阅读说明：本技术 车轮单元与授权装置之间的通信周期的调整方法 (Method for adjusting communication period between wheel unit and authorization device ) 是由 J-P·博瓦塞 N·吉纳尔 D·里布罗 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及远程命令和/或控制装置(2)与车轮单元(3)之间的通信周期的调整方法,通信是使用超高频无线电波进行的,车轮单元(3)以预定的第一周期(P1)向处于车轮单元(3)周围的任何通信装置(2)发送指示其存在的基本信令消息(1)。车轮单元(3)预先存储有要用作其控制装置(2)的一组授权通信装置,车轮单元(3)验证发送了响应消息的通信装置是否属于该组,并且如果是这种情况,则车轮单元(3)用更短的至少第二周期(P2)来替换第一周期(P1),使得对于随后从车轮单元(3)发送给授权装置(2)的任何信令消息,双向交换更加密集。(The invention relates to a method for adjusting the period of communication between a remote command and/or control device (2) and a wheel unit (3), the communication being carried out using ultra high frequency radio waves, the wheel unit (3) sending a basic signaling message (1) indicating its presence to any communication device (2) located around the wheel unit (3) with a predetermined first period (P1). The wheel unit (3) has stored in advance a set of authorized communication devices to be used as its control device (2), the wheel unit (3) verifying whether the communication device that sent the response message belongs to the set and, if this is the case, the wheel unit (3) replacing the first period (P1) with at least a second, shorter period (P2), so that the bidirectional exchange is more intensive for any subsequent signaling messages sent from the wheel unit (3) to the authorization device (2).)

1. Method for adjusting the communication cycle between a remote command and/or control device (2) and a wheel unit (3), the communication between the control device (2) and the wheel unit (3) being carried out according to a communication protocol enabling a two-way short-range data exchange using ultra-high frequency radio waves, the wheel unit (3) sending a basic signaling message (1) indicating its presence to any ultra-high frequency wave communication device (2) located around the wheel unit (3) with a predetermined first cycle (P1), the communication device (2) being able to intercept the basic signaling message (1) and send a standard response message (1 a) to the wheel unit (3), characterized in that the wheel unit (3) has previously stored a set of authorized communication devices to be used as its remote command and/or control device (2), the wheel unit (3) verifying whether the communication device that sent the standard response message (1 a) belongs to this set, and if this is the case, the wheel unit (3) replaces the first period (P1) with at least a second, shorter period (P2), making the bidirectional exchange more intensive for any subsequent signaling messages sent from the wheel unit (3) to the authorization device (2).

2. The adjustment method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, for any standard response message (1 a) received by the wheel unit (3) and for the implementation of the at least second period (P2), at least two reception areas (Z2, Z3) of the authorization apparatus (2) receiving basic signaling messages (1) from the wheel unit (3) are defined according to the proximity of the authorization apparatus (2) to the wheel unit (3), wherein, for a reception area (Z3) of the reception areas (Z2, Z3) closest to the wheel unit (3), the second period (P2) and at least a third period (P3) shorter than the second period (P2) are implemented, the at least two reception areas (Z2, Z3) being defined on the basis of respective ranges of the following values considered alone or in combination: -a respective range of signal power values of the standard response message (1 a) received by the wheel unit (3), wherein the nearest zone (Z3) has a higher range of power values; alternatively, the respective range of positional deviations between the position values obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the authorization device (2) and the position values obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the motor vehicle, with the closest zone (Z3) having a smaller deviation range.

3. Adjustment method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movement of the authorization apparatus (2) is detected in the at least two detection zones (Z2, Z3) according to the following values between two consecutive standard response messages (1 a) sent by the authorization apparatus (2), considered individually or in combination: the difference in signal power values, the difference in positional deviations, the difference in measured values of an accelerometer integrated in the authorization device (2) or any equivalent device (2) for detecting a displacement of the authorization device (2), so that the prevailing period is reduced for signalling messages sent by the wheel unit (3) to the authorization device (2) for the case where the authorization device (2) is moving close to the wheel unit (3) and increased for signalling messages sent by the wheel unit (3) to the authorization device (2) for the case where the authorization device (2) is moving away from the wheel unit (3).

4. Adjustment method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the absence of detection of movement of the authorization means (2) causes an increase of the active period.

5. Adjustment method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to verifying that a communication device belongs to the group of receiving devices authorized to act as remote command and/or control devices as authorization devices (2) for the wheel unit (3), one or more of the following verifications considered individually or in combination are carried out:

-the wheel unit (3) sends an authentication signaling message (4) to one communication device exclusively using the identifier of the communication device, the identifier of which is modified by adding a confirmation key known to the wheel unit (3) and any authorization device (2), the authorization device (2) being programmed to temporarily modify its identifier (2 cl) by adding the confirmation key to its identifier (2 cl), and to confirm that the communication device is the authorization device (2) wishing to trigger a replacement of the first period with at least the second period when the communication device receives the authentication signaling message (4) with the confirmation key and responds with an authentication response message (4 a),

-the wheel unit (3) sends exclusively three consecutive signalling messages (7, 8no, 9) to one communication device (2) using the identifier of the communication device in its response message to the wheel unit (3), the first message (7) requesting a response, the second message (8 no) containing a response disable and the third message (9) requesting a response, and, when the communication device (2) responds to the first and third messages (7, 9) and not to the second message (8 no), confirms that it is the intention of the communication device to trigger the authorizing device (2) with at least a second period replacing the first period,

-the wheel unit (3) sends at least two signalling messages exclusively to one communication device using the identifier of the communication device, a first signalling message being transmitted over a first channel having a default frequency and the at least second signalling message being transmitted over a second channel having a frequency different from that of the first channel, the authorisation device (2) being programmed to perform a reception transition from the first channel to the second channel starting from the reception of the first signalling message, and to confirm that the communication device performing such a transition is the authorisation device (2) wishing to trigger the replacement of the first period with at least a second period when it responds to the at least two signalling messages.

6. Handling method for the activation of commands in wheel units (3) associated with wheels of a motor vehicle by means of a remote command and/or control device (2), the wheel units (3) storing a list of commands to be requested for activation and said control device (2) storing the same list, characterized in that it implements a method for the adjustment of the communication cycle between the authorization device and the wheel unit according to any one of the preceding claims and in that, if the authorization device (2) sends a standard response message (1 a), the wheel unit (3) sends to the authorization device (2) with said at least second cycle (P2) a series of signaling messages (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, Mc2, McN) related to the commands, each signaling message (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, 2, 36N) of the series being associated with a single command and in that the series implements all the enumerated commands carried in the list, wherein for all signalling messages (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, Mc2, McN) in the series, one command each, and when the authorizing device (2) receives a message relating to a specific command for which the authorizing device (2) requests the wheel unit (3) to activate, the authorizing device (2) sends in return a standard response message to the wheel unit, said standard response message being interpreted by the wheel unit as an activation instruction (dA cN) for the specific command.

7. Steering method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in the list of commands and in the authorization device (2), each command is assigned a number, the signaling messages (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, Mc2, McN) in the series each repeating the respective number of the associated command and the identifier relating to the wheel unit (3) or to the authorization device (2).

8. Steering method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that when the authorization device (2) sends in return a standard response message to the wheel unit (3) and the wheel unit (3) interprets it as a message of a commanded activation command (dA cN), the sending of signaling messages for other commands is suspended, and when a signaling message (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, Mc2, McN) has been sent to the authorization device (2) without a response from it to the whole series of commands, the wheel unit (3) sends a signaling message to the authorization device (2), and if the authorization device (2) responds in its standard response message (1 a) and acknowledges its request to enumerate the commands contained in the list, the wheel unit (3) sends to the authorization device (2) a new series of signaling messages related to the commands.

9. Steering method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wheel unit (3) and the authorization device (2) comprise, in addition to the signaling messages related to the command, a basic identifier (3, 2) for communication, respectively, a first one of the basic identifiers of the wheel unit (3) or the authorization device (2) being temporarily modified for the signaling messages related to the command, a second one of the basic identifiers (3, 2) of the wheel unit (3) or the authorization device (2) remaining unchanged, the wheel unit (3) or the authorization device (2) having the unchanged second identifier being temporarily modified (3 c1, 3c2, 3 cN; 2 cN) from the transmission of the signaling messages related to the command (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN; Mc1, Mc2, McN) taking into account the first identifier.

10. Steering method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that:

-when the first modified identifier (3 c1, 3c2, 3 cN) is an identifier of a wheel unit (3), the base identifier of the wheel unit (3) is copied into as many temporary modified identifiers (3 c1, 3c2, 3 cN) as there are commands in the list, each temporary modified identifier (3 c1, 3c2, 3 cN) of a wheel unit (3) comprises the number of the corresponding command in the list, the base identifier of the authorization apparatus (2) is retained, the authorization apparatus (2) responds to the signaling message of the wheel unit (3) with a modified identifier (3 cN) comprising the number of commands the authorization apparatus (2) requests to activate, or

-when the first modified identifier (2 cN) is an identifier of the authorization device (2), the base identifier of the authorization device (2) is temporarily modified to include the number of commands the authorization device (2) requests to activate, the base identifier of the wheel unit (3) is reserved, the wheel unit (3) sends command-related signaling messages (M2 c1, M2c2, M2 cN) for the authorization devices (2) identified respectively by the base identifiers of the authorization devices (2) including the respective command numbers, the authorization device (2) having the temporary modified identifier (2 cN) including the number of commands the authorization device (2) requests to activate being the only one of said authorization devices that can respond to the signaling message (M2 cN) containing the command number to activate, the other authorization devices having the modified identifier being virtual.

11. Steering method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that, when the two-way short range data exchange using ultra high frequency radio waves is carried out with a respective number of frequency channels at least equal to the number of commands to be activated, each signaling message sent by the wheel unit (3) in relation to a respective command is routed through a specific channel, each channel is assigned a channel number to correspond to the number of the command associated with the signaling message routed through the channel, the programming of the channel numbers carried out according to the commands being known to the authorization device (2), the authorization device (2) being responsive only to the routing of a signal message carrying the same number of channels as the command requested by the authorization device (2) to activate the wheel unit (3).

12. Wheel unit (3) comprising an application specific integrated circuit for commanding the unit, the integrated circuit being provided with a microprocessor and a memory means, the wheel unit further comprising an ultra high frequency communication module according to a two-way communication protocol, characterized in that the integrated circuit implements the adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the steering method according to any one of claims 6 to 11.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the communication period (p riodicite) between a wheel unit and a remote command and/or control device.

The invention also relates to a control method for activating a command in a wheel unit associated with a wheel of a motor vehicle, by means of a remote command and/or control device, said control method implementing such a regulation method.

Background

Nowadays, in motor vehicles, it is known to install an electronic measuring module comprising one or more sensors in each wheel, in order to detect, among other things, anomalies of the wheel. For example, the sensors may be tire inflation pressure sensors and/or wheel acceleration sensors associated with the wheels.

These sensors, in particular the inflation Pressure sensor, are installed in an electronic component of a tire Pressure control System, known as a "wheel unit", for example the tire Pressure control System known as "TPMS" ("the english acronym for" tire Pressure Monitoring System ", french for" Syst me de Surveillance de la Pressure des Pneus ", meaning tire Pressure Monitoring System).

Fig. 1 shows a tyre monitoring system 101 in a motor vehicle 105 provided with wheel units 3a to 3d and a central electronic unit 2a for commanding the wheel units 3a to 3d, the central electronic unit 2a being arranged at a distance from the wheel units 3a to 3 d; and also a mobile phone owned by an authorized user, serving as a command and/or control means 2 for commanding and/or controlling the wheel units 3a to 3 d.

As is known, the wheel units 3a to 3d generally comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a transceiver, a feeding battery, a pressure sensor and, in the case of use, at least one other sensor, such as a radial acceleration sensor and a temperature sensor capable of measuring the radial acceleration of the wheel, mounted on a carrier forming a Printed Circuit Board or "PCB" (Printed Circuit Board, from the english language "Printed Circuit Board").

According to the prior art, each wheel unit 3a to 3d associated with a wheel 102a to 102d of the motor vehicle 105 sends its measurements to a central electronic unit 2a integrated in the motor vehicle 105 for commanding the wheel unit 3a to 3d and/or to a mobile phone 2 or technical equivalent provided with an application for communicating with the wheel unit 3a to 3d, the central electronic unit 2a and the mobile phone 2 being hereinafter collectively referred to as remote command and/or control means of the wheel unit 3a to 3 d.

To this end, each wheel unit 3a to 3d transmits a signal 106 to one or more remote command and/or control devices 2, 2a of the wheel unit 3a to 3d, the signal 106 being a message code comprising measurement or other information processed and/or provided by the wheel unit 3a to 3 d.

As further information, information about the geometry of the wheel, in particular the geometry of the rim and/or the tire, or information about the history of the wheel, in particular its mileage, application-specific data, in particular the identification of the wheel units 3a to 3d, the positioning of the wheel on the vehicle 105, and other configurations of the system can be cited.

Finally, the processed and/or provided information may relate to configuration parameters of a software application, or executable code in case of remote reprogramming of the wheel units 3a to 3 d.

Whether the control device 2, 2a is a mobile phone or technical equivalent owned by an authorized user or a central electronic unit 2a integrated in the motor vehicle 105 for commanding the wheel units 3a to 3d, the communication between the control device 2, 2a and the wheel units 3a to 3d is carried out according to a communication protocol enabling a bidirectional short-range data exchange using ultra high frequency or UHF radio waves, according to a communication protocol such as bluetooth @oran equivalent protocol.

For this purpose, the wheel units 3a to 3d periodically send basic signaling messages indicating their presence to any uhf-wave communication devices 2 located around the wheel units 3a to 3 d.

Such a communication device 2 is able to intercept the basic signaling message and send a standard response message to the wheel units 3a to 3d, in particular (but not necessarily) when it is authorized to do so.

According to Bluetooth^TMProtocol or another similar protocol, the wheel unit sends a signaling message including an identifier of the authorized recipient. In this way, only these authorized recipients respond to the signaling message. As long as the wheel unit does not send a message without a recipient, the wheel unit does not establish an undesired relationship with an unauthorized device, and the wheel unit may send a message without a recipient only if it has not been assigned to a system.

Another problem exists due to the lengthy period of signaling messages sent by the wheel units, which results in slower communication reaction between the wheel units and the device.

This is valuable primarily for the following scenarios: the approach of a user carrying an authorization device to the motor vehicle is detected, exchanged between the wheel unit and the authorization device to select a command or to transfer data from the wheel unit to the authorization device.

In order to obtain good responsiveness in seeking to connect to the authorization means of the wheel unit, it is desirable to shorten the transmission period of the signalling messages of the wheel unit.

The main drawback is therefore the excessively high level of energy consumption imposed by this shortening of the transmission period of the signalling messages of the wheel units.

An authorized remote command and/or control device may need to have one or more wheel units execute a particular command. Without being limiting, these commands of the device activation in the wheel unit may relate to the execution of a specific function (e.g. sideslip detection), the execution of a specific diagnosis, a specific transmission sequence (in particular modifying the period of the wheel unit sending messages) and the execution of a determined functional scenario.

For example, verification is often performed and, if necessary, the positioning of the wheel unit with respect to the wheel position in the vehicle is updated. This verification is usually performed at the start of a new run and requires, according to the current state of the art, the periodic transmission of a message synchronized with the determined angular position of the transmitting wheel unit.

This synchronization requires specific handling of the wheel units and significantly increases their energy consumption level. In this case, the command and/or control means will activate and then deactivate the execution of this particular process.

The problem on which the invention is based is to optimize the communication between at least one wheel unit associated with a motor vehicle wheel and a command and/or control device located remotely from said at least one wheel unit, while limiting the energy consumption in the wheel unit during the communication.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the communication period between a remote command and/or control device and a wheel unit, the communication between the control device and the wheel unit being carried out according to a communication protocol enabling a bidirectional short-range data exchange using ultra-high frequency radio waves, the wheel unit transmitting, according to a communication protocol such as bluetooth, at a predetermined first period, a basic signaling message indicating its presence to any ultra-high frequency communication device located in the vicinity of the wheel unit, the communication device being able to intercept the basic signaling message and transmit a standard response message to the wheel unit, characterized in that the wheel unit has stored beforehand a set of authorized communication devices to be used as its remote command and/or control device, the wheel unit verifying whether the communication device having transmitted the response message belongs to the set and, if this is the case, the wheel unit replaces the first period with at least a second, shorter period, making the bidirectional exchange more intensive for any subsequent signaling messages sent from the wheel unit to the authorization device.

Strictly speaking, in the bluetooth @protocolor equivalent, in response to the basic signaling messages from the wheel units, the command device is unable to send data indicating a request to replace the first period with at least a second, shorter period to make the bidirectional exchange more intensive. It can only transmit an acknowledgement of receipt of the basic signaling message transmitted by the wheel unit, which does not include data, called a standard response message.

Since the wheel unit is programmed such that the standard response message sent by the device and received by the wheel unit represents such a request for replacement in response to the signaling message sent by the wheel unit, this confirmation of receipt is then used as a request for replacement of the first period with at least the second, shorter period when the wheel unit receives it.

The authorization means thus transmit a standard response message forming only a receipt acknowledgement in response to the signaling message transmitted by the wheel unit so that the wheel unit knows what action to take, in this case replacing the first period with at least a second, shorter period.

This is determined from the signaling messages sent by the wheel units. This can therefore be done without the authorisation device having to inform the wheel unit in its response message what action is to be taken, which was not previously possible to do so.

The authorization device is an ultra high frequency or UHF communication device that has been identified by the wheel unit as being permitted to communicate with the wheel unit.

In this way, the period in which the wheel unit sends the signalling message becomes shorter when the authorisation device is detected to be in the vicinity of the wheel unit, and vice versa when the authorisation device is remote from the motor vehicle. This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption in the wheel unit (which incorporates a button-type battery and therefore has a limited capacity) while ensuring its optimal operation in connection with accelerated bidirectional exchange when an authorized UHF device is in the vicinity of the wheel unit.

The present invention proposes a simple solution that enables the consumption and availability problems of two-way communication to be solved, while maintaining the ability to command and trigger functions carried on the wheel unit, by reducing the period for which the wheel unit sends signaling messages to the authorization device.

The problem addressed here is managing the service life of the wheel unit, the ability to maintain a two-way exchange whatever adverse communication environment, the possibility of remotely commanding and triggering a specific context process of the wheel unit.

To limit the energy consumption, the UHF communication modules of the wheel units may default to a mode in which the limited connection means are left disconnected by transmitting signaling messages with a long period to each other, which does not achieve the quality of service desired by the user when the user (i.e. the person who owns the UHF communication devices that are exchanging with the wheel units) is close to the vehicle and when the aim of the pursuit is not to detect the approach of the user but to establish an optimal communication between the wheel units and the user's UHF communication devices.

Reducing the quality of communication for energy saving purposes is only of interest when the motor vehicle is parked for a long time without the presence of a user (most often a driver).

As the user approaches the vehicle, the problem is different and the quality and speed of the communication becomes critical. The authorization device is able to detect the frames transmitted by the wheel units at considerable distances.

Upon reception of these frames, the authorization device, equipped with the appropriate application, can automatically request further data without making a connection request, in a response message to the wheel unit that transmitted the signaling message, which is simply a standard receipt confirmation message. The transmission of these data is facilitated by the reduction in the period in which the wheel units send messages.

Advantageously, by implementing the method according to the invention, the authorizing UHF communication device can remotely activate a specific command triggered by the wheel unit upon detection of the request, since the period for the wheel unit to send a signaling message is automatically reduced when the authorizing device is sufficiently close to the wheel unit.

For example, when the wheel unit receives a response message from a UHF communication device that it identifies as authorized, the wheel unit may advantageously switch to a more dense communication mode to facilitate a possible direct connection with the authorized device.

For example, the transmission of wheel unit signalling message types, which are typically performed every 20 seconds in order to optimise the service life, can be switched to a period of 4 seconds or less on receiving a response message from the authorisation device, with a medium period being used if necessary. The communication between the wheel unit and the authorization device is thereby temporarily accelerated.

As another example, still upon detection of an identified authorized UHF communication device, the basic activities of the wheel unit may be activated and/or accelerated in order to update the information as quickly as possible: pressure and/or temperature of the wheel tires, wheel acceleration, alarms, special events, etc.

Advantageously, for any response message received by the wheel unit and for the implementation of said at least second cycle, at least two reception areas where the authorization device receives the basic signaling message from the wheel unit are defined according to the proximity of the authorization device to the wheel unit, wherein for the reception area closest to the wheel unit of the reception areas, the second cycle and at least a third cycle shorter than the second cycle are implemented, said at least two reception areas being defined based on respective ranges of the following values considered alone or in combination: a corresponding range of signal power values for the standard response message by the wheel unit, wherein the nearest regional power value range is higher; alternatively, the respective range of position deviations between the position values obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the authorization device and the position values obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the motor vehicle, with the closest region having a smaller deviation range.

This enables the transmission period to be gradually reduced as the authorization device gets closer to the wheel unit in order to find the best possible compromise between on the one hand the energy savings consumed by the wheel unit and on the other hand the quality and speed of the communication between the wheel unit and the authorization device.

Advantageously, the movement of the authorization apparatus is detected in said at least two detection areas according to the following values between two consecutive response messages sent by the authorization apparatus considered individually or in combination: the difference in signal power values, the difference in positional deviation, the difference in the measured values of an accelerometer integrated in the authorization device or any equivalent means for detecting displacement of the authorization device, so that the active period is reduced for signalling messages sent by the wheel unit to the authorization device for the case where the authorization device is moving close to the wheel unit and increased for signalling messages sent by the wheel unit to the authorization device for the case where the authorization device is moving away from the wheel unit.

Advantageously, no detection of authorized device movement results in an increase in the active cycle time. This corresponds to the user being immobile and therefore he is likely not to want to approach the motor vehicle.

Advantageously, in addition to verifying that the communication device belongs to the group of receiving devices authorized to act as remote command and/or control devices as authorization devices for the wheel unit, one or more of the following verifications considered individually or in combination are performed:

-the wheel unit sending an authentication signaling message exclusively to one of the authorization devices using the identifier of the communication device, the identifier of said communication device being modified by adding a confirmation key known to the wheel unit and any authorization device, the authorization device being programmed to temporarily modify its identifier by adding the confirmation key to its identifier, and to confirm that the communication device is the authorization device wishing to trigger a replacement of the first period with at least the second period when the communication device receives the authentication signaling message with the confirmation key and responds with a standard authentication response message,

-the wheel unit sends exclusively three consecutive signalling messages to an authorization device using the identifier of the communication device, the first message requesting a response, the second message containing a response disable, and the third message requesting a response, and, when the communication device responds to the first and third messages but not to the second message, confirms that the communication device is wishing to trigger an authorization device that replaces the first cycle with at least the second cycle,

-the wheel unit exclusively sending to one of the authorization devices at least two signalling messages using the identifier of the communication device, a first signalling message being transmitted over a first channel having a default frequency and said at least a second signalling message being transmitted over a second channel having a frequency different from that of the first channel, the authorization device being programmed to perform a reception changeover from the first channel to the second channel starting from the reception of the first signalling message, and to confirm that the communication device performing such a changeover is the one that wishes to trigger the authorization device to replace the first cycle with at least the second cycle when it responds to said at least two signalling messages.

The communication device always responds with a standard response message that does not contain any data, and this is simply a receipt confirmation consisting of the standard response message required to confirm or verify that the communication device is indeed an authorized device.

The invention also relates to a method for commanding the activation of a command in a wheel unit associated with a wheel of a motor vehicle, by means of a remote command and/or control device, the wheel unit storing a list of commands to be activated on request and said control device storing the same list, characterized in that it implements a method for adjusting the communication cycle between such a wheel unit and an authorization device, and in that, if the authorization device sends a standard response message, the wheel unit sends to the authorization device a series of signaling messages related to the command at said at least second cycle, each signaling message in the series being associated with a single command, and the series performing an enumeration of all the commands carried in the list, wherein for all the signaling messages in the series, each message is a command, and when the authorization device receives a message related to a specific command for which the authorization device requests the wheel unit to be activated, the authorizing device in response sends a standard response message to the wheel unit, which is interpreted by the wheel unit as an activation instruction for the specific command.

Similar to the aforementioned, it is the standard response message of the authorization device that receives the acknowledgement that is used as a command enumeration request or later as a request to activate a specific command when the specific command is received by the wheel unit. The moment the wheel unit receives the standard response message after the previously sent signaling message determines the requesting object of the authorization device.

In practice, the wheel unit is programmed so that the standard response message sent by the device and received by the wheel unit represents a request to enumerate a list of commands or a request to activate a specific command, depending on the signaling message previously sent by the wheel unit.

Also at the end of the method, the authorization device interprets as a response to a standard response message sent to the wheel unit, which is a simple receipt confirmation and therefore no specific data, by the wheel unit an instruction as one of the wheel unit activation commands by means of corresponding programming.

Instead of transmitting all data relating to the command to be executed by the wheel unit, the command is identified by its number by exchanging signaling messages between the wheel unit and the authorization device which are respectively related to the command, which is simpler and more energy-efficient in the wheel unit.

If no signaling message related to a command number is received, another signaling message related to the same command number will be received later, while a long frame of data related to the command will be lost and its transmission will start all over from the beginning.

The method may also be adapted to command changes to the state of the wheel unit, to change communication specific configurations, to perform specific functions or to a pre-programmed sequence of operations.

To save power it is the authorizing means to select the command to be activated. Multiple commands may be activated simultaneously.

Advantageously, in the command list and in each authorization device, each command is assigned a number, the signalling messages in the series each repeating (reprendre) the corresponding number of the associated command and the identifier relating to the wheel unit or to the authorization device.

Advantageously, when the authorisation device sends a standard response message in return to the wheel unit and the wheel unit interprets this as a command activation instruction message, the sending of signalling messages for other commands is suspended, and when a signalling message has been sent to the authorisation device without a response from it to the whole series of commands, the wheel unit sends a signalling message to the authorisation device, and if the authorisation device responds and acknowledges in its response message a request to enumerate the commands contained in the list, the wheel unit sends a new series of signalling messages relating to the commands to the authorisation device.

This enables the command selection process to be restarted when communication is in question. The response message of the authorization means always takes the form of a receipt acknowledgement without further transmitted data.

Advantageously, the wheel unit and the authorization device comprise, in addition to the signaling message relating to the command, respectively a basic identifier for communication, a first of the basic identifiers of the wheel unit or of the authorization device being temporarily modified for the signaling message relating to the command, a second of the basic identifiers of the wheel unit or of the authorization device remaining unchanged, the wheel unit or of the authorization device having the unchanged second identifier being temporarily modified taking into account the first identifier from the beginning of the transmission of the signaling message relating to the command.

In both alternative embodiments, either the wheel unit or the authorization device changes the identifier, the first case being preferred.

Advantageously:

-when the first modified identifier is an identifier of a wheel unit, the base identifier of the wheel unit is copied into as many temporary modified identifiers as there are commands in the list, each temporary modified identifier of a wheel unit comprising a number of the corresponding command in the list, the base identifier of the authorization device being retained, the authorization device responding to a signaling message of the wheel unit with a modified identifier comprising a number of commands the authorization device requests to be activated, or

-when the first modified identifier is an identifier of an authorization device, the base identifier of the authorization device is temporarily modified to include the number of commands the authorization device requests to activate, the base identifier of the wheel unit is retained, the wheel unit sends signaling messages related to the commands for the authorization devices respectively identified by the base identifier of the authorization device including the corresponding command number, the authorization device with the temporary modified identifier including the number of commands the authorization device requests to activate is the only one of said authorization devices that can respond to the signaling message containing the command number to activate, the other authorization devices with the modified identifier are virtual.

Advantageously, when the two-way short range data exchange using ultra-high frequency radio waves is carried out with a respective number of frequency channels at least equal to the number of commands to be activated, each signaling message sent by the wheel unit in association with the respective command is routed through a specific channel, each channel is assigned a channel number corresponding to the number of the command associated with the signaling message routed through the channel, the programming of the channel numbers according to the commands being known to the authorization device, which is only responsive to the routing of the signal message carrying the same number of channels as the command for which the authorization device requested the activation of the wheel unit.

Advantageously, the steering method is performed on each wheel unit associated with a wheel of the same motor vehicle.

The invention also relates to a wheel unit comprising a dedicated integrated circuit with a microprocessor for commanding the unit, the integrated circuit being provided with a microprocessor and a memory means, the wheel unit further comprising a ultrahigh frequency communication module according to a communication protocol of the type bluetooth for example, characterized in that the integrated circuit implements the adjustment or manipulation method as described above.

Finally, the invention relates to a central command and/or control device unit or communication device carried on a motor vehicle, comprising a chip capable of implementing the regulation or control method as described above.

Drawings

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a view of a tyre monitoring system in a motor vehicle, comprising wheel units each associated with one wheel of the vehicle and a central command and/or control unit integrated into the motor vehicle, which system is able to communicate remotely with an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, by means of ultra-high frequency or UHF waves, such a system being known in the prior art but being able to implement a transmission cycle adjustment method according to the invention,

figure 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of a method according to the invention for adjusting the communication cycle between a remote command and/or control device and a wheel unit, the command and/or control device changing name to receive signaling messages, each signaling message being specific to one command proposing activation, the signaling messages being sent by the wheel unit to specify the command to be activated in the wheel unit,

figure 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a method according to the invention for adjusting the communication cycle between a remote command and/or control device and a wheel unit, the wheel unit changing its name to send signaling messages, each signaling message being specific to one of the commands proposing activation, these signaling messages being sent to the wheel command and/or control device in order to make it specify the command to be activated in the wheel unit among the sent commands,

fig. 4 schematically shows an optional secondary verification mode of authorization of the communication device to talk to the wheel unit in the method according to the invention, verification comprising the wheel unit sending exclusively three consecutive signaling messages to one authorization device using the communication device identifier, wherein in an alternating manner: the first and third messages request responses and the second signaling message disables responses,

fig. 5 schematically shows the division of the reception field of the basic signaling messages transmitted by the wheel units for locating the communication device, the reception field being divided into three regions, wherein the periods of the transmission of the messages by the wheel units are smaller and smaller for the case in which the communication device is present in regions closer and closer to the wheel units.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 has been described in the introductory part of the present patent application.

Referring first to fig. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the present invention relates to a method for adjusting the communication period between a remote command and/or control device 2 and a wheel unit 3. The method is carried out in a disconnected mode of the wheel unit 3. What will be explained for the wheel unit 3 applies to all wheel units of the motor vehicle, which are previously labeled 3a to 3d in fig. 1.

"connected mode" means a communication mode that requires repeated protocol data exchanges to ensure continuity of the communication link. This enables a large amount of information to be exchanged.

"non-connected mode" means a communication mode that requires no brief exchange of protocol data and does not require a persistent maintenance of the communication link. As a compensation, the amount of information exchanged is limited.

In fig. 2, 3 and 5, the wheel unit is designated 3 to represent any one of the wheel units 3a to 3d in fig. 1, and the remote command and/or control device is designated 2. These reference numerals will also be subsequently considered as respective identifiers of the wheel unit 3 and the device 2, which is not the case in reality, the identifiers being more complex than a single number.

The remote command and/or control device 2 may be a mobile phone, an electronic tablet, an electronic watch or an equivalent electronic component that has downloaded an application that enables it to exchange information bidirectionally with the wheel units 3 each associated with a respective wheel of the motor vehicle.

Within the framework of the invention, and as communications involving one or more wheel units 3 become more and more widespread, the communications between the control means 2 and the wheel units 3 are carried out according to a communication protocol enabling a bidirectional short-range data exchange using ultra-high frequency radio waves, advantageously according to a communication protocol of the bluetooth type.

For this purpose, the wheel unit 3 comprises a UHF module provided with a UHF transmitter and a UHF receiver, a microprocessor and a memory component. The bidirectional exchange may involve a plurality of different UHF channels at UHF frequencies. The most common UHF communication can set three channels but there can be more. For the same UHF module with which the wheel unit 3 is equipped, there may be up to 25 UHF channels. For example, the signaling message uses three frequency channels. The remaining channels are dedicated to the connected mode.

The wheel unit 3 transmits a basic signaling message 1 indicating its presence to any uhf-wave communication devices 2 located around the wheel unit 3 at a predetermined first period P1.

This is the conventional bluetooth @ protocol communication mode, and it cannot distinguish between receiving communication devices that are authorized to receive information transmitted by the wheel units 3 or that are not authorized to receive information transmitted by the wheel units 3.

The basic signaling message 1 sent by the wheel unit 3 is simple, contains no data, is not addressable to a particular UHF communication device except in special cases, and is only used to inform the device of the presence of the wheel unit 3.

The UHF communication device is able to intercept the basic signaling message 1 and send a standard response message 1a to the wheel unit 3. The standard response message does not contain data specific to changing the period in which the wheel unit transmits signalling messages, but only the fact that the standard response message was sent by the authorisation device 2 and received by the wheel unit 3 is interpreted by the wheel unit 3 as a request to change the period, said wheel unit 3 being programmed to interpret the standard response message as such.

This works for the associated device communicating with the wheel unit 3 as command and/or control device 2, but this may be the case for UHF communication devices that have no relationship with the wheel unit 3.

It is then necessary to prevent that this UHF communication device may be identified as a device working with the wheel unit 3, such a device being referred to as an authorization device 2, which is a UHF communication remote command and/or control device 2 identified as being able to talk to the wheel unit 3.

For this purpose, the wheel unit 3 is pre-stored with a set of authorized communication devices to be used as its remote command and/or control devices. As with all devices paired for UHF communication, communication means may be added to or deleted from the group.

In other words, the identifier of the authorization device appears in the list of wheel units, which list inventories the identifiers of devices that are known and permitted to talk to the wheel unit in question.

Referring more specifically to fig. 2, 3 and 5, the wheel unit 3 verifies whether the communication device that sent the standard response message belongs to the group, which is done in query 5, outputting "O" yes. Otherwise, the entry end of the question 5, not shown in fig. 2 and 3, is returned.

If the communication device that sent the standard response message belongs to the group, the wheel unit 3 replaces the first period P1 with at least a second, shorter period P2, making the bidirectional exchange more intensive for any subsequent signaling messages sent from the wheel unit 3 to the authorization device 2.

In fig. 5, reference is also made to fig. 2 and 3, simultaneously for reference numerals not present in fig. 5, showing three zones Z1, Z2, Z3. In the area Z1 which is furthest away from the wheel unit 3, the UHF communication device 2 cannot receive the basic signaling message which is labeled 1 in fig. 2 and 3.

The other two zones Z2 and Z3 are closer to motor vehicle 105 than zone Z1, with optional zone Z3 being the closest. There may be a single zone Z2 instead of zones Z2 and Z3. Communication device 2 is shown as being located in zone Z3, but this is not limiting as its user may move around motor vehicle 105, either closer to or further from motor vehicle 105.

Initially, the wheel unit 3 sends the basic signaling message 1 with a relatively long period P1, the period P1 being for example between 10 and 30 seconds, preferably about 20 seconds.

When the communication device 2 responds to the basic signaling message 1 transmitted by the wheel unit 3 with the standard response message 1a, the communication device must be located in one of the zones Z2 and Z3. The wheel unit 3 then automatically replaces the first period P1 with a second period P2, which is shorter than the first period P1, or even with a third period P3, which is still shorter than the second period P2, as will now be described in more detail.

For any response messages received by the wheel unit 3, and for the implementation of this at least second period P2, at least two reception zones Z2, Z3 may be defined in the area where the UHF communication device (ideally, the authorization device 2) intercepts the basic signaling message 1 transmitted by the wheel unit 3, according to the proximity of the wheel unit 3 to the authorization device 2.

This enables the implementation of the above-described second period P2, and also for the zone Z3 closest to the wheel unit 3 of the reception zones Z2, Z3, at least a third period P3 shorter than the second period P2 may be implemented.

The reception area of the signalling message 1 may be divided into more than two zones Z2, Z3 which are advantageously concentric, circular and centred on the transmitting wheel unit 3, but this is not limitative and may vary between wheel units 3 taking into account transmission difficulties and transmission disturbances.

The two or more reception zones Z2, Z3 may be defined based on respective ranges of the following values considered alone or in combination.

The power values of the signals of the standard response message 1a measured by the wheel unit 3 may have a corresponding range, wherein the power value range is higher for the nearest zone Z3. This may vary around the wheel unit 3, but in practice the wheel unit 3 will receive a stronger power signal from an authorisation device 2 located closer to the wheel unit 3 than from an authorisation device 2 located further away.

It is also possible to use the respective range of position deviations between the position value obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the authorization apparatus 2 and the position value obtained by the geolocation system integrated in the motor vehicle. In this case, the minimum deviation range naturally corresponds to the nearest zone Z3.

It is also contemplated that the user carrying the authorizing means 2 moves away from or close to the transmitting wheel unit 3. The movement of the authorization apparatus 2 can be detected in two or more detection zones Z2, Z3, according to the following values, considered individually or in combination, between two consecutive response messages sent by the authorization apparatus 2.

The first value may relate to a difference in signal power values between the two response messages. If the signal power of the standard response message 1a received by the wheel unit 3 drops during movement of the authorizing means 2, it is highly likely that the authorizing means 2 is moving away from the wheel unit 3.

The second value may relate to a difference between the position deviations. It is clear that the further the authorization device 2 is from the wheel unit 3, the greater the positional deviation between the wheel unit 3 and the authorization device 2.

The third value may be the difference between the measurements of an accelerometer integrated in the authorization device 2 or any equivalent device for detecting movements of the authorization device 2.

Thus, the current period of signalling messages sent by the wheel unit 3 to the authorisation device 2 can then be reduced for the authorisation device 2 moving closer to the wheel unit 3, and the current period of signalling messages sent by the wheel unit 3 to the authorisation device 2 can then be increased for the authorisation device 2 moving further away from the wheel unit 3.

In a particular case, detecting that the authorization means 2 is not moving can lead to an increase in the active cycle, for economic reasons, provided that the user no longer wants to access the motor vehicle 105.

In addition to verifying that the communication device belongs to the group of receiving devices authorized to act as a remote command and/or control device as an authorization device for the wheel unit, one or more of the following secondary verifications considered individually or in combination may be performed.

The first auxiliary verification shown in fig. 2 and 3 includes: the wheel unit 3 sends an authentication signaling message 4 to the communication device 2 whose authorization is to be authenticated, and the communication device 2 sends back a standard authentication response message 4a to the wheel unit 3, confirming its authorization.

In fact, the standard verification response message 4a is not different from the standard response message 1a previously sent by the authorizing means. It is only the nature of the signaling message 1 or the verification message 4 and the moment at which the wheel unit 3 receives them that the response messages 1a and 4a can be distinguished.

The authentication signaling message 4 comprises the identifier 2 of the communication device, which identifier 2 is modified by adding a confirmation key cl known to the wheel unit 3 and any authorization device 2, resulting in a modified identifier 2 cl.

The authorization apparatus 2 is pre-programmed to temporarily modify its identifier by adding a validation key to its identifier, i.e. by converting its identifier 2 to 2cl, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

When the communication device does receive the authentication signaling message 4 with the confirmation key, it is confirmed that it is the authorizing device that wishes to trigger the replacement of the first period with at least the second period, which authorizing device 2 has been pre-programmed to temporarily modify its identifier with the command key, otherwise it cannot receive the authentication signaling message 4 with the confirmation key.

The communication device 2 then implicitly informs the wheel unit 3 and recovers its usual starting identifier 2 by sending its standard verification response message 4 a.

The second auxiliary authentication with the communication apparatus to be authenticated as authorized shown in fig. 4 includes: the wheel unit 3 sends three consecutive signaling messages 7, 8no, 9 exclusively to one UHF communication device 2 using the identifier of the communication device 2 in its response message to the wheel unit 3, so the signaling messages 7, 8no, 9 are unique to that communication device 2.

The first message 7 contains a response request, the second message contains a response barring request and the third message 8 contains a response request. When the communication device 2 responds to the first and third messages 7, 9 with a standard response message 7a, 9a and not to the second message 8, it is confirmed that the communication device is the very authorization device 2 that wishes to trigger the replacement of the first period with at least the second period. The standard response messages 7a, 9a are similar.

A third secondary verification, not shown in the figure, provides for: the wheel unit transmits at least two signaling messages exclusively to one authorization device using the identifier of the communication device.

The first signaling message is transmitted over a first channel having a default frequency and the at least second signaling message is transmitted over a second channel having a frequency different from the frequency of the first channel. There may be more than two signaling messages, both sent over different channels.

The authorization means are programmed to perform a reception transition of the first channel to the second channel starting from the reception of the first signaling message and, if necessary, so on for n channels and n signaling messages.

In this way, when the communication device that has performed such a conversion responds to the at least two signaling messages with a standard response message, it is confirmed that the communication device is the authorizing device that wishes to trigger the replacement of the first period with at least the second period.

The invention also relates to a method for commanding the activation of commands in a wheel unit 3 associated with a motor vehicle wheel, by means of a remote command and/or control device 2, the wheel unit 3 storing a list of commands to be activated upon request and said control device 2 storing the same. When a device is identified as being authorized to talk to the wheel unit 3, it is referred to as an authorization device.

As a first example of a command, the command may be an estimation of the wheel footprint associated with the wheel unit 3 to determine, based on a periodic acceleration curve plotted over time, a quotient of the wheel footprint, which is the ratio of the acceleration reduction duration to the acceleration curve period.

Other commands may relate to the detection of a specific phenomenon, such as sideslip, the execution of a specific transmission sequence or the adjustment of a basic transmission sequence, for example the measurement of one or more specific parameters of the wheel associated with the wheel unit 3, such as the pressure of the relevant wheel tyre, such as the measurement of one or more specific parameters of the wheel associated with the wheel unit 3, such as the pressure or temperature of the relevant wheel tyre, the wheel rotation speed, the positioning of the wheel unit 3 on the motor vehicle.

The steering method implements the adjustment method of the communication cycle between the wheel unit and the authorization device as described above to accelerate the communication between the authorization device 2 and the wheel unit 3.

There may be two types of basic signaling messages sent by the wheel units. The first type aggregates conventional basic signaling messages that only indicate the presence of wheel units. The second type aggregates basic signaling messages that additionally indicate menu proposals for possible commands.

By combining these two types of signaling messages, a first variant may exist: the wheel unit transmits three consecutive messages of a first type followed by a message of a second type. If the authorisation device wants to execute a command it must wait for a message of the second type with a menu offer to arrive at it.

There may be a second variant which provides for: the wheel unit sends a second type of message after the wheel unit receives the standard base response from the authorization device. The operation is then carried out in two stages: the authorizing device first triggers the command enumeration proposal and then responds in favor of it by sending a standard response message.

More particularly with reference to fig. 2 and 3, the wheel unit 3 verifies beforehand whether the communication device which sent the standard response message belongs to the group, this being done in inquiry 5.

If so (this is labeled "O" at the standard response message), and if the authorizing device 2 sends a standard response message 1a (where the standard response message 1a does not have specific data, but is interpreted by the wheel unit 3 as a command enumeration request contained in the list because only this standard response message 1a is sent), the wheel unit 3 sends a series of signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN related to the command to the authorizing device 2 for the at least second cycle P2 or third cycle P3 (as shown in fig. 2) or another xth cycle (where x is greater than 3); mc1, Mc2, McN.

Each signalling message M2c1, M2c2, M2cN in the series; mc1, Mc2, McN are associated with a single command, and the series performs enumeration of all the commands carried in the list, for all the signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN in the series; mc1, Mc2, McN, one command per message.

When the authorizing device 2 receives a message relating to a specific command for which the authorizing device 2 requests the wheel unit 3 to be activated, the authorizing device 2 sends a standard response message in return to the wheel unit 3, which is interpreted by the wheel unit as an activation command dA cN for the specific command even if the standard response message dA cN does not differ any more from a simple receipt confirmation and does not contain any command data, since it is only sent. The wheel unit 3 activates a specific command thus selected for accn.

As long as the wheel unit 3 does not receive any response from the authorization device 2, the signalling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN in the series relating to a specific command; mc1, Mc2, McN may repeat for a predetermined duration. This is illustrated by the queries 61, 62, with the output O indicating that the predetermined duration given for a particular command selection has been exceeded. There may be multiple messages related to the same command sent in succession, rather than just one as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

When the predetermined duration is exceeded, which is indicated by the output "O" of the query 61, 62, the transmission of messages specific to the command is suspended. Then sending and repeating, if necessary, the signalling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN in the series relating to another command; mc1, Mc2, McN, do so in sequence for all commands in the list.

Alternatively, the entire series of individual commands may be sent together. In this case, the signalling message specific to a single command may then be a specific signalling message for each other command in the series, so that the signalling messages relating to the same command are not repeated consecutively.

When the authorization device 2 sends in return a standard response message 1a to the wheel unit 3, which is interpreted by the wheel unit as a message commanding activation of the command dA cN, the sending of signaling messages for other commands is suspended. The procedure of sending signaling messages associated with other commands is no longer applicable because the authorization device 2 has identified the command desired to be activated. However, this may be different when there is a possibility of selecting multiple commands simultaneously.

When the signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN are related to a command; mc1, Mc2, McN have sent to the authorization device 2 without a response from it to the whole series of commands, the wheel unit 3 sends a signaling message to the authorization device 2 in order to know whether it sends a request to enumerate the commands contained in the command list is still valid.

This is done previously by sending a basic signaling message 1, which the authorizing means 2 respond to with a standard response message 1 a.

A new series of command-related signalling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN if the authorizing device 2 responds in its standard response message similar to the standard response message 1a and acknowledges its request to enumerate the commands contained in the list; mc1, Mc2, McN are sent by the wheel unit 3 to the authorization device 2.

A number may be assigned to the command list and to each command in each authorizing means 2, the signalling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN in the series; mc1, Mc2, McN each repeat the respective number of the associated command and the identifier relating to the wheel unit 3 or to the authorization device 2.

In fig. 2 and 3, the identifier of the wheel unit is given by its reference numeral 3, which is a general term for the reference numerals 3a to 3d of the wheel unit in fig. 1, and the identifier of the authorization device is given by its reference numeral 2 in fig. 2, but it will be understood that the basic identifier is more complex than just one digit.

Thus, the wheel unit 3 and the authorization device 2 each have a basic identifier for communication, in addition to signaling messages relating to the command.

In the two alternative embodiments shown in fig. 2 and 3, respectively, the first of the basic identifiers of the wheel unit 3 or of the authorization device 2, in fig. 2 the identifier of the authorization device 2 and in fig. 3 the identifier of the wheel unit 3, is directed to the command-related signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2 cN; mc1, Mc2, McN.

The wheel unit 3 and the authorization device 2 can repeat their basic identifier before or after sending a standard message of the activation command dA cN which is interpreted by the wheel unit 3 as a specific command.

In fig. 2, the authorization device 2 repeats its basic identifier 2 after sending the standard response message of the activation command dA cN interpreted as a specific command, and in fig. 3, the wheel unit 3 repeats its basic identifier after receiving the standard response message and interpreting it as the activation command dA cN of a specific command.

The second of the basic identifiers of the wheel unit 3 or of the authorization device 2 remains unchanged throughout the transmission of the command-related message, in fig. 2 the identifier of the wheel unit 3 and in fig. 3 the identifier of the authorization device 2.

Then, the wheel unit 3 or the authorization device 2 with the unchanged second identifier is selected from the signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN relating to the command; the transmission of Mc1, Mc2, McN starts taking into account that the first identifier (the identifier of the authorization device 2 in fig. 2 and the identifier of the wheel unit 3 in fig. 3) is temporarily modified.

As can be seen in fig. 2, fig. 2 shows a first alternative communication mode between the wheel unit 3 and the authorization device 2 for determining the command to be activated, when the modified first identifier is the identifier of the authorization device 2, the base identifier of the authorization device 2 is temporarily modified to include the number of commands the authorization device 2 requests activation, thus obtaining a modified identifier 2 cN. At the same time, the basic identifier of the wheel unit 3 remains.

The wheel unit 3 transmits command-related signaling messages M2c1, M2c2, M2cN for the authorized devices respectively identified by the basic identifier of the authorized device 2 including the corresponding command number.

For example, if the identifier of the authorization device 2 is modified to 2cN to activate the command N, the signaling messages M2c1 and M2c2 are sent to a virtual authorization device, which is not indicated in fig. 2, but which may have the identifier 2cx of the non-existing authorization device for the command x, in analogy to the modified identifier 2cN of the authorization device 2.

In fig. 2, signaling messages M2c1 and M2c2 are sent for the first and second commands, respectively, and commands other than the command to be activated (i.e., command N) are specified.

The authorizing means 2 having the temporary modification identifier 2cN including the number of the command N which the authorizing means 2 request to be activated is the only one of the devices that can respond to the signaling message containing the command number N to be activated, and the other authorizing means having the modification identifier are virtual in that they do not exist.

As can be seen in fig. 3, fig. 3 shows a second alternative communication mode between the wheel unit 3 and the authorization apparatus 2 for determining the command to be activated, when the modified first identifier is the identifier of the wheel unit 3, the basic identifier of the wheel unit 3 is copied as many temporary modification identifiers 3c1, 3c2, 3cN as there are commands in the list.

Each temporary modification identifier 3c1, 3c2, 3cN of a wheel unit 3 comprises, in addition to the identifier of the wheel unit 3, the numbers of the respective commands of the list, such as c1, c2 and cN for the first, second and nth commands. The basic identifier of the authorization apparatus 2 is then retained, 2 in fig. 3.

The authorization device 2 responds to the signaling message of the wheel unit 3 with a standard response message, which is a modified identifier 3c1, 3c2, 3cN including the number of the command (command N in fig. 3) that the authorization device 2 requests activation, since the standard response activation message dA cN serves as a simple acknowledgement of receipt, but implicitly includes the command number to be activated as a result of responding to the signaling message sent by the wheel unit 3 that is specific to the command McN. The command N is then activated in the wheel unit 3, which is denoted as acn.

A third optional communication mode (not shown in the figures) between the wheel unit and the authorization device for determining the command to be activated can be implemented if: when the two-way short range data exchange using ultra high frequency radio waves is performed with a corresponding number of channels at least equal to the number of commands to be activated.

In this configuration, each signaling message sent by the wheel unit associated with a corresponding command is routed through a particular channel. Each channel is assigned a channel number to correspond to the number of commands associated with signaling messages routed through the channel.

The authorizing device also knows the channel numbering made upon command. In this third alternative mode, the authorization device responds to a signal message that is routed through the same numbered channel as the command for which the authorization device requested the wheel unit to be activated, only by a standard response message.

The steering method may be applied to one, some or all wheel units, since for some commands it is possible to make comparisons between the parameters of the wheel units.

In order to prevent the method from being repeated for each unit, which requires energy consumption in each wheel unit, in case a wheel unit activation command is requested and remains the same for all wheel units, one wheel unit may be at least temporarily selected from the wheel units as a centralized wheel unit, which performs communication between the wheel unit and at least one remote command and/or control device for activating at least one command in at least one wheel unit.

In this case, when an activation command is requested in at least one other wheel unit, the central wheel unit 3 sends at least one signaling frame to said at least one other wheel unit and mentions the requested command to be activated.

The wheel unit acting as a centralized wheel unit temporarily plays the role of an authorization device for the other wheel units in the system. In this variant, the central wheel unit is not limited to transmitting signaling messages, but can intercept signaling messages from other wheel units one after the other, essentially functioning as a central electronic control unit on board the motor vehicle.

The above method can be developed in the application part of the software or can be handled directly by the basic functions of an electronic chip, which is for example integrated into the wheel unit and can be stored in a memory such as a ROM/flash memory.

This also applies to ultrahigh frequency communication devices and central electronic units on board motor vehicles which communicate with the wheel units.

The invention therefore also relates to a wheel unit comprising an application-specific integrated circuit with a microprocessor for commanding the unit, the integrated circuit being provided with a microprocessor and a memory means, the integrated circuit of the wheel unit implementing the adjustment or steering method as described above.

The wheel unit further comprises a UHF communication module according to for example a Bluetooth ® type communication protocol, having antennas for transceiving communication with the communication devices according to for example a Bluetooth @typeprotocol, and electronic components at least partially integrated into the integrated circuit or not integrated into the integrated circuit. For example, the communication module may include a microprocessor, a quartz clock, and a memory device.