Location device for locating a secondary node on a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a location device for locating secondary nodes of a vehicle, the location device comprising a plurality of nodes including a primary node and n secondary nodes, the whole forming a vehicular network, the vehicular network comprising two sub-networks, each independently powered by a power source, each sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, each secondary node having a unique network identifier indicating whether it is inside or outside the vehicle; - (a) The main node is - Knowing the architecture of the vehicle network and - activating and deactivating the power sources of each sub-network independently; - identifying and locating at least one reference secondary node in at least one of the two sub-networks by its unique network identifier; - sending a command to said at least one reference secondary node to measure a distance between itself and another secondary node of one of the two sub-networks; - receiving said distances and comparing them with each other; - locating said other secondary nodes as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; and - locating a secondary node in a sub-network comprising a single secondary node which is not the at least one reference secondary node as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network, - (b) the at least one reference secondary node is configured to measure the distance between itself and another secondary node of one of the two sub-networks.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a location device for locating secondary nodes in a vehicle, and is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to automotive vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of motor vehicles, a location device for locating secondary nodes, known to those skilled in the art and described in US Pat. No. 10,926,738 (B1), comprises a primary node and a plurality of secondary nodes, all forming a vehicle network. The location device is based on a first secondary node and a second, different secondary node, the positions of which are known in the vehicle for locating a third secondary node. These two secondary nodes with known positions include physical encodings of connectors such that they can be defined as reference secondary nodes for determining the position of the third secondary node, said connectors being used to connect the secondary nodes to the vehicle wiring harness. For this purpose, the location device comprises a primary node, which: - determining a first distance between the third secondary node and the first secondary node, and a second distance between the third secondary node and the second secondary node; determining by trilateration a position of the third secondary node on the motor vehicle based on the first distance and based on the second distance, the position being selected from a set of possible positions of the third secondary node on the motor vehicle; It should be noted that trilateration involves the calculation of coordinates in the vehicle's orthonormal reference frame.

[0003] The primary node and secondary nodes are then used to locate the hands-free access identifier around the motor vehicle.

[0004] The primary node sends a measurement request to a secondary node and receives a response in return containing a distance measurement between the secondary node and the hands-free access identifier. By locating the vehicle's secondary node, the primary node can distinguish between different messages sent by different secondary nodes and recover the distance measurement in the message sent by the secondary node, knowing which secondary node is the source of this distance measurement. The primary node can then correctly complete a geometric reconstruction (e.g., triangulation) based on all distance measurements to determine the position of the hands-free access identifier relative to the motor vehicle. The hands-free access identifier, in particular, allows the PEPS ("Passive Entry Passive Start") function to be implemented. This PEPS function allows the motor vehicle to be unlocked when the hands-free access identifier approaches the motor vehicle, thus allowing access to the vehicle and allowing the motor vehicle to start. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this context, the aim of the present invention is to propose a location device for locating secondary nodes in a vehicle that provides an alternative to prior art location devices for locating secondary nodes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention provides a location device for locating secondary nodes of a vehicle, said location device comprising a plurality of nodes including a primary node and n secondary nodes, n=an integer between 2 and N, collectively forming a vehicular network, said vehicular network comprising two sub-networks each independently powered by an electrical power supply, each sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, m=an integer between 1 and M, each secondary node having a unique network identifier indicating whether it is inside or outside said vehicle; - (a) The main node is - Knowing the architecture of the vehicle network and - independently activating and deactivating the power supplies of each of the two sub-networks; - identifying and locating at least one reference secondary node in at least one of the two sub-networks by its unique network identifier; - sending a command to said at least one reference secondary node to measure the distance between itself and another secondary node of one of the two sub-networks; - receiving said distances and comparing them with each other; - locating said other secondary nodes as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; - locating secondary nodes in a sub-network comprising a single secondary node that is not the at least one reference secondary node as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network; configured to: (b) the at least one reference secondary node: - measuring the distance between itself and other secondary nodes of one of the two sub-networks; - transmitting to said primary node the distance between itself and other secondary nodes of one of the two sub-networks; configured to: (c) each secondary node is configured to transmit its unique network identifier to the primary node when the sub-network to which it belongs is powered on; The present invention proposes a location specifying device characterized by the above.

[0007] With this location device and division into sub-networks, determining the location of secondary nodes is easier than trilateration because it does not require performing trigonometric calculations to determine the relative position of secondary nodes in the vehicle reference frame, but simply requires a comparison of distances.

[0008] This location device does not require physical encoding of connectors in the reference secondary node. In contrast to other secondary nodes in some cases, only a unique network identifier is required to distinguish the reference secondary node from other secondary nodes, especially to know whether it is inside or outside the vehicle. This unique network identifier solution is a more flexible solution for creating vehicular networks. Vehicular networks are easier and less expensive to generate.

[0009] Moreover, with this location device, locating the secondary node in the vehicle is automatic: no external intervention by an external operator is required.

[0010] According to non-limiting embodiments, the location device may further comprise one or more additional features from among the following, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0011] According to one non-limiting embodiment, if n>2, said at least one reference secondary node is located at a different distance from other secondary nodes, in particular, it is located at a different distance from other secondary nodes of the same sub-network.

[0012] According to one non-limiting embodiment, if n≦3, the primary node is configured to identify and locate a single reference secondary node.

[0013] According to one non-limiting embodiment, said reference secondary node is located in a sub-network, where m=1.

[0014] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when n=2 and m=1 for each of the two sub-networks, the master node: - activating the power supply of the sub-network in which the reference secondary node is located so that the reference secondary node can be identified and located; - activating the power supply of the other sub-network in order to be able to locate its single secondary node as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network; The method is further configured to:

[0015] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when n=2 and m=1 for each of two sub-networks, the primary node is further configured to deactivate the power supply of the sub-network after locating the reference secondary node.

[0016] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when n=3 and m=1 for one of the two sub-networks and m=2 for the other of the two sub-networks, said master node: - activating a power supply of the sub-network in which the reference secondary node is located, sending commands, receiving the distances and comparing them, so that the reference secondary node can be identified and located, and locating the other secondary nodes in the other sub-network as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of the comparison; - activating a power source of the other sub-network after locating said reference secondary node and before sending the command; further configured to: The reference secondary node is configured to measure the distance between itself and other secondary nodes of the other sub-network.

[0017] According to one non-limiting embodiment, if n≧6, the primary node is configured to identify and locate at least two reference secondary nodes.

[0018] According to one non-limiting embodiment, each reference secondary node is located inside the vehicle and the other secondary nodes of the sub-network to which it belongs are located outside, or vice versa.

[0019] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when m=3 for a sub-network, only one reference secondary node is located in said sub-network, and said main node: - activating a power source of said sub-network to be able to identify and locate its reference secondary node, sending said commands, receiving said distances, comparing them, and locating other secondary nodes in said sub-network as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; further configured to: - said reference secondary node of said sub-network is configured to measure the distance between itself and other secondary nodes of the sub-network to which it belongs;

[0020] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when m=3 for a sub-network, the primary node is further configured to deactivate the power supply of the sub-network after locating other secondary nodes.

[0021] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when m=4 for a sub-network, two reference secondary nodes are located in said sub-network.

[0022] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the master node: - activating a power source of said sub-network; - identifying two reference secondary nodes by their unique network identifiers; - respectively sending commands to the two reference secondary nodes such that they measure the distances between themselves and other secondary nodes of said sub-network, resulting in a primary distance and a secondary distance, respectively; - receiving the primary distance and the secondary distance; - comparing each first-order distance with each second-order distance corresponding to the same other second-order node; - locating said reference secondary node as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of the comparison; - comparing the primary distances to each other and comparing the secondary distances to each other; - locating said other secondary nodes as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; and further configured to: Each of the two reference secondary nodes is configured to measure the distance between itself and the other secondary node of the sub-network to which it belongs.

[0023] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when m=4 for a sub-network, the primary node is further configured to deactivate the power supply of the sub-network after locating other secondary nodes.

[0024] According to one non-limiting embodiment, m is equal or different for each sub-network.

[0025] The present invention provides a location method for locating secondary nodes of a vehicle comprising a plurality of nodes, including a primary node and n secondary nodes linked together via a vehicular network, where n=an integer between 1 and N, and each secondary node has a unique network identifier indicating whether it is inside or outside the vehicle, the vehicular network comprising two sub-networks each independently powered by a power source, each sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, where m=an integer between 1 and M, the method comprising: - activating, by the master node, a power supply for a first sub-network; - transmitting, by the m secondary nodes of the first sub-network, their unique network identifiers to the primary node; - identifying and locating, by said primary node, a reference secondary node in said first sub-network by its unique network identifier; - (a) If n=2, - activating, by the master node, a power supply for a second sub-network; - transmitting, by a secondary node of said second sub-network, its unique network identifier to said primary node; - identifying and locating, by the master node, secondary nodes in the second sub-network as a function of an architecture of a vehicular network, the architecture of the vehicular network being known to the master node; - (b) If n=3, - activating, by said master node, a power source of a second sub-network; - sending, by said primary node, to said reference secondary node a command to measure the distance between itself and each other secondary node of said second sub-network; - measuring, by said reference secondary node, the distance between itself and each other secondary node and returning it to said primary node; - receiving, by said master node, said distances and comparing them with each other; - locating, by said primary node, said other secondary nodes in said second sub-network as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; - (c) If n=6 or n=7, - sending, by said primary node, to said reference secondary node a command to measure the distance between itself and each other secondary node of said first sub-network; - measuring, by said reference secondary node, the distance between itself and each other secondary node and returning it to said primary node; - receiving, by said master node, said distances and comparing them with each other; - locating, by said primary node, said other secondary nodes in said first sub-network as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; - activating a power supply of the second sub-network; - transmitting, by the m secondary nodes of the second sub-network, their unique network identifiers to the primary node; - (i) If n=6, - identifying and locating, by said primary node, a reference secondary node in said second sub-network by its unique network identifier; - repeating the steps of sending commands, measuring distances, returning distances, receiving distances, comparing distances, and locating other secondary nodes for said second sub-network; (ii) if n=7, identifying, by said primary node, two reference secondary nodes in said second sub-network by their unique network identifiers; and for each of the two reference secondary nodes: - sending, by said primary node, to said reference secondary nodes a command to measure the distance between themselves and each other secondary node of said second sub-network; - measuring the distances between themselves and each other secondary node by said reference secondary nodes and returning them to said primary node; - receiving, by said primary node, a primary distance originating from one of two reference secondary nodes and a secondary distance originating from the other of the two reference secondary nodes; - comparing each first-order distance with each second-order distance corresponding to the same other second-order node; - locating two reference secondary nodes of the architecture of the vehicular network and as a function of said comparison; - comparing the primary distances with each other and comparing the secondary distances with each other; - locating said other secondary nodes of said second sub-network as a function of the architecture of the vehicular network and of said comparison; A location determination method is also proposed, which is characterized by comprising:

[0026] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the power supplies of the two sub-networks are first deactivated.

[0027] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the location method further comprises, for all cases n, deactivating a power source of the first sub-network after locating other secondary nodes of the first sub-network as described above, and deactivating a power source of the second sub-network after locating other secondary nodes of the second sub-network as described above.

[0028] The invention and its various applications will be better understood from reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a location device for locating a secondary node according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the location device comprising a primary node and the secondary node; FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with the location device of FIG. 1 according to a first non-limiting embodiment, the location device comprising two secondary nodes each distributed across two sub-networks. [Figure 3] 2 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with the location device of FIG. 1 according to a first non-limiting embodiment, the location device comprising three secondary nodes distributed across two sub-networks. [Figure 4] 2 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with the location device of FIG. 1 according to a first non-limiting embodiment, the location device comprising six secondary nodes distributed across two sub-networks. [Figure 5] 2 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with the location device of FIG. 1 according to a first non-limiting embodiment, the location device comprising seven secondary nodes distributed across two sub-networks. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates a location method for locating a secondary node implemented by the location device of FIG. 1 according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 illustrates the location method of FIG. 6 implemented when the vehicular network comprises two secondary nodes, according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 8] 7 illustrates the location method of FIG. 6 implemented when the vehicular network comprises three secondary nodes, according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 9] 7 illustrates the location method of FIG. 6 implemented when the vehicular network comprises six secondary nodes, according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 10]10 shows the remainder of the diagram illustrating the location method of FIG. 9 implemented according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 11] 7 illustrates the location method of FIG. 6 implemented when the vehicular network comprises seven secondary nodes, according to one non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 shows the remainder of the location method diagram of FIG. 11, according to one non-limiting embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Elements that are equivalent in terms of structure or function and that appear in different figures are designated using the same reference signs unless otherwise indicated.

[0031] A location device 1 for locating a secondary node 11 of a vehicle 2 according to the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 .

[0032] In one non-limiting embodiment, vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. The term motor vehicle should be understood to mean any type of motor vehicle. This embodiment will be considered as a non-limiting example throughout the remainder of this specification. Therefore, throughout the remainder of this specification, vehicle 2 will also be referred to as motor vehicle 2.

[0033] 1, the location device 1 comprises a plurality of nodes, including a primary node 10 and n secondary nodes 11, where n=2 to N, collectively forming a vehicle network Nv. The nodes are connected via a wired network 20. In a non-limiting embodiment, the wired network 20 is a CAN (Control Area Network), a LIN (Local Interconnect Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a FLEX-RAY, or any other type of wired network.

[0034] In one non-limiting embodiment, the primary node 10 (called a "hub") is an electronic control unit. In one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary node 11 (called an "anchor") is a beacon, also called a satellite or anchor.

[0035] In one non-limiting embodiment, the nodes 10, 11 of the vehicular network Nv are used to locate a hands-free access identifier (not shown) around the motor vehicle 2. The hands-free access identifier allows a PEPS ("Passive Entry Passive Start") function to be implemented. The PEPS function allows the motor vehicle 2 to be unlocked / locked and allowed to start. To locate said hands-free access identifier around the motor vehicle 2, the primary node 10 sends a distance measurement request to the secondary nodes 11, and each secondary node 11 sends a reply message containing, among other things, the distance measurement between itself and the hands-free access identifier.

[0036] The vehicle network Nv comprises two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, including a first sub-network Nw1 and a second sub-network Nw2.

[0037] Each sub-network Nw1, Nw2 is powered independently by a power source 21, also referred to as power source 21. Thus, the motor vehicle 2 comprises two power sources 21. Each sub-network Nw1, Nw2 comprises m secondary nodes 11, where m=an integer between 1 and M. m may be different for each sub-network Nw1, Nw2. Thus, each sub-network Nw1, Nw2 may include a different number of secondary nodes 11 than the other sub-network Nw2, Nw1.

[0038] Each secondary node 11 has a unique network identifier Id, which indicates whether it is located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. In one non-limiting embodiment, the unique network identifier Id is coded with 8 bits (i.e., 1 byte). The unique network identifier Id includes bit b1, which indicates whether the secondary node 11 is located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. Thus, in one non-limiting example, if bit=0, the secondary node 11 is inside, and if bit=1, the secondary node 11 is outside. The unique network identifier Id further includes a unique identification code that allows one secondary node 11 to be distinguished from another secondary node 11.

[0039] The master node 10 is configured to know the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, i.e., the master node 10 knows: the number of secondary nodes 11 in each subnetwork Nw, the positions Pos that the secondary nodes 11 can take in each subnetwork Nw, how many reference secondary nodes 110 (described below) there are in each subnetwork Nw; If there is only one reference secondary node 110, the position Pos of the reference secondary node 110 in the subnetwork Nw Learn about However, knowledge of the architecture T does not imply the identity of said secondary nodes 11. Thus, the main node 10 does not know the exact position Pos assumed by a particular secondary node 11 in the sub-network Nw. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 2, knowing the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the main node 10 simply knows that there is one secondary node 11 at the front-center position Pos and another secondary node 11 at the rear-center position Pos, but the main node 10 does not know that it is secondary node 11a that is at the front-center position Pos and secondary node 11b that is at the rear-center position Pos.

[0040] Furthermore, if there are several reference secondary nodes 110 in the sub-network Nw, knowledge of the architecture T does not imply knowledge of the positions Pos of those reference secondary nodes 110 in said sub-network Nw. In this case, the main node 10 must initiate a location sequence (described below) to locate the exact positions Pos of the various reference secondary nodes 110.

[0041] As will be seen below, the master node 10 will be able to associate a unique network identifier Id with the position Pos for each secondary node 11, in a way that allows them to be distinguished. The master node 10 will therefore be able to know which secondary node 11 it is addressing to send a distance measurement request, and will be able to distinguish between reply messages from the various secondary nodes 11 that pass through the wired network 20 following the distance measurement request.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the main node 10 is configured to independently activate and deactivate the power sources 21 of each sub-network Nw1, Nw2 (functions shown in FIG. 1 as f1(10,21,on,Nw) for activation and f2(10,21,off,Nw) for deactivation).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the main node 10 - identifying (function shown in Fig. 1 as f3(10, 110, Id, Nw)) and locating (function shown in Fig. 1 as f4(10, 110, Pos(Id), Nw)) at least one reference secondary node 110 in at least one of the two sub-networks Nw by its unique network identifier; Locating is understood to mean associating a unique network identifier Id at a position Pos in the motor vehicle 2.

[0044] In one non-limiting embodiment, if n>2, said at least one reference secondary node 110 is located at a different distance d from other secondary nodes 11 .

[0045] In one non-limiting embodiment, when n≦3, the primary node 10 is configured to identify and locate a single reference secondary node 110. In this case, in one non-limiting embodiment, the reference secondary node 110 is located in a sub-network Nw, where m=1.

[0046] In one non-limiting embodiment, when n≧6, the main node 10 is configured to identify and locate at least two reference secondary nodes 110. In this case, in one non-limiting embodiment, each reference secondary node 110 is located inside the vehicle 2 and the other secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw to which it belongs are located outside, or vice versa.

[0047] In one non-limiting embodiment, when m=3 in a subnetwork Nw, a single reference secondary node 110 is located in said subnetwork Nw, and therefore the main node 10 is configured to identify and locate the single reference secondary node 110 in said subnetwork Nw.

[0048] In one non-limiting embodiment, when m=4 in a subnetwork Nw, two reference secondary nodes 110 are located in said subnetwork Nw, and therefore the main node 10 is configured to identify and locate the two reference secondary nodes 110 in said subnetwork Nw.

[0049] The main node 10 is - sending a command c to said at least one reference secondary node 110 to measure the distance d between itself and another secondary node 11 of one of said two sub-networks Nw (function shown in FIG. 1 as f5(10, 110, c, d, Nw)); receiving said distances d (function shown in FIG. 1 as f6(10,11,d)) and comparing them with each other (function shown in FIG. 1 as f7(10,d)); - locating said other secondary nodes 11 as a function of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and of said comparison (a function shown in FIG. 1 as f8(10, T, Pos(Id), 11)), i.e. associating for each of said other secondary nodes 11 a unique network identifier Id with a position Pos in the motor vehicle 2; The method is further configured to:

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the main node 10 - locating a secondary node 11 in a sub-network Nw comprising a single secondary node 11 that is not said at least one reference secondary node 110 as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv (function shown in FIG. 1 as f8'(10, T, Pos(Id), 11)). Note that this function applies when n=2, as shown in FIG.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one reference secondary node 110: - measuring the distance d between itself and another secondary node 11 of one of the two sub-networks Nw (function shown in Figure 1 as f9(110,11,d,Nw)); transmitting to said master node 10 the distance d between itself and another secondary node 11 of one of the two sub-networks Nw (function shown in FIG. 1 as f10(110,10,d,Nw)); It is configured to:

[0052] It should be noted that the reference secondary node 110 can therefore measure the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the subnetwork Nw to which it belongs, or between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the other subnetwork Nw to which it does not belong.

[0053] Note that for clarity, a single reference secondary node 110 in the sub-network Nw is shown in FIG.

[0054] Each secondary node 11 is configured to transmit its unique network identifier Id to the primary node 10 (a function shown in FIG. 1 as f11(11, 10, Id)) when the sub-network Nw to which it belongs is powered up.

[0055] 2-5 show various non-limiting embodiments of the vehicle network Nv. Note that the connecting lines (solid or dashed) shown between the primary node 10 and the various secondary nodes 11 represent a wired power supply network.

[0056] As will be seen below, the master node 10 identifies and locates the reference secondary nodes 110 either via the power source 21 of said sub-network Nw to which they belong, when they are the only nodes powered by said power source 21 (when n=2 and n=3), or by distinguishing them from other secondary nodes 11 via its bit b1 (when n=6 and n=7), bit b1 being - the reference secondary node 110 is located inside the motor vehicle 2, as opposed to other secondary nodes 11 located outside, or Conversely, the reference secondary node 110 is located outside the motor vehicle 2, as opposed to the other secondary nodes 11 located inside. Shows.

[0057] According to a first non-limiting embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle network Nv comprises three nodes, including a main node 10 and two secondary nodes 11 (n=2), a first sub-network Nw1 comprising a secondary node 11 (m=1) and a second sub-network Nw2 also comprising a secondary node 11 (m=1). The two secondary nodes 11 are located inside the motor vehicle 2. In Fig. 2, the first sub-network Nw1 is shown as a solid line and the second sub-network Nw2 is shown as a dashed line.

[0058] In the illustrated non-limiting example, - two secondary nodes 11, referenced 11a and 11b; the secondary node 11b forms part of a first sub-network Nw1 and the secondary node 11a forms part of a second sub-network Nw2; The secondary node 11a is located in the front center of the motor vehicle 2, and the secondary node 11b is located in the rear center of the motor vehicle 2.

[0059] The master node 10 knows the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, i.e., the master node 10 knows that the secondary nodes 11 are located in the front center and that the secondary nodes 11 are located in the rear center. There is a single reference secondary node 110. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the reference secondary node 110 is secondary node 11b.

[0060] In this case, the main node 10 - activating the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 in order to be able to identify (function f1 described above) and locate (function f2 described above) the reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1 by its unique network identifier Id; It is configured to:

[0061] When the first sub-network Nw1 is powered on, the secondary node 11b can send its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above), which then identifies the reference secondary node 110 (function f3 described above).

[0062] Based on the unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11b is the reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1. Indeed, since the main node 10 knows that there is only one reference secondary node 110 and that it is located in the first sub-network Nw1, the main node 10 locates the reference secondary node 110, i.e., it associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 110 with the position Pos of the reference secondary node 110 in the motor vehicle 2 (function f4 described above). Thus, the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11b is the node located in the rear center of the motor vehicle 2. Note that in this case, n=2, it does not matter whether the reference secondary node 110 is located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2.

[0063] After locating as described above, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is configured to deactivate the power sources of the first sub-network Nw1 (function f2 described above), which allows the electrical consumption of the motor vehicle 2 to be reduced.

[0064] The main node 10 is then configured to activate (function f1 described above) the power sources of said second sub-network Nw2 in order to enable locating a single secondary node 11 in said second sub-network Nw as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv.

[0065] When the second sub-network Nw2 is powered up, the secondary node 11a can transmit its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above). Based on said unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the main node 10 locates the secondary node 11a. The main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11a with the position Pos of the secondary node 11a (function f8' described above). Thus, the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11a is the node located in the center front of the motor vehicle 2.

[0066] Therefore, the primary node 10 knows which secondary nodes 11 are located in front of the motor vehicle 2 and which secondary nodes 11 are located behind it. The primary node 10 can now distinguish between those secondary nodes.

[0067] When the main node 10 has located all secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, in this case 11a and 11b, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is further configured to deactivate (function f2 described above) the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2. This allows the electrical consumption of the motor vehicle 2 to be reduced. Of course, when the nodes 10 and 11 have to be used when the motor vehicle 2 is running, the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 and the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 are activated once again.

[0068] It should be noted that although the non-limiting embodiment has been provided for two secondary nodes 11 located inside the motor vehicle 2, the same principles apply for two secondary nodes 11 located on the outside, or for a secondary node 11 located inside and a secondary node 11 located outside.

[0069] According to a second non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 3, the vehicle network Nv comprises four nodes, including a main node 10 and three secondary nodes 11 (n=3), a first sub-network Nw1 comprises a secondary node 11 (m=1) and a second sub-network Nw2 comprises two secondary nodes 11 (m=2). In Figure 3, the first sub-network Nw1 is shown as a solid line and the second sub-network Nw2 is shown as a dashed line.

[0070] In the illustrated non-limiting example, - three secondary nodes 11, referenced 11a, 11b and 11c; three secondary nodes 11a, 11b and 11c are located inside the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11b forms part of a first sub-network Nw1, and the secondary 11a and secondary node 11b form part of a second sub-network Nw2, - the secondary node 11a is located in the front center and inside the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11b is located to the right of the center and inside the motor vehicle 2, The secondary node 11c is located to the left of the center and inside the motor vehicle 2.

[0071] According to this second non-limiting embodiment, there is a single reference secondary node 110, which is secondary node 11b, located in a first sub-network Nw1, which comprises only one secondary node 11.

[0072] Note that the reference secondary node 110 is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11. Thus, secondary node 11b is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11a and secondary node 11c. This allows secondary node 11a to be distinguished from secondary node 11c.

[0073] In this case, the main node 10 - activating (function f1 described above) the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 in order to be able to identify and locate the reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1 by its unique network identifier Id, in particular the bit indicating whether it is inside or outside It is configured to:

[0074] When the first sub-network Nw1 is powered on, the secondary node 11b can send its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above), which then identifies the reference secondary node 110 (function f3 described above).

[0075] Based on said unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the main node 10 determines that said secondary node 11b is the reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1. Indeed, since the main node 10 knows that there is only one reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1 and that it is located inside, the main node 10 locates said reference secondary node 110, i.e., it associates the unique network identifier Id of said reference secondary node 110 with the position Pos of said reference secondary node 110 in the motor vehicle 2 (function f4 described above). In a non-limiting example, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of secondary node 11b with the center-right position Pos.

[0076] After locating as described above and before sending the command c described above, the main node 10 is configured to activate (function f1 described above) the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2. Note that the main node 10 does not deactivate the power source 21 of said first sub-network Nw1, since it will use the reference secondary node 110, in this case 11b, of the first sub-network Nw1 to measure the distance to the secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0077] When the second sub-network Nw2 is powered up, the secondary nodes 11a and 11c may send their unique network identifiers Id to the primary node 10 (function f11 described above).

[0078] After receiving the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11a and 11c as described above, the primary node 10: sending to the reference secondary node 110 a command c to measure the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, namely secondary nodes 11a and 11c (function f5 described above); It is configured to:

[0079] Note that the master node 10 is able to send this command c because it knows the unique network identifier Id of the referencing secondary node 110 .

[0080] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 110, in this case 11b, is configured to measure the distance d (function f9 described above) and return to the main node 10 (function f10 described above) two distances d, referred to as Rba and Rbc in Figure 3, which are the distance between the reference secondary node 110 itself and secondary node 11a and the distance between the reference secondary node 110 itself and secondary node 11c, respectively.

[0081] Upon receiving the distances Rba and Rbc (function f6 described above), the master node 10 is configured to compare them (function f7 described above). Thus, the master node 10 finds that Rba is greater than Rbc.

[0082] As a function of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and of said comparison, the main node 10 can associate the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11a and 11c with their positions Pos in the vehicle network Nv. Indeed, the main node 10 knows that there is a secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 that is located in the front center and further away from the reference secondary node 110 located in the center right, and another secondary node 11 located in the center left that is closer to the reference secondary node 110 located in the center right. The main node 10 therefore locates said secondary nodes 11a and 11c in the second sub-network Nw2 (function f7 described above). Since Rba>Rbc, the main node 10 therefore determines that the secondary node 11a is the node located in the front center of the motor vehicle 2 and the secondary node 11c is the node located in the center left.

[0083] When the main node 10 has located all secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is further configured to deactivate the power sources 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 and to deactivate the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f2 described above).

[0084] It should be noted that although the non-limiting embodiment has been provided for three secondary nodes 11 located inside the motor vehicle 2, the same principles apply for three secondary nodes 11 located on the outside, or for any other combination of inside or outside nodes.

[0085] According to a third non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 4, the vehicle network Nv comprises seven nodes, including a main node 10 and six secondary nodes 11 (n=6), a first sub-network Nw1 comprises three secondary nodes 11 (m=3), and a second sub-network Nw2 also comprises three secondary nodes 11 (m=3). In Figure 4, the first sub-network Nw1 is shown as a solid line and the second sub-network Nw2 is shown as a dashed line.

[0086] In the illustrated non-limiting example, - six secondary nodes 11, referenced 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e and 11f; the secondary nodes 11b, 11e and 11f form part of a first sub-network Nw1 and the secondary nodes 11a, 11c, 11d form part of a second sub-network Nw2; - the secondary node 11a is located in the front center and inside the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11b is located at the rear center and inside the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11c is located in front of and to the outside of the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11d is located to the right rear and outside of the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11e is located behind the left and outside the motor vehicle 2; The secondary node 11f is located on the front left and outside of the motor vehicle 2.

[0087] According to this third non-limiting embodiment, two reference secondary nodes 11 each located in the sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 and inside the motor vehicle 2, respectively. 01 and 11 02 In the illustrated non-limiting example, there is a reference secondary node 11 01 is located in the first sub-network Nw1 and is a secondary node 11b, and is a reference secondary node 11 02 is located in the second sub-network Nw2 and is a secondary node 11a.

[0088] The reference secondary node 110 is located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located outside, or vice versa, i.e. the reference secondary node 110 is located outside the motor vehicle 2, unlike other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located inside. Thus, the main node 10 knows via the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv that the secondary node 11, which is the reference secondary node 110, is inside the subnetwork Nw, and that the two other secondary nodes 11 are outside said subnetwork Nw.

[0089] Reference secondary node 11 01 Note that is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1. Thus, secondary node 11b is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11e as it is from secondary node 11f. This will allow secondary node 11e to be distinguished from secondary node 11f.

[0090] Similarly, the reference secondary node 11 02 is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2. Thus, secondary node 11a is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11c as it is from secondary node 11d. This will allow secondary node 11c to be distinguished from secondary node 11d.

[0091] The main node 10 operates on the same principles and therefore uses the same functions as in the second non-limiting embodiment. The description provided for the third non-limiting embodiment therefore applies for each sub-network Nw1, Nw2, except that the distance d measured between the reference secondary nodes 110 is the distance d measured between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw to which it belongs, and not between other secondary nodes 11 of the other sub-network Nw.

[0092] In this case, the main node 10 - connecting the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 to the reference secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1; 01 Activating (function f1 described above) the network ID of the mobile station 100, in order to be able to identify and locate it by its unique network identifier Id, in particular the bit b1 indicating whether it is inside or outside the mobile station 100 It is configured to:

[0093] When the first sub-network Nw1 is powered on, the reference secondary node 11 01 The secondary node 11b, which is the node 11b, can transmit its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above), as well as to other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1. Thus, the main node 10 can transmit the reference secondary node 11 01 (function f3 described above).

[0094] Based on said unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the primary node 10 determines whether said secondary node 11b is a reference secondary node 11b in the first sub-network Nw1. 01 Indeed, since the main node 10 knows that there is only one reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1 and that it is located inside the autonomous vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 which are located on the outside, the main node 10 therefore locates its reference secondary node 110, i.e. it associates the unique network identifier Id of its reference secondary node 110 with its position Pos of the autonomous vehicle, in this case at the rear center (function f4 described above).

[0095] After locating as described above, the master node 10: - Reference secondary node 11 01to the node 11c of the first sub-network Nw1, sending a command c to measure the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, namely in this case the secondary nodes 11e and 11f (function f5 described above). It is configured to:

[0096] The primary node 10 is the secondary node 11 that it references. 01 Note that this command c can be sent because it knows the unique network identifier Id of the

[0097] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 11 01 In this case, 11b is configured to measure the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, in this case 11e and 11f (function f9 described above) and return to the main node 10 (function f10 described above) two distances d, referred to as Rbe and Rbf, which are respectively calculated by the reference secondary nodes 11 01 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11e, and the reference secondary node 11 01 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11f.

[0098] Upon receiving the distances Rbe and Rbf (function f6 described above), the master node 10 is configured to compare them (function f7 described above). Thus, the master node 10 finds that Rbf is greater than Rbe.

[0099] As a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and of said comparison, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11e and 11f with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. In fact, the master node 10 associates the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11e and 11f with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. 01 the secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1, which is further away from the reference secondary node 11 located in the rear center; 01The main node 10 therefore locates said secondary nodes 11e and 11f of the first sub-network Nw1 (function f7 described above). Since Rbf>Rbe, the main node 10 therefore determines that secondary node 11e is the node located at the left rear of the motor vehicle 2, and secondary node 11f is the node located at the left front.

[0100] When the master node 10 has located the secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, it does exactly the same for the second sub-network Nw2.

[0101] In a non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is configured to deactivate the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 (function f2 described above). Deactivating the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 allows the electrical consumption of the motor vehicle 2 to be reduced. It should be noted that the step of deactivating the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 is optional.

[0102] The primary node 10 is configured to activate the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f1 described above), which allows the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to be taken into account.

[0103] When the second sub-network Nw2 is powered on, the reference secondary node 11 02 The secondary node 11a, which is the node 11b, can transmit its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above), as well as to other secondary nodes 11 in the second sub-network Nw2. Thus, the main node 10 can transmit the reference secondary node 11 02 (function f3 described above).

[0104] Based on said unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the primary node 10 determines whether said secondary node 11a is a reference secondary node 11b in the second sub-network Nw2. 02 In fact, since the main node 10 knows that there is only one reference secondary node 110 in the second sub-network Nw2 and that it is located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 which are located on the outside, the main node 10 locates the reference secondary node 110, i.e., it associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 110 with the position Pos of the reference secondary node 110 in the motor vehicle 2 (function f4 described above). Thus, the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11a is the node located in the front center of the motor vehicle 2.

[0105] After locating as described above, the master node 10: - Reference secondary node 11 02 to the node 11c of the second sub-network Nw2, sending a command c to measure the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, namely in this case the secondary nodes 11c and 11d (function f5 described above). It is configured to:

[0106] The primary node 10 is the secondary node 11 that it references. 02 Note that this command c can be sent because it knows the unique network identifier Id of the

[0107] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 11 02 , in this case, 11a is configured to measure (function f9 described above) the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, in this case 11c and 11d, and return (function f10 described above) two distances d, referred to as Rac and Rad, to the main node 10, which distances are respectively transmitted to the reference secondary nodes 11 02The distance between itself and the secondary node 11c, and the reference secondary node 11 02 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11d.

[0108] Upon receiving the distances Rac and Rad (function f6 described above), the master node 10 is configured to compare them (function f7 described above). Thus, the master node 10 finds that Rad is greater than Rac.

[0109] As a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and of said comparison, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11c and 11d with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. In fact, the master node 10 associates the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11c and 11d with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. 02 and the reference secondary node 11 located in the front center. 02 The main node 10 therefore locates said secondary nodes 11c and 11d in the second sub-network Nw2 (function f7 described above). Since Rad>Rac, the main node 10 therefore determines that secondary node 11c is the node located in front of the motor vehicle 2 to the right, and secondary node 11d is the node located in rear to the right.

[0110] When the main node 10 has located all secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is further configured to deactivate the power sources 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 and to deactivate the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f2 described above).

[0111] It should be noted that the non-limiting embodiment is provided for three secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw, one of which, the reference secondary node 110, is located inside the motor vehicle 2, and the other two secondary nodes 11 are located outside, but the same principle applies for three secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw, one of which, the reference secondary node 110, is located outside the motor vehicle 2, and the other two secondary nodes 11 are located inside. This allows the secondary node 11 to be distinguished from the other secondary nodes 11, so that it serves as the reference secondary node 110. The non-limiting embodiment is provided for three secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw, one of which, the reference secondary node 110, is located inside the motor vehicle 2, and the other two secondary nodes 11 are located outside. 01 and 11 02 , and the other secondary nodes 11 are located outside the motor vehicle 2, but the same principle is applied to two reference secondary nodes 11 located outside the motor vehicle 2. 01 and 11 02 Note also that this applies for the other secondary nodes 11 located inside the motor vehicle 2.

[0112] According to a fourth non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 5, the vehicle network Nv comprises eight nodes, including a main node 10 and seven secondary nodes 11 (n=7), a first sub-network Nw1 comprises three secondary nodes 11 (m=3), and a second sub-network Nw2 comprises four secondary nodes 11 (m=4). In Figure 5, the first sub-network Nw1 is shown as a solid line and the second sub-network Nw2 is shown as a dashed line.

[0113] In the illustrated non-limiting example, - seven secondary nodes 11, referenced 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f and 11g; - the secondary nodes 11a, 11d and 11g form part of a first sub-network Nw1 and the secondary nodes 11b, 11c, 11e and 11f form part of a second sub-network Nw2; - the secondary node 11a is located in the front center and inside the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11b is located to the right of the center and inside the motor vehicle 2, - secondary node 11c is located to the left of the center and on the outside of the motor vehicle 2, - secondary node 11d is located to the rear right and on the outside of the motor vehicle 2, - the secondary node 11e is located behind the left and outside the motor vehicle 2; - the secondary node 11f is located on the left front and outside of the motor vehicle 2, The secondary node 11g is located in front of the right and on the outside of the motor vehicle 2.

[0114] According to this fourth non-limiting embodiment, one of them is located in a first sub-network Nw1 comprising three secondary nodes 11, and two of them are located in a second sub-network Nw2 comprising four secondary nodes 11. 01 , 11 02 and 11 03 In the illustrated non-limiting example, there are three secondary nodes, referred to as - a reference secondary node 11 in the first subnetwork Nw1 01 is the secondary node 11a, - Reference secondary node 11 in the second subnetwork Nw2 02 is the secondary node 11b, - Reference secondary node 11 in the second subnetwork Nw2 03 is the secondary node 11c.

[0115] Reference secondary node 11 01 Note that is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1. Thus, secondary node 11a is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11d as it is from secondary node 11g. This allows secondary node 11d to be distinguished from secondary node 11g. Similarly, - Reference secondary node 11 02is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2. Thus, secondary node 11b is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11e as it is from secondary node 11f and from other reference secondary nodes 11c, - Reference secondary node 11 03 is defined such that it is located at a different distance d from other secondary nodes 11 of the second subnetwork Nw2. Thus, secondary node 11c is not at the same distance d from secondary node 11e as it is from secondary node 11f and from other reference secondary nodes 11b. This will allow secondary node 11e to be distinguished from secondary node 11f.

[0116] Furthermore, it should be noted that when there is a single reference secondary node 110 in a subnetwork Nw, in this case the first subnetwork Nw1, the reference secondary node 110 is located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located outside, or vice versa. That is, the reference secondary node 110 is located outside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located inside. Thus, secondary node 11a is located inside, while secondary nodes 11c and 11d are located outside. Thus, the main node 10 knows via the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv that there is a secondary node 11 inside the first subnetwork Nw that is the reference secondary node 110, and that two other secondary nodes 11 are located outside said first subnetwork Nw1.

[0117] Furthermore, it should be noted that when there are two reference secondary nodes 110 in a subnetwork Nw, in this case the second subnetwork Nw2, the reference secondary nodes 110 are located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located outside, or vice versa, i.e., the reference secondary nodes 110 are located outside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the same subnetwork Nw that are located inside. Thus, secondary nodes 11b and 11c are located inside, while secondary nodes 11e and 11f are located outside. Thus, the master node 10 knows via the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv that there are two reference secondary nodes 110 inside the second subnetwork Nw2 and two other secondary nodes 11 outside said second subnetwork Nw2.

[0118] The same principles explained in the third non-limiting embodiment are applied for a sub-network Nw comprising three secondary nodes 11, in this case the first sub-network Nw1.

[0119] Therefore, in this case, the main node 10 - connecting the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 to the reference secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1; 01 Activating (function f1 described above) the network ID of the mobile station 100, in order to be able to identify and locate it by its unique network identifier Id, in particular the bit b1 indicating whether it is inside or outside the mobile station 100 It is configured to:

[0120] When the first sub-network Nw1 is powered on, the reference secondary node 11 01 The secondary node 11a, which is the node 11b, can transmit its unique network identifier Id to the master node 10 (function f11 described above), as well as to other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1. Thus, the master node 10 can transmit the reference secondary node 11 01 (function f3 described above).

[0121] Based on said unique network identifier Id and as a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the primary node 10 determines whether said secondary node 11a is a reference secondary node 11b in the first sub-network Nw1. 01 Indeed, since the main node 10 knows that there is only one reference secondary node 110 in the first sub-network Nw1 and that it is located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 which are located on the outside, the main node 10 therefore locates its reference secondary node 110, i.e. it associates its unique network identifier Id with its position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, in this case at the front center (function f4 described above).

[0122] After locating as described above, the master node 10: - Reference secondary node 11 01 to the node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, sending a command c to measure the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, namely in this case the secondary nodes 11d and 11g (function f5 described above). It is configured to:

[0123] The primary node 10 is the secondary node 11 that it references. 01 Note that this command c can be sent because it knows the unique network identifier Id of the

[0124] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 11 01 In this case, 11a is configured to measure the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw1, in this case 11d and 11g (function f9 described above) and return to the main node 10 (function f10 described above) two distances d, referred to as Rad and Rag, which are respectively transmitted to the reference secondary nodes 11 01The distance between itself and the secondary node 11d, and the reference secondary node 11 01 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11g.

[0125] Upon receiving the distances Rad and Rag (function f6 described above), the master node 10 is configured to compare them (function f7 described above). Thus, the master node 10 finds that Rad is greater than Rag.

[0126] As a function of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and of said comparison, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11d and 11g with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. In fact, the master node 10 associates the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11d and 11g with their positions Pos in the vehicular network Nv. 01 and the reference secondary node 11 located in the front center. 01 The main node 10 therefore locates said secondary nodes 11d and 11g of the first sub-network Nw1 (function f7 described above). Since Rad>Rag, the main node 10 therefore determines that secondary node 11d is the node located to the right rear of the motor vehicle 2, and secondary node 11g is the node located to the right front.

[0127] When the main node 10 has located the secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1, the main node 10 transitions to the second sub-network Nw2.

[0128] In a non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is configured to deactivate the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 (function f2 described above). Deactivating the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 allows the electrical consumption of the motor vehicle 2 to be reduced. It should be noted that the step of deactivating the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 is optional.

[0129] The primary node 10 is configured to activate the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f1 described above), which allows the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to be taken into account.

[0130] When the second sub-network Nw2 is powered on, the reference secondary node 11 02 The secondary nodes 11b, which are , can send their unique network identifiers Id to the master node 10 (function f11 described above). 03 The secondary node 11c, which is the node 11c, can transmit its unique network identifier Id to the main node 10 (function f11 described above), as well as to other secondary nodes 11 in the second sub-network Nw2. Thus, the main node 10 can transmit the reference secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2. 02 and reference secondary node 11 03 (function f3 described above). The primary node 10 identifies two reference secondary nodes 11 02 and 11 03 Since the primary node 10 knows that the secondary node 11 is inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike other secondary nodes 11 that are outside (in a non-limiting example), the primary node 10 can identify the reference secondary node 11 to the other secondary nodes 11 from which it also received the unique network identifier Id. 02 and 11 03 Identify.

[0131] Although the master node 10 has identified them, it does not yet know how to locate them, i.e., it does not yet know their exact position Pos, i.e., it does not know the location of the reference secondary node 11. 02 See secondary node 11 03 I still don't know how to distinguish between them.

[0132] After they are identified, the master node 10: - Reference secondary node 11 02to itself and (reference secondary node 11 03 sending a command c (function f5 described above) to measure the distance d, called the primary distance d1, between other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (not being the secondary nodes 11e and 11f in this case); - Reference secondary node 11 03 to itself and (reference secondary node 11 02 sending a command c (function f5 described above) to measure the distance d, called the secondary distance d2, between other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (not being the first node 11), namely in this case secondary nodes 11e and 11f; It is configured to:

[0133] Note that the commands c can be sent either sequentially or simultaneously.

[0134] Reference secondary node 11 02 Refers to secondary node 11 03 Note that there is no need to measure the distance d from the reference secondary node 11. The primary node 10 informs it as such via command c. Similarly, the reference secondary node 11 03 Refers to secondary node 11 02 Note that there is no need to measure the distance d from . The master node 10 informs it as such via command c.

[0135] The primary node 10 is the node that is responsible for the secondary node 11 02 The unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 11 03 Note that these commands c can be sent because we know the unique network identifiers Id and c of the

[0136] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 11 02, in this case, 11b is configured to measure (function f9 described above) the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, in this case 11e and 11f, and return (function f10 described above) two first-order distances d1, referred to as Rbe and Rbf, to the main node 10, which distances are respectively calculated by the reference secondary nodes 11 02 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11e, and the reference secondary node 11 02 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11f.

[0137] Upon receiving command c, the reference secondary node 11 03 , in this case, 11c is configured to measure (function f9 described above) the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, in this case 11e and 11f, and return (function f10 described above) two secondary distances d2, referred to as Rce and Rcf, to the main node 10, which distances are respectively calculated by the reference secondary nodes 11 03 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11e, and the reference secondary node 11 03 The distance between itself and the secondary node 11f.

[0138] Upon receiving the primary distances Rbe and Rbf and the secondary distances Rce and Rcf, the master node 10 is configured to compare them with each other according to a primary comparison (function f7'(10, d1-d2)) and according to a secondary comparison (function shown in FIG. 1 as f7"(10, d1-d1, d2-d2)).

[0139] The primary comparison is with the reference secondary node 11. 02 and reference secondary node 11 03 and Rc, Rbf, Rd, Rc, Rd ...

[0140] Therefore, the main node 10 is configured to locate two reference secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 as the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and as the function of the primary comparison 02 , 11 03 (as the function shown in FIG. 1 as f12(10, T, d1, d2, Pos(Id), 11 02 , 11 03 )). Previously, the main node 10 identified that the reference secondary nodes 11 02 , 11 03 could be located at the central left position Pos or the central right position Pos. In the illustrated non-limiting example, Rce < Rbe and Rcf < Rbf. The main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 03 (i.e., the secondary node 11c) is closer to the two secondary nodes 11e and 11f than the reference secondary node 11 02 (i.e., the secondary node 11b). Therefore, the main node 10 infers that the reference secondary node 11 03 is thus arranged at the central left, and the reference secondary node 11 03 is thus arranged at the central right. Therefore, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11b with the central left position Pos and associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11c with the central right position Pos (function f4 described above). As the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and as the function of the comparison, the main node 10 thus locates one of the two reference secondary nodes 110 in the second sub-network Nw2, in this case 11 02 , which is the secondary node 11b, and locates the other of the two reference secondary nodes 110 in the second sub-network Nw2, in this case 11 03 , which is the secondary node 11c.

[0141] The second comparison (function f7”) will enable the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to be located. Thus, the main node 10 is configured to compare the primary distances d1 with each other and the secondary distances d2 with each other. Thus, the main node 10 compares Rce with Rcf and Rbe with Rbf. In the illustrated non-limiting example, Rce < Rcf and Rbe < Rbf. It should be noted that the function f7” is a special case of the function f7 when there are two reference secondary nodes 110.

[0142] Since Rce < Rcf, the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11e is closer to the reference secondary node 11 than the secondary node 11f. 03 In this case, to 11c. Since Rbe < Rbf, the main node 10 also determines that the secondary node 11e is closer to the reference secondary node 11 than the secondary node 11f. 02 In this case, to 11b. Thus, the main node 10 - Associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11e with the left-rear position Pos that is closer to the central left position Pos and the central right position than the left-front position, - Associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11f with the left-front position Pos that is farther away from the central left position Pos and the central right position than the left-front position.

[0143] Thus, the main node 10 is configured as a function of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and of said second comparison to locate the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function shown as f8”(10,T,d1,d2,Pos(Id),11)). As a function of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and of said second comparison, the main node 10 has thus located the other secondary nodes 11e and 11f in the second sub-network Nw2. It should be noted that the function f8” is a special case of the function f8 when there are two reference secondary nodes.

[0144] When the main node 10 has located all secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main node 10 is further configured to deactivate the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f2 described above).

[0145] 6 to 12. Thus, the location device 1 for locating the secondary nodes 11 of a vehicle 2 enables the location method 4 to be implemented as shown in Figures 6 to 12. Accordingly, the location method 4 for locating the secondary nodes 11 of a vehicle 2 comprising a plurality of nodes including a primary node 10 and n secondary nodes 11 linked to each other via a vehicle network Nv, where n = an integer between 1 and N, and each secondary node 11 has a unique network identifier Id indicating whether it is inside or outside the vehicle 2, and the vehicle network Nv comprises two subnetworks Nw1, Nw2, including a first subnetwork Nw1 and a second subnetwork Nw2, each independently powered by a power source 21, and each of the first subnetwork Nw1 and the second subnetwork Nw2 comprises m secondary nodes 11, where m = an integer between 1 and M, the location method 4 comprising the following steps:

[0146] It should be noted that initially the power sources 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 and the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 are deactivated.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 6, in step E1, denoted as F1(10, 21, ON, Nw), the main node 10 activates the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1.

[0148] In step E2, denoted as F2(11,10,Id), the m secondary nodes 11 of the first network Nw1 transmit their unique network identifiers Id to the main node 10. The secondary nodes 11 transmit to the main node 10 as soon as the first sub-network Nw1 is powered on.

[0149] In step E3, denoted as F3(10, 110, Id, Nw), the master node 10 identifies the referencing secondary node 110 by its unique network identifier Id.

[0150] Since the main node 10 knows the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, and in particular of each sub-network Nw, the main node 10 will know from their unique network identifiers Id which secondary nodes 11 are located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. If n>2 and m>2, as a function of the architecture T and of the received unique identifiers Id, it will be possible to determine the reference secondary node 110 as being inside and the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 as being located outside, or vice versa. In step E4, denoted as F4(10, 110, Pos(Id), Nw), the reference secondary node 110 is located in said first sub-network Nw1 by its unique network identifier Id.

[0151] The following steps depend on the number n of secondary nodes 11 in the vehicular network Nv. Therefore, the following steps of the location method 4 will be described depending on whether n=2 (Diagram A of FIG. 7), n=3 (Diagram B of FIG. 8), n=6 (Diagram C of FIGS. 9 and 10), or n=7 (Diagram D of FIGS. 11 and 12). It should be noted that the location device 1 is therefore configured to implement said location method 4, and its configuration is a function of the number n of secondary nodes 11 in the vehicular network Nv.

[0152] therefore, the steps of location determination method 4 of FIG. 7 are implemented, according to one non-limiting embodiment, by the location determination device of FIG. 2 ; the steps of location method 4 of FIG. 8 are implemented, according to one non-limiting embodiment, by the location device of FIG. 3 ; The steps of location determination method 4 of FIGS. 9 and 10 are implemented, according to one non-limiting embodiment, by the location determination device of FIG. 4 , The steps of the location method 4 of FIG. 11 are implemented, according to one non-limiting embodiment, by the location device of FIG.

[0153] The case of n=2 is explained below.

[0154] In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, the reference secondary node 110 is node 11b, which is at the post-center position Pos (referenced as Pos1).

[0155] Therefore, when n=2, as shown in FIG.

[0156] In one non-limiting embodiment, in step E5, denoted as F5(10, 21, Off, Nw), the master node 10 deactivates the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 after locating said reference secondary node 110, as explained above. Note that this step can also be performed simultaneously with or after step E9.

[0157] In step E6, denoted as F6(10, 21, ON, Nw), the main node 10 activates the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0158] In step E7, denoted as F7(11,10,Id), the secondary nodes 11 of the second network Nw2 transmit their unique network identifiers Id to the main node 10. They do so as soon as the second sub-network Nw2 is powered on.

[0159] In step E8, denoted as F8(10, T, Pos(Id), 11), the primary node 10 identifies and locates the secondary node 11 in said second sub-network Nw2 by its unique network identifier Id and by the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv. In the non-limiting example of Figure 2, the secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 is secondary node 11a. It is located 11b in a front-center position Pos (referenced Pos2).

[0160] When the main node 10 has finished locating all secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 and of the second sub-network Nw2, the main node 10 deactivates the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (step E9 shown as F9(10, 21, Off, Nw)).

[0161] The case of n=3 is explained below.

[0162] It should be noted that the reference secondary node 110 is defined in a sub-network Nw that comprises only one secondary node 11, i.e. in this case the first sub-network Nw1. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the reference secondary node 110 is node 11b, which is located at the center-right position Pos (referenced Pos1).

[0163] Therefore, when n=3, as shown in FIG.

[0164] In step E5, denoted as F5(10, 21, on, Nw), the main node 10 activates the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0165] In step E6, shown as F6(10, 110, c, d, Nw), the master node 10 sends to said reference secondary node 110 a command c to measure the distance d between itself and each other secondary node 11 of said second sub-network Nw2. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 are nodes 11a and 11c.

[0166] In step E7, denoted as F7(110,11,d,Nw), the reference secondary node 110 measures the distance d. In this case, it measures two distances d to two secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0167] In step E8, shown as F8(110, 10, d, Nw), the reference secondary node 110 transmits the distances d between itself and the two secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to the main node 10. Thus, the reference secondary node 110 transmits two distances d. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the distances d are the distance Rba (between the reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11a) and the distance Rbc (between the reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11c).

[0168] In step E9, shown as F9(10,11,d), the master node 10 receives said distance d.

[0169] In step E10, denoted as F10(10, d), the master node 10 compares the distances d. Thus, the master node 10 defines one distance d as greater than another distance d. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the distance Rba is greater than the distance Rbc.

[0170] In step E11, denoted F11(10, T, Pos(Id), 11), the main node 10 locates the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and as a function of said comparison. For each secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, the main node 10 therefore associates the unique network identifier Id of that secondary node 11 with its position Pos in the motor vehicle 2.

[0171] Therefore, if Rba is less than Rbc (OK branch in Figure 8), the main node 10 infers that secondary node 11a is in the center-left position Pos (referred to as Pos2) and secondary node 11c is in the front-center position Pos (referred to as Pos3) because secondary node 11a is closer to the reference secondary node 110, in this case 11b. However, if Rba is not less than Rbc but is greater than Rbc (NOK branch in Figure 8), the main node 10 infers that secondary node 11a is in the front-center position Pos and secondary node 11c is in the center-left position Pos. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, since Rba > Rbc, the primary node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11a with the front center position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, referred to as Pos3, and associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11c with the center left position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, referred to as Pos2.

[0172] When the main node 10 has located all secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 and of the second sub-network Nw2, it deactivates the power sources 21 of the first sub-network Nw1 (step E12 shown as F12(10, 21, off, Nw)) and deactivates the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (step E13 shown as F13(10, 21, off, Nw)). Figure 8 shows these two steps as successive, but of course they can be performed simultaneously.

[0173] The case of n=6 is explained below.

[0174] Reference secondary node 11 01 is defined in the first sub-network Nw1 and has a reference secondary node 11 02 Note that, is defined in the second sub-network Nw2. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 01 is node 11b, which is at the post-center position Pos (referred to as Pos1) and is the reference secondary node 11 02 is node 11a, which is at the front center position Pos (referenced Pos2).

[0175] Therefore, when n=6, as shown in FIG.

[0176] In step E5, denoted as F5(10,110,c,d,Nw), the master node 10 determines whether the reference secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 01 , in this case, sends a command c to node 11b to measure the distance d between itself and each other secondary node 11 of said first sub-network Nw1. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 are nodes 11e and 11f.

[0177] In step E6, denoted as F6(110,11,d,Nw), the reference secondary node 110 measures the distance d. In this case, it measures two distances d to two secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1.

[0178] In step E7, shown as F7(110, 10, d, Nw), the reference secondary node 110 transmits the distances d between itself and the two secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 to the main node 10. Thus, the reference secondary node 110 transmits two distances d. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the distances d are the distance Rbe (between the reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11e) and the distance Rbf (between the reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11f).

[0179] In step E8, shown as F8(10,11,d), the master node 10 receives said distance d.

[0180] In step E9, shown as F9(10, d), the main node 10 compares the distances d. Thus, the main node 10 defines one distance d as greater than another distance d. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the distance Rbf is greater than the distance Rbe.

[0181] In step E10, denoted F10(10, T, Pos(Id), 11), the master node 10 locates other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 (reference secondary nodes 11 already located by the master node 10) of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and as a function of said comparison. 01 For each secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 (other than 1), the primary node 10 therefore associates the unique network identifier Id of that secondary node 11 with the position Pos in the motor vehicle 2.

[0182] Therefore, if Rbe is smaller than Rbf (OK branch in FIG. 9), the main node 10 determines that the secondary node 11e is the reference secondary node 11 01 In this case, since it is closer to 11b, it infers that secondary node 11e is at left rear position Pos (referred to as Pos3) and secondary node 11f is at left front position Pos (referred to as Pos4). However, if Rbe is not less than Rbf but is greater than Rbf (NOK branch in FIG. 9), the main node 10 infers that secondary node 11e is at left front position Pos (referred to as Pos4) because it is closer to 11b. 01In this case, since it is farther away from 11b, it is inferred that the secondary node 11e is at the left front position Pos and the secondary node 11f is at the left rear position Pos. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4, since Rbe < Rbf, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11e with the left rear position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, which is referred to as Pos3, and associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11f with the left front position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, which is referred to as Pos4.

[0183] In a non-limiting embodiment, when the main node 10 has located all the secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 in the ninth step E11, which is shown as F11(10, 21, off, Nw), after locating the secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, the main node ១០ deactivates the power source 21 of the first sub-network Nw1. Note that this step can also be performed simultaneously with or after step E22.

[0184] Therefore, after locating the secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, the main node 10 will be able to locate the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2. For this purpose, the main node 10 performs the following steps.

[0185] In step E12, which is shown as F12(10, 21, on, Nw), the main node 10 activates the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0186] The main node 10 repeats steps E2 - E11 for the second sub-network Nw2.

[0187] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is as follows.

[0188] In step E13, denoted as F13(11,10,Id), the m secondary nodes 11 of said second sub-network Nw2 transmit their unique network identifiers Id to said main node 10. They do so as soon as the second sub-network Nw2 is powered on.

[0189] In step E14, denoted as F14(10, 110, Id, Nw), the master node 10 determines whether the secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 is a reference node. 02 by its unique network identifier Id.

[0190] Since the master node 10 knows the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, and in particular of each sub-network Nw, the master node 10 will know which secondary nodes 11 are located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2 from their unique network identifiers Id. As a function of the architecture T and of the received unique identifiers Id, the master node 10 will know which secondary nodes 11 are located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. 02 In this case, it would be possible to determine, in a non-limiting example, that 11a is located inside, and that the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (in this case, 11c and 11d) are located outside.

[0191] In step E15, shown as F15(10, 110, Pos(Id), Nw), the reference secondary node 11 02 is located in said second sub-network Nw1 by its unique network identifier Id.

[0192] In step E16, denoted as F16(10, 110, c, d, Nw), the primary node 10 determines whether the secondary node 11 02 , a command c to measure the distance d between itself and each other secondary node 11 of said second sub-network Nw2. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 are nodes 11c and 11d.

[0193] In step E17, denoted as F17(110, 11, d, Nw), the reference secondary node 110 measures the distance d. In this case, it measures two distances d to two secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0194] In step E18, shown as F18(110,10,d,Nw), the reference secondary node 110 transmits the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to the main node 10. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the reference secondary node 110 therefore transmits two distances d, namely the distance Rac (between the reference secondary node 11a and secondary node 11c) and the distance Rad (between the reference secondary node 11a and secondary node 11d).

[0195] In step E19, denoted F19(10,11,d), the master node 10 receives said distance d.

[0196] In step E20, shown as F20(10,d), the master node 10 compares the distances d. Thus, the master node 10 will define one distance d as being greater than another distance d. In the non-limiting example of Figure 4, the distance Rad is greater than the distance Rac.

[0197] In step E21, denoted F21(10, T, Pos(Id), 11), the master node 10 locates other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (reference secondary nodes 11 already located by the master node 10) of the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv and as a function of said comparison. 02 For each secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (other than 11), the primary node 10 therefore associates the unique network identifier Id of that secondary node 11 with the position Pos in the motor vehicle 2.

[0198] Therefore, when Rac is smaller than Rad (OK branch in FIG. 10), the main node 10 infers that the secondary node 11c is closer to the reference secondary node 11 02 than, in this case, 11a, so that the secondary node 11e is at the right front position Pos (referred to as Pos5), and the secondary node 11d is at the right rear position Pos (referred to as Pos6). However, when Rac is not smaller than Rad but larger than Rad (NOK branch in FIG. 10), the main node 10 infers that the secondary node 11c is farther from the reference secondary node 11 02 than, in this case, 11a, so that the secondary node 11c is at the right rear position Pos and the secondary node 11d is at the right front position Pos. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4, since Rac < Rad, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11c with the right front position Pos of the vehicle 2 referred to as Pos5, and associates the unique network identifier Id of the secondary node 11d with the right rear position Pos of the vehicle 2 referred to as Pos6.

[0199] Finally, in step E22 where the main node 10 is shown as F22(10, 21, off, Nw), when all the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 have been located, and as a result, all the secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv have been located, the main node 10 deactivates the power source 21 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0200] The case of n = 7 is described below.

[0201] The reference secondary node 11 01 is defined in the first sub-network Nw1, and note that the reference secondary node 11 02 and the reference secondary node 11 03 are defined in the second sub-network Nw2. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, the reference secondary node 11 01 is the node 11a, which is at the front central position Pos (referred to as Pos1), and the reference secondary node 11 02is node 11b, which is at the central right position Pos (referred to as Pos2), referring to the secondary node 11 03 is node 11c, which is at the central left position Pos (referred to as Pos7).

[0202] Therefore, when n = 7, as shown in FIG. 11, it is as follows.

[0203] When n = 7, the same steps E5 to E13 described for n = 6 are performed, with the reference secondary node 11 which is the secondary node 11a in the first sub-network Nw1 01 and the other two secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 which are secondary nodes 11d and 11g. The distances Rag and Rad are obtained, Rag < Rad, and the right front position Pos (referred to as Pos5) is assigned by the main node 10 to the secondary node 1lg, and the right rear position Pos (referred to as Pos6) is assigned by the main node 10 to the secondary node 11d. Note that in this case, step E11 can also be performed simultaneously with or after step E23.

[0204] Then, in step E14, shown as F14(10, 110, Id, Nw), the main node 10 identifies the two reference secondary nodes 11 02 、11 03 in the second sub-network Nw2 by their unique network identifiers Id.

[0205] In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, the two reference secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 02 、11 03 are the secondary nodes 11b and 11c respectively.

[0206] Since the master node 10 knows the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, and in particular of each sub-network Nw, the master node 10 will know which secondary nodes 11 are located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2 from their unique network identifiers Id. As a function of the architecture T and of the received unique identifiers Id, the master node 10 will then determine which secondary nodes 11 are located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. 02 , in this case, 11b, and the reference secondary node 11 03 In this case, it would be possible to determine that 11c is located inside and that the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 (in this case 11e and 11f) are located outside. However, at that moment, the main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 02 See secondary node 11 03 and therefore how to accurately locate their reference secondary nodes. Due to the architecture T of the vehicular network Nv, the master node 10 simply knows that one of the reference secondary nodes 11b and 11c is located at the center right position and the other is located at the center left position.

[0207] Two reference secondary nodes 11 02 , 11 03 For each of these, the following applies:

[0208] In step E15, denoted as F15(10, 110, c, d, Nw), the primary node 10 determines whether the secondary node 11 02 , 11 03 5, the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 are nodes 11e and 11f.

[0209] In step E16, denoted as F16(110, 11, d, Nw), the reference secondary node 11 02 , 11 03measure said distance d. In this case, they each take two distance d measurements with two secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 12, in step E17, denoted as F17(110, 10, d, Nw), the reference secondary node 11 02 , 11 03 transmit the distance d between themselves and other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 to the master node 10. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 02 , 11 03 will therefore each transmit:

[0211] the first reference secondary node 11, which is the distance Rbe (between said reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11e) and the distance Rbf (between said reference secondary node 11b and secondary node 11f); 02 The first-order distance d1 about the second reference secondary node 11, which is the distance Rce (between said reference secondary node 11c and secondary node 11e) and the distance Rcf (between said reference secondary node 11c and secondary node 11f); 03 The quadratic distance d2.

[0212] In step E18, denoted as F18(10,11,d), the primary node 10 determines whether the first reference secondary node 11 02 and receives the primary distance d1 transmitted from the second reference secondary node 11. 03 The secondary distance d2 transmitted from is received.

[0213] In step E19, shown as F19(10,d1-d2), the main node 10 compares each primary distance d1 with each secondary distance d2 corresponding to the same other secondary node 11. This comparison is called a primary comparison. Thus, in the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, the main node 10 will compare Rce with Rbe and Rcf with Rbf. Thus, the main node 10 will define that the primary distance d1 is greater or smaller than the secondary distance d2. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, Rce < Rbe and Rcf < Rbf.

[0214] Thus, when Rce < Rbe and Rcf < Rbf (OK branch in FIG. 11), the main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 03 (in this case, 11c) is closer to secondary nodes 11e and 11f than the reference secondary node 11 02 (in this case, 11b). Thus, the main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 02 (in this case, 11b) is at the central right position Pos (referred to as Pos2), and the reference secondary node 11 03 (in this case, 11c) is at the central left position Pos (referred to as Pos7), and the position Pos2 is farther from positions Pos3 and Pos4 than the position Pos7. However, if this is not the case (therefore, for all other cases), the main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 02 (in this case, 11b) is at the central left position Pos (referred to as Pos7), and the reference secondary node 11 03 [ (in this case, 11c) is at the central right position Pos (referred to as Pos2). In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, since Rce < Rbe and Rcf < Rbf, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 11b with the central right position Pos of the motor vehicle 2 referred to as Pos2, and associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 11c with the central left position Pos of the motor vehicle 2 referred to as Pos7.

[0215] Thus, in step E20, shown as F20(10,T,d1,d2,Pos(Id),110), the main node 10 of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, and as the function of the primary comparison, thus identifies two reference secondary nodes 11 02 , 11 03 . Thus, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of those reference secondary nodes 11 02 , 11 03 with the position Pos in the motor vehicle 2. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5, the main node 10 determines that the reference secondary node 11 02 is arranged in the upper right of the motor vehicle 2, and the reference secondary node 11 03 is arranged in the upper left.

[0216] In step E21, shown as F21(10,d1-d1,d2-d2), the main node 10 compares the primary distances d1 with each other and the secondary distances d2 with each other. In a non-limiting example, the main node 10 compares the primary distance Rbe with the primary distance Rbf and the secondary distance Rce with the secondary distance Rcf. In the illustrated non-limiting example, Rce < Rcf and Rbe < Rbf.

[0217] Thus, if Rce < Rcf and Rbe < Rbf (OK branch in FIG. 11), the main node 10 - infers that the secondary node 11e is at the left rear position Pos (referred to as Pos3) because the secondary node 11e is closer to the reference secondary nodes 11 02 , in this case 11b, and the reference secondary node 11 03 , in this case 11c, - infers that the secondary node 11f is at the left front position Pos (referred to as Pos4) because the secondary node 11f is further away from the reference secondary nodes 11 02 , in this case 11b, and the reference secondary node 11 03 , in this case 11c.

[0218] ​However, if this is not the case (and thus for all other cases), the main node 10 - the secondary node 11e is the reference secondary node 11 02 , in which case, from 11b, and the reference secondary node 11 03 , in which case, being farther away from 11c, the secondary node 11e is at the left front position Pos (referred to as Pos7), - the reference secondary node 11f is the reference secondary node 11 02 , in which case, 11b, and the reference secondary node 11 03 , in which case, being closer to 11c, the reference secondary node 11f is at the left rear position Pos (referred to as Pos6) and infers that.

[0219] In the non - limiting example of FIG. 5, since Rce < Rcf and Rbe < Rbf, the main node 10 associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 11e with the left rear position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, referred to as Pos3, and associates the unique network identifier Id of the reference secondary node 11f with the left front position Pos of the motor vehicle 2, referred to as Pos4.

[0220] Thus, in step E22, shown as F22(10,T,d1,d2,Pos(Id),11), the main node 10 locates the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub - network Nw2 of the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and as the function of said secondary comparison. (For each secondary node 11 of the second sub - network Nw2 other than the reference secondary nodes 11 02 , 11 03 already located by the main node 10), the main node 10 thus associates the unique network identifier Id of that secondary node 11 with the position Pos in the motor vehicle 2.

[0221] Finally, when the main node 10 has finished locating all secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2, and consequently all secondary nodes 11 of the vehicular network Nv, in step E23, shown as F23(10, 21, off, Nw), the main node 10 deactivates the power sources 21 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0222] It should be noted that, as described above, for all described cases of n, the location method 4 includes a step of deactivating the power source of the second sub-network Nw2 after locating other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2.

[0223] Of course, the description of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the above-described fields, and therefore the present invention may be applied to fields other than the field of motor vehicles, such as, by way of non-limiting examples, the field of railways, the field of aviation, the field of IoT with connected objects, etc.

[0224] The described invention therefore has, inter alia, the following advantages: The invention allows all secondary nodes 11 of a vehicle 2 to be located, The invention allows secondary nodes 11 inside or outside the vehicle 2 to be located, the invention avoids pre-identifying the secondary nodes 11 before installing them on the vehicle 2, thus saving time on the production line; The invention allows automatic identification of secondary nodes 11 without operator intervention, thus saving time on the production line; The invention avoids manual identification by means of external tools handled by the operator, thus saving time on the production line; The present invention avoids having additional wires connected to the secondary node 11 and additional electrical components on the secondary node 11 in order to locate the secondary node 11. The mass of the vehicle 2 and consequently the energy consumed by the vehicle is reduced, and less fuel or electricity is needed to move the vehicle 2. As a result, the mass of CO2 used by the vehicle 2 is reduced.

Claims

1. a location device (1) for locating secondary nodes (11) of a vehicle (2), said location device (1) comprising a plurality of nodes (10, 11) including a main node (10) and n secondary nodes (11), n ​​being an integer between 2 and N, collectively forming a vehicle network (Nv), said vehicle network (Nv) comprising two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) each independently powered by a power source (21), each sub-network (Nw1, Nw2) comprising m secondary nodes (11), m being an integer between 1 and M, each secondary node (11) having a unique network identifier (Id) indicating whether it is inside or outside said vehicle (2); (a) said master node (10) - knowing the architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv); - independently activating and deactivating the power sources (21) of each of the two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2); at least one reference secondary node (11) in at least one of said two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2); ０ ) by its unique network identifier (Id); if n≧3, then the at least one reference secondary node (11 ０ ) sending a command (c) to measure the distance (d) between itself and another secondary node (11) of one of said two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2); if n≧3, receiving said distances (d) and comparing them with each other; - if n≧3, locating said other secondary nodes (11) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison; said at least one reference secondary node (11) using the functions of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv); ０ Locating a secondary node (11) in a sub-network (Nw) different from the sub-network (Nw) comprising the configured to: (b) said at least one reference secondary node (11 ０ )but, measuring the distance (d) between itself and said other secondary node (11) of one of said two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2); - transmitting to said master node (10) the distance (d) between itself and said other secondary node (11) of one of said two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2); configured to: (c) each secondary node (11) is configured to transmit its unique network identifier (Id) to said primary node (10) when said sub-network (Nw1, Nw2) to which it belongs is powered; A location determination device (1) characterized in that:

2. If n>2, the at least one reference secondary node (11 ０ 2. The locating device (1) of claim 1, wherein the secondary nodes (11) are located at different distances (d) from the other secondary nodes (11).

3. If n≦3, the primary node (10) has a single reference secondary node (11) ０ 3. The location device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, configured for identifying and locating a vehicle.

4. The reference secondary node (11 ０ 4. The location device (1) according to claim 3, wherein m=1 is the sub-network in which the reference secondary node is located.

5. If n=2 and m=1 for each of the two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2), the main node (10) - the reference secondary node (11 ０ ) can be identified and located. ０ activating the power source (21) of the sub-network (Nw1) in which the activating said power source (21) of the other sub-network (Nw2) to enable its single secondary node (11) to be located using the functions of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv); The location device (1) according to claim 1, further configured to:

6. If n=3, m=1 for one (Nw1) of the two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) and m=2 for the other (Nw2) of the two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2), the main node (10) - the reference secondary node (11 ０ ) can be identified and located. ０ activating the power source (21) of the sub-network (Nw1) in which the other secondary node (11) is located, sending the command (c), receiving the distance (d), comparing them, and locating the other secondary node (11) in the other sub-network (Nw2) using a function of the architecture (T) of the vehicular network (Nv) and of the comparison; - the reference secondary node (11 ０ activating the power source (21) of the other sub-network (Nw2) after locating the other sub-network (Nw1) and before sending the command (c); further configured to: The reference secondary node (11 ０ 3. The location device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second-order node (11) is configured to measure the distance (d) between itself and the other secondary node (11) of the other sub-network (Nw2).

7. If n≧6, the primary node (10) has at least two reference secondary nodes (11 ０ 3. The location device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, configured for identifying and locating a vehicle.

8. Each reference secondary node (11 ０ ) is located inside the vehicle (2), and each reference secondary node (11 ０ 8. The locating device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the other secondary nodes (11) of the sub-network (Nw) to which the first node (11) belongs are located outside, or vice versa.

9. When m=3 for a sub-network (Nw), one reference secondary node (11 ０ ) is located in the sub-network (Nw), and the main node (10) - connecting the power source (21) of the sub-network (Nw) to its reference secondary node (11 ０ activating, transmitting said command (c), receiving said distances (d), comparing them, and locating said other secondary nodes (11) in said sub-network (Nw) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison, in order to be able to identify and locate said other secondary nodes (11) in said sub-network (Nw); and the reference secondary node (11) of the sub-network (Nw) is further configured to perform ０ 8. The location device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second-order node (11) is configured to measure the distance (d) between itself and the other second-order nodes (11) of the sub-network (Nw) to which it belongs.

10. When m=4 for the subnetwork (Nw), there are two reference secondary nodes (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ 8. The location device (1) according to claim 7, wherein:

11. The main node (10) - activating the power sources (21) of the sub-network (Nw); - the two reference secondary nodes (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ ) by their unique network identifiers (Id); and ０２ , 11 ０３ ) sending a command (c) to the other secondary nodes (11) of said sub-network (Nw) such that they measure the distance between themselves and said other secondary nodes (11) of said sub-network (Nw), resulting in a first-order distance (d1) and a second-order distance (d2) respectively; receiving said primary distance (d1) and said secondary distance (d2); - comparing each first-order distance (d1) with each second-order distance (d2) corresponding to the same other second-order node (11); of the architecture (T) of the vehicular network (Nv) and using the function of the comparison, said reference secondary node (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ locating the - comparing said primary distances (d1) with one another and said secondary distances (d2) with one another; - locating said other secondary nodes (11) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison; further configured to: The two reference secondary nodes (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ 11. The location device (1) according to claim 10, wherein each of the secondary nodes (11) is configured to measure the distance (d) between itself and the other secondary nodes (11) of the sub-network (Nw) to which it belongs.

12. 1. A location method (4) for locating secondary nodes (11) of a vehicle (2) comprising a plurality of nodes (10, 11) including a primary node (10) and n secondary nodes (11) linked to each other via a vehicle network (Nv), wherein n=an integer between 1 and N, and each secondary node (11) has a unique network identifier (Id) indicating whether it is inside or outside the vehicle (2), the vehicle network (Nv) comprising two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) each independently powered by a power source (21), each sub-network (Nw1, Nw2) comprising m secondary nodes (11), where m=an integer between 1 and M, the method (4) comprising: - activating, by said master node (10), said power sources (21) of the first sub-network (Nw1); - transmission by said m secondary nodes (11) of said first sub-network (Nw1) of their unique network identifiers (Id) to said primary node (10); - by said master node (10) to a reference secondary node (11) in said first sub-network (Nw1); ０ ) by its unique network identifier (Id); (a) if n=2, - activating, by said master node (10), said power sources (21) of the second sub-network (Nw2); - transmitting, by said secondary node (11) of said second sub-network (Nw2), its unique network identifier (Id) to said primary node (10); - identifying and locating, by said main node (10), said secondary nodes (11) in said second sub-network (Nw2) using a function of the architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv), said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) being known to said main node (10); (b) if n=3, - activating, by said main node (10), said power sources (21) of said second sub-network (Nw2); - by the primary node (10) to the secondary node (11) ０ ) sending a command (c) to measure the distance (d) between itself and each other secondary node (11) of said second sub-network (Nw2); - the reference secondary node (11 ０ ) measuring the distance (d) between itself and each other secondary node (11) and returning it to said primary node (10); receiving, by said master node (10), said distances (d) and comparing them with each other; - locating, by said primary node (10), other secondary nodes (11) in said second sub-network (Nw2) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison; (c) when n=6 or n=7, - by the primary node (10) to the secondary node (11) ０ ) sending a command (c) to measure the distance (d) between itself and each other secondary node (11) of said first sub-network (Nw1); - the reference secondary node (11 ０ ) measuring the distance (d) between itself and each other secondary node (11) and returning it to said primary node (10); receiving, by said master node (10), said distances (d) and comparing them with each other; - locating, by said primary node (10), other secondary nodes (11) in said first sub-network (Nw1) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison; - activating the power sources (21) of the second sub-network (Nw2); - transmission by said m secondary nodes (11) of said second sub-network (Nw2) of their unique network identifiers (Id) to said primary node (10); (i) if n=6, - by said master node (10) to a reference secondary node (11) in said second sub-network (Nw2); ０ ) by its unique network identifier (Id); - repeating the steps of sending commands, measuring distances, returning distances, receiving distances, comparing distances and locating other secondary nodes (11) for the second sub-network (Nw2); (ii) if n=7, then the two reference secondary nodes (11) in the second sub-network (Nw2) are notified by the main node (10). ０２ , 11 ０３ ) by their unique network identifiers (Id); and ０２ , 11 ０３ ) for each of - by the primary node (10) to the secondary node (11) ０２ , 11 ０３ ) sending a command (c) to measure the distance (d) between themselves and each other secondary node (11) of said second sub-network (Nw2); - the reference secondary node (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ ) measuring the distance (d) between themselves and each other secondary node (11) and returning them to said primary node (10); - by the primary node (10), one of the two reference secondary nodes (11 ０２ ) and receives the primary distance (d1) from the other of the two reference secondary nodes (11 ０３ receiving a secondary distance (d2) transmitted from the - comparing each first-order distance (d1) with each second-order distance (d2) corresponding to the same other second-order node (11); of the architecture (T) of the vehicular network (Nv) and using the function of the comparison, the two reference secondary nodes (11 ０２ , 11 ０３ locating the - comparing said primary distances (d1) with one another and said secondary distances (d2) with one another; - locating said other secondary nodes (11) of said second sub-network (Nw2) using a function of said architecture (T) of said vehicular network (Nv) and of said comparison; A location determination method (4), characterized in that it comprises:

13. 13. The method (4) of claim 12, wherein the power sources (21) of the two sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) are initially deactivated.

14. 14. The location method (4) of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising the step of deactivating the power source (21) of the first sub-network (Nw1) after locating the other secondary nodes (11) of the first sub-network (Nw1) as described above, for all cases n, and deactivating the power source (21) of the second sub-network (Nw2) after locating the other secondary nodes (11) of the second sub-network (Nw2) as described above.

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