Method and device for controlling the display of a low emission zone by a vehicle navigation system.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle comprising a touch screen. The method receives (61, 62) first data representative of map data corresponding to a section of a road route calculated by the navigation system and second data representative of a low-emission geographical area, controls (64) the display of the map data on the touch screen, determines (63) at least one point of intersection between the section and the low-emission geographical area and controls (65, 66) the display of a first, respectively second, graphic object positioned on the touch screen at an intersection point superimposed on the map data if the intersection point corresponds to an entry into, respectively an exit from, the low-emission geographical area. Figure for abstract: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the display of a low-emission zone by a vehicle navigation system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of data representative of a low-emission zone by an on-board navigation system of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Vehicles are known which have navigation systems implemented by one or more computers associated with a touch screen, i.e. a screen comprising a touch interface. Map data are displayed in a first zone of the touch screen. These map data can be displayed either in the form of a two-dimensional geographical map or in the form of a scrolling map when the vehicle moves along a road route. A human-machine interface, called HMI, is also displayed in a second zone of the touch screen to allow a user of the vehicle to manually enter geographical location search criteria such as keywords or a postal address. The navigation system is then configured to search a list of at least one geographical location which corresponds to the search criteria.Each geographical location may correspond to a point of interest such as a viewpoint of a landscape, a remarkable site, etc. or a location such as a restaurant, cinema, etc. A list of at least one graphic object corresponding to the list of at least one geographical location is then displayed in a third zone of the touch screen, each graphic object being determined to represent a geographical location from the list of at least one geographical location. The vehicle user can then refine the search criteria or press a graphic object displayed in the third zone to indicate that he wishes to select the geographical location associated with this graphic object as a destination. The navigation system then calculates a road route between the current position of the vehicle and the destination thus selected.

[0003] The navigation systems make it possible to visualize low-emission zones such as they can be defined for example at the level of cities in the form of pop-up windows on the touch screen on which map data relating to current navigation are displayed.

[0004] The appearance of this type of window is disturbing for a vehicle user who is following the current navigation.

[0005] Current navigation systems need to be improved to display information concerning a low-emission zone on a touch screen on board the vehicle without disrupting the monitoring of navigation in progress by a vehicle user. Summary of the present invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to improve the control of a navigation system of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve the user experience with regard to information associated with a low emission zone during navigation in progress.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - reception of first data representative of cartographic data corresponding to a section of a road route calculated by the navigation system; - reception of second data representative of a low-emission geographical area; - determination of at least one point of intersection between the section and the low-emission geographical zone; - control of display of map data on the touch screen; - if an intersection point corresponds to an entry into the low-emission geographic zone, control of the display of a first graphic object on the touch screen, the first graphic object being positioned at the intersection point superimposed on the map data; - if an intersection point corresponds to an exit from the low-emission geographic zone, control of the display of a second graphic object on the touch screen, the second graphic object being positioned at the intersection point superimposed on the cartographic data.

[0010] The method makes it possible to display graphic objects along a section of a road route being viewed on an on-board touch screen of a vehicle. These graphic objects have visual representations which differentiate them from each other depending on whether these graphic objects correspond to entrances or exits of a section of a road route in a (or a) low-emission zone. The display of these graphic objects allows a user of the vehicle 10 to continue to follow the navigation instructions given by the section to follow on the touch screen while being informed that the vehicle is entering (or will enter) a low-emission zone and that the vehicle will leave it. The process makes it possible to improve current navigation systems.

[0011] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the display control of the first and second graphic objects is a function of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional display mode of the cartographic data on the touch screen.

[0012] According to a variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a touch press on the first or second graphic object; and - display control on the touch screen of a third graphic object representing information relating to the low-emission geographical zone.

[0013] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the map data is displayed in a first zone of the touch screen and the third graphic object is displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone.

[0014] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first data are received from a memory.

[0015] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first data are received from a communication channel of a communication network.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a navigation 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.

[0017] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. computer system comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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

[0024] 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 6, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a control of a vehicle navigation system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a control of a vehicle navigation system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a control of a vehicle navigation system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.5] illustrates a device configured to control a navigation system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Fig.6] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a method for controlling a vehicle navigation system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0031] A method and a device for controlling a vehicle navigation system will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0032] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0033] [Fig.l] 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.

[0034] 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 touch display screen, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle.

[0035] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a touch screen 13 (i.e. a screen comprising a touch interface) and a computer configured to control the display of graphic objects on the touch screen 13. The control of the display of a graphic object on the touch screen 13 may comprise the generation of a visual representation of the graphic object by the computer of the display system and the display of this visual representation in a specific zone of 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 embarké”) of the vehicle 10.

[0036] The touch screen 13 corresponds for example to a display device of the LCD type (from the English “Liquid Crystal Display” or in French “Display à cristals liquide”), for example of the TFT type (from the English “Thin-Film Transistor” or in French “Transistor en film mince”), or OLED type (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente biologique”).

[0037] According to a particular embodiment, the display system comprises one or more other screens, for example a screen of a so-called head-up display device or system corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade arranged in such a way that a driver seated in the seat 15 sees the graphic object displayed or projected on the transparent blade when the driver drives the vehicle 10.

[0038] Such a display system comprising the touch screen 13 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, thereby enabling example of removing the display screen(s) called the instrument panel or dashboard and generally arranged in an area 16 behind the steering wheel 14 in the dashboard 11.

[0039] Graphical objects may be displayed by the touch screen 13 to form an HMI. A graphical object may comprise data for defining a visual representation of this graphical object intended to be displayed on the touch screen 13. A graphical object may also comprise interfacing means configured to detect a touch on its visual representation then displayed on a touch screen 13 and to implement a function associated with the command corresponding to the touch. The function may be, for example, a transmission of data associated with the graphical object to the computer of the display system. According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the interfacing means comprise a software application configured for managing the interactions between the touch screen 13 and the computer of the display system.Some of these graphic objects can be configured to indicate a point of intersection between a section of a road route and map data representing a low-emission zone. These graphic objects are then associated with data relating to these points of intersection such as, for example, their geographical positions and / or information relating to the low-emission geographical zone. The visual representation of a graphic object corresponds, for example, to a pictogram, an icon or a virtual button (graphic) or a virtual keyboard allowing a user of the vehicle (for example, the driver of the vehicle 10) to interact with the graphic objects displayed on the touch screen 13 by touching these graphic objects.

[0040] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, a tactile press on a graphic object is a brief press, that is to say the duration of the press on a first or a second graphic object is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0041] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 can carry one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) on board the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data between them via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) or FlexRay (according to 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).

[0042] An on-board system in the vehicle 10 corresponds to a navigation system configured to calculate a road route between a current position of the vehicle 10 and a destination.

[0043] A process for controlling a navigation system is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by a device 5 described in relation to [Fig. 5]. The implementation of the process requires that navigation managed by the navigation system is in progress and that a connection is established between the device 5 and a communication network.

[0044] In a first operation, first data are received. The first data are representative of map data corresponding to a section of a road route calculated by the navigation system.

[0045] In a second operation, second data are received. The second data are representative of a low emission geographic area 22 ([Fig.2]).

[0046] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first and / or the second data are received from a memory.

[0047] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the memory is embedded in the vehicle 10.

[0048] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the memory is accessible by the vehicle 10 via a communication channel of a communication network or from a storage device connected to the vehicle 10.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first and / or the second data are obtained from a communication channel of a communication network.

[0050] In a third operation, at least one point of intersection between the section 21 of the road route and the low-emission geographical zone 22 is determined.

[0051] In a fourth operation, the display of the map data on the touch screen 13 is controlled.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, the map data is displayed in a first zone 131 of the touch screen 13.

[0053] If an intersection point corresponds to an entry into the low-emission geographic area 22, in a fifth operation, the display of a first graphic object 131i on the touch screen 13 is controlled. The first graphic object 1311 is positioned on the touch screen 13 at the intersection point superimposed on the map data.

[0054] If an intersection point corresponds to an exit from the low-emission geographic zone 22, the display of a second graphic object 1312 on the touch screen 13 is controlled. The second graphic object 1312 is positioned at the point intersection in overlay of map data.

[0055] [Fig. 2] illustrates an example of two points of intersection between map data corresponding to the section 21 and the low-emission geographic area 22 when the map data corresponding to the section 21 are displayed in a two-dimensional display mode. The direction of travel of the vehicle 10 along the section 21 is indicated by an arrow placed on this section 21. A first point of intersection corresponds to an entry of the section 21 into the low-emission geographic area 22. The first graphic object 1311 corresponds to this point of intersection on the map data displayed on the touch screen 13. A second point of intersection corresponds to an exit of the section 21 from the low-emission geographic area 22. The second graphic object 1312 corresponds to this point of intersection on the map data displayed on the touch screen 13.

[0056] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the display control of the first and second graphic objects depends on a two-dimensional or three-dimensional display mode of the cartographic data on the touch screen 13. If the cartographic data corresponding to the section 21 are displayed according to a two-dimensional display mode, the first and second graphic objects are also displayed according to a two-dimensional display mode and if the cartographic data corresponding to the section 21 are displayed according to a three-dimensional display mode, the first and second graphic objects are also displayed according to a three-dimensional display mode.

[0057] According to a variant, illustrated in [Fig. 3], in a seventh operation, third data are received. The third data are representative of a touch press 133 on the first graphic object 132i or a touch press 134 on the second graphic object 1322 and, in an eighth operation, the display of a third graphic object 132i ([Fig. 4]) on the touch screen 13 is controlled. The third graphic object 132i is representative of information relating to these intersection points such as, for example, their geographical positions and / or information relating to the low-emission geographical zone such as, for example, conditions of access to this low-emission geographical zone.

[0058] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the cartographic data are displayed in a first zone 131 of the touch screen 13 and the third graphic object is displayed in a second zone 132 of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone 131 ([Fig.4]).

[0059] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a device 5 configured for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle, for example 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 calculator such as the IVI calculator.

[0060] The device 5 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 4 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.6]. 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 5 is coupled in communication with other means (such as for example voice control means) 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.

[0064] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 comprises a block 52 of interface elements for communicating with external devices (or means). 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 (LTE) “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long ternie”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced); - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0065] 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 (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles") type, CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0066] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 5 can receive input signals from one or more external devices and / or provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 540 (touch screen 13), one or more speakers 550 and / or other peripherals 560 (voice control means for example) via output interfaces 54, 55 and 56 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices or peripherals is integrated into the device 5.

[0067] [Fig. 6] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 5 of [Fig. 5].

[0068] In a first step 61, first data are received. The first data are representative of cartographic data corresponding to a section of a road route calculated by the navigation system.

[0069] In a second step 62, second data are received. The second data are representative of a low-emission geographic area.

[0070] In a third step 63, at least one point of intersection between the section of the road route and the low-emission geographical zone is determined.

[0071] In a fourth step 64, the display of the map data on the touch screen 13 is controlled.

[0072] If an intersection point corresponds to an entry into the low-emission geographic area, in a fifth step 65, the display of a first graphical object on the touch screen is controlled. The first graphical object is positioned on the touch screen at the intersection point superimposed on the map data.

[0073] If an intersection point corresponds to an exit from the low-emission geographic zone, the display of a second graphic object on the touch screen is controlled. The second graphic object is positioned at the intersection point superimposed on the map data.

[0074] According to a variant, in a seventh step 67, third data are received. The third data are representative of a touch press on the first graphic object or a touch press on the second graphic object and, in an eighth step 68, the display of a third graphic object on the touch screen is controlled. The third graphic object is representative of information relating to these intersection points and / or information relating to the low-emission geographical area such as, for example, conditions of access to this low-emission geographical area.

[0075] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 4 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.6].

[0076] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling a navigation system 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.

[0077] 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.5] or a display system comprising the device 5 of [Fig.5] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving (61) first data representative of cartographic data corresponding to a section of a road route calculated by the navigation system; - receiving (62) second data representative of a low-emission geographical area; - determining (63) at least one point of intersection between the section and the low-emission geographical area; - controlling (64) the display of the cartographic data on the touch screen; - if a point of intersection corresponds to an entry into the low-emission geographical area, controlling (65) the display of a first graphic object on the touch screen, the first graphic object being positioned at the point of intersection superimposed on the cartographic data;- if an intersection point corresponds to an exit from the low-emission geographical zone, control (66) of display of a second graphic object on the touch screen, the second graphic object being positioned at the intersection point superimposed on the cartographic data.;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display control of the first and second graphic objects is a function of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional display mode of the map data on the touch screen.

3. Method according to claim 2, which further comprises the following steps: - receiving (67) third data representative of a touch press on the first or second graphic object; and - controlling (68) the display on the touch screen of a third graphic object representative of information relating to the low-emission geographical zone.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the map data is displayed in a first area of the touch screen and the third graphical object is displayed in a second area of the screen. different touch from the first zone.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, for which the first and / or second data are received from a memory.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, for which the first and / or second data are received from a communication channel of a communication network.

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

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

9. Device (5) for controlling a navigation system of a vehicle (10), said device (5) comprising a memory (51) associated with at least one processor (50) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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

Images