Method and device for controlling an active emergency braking system using a warning light

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling an active emergency braking system, known as an AEB system, of a vehicle. To this end, a warning indicator (211) representing the AEB system is displayed in a specific area of ​​a human-machine interface displayed in a first zone (21) of a touchscreen (13). Data representing a touch press (311) on the displayed warning indicator (211) is received. Graphic content representing a set of information (31, 32) relating to a specific state of the AEB system is displayed in a second zone (22) of the touchscreen, different from the first zone (21), following the reception of the initial data. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an active emergency braking system using a warning light. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an active emergency braking system of a vehicle, particularly an automobile. The invention specifically relates to a method and device for displaying additional information for the active emergency braking system of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for assisting the driver in a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Contemporary vehicles include, 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 to interact with the infotainment system, also called IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé"), of the vehicle.

[0003] Among these screens, it is known to include one or more LCD type screens (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[0004] The integration of such screens makes it possible, for example, to control, via a graphical Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on such screens, the operating status of the systems on board the vehicle, for example AD AS systems (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système d'aide à la conduite avancé").

[0005] The increasing number of embedded systems in the vehicle and the proliferation of means for controlling these systems lead to a greater complexity in the vehicle's interface. This complexity arises when a user interacts with the embedded systems to control them, particularly with the proliferation of icons, displayed messages, and command shortcuts, the control and management of which are consequently complicated for the user. The user experience is thus degraded, and the driver's attention may be reduced when various messages are displayed on the vehicle's screen(s).

[0006] For example, for vehicles equipped with an active emergency braking system, known as an AEB system (from the English "Advanced Emergency Braking System" or in French Under the "Advanced Emergency Braking System" (AEB) system, several messages are displayed depending on the situations encountered by the AEB system, for example, when the AEB system encounters a problem, to alert the driver. The proliferation of displayed messages, combined with the display of warning lights or icons unfamiliar to most drivers, degrades the user experience and can distract the driver, which can be dangerous for the vehicle and its passengers.

[0007] Summary of the present invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of an active emergency braking system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the control of this active emergency braking system.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve safety in a vehicle.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an active emergency braking system, known as an AEB system, of a vehicle, the vehicle having a display system including a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - control of display of a signal indicator representative of the AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, known as HMI, displayed in a first area of ​​the touch screen; - reception of initial data representative of an initial touch on the signal indicator; - control of display of graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system following the reception of the first data, the graphic content being displayed in a second area of ​​the touch screen different from the first area.

[0013] Direct use of the indicator light representing the AEB system to request the display of additional content related to the AEB system, for example, the current state of the AEB system, allows the driver to obtain additional information on demand by touching the indicator light. This reduces the unintended display of content not desired by the driver, who controls the display of this content on demand. Furthermore, all the content is displayed on a single screen, which facilitates access to information and minimizes the time spent searching for it. This improves driver alertness, as well as the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0014] According to one variant, the determined state corresponding to a system outage, the graphic content corresponds to a first graphic content comprising: - a text message representing at least one cause of the system outage; and / or - a text message describing an action to be taken to restore the AEB system to service; and / or - a graphic illustration representing the action.

[0015] According to another variant, the display control of the first graphic content is triggered when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold.

[0016] According to a further variant, the process further comprises the following steps: - reception of second data representative of a second touch press on the signal indicator, the second touch press being subsequent to the first touch press; - control of the end of display of the graphic content in the second area following the reception of the second data.

[0017] According to yet another variant, when the graphic content corresponds to the first graphic content, the control to end display of the first graphic content is triggered when the second touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than the threshold.

[0018] According to an additional variant, the determined state corresponding to the out-of-service state or an in-service state of the AEB system, the graphic content corresponds to a second graphic content comprising: - information representative of the determined state; and / or - a set of initial graphical objects representing a set of parameters of the AEB system; and / or - a set of secondary graphical objects configured to adjust at least some of the parameters of the parameter set by touch pressing on at least one secondary graphical object of the set of secondary graphical objects.

[0019] According to another variant, the display control of the second graphic content is triggered when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than the threshold and the end of display control of the second graphic content is triggered when the second touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than the threshold.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for an active emergency braking 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.

[0021] According to a third 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.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0023] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0024] According to a fifth 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 process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0025] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0026] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0027] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 6, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment, according to a example of a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device for the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the vehicle display device of [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the vehicle display device of [Fig.1], according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.5] illustrates a device configured to control an active emergency braking system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] [Fig.6] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a method for controlling an active emergency braking system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Description of examples of implementation

[0036] A method and a control device for an active emergency braking system of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 6. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0037] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of an active emergency braking system, referred to as an AEB system, of a vehicle is implemented, for example, by one or more vehicle control units. To this end, the method includes controlling the display of a warning indicator representing the AEB system. The warning indicator corresponds, for example, to a symbol or pictogram representing the AEB system, or a current state of the AEB system, and is displayed in a first area or part of a touchscreen of the vehicle within a specific content of a human-machine interface, referred to as an HMI, for example, on a specific page of the HMI corresponding, for example, to the home screen or the default screen of the HMI.Initial data representing a touch on the displayed warning indicator is received from the touch interface, for example when a user touches the touchscreen at the location where the warning indicator is displayed. Following the receipt of this initial data, the control unit controls the display of graphic content comprising a set of information relating to a specific state of the AEB system in a second area of ​​the touchscreen, different from the first area.

[0038] Such a method makes it possible to control, via a voluntary action, the display of information relating to a current state of the AEB system.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention.

[0040] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example, a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle.

[0041] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a touchscreen 13 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) from a graphic HMI on the touchscreen 13. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, known as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement parmi") of the vehicle 10. The link between the computer and the head-up display device corresponds, for example, to an LVDS type link (from the English "Low Voltage Dif-ferential Signaling" or in French "Transmission différelle basse-voltage").

[0042] 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, from the viewpoint of a driver seated in the driver's seat 15, such that the driver sees the content displayed or projected onto the transparent blade 12 when driving the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 thus corresponds to an element of a device or system known as a head-up display. Such a display system comprises, for example, one or more projectors integrated, for example, into the dashboard 11.Such a system for projecting images or graphic content corresponds, for example, to an augmented reality (AR) system, such as a Head-Up Display (HUD) system, which allows virtual objects to be superimposed onto the driver's field of vision by projecting images onto the screen 12, thus overlaying the virtual objects of the projected images onto the real road scene. The projection of the graphic object images is controlled, for example, by one or more computers of the vehicle's on-board system 10, for example, by the IVI computer.

[0043] 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, allowing for example the removal of the display screen(s) called instrument cluster or instrument panel and generally arranged in an area 141 behind the steering wheel in the dashboard 11.

[0044] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, together with the IVI computer, form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10.Computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0045] The system(s) on board the vehicle 10 correspond, for example, to an active emergency braking system, denoted AEB system. Such a system is also known as an automatic emergency braking system, autonomous emergency braking system, or automatic emergency braking system.

[0046] Such a system is configured to automatically trigger the braking system of vehicle 10 when a risk of imminent collision is detected by the vehicle, for example with a vehicle traveling in front of vehicle 10, with a pedestrian or any other obstacle detected in front of vehicle 10.

[0047] The AEB system relies, for example, on data received from one or more sensors on the vehicle 10 configured for object detection, such as, for example: - one or more millimeter-wave radars arranged on the vehicle 10, for example at the front of the vehicle 10; each radar is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive the echoes of these waves reflected by one or more objects, in order to detect obstacles and their distances from the vehicle 10; and / or - one or more LIDAR(s) (Light Detection and Ranging), a LIDAR sensor corresponding to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser emitter, a receiver including a light collector (to collect the portion of the light emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located in the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector that transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each detected object; and / or - one or more cameras (with or without a depth sensor) to the acquisition of one or more images of the environment around the vehicle 10 located in the field of vision of the camera(s).

[0048] A control process for the AEB system of vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers of the vehicle 10's embedded system, for example by the IVI computer.

[0049] In a first operation, the display of a signal indicator representative of the AEB system of the vehicle 10 is controlled in such a way that the signal indicator 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 13.

[0050] The displayed content includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10.

[0051] The information set includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a driving or traffic phase, that is to say in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10.

[0052] The information set includes, for example, other supplementary information such as, for example, the remaining range (expressed for example in kms), the distance traveled, a level of energy remaining in the tank (for example, the amount of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery when the vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle or the amount of fuel remaining in the tank when the vehicle 10 is a vehicle with an internal combustion engine), etc.

[0053] The displayed indicator light, for example, represents a specific state of the AEB system. The graphic representation of the displayed indicator light depends, for example, on the current state of the AEB system.

[0054] For example, the warning light displays according to a first graphic representation determined when the AEB system is out of service, i.e., when the emergency braking function in the event of imminent collision risk detection is not in operation and is not functioning. The warning light displays, for example, according to a second graphic representation when the AEB system is in service or functioning, i.e., when the emergency braking function in the event of imminent collision risk detection is active and in operation, i.e., when this function is functioning.

[0055] According to another example, the indicator light is only displayed when the state of the AEB system corresponds to an out-of-service or non-functional state.

[0056] According to another example, the warning light is displayed in several different graphical representations when the AEB system is out of service or non-functional, the graphical representation varying according to the cause of the out-of-service state. By way of non-limiting examples, the warning light is displayed according to: - a first graphic representation, for example with a determined color (for example orange or red) with a fixed display when the current state of the AEB system corresponds to a deactivated state, for example following a voluntary deactivation by a passenger, for example via a control device or via the graphic interface displayed on screen 13, or following; - a second graphic representation, for example with a specific color (for example orange or red) identical to that of the first graphic representation but with a flashing display when the AEB system is being activated (state not activated and being activated); - a third graphic representation, for example identical to the first graphic representation, but accompanied by an audible signal and / or an additional indicator light when the system is in a deactivated state, for example following automatic deactivation by the AEB system itself: • when one or more conditions necessary for activation are not met: for example, following the detection of an unfastened seat belt, detection of a faulty brake light, detection of a brake pedal failure, detection of the presence of a trailer (connected or electrically attached to the vehicle 10), detection of an ESP system failure, etc.); and / or • due to an event external to the vehicle 10 such as heavy rain detection, fog detection, or low sun detection; and / or • due to an event external to the vehicle 10 with possible corrective action by a user / passenger, such as detection of a dirty or obstructed sensor (radar, lidar or camera); and / or • due to a defect in the AEB system.

[0057] The indicator light 211 is illustrated for example in [Fig.2]. [Fig.2] illustrates an example of the display of the first indicator light 211 in a first part or defined area 21 of the touch screen 13. The first defined area 21 is, for example, assigned or dedicated for the display of HMI content 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.

[0058] The signal indicator 211 representing the AEB system corresponds for example to a symbol defined in a standard, for example an ISO standard.

[0059] The warning light 211 illustrated in [Fig.2] is for example displayed according to a specific graphic representation representing a state of inoperability or non-function of the AEB system (the emergency braking function normally provided by the AEB system when the AEB system is in operation and activated is also inoperability, deactivated or non-functioning).

[0060] One or more other specified areas 22, 23 are for example assigned to other HMI content, for example an area to display information associated with the vehicle multimedia system 10 and / or an area to display information associated with the vehicle navigation system 10.

[0061] In a second operation, first representative data of a first touch 212 on the signal indicator 211 are received, following a touch 212 by a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the signal indicator 211.

[0062] A touch 212 on the indicator 211 sends information to the IVI control unit so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the touch press.

[0063] The first representative data of the touch press are received for example via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

[0064] The first data are for example representative of a so-called brief touch, that is to say, whose duration of contact on the first witness 211 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0065] In a third operation, the IVI computer controls the display of graphic content representing a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system, the graphic content being displayed in a second area 22 of the touch screen 13 different from the first area in which the indicator 211 is displayed, such display control being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0066] According to an example of an embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], the graphic content displayed on the second area of ​​the screen 22 (corresponding for example to an area adjacent to the first area 21) corresponds to a first graphic content displayed when the current state of the AEB system corresponds to an out-of-service (or non-functional) state and when the first data are representative of a so-called short or brief touch press.

[0067] The first graphic content includes, for example: - an initial text message representing the cause(s) that led to the AEB system going into out-of-service mode, such an initial message being displayed, for example, in the first part 31 of the second zone 22 designated for such a message; and / or - a second text message representing an action to be performed to restore the AEB system to service, for example displayed in a second part 32 of the second area 22 intended for such a second message or displayed in the first part 31 in addition to the first text message; and / or - a graphic illustration representing the action to be carried out, which graphic illustration is, for example, displayed in place of the second message in the second part 32 or as a supplement to the second text message.

[0068] For example, when the cause of the malfunction of the AEB system is an obstructed sensor, the first text message / second text message is of the type "Automatic emergency braking function unavailable: driving sensors obstructed, please clean them" and an animation (e.g. a computer-generated image or a video) illustrating a person cleaning the sensors is displayed in the second part 32.

[0069] According to another example, when the cause of the malfunction of the AEB system is a system fault, the first text message / second text message is of the type "Automatic emergency braking function deactivated (or faulty): please go to an authorized repairer" and an animation illustrating a person repairing the vehicle 10.

[0070] According to yet another example, when the cause of the malfunction of the AEB system is an activation condition not met, the first text message / second text message is of the type "Automatic emergency braking function deactivated: please fasten your seat belt" and an animation illustrating a person fastening their seat belt.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the process further comprises a fourth operation in which second data representing a second touch press 311 on the signal indicator 211 are received, following a touch press 311 by a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the signal indicator 211.

[0072] This second touch press 311 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to this touch press 311.

[0073] The second data are for example representative of a so-called brief touch, that is to say, whose duration of contact on the first witness 211 is less than the threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms) defined previously.

[0074] When this second touch press 311 is made while the first graphic content is displayed in the second area 22 of the screen (and the second touch press 311 corresponds to a short press), then the process continues with a fifth operation.

[0075] When this second touch press 311 is made while no graphic content relating to the AEB system is displayed in the second area 22 of the screen 13 (and the second touch press 311 corresponds to a short press), then the second touch press 311 is interpreted by the computer as the first touch press 212 and the display of the first graphic content is triggered, as described in the third operation.

[0076] In a fifth operation, the end of the display of the first graphic content is controlled so that the first graphic content is no longer displayed in the second area 22 of screen 13.

[0077] The graphic content displayed prior to the first touch press 212, that is to say before the display of the first graphic content, is then for example displayed again in the second zone 22.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the display ends automatically via the computer after a predetermined time period that begins when the first graphic content is displayed. For example, this predetermined time period is such that the first graphic content remains displayed for, for example, 5, 10, or 15 seconds and then disappears automatically, even without the user performing a second touch 311.

[0079] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the display of a second graphic content is controlled by the computer when the first data representing the touch press on the signal indicator 211 displayed in the first area 21 of the screen 13 are representative of a so-called long touch press (i.e., of a duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms)).

[0080] One such particular embodiment is illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0081] A long touch press 411 on the indicator 211 sends information to the IVI control unit so that the latter implements a specific function associated with the command corresponding to this long touch press 411.

[0082] During a long touch press 411, the display of the second graphic content is triggered instead of the display of the first graphic content, in the same second area 22 of the screen 13.

[0083] Witness 211 according to this particular embodiment is, for example, representative of a current state of the AEB system corresponding, for example, to: - a state of being out of service, disabled, or non-functional; or - a state of being in service, activated or functional.

[0084] The second graphic content includes, for example, one or more of the following elements: - information representing the current state of the AEB system (e.g., out of service or in service), such information being represented, for example, via a specific graphic object (e.g., the acronym AEB 40 with a color depending on the current state, e.g., green for the in service state and red (or orange) for the out of service state) or via a background color of the graphic content depending on the current state or via a border color of the second displayed graphic content; and / or - a set of initial graphical objects 41, 42, 43 representing a set of parameters of the AEB system; the graphical objects are, for example, representative of different sensitivity levels for triggering automatic braking, for example a first trigger level for object 41, a second trigger level for object 42 and a third trigger level for object 43, the current active level being highlighted for example by a particular color or shape compared to the other levels; according to another example, the first graphic objects are each representative of a distance between the vehicle 10 and the object detected in front (or of a time before collision, called TTC (from the English "Time-To-Collision") triggering automatic emergency braking; and / or - a set of second graphic objects configured to adjust at least some of the parameters of the parameter set by touch pressing on at least one second graphic object of the set of second graphic objects;The second graphic objects correspond, for example, to the first graphic objects themselves or to graphic objects different from the first graphic objects.

[0085] For example, the sensitivity level of the AEB system for triggering automatic emergency braking is chosen or set by a user via a touch press on the graphic object 41, 42 or 43 corresponding to the desired level.

[0086] According to another example, the sensitivity level is set or configured by choosing a distance from a list of predetermined distances (via the touch interface of the screen 13) or by pressing icons (for example “+” or “-”, or via icons representing up and down arrows) allowing the sensitivity level or distance to be increased / decreased.

[0087] The display of such a second graphic content allows, for example, setting or adjusting a set of adjustable parameters of the AEB system and / or obtaining information on the current state of the AEB system.

[0088] The end of the display of the second graphic content is for example controlled and triggered by a long touch press on the signal indicator 211.

[0089] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a device 5 configured for controlling an AEB system of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 5 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0090] Device 5 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 4 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 6]. Examples of such a device 5 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 5, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single circuit integrated, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. Device 5 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0091] The device 5 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 50 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 5. The processor 50 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 5 further comprises at least one memory 51, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0092] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 51.

[0093] According to various specific and non-limiting embodiments, the device 5 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0094] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 5 includes a block 52 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 52 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), 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", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0095] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 5 includes a communication interface 53 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 530. The communication interface 53 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 530. The communication interface 53 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

[0096] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 5 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 540, touch or not, one or more loudspeakers 550 and / or other peripherals 560 (projection system) via output interfaces 54, 55 and 56 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 5.

[0097] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling an active emergency braking system, known as an AEB system, of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in vehicle 10 or by device 5 of Figure 5.

[0098] In a first step 61, the display of a signal indicator representative of the AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, referred to as HMI, is controlled so that the signal indicator is displayed in a first area of ​​a touch screen embedded in the vehicle.

[0099] In a second step 62, first representative data of a touch press on the signal indicator are received.

[0100] In a third step 63, the display of graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of the AEB system is controlled so that the graphic content is displayed in a second area of ​​the touch screen different from the first area, following the reception of the first data.

[0101] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 4 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.6].

[0102] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying indicator lights and graphic content representative of an AEB system, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. It would be as follows: even of a device configured for the implementation of such a process.

[0103] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising the device 5 of [Fig.5] or a display system comprising the device 5 of [Fig.5] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling an active emergency braking system, referred to as an AEB system, of a vehicle, said vehicle (10) having a display system including a touch screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - control (61) of displaying a warning light (211) representative of said AEB system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, referred to as an HMI, displayed in a first area (21) of said touch screen (13); - reception (62) of first data representative of a first touch press (212, 411) on said warning light (211); - control (63) of displaying graphic content representative of a set of information relating to a determined state of said AEB system following the reception (62) of said first data, said graphic content being displayed in a second area (22) of said touch screen (13) different from said first area (21).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said determined state corresponds to an out-of-service state of said AEB system, said graphic content corresponds to a first graphic content comprising: - a text message (31) representing at least one cause of the out-of-service state of the AEB system; and / or - a text message representing an action to be performed to put said AEB system back into service; and / or - a graphic illustration (32) representing said action.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the display control of said first graphic content is triggered when said first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the following steps: - receiving second data representing a second touch press (311) on said signal indicator (211), said second touch press (311) being subsequent to said first touch press (211); - checking the end of display of said graphic content in said second zone (22) following the reception of said second data.

5. A method according to claims 3 and 4, wherein, when said graphic content corresponds to said first graphic content, the The control to end the display of the first graphic content is triggered when said second touch press (311) corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than said threshold.

6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5 depending on claim 2, wherein said determined state corresponds to the out-of-service state or to an in-service state of said AEB system, said graphic content corresponds to a second graphic content comprising: - information representative of the determined state; and / or - a set of first graphic objects representative of a set of parameters of said AEB system; and / or - a set of second graphic objects configured to adjust at least a part of the parameters of said set of parameters by touch pressing on at least one second graphic object of said set of second graphic objects.

7. A method according to claims 4 and 6, wherein the display control of said second graphic content is triggered when said first touch press (411) corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than said threshold and the display end control of said second graphic content is triggered when said second touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than said threshold.

8. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (5) for controlling an active emergency braking system of a vehicle (10), said device (5) comprising a memory (51) associated with at least one processor (50) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (5) according to claim 9.