Method and device for controlling the light intensity of luminous elements present on a vehicle dashboard.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the light intensity of luminous elements present on the dashboard of a vehicle.The method controls (101) the display of a first indicator light in a first predetermined content area of ​​a human-machine interface (HMI), the first indicator light representing a state of manual control of the brightness of the lighting elements; receives (102) first data representing a first touch press on the first displayed indicator light; and controls (103) the display of a second indicator light following the reception of the first data, the second indicator light being displayed in such a way as to replace the first indicator light with the second indicator light in the first predetermined content area of ​​the HMI, the second indicator light representing a state of automatic control of the brightness of the lighting elements. Figure 8 for the abbreviation.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of indicator lights representative of light intensity control states of these light elements. Technological background

[0002] Some contemporary vehicles have several screens on board 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 the IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement embargo"), of the vehicle.

[0003] Among these screens, it is known to embed one or more LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type screens, for example TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) type, or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type.

[0004] The integration of such screens makes it possible, for example, to view and sometimes modify the control state of the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of the vehicle. It is also known to use physical buttons, often backlit, to modify the control state of the light intensity of these light elements.

[0005] Controlling the light intensity of these light elements makes it possible to increase or decrease the light intensity of these light elements. This is commonly referred to as a dimming function.

[0006] Control of the light intensity of these light elements can be implemented by menus / sub-menus of a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on a screen of the vehicle, for example on a so-called central screen, i.e. positioned in the central part of the dashboard of the vehicle. Such an HMI is not ergonomic because the driver must navigate through these menus and sub-menus to be able to control this light intensity.

[0007] Controlling the light intensity of light elements present on the dashboard of a vehicle can also be implemented by physical buttons positioned in zone 3 on the dashboard of the vehicle. The positioning of buttons in zone 3 indicates that these buttons are not a priority for driving the vehicle and are therefore not directly accessible by the driver of the vehicle. The use of physical buttons is therefore not ergonomic for a driver. Furthermore, the addition of physical buttons involves additional financial cost and requires that a volume be reserved for these physical buttons on the dashboard, which is not desired because current trends are towards minimizing the volumes dedicated to the HMI associated with the driving functions. Summary of the present invention

[0008] An 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 the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the control of the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle.

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

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, said method comprising the following steps: - display control of a first indicator light in a first determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, the first content being displayed in a first zone of a touch screen of the vehicle, the first indicator light being representative of a state of manual control of the light intensity of the light elements; - reception of first data representative of a first tactile press on the first signaling indicator displayed; and - control of the display of a second indicator light following receipt of the first data, the second indicator light being displayed so as to replace the first indicator light with the second indicator light in the first determined content of the HMI, the second indicator light being representative of a state of automatic control of the light intensity of the light elements.

[0013] The present invention provides an ergonomic HMI to the driver or a passenger of the vehicle that can control the light intensity of light elements present on the dashboard of the vehicle by simply pressing an area of ​​the touch screen. The HMI associated with controlling the light intensity of these light elements is more direct than those proposed in the state of the art. The driver or a passenger of the vehicle therefore spends less time looking for how to control the light intensity of light elements present on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vigilance of the driver is improved, as is the safety of the vehicle and its passengers. The HMI associated with controlling the light intensity of these light elements does not use physical buttons, thus reducing the additional financial cost due to the manufacture and installation of these buttons on the dashboard of the vehicle.It does not use volume in the dashboard to house physical means associated with controlling the light intensity of these light elements.

[0014] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of second data representative of a second tactile press on the second signaling indicator displayed; and - display control of the first indicator light following receipt of the second data, the first indicator light being displayed so as to replace the second indicator light with the first indicator light in the first determined content of the HMI.

[0015] According to a variant, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a third signaling indicator in the first determined content of the HMI, the third signaling indicator being representative of an inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements.

[0016] According to a variant, the control of the light intensity of the light elements switches to the inactive state as soon as a current measured level of ambient brightness of a passenger compartment of the vehicle becomes greater than a threshold value.

[0017] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of third data representative of a third tactile press on the third signaling indicator displayed; and - control of display of a first data item in a second determined content of the HMI following reception of the third data, the second content being displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, the first data item being representative of explanations concerning the inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements.

[0018] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of fourth data representative of a fourth touch press on the first data displayed; and - control of the display of the first data so that it is no longer displayed on the touch screen after receiving the fourth data.

[0019] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of fifth data representative of a fifth touch press on the first signal indicator displayed; and - control of the display of a second data item in a third determined content of the HMI following the reception of the fifth data item, the third content being displayed in a third zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, the second data item comprising graphic means for manually adjusting a current level of the light intensity of the light elements.

[0020] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of sixth data representative of a sixth touch press on the first signal indicator displayed; and - control of the display of the second data to no longer be displayed on the touch screen.

[0021] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard 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.

[0022] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0023] According to a fourth 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0026] 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 drive.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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

[0029] 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:

[0030] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display of a first signaling indicator according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a display of a second indicator light according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a display of a third indicator light according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a display of a first data item according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a display of a second data item according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.7] illustrates a device configured to control the light intensity of elements lights present on a dashboard of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.8] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of luminous intensity of luminous elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0038] A method and a device for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 8. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the des- description that will follow.

[0039] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention,

[0040] Such a method makes it possible to control, via a voluntary action, a change in the current state of a light intensity control of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle.

[0041] [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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 graphic content(s) of an HMI on the touch screen 13. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the vehicle 10.

[0044] A touch pressure on the touch screen 13 can be made directly by the user or through a means such as a stylus for example.

[0045] A touch press on the touch screen 13 can send a data-carrying signal to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the touch press.

[0046] A signal carrying data representative of a touch-sensitive action is 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 computer configured to control the display of graphic content(s) of the HMI.

[0047] The display on the touch screen 13 of contents of the HMI is controlled according to the present invention. A first content displayed in an area of ​​the touch screen 13 can be replaced by the display of a second content, that is to say that the display of the first content is controlled so that the first content is no longer displayed and that the display of the second content is controlled so that the second content is displayed in the area of ​​the touch screen 13 corresponding to the location of the first content previously displayed.

[0048] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a content of the HMI could comprise a first signaling indicator which is displayed on the touch screen 13 in the form of a set of pixels of the touch screen 13. A replacement of this first signaling indicator by a second signaling indicator in the content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen 13 comprises the replacement of the values ​​of the pixels of the touch screen 13 used for the display of the first indicator light by new values ​​of these pixels corresponding to the display of the second indicator light.

[0049] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the display of a content of the HMI in an area of ​​the touch screen 13 comprises the generation and transmission of a control signal to the touch screen 13, the reception of this control signal and the display of the content of the HMI on the touch screen 13 from the received control signal.

[0050] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more on-board devices 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 device(s) on board the vehicle 10.The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (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 "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), 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).

[0051] The device(s) embedded in the vehicle 10 correspond, for example, to a device for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on the dashboard 11 such as, for example, the touch screen 13 or even backlit physical buttons.

[0052] Such a control device is configured, according to the present invention, to deactivate the control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11 when the current level of the ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 is greater than a threshold and to activate this control as soon as the current level of the ambient brightness is lower than this threshold. Such a device is also configured to manually modify a current value of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11 or to automatically modify this current value of ambient brightness as a function of the current level of the ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0053] The vehicle 10 may carry one or more sensors known to those skilled in the art to measure a current value of the ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0054] A process for controlling the light intensity of light elements present at the dashboard 11 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more on-board computers of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

[0055] In a first operation, the display of a first indicator light 211 in a first determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, is controlled, the first content being displayed in a first zone 21 of the touch screen 13. The first indicator light 211 is representative of a state of manual control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0056] The first determined zone 21 is for example assigned or dedicated for the display of the first content of the HMI controlled by the IVI computer.

[0057] The first determined content of the HMI may comprise, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10.

[0058] The set of information includes for example the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a rolling or circulation phase, that is to say in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10.

[0059] The set of information may also comprise other additional information such as, for example, the remaining autonomy (expressed for example in km), the distance traveled since the last stop of the vehicle 10, 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first signaling indicator 211 corresponds to a symbol defined in a standard, for example an ISO standard.

[0062] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first signaling indicator 211 is a light indicator as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0063] In a second operation, first data DI representative of a first tactile press 212 on the first signaling indicator 211 displayed are received ([Fig-2]).

[0064] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first tactile press 212 corresponds to a so-called brief tactile press, that is to say the duration of the press on the first signaling indicator 211 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0065] In a third operation, following the reception of the first data D1, the display of a second indicator light 213 is controlled so as to replace the first indicator light 211 with the second indicator light 213 in the first determined content of the HMI. The second indicator light 213 is representative of a state of automatic control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0066] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the light intensity is controlled automatically by adjusting the current level of light intensity as a function of an ambient brightness level of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0067] For example, the current level of ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 is measured by an on-board sensor of the vehicle 10. This sensor can, for example, send a current level of ambient brightness to the IVI computer (for example) so that the latter automatically adjusts the current level of light intensity as a function of this current level of ambient brightness. A signal carrying the measured current level of ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 is, for example, received via one or more data buses connecting the sensor and the IVI computer.

[0068] For example, the current level of light intensity is equal to one value from a set of values. Each value in this set corresponds to a range of ambient light levels. The current level of light intensity is then equal to the value in this set which corresponds to the current level of ambient light measured by the sensor.

[0069] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the second signaling indicator 213 corresponds for example to a symbol defined in a standard, for example an ISO standard.

[0070] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second signaling indicator 213 is a light indicator as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0071] According to a variant, in a fourth operation, second data D2 representative of a second tactile press 214 on the second signaling indicator 213 displayed are received ([Fig. 3]). In a fifth operation, following the reception of the second data D2, the display of the first signaling indicator 211 is controlled so as to replace the second signaling indicator 213 with the first signaling indicator in the first determined content of the HMI.

[0072] This variant is advantageous because it allows easy switching between manual or automatic control of the light intensity of the light elements. present at the dashboard level 11.

[0073] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the second tactile press 214 corresponds to a brief tactile press.

[0074] According to a variant, in a sixth operation, a display of a third indicator light 215 in the first content of the HMI is controlled. The third indicator light 215 is representative of an inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11, that is to say that the light intensity of these light elements cannot be adjusted either manually or automatically.

[0075] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11 switches to the inactive state as soon as a current measured level of ambient brightness of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 becomes greater than a threshold value, for example 5000 lux. This threshold value is given for information purposes only.

[0076] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the third signaling indicator 215 corresponds for example to a symbol defined in a standard, for example an ISO standard.

[0077] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the third signaling indicator 215 is a light indicator as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0078] According to this example, the third indicator light 215 is displayed in the first part 21 in replacement of the first indicator light 211 or the second indicator light 213 displayed in the first content of the HMI.

[0079] According to a variant, in a seventh operation, third data D3 representative of a third tactile press 216 on the third signaling indicator 215 displayed are received ([Fig.4]). In an eighth operation, following the reception of the third data D3, the display of a first data item 217 in a second determined content of the HMI is controlled, the second content being displayed in a second zone 22 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone 21 ([Fig.5]). The first data item being representative of explanations concerning the inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0080] This variant is advantageous because it makes it possible to easily display an explanatory message of the inactivity of the control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the level of the dashboard 11.

[0081] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the third press corresponds to a long press, i.e. the press duration is greater than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0082] According to a variant, in a ninth operation, fourth data D4 represents signals of a fourth touch press 218 on the first data 217 displayed are received. In a tenth operation, following the reception of the fourth data D4, the display of the fourth indicator light 217 is controlled so as to no longer be displayed on the screen 13 ([Fig.5]).

[0083] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the fourth tactile press 218 corresponds to a brief tactile press.

[0084] According to a variant, in an eleventh operation, the display of the first data item 217 is controlled so as to no longer be displayed on the touch screen 13 at the end of a predetermined display duration of the fourth indicator light 217.

[0085] According to one example, the first data item 217 comprises a text message explaining the inactivity of the control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0086] According to a variant, in a twelfth operation, fifth data D5 representative of a fifth touch press 219 on the first displayed indicator light 211 are received ([Fig.l]). In a thirteenth operation, following the reception of the fifth data D5, the display of a second data item 220 in a third content of the HMI is controlled, the third content 220 being displayed in a third zone 23 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone 21 ([Fig.6]). The second data item 220 comprises adjustment means configured to manually adjust the current level of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0087] According to a variant, the third content 220 is displayed in the second zone 22 of the touch screen 13.

[0088] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the fifth tactile press 219 corresponds to a long tactile press.

[0089] For example, these adjustment means comprise an adjustment bar comprising a pointer which can move along this adjustment bar, each position of this pointer corresponding to a particular level of light intensity. The pointer can be moved by a user by dragging / pasting onto a graphical representation of the adjustment bar.

[0090] According to a variant, in a fourteenth operation, sixth data D6 representative of a sixth touch press 221 on the first displayed indicator light 211 are received ([Fig.6]). In a fifteenth operation, following the reception of the sixth data D6, the display of the second data 220 is controlled so that it is no longer displayed on the touch screen 13. The position of the pointer on the adjustment bar then defines the adjusted level of the light intensity which is applied to the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0091] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the sixth tactile press 221 corresponds to a short touch press.

[0092] The first and sixth presses on the first indicator light 211 may be brief presses which are differentiated by the context in which they occur. A brief press on the first indicator light 211 is a sixth press when the second data is displayed and is a first press if the second data is not displayed.

[0093] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a device 5 configured for the control of luminous intensity of luminous elements present at the level of a dashboard 11 of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 5 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0094] The device 5 is for example configured for the implementation of 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 5 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 5, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 5 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0095] The device 5 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 50 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 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 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.

[0096] 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 51.

[0097] According to various particular 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 (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through input ports. / dedicated output.

[0098] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 comprises a block 52 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 52 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 (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”).

[0099] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 comprises a communication interface 53 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board 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) 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).

[0100] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 13, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 550 and / or other peripherals 560 (projection system) via output interfaces 54, 55 and 56 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 5.

[0101] [Fig. 8] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 5 of [Fig.7].

[0102] In a first step 101, the display of a first signaling indicator 211 in a first determined content of an HMI is controlled, the first content being displayed in a first zone 21 of the touch screen 13.

[0103] In a second step 102, first data DI representative of a first tactile press 212 on the first signaling indicator 211 displayed are received.

[0104] In a third step 103, following the reception of the first data D1, the display of a second indicator light 213 is controlled so as to replace the first indicator light 211 with the second indicator light 213 in the first determined content of the HMI. The second indicator light 213 is representative of a state of automatic control of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0105] In a fourth step 104, second data D2 representative of a second tactile press 214 on the second signaling indicator 213 displayed are received.

[0106] In a fifth step 105, following the reception of the second data D2, the display of the first signaling indicator 211 is controlled so as to replace the second signaling indicator 213 with the first signaling indicator in the first determined content of the HMI.

[0107] In a sixth step 106, a display of a third indicator light 215 in the first content of the HMI is controlled. The third indicator light 215 is representative of an inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0108] In a seventh step 107, third data D3 representative of a third tactile press 216 on the third signaling indicator 215 displayed are received.

[0109] In an eighth step 108, following the reception of the third data D3, the display of a first data item 217 in a second determined content of the HMI is controlled, the second content being displayed in a second zone 22 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone 21. The first data item being representative of explanations concerning the inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0110] In a ninth step 109, fourth data D4 representative of a fourth tactile press 218 on the first data 217 displayed are received.

[0111] In a tenth step 110, following the reception of the fourth data D4, the display of the fourth signaling indicator 217 is controlled so as to no longer be displayed on the screen 13.

[0112] In an eleventh step 111, the display of the first data item 217 is controlled so as to no longer be displayed on the touch screen 13 upon expiry of a predetermined display duration of the fourth indicator light 217.

[0113] In a twelfth step 112, fifth data D5 representative of a fifth tactile press 219 on the first signaling indicator 211 displayed are received.

[0114] In a thirteenth step 113, following the reception of the fifth data D5, the display of a second data item 220 in a third content of the HMI is controlled, the third content 220 being displayed in a third zone 23 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone 21. The second data item 220 comprises adjustment means configured to manually adjust the current level of the light intensity of the light elements present at the dashboard 11.

[0115] In a fourteenth step 114, sixth data D6 representative of a sixth tactile press 221 on the first signaling indicator 211 displayed are received.

[0116] In a fifteenth step 115, following the reception of the sixth data D6, the display of the second data 220 is controlled so that it is no longer displayed on the touch screen 13. The position of the pointer on the adjustment bar then defines the adjusted level of the light intensity which is applied to the light elements present at the level of the dashboard 11.

[0117] 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].

[0118] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0119] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 5 of [Fig.7] or a display system comprising the device 5 of [Fig.7] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, said method comprising the following steps: - controlling (101) the display of a first indicator light in a first determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, the first content being displayed in a first zone (21) of a touch screen of the vehicle, the first indicator light being representative of a state of manual control of the light intensity of the light elements; - receiving (102) first data representative of a first tactile press on the first indicator light displayed;and - control (103) of display of a second indicator light following reception of the first data, the second indicator light being displayed so as to replace the first indicator light with the second indicator light in the first determined content of the HMI, the second indicator light being representative of a state of automatic control of the light intensity of the light elements.;

2. Method according to claim 1, which further comprises the following steps: - receiving (104) second data representative of a second touch press on the second displayed indicator light; and - controlling (105) the display of the first indicator light following the reception of the second data, the first indicator light being displayed so as to replace the second indicator light with the first indicator light in the first determined content of the HMI.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises a step of controlling (106) the display of a third signaling indicator in the first determined content of the HMI, the third signaling indicator being representative of an inactive control state of the luminous intensity of the luminous elements.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the control of the light intensity of the light elements switches to the inactive state as soon as a current measured level of ambient brightness of a passenger compartment of the vehicle becomes greater than a threshold value.

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, which further comprises the following steps: - reception (107) of third data representative of a third touch press on the third displayed indicator light; and - control (108) of display of a first data item in a second determined content of the HMI following reception of the third data, the second content being displayed in a second zone (22) of the touch screen different from the first zone, the first data item being representative of explanations concerning the inactive control state of the light intensity of the light elements.

6. Method according to claim 5, which further comprises the following steps: - reception (109) of fourth data representative of a fourth touch press on the first data item displayed; and - control (110) of the display of the first data item so as to no longer be displayed on the touch screen following reception of the fourth data item.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, which further comprises the following steps: - reception (112) of fifth data representative of a fifth touch press on the first displayed indicator light; and - control (113) of the display of a second data item in a third determined content of the HMI following the reception of the fifth data, the third content being displayed in a third zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, the second data item comprising graphic means for manually adjusting a current level of the light intensity of the light elements.

8. Method according to claim 7, which further comprises the following steps: - receiving (114) sixth data representative of a sixth touch press on the first displayed signaling indicator; and - controlling (115) the display of the second data so that it is no longer displayed on the touch screen.

9. Device (5) for controlling the light intensity of light elements present on a dashboard of a vehicle, said device (5) comprising a memory (51) associated with at least one processor (50) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to one any of claims 1 to 8.

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

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