Method for managing technical data related to the use of functions of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for managing technical data on the use of functions in a motor vehicle comprises the steps of: collecting (21) real-time data on the use of a function, including the date and duration of use; storing (25) the data in a database; and displaying (29) a summary of the use of the vehicle's functions on a human-machine interface screen. A system for managing technical data on the use of functions in a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising the system are also described. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing technical data related to the use of functions of a motor vehicle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing technical data related to the use of functions of a motor vehicle, a computer program product, a system for managing technical data related to the use of functions of a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. Prior art

[0002] Currently, a motor vehicle includes a multitude of functions ranging from driver assistance functions (cruise control, lane keeping assist, etc.) to comfort functions (air conditioning, sound system, etc.) and safety functions.

[0003] However, to date, it is very difficult to know how drivers use these different functions. Most often, surveys of drivers or equivalent personnel are used.

[0004] This has the disadvantage of not allowing manufacturers to have precise and exhaustive feedback on the implemented functions and therefore to be able to optimize them.

[0005] This also has the disadvantage that the driver does not have reliable information on how he manages his vehicle and therefore, possibly, cannot optimize the different functions to his habits.

[0006] This also has the disadvantage of not being able to implement predictive maintenance programs based on the actual use of the different functions.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for a process and a system for managing technical data for the use of the functions of a motor vehicle which resolves all or part of the aforementioned disadvantages. Description of the invention

[0008] To resolve one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a method for managing technical data on the use of the functions of a motor vehicle includes the steps of: • real-time collection of the usage data of a function including the date and duration of use; • storing data in a database; • presentation on a human-machine interface screen of a summary of the use of the vehicle's functions.

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[0015] Thus, the user has access to reliable and comprehensive data on the use of the vehicle's functions. Specific characteristics or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • the presentation displays the frequency of use of each function, measured in terms of the number of times it is activated per unit of time; • the collection of usage data includes the collection of frequencies and durations of use of each option, command and settings associated with the function; • the presentation includes the presentation of the most frequently used functions; and / or • the process further includes a step of modifying the order of presentation for use of the functions according to their frequency of use. In a second embodiment, a computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor includes program code instructions for implementing the above method. In a third embodiment, a technical data management system for the use of the functions of a motor vehicle includes: • at least one sensor adapted to collect real-time data on the use of a function, the data including the date and duration of use; • a database to store the data; • a human-machine interface screen adapted to display a summary of the use of the vehicle's functions. In a fourth embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a system according to the third embodiment. Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which: • [Fig. 1] represents a top view of a vehicle comprising a technical data management system for the use of functions according to one embodiment; and • [Fig.2] represents a flowchart of a data management process techniques for using functions according to a given implementation method. Methods of implementation The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle. a car. However, a person skilled in the art understands that these are also usable with other types of vehicles such as vans, trucks, etc.

[0016] The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "transverse" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0017] With reference to [Fig.1], a motor vehicle 1 includes a system 3 for managing technical data on the use of the functions of a motor vehicle comprising at least one sensor 5 adapted to collect technical information on the use of the vehicle's functions, in particular the time, or date, of use as well as the duration of use.

[0018] The system 3 includes a controller 7 connected to the sensor 5.

[0019] The controller 7 can, for example, be integrated into the vehicle control system 1 as an advanced driver-assistance system, commonly called ADAS (for "Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems"), which makes all driving decisions based on the environment and the programmed destination. The motor vehicle is then described as an autonomous vehicle. But it can also be a centralized vehicle management system that may or may not include driver assistance features.

[0020] Data transfer between the different elements is preferably carried out by a CAN (for "Controller Area Network") or LIN (for "Local Interconnect Network") type data bus.

[0021] The controller 7 is connected to a database 9 to store the data collected by the sensors 5.

[0022] It is also connected to a screen 11 of a vehicle's human-machine interface, typically a screen on the dashboard of the motor vehicle 1. Preferably, the screen 11 is a touchscreen allowing the driver to interact with the information displayed. The driver can also do so via controls available on the dashboard.

[0023] The operation of system 3 is as follows, [Fig.2].

[0024] Each time a vehicle function is used, the sensor 5 detects it, step 21, and collects in real time the timestamp and duration of use.

[0025] This data is transferred to controller 7, step 23, to be stored, step 25, in database 9.

[0026] Generally at the request of the driver, or, for maintenance purposes, at the request of the mechanic, the controller 7 makes a summary, step 27, of the use of the different functions and sends this to the screen 11 so that it can be displayed, step 29.

[0027] Thus, the driver, or the mechanic, advantageously has a clear and precise view of the use of the different functions of the vehicle.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments. The breakdown presented is for pedagogical purposes to highlight the different functions. However, it is understood that each block can be implemented using different means or combinations thereof, such as hardware components, software, one or more computers, and / or electronic circuits. Each component may include at least one computer or a control unit. At least one memory may be included in each component. The memory may include computer program instructions or software code.

[0029] The computers can be implemented by any type of data processing device, such as a central processing unit, a signal processing unit, a specific application integrated circuit, a programmable gate network, etc. The computers can be implemented in the form of a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or computers.

[0030] The different modules are connected to each other by data links adapted to the environment. These can be wired or wireless.

[0031] For the software, the implementation may comprise modules or units distributed in the form of procedures, functions, etc. The memories may be any type of storage circuit. They may be part of the processor circuit, or separate from it and connected via electrical data links. These may be non-volatile memories, hard drives, RAM, flash memories, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, the program instructions stored in memory and processed by the computers can be any type of program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted program written in a suitable programming language.

[0033] The computer program instructions stored in memory are such that, when executed by the computer, the latter carries out one or more of the steps of the processes described above.

[0034] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This description is to be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible.

[0035] In a first variant, the use of the different functions is displayed in the form of a frequency of use measured in terms of the number of times the function is activated per unit of time.

[0036] In a second embodiment, the sensor 5 collects, for each function, the frequency and duration of use of each option, command, or setting thereof. This makes it possible to obtain a detailed summary of the function's use and potentially to personalize the function to the driver's needs and habits.

[0037] In a third variant, the information is presented in the form of a presentation of the most frequently used functions. For example, in the form of a list in descending order of function usage.

[0038] Also, in a fourth variant, the screen of functions available to be activated by the driver is sorted so that the most used functions are presented first.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing technical data on the use of functions of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of: • collecting (21) in real time the data on the use of a function including the date and duration of use; • storing (25) the data in a database; • presenting (29) on a human-machine interface screen a summary of the use of the vehicle's functions.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the display shows the frequency of use of each function, measured in terms of the number of times it is activated per unit of time.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collection of usage data includes the collection of frequencies and durations of use of each option, control and settings associated with the function.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the presentation includes the presentation of the most frequently used functions.

5. Method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising a step of modifying the order of presentation for use of functions according to their frequency of use.

6. Product computer program downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor, characterized in that it includes program code instructions for implementing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5.

7. System (3) for managing technical data on the use of functions of a motor vehicle (1) comprising: • at least one sensor (5) adapted to collect in real time data on the use of a function, the data including the date and duration of use; • a database (9) for storing the data; • a human-machine interface screen (11) adapted to display a summary of the use of the vehicle's functions.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a system according to claim 7.

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