Method and device for supervising an active emergency braking system using a signalling lamp

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for supervising an active emergency braking system, referred to as AEB system, of a vehicle. To this end, a signalling lamp (211) representative of the AEB system is displayed in a given content of a human-machine interface, displayed in a first area (21) of a touch screen (13). Data representative of a touch press (311) on the displayed signalling lamp (211) are received. Graphic content representative of a set of information (31, 32) relating to a determined state of the AEB system is displayed in a second area (22) of the touch screen different from the first area (21) following the receipt of the first data.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Method and device for controlling an active emergency braking system using a warning light

[0003] The present invention claims priority from French application 2302279 filed on 03 / 13 / 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 an active emergency braking system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of additional information for the active emergency braking system of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting the driving of a vehicle.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] Some contemporary vehicles have several screens to display information useful to the driver for driving the vehicle as well as comfort information, such as information for interacting with the vehicle's infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system.

[0008] Among these screens, it is known to embed one or more LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type screens, for example TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) type, or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type. The integration of such screens makes it possible, for example, to control, via a graphical Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on such screens, the operating status of the systems embedded in the vehicle, for example ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System) systems.

[0009] Document EP 3 736 161 A1 discloses a vehicle control apparatus and display control method.

[0010] The multiplication of systems embedded in the vehicle and the multiplication of means of command or control of these systems lead to an increase in complexity of the HMI by which a user interacts with the embedded systems to control them, with in particular an increase in icons, displayed messages or command shortcuts, the control and management of which are consequently complicated for a user. The user experience is degraded and the attention of the vehicle driver may be reduced when different messages are displayed on the on-board screen(s).

[0011] For example, for vehicles equipped with an active emergency braking system, known as an AEB system (from the English "Advanced Emergency Braking system" or in French "système supérieur de frein d'urgence"), several messages are displayed depending on the situations encountered by the AEB system, for example when the AEB system encounters a problem, to alert the driver. The multiplication of messages displayed combined with the display of warning lights or icons unknown to the majority of drivers degrades the user experience and can disrupt the driver's attention, which can be dangerous for the vehicle and its passengers.

[0012] Summary of the present invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above. Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of an active emergency braking system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the control of this active emergency braking system.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve safety in a vehicle.

[0016] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an active emergency braking system, called AEB system, of a vehicle, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps:

[0017] - display control of a signaling indicator representative of the AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed in a first zone of the touch screen;

[0018] - reception of first data representative of a first tactile press on the indicator light;

[0019] - control of display of graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system following reception of the first data, the graphic content being displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone.

[0020] The direct use of the AEB system indicator light to request the display of additional content relating to the AEB system, for example the current status of the AEB system, allows the driver to obtain additional information on demand, by touching the light. This reduces the inadvertent display of unwanted content by the driver who controls the display of this content on demand. All content is also displayed on a single screen, which facilitates access to information and minimizes the time spent searching for information. This improves driver vigilance, as well as the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0021] According to a variant, the determined state corresponding to an out-of-service state of the AEB system, the graphic content corresponds to a first graphic content comprising:

[0022] - a text message representing at least one cause of the AEB system being out of service; and / or

[0023] - a text message representing an action to be performed to restore the AEB system to service; and / or

[0024] - a graphic illustration representative of the action.

[0025] According to another variant, the display control of the first graphic content is triggered when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold.

[0026] According to a further variant, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0027] - reception of second data representative of a second tactile press on the indicator light, the second tactile press being subsequent to the first tactile press;

[0028] - control of the end of display of the graphic content in the second zone following the reception of the second data.

[0029] According to a further variant, when the graphic content corresponds to the first graphic content, the end of display control of the first graphic content is triggered when the second touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than the threshold.

[0030] According to an additional variant, the determined state corresponding to the out-of-service state or to an in-service state of the AEB system, the graphic content corresponds to a second graphic content comprising:

[0031] - information representative of the determined state; and / or

[0032] - a set of first graphic objects representative of a set of parameters of the AEB system; and / or

[0033] - a set of second graphic objects configured to adjust at least part of the parameters of the set of parameters by touching at least one second graphic object of the set of second graphic objects. According to another variant, the display control of the second graphic content is triggered when the first touch corresponds to a touch of a duration greater than the threshold and the end of display control of the second graphic content is triggered when the second touch corresponds to a touch of a duration greater than the threshold.

[0034] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling an active emergency braking system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0035] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0036] 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, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Brief description of the figures

[0043] 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 6, in which:

[0044] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a first particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a second particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a third particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 5] illustrates a device configured to control an active emergency braking system of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [Fig. 6] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling an active emergency braking system of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Description of examples of implementation

[0050] A method and a device for controlling an active emergency braking system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 6. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0051] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of an active emergency braking system, called AEB system, of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle. For this purpose, the method comprises the control of the display of a signaling indicator representative of the AEB system. The signaling indicator corresponds for example to a symbol or a pictogram representing the AEB system, or a current state of the AEB system, and is displayed in a first zone or part of a touch screen of the vehicle in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, for example in a determined page of the HMI corresponding for example to the home screen or the default screen of the HMI.First data representative of a touch press on the displayed indicator light are received from the touch interface, for example when a user makes a touch press on the touch screen at the display location of the indicator light. Following the reception of the first data, the computer controls the display of a graphic content comprising a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone. Such a method makes it possible to control, via a voluntary action, the display of information relating to a current state of the AEB system.

[0052] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle.

[0054] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a screen 13 with a touch interface and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical HMI on the touch screen 13. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) computer of the vehicle 10. The connection between the computer and the head-up display device corresponds for example to a connection of the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) type.

[0055] According to a particular embodiment, the display system further comprises a display screen 12 corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade 12, for example arranged on top of the dashboard 11 in front of the windshield of the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 is for example arranged behind the steering wheel 14, according to the point of view of a driver installed in the driver's seat 15, in such a way that the driver sees the content displayed or projected on the transparent blade 12 when the driver is driving the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 thus corresponds to an element of a device or system called a head-up display. Such a display system comprises for example one or more projectors integrated for example in the dashboard 11.Such a system for projecting images or graphic content corresponds, for example, to a so-called augmented reality system, called AR (from the English "Augmented Reality"), for example a Head-Up Display system, called VTH or HUD (from the English "Head Up Display" or in French "Display Head High"), which allows the incrustation of virtual objects in the driver's field of vision by projecting the images onto the blade 12, so as to superimpose the virtual objects of the projected images on the real road scene. The projection of the images of the graphic object is for example controlled by one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

[0056] Such a display system comprising the touch screen 13 and the head-up display device 12 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, making it possible for example to eliminate the display screen(s) called the instrument panel or dashboard and generally arranged in an area 141 behind the steering wheel in the dashboard 11.

[0057] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) on board the vehicle 10.ECUs communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0058] The system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10 correspond, for example, to an active emergency braking system, known as the AEB system. Such a system is also known as an automatic emergency braking system, autonomous emergency braking system or automatic emergency braking system.

[0059] Such a system is configured to automatically trigger the braking system of the vehicle 10 when a risk of imminent collision is detected by the vehicle, for example with a vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 10, with a pedestrian or any other obstacle detected in front of the vehicle 10.

[0060] The AEB system relies for example on data received from one or more sensors of the vehicle 10 configured for object detection, such as for example:

[0061] - one or more millimeter wave radars arranged on the vehicle 10, for example at the front of the vehicle 10; each radar is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive the echoes of these waves returned by one or more objects, for the purpose of detecting obstacles and their distances from the vehicle 10; and / or

[0062] - one or more LIDAR(s) (from the English “Light Detection And Ranging”, or

[0063] “Light Detection and Distance Estimation” in French), a LIDAR sensor corresponding to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser emitting device, a receiving device comprising a light collector (to collect the part of the light radiation emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located in the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector which transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each detected object; and / or

[0064] - one or more cameras (associated or not with a depth sensor) for the acquisition of one or more images of the environment around the vehicle 10 located in the field of vision of the camera(s).

[0065] A process for controlling the AEB system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

[0066] In a first operation, the display of a signaling indicator representative of the AEB system of the vehicle 10 is controlled in such a way that the signaling indicator is displayed on the touch screen 13 in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen 13.

[0067] The displayed content includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10.

[0068] The set of information includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a rolling or traffic phase, i.e. in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10.

[0069] The set of information includes, for example, other additional information such as, for example, the remaining autonomy (expressed, for example, in km), the distance traveled, a level of energy remaining in the tank (for example, the quantity of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery when the vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle or the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank when the vehicle 10 is a vehicle with a thermal engine), etc.

[0070] The displayed indicator light, for example, represents a specific state of the AEB system. The graphic representation of the displayed indicator light depends, for example, on the current state of the AEB system.

[0071] For example, the indicator lamp is displayed in a first graphic representation determined when the AEB system is out of operation, i.e. the emergency braking function in the event of detection of an imminent risk of collision is not in operation and is not ensured. The indicator lamp is displayed, for example, in a second graphic representation when the AEB system is in operation or in an operational state, i.e. the emergency braking function in the event of detection of an imminent risk of collision is active and in operation, i.e. this function is ensured. According to another example, the indicator lamp is only displayed when the state of the AEB system corresponds to an out of operation or non-functional state.

[0072] In another example, the indicator light is displayed in several different graphical representations when the state of the AEB system corresponds to an out-of-service or non-functional state, the graphical representation varying according to the cause of the out-of-service state. By way of non-limiting examples, the indicator light is displayed according to:

[0073] - a first graphic representation, for example with a determined color (for example orange or red) with a fixed display when the current state of the AEB system corresponds to a deactivated state, for example following voluntary deactivation by a passenger, for example via a control member or via the graphic interface displayed on the screen 13, or following;

[0074] - a second graphic representation, for example with a specific color (for example orange or red) identical to that of the first graphic representation but with a flashing display when the AEB system is being activated (non-activated state and being activated);

[0075] - a third graphic representation, for example identical to the first graphic representation, but accompanied by an audible signal and / or an additional indicator light when the system is in a deactivated state, for example following automatic deactivation by the AEB system itself:

[0076] • when one or more conditions necessary for activation are not met: for example following the detection of a detached state of a seat belt, detection of a faulty brake light, detection of a fault in the brake pedal, detection of the presence of a trailer (connected or electrically connected to the vehicle 10), detection of a fault in the ESP system, etc.); and / or

[0077] • due to an event external to the vehicle 10 such as detection of heavy rain, detection of fog, detection of low sun; and / or

[0078] • due to an event external to the vehicle 10 with possible corrective action by a user / passenger, such as detection of a dirty or obstructed sensor (radar, lidar or camera); and / or

[0079] • due to a fault in the AEB system. The indicator light 211 is for example illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates an example of display of the first indicator light 211 in a first determined part or zone 21 of the touch screen 13. The first determined zone 21 is for example assigned or dedicated for the display of contents of the HMI controlled by the IVI computer to provide or display to the driver the information necessary for controlling the vehicle 10, for example the instantaneous speed.

[0080] The 211 indicator light representing the AEB system corresponds, for example, to a symbol defined in a standard, for example an ISO standard.

[0081] The indicator light 211 illustrated in FIG. 2 is for example displayed according to a determined graphic representation representative of an out-of-service or non-functional state of the AEB system (the emergency braking function normally provided by the AEB system when the AEB system is in service and activated also being out-of-service, deactivated or non-functional).

[0082] One or more other determined zones 22, 23 are for example assigned to other contents of the HMI, for example an area for displaying information associated with the multimedia system of the vehicle 10 and / or an area for displaying information associated with the navigation system of the vehicle 10.

[0083] In a second operation, first data representative of a first tactile press 212 on the indicator light 211 are received, following a tactile press 212 of a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the indicator light 211.

[0084] A tactile press 212 on the indicator 211 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the tactile press.

[0085] The first data representative of the touch press are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer. The first data are for example representative of a so-called brief touch press, that is to say the duration of the press on the first indicator 211 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0086] In a third operation, the IVI computer controls the display of a graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system, the graphic content being displayed in a second zone 22 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone in which the indicator 211 is displayed, such a display control being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0087] According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the graphic content displayed on the second zone of the screen 22 (corresponding for example to a zone adjacent to the first zone 21) corresponds to a first graphic content displayed when the current state of the AEB system corresponds to an out-of-service (or non-functional) state and when the first data are representative of a so-called short or brief tactile press.

[0088] The first graphic content includes for example:

[0089] - a first text message representative of the cause(s) which caused the AEB system to switch to the out-of-service state, such a first message being for example displayed in a first part 31 of the second zone 22 provided for such a message; and / or

[0090] - a second text message representing an action to be performed to put the AEB system back into service, for example displayed in a second part 32 of the second zone 22 provided for such a second message or displayed in the first part 31 in addition to the first text message; and / or

[0091] - a graphic illustration representative of the action to be carried out, which graphic illustration is for example displayed in place of the second message in the second part 32 or in addition to the second text message.

[0092] For example, when the cause of the AEB system malfunction is an obstructed sensor, the first text message / second text message is of the type “Automatic emergency braking function not available: driving sensors obstructed, please clean them” and an animation (e.g. a computer-generated image or a video) illustrating a person cleaning the sensors is displayed in the second part 32.

[0093] In another example, when the cause of the AEB system malfunction is a system fault, the first text message / second text message is of the type “Automatic emergency braking function deactivated (or faulty): please go to an authorized repairer” and an animation illustrating a person repairing the vehicle 10.

[0094] According to another example, when the cause of the AEB system malfunction is an activation condition not met, the first text message / second text message is of the type "Automatic emergency braking function deactivated: please fasten your seat belt" and an animation illustrating a person fastening their seat belt.

[0095] According to an alternative embodiment, the process further comprises a fourth operation during which second data representative of a second tactile press 311 on the indicator light 211 are received, following a tactile press 311 of a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the indicator light 211.

[0096] This second touch 311 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to this touch 311.

[0097] The second data are for example representative of a so-called brief tactile press, that is to say the duration of the press on the first indicator 211 is less than the threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms) defined previously.

[0098] When this second touch press 311 is made while the first graphic content is displayed in the second zone 22 of the screen (and the second touch press 311 corresponds to a brief press), then the process continues with a fifth operation. When this second touch press 311 is made while no graphic content relating to the AEB system is displayed in the second zone 22 of the screen 13 (and the second touch press 311 corresponds to a brief press), then the second touch press 311 is interpreted by the computer as the first touch press 212 and the display of the first graphic content is triggered, as described in the third operation.

[0099] In a fifth operation, the end of the display of the first graphic content is controlled so that the first graphic content is no longer displayed in the second zone 22 of the screen 13.

[0100] The graphic content displayed before the first touch press 212, i.e. before the display of the first graphic content, is then, for example, displayed again in the second zone 22.

[0101] According to an alternative embodiment, the end of the display is automatically controlled by the computer at the end of a determined duration starting from the display of the first graphic content. For example, this determined duration is provided so that the first graphic content remains displayed for, for example, 5, 10 or 15 seconds and then disappears automatically even without the user making the second touch press 311.

[0102] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the display of a second graphic content is controlled by the computer when the first data representative of the tactile pressure on the indicator light 211 displayed in the first zone 21 of the screen 13 are representative of a so-called long tactile pressure (i.e. of duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms)).

[0103] Such a particular embodiment is illustrated in Figure 4.

[0104] A long touch press 411 on the indicator 211 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a determined function associated with the command corresponding to this long touch press 411. During a long touch press 411, the display of the second graphic content is triggered instead of the display of the first graphic content, in the same second zone 22 of the screen 13.

[0105] The witness 211 according to this particular embodiment is for example representative of a current state of the AEB system corresponding for example to:

[0106] - an out-of-service, disabled or non-functional state; or

[0107] - an in-service, activated or functional state.

[0108] The second graphic content includes, for example, one or more of the following elements:

[0109] - information representing the current state of the AEB system (for example out of service or in service), such information being for example represented via a particular graphic object (for example the acronym AEB 40 with a color depending on the current state, for example green for the in service state and red (or orange) for the out of service state) or via a background color of the graphic content depending on the current state or via a color of the outline of the second graphic content displayed; and / or

[0110] - a set of first graphic objects 41, 42, 43 representative of a set of parameters of the AEB system; the graphic objects are for example representative of different sensitivity levels for triggering automatic braking, for example a first trigger level for the object 41, a second trigger level for the object 42 and a third trigger level for the object 43, the current active level being for example highlighted via a particular color or shape compared to the other levels; according to another example, the first graphic objects are each representative of a distance between the vehicle 10 and the object detected in front (or of a time before collision, called TTC (from the English “Time-To-Collision”) triggering the automatic emergency braking); and / or

[0111] - a set of second graphic objects configured to adjust at least part of the parameters of the set of parameters by touching at least one second graphic object of the set of second graphic objects; the second graphic objects correspond for example to the first graphic objects themselves or to graphic objects different from the first graphic objects.

[0112] For example, the sensitivity level of the AEB system for triggering automatic emergency braking is chosen or adjusted by a user via a touch on the graphic object 41, 42 or 43 corresponding to the desired level.

[0113] According to another example, the sensitivity level is adjusted or set by choosing a distance from a list of determined distances (via the touch interface of the screen 13) or by pressing icons (for example “+” or “-”, or via icons representing up and down arrows) making it possible to increase / reduce the sensitivity level or the distance.

[0114] The display of such second graphic content makes it possible, for example, to set or adjust a set of adjustable parameters of the AEB system and / or to obtain information on the current state of the AEB system.

[0115] The end of the display of the second graphic content is for example controlled and triggered by a long touch press on the indicator light 211.

[0116] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a device 5 configured for controlling an AEB system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 5 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0117] The device 5 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. Examples of such a device 5 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 5, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 5 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0118] The device 5 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 50 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 5. The processor 50 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 5 further comprises at least one memory 51 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.

[0119] 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 51.

[0120] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 5 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.

[0121] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 comprises a block 52 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 52 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:

[0122] - 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 (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced;

[0123] - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);

[0124] - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French);

[0125] - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0126] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 comprises a communication interface 53 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 530. The communication interface 53 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 530. The communication interface 53 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).

[0127] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 540, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 550 and / or other peripherals 560 (projection system) via output interfaces 54, 55 and 56 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 5.

[0128] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling an active emergency braking system, called AEB system, of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 5 of Figure 5. In a first step 61, the display of a signaling indicator representative of the AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, is controlled so that the signaling indicator is displayed in a first zone of a touch screen on board the vehicle.

[0129] In a second step 62, first data representative of a tactile press on the signaling indicator are received.

[0130] In a third step 63, the display of a graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system is controlled so that the graphic content is displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, following the reception of the first data.

[0131] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 4 apply to the steps of the method of figure 6.

[0132] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying indicator lights and graphic contents representative of an AEB system 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.

[0133] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 5 of FIG. 5 or a display system comprising the device 5 of FIG. 5 connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling an active emergency braking system, called AEB system, of a vehicle, said vehicle (10) having a display system comprising a touch screen (13), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - control (61) of display of a signaling indicator (211) representative of said AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed in a first zone (21) of said touch screen (13); - reception (62) of first data representative of a first tactile press (212, 411) on said signaling indicator (211); - control (63) of display of a graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of said AEB system following the reception (62) of said first data, said graphic content being displayed in a second zone (22) of said touch screen (13) different from said first zone (21).

2. Method according to claim 1, for which said determined state corresponding to an out-of-service state of said AEB system, said graphic content corresponds to a first graphic content comprising: - a text message (31) representative of at least one cause of the out-of-service state of the AEB system; and / or - a text message representing an action to be performed to restore said AEB system to service; and / or - a graphic illustration (32) representative of said action.

3. Method according to claim 2, for which the display control of said first graphic content is triggered when said first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the following steps: - reception of second data representative of a second tactile press (311) on said signaling indicator (211), said second tactile press (311) being subsequent to said first tactile press (211); - control of the end of display of said graphic content in said second zone (22) following the reception of said second data.

5. Method according to claims 3 and 4, for which, when said graphic content corresponds to said first graphic content, the end of display control of the first graphic content is triggered when said second touch press (311) corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than said threshold.

6. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5 as a dependency of claim 2, for which said determined state corresponding to the out-of-service state or to an in-service state of said AEB system, said graphic content corresponds to a second graphic content comprising: - information representative of the determined state; and / or - a set of first graphic objects representative of a set of parameters of said AEB system; and / or - a set of second graphic objects configured to adjust at least part of the parameters of said set of parameters by touching at least one second graphic object of said set of second graphic objects.

7. Method according to claims 3, 4 and 6, for which the display control of said second graphic content is triggered when said first touch press (411) corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than said threshold and the end of display control of said second graphic content is triggered when said second touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than said threshold.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (5) for controlling an active emergency braking system of a vehicle (10), said device (5) comprising an on-board display system comprising a touch screen (13), a memory (51) associated with at least one processor (50) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (5) according to claim 9.

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