Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between a vehicle and an authentication device, the vehicle including a computer and a plurality of communication modules capable of communicating with the device over a wireless communication link, each communication module including an electronic clock that defines the sampling frequency of the signals received from the device. The method includes in particular the steps of addition of noise to a response signal received from the device, of sampling of the noisy response signal, of detection, at a second instant, of the noisy response signal when the amplitude of the noisy response signal exceeds a predetermined detection threshold, of calculation of the time that has elapsed between a first instant and the second instant, and of estimation of the distance between the vehicle and the device based on the calculated time.

Abstract: A method for activating a function of a motor vehicle by an activation device, using a portable access device carried by a user. The activation of the function being initiated by detection of the presence of the user in a predetermined area around the vehicle, and in accordance with a result of authentication of the portable access device by the vehicle, the method including: A) the detection of the presence of the user in the predetermined area is implemented by a predetermined profile of ultra-wideband radiation emitted by the activation device in what is known as an ultra-wideband reflective mode and reflected by the user, and B) the authentication of the portable device is implemented by a bidirectional ultra-wideband communication between the activation device and the portable access device.

Abstract: A method for locating wheels of a motor vehicle. The vehicle including at least one central processing unit which includes a main ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver and a plurality of wheel units, each including a secondary ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver adapted for communicating with the main transceiver. The method includes at least one step of measuring the distance between the main transceiver and the secondary transceiver to be located, by analyzing the propagation time of an exchanged message, and a step of locating the wheel unit associated with the secondary transceiver to be located, on the basis of the distance measured in the measurement step.

Abstract: A method for locating a communication device borne by a user in proximity to a vehicle in order to trigger at least one function of said vehicle, the method especially including, in a locating phase, steps of detection of a set of obstacles, called “current” obstacles, of identification of the communication device in the set of current obstacles and of location of the identified communication device among the obstacles of the set of obstacles.

Abstract: A device for near-field and ultra-high-frequency communication, the device includes a near-field-communication antenna, an ultra-high-frequency antenna, a control unit including a controller for controlling the ultra-high-frequency antenna and a controller for controlling the near-field-communication antenna, a first carrier on which the NFC antenna is located, a second carrier on which the control unit is located, the first carrier and second carrier being located one above the other and connected by mechanical support pins, it is proposed that the ultra-high-frequency antenna be located on the first carrier and be connected to the control unit via: a first connection located on the first carrier, at least one pin made of conductive metal, and a second connection located on the second carrier, so as to produce a bidirectional ultra-high-frequency antenna.

Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between an authentication device and a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the vehicle including a computer and a plurality of communication modules capable of communicating with the device by exchanging signals over a wireless communication link, each communication module including an electronic clock that defines the sampling frequency of the signals received from the device. The method includes a plurality of measurement phases each comprising determination, by the computer, of the distance between the vehicle and the device and stopping and restarting of the electronic clock, and estimation of the actual distance between the vehicle and the device based on the plurality of distances determined during the measurement phases.

Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between a vehicle and an authentication device, the vehicle including a computer and a plurality of communication modules capable of communicating with the device over a wireless communication link, each communication module including an electronic clock that defines the sampling frequency of the signals received from the device. The method includes in particular the steps of addition of noise to a response signal received from the device, of sampling of the noisy response signal, of detection, at a second instant, of the noisy response signal when the amplitude of the noisy response signal exceeds a predetermined detection threshold, of calculation of the time that has elapsed between a first instant and the second instant, and of estimation of the distance between the vehicle and the device based on the calculated time.

Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between an authentication device and a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, the vehicle including a computer and a plurality of communication modules capable of communicating with the device by exchanging signals over a wireless communication link, each communication module including an electronic clock that defines the sampling frequency of the signals received from the device. The method includes a plurality of measurement phases each comprising determination, by the computer, of the distance between the vehicle and the device and stopping and restarting of the electronic clock, and estimation of the actual distance between the vehicle and the device based on the plurality of distances determined during the measurement phases.

Abstract: A device for near-field and ultra-high-frequency communication, the device includes a near-field-communication antenna, an ultra-high-frequency antenna, a control unit including a controller for controlling the ultra-high-frequency antenna and a controller for controlling the near-field-communication antenna, a first carrier on which the NFC antenna is located, a second carrier on which the control unit is located, the first carrier and second carrier being located one above the other and connected by mechanical support pins, it is proposed that the ultra-high-frequency antenna be located on the first carrier and be connected to the control unit via: a first connection located on the first carrier, at least one pin made of conductive metal, and a second connection located on the second carrier, so as to produce a bidirectional ultra-high-frequency antenna.

Abstract: Method of determining the footprint of a tire on the ground, using devices already installed in standard production tires. Since the frequency of the transmitter clock present in a wheel unit is perturbed by mechanical vibrations when the tire contacts the ground, the frequency variations of the reference clock are representative of the value of the footprint. The method therefore includes determining the footprint on the ground of a tire of a wheel by measuring continuously, as a function of time, a signal representative of the variations in frequency of the reference clock supplied at the output of the time control device; determining a time interval during which the frequency variations of the reference clock occur; and, on the basis of the rotation speed of the tire, deducing therefrom an angular range of contact (?) corresponding to the footprint between the ends representing the ground contact length of the tire.

Abstract: An electronic unit that is intended to be mounted on the valve of a vehicle wheel fitted with a tire, incorporating electronics for monitoring at least one operating parameter of the wheel and a rechargeable power supply for supplying power to the electronics, including a device for charging the rechargeable power supply, the device for charging including: a movable element, at least a portion of which is magnetized, that is capable of being set in motion by an air flow for inflating the tire that passes through the valve and cooperating with a coil so as to produce variations in the magnetic field and electromagnetic induction; and a device for managing the charging of the rechargeable power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for locating a portable device giving “hands free” access to a vehicle, by a location device intended to be installed in the vehicle, the portable device communicating with the location device by ultra high frequency waves, the invention consisting at each transmission of an ultra high frequency signal by the location device: of simultaneously transmitting by the location device at least one ultrasonic signal, intended for the portable device; of measuring a delay between a first time of reception of the ultra high frequency signal and un second time of reception of the ultrasonic signal by the portable device; of determining a distance between the portable device and the location device on the basis of the delay thus measured. Also disclosed is a location device and a corresponding portable device.

Abstract: An electronic unit that is intended to be mounted on the valve of a vehicle wheel fitted with a tire, incorporating electronics for monitoring at least one operating parameter of the wheel and a rechargeable power supply for supplying power to the electronics, including a device for charging the rechargeable power supply, the device for charging including: a movable element, at least a portion of which is magnetized, that is capable of being set in motion by an air flow for inflating the tire that passes through the valve and cooperating with a coil so as to produce variations in the magnetic field and electromagnetic induction; and a device for managing the charging of the rechargeable power supply.

Abstract: Method of determining the footprint of a tire on the ground, using devices already installed in standard production tires. Since the frequency of the transmitter clock present in a wheel unit is perturbed by mechanical vibrations when the tire contacts the ground, the frequency variations of the reference clock are representative of the value of the footprint. The method therefore includes determining the footprint on the ground of a tire of a wheel by measuring continuously, as a function of time, a signal representative of the variations in frequency of the reference clock supplied at the output of the time control device; determining a time interval during which the frequency variations of the reference clock occur; and, on the basis of the rotation speed of the tire, deducing therefrom an angular range of contact (?) corresponding to the footprint between the ends representing the ground contact length of the tire.

Abstract: A reliable and precise measurement of tire tread wear, by using wide-band (UWB) pulses and analyzing the signature obtained by reflection of these pulses from the tread, in order to deduce its state of wear therefrom. The tire wear monitoring device (100) includes a control unit (110) for signal control and data processing, this control unit (110) being coupled to a generator of ultra wide band or UWB signals (120), which is itself coupled to an antenna for incident UWB pulse transmission (140), and an antenna for receiving the UWB pulses (150) reflected from at least one interface of the tire tread, the reception antenna (150) being coupled to a pulse signal receiver (180) which is itself coupled to the control unit (110).

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and two electrical connection tongues, each tongue secured to one of the terminals thereof. The battery also includes at least one additional connection tongue secured to one of the terminals thereof, forming a radiating element with the electrical connection tongue secured to the same terminal of the battery.

Abstract: Method of determining the footprint of a tire on the ground, using devices already installed in standard production tires. Since the frequency of the transmitter clock present in a wheel unit is perturbed by mechanical vibrations when the tire contacts the ground, the frequency variations of the reference clock are representative of the value of the footprint. The method therefore includes determining the footprint on the ground of a tire of a wheel by measuring continuously, as a function of time, a signal representative of the variations in frequency of the reference clock supplied at the output of the time control device; determining a time interval during which the frequency variations of the reference clock occur; and, on the basis of the rotation speed of the tire, deducing therefrom an angular range of contact (?) corresponding to the footprint between the ends representing the ground contact length of the tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for locating a portable device giving “hands free” access to a vehicle, by a location device intended to be installed in the vehicle, the portable device communicating with the location device by ultra high frequency waves, the invention consisting at each transmission of an ultra high frequency signal by the location device: of simultaneously transmitting by the location device at least one ultrasonic signal, intended for the portable device; of measuring a delay between a first time of reception of the ultra high frequency signal and un second time of reception of the ultrasonic signal by the portable device; of determining a distance between the portable device and the location device on the basis of the delay thus measured. Also disclosed is a location device and a corresponding portable device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and two electrical connection tongues, each tongue secured to one of the terminals thereof. The battery also includes at least one additional connection tongue secured to one of the terminals thereof, forming a radiating element with the electrical connection tongue secured to the same terminal of the battery.

Abstract: A reliable and precise measurement of tire tread wear, by using wide-band (UWB) pulses and analyzing the signature obtained by reflection of these pulses from the tread, in order to deduce its state of wear therefrom. The tire wear monitoring device (100) includes a control unit (110) for signal control and data processing, this control unit (110) being coupled to a generator of ultra wide band or UWB signals (120), which is itself coupled to an antenna for incident UWB pulse transmission (140), and an antenna for receiving the UWB pulses (150) reflected from at least one interface of the tire tread, the reception antenna (150) being coupled to a pulse signal receiver (180) which is itself coupled to the control unit (110).