Managing the production and distribution of footage using a touchscreen on a human-machine interface in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the control, by means of a touchscreen (4), of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle (1), of a function for capturing and distributing images of the vehicle's environment, said images being captured by means of an image capture device (3) mounted on board the vehicle and interacting with a driver assistance system (2) of the vehicle to provide at least a parking assistance function. The invention also relates to a device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of the production and distribution of shots using a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle, of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, said shots being taken by means of an image capture apparatus on board the vehicle and interacting with a driving assistance system of the vehicle to provide at least one parking assistance functionality using the screen. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle carrying such a device. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] It is known that some modern motor vehicles are equipped with driver assistance systems that provide a parking assistance functionality, using for this purpose an image capture device (e.g. camera) to take pictures of the vehicle's surroundings and a screen arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to allow the driver to view the surroundings of the vehicle. It is also known that the legal obligations in force in certain territories require that the driver assistance systems of new vehicles marketed provide a functionality for monitoring the driver's attention. And, in connection with this constraint, some manufacturers have chosen to configure the human-machine interfaces of the vehicles so that a pictogram allowing the driver to be informed about the operating status of this type of functionality is broadcast on a screen arranged in the passenger compartment.Finally, we know that there are situations in which vehicle drivers may wish to take pictures of their vehicle's surroundings, particularly for the purpose of memorizing unfamiliar places. However, no solution is currently provided to enable a driver to take pictures of their vehicle's surroundings on demand, in an easy and practical manner. From this point of view, the human-machine interfaces of motor vehicles still suffer from a deficiency in terms of their ergonomics. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention seeks to overcome this drawback. In particular, it aims to provide a solution to enable a driver of a motor vehicle to take one or more shots of the environment of his vehicle at any time, in a simple and practical manner. In this way, the invention aims to improve the ergonomics of human-machine interfaces in motor vehicles.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the control by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, said shots being taken by means of an image capture apparatus on board the vehicle and interacting with a driving assistance system of the vehicle to provide at least one parking assistance functionality using the screen, the method comprising the steps of: i. determining whether a press has been made at the level of a pictogram relating to a functionality for monitoring the attention of the driver displayed on the screen; and, when it is established that this is the case, ii. manage the taking of a shot or the broadcasting on the screen of at least one shot previously taken as a function of the position of the vehicle's gearbox and a shot delay function.

[0005] According to a variant, step ii) may consist of managing the taking of a shot as soon as it is established that the vehicle is stationary and that the gearbox is not in the parking position or that the shot delay function is activated.

[0006] According to another variant, the step of managing the taking of a picture may comprise a step of causing the taking of a picture immediately or, if it is established that the picture delay functionality is activated, at the end of a time stipulated by the picture delay functionality or at the time of receiving data characterizing a command to trigger the taking of a picture transmitted by a portable communication device connected to a radiofrequency signal communication system of the vehicle.

[0007] According to yet another variant, the step of causing a shot to be taken may comprise, as soon as the shot is taken at the end of a period stipulated by the shot delay function or at the time of receiving data characterizing a command to trigger the taking of a shot, a step of causing the activation of the hazard lights. of the vehicle during or at the end of said period or upon said reception.

[0008] According to yet another variant, the step of managing the taking of a shot may comprise a step of causing the shot to be broadcast on the screen following its taking.

[0009] According to yet another variant, step ii) may consist of causing the broadcasting on the screen of at least one previously taken shot as soon as it is established that the gearbox is in the parking position.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the control by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, said shots being taken by means of an image capture apparatus on board the vehicle and interacting with a driving assistance system of the vehicle to provide at least one parking assistance functionality using the screen, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium configured to implement a method as described above.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a diagram illustrating a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention; and

[0017] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] In [Fig.l] a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. This is conventionally equipped with a driving assistance system 2, which conventionally provides a parking assistance functionality using image capture equipment 3 (e.g. camera, Birdview, etc.) in order to allow the driver to view the vehicle's surroundings on a screen 4 of a human-machine interface of the vehicle. On this screen 4 is also displayed a pictogram 5 which allows the driver to become aware of an operating state of a driver attention monitoring functionality, possibly provided by the driving assistance system 2. The vehicle 1 according to the invention is also conventionally equipped with a gearbox 6, preferably automatic, hazard lights 7 and a radiofrequency signal communication system 8, which allows communication with remote communicating entities by means of conventional wireless communication protocols (eg Bluetooth, 3 / 4 / 5G), in particular with a portable communication device 9 such as a smartphone.Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also includes a device 100 for managing the order by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the order by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below.

[0019] Thanks to the device 100 according to the invention, the driver can, depending on the situation, take pictures of the environment of the vehicle 1 or cause the display of previously taken pictures, and this in a very easy way which consists of simply pressing the pictogram 5 providing information on the operating status of the driver attention monitoring functionality which is displayed on the touch screen 4 of the human-machine interface of the vehicle 1. As will be seen below, it is in this way that the invention contributes to an improvement in the ergonomics of the human-machine interface of the vehicle 1 according to the invention.

[0020] The device 100 for managing the control by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. It is fundamentally a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, comprising one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0021] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is hosted on an independent computer and it interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired communication network of the vehicle (eg CAN, Ethernet) with the driving assistance system 2, with the image capture apparatus 3, with the human-machine interface of the vehicle, in particular the screen 4 that it includes, with the gearbox 6, with the hazard lights 7 and with the radiofrequency signal communication system 8. Thanks to these means, the device 100 according to the invention can, in particular, determine whether a press has been made at the pictogram 5. It can also determine whether the vehicle is stationary as well as a position of the gearbox 6, and it can cause the hazard lights 7 to be activated.

[0022] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing the control by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle of a functionality for producing and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, as described below in connection with figures 1 and 3. It will be noted here that the terminology "shot" concerns both photographs and video sequences, regardless of the format, in particular panoramic or 360°.

[0023] According to a first step 201 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether a press has been made at the pictogram 5 relating to the functionality for monitoring the driver's attention which is displayed on the screen 4. In other words, the device 100 according to the invention continuously monitors whether a press, for example a press of a finger, is made on the pictogram 5, as illustrated schematically by means of the hand illustrated in [Fig.l]. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention preferentially interacts with the human-machine interface of the vehicle. Alternatively, it interacts directly with the screen 4.Thus, thanks to this first step 201 of the method, the control of the production or broadcasting of shots is advantageously possible in an extremely simple manner since it consists for the driver in making a simple press on the pictogram 5, preferably a long press using a finger. And when it establishes that such a press has been made, the device 100 according to the invention proceeds by carrying out the following step of the method according to the invention described below.

[0024] According to a second step 202 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention manages the taking of a shot or the broadcasting on the screen of at least one shot previously taken as a function of the position of the gearbox 6 and a shooting delay functionality. More specifically, when it establishes that the vehicle is stationary and that the gearbox 6 is not in the parking position - or, in the case of a manual gearbox, in the neutral position while the handbrake is applied - or that the shooting delay functionality is activated, the device 100 according to the invention manages the taking of a shot as described below. On the contrary, when it establishes that the gearbox 6 is in the parking position, the device 100 according to the invention causes the broadcasting on the screen 4 one or more previously taken shots. In other words, thanks to this second step 202 of the method, the device 100 according to the invention offers the possibility of taking shots or viewing previously taken shots, and this, in an automated manner according to the operating mode of the vehicle which is established according to the aforementioned elements. Furthermore, with regard to the shooting delay functionality, this corresponds to that of a traditional delay of a camera or a video camera and it is advantageously provided by the device 100 according to the invention. To activate or deactivate it, the driver conventionally operates a menu for configuring the operation of the device 100 according to the invention which is displayed on the screen 4 and with which he can interact by means of usual tactile interactions.Alternatively, an application running on the communication device 9 provides an input interface that allows the self-timer feature to be enabled and disabled.

[0025] When it manages the taking of a picture, in the case where the device 100 according to the invention has established that the vehicle is stationary and that the gearbox 6 is not in the parking position or that the picture delay function is activated, the device 100 according to the invention causes the taking of a picture immediately. Alternatively, if it establishes that the picture delay function is activated, it then causes the taking of a picture at the end of a time stipulated by the picture delay function or at the time of reception of data characterizing a command to trigger the taking of a picture transmitted by a portable communication device 9 connected to the radiofrequency signal communication system 8 of the vehicle. Indeed, in the second case, i.e.when the shooting delay function is activated, the device 100 according to the invention advantageously offers the possibility that the shooting is triggered in a conventional manner at the end of a pre-established time but also, alternatively, at the moment when a command to trigger the shooting is transmitted by the communication device 9 which is connected to the radio frequency signal communication system 8 of the vehicle 1. Concerning this second alternative, the driver or another user of the vehicle can for example trigger the shooting by operating an application executed on the communication device 9, which provides an input interface in which a command to trigger the shooting can be stipulated.Furthermore, according to an advantageous variant, the device 100 according to the invention causes the activation of the hazard lights 7 during or at the end of the time pre-established by the shooting delay function or upon receipt of the command to trigger the taking of a shot. thereby providing a simple visual means for informing the driver or another user outside the vehicle 1 that a shot has been taken. Furthermore, according to yet another advantageous variant, the device 100 according to the invention causes the shot to be broadcast on the screen 4 following its taking. The driver can thus advantageously view a shot that has just been taken.

[0026] On the contrary, when it has established that the gearbox 6 is in the parking position, the device 100 according to the invention causes the broadcasting on the screen 4 of at least one previously taken picture. It thus offers a viewing functionality, for example similar to that provided by the image and video viewing galleries provided by the operating systems of most smartphones. Thus, the driver or any occupant of the vehicle can take advantage of a rest period to view on the screen 4 one or more pictures which have been previously taken in the manner indicated above.

[0027] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided to allow a driver of a motor vehicle to be able to take one or more shots of the environment of his vehicle on the fly, and to do so in a manner that could not be simpler and more practical. By these means, the invention therefore significantly improves the ergonomics of the human-machine interfaces of motor vehicles for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicles.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the control by means of a touch screen (4) of a human-machine interface of the vehicle of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, said shots being taken by means of an image capture apparatus (3) on board the vehicle and interacting with a driving assistance system (2) of the vehicle to provide at least one parking assistance functionality using the screen, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: i. determining whether a press has been made at the level of a pic togram (5) relating to a functionality for monitoring the attention of the driver displayed on the screen; and, when it is established that this is the case, ii.manage the taking of a shot or the broadcasting on the screen of at least one shot previously taken depending on the position of the vehicle's gearbox (6) and a shot delay function.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step ii) consists of managing the taking of a shot as soon as it is established that the vehicle is stationary and that the gearbox (6) is not in the parking position or that the shooting delay functionality is activated.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of managing the taking of a picture comprises a step of causing the taking of a picture immediately or, if it is established that the picture delay functionality is activated, at the end of a time stipulated by the picture delay functionality or at the time of receiving data characterizing a command to trigger the taking of a picture transmitted by a portable communication device (9) connected to a radiofrequency signal communication system (8) of the vehicle.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the step of causing a shot to be taken comprises, as soon as when the shot is taken after a period of time stipulated by the shot delay function or at the time of receiving data characterizing a command to trigger the taking of a shot, a step consisting of causing the activation of the vehicle's hazard lights during or at the end of said period or during said reception.

5. Method according to one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the step of managing the taking of a shot comprises a step of causing the shot to be broadcast on the screen (4) following its taking.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step ii) consists of causing the broadcasting on the screen of at least one shot previously taken as soon as it is established that the gearbox (6) is in the parking position.

7. Device (100) for managing the control by means of a touch screen (4) of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle (1) of a functionality for taking and broadcasting shots of the environment of the vehicle, said shots being taken by means of an image capture device (3) on board the vehicle and interacting with a driving assistance system (2) of the vehicle to provide at least one parking assistance functionality, characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102) configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

9. Support usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 8 is recorded therein.

10. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 7.

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