Method for controlling opaque glazing for motor vehicles.

Abstract

Method for controlling an opaque glazing for a motor vehicle. Method for controlling an opaque glazing (2) for a motor vehicle (10), the glazing comprising at least two partitions (21, 22), the opacity level of each partition being independently controlled to vary between a minimum value (OP1) and a maximum value (OPn). Figure for the abstract: 9

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling opaque glazing for a motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glazing for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an opacifying glazing device for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program implementing the mentioned method. The invention finally relates to a recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0002] Motor vehicles equipped with a fixed glass roof or a sunroof are generally provided with a means of concealment which may be a flexible or rigid curtain and which opens mechanically or electrically. This means of concealment is essential for the visual and thermal comfort of the users of the motor vehicle. However, it significantly increases the mass of the vehicle and reduces its habitability.

[0003] In order to reduce the mass and volume of the occultation means, solutions using opacifying glazing are being developed. The use of opacifying glazing also offers multiple possibilities for opacifying the passenger compartment.

[0004] However, this solution has drawbacks. Indeed, for a user, the use of opaque glazing is less intuitive than the use of physical occulting. In particular, the user may encounter difficulties in appropriating the new possibilities offered by the opaque glazing as well as the controls allowing him to modify the opacity of the glazing according to his needs.

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a device and a method for controlling opacifying glazing which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the devices and methods for controlling opacifying glazing known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce a device and a method which are simple and reliable and which allow intuitive, independent and gradual control of the opacity of each part of an opacifying glazing.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glazing for a motor vehicle, the glazing comprising at least two partitions, the opacity level of each partition being controlled autonomously to vary between a minimum value and a maximum value.

[0007] Each partition can take a number n of opacity levels numbered in an increasing order of opacity, with n>2, notably n=3 or n=4 or n=5.

[0008] In an execution mode, a first type of command of the opacity level of a partition having an opacity level value of rank j, in particular a short press on a command button, involves: - a unit decrease in the value of the partition opacity level towards a value of the opacity level of rank j-1, or - a unit increase in the value of the partition opacity level towards an opacity level value of rank j+1, and a second type of command of the opacity level of a partition having an opacity level value of rank j, in particular a long press on a command button, involves: - a decrease of several units in the value of the partition opacity level or a decrease in the value of the partition opacity level to the minimum value, or - an increase of several units in the value of the partition opacity level or an increase in the value of the partition opacity level up to the maximum value.

[0009] Each partition of the glazing can be associated with a separate control element, for example associated with a separate control button.

[0010] The method may comprise a step of automatically controlling the glazing using data from a set of sensors.

[0011] The invention further relates to a device for controlling an opacifying glazing, the device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method as defined previously.

[0012] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a control device as defined above.

[0013] The invention further relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium for implementing the steps of the method as defined above when said program operates on a computer or computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and / or executable by a computer, characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by the computer, lead the latter to implement the method as defined above.

[0014] The invention also relates to a computer-readable data recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method as defined above or a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method as defined above.

[0015] The invention also relates to a signal of a data medium, carrying the computer program product defined previously.

[0016] The attached drawing represents, by way of example, an embodiment of a glazing device according to the invention and an embodiment of a control method according to the invention.

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle equipped with a device for glazing.

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a sectional view of an embodiment of an opacifying glazing.

[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a principle of operation of an opacifying glazing.

[0020] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a principle of operation of an opacifying glazing.

[0021] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a top view of an embodiment of a glazing opacifier.

[0022] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically represents an embodiment of partitions and states of the opacifying glazing.

[0023] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents an embodiment of a control interface.

[0024] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a flowchart of a first mode of execution of a ordering process.

[0025] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a first logic of operation of the opacifying glazing.

[0026] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents a flowchart of a second mode of execution of the control method

[0027] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] illustrates a second logic of operation of the opacifying glazing.

[0028] An example of a motor vehicle 10 equipped with an embodiment of a glazing device 1 of an opacifying glazing is described below with reference to [Fig.l].

[0029] The motor vehicle 10 may be a vehicle of any type, in particular a passenger vehicle or a utility vehicle.

[0030] The glazing device 1 mainly comprises the following elements: - opaque glazing 2, in particular opaque roof glazing, - a microprocessor 3, - a command interface 4, - a set of 5 sensors.

[0031] An embodiment of an opacifying glazing 2 is illustrated by figures 2 to 5.

[0032] The opacifying glazing 2 allows the implementation of a variable opacity of the glazing. The opacity of the glazing can be characterized by different physical quantities, in particular a percentage of transmission of light rays. The opacity can vary between at least two values, a minimum value OP1 corresponding to a state called "clear state" or "transparent state" of the glazing, and a maximum value OPn corresponding to a state called "dark state" of the glazing. Different technologies also make it possible to implement intermediate opacification states. This is particularly the case for PDLC technology (acronym for the English expression "Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal"), preferably described in this document.

[0033] In this embodiment represented by figures 3 and 4, the opacifying glazing 2 comprises an opacifying film 25, in particular a PDLC film, laminated between two layers of glass 23, 27. A PDLC film consists of liquid crystals embedded in a polymer resin.

[0034] A first and a second conductive layer 24, 26 are respectively arranged between the opacifying film 25 and each of the glass layers 23, 27.

[0035] As illustrated by Figures 3 and 4, the modification of opacity of the glazing is controlled by applying an electrical voltage between the first and second conductive layers 24, 26.

[0036] In Figures 3 and 4, light penetrates the glazing via the glass layer 23.

[0037] In [Fig.3], no voltage being applied between the two conductive layers 24, 26, the liquid crystals are randomly arranged in the polymer resin and block the transmission of light. The glass layer 27 therefore receives very little light.

[0038] In [Fig.4], the application of a voltage between the two conductive layers 24, 26 induces an orientation of the liquid crystals in the polymer resin, which allows transmission of light through the PDLC film. The glass layer 27 therefore receives a significant quantity of light.

[0039] In the remainder of the document, the expression “opacity modification control” is used to designate the application of a voltage between the two conductive layers 24, 26 of the opacifying glazing, the applied voltage possibly being zero or non-zero.

[0040] Advantageously, the glazing comprises at least two partitions or parts 21, 22, the opacity level of each partition being controlled autonomously to vary between the minimum opacity value OP1 and the maximum opacity value OPn.

[0041] In the embodiment more specifically illustrated by [Fig. 5], the glazing 2 is a roof glazing for a motor vehicle. The opacifying film has been cut, in particular into two separate segments upstream of its shaping between two sheets of glass. The glazing 2 thus has two partitions 21, 22, respectively associated with the two segments of opacifying film. The cutting of the opacifying film into two separate segments thus makes it possible to independently control each of the two partitions defined by the segments in order to modify its opacity.

[0042] The glazing device 1 has the role of implementing controls of the set of partitions 21, 22 of the opacifying glazing 2, which allows independent and gradual opacification (or increase in opacity) and deopacification (or decrease in opacity) of the opacity of each partition of the opacifying glazing 2.

[0043] The level of each partition 21, 22 can vary between a minimum value OP1 and a maximum value OPn.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, each partition takes a number n of opacity levels (OP1, ..., OPn) numbered in an increasing order of opacity. Preferably, n>2. Advantageously, n=3 or n=4 or n=5.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.6], the partitions 21, 22 are defined so as to allow differentiated opacification between the front and the rear of the vehicle, the partition 21 being located in the front part of the glazing and the partition 22 being located in the rear part of the glazing.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.6], a set of possible states for a glazing implementing the partitions 21, 22 is defined as a function of three opacity levels, a minimum level OP1, an intermediate level OP2 and a maximum level OP3.

[0047] Partitions 21 and 22 combined with the three opacity levels OP1, OP2, OP3 make it possible to implement nine glazing states VI to V9: - the first state of glazing VI corresponds to the application of the maximum opacity level OP3 to the two partitions 21, 22, - the second state of the glazing V2 corresponds to the application of the minimum opacity level OP1 to the two partitions 21, 22, - the third state of the glazing V3 corresponds to the application of the intermediate opacity level OP2 to the two partitions 21, 22, - the fourth state of the glazing V4 corresponds to the application of the minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 21, and the application of the maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 22, - the fifth state of the glazing V5 corresponds to the application of the maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 21, and the application of the minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 22, - the sixth state of glazing V6 corresponds to the application of the intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 21, and the application of the maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 22, - the seventh state of glazing V7 corresponds to the application of the maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 21, and the application of the intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 22, - the eighth state of the glazing V8 corresponds to the application of the minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 21, and the application of the intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 22, - the ninth state of glazing V9 corresponds to the application of the intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 21, and the application of the minimum opacity level 0P1 to partition 22.

[0048] Alternatively, other sets of stable states of the glazing could be defined by varying the number of partitions and / or the number of opacity levels, the latter being greater than or equal to two.

[0049] Advantageously, the partitions 21, 22 are defined so as to allow differentiated opacification between the front and the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, other embodiments of the partitions could allow differentiated opacification between the right part and the left part of the vehicle.

[0050] The glazing device 1 further comprises a control interface 4 which allows a user of the vehicle to select the state VI, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, V9 of the glazing that he wishes to implement in the motor vehicle 10.

[0051] In a first preferred embodiment, the control interface 4 associates a control element with each partition 21, 22 of the glazing.

[0052] Thus, for a glazing comprising two partitions 21, 22, the control interface 4 comprises two control elements 41, 42. As illustrated by [Fig.7], the two control elements can be produced by two separate buttons 41, 42 or by a button comprising two support zones 41, 42.

[0053] Alternatively, the control interface could be a touch screen on which the partitions of the glazing are represented. Thus, the control interface comprises as many control elements, in this case as many support zones, as there are partitions.

[0054] Pressing one of the control elements 41, 42 causes a change in the opacity of the glazing partition 21, 22 associated with the control element.

[0055] Advantageously, the spatial arrangement of the control elements 41, 42 is defined in coherence with the spatial arrangement of the partitions. For example, if a first and a second partition 21, 22 are respectively arranged from front to rear of the vehicle, then a first and a second control element 41, 42 will be respectively arranged from front to rear of the vehicle, the first control element 41 controlling the first partition 21, and the second control element 42 controlling the second partition.

[0056] Pressing one of the control elements 41, 42 causes a change in the opacity of the glazing partition 21, 22 associated with the control element.

[0057] In addition, the button allows the measurement of a pressing duration DAPP. This measurement thus makes it possible to categorize the presses by comparing their duration to an APPMIN threshold. Thus, a press whose duration is strictly less than the APPMIN threshold will be considered a “short press”, and a press whose duration is greater than or equal to the APPMIN threshold will be considered a “long press”. Categorizing presses according to their duration allows for differentiation of treatment according to the category of the press, as described later in this document.

[0058] Optionally, the button 4 may comprise a third control element 43, more specifically shown in [Fig. 1 1]. The third control element 43 is preferably located between the first and second control elements 41, 42. The third control element 43 allows the activation of an automatic glazing control mode described later in the document.

[0059] In a second embodiment, alternative or complementary to the first embodiment, the control interface 4 could be implemented by a human-machine interface, which could, for example, be provided by the vehicle's touch screen or a mobile phone application.

[0060] The human-machine interface could make it possible to control the glazing 2 according to the same parameters as a physical button, i.e. the choice of a partition controlled to modify its opacity and a pressing duration DAPP. Instead of strictly speaking controlling a pressing duration, the user could select a type of pressing between two proposals, in particular a long press or a short press.

[0061] Alternatively, the human-machine interface could make it possible to select a final state of the glazing from among all the possible states VI, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, V9, for example by clicking directly on a visual representation of the possible states for the glazing 2.

[0062] In addition or alternatively, the human-machine interface could also include a voice command, in particular enabling automatic glazing control to be activated.

[0063] The glazing device may further comprise a set of sensors 5. The set of sensors 5 provides data enabling the implementation of automatic control of the glazing 2. For example, the set of sensors 5 may comprise one or more sunlight sensors advantageously placed on the roof of the vehicle. The data from these sunlight sensors may make it possible to automatically determine which roof partitions must be opaque to protect the passenger compartment from the sun's rays.

[0064] In addition or alternatively, the set of sensors 5 may comprise one or more temperature and / or sunshine sensors inside and / or outside, arranged on the motor vehicle 10. The temperature and / or sunshine sensors may allow the implementation of automatic control of the opacifying glazing, for example to reach and maintain a desired interior temperature. The information delivered by the at least one sensor may thus directly influence the partitions and / or the opacity levels.

[0065] In addition, the outside temperature sensors could make it possible to manage the influence of the outside temperature on the operation of the opacifying roof. Indeed, very low temperatures significantly slow down the operation of the opacifying film, which significantly limits the possibilities of modifying the opacity of the glazing. Advantageously, the glazing device 1 could be deactivated when the outside temperature is below a temperature limit threshold, for example the limit threshold being between 0 and -20 degrees. The user would be informed of this deactivation in relation to the outside temperature.

[0066] The glazing device 1, and particularly the microprocessor, mainly comprises the following modules: - a module 31 for detecting a command to change the opacity of the glazing, the module 31 being able to cooperate with the control interface 4, - a module 32 for controlling the opacity of a partition, the module being able to cooperate with the glazing 2, - an automatic glazing control module 33, the module being able to cooperate with the glazing 2 and the set of sensors 5.

[0067] The motor vehicle 10, in particular the glazing device 1, preferably comprises all the hardware and / or software elements configured so as to implement the method defined in the subject of the invention or the method described below.

[0068] A first mode of execution of the method for controlling an opacifying glazing is described below with reference to [Fig.8].

[0069] In a first step E1, a command to change the opacity of the glazing is detected at a time T.

[0070] The detection step E1 comprises a sub-step E11 of determining a controlled partition and a sub-step E12 of determining a first or a second type of control.

[0071] In the first embodiment of the control interface 4, the detection of a command to change the opacity of the glazing is triggered by pressing a control button 4, in particular on the control elements 41, 42 of the control button.

[0072] Thus, if the interface is provided by a control button 4, the sub-step E1 1 of determining a controlled partition comprises a detection of a press on the control element 41 which determines the controlled partition as being the first partition 21 and / or a detection of a press on the control element 42 which determines the controlled partition as being the second partition 22.

[0073] Furthermore, the sub-step E12 of determining a first or a second type of command may comprise a determination of the duration of pressing DAPP on the command button and a comparison of the duration of pressing DAPP with a threshold. minimal APPMIN: - the first type of command is determined by a short press, i.e. the duration of which is strictly less than the minimum threshold APPMIN, and - the second type of command is determined by a long press whose duration is greater than or equal to the minimum threshold APPMIN.

[0074] At the end of the first step E1, we continue with the second step E2 of controlling the opacity of the controlled partition.

[0075] It is considered that the controlled partition 21, 22 is a glazing partition capable of taking n levels of opacity (OP1, ..., OPn) numbered in increasing order of opacity.

[0076] In step E2, the opacity level of the controlled partition is modified as a function of the type of command detected in step E1 and as a function of the initial opacity level of the controlled partition.

[0077] Step E2 comprises a sub-step E21 for determining an initial opacity of the controlled partition. The initial opacity corresponds to the opacity of the controlled partition at the time T when the opacity change command is issued.

[0078] With the glazing technology mentioned above, the opacity of a partition is determined by the voltage applied to the partition. In particular, in one embodiment of the method, a voltage-opacity correspondence table can determine a correspondence between each opacity value of the glazing OPi and a voltage Vi to be applied to a partition of the glazing to implement the opacity level OPi.

[0079] Thus, knowing the voltage applied to the controlled partition, we determine the index j of its initial opacity level OPj, j being between 1 and n inclusive.

[0080] Step E2 further comprises a sub-step E22 for determining a final opacity of the commanded partition, from the initial opacity OPj and the type of command.

[0081] A command of the first type applied to a partition having an initial opacity level OPj results in: - a unit decrease in the value of the partition opacity level towards a value of the opacity level of rank j-1, OPj-1, or - a unit increase in the value of the partition opacity level towards an opacity level value of rank j+1, OPj+1.

[0082] Furthermore, a command of the second type applied to a partition having an initial opacity level OPj results in:

[0083] - a decrease of several units in the value of the partition opacity level or a decrease in the value of the partition opacity level to the minimum value, or - an increase of several units in the value of the partition opacity level or an increase in the value of the partition opacity level up to the maximum value.

[0084] In other words, two procedures for executing the control method are distinguished: a first execution procedure called decreasing and a second execution procedure called increasing.

[0085] In the remainder of the document, a command of the first type is called “short press” and a command of the second type is called “long press”.

[0086] In the decreasing execution procedure, a short press implements unitary opacity changes according to a decreasing loop or sequence on the opacity levels (OPn, .. ..OP1). In other words, a short press implements unitary decreases in the value of the opacity level of a partition, making successive transitions between the opacity levels (OPn, ....OP1). When the partition is at the minimum opacity level OP1, a short press has the effect of applying a maximum opacity level OPn to this partition.

[0087] Alternatively, in the increasing execution procedure, a short press implements unitary opacity changes according to an increasing loop or sequence on the opacity levels (OP1, ...., OPn). In other words, a short press implements unitary increases in the value of the opacity level of a partition, making successive transitions between the opacity levels (OP1, ....OPn). When the partition is at the maximum opacity level OPn, a short press has the effect of applying a minimum opacity level OP1 to this partition.

[0088] The execution procedures, ascending or descending, also allow the processing of a long press. A long press has the effect of assigning a partition either a minimum or maximum opacity level.

[0089] The effect of a long press on the opacity of a partition having an initial opacity level OPj can be described as follows: - if j=l (i.e. if the partition is at a minimum opacity level before the long press), then a long press will have the effect of assigning to the partition a maximum opacity level OPn, whatever the execution procedure, increasing or decreasing, - if j=n (i.e. if the partition is at a maximum opacity level before the long press), then a command of the second type, or long press, will assign to the partition a minimum opacity level OP1, whatever the execution procedure, increasing or decreasing, - otherwise, the opacity level assigned to the partition following a long press depends on the execution procedure: a decreasing execution procedure will have the effect of assigning the partition a minimum opacity level OP1, and an increasing execution procedure will have the effect of assigning the partition an opacity level maximum OPn.

[0090] Thus, if the first execution mode of the control method is a decreasing procedure, the final opacity level of an initial opacity partition OPj is determined according to the following processing: - if j is strictly greater than 1, in the case of a short press the final opacity level is OPj-1, and in the case of a long press the final opacity level is OP1 - otherwise the final opacity level is OPn, regardless of the type of command, short press or long press.

[0091] Alternatively, if the first execution mode of the control method is an increasing procedure, the final opacity level of an initial opacity partition OPj is determined according to the following processing: - if j is strictly less than n, in the case of a short press the final opacity level is OPj+1, and in the case of a long press the final opacity level is OPn, - otherwise the final opacity level is OP1, regardless of the type of command, short press or long press.

[0092] Alternatively, a long press could command - according to an increasing procedure - an increase of several levels or notches of opacity or of several units of the value of the opacity level, or - according to a decreasing procedure - a decrease of several levels or notches of opacity or of several units of the value of the opacity level.

[0093] [Fig.9] illustrates the possible opacities modifications according to a decreasing execution procedure, for a glazing comprising two partitions 21, 22 each of which can independently take three opacity levels, a minimum level OP1, an intermediate level OP2 and a maximum level OP3. A command of the first type, or short press, is represented by a thin arrow designating the actuated control element 41, 42. A command of the second type, or long press, is represented by a thick arrow designating the activated control element 41, 42.

[0094] [Fig.9] thus illustrates the transitions implemented by the method depending on the actuated control element 41, 42 and depending on the type of control, a short press or a long press.

[0095] Following the sub-step of determining the final opacity level of the controlled partition 21, 22, we continue with a sub-step E23 of determining a command to change the opacity of the controlled partition 21, 22.

[0096] The partition opacity change command is defined to command a modification of the voltage applied between the first and second conductive layers 24, 26 of the controlled partition 21, 22. The value of the voltage to be applied can be determined in particular by the correspondence table between the opacity values ​​of the glazing (OP1,.. OPn) and different voltage values ​​(VI... Vn), the opacity level OPk being obtained on a partition 21, 22 by applying the voltage Vk between the first and second conductive layers 24, 26 of said partition.

[0097] Alternatively or in addition to the first embodiment described above, other variants of embodiments could include a step E3 of automatic control of the glazing.

[0098] A second mode of execution of the control method comprising a step E3 of automatic control of the glazing is described by [Fig. 10].

[0099] In this mode of execution, step E1 comprises, in addition to the processing previously described for this step, a detection of a command to activate an automatic mode.

[0100] In one embodiment of the control interface 4 involving a button, the detection of a command to activate an automatic mode can be carried out by detecting a press on the third control element 43.

[0101] Alternatively or in addition, the detection of a command to activate an automatic mode can be carried out by means of a human-machine interface or a voice command. The human-machine interface or the voice command can also make it possible to control a desired temperature in the passenger compartment.

[0102] When a command to activate the automatic mode is detected, we continue with a step E3 of automatic control of the opacifying glazing.

[0103] Step E3 comprises a determination of a target opacity level based on measurements from the set of sensors 5. The measurements may comprise one or more measurements of sunlight on the roof of the vehicle and / or a measurement of the outside temperature. Advantageously, the measurements also comprise a measurement of the temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10.

[0104] Step E3 comprises determining a target temperature, corresponding to the temperature desired by the users in the passenger compartment. Depending on the type of control interface used, the target temperature may be determined by the user via a human-machine interface and / or a voice command. Alternatively, the target temperature may be determined by a default value, for example 20 degrees, or by a predetermined deviation from the outside temperature, the predetermined deviation possibly being a function of the outside temperature.

[0105] From the defined target temperature, and the measurements of sunshine or temperature, a target opacity level of the glazing is determined allowing the temperature of the passenger compartment to tend towards the target temperature. In addition, an air conditioning device can be used to achieve the target temperature value. In this case, the means for controlling the glazing and the means for controlling the air conditioning device communicate with each other, or at least they simultaneously receive the information formations of at least one temperature and / or sunshine sensor.

[0106] In an embodiment of step E3, all the partitions of the glazing are controlled simultaneously to implement the target opacity level uniformly across all the partitions of the glazing corresponding to the implementation of a tenth state of the glazing VIO represented by [Fig. 11]. In an alternative embodiment, the tenth state of the glazing VIO may correspond to the state V3 implementing the intermediate opacity level OP2 uniformly across all the partitions of the glazing.

[0107] In an alternative embodiment, step E3 may comprise a selective modification of one or more of the at least two partitions 21, 22 of the glazing, in particular as a function of the sunlight measurements making it possible to determine the direction of the light rays.

[0108] Step E3 comprises an update of the target opacity level as a function of the update of the measurements of the set of sensors 5. The opacity of all or part of the at least two partitions of the glazing is then modified according to the target opacity level updated for each partition.

[0109] In one execution mode, when an opacity change command is detected, in particular by pressing one of the first and second locations 41, 42 of the button 4, the next step is to detect an opacity modification command.

[0110] In total, the invention makes it possible to control opacifying glazing in a simple and intuitive manner, each partition of the glazing being controlled independently to modify its opacity according to a given number of opacity levels.

[0111] The simple and intuitive nature of the invention comes first of all from the association between each partition of the glazing to be controlled and a single control element, in particular a button or a button pressing zone.

[0112] Furthermore, the simple and intuitive nature of the invention is enhanced by the possibility of changing the opacity of a partition according to a single variation cycle (configured to be either a cycle of increasing opacity or a cycle of decreasing opacity). Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to implement a limited number of opacity levels, for example three or four levels, which allows a user to control the desired opacity level in a limited number of presses. The controls are also simplified by the possibility of reaching a minimum or maximum opacity level in a single press, such as a long press.

[0113] The invention further presents the possibility of activating automatic control of the glazing according to a desired temperature and / or brightness in the passenger compartment.

[0114] Other advantages can be provided by the possibility for a user to configure the glazing device according to your needs, in particular to define the number of opacity levels desired.

[0115] Advantageously, the automatic glazing control could also be configured to use different sets of partitions and opacity levels depending on the weather conditions. For example, the automatic glazing control could use - a first set of partitions in a first sunlight configuration, this first set of partitions and opacity levels making it possible in particular to differentiate the opacity of the front and rear parts of the passenger compartment in order to adapt the opacity of the glazing according to the direction of the solar rays, and - a second set of partitions and opacity levels in a second sunlight configuration, this second set of partitions and opacity levels making it possible, for example, to optimize the maintenance of a target temperature in the passenger compartment.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling an opacifying glazing (2) for a motor vehicle (10), the glazing comprising at least two partitions (21, 22), each partition taking a number n of opacity levels (OP1, ..., OPn) numbered in an increasing order of opacity, with n>2, in particular n=3 or n=4 or n=5, the opacity level of each partition being controlled autonomously to evolve between a minimum value (OP1) and a maximum value (OPn), characterized in that a first type of control of the opacity level of a partition (21, 22) having an opacity level value of rank j (OPj), in particular a short press on a control button, involves: - a unit decrease in the value of the opacity level of the partition towards a value of the opacity level of rank j-1 (OPj-1), or - a unit increase in the value of the opacity level of the partition towards a value of opacity level of rank j+1 (OPj+1),and in that a second type of control of the opacity level of a partition (21, 22) having an opacity level value of rank j (OPj), in particular a long press on a control button, involves: - a reduction of several units of the value of the opacity level of the partition or a reduction of the value of the opacity level of the partition down to the minimum value, or - an increase of several units of the value of the opacity level of the partition or an increase of the value of the opacity level of the partition up to the maximum value.,

2. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each partition of the glazing is associated with a separate control element (41, 42), for example associated with a separate control button.

3. Control method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of automatic control of the glazing from data from a set of sensors (5).

4. Device (1) for controlling an opacifying glazing (2), the device comprising hardware and / or software elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33) implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 3, in particular hardware elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22) and / or software designed to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to

5. d J. Motor vehicle (10) equipped with a control device (1) according to the preceding claim.

6. A computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 when said program is running on a computer.

7. A computer-readable data storage medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 3.

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