Management of secure broadcasting on board a motor vehicle of video content broadcast by a radio station

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the operation of a human-machine interface (2) of a motor vehicle (1) in order to enable the broadcasting of video content corresponding to a radio station listened to in the vehicle, while ensuring driving safety. The invention also relates to a device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of secure broadcasting on board a motor vehicle of video content broadcast by a radio station Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the operation of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer device on board the vehicle. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle carrying such a device. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] Human-machine interfaces in modern motor vehicles allow the broadcasting of radio content and are generally configured to interact with means of communication by radiofrequency signals on board the vehicles in order to be able to communicate with communicating entities remote from the vehicles by means of mobile communication networks. On the other hand, certain radio stations make available to their listeners video recordings of certain broadcasts which are broadcast live. However, despite the growing interest of listeners in this type of content, no known human-machine interface in motor vehicles allows the reproduction of video recordings of radio broadcasts broadcast live.Similarly, no known human-machine interface in a motor vehicle allows the broadcasting of such content made available by radio stations in a manner that is secure, in other words, that does not risk disturbing the driver's attention while driving. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention seeks to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, it aims to provide a solution for enabling the display in a motor vehicle of video content corresponding to a radio station being listened to, in a secure manner, i.e. without the risk of causing a drop in the driver's attention while driving. In this way, the invention aims to improve the ergonomics of human-machine interfaces in motor vehicles while ensuring driving safety.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the operation of a human-machine interface of the vehicle, said interface allowing the broadcasting of radio contents, the method comprising the steps of: i. determine whether the human-machine interface has been operated in such a way as to cause the activation of a radio content broadcasting functionality; ii. determine whether data characterizing video content corresponding to a radio station broadcast at the current time is accessible or received; and iii. cause, when the vehicle is moving, the display of video content, an image corresponding to the radio station or blurred video content on a first screen of the human-machine interface which is installed near the driver's position depending on the orientation of the vehicle driver's gaze.

[0005] According to a variant, the method may further comprise a step consisting of causing, when the vehicle is stopped with the engine off, the display of the video content on the first screen.

[0006] According to another variant, step ii) may comprise a step of determining whether information for obtaining the video content is specified.

[0007] According to yet another variant, step ii) may comprise a step consisting of obtaining the video content as a function of said information.

[0008] According to yet another variant, the method may further comprise a step consisting of causing the display of the video content on a second screen of the human-machine interface which is arranged so as to be unable to be seen by the driver of the vehicle.

[0009] According to yet another variant, step iii) can be carried out by interacting with a driver attention monitoring system.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the operation of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, said interface allowing the broadcasting of radio contents, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium, which are configured to implement a method as described above.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a diagram illustrating a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention; and

[0017] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] In [Fig.l] a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. This is equipped with a human-machine interface 2, which, to allow the broadcasting of sound and visual content in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1, comprises a first screen 3 arranged near the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 so as to be able to be seen by the driver of the vehicle 1, a second screen 4 arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 so as not to be able to be seen by the driver, for example integrated into a headrest of a front seat so as to be able to be operated by a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle 1, and a loudspeaker 5. Thanks to these means, the human-machine interface 2 provides a functionality for broadcasting radio content that can be activated by means of an input interface, which, for example, uses tactile interaction means of the first 3 and / or the second screen 4.Such functionality allows in particular the broadcasting in the vehicle 1 of radio content transmitted by radio waves (eg FM / AM radio) or by satellite.

[0019] The vehicle 1 according to the invention also comprises a driver attention monitoring system 6, which is configured to observe the driver's gaze by means of a camera arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 in order to generate data, a signal and / or an alert if the driver's gaze is not directed towards the road or the instrument cluster of the vehicle 1, in particular when it is directed towards the first screen 3 of the human-machine interface 2.

[0020] The vehicle 1 according to the invention also comprises a radiofrequency signal communication system 7 to be able to communicate (i.e. send and receive data) with remote communicating entities by means of conventional mobile communication networks and protocols (e.g. 3 / 4 / 5G, C-V2X, ITS-G5, etc.). Thanks to this, a connection to a video stream broadcast continuously on the Internet can thus be established, in particular as a function of previously specified connection information, i.e. a URL.

[0021] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also carries a device 100 for managing the operation of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the operation of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as briefly summarized below and described in detail below.

[0022] The device 100 according to the invention initiates the implementation of the method according to the invention as soon as it establishes that the radio content broadcasting functionality of the human-machine interface 2 is activated. In this case, it then establishes whether video content corresponding to a radio station broadcast at the current time is accessible by means of previously specified connection information (e.g. a URL) or received directly on board the vehicle 1 (this may be the case when satellite radio technology is used because this technology makes it possible to associate a video stream and sound content that can be received on board a vehicle by means of a conventional radio antenna). And when such video content is available, the device 100 according to the invention then causes it to be broadcast on the screens of the human-machine interface 2.However, when the driver's gaze is directed during driving towards the first screen 3, the one that he can see, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by replacing the video content on this screen with an image or by blurring it. As will be seen below, this is how the device 100 according to the invention improves the ergonomics of the human-machine interface 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the invention while ensuring driving safety.

[0023] The device 100 according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. It is essentially a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, with one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0024] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is integrated into an independent computer and it interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired communication network of the vehicle (e.g. CAN, Ethernet, MOST) - shown in [Fig.l] by the two-way arrows - with the human-machine interface 2, with the driver attention monitoring system 6 and with the radiofrequency signal communication system 7. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is partially or entirely part of the human-machine interface 2. Consequently, the device 100 according to the invention can, in particular, determine whether the human-machine interface 2 has been operated in such a way as to cause the activation of a radio content broadcasting functionality and it can control the operation of the screens of the human-machine interface 2, in particular to display video content there.

[0025] According to the invention, all the elements described above combine to enable the implementation of a method for managing a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, as described below in connection with Figures 1 and 3.

[0026] [Fig. 3] illustrates in the form of a flowchart the steps of the method according to the invention. According to a first step 201 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether the human-machine interface 2 has been operated in such a way as to cause the activation of a radio content broadcasting functionality. In other words, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether a user of the vehicle 1 has activated the radio of the vehicle 1.

[0027] To do this, the device 100 according to the invention interacts with the human-machine interface 2, which is able to determine an operating state (i.e. active vs. inactive) of the functionalities that it provides, in particular an operating state of the radio content broadcasting functionality. And when it establishes that this functionality is activated, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by carrying out the following step of the method according to the invention described below.

[0028] According to a second step 202 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether data characterizing video content corresponding to a radio station broadcast at the current time are accessible or received. In other words, the device 100 according to the invention determines at this stage whether a video stream corresponding to a radio station being listened to is available. To do this, it interacts again with the human-machine interface 2, in particular in order to determine a type of radio content broadcasting technology which is used at the current time.

[0029] When a technology for broadcasting radio content transmitted by radio waves is used, which implies that no video content related to a radio station being listened to is received directly, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by determining whether information for obtaining such content is specified, in particular a URL for connecting to a broadcast server which has been recorded on its data storage medium 102 or on a data storage medium of the human-machine interface 2 at the time of design of the vehicle 1 or when an update of the human-machine interface 2 has been carried out. If such information is specified, which means that video content corresponding to the radio station broadcast in the vehicle 1 at the current time is accessible via the Internet, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by obtaining the video content according to the previously defined URL.For this, it interacts. with the radio frequency signal communication system 7 so as to conventionally establish a communication channel with a broadcast server from the pre-established URL.

[0030] On the contrary, if a technology for broadcasting radio content transmitted by satellite is used, this implies that video content can be received together with audio content. In other words, the video content can in this case be transmitted by the radio station and received on board the vehicle 1 without the device 100 according to the invention having to do anything. Thus, the device 100 according to the invention advantageously determines this state of affairs during this second step 202 of the method.

[0031] And when it has established that video content corresponding to a radio station broadcast at the current time is accessible or received, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by carrying out the following step of the method according to the invention described below.

[0032] According to a third step 203 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes, when the vehicle is moving, the display of the video content, of an image corresponding to the radio station (eg logo) or of the blurred video content on the first screen 3 depending on the orientation of the gaze of the driver of the vehicle.

[0033] To determine the current dynamics of the vehicle 1, the device 100 according to the invention interacts for example with a speedometer of the vehicle 1, with a driving assistance system or with any other means known to those skilled in the art which makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle is moving. It interacts, for example, with an ignition switch of the vehicle 1 to establish an operating state of the engine of the vehicle 1 (i.e. engine on or off).

[0034] To determine the orientation of the driver's gaze, the device 100 according to the invention interacts with the driver's attention monitoring system 6. Indeed, as mentioned above, the latter is configured to monitor the orientation of the driver's gaze by means of a camera, in particular to detect when the driver's gaze is directed towards the first screen 3.

[0035] If it is established that the driver is looking towards the first screen 3, which implies a decrease in the driver's attention for driving, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by causing the display of an image corresponding to the radio station being listened to or that of the video content but in a blurred manner. The driver cannot therefore watch the video content while driving. This advantageously minimizes the risk that the display of the video content will distract the driver's attention from driving.

[0036] On the contrary, when the driver looks away from the first screen 3, or when the vehicle is stopped with the engine off, the device 100 according to the invention then causes the display of the video content on the first screen 3, thus advantageously allowing a passenger seated at the front of the vehicle 1 to be able to watch the video content while driving and the driver to be able to watch the video content on the first screen 3 as soon as the vehicle is stopped with the engine off. In other words, the driver can thus take advantage of a break during driving to also watch video content corresponding to a radio station being listened to.

[0037] According to an advantageous alternative, the device 100 according to the invention carries out an additional step during which it causes the display of the video content on the second screen 4 of the human-machine interface 2, the one which is arranged so as not to be able to be seen by the driver of the vehicle 1. Thus, when the second screen 4 is integrated into a headrest of a front seat, a passenger installed in the rear of the vehicle can also watch video content corresponding to a radio station listened to, possibly while driving.

[0038] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided to allow the display in a motor vehicle of video content corresponding to a radio station listened to, and this, in a secure manner, i.e. without risking causing a drop in the driver's attention during driving. By these means, the invention therefore significantly improves the ergonomics of the human-machine interfaces of motor vehicles while ensuring driving safety.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the operation of a human-machine interface (2) of the vehicle, said interface allowing the broadcasting of radio content, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: i. determining whether the human-machine interface (2) has been operated so as to cause the activation of a radio content broadcasting functionality; ii. determining whether data characterizing video content corresponding to a radio station broadcast at the current time are accessible or received; and iii.causing, when the vehicle is moving, the display of the video content, an image corresponding to the radio station or blurred video content on a first screen (3) of the human-machine interface (2) which is installed near the driving position depending on the orientation of the gaze of the driver of the vehicle, the method further comprising a step of causing the display of the video content on a second screen (4) of the human-machine interface (2) which is arranged so as not to be able to be seen by the driver of the vehicle (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises a step of causing, when the vehicle (1) is stopped with the engine off, the display of the video content on the first screen (3).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step ii) comprises a step of determining whether information for obtaining the video content is specified.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that step ii) comprises a step of obtaining the video content as a function of said information.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step iii) is carried out by interacting with a driver attention monitoring system (6).

6. Device (100) for managing the operation of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle (1), said interface (2) allowing the broadcasting of radio contents, characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102), which are configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

8. Support usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 7 is recorded therein.

9. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 6.

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