Method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tyre

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (Pr1) for identifying a pressure sensor (1) of a tyre (2) of a vehicle (3), the identification method (Pr1) comprising: - transmitting, via an activation device (5) of the pressure sensor (1), an activation signal (s1) to the pressure sensor (1), wherein the activation signal (s1) is a low-frequency radiofrequency signal, characterised in that the identification method (Pr1) further comprises: - following the transmission of the activation signal (s1), receiving, by an electronic device (4), return radiofrequency signals (s2) transmitted by the pressure sensor (1), wherein the return radiofrequency signals (s2) are radiofrequency signals transmitted at a frequency ranging from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire. It also relates to a system for activating a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire allowing the implementation of said identification method. It also relates to a method for pairing tire pressure sensors of a vehicle with an electronic control unit of said vehicle. It finds a particular, but non-limiting, application in the field of motor vehicles.

[0002] In the field of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, a method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire known to those skilled in the art comprises: - an emission by a pressure sensor activation device to said pressure sensor of an activation signal, said activation signal being a low frequency radiofrequency signal for example emitted at 125 kHz, - reception by said activation device of return radiofrequency signals emitted by said pressure sensor, said return radiofrequency signals being high frequency signals emitted for example at 433MHz or 315MHz.

[0003] The activation device is a tire pressure monitoring tool, also known as a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) tool. It allows communication with an electronic tire pressure monitoring system, also known as a TPMS system, which comprises an electronic control unit on board the vehicle, as well as one or more pressure sensors arranged inside the tires, configured to measure the internal pressure of the tires, and configured to communicate, in particular, pressure information to this electronic control unit of the vehicle. The electronic control unit can thus alert a user of the vehicle if one of the tires were to puncture or deflate so as to avoid any risk to their safety.

[0004] One drawback of this state of the art is that new generation pressure sensors are emerging on the market. These new pressure sensors incorporate technology that allows return radio frequency signals between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz to be sent instead of high-frequency radio frequency signals. However, current activation devices are not suitable for these new generation pressure sensors.

[0005] In this context, the present invention aims to propose an identification method of a vehicle tire pressure sensor which makes it possible to resolve at least one of the disadvantages mentioned.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire, said identification method comprising: - an emission by a pressure sensor activation device to said pressure sensor of an activation signal, said activation signal being a low frequency radiofrequency signal, characterized in that said identification method further comprises: - following the emission of said activation signal, reception by an electronic device of return radiofrequency signals emitted by said pressure sensor, the return radiofrequency signals being radiofrequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0007] Thus, as we will see in detail later, thanks to the electronic device, it is possible to receive the return radiofrequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz and sent by the pressure sensor. There is no need to adapt the existing activation devices by integrating a new communication module or to replace them. Thus, the identification process allows for cost reduction and an ecological and responsible approach since the existing activation devices are not discarded.

[0008] According to non-limiting embodiments, said method for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire may further comprise one or more additional characteristics taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, among the following.

[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the return radio frequency signals are transmitted at a frequency included in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of said return radiofrequency signals is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises a transmission by said electronic device to said activation device of information included in said return radiofrequency signals.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises storing in memory information included in said return radiofrequency signals.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the storage is carried out by the electronic device and / or by the activation device.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises an association of a position of the corresponding tire with in- formations included in said return radiofrequency signals.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the position is entered manually by an operator or is defined according to a predetermined order of activation of said pressure sensor among a set of tire pressure sensors of said vehicle.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises a display of information included in said return radiofrequency signals.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the display is carried out by the electronic device and / or by the activation device.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said return radiofrequency signals comprise information identifying said pressure sensor, pressure and / or temperature of said tire.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises detection by said electronic device of the emission of said activation signal by said activation device. The detection is automatic or manual.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, - said activation signal is emitted by said activation device via a low-frequency data transmission module, - said return radio frequency signals are received by said electronic device via a first data communication module configured to communicate at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first data communication module is a Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication module.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises a transition to a reception mode by said electronic device so as to receive said return radiofrequency signals emitted by said pressure sensor.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to reception mode is carried out following the transmission of an activation signal by the activation device to the pressure sensor of a vehicle tire.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic device is a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said identification method further comprises: - a display of first instructions by the activation device, said first instructions indicating the start of a procedure to be followed for the identification of said tire pressure sensor, - a display of second instructions by the electronic device, said second instructions indicating the continuation of the procedure to follow for the identification of said tire pressure sensor.

[0026] Further provided is a method for pairing tire pressure sensors of a vehicle with an electronic control unit of said vehicle, characterized in that said pairing method comprises: - for each pressure sensor of each tire of said vehicle, an execution of the identification method characterized according to any one of the preceding characteristics, - pairing of the pressure sensors with said electronic control unit of the vehicle by means of their identification information and a position of their corresponding tire.

[0027] Further provided is an electronic device, characterized in that said electronic device is configured to: - switching to a reception mode so as to receive return radio frequency signals emitted by a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire, said return radio frequency signals being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - receive said return radiofrequency signals from said pressure sensor.

[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to reception mode is carried out following the transmission of an activation signal by an activation device to said pressure sensor.

[0029] There is further provided a system for identifying a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire, characterized in that said identification system comprises: - a device for activating said pressure sensor configured to transmit to said pressure sensor an activation signal, said activation signal being a low frequency signal, and - an electronic device according to the preceding characteristic.

[0030] Further provided is a computer program product comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions allowing implementation of the following steps, when said sequences of instructions are loaded onto an electronic device, the steps being: - a transition to a reception mode so as to receive return radio frequency signals emitted by a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire, said return radio frequency signals being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - reception of said return radiofrequency signals.

[0031] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0032] [Fig.1] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a method of identifying according to the invention a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire,

[0033] [Fig.2] is a diagram of the identification method of [Fig.l], said identification method comprising additional steps according to non-limiting embodiments,

[0034] [Fig.3] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a method of pairing according to the invention a tire pressure sensor with an electronic control unit of a vehicle,

[0035] [Fig.4] is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an identification system according to the invention of a pressure sensor of a vehicle tire configured to implement said identification method of figures 1 or 2, said identification system comprising an activation device and an electronic device,

[0036] [Fig.5] is a very schematic representation of the identification system of the [Fig.4], and functions of said activation device and said electronic device.

[0037] Identical elements, by structure or function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0038] The method of identifying Prl a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 according to the invention is described with reference to figures 1 and 2.

[0039] In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 3 is a motor vehicle. The vehicle 3 is illustrated in [Fig. 4]. It is equipped with tires 2 in which pressure sensors 1 are housed. There is a single pressure sensor 1 per tire 2. The vehicle 3 also comprises an electronic control unit 30, designated by the acronym ECU in the remainder of the description, or otherwise called on-board computer 30. The terms electronic control unit 30 or on-board computer 30 are used interchangeably in the remainder of the description. The pressure sensor 1 - on-board computer 30 assembly is designated by the term "electronic tire pressure monitoring system" (or in English "Tire Pressure Monitoring System" with the associated acronym "TPMS").

[0040] Each pressure sensor 1 is conventionally equipped with a radiofrequency transmitter to enable the transmission of data to the electronic control unit 30. The electronic control unit 30 receiving the data from the pressure sensors 1 can thus alert a user of the vehicle 3 if one of the tires 2 were to puncture or deflate, and thus avoid any risk to the safety of the user of the vehicle 3.

[0041] Note that each pressure sensor 1 is configured to communicate according to a specific communication protocol with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3. Thus, a specific communication protocol is defined according to the type (make and model) of a pressure sensor 1. Depending on the type of vehicle 3, each vehicle has one or more types of pressure sensors 1. To determine the communication protocol used by each pressure sensor 1 of a vehicle 3, the type of the vehicle 3 must be selected, a type being defined by the manufacturer, the model and the year of manufacture of a vehicle 3.

[0042] The pressure sensor 1 which is housed in a tire 2 is not ordinarily removable, so changing a tire 2 involves changing the pressure sensor 1, the new pressure sensor 1 is then no longer recognized by the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3.

[0043] It is therefore necessary, when changing the tires 2, to pair (or associate) the pressure sensors 1 housed in the new tires 2 with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3.

[0044] To this end, each pressure sensor 1 must first be identified. Each pressure sensor 1 includes an identification information il.

[0045] As will be seen below, the Prl identification method makes it possible to identify each pressure sensor 1 and this identification is done by means of an electronic device 4 and an activation device 5.

[0046] In a non-limiting embodiment, the selection of the type of vehicle 3 is carried out manually beforehand by an operator using the activation device 5 via a database which is loaded into memory or accessible on a remote server by the activation device 5 in non-limiting examples. The database includes different types of vehicles 3 with the associated types of pressure sensors 1 as well as the communication protocols specific to the different pressure sensors 1.

[0047] In non-limiting embodiments, the electronic device 4 is a mobile phone, otherwise known as a Smartphone in English, a tablet, a computer, or any other type of electronic device comprising a data communication module configured to communicate at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. It will be noted that, conventionally, Smartphones comprise a data communication module configured to communicate at this frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz. The activation device 5 is a dedicated learning tool (generally referred to in English as a “TPMS tool”).

[0048] Thus, as illustrated in [Eig.l], the Prl identification process comprises the following steps.

[0049] In a step El i illustrated El i (5, 1, si) on the [Eig.l], the activation device 5 transmits to the pressure sensor 1 an activation signal si, said activation signal si being a low frequency radiofrequency signal.

[0050] The activation signal si wakes up pressure sensor 1. Initially, pressure sensor 1 is in a sleep mode, which preserves its battery. The activation signal si is emitted according to the communication protocol specific to pressure sensor 1.

[0051] It will be noted that the activation device 5 knows the position pl of the tire 2 in which the pressure sensor 1 is housed and to which it emits the activation signal si. Since the pressure sensor 1 is not removable from the tire 2 in which it is housed, the position pl also represents its position. In the remainder of the description, we will therefore speak indiscriminately of the position pl of the tire 2 or the position pl of the pressure sensor 1.

[0052] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency between 30 KHz and 300 KHz. In a non-limiting alternative embodiment, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency between 100 kHz and 150 kHz. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the activation signal si is emitted at a frequency of 125 kHz. It will be noted that said activation signal si is an electromagnetic signal, continuous or modulated.

[0053] In a step E12 illustrated F12(4, 1, s2) in [Fig.l], following the emission of the activation signal si, the electronic device 4 receives return radiofrequency signals s2 emitted by the pressure sensor 1, said return radiofrequency signals s2 being radiofrequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0054] In a non-limiting embodiment, the return radio frequency signals s2 are transmitted at a frequency included in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band. This frequency band is the frequency band of the ultra high frequency (UHF) range extending from 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz.

[0055] In a non-limiting embodiment, the reception of said return radiofrequency signals s2 is carried out according to the BlueTooth Low Energy™ communication protocol, referenced by the acronym BLE. The return radiofrequency signals s2 are thus BLE signals.

[0056] The return radio frequency signals s2 include information: - identification of pressure sensor 1, and - pressure i2 of tire 2, and / or - temperature i3 of tire 2.

[0057] In the remainder of the description, this information is also called information i1, i2, i3.

[0058] In a non-limiting example, the identification information is an alphanumeric code specific to each pressure sensor 1. Using this alphanumeric code, the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 can distinguish the four tires 2 in which the pressure sensors 1 are housed and thus warn the user of the vehicle 3 of any problem occurring on one of the tires 2.

[0059] In a non-limiting embodiment, the return radiofrequency signals s2 further comprise information relating to a state of a battery of the pressure sensor 1.

[0060] Thus, the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 is recovered and can thus subsequently be associated with the position pl of the tire 2 in which said pressure sensor 1 is housed.

[0061] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the Prl identification method further comprises other non-limiting steps described below.

[0062] Steps E1 1 and E12 illustrated in [Fig.2] are the same as those described in [Fig.l].

[0063] Prior to steps E11 and E12, in a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E00 illustrated F00(5, 55, i4), the activation device 5 displays first instructions i4 indicating the start of a procedure to follow for identifying the pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting example, the display is done on a human-machine interface 55 such as a screen (illustrated in [Fig.4]). This makes it possible to guide an operator in the procedure to follow to identify the pressure sensor 1 and thus ensure that he does not make a mistake.

[0064] In a non-limiting example, the first i4 instructions for the operator are as follows: - launch on the electronic device 4 a dedicated application for pressure sensor identification, - press a dedicated key on a keyboard or a pictogram on a touch screen of the dedicated activation device 5 to confirm that the application is launched.

[0065] Prior to steps E11 and E12 also, in a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E10 illustrated F10(4, 43, i4'), the electronic device 4 displays second instructions i4' indicating the continuation of the procedure to follow for the identification of the pressure sensor 1. In a non-limiting example, the display is done on a human-machine interface 43 such as a screen (illustrated in [Fig.4]). This makes it possible to guide the operator in the continuation of the procedure to follow to identify the pressure sensor 1.

[0066] In a non-limiting example, the second i4' instructions for the operator are as follows: - press a dedicated key on a keyboard or a pictogram on a touch screen of the activation device 5 to emit the activation signal if, for example, you are in front of the front-left tire 2, - when the electronic device 4 has received the return radiofrequency signals s2 from the pressure sensor 1 of the front left tire 2, and to display the information i1, i2, i3 included in these return radiofrequency signals s2, confirm via such dedicated key of a keyboard or such pictogram of a touch screen of the activation device 5, - repeat the manipulation by placing yourself in front of the front-right tire 2, etc.

[0067] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step El 1' illustrated Fl l'(4, si) in [Fig. 2], after step El i, the electronic device 4 detects the emission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5. In non-limiting embodiments, the detection is manual as described previously or automatic. In a non-limiting example, the automatic detection is done by means of a confirmation signal (not illustrated) received by the electronic device 4 and sent by the activation device 5.

[0068] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step EU” illustrated F11”(4, ml), the electronic device 4 switches to a reception mode ml so as to receive the return radiofrequency signals s2. In a non-limiting embodiment, it remains in reception mode ml for a duration t1. In a non-limiting example, this duration t1 is approximately 120 seconds. This time is sufficient to receive the return radiofrequency signals s2 and makes it possible to avoid picking up parasitic signals.

[0069] In a non-limiting embodiment, the switch to reception mode ml is carried out following the transmission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5 to the pressure sensor 1. In another non-limiting embodiment, the switch to reception mode ml is carried out before the transmission of the activation signal si.

[0070] In a non-limiting embodiment, when the communication protocol is the BLE protocol, the reception mode ml is a so-called scanning or listening mode, which is called in English "scanning mode", where the electronic device 4 periodically scans communication channels on which the return radiofrequency signals s2 are broadcast by the pressure sensor 1. It will be noted that when the electronic device 4 is in a scanning mode, the pressure sensor 1 is itself in a transmission mode which is a so-called broadcasting or announcement mode, called in English "advertising mode". In this broadcasting mode, the pressure sensor 1 periodically broadcasts in this case the return radiofrequency signals s2 on said communication channels.

[0071] In a non-limiting embodiment, after step E12, following the reception of the return radiofrequency signals s2, in a step E13 illustrated F13(4, 5, il, i2, i3), the electronic device 4 decodes these return radiofrequency signals s2 to extract the information il, i2, i3 therefrom and transmits this information il, i2, i3 to the device activation 5. In a non-limiting embodiment, the information il, i2, i3 is transmitted in real time, namely as soon as the electronic device 4 receives the return radiofrequency signals s2 and after having decoded them to extract the information il, i2, i3.

[0072] In a non-limiting embodiment, after step E12, following reception of the return radiofrequency signals s2, in a step E14 illustrated F14(i 1 , i2, i3), the information i1, i2, i3 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 is stored in memory.

[0073] In a first non-limiting variant embodiment, the storage in memory of the information i1, i2, i3 is carried out by the electronic device 4. In this case, this step E14 can be done after step E13, or in parallel with step E13. Thus, the electronic device 4 saves this information i1, i2, i3 in its memory.

[0074] In a second non-limiting variant embodiment, the storage in memory of the information i1, i2, i3 is carried out by the activation device 5. In this case, this step E14 is carried out after step E13. Thus, the activation device 5 saves this information i1, i2, i3 in its memory.

[0075] In a third non-limiting variant embodiment, the storage in memory of the information i1, i2, i3 is carried out by the electronic device 4 and by the activation device 5. Thus, each saves this information i1, i2, i3 in its own memory.

[0076] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E15 illustrated F15(il, i2, i3), the information il, i2, i3 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 is displayed. This allows an operator to know that the identification method Prl has been executed and that the information il, i2, i3 of the pressure sensor 1 has been recovered.

[0077] In a first non-limiting variant embodiment, the display is carried out by the electronic device 4 on a human-machine interface 43 as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In a second non-limiting variant embodiment, the display is carried out by the activation device 5 on a human-machine interface 55 as illustrated in [Fig. 4] in the case where this information i1, i2, i3 has been transmitted to it beforehand by the electronic device 4. In a third non-limiting variant embodiment, the display can be carried out by the electronic device 4 and by the activation device 5.

[0078] According to the non-limiting embodiment variants described, it will be noted that this step E15 can be done after step E13, or after step E14 or in parallel with one of these steps.

[0079] In a non-limiting embodiment, in a step E16 illustrated F16(pl, il, i2, i3), a position pl of the corresponding tire 2 is associated with the information it, i2, 12 of pressure sensor 1.

[0080] The position pl of the tire 2 in which the pressure sensor 1 is housed: - is entered manually by an operator (via a human-machine interface of the activation device 5 in a non-limiting example) or - is defined according to a predetermined order of activation of said pressure sensor 1 among the set of pressure sensors 1 of tires 2 of the vehicle 3. The predetermined order of activation indicates an order for activating the pressure sensors 1. In a non-limiting example, the predetermined order of activation is: front-left tire; front-right tire; rear-left tire; rear-right tire. Thus, the first pressure sensor 1 which is activated by the activation device 5 is the one housed in the front-left tire, and the last pressure sensor 1 which is activated by the activation device 5 is the one housed in the rear-right tire.

[0081] It should be noted that this step E16 can be carried out at the same time as step E14 of storing the information i1, i2, i3 in memory.

[0082] The association is made in memory by the electronic device 4 and / or by the activation device 5.

[0083] In a first non-limiting variant embodiment, the association between the position pl and the information il, i2, i3 is carried out by the electronic device 4. Thus, the electronic device 4 saves this association in its memory.

[0084] In a second non-limiting variant embodiment, the association between the position pl and the information i1, i2, i3 is carried out by the activation device 5. Thus, the activation device 5 saves this association in its memory. It will be noted that if the information i1, i2, i3 has been transmitted by the electronic device 4 to the activation device 5, then the activation device 5 can make the association.

[0085] In a second non-limiting variant embodiment, the association between the position pl and the information il, i2, i3 is carried out by the electronic device 4 and the activation device 5. Thus, each saves this association in its own memory.

[0086] Thus, the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5 comprise a database with the position pl of each tire 2 and the identification information il of the corresponding pressure sensor 1 as well as the corresponding pressure i2 and / or temperature i3 information.

[0087] Thus, the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 and the corresponding position pl of the tire 2 in which it is housed are recovered.

[0088] This Prl identification method is used in the pairing of the pressure sensors 1 with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3. The pairing (or association) allows the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 to identify a new pressure sensor 1 which has been installed on the vehicle 3 when replacing a tire 2, this new pressure sensor 1 comprising identification information 11 new and different from the old pressure sensor 1 which has been replaced. The electronic control unit 30 must be made aware of this new identification information 11 in order to recognize and receive the signals emitted by this new pressure sensor 1, which is done by the pairing method Pr2 illustrated in [Fig. 3] according to a non-limiting embodiment. It comprises the following steps.

[0089] In a step E21 illustrated F21(l(2), Prl), for each pressure sensor 1 of each tire 2 of the vehicle 3, the identification method Prl described above is executed. As illustrated in [Fig.3], the vehicle 3 comprises N tires 2 with N being an integer. In a non-limiting example, N=4. We thus start with a first pressure sensor 1 by initializing N=l. At the end of this step, if applicable, the information li, i2, i3 associated with each pressure sensor 1 is displayed on a human-machine interface of the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5.

[0090] This step E21 is repeated as many times as there are tires 2 in the vehicle 3, namely here three times, up to N=4. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.3], this step is repeated by going into branch A. Once this step is completed, we thus obtain all the pressure sensors 1 with their information i1, i2, i3 and their association with a position p1 of the corresponding tire 2, namely in which each of the pressure sensors 1 is housed.

[0091] Once this step is completed, we move on to the next step (branch B indicated in [Fig.3]).

[0092] In a step E22 illustrated F22(l, 30, il, p 1(2)), a pairing of all the pressure sensors 1 is carried out with the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 by means of the identification information il and the position pl of the tire 2 corresponding to each pressure sensor 1.

[0093] This step is performed by the electronic device 4 or by the activation device 5. In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is configured to display the procedure to follow to perform this pairing step. In another non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is configured to display the procedure to follow to perform this pairing step.

[0094] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the pairing is done: - by transmitting to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 directly all of the information i1, i2, i3 described previously from each pressure sensor 1 as well as their respective associated positions pl, which have been previously saved in memory, and - by directly writing this data into a memory of the control unit electronics 30.

[0095] In a first non-limiting variant embodiment, this transmission is made between the electronic device 4 (which has stored in memory 44 the information i1, i2, i3 of each pressure sensor 1 and their respective associated positions p1) and the electronic control unit 30. In this case, in a non-limiting example, wired means such as a USB cable are used for the transmission. In a second non-limiting variant embodiment, the transmission is made between the activation device 5 (which has stored in memory 59 the information i1, i2, i3 of each pressure sensor 1 and their respective associated positions p1) and the electronic control unit 30. In this case, in a non-limiting example, wired means such as an OBD connector are used for the transmission.

[0096] If it is not possible to directly modify the memory of the electronic control unit 30 by writing the information i1, i2, i3 and corresponding respective positions p1, two other non-limiting embodiments are possible and described below. For these two non-limiting embodiments, the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3 is positioned in a learning mode (for example manually via a human-machine interface connected to the electronic control unit 30, such as a touch screen in a non-limiting example).

[0097] In a second non-limiting embodiment, each pressure sensor 1 is activated in a predetermined activation order via an activation signal s1 emitted by the activation device 5. The current pressure sensor 1 that is activated transmits a signal to the electronic control unit 30. The electronic control unit 30 thus identifies the pressure sensor 1 and the position p1 of the corresponding tire 2. The predetermined activation order is known to the activation device 5 and to the electronic control unit 30. Each pressure sensor 1 thus activated will send a signal to the electronic control unit 30 with its information i1, i2, i3. In practice, an operator will move around the vehicle 3 with the activation device 5 in hand and position himself in front of each tire 2 to activate its pressure sensor 1, and this according to the predetermined activation order.

[0098] In a third non-limiting embodiment, an emulation of the signals from each pressure sensor 1 is carried out. An emulated signal from each pressure sensor 1 is emitted by the electronic device 4 or the activation device 5.

[0099] It will be noted that in this case, the electronic device 4 and / or the activation device 5 is aware of the communication protocol specific to each pressure sensor 1 to communicate with the electronic control unit 30.

[0100] The emulated signal of each pressure sensor 1 is transmitted by the electronic device 4 or the activation device 5 to the electronic control unit 30 via the communication protocol specific to the emulated pressure sensor 1. The emulated signal includes in particular the identification information il of the pressure sensor 1 and its corresponding position pl.

[0101] This second non-limiting embodiment and this third non-limiting embodiment being known to those skilled in the art, they are not described in more detail here.

[0102] The method for identifying a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 is implemented by a system 6 for identifying a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of a vehicle 3 illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0103] The identification system 6 comprises the electronic device 4 and the activation device 5 illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0104] The electronic device 4 is configured to: - switching to a reception mode ml so as to receive return radiofrequency signals s2 emitted by said pressure sensor 1, said return radiofrequency signals s2 being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz (illustrated function f41(4, ml) illustrated in [Fig.5]), - receive from said pressure sensor 1 said return radiofrequency signals s2 (function illustrated f42(4, 1, s2) in [Fig.5]).

[0105] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to detect the emission of the activation signal si by the activation device 5 (function illustrated f43(4, si) in [Fig.5]).

[0106] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to transmit to said activation device 5 information i1, i2, i3 included in said return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f44(4, 5, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0107] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to store in memory information i1, i2, i3 included in said return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f45(4, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0108] The said information il, i2, i2 are: - an identifying information, and - pressure information i2, and / or - i3 temperature information.

[0109] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to display second instructions i4' indicating the continuation of the procedure to follow for the identification of a pressure sensor 1 of tire 2 (illustrated function f46(4, i4') in [Fig.5]).

[0110] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to display the information i1, i2, i3 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f47(4, 43, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]). [OR I] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 is further configured to associate the information il, i2, i3 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 with a position pl of the corresponding tire 2 (illustrated function f47(4, pl, il, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0112] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the electronic device 4 comprises a processing unit 40 configured to execute the functions f41 to f48 described previously.

[0113] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the electronic device 4 further comprises: - a first data communication module 41 configured to communicate with the pressure sensor 1 at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - a second communication module 42 configured to communicate with the activation device 5.

[0114] The first data communication module 41 is configured to establish a wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 and comprises an antenna 410 illustrated in [Fig.5] configured to receive the return radio frequency signals s2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first data communication module 41 is a BLE communication module. In this case, it is configured to establish a BLE wireless communication link with the pressure sensor 1 (the latter being in this case a BLE sensor). Its antenna 410 is thus configured to receive return radio frequency signals s2 in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band according to the BLE communication protocol.

[0115] In non-limiting embodiments, the second communication module 42 is configured to communicate with a third communication module 52 of the activation device 5 via wired means or wireless means to transmit data to it. In a non-limiting example, the wired means are a USB cable. In non-limiting examples, the wireless means are a Wi-Fi™ network or a conventional Bluetooth™ network. Thus, the following use cases may exist: - the electronic device 4 transmits to the activation device 5 data such as the information i1, i2, i3 via the USB cable, or - if the activation device 5 comprises a third communication module 52 capable of communicating via Wi-Fi™ with the electronic device 4, and the electronic device 4 transmits data such as the information i1, i2, i3 via the Wi-Fi™ communication protocol, or - if the activation device 5 comprises a third communication module 52 capable of communicating in classic Bluetooth™ with the electronic device 4 but is not capable of communicating in Bluetooth Low Energy™ with a pressure sensor 1 which is a BLE sensor, the electronic device 4 transmits data to it such as the information i1, i2, i3 via the communication protocol Classic Bluetooth™.

[0116] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 further comprises a human-machine interface 43 such as a screen in a non-limiting example configured to display the information i1, i2, i3 or even the second instructions i4' for example as illustrated in [Fig.4]. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen.

[0117] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic device 4 further comprises a memory 44 (illustrated in [Fig.5]) in which the information i1, i2, i3 described previously and their association with a position p1 of a tire 2 can be saved in particular.

[0118] The activation device 5 is configured to transmit to the pressure sensor 1 an activation signal si, said activation signal si being a low frequency signal (function illustrated f51(5, 1, si) in [Fig.5]).

[0119] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to receive from the electronic device 4 the information i1, i2, i2 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f52(5, 4, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0120] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to display the information i1, i2, i2 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f53(5, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0121] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to store in memory the information i1, i2, i2 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 (illustrated function f54(5, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0122] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is configured to display first instructions i4 indicating the start of the procedure to be followed for the identification of a pressure sensor 1 (illustrated function f55(5, 55, i4) in [Fig.5]).

[0123] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 is further configured to associate the information i1, i2, i3 included in the return radiofrequency signals s2 with a position p1 of the corresponding tire 2 (illustrated function f56(5, p1, i1, i2, i3) in [Fig.5]).

[0124] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the activation device 5 comprises a processing unit 50 configured to execute the functions f51 to f56 described previously.

[0125] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the activation device 5 further comprises: - a low frequency data transmission module 51 configured to transmit the activation signal if to the pressure sensor 1, - a third communication module 52 configured to communicate with the second communication module 42 of the electronic device 4.

[0126] The low frequency data transmission module 51 includes an antenna 510 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 configured to transmit the activation signal at a low frequency.

[0127] The activation device 5 further comprises: - a housing 53 illustrated in [Fig.4], in a non-limiting example made of plastic, - a 54 battery illustrated in [Fig.5], - a display device 55 illustrated in [Fig. 4], such as a screen in a non-limiting example, and configured to display the information i1, i2, i2 transmitted by the electronic device 4 for example, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In non-limiting examples, the screen is an LCD or TFT screen, - a keyboard 56 illustrated in [Fig.4], and - an OBD socket 57 illustrated in [Fig.4] configured to allow, for example, the connection of the activation device 5 to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 3, in particular via an OBD cable.

[0128] In a non-limiting example, the display device 55 is an LCD or TFT screen.

[0129] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 further comprises a communication port 58 illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In a non-limiting example, the communication port 58 is a USB type port. The communication port 58 is configured to connect said activation device 5 to an electronic device, such as a computer or the electronic device 4 itself. The communication port 58 is further configured to be connected to a power source to receive electrical energy intended to charge said battery 54. Said power source may be a mains socket, but also any type of electronic or electrical device capable of electrically powering the battery 54, such as a computer.

[0130] In a non-limiting embodiment, the activation device 5 further comprises a memory 59 (illustrated in [Fig.5]) in which the information i1, i2, i3 described previously and their association with a position p1 of a tire 2 can be saved.

[0131] It will be noted that the implementation of steps E11 and E12 set out above can be carried out by means of a micro-programmed device “software”, wired logic and / or electronic components “hardware”.

[0132] Thus, the electronic device 4 may comprise one or more computer program products comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by a processing unit such as a microprocessor, or a processing unit of a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc., the execution of said sequences of instructions allowing an implementation of the steps E11 and E12 described above. cededly.

[0133] Such a computer program may be written in writable non-volatile memory of the ROM type or in rewritable non-volatile memory of the EEPROM or FLASH type. Said computer program may be written to memory at the factory or loaded into memory or downloaded remotely into memory. The instruction sequences may be sequences of machine instructions, or sequences of a command language interpreted by the processing unit at the time of their execution.

[0134] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.5], a computer program product Pg is written into a memory 44 of the electronic device 4.

[0135] Thus, the computer program product Pg comprises one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions allowing implementation of the following steps, when it is loaded onto said electronic device 4, the steps being: - a transition to a reception mode ml so as to receive return radiofrequency signals s2 emitted by said pressure sensor 1, said return radiofrequency signals s2 being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - reception of said return radiofrequency signals s2 from a pressure sensor 1 of a tire 2 of vehicle 3.

[0136] In a non-limiting embodiment, the steps are furthermore the steps E10, and / or EU', and / or E13, and / or E14, and / or E15 and / or E16 described previously. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the computer program product Pg comprises one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions allowing an implementation of the following steps, when it is loaded on said electronic device 4, the steps being the steps E10, and EU' to E16 described previously.

[0137] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and to the field described above. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the display device 55 and the keyboard 56 of the activation device 5 can be replaced by a single element such as a touch screen allowing on the one hand the display of information and on the other hand the activation of functions via dedicated pictograms or the confirmation of an operation via an operator.

[0138] Thus, the invention described presents in particular the following advantages: - it allows the use of existing activation devices 5 with new generation pressure sensors 1 thanks to the use of an electronic device 4 already adapted to communicate with the pressure sensors 1; - it reduces economic costs as well as environmental costs since it is not necessary to modify existing activation devices 5 to adapt them by integrating a new communication module, and that it is not necessary to discard the existing activation devices 5 to replace them, - it is simple to implement.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for identifying (Prl) a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said identification method (Prl) comprising: - an emission by an activation device (5) of the pressure sensor (1) to said pressure sensor (1) of an activation signal (si), said activation signal (si) being a low frequency radiofrequency signal, characterized in that said identification method (Prl) further comprises: - following the emission of said activation signal (si), reception by an electronic device (4) of return radiofrequency signals (s2) emitted by said pressure sensor (1), the return radiofrequency signals (s2) being radiofrequency signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

2. Identification method (Prl) according to claim 1, according to which the reception of said return radiofrequency signals (s2) is carried out according to the Bluetooth Low Energy™ communication protocol.

3. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said identification method (Prl) further comprises a transmission by said electronic device (4) to said activation device (5) of information (il, i2, i3) included in said return radiofrequency signals (s2).

4. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said identification method (Prl) further comprises a storage in memory of information (il, i2, i3) included in said return radiofrequency signals (s2).

5. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said identification method (Prl) further comprises an association of a position (pl) of the tire (2) corresponding with information (il, i2, i3) included in said return radiofrequency signals (s2).

6. An identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises a display of information (il, i2, i3) included in said return radio frequency signals (s2).

7. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said radiofrequency signals of return (s2) includes identification information (il) of said pressure sensor (1), pressure (i2) and / or temperature (i3) of said tire (2).

8. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said identification method (Prl) further comprises a passage into a reception mode (ml) by said electronic device (4) so ​​as to receive said return radiofrequency signals (s2) emitted by said pressure sensor (1).

9. Identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic device (4) is a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer.

10. An identification method (Prl) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said identification method (Prl) further comprises: - a display of first instructions (i4) by the activation device (5), said first instructions (i4) indicating the start of a procedure to be followed for the identification of said pressure sensor (1) of tire (2), - a display of second instructions (i4') by the electronic device (4), said second instructions (i4') indicating the continuation of the procedure to be followed for the identification of said pressure sensor (1) of tire (2).

11. Method for pairing (Pr2) tire pressure sensors (1) (2) of a vehicle (3) with an electronic control unit (30) of said vehicle (3), characterized in that said pairing method (Pr2) comprises: - for each pressure sensor (1) of each tire (2) of the vehicle (3), an execution of the identification method (Prl) characterized according to any one of the preceding claims, - pairing of the pressure sensors (1) with said electronic control unit (30) of the vehicle (3) by means of their identification information (il) and a position (pl) of their corresponding tire (2).

12. Electronic device (4), characterized in that said electronic device (4) is configured to: - switching to a reception mode (ml) so as to receive return radiofrequency signals (s2) emitted by a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said radiofrequency signals return (s2) being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - receiving from said pressure sensor (1) said return radiofrequency signals (s2).

13. Identification system (6) of a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), characterized in that said identification system (6) comprises: - an activation device (5) for said pressure sensor (1) configured to emit towards said pressure sensor (1) an activation signal (si), said activation signal (si) being a low frequency signal, and - an electronic device (4) according to the preceding claim.

14. Computer program product (Pg) comprising one or more sequences of instructions executable by an information processing unit, the execution of said sequences of instructions allowing implementation of the following steps, when said sequences of instructions are loaded onto an electronic device (4), the steps being: - a transition to a reception mode (ml) so as to receive return radiofrequency signals (s2) emitted by a pressure sensor (1) of a tire (2) of a vehicle (3), said return radiofrequency signals (s2) being signals emitted at a frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, - reception of said return radiofrequency signals (s2).

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