Repeated broadcast of an audible alert inside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the repeated broadcasting of an audible alert in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer 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: Doubled diffusion of an audible alert in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic and computer systems on board motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a device. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] Some modern motor vehicles are equipped with on-board systems that sometimes need to cause audible alerts to be played. For example, a driver assistance system that provides emergency brake assist functionality typically causes an audible alert to be played in the passenger compartment when the vehicle is too close to another vehicle. Similarly, in providing lane keeping assistance functionality, the driver assistance system commands an audible alert to be played when the vehicle deviates from the lane. Similarly, a battery management system may command an audible alert to be played when it diagnoses a battery fault. And to play these alerts, the system requiring an audible alert to be played typically interacts with the vehicle's infotainment system, which typically controls at least one speaker.However, it is quite possible that the infotainment system is experiencing a malfunction that is preventing it from broadcasting an audible alert. This situation can significantly degrade driving safety. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to solve this problem. In particular, it aims to provide a solution that makes it possible to secure the broadcasting of an audible alert required by a system of a motor vehicle in order to overcome a malfunction of a system by means of which the alert must be broadcast. In this way, the invention aims to improve driving safety.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: • determine whether the broadcasting of an audible alert via a first system capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is required; • determine whether the first system is operational; and • cause the alert to be broadcast through a second system capable of broadcasting a sound into the vehicle's passenger compartment when it is established that the first system is not operational.

[0005] According to a variant, the first system may be an infotainment system.

[0006] According to another variant, the second system may be a control module of transmission.

[0007] According to yet another variant, the broadcasting of the alert may be required by a vehicle driving assistance system.

[0008] According to yet another variant, the broadcasting of the alert may be required by a vehicle battery management system.

[0009] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the device comprising an information processing unit, with one or more processors, and a data storage medium, which are configured to implement a method as described above.

[0010] 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.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a computer-readable medium, on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle which has a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended figures, in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention; and

[0016] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] [Fig.l] shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. This typically comprises an infotainment system 2, which controls a loudspeaker to broadcast sound content in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a driver assistance system 3, which may potentially cause an audible alert to be played, for example when providing emergency brake assist functionality, a transmission control module 4, which may also potentially cause an audible alert to be played by means of the speaker when diagnosing a powertrain malfunction and a battery management system 5, which may also cause an audible alert to be played by means of the speaker when a battery fault occurs.

[0018] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also incorporates a device 100 for managing the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as briefly summarized below and described in detail below.

[0019] When implementing the method, the device 100 according to the invention first establishes whether one or other of the systems of the vehicle 1 requires the broadcasting of an audible alert by means of one or other of the systems capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. When this is the case, the device 100 according to the invention checks whether the system by means of which the audible alert must be broadcast is operational. And when it establishes that this is not the case, the device 100 according to the invention causes the broadcasting of the audible alert by means of another system of the vehicle 1. This minimizes the risk that an audible alert which influences driving safety is not broadcast.

[0020] In [Fig. 2] is illustrated in more detail the device 100 for managing the broadcasting of audible alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention. It is essentially a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, comprising 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.

[0021] 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 arrows - with the infotainment system 2, with the driving assistance system 3, with the transmission control module 4 and with the battery management system 5. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is partially or fully part of one or other of these systems. As a result, it can, in particular, determine whether the broadcasting of an audible alert is required by any of the above systems, it can control their operating status and it can cause an audible alert to be broadcast through each of these systems.

[0022] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, as described below in connection with [Fig.3].

[0023] [Fig. 3] illustrates by means of a flowchart the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0024] According to a first step 201, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether the broadcasting of an audible alert by means of a first system capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is required.

[0025] In other words, the device 100 according to the invention first determines whether one or other of the vehicle systems, for example the driving assistance system 3, requires the broadcasting of an audible alert. And when it establishes that this is the case, the device 100 according to the invention then determines, possibly by interacting with the system requiring the broadcasting of the audible alert, a first system of the vehicle 1 which is chosen to manage the broadcasting of the audible alert, for example the infotainment system 2.

[0026] Then, according to a second step 202, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether the first system, the one chosen to manage the broadcasting of the audible alert, is operational. The device 100 according to the invention determines this, for example, by examining fault codes previously received from the first system or by checking connectivity with it at the current time.

[0027] Finally, according to a third step 203, the device 100 according to the invention causes the broadcasting of the alert by means of a second system capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when it establishes that the first system is not operational.

[0028] Thus, if it has established, for example, that the infotainment system 2 which has been chosen by the driving assistance system 3 which has requested the broadcasting of an audible alert is not operational, it then causes the broadcasting of the alert by means of, for example, the transmission control module 4 or the battery management system 5.

[0029] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, it is possible to secure the broadcasting of an audible alert in order to compensate for a possible malfunction of a system by means of which the alert must be broadcast. This significantly improves driving safety.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: • determining whether the broadcasting of a sound alert by means of a first system (2, 3, 4, 5) capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is required; • determining whether the first system (2, 3, 4, 5) is operational; and • causing the broadcasting of the alert by means of a second system (2, 3, 4, 5) capable of broadcasting a sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when it is established that the first system (2, 3, 4, 5) is not operational.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first system is an infotainment system (2).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second system is a transmission control module (4).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the broadcasting of the alert is requested by a driving assistance system (3) of the vehicle.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the broadcasting of the alert is required by a management system of a battery (5) of the vehicle.

6. Device (100) for managing the broadcasting of sound alerts in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that said device comprises an information processing unit (101), with one or more processors, 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. Computer-readable medium, characterized in that a program according to claim 7 is recorded therein.

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

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