Method and device for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface for a vehicle, the set of indicators being intended to be displayed in a first region of a touch-sensitive display controlled by a device of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - selecting (41) a predetermined number of indicators from the set of indicators, referred to as first indicators, each first indicator being intended to be displayed in the first region of the touch-sensitive display; - if the predetermined number of first indicators is greater than a maximum number of indicators that can be displayed simultaneously in the first region of the touch-sensitive display, determining (42) a second region of the touch-sensitive display in which an icon is intended to be displayed, the icon indicating that at least one indicator from the set of indicators will not be displayed in the first region.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Method and device for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface for a vehicle

[0003] The present invention claims priority from French application 2300919 filed on 01.02.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface, said set of indicators being intended to be displayed on a screen of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] The sophistication of vehicles is accompanied by high demands on the safety of vehicles and their passengers. The systems, components and functions implemented in a vehicle must often meet a specific safety level. These safety levels are, for example, described in ISO 26262, these safety levels being identified by their ASIL level (from the English "Automotive Safety Integrity Level" or in French "Lével d'intégr de sécurité automobile"), i.e. ASIL A, B, C or D, to which are associated permissible failure rates per hour.

[0008] For example, components or computers controlling a vehicle's braking system must be at a very high ASIL level, for example an ASIL D level.

[0009] In the event of a problem or failure of the braking system, it is essential to inform the driver of the vehicle so that the latter can take the necessary measures, for example stopping the vehicle and / or making an appointment at a garage. Contemporary vehicles today have one or more screens on which are displayed one or more human-machine interfaces, known as HMIs, which allow the driver or passengers of a vehicle to interact with the vehicle. These HMIs are now used to display certain information such as the speed of the vehicle or to display one or more warning lights indicating a possible problem with a vehicle component or the operating status of a driver assistance system, for example. The diversity of these HMIs is very large, each vehicle model having a specific HMI with, in particular, a specific layout and / or a specific graphic design of the elements to be displayed.

[0010] For reasons of operational safety, regulation or vehicle use, these HMIs display dozens of indicators so that a vehicle user can monitor the overall status of the vehicle's components and systems implemented in the vehicle.

[0011] These HMIs are generally displayed in different areas of a screen. Each area can correspond to one or more HMI indicators and each indicator corresponds to information relating to a vehicle component or to an operating status of one of the systems implemented by this vehicle.

[0012] This is how these HMIs can be displayed in so-called dedicated areas, that is to say areas in which one or more indicators can be displayed but exclusively. For example, an indicator representing a system in activity and an indicator representing this inactive system can be displayed in the same dedicated area of ​​the screen exclusively.

[0013] These HMIs can also be displayed in so-called stackable zones, i.e. zones in which one or more warning lights can be displayed according to display priority rules: certain warning lights can be displayed simultaneously while others are not according to a first priority rule and these other warning lights can be displayed according to a second priority rule, etc. The problem arises of controlling these stackable zones so that the HMI is user-friendly and understandable to a vehicle user.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] An object of the present invention is to improve the control of a set of indicators of a human-machine interface intended to be displayed in a stackable area of ​​a screen of a vehicle.

[0016] Another objective is to improve the ergonomics of human-machine interfaces for vehicles.

[0017] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface for a vehicle, said set of indicators being intended to be displayed in a first zone of a touch screen controlled by a device of a vehicle, said method comprising the following steps:

[0018] - selection of a predetermined number of witnesses of said set of witnesses, called first witness, each first witness being intended to be displayed in the first zone of the touch screen;

[0019] - if the predetermined number of first indicators is greater than a maximum number of indicators that can be displayed simultaneously in the first area of ​​the touch screen, determining a second area of ​​the touch screen in which an icon is intended to be displayed, said icon indicating that at least one indicator of said set of indicators will not be displayed in the first area.

[0020] The method makes it possible to display a portion of the indicators of a set of indicators in a stackable area of ​​a touchscreen of a vehicle. The icon also displayed on the touchscreen indicates to the user of the vehicle that indicators of the set of indicators will not be displayed in the first area of ​​the touchscreen but that these indicators can be displayed in this first area. For this, the icon can encourage this user to perform a touch action on the second touch area of ​​the screen in which the icon is displayed. According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0021] - detection of a touch action on the second area of ​​the touch screen;

[0022] - selection of at least one witness from the set of witnesses, called second witness, each second witness being different from said at least one first witness selected, each second witness being intended to be displayed in the first zone of the touch screen in replacement of a first witness selected.

[0023] This variant is advantageous because it allows the display of indicators from a set of indicators in a stackable area of ​​reduced dimensions by prioritizing the display of these indicators according to, for example, a degree of importance. Thus, safety or alert indicators will be displayed in priority to warning indicators, for example. Warning indicators will only be displayed if the user indicates his intention to display them by pressing the second area of ​​the touch screen.

[0024] According to a variant, said icon indicates a value of a difference between a number of witnesses of the set of witnesses and the predetermined number of first witnesses.

[0025] Alternatively, the witnesses in the witness set are selected according to a degree of importance associated with the witnesses in the witness set.

[0026] Alternatively, the first and second zones are adjacent.

[0027] According to a variant, the icon intended to be displayed in the second zone is different before and after the touch action on the second zone.

[0028] This variant makes it possible to indicate to a vehicle user that a new tactile action on the second area of ​​the screen allows the first indicators to be displayed, thus improving the ergonomics of the human-machine interface.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention. According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0030] According to a fourth 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 when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0031] 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.

[0032] According to a fifth 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 terrestrial radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0035] 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

[0036] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 6, in which:

[0037] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a human-machine interface to be displayed on a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] [Fig. 2] illustrates a system configured to control a set of indicators of the human-machine interface of Fig. 1 to be displayed in a stackable area of ​​a touchscreen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates an example of a human-machine interface to be displayed on a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates an example of a human-machine interface to be displayed on a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig. 5] illustrates a device for controlling a set of indicators of the human-machine interface of FIG. 1 to be displayed in a stackable area of ​​a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] [Fig. 6] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a set of indicators of the human-machine interface of FIG. 1 to be displayed in a stackable area of ​​a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Description of the embodiments

[0044] A method and a device for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface will now be described in what follows with joint reference to figures 1 to 6. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0045] According to the present invention, an HMI comprises a set of indicators corresponding to the operation of components of a vehicle and / or systems implemented in a vehicle. This HMI is intended to be displayed in areas of a touch screen of this vehicle. The areas are for example dedicated areas and one of them is a stackable area in which a set of N indicators (N is an integer value) is intended to be displayed.

[0046] The stackable area is sized so that not all N witnesses in the witness set can be displayed simultaneously.

[0047] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of the set of N indicators comprises the selection of a predetermined number N1 of indicators of said set of indicators, called first indicators. Each first indicator is intended to be displayed in the stackable area. If the number N1 of first indicators is greater than a maximum number Nmax of indicators that can be displayed simultaneously in the stackable area, control comprises the determination of a second area of ​​the touch screen in which an icon is intended to be displayed, said icon indicating that at least one first indicator will not be displayed in the stackable area.

[0048] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a human-machine interface to be displayed on a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 1 illustrates a particular example of a human-machine interface, called HMI 1 , displayed in areas of a touch screen arranged in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle. Of course, the vehicle is not limited to a motor vehicle but extends to any type of vehicle carrying one or more screens on which an HMI is displayed, for example a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle, that is to say a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type. The HMI 1 is used to display a set of information intended for the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle. This information may include information relating to the speed, the remaining energy level (for example the energy level in the batteries or the fuel level in the tank), the number of kilometers traveled, etc.

[0050] Among this information, the HMI includes a set of witnesses, at least one part of which corresponds to a set of at least one witness which may be so-called security or alert witnesses and so-called warning witnesses.

[0051] A witness corresponds to a graphic icon or a pictogram of a specific color. Each witness advantageously has a particular and specific shape or graphic representation, a particular and specific color.

[0052] Certain representations and colours associated with indicators, in particular safety or warning indicators, are for example defined in an international standard such as ECE R121.

[0053] The warning or safety warning lights each indicate an engine fault requiring immediate stopping or a danger to the vehicle's passengers, the display of such a warning light alerting the driver of the vehicle to the need to stop. A safety level corresponding to the so-called ASIL A level is advantageously associated with each safety or warning light, ensuring that such a warning light is displayed when the fault or breakdown is detected.

[0054] Each warning light belongs to a set of safety or warning lights including in particular: the battery charge warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates insufficient battery charge resulting for example from a fault in the alternator; the engine oil pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates insufficient pressure (below a determined threshold); the engine oil temperature warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates overheating of the engine oil (temperature above a determined threshold); the coolant temperature warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates any overheating of the engine (temperature above a determined threshold); the brake or braking system fault warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates for example a drop in pressure in the braking circuit and / or an insufficient level of brake fluid and / or the application of the parking brake;the tire pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates an excessive loss of pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires; and the seat belt not fastened warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates that the driver and / or a passenger has not fastened their seat belt.;

[0055] A warning light is an indicator that signals a fault in an on-board electronic system or the need to have a vehicle component serviced quickly, while still allowing the vehicle to continue to be used. The set of warning lights to be checked includes, for example, one or more of the following lights: engine oil level light, airbag light, ABS system light, electronic stability control system light, brake pad wear light, vehicle traction control system light, fuel level light, engine depollution light, power steering light, faulty bulb light.

[0056] An HMI such as 1'1 HM 1 corresponds for example to a stack of layers (from the English "layer"), each layer corresponding to the display of a set of determined graphic elements, the superposition of the layers making it possible to obtain the rendering of the HMI. The indicators to be displayed are advantageously included in a single layer, for example the upper layer of the stack. For example, the stack of layers comprises 5 layers numbered from 1 to 5, the layer comprising the indicators corresponding to the 5 ème layer, that is, the layer superimposed on top of the other layers.

[0057] This HMI1 is intended to be displayed in zones 10, 11, 12 and 13 of a touch screen of this vehicle. Zones 10, 11 and 12 are for example dedicated zones while zone 13 is a stackable zone in which a set of N indicators (N is an integer value) is intended to be displayed.

[0058] Area 13 of the touchscreen is sized so that not all N indicators in the indicator set can be displayed simultaneously.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to a number or to the shape of stackable touch screen areas. The device 23 selects a predetermined number N1 of indicators from said set of N indicators, called first indicators referenced 15, 16, 17 in FIG. 3. Each first indicator is intended to be displayed in the area 13 of the touch screen.

[0060] The selection can be made by a remote computing device (for example a diagnostic computer or a supervisory computer) which creates a control request for the set of N indicators of the HMI 1 which includes information describing the first N1 indicators to be displayed. The request is transmitted to the device 23 via a wired link connecting the remote computing device to the device 23.

[0061] For example, the remote device is the computer 22 which sends the request to the computer IVI20. The computer IVI20 then relays this request to the device 23 which receives it.

[0062] According to a particular implementation example, the request corresponds to a data frame comprising the following information: a frame header, for example coded on 4 bytes, comprising for example information such as the length of the frame, the type of the frame. According to an alternative embodiment, the header also comprises a set of information making it possible to search for and find the frame among a list of frames stored in memory of the remote computing device.This information includes, for example, a vehicle project identifier making it possible to identify the type, model or version of the vehicle; and one or more of the following information: information indicating whether the computer 21 is supervised or not by the IVI computer 20; and / or information relating to the type of handbrake; and / or the type of the vehicle steering system; and / or the characteristics of the display screen used to display the HMI 1, for example the definition of the screen; an identifier, for example coded on 1, 2, 3 or 4 bytes, of a table stored in a memory of the IVI computer 20 or associated with the IVI computer 20 and comprising information describing the first N1 indicators.

[0063] The remote computing device stores, for example, a specific set of requests, each request being identified by information, for example, included in the header.

[0064] If the predetermined number N1 of first indicators is greater than a maximum number Nmax of indicators that can be displayed simultaneously in the zone 13 (in this case equal to 3 in the examples of figures 3 and 4), in a second operation the device 23 determines a second zone 14 of the touch screen in which an icon 18 is intended to be displayed, said icon 18 indicating that at least one indicator (19, 20) of said set of N indicators will not be displayed in the first zone 13.

[0065] According to a variant, icon 18 displays the number of first witnesses which cannot be displayed, i.e. the number 2 according to the example.

[0066] Alternatively, icon 18 displays a symbol indicating that witnesses cannot be displayed such as a mathematical symbol “+”.

[0067] According to a variant, in a third operation, the device 23 detects a tactile action on the second zone 14 and, in a fourth operation, selects at least one indicator from the set of indicators, called the second indicator (19, 20), each second indicator being different from said at least one first selected indicator, each second indicator being intended to be displayed in the first zone 13 in replacement of a first selected indicator.

[0068] For example, the N witnesses of said set of witnesses are ordered in a list. The first N1 witnesses of the set are those which are displayed (first witnesses) and each second witness N1 +i of the set of witnesses replaces a first displayed witness i.

[0069] According to the example of Figure 4, the first witness 15 is replaced by the second witness 19 and the first witness 16 is replaced by the second witness 20.

[0070] According to a variant, said icon 18 indicates a value of a difference between the predetermined number N of witnesses of the set of witnesses and the number N1 of first witnesses.

[0071] Alternatively, the witnesses in the witness set are selected according to a degree of importance associated with the witnesses in the witness set.

[0072] For example, security and emergency indicators have higher levels than warning indicators.

[0073] Alternatively, the first and second zones are adjacent.

[0074] According to a variant, the icon intended to be displayed in the second zone 14 is different before (icon 18) and after (icon 21) the touch action on the second zone 14.

[0075] Alternatively, icon 21 displays a number of first witnesses that cannot be displayed.

[0076] Alternatively, icon 21 displays a symbol indicating that first witnesses cannot be displayed such as a mathematical symbol “-”.

[0077] Such a process has the advantage of being generic, that is to say that it applies identically to any display configuration, for example required by the query. In such a process, only the content of the query differs from one query to another, making it possible to use the method for any indicator display configuration and for any HMI version (which depends on the vehicle in particular). This makes it possible to manage the great diversity that exists in the configuration of HMIs and to meet the needs for displaying indicators during the maintenance phase specific to each type of vehicle, saving time and increasing the visibility of indicators during the maintenance phase of a vehicle.

[0078] The process is also advantageous because it is implemented by a device 23 which is dedicated to controlling a set of indicators of an HMI 1 to be displayed on at least one screen of a vehicle. This device 23 further comprises a low-cost dedicated microprocessor which allows a less expensive implementation of the process than that implemented by an on-board computer of the vehicle such as the IV computer 20.

[0079] [Fig. 5] illustrates a device 23 for controlling a set of indicators of the human-machine interface of FIG. 1 to be displayed in a stackable zone 13 of a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The device 23 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 4 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to figure 6. The elements of the device 23, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 23 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.According to various particular embodiments, the device 23 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems, for example the computers 20, 21 and / or 22 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.

[0081] The device 23 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 230 configured to execute instructions for carrying out part of the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 23. The processor 230 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 23 further comprises or is in association with at least one memory 231 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.

[0082] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 231.

[0083] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 23 comprises a block 232 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote computing device. The interface elements of the block 232 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: RF radio frequency interface, for example of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® type, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; USB interface (Universal Serial Bus); HDMI interface (High Definition Multimedia Interface); LIN interface (Local Interconnect Network).

[0084] According to another particular embodiment, the device 23 comprises a communication interface 233 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices, such as the on-board computers 20, 21 and / or 22 of the vehicle via a communication channel 234. The communication interface 233 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 234. The communication interface 233 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).

[0085] [Fig. 6] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a set of indicators of the human-machine interface of FIG. 1 to be displayed in a stackable area of ​​a touch screen of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] In a first step 41, the device 23 selects a predetermined number N1 of indicators from said set of N indicators, called first indicators. Each first indicator is intended to be displayed in the stackable area 13 of the touch screen.

[0087] If the predetermined number N1 of first indicators is greater than a maximum number Nmax of indicators that can be displayed simultaneously in the zone 13, in a second step 42, the device 23 determines a second zone 14 of the touch screen in which an icon 18 is intended to be displayed, said icon 18 indicating that at least one indicator of said set of indicators will not be displayed in the first zone 13.

[0088] According to a variant, in a third step 43, the device 23 detects a tactile action on the second zone 14 and, in a fourth step 44, the device 23 selects at least one indicator from the set of indicators, called the second indicator, each second indicator being different from said at least one first selected indicator, each second indicator being intended to be displayed in the first zone 13 in replacement of a first selected indicator.

[0089] According to an alternative embodiment, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to figures 1 to 4 apply to the steps of the method of figure 6.

[0090] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface for a vehicle, as well as to the device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0091] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 23 of FIG. 5.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface (1) for a vehicle, said set of indicators being intended to be displayed in a first zone (13) of a touch screen controlled by a device (23) of a vehicle, said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - selection (41) of a predetermined number, N1, of indicators of said set of indicators, called first indicators (15, 16, 17), each first indicator being intended to be displayed in the first zone of the touch screen; - if the predetermined number, N1, of first indicators is greater than a maximum number, Nmax, of indicators which can be displayed simultaneously in the first zone (13) of the touch screen, determination (42) of a second zone (14) of the touch screen in which an icon (18) is intended to be displayed, said icon (18) indicating that at least one indicator (19, 20) of said set of indicators will not be displayed in the first zone.

2. The method of claim 1, which further comprises the following steps: - detection (43) of a tactile action on the second zone (14) of the touch screen; - selection (44) of at least one indicator (19, 20) from the set of indicators, called second indicator, each second indicator (19, 20) being different from said at least one first indicator (15, 16, 17) selected, each second indicator (19, 20) being intended to be displayed in the first zone (13) of the screen in replacement of a first indicator (15, 16, 17) selected.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, for which said icon indicates a value of a difference between a predetermined number, N, of witnesses of the set of witnesses and the predetermined number of first witnesses, N1.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, for which the witnesses of the set of witnesses are selected according to a degree of importance associated with the witnesses of the set of witnesses.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, for which the first and second zones are adjacent.

6. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, for which the icon (18) intended to be displayed in the second zone (14) is different before and after the tactile action on the second zone (14).

7. Computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface displayed in an area of ​​a touch screen controlled by a device (23) of a vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6 when the computer program is executed by at least one processor (230).

8. 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 6.

9. Device (23) comprising a memory (231) and a processor (230) configured to implement the steps of the method for controlling a set of indicators of a human-machine interface displayed in an area of ​​a touch screen controlled by a device (23) of a vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle comprising a device (23) according to claim 9.

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