vehicle. To this end, the vehicle 100 can include at least one sensor 106.1 capable of obtaining at least one contextual piece of information relating to the vehicle. This at least one contextual piece of information can thus be obtained by the control device 101, by one or more sensors, or by another module or component of the vehicle 100.

[0046] According to embodiments, the vehicle 100 may include several sensors, two sensors 106.1 and 106.2 being shown in [Fig.1] by way of illustration.

[0047] No restrictions are attached to the contextual information which may be: - an outside temperature of the vehicle captured by a temperature sensor; - a current season and / or a current date, obtained by a clock not shown in [Fig.1]; - an external light level of 100, detected by a light sensor; and / or - information about human activity outside the vehicle obtained by a sensor such as a camera or microphone on the vehicle.

[0048] According to embodiments of the invention, the vehicle may further comprise a conduit 105.1 adapted to diffuse ultrasonic waves from a loudspeaker towards a transition zone between the passenger compartment and the space under the hood, in particular towards an air intake flap. The conduit 105.1 may be a metallic part.

[0049] Preferably, the vehicle 100 includes a right duct 105.1 suitable for promoting the diffusion of ultrasonic waves between the right speaker 103.1 and the right air inlet flap 104.1, and a left duct 105.2 suitable for promoting the diffusion of ultrasonic waves between the left speaker 103.2 and the left air inlet flap 104.2.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for diffusing ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0051] The process described with reference to [Fig.2] can be implemented in the vehicle 100 described with reference to [Fig.1], in particular by the control device 101.

[0052] At a step 200, the control device 101 obtains at least one contextual piece of information, which may include one or more contextual pieces of information from the list described above. As indicated above, at least one contextual piece of information may be obtained from at least one sensor and / or other module of the vehicle 100.

[0053] At a step 201, the control device 101 determines whether at least one activation condition for pest protection is met. This at least one activation condition is preferably predefined.

[0054] There is no restriction on the number of activation conditions. For example, the control device can determine whether a single activation condition is met. If several activation conditions are predefined, the control device 101 determines whether all the predefined activation conditions are met.

[0055] The determination of step 201 is preferably based on at least one contextual piece of information obtained in step 200.

[0056] For example, the at least one activation condition may include one or more of the following activation conditions: - the outside temperature is below a predefined temperature threshold; - the outside brightness is below a predefined brightness threshold; - Human activity, captured by a camera or microphone, is below a predefined activity threshold; - a current season corresponds to a predefined season; and / or - a current time corresponds to a predefined time.

[0057] In addition, an additional activation condition may be that vehicle 100 is stationary.

[0058] If the control device 101 determines that at least one activation condition is verified in step 201, the process proceeds to step 202. Otherwise, if at least one activation condition is not verified in step 201, the process returns to step 200, to obtain new contextual information and then step 201 of determination is repeated.

[0059] At step 202, when the activation condition(s) are verified, the control device 101 obtains at least one predefined command stored in memory 102, the predefined command being capable of controlling a loudspeaker to broadcast a predefined ultrasonic wave sequence.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the control device 101 obtains several predefined commands, corresponding to ultrasonic wave sequences which may differ in their intensity and / or in their frequency, and / or in other characteristics of the ultrasonic wave sequences.

[0061] At a step 203, the control device 101 commands at least one loudspeaker, based on at least one predefined command obtained at step 201, for a first broadcast of a sequence of ultrasonic waves.

[0062] At a step 204, following step 203, the control device 101 commands at least one loudspeaker, based on said at least one predefined command obtained in step 201, for a second broadcast of an ultrasonic wave sequence.

[0063] The first and second diffusions differ in at least one characteristic. This at least one characteristic may be a characteristic of the diffused sequence, and / or may correspond to an air inlet flap opening level, and / or may correspond to the loudspeaker used for diffusion. For example: - the first diffusion is a diffusion of a first sequence of ultrasonic waves on the two loudspeakers 103.1 and 103.2, and the second diffusion is a diffusion of a second sequence of ultrasonic waves, of different frequency and / or intensity than the first sequence, on the two speakers 103.1 and 103.2; - the first diffusion is a diffusion of the first sequence of ultrasonic waves on the right speaker 103.1, and the second diffusion is a diffusion of the same first sequence of ultrasonic waves but on the left speaker 103.2; - the first diffusion is a diffusion of the first ultrasonic wave sequence on the right speaker 103.1, and the second diffusion is a diffusion of the same first ultrasonic wave sequence on the same right speaker 103.1, but with a different opening level of the right air inlet flap 104.1 between the first diffusion and the second diffusion.

[0064] Furthermore, several characteristics may differ between two ultrasonic wave diffusions. For example: - the first diffusion is a diffusion of the first sequence of ultrasonic waves on the right speaker 103.1 and the second diffusion is a diffusion of the second sequence of ultrasonic waves, of different frequency and / or intensity than the first sequence, on the left speaker 103.2; - the first diffusion is a diffusion of the first sequence of ultrasonic waves on the right speaker 103.1 and the second diffusion is a diffusion of the second sequence of ultrasonic waves, of different frequency and / or intensity than the first sequence, on the right speaker 103.1, but with different opening levels of the right air inlet flap 104.1; - the first diffusion is a diffusion of the first ultrasonic wave sequence on the right speaker 103.1 with a first level of opening of the right air inlet flap 104.1, and the second diffusion is a diffusion of the same first ultrasonic wave sequence, on the left speaker 103.2 with a second level of opening of the left air inlet flap 104.2.

[0065] Thus, it is made possible to vary the diffusion of ultrasonic wave sequences by varying the ultrasonic wave sequence diffused, the loudspeaker used and / or the level of opening of the air inlet flaps.

[0066] Furthermore, more than two diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences can be implemented according to the invention. In step 205, the control device 101 can determine whether at least one more diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence is to be performed. If so, the process proceeds to a step 206 comprising another diffusion, for example a third diffusion, of an ultrasonic wave sequence. The third diffusion differs from both the first and second diffusions by at least one characteristic, as explained previously.

[0067] If no further diffusion is to be carried out, the ultrasonic wave sequence diffusion is stopped and the process returns to step 200 described previously.

[0068] Thus, the invention makes it possible to vary the diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle, which makes it possible to effectively protect the vehicle 100 against the intrusion of pests, since the latter can more hardly adapt to a plurality of diffusions whose characteristics vary.

[0069] Figure 3 shows the structure of a control device 101 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0070] The device 101 includes a processor 301 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 302 such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 302 comprises several memories of the aforementioned types.

[0071] The memory 302 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of the process described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0072] In particular, the memory 302 can store at least one activation condition described above. In embodiments where the memory 102 is integrated into the control device 101, the memory 302 can also store at least one predefined command.

[0073] The processor 301 is capable of executing instructions, stored in memory 302, for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 2]. Alternatively, the processor 301 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to perform the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0074] The control device 101 includes a first interface 303 capable of obtaining at least one contextual information from one or more sensors and / or module of the vehicle 100.

[0075] The control device 101 may include a second interface 304 capable of obtaining at least one predefined command from the memory 102 when it is external to the control device.

[0076] The control device 101 may include a third interface 305 capable of transmitting the predefined command(s) to one or more loudspeakers, for diffusion of the plurality of ultrasonic wave sequences.

[0077] The control device 101 may include a fourth interface 306 for controlling the opening level of the air intake flaps 104.1 and 104.2 of the vehicle 100.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for broadcasting ultrasonic wave sequences in a vehicle (100) to protect the vehicle against the introduction of pests, the vehicle comprising at least one loudspeaker (103.1; 103.2) of a vehicle infotainment system, the method comprising: - determining (201) whether at least one activation condition for pest protection is met; - if at least one activation condition is met, controlling (203; 204; 206) a plurality of broadcasts of at least one ultrasonic wave sequence via the at least one loudspeaker; wherein the broadcasts of the plurality differ by at least one characteristic.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality comprises at least a first diffusion of a first ultrasonic wave sequence followed by a second diffusion of a second ultrasonic wave sequence, the first and second ultrasonic wave sequences being stored in a vehicle memory.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the first sequence and the second sequence differ at least in ultrasonic wave intensity and / or in ultrasonic wave frequency.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises opening at least one air inlet flap of a vehicle ventilation or air conditioning system, prior to the plurality of diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein at least two diffusions of ultrasonic wave sequences differ by an opening level of at least one air inlet flap.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle comprises at least a first loudspeaker (103.1) and a second loudspeaker (103.2), wherein the method comprises at least a first diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence by the first loudspeaker and at least a second diffusion of an ultrasonic wave sequence by the second loudspeaker.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising obtaining at least one contextual piece of information from the vehicle, and in which the determination that at least one activation condition is met depends on at least one piece of contextual information obtained.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein at least one contextual information includes one or more of the following: - an outside temperature of the vehicle; - a current season and / or a current date; - an outside brightness level of the vehicle; and / or - information of human activity outside the vehicle obtained by a camera or microphone of the vehicle.

9. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.

10. Control device (101) of a vehicle (100), the vehicle comprising at least one loudspeaker (103.1; 103.2) of a vehicle infotainment system, the control device comprising a processor (301) configured to: - determine that at least one activation condition of pest protection is met; - if at least one activation condition is met, command a plurality of broadcasts of at least one ultrasonic wave sequence via at least one loudspeaker to protect the vehicle against the introduction of pests; wherein the broadcasts of the plurality differ by at least one characteristic.

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