Method and device for controlling a vehicle display system for the scrolling display of warning lights

FR3153583B1Active Publication Date: 2025-08-22STELLANTIS AUTO SAS +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023010322
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-28
Publication Date
2025-08-22
Estimated Expiration
2043-09-28

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle. For this purpose, first data of a request for displaying first indicators (211, 212, 213) belonging to a first category of indicators are received. A display of the first indicators (211, 212, 213) is controlled to display these first indicators in a first determined area (21) of a display screen (13) of the display system, the first determined area (21) having a size configured for displaying a maximum determined number of indicators. When a number of first indicators to be displayed is greater than the maximum determined number, the display of the first indicators is controlled to display the first indicators by sequential scrolling in the first determined area (21). Figure for abstract: Figure 2
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Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle display system for the scrolling display of warning lights Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a display system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of warning lights for controlling the vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting in driving a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The sophistication of vehicles is accompanied by high requirements in terms of safety of the vehicles and their passengers. The systems, components and functions implemented in a vehicle must often meet a determined safety level. These safety levels are for example described in the ISO 26262 standard, these safety levels being identified by their ASIL level (from the English "Automotive Safety Integrity Level" or in French "Automotive Safety Integrity Level"), i.e. ASIL A, B, C or D, to which are associated admissible failure rates per hour.

[0003] For example, the components or computers controlling the braking system of a vehicle must be at a very high ASIL level, for example an ASIL D level. In the event of a problem or failure of the braking system, it is essential to inform the driver of the vehicle so that the latter can take the necessary measures, for example stopping the vehicle and / or making an appointment at a garage.

[0004] Vehicles also have one or more screens on which one or more human-machine interfaces, called HMIs, are displayed, which allow the driver or passengers of a vehicle to interact with the vehicle. These HMIs are currently used to display certain information such as the speed of the vehicle or to display one or more warning lights intended to alert the driver of a possible problem with a vehicle component or an operating status of a driving assistance system, for example. The diversity of these HMIs is very great, each vehicle model having a particular HMI with, in particular, a particular arrangement and / or a particular graphic design of the elements to be displayed.

[0005] For reasons of operational safety, regulation or use of the vehicle, these HMIs display dozens of indicators so that a vehicle user can monitor the overall state of the vehicle components and the systems implemented. in the vehicle.

[0006] These HMIs are generally displayed in different areas of a screen. Each area may correspond to one or more indicators of an HMI and each indicator corresponds to information relating to a component of the vehicle or to an operating state of one of the systems implemented by this vehicle.

[0007] This is how these HMIs can be displayed in so-called dedicated areas, that is to say areas in which one or more indicators can be displayed but exclusively. For example, an indicator representing a system in activity and an indicator representing this inactive system can be displayed in the same dedicated area of ​​the screen exclusively.

[0008] These MMIs can also be displayed in so-called stackable zones, i.e. zones in which one or more indicators can be displayed according to display priority rules: certain indicators can be displayed simultaneously while others are not according to a first priority rule and these other indicators can be displayed according to a second priority rule, etc.

[0009] The multiplication of indicators to be displayed on a screen whose dimensions are sometimes constrained by the ergonomics of the driving position leads, for example, to problems of readability of at least some of the indicators and / or the implementation of costly solutions to move the display of some of the indicators to other screens or physical buttons. Summary of the present invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of the display of the warning lights of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the display of the indicators, for example to improve the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0013] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a display system of a vehicle, the display system comprising a display screen, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving first data representative of a request to display a first set of first witnesses on the display screen, each first witness of the first set belonging to a first category of witnesses; - controlling the display of the first set of first indicators in a first determined area of ​​the display screen following the reception of the first data, the first determined area having a size configured for displaying a number maximum number of witnesses determined, and when a number of first witnesses of the first set of first witnesses is greater than the determined maximum number, the display of the first witnesses being controlled to display the first witnesses by sequential scrolling in the first determined area.

[0014] Controlling the display of witnesses of a determined category (for example witnesses whose display occurrence is less than a determined threshold) in the same limited size area of ​​a screen by scrolling the witnesses in this area makes it possible to reduce the space required for displaying the witnesses while still allowing the display of all the witnesses. The sequential scrolling of the witnesses in the area makes it possible to display the witnesses one after the other, according to a determined sequence.

[0015] The driver can thus easily access the information associated with the display of the warning lights to control the vehicle in complete safety, access to the information being readable among all the information additionally displayed on the screen.

[0016] According to a variant, when the number of first witnesses of the first set of first witnesses is greater than the determined maximum number, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a first graphic object representative of the number of first witnesses in a second zone of the display screen, the second zone being adjacent to the first determined zone.

[0017] According to another variant, a graphic representation of the first graphic object is a function of a current graphic representation of the first witnesses of the first set.

[0018] According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a second graphic object representative of a result of a test of displaying the first warning lights when starting the vehicle in the second zone of the display screen.

[0019] According to an additional variant, the second zone covers a part of the first determined zone.

[0020] According to another variant, the maximum number of witnesses determined is equal to 3 witnesses.

[0021] According to another variant, the sequential scrolling corresponds to a continuous scrolling of the first indicators in the first determined zone in a main direction of the first determined zone, a display of a new first indicator at a first end of the first determined zone causing a spatial shift of the first indicators already displayed in the first zone in the main direction towards a second end of the first determined zone opposite the first end, the first indicator already displayed at the second end leaving the first zone determined when displaying the new first witness at the first end.

[0022] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving second data representative of a request to display at least one second indicator on the display screen, the at least one second indicator belonging to a second category of indicators different from the first category, each second indicator of the second category having a display occurrence greater than a threshold, each first indicator of the first category having a display occurrence less than the threshold; - display control of at least one second indicator in at least one third determined zone of the display screen different from the first determined zone.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0026] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0028] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0029] On the other hand, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0030] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a second particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.6] illustrates a device configured to control a display system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a vehicle display system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0039] A method and a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0040] The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)” (or “first(s)”, “second(s)”), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow identification and to distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0041] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system comprising a display screen of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle. For this purpose, the method comprises the reception of first data representative of a request to display a first set of first indicators on the display screen. These first data are for example received from one or more data buses connecting different computers of the vehicle. Each first indicator of the first set belongs to a first category of indicators. The display of the first set of first indicators is then controlled so as to display the first indicators in a first determined zone of the display screen. This first zone is configured so as to be able to simultaneously display only a maximum number (an integer value) of indicators, for example 3 indicators.

[0042] When the number of first indicators to be displayed (i.e. the number of first indicators included in the first set) is greater than this maximum number, the display of the first indicators is controlled to display the first indicators by sequential scrolling in this first area of ​​the display screen.

[0043] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine or to a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle.

[0045] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising, for example, a display screen 13 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical MMI on the screen 13. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the vehicle 10.

[0046] The screen 13 corresponds for example to a screen of the combined or dashboard type arranged in an area of ​​the dashboard 11 located behind the steering wheel 14 according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle 10 seated in the front driver's seat 15 of the vehicle 10. Such a screen 13 is configured for the display of information necessary for the driver to control the vehicle 10, for example the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10, the level of fuel remaining in the tank or the quantity of energy remaining in the traction battery, the number of kilometers traveled, information on the environment of the vehicle 10 (for example information representative of the distance from a vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 10, the traffic sign(s) detected, according to the AD AS systems (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced Driving Assistance System”) on board the vehicle 10).

[0047] Such a screen 13 is further configured for the display, under the control of the IVI computer for example, of indicators corresponding for example to so-called safety or alert indicators, so-called warning indicators and / or so-called signaling indicators.

[0048] A witness corresponds to a graphic icon or a pictogram of a specific color. Each witness advantageously has a particular and specific graphic shape or representation, a particular and specific color. Certain representations and colors associated with witnesses, in particular safety or alert witnesses, are for example defined in an international standard such as ECE R121.

[0049] Each warning light belongs to a set of security or warning lights including in particular: - the battery charge indicator: the display of such a indicator indicates an insufficient battery charge resulting for example from a fault in the alternator; - the engine oil pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates insufficient pressure (below a certain threshold); - the engine oil temperature warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates overheating of the engine oil (temperature above a specific threshold); - the coolant temperature indicator: the display of such a indicator indicates any overheating of the engine (temperature above a determined threshold); - the brake or braking system fault indicator: the display of such a indicator indicates, for example, a drop in pressure in the braking circuit and / or an insufficient level of brake fluid and / or the application of the parking brake; - the tire pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates an excessive loss of pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires; and - the seat belt not fastened warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates that the driver and / or a passenger has not fastened their seat belt.

[0050] A warning light is an indicator signaling the failure of an on-board electronic system or the need to have a vehicle component serviced quickly, while still allowing the vehicle to continue to be used. The set of warning lights to be checked includes, for example, one or more of the following lights: engine oil level light, airbag light (or "air cushion") "inflatable" in French), ABS system warning light, electronic stability control system warning light, brake pad wear warning light, vehicle traction control system warning light, fuel level warning light, engine depollution warning light, power steering warning light, faulty bulb warning light.

[0051] A signaling indicator corresponds to an indicator signaling the activation (automatic or following a manual command) of a vehicle component such as the lights (position, dipped, main, fog lights), the direction indicators (flashing), the hazard lights, the parking brake, the demister, etc.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the display system further comprises one or more other screens, for example a screen 12, for example a touch screen, arranged in the middle of the dashboard 11 and / or a device or system called a head-up display corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade arranged in such a way that a driver seated in the seat 15 sees the content displayed or projected on the transparent blade when the driver is driving the vehicle 10.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) on board the vehicle 10.The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0054] A process for controlling the display system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer. The control of the display system comprises the control of the display of warning lights on one or more display devices of the vehicle 10, for example on the screen 13.

[0055] In a first operation, first data representative of a request to display a first set of first indicators on the display screen are received. Each first indicator indicator of the first set belonging to a first category of witnesses.

[0056] The first data are for example received by the IVI computer via a wired connection, for example via one or more data buses connecting the IVI computer to one or more other computers of the vehicle 10. This or these other computers each correspond for example to a computer controlling an on-board system or a component of the vehicle 10 associated with the first indicator to be displayed, for example an AD AS system, the lighting system, the engine or any other component of the vehicle 10.

[0057] The first category comprising the first witnesses groups together, for example, witnesses whose display occurrence over a given time period (for example over 1 week, 1 month or 1 year) is less than a threshold. The first category thus groups together, for example, witnesses displayed less than 5 or 10 times per year, for example.

[0058] A second category groups together, for example, the other witnesses (called second witnesses) not belonging to the first category, the second witnesses having a display occurrence greater than the fixed threshold.

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment, the indicators are grouped by type of indicator. For example, the first category groups together safety or alert indicators and warning indicators while the second category groups together signal indicators.

[0060] In a second operation of the process, the display of the first set of first indicator lights is controlled so as to display this first set of first indicators in a first determined zone 21 of the display screen 13 following the reception of the first data, as illustrated in [Fig.2] according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The first zone 21 corresponds to a display surface having a size (or dimensions) adapted and configured for displaying a determined maximum number of indicators. This maximum number corresponds to a parameter of the display system recorded in a memory associated with the IVI computer.

[0062] This maximum number corresponds to an integer and is for example equal to 3. According to other examples, this maximum number is equal to 2, 4 or 5.

[0063] The first zone 21 corresponds for example to a two-dimensional surface having for example the shape of a rectangle, a rectangle with rounded corners, an oval or an ellipse displayed on the screen 13, for example in the right part of the screen 13 (according to the point of view of a user looking at the screen 13). According to the example of [Fig. 2], this first zone extends in a main or longitudinal direction (along a Y axis of an orthonormal reference frame (X,Y) where the X axis represents the horizontal axis or the length of the screen 13 and the Y axis the vertical axis or the height of the screen 13) and a lateral or transverse dimension along the X axis. The main dimension is su- greater than the lateral dimension.

[0064] According to other examples, the first zone 21 is displayed in the left part of the screen 13 or in the lower or upper part of the screen (the largest main dimension then being along the X axis).

[0065] The size of the first zone 21 is designed to be able to display this maximum number of first indicators simultaneously, i.e. 3 first indicators 211, 212 and 213 which are displayed one above the other vertically according to the example of [Fig.2]. The first indicator 211 is displayed at the top of the first zone (on a second end of the first zone 21), the first indicator 213 is displayed at the bottom of the first zone (on a first end of the first zone 21 opposite the first end along the Y axis) and the first indicator 212 is displayed in the middle of the first zone between the indicators 211 and 213. The dimensions (or size) of the first zone 21 are linked (or dependent) to the display dimensions (or size) of the first indicators.

[0066] When the number of first witnesses, noted N, forming the first set is less than or equal to the maximum number, noted Nmax (N < Nmax) then all the first witnesses 211 to 213 are displayed simultaneously in the first zone 21.

[0067] When the number of first indicators 'N' forming the first set is greater than the maximum number 'Nmax' (N > Nmax) then the display of the first indicators is controlled to display the first indicators by sequential scrolling in the first determined zone. The display by sequential scrolling corresponds to a rotation of the display of the first indicators one after the other in the first zone so that all the first indicators are displayed in turn in the first zone 21 by simultaneously displaying a number of first indicators equal to Nmax.

[0068] Depending on the direction of scrolling of the first indicators in the first zone 21, a new first indicator is displayed in the first zone 21 by being inserted from the bottom or on the first end (respectively from the top or on the second end) of the first zone, which shifts upwards (respectively downwards) the first indicators already displayed (i.e. displayed before the display of the new first indicator from a temporal point of view) and causes the first indicator already displayed at the top or on the second end (respectively at the bottom or on the first end) to exit the first zone. An example of such scrolling is illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0069] In [Fig. 3], the display of a new first indicator 311 entering from the bottom or on the first end of the first zone 21 causes the first indicator 211 which was displayed at the top (or on the second end) of the first zone to leave the first zone 21, the first indicators 212, 213 displayed in the first zone 21 before the display of the new indicator 311 each moving up one position along the Y axis according to the arrow 300, the first indicator 213 passing in the middle and replacing the first indicator 212 previously displayed in the middle, the first indicator 212 passing at the top (or on the second end) and replacing the first indicator 211 previously displayed at the top (or on the second end) of the first zone 21.

[0070] According to this exemplary embodiment, the first indicators of the first set scroll by rotation in the first zone according to a scrolling or rotation direction (from bottom to top according to arrow 300 or conversely from top to bottom).

[0071] The sequential scrolling thus corresponds to a continuous scrolling of the first indicators in the first zone 21 along a main direction of the first zone 21 (for example the Y axis according to the example of [Fig. 3]). A display of a new first indicator 311 at a first end of the first zone 21 causes a spatial shift of the first indicators 212, 213 already displayed (i.e. previously displayed, before the display of the new first indicator 311) in the first zone 21 along the main direction towards a second end of the first zone 21 opposite the first end, the first indicator 211 already displayed at the second end leaving the first zone 21 when the new first indicator 311 is displayed at the first end. The first indicator 211 previously displayed is thus no longer displayed in the first zone 21.

[0072] The transition from one position to another for an indicator is for example continuous with a progressive transition from one display position to another. According to a variant, the transition from one position to another is done incrementally, the display control being such as to suppress the display of an indicator at a current position to display it simultaneously at the next position (above or below for example).

[0073] According to another exemplary embodiment, the sequential scrolling corresponds to a scrolling by blocks of first indicators (the number of first indicators of a block being for example equal to Nmax, for example equal to 3). According to this other example, 3 first indicators 211 to 213 are displayed for a determined duration (for example 1, 2 or 3 seconds) and when the determined display duration has elapsed, these 3 first indicators are replaced by 3 new first indicators of the first set which will in turn be displayed in replacement of the 3 first indicators 211 to 213 previously displayed, and so on until all the first indicators of the first set have been displayed, the cycle then resuming with the 3 first indicators 211 to 213 if the display command of these first indicators is still active.

[0074] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], one or more second indicators 221, 222 are displayed in one or more determined third zones of the screen 13, only one third zone 22 being illustrated in [Fig. 2]. This third zone 22 is different and distinct from the first zone 21.

[0075] The display of a second indicator 221, 222 in a third zone 22 is constant as long as the display control for this second indicator light is active. For example, a second indicator light representing the switching on of the vehicle's dipped headlights remains displayed in the third zone 22 as long as the dipped headlights are on.

[0076] Several third zones are for example provided on the display screen 13, for example a third zone 22 to the left of the screen 13 to display indicators such as the light indicators and the left turn indicator indicator and a third zone to the right of the screen (for example below the first zone 21) to display the right turn indicator indicator.

[0077] The display of one or more second indicators in one or more third zones is triggered by the reception of second data representative of a request to display at least one second indicator indicator on the screen 13, the at least one second indicator indicator belonging to a second category of indicator indicators different from the first category. The second data are for example received by the IVI computer via a wired connection, for example via one or more data buses connecting one or more computers to the IVI computer.

[0078] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the process comprises a third operation during which, when the number 'N' of first witnesses of the first set of first witnesses is greater than the maximum number 'Nmax', the display of a first graphic object 41 representative of the number 'N' of first witnesses is controlled to be displayed in a second zone of the screen 13, the second zone being adjacent to the first zone 21.

[0079] The first graphic object 41 corresponds for example to an icon or a pictogram comprising a number corresponding to the number 'N' of first indicators to be displayed. According to the example of [Fig.4], the number '8' is displayed in the center of a circle displayed at the top left of the first zone 21, this circle for example partially overlapping the first zone 21. According to another example, the first graphic object corresponds only to the number 'N' attached to the first zone, for example below or above the first zone 21.

[0080] According to this example, the number of first indicators to be displayed is equal to 8. The display of such a first graphic object 41 informs the driver of the vehicle 10 that 8 first indicators will scroll one after the other in the first zone 21, even if at a current time 't' only 3 (equal to Nmax) first indicators are displayed in this first zone 21.

[0081] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, a graphic representation of the first graphic object 41 is a function of a current graphic representation of the first indicators of the first set of first indicators to be displayed. For example, the color of the first graphic object 41 varies according to the color of the first indicators to be displayed in the zone 21. If all the first indicators are orange, then the color dominant color of the first graphic object (for example the background color of the pictogram) is orange, the number displayed in its center being for example displayed in black or white. If at least one first indicator of the first set is red (and the others orange or green) then the dominant color of the first graphic object 41 is red, the number displayed in its center being for example displayed in black or white.

[0082] Displaying the first graphic object 41 according to the graphic representation of the first indicators makes it possible to attract the driver's attention when at least one first indicator is representative of a critical anomaly (for example a first indicator in red) even though this first indicator is not displayed at the current time because it is waiting to be displayed in the first zone 21 when its turn arrives in the scrolling sequence of the first indicators.

[0083] According to another particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], the process comprises a fourth operation during which the display of a second graphic object 51 representative of a result of a display test of the first indicators of the first set is controlled to be displayed in the second zone (i.e. at the same location as the first graphic object 41) each time the vehicle is started.

[0084] This second graphical object is displayed following a test of correct and error-free display of all the first indicators. The second graphical object 51 is displayed according to a first graphical representation (for example a check mark or a green cross) when the result of the test indicates that all the first indicators are displayed correctly. The second graphical object 51 is displayed according to a second graphical representation (for example a check mark or a red cross) different from the first graphical representation when the result of the test indicates that one or more first indicators could not be displayed or could not be displayed correctly.

[0085] The second graphic object 51 is for example displayed for a determined duration (for example equal to 2, 3 or 4 seconds). The first graphic object 41 is then displayed after the second graphic object 51, at the location of the second graphic object and replacing the latter, after the determined duration has elapsed (if the number of first indicators to be displayed is strictly greater than Nmax).

[0086] Such an embodiment makes it possible to satisfy a regulatory requirement for testing the warning lights when starting the vehicle, which makes it possible to inform the driver of the result of the test carried out, in particular when the number of first warning lights is greater than Nmax.

[0087] According to a particular embodiment, the process further comprises controlling the vehicle 10 according to the first indicators displayed. The vehicle 10 is for example controlled, by the driver or by an automated control system, according to the display of the first indicators. For example, when a first indicator is represented In the event of a critical condition of an on-board system or a failure of an on-board system, the vehicle is controlled to stop in a parking space.

[0088] According to a variant, such a control further comprises the transmission by a wireless connection of data representative of an alert to one or more remote devices, for example a server, to alert a remote assistance center to the occurrence of the fault or problem encountered by the system causing the display of the first fault indicator.

[0089] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a device 8 configured for controlling a display system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0090] The device 6 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 5 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.7]. Examples of such a device 6 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 6, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 6 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0091] The device 6 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further comprises at least one memory 61 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0092] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 61.

[0093] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 6 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), by for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0094] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 comprises a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 62 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0095] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 comprises a communication interface 63 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0096] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 650 and / or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

[0097] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a display system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to an example particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 6 of [Fig.6].

[0098] In a first step 71, first data representative of a request to display a first set of first indicators on a display screen of the vehicle are received, each first indicator of the first set belonging to a first category of indicators.

[0099] In a second step 72, a display of the first set of first indicators is controlled to display these first indicators in a first determined area of ​​the display screen following the reception of the first data, the first determined area having a size configured for a display of a determined maximum number of indicators.

[0100] When a number of first witnesses of the first set of first witnesses is greater than the determined maximum number, the display of the first witnesses is controlled to display the first witnesses by sequential scrolling in the first determined area.

[0101] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.7].

[0102] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method of displaying indicators on a display screen which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0103] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] or a display system comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] connected in communication to a screen 13.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said display system comprising a display screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - reception (71) of first data representative of a request to display a first set of first indicators on said display screen (13), each first indicator of said first set belonging to a first category of indicators;- display control (72) of said first set of first indicators (211, 212, 213) in a first determined area (21) of said display screen (13) following the reception of said first data, said first determined area (21) having a size configured for displaying a determined maximum number of indicators, and when a number of first indicators of said first set of first indicators is greater than said determined maximum number, the display of said first indicators being controlled to display said first indicators by sequential scrolling in said first determined area (21).;

2. Method according to claim 1, for which when the number of first witnesses of said first set of first witnesses is greater than said determined maximum number, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a first graphic object (41) representative of said number of first witnesses in a second zone of said display screen (13), said second zone being adjacent to said first determined zone (21).

3. Method according to claim 2, for which a graphical representation of said first graphical object (41) is a function of a current graphical representation of said first witnesses of said first set.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a step of controlling the display of a second graphic object (51) representative of a result of a test of display of said first indicators when starting said vehicle (10) in said second zone of said display screen (13).

5. Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, for which said second zone covers a part of said first determined zone (21).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said determined maximum number of witnesses is equal to 3 witnesses.

7. Method according to claim 6, for which said sequential scrolling corresponds to a continuous scrolling of said first indicators in said first determined zone (21) in a main direction (300) of said first determined zone (21), a display of a new first indicator (311) at a first end of said first determined zone (21) causing a spatial shift of the first indicators (212, 213) already displayed in said first determined zone (21) in said main direction (300) towards a second end of said first determined zone (21) opposite said first end, the first indicator (211) already displayed at said second end leaving said first determined zone (21) when the new first indicator (311) is displayed at said first end.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the following steps: - receiving second data representative of a request to display at least one second indicator (221, 222) on said display screen (13), said at least one second indicator (221, 222) belonging to a second category of indicators different from said first category, each second indicator of the second category having a display occurrence greater than a threshold, each first indicator of the first category having a display occurrence less than said threshold; - controlling the display of said at least one second indicator (221, 222) in at least one third determined zone (22) of said display screen (13) different from said first determined zone (21).

9. Device (6) for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (6) according to claim 9.