Method and device for controlling a vehicle's onboard lighting system via indicator lights

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle lighting system (10). To this end, a warning light indicating the activation of the dipped headlights is displayed within a defined area of ​​a human-machine interface displayed on a touchscreen (13). Data representing a touch on the first displayed warning light is received. A set of warning lights, including a second warning light indicating the activation of the main beam headlights, is then displayed. Data representing a touch on the second warning light is received. A request to activate the main beam headlights is transmitted, and the second warning light is displayed in place of the first. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an on-board lighting system in a vehicle via indicator lights Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an on-board lighting system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the activation and deactivation of the dipped beam headlights and the main beam headlights of a lighting system of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting the driving of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Each vehicle is equipped with a lighting system consisting of a set of lighting lights, some of which are also called projectors or headlights. The lighting system allows both to be seen by other road users thanks to the lights which signal the presence of the vehicle, including the position lights, daytime running lights, brake lights, rear fog lights, and to see the environment in which the vehicle is traveling, particularly at night, thanks to the dipped beam headlights, main beam headlights, front fog lights and reversing lights.

[0003] Certain vehicles are further equipped with automatic dipped headlight switching systems, the dipped headlights being switched on automatically when a sensor of the automatic switching system detects that the light intensity in the environment in which the vehicle is traveling is lower than a determined threshold light intensity.

[0004] Controlling the switch from dipped beam to main beam, or vice versa, as well as controlling the activation or deactivation of the automatic ignition system where applicable, is generally done by operating a lever and / or physical buttons provided around or on the steering wheel, or on the dashboard or a central console of the vehicle.

[0005] Contemporary vehicles also have, for some of them, several screens to display information useful to the driver for driving the vehicle as well as comfort information, such as for example information for interacting with the infotainment system, also called IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement embargo"), of the vehicle.

[0006] Among these screens, it is known to include one or more LCD type screens (from the English “Liquid Crystal Display” or in French “Display à cristals liquide”), for example, TFT type (from the English “Thin-Film Transistor”), or OLED (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode”).

[0007] The integration of such screens associated with a touch interface makes it possible to control via this touch interface and the graphic Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on such a screen one or more system(s) embedded in the vehicle, for example the lighting system or the automatic switching on system for the dipped headlights. To do this, it is necessary to navigate through different menus to reach the menu relating to the lighting system and / or the automatic switching on system for the dipped headlights.

[0008] The multiplication of command or control means leads to a complexity of the HMI by which a user interacts with the on-board systems to control them, with in particular a multiplication of icons or command shortcuts whose control and management are consequently complicated for a user. The user experience is degraded and the attention of the driver of the vehicle can be reduced when the driver navigates through the different TIHM menus or looks for the control levers to execute the function(s) that he wishes to activate at the lighting system level.

[0009] Furthermore, the multiplication of display devices in a vehicle as well as the multiplication of means of controlling the on-board systems increases the price of these vehicles and complicates access to information for the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle, which can also degrade the user experience.

[0010] Summary of the present invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of a vehicle lighting system, particularly an automobile.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the control of this lighting system.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve safety in a vehicle.

[0015] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle, the lighting system comprising a set of main beam headlights and dipped beam headlights, the lighting system being associated with a system for automatically switching on the dipped beam headlights, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - display control of a first signaling indicator representing activation dipped headlights in a specific content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed on the touch screen; - reception of first data representative of a tactile press on the first indicator light; - display control of a set of indicator lights comprising the first indicator light, a second indicator light representing activation of the main beam headlights and a third indicator light representing activation of the automatic dipped beam headlights switching system on the touch screen following reception of the first data; - reception of second data representative of a tactile press on the second indicator light; - transmission of a request to activate the main beam headlights to the lighting system following receipt of the second data; - display control of the second indicator light in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen.

[0016] The direct use of the indicator light representing the activation of the dipped beam headlights for the control of the lighting system, for example to control the activation of the main beam headlights, makes it possible to improve the control of the lighting system by providing direct access to the control via the use of the dipped beam headlight activation symbol displayed on a touch screen.

[0017] User control access is centralized on this touchscreen, reducing the time spent searching for the function and thus improving the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0018] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of third data representative of a tactile press on the third indicator light; - transmission of a request to deactivate an automatic dipped headlight function to the automatic dipped headlight system following receipt of the third data.

[0019] According to another variant, the determined content of the HMI further comprises a set of information representative of the vehicle including information representative of an instantaneous speed of the vehicle.

[0020] According to an additional variant, the determined content is displayed on a first part of the touch screen and the set of indicator lights is displayed on a second part of the touch screen different from the first part.

[0021] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of fourth data representative of a double touch on the first indicator light; - transmission of a request to generate a headlight flash via the main beam headlights to the lighting system.

[0022] According to an additional variant, the display control of a set of indicator lights is implemented when the first data is representative of a tactile press on the first indicator light for a duration less than a threshold, and when the first data are representative of a tactile press on the first indicator light for a duration greater than the threshold, said method comprises a step of controlling the display of a graphic representation of the vehicle on the touch screen, the graphic representation comprising information representative of a current state of each light in the set of main beam and dipped beam headlights, the current state belonging to a set of states comprising: - a defective operating condition; and - a correct working condition.

[0023] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of fifth data representative of a touch press on the second indicator light displayed in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen; - control of the display of the set of indicator lights on the touch screen following receipt of the fifth data; - reception of sixth data representative of a tactile press on the first indicator light of the set of indicator lights; - transmission of a request to activate the dipped headlights to the lighting system following receipt of the sixth data; - display control of the first indicator light in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0025] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a system for controlling a lighting system comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention and a touch display screen communicatively connected to the device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0028] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0030] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0031] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0032] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 8, in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a second particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a third particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a fifth particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.7] illustrates a device configured to control a lighting system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Fig.8] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a lighting system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Description of the examples of embodiment

[0043] A method and a device for controlling a lighting system associated with an automatic switching-on system for the dipped headlights of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0044] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a lighting system of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle. The lighting system comprises a set of lights comprising for example dipped beam headlights and main beam headlights, also called headlights. The lighting system is advantageously associated with an automatic switching-on system for the dipped beam headlights, the lighting system comprising for example the automatic switching-on system or being connected in communication to the automatic switching-on system. For this purpose, the method comprises controlling the display of a first indicator light representative of the activation of the dipped beam headlights.The first indicator light corresponds, for example, to a symbol or pictogram representing the dipped headlights and is displayed on a touch screen of the vehicle in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, for example in a determined page of the HMI corresponding, for example, to the home screen or the default screen of the HMI. First data representative of a touch press on the first indicator light displayed are received from the touch interface, for example when a user makes a touch press on . the touch screen at the display location of the first indicator light in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen. Following receipt of the first data, a set of indicator lights comprising the first indicator light, a second indicator light representative of activation of the high beams and a third indicator light representative of activation of the automatic switching on of the dipped beams on the touch screen is displayed on the touch screen following receipt of the first data. Second data representative of a touch press on the second indicator light displayed are received from the touch interface, for example when a user makes a touch press on the touch screen at the display location of the second indicator light displayed on the touch screen.A request to require the activation of the main beam headlights instead of the dipped beam headlights is transmitted, for example to the computer responsible for controlling the lighting system. Finally, the display of the second indicator light is controlled to display the second indicator light in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen, for example in place of the first indicator light.

[0045] Such a method makes it possible to control the change from dipped beam to main beam (and vice versa as described below) by tactile presses on the indicator lights corresponding to the symbols associated with the dipped beam and main beam displayed in the HMI displayed on the touch screen of the vehicle. This avoids the user wishing to change from dipped beam to main beam (or vice versa) having to search in the various menus or contents of the HMI and / or on the various physical control means (levers or buttons) how to make such a change, the control of the dipped beam / main beam being obtained directly by pressing the associated symbols. Such symbols advantageously correspond to those defined in international standard 180-2575:2010, international standard ISO-7000 or even in international standard ISO-6727.

[0046] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle.

[0048] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a screen 13 with a touch interface and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical MMI on the touch screen 13. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (of English: "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement monté") of the vehicle 10. The connection between the computer and the head-up display device corresponds for example to an LVDS type connection (from the English "Low Voltage Differential Signaling" or in French "Low Voltage Differential Transmission").

[0049] According to a particular embodiment, the display system further comprises a display screen 12 corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade 12, for example arranged on top of the dashboard 11 in front of the windshield of the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 is for example arranged behind the steering wheel 14, according to the point of view of a driver installed in the driver's seat 15, in such a way that the driver sees the content displayed or projected on the transparent blade 12 when the driver is driving the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 thus corresponds to an element of a device or system called a head-up display. Such a display system comprises for example one or more projectors integrated for example in the dashboard 11.Such a system for projecting images or graphic content corresponds, for example, to a so-called augmented reality system, called AR (from the English "Augmented Reality"), for example a Head-Up Display system, called VTH or HUD (from the English "Head Up Display" or in French "Display Head High"), which allows the incrustation of virtual objects in the driver's field of vision by projecting the images onto the blade 12, so as to superimpose the virtual objects of the projected images onto the real road scene. The projection of the images of the graphic object is, for example, controlled by one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

[0050] Such a display system comprising the touch screen 13 and the head-up display device 12 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, making it possible for example to eliminate the display screen(s) called the instrument panel or dashboard and generally arranged in an area 141 behind the steering wheel in the dashboard 11.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data between them via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN data bus type (from the English “Controller Area Network” or in French “Réseau de contrôles”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate”). or in French "Flexible Data Rate Controller Area Network"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0052] The system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10 correspond for example to a lighting system of the vehicle 10 and a system for automatically switching on the dipped headlights.

[0053] The lighting system comprises a set of lights or headlights for illuminating the area in front of the vehicle 10 and / or for signaling the presence or position of the vehicle 10 to other road users.

[0054] The lighting system includes in particular dipped beam headlights and main beam headlights, for example 2 dipped beam headlights (front left and front right), also called low beam headlights, and 2 main beam headlights (front left and front right), also called headlights.

[0055] As known to those skilled in the art, the lighting system further comprises position lights, in particular at the rear of the vehicle 10, indicator lights, reversing lights, fog lights, etc.

[0056] The dipped beam headlights and the main beam headlights are lighting devices that complement each other. The dipped beam headlights and the main beam headlights correspond, for example, to separate lighting devices (a dipped beam headlight and a separate main beam headlight on the left and right of the vehicle 10) or, according to a variant, the dipped beam headlights and the main beam headlights correspond to operating modes of the same lighting device (one on the right and one on the left of the vehicle 10).

[0057] The dipped headlights correspond, for example, to lighting devices configured to illuminate the environment in front of the vehicle 10 over a minimum distance of 30 m without dazzling other drivers, according to the regulations in force in France.

[0058] According to the regulations in force in France, the main beam headlights must illuminate the environment in front of the vehicle 10 over a distance of at least 100 m.

[0059] The dipped beam headlights and / or the main beam headlights correspond, for example, to halogen or Xenon lighting devices or those using a system of light-emitting diodes, known as LEDs.

[0060] The automatic dipped headlight switching system equipping the vehicle 10 comprises one or more sensors, for example consisting of photoelectric cells and arranged at the windshield of the vehicle 10, configured to measure the exterior brightness level. The automatic activation of the dipped headlights is controlled, for example by a computer controlling the automatic dipped headlight switching system, when the brightness level or light intensity is below a determined threshold. The computer controlling such a system corresponds for example to the computer controlling the activation of the lights of the system lighting or to a dedicated computer connected in communication with the lighting system computer via one or more data buses.

[0061] A process for controlling the lighting system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

[0062] According to a particular embodiment, the process of controlling the lighting system comprises controlling the automatic switching on system of the dipped headlights.

[0063] In a first operation, the display of a first indicator light representative of the activation of the dipped headlights of the vehicle 10 is controlled in such a way that the first indicator light is displayed on the touch screen 13 in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen.

[0064] The control of the display of the first indicator light is for example triggered by the automatic activation of the dipped headlights via the automatic ignition system of the vehicle 10.

[0065] The displayed content includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10.

[0066] The set of information includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a rolling or traffic phase, i.e. in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10.

[0067] The set of information comprises for example other complementary information such as for example the remaining autonomy (expressed for example in km), the distance traveled, a level of energy remaining in the tank (for example the quantity of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery when the vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle or the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank when the vehicle 10 is a vehicle with a thermal engine), etc.

[0068] The first signaling indicator advantageously corresponds to a standardized symbol according to the ISO-2575, ISO-7000 or ISO-6727 standard.

[0069] The first indicator light 211 is for example illustrated in [Fig. 2]. [Fig. 2] illustrates an example of displaying the first indicator light 211 in a first determined part or zone 21 of the touch screen 13. The first determined zone 21 is for example assigned or dedicated for displaying contents of the HMI controlled by the IVI computer to provide or display to the driver the information necessary for controlling the vehicle 10, for example the instantaneous speed.

[0070] The first indicator light 211 representing the activation of the dipped headlights of the vehicle 10 corresponds for example to the symbol defined in the standard ISO-7000 and registered under reference ISO 7000-0083.

[0071] One or more other determined zones 22, 23 are for example assigned to other contents of the HMI, for example an area for displaying information associated with the multimedia system of the vehicle 10 and / or an area for displaying information associated with the navigation system of the vehicle 10.

[0072] In a second operation, first data representative of a tactile press on the first signaling indicator 211 are received, following a tactile press 212 by a user on the first signaling indicator 211.

[0073] A tactile press on the first indicator 211 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the tactile press.

[0074] The first data representative of the touch-sensitive support are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the touch-sensitive interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch-sensitive interface where appropriate) and the IVI computer.

[0075] The first data are for example representative of a so-called brief tactile press, that is to say the duration of press on the first indicator 211 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0076] In a third operation, the IVI computer controls the display of a set of indicator lights comprising the first indicator light, a second indicator light representing activation of the main beam headlights and a third indicator light representing activation of the automatic switching on of the dipped beam headlights system on the touch screen 13, such display control being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0077] According to a first exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the display of the set of indicator lights is controlled in such a way that this set of indicator lights is displayed in a second determined part or zone 22 of the screen 13 different from the first determined zone 21, for example adjacent to this first zone 21.

[0078] The set of signaling indicators comprises for example: - the first witness 312 corresponding for example to the symbol defined in the ISO-7000 standard and registered under the reference ISO 7000-0083; - the second witness 313 corresponding for example to the symbol defined in the ISO-7000 standard and registered under the reference ISO 7000-0082; and - the third witness 311 corresponding for example to an ISO symbol, corresponding for example to the word “AUTO”.

[0079] The different indicators 311, 312 and 313 are for example displayed simultaneously in the content of 1THM displayed in this second zone 22 in the form of a list to allow the user to select by touch the desired indicator for activate the associated function.

[0080] According to an alternative embodiment, a text explaining the function associated with each indicator light 311, 312, 313 is displayed in an area opposite each indicator light, for example in a text area 321 attached or adjacent to the third indicator light 311 (with for example the following text: “Auto dipped headlights on”), in a text area 322 attached or adjacent to the first indicator light 312 (with for example the following text: “Dipped headlights”) and in a text area 323 attached or adjacent to the second indicator light 313 (with for example the following text: “Main beam headlights”).

[0081] The display of such a list makes it possible, for example, to indicate to the driver or to a passenger of the vehicle having clicked on the first indicator light 211 displayed in the first zone 21 that the automatic ignition system is active, as indicated by the third indicator light 311.

[0082] Touching one of the indicators in the set of indicators 311, 312 and 313 also makes it possible to trigger an associated function.

[0083] For example, a touch on the third indicator light 311 triggers the deactivation of the automatic switching on of the dipped headlights with the display of a specific indicator light indicating to the driver that the automatic switching on of the dipped headlights system is deactivated. This specific indicator light is for example displayed in replacement of the third indicator light 311 with display of a text explaining that the system is deactivated in the text zone 321. According to this particular example, the IVI computer receives third data representative of a touch on the third indicator light 311. In response, the IVI computer transmits to the computer controlling the automatic switching on of the dipped headlights a request to deactivate the automatic switching on of the dipped headlights function.The IVI calculator then controls the display of an ad hoc symbol or indicator light to signal that the automatic dipped headlight function is deactivated.

[0084] According to an alternative embodiment, a specific symbol or pictogram 331 (for example an arrow) is displayed opposite the first indicator light 312 to indicate that the lights currently being activated or operating correspond to the dipped beam headlights.

[0085] According to a second exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4], the display of the set of indicator lights is controlled in such a way that this set of indicator lights 411, 211, 412 is displayed in the first determined zone 21, for example at the location of the first indicator light 211.

[0086] For example, the first indicator light 211 remains displayed in its location initial and the second indicator 412 and the third indicator 411 are displayed horizontally on either side of the first signal indicator 211, for example respectively to the right of the first indicator 211 and to the left of the first indicator 211.

[0087] In a fourth operation, second data representative of a tactile press 314 or 413 on the second indicator light 313 or respectively 412 are received, following a tactile press by a user on the second indicator light 313 or respectively 412.

[0088] In a fifth operation, the IVI computer transmits a request to the computer controlling the lighting system to request activation of the main beam headlights.

[0089] The transmission of the request is triggered automatically by the reception of the second data representative of the tactile support 314, 413. The request is for example generated automatically by the IVI computer upon reception of the second data then transmitted automatically via one or more data buses connecting the IVI computer to the computer controlling the lighting system.

[0090] The request advantageously includes control or command data to request the activation of the main beam headlights instead of the dipped beam headlights.

[0091] In a fourth operation, the computer receiving the request transmitted by the IVI computer controls the set of lights to deactivate the dipped beam headlights and activate the main beam headlights.

[0092] According to a particular embodiment, an acknowledgment of receipt of the request is transmitted by the lighting system computer to the IVI computer upon receipt of the request.

[0093] According to this embodiment, in the absence of an acknowledgment received within a determined time interval, the IVI computer retransmits the request.

[0094] According to another embodiment, the computer controlling the lighting system transmits data confirming activation of the main beam headlights to the IVI computer when the main beam headlights have actually been activated instead of the dipped beam headlights.

[0095] In a sixth operation, the IVI calculator controls the display of the second indicator light 511, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], so that the latter is displayed in the determined content of the HMI in the first zone 21 of the touch screen.

[0096] The display of the second indicator light 511 replaces, for example, the display of the first indicator light 211. According to this example, the display location of the second indicator light 511 in the content of the HMI and on the screen 13 is the same as the display location of the first indicator light 211.

[0097] According to another example, the second indicator light 511 is displayed at a different location than the first indicator light in the content of the HMI of the first zone 21, for example next to the first indicator 211. According to this example, the IVI computer then controls the display of the first indicator 211 so that the latter is no longer displayed, only the second indicator 511 being displayed in this first zone 21 of the screen 13.

[0098] If the user wishes to switch back to dipped beam headlights, he simply needs to make a tactile press on the second indicator light 511 then displayed to trigger the second, third, fourth and fifth operations again, the display of the first indicator light 211 then being displayed in the first zone 211 in place of the second indicator light 211 to confirm the activation of the dipped beam headlights instead of the main beam headlights. According to this example, the data obtained in the fourth operation correspond for example to data representative of a tactile press on the first indicator light 312, 211 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

[0099] According to a particular embodiment, the tactile press 212 made on the first indicator light corresponds to a double-click, that is to say to two consecutive presses in a determined time interval, for example a first press followed by a second press, the second press being made less than 1 s for example after the first press.

[0100] According to this particular embodiment, fourth data representative of a double touch press on the first signaling indicator 211 are received by the IVI computer.

[0101] In response, the IVI computer automatically generates and transmits a request to generate a headlight flash to the computer controlling the lighting system.

[0102] Upon receipt of this request, the lighting system computer controls the lights of the vehicle 10 to generate a headlight flash, i.e. to perform a sequence of a first activation (switching on), followed by a deactivation (switching off) itself followed by a second activation (switching on) of the main beam headlights, the first activation and the second activation being brief so as to generate a light flash of short duration (for example less than or equal to 1 s) via the main beam headlights.

[0103] Once the headlights have been flashed, the lighting system computer reactivates the dipped headlights, with the main beam headlights being deactivated or switched off.

[0104] According to another particular embodiment, when the first data representative of the tactile press 212 on the first indicator light 211 displayed in the first zone 21 of the screen 13 are representative of a so-called long tactile press (i.e. of duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms)), then the process comprises an operation of controlling the display of a graphic representation of the vehicle 10 on the touch screen 13.

[0105] Such a graphic representation is for example illustrated in [Fig. 6]. A graphic representation 61 of the vehicle 10 is for example displayed in the second zone 22 according to one or more determined views for example (for example according to a front view, a rear view and / or one or more side views).

[0106] The graphic representation 61 comprises, for example, information representative of a current state of each light in the set of lights of the vehicle 10.

[0107] A current state corresponds for example to: - a defective operating condition when a light is out of order; or - a correct working condition when a light is operational.

[0108] Such an embodiment makes it possible to indicate to a user the current state of each light, for example the current state of each dipped beam and / or each main beam, visually. For example, a light in a faulty operating state is for example represented in red on the graphic representation 61 and a light in an operating state is represented in green.

[0109] According to another example, a light in an operating state is indicated by flashing the light in question on the graphical representation.

[0110] According to yet another example, a text is displayed in the second zone 22 (for example with the graphical representation) to list the light(s) in a faulty operating state.

[0111] Such a process allows the user to control the vehicle's lighting system, in particular the activation of the dipped and main beam headlights, with a reduced number of clicks or touch presses. Access to the control is direct from content or a home page or by default from the vehicle's HMI 10.

[0112] Such a process is intended to be implemented while the vehicle is in motion, in a rolling phase of the vehicle 10. This is permitted since access to the control is simple and direct without the need to navigate through the various contents and menus of the HMI via the touch interface of the screen 13. Such control is carried out in complete safety, the driver being able to maintain full attention on driving the vehicle 10.

[0113] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a device 7 configured for controlling one or more on-board systems of a vehicle, for example the lighting system and the automatic switching on system of the dipped headlights of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 7 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0114] The device 7 is for example configured for implementing the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 6 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.8]. Examples of such a device 7 include, but are not limited to, a on-board electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic calculator such as an ECU ("Electronic Control Unit"), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 7, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 7 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0115] The device 7 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 70 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 7. The processor 70 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 7 further comprises at least one memory 71 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0116] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 71.

[0117] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 7 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0118] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 7 comprises a block 72 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 72 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (LTE) “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Long-Term Evolution”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced); - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0119] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 7 comprises a communication interface 73 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 730. The communication interface 73 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 730. The communication interface 73 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0120] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 7 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 740, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 750 and / or other peripherals 760 (projection system) via output interfaces 74, 75 and 76 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 7.

[0121] [Fig. 8] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a lighting system associated with an automatic switching on system for the dipped headlights of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 7 of [Fig. 7].

[0122] In a first step 81, the display of a first indicator light representative of activation of the dipped headlights in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, is controlled so that the first indicator light is displayed on a touch screen embedded in the vehicle.

[0123] In a second step 82, first data representative of a tactile press on the first signaling indicator are received.

[0124] In a third step 83, the display of a set of indicator lights comprising the first indicator light, a second indicator light representing activation of the main beam headlights and a third indicator light representing activation of the automatic switching on of the dipped beam headlights system is controlled so that the set of indicator lights is displayed on the touch screen, according to the reception of the first data at the second step 82.

[0125] In a fourth step 84, second data representative of a tactile press on the second signaling indicator are received.

[0126] In a fifth step 85, a request to activate the main beam headlights is transmitted to the lighting system following receipt of the second data.

[0127] In a sixth step 86, the display of the second signaling indicator in the determined content of the HMI is controlled so that the second signaling indicator is displayed on the touch screen.

[0128] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 6 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.8].

[0129] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying indicator lights representative of activation of the dipped beam headlights or the main beam headlights which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0130] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 7 of [Fig.7] or a display system comprising the device 7 of [Fig.7] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle (10), said lighting system comprising a set of main beam headlights and dipped beam headlights, said lighting system being associated with an automatic dipped beam headlight switching system, said vehicle (10) having a display system comprising a touch screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - control (81) of display of a first indicator light (211) representative of activation of said dipped beam headlights in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed on said touch screen (13); - reception (82) of first data representative of a tactile press on said first indicator light (211);- control (83) of display of a set of indicator lights comprising said first indicator light (312), a second indicator light (313) representative of activation of said main beam headlights and a third indicator light (311) representative of activation of said automatic dipped beam headlights system on said touch screen (13) following said reception of said first data; - reception (84) of second data representative of a tactile press on said second indicator light (313); - transmission (85) of a request for activation of said main beam headlights to said lighting system following the reception of said second data; - control (86) of display of said second indicator light (511) in said determined content of the HMI displayed on said touch screen (13).;

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a tactile press on said third indicator light (311); - transmitting a request to deactivate an automatic dipped headlight switching function to said automatic dipped headlight switching system following receipt of said third data.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said content determined by the HMI further comprises a set of information representative of said vehicle (10) comprising information representative of an instantaneous speed of said vehicle (10).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said determined content is displayed on a first part (21) of said touch screen and said set of indicator lights is displayed on a second part (22) of said touch screen different from said first part (21).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following steps: - reception of fourth data representative of a double touch press on said first indicator light (211); - transmission of a request to generate a headlight flash via the main beam headlights to said lighting system.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said control (83) of display of a set of indicator lights is implemented when said first data are representative of a tactile press on said first indicator light (211) of a duration less than a threshold, and when said first data are representative of a tactile press on said first indicator light (211) of a duration greater than said threshold, said method comprises a step of controlling the display of a graphic representation (61) of said vehicle on said touch screen (13), said graphic representation comprising information representative of a current state of each light of the set of main beam and dipped beam headlights, said current state belonging to a set of states comprising: - a faulty operating state; and - a correct operating state.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the following steps: - receiving fifth data representative of a touch press on said second indicator light (511) displayed in said determined content of the HMI displayed on said touch screen (13); - controlling the display of said set of indicator lights on said touch screen following the reception of said fifth data; - receiving sixth data representative of a touch press on said first indicator light (312) of said set of indicator lights; - transmission of a request to activate said dipped headlights to said lighting system following receipt of said sixth data; - control of display of said first indicator light (211) in said determined content of the HMI displayed on said touch screen (13).

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (7) for controlling a lighting system of a vehicle (10), said device (7) comprising a memory (71) associated with at least one processor (70) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (7) according to claim 9.

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