Method for controlling a direction change signal, associated device and motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for controlling a turn signal on a motor vehicle, the method being implemented in the motor vehicle (100), the motor vehicle comprising a driver's gaze analysis module (111) and at least one rearview mirror (130), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Upon detection, by the gaze analysis module (111), of a glance (R) towards the rearview mirror (130), a command is issued to activate the turn signal. Figure 2 for the abbreviated version

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling a turn signal, associated device and motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to the control of a change of direction light.

[0002] A motor vehicle has turn signals, often flashing, to warn other vehicles of the vehicle's changes of direction. The turn signals are typically controlled by a button or actuator inside the vehicle.

[0003] There is a need for a more intuitive control of the direction change lights.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling a direction change light (for example, a turn signal) of a motor vehicle, the method being implemented in the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a driver's gaze analysis module and at least one rearview mirror, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Upon detection, by the gaze analysis module, of a look towards the rearview mirror (in other words: if the gaze analysis module detects a look towards the rearview mirror then), a command is issued to turn on the light (in other words: the lighting).

[0005] The invention thus makes it possible to control the lighting of the direction change lights with a simple glance towards a rearview mirror.

[0006] Upon receipt of the ignition command, the fire lights up.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the rearview mirror is a side rearview mirror and / or located outside the vehicle (alternatively, inside).

[0008] A side mirror is most often mounted on a door of the vehicle.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the gaze analysis module comprises one or more cameras inside the vehicle's passenger compartment that produce images of the eyes (e.g., irises) and optionally the head of a driver. In a known manner, the gaze analysis module determines the direction of the driver's gaze from the position of the eyes (or irises) and optionally the position of the driver's head (from these images). A glance towards the rearview mirror can be detected from this determined direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the turn signal and the side mirror are located on the same (lateral) side of the vehicle.

[0011] Alternatively, the turn signal and the (side) rearview mirror are located on opposite sides of the vehicle, for example in the following embodiment.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the motor vehicle includes a navigation assistant and the method for controlling the turn signal includes: - A step of guiding the vehicle (in other words: the driver) according to a route via the navigation assistant, - A verification step to ensure the journey includes a first change direction, provided by the navigation assistant, subsequent to the detection stage, The command to activate the change of direction light is issued if the verification step determines that the journey includes a first change of direction subsequent to the detection step.

[0013] Alternatively, the navigation assistant (or other device) can invite (for example by a display on a screen in the vehicle) the driver of the vehicle to change lanes, and the issuance of the command is conditional on this invitation.

[0014] For example, the turn signal and the rearview mirror are located on the same side of the vehicle as the direction of the turn. The verification step may include determining that the rearview mirror is located on the same side of the vehicle as the direction of the turn.

[0015] For example, the navigation assistant is capable of determining the route from a starting (i.e., current) position of the vehicle (obtained, for example, by a satellite geopositioning module of the navigation assistant), a destination position, and a road map (for example, stored in the vehicle's memory, or, for example, in the electronic device's memory). For example, the guidance step includes the navigation assistant controlling the display, for example, on a screen, of a route path to implement the guidance. The driver then steers the vehicle based on the route thus displayed on the screen.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the verification step includes a step to determine whether the first change of direction is predicted by the navigation assistant within x seconds of the gaze analysis module detecting the gaze towards the rearview mirror, where x is a predetermined positive real value, and the command to activate the headlights is issued if the first change of direction is predicted by the assistant within x seconds of the gaze analysis module detecting the gaze towards the rearview mirror. For example, x is between 1 and 6.

[0017] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for the implementation in implementation of the method according to the invention, when the computer program is executed by the microprocessor or a microcontroller.

[0018] The invention also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the process according to the invention, and a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0019] The characteristics and advantages of the electronic device, the motor vehicle, and the computer program are identical to those of the method, therefore they are not repeated here.

[0020] An element such as an electronic device or another element (the navigation assistant or the analysis module, for example) is understood to be "configured to" perform or implement a step or operation, by the fact that the element includes means to (in other words, "is designed to" or "is adapted to") perform the step or operation. These are preferably electronic means, for example, a computer program, data in memory, and / or specialized electronic circuits.

[0021] When a step or operation is performed (in other words: implemented) by such an element, this generally implies that the element has means for (in other words, "is designed for" or "is adapted for" or "is configured for") performing the step or operation. These may also include, for example, electronic means, such as a computer program, data in memory, and / or specialized electronic circuits.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which.

[0023] [Fig-1] represents a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.2] represents the passenger compartment of the vehicle in [Fig.1] comprising an electronic device according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] represents the implementation of the process according to the invention, according to an example of an embodiment, by the electronic device of [Fig.2].

[0026] Detailed description of an example embodiment of the invention

[0027] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, in step S10, a motor vehicle 100 is travelling on a road 300. The motor vehicle 100 includes, in its passenger compartment 120, a driver's gaze analysis module 111 (driver 121 seated on a seat 122), two side mirrors 130, 140 (outside the vehicle 100), and four turn signal indicators 151, 152, 153, 154.

[0028] The gaze analysis module 111 includes one or more cameras inside the passenger compartment 120 of the vehicle 100 producing images of the eyes (for example (irises) and possibly the head of a driver 121 of the vehicle. As is known, the gaze analysis module 111 determines the direction of a gaze R of the driver 121 from the position of the driver's eyes (or irises) and possibly the position of the driver's head 121. The gaze R towards the rearview mirror 140 can be detected from the direction thus determined.

[0029] The passenger compartment 120 also includes a navigation assistant 112 which guides the vehicle 100 along a route tl.

[0030] The navigation assistant 112, the gaze analysis module 111, and the screen 113 are, for example, included in an electronic device 110 which implements the process of [Fig.3].

[0031] For example, the navigation assistant 112 is capable of determining the route based on the (current) position of the vehicle 100 (obtained, for example, by a satellite geopositioning module), the location of the destination, and a road map (for example, stored in the vehicle's memory or in the electronic device 110). For example, the guidance step includes the navigation assistant 112 commanding the display, for example, on a screen 113, of a route path t1 to implement the guidance. The driver 121 then steers the vehicle based on the path thus displayed on the screen 113.

[0032] The journey tl includes a first change of direction cl towards a road 400. The orientation of the change of direction is on the same side as the rearview mirror 130.

[0033] At step S20, the analysis module 111 detects a look R towards the rearview mirror 130 (or 140).

[0034] At step S30, the electronic device 110 determines that the first change of direction cl is predicted by the navigation assistant 112 between 1 and 6 seconds after detection. The electronic device can also verify that the rearview mirror 130 is located on the same side of the vehicle as the direction of the change of direction cl.

[0035] At step S40, the electronic device 110 consequently sends a command to switch on lights 151 and 153. (or 152 and 154)

[0036] The direction change lights 151 and 153 and the side mirror 130 are for example located on the same side of the vehicle 100.

[0037] The direction change lights 151 and 153 and the rearview mirror 130 are located on the same side of the vehicle as the direction change orientation cl.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a turn signal (151, 153) of a motor vehicle (100), the method being implemented in the motor vehicle (100), the motor vehicle (100) comprising a driver's gaze analysis module (111) (121) of the vehicle (100), a navigation assistant (112) and at least one rearview mirror (130), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Upon detection (S20), by the gaze analysis module (111), of a glance (R) towards the rearview mirror (130), emission (S40) of a command to activate the light (151, 153), the method for controlling the turn signal (151, 153) being characterized in that it also comprises: - A step of guiding the vehicle (100) along a path (tl) by the navigation assistant (112), - A verification step that the route (tl) includes a first change of direction (cl), as provided by the navigation assistant (112),subsequent to the detection step, - The command to activate the change of direction light (151, 153) is issued if the verification step determines that the route (tl) includes a first change of direction (cl) subsequent to the detection step.

2. Method of controlling a change of direction light (151, 153) according to the preceding claim wherein the change of direction light (151, 153) and the side mirror (140) are located on the same side of the vehicle (100).

3. A method for controlling a turn signal (151, 153) according to claim 1, wherein the verification step includes a determination step (S30) to determine whether the first turn is anticipated by the assistant within x seconds of detection, by the gaze analysis module (111), of the gaze (R) towards the rearview mirror (130), x being a predetermined positive real value, and the command to activate the light (151, 153) is issued if the first turn is anticipated by the assistant within x seconds of detection, by the gaze analysis module (111), gaze (111), from the gaze (R) towards the rearview mirror (140), x being between 1 and 6.

4. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when executed by the microprocessor or microcontroller.

5. Electronic device (110) comprising the navigation assistant (112), the gaze analysis module (111), and the screen (113) and configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device according to the preceding claim.

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