Controlling a graphical interface of a screen via a touchpad in an infotainment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a graphical interface via a touchpad, comprising displaying (210) an initial configuration in which a navigation graphic element is linked to a first interactive graphic element. Upon detection (211; 212) of a touch swipe by the user on the touchpad, the method determines (213) a direction of touch swipe and compares (214) a current quantity of movement of the touch swipe with a threshold value. If the current quantity of movement is less than the threshold, an intermediate configuration is displayed (215) in which the navigation graphic element is linked to the first interactive graphic element and is oriented according to the determined direction. If the current quantity of movement is greater than the threshold, a subsequent configuration is displayed (216; 217) in which the navigation graphic element is linked to a second interactive graphic element. FIG. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Control of a graphical interface of a screen by touchpad in an infotainment system

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of graphical interface control of an infotainment system, in particular in a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles are now equipped with an infotainment system

[0003] A screen of an infotainment system is capable of displaying a graphical interface, including interactive graphical elements. This is the case in particular when the infotainment system displays a menu, each interactive graphical element corresponding to a section or function of the menu, for example a "vehicle settings" section, a "multimedia" section, and any other section or function associated with parameters or functionalities of the vehicle or the infotainment system.

[0004] In order to be able to navigate the infotainment system menu, the user, namely a driver or a passenger of the vehicle, must be able to selectively interact with one or another of the interactive graphic elements.

[0005] Some vehicles are equipped with a screen that is not touch-sensitive, and which therefore requires a navigation interface separate from the screen, the navigation interface allowing navigation through the menu to select one or another of the interactive graphic elements.

[0006] The navigation interface allows a navigation graphical element to be moved within the graphical interface. Such movement allows navigation among the interactive graphical elements in order to select one of them for execution of a function associated with the selected interactive graphical element.

[0007] In certain cases, when the navigation graphic element is positioned over an interactive graphic element, the navigation graphic element makes the interactive graphic element on which it is positioned visible and identifiable. The navigation graphic element and the interactive graphic element it identifies appear linked, and the navigation graphic element is complementary to the interactive graphic element, unlike another option in which the navigation graphic element is a free cursor or pointer.

[0008] The navigation graphic element is then called "focus". The interactive focus graphic element can take various forms: - a border, for example in color, around the interactive graphic element; - a colored background behind the interactive graphic element; - highlighting of the interactive graphic element; - a change in contrast of the interactive graphic element; - a magnification of the interactive graphic element; etc.

[0009] Thus, in these cases, the positions that the graphical selection interface can adopt are limited to the positions of the interactive graphical elements.

[0010] In some graphical interfaces, the position of the navigation graphical element is free, and the navigation graphical element can then take the form of a cursor or pointer. However, the use of a free pointer can complicate the selection of an interactive graphical element and increase the user's selection time within the graphical interface.

[0011] The following navigation interfaces are most commonly used: a rotary dial, also called "rotary" in English, and a touchpad, also called "touchpad" in English.

[0012] The rotary knob allows control of right- or left-hand movement of the navigation graphic element on the graphical interface. A clockwise rotation moves the navigation graphic element to the right, and a counter-clockwise rotation moves it to the left. The navigation graphic element then follows a grid structure, automatically transitioning to a lower row of interactive graphic elements when the navigation graphic element reaches its rightmost position on the screen.

[0013] Thus, a rotary dial is poorly suited to cases where many interactive graphical elements are displayed on the graphical interface, because the navigation time to select an interactive graphical element is too long. It is also poorly suited to cases where the interactive graphical elements are not displayed in regular rows and columns.

[0014] When the navigation interface is a touchpad, a horizontal user input, such as a horizontal touch swipe, allows the navigation graphic element to be moved right or left in the graphic interface, while a vertical input, such as a vertical touch swipe, allows the navigation graphic element to be moved up or down.

[0015] Thus, in most vehicle infotainment systems, when the navigation interface is separate from the screen displaying a graphical interface, navigation follows the principle of movement in an orthogonal system: the navigation graphical element can only be moved vertically and horizontally. It is therefore not possible to move the navigation graphical element diagonally.

[0016] Such a limitation is imposed in the case of a rotating navigation interface, and is a choice in the case of a touchpad, the choice being to limit gestures The aim is to simplify user interaction and make the navigation interface more akin to using an orthogonal arrow system on a remote control. Furthermore, limiting the number of directions reduces user input errors. However, this choice comes at the expense of the user's speed in selecting interactive graphical elements.

[0017] Taking diagonals into account requires greater control on the part of the user, and is more likely to cause handling errors.

[0018] A known infotainment system allows for the consideration of diagonal input by the user, but offers the use of two types of graphical selection elements: - the navigation graphic element is of the focus type when it is positioned near an interactive graphic element; - The navigation graphic element is of the free pointer type when it is in areas of the graphical interface located between several interactive graphical elements.

[0019] To navigate from a first interactive graphic element to a second interactive graphic element, the graphical interface first displays a focus on the first interactive graphic element, then a pointer in the area between the first interactive graphic element and the second interactive graphic element, then a focus on the second interactive graphic.

[0020] Such navigation is complex and slow due to the use of the pointer: the user must take the time to navigate between two interactive graphic elements with the pointer, before being able to select a new interactive graphic element.

[0021] There is therefore a need to enable a user of an infotainment system, particularly for vehicles, to navigate quickly in a graphical interface comprising several interactive graphical elements displayed on a screen, with a separate navigation interface, while allowing precise control of the movement of a navigation graphical element in the graphical interface.

[0022] The present invention improves the situation.

[0023] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling a graphical interface displayed on a screen of an infotainment system, the infotainment system comprising a touchpad capable of receiving touch input from a user to control the movement of a graphical navigation element among a set of interactive graphical elements of the graphical interface, the graphical navigation element being linked, at any given time, to a single current graphical navigation element, the method comprising the following steps: - display of an initial configuration of the graphical interface in which The navigation graphic element is linked to a first interactive graphic element, the current interactive graphic element being the first interactive graphic element; - upon detection of a touch swipe by the user on the touchpad, determination of a direction of said touch swipe; - comparison of a current quantity of motion of the tactile glide with a predetermined threshold value; - if the current amount of movement is less than the predetermined threshold value, display of an intermediate configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to the first interactive graphical element, and in which at least the navigation graphical element is oriented according to the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - if the current amount of movement is greater than the predetermined threshold value, display of a subsequent graphical interface configuration in which the navigation graphic element is linked to a second interactive graphic element distinct from the first interactive graphic element, the second interactive graphic element being determined from the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphic element being the second interactive graphic element.

[0024] The fact that the navigation graphic element is linked to the current interactive graphic element means that the navigation graphic element is positioned on the current interactive graphic element and that the navigation graphic element makes the interactive graphic element on which it is positioned visible and identifiable.

[0025] According to the invention, the navigation graphic element is always linked to a single interactive graphic element, referred to as the current one, which distinguishes it from the use of a free pointer: it is thus unnecessary to navigate between interactive graphic elements, and it is possible to move from one interactive graphic element to another. In order to allow for better control of the direction of the touch swipe, the intermediate configuration indicates the direction taken into account on the graphical interface, while linking the navigation graphic element to the first interactive graphic element to which it was already originally linked. The user can thus correct the direction if it does not correspond to the desired direction.

[0026] The addition of the intermediate configuration creates, in appearance, a magnetism between the current interactive graphic element and the navigation graphic element, which improves accuracy in the use of the touchpad, and reduces user input errors.

[0027] According to embodiments, the direction of the tactile glide can be determined from strictly more than four possible directions.

[0028] The invention is particularly advantageous in a case where at least one direction A diagonal is possible, since such a case requires greater precision from the user.

[0029] In addition, the direction of the touch glide can be determined from among at least eight possible directions.

[0030] In this case, the tactile glide can be performed in the orthogonal system and along the diagonals. The invention thus makes it possible to improve the precision of the user's tactile glides.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the graphical navigation element may be one of the following: - a frame for the current interactive graphic element; - a background behind the current interactive graphic element; - highlighting of the current interactive graphic element; - a change in the contrast of the current interactive graphic element; and - a magnification of the current interactive graphic element.

[0032] Such "focus" type navigation graphic elements make it easy for the user to identify the current interactive graphic element.

[0033] According to embodiments, if a release of the user's touch swipe on the touchpad is detected during the intermediate configuration, the method can return to the display of the initial configuration.

[0034] Thus, the intermediate configuration allows the user to correct their touch input if they realize that the direction the navigation graphic element is taking is not the desired direction. Furthermore, the handling error has no consequences since the navigation graphic element remains linked to the first interactive graphic element.

[0035] According to embodiments, in the intermediate configuration, the navigation graphic element and the first interactive graphic element can be moved in the graphical interface according to the determined direction of the touch swipe.

[0036] Thus, the user's tracking of the direction of the navigation graphic element is facilitated, while indicating that it is always linked to the first interactive graphic element as long as the threshold value is not exceeded.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the graphical interface can be a menu of a motor vehicle, and each interactive graphical element of the graphical interface can be associated with a function of a motor vehicle or infotainment system, or with a section of the motor vehicle menu.

[0038] This makes it possible to improve the accuracy and speed associated with navigating a vehicle menu by a driver, which is all the more important since the driver must simultaneously operate the vehicle. Safety associated with navigation in the vehicle's menu is thus enhanced.

[0039] According to some embodiments, if the current momentum exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the method may include displaying another intermediate configuration before displaying the next configuration of the graphical interface. In said other intermediate configuration, the navigation graphic element may be linked to the second interactive graphic element, the current interactive graphic element being the second interactive graphic element, and at least the navigation graphic element may be oriented towards the first interactive graphic element.

[0040] Thus, the transition from the first interactive graphic element to the second interactive graphic element is progressive and continuous, which makes the movement conform to the user's touch swipe, and which allows for better control of the navigation.

[0041] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0042] A third aspect of the invention relates to a control module for a graphical interface displayed on a screen of an infotainment system, the control module comprising a first interface capable of receiving descriptive information from touch inputs by a user on a touchpad of the infotainment system, and the control module being capable of controlling the movement of a graphical navigation element among a set of interactive graphical elements of the graphical interface, the graphical navigation element being linked, at any given time, to a single current graphical navigation element, the control module comprising a processor capable of: - control the display on the screen of an initial configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to a first interactive graphical element, the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - upon detection of a touch swipe by the user on the touchpad, determine a direction of said touch swipe; - compare a current quantity of motion of the tactile glide with a predetermined threshold value; - if the current quantity of movement is less than the predetermined threshold value, control the display on the screen of an intermediate configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to the first interactive graphical element, and in which at least the navigation graphical element is oriented according to the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - if the current amount of movement is greater than the predetermined threshold value, control the display on the screen of a subsequent configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to a second interactive graphical element distinct from the first interactive graphical element, the second interactive graphical element being determined from the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphical element being the second interactive graphical element.

[0043] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0044] [Fig.1] illustrates a motor vehicle passenger compartment according to embodiments of the invention;

[0045] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating the steps of a process according to methods of implementation publication of the invention

[0046] [Fig.3a] illustrates a graphical interface displayed on a vehicle screen at tomobile, in a first configuration, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0047] [Fig.3b] illustrates a graphical interface displayed on a vehicle screen at tomobile, in a second configuration, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0048] [Fig.3c] illustrates a graphical interface displayed on a vehicle screen at tomobile, in a third configuration, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0049] [Fig.3d] illustrates a graphical interface displayed on a motor vehicle screen, in a fourth configuration, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0050] [Fig.4a] illustrates an example of a focus-based navigation graphical element, in a first position, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0051] [Fig.4b] illustrates an example of a focus-based navigation graphical element, in a second position, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0052] [Fig.5] illustrates the structure of a control device according to embodiments of the invention.

[0053] Fig. 1 illustrates the interior of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 100 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0054] The interior of the vehicle 100 comprises, according to the invention, an infotainment system 104, comprising at least one screen 101, a navigation interface 102 and a control module 103.

[0055] According to the invention, the screen 101 is a non-touchscreen, that is to say, it is not capable of receiving touch input from the user, the user being the driver or one of the possible passengers, especially the front passenger.

[0056] The screen 101 is, however, capable of displaying a graphical interface, under the control of the control module 103, which transmits data to be displayed on the screen 101. No restriction is attached to the technology associated with the screen 101, which can be an LCD screen, for "Liquid Crystal Display", an OLED screen for "Organic Light-Emitting Diode", or any other screen technology.

[0057] According to the invention, the screen 101 is particularly capable of displaying, under the control of the control module 103, a graphical interface comprising several interactive graphical elements, as well as a navigation graphical element by means of which the user navigates among the interactive graphical elements, in order to activate a function associated with one of them.

[0058] According to the invention, the graphical interface can be a menu of the motor vehicle, and each interactive graphical element, when selected, activates a function of the vehicle 100 or the infotainment system 104, and / or opens a given section of the menu (or submenu) and / or displays an overlay window with information.

[0059] No restrictions are attached to the functions permitted by the interactive graphic elements, nor to the structure of the vehicle 100 menu.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the invention, the navigation interface 102 is a touchpad, capable of receiving touch inputs from the user of the type touch, double-touch, touch swipe or any other type of touch input.

[0061] In the case of receiving a touch swipe input via the navigation interface 102, the navigation interface 102 is capable of detecting a direction and a sense of swipe from strictly more than four directions. The directions detectable by the navigation interface include at least one horizontal direction to the right, one horizontal direction to the left, one vertical direction upwards, one vertical direction downwards, and at least one diagonal direction.

[0062] In addition, according to certain embodiments, the navigation interface is capable of detecting touch swipes in at least eight directions, namely the four horizontal and vertical directions mentioned above, but also the following four diagonal directions: up and to the right, up and to the left, down and to the right and down and to the left.

[0063] The relative terms "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" are defined with respect to a predefined orientation of the navigation interface 102, which may be rectangular in shape, with a border at the top, a border at the bottom, a border on the right and a border on the left.

[0064] In addition, according to certain embodiments, the navigation interface 102 is capable of detecting touch swipes in strictly more than eight directions, for example in sixteen directions, including in addition up-up-right, up-right-right, up-up-left, etc.

[0065] The infotainment system 104 may include other modules not shown in [Fig. 1], in particular one or more loudspeakers. There are no restrictions on the set of modules comprising the infotainment system 104 according to the invention.

[0066] The control module 103 is capable of receiving information relating to the user's touch inputs on the navigation interface 102, from the navigation interface, and of moving the navigation graphic element in the graphic interface to navigate among the interactive graphic elements.

[0067] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for controlling a graphical interface displayed on a screen of an infotainment system, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0068] The control method can be implemented by the infotainment system 104 described with reference to [Fig.1], and in particular by the control module 103.

[0069] At step 210, the control module 103 commands the display of the graphical interface on the screen 101 in a first configuration, considered here as an initial configuration. The first configuration may follow a previous movement of the graphical navigation element, following previous touch inputs by the user on the touchpad 102.

[0070] The first configuration of the graphical interface displayed on screen 101 is shown in [Fig. 3a]. The graphical interface in the first configuration is referenced as 200.

[0071] In the first configuration, the graphical interface 200 includes a plurality of interactive graphical elements 201, such as interactive graphical elements 201 of a vehicle menu 100.

[0072] The navigation graphic element 205 is, in the first configuration, linked to a first interactive graphic element 202 associated with a function A. According to the invention, the navigation graphic element 205 is of the focus type, and is not a free pointer, that is to say that the navigation graphic element 205 is always linked to a current interactive graphic element, namely the first interactive graphic element 202 in the first configuration.

[0073] Thus, generally speaking, the fact that the navigation graphic element 205 is linked to the current interactive graphic element means that the navigation graphic element differentiates the appearance of the current interactive graphic element so that the user can identify the position of the navigation graphic element. There are no restrictions on how the navigation graphic element 205 differentiates the appearance of the current interactive graphic element. In Figures 3a to 3d, The navigation graphic element changes the background color of the current interactive graphic element on which it is positioned. Alternatively, the navigation graphic element can be: - a border, for example in color, around the current interactive graphic element; - a colored background behind the current interactive graphic element; - highlighting of the current interactive graphic element; - a change in contrast of the current interactive graphic element; or - a magnification of the current interactive graphic element.

[0074] The graphical interface 200 further includes a second interactive element 203, placed above and to the left of the first interactive graphical element 202.

[0075] Other interactive graphic elements 201 not individually referenced are displayed above, above right, to the right, below right, below, below left and to the left of the first interactive graphic element 202, in the graphical interface 200.

[0076] In the example of Figures 3a to 3d, the graphical interface 200 is represented with regular rows and columns of interactive graphical elements 201. However, no restriction is attached to the number of interactive graphical elements or to their respective positions in the graphical interface 200.

[0077] Referring again to [Fig.2], the control module 103 detects a touch input from the user on the touchpad 102, at a step 211.

[0078] At a step 212, the control module 103 determines whether the user's touch input is a touch swipe.

[0079] If this is not the case, i.e. if the touch input detected in step 212 differs from a touch swipe, then the control module 103 performs an action in accordance with the touch input in a step 219. For example, the touch input may be a tap, in which case the function associated with the first interactive graphic element, which is the current interactive graphic element linked to the navigation graphic element, may be performed by the control module 103.

[0080] If this is the case, that is, if the user's touch input is a touch swipe, the control module 103 determines, at a step 213, a direction for the touch swipe from among the directions allowed for moving the navigation graphic element 205 on the graphical interface 200. The direction can be determined by a name, such as the direction names described above: up, down, right, left, up right, up left, etc. Alternatively, the direction can be determined by an angular position relative to a right-oriented axis, for example, clockwise or counterclockwise. Thus, there are no restrictions on how the direction is determined. It is understood that "direction" means a direction and a sense defining a motion vector associated with touch gliding.

[0081] In the example considered below, the direction of the touch swipe is up and to the left, i.e. towards the second interactive graphic element 203 introduced previously.

[0082] At step 214, the control module 103 determines whether a current quantity of motion of the touch glide is less than a predetermined threshold value. The current quantity of motion of the touch glide can be: - the length of the touch swipe; - the speed of the touch swipe; - determined from the speed and / or length of the touch swipe.

[0083] If this is the case, i.e., if the quantity of movement is less than the predetermined threshold value, then the control module 103 moves, at least at one step 215, the navigation graphic element 205 in the direction determined in step 213, in the graphical interface, while keeping the navigation graphic element 205 linked to the first interactive graphic element 202. The first interactive graphic element 202 thus remains the current interactive graphic element, but the direction of the touch swipe is indicated by moving at least the navigation graphic element 205 in a direction of the screen 101 corresponding to the direction of the touch swipe, which allows for greater accuracy of the touch swipe by the user who can observe the screen 101 to verify that the interactive graphic element is indeed moving in the desired direction.

[0084] Step 215 can correspond to the display by the control module 203 of the graphical interface 200 in the second configuration illustrated in [Fig. 3b]. The second configuration corresponds to an intermediate configuration between the initial configuration and a final configuration in which a new current interactive graphical element is linked to the navigation graphical element 205.

[0085] In the second configuration, the control module 103 moves at least the navigation graphic element 205 in a direction of the screen 101 corresponding to the direction determined in step 213. In the example shown in [Fig.3b], the control module 103 moves both the navigation graphic element 205 and the first interactive graphic element 202 to which it is linked, in a direction of the screen 101 corresponding to the direction determined in step 213, i.e. up and to the left.

[0086] As an alternative to the example shown in [Fig.3b], in which the navigation graphic element 205 and the first interactive graphic element 202 are moved together by the control module 103, only the navigation graphic element can be moved during step 215, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b.

[0087] In the example of Figures 4a and 4b, a 405 navigation graphic element is a 401 error: encircling a current interactive graphic element.

[0088] In the initial configuration corresponding to the first configuration of step 210, and represented on [Fig.4a], the navigation graphic element 405 is linked to the current graphic element 401 and centered around the current graphic element 401. In other words, the navigation graphic element 405 is not oriented in any direction.

[0089] In the intermediate configuration, when the quantity of motion is less than the predetermined threshold value, the control module 103 can move, or deform, the navigation graphic element 405, in the manner shown in [Fig.4b].

[0090] On [Fig.4b], the navigation graphic element 405 is still linked to the same current interactive graphic element 401, but is oriented in the top left direction, corresponding to the direction determined in step 203 previously described.

[0091] Thus, the user can observe the screen 102 and determine in which direction the navigation graphic element 205 or 405 is being moved. In case of a handling error, for example if the direction desired by the user is different, for example upwards or to the left, then the user can interrupt the touch swipe, and the control module 103 controls the graphical interface 200 to return to the first configuration of [Fig. 3a]. If the desired direction corresponds to the direction of movement of the navigation graphic element 205 or 405, the user can continue their touch swipe.

[0092] Note that steps 213 to 215 can be performed in real time, that is, while the user's touch swipe is in progress. This is why the quantity of movement of the touch swipe is said to be current: it changes as the touch swipe is executed, and the user can observe the screen 103 while the touch swipe is in progress.

[0093] Thus, at the end of step 215, the current momentum is again determined and compared to the threshold value predetermined in step 214.

[0094] If, in step 214, the control module 103 determines that the current momentum is greater than the predetermined threshold value, then the process proceeds to step 216.

[0095] In step 216, the control module 103 moves the navigation graphic element 205 in a direction of the screen 101 corresponding to the direction determined in step 213, linking it to the interactive graphic element that is located closest to the first interactive graphic element 202 and in the direction determined relative to the first interactive graphic element 202.

[0096] Thus, the control module 103 operates a change of the current interactive graphic element to which the navigation graphic element 205 is linked, only if the current amount of movement of the user's touch swipe is greater than the value predetermined threshold.

[0097] By way of example, step 216 corresponds to the display of interface 200 in a third configuration, called another intermediate configuration, represented on [Fig.3c], by the control module 103.

[0098] The interactive graphic element that is located closest to the first interactive graphic element 202 and in the direction determined with respect to the first interactive graphic element 202, is the second interactive graphic element 203. The second interactive graphic element 203 and the navigation graphic element 205 are thus linked and the second interactive graphic element 203 becomes the current interactive graphic element.

[0099] According to the invention, in step 216, the navigation graphic element 205 can be displayed as linked to the second interactive graphic element, but oriented towards the first interactive graphic element, i.e. in the opposite direction to the direction determined in step 203, so as to allow continuity in the movement of the navigation graphic element 205.

[0100] In addition, as shown in the example in [Fig. 3c], the navigation graphic element 205 and the second interactive graphic element 205 are both offset from the original position of the second interactive graphic element 205, the offset being oriented towards the first interactive graphic element 202, i.e. in the opposite direction to the direction determined in step 203

[0101] Thus, the transition of the navigation graphic element 205 from the first interactive graphic element 202 to the second interactive graphic element 203 is continuous, and not abrupt, which increases the user's control over touch swiping.

[0102] At a step 217, the control module 103 displays, on the graphical interface 200, the navigation graphical element 205 as linked to the second interactive graphical element 203, in its original position, the graphical element being centered on the second interactive graphical element 203, as represented on [Fig.3d] which presents a fourth configuration, or final configuration.

[0103] Step 217 can be implemented by control module 103: - when the user continued the touch swipe in the direction of step 213, after the third configuration, until reaching the original position of the second interactive graphic element 203, i.e., the position of the second interactive graphic element in Figures 3a and 3b; or - when the user has interrupted the touch swipe in the third configuration. The transition to the fourth configuration, even as the user releases the touch swipe, gives the impression that, once the predetermined threshold value is passed, the navigation graphic element 205 is magnetized or attracted by the second interactive graphic element 203.

[0104] Thus, the graphical interface 200 clearly indicates, in the fourth configuration, that the navigation graphical element 205 is positioned on the second interactive graphical element, and that the user can enter a new touch input on the touchpad 102, the process returning to step 210, which is this time initialized with the second interactive graphical element 203 as the current interactive graphical element.

[0105] Note that step 216 is optional and that the control module 103 can implement step 218 directly after step 214 if the current amount of movement of the touch swipe exceeds the predetermined threshold value. In this case, the control module 103 controls the graphical interface 200 so as to move directly from the second configuration to the fourth configuration, without going through the intermediate step 216 corresponding to the third or other intermediate configuration.

[0106] The method according to the invention thus allows for a better user experience, better ergonomics and better usability of the touchpad 102 and the infotainment system 104, compared to prior art solutions.

[0107] Indeed, the visual feedback given to the user via the graphical interface 200 allows him to have better control of the touchpad 102, including when a large number of directions, in particular strictly greater than 4, is made possible to navigate in the graphical interface 200.

[0108] Figure 5 shows the structure of the control module 103 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0109] The control module 103 includes a processor 501 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 502 such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or a Read Order Memory (ROM), or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 502 comprises several memories of the aforementioned types.

[0110] The memory 502 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of the process described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0111] In particular, memory 502 can store the predetermined threshold value.

[0112] The processor 501 is capable of executing instructions stored in memory 502, for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig.2]. Alternatively, the 501 processor can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to carry out the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0113] The control module 103 includes a first interface 503 capable of exchanging bidirectionally with the 102 touchpad, and to receive in particular descriptive touch input information, such as the type of touch input, and the current amount of movement in the case of a touch swipe.

[0114] The control module 103 may further include a second interface 504 capable of communicating with the screen, in order to control in particular the display of the graphical interface 200 described above, in the different configurations, according to the touch inputs of the user identified from the information received from the touchpad 102.

[0115] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a graphical user interface (200) displayed on a screen (101) of an infotainment system (104), the infotainment system comprising a touchpad (102) capable of receiving touch input from a user to control the movement of a navigation graphic element (205; 405) among a set of interactive graphic elements (201) of the graphical user interface, the navigation graphic element being linked, at any given time, to a single current navigation graphic element, the method comprising the following steps: - display (210) of an initial configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to a first interactive graphical element (202), the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - upon detection (211; 212) of a touch slide by the user on the touchpad, determination (213) of a direction of said touch slide; - comparison (214) of a current quantity of motion of the tactile glide with a predetermined threshold value; - if the current quantity of motion is less than the predetermined threshold value, display (215) of an intermediate configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphic element is linked to the first interactive graphic element, and in which at least the navigation graphic element is oriented according to the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphic element being the first interactive graphic element; - if the current amount of movement is greater than the predetermined threshold value, display (216; 217) of a subsequent configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphic element is linked to a second interactive graphic element (203) distinct from the first interactive graphic element, the second interactive graphic element being determined from the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphic element being the second interactive graphic element.

2. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the direction of the tactile glide is determined from strictly more than four possible directions.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the direction of the tactile glide is determined among at least eight possible directions.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the navigation graphic element (205; 405) is one of the following: - a frame for the current interactive graphic element; - a background behind the current interactive graphic element; - a highlight of the current interactive graphic element; - a contrast change of the current interactive graphic element; and - a magnification of the current interactive graphic element.

5. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the event of detection of a release of the user's touch swipe on the touchpad during the intermediate configuration, the method returns to the display of the initial configuration.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the intermediate configuration, the navigation graphic element (205) and the first interactive graphic element (202) are moved in the graphical interface (200) according to the determined direction of the touch swipe.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical interface (200) is a menu of a motor vehicle, and wherein each interactive graphical element (201) of the graphical interface is associated with a function of a motor vehicle or infotainment system, or with a section of the motor vehicle menu.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein if the current momentum is greater than the predetermined threshold value, the method comprises displaying (216) another intermediate configuration before displaying (217) the next configuration of the graphical interface; wherein, in said other intermediate configuration, the navigation graphic element (205; 405) is linked to the second interactive graphic element (203), the current interactive graphic element being the second interactive graphic element, and at least the navigation graphic element is oriented towards the first interactive graphic element (202).

9. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when These instructions are executed by a processor (501).

10. A control module (103) for a graphical user interface (200) displayed on a screen (101) of an infotainment system (104), the control module comprising a first interface (503) capable of receiving descriptive information from user touch inputs on a touchpad (102) of the infotainment system, and the control module being capable of controlling the movement of a navigation graphic element (205; 405) among a set of interactive graphic elements (201) of the graphical user interface, the navigation graphic element being linked, at any given time, to a single current navigation graphic element, the control module comprising a processor (501) capable of: - control the display on the screen of an initial configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to a first interactive graphical element, the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - upon detection of a touch swipe by the user on the touchpad, determine a direction of said touch swipe; - compare a current quantity of motion of the tactile glide with a predetermined threshold value; - if the current quantity of movement is less than the predetermined threshold value, control the display on the screen of an intermediate configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphical element is linked to the first interactive graphical element, and in which at least the navigation graphical element is oriented according to the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphical element being the first interactive graphical element; - if the current amount of movement is greater than the predetermined threshold value, control the display on the screen of a subsequent configuration of the graphical interface in which the navigation graphic element is linked to a second interactive graphic element distinct from the first interactive graphic element, the second interactive graphic element being determined from the determined direction of the touch swipe, the current interactive graphic element being the second interactive graphic element.

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