Control method implemented in a vehicle and associated vehicle

Description

[0001] Document FR3086902 A1 discloses a method for automatically adjusting the rearview mirrors of a vehicle using an interior camera and a central unit.

[0002] Document US2020 / 026413 A1 discloses a processor and memory for displaying a cursor in an augmented reality scene, positioned according to gesture data. The system adjusts interactions according to the selected objects, and the user's gestures determine the behavior of the cursor as well as the operations associated with the objects.

[0003] Document EP3478557 A1 discloses a method for monitoring a driver. Currently, the increase in the number of electrical components in a vehicle can cause several difficulties, including: A problem of cluttering the dashboard with buttons or more generally the human-machine interface, A problem of complexity of access to the function (a sequence of several sub-menus may be necessary on a touch screen, for example), A problem of distance of the human-machine interface from the gripping areas of the vehicle driver.

[0004] To overcome this drawback, the invention relates to a control method implemented in a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising: In its passenger compartment, a human-machine interface, the human-machine interface comprising: A first control module, and A module for analyzing a glance (of a driver of the vehicle), A plurality of electrical elements external to the human-machine interface (in other words, the plurality of electrical elements, and the first electrical element and the second electrical element mentioned later are not part of (or are not in) the human-machine interface), and A plurality of zones (located in the passenger compartment or on an exterior surface of the vehicle visible from the passenger compartment) external to the human-machine interface (in other words, the plurality of zones and the first and second zone mentioned above are not part of (or are not in) the human-machine interface), Each element of the plurality of electrical elements being associated with a zone of the plurality of zones of the vehicle,

[0005] Characterized in that it includes the following steps: First triggering of a first generic command, via the first module, at a first instant, Detection, by the gaze analysis module, at a second instant, of a gaze (R) (by the driver) towards a first zone of the plurality of zones associated with a first electrical element of the plurality of electrical elements or towards a second zone of the plurality of zones associated with a second electrical element of the plurality of electrical elements, and If the second instant is separated from the first instant by a duration less than a first predetermined threshold, and: If, in the detection step, it was detected that the gaze (by the driver) was directed towards the first zone, (then) transmission of the first command to the first electrical element, or If, in the detection step, it was determined that the gaze (by the driver) was directed towards the second zone, (then) transmission of the first command to the second electrical element.

[0006] The control of the electrical element is therefore simplified since it can be activated by a generic control common to the plurality of electrical elements, and a look towards the area associated with the electrical element.

[0007] Preferably, the plurality of electrical elements comprises more than two elements (for example three) and the plurality of zones comprises more than two zones (for example three). The other elements of the plurality of elements than the first and the second elements can replace the first and / or the second elements in the method according to the invention, and the other zones of the plurality of zones than the first and the second zones can replace the first and / or the second zone in the method according to the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the association of each element of the plurality of electrical elements with a zone of the plurality of zones of the vehicle is stored in the memory of the human-machine interface (for example in the form of a table). Alternatively, this association can be stored elsewhere in the vehicle.

[0009] Preferably, if the gaze analysis module detects that the driver is not looking at the first zone or the second zone, then no command is transmitted to either the first electrical element or the second electrical element. More generally, preferably, if the analysis module detects that the driver is not looking at any of the zones of the plurality of zones, no command is transmitted to an element of the plurality of elements.

[0010] The first predetermined threshold can optionally be zero, meaning that the detection and first triggering steps are simultaneous. Alternatively, the threshold is, for example, between 100 milliseconds and 1 second.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first module has touch controls and the first triggering is carried out by (the detection of) a touch (by the driver) on the first module.

[0012] Alternatively, the first module is gesture-controlled and the first triggering is performed by (the detection of) a gesture (of the driver), or the first module is voice-controlled and the first triggering is performed by the voice (of the driver).

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first module comprises a touch screen and the first triggering of a first generic command is carried out by (the detection of) a touch (by the driver) on the touch screen. Alternatively, the first module comprises touch buttons.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first zone is a foot cellar included in the passenger compartment, and the first electrical element is a lamp for illuminating the foot cellar.

[0015] Alternatively, the first or second zone is a portion of the ceiling of the passenger compartment comprising ceiling lighting and the first and / or second electrical element is a ceiling lighting lamp.

[0016] In the case where the first element or the second element is a lamp, the first command or the second command can control the switching on (or off) of the lamp.

[0017] The first area is for example an outer surface of the first element and / or the second area is an outer surface of the second element. Alternatively, the first area extends beyond the surface of the first element.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first element is a first side mirror (1100) of the vehicle, and / or the second element is a second side mirror of the vehicle (different from the first side mirror. The second mirror may be a mirror opposite the first mirror with respect to the passenger compartment).

[0019] In the case where the first element and / or the second element is a side mirror, the first control or the second control can control an adjustment of a position of the mirror of the mirror(s).

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of translating the command prior to its transmission: In a second dedicated command, if, at the detection step, it was detected that the (driver's) gaze was directed towards the first zone, In a third dedicated command different from the second dedicated command, if, at the detection step, it was determined that the (driver's) gaze was directed towards the second zone.

[0021] Alternatively, no translation is performed. Only an identifier of the electrical element is possibly added or modified in the first order.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second instant precedes the first instant. Alternatively, the first instant precedes the second instant.

[0023] Preferably, the transmission of the first command to the first electrical element or of the second command to the second electrical element is conditioned on a coincidence of the first instant with the second instant, which makes it possible to unambiguously identify that the element looked at is the one targeted by the driver. According to one embodiment, the transmission of the command (first or second respectively) is conditioned by the detection that the gaze in the direction of the zone (first or second respectively) began furthermore before the first instant.

[0024] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0025] Finally, the invention relates to a motor vehicle configured to carry out the steps of the control method according to the invention, in other words, a motor vehicle comprising: In its passenger compartment, a human-machine interface, the human-machine interface comprising: A first control module, and A module for analyzing a glance (of a driver of the vehicle), A plurality of electrical elements external to the human-machine interface (in other words, the plurality of electrical elements, and / or the first electrical element and the second electrical element introduced later are not part of (or are not in) the human-machine interface), and A plurality of zones (located in the passenger compartment or on an exterior surface of the vehicle visible from the passenger compartment) external to the human-machine interface (in other words the plurality of zones and the first and second zones mentioned below are not part of (or are not in) the human-machine interface), Each element of the plurality of electrical elements being associated with a zone of the plurality of zones of the vehicle,

[0026] The vehicle being characterized in that it is configured to carry out the following steps: A first triggering (following an action by a driver) of a first generic command, via the first module, at a first instant, Detection, by the gaze analysis module, at a second instant, of a gaze (by the driver) towards a first zone associated with a first electrical element of the plurality of electrical elements or towards a second zone of the plurality of zones associated with a second electrical element of the plurality of electrical elements, If the second instant is separated from the first instant by a duration less than a first predetermined threshold, and: If, in the detection step, it has been detected that the gaze (by the driver) was directed towards the first zone, (then) transmission of the first command to the first electrical element, or If, in the detection step, it has been determined that the gaze (by the driver) was directed towards the second zone, (then) transmission of the first command to the second electrical element.

[0027] The features and advantages of the vehicle and the computer program are similar to the method, therefore they are not repeated here.

[0028] It is understood that the vehicle or other element is "configured to" carry out or implement a step or an operation, by the fact that the element includes means for (in other words "is conformed to" or "is adapted to") carrying out or implement the step or the operation. These are preferably electronic means, for example a computer program, a computer, electronic acquisition means (camera, microphone, sensor, etc.), data in memory and / or specialized electronic circuits.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention. [ Fig. 2 ] represents the method of the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, for the vehicle of the figure 1 . Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention

[0030] Figure 1 , the motor vehicle 1000 comprises, in its passenger compartment 1500, a human-machine interface 1510, the human-machine interface 1510 comprising: A first control module 1513, A module for analyzing a view 1511 (of a driver 1530 of the vehicle 1000).

[0031] The motor vehicle 1000 also includes: A plurality of electrical elements 1100, 1200 and 1541 external to the human-machine interface 1510, A plurality of zones 1210, 1110, 1540 located in the passenger compartment 1500 or on an exterior surface of the vehicle 1000 (visible from the passenger compartment 1500), and external to the human-machine interface 1510 (in other words the plurality of zones 1110, 1210, 1540 is not part of (or is not in) the human-machine interface 1510),

[0032] Each element of the plurality of electrical elements 1100, 1200, 1541 is associated with a zone of the plurality of zones 1210, 1110, 1540 of the vehicle 1000. Preferably, this association is stored in memory 1512 of the human-machine interface 1510 (for example in the form of a table).

[0033] The first module 1513 is preferably a touch screen.

[0034] The 1500 cabin also includes two 1550 seats.

[0035] Figure 2, in step S10, the gaze analysis module 1511 detects a gaze R by the driver 1530 towards a first zone 1110 associated with a first electrical element 1100.

[0036] The first element 1100 is for example a first side mirror 1100 of the vehicle 1000 and the first zone is the outer surface 1110 of the first side mirror 1100.

[0037] Alternatively, the first zone is the footwell 1540 included in the passenger compartment 1500, and the first electrical element is a lighting lamp 1541 of the footwell 1540.

[0038] In step S20, simultaneously with step S10, the driver 1530 (only the driver's head 1530 has been drawn and represents the driver 1530) touches the touch screen 1513, which triggers the first generic command.

[0039] Steps S10 and S20 can also be separated by a duration, for example between 100 milliseconds and 1 second.

[0040] In step S30, the human-machine interface 1510 transmits the first command to the first electrical element 1100 or 1541.

[0041] In the case where the first element or the second element is a side mirror, the first control can control the adjustment of the position of the mirror of the mirror(s).

[0042] In the case where the first element or the second element is a lamp, the first command or the second command can control the switching on (or off) of the lamp.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the transmission of the command (first or second respectively) in step S30 is conditioned by the detection that the gaze R in the direction of the zone (first zone 1110 / 1540 or second zone 1210) in step S10 has also started before the driver touches the touch screen 1513 in step S20.

[0044] The command can be translated, prior to its transmission, so as to be adapted to the first electrical element 1100 or 1541.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, the method continues with the same steps as steps S10 to S30, but with a second electrical element different from the first electrical element in place of the first element. The second electrical element may be the side mirror 1200, and the second zone, the surface 1210 of the side mirror 1200. In particular, if the second electrical element is of a different nature than the first electrical element, the dedicated control may be different than in step S30.

[0046] Preferably, if the gaze analysis module 1511 detects that the driver 1530 is not looking at the first zone 1110 or 1540 or the second zone 1210, then no command is transmitted either to the first electrical element 1100 or 1541 or to the second electrical element 1200. More generally, preferably, if the analysis module detects that the driver is not looking at any of the zones of the plurality of zones 1110, 1540, 1210, no command is transmitted to an element of the plurality of elements 1100, 1200, 1541.

Claims

1. A control method implemented in a motor vehicle (1000), the vehicle (1000) comprising: - In its passenger compartment (1500), a man-machine interface (1510), the human-machine interface (1510) comprising: - A first module with controls (1513), - A module for analysing a gaze (1511), - A plurality of electrical elements (1100, 1200, 1541) external to the human-machine interface (1510), - A plurality of zones (1210, 1110, 1540) outside the human-machine interface (1510), - Each element of the plurality of electrical elements (1100, 1200, 1541) being associated with a zone of the plurality of zones (1210, 1110, 1540) of the vehicle (1000), Characterized in that it includes the following steps: - First trigger (S10) of a first generic command, via the first module (1513), at a first instant, - Detection (S20), by the gaze analysis module (1511), at a second instant, of a gaze (R) towards a first zone (1110, 1540) of the plurality of zones associated with a first electrical element (1100, 1541) of the plurality of electrical elements or towards a second zone (1210) of the plurality of zones associated with a second electrical element (1200) of the plurality of electrical elements. - If the second time is separated from the first time by a time less than a first predetermined threshold, and: - If, at the detection stage, it was detected that the manhole (R) was directed towards the first zone (1110, 1540), transmission (S30) of the first control to the first electrical element (1100, 1541), - If, at the detection stage, it was determined that the view was towards the second zone (1210), transmission (S30) from the first control to the second electrical element (1200).

2. A control method according to the preceding claim wherein the first module (1513) is with touch controls and the first release (S20) is achieved by a touch on the first module (1513).

3. The control method of the preceding claim wherein the first module (1513) comprises a touch screen and the first trigger of a first command is achieved by a touch on the touch screen.

4. A method of ordering according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first zone (1540) is a footed cellar (1540) included in the passenger compartment (1500), and wherein the first electrical element is a lighting lamp (1541) of the footed cellar (1540).

5. A method of control according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first zone (1110) is an outer surface of the first element (1100) or wherein the second zone (1210) is an outer surface of the second element (1200).

6. The method of control according to the preceding claim wherein the first element (1100) is a first side mirror (1100) of the vehicle (1000), or wherein the second element (1200) is a second side mirror (1200) of the vehicle (1000).

7. A method for ordering according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step for translating the order prior to its transmission: - In a second dedicated command, if, at the detection stage, it was detected that the manhole (R) was directed towards the first area (1110, 1540), - In a third dedicated command different from the second dedicated command, if, at the detection step, it was determined that the manhole (R) was towards the second zone (1210).

8. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the transmission of the first control to the first electrical element (1110, 1540) or of the second control to the second electrical element (1210) is conditioned on a coincidence of the first instant with the second instant.

9. A computer program comprising instructions, executiable by a microprocessor or microcontroller, for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A motor vehicle (1000) characterized in that it is configured to carry out the steps of the ordering process according to any one of claims 1 to 8.