Method and device for controlling an adaptive speed regulation system installed in a vehicle via steering wheel paddles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling an adaptive cruise control system installed in a vehicle, referred to as the ACC system, comprising receiving (41) first data representing an ACC system activation state and a current setting level for a target inter-vehicle distance of the ACC system, and receiving (42) second data representing a press of a contextual paddle. An adjusted setting level for the target inter-vehicle distance is then determined (43) based on the first and second data points, and the ACC system is controlled (44) according to the adjusted setting level. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle via steering wheel paddles Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for regulating the speed of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Some contemporary vehicles are equipped with functions or system(s) or driving assistance, known as AD AS (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced Driving Assistance System”).

[0003] Among these systems, the adaptive cruise control system, known as ACC (from the English "Adaptive Cruise Control"), has as its primary function the automatic regulation, in an adaptive manner, of the speed of the vehicles equipped therewith according to their environment. Such an ACC system determines one or more acceleration and / or braking instructions according to a speed instruction and information relating to the environment of the vehicle, the acceleration and / or braking instruction(s) being capable of regulating the speed of the vehicle in an adaptive manner, that is to say by taking into account the environment of the vehicle.

[0004] This environmental information corresponds, for example, to the distance between the vehicle equipped with the ACC system and a vehicle traveling in front of it, to the speed (for example relative) of the vehicle traveling in front, to the acceleration (or deceleration) of the vehicle traveling in front and / or to a regulatory speed limit. Such a vehicle is called a target vehicle or target object of the ACC system. The acceleration setpoint(s) are, for example, determined from a control law based on estimates of the torque supplied by a powertrain (for example a thermal or electric engine) to one or more wheels of the vehicle and the current acceleration of the vehicle.

[0005] Such an ACC system requires the use of various controls placed for example in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and making it possible to adjust parameters and / or send instructions to the ACC system.

[0006] The multiplication of the number of on-board systems in a vehicle generates an increasing need for controls in order to activate, control and / or configure these various on-board systems, making the vehicle interior more complex. Summary of the present invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve the ergonomics of a vehicle interior.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to improve the control of an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle, called an ACC system, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving first data representative of an activation state of the ACC system and a current setting level of a target inter-vehicle distance, called target DIV, of the ACC system; - reception of second data representative of support on a pallet; - determining an adjusted adjustment level of the target DIV based on the first and second data; - control of the ACC system according to the adjusted setting level.

[0011] The control of the ACC system is thus carried out using a palette and depending on its state.

[0012] According to a variant of the method, the second data comprises data representative of an identification of a pallet among a first and a second pallet.

[0013] Several actions can thus be carried out depending on the palette used.

[0014] According to another variant of the method, the current adjustment level and the adjusted adjustment level belong to a set of at least two adjustment levels, each adjustment level of the set being representative of a single target DIV, the at least two adjustment levels of the set being ordered so as to classify the target DIVs in an ascending order from a first adjustment level representative of a minimum target DIV to a last adjustment level representative of a maximum target DIV.

[0015] The set of adjustment levels allows to define several target DIVs which include the current adjustment level and the adjusted adjustment level.

[0016] According to another variant of the method, a direction of travel of the set of at least two travel levels corresponding to a direction starting from the first adjustment level towards the last adjustment level: - the adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of the assembly following the current adjustment level when the first paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is different from the last adjustment level, and - the adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of the assembly preceding the current adjustment level when the second paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is different from the first adjustment level.

[0017] Thus, a user can select an adjusted adjustment level as an adjustment level of the set adjacent to the current adjustment level. The choice of the adjacent adjustment level is made according to the palette used.

[0018] According to an additional variant of the method, the adjusted adjustment level is the current adjustment level when: - the press is made on the first palette and the current adjustment level is the last adjustment level, or - the press is made on the second paddle and the current adjustment level is the first adjustment level.

[0019] The current adjustment level then corresponds to an extreme target DIV, it is then not possible to increase a maximum target DIV or to decrease a minimum target DIV. In the case where a user requests to increase the target DIV while the latter is already maximum, then the adjusted adjustment level remains the current adjustment level. Similarly, in the case where a user requests to decrease the target DIV while the latter is already minimum, then the adjusted adjustment level remains the current adjustment level.

[0020] According to yet another variant of the method, the ACC system is controlled when the ACC system is in an active state.

[0021] In the case where the ACC system is inactive, pressing a paddle cannot change its state or modify a current setting level.

[0022] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling an adaptive speed regulation 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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

[0030] 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 4, in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an environment of a vehicle, according to an example particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a passenger compartment of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a device configured to control an adaptive cruise control system on board the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of the exemplary embodiments

[0035] A method and a device for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0036] The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)” (or “first(s)”, “second(s)”), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0037] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle, called an ACC system, and comprising a screen, comprises receiving first data representative of an activation state of the ACC system and a current adjustment level of a target inter-vehicle distance, called target DIV, of the ACC system and receiving second data representative of pressing on a paddle. An adjusted adjustment level of the target DIV is then determined (43) as a function of the first and second data and the ACC system is controlled (44) as a function of the adjusted adjustment level.

[0038] [Fig.l] illustrates a vehicle 10, for example a motor vehicle, traveling on a portion of road in the environment 1. According to other examples, the vehicle 10 corresponds to a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, that is to say a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The vehicle 10 corresponds to a vehicle traveling under the total supervision of a driver or traveling in a semi-autonomous mode. The vehicle 10 travels according to a level of autonomy equal to 0 or according to a level of autonomy ranging from 1 to 2 for example, according to the scale defined by the American federal agency which has established 5 levels of autonomy ranging from 1 to 5, level 0 corresponding to a vehicle having no autonomy, the driving of which is under the total supervision of the driver, level 1 corresponding to a vehicle with a minimal level of autonomy, the driving of which is under the supervision of the driver with minimal assistance from an AD AS system, and level 5 corresponding to a completely autonomous vehicle.

[0041] The 5 levels of autonomy of the classification of the federal agency responsible for road safety are: - level 0: no automation, the vehicle driver has full control over the main functions of the vehicle (engine, accelerator, steering, brakes); - level 1: driver assistance, automation is active for certain vehicle functions, the driver retaining overall control over the vehicle's driving; cruise control is part of this level, as are other aids such as ABS (anti-lock braking system) or ESP (programmed electro-stabilizer); - level 2: automation of combined functions, the control of at least two main functions is combined in the automation to replace the driver in certain situations; for example, adaptive cruise control combined with lane centering allows a vehicle to be classified as level 2, as does automatic parking assistance (from the English “Park assist”); - level 3: limited autonomous driving, the driver can cede complete control of the vehicle to the automated system which will then be in charge of critical safety functions; autonomous driving can however only take place in certain specific environmental and traffic conditions (only on motorways for example); - level 4: fully autonomous driving under certain conditions, the vehicle is designed to ensure all critical safety functions on its own over a complete journey; the driver provides a destination or navigation instructions but is not required to make himself available to take back control of the vehicle; - level 5: completely autonomous driving without driver assistance in all circumstances.

[0042] According to the example of [Fig.l], the vehicle 10 travels on a portion of road with two traffic lanes 1001, 1002. The vehicle 10 travels for example on the right traffic lane 1001.

[0043] The concepts of right and left are defined according to the direction of travel of the vehicle 10. The example in [Fig.l] corresponds to an example in which the vehicles travel on the right, as in France. The invention is however not limited to such an example and extends to all road configurations, including those where the vehicles travel on the left.

[0044] The vehicle 10 includes in particular one or more driving assistance systems, called AD AS (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Système d’aide à la conduite avance”), including an automatic speed regulation system, called ACC system. Such an AD AS system is configured to assist, or even replace, the driver of the vehicle 10 to control the vehicle 10 on its journey.

[0045] The first vehicle 10 for example carries one or more of the following sensors: - one or more millimeter wave radars arranged on the vehicle 10, for example at the front, at the rear, on each front / rear corner of the vehicle; each radar is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive the echoes of these waves returned by one or more objects (for example the second vehicle 11 located in front of the vehicle 10 according to the example of [Fig.l]), with the aim of detecting obstacles and their distances from the vehicle 10; and / or - one or more LIDAR(s) (from the English “Light Detection And Ranging”, or “Detection and estimation of distance by light” in French), a sensor LIDAR corresponding to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser emitting device, a receiving device comprising a light collector (to collect the part of the light radiation emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located in the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector which transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects (for example the second vehicle 11) located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each detected object; and / or - one or more cameras (associated or not with a depth sensor) for the acquisition of one or more images of the environment around the vehicle 10 located in the field of vision of the camera(s).

[0046] The data obtained from this or these sensors vary according to the type of sensor. When it is a radar or a LIDAR, the data correspond for example to distance data between points of the detected object and the sensor. Each detected object is thus represented by a point cloud (each point corresponding to a point of the object receiving the radiation emitted by the sensor and reflecting at least part of this radiation), the point cloud representing the envelope (or part of the envelope) of the detected object as seen by the sensor and ultimately by the vehicle 10 carrying the sensor. When it is a video camera, the data correspond to data associated with each pixel of the acquired image(s), for example gray level values ​​coded on for example 8, 10, 12 or more bits for each color channel, for example RGB (from the English “Red, Green, Blue” or in French “Rouge, vert, bleu”).These data make it possible, for example, to determine the successive positions taken by an object moving in the environment 1, for example the second vehicle 11, and to deduce therefrom one or more dynamic parameters of the moving object such as the position, the speed and / or the acceleration. These data also make it possible to determine the lines on the ground in order, for example, to participate in determining whether the second vehicle 11 and the vehicle 10 belong to the same traffic lane, for example.

[0047] The data acquired by the on-board sensor(s) feeds, for example, one or more systems on-board the vehicle 10, including the ACC system.

[0048] According to the example of [Fig.l], the vehicle 10 follows a second vehicle 11, at a distance d, the second vehicle 11 traveling on the same traffic lane 1001 as the vehicle 10 and in the same direction as the vehicle 10.

[0049] The second vehicle 11 corresponds to a target object, also called target vehicle, selected by the ACC system of the first vehicle 10.

[0050] A distance between the vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 constitutes an instruction provided to the ACC system, this distance being commonly called inter-distance target vehicles (DIV). According to a variant, the instruction is an inter-vehicle time (TIV), however this instruction is equivalent to the target DIV instruction, the speed of vehicle 10 being the coefficient of proportionality between these two instructions.

[0051] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10 of [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The vehicle 10 carries one or more paddles 20, placed for example behind a steering wheel 21 so as to be accessible to the driver of the vehicle 10 without having to take his hands off the steering wheel 21.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, the number of paddles is equal to two.

[0054] Such paddles are for example present on vehicles with a thermal engine, these paddles being used to change the ratios of a gearbox or on electric vehicles to adjust a brake level of one or more electric motor(s) during deceleration of the vehicle when an ACC system of the vehicle is not active.

[0055] The paddles operate in the same way as a button, pressing one of the faces of a paddle or moving a paddle then generates a sending of data, for example to a computer, via one or more communication buses of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network) type.

[0056] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries a screen 23, corresponding for example to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type screen, for example of the TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) type, or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type. The screen 23 is for example arranged in the center of the dashboard 22, for example above a central facade. Of course, the position of the screen 23 is not limited to this example, the screen 23 being able to be arranged in any position, for example on the central facade or behind the steering wheel 21.

[0057] The screen 23 makes it possible to display content intended for the driver and passengers of the vehicle. The screen 23 is, according to an exemplary embodiment, also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 10 to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle via a human interface. machine (HMI) displayed on the screen 23. For example, the screen 23 makes it possible to control the infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system of the vehicle.

[0058] According to another example, not illustrated here, the screen 23 is not integrated into the passenger compartment 10 but corresponds to a screen of a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, connected in communication, for example wirelessly, with the on-board system of the vehicle.

[0059] A process for controlling an adaptive speed control system on board the vehicle 10, called the ACC system, is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, i.e. by a computer or a combination of computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the computer(s) responsible for controlling the ACC system of the vehicle 10.

[0060] In a first operation, first data representative of an activation state of the ACC system and a current setting level of a target inter-vehicle distance, called target DIV, of the ACC system are received.

[0061] The ACC system has two activation states, a first state called "active", that is to say that a target vehicle is present in front of the vehicle 10 and selected, the second vehicle 11, the ACC system automatically adapting the speed of the vehicle 10 to that of the second vehicle 11 which precedes it to maintain a constant distance equal to the target DIV, and a second "inactive" state where the ACC system is not in operation, that is to say that no target vehicle is selected for example.

[0062] The target DIV is the distance at which the vehicle 10 must follow the second vehicle 11. It is determined as a function of the current adjustment level. This is for example selected by the driver of the vehicle 10 from a set of at least two adjustment levels, each adjustment level of the set being representative of a single target DIV.

[0063] The activation state of the ACC system is for example displayed on the screen 23 on board the vehicle 10 and represented in the form of an icon associated with the ACC system, likewise the adjustment level is for example represented in the form of a graphic object on the screen 23, also presenting a number of lines or rectangles determined as a function of the adjustment level.

[0064] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the at least two adjustment levels of the set are ordered so as to classify the target DIVs in an ascending order from a first adjustment level representative of a minimum target DIV to a last adjustment level representative of a maximum target DIV.

[0065] The set of adjustment levels thus forms an ordered list, the adjustment levels being classified from a first level to a last level, the target DIVs of which are listed in ascending order from minimum target DIV to maximum target DIV.

[0066] Thus, by traversing the list from the first level to the last level, the target DIVs are traversed in an increasing manner.

[0067] Other levels are for example defined between the first level and the last level, for example an intermediate level. The target DIV of an intermediate level is then distinct from the minimum and maximum target DIVs and is between these two distance values.

[0068] For example, if the level set includes 3 levels, then the levels are ordered in this order: - a first level corresponding to the minimum target DIV, - an intermediate level corresponding to a target DIV between the minimum target DIV and the maximum target DIV, - a final level corresponding to the maximum target DIV.

[0069] A different graphic object is for example displayed on the screen 23, for example presenting a number of lines defined according to the adjustment level: - 1 line for the first level, - 2 lines for the intermediate level, and - 3 lines for the last level.

[0070] According to another example, if the set comprises 5 levels, then the levels are ordered in this order: - a first level corresponding to the minimum target DIV, - a second level corresponding to a second target DIV, - a third level corresponding to a third target DIV, - a fourth level corresponding to a fourth target DIV, - a final level corresponding to the maximum target DIV, with: Minimum target DIV < second target DIV < third target DIV < fourth target DIV < maximum target DIV.

[0071] The minimum target DIV is thus the smallest distance of the set of target DIVs. It is, moreover, defined so as to guarantee a sufficient level of safety for the vehicles 10, 11 and their occupants.

[0072] The maximum target DIV is the greatest distance of the set of target DIVs. It is for example defined as a function of the range of a sensor 101 of the vehicle 10.

[0073] In a second operation, second data representative of a press on a pallet 20 are received.

[0074] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the second data comprises data representative of an identification of a pallet among a first and a second pallets.

[0075] In a third operation, an adjusted adjustment level of the target DIV is determined based on the first and second data.

[0076] The list or set of adjustment levels is traversed in a “normal” traversal direction starting from the first adjustment level to the last adjustment level, the corresponding target DIVs then being traversed in ascending order.

[0077] According to a first particular embodiment corresponding to the use of two pallets, called first and second pallets: - the adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of the assembly following the current adjustment level when the first paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is different from the last adjustment level, and - the adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of the assembly preceding the current adjustment level when the second paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is different from the first adjustment level.

[0078] Here, the term "next" means the adjustment level placed after the current adjustment level in the list or in the set of ordered adjustment levels traversed in the "normal" direction. The target DIV corresponding to the adjusted adjustment level is then greater than the target DIV corresponding to the current adjustment level.

[0079] Here, the term "preceding" means the adjustment level placed before the current adjustment level in the list or in the set of ordered adjustment levels traversed in the "normal" direction. The target DIV corresponding to the adjusted adjustment level is then lower than the target DIV corresponding to the current adjustment level.

[0080] In this first embodiment and according to an exemplary embodiment, an adjusted adjustment level is the current adjustment level, that is to say that the target DIV corresponding to the adjusted adjustment level remains identical to the target DIV corresponding to the current adjustment level, when: - the press is made on the first palette and the current adjustment level is the last adjustment level, or - the press is made on the second paddle and the current adjustment level is the first adjustment level.

[0081] In this first embodiment and according to another exemplary embodiment: - the adjusted adjustment level is the first adjustment level, when the pressure is applied to the first pallet and the current adjustment level is the last adjustment level, and - the adjusted adjustment level is the last adjustment level, when the second paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is the first adjustment level.

[0082] According to another embodiment corresponding to the use of a single pallet: - the adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of the assembly following the current adjustment level when the paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is different from the last adjustment level, and - the adjusted adjustment level is the first adjustment level, when the first paddle is pressed and the current adjustment level is the last adjustment level.

[0083] In a fourth operation, the ACC system is controlled according to the adjusted setting level.

[0084] When the ACC system is in an active state, it receives the adjusted target DIV as a command. The ACC system then sends an order to the powertrain of the vehicle 10 so that it: - accelerates to approach the second vehicle 11 if the adjusted target DIV is less than the current target DIV and then maintains a distance from the second vehicle 11 equal to the adjusted target DIV, - decelerates away from the second vehicle 11 if the adjusted target DIV is greater than the current target DIV and then maintains a distance from the second vehicle 11 equal to the adjusted target DIV, or - maintains a distance from the second vehicle 11 equal to the adjusted target DIV equal to the current target DIV.

[0085] A graphic object displayed on the screen 23 is for example updated to present a number of lines adapted to the adjusted adjustment level.

[0086] A driver of the vehicle 10 thus has a means of adjusting the DIV of an adaptive cruise control system on board the vehicle 10 that is intuitive and ergonomic. He is thus able to modify the target DIV using paddles 20 on the steering wheel without having to take his eyes off the road and without letting go of the steering wheel 21. Adjusting a target DIV of the ACC system is thus simple and safe.

[0087] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a device 3 configured to control an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10 of [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 3 corresponds for example to a device on board the first vehicle 10, for example the ACC system computer.

[0088] The device 3 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 2 and / or the steps of the method 4 described with regard to [Fig.4]. Examples of such a device 3 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 3, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 3 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0089] The device 3 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 30 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 3. The processor 30 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 3 further comprises at least one memory 31 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.

[0090] 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 31.

[0091] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 3 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.

[0092] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 comprises a block 32 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the “cloud”, or the vehicle 10 when the device 3 corresponds to a smartphone or a tablet for example. The interface elements of the block 32 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”).

[0093] According to another particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the device 3 comprises a communication interface 33 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system or on-board sensors) via a communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard), Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network) type.

[0094] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 23, touch-sensitive or not, and / or other peripherals via respective output interfaces. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 3.

[0095] [Fig. 4] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method 4 for controlling a display system of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method 4 is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 3 of [Fig. 3].

[0096] In a first step 41, first data representative of an activation state of the ACC system and of a current adjustment level of a target inter-vehicle distance, called target DIV, of the ACC system are received.

[0097] In a second step 42, second data representative of a press on a pallet 20 are received.

[0098] In a third step 43, an adjusted adjustment level of the target DIV is determined based on the first and second data.

[0099] In a fourth step 44, the ACC system is controlled according to the adjusted setting level.

[0100] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to figures 1 to 2 apply to the steps of method 4 of [Fig.4].

[0101] The present invention also relates to an adaptive cruise control system for a vehicle comprising the device 3 of [Fig.3].

[0102] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 3 of [Fig.3] or the adaptive speed regulation system for vehicles above.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling an adaptive cruise control system on board a vehicle (10), called an ACC system, said method comprising the following steps: - receiving (41) first data representative of an activation state of said ACC system and a current adjustment level of a target inter-vehicle distance, called target DIV, of the ACC system; - receiving (42) second data representative of a press on a paddle (20); - determining (43) an adjusted adjustment level of said target DIV as a function of said first and second data; - controlling (44) the ACC system as a function of said adjusted adjustment level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second data comprises data representative of an identification of a pallet among a first and a second pallet.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said current adjustment level and said adjusted adjustment level belong to a set of at least two adjustment levels, each adjustment level of the set being representative of a single target DIV, the at least two adjustment levels of the set being ordered so as to rank the target DIVs in an ascending order from a first adjustment level representative of a minimum target DIV to a last adjustment level representative of a maximum target DIV.

4. Method according to claim 3, for which, a direction of travel of said assembly corresponding to a direction starting from the first adjustment level towards the last adjustment level: - said adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of said assembly following said current adjustment level when said pressure is made on said first pallet and said current adjustment level is different from said last adjustment level, and - said adjusted adjustment level is the adjustment level of said assembly preceding said current adjustment level when said pressure is made on said second pallet and said current adjustment level is different from said first adjustment level.

5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said adjusted adjustment level is said current adjustment level when: - said pressure is carried out on said first palette and the current adjustment level is the last adjustment level, or - said pressure is carried out on said second palette and the current adjustment level is the first adjustment level.

6. A method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said ACC system is controlled when said ACC system is in an active state.

7. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to claims 1 to 6.

8. Device (3) for controlling a vehicle aerodynamic performance indication system, said device (3) comprising a memory (31) associated with at least one processor (30) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6

9.

10. 1 d U. Vehicle comprising the device (3) according to claim 8. Vehicle according to claim 9, said vehicle corresponding to an electric vehicle.

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