Method of controlling a motor vehicle with automatic gearbox, associated device and vehicle.

Abstract

Method for controlling a motor vehicle (100) comprising an automatic gearbox (130) and a touch screen (140) in a passenger compartment (150) of the motor vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Reading, of an indicator (I110) of a current mode of the automatic gearbox (130), the current mode indicator (I110) comprising a first piece of information and a second piece of information, Display command, on the touch screen (140), of an icon comprising the first piece of information, Detection of a press on the icon for a duration, If the duration is less than a first threshold, display command, on the touch screen (140), of the second piece of information, If the duration is greater than the first threshold: Display command, on the touch screen (140), of a mode change menu of the automatic gearbox (130), the menu comprising a plurality of mode identifiers of the gearbox automatic speed (130).Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling a motor vehicle with automatic gearbox, associated device and vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to motor vehicles with automatic gearboxes.

[0002] As is known, these automatic gearboxes comprise different modes selectable by the driver using a mechanical selector such as a button or a lever.

[0003] There is a need to improve the mode selection of automatic gearboxes.

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle comprising an automatic gearbox and a touch screen in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Reading, in memory, an indicator of a current mode (in other words: a driving mode) of the automatic gearbox, the current mode indicator comprising a first piece of information and a second piece of information distinct from the first piece of information, (for example) then, • (Sending, to the touch screen, a) Command to display, on the touch screen, an icon including the first information, then, • Detection of a press on the icon for a duration, then, • Comparison of the duration to a first threshold, • If the duration is strictly less than the first threshold, (then) (Sending, to the touch screen, of a) command to display, on the touch screen, the second information, or, • If the duration is greater than or equal to the first threshold (then): • (Sending, to the touch screen, a) Command to display, on the touch screen, a mode change menu (in other words: a driving mode) of the automatic gearbox, the menu comprising a plurality of mode identifiers (in other words: driving mode) of the automatic gearbox (for example authorized from the current mode. This may alternatively be all the modes of the automatic gearbox, an error message being displayed if the selection mode is not authorized from the current mode), then • Detection of a press on an identifier of a mode (in other words: a driving selection mode) for selecting the automatic gearbox among the plurality of identifiers, then • (Sends, to the automatic gearbox, a) Command from the automatic gearbox so that the automatic gearbox switches (in other words: is) into selection mode.

[0005] The invention thus makes it possible, very easily, by simply pressing the touch screen for a longer or shorter time, to display additional information (the second information) on the current mode of the automatic gearbox or to select another mode.

[0006] According to one embodiment: • The first threshold is equal to 600 milliseconds.

[0007] The indicator of the current mode of the automatic gearbox is for example stored in memory, as is conventionally done on motor vehicles today.

[0008] For example, the first information consists of 4 alphanumeric characters or less.

[0009] For example, the second information consists of 30 or more alphanumeric characters.

[0010] Alternatively, the first information and / or the second information may be made up differently (for example of a different number of alphanumeric characters, or of images).

[0011] For example, the first information includes fewer alphanumeric characters than the second information (but the opposite is possible).

[0012] Preferably, the motor vehicle is devoid of a (other) mode selector for the automatic gearbox, in particular mechanical (for example, a button or a lever). Alternatively, the motor vehicle may comprise a (other) mode selector for the automatic gearbox.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the current mode (and / or the selection mode) is (and / or the plurality of mode identifiers of the automatic gearbox identifies) one of: • A parking mode, • An automatic forward mode, • A manual forward mode, • A reverse mode, and • A neutral mode.

[0014] Alternatively, the current mode is (and / or the selection mode is and / or the plurality of mode identifiers of the automatic gearbox identifies) a regenerative braking mode for a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0015] According to one embodiment: • The current mode is a neutral mode, and • The plurality of identifiers identifies a parking mode, and an automatic forward mode, and a reverse mode.

[0016] According to one embodiment: • The current mode is an automatic forward mode, and • The plurality of identifiers identifies a parking mode, and a manual forward mode, and a neutral mode, and a reverse mode.

[0017] According to one embodiment: • The current driving mode is a parking mode, and • The plurality of identifiers identifies an automatic forward mode, and a neutral mode, and a reverse mode.

[0018] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0019] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device (which can comprise a microprocessor). The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0020] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the motor vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0021] When the electronic device, the motor vehicle (or another element) is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0022] For example, the electronic device comprises a computer program, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, • [Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.4] represent the display of a vehicle screen au- car of [Fig.l] at various stages of the process of [Fig.5], • [Fig.5] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.l].

[0024] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0025] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0026] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle 100. The motor vehicle 100 comprises a microprocessor 110. The microprocessor 110 is connected to the following elements of the motor vehicle 100: • A 130 gearbox which is an automatic gearbox, • A touch screen 140, in a passenger compartment 150 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0027] In step S00 [Fig.5], the motor vehicle 100 is stationary in a parking lot. The gearbox 130 is then in parking mode. During this step, the microprocessor 110 reads the indicator II 10 in a memory of the microprocessor 110.

[0028] In step S20, the microprocessor 110 controls the display, on the touch screen 140, of an icon 141 comprising the information 141i of the indicator 1110, as shown [Fig.2].

[0029] The information 14li includes for example the alphanumeric character “P”.

[0030] In step S30, the microprocessor 110 detects that the driver presses (with his finger) the icon 141 for 200 milliseconds.

[0031] In step S40, the microprocessor 110 compares 200 milliseconds with 600 milliseconds.

[0032] In step S50, as 200 milliseconds is strictly less than 600 milliseconds, then the microprocessor 110 commands a display on the touch screen 140 of information 142i from the indicator II 10, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0033] The information 142i includes, for example, the alphanumeric characters “Parking Mode: mechanically blocks the transmission when the vehicle is parked”. Thus, information on the current driving mode is displayed on the touch screen 140 to allow the driver to understand the current operation of the gearbox 130.

[0034] In step S60, the microprocessor 110 detects a press on a software button for closing (not shown) the window 142. The microprocessor then commands a closing of the window 142.

[0035] In step S70, the microprocessor 110 controls the display, on the touch screen 140, of the icon 141 comprising the information 141i, as shown [Fig.2] then the microprocessor 110 detects that the driver presses (with his finger) on the icon 141 for 800 milliseconds.

[0036] In step S80, the microprocessor 110 compares 800 milliseconds with 500 milliseconds.

[0037] In step S90, since 800 milliseconds is greater than or equal to 600 milliseconds, then the microprocessor 110 commands a display on the touch screen 140 of a menu 143 as shown in [Fig.4]. The menu 143 includes the following mode identifiers of the gearbox 130; • An identifier 143a: “Automatic forward gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to automatic forward gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143b: “Neutral”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to neutral mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143c: “Reverse gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to reverse gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110).

[0038] The 130 speed gearbox modes, automatic forward, neutral and reverse are the three modes authorized (in other words; possible) from neutral mode.

[0039] In step S100, the microprocessor 110 detects a press on the identifier 143c (or in a first variant on the identifier 143b).

[0040] In step SI 10, the microprocessor 110 controls the automatic gearbox 130 so that it switches to a reverse mode (in the first variant, to a neutral mode). The motor vehicle 100 then begins to reverse.

[0041] According to a first variant, for example, in step S70, the automatic gearbox 130 is in a neutral mode, the information 14li comprises the alphanumeric character “N”, and the menu 143 comprises the following mode identifiers of the automatic gearbox 130; • An identifier 143a: “Parking”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to parking mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143b: “Automatic forward gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to automatic forward gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143c: “Reverse gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to reverse gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110).

[0042] According to a second variant, for example, in step S70, the gearbox au- automatic gearbox 130 is in an automatic forward mode, the information 141i includes for example the alphanumeric character “D”, and the menu 143 includes the following mode identifiers of the automatic gearbox 130; • An identifier 143a: “Parking”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to parking mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143b: “Manual forward gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to automatic forward gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier 143c: “Reverse gear”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to reverse gear mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110). • An identifier (not shown): “neutral”, pressing this identifier causes the gearbox 130 to switch to neutral mode (controlled by the microprocessor 110).

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a motor vehicle (100) comprising an automatic gearbox (130) and a touch screen (140) in a passenger compartment (150) of the motor vehicle (100), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Reading (S10) of an indicator (1110) of a current mode of the automatic gearbox (130), the current mode indicator (1110) comprising a first piece of information (141i) and a second piece of information (142i) distinct from the first piece of information (141i), • Display control (S20) on the touch screen (140) of an icon (141) comprising the first piece of information (141i), • Detection (S30) of a press on the icon (141) for a duration, • Comparison (S40, S80) of the duration with a first threshold, • If the duration is strictly less than the first threshold, display control (S50), on the touch screen (140), of the second information (142i), or,• If the duration is greater than or equal to the first threshold: Display command (S90), on the touch screen (140), of a menu (143) for changing the mode of the automatic gearbox (130), the menu (143) comprising a plurality of mode identifiers of the automatic gearbox (130), Detection (S 100) of a press on an identifier (143a, 143b, 143c) of a selection mode of the automatic gearbox from among the plurality of identifiers, Command (SI 10) of the automatic gearbox (130) so that the automatic gearbox (130) switches to the selection mode.,

2. Control method according to claim 1 in which: • The first threshold is equal to 600 milliseconds.

3. Control method according to claim 1 or 2 in which: • The current mode is a neutral mode, • The plurality of identifiers identifies: A parking mode, and an automatic forward mode, and a reverse mode.

4. Control method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: • The current mode is an automatic forward mode, • The plurality of identifiers identifies: A parking mode, and A manual forward mode, and A neutral mode, and A reverse mode.

5. Control method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein: • The current mode is a parking mode, • The plurality of identifiers identifies: An automatic forward mode, and A neutral mode, and A reverse mode.

6. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

7. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to claim 7.