FR2580128A1 - Device for controlling actuator means mounted on a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling actuator means mounted on a vehicle. This device 1 includes an independent transmitter 3 capable of producing at least one coded message, and a receiver 4 mounted on a vehicle and receiving the coded message from the transmitter 3. This message is compared with a stored message corresponding to a signal for controlling the actuator means 2, for example members for immobilising the lock of the door of the vehicle, and is transmitted only when it verifies the concordance between the message received and the stored message. Means 28, 30 for programming a new message to be stored in the receiver 13 are provided, it being possible for the user of the vehicle to actuate these means directly.

Description

Control device for mounted actuator means
on a vehicle.

 The present invention relates to a control device for actuator means mounted on a vehicle.

This device could be used in particular, although not exclusively, to control a locking and unlocking member of at least one lock of a vehicle.

 Many devices have been known for controlling the actuation of actuator means mounted on vehicles. The devices to which the present invention refers are those of the electronic type and which essentially comprise an independent transmitter which can be actuated by the user and a receiver mounted integrally on the vehicle. In general, the transmitter comprises a generator and a coded message transmitter, while the receiver comprises means for receiving the coded message, a memory containing at least one pre-established coded message and comparison means which are adapted to check the agreement. between the message sent by the transmitter and the message contained in the mempire and to enable the aforementioned actuator means in the event that the verification has given a positive sign.

 Although they are widely used, known devices of this type have certain drawbacks, the main one being that, since each receiver can only be enabled by the corresponding transmitter, it is obvious that these organs must remain matched from the time of code programming until the time the device is installed on the vehicle, and this is particularly inconvenient. Furthermore, the control of the correct functioning of the receiver can only be carried out by using the corresponding transmitter whereas it would certainly be simpler and more convenient to be able to adopt a universal transmitter which would considerably facilitate the verification operations at the end of the construction and / or installation phase of each receiver.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling actuator means mounted on a vehicle which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented by the devices of known type which have been listed above.

 This object is achieved by the present invention by means of a device intended to control actuator means mounted on a vehicle of the type comprising an independent transmitter which can be actuated by the user and equipped with means generating at least one coded message and means for transmitting this message, and a receiver mounted integrally on said vehicle and equipped with means for receiving said coded message, means for storing at least one predetermined coded message and processing means suitable for comparing each coded message coming from said transmitter with said coded message contained in said storage means and for generating a control signal from said actuator means in the case of message matching, said device being characterized in that it comprises programming means which can be actuated by the user and adapted to allow the programming of a new coded message to be stored in said m storage means.

An embodiment of the invention, given by way of example, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of a device made in accordance with the present invention; and
Figures 2 and 3 are operating diagrams of a microcomputer contained in the device of Figure 1.

 Referring in particular to FIG. 1, there has been indicated as a whole at 1 a device for controlling actuator means 2 mounted on a vehicle not shown.

Particularly, although not exclusively, the actuator means could be constituted, for example, by a member for blocking the lock of a vehicle, by a switch for controlling the ignition of a lamp located inside the cabin of the vehicle, by a relay connecting an anti-theft device, etc ...

The device 1 essentially comprises an independent transmitter 3 which can be actuated by the user and a receiver 4 mounted integrally on, the aforementioned vehicle
The transmitter 3 essentially comprises a coded message generator 6, an amplifier 7 and a transmitter transducer 8 for transmitting to a corresponding receiver transducer 9 mounted in the receiver 4, the coded message which is transmitted by the generator 6. The transmitter 3 further comprises a cell or battery 10 intended to supply the generator 6, the amplifier 7 and the transmitter transducer 8 electrically by means of a button 11.

 The transducers 8 and 9 can be produced according to any suitable mode. For example, they could advantageously be constituted respectively by transducers of the photosensitive, electromagnetic, ultrasonic type, etc.

 The receiver 4 comprises an amplifier 13 whose input is connected to the receiver transducer 9 and whose output is connected to an input 14 of a microcomputer 15. The latter has an output 16 connected to a corresponding input of a memory 17 intended write and read data by electrical means without losing this data in the event of a lack of electrical power. These memories are known in the trade, for example, under the acronym E2 PROM. The memory 17 has a signal output connected to an input 18 of the microcomputer 15, which has two other outputs 19 and 20 respectively connected to an input enabling the operation of the memory 17 and to a control terminal of an electronic switch. 21 adapted to interrupt the power supply to memory 17.

In the particular case considered, the electronic switch 21 is constituted by a transistor 22 of the PNP type, the base of which is connected to the output 20 of the microcomputer 15, the collector of which is connected to a positive power supply input of the memory. 17 and the transmitter of which is connected to a positive pole of a cell or battery 23, for example, a feeder connected to the storage battery of the vehicle.

 The microcomputer 15 also has power inputs 25, 26 connected respectively to the positive pole of the battery 23 and to ground 1 to which the negative pole of the battery 23 is also connected. In addition, an input 27 of the microphone -computer 15 is connected to ground through a button 28 of the normally open type. An output 29 of the microcomputer 15 is connected to ground through a light-emitting diode 30, and a plurality of outputs 31, 32, 33, 34 of the microcomputer 15 are respectively connected to corresponding inputs of an amplifier 35 which has a plurality of outputs 36, 37, 38, 39 to each of which leads one of the actuator means 2.

 -The operation of the device 1 is programmed, with regard to the receiver 4, by the microcomputer 15, according to cycles of known type and using appropriate combinations of the signals present at the outputs 31, 32, 33, 34 in order to enable, through the amplifier 35, that of the actuator means 2, which has been previously selected. The operation of the device 1 will now be explained in general, then a detailed description of the characteristics forming the object of the present invention will be given below, with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

 It will first be assumed that the coded message that each transmitter 3 sends to receiver 4 consists, for example, of a signal of logical type essentially formed by a sequence of bits (for example 16 bits) each of which can indifferently take the logic level "1" or "O". As will be seen below, it is advantageous that the transmitted sequence of signals of logic levels "1" or "O" which as a whole constitutes the coded message generated by a particular transmitter, is also transcribed on a paper medium that the user keeps in order to be able to intervene on the receiver 4 in the event that he misleads the transmitter 3.

 During production, the manufacturer of the device 1 stores in memory 17 of each receiver 4 a unique coded message which, for convenience, will be called a universal code. By acting in this way, it is possible to verify the correct operation of each receiver 4 by using a single transmitter 3 in which the generator 6 obviously transmits this universal code. The manufacturer of the device 1 also plans to make the transmitters 3 in such a way that each of them is already programmed so as to transmit its own coded message.

 The user is then given at least one transmitter 3 and one receiver 4 to be installed on the vehicle.

The maximum number of transmitters depends on the number of coded messages which can be memorized inside the memory 17 of the receiver 4 as described below.

The programming of a new coded message inside this memory 17 occurs in three different ways depending on whether,
1) memory 17 has never been programmed by the user and therefore still internally contains the universal code
2) the memory 17 contains at least one message coded or programmed by the user and the latter wants to introduce into the memory another coded message
3) the memory 17 contains one or more coded message (s) whose user has lost the corresponding transmitter 3.

 In the first case, the memorization of the coded message in the memory 17 occurs by holding down the key 28 of the receiver 4 and by further pressing the key 11 of the transmitter 3 so as to transmit to the transducer receiver 9 the coded message that the transmitting transducer receives from its generator 6. This operation includes the recording in memory 17 of the new coded message and the erasure or inhibition of the aforementioned universal code, thus uniquely combining the transmitter 3 and the receiver 4 .

 In the second case described above, the storage of successive coded messages in the memory 7 can be carried out by simply holding the key 28 pressed and by first transmitting one of the coded messages and already memorized in the memory 17 It is only under these conditions that the microcomputer 15 accepts to transfer into memory 17 a new coded message transmitted by a corresponding transmitter.

 In the third case, the memory 17 can also be enabled to store a new coded message, even without transmitting by means of the transmitter 3 which has been lost the coded message already present in the memory 17. This can be done by pressing suitably the key 28 as a function of predetermined optical signals emitted by the light-emitting diode 30. For example, one could press the key 28 three times in succession for a period of time of a predetermined duration (for example 3 seconds) and the microcomputer 15 would then send to its output 29 a signal alternately at level "1" and at level "O", for example with a frequency of the order of 0.5 Hz, so as to keep the light-emitting diode 30 respectively on for one second and off for one second, and this a number of times equal to the number of bits (16 in this example) which make up the sequence of one of the messages coded in the memory 17. Each time the diode 30 is lit, that matches at a respective bit of the coded message, the user should press the key 28 if this key is at logic level "1" or else not press it if this bit is at level "O". If the sequence of the coded message is reproduced exactly by means of the key 28, the microcomputer 5 behaves in a manner analogous to that which has been described above with regard to the second case, that is to say by allowing memorizing a new coded message transmitted by a corresponding new transmitter 3.

 In each of the cases described above, the microcomputer 15 supplies the memory 17 through the electrical switch 21 and enables it to operate by means of a signal which is only present at its output 19 during the time strictly necessary, in order to avoid that this memory 17 also consumes energy during the period in which it must not transmit or receive data, and in this way causes the undesirable and unnecessary reduction in the charge of the battery 23.

 We will now describe in detail, with reference to FIG. 2, the operating cycle of the receiver 4 when the latter receives either the aforementioned universal code or one of the messages coded and stored in the memory 17. We arrive very quickly. firstly to a block 40 which checks whether, at the input 14 of the microcomputer 15, there is a coded message subsequently designated by the code symbol coming from the aforementioned receiver transducer 9. If the answer is no, we return to the input of block 40; if, on the contrary, the answer is yes, the code is transmitted to block 41, which performs the verification of the syntactic correction of the code received.

From block 41, we arrive at block 42, which checks whether the code received is syntactically correct or not. In the negative, we return to the starting point, while, in the affirmative, we arrive at a block 43, which enables the operation of the memory 17 by sending a signal to the output 19 of the micro- computer 15 and supplies memory 17 by sending a signal to terminal 20.

 We then arrive at a block 44 which checks whether, in the memory 17, there are codes memorized by the user. If not, this means that only the universal code is present and one then arrives at another comparison block 45, which checks whether the code present at entry 14 coincides with the universal code. If not, a code 46 is reached which inhibits the reception and preparation of any subsequent code for a predetermined period, for example 10 seconds, after which it resumes the cycle from the start. On the contrary, in the affirmative, there is recognition of the universal code, so that one arrives at block 47 which activates the signals at outputs 31, 32, 33, 34 of the microcomputer 15. In this way, it is therefore possible to check whether the receiver 4 responds correctly to the order given to it by transmitter 3.

 In the case where there is already a code stored by the user, one arrives from block 44 to another comparison block 48 which, in this case, checks whether the code present at entry 14 is one of those which are stored in memory 17. In the negative, a block 4a similar to block 46 described above is obtained (inhibition of the receiver 4 for a predetermined period of time); in the affirmative, on the contrary, a block 5D is obtained which activates the outputs 31, 32, 33, 34 of the microcomputer 15.

Consequently, the actuator means 2 are also actuated so as to obtain, for example, the unlocking of the locks, or the lighting of the lamp inside the passenger compartment or even the enabling of the anti-volw etc. .

 A description will now be given in detail with regard to FIG. 3, the operating cycle of the receiver 4 with regard to the programming of new codes inside the memory 17.

 We first arrive at a block 51 which checks whether the key 28 is pressed or not. If not, the operating cycle is diverted to a block 52 representing the overall operating cycle of the receiver 4. If so, we arrive at another block 53, which is a comparison block and which checks whether the key 28 is pressed continuously or not. If so, we arrive at a comparison block 54 which checks whether a code from the receiver transducer 9 is present at the input 14 of the microcomputer 15. If not, we return to the starting point; in the affirmative, one arrives at a block 55 which performs the syntactic control of the code received; by transmitting the result to another block 56, which checks whether the result of the check is affirmative or not. If the result is negative, we return again to the starting point of the cycle, while, if the result is affirmative, we arrive at another block 55, which checks whether the code present at input 14 is the universal code or no ; in the affirmative, we return to the starting point of the cycle, since it should not be expected that the authorization to memorize a new code can occur by transmitting the universal code beforehand. In other words, this makes it impossible to program the receiver 4 by a person who knows the universal code.

 In the case where the code is not the universal code, one arrives at a block 58, which activates the memory 17 by sending appropriate signals to the outputs 19 and 20 of the microcomputer 15, in accordance with what has been described above. above above Figure 2.

 From block 58, we pass to a block. 59, which checks whether, in the memory 17, a number of codes is stored lower than the number of pre-established recoverable codes.

 If not (memory completely saturated with codes and which can therefore no longer be programmed with new codes), we return to the beginning of the cycle; in the affirmative, on the contrary, a comparison block 60 is obtained, which checks whether, in the memory 17, codes programmed by the user are memorized. If not, this means that only the universal code is present, so that a block 61 is reached, which records the new code in memory 17, invalidates the universal code, for example by erasing it, and sends to the output 29 of the microcomputer 15 a signal which determines the continuous lighting of the light-emitting diode in order to signal to the user that the receiver is in the phase of recording and subsequent memorization of the new code. then arrives at a block 62, which extinguishes the light-emitting diode 30 when the programming has been carried out to finally pass to a block 63 which checks whether the key 28 is still pressed or not. In the affirmative, we return to the input of block 63 while, in the negative (key released) we arrive at a block 64 which signifies the return to the main operating cycle.

 In the case where the comparison block 60 finds in the memory 17 codes already programmed by the user, one arrives at a following comparison block 65, in which the verification of the identity between the code received and the 'one of the codes present in memory 17.

If not, we arrive at a block 66 relating to the main operating cycle, while, if so, we arrive at a block 67 which determines the lighting of the light-emitting diode 30, which substantially signals to the user. that the receiver 4 is ready to accept a new code and to store it in the memory 17. We then pass to a comparison block 68, which checks whether this code is present at the input 14 of the microcomputer 15. In the negative, we return to the input of block 68 so as to await the event of the presence of the new code; in the affirmative, one arrives on the contrary at a block 69 which makes write in the memory 17 the new code arrived, while passing to block 62, which signals to the user, by the extinction of the light-emitting diode 30, the execution of the memorization of the new code
If the user has lost his own transmitter, it was indicated above that it is possible to also program the receiver 4 by following an appropriate procedure and at predetermined times which are signaled to the user by switching on the light-emitting diode 30. In order to activate the procedure described above, it is necessary to press the key 28 intermittently, for example three times in three seconds. Acting in this way, one arrives from block 53 to a comparison block 71, which checks whether the pressing of the key 28 has been executed the prescribed number of times in the preset time period.

If not, we arrive at a block 72 which is part of the main operating cycle of the receiver 4 and if so, we arrive at a block 73, which determines the sending to the output 29 of the microcomputer 15 of a signal suitable for determining the switching on and off of the photodiode 30 alternately and for a time of predetermined duration (for example a second switching on followed by a second switching off). We then arrive at a block 74, which memorizes the pressures exerted by the user on the key 28 and which occurred in the phases in which the light-emitting diode 30 was, for example, lit. As already mentioned, the number of lightings of the diode 30 is equal to the number of bits which constitute one of the codes stored in the memory 17.At the end of this phase, in which the user must transmit the code to the receiver manually by reading this code on a paper medium, on which the code was transferred, we arrive at a code 75, which checks if the code received is equal to one of those present in the memory 17. If not, we return to the starting point, and if so, we arrive at a block 76, which determines the intermittent and, for example, rapid lighting of the light-emitting diode 30 in order to signal to the user performing recognition of the transmitted code. In these conditions, the user must not do anything other than press the key 28 and this is recognized by the block 77, which checks precisely whether the key 28 is pressed or not. If not, we remain in a phase d waiting while, in the affirmative, we reach the aforementioned block 67 which determines the lighting of the light-emitting diode 30 continuously, thus signaling to the user that the receiver 4 is ready to accept the programming of a new coded.

The advantages which the present invention makes it possible to emerge appear from the examination of the characteristics of the device 1. First of all, it is possible to verify the correct operation of the receiver by means of a transmitter of general validity but whose effectiveness is canceled when a new code is first entered into the receiver's memory. Furthermore, programming a new code into the receiver is extremely simple and can be carried out directly by the user. , which therefore excludes the tedious preliminary pairing operations between the transmitter and the receiver.
Another advantage is linked to the fact that the drawback resulting from the possible loss of all the transmitters able to enable the operation of the receiver 4 can be eliminated by simply knowing one of the codes stored in the memory 17 of this receiver and acting in the manner described above by means of the key 28. In this case, the relatively moderate action of the user makes it possible to obviate much more serious drawbacks such as, for example, the return of the device to the manufacturer or specialist capable of working on this device.

 Finally, it is obvious that different modifications and variants can be made to the device 1 described above without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

 1.- Device (1) for controlling actuator means  mounted on a vehicle, of the type comprising a transmitter  independent (3) which can be operated by the user and  equipped with generating means (6) of at least one coded message  means (8) for transmitting this message, and a receiver  (4) integrally mounted on said vehicle and equipped with  means (9) for receiving said coded message, means (17) for  storing at least one predetermined coded message and  means (15) of preparation adapted to compare each measure  coded sage from said transmitter (3) with said message  coded contained in said storage means (17) and  to generate a command signal of the means of action  nors (2) in the case of message concordance, said  device being characterized in that it comprises  programming means (3, 28) which can be actuated by  the user to allow programming of a new  coded message to be stored in said means  memorization.  2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized  in that said programming means (3, 28) comprises  means of authorization upon receipt of the new message  by the receiver (4) and means for transmitting it  new message.  3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized  in this case, said means for enabling the reception of said new message comprise at least switch means  (28).  4.- Device according to claim 3, characterized  in that said means of authorization upon receipt of the  new message include, in addition to said inter means  breakers (28), also a transmitter (3) for transmitting a  coded message of the type of those already stored in  said storage means (17), said empowerment to  receipt of the new message by said receiver (4)  being executed by acting simultaneously in said means  switches (28) and simultaneously transmitting said  message already stored.  5.- Device according to claim 3 and wherein said coded message is essentially composed of alternating presence and absence of a predetermined signal, characterized in that said means of enabling reception are essentially constituted by said switch means (28) and by a corresponding signaling means (30) connected to an output of said processing means (15), said switch means (28) being designed to be actuated by the user at predetermined times, established by said signaling means (30) for manually transmitting to said processing means (15) one of said coded messages already stored in said storage means (17).  6.- Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said switch means (28) essentially consist of a button mounted on said receiver (4) in a position accessible to the user.  7.- Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said means for transmitting the new message are essentially constituted by a new transmitter equipped with means for generating the new coded message.  8.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said processing means (15) comprise means limiting the number of new coded messages that can be stored in said storage means (17).  9.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said storage means (17) essentially consist of a memory in which the data can be written and read par.voie electric and which does not lose data stored in the event of a power supply fault.  10.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said receiver (4) comprises enabling means (21) of the electrical supply of said memory.  11.- Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said enabling means (21) comprise at least one electronic switch (22) controlled by said processing means (15).  12.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises signaling means (30) controlled by said processing means (15) and adapted to signal to the user that said receiver (4) is in the programming phase of said new coded message.  13.- Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said signaling means are of the optical type.  14.- Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said optical signaling means are essentially constituted by a light emitter in the solid state.  15.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said processing signals (15) comprise a microcomputer.  16.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transmission (8) and reception (9) means are respectively capable of transmitting and receiving signals of the infrared ray type or of the electromagnetic or ultrasound type. .  17.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator means (2) essentially consist of a control member of at least one lock of the vehicle and / or by a device for starting the engine. vehicle and / or by switch means for controlling a light installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or by means of enabling an anti-theft device mounted in the vehicle.