Vehicle control interface

Abstract

Vehicle Control Interface The present invention relates to a control interface (20) for a railway vehicle, comprising: a control panel (22); a device (24) for projecting images onto the control panel, each image representing vehicle control means and defining a control zone (40, 42) on the panel; and a device (26) for detecting contact between an operator (18) and the control zone(s). The detection device includes: a camera (46) capable of recording an image of contact between the operator and the panel; and an image analysis device (48) capable of matching said contact with a command of a functional device of the vehicle. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Control interface for vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a control interface for a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, of the type comprising: a control console; a device for projecting images onto the control console, each image representing control means of the vehicle and defining a control zone on the console; and a device for detecting contact between an operator and the control zone(s).

[0002] Generally, the control interfaces equipping railway vehicles comprise a console formed of a structure assembled with a plurality of mechanical control elements, such as buttons, push buttons or levers. Each control element thus has a specific location on the console, which limits the possibilities of modularity of the control interface. Furthermore, the size of certain control elements imposes their position on the console.

[0003] Furthermore, the mechanical control elements are connected to a vehicle control device via numerous cables, which generate weight and bulk.

[0004] To limit these drawbacks, it is known to replace the desk with a touch screen projecting the image of such a desk, as described for example in document EP1491444.

[0005] The present invention aims to propose a control interface making it possible to eliminate the drawbacks described above. To this end, the invention relates to a control interface of the aforementioned type, in which the detection device comprises: a camera capable of recording an image of a contact between the operator and the console; and an image analysis device, capable of matching said contact with a command of a functional device of the vehicle.

[0006] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the control interface has one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0007] - the control console defines at least one image projection surface; and the projection device comprises: a video projector, capable of projecting, onto at least one projection surface, images defining the control zones;

[0008] - the at least one projection surface is substantially oriented upwards;

[0009] - the detection device further comprises a detector making it possible to confirm a contact between an operator and the control area.

[0010] The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a driver's cab, said driver's cab comprising an interface of order as described above.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the vehicle has one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0012] - the camera of the detection device is arranged at the level of a ceiling of the driver's cab;

[0013] - the vehicle further comprising an electronic control device, connected to the control interface, and functional devices connected to said electronic control device;

[0014] - the control panel of the control interface comprises an element control mechanics; and the electronic control device is capable of matching an activation of said mechanical element with the activation of a safety control of said vehicle, such as emergency braking.

[0015] The invention further relates to a method of operating the vehicle described above, comprising the following steps: projection of an image defining a control zone onto the control console by the projection device; then detection of contact between an operator and the control zone by the detection device; then association of said contact with a control instruction; then transmission of said control instruction to the corresponding functional device.

[0016] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0017] [fig. 1] [fig.l] is a schematic view of a vehicle comprising a cabin of driving equipped with a control device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0018] [fig.2] [fig.2] is a schematic view of the driver's cab and the device of order of [fig.l]; and

[0019] [fig.3] [fig.3] is a representation, in the form of a flowchart, of a process of operation of the vehicle in [fig.l].

[0020] [fig.l] represents a land vehicle 10. In the following description, the land vehicle 10 is a railway vehicle of the train or tram type. In a variant not shown, the land vehicle 10 is a road vehicle, of the bus type.

[0021] In the embodiment shown, the railway vehicle 10 comprises an electronic control device 12.

[0022] The railway vehicle 10 also comprises functional devices 13, such as light or sound warning devices, traction chain, braking system, said functional devices being connected to the electronic control device 12 and controlled via the electronic control device 12.

[0023] The railway vehicle 10 also comprises a driver's cab 14, arranged at the front of said vehicle.

[0024] The driver's cab 14 includes in particular a seat 16 intended to receive an operator 18 capable of driving the railway vehicle 10.

[0025] The driver's cab 14 comprises a control interface 20, allowing the operator 18 to activate commands of the electronic control device 12 of the railway vehicle 10. Said commands correspond in particular to the functional devices 13.

[0026] The control interface 20, also visible in [fig.2], comprises in particular: a control console 22; a projection device 24; and a detection device 26.

[0027] The control console 22 has a shape adapted to the driver's cab 14, in particular according to ergonomic criteria.

[0028] The control panel 22 defines one or more projection surfaces 30, 32, preferably oriented upwards. The projection surfaces 30, 32 are flat or possibly curved.

[0029] Optionally, the control console 22 includes one or more mechanical control elements 34, of the push button or lever type. As described below, said mechanical elements 34 are preferably intended for emergency or safety controls.

[0030] The projection device 24 comprises a video projector 36, preferably arranged at the level of a ceiling 38 of the driver's cab 14.

[0031] The video projector 36 is capable of projecting, onto the projection surface(s) 30, 32, images defining control zones 40, 42. Such images of control zones 40, 42 are in particular recognizable and interpretable by the operator 18, as will be described below.

[0032] Optionally, the video projector 36 is capable of projecting onto the control console 22 an image reproducing the location of controls on existing consoles.

[0033] For this purpose, the projection device 24 further comprises a database 44 storing one or more images of control zones 40, 42. Said database is connected to the video projector 36. In the embodiment shown, the database 44 is stored in the electronic device 12 for controlling the vehicle 10, the video projector 36 being connected to said electronic device 12.

[0034] The image projected by the video projector 36 can in particular be adapted to projection surfaces 30, 32 of all shapes, in particular curved.

[0035] The detection device 26 is capable of detecting contact between the operator 18 and one of the control zones 40, 42 projected onto the console 22.

[0036] The detection device 26 comprises a camera 46, capable of recording an image of a contact between the operator 18 and one of the control zones 40, 42 projected onto the console 22. The camera 46 is preferably arranged at the level of the ceiling 38 of the driver's cab 14.

[0037] The detection device 26 further comprises an image analysis device 48. Said analysis device is for example a program 48 stored in the electronic device 12 for controlling the vehicle 10, the camera 46 being connected to said electronic device 12.

[0038] The program 48 is capable of matching the image of the contact between the operator 18 and a control zone 40, 42 with the activation of a corresponding command 140, 142.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the detection device 26 further comprises a radar type detector (not shown) making it possible to confirm contact between the operator 18 and the control zone 40, 42.

[0040] Preferably, the electronic control device 12 is also capable of matching an activation of a mechanical control element 34 of the console 22 with the activation of a safety command, such as emergency braking.

[0041] A method 100 for operating the vehicle 10 and the control interface 20 will now be described, with reference to [fig.3].

[0042] In a first step 102, the video projector 36 projects onto the control console 22 an image stored in the database 44, said image defining several control zones 40, 42 on said console 22.

[0043] In a second step 104, the camera 46 records an image of the operator 18 pressing one 40 of said control zones.

[0044] In a third step 106, the program 48 of the detection device 26 associates said image with the activation of a command 140 stored in said program.

[0045] In a fourth step 108, the electronic control device 12 communicates, to the associated functional device 13, an order corresponding to the command 140.

[0046] Thus, the control console 22 can be used like a conventional control console, while having much greater modularity than such a console. The database 44 in fact makes it possible to easily modify the configuration of the control console 22 by changing the image projected by the video projector 36.

[0047] The same console 22 can thus be adapted to several different types of vehicles 10.

[0048] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to eliminate the bulk and weight associated with the wiring generally arranged under the console. The operator's seat 16 can thus be arranged partially under said console 22, to save space in the cabin 14.

[0049] Reducing the number of mechanical elements on the desk 22 also facilitates maintenance of said desk.

[0050] For safety reasons in the event of failure of the electronic system, mechanical elements 34 for controlling the console 22 are preferably retained for functions such as emergency braking.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle (10), comprising a driver's cab (14), said driver's cab comprising a control interface (20), said interface comprising: a control console (22); a device (24) for projecting images onto the control console, each image representing control means of the vehicle and defining a control zone (40, 42) on the console; and a device (26) for detecting contact between an operator (18) and the control zone(s), the detection device comprising: a camera (46) capable of recording an image of contact between the operator and the console; and an image analysis device (48), capable of matching said contact with a command of a functional device of the vehicle; the vehicle further comprising an electronic control device (12), connected to the control interface, and functional devices (13) connected to said electronic control device;the vehicle being characterized in that the control console (22) of the control interface comprises a mechanical control element (34); and the electronic control device (12) is capable of matching an activation of said mechanical element (34) with the activation of a safety control of said vehicle, such as emergency braking.;

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: the control console (22) defines at least one surface (30, 32) for projecting images; and the projection device (24) comprises: a video projector (36), capable of projecting, onto the at least one projection surface, images defining the control zones (40, 42).

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one projection surface (30, 32) is substantially oriented upwards.

4. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device (26) further comprises a detector making it possible to confirm contact between an operator (18) and the control zone (40, 42).

5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the camera (46) of the detection device is arranged at the level of a ceiling (38) of the driver's cab.

6. Method of operating the vehicle according to one of the claims previous, including the following steps: - projection (102) of an image defining a control zone (40, 42) on the control console (22) by the projection device (24); Then - detection (104) of contact between an operator (18) and the control zone by the detection device (26); then - association (106) of said contact with a control instruction (140); then - transmission (108) of said control instruction to the device functional (13) corresponding.

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