Method and device for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023837745
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-16
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-26
AI Technical Summary
Current vehicle display systems require excessive user attention due to the integration of control and display functions, leading to distracted drivers and complex interfaces, especially when controlling multiple on-board systems with numerous configuration parameters.
A method and device that dissociate control and display functions by selecting frequently used systems, transmitting graphic content, obtaining control functions, associating them with control means, detecting user actions, and modifying graphic content accordingly, allowing for streamlined access and reduced attention requirements.
This solution enhances user interface ergonomics by allowing rapid access to frequently used system controls without excessive user concentration, improving visibility and user experience, and optimizing the placement of control and display devices within the vehicle.
Smart Images

Figure FR2023052000_25072024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION Title: Method and device for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle. Technical field
[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2300377 filed on 16.01.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle, in particular a display system comprising a control device, a display device and a control device. The present invention also relates to a display system. Technological background
[0002] Many contemporary vehicles incorporate a display device comprising one or more display screens, for example with one or more touch interface screens among this plurality of display screens. These display screens are for example used to display information useful for driving the vehicle, for example to control and operate the infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system and / or to control other systems embedded in the vehicle such as for example the air conditioning system or the vehicle's navigation system.
[0003] These display devices are controlled by control devices that can be remote or touch-sensitive. For example, a remote control device can include one or more buttons, dials or even a numeric keypad separate from the display device. A touch-sensitive control device is in the form of a touch-sensitive screen with certain areas dedicated to the control device to allow a user to interact with the system(s) to be control. It is not uncommon for this touch-screen to merge with the display device screen.
[0004] Remote control devices are not very user-friendly because they require a user to focus their attention on the control device to perform an action on that control device and to focus their attention on the display device to see the result of the chosen action. The user's focus therefore switches from the control device to the display device and vice versa. These unfriendly interactions can also distract a vehicle driver who then loses their attention to driving the vehicle.
[0005] Touch control devices allow a user to focus on a single screen when this screen is common to the control and display devices. However, to avoid excessive attention paid by a user to this screen, most of the available actions are displayed in a planar manner on a single screen, that is to say with few or no drop-down menus requiring particular attention from the user. The user can then get lost in this type of interface, especially when the systems controlled by the control device have a large number of configuration parameters.
[0006] It is necessary to define new interfaces so that a user can control systems embedded in a vehicle that do not require excessive user attention and are not complex to use.
[0007] Summary of the present invention
[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to improve the control of an on-board display system in a vehicle.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to improve the ergonomics of user interfaces for controlling on-board systems of a vehicle.
[0011] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle, said display system comprising a control device and a display device, said method being intended to be implemented by a control device connected in communication to the control device and to the display device, said method comprising the following steps: - selection of at least one on-board system of the vehicle configured according to a specific configuration, called selected system, according to frequencies of use of said at least one system thus configured; - transmitting to the display device a graphical content for each selected system, each graphical content being intended to be displayed on an area of the display device, a graphical content displayed for a selected system being a visual representation of information relating to said selected system; - obtaining at least one control function for each selected system, each control function obtained for a selected system corresponding to a modification of the displayed graphic content corresponding to said selected system; - association of each control function obtained with a control means of the control device, each control means being adapted to receive an action from a user; - detection of an action by a user on one of the control means of the control device, said action corresponding to a control function of a selected system, called selected control function; - identification of a control function associated with the control means having undergone said action, of a selected system corresponding to said identified control function and of a current graphic content which corresponds to said identified selected system and which is displayed on an area of the display device; - obtaining modified graphic content by modifying the current graphic content according to the identified control function; - transmitting a control signal to the display device to instruct it to display the modified graphic content in an area of the display device.
[0012] Such a method makes it possible to dissociate the control device from the display device, which removes a constraint on the positioning of these devices in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, unlike current touch display screens which must generally be positioned in the middle of the dashboard and above the console so that a driver of the vehicle can easily access them. Furthermore, only the controls of the most frequently used on-board systems are directly presented on the display device to allow rapid access to the controls of these systems, which does not require excessive concentration from a user.
[0013] Alternatively, the modified graphical content is displayed in the area of the display device in which the current graphical content is displayed.
[0014] In one embodiment, the current graphical content is displayed in an area of the display device other than the area in which the current graphical content is displayed.
[0015] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0016] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a display system comprising a control device, a display device and a control device according to the second aspect of the present invention.
[0017] According to one variant, the control device comprises at least one button or wheel.
[0018] According to one variant, the control device comprises a touch-sensitive screen.
[0019] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a system according to the third aspect of the present invention.
[0020] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.
[0021] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.
[0022] According to a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0023] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.
[0024] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.
[0025] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures
[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 13, in which:
[0027] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle passenger compartment, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates an on-board display system in the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the display of content by the display system of Figure 2, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates actions on a first button of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates actions on a second button of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates actions on a third button of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates actions on a first touch zone of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates actions on a second touch zone of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] [Fig. 9] schematically illustrates actions on a third touch zone of a control device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates the display of content by the display system of Figure 2 when this graphic content is obtained according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates the display of content by the display system of FIG. 2 when this graphic content is obtained according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates a control device configured to control the display system of Figure 2, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] [Fig. 13] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling the display system of Figure 2, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] Description of examples of implementation
[0041] A method and a device for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 13. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.
[0042] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a part of a passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] Figure 1 shows a view of the interior of a vehicle 10, in particular of the front part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 including in particular a steering wheel and a dashboard.
[0044] The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with an electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 1 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.
[0045] According to the example of figure 1, the vehicle 10 has a display system 20 (figure 2) comprising a control device 101, a display device 102 (also called a screen or display screen) both connected in communication with a control device 201.
[0046] The control device 101 is, for example, integrated into a central console of the vehicle 10 and the display device 102 is, for example, integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1).
[0047] The arrangement of the devices 101 and 102 is however arbitrary, the device 102 being able for example to be integrated at the level of the dashboard, at the bottom of the windshield, and the device 101 being able to be arranged at the level of the dashboard.
[0048] The control device 101 is configured to remotely control the display of graphic content(s) (images, graphic icons, textual information, etc.) displayed on the display screen 102. Such a control device 101 comprises at least one control means.
[0049] The control device 101 is configured so that each control means indicates to the control device 201 that an action by a user has been detected. For this purpose, each control means can transmit a signal to the control device 201.
[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control device 101 is a button or a wheel and each control means corresponds to a position of the button or wheel, or to a lateral movement of the button or wheel.
[0051] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the control device 101 is a touch-sensitive display screen.
[0052] The present invention is not limited to one of these two embodiments of the control device 101 but extends to any control device which comprises at least one remote or touch-sensitive control means.
[0053] The display screen 101 is said to be tactile to indicate that a tactile interface is associated with the display screen 101. Such a tactile interface allows a user of the vehicle 10 to interact with graphic contents displayed on the display device 101 by tactile interaction, for example by pressing icons on the tactile interface of the display screen 101. Each control means is then an icon associated with an interactive application which is related to the control device 201.
[0054] The display screens 101 and 102 correspond, for example, to LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type screens, for example to TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) type screens, or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type screens.
[0055] According to another example, one or more display screens belonging to the set of display devices on board the vehicle 10 correspond to a transparent screen, suitable for displaying images or graphic content while offering the possibility of seeing through it. Such a screen is for example arranged on the dashboard in front of the windshield, in a head-up position. Such a transparent screen corresponds for example to an LCD panel and of the TFT type (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Thin Film Transistor"). Such a screen thus forms a head-up display (also called Head-Up Display, called VTH or HUD (from the English "Head-Up Display" or in French "Display Tête Haute"))
[0056] According to an alternative embodiment, the display device 102 is also tactile.
[0057] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the display screen 101 corresponds to a screen of a mobile communication device (for example a smartphone or a tablet) connected by wireless or wired communication to the vehicle 10. Such a mobile communication device advantageously comprises a display screen configured to display graphical contents generated by one or more human-machine interfaces, in particular a graphical interface. The graphical interface displayed on the screen of the mobile communication device (display screen 101) corresponds for example to a graphical interface of an operating system installed on the mobile communication device (for example Android® or iOS from Apple®) or to a graphical interface of a mobile application installed or executed on the mobile communication device.
[0058] Wireless connection is based, for example, on Bluetooth® or Wifi® technology, for example Wifi Direct (according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.11 n or IEEE 802.11ac). Alternatively, the connection is wired, for example a USB cable (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French).
[0059] The control device 101 and the display device 102 form all or part of a display system 20 on board the vehicle 10, an exemplary embodiment of which is described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0060] The control device 201 advantageously corresponds to a computer of the vehicle 10, for example the computer in charge of the infotainment system of the vehicle 10, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embarké”).
[0061] Such an IVI computer belongs to a network of computers of the vehicle 10, also called the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The computers of the vehicle 10 advantageously form a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle. The computers communicate and exchange data between them via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).
[0062] According to an alternative embodiment, the control device 201 corresponds to a calculation unit of a mobile communication device (for example a smartphone or a tablet), for example when the control device 101 corresponds to the screen of such a wireless communication device connected in wireless communication with the vehicle 10, for example via a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”), which TCU belongs to the on-board system of the vehicle 10.
[0063] The control device 201 controls the display device 102 as a function of actions on control means of the control device 101. A control means having undergone an action by a user transmits data to the control device 201 which transmits one or more data relating to graphic content to the display device that displays this graphic content.
[0064] The display system 20 of FIG. 2 is thus advantageously configured to allow the control of graphic content displayed on an area of the display device 102 via an action on the control device 101.
[0065] An example of a process for controlling the display system 20 is described with reference to FIG. 3 below.
[0066] Figures 3 to 11 schematically illustrate a process for controlling the display system 20 on board the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] The process is advantageously implemented by the control device 201 on board the vehicle 10 which takes the form of a computer, for example. An example of the hardware implementation of such a control device 201 is described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0068] In a first operation, the control device 201 selects at least one on-board system Si of the vehicle configured according to a specific configuration Ci as a function of frequencies of use of said at least one system Si thus configured (Ci).
[0069] According to the example of Figure 3, three on-board systems S1, S2 and S3 of the vehicle 10 are selected. The system S1, respectively S2 and S3 is configured by a specific configuration C1, respectively C2 and C3.
[0070] The present invention is not limited to a particular number of selected systems which may range from 1 to a number greater than 3.
[0071] For example, the selected system S1 corresponds to a navigation system configured (C1) to deliver a route from the current position of the vehicle 10 to a particular destination, for example a workplace or the home of the owner of the vehicle. The selected system S2 corresponds to an audio content listening system which is configured (C2) to allow listening to audio content (piece of music or audio content from a radio station). This audio content can be stored in a memory of a source device, for example a mobile phone connected to the system S2 or be accessible from information stored on this source device (stored radio station for example). The selected system S3 corresponds to a system for controlling operating parameters of the vehicle 10 configured to provide parameters relating to the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the system S3 is configured (C3) to provide values of the speed and temperature of the engine of the vehicle 10, tire pressure, oil pressure, coolant, etc.
[0072] In a second operation, the control device 201 transmits to the display device 102 a graphical content for each selected system, each graphical content being intended to be displayed on an area of the display device 102, a graphical content displayed for a selected system being a visual representation of information relating to said selected system.
[0073] According to the example of Figure 3, three graphic contents A1, A2 and A3 are displayed on the display device 102. The graphic content A1, displayed in a first zone 1021 of the display device 102 corresponds to a visual representation of information relating to the navigation system S1 configured according to the configuration C1. For example, the graphic content A1 represents the current geographical position of the vehicle 10 superimposed on map data. The graphic content A1 also displays icons representing control of the navigation system S1. For example, these icons are distributed around the edges of the graphic content A1. The graphic content A2, displayed in a second zone 1022 of the display device 102 corresponds to a visual representation of information relating to the audio content listening system S2 configured according to the configuration C2.For example, the graphic content A2 represents an image, the title and the name of the author of a current audio content. The graphic content A2 also displays icons representing control of the audio content listening system S2. For example, these icons are distributed around the edges of the graphic content A2. The graphic content A3, displayed in a third zone 1023 of the display device 102 corresponds to a visual representation of information relating to the system S3 for controlling operating parameters of the vehicle 10 configured according to the. configuration C3. For example, graphic content A3 represents status bars representative of engine speed values (parameter 1) and engine temperature (parameter 2) of the vehicle 10. Graphic content A3 also displays icons representative of system control S3. For example, these icons are distributed around the edges of graphic content A3.
[0074] In a third operation, the control device 201 obtains at least one control function FCi.k for each selected system Si, each control function FCi.k obtained for a selected system Si corresponding to a modification of the displayed graphic content corresponding to said selected system Si.
[0075] According to the example in Figure 4, 5 control functions FCi.k (k=1 to 5) are obtained to control the navigation system S1.
[0076] A first control function FCi,i makes it possible to stop the navigation system S1. By actuating a control means MCi,i of the control device 101, the control device 201 ends the display of the graphic content A1 displayed until then in the area 102i.
[0077] A second control function FCI ,2 makes it possible to zoom the graphic content A1 displayed in the area 102i . By actuating the control means MCI ,2 of the control device 101 , the control device 201 replaces the graphic content A1 displayed until then in the area 102i with a zoomed version of this graphic content.
[0078] A third control function FCI ,3 allows the display of a menu in the area 102i . This menu lists, for example, favorite destinations. By actuating a control means MCI ,3,I of the control device 101 , the display device 102 then displays the menu either as a replacement for the graphic content A1 previously displayed in the area 102i , or as a superposition of this graphic content A1 . By actuating a control means MCi,3,2 of the control device 101 , the control device 201 selects a favorite destination from the menu and by actuating a control means MC-1,3,3 of the control device 101 , the control device 201 validates the selected favorite destination. The control device 201 replaces the graphic content A1 previously displayed in the area 102i with a graphic content corresponding to the selected favorite destination. The control device 201 reconfigures the S1 navigation system according to the selected favorite destination.
[0079] A fourth control function FCI ,4 allows the display of a menu in the area 1021. This menu lists, for example, recently used destinations (the most recent). By actuating a control means MCI,4,I of the control device 101, the display device 102 then displays the menu either as a replacement for the graphic content A1 previously displayed in the area 102i, or as a superposition of this graphic content A1. By actuating a control means MCi,4,2 of the control device 101, the control device 201 selects a recent destination from the menu and by actuating a control means MCi,4,s of the control device 101, the control device 201 validates the selected recent destination. The control device 201 replaces the graphic content A1 previously displayed in the area 102i with a graphic content corresponding to the selected recent destination. The control device 201 reconfigures the navigation system S1 according to the selected recent destination.
[0080] A fifth control function FCi.s makes it possible to activate or deactivate the sound of the navigation system. By actuating the control means MCi.s of the control device 101, the control device 201 configures the navigation system by deactivating the sound of this navigation system if the sound was previously activated and conversely to activate the sound of this system S1 if the sound was previously deactivated. The control device 201 then replaces the graphic content A1 displayed until then in the zone 102i with a graphic content corresponding to the activation state of the sound of the system S1.
[0081] According to the example in Figure 5, 4 control functions FC2,k (k=1 to 4) are obtained to control the audio content listening system S2.
[0082] A first control function FC2,I allows the display of a menu in the zone 1022. This menu lists, for example, favorite audio contents. By actuating a control means MC2,I ,I of the control device 101, the display device 102 then displays the menu either as a replacement for the graphic content A2 previously displayed in the area 1022, or as a superposition of this graphic content A2. By actuating a control means MC2,i,2 of the control device 101, the control device 201 selects a favorite audio content and by actuating a control means MC2.1.3 the control device 201 validates the selected favorite audio content. The control device 201 replaces the graphic content A2 displayed until then in the zone 1022 with a graphic content corresponding to the selected favorite audio content. The control device 201 reconfigures the system S2 according to the selected favorite audio content.
[0083] A second control function FC2.2 allows the display of a menu in the area 1022. This menu lists, for example, several sources of audio content such as an on-board memory in the vehicle or a device connected to the audio content listening system. By actuating a control means MC2,2,I of the control device 101, the display device 102 then displays the menu either as a replacement for the graphic content A2 previously displayed in the area 1022, or as a superposition of this graphic content. By actuating a control means MC2,2,2 of the control device 101, the control device 201 selects an audio content source and by actuating a control means MC2,2,s of the control device 101, the control device 201 validates the selected audio content source.The control device 201 replaces the graphic content A1 previously displayed in the area 102i with graphic content corresponding to audio content available from the selected audio content source.
[0084] A third control function FC2.3 allows the display in the area 1022 of a previous audio content in a list of audio contents. By actuating a control means MC2.3 of the control device 101, the control device 201 replaces the graphic content A2 displayed until then in the area 1022 with a graphic content representing the previous audio content in the list of audio contents.
[0085] A fourth control function FC2.4 enables the display in the area 1022 of a following audio content in a list of audio contents. By actuating a control means MC2.4 of the control device 101, the control device 201 replaces the graphic content A2 displayed until then in the area 1022 with a graphic content representing the following audio content in the list of audio contents.
[0086] According to the example of Figure 6, 2 control functions FCs.k (k=1 to 2) are obtained to control the system S3 for controlling operating parameters of the vehicle 10.
[0087] A first control function FC4,I allows the display in the area 102s of one or more previous vehicle operating parameters in a parameter list. By actuating a control means MC4,i of the control device 101, the control device 201 replaces the graphic content A3 displayed until then in the area 102s with a graphic content representing the previous vehicle operating parameter(s).
[0088] A second control function FC4.2 allows the display in the area 102s of one or more of the following vehicle operating parameters in a parameter list. By actuating a control means MC4.2 of the control device 101, the control device 201 replaces the graphic content A3 displayed until then in the area 102s with a graphic content representing the following vehicle operating parameter(s).
[0089] In a fourth operation, the control device 201 associates each control function FCi.k obtained with a control means MCi.k of the control device 101, each control means being adapted to receive an action from a user.
[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control device 101 comprises buttons or dials implementing MCi.k means.
[0091] According to an exemplary embodiment, an action is pressing a button or wheel of the display device 101, rotating a button or wheel or moving a button or wheel laterally.
[0092] According to the example, the control device 101 comprises 3 buttons or dials 1011, 1012 and 1013.
[0093] According to an example, illustrated in Figure 4, the movement of the button or wheel 1011 in a direction, for example upwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCi,i. The movement of the button or wheel 1011 in a direction, for example downwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCi,s. The Moving the button or wheel 1011 in one direction, for example to the left, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCI,4. Rotating the button or wheel 1011 clockwise or counterclockwise corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCI,2, MC-1,3,2 and MC-1,4,2. For example, by turning the button or wheel 1011 clockwise, the graphic content A1 is zoomed in and by turning the button or wheel 1011 counterclockwise, the graphic content A1 is zoomed out. Moving the button 1011 in another direction, for example to the right, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCI,3,1. The means MCI,3,3 0U MC-1,4,3 correspond for example to pressing the button 1011.
[0094] According to an example, illustrated in Figure 5, moving the button or wheel 1012 in one direction, for example upwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MC2.3. Moving the button 1012 in another direction, for example to the right, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MC2,2,I and rotating the button 1012 in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) then implements the means MC2.1.2 and MC2.2,2. The means MC2,1,3 and MC2.2.3 correspond for example to pressing the button 1012.
[0095] Moving the button 1012 in another direction, for example to the left, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MC2,I,I.
[0096] Moving the button or wheel 1012 in another direction, for example downwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MC2.4.
[0097] According to an example, illustrated in Figure 6, the movement of the button or wheel 1013 in one direction, for example upwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCs.-i. The movement of the button or wheel 1013 in another direction, for example downwards, corresponds to the implementation of the control means MCS,2.
[0098] According to one embodiment, the control device 101 is a touch-sensitive display screen which comprises at least one touch-sensitive zone used for implementing the control means MCi.k.
[0099] Each touch zone includes at least one touch zone sub-zone used for implementing a MCi.k control means. A user can then select a control function by pressing one of these sub-zones or by rotating one of these sub-zones.
[0100] According to a particular example, an action is a press on a sub-area or an area of the display screen 101, a sliding press on a sub-area or an area of the display device 101.
[0101] According to the example of Figure 3, the display screen 101 comprises 3 zones 1011, 1012 and 1013.
[0102] According to an example, illustrated in figure 7, zone 1011 comprises 5 sub-zones implementing the means MCi,i, MC-1,2, MC1,3,1, MC-1,3,2, MC-1,3,3, MCI,4,I, MC-1,4,2, MC-1,4,3 and MCI,5.
[0103] According to an example, illustrated in Figure 8, zone 1012 comprises 5 sub-zones implementing the means MC2.1.1, MC2,I,2, MC2,I,3, MC2,2,I, MC2.2.2, MC2.2.3, MC2,s and MC2.4.
[0104] According to an example, illustrated in figure 9, zone 1013 comprises 2 sub-zones implementing the means MCs.i and MCs,2.
[0105] Figures 7, 8 and 9 show examples of configurations of the sub-zones in the areas of the display screen 101 and examples of allocation of these sub-zones for the implementation of the control means MCi.k.
[0106] The examples in Figures 7, 8 and 9 are given for illustrative purposes only and the present invention is not limited to a particular number of zones, sub-zones, to the organization of sub-zones in a zone nor to the allocation of these sub-zones for the implementation of the control means MCi.k.
[0107] In a fifth operation, the control device 201 detects an action by a user on one of the control means MCi.k of the control device 101.
[0108] The detected action corresponds to a control function called selected control function FCi.k of a selected system Si.
[0109] In a sixth operation, the control device 201 identifies the control function FCi.k associated with the control means MCi.k, the system Si corresponding to this control function FCi.k and the graphic content which corresponds to this system Si and which is displayed on an area of the display device 102.
[0110] In a seventh step, the control device 201 obtains modified graphic content by modifying the current graphic content according to the identified control function.
[0111] In an eighth operation, the control device 201 transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to instruct it to display the modified graphic content in an area of the display device 102.
[0112] According to one variant, the modified graphical content is displayed in the area of the display device 102 in which the current graphical content is displayed.
[0113] According to one variant, the identified current graphical content is displayed in an area of the display device 102 other than the area in which the current graphical content is displayed.
[0114] According to one example, a user action on the control means MCI ,2 in the clockwise direction is detected by the control device 201. The control device 201 then identifies the control function FCI ,2 associated with the control means MCI ,2, the selected system Si and the current graphic content A1 displayed on the area 102i of the display device 102. The identified control function FCI ,2 corresponds to a zoom in of the current graphic content displayed. The control device obtains a modified graphic content A4 by zooming in on the current graphic content A1, that is to say by obtaining a graphic content from more detailed cartographic data than those used to obtain the current graphic content. The control device 201 then transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content A4 in an area of the display device 102.
[0115] According to a variant, illustrated in FIG. 10, the modified graphic content A4 is displayed in the area 102i of the display device 102 in which the current graphic content A1 is displayed.
[0116] According to another variant, the modified A4 graphic content is displayed in an area 1024 of the display device 102 other than the area 102i.
[0117] For example, area 1024 covers areas 102i and 1022 (Figure 11) or areas 102i, 1022 and 102s or even the entire display screen 102.
[0118] The present invention is not limited to any particular definition of area 1024.
[0119] According to another example, an action of a user on the control means MCI ,3,I is detected by the control device 201. The control device 201 then identifies the control function FCI,3,I associated with the control means MCI .3,I, the selected system Si and the current graphic content A1 displayed on the zone 1021 of the display device 102. The identified control function FCI,3,I corresponds to a superposition of a menu listing favorite destinations on the current graphic content A1. The control device 201 obtains a modified graphic content A4 by superimposing the menu of favorite destinations on the current graphic content A1. The control device 201 then transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content A4 in the zone 102i. Another action of the user on the means MCi,3,2 is detected by the control device 201.The control device 201 then identifies the control function FC-1,3,2 associated with the control means MC-1,3,2 the selected system Si and the current graphic content A4 displayed on the zone 102i of the display device 102. The identified control function FC-1,3,2 makes it possible to navigate in the menu of favorite destinations displayed for example by lateral movement actions of a user's finger up and down on the corresponding touch-sensitive sub-zone by means of the control MC-1,3,2. For each of these actions, the control device obtains a modified graphic content A5 by highlighting for example a current favorite destination of the menu in the current graphic content displayed in the zone 102i. The control device 201 then transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content A5. in an area of the display device 102. Another action of the user on the means MC-I .3,3 is detected by the control device 201. The control device 201 then identifies the control function FCI ,3,3 associated with the control means MCI ,3,3 the selected system Si and the current graphic content A5 displayed on the area 102i of the display device 102. The identified control function FCI,3,3 reconfigures the navigation system S1 by calculating a new route to reach this validated favorite destination. The control device 201 obtains a modified graphic content A6 corresponding to a visual representation of information relating to the reconfigured navigation system S1. The control device 201 then transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content A6 in an area 102i.
[0120] According to another example, an action of the user on a control means C2,3 is detected by the control device 201. The control device 201 then identifies the control function FC2.3 associated with the control means MC2.3, the selected system S2 and the current graphic content A2 displayed on the area 1022 of the display device 102. The identified control function FC2.3 corresponds to the selection of a piece of music or a previous radio station. The control device 201 obtains a modified graphic content A4 representing for example an image, the title and the name of the author of the previous piece of music in a list of pieces of music or a previous radio station in a list of radio stations. The control device 201 then transmits a control signal to the display device 102 to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content A4 in the area 1022.
[0121] According to another example, a user action on a control means Cs,2 is detected by the control device 201. The control device 201 then identifies the control function FCs,2 associated with the control means MCs.2, the selected system S3 and the current graphic content A3 displayed on the zone 102s of the display device 102. The identified control function FCs,2 corresponds to the selection of at least one following parameter from a list of operating parameters of the vehicle 10. The control device 201 obtains a modified graphic content A4 representing values of or these following operating parameters of the vehicle 10. The device control device 201 then emits a control signal to the display device 102 to instruct it to display the modified graphic content A4 in the area 102s.
[0122] The present invention is not limited to these few examples of modification of the graphic content displayed on an area of the display device 102 following an action by a user on a control means of the control device 101. These examples are given for illustrative purposes only.
[0123] Such a process thus makes it possible to manage the display of graphic contents associated with the operation of on-board systems of the vehicle 10 from a control device and a display device which can be located at different places in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to optimize the volume necessary to house these two devices either in the dashboard, the console or one in the dashboard and the other in the console.
[0124] Such a process provides more visibility of the displayed content and information as well as an improved user experience.
[0125] Figure 12 schematically illustrates a control device 201 configured to control a display system on board a vehicle, for example the display system 20 on board the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 201 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer, for example the computer 201.
[0126] The device 201 is for example configured for the implementation of certain operations described with regard to figures 1 to 11 and / or certain steps of the method described with regard to figure 12. Examples of such a device 201 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 201, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 201 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.
[0127] The device 201 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 configured to execute instructions for carrying out steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 201. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 201 further comprises at least one memory 41 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.
[0128] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 41.
[0129] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 201 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.
[0130] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 201 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the “cloud”, other nodes of the ad hoc network. The interface elements of the block 42 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN radio technology (from the English Ultra Narrow Band, in French ultra narrow band), or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (from the English “Long-Term Evolution”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced); - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).
[0131] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 201 comprises a communication interface 43 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).
[0132] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 201 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display device 102, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 450 and a control device 101 via output interfaces 44, 45, 46 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 201.
[0133] Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a display system on board a vehicle, for example the display system 20 on board the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented in implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 201 of figure 12.
[0134] In a first step 51, at least one on-board system Si of the vehicle configured according to a specific configuration Ci is selected according to frequencies of use of said at least one system Si thus configured (Ci).
[0135] In a second step 52, graphic content is transmitted to the display device 102 for each selected system, each graphic content being intended to be displayed on an area of the display device 102.
[0136] In a third step 53, at least one control function FCi.k is obtained for each selected system Si, each control function FCi.k obtained for a selected system Si corresponding to a modification of the displayed graphic content corresponding to said selected system Si.
[0137] In a fourth step 54, each control function FCi.k obtained is associated with a control means MCi.k of the control device 101, each control means being adapted to receive an action from a user.
[0138] In a fifth step 55, an action by a user on one of the control means MCi.k of the control device 101 is detected.
[0139] In a sixth step 56, the control function FCi.k associated with the control means MCi.k, the system Si corresponding to this control function FCi.k and the current graphic content which corresponds to this system Si and which is displayed on an area of the display device 102, are identified.
[0140] In a sixth step 57, a modified graphic content is obtained by modifying the current graphic content according to the identified control function.
[0141] In an eighth step 58, a control signal is sent to the display device 102 to instruct it to display the modified graphic content in an area of the display device 102.
[0142] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to figures 1 to 11 apply to the steps of the method of figure 13.
[0143] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.
[0144] The present invention also relates to a display system comprising the device 201 of Figure 12, the display device 101, the control device 101 both communicatively connected to the device 201.
[0145] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 201 of FIG. 12 or the display system above.
Claims
Tl CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle, said display system comprising a control device and a display device, said method being intended to be implemented by a control device connected in communication to the control device and to the display device, said method comprising the following steps: - selection (51) of at least one on-board system of the vehicle configured according to a specific configuration, called selected system, according to frequencies of use of said at least one system thus configured; - transmitting (52) to the display device a graphical content for each selected system, each graphical content being intended to be displayed on an area of the display device, a graphical content displayed for a selected system being a visual representation of information relating to said selected system; - obtaining (53) at least one control function for each selected system, each control function obtained for a selected system corresponding to a modification of the displayed graphic content corresponding to said selected system; - association (54) of each control function obtained with a control means of the control device, each control means being adapted to receive an action from a user; - detection (55) of an action by a user on one of the control means of the control device, said action corresponding to a control function of a selected system, called selected control function; - identification (56) of a control function associated with the control means having undergone said action, of a selected system corresponding to said identified control function and of a current graphic content which corresponds to said identified selected system and which is displayed on an area of the display device; - obtaining (57) a modified graphic content by modifying the current graphic content according to the identified control function; - transmitting (58) a control signal to the display device to indicate to it to display the modified graphic content in an area of the display device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified graphical content is displayed in the area of the display device in which the current graphical content is displayed.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the current graphical content is displayed in an area of the display device other than the area in which the current graphical content is displayed.
4. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.
5. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 3.
6. Device (201) for controlling an on-board display system in a vehicle, said device (201) comprising a memory (41) associated with at least one processor (40) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
7. Display system (20) comprising a display device (102), a control device (101) and a control device according to claim 6.
8. Display system according to claim 7, wherein the control device (101) comprises at least one button or wheel.
9. Display system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control device (101) comprises a touch-sensitive screen.
10. Vehicle (10) comprising the display system (20) according to one of claims 7 to 9.