Management of a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a night vision assistance function provided by a driver assistance system (2) of a motor vehicle (1). The invention also relates to a device (100) implementing such a method and to a motor vehicle comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces in motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method. The invention is applicable to motor vehicles such as motor vehicles, particularly cars. Prior art

[0002] It is known that some modern motor vehicles are equipped with driver assistance systems that provide a night vision assistance function to help the driver more easily navigate night driving. To provide such a function, the driver assistance system uses an infrared camera that captures images of the driving environment in front of the vehicle and interacts with a human-machine interface in the vehicle to display these images on a screen located in the vehicle's interior, for example, integrated into the dashboard. Sometimes, such a function can further assist the driver by automatically generating an alert when a person or animal is near the vehicle, for example, visually by means of an indicator on the dashboard.However, until now, drivers have had limited means of interacting with such a feature. In particular, controlling such a feature generally requires navigating through configuration menus that allow modification of the operating parameters of the driver assistance system, an inconvenient operation that proves all the more cumbersome when considering that such a feature is likely to be used relatively frequently by most drivers. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention seeks to remedy this drawback. In particular, its aim is to provide a solution for improving the ergonomics of controlling a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention aims to enable such a night vision assistance feature to be provided and controlled by means of a single touchscreen human-machine interface of a motor vehicle. In this way, the invention aims to minimize the cost and complexity of vehicles while contributing favorably to driver comfort and night driving safety.

[0004] In order to achieve these goals, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of managing, by a computer device embedded in a motor vehicle, a night vision assistance function provided by a vehicle driver assistance system, the method comprising the steps of: i. trigger the display of an evolving pictogram on a touch screen of a vehicle human-machine interface, a pictogram display parameter being selected according to an operating state of the functionality; ii. to cause the display on the screen of a shot taken using an infrared camera of the driver assistance system when it is established that a press on the pictogram is made for a duration less than a pre-established threshold value and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment allow the camera to function; iii. to cause the display on the screen of a shot taken using the camera when it is established that data characterizing the presence of a person or an animal in front of the vehicle is generated; iv. trigger the deactivation of an alert produced by the feature in the event of the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle when it is established that a press on the pictogram is made for a duration greater than the threshold value; v. to display visual content on the screen indicating unavailability when it is established that the pictogram is pressed for a duration shorter than the threshold value and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment do not allow the camera to function; and vi. to cause the display on the screen of visual content explaining a malfunction of the functionality when it is established that a press on the pictogram is made and that the functionality or the camera is malfunctioning.

[0005] According to one variant, step ii) may include a step of interrupting the display of the shot as soon as it is established that a press is made on a portion of the screen which excludes the pictogram.

[0006] According to another variant, step iv) may include a step consisting of causing a change in the display parameter of the pictogram.

[0007] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, including at least one processor, and a data storage medium configured to implement a method as described above.

[0008] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of a process as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] [Fig-1] is a diagram illustrating a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0013] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention; and

[0014] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a process according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. This is equipped with a driver assistance system 2, which conventionally provides a night vision assistance function by using an infrared camera and interacting with a human-machine interface 3 of the vehicle to display images taken with the camera on a touch screen 4 of the human-machine interface 3 which is arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1, for example at the level of the center console.Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also includes a device 100 for managing a night vision assistance function provided by a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing a night vision assistance function provided by a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below.

[0016] During implementation of the method, a dynamic pictogram 5 displayed in a graphical interface on the screen 4 indicates the operating status of the night vision assistance feature, preferably using a specific color depending on whether the feature is active, inactive, standby, faulty, etc. Advantageously, the driver can control the feature, i.e., change its operating state, by simply pressing the pictogram 5. In particular, the driver can display a picture 6 taken by the camera on the screen by briefly pressing the pictogram 5. Similarly, by pressing and holding, the driver can advantageously deactivate an alert automatically generated by the night vision feature if a person or animal is present in front of the vehicle.This allows for more ergonomic interaction and more intuitive control of a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle.

[0017] The device 100 for managing a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig.2]. It is fundamentally a computer device, which includes 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 includes program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the process according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0018] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is hosted on an independent computer and interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired vehicle communication network (e.g., CAN, Ethernet) - represented on [Fig. 1] by the double-direction arrows - with the driver assistance system 2 and with the human-machine interface 3. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is an integral part of a computer of the driver assistance system 2 or of the human-machine interface 3.Thus, the device 100 according to the invention can, in particular, cause the display of a pictogram and / or visual content on the screen 4 of the human-machine interface 3, it can determine if a finger press is made on the pictogram 5, it can cause the display on the screen 4 of a shot 6 taken by means of the infrared camera of the driving assistance system 2 and it can cause the deactivation of an alert produced by the night vision assistance function in the event of the presence of a person or an animal in front of the vehicle.

[0019] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing a vision assistance functionality nighttime provided by a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, as described below in relation to figures 1 and 3.

[0020] According to a first step 201 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes a dynamic pictogram 5 to be displayed on the screen 4 of the human-machine interface 3 of the vehicle 1, by selecting a display parameter for the pictogram, preferably a display color, depending on the operating state of the functionality. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention first interacts with the driver assistance system 2 to obtain data characterizing an operating state of the night vision assistance functionality (e.g., active, inactive, standby, faulty, etc.). It then interacts with the human-machine interface 3 to cause the pictogram 5 to be displayed according to the operating state defined by the previously obtained data.Thus, thanks to this first step of the process according to the invention, it is advantageous to inform the driver in an ergonomic and intuitive manner about the operating status of the night vision assistance functionality provided by the driving assistance system 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the invention directly via the screen 4 of the human-machine interface 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0021] According to a second step 202 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 4 of a photograph taken by means of the infrared camera of the driver assistance system 2 as soon as it is established that the pictogram 5 is pressed for a duration less than a pre-established threshold value (e.g., 10 ms) and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment allow the camera to operate. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention interacts with the driver assistance system 2 to determine data characterizing the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment (i.e.day or night), which the driver assistance system 2 determines by means, for example, of a light sensor integrated into the camera, and it interacts with the human-machine interface 3 to determine whether a press on pictogram 5 is made for a duration shorter than the threshold value. Then, if it establishes that a short press is made on pictogram 5 and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment allow the camera to operate, in other words, that it is night (or dark - e.g., a tunnel), the device 100 according to the invention then interacts with the human-machine interface 3 to cause the display on the screen 4 of a shot taken by the camera, as illustrated in [Fig. 1] on the right side of the screen.Thus, thanks to this second step of the process, the driver can advantageously interact with the functionality and control, according to his wishes and in real time, the display of a shot taken using the camera with a simple short press of the finger. at pictogram 5. Advantageously, a shot taken with the camera is displayed only if the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment allow the camera to function, i.e., when the vehicle is traveling at night. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the device 100 of the invention then proceeds by performing a subsidiary step in which it interrupts the display of the shot as soon as it determines that a touch is made on a portion of the screen that excludes pictogram 5. Thanks to this subsidiary step, the driver can therefore advantageously interrupt the display of a shot that is no longer useful to them just as easily with a simple short touch of their finger on the entire portion of the screen that excludes pictogram 5.

[0022] According to a third step 203 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes a shot taken by the camera to be displayed on the screen 4 as soon as it determines that data characterizing the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle is generated. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention interacts with the driver assistance system 2, which, according to the invention, is configured to provide a night vision assistance function that, conventionally, allows the detection of the presence of people or animals in front of the vehicle. To enable this, the driver assistance system 2 includes, for example, a detection module based on artificial intelligence trained to detect people or animals in shots taken by means of an infrared camera.Thus, the driver assistance system 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the invention is, at a minimum, configured to periodically generate data characterizing the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle. When it determines that such data is being generated by the driver assistance system 2, implying that a person or animal is present in front of the vehicle, the device 100 according to the invention advantageously displays a picture taken by the camera on screen 4. This provides the driver with a highly ergonomic tool to help them understand some of the most dangerous situations encountered when driving at night. In particular, one can easily imagine the benefit that this real-time display on screen 4 of the human-machine interface 3 can provide, for example, in reducing the number of accidents involving wild animals.

[0023] According to a fourth step 204 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention deactivates an alert generated by the functionality in the event of the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle as soon as it determines that the pictogram 5 is pressed for a duration exceeding the threshold value. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention interacts sequentially with the human-machine interface 3 in order to determine whether a long press is This is performed at pictogram 5 and with the driver assistance system 2 to deactivate an alert generated by the night vision assistance feature in the event of the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle, as explained above. Thanks to this fourth step of the method, the device 100 according to the invention thus offers a highly practical way for the driver to deactivate an alert generated by the night vision assistance feature provided by the driver assistance system 2 of vehicle 1 according to the invention, which simply consists of pressing and holding the finger at pictogram 5.Furthermore, according to one variant, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by carrying out a subsidiary step during which it causes a modification of the display parameter of pictogram 5 to intuitively reflect an inactive state of the alert for the presence of people or animals.

[0024] According to a fifth step 205 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes visual content to be displayed on the screen 4 indicating an unavailability when it determines that a press on pictogram 5 is made for a duration shorter than the threshold value and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment do not allow the camera to function. In other words, unlike the second step 202 of the method described above, if it determines that a short press is made on pictogram 5 and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment do not allow the camera to function, in other words, that it is daytime, the device 100 according to the invention then interacts with the human-machine interface 3 to cause visual content to be displayed on the screen 4 indicating an unavailability of the functionality, for example, in the form of text.It is thus easy to inform a driver of the daytime unavailability of the night vision assistance functionality provided by the driver assistance system 2 of vehicle 1 according to the invention.

[0025] According to a sixth step 206 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes visual content to be displayed on the screen 4, explaining a malfunction of the functionality, as soon as it establishes that a press on the pictogram 5 is made while the functionality or the camera is malfunctioning. As in the previous step, a driver can thus be just as easily informed of a malfunction of the night vision assistance functionality, for example, if the camera feed is interrupted, or of the camera itself, for example, when it is obstructed by dirt.

[0026] Thus, thanks to the method and device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided to significantly improve the ergonomics of a functionality Night vision assistance provided by a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle, in particular by allowing a driver to control such a feature by simply tapping a touchscreen. Such night vision assistance can thus be provided and controlled via a single touchscreen on a motor vehicle's human-machine interface. In these ways, the invention helps minimize the cost and complexity of vehicles while providing greater comfort for drivers and increased safety for night driving.

Claims

1. Demands A method for managing, by means of a computer device (100) installed on board a motor vehicle (1), a night vision assistance function provided by a driver assistance system (2) of the vehicle, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

2. i. cause the display of an evolving pictogram (5) on a touch screen (4) of a human-machine interface (3) of the vehicle, a pictogram display parameter being selected according to an operating state of the functionality; ii. to cause the display on the screen of a shot (6) taken using an infrared camera of the driver assistance system (2) as soon as it is established that a press on the pictogram (5) is made for a duration less than a pre-established threshold value and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment allow the camera to operate; iii. trigger the display on screen (4) of a shot (6) carried out using the camera when it is established that data characterizing the presence of a person or an animal in front of the vehicle are generated; iv. to deactivate an alert produced by the feature in the event of the presence of a person or animal in front of the vehicle when it is established that a press on the pictogram (5) is made for a duration greater than the threshold value; v. to display on screen (4) visual content indicating unavailability when it is established that the pictogram (5) is pressed for a duration shorter than the threshold value and that the lighting conditions in the vehicle's driving environment do not allow the camera to function; and vi. cause the display on the screen (4) of visual content explaining a malfunction of the functionality when it is established that a press on the pictogram is made and that the functionality or the camera is malfunctioning. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step ii) includes a step consisting of interrupting the display of the shot as soon as it is established that a press is made on a portion of the screen (4) which excludes the pictogram.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step iv) comprises a step of causing a change in the display parameter of the pictogram.

4. Device (100) for managing a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102) on which is recorded, in particular, a program which includes program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an input and output interface (103) enabling the reception and transmission of data, configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

5. Computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 on the computer device of a night vision assistance feature provided by a motor vehicle driver assistance system according to claim 4, when said program is executed by at least one processor.

6. A medium usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 5 is stored thereon.

7. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 4.

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