Method and device for controlling a display device of a vehicle via a low-voltage differential transmission network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and to a control device (10) for controlling a display device (8) via a low-voltage differential transmission network (NT2), referred to as LVDS, in a vehicle (2), said control device (10) being connected to a serial system network (NT1), referred to as CAN network, of the vehicle (2). The method comprises, in response to a first activation command received from the CAN network (NT1), triggering an initialization phase comprising: a1) initializing the control device (10); a2) initializing the display device (8); and a3) deactivating the LVDS network (NT2). Upon detection that steps a1), a2) and a3) are complete, the LVDS network (NT2) is activated, causing the control device (10) and the display device (8) to operate in what is referred to as a normal mode. The display device (8) may then be controlled through the exchange of functional messages (MSG2) in the normal mode.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Method and device for controlling a vehicle display device via a low-voltage differential transmission type network

[0003] The present invention claims priority from French application 2304407 filed on 03.05.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a display device of a vehicle, and in particular but not exclusively of a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to the control of a display device on board a vehicle via a low-voltage differential transmission (LVDS) type network, also referred to as "SerDes" (for "Serializer / Deserializer"), commonly used for high-speed communication.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] Contemporary vehicles have a number of peripherals incorporating computers, each of which performs one or more functions, such as managing driving assistance, traction control, electronic brake distribution, controlling actuators to ensure optimal operation of a combustion engine, or managing a human-machine interface (HMI).

[0008] These computers are connected to each other via a multiplexed serial data bus of the CAN type (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Network of controllers"). The data bus and computers together form the vehicle's on-board system. These computers are also called ECU ("Electronic Control Unit" or in English ECU "Electronic Control Unit"). These computers embed software that is executed to perform the functions for which they are responsible. A computer, more generally called a control unit, is generally configured to control one or more display devices embedded in the vehicle, such as a screen on the dashboard or the vehicle's center console. This control unit can in particular manage the execution of infotainment functions at the level of the display devices.To do this, the control unit can be connected to the display devices via a low-voltage differential transmission type network, known as an LVDS network (for “Low Voltage Differential Signaling”).

[0009] Proper management of the CAN network and the LVDS network is necessary to enable efficient operation of the display device(s) on board a vehicle. Control difficulties may arise, in particular, during startup and standby of the vehicle's display control unit. Modernization of the CAN network in some vehicles, particularly of the communication protocols, requires in particular better control of the display devices.

[0010] Summary of the present invention

[0011] One of the objects of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems or deficiencies of the technological background described above.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to improve the control of one or more display devices on board a vehicle, in particular to allow efficient control by a control unit through an LVDS network.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to better control the operating state in which at least one display device is located on board a vehicle.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a control method, implemented by a control unit, for controlling at least one display device through a low-voltage differential transmission type network, called LVDS, in a vehicle, said control unit being connected to a serial system network, called CAN network, of the vehicle, said method comprising: a) in response to a first activation command received from the CAN network, triggering an initialization phase comprising: a1) initialization of the control unit; a2) initialization of said at least one display device; and a3) deactivation of the LVDS network; b) upon detection that steps a1), a2) and a3) are completed, activation of the LVDS network causing the operation of the control unit and said at least one display device in a so-called normal mode;and c) controlling said at least one display device by exchanging functional messages according to the normal mode.;

[0015] The present invention advantageously makes it possible to improve the control of at least one display device by a control unit through an LVDS network in a vehicle. In other words, this allows better control of the LVDS network by the control unit on board the vehicle. In particular, the operating modes in which the control unit and the display device operate can advantageously be synchronized or coordinated efficiently. Adequate coordination can in particular be ensured when the control unit switches from one operating mode to another. This coordination thus makes it possible to ensure efficient cooperation of the control unit and the display device while limiting the energy consumption required in the system.

[0016] The control method according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, in particular among the following embodiments.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, during control c), the control unit cooperates with said at least one display device to execute an infotainment function on board the vehicle.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises: d) if no network management message is received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network for a period of time while the control unit is operating in normal mode, deactivating the LVDS network causing the configuration of the control unit and said at least one display device in a so-called standby preparation mode.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises: e) if at least one network management message is received from the CAN network during the time period while the control unit is configured in standby preparation mode, reactivating the LVDS network causing the control unit and said at least one display device to switch back to normal mode.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises: f) in response to a deactivation command received from the CAN network, deactivating said at least one display device; g) followed by a waiting time elapsed since the deactivation f) while the control unit is in standby preparation mode; and h) if the waiting time reaches a time limit without any network management message being received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network, configuring the control unit according to a standby mode causing the deactivation of an LVDS management module, within the control unit, in charge of managing the LVDS network.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises: i) in response to a second activation command received from the CAN network while the control unit is configured in standby mode, repeating steps a), b) and c).

[0022] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device (or control unit) of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the control method according to the first aspect of the present invention. The device is in particular configured to control at least one display device of the vehicle through a low-voltage differential transmission type network, called LVDS.

[0023] It should be noted that the various embodiments mentioned above in relation to the control method according to the first aspect of the invention as well as the associated advantages apply in a similar manner to the control device according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type or of the land motor vehicle type, comprising a control device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the control method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor. In other words, the different steps of the control method are determined by computer program instructions. This computer program is configured to be implemented in a control device of the second aspect of the invention, or more generally in a computer.

[0026] 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.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a recording medium (or information medium), readable by the control device according to the second aspect or more generally by a computer (or a processor), on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the control method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0028] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a ROM memory of the microelectronic circuit type, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk. On the other hand, 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 of the Internet type.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Brief description of the figures

[0031] 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 5, in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates an environment comprising a vehicle carrying a control unit, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 1, comprising a control unit and at least one display device, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the control of at least one display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig. 4] illustrates the control unit of Figure 1, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] [Fig. 5] illustrates a diagram of different steps of a method for controlling at least one display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of the exemplary embodiments

[0037] A method and device for controlling a vehicle will now be described in the following with reference to Figures 1-5. Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of simplicity.

[0038] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)", etc.) are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below.

[0039] As previously indicated, the invention relates in particular to a method for controlling at least one display device of a vehicle, such as a vehicle of the automobile or other type, or more generally a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type. This control method is implemented by a control unit (or control device) controlling the display device(s) via an LVDS type network. This control unit is further connected to a CAN type serial system network (or controller network) embedded in the vehicle. As described below, the control unit is in particular configured to control the operating state in which the display device(s) is / are at a given time.

[0040] It has been found that it is necessary to synchronize the operating state of the control unit with that of the vehicle's display device(s), particularly when the control unit is activated or deactivated (put on standby). This synchronization of operating states requires adequate control of the control unit through the LVDS network. The communication protocol used in the vehicle's CAN network can in particular have an impact on the way in which control of the control unit is ensured. A change in the communication protocol can indeed cause difficulties at the LVDS network level, particularly at the stage of starting and / or putting a display device on standby. In the case where a user starts (or activates), or turns off, the vehicle, efficient and synchronized control of the display devices with the control unit is necessary.

[0041] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, this control method comprises: a) in response to a first activation command received from the CAN network, triggering an initialization phase comprising: a1) initialization of the control unit; a2) initialization of said at least one display device; and a3) deactivation of the LVDS network; b) upon detection that steps a1), a2) and a3) are accomplished, activation of the LVDS network causing the operation of the control unit and of said at least one display device in a so-called normal mode; and c) control of said at least one display device by exchanging functional messages according to the normal mode.

[0042] The invention makes it possible in particular to efficiently manage the control of at least one display device on board the vehicle when the on-board CAN network implements an AUTOSAR (for “AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture”) type communication protocol, other protocol examples being possible, however.

[0043] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the drawings mentioned above.

[0044] Note that the term LVDS should be understood in this document in a broad sense to cover all networks using a serializer / deserializer, also known as "SerDes". A serializer / deserializer (SerDes) is a pair of functional blocks commonly used in high-speed communications to compensate for limited input / output. These blocks convert data between serial data and parallel interfaces in each direction. The term "SerDes" refers generically to interfaces used in various technologies and applications. The primary use of an LVDS system, or SerDes, is to provide data transmission over a single line or differential pair to minimize the number of I / O pins and interconnects.

[0045] These LVDS or SerDes lines make it possible to interconnect the control unit of the invention with at least one display device on board the vehicle.

[0046] It should be noted that a display device within the meaning of the invention may be any device capable of displaying (or visually rendering) any data or graphic elements, for example for the driver of the vehicle or any other possible occupant. Such a display device may thus comprise one or more display screens and / or rely on other display technologies, such as for example a holographic display device or by projection of light onto a transparent support (a device of the “head-up display” type for example).

[0047] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 2 comprising a control unit (or control device) 10, a CAN network denoted NT1, an LVDS network denoted NT2 and at least one display device 8, according to at least one particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The control unit and the display devices 8 together form a system denoted SY1.

[0048] Figure 2 represents the passenger compartment of the vehicle 2 comprising such display devices 8, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0049] The type and characteristics of the vehicle 2 may be adapted as appropriate. The vehicle 2 is, for example, a car or equivalent. Alternatively, these vehicles may be a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, or more generally a motorized land vehicle.

[0050] More specifically, the control unit 10 is configured to control at least one display device 8 through the LVDS network NT2. To do this, the network NT2 comprises a plurality of LVDS transmission lines denoted L1, these lines connecting the control unit 10 to each display device 8. It is assumed hereinafter by way of example that the control unit 10 here takes the form of one or more computers embedded in the vehicle 2. This control unit 10 may correspond to all or part of a computer.

[0051] It is subsequently assumed for purely illustrative purposes that the vehicle 2 carries 3 display devices 8, denoted respectively 8a, 8b and 8c, which are controlled by the control unit 10 via respective lines L1 of the LVDS network NT2. The control unit 10 and the display devices 8 can thus exchange messages (or data, or commands) MSG2 via the network NT2. These MSG2 messages thus take the form of electrical signals transmitted according to the differential signaling as previously indicated.

[0052] The number and nature of the display devices 8 may vary depending on the case. The display devices 8 may comprise a screen on the dashboard of the vehicle 2, any screen present in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 2, or a holographic or “head-up display” type display device.

[0053] Each display device 8 may be configured to perform at least one function, for example an infotainment function (or information-entertainment), under the control of the control unit 10. It is assumed by way of example that the screen 8a performs an infotainment function F1 under the control of the control unit 10. Such a function aims for example to present or render multimedia content to a user for information and / or entertainment purposes. The content thus rendered by the display device 8a may include for example a radio broadcast, television content, social media content, etc.

[0054] The control unit 10 is further connected to at least one other on-board device of the vehicle 2 via the CAN network NT1. The CAN network NT1 comprises a multiplexed serial data bus. For example, the control unit 10 is connected to one or more on-board computers of the vehicle 2 via the CAN network NT1. The computers other than the control unit 10 are represented by the vehicle domain 6 (FIG. 1). For example, the vehicle domain 6 may comprise one or more computers configured to execute functions such as: driving assistance management function, anti-skid function, electronic brake distribution function, actuator control management function to ensure optimal operation of a combustion engine or even a function for managing a human-machine interface (HMI).

[0055] Each on-board computer of the vehicle 2 connected to the CAN network NT1, including the control unit 10, can communicate with the other computer(s) of the CAN network NT1 by means of network management messages, denoted MSG1, according to an appropriate communication protocol. The control unit 10 can thus receive MSG1 messages from the network NT1 and react accordingly or even transmit to the network NT1 an MSG1 message during its operation. The CAN network NT1 thus allows the computers and other devices of the vehicle 2 to interact together in accordance with the communication protocol (for example of the “AUTOSAR” type).

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the CAN network NT1 and the control unit 10 operate according to (or constitute) respectively finite state machines denoted SM1 and SM2. Thus, the control unit 10 is at each instant in an operating state (or mode) which depends in particular on its environment and its configuration, this operating state being one of predefined states denoted ST1, ST2 and ST3 as described below (Figure 3).

[0057] Similarly, the display devices 8 operate according to (or constitute) a finite state machine denoted SM3. Thus, each display device 8 is at each instant in an operating state (or mode) which depends in particular on its environment and its configuration, this operating state being one of the predefined states denoted ST1, ST2 and ST3 as described below (figure 3).

[0058] The control unit 10 is in particular configured to check whether predefined conditions are met and to adapt the operating state of the display devices 8 accordingly, via MSG2 messages exchanged through the LVDS network NT2. The control unit 10 constitutes a “master” device within the vehicle 2 and the display devices 8 constitute “slave” devices, insofar as it is the control unit 10 which imposes the operating state (or mode) in which the display devices 8 are located.

[0059] As illustrated in Figure 1 according to a particular example, the control unit 4 may comprise at least one processor 12 and a non-volatile memory (not shown). The control unit 10 (also called “device”) is configured to implement a control process (or method) as described below. For this purpose, the control unit 10 may comprise a computer program PG1 stored in the non-volatile memory (Flash or ROM type memory for example), this computer program PG1 comprising instructions for implementing the control method (or process) as described below. The processor 12 is thus configured to execute in particular the instructions defined by the computer program PG1.

[0060] As indicated above, the control unit 10 is configured to implement a control process. This process is now described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 according to particular embodiments. It is subsequently assumed that the control unit 10 controls the display device 8a according to the control process of the invention. It should be noted, however, that this control process can be executed in a similar manner to control at least one other display device 8, such as the devices 8b and / or 8c.

[0061] We consider an initial stage where the control unit 10 is configured in an operating state ST1 corresponding to a sleep state (or mode) (or off, or deactivated, also called “Bus Sleep Modet” in English). At this stage, the vehicle 2 is for example in the sleep state.

[0062] In a first operation (figure 3), the control unit 10 receives a first activation command CMD1 from the CAN network NT1 in the form of a message MSG1. Such an activation command is for example received when the vehicle 2 is powered up, for example upon receipt of a power-up command issued by a control device (for example a remote control from a user). This activation command CMD1 comes for example from a computer in the vehicle domain 6, for example a computer responsible for powering up the vehicle 2.

[0063] In response to this first CMD1 activation command received from the CAN network NT1, the control unit 10 triggers an initialization phase comprising 3 operations, namely:

[0064] - an initialization of the control unit 10 (operation OP1a);

[0065] - an initialization of the display device 8a (operation OP1 b); and

[0066] - deactivation of the NT2 LVDS network (operation OP1 c).

[0067] The above-mentioned initializations OP1a and OP1b are configured to trigger the startup (or power-up) of the control unit 10 and the display device 8a, respectively. The configuration and sequence of these initializations can be adapted as appropriate.

[0068] In particular, the control unit 10 can activate an LVDS management module (not shown) implemented by the control unit 10, this module being in charge of (or configured to) manage the LVDS network NT2. The control unit 10 can for example send an activation command in the form of an MSG2 message via the LVDS network NT2 to trigger the initialization OP1 b of the display device 8a.

[0069] The above-mentioned deactivation OP1c ensures that the LVDS network is inactive at this stage of the control process, i.e. while the control unit 10 and the display device 8a are being initialized, so as to avoid disturbances in the NT2 network and thus facilitate initializations. If the LVDS network NT2 is already in the deactivated state ST1 when the first activation command CMD1 is received, the control unit 10 keeps the NT2 network in the deactivated state ST1. If, on the other hand, the NT2 network was in the activated state, the control unit 10 triggers the deactivation of the NT2 network to switch to the deactivated state ST1.

[0070] In a second operation denoted OP2a (figure 3), the control unit 10 checks whether the operations OP1a and OP1b (and possibly also OP1c) have been completed. In other words, the control unit 10 checks whether conditions CD1a, CD1b and CD1c are collectively satisfied, these conditions requiring that the operations OP1a, OP1b and OP1c respectively be successfully completed.

[0071] Upon detection that steps OP1 a and OP1 b, and possibly OP1 c, are completed (status “OK”, FIG. 3), the control unit 10 proceeds (operation OP2a) to activate the LVDS network NT2, this activation causing the operation (or configuration) of the control unit 10 and the display device 8a in an operating mode, called “normal” mode (or functional mode). In other words, the control unit 10 switches itself, as well as the display device 8a, from the standby mode (or standby state) ST1 into the normal mode (or functional mode) ST2. To do this, the control unit 10 can send in particular a switching command to the display device 8a in the form of a message MSG2 via the LVDS network NT2.

[0072] The normal mode ST2 is an operating mode in which the control unit 10 and the display device 8a are able to cooperate together in a functional manner to enable the rendering of multimedia content, for example of the infotainment type, by the display device 8a, under the control of the control unit 10.

[0073] Thus, in a third operation denoted OP2b, the control unit 10 carries out a control of the display device 8a by exchanging messages MSG2 - called functional messages - with the display device 8a according to the normal mode ST2. During this control OP2b, the control unit 10 cooperates for example with the display device 8a to execute an infotainment function F1 on board the vehicle 2 (figures 1-3).

[0074] The control process thus allows synchronization of the functional state of the control unit 10 and the display device 8a when the control unit 10, or more generally the vehicle 2, is switched on.

[0075] The control process may optionally continue as described below in particular embodiments. According to a particular example, during an operation (FIG. 3), if no network management message MSG1 is received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network NT1 for a period of time while the control unit 10 is operating in the normal mode ST1 (condition CD2), then the control unit 10 proceeds to deactivate the LVDS network NT2 causing the configuration of the control unit 10 and the display device 8a in a mode (or state) ST3 called “Prepare Bus Sleep Mode”. To do this, the control unit 10 sends for example a command to switch to ST3 mode to the display device 8a via the LVDS network NT2 in the form of an MSG2 message. This command then triggers a switching from the normal state ST2 to the state ST3 “Prepare Bus Sleep Mode”.The time period may be of a predefined duration adaptable on a case-by-case basis by those skilled in the art.

[0076] This ST3 mode aims to prepare the control unit 10 and the display device 8a for switching to standby mode ST1. In other words, the ST3 mode is an intermediate mode between the ST2 functional mode and the ST1 standby mode. According to a particular example, at least one function of the display device 8a and the control unit 10 is put into standby (or deactivated) when the ST3 standby preparation mode is activated.

[0077] According to a particular example, in an operation OP4 (figure 3), the control unit 10 - being in the state ST3 preparation for standby - checks whether it receives a deactivation command CMD2 from the CAN network NT1 (condition CD4). In response to such a deactivation command CMD2, the control unit 10 proceeds to deactivate (or put into standby) the display device 8a (operation OP4). This deactivation causes, for example, the power supply of the display device 8a to be cut off. To do this, the control unit 10 sends, for example, a deactivation command to the display device 8a via the LVDS network NT2 in the form of a message MSG2.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit 10 tracks or determines (operation OP4) a waiting time T1 (figure 3) elapsed since the deactivation OP4 of the display device 8a while the control unit 10 is in ST3 standby preparation mode. If the waiting time T1 reaches a time limit DL1 without any network management message MSG1 being received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network NT1 (condition CD5), then the control unit 10 configures itself in ST1 standby mode (operation OP5). This switching from the ST3 standby preparation mode into the ST1 standby mode causes for example the deactivation of an LVDS management module (not shown), within the control unit 10, in charge of (configured to) manage the LVDS network NT2.

[0079] Note that the control unit 10 can be configured to only be able to switch to the ST1 standby mode from the ST3 standby preparation mode, which allows better control of the system state as described in this document. According to a particular example, the control unit 10 authorizes the transition from the ST2 normal mode directly to the ST1 standby mode (without going through the ST3 standby preparation mode) only if a predefined event is detected, such as for example a fault.

[0080] The time limit DL1 may be a predefined duration that can be adapted on a case-by-case basis by a person skilled in the art. For example, this may be set at 12 seconds. This time limit is, for example, less than or equal to 15 seconds. It is thus possible to check whether a user still wishes to use the display device 8a during a transient period before proceeding with the standby mode. If the time limit DL1 expires without the network management message MSG1 being detected in transmission or reception by the control unit 10, then the latter may be put into standby mode since it is unlikely that a user will use the system in the short term. It is thus advantageous to save the energy consumption of the system SY1 by putting all or part of the control unit 10 into standby mode.

[0081] According to a particular example, if on the other hand a network management message MSG1 is detected in transmission or reception during the waiting time T1 and before expiry of the time limit DL1 (condition CD6, figure 3), then the control unit 10 carries out the activation operations OP2a and control OP2b as previously described. The control unit 10 and the display device 8a thus switch back to normal (or functional) mode ST2. Thus, in the case for example where the user uses the display device 8a before expiry of the time limit DL1, the system SY1 returns to normal mode ST2 in order to allow the reproduction of multimedia content by the display device 8a.

[0082] According to a particular example, if a network management message MSG1 is detected in transmission or reception (message MSG1 received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network NT1) while the control unit 10 is in standby preparation mode ST3 (for example following operation OP3), then the control unit 10 again carries out operations OP2a and OP2b as previously described in order to return to normal (or functional) mode ST2 thus allowing control of the display device 8a by the control unit 10.

[0083] According to a particular example, once the control unit 10 has switched into the standby mode ST1 during the operation OP5, the control unit 10 remains in this standby mode ST1 as long as no new activation command CMD1 is received (condition CD7). Upon receipt of a new activation command CMD1, the control unit 10 repeats the operation OP1 and carries out the control process as previously described.

[0084] Such a control process therefore advantageously makes it possible to improve the control of the display device 8a by the control unit 10 via the LVDS network NT2. In other words, this allows better control of the LVDS network NT2.

[0085] In particular, the operating modes in which the control unit 10 and the display device 8a operate can advantageously be synchronized or coordinated efficiently. Adequate coordination can be ensured in particular when the control unit switches from one operating mode to another. This coordination thus makes it possible to ensure efficient cooperation between the control unit 10 and the display device 8a while limiting the energy consumption required in the system. This solution can for example be implemented when the CAN network NT1 implements an AUTOSAR type communication protocol.

[0086] Figure 4 schematically illustrates the control unit (or control device) 10 configured to control the display device(s) 8, as previously described with reference to Figures 1-3, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 10 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 2, for example a computer.

[0087] The control unit 10 is for example configured for implementing the operations of the control process as previously described with reference to Figures 1-3 and / or the steps of the method described below with reference to Figure 5. Examples of such a control unit 10 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 control device 10, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The control unit 10 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0088] The control unit 10 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 12 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the control method (or process) and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the control unit 10. The processor 12 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The control unit 10 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.

[0089] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor 12 is for example stored in the memory 41. The memory 41 may constitute an information medium according to a particular embodiment in that it comprises a computer program (for example PG1 in FIG. 1) comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the control method (or process) of the invention.

[0090] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the control unit 10 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.

[0091] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control unit 10 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the “cloud”, or the vehicle 2 when the control device 10 corresponds to a smartphone or a tablet for example.

[0092] The interface elements of block 42 include one or more of the following interfaces:

[0093] - 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;

[0094] - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);

[0095] - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface”).

[0096] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the control unit 10 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 45. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 45. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN type such as the NT1 network previously described, CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible”), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard), Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard) or LIN (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0097] The control unit 10 is for example coupled to the CAN network NT1 and / or to the LVDS network NT2 by means of the communication interface 43.

[0098] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control unit 10 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers and / or other peripherals (projection system) via respective output interfaces. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the control unit 10.

[0099] Figure 5 illustrates a diagram of the different steps of a method for controlling at least one display device 8 through the LVDS network NT2 as previously described. This control method can thus be implemented by the control unit 10 previously described, this control unit 10 being connected to the CAN network NT1 (figures 1-4).

[0100] In a first step 51, in response to a first activation command CMD1 (figure 1) received from the CAN network NT1, the control unit 10 triggers an initialization phase comprising: 51 a) initialization of the control unit 10;

[0101] 51 b) initialization of said at least one display device 8; and 51 c) deactivation of the LVDS network NT2.

[0102] In a second step 52, upon detection that steps 51a), 51b) and 51c) are completed, the control unit 10 proceeds to activate the LVDS network NT2 causing the operation (or configuration) of the control unit 10 and said at least one display device 8 in a so-called normal ST2 mode. In a third step 53, the control unit 10 carries out a control of said at least one display device 8 by exchanging functional messages MSG2 according to the normal ST2 mode.

[0103] According to alternative embodiments, the variants and examples of the operations described above in relation to figures 1-4 apply to the steps of the control method of figure 5.

[0104] As understood by a person skilled in the art, all the embodiments and variants described above, some of which have been deliberately simplified to facilitate explanations, constitute only non-limiting examples of implementation of the present disclosure. In particular, a person skilled in the art may envisage any adaptation or combination of the embodiments and variants described above, in order to meet a particular need.

[0105] The present invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described above but extends in particular to a control method which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0106] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the control unit 10 previously described.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Control method, implemented by a control unit (10), for controlling at least one display device (8) through a network (NT2) of the low-voltage differential transmission type, called LVDS, in a vehicle (2), said control unit being connected to a serial system network (NT1), called CAN network, of the vehicle, said method comprising the following steps: a) in response to a first activation command (CMD1) received from the CAN network, triggering (51) an initialization phase comprising: a1) initialization of the control unit; a2) initialization of said at least one display device; and a3) deactivation of the LVDS network; b) upon detection that steps a1), a2) and a3) are completed, activation (52) of the LVDS network (NT2) causing the operation of the control unit (10) and of said at least one display device (8) in a so-called normal mode (ST2);and c) controlling (53) said at least one display device by exchanging functional messages (MSG2) according to the normal mode.; 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein during control c), the control unit (10) cooperates with said at least one display device (8) to execute an infotainment function (F1) on board the vehicle.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: d) if no network management message (MSG1) is received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network (NT1) for a period of time while the control unit (10) is operating in the normal mode (ST2), deactivating the LVDS network (NT2) causing the configuration of the control unit and said at least one display device in a so-called standby preparation mode (ST3).

4. Method according to claim 3, further comprising: e) if at least one network management message (MSG1) is received from the network CAN (NT1) during the period of time while the control unit (10) is configured in standby preparation mode, reactivation of the LVDS network causing the control unit and said at least one display device to switch back to normal mode (ST2).

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, further comprising: f) in response to a deactivation command (CMD2) received from the CAN network, deactivating said at least one display device (8); g) followed by a waiting time elapsed since the deactivation f) while the control unit (10) is in standby preparation mode (ST3); and h) if the waiting time reaches a time limit (DL1 ) without any network management message (MSG1 ) being received from, and / or sent to, the CAN network (NT1 ), configuring the control unit according to a standby mode (ST1 ) causing the deactivation of an LVDS management module, within the control unit, in charge of managing the LVDS network.

6. Method according to claim 5, further comprising: i) in response to a second activation command (CMD1) received from the CAN network while the control unit is configured in standby mode (ST1), repeating steps a), b) and c).

7. Computer program (PG1) comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (12).

8. Recording medium (41) readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program (PG1) comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Control device (10) for controlling at least one display device (8) of a vehicle through a low-voltage differential transmission type network, said LVDS, said device comprising a memory (41) associated with at least one processor (12) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle (2) comprising the control unit (10) according to claim 9.

Images