Managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the operation of an electric parking brake (6) of a motor vehicle (1) by means of a touch screen (3) of a human-machine interface (2) of the vehicle, the touch screen being arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer device (100) for carrying out such a method, and to a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device (100).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle The present invention claims priority from French application 2306445 filed on 06 / 22 / 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said electric parking brake operating according to at least one automatic operating mode. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] It is known that some modern motor vehicles are equipped with an electric parking brake. Typically, such a parking brake is operated by means of a lever located near the driver's seat, often positioned between the front seats in the location of a traditional handbrake. Most often, the driver briefly presses the lever to release the electric parking brake, while briefly pulling the lever to apply it. It is also known that such a parking brake generally operates according to a automatic operating mode in which the driver no longer has to manually release the parking brake when starting to move the vehicle, the electric parking brake releasing itself automatically from the moment the vehicle begins to move. In addition, manufacturers have generally provided a means of deactivating this automatic operating mode of an electric parking brake in order to take into account certain specific situations (extreme cold, towing a trailer, breakdown assistance, etc.). Most often, this is done via the vehicle's human-machine interface, for example by means of a screen and an input device (e.g. joystick, touch screen, etc.) which provides access to a vehicle operation configuration menu.However, some drivers may be unaware of the existence of such means for deactivating an automatic operating mode of an electric parking brake in their vehicle. In this sense, the known means offer little ergonomics. In addition, the fact of having to install a dedicated lever to control an electric parking brake increases the complexity and manufacturing cost, even though most current motor vehicles are generally equipped with touch screens. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention seeks to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, it aims to provide a more ergonomic alternative for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention aims to enable the operation of such a brake to be controlled without the need for a dedicated lever arranged in the passenger compartment. In this way, the invention seeks to minimize the complexity and manufacturing cost of vehicles, while contributing favorably to driver comfort.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the operation of an electric parking brake of the vehicle by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said electric parking brake operating according to at least one automatic operating mode, the method comprising the steps of: i) causing the display on the screen of a first visual element of a type established as a function of an operating state of the electric parking brake; and ii) causing a change in the operating state of the electric parking brake and / or at least the display on the screen of a second visual element as a function of a tactile interaction carried out at the level of the first visual element.

[0005] According to a variant, step i) may comprise a step consisting of causing the display on the screen of a first visual element of a first type in a first color as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is released, of the first type in a second color as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is applied, of a second type as soon as the automatic operating mode is deactivated and of a third type as soon as the electric parking brake experiences a malfunction.

[0006] According to another variant, step ii) may comprise a step consisting of causing the electric parking brake to be applied as soon as a short press is made at the first visual element while the electric parking brake is released.

[0007] According to yet another variant, step ii) may comprise a step of causing the electric parking brake to release when a short press is made at the first visual element while the electric parking brake is applied and pressure is applied to the vehicle's brake pedal.

[0008] According to yet another variant, step ii) may comprise a step consisting of causing the display on the screen of a second visual element explaining a malfunction of the electric parking brake as soon as a short press is made at the level of the first visual element while the electric parking brake is experiencing a malfunction.

[0009] According to yet another variant, step ii) may comprise the steps of: • cause the display on the screen of a second informative or interactive visual element relating to the automatic operating mode when a long press is made on the first visual element while the electric parking brake is applied or released; and • cause the automatic operating mode to be activated or deactivated following a stipulated validation by means of a human-machine interface input device or a tactile interaction carried out at the level of the second visual element.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said electric parking brake operating according to at least one automatic operating mode, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, comprising at least one processor, and a support data storage devices configured to implement a method as described above.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig- 1] is a diagram illustrating a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig. 2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig. 3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig. 4] illustrates at least one step of the method according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig. 5] illustrates at least one step of the method according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig. 6] illustrates at least one step of the method according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig. 7] illustrates at least one step of the method according to the invention; and

[0022] [Fig. 8] illustrates at least one step of the method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] In Figure 1 is schematically illustrated a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. This is conventionally equipped with a human-machine interface 2, which comprises at least one touch screen 3 allowing the display of visual elements, and an input device, which preferably comprises a voice control system 4 and a command validation button 5 located in the steering wheel of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 according to the invention also comprises an electric parking brake 6, which operates in a traditional manner according to at least one automatic operating mode as explained in the preamble, and a pedal assembly 6 which notably comprises a brake pedal.Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also carries a device 100 for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below.

[0024] When implementing the method, the driver can manage the operation of the electric parking brake 6 by means of the touch screen 3. He can thus apply the electric parking brake, release it and activate or deactivate the automatic operating mode in particular by interacting with at least one visual element 8 which is displayed on the screen 3. In addition, the driver is advantageously informed about the operation of the electric parking brake by means of one or more visual elements 8 which are displayed on the screen 3. As will be seen below, this is how the invention contributes not only to improving the ergonomics of motor vehicles but also to reducing their complexity and manufacturing cost.

[0025] The device 100 for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 2. It is fundamentally a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, comprising one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0026] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is hosted on an independent computer and it interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired communication network of the vehicle (e.g. CAN, Ethernet) - shown in Figure 1 by the two-way arrows - with the human-machine interface 2, in particular its touch screen 3, with the electric parking brake 6 and with the pedal assembly 7. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is an integral part of a computer of the human-machine interface 2 of the vehicle 1. As a result, the device 100 according to the invention can, in particular, cause the display on the screen 3 of a visual element, and it can cause a change in the operating state of the electric parking brake 6.

[0027] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle, as described below in connection with figures 1, 3-8.

[0028] According to a first step 201 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a first visual element 8 of a type established as a function of an operating state of the electric parking brake. In other words, during this first step of the method, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a first visual element whose type depends on the operating state of the electric parking brake of the vehicle 1 (i.e. brake applied or released, automatic operating mode activated or deactivated, malfunctioning brake). Thus, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a first visual element 8 of a first type in a first color, for example a single pictogram displayed in black or gray as illustrated in FIG. 4, as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is released.Similarly, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display of a first visual element 8 of the first type but in a second color, for example a single pictogram displayed in red, as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is applied. In another case, it causes the display of a pictogram of a second type, for example two pictograms as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the automatic operating mode is activated. Finally, in a last case, it causes the display on the screen 3 of a first visual element 8 of a third type, for example three pictograms as illustrated in FIG. 6, as soon as the electric parking brake experiences a malfunction.Thus, thanks to this first step 201, the driver of the vehicle 1 is advantageously informed of the operating status of the automatic parking brake, whether it is applied or released, whether the automatic operating mode is activated or deactivated, and this, in a very ergonomic manner via the screen 3 of the human-machine interface of the vehicle 1.

[0029] Then, according to a second and final step 202 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes a change operating status of the electric parking brake 6 and / or at least the display on the screen 3 of a second visual element 9 as a function of a tactile interaction carried out at the first visual element 8. More specifically, it causes the electric parking brake 6 to be applied as soon as a short press (less than 0.1s) is carried out at the first visual element 8 while the electric parking brake is released, as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 by the hand touching the first visual element 8 with its finger. Similarly, it causes the electric parking brake 6 to be released as soon as a short press is carried out at the first visual element 8 while the electric parking brake is applied and pressure on the brake pedal of the pedal assembly 7 of the vehicle is applied, by interacting to do this with the pedal assembly 7 in order to determine whether such pressure is exerted on the brake pedal.In another case, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a second visual element 9 explaining a malfunction of the electric parking brake as soon as a short press is made at the level of the first visual element 8 while the electric parking brake is experiencing a malfunction, as illustrated in FIG. 7.Similarly, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen of a second informative or interactive visual element 9 relating to the automatic operating mode as soon as a long press (more than 0.1s) is made at the first visual element 8 while the electric parking brake is applied or released, as illustrated in FIG. 8, then it causes the activation or deactivation of the automatic operating mode following a validation stipulated by means of the input equipment of the human-machine interface 2, for example by means of the voice control system 4 or the button 5, or a tactile interaction carried out at the second visual element 9. Thus, thanks to this second step 202 of the method according to the invention, the driver is offered the possibility of being able to manage the operation of the brake. electric parking 6 only by means of the screen 3 of the human-machine interface 2 of the vehicle 1. It is therefore advantageous to do without a button dedicated to this use located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0030] Thus, thanks to the method and device according to the invention described above, a more ergonomic alternative is provided for managing the operation of an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle. In addition, the invention also minimizes the complexity and manufacturing cost of vehicles by eliminating the need for a control button dedicated to controlling an electric parking brake located in the passenger compartment.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the operation of an electric parking brake (6) of the vehicle by means of a touch screen (3) of a human-machine interface (2) of the vehicle arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said electric parking brake operating according to at least one automatic operating mode, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: i) causing the display on the screen of a first visual element (8) of a type established as a function of an operating state of the electric parking brake; and ii) causing a change in the operating state of the electric parking brake and / or at least the display on the screen of a second visual element (9) as a function of a tactile interaction carried out at the first visual element.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step i) consists of causing the display on the screen of a first visual element (8) of a first type in a first color as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is released, of the first type in a second color as soon as the automatic operating mode is activated and the electric parking brake is applied, of a second type as soon as the automatic operating mode is deactivated and of a third type as soon as the electric parking brake experiences a malfunction.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step ii) comprises a step consisting of causing the tightening of the electric parking brake when a short press is made on the first visual element (8) while the electric parking brake is released.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step ii) comprises a step consisting of causing the electric parking brake to be released as soon as a short press is made at the first visual element (8) while the electric parking brake is applied and pressure on the vehicle brake pedal is applied.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step ii) comprises a step consisting of causing the display on the screen of a second visual element (9) explaining a malfunction of the electric parking brake as soon as a short press is made at the level of the first visual element (8) while the electric parking brake is experiencing a malfunction.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step ii) comprises the steps of: • cause the display on the screen of a second informative or interactive visual element (9) relating to the automatic operating mode as soon as a long press is made on the first visual element (8) while the electric parking brake is applied or released; and • cause the activation or deactivation of the automatic operating mode following a validation stipulated by means of an input device of the human-machine interface (2) or a tactile interaction carried out at the level of the second visual element (9).

7. Device (100) for managing the operation of an electric parking brake (6) of a motor vehicle (1) by means of a touch screen (3) of a human-machine interface (2) of the vehicle arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said electric parking brake operating according to at least one automatic operating mode, characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102) configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

9. Support usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 8 is recorded therein.

10. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 7.

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