MONITORING THE REAR FOG LIGHT FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

A monitoring method is implemented in a vehicle providing a rear fog light function that can be switched on or off by the driver. This method includes a step (10-60) in which, when the function is switched on and information indicating the presence of rain in the vehicle's environment is received, or when such information is present and the function is switched on, a message is generated for the driver via a human-machine interface onboard the vehicle, asking if they wish to change the state. If so, the function is switched off. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MONITORING THE REAR FOG LIGHT FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles providing a rear fog light function, and more specifically to the monitoring within such vehicles of the use of their rear fog light function. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include at least one rear light providing a rear fog light function in order to make them more easily visible to drivers of following vehicles and to comply with current legislation.

[0003] The use of this function is usually regulated. More specifically, this function can usually only be used (or activated) in the presence of fog or heavy snowfall when visibility is less than 100 m, but not when it is raining. Indeed, in the presence of rain, the rear fog light function of a first vehicle can strongly dazzle the drivers of vehicles following this first vehicle.

[0004] The front fog light function is usually regulated differently from the rear fog light function. In fact, it can generally be used when visibility is less than 150 m, whether due to fog, snow or rain. But many drivers tend to forget this difference and therefore put the front and rear fog light functions in their activated state when it is raining heavily, which, in addition to the aforementioned disturbance for drivers of following vehicles, can earn them a fine in some regions.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a monitoring method intended to be implemented in a vehicle providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver.

[0007] This monitoring method is characterized by the fact that it comprises a step in which, when the function is placed in the activated state and information representative of the presence of rain in the environment of the vehicle occurs, or when information representative of rain in the environment of the vehicle is present and a placement of the function in the activated state occurs, a signal is generated. for the driver, by means of a human / machine interface on board the vehicle, a message asking if he wishes a change of this state, and if so, the function is placed in the deactivated state.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, when the use of the function is potentially disruptive for a third party, the message advantageously alerts the driver by offering to deactivate it automatically.

[0009] The monitoring method according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - in its step, one can use a man / machine interface comprising a screen touch display and the generated message can be displayed on this display screen, then the driver can be expected to signal his choice by a touch action on a choice zone displayed on the display screen or by an action on a control device fitted to the vehicle;

[0011] - alternatively, in its step, a man / machine interface can be used comprising at least one loudspeaker associated with a voice synthesis device and a microphone associated with a voice recognition device, and the message can be generated by means of the voice synthesis device and then the generated message can be broadcast by means of the loudspeaker, then it is possible to wait for the driver to signal his choice by pronouncing at least one key word to be picked up by the microphone or by an action on a control member fitted to the vehicle;

[0012] - in its step, the information can be provided by a rain detector equipping the vehicle or by a computer depending on a state in which a window wiping device(s) fitted to the vehicle is placed;

[0013] - alternatively, in its step, the information can be determined by a calculator embedded in the vehicle, from a current geographic position of the latter and meteorological data concerning a geographic area including this known current geographic position.

[0014] The invention also provides a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a monitoring method of the type presented above, in a vehicle providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, to monitor the use of this function.

[0015] The invention also provides a monitoring device intended to equip a vehicle providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver.

[0016] This monitoring device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to carry out the operations consisting of, when the function is placed in the activated state and information representative of rain in the environment of the vehicle occurs, or when information representative of the presence of rain in the environment of the vehicle is present and a placement of the function in the activated state occurs, to trigger a generation for the driver, by means of a man / machine interface on board the vehicle, of a message asking if he wishes a change of this state, and if so to trigger a placement of the function in the deactivated state.

[0017] The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, and comprising a monitoring device of the type presented above.

[0018] For example, this vehicle may include a man / machine interface capable of generating a message for the driver asking whether he wishes a change in the state in which the function is placed.

[0019] In this case, the human / machine interface may include:

[0020] - a rain detector or a calculator, knowing a state in which a window wiping device(s), and suitable for providing information, and

[0021] - either a touch-sensitive display screen suitable for displaying the generated message and allow the driver to signal a choice by a tactile action on a displayed choice zone, i.e. a voice synthesis device capable of generating the message, at least one loudspeaker capable of broadcasting the generated message, and a microphone associated with a voice recognition device and capable of capturing at least one keyword spoken by the driver to signal a choice. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of the embodiment of a vehicle comprising a rear light providing a rear fog light function and associated with a supervision computer, and a monitoring device according to the invention,

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a supervision computer comprising an exemplary embodiment of a monitoring device according to the invention, and

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a monitoring method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to propose a monitoring method, and a associated DS monitoring device, intended to enable monitoring of the use of the rear fog light function provided by a vehicle V.

[0027] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. It is for example a car, as illustrated in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It in fact concerns any type of vehicle providing a rear fog light function. Thus, it concerns land vehicles (utility vehicles, camper vans, minibuses, coaches, trucks, road machinery, construction machinery, and agricultural machinery, for example), and boats.

[0028] [Fig.l] schematically shows a vehicle V comprising a rear part PRR, opposite its front part PVV and in which is installed a rear light FA providing a rear fog light function, a supervision computer CS, and a monitoring device DS according to the invention.

[0029] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l] the rear part PRR of the vehicle V only comprises a single rear light FA providing a rear fog light function. But it could comprise two rear lights FA.

[0030] The rear fog light function can be placed in an activated state ea or a deactivated state ed by a driver by actuation of a dedicated control member OC. It will be understood that in the activated state ea the rear light FA generates photons which participate in the rear fog light function, while in the deactivated state ed the rear light FA does not generate photons.

[0031] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l], the control member OC may be part of a lever (or a comodo®) MC which is coupled to the steering wheel or to the steering column of the vehicle V and which serves the driver of the latter (V) to control several functions or mechanisms. But the control member OC could be installed in other places in the passenger compartment H of the vehicle V, and in particular on the dashboard PB or on a central part of the steering wheel.

[0032] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l], the operation of the rear light FA can be supervised by a supervision computer CS receiving the commands from the control member OC. It will be noted that this supervision computer CS can possibly be responsible for supervising all the exterior lighting and signaling functions of the vehicle V. But this is not an obligation.

[0033] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a monitoring method intended to enable monitoring of the use of the rear fog light function of the vehicle V.

[0034] This (monitoring) method can be implemented at least partially by the DS monitoring device (illustrated at least partially in figures 1 and 2) which comprises for this purpose at least one processor PR1, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP ("Digital Signal Processor")), and at least one memory MD. This DS monitoring device can therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). For example, it can be a microcontroller.

[0035] The memory MD is RAM in order to store instructions for the implementation by the processor PR1 of at least part of the monitoring method. The processor PR1 may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is understood to mean any type of device capable of carrying out at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0036] In the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the monitoring device DS is part of the supervision computer CS. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the monitoring device DS could comprise its own dedicated computer, which is then coupled to the supervision computer CS, or could be part of another computer equipping the vehicle V permanently, for example.

[0037] It will be noted that in the following the only rear fog light function will be referred to as “function” for short.

[0038] As illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], the (monitoring) method, according to the invention, comprises a step 10-60 which is implemented each time the vehicle V is woken up (“contact established”), whether it is stationary or in a rolling phase.

[0039] Step 10-60 of the method comprises a sub-step 30 in which, when the function is placed in the activated state ea and information ipp, representative of the presence of rain in the environment of the vehicle V, occurs, or when this information ipp is present and a placement of the function in the activated state ea occurs, a message is generated (for example the monitoring device DS triggers the generation) for the driver, by means of a man / machine interface IH which is on board the vehicle V, asking whether this driver wishes a change of this (activated) state ea.

[0040] If not, and therefore if the driver does not respond or if he signals that he does not want a change in the activated state ea, the method ends in a sub-step 50 of step 10-60.

[0041] On the other hand, if so, and therefore if the driver signals that he accepts the change of the activated state ea, step 10-60 of the method comprises a sub-step 60 in which the monitoring device DS is placed (for example) triggers the placing) the function in the deactivated state ed.

[0042] It will be understood that the word “occurs” means that the event concerned occurs after a first event has taken place. In other words, in a first situation the function has previously been placed in the activated state ea by the driver, then a little later (or possibly just after) the monitoring device DS receives the information ipp (representative of the presence of rain in the environment of the vehicle V). In a second situation the information ipp has previously been received, then a little later (or possibly just after) the monitoring device DS is informed of the fact that the function has just been placed by the driver in the activated state ea.

[0043] Thus, when the use of the function is potentially disruptive (and also generally prohibited), the message alerts the driver by offering to deactivate it automatically. The driver can then make an informed decision. This also makes the vehicle V more “intelligent” and potentially less disruptive in wet weather for the drivers of the following vehicles. In addition, the invention can possibly be implemented without adding new bulky equipment.

[0044] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], step 10-60 may comprise a sub-step 10 in which one (for example the monitoring device DS) may be informed of the first aforementioned event (namely the function has just been placed in the activated state ea by the driver or the information ipp has just been received). Then, step 10-60 may comprise a sub-step 20 in which one (for example the monitoring device DS) may be informed of the second aforementioned event (namely the information ipp has just been received or the function has just been placed in the activated state ea by the driver). Then, sub-step 30 (generation of the message) is carried out.

[0045] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.3], step 10-60 may comprise a sub-step 40 in which one (for example the monitoring device DS) can analyze the driver's response. If the driver does not respond within a predefined time interval or if he signals that he does not want a change in the activated state ea, the method ends in sub-step 50. On the other hand, if the driver signals that he accepts the change in the activated state ea, sub-step 60 (deactivation of the function) is carried out.

[0046] It will be noted that the human / machine interface IH may be temporarily present in the vehicle V or may equip the vehicle V permanently. In the first alternative, it may, for example, be part of a driver's smartphone. In the second alternative, it may have different locations and / or different forms as described below.

[0047] For example, in step 10-60 one (for example the monitoring device DS) can use a human / machine interface IH which comprises a touch-sensitive display screen EA, and in this case in sub-step 30 one can display the (for example the monitoring device DS can trigger the display of the) message generated on this display screen EA. It will be understood that in this embodiment the message is textual (possibly also with at least one thumbnail). Then, one (for example the monitoring device DS) can wait for the driver to signal his choice (response to the displayed message) by a touch action on a choice zone displayed on the display screen EA or by an action on a control member equipping the vehicle V. It will be noted that this latter control member can, possibly, be part of the aforementioned MC lever, but this is not an obligation.

[0048] It will also be noted that the display screen EA may, for example, be part of a central instrument panel IH fixedly installed in or on the dashboard PB of the vehicle V and capable of communicating with the supervision computer CS, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l]. But as mentioned above, it could be part of the driver's smartphone. In this latter alternative, the supervision computer CS can communicate with the smartphone, for example via a radio communication module, of the WiFi or Bluetooth type, fitted to the vehicle V. In these two alternatives, a pre-existing human / machine interface IH is advantageously reused. In a variant of the first alternative, the human / machine interface IH could be dedicated to monitoring the function.

[0049] It should also be noted that the message displayed may, for example, include a sentence such as "rear fog light prohibited in case of rain, do you want to turn it off?" and two choice zones containing the words "yes" and "no" respectively, on which the driver can press to indicate his choice.

[0050] In a variant embodiment not illustrated, in step 10-60 one (for example the monitoring device DS) can use a human / machine interface IH which comprises at least one loudspeaker associated with a voice synthesis device, and a microphone associated with a voice recognition device. In this case, the message is generated (for example the monitoring device DS triggers the generation of the) by means of this voice synthesis device, then the message generated is broadcast (for example the monitoring device DS triggers the broadcast of the) by means of the loudspeaker. It will be understood that in this embodiment the message is audible. Then, one (for example the monitoring device DS) can wait for the driver to signal his choice (response to the broadcast message) by pronouncing at least one keyword to be picked up by the microphone or by an action on a control member fitted to the vehicle V.It should be noted that this latter control organ may, possibly, be part of the aforementioned MC controller, but this is not an obligation.

[0051] It will also be noted that the loudspeaker and the microphone can, for example, be installed in two places in the passenger compartment H, and the voice synthesis device and the voice recognition device can, for example, be part of an electronic card fixedly installed in the vehicle V (for example in the dashboard PB or the engine compartment). In this case, the electronic card can communicate with the supervision computer CS. But as mentioned above, the loudspeaker, the microphone, the voice synthesis device and the voice recognition device could be part of the driver's smartphone. In this last alternative, the supervision computer CS can communicate with the smartphone, for example via a radio communication module, of the WiFi or Bluetooth type, fitted to the vehicle V. In these two alternatives, a pre-existing human / machine interface IH is advantageously reused.In a variation of the first alternative, the human / machine interface IH could be dedicated to monitoring the function.

[0052] It will also be noted that the broadcast message may, for example, include sentences of the type "the rear fog light is prohibited in case of rain. If you want to turn it off, please say the word yes, while if you do not want to turn it off, please say the word no", when the driver's response is given orally. Alternatively, the broadcast message may, for example, include sentences of the type "the rear fog light is prohibited in case of rain. If you want to turn it off, please press the dedicated control member of the lever once, while if you do not want to turn it off, please press the dedicated control member of the lever twice".

[0053] In another variant embodiment, not illustrated and a combination of the two previous embodiments, the human / machine interface IH could be “double” in order to allow the broadcasting and display of the message intended for the driver.

[0054] Also for example, in step 10-60, the information ipp can be provided by a rain detector DP which equips the vehicle V or by a computer depending on the state (activated or deactivated) in which a window wiping device(s) which equips the vehicle V is placed. In other words, in these two examples the information ipp has a purely internal origin to the vehicle V, because it comes from equipment permanently equipping the vehicle V and reacting or used in the presence of rain.

[0055] However, in an alternative embodiment, in step 10-60, the information ipp can be determined by a computer on board the vehicle V from the current geographical position of the latter (V) and meteorological data which concern the geographical zone including this known current geographical position. The position geographical area is for example provided by a navigation aid device permanently fitted to the vehicle V or the driver's smartphone. It will be understood that this calculator determines the meteorological data concerning this geographical area from a set of geographical data, for example because the vehicle V receives them by radio periodically or on request or because it connects to a meteorological server via the radio communication module of the vehicle V. It is thus possible to determine that it is raining in the geographical area where the vehicle V is located at the time in question by means of data external to the vehicle V.

[0056] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], that the supervision computer CS (or the computer of the monitoring device DS) can also comprise a mass memory MM1, in particular for storing each piece of information ipp and each parameter representative of the placement of the function in the activated state ea, as well as any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing operations. Furthermore, this supervision computer CS (or the computer of the monitoring device DS) can also comprise an input interface IE for receiving at least each piece of information ipp, each parameter representative of the placement of the function in the activated state ea, and each parameter representative of the driver's response, for use in calculations or processing operations, possibly after having shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified them, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2.In addition, this supervision calculator CS (or the calculator of the monitoring device DS) can also include an output interface IS, in particular to deliver each order to display and / or broadcast the message for the driver, and each order to place the function in the deactivated state.

[0057] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type, such as for example the processor PR1, is capable of implementing the monitoring method described above to monitor in the vehicle V the use of its rear fog light function.

Claims

Claims

1. Monitoring method for a vehicle (V) providing a rear fog light function that can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-60) in which, when said function is placed in the activated state and information representative of the presence of rain in the environment of said vehicle (V) occurs, or when information representative of rain in the environment of said vehicle (V) is present and a placement of said function in the activated state occurs, a message is generated for said driver, by means of a man / machine interface (IH) on board said vehicle (V), asking whether he wishes a change in said state, and if so, said function is placed in the deactivated state.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-60) a human / machine interface (IH) is used comprising a touch-sensitive display screen (EA) and said generated message is displayed on said display screen (EA), then said driver is waited for to signal his choice by a touch action on a choice zone displayed on said display screen (EA) or by an action on a control member equipping said vehicle (V).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-60) a human / machine interface (IH) is used comprising at least one loudspeaker associated with a voice synthesis device and a microphone associated with a voice recognition device, and said message is generated by means of said voice synthesis device then said generated message is broadcast by means of said loudspeaker, then said driver is waited for to signal his choice by pronouncing at least one key word to be picked up by said microphone or by an action on a control member fitted to said vehicle (V).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step (10-60) said information is provided by a rain detector (DP) equipping said vehicle (V) or by a computer depending on a state in which a window wiping device(s) equipping said vehicle (V) is placed.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step (10-60) said information is determined by a computer on board said vehicle (V) from a geographical position in the course of the latter (V) and meteorological data concerning a geographical area including said known current geographical position.

6. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the monitoring method according to one of claims 1 to 5, in a vehicle (V) providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, to monitor the use of said function.

7. Monitoring device (DS) for a vehicle (V) providing a rear fog light function that can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting, when said function is placed in the activated state and information representative of rain in the environment of said vehicle (V), occurs, or when information representative of the presence of rain in the environment of said vehicle (V), is present and a placement of said function in the activated state occurs, in triggering a generation for said driver, by means of a man / machine interface (IH) on board said vehicle (V), of a message asking whether he wishes a change in said state, and if so, in triggering a placement of said function in the deactivated state.

8. Vehicle (V) providing a rear fog light function which can be placed in an activated state or a deactivated state by a driver, characterized in that it comprises a monitoring device (DS) according to claim 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a man / machine interface (IH) capable of generating for said driver a message asking whether he wishes a change in said state in which said function is placed.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said man / machine interface (IH) comprises a rain detector (DP) or a computer, knowing a state in which a window wiping device is placed, and capable of providing said information, and either a touch-sensitive display screen (EA) capable of displaying said generated message and allowing said driver to signal a choice by a touch action on a displayed choice zone, or i) a synthesis device voice capable of generating said message, ii) at least one loudspeaker capable of broadcasting said generated message, and iii) a microphone associated with a voice recognition device and capable of capturing at least one keyword spoken by said driver to signal a choice.

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