Method for remotely controlling a system for controlling maneuver(s) of a vehicle using a control unit

• US 10,423,165 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Menard, Eric, Petel, Laurent, Masson, Fabienne
• Primary Examiner(s): Holwerda, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US14/653,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20150359032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0276 using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/08 by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment

Abstract

A system (SC) is intended to control a maneuver of a vehicle (V) via the establishment of two-way wireless communication between a communication module (MC1) of the vehicle (V) and a remote control unit (BC), following the actuation of the latter. This system (SC) includes components designed to determine, over a duration corresponding to a chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, where the chosen main number (NP) is greater than 2, a first number of failed connection events, and then to compare this first number with a first chosen value and to modify the activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way if the first number is greater than or equal to this first value.

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling a system for controlling at least one automatic maneuver of a vehicle via the establishment of two-way wireless communication between a remote control unit and a communication module of said vehicle, the method comprising:

following an actuation of said unit, said two-way communication being configured to result in an exchange of information, for the purposes of an activated automatic maneuver, between said remote control unit and said communication module, in the course of connection events having a chosen duration, which are repeated periodically in frequency channels differing from one connection event (ECi) to another according to a predetermined hopping protocol, and which may be either successful or failed;

a step (i) for determining, by the remote control unit, a first number (Nm1) of failed connection events over a sliding duration corresponding to a chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, where the chosen main number (NP) is greater than 2;

a step (ii) of comparing said first number (Nm1) with a first chosen value; and

a step (iii) of modifying said activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way when said first number (Nm1) is greater than or equal to said first chosen value,

wherein, within the chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events, at least two successful connection events occur in addition to the first number (Nm1) of failed connection events over the sliding duration.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said step (i) further comprises, determining a second number of consecutive failed connection events over said duration corresponding to the chosen main number of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, wherein, said step (ii) further comprises, comparing said second number with a second chosen value, smaller than or equal to said first value, and wherein, said step (iii) further comprises, modifying said activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way when said second number is greater than or equal to said second value.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said step (iii) further comprises, stopping said activated automatic maneuver when said first number is greater than or equal to said first value, or when said second number is greater than or equal to said second value.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each connection event has a fixed duration in the range from about 5 ms to about 50 ms.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said duration is equal to 20 ms.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main number is greater than or equal to 5.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first value is greater than or equal to 4.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second value is greater than or equal to 3.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two-way communication between said unit and said communication module of the vehicle is of a type chosen from a group comprising standard wireless protocols.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said two-way communication between said unit and said communication module of the vehicle is of a low energy wireless protocol type.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic maneuver is chosen from a group comprising at least a maneuver for automatic parking in a parking place, a maneuver for automatic departure from a parking place, a maneuver for opening a side door of said vehicle, a maneuver for closing a side door of said vehicle, a maneuver for opening a tailgate or hatch of said vehicle, and a maneuver for closing a tailgate or hatch of said vehicle.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation of said unit is continuous.

13. A control system for controlling at least one automatic maneuver performed by a vehicle via establishment of two-way wireless communication between a communication module of said vehicle and a remote control unit,

wherein following an actuation of the remote control unit, said two-way communication being configured to result in an exchange of information, for the purposes of the at least one activated automatic maneuver, between said communication module and said unit, in the course of connection events having a chosen duration, which are repeated periodically in frequency channels differing from one connection event to another according to a predetermined hopping protocol, and which may be either successful or failed,

the control system comprising:

a controller configured to determine, over a sliding duration corresponding to a chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, where the chosen main number (NP) is greater than 2, a first number (Nm1) of failed connection events, then to compare said first number (Nm1) with a first chosen value, and to modify said activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way when said first number (Nm1) is greater than or equal to said first value,

wherein, within the chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events, at least two successful connection events occur in addition to the first number (Nm1) of failed connection events over the sliding duration, and

wherein the at least one automatic maneuver includes an automatic parking maneuver.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said two-way communication is of a type chosen from a group consisting of standard wireless protocols.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said two-way communication between said unit and said communication module of the vehicle is of a low energy wireless protocol type.

16. The control system of claim 13, wherein the activated automatic maneuver performed by the vehicle selected from the group consisting of parking maneuvers, locking a door or hatch, and unlocking a door or hatch.

17. A remote control unit capable of remotely controlling a control system for controlling at least one automatic maneuver of a vehicle via establishment of two-way wireless communication between the unit and a communication module of said vehicle, following an actuation of the unit, said two-way communication being configured to result in an exchange of information, for the purposes of an activated automatic maneuver, between the unit and said communication module, in the course of connection events having a chosen duration, which are repeated periodically in frequency channels differing from one connection event to another according to a predetermined hopping protocol, and which may be either successful or failed, the remote control unit comprising:

control means configured to determine, over a sliding duration corresponding to a chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, where the chosen main number (NP) is greater than 2, a first number (Nm1) of failed connection events, then to compare said first number (Nm1) with a first chosen value, and to modify said activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way when said first number (Nm1) is greater than or equal to said first value,

wherein, within the chosen main number (NP) of successive connection events, at least two successful connection events occur in addition to the first number (Nm1) of failed connection events over the sliding duration.