Method for controlling the starting of a motor vehicle, associated device and vehicle.

Abstract

A control method implemented in a motor vehicle (100) comprising a propulsion engine (120), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Detection of a finger snap; Upon detection of the finger snap, starting command of the propulsion engine (120). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling the starting of a motor vehicle, associated device and vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles.

[0002] There is a need to make the control of motor vehicles easier and more intuitive.

[0003] For this purpose, the invention relates to a control method, implemented in a motor vehicle comprising a propulsion engine, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Detection of a finger snap (for example in a vehicle interior), then • Upon detection of a finger snap, (sending of a) command to start the propulsion motor.

[0004] Thanks to the invention, the starting of a propulsion engine can be controlled, simply, with a snap of the fingers.

[0005] For example, the start command comprises a command to activate an electric starter of the propulsion engine, for example if the propulsion engine is an internal combustion engine.

[0006] For example, finger snap detection detects that the finger snap is initiated by the driver of the vehicle.

[0007] According to one embodiment, upon (in other words: following) detection of the snapping of the fingers, the method comprises the following steps, prior to the step of commanding (or sending a command) to start the propulsion engine: • Command to return an invitation to confirm a start of the propulsion engine, then • Receipt of a response to the invitation to confirm the start of the propulsion engine, • Determining whether the response to the invitation confirms the start of the propulsion engine, the command (in other words: sending the command) to start the propulsion engine being conditional on the response confirming the start of the propulsion engine.

[0008] Alternatively, the propulsion engine may be started without confirmation.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the response to the invitation is a voice response.

[0010] For example, in this case, the step of determining whether the response confirms an engine start may include the following steps: • Voice recognition of at least one response word in the voice response, • Comparison of said at least one response word with at least one reference word. • If said at least one response word corresponds to said at least one reference word, (in other words: if said at least one response word is said at least one reference word), then the response confirms an engine start.

[0011] Alternatively, the response to the invitation may be received from a button located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the restitution of an invitation to confirm a start of the propulsion engine is implemented by a loudspeaker of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In other words, the restitution command is a command for a restitution by a loudspeaker of the motor vehicle.

[0014] Alternatively, the restitution of an invitation to confirm a start of the propulsion engine is implemented by a screen of the motor vehicle.

[0015] For example, a finger snap is a hand gesture consisting of: • Touch a middle finger and a thumb of one hand, then • Simultaneously : - Bring the thumb back to face the index finger, and - Slide the middle finger along the thumb, up to the base of the thumb which the middle finger strikes, producing a clicking sound.

[0016] Alternatively, the middle finger can be replaced by the ring finger, for example.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the detection of the finger snap comprises the receiving a sound (i.e., a clicking sound) from a microphone of the motor vehicle (e.g., inside a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle), the detection of the finger clicking being implemented from the sound.

[0018] For example, finger snap detection may include recognition of a finger snap in sound by an artificial intelligence algorithm (e.g., a neural network) trained to do so (e.g., from training sounds labeled with information as to whether they are finger snaps or not).

[0019] Alternatively, a finger snap is detected when a portion of the sound is within a predetermined sound frequency range.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the detection of the finger snap comprises the reception of an image (or images) from a camera of the motor vehicle (for example, inside a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle), the detection of the finger snap being implemented from the image (or images).

[0021] For example, finger snap detection may include a recognition birth of a finger snap, in the image, by an artificial intelligence algorithm (for example, a neural network) trained for this (for example, from training images labeled with the information according to which, it is a finger snap or not).

[0022] For example, the artificial intelligence algorithm may be able to determine from the image whether the finger snap is implemented by the driver of the vehicle, the detection being conditioned on the determination that the finger snap is implemented by the driver of the vehicle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a finger snap is detected if the finger snap is detected from the sound and from the image.

[0024] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0025] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device. The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0026] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0027] When the electronic device, the motor vehicle (or another element) is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0028] For example, the electronic device comprises a computer program, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, • [Fig.2] represents the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l] during certain steps of the process of [Fig.3], • [Fig.3] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to a example of embodiment, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.l].

[0030] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0031] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0032] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle 100. The motor vehicle 100 comprises a microprocessor 110. The microprocessor 110 is connected to the following elements of the motor vehicle 100: • A 120 propulsion engine of the vehicle 100, • In the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 100, shown [Fig.2], a camera 140, a loudspeaker 131, a microphone 132.

[0033] In step S00, a driver enters a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 100,

[0034] The microprocessor 110 then detects the finger snap 150 made by the driver of the vehicle 100.

[0035] The detection of the finger snap 150 comprises the following steps implemented by the microprocessor 110: - In step S10, reception of a sound in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 100 from the microphone 132, - In step S20, detection of the finger snap 150, by the neural network 111 from the sound, the neural network 111 being trained to recognize a finger snap in a sound. - In step S30, reception of an image (or images) in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 100 from the camera 140, - In step S40, detection of the finger snap 150, by the neural network 112 from the image (or images), the neural network 112 being trained to recognize a finger snap in an image (or images).

[0036] In step S50, upon detection of the finger snap 150, the microprocessor 110 commands a reproduction of an invitation to confirm a start of the propulsion engine 120 by the loudspeaker 131 which can be a voice synthesis of “Do you wish to start the vehicle”.

[0037] In step S60, the microprocessor 110 receives a response from the driver via the microphone 132.

[0038] In step S70, the microprocessor 110 recognizes in the response the word “Yes” equal to a reference word in memory of the microprocessor 110.

[0039] In step S80, the microprocessor 110 accordingly commands a start of the propulsion motor 120.

[0040] For example, the command of a start comprises a command to activate an electric starter of the propulsion engine 120, for example if the propulsion engine 120 is an internal combustion engine.

Claims

Claims

1. Control method, implemented in a motor vehicle (100) comprising a propulsion engine (120), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Detection of a finger snap (150), • Upon detection of the finger snap (150), start command (S80) of the propulsion engine (120).

2. Control method according to claim 1 comprising, upon detection of the finger snap (150), the following steps, prior to the step of starting command (S80) of the propulsion engine (120): • Command of restitution of an invitation to confirm a start (S50) of the propulsion engine (120), then • Reception (S60) of a response to the invitation to confirm the start of the propulsion engine (120), • Determination whether the response to the invitation confirms (S70) the start of the propulsion engine (120), the start command (S80) of the propulsion engine (120) being conditioned on the response to the invitation confirming the start of the propulsion engine (120).

3. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the response to the invitation is a voice response.

4. Control method according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the restitution of an invitation to confirm a start of the propulsion engine (120) is implemented by a loudspeaker (140) of the motor vehicle (100).

5. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection of the finger snap comprises receiving a sound from a microphone of the motor vehicle, the detection of the finger snap being implemented from the sound.

6. A control method according to any preceding claim wherein detecting the finger snap comprises receiving an image from a camera of the vehicle au- car, with finger snap detection being implemented from the image.

7. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

8. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to claim 8.

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