FR3083635A1 - METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING THE CONTACT STATE OF A VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A control method is implemented in a vehicle (V) comprising a starting device (DD) generating a contact signal having first and second states associated with switching on and switching off of contact, a computer (CV) storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a contact signal in its first or second state, and a connector (CN) coupled to the computer (CV) and to a computer intervention tool (OI) . This method comprises a step in which a contact message containing a contact variable having a first or second value replacing the contact signal in its first is transmitted to the computer (CV) from the intervention computer tool (CV) or second state to place the contact parameter in its open or closed state.

Description

METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING THE CONTACT STATUS OF A

VEHICLE.

The invention relates to vehicles which include a computer controlling the operation of other on-board electrical components.

Certain vehicles, possibly of automobile type, include:

a starting device, such as for example a contactor actuable by a starting key or a starting button, responsible for generating, when it is actuated, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on of contact and contact break,

- a computer storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a contact signal in its first or second state, and controlling the operation of on-board electrical components as a function of the state of this parameter stored contact, and

- a connector coupled to the computer and intended to be temporarily coupled to a computer intervention tool (for example for configuration or diagnosis).

It will be understood that in such a vehicle when the starting device is actuated to switch on the ignition, it transmits to the abovementioned computer a contact signal having its first state, and on receipt of this contact signal the computer places its contact parameter in its open state (ignition on), which "wakes him up" and therefore allows him to control the operation of the electrical components concerned. Conversely, when the starting device is actuated to cut the ignition, it transmits to the abovementioned computer a contact signal having its second state, and on reception of this contact signal the computer places its contact parameter in its closed state (contact cut ), which "puts him to sleep" or puts him on standby and therefore forces him to stop checking the operation of the electrical components concerned.

Such a computer is generally a supervisory device which is in particular responsible, once awakened, for controlling electrical power supply relays of electrical components of the vehicle which are connected to a communication network of the latter (possibly of multiplexed type), and therefore allows access to other computers.

When the vehicle is on a production line or a retouching chain or in an after-sales service, and you want to intervene on it, for example to configure it by a software update (or "software") downloaded or to detect a malfunction, a technician must first connect a computer intervention tool to its connector (usually called diagnostic), then this technician must activate his starting device to place the contact parameter in its open state and thus put the contact. Then, once the intervention is finished, the technician must activate the vehicle starting device again to place the contact parameter in its closed state and thus switch off the ignition.

Each time the ignition is switched on and the ignition is switched off, the technician must enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle, activate the starter device, then leave the passenger compartment, possibly after having remained there for a few moments while the computer tool intervention has time to perform checks, which is time consuming, restrictive and not very ergonomic. In addition, each time that the intervention was not carried out correctly, for example because the computer did not wake up or due to improper handling by the technician, the latter must again enter the passenger compartment and make a new ignition switch, which lengthens the duration of the intervention, and can induce a slowing down of the production or retouching chain.

This situation is particularly disadvantageous on a production chain because each vehicle must be the subject of several contact switches and several contact cuts.

The object of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation, in particular by reducing the number of manual operations that the technician must carry out to bring about the ignition switches on and the ignition interruptions of a vehicle during interventions on the latter via the connector.

To this end, it notably proposes a control method for a vehicle comprising:

- a starting device generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on of contact and breaking of contact,

- a computer storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a contact signal in its first or second state, and controlling the operation of electrical components of the vehicle as a function of the state of this parameter stored contact, and

- a connector coupled to the computer and intended to be temporarily coupled to an IT intervention tool.

This control method is characterized by the fact that it comprises a step in which a contact message containing a contact variable having either a first value replacing the contact message is transmitted to the computer from the intervention computer tool coupled to the connector. contact signal in its first state to place the contact parameter in its open state, that is to say a second value replacing the contact signal in its second state to place the contact parameter in its closed state.

Thanks to this control process, it is now possible to remotely make contact switches and contact interruptions of a vehicle in an automated manner (via the IT intervention tool) and therefore without manual intervention by a technician in this vehicle.

The control method according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- in its step, in the event of reception by the computer of a contact signal in its first state while its contact parameter is in its closed state following the reception of a contact message containing the contact variable with its second value, the contact parameter can be placed in its open state;

- in its step, in the event of reception by the computer of a contact signal in its second state while its contact parameter is in its open state following the reception of a contact message containing the contact variable with its first value, the contact parameter can be placed in its closed state;

- in its step, in the event of reception by the computer of a contact message containing the contact variable with its second value while its contact parameter is in its open state following the reception of a previous contact message containing the contact variable with its first value, we can place the contact parameter in its closed state;

- in its step, in the event of reception by the computer of a contact message containing the contact variable with its first value while its contact parameter is in its closed state following the reception of a previous contact message containing the contact variable with its second value, we can place the contact parameter in its open state.

The invention also provides a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a control method of the type presented above for controlling remotely from the ignition switches and ignition interruptions of a vehicle.

The invention also provides a computer, on the one hand, intended to equip a vehicle comprising a starting device generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on and off contact, and a connector intended to be temporarily coupled to a computer intervention tool, and, on the other hand, storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a contact signal in its first or second state, and being intended to be coupled to the connector and to control the operation of electrical components of the vehicle as a function of the state of this stored contact parameter.

This computer is characterized by the fact that it includes a control device which, in the event of transmission by the intervention computer tool coupled to the connector, of a contact message containing a contact variable having a first value replacing the signal contact in its first state or a second value replacing the contact signal in its second state, places the contact parameter in its open or closed state depending on whether the contact variable has its first or second value.

For example, this computer can constitute a vehicle supervision equipment, controlling electrical power supply relays of electrical components connected to a vehicle communication network and possibly being computers.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising:

- a starting device generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on of contact and breaking of contact,

- a connector intended to be temporarily coupled to an IT intervention tool,

- electrical components, and

- a computer of the type presented above and coupled to the connector.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawing, in which the single figure schematically and functionally illustrates a vehicle equipped with a connector to which a tool is connected. intervention computer and an exemplary embodiment of a computer according to the invention.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a control method intended to allow remote triggering of contact switches and contact interruptions of a vehicle V in an automated manner, via a computer intervention tool 01, and therefore without manual intervention by a technician in this vehicle V.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, it concerns any type of vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), as soon as it includes a computer involved in its contact switching and contact disconnection.

There is schematically shown in the single figure a vehicle V equipped with a starting device DD and a connector CN to which are connected a computer intervention tool 01 (temporarily) and a CV computer allowing together to implement the control method according to the invention.

The starting device DD is arranged so as to generate, when actuated by a passenger of the vehicle (for example its driver), a contact signal sc having either a first state e1 associated with a contacting of the vehicle V, or a second state e2 associated with a contact cut-off of the vehicle V. For example, this starting device DD can be a contactor actuable by a starting key or a starting button.

The calculator CV includes a memory MS storing a contact parameter pc taking an open state (ignition on) eo or closed (ignition off) ef following the reception of a contact signal sc in its first e1 or second e2 state, and controls the operation of electrical components of the vehicle V as a function of the state of the contact parameter pc stored in its memory MS.

For example, this CV computer is a vehicle supervision equipment V which is in particular responsible for controlling electrical power supply relays of electrical components (possibly other computers) on board and connected to an on-board communication network (possibly of the type multiplexed (for example of CAN type (“Controller Area Network”)).

As illustrated without limitation, the CV computer can also include a communication interface IC, an alarm clock interface IR, and a set of elements EE allowing it to perform its functions (for example a microcontroller).

The IR wake-up interface is adapted to receive the contact signal sc which is generated by the starter device DD when it is actuated by a passenger. A contact signal sc in a first state e1 constitutes a wake-up signal for the CV computer, while a contact signal sc in a second state e2 constitutes a standby (or sleep) signal for the CV computer . Preferably, it is the alarm clock interface IR which places the contact parameter pc in its open state eo or closed ef following the reception of the contact signal sc in its first e1 or second e2 state. Therefore, it is preferable that the IR wake-up interface includes the storage memory MS, as illustrated without limitation. But it is not compulsory.

The communication interface IC is intended, once activated after waking up from the CV computer and during a configuration phase, to receive software (or "softwares") transmitted by the intervention computer tool Ol. For example, this communication interface IC can be of CAN or Ethernet type. But it can be of any protocol type.

The CN connector is coupled to the CV computer and intended to be temporarily coupled to an IT intervention computer tool. Therefore, its type depends on the type of the IC communication interface.

As indicated above, the invention proposes in particular a control method intended to allow the remote triggering of contact switches and contact interruptions of vehicle V in an automated manner, via the intervention computer tool Ol.

This process comprises for this purpose a step in which a CV message is sent to the CV computer, from the intervention computer tool Ol coupled to the connector CN, which contains a contact variable vc having either a first value v1 replacing the contact signal sc in its first state e1 to place the contact parameter pc in its open state eo, that is to say a second value v2 replacing the contact signal sc in its second state e2 to place the contact parameter pc in its closed state ef .

In other words, when a technician wants to switch on the ignition without entering vehicle V, he selects a menu dedicated to this effect in the IT intervention tool Ol (coupled to the CN connector), which triggers the transmission to the CV computer, via the CN connector, a contact message me which contains the contact variable vc with its first value v1. The latter (v1) replacing the contact signal sc in its first state e1, it causes in the calculator CV the placement of the contact parameter pc in its open state eo, and consequently a contact setting in the vehicle V, without penetration of the technician in the latter (V).

Likewise, when a technician wants to switch off the ignition without entering vehicle V, he selects a menu dedicated to this purpose in the intervention computer tool Ol (coupled to the CN connector), which triggers transmission to the CV computer , via the CN connector, of a contact message me which contains the contact variable vc with its second value v2. The latter (v2) replacing the contact signal sc in its second state e2, it causes in the computer CV the placement of the contact parameter pc in its closed state ef, and consequently a contact cut-off in the vehicle V, without penetration of the technician in the latter (V).

The implementation of the step of this control method can be done by means of a computer program product comprising a set of instructions executed by processing means of the computer intervention tool Ol and of the computer. CV. More specifically, this computer program product comprises a first software part (or “software”) DC1 installed in the intervention computer tool Ol and comprising a first instruction subset executed by means of processing this last (Ol), and a second software part DC2 installed in the CV computer and comprising a second subset of instructions executed by processing means of the latter (CV).

The first software part DC1 is for example located in a processor PR of the intervention computer tool Ol and is responsible for triggering the transmission to the CV computer, by the latter (Ol), of a contact message containing the variable contact vc with its first v1 or second v2 value, depending on the technician's choice.

The second software part DC2 is responsible, in the event of transmission to its CV calculator by the intervention computer tool Ol of a contact message containing the contact variable vc with its first v1 or second v2 value, to place the pc contact parameter in its open or closed state depending on whether this contact variable has its first v1 or second v2 value.

Note that the second DC2 software part can be installed in the IR wake-up interface or in a processor coupled to the CN connector and to the IR wake-up interface.

It will also be noted that this second DC2 software part can be replaced by a DC2 control device installed in the CV computer and produced in the form of electronic circuits (or "hardware") or else of a combination of electronic circuits and software modules (or computer or software). For example, such a DC2 control device can be in the form of a processor or processing circuits, possibly associated with a memory. Such a DC2 control device can also be installed in the IR wake-up interface or else between the CN connector and the IR wake-up interface (by being coupled to the latter (CN and IR), as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 'unique figure.

For example, when the second software part (or the control device) DC2 receives from the connector CN a contact message containing the contact variable with its first value v1, it (it) can generate a (or cause the generation of a) contact signal sc in its first state e1 and transmit the latter (sc) to the alarm clock interface IR which will then place the contact parameter pc in its open state. Also for example, when the second software part (or the control device) DC2 receives from the connector CN a contact message containing the contact variable with its second value v2, it (it) can generate a (or cause the generation of 'a) contact signal sc in its second state e2 and transmit the latter (sc) to the alarm clock interface IR which will then place the contact parameter pc in its closed state.

It will be noted that in the step of the method, in the event of reception by the computer CV of a contact signal sc in its first state e1 while its contact parameter pc is in its closed state ef following the reception of a contact message containing the contact variable vc with its second value v2, we (the second software part (or the control device) DC2) can place the contact parameter pc in its open state eo.

It will also be noted that in the step of the method, in the event of reception by the computer CV of a contact signal sc in its second state e2 while its contact parameter pc is in its open state eo following the reception of a contact message containing the contact variable vc with its first value v1, we (the second software part (or the control device) DC2) can place the contact parameter pc in its closed state ef.

It will also be noted that in the process step, in the event of reception by the CV computer of a contact message containing the contact variable vc with its second value v2 while its contact parameter pc is in its open state eo following the reception of a previous contact message containing the contact variable vc with its first value v1, we (the second software part (or the control device) DC2) can place the contact pc parameter in its closed state ef.

It will also be noted that in the process step, in the event of the CV computer receiving a contact message containing the contact variable vc with its first value v1 while its contact parameter pc is in its closed state ef following the reception of a previous contact message containing the contact variable vc with its second value v2, we (the second software part (or the control device) DC2) can place the contact pc parameter in its open state eo.

It appears from the four preceding paragraphs that the CV calculator (and more precisely its second software part (or its control device) DC2) acts in exactly the same way as it receives a message of contact me from the IT tool of intervention Ol or a contact signal sc of the starting device DD, but also that the current state (and therefore stored) of its contact parameter pc results from the reception of a contact message from the computer tool Ol or intervention signal sc from the DD starting device. Each “new source of contact instruction”, just like each “previous source of contact instruction” is therefore transparent for the CV computer (and more precisely for its second software part (or its control device) DC2) .

It will also be noted that each contact message generated by the IT intervention tool Ol (and more precisely by its first software part DC1) may contain one or more authorizations necessary for its recognition by the CV calculator, in addition to its variable contact vc.

It will also be noted that in the single figure the DC2 control device is very schematically illustrated by a rectangle. The latter can take the form of a box comprising printed circuits, or else of several printed circuits connected by wired or non-wired connections. By printed circuit is meant any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation. As mentioned above, the control device DC2 can comprise at least one processor, for example of digital signal (or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), a random access memory to store instructions for the implementation by this processor of a part of the control process as described above. The digital signal processor receives the contact messages to analyze and process them, possibly after having shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified them, in a manner known per se. Furthermore, the DC2 control device can also include an input interface for receiving contact messages, and an output interface for transmitting the results of its analyzes and treatments.

As explained above, the step of the control process is implemented by different components installed in the intervention computer tool Ol and in the CV computer. Thus, the control method can be implemented by a plurality of processors, random access memory, mass memory, input interface, output interface and / or digital signal processor.

Thanks to the invention, it is now possible to remotely control the state of the vehicle contact at any time, for whatever reason, and without the intervention of a technician in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, as soon as '' a computer intervention tool (adapted for this purpose) is coupled to the connector of the concerned computer of this vehicle. This makes it possible in particular to facilitate the work of the technicians (and in particular to improve ergonomics), and to reduce the time necessary for the manufacture or repair of the vehicle or to reallocate the time freed up to other operations which may have need.

Claims (10)

1. Control method for a vehicle (V) comprising i) a starting device (DD) generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on of contact and switching off of contact , ii) a computer (CV) storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a contact signal in its first or second state, and controlling the operation of electrical components of said vehicle (V) in function of the state of said stored contact parameter, and iii) a connector (CN) coupled to said computer (CV) and intended to be temporarily coupled to a computer intervention tool (Ol), characterized in that it comprises a step in which a contact message containing a contact variable having either a first value is transmitted to said computer (CV), from said intervention computer tool (Ol) coupled to said connector (CN) replacing them with said contact signal in its first state to place said contact parameter in its open state, ie a second value replacing said contact signal in its second state to place said contact parameter in its closed state. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step, in the event of reception by said computer (CV) of a contact signal in its first state while its contact parameter is in its closed state following the reception of a contact message containing said contact variable with its second value, said contact parameter is placed in its open state. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step, in case of reception by said computer (CV) of a contact signal in its second state while its contact parameter is in its open state consecutively on receipt of a contact message containing said contact variable with its first value, said contact parameter is placed in its closed state. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step, in the event of reception by said computer (CV) of a contact message containing said contact variable with its second value while its parameter contact is in its open state following the reception of a previous contact message containing said contact variable with its first value, said contact parameter is placed in its closed state. 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in said step, in case of reception by said computer (CV) of a contact message containing said contact variable with its first value while its parameter contact is in its closed state following the reception of a previous contact message containing said contact variable with its second value, we place said contact parameter in its open state. 6. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the control method according to one of the preceding claims for remotely controlling stakes of vehicle contact and ignition interruptions (V). 7. Computer (CV) for a vehicle (V) comprising i) a starting device (DD) generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and second states associated respectively with switching on and switching off contact, and ii) a connector (CN) intended to be temporarily coupled to a computer intervention tool (Ol), said computer (CV) storing a contact parameter taking an open or closed state following the reception of a signal contact in its first or second state, and being intended to be coupled to said connector (CN) and to control the operation of electrical components of said vehicle (V) as a function of the state of said stored contact parameter, characterized in that '' it includes a control device (DC2) which, in the event of transmission by said intervention computer tool (Ol) coupled to said connector (CN) of a contact message containing a contact variable having a first value replacing said contact signal in its first state or a second value replacing said contact signal in its second state, places said contact parameter in its open or closed state depending on whether said contact variable has its first or second value. 8. Computer according to claim 7 characterized in that it constitutes 5 equipment for supervising said vehicle (V), driving electrical power supply relays of electrical components connected to a communication network of said vehicle (V). 9. Vehicle (VA) comprising i) a starting device (DD) generating, in the event of actuation, a contact signal having first and ίο second states associated respectively with contact ignition and contact interruption, ii) a connector (CN) intended to be temporarily coupled to a computer intervention tool (01), and iii) electrical components, characterized in that it further comprises a computer (CV) according to claim 7 or 8, coupled to said connector (CN). 15 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.