Management of the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle for convoy traffic

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the operation of a navigation system (2) of a motor vehicle (1). The invention also relates to a computing device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle for convoy traffic Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle navigation systems. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, said navigation system comprising at least one screen. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a device. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] It is known that the suction effect allows a vehicle that is behind another vehicle and at a short distance from it to consume less fuel or electricity with equal performance. This is even more the case when the two vehicles are traveling at the same relatively high speed, in the order of the speeds permitted on a motorway or fast lane. Based on this observation and in connection with the rise of electric vehicles and technologies that today allow communication between vehicles (e.g. ITS G5, C-V2X, etc.), but also based on the progress that has been made in the area of ​​semi-autonomous or autonomous driving, there is a growing need to be able to allow drivers of motor vehicles to easily adopt a convoy of vehicles.However, modern automotive navigation systems currently do not provide any means for drivers to easily manage traffic within convoys of vehicles. In particular, they are unable to provide drivers with simple interaction means to specify a choice to travel in a convoy of vehicles or to view already formed convoys of vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to satisfy these needs. In particular, it aims to provide a solution that allows a driver of a motor vehicle to be able, in particular, to compose a convoy of vehicles and to visualize a convoy of vehicles already formed, and to do so in an easy and ergonomic manner, in particular by means of a navigation system on board the vehicle. In this way, the invention aims to minimize vehicle consumption, improve road safety, enrich the ergonomics of the driving experience and smooth traffic flow.

[0004] In order to achieve these objectives, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the operation of a navigation system of the vehicle, the navigation system comprising a screen, the method comprising the steps of: • cause, once it is established that a set of prerequisites for the circulation of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles is met, the display on the screen for a pre-established duration of a first visual content making it possible to specify a choice to authorize or prevent the circulation of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles; • cause, once it is established that the movement of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles has been authorized, a modification of a graphic representation of the vehicle on the screen; • cause, as soon as it is established that the vehicle is approaching a convoy of vehicles formed while the movement of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles has been authorized, the display on the screen of a second visual content and a third visual content established according to the possibility of joining the convoy of vehicles formed; and • cause, as soon as it is established that the vehicle is joining or has joined a convoy of vehicles, the display on the screen of a fourth visual content and a fifth visual content established according to the actual membership of the vehicle in the convoy of vehicles.

[0005] According to a variant, the second visual content may comprise a graphical representation of a first type of the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed or of a second type if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0006] According to another variant, the third visual content can make it possible to specify a choice to join the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed or it can comprise only an informative element if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0007] According to yet another variant, the fourth visual content may comprise a graphical representation of a third type of the convoy of vehicles formed when the vehicle is joining the convoy of vehicles formed or of a fourth type when the vehicle has joined the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0008] According to yet another variant, the fifth visual content may comprise an informative element of a first type when the vehicle is in the process of joining the convoy of vehicles formed, of a second type when the vehicle has joined the convoy of vehicles formed or of a third type when the vehicle's membership in the convoy of vehicles formed is interrupted.

[0009] According to yet another variant, the method may comprise a step consisting of causing a modification of the graphical representation of the vehicle on the screen as a function of the position of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles, the actual membership of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles and / or the possibility that another vehicle may join a convoy of vehicles to which the vehicle belongs.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, the navigation system comprising a screen, the device comprising an information processing unit, with one or more processors, and a data storage medium, which are configured to implement a method as described above.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a computer-readable medium on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an on-board navigation system and which incorporates a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended figures, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention; and

[0018] [Fig.4] illustrates the implementation of at least one step of the method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] [Fig.l] shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle 1 according to the invention. This vehicle conventionally comprises an on-board navigation system 2, which interacts with a satellite positioning system (e.g. GPS, Galileo, Beidou) and which comprises a screen 3, preferably a touch screen. The vehicle 1 according to the invention further comprises a radiofrequency signal communication system 4 in order to be able to communicate (i.e. transmit and receive data), by means of conventional communication technologies (e.g. ITS G5, C-V2X) with other vehicles equipped with similar communication systems. It also comprises a driving assistance system 5 and an adaptive cruise control 6.

[0020] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also carries a device 100 according to the invention for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, said navigation system comprising at least one screen, as described below, which implements a method according to the invention for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, said navigation system comprising at least one screen, as briefly summarized below and described in detail below.

[0021] When implementing the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of the navigation system 2 of visual contents which allow the driver to be able to easily authorize or prevent the circulation of the vehicle 1 in convoys of vehicles, to visualize convoys of vehicles formed and their attributes (i.e. whether it is possible to join these convoys or not) or to easily become aware of the actual membership of the vehicle 1 in a convoy of vehicles, its position in the convoy and the state of a convoy (i.e. complete or incomplete). As will be seen, it is in this way that the invention significantly improves the driver's ability to understand circulation in convoys of vehicles, and that it can thus contribute to minimizing vehicle consumption and maximizing road safety, the driving experience and the fluidity of traffic.

[0022] In [Fig. 2] is illustrated in more detail the device 100 according to the invention for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, said navigation system comprising at least one screen. It is essentially a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, comprising one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0023] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is integrated into an independent computer and it interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired communication network of the vehicle (e.g. CAN, Ethernet, MOST) - shown in [Fig.l] by the arrows - with the navigation system 2, in particular with its screen 3, with the radiofrequency signal communication system 4, with the driving assistance system 5 and with the adaptive cruise control 6. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is partially or fully part of the navigation system 2. Thanks to these means, the device 100 according to the invention is advantageously capable, in particular, of causing the display of visual contents on the screen 3 of the navigation system 2, in particular according to situations relating to the circulation of the vehicle 1 in convoy which it determines in a manner conventional by communicating with other vehicles using the radio frequency signal communication system 4.

[0024] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle, said navigation system comprising at least one screen, as described below in connection with Figures 3-4.

[0025] [Fig. 3] illustrates by means of a flowchart the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0026] According to a first step 301 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes, as soon as it establishes that a set of prerequisites for the circulation of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles is fulfilled, the display on the screen 3, for a pre-established duration (eg 30s), of a first visual content making it possible to specify a choice to authorize or prevent the circulation of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles.The set of prerequisites that the device 100 according to the invention verifies during this first step are, preferably, the fact that the vehicle 1 can communicate with other vehicles by means of radiofrequency signals, by verifying, for example, whether the radiofrequency signal communication system 4 is present and functional, that the speed of the vehicle 1 is high, for example between 110 km / h and 140 km / h, that the adaptive cruise control 6 is activated, that a lane departure warning functionality provided by the driving assistance system 5 is activated, as well as a lane positioning assistance functionality, and that the vehicle 1 is traveling on a fast lane or a highway, using for this the mapping of the navigation system 2.And if it establishes that these prerequisites are fulfilled, the device 100 according to the invention then causes the display of the first visual content on the screen which allows the driver to authorize or prevent the circulation of the vehicle 1 within a convoy of vehicles 2. The first visual content thus displayed during this first step preferably takes the form of a pop-up (i.e. embedded window) which appears at a location on the screen 3 and which presents a first box to allow the driver to authorize circulation in convoy and a second box to prevent circulation in convoy. Thus, the driver does not have to do anything to, in situations conducive to circulation in a convoy of vehicles, be presented on the screen 3 of the navigation system 2 with an invitation to specify whether the vehicle 1 can or cannot circulate within a convoy of vehicles.The driver can thus easily initiate the creation of a convoy of vehicles with a simple tap on the screen 3. .

[0027] According to a second step 302 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes, as soon as it establishes that the circulation of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles has been authorized, a modification of a graphic representation of the vehicle 1 on the screen 3. Indeed, most current navigation systems, if not all of them, are configured to display the position of the vehicle on the screen by means of an arrow, generally blue in color, which moves on a map following the movement of the vehicle. Advantageously, the device 100 according to the invention proceeds during this second step of the method by modifying precisely this usual illustration of the vehicle 1 on the screen 3, for example by causing the display, instead of the traditional arrow, of a stylized representation of a vehicle 401, like that illustrated in [Fig.4], surmounted by a pictogram 402 representing a wireless communication network of a first color for the reasons that will be explained below. This makes it easy for the driver to know that traffic in convoys of vehicles is possible.

[0028] According to a third step 303 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes, as soon as it establishes that the vehicle 1 is approaching a convoy of vehicles formed while the circulation of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles has been authorized, the display on the screen 3 of a second visual content and a third visual content established as a function of the possibility of joining the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0029] Preferably, the second visual content displayed at this stage on the screen 3 of the navigation system 2 comprises a graphical representation of a first type of the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed, or of a second type if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed. For example, the vehicles of the convoy of vehicles formed are displayed by means of chips in the map displayed on the screen which are of a first color, for example yellow, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes, by communicating for this purpose with one or more other vehicles of the convoy of vehicles formed by means of the radiofrequency signal communication system 4, that the convoy of vehicles is incomplete and that it is therefore still possible to join it.Conversely, the vehicles in the convoy of vehicles formed are displayed in the map displayed on the screen 3 by means of chips of a second color, for example red, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that the convoy of vehicles formed is complete and that it is therefore impossible to join it.

[0030] At the same time, the third visual content that is displayed during this third step of the method makes it possible to specify a choice to join the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed or it only comprises an informative element if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed. For example, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed, the third visual content takes the form of a pop-up that appears at a location on the screen 3 and which comprises a first box to specify the choice to join the convoy of vehicles formed and a second box to specify the choice not to join the convoy of vehicles formed. Conversely, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that the convoy of vehicles formed is complete and that it is therefore impossible to join it, the third visual content takes the form of a pop-up which appears at a location on the screen 3 and which includes an informative message in the form of text which indicates the impossibility of joining the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0031] Thus, thanks to this third step of the method according to the invention, the driver is advantageously able to be informed in a very ergonomic manner of the status of the convoys of vehicles formed which are close to the vehicle 1 and, where appropriate, to be able to easily specify a choice allowing him to join or not to join a convoy of vehicles formed which is close by.

[0032] According to a fourth step 304 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes, as soon as it establishes that the vehicle is in the process of joining or has joined a convoy of vehicles formed, the display on the screen of a fourth visual content and a fifth visual content established as a function of the actual membership of the vehicle in the convoy of vehicles formed.

[0033] Preferably, the fourth visual content displayed at this stage comprises a graphical representation of a third type of the convoy of vehicles formed when the vehicle is joining the convoy of vehicles formed or of a fourth type when the vehicle has joined the convoy of vehicles formed.For example, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that the vehicle 1 is joining the convoy of vehicles when communications for this purpose take place between the radio frequency signal communication system 4 of the vehicle 1 and similar systems on board vehicles identified as belonging to the convoy of vehicles formed, the device 100 according to the invention causes the vehicles of the convoy of vehicles to be displayed by means of chips in the map displayed on the screen 3 which are of a third color, for example purple, and, as soon as it establishes that the vehicle 1 has joined the convoy of vehicles, it causes the vehicles of the convoy of vehicles to be displayed by means of chips of another color, for example green. The driver can thus advantageously view on the screen 3 the actual membership of the vehicle 1 in the convoy of vehicles.

[0034] At the same time, the fifth visual content which is displayed during this fourth step comprises an informative element of a first type when the vehicle is in the process of joining the convoy of vehicles formed, an informative element of a second type when the vehicle has joined the convoy of vehicles formed or of a third type when the vehicle's membership in the convoy of vehicles formed is interrupted. For example, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that the vehicle 1 is joining the convoy of vehicles formed and communicating to do so with one or more other vehicles of the convoy of vehicles by means of the radio frequency signal communication system 4, the fourth visual content takes the form of a pop-up which appears at a location on the screen 3 and which includes an informative message in text form which indicates that the process of joining the convoy of vehicles is in progress. Similarly, when it establishes that the vehicle 1 has actually joined the convoy of vehicles formed, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a pop-up which includes an informative message in text form which indicates that the vehicle 1 has joined the convoy of vehicles.Likewise, when it establishes that the vehicle's membership in the convoy of vehicles formed is interrupted, for example if the connection with one or more of the vehicles in the convoy is interrupted, or if the prerequisites for convoy circulation are no longer met, the device 100 according to the invention causes the display on the screen 3 of a pop-up which includes an informative message in text form which indicates that convoy circulation is no longer possible.

[0035] Thus, thanks to this fourth step of the method according to the invention, the driver is informed in a most ergonomic manner about the main aspects of driving in a convoy of vehicles, namely joining a convoy, belonging to a convoy and the end of a convoy.

[0036] According to an alternative, the device 100 according to the invention carries out an additional step during which it causes a modification of the graphic representation of the vehicle 1 on the screen 3 as a function of the position of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles, the actual membership of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles and / or the possibility that another vehicle can join a convoy of vehicles to which the vehicle belongs. Thus, in the case where it has caused the display of the stylized representation of a vehicle like that illustrated in [Fig.4] during the implementation of the second step of the method, the device 100 according to the invention causes, for example, a modification of the orientation of the pictogram 402 according to the position of the vehicle 1 in the convoy (eg oriented in a first direction to indicate a leader position and in another direction to indicate a follower position).Alternatively or cumulatively, a pictogram of a first color is displayed when the vehicle 1 has joined a convoy and of another color when the vehicle 1 does not belong to any convoy. According to yet another alternative, it is the color of the stylized representation 401 which is modified according to the membership of the vehicle 1 in a convoy or according to its position in the convoy.

[0037] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided to allow a driver of a motor vehicle to be able, in particular, to compose a convoy of vehicles and to visualize a convoy of existing vehicles, and this, in an easy and ergonomic manner, in particular by means of an on-board navigation system on board the vehicle. In this way, the invention can significantly contribute to minimizing vehicle consumption, improving road safety, enhancing the ergonomics of the driving experience and facilitating traffic flow.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the operation of a navigation system (2) of the vehicle (1), the navigation system (2) comprising a screen (3), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: • causing, as soon as it is established that a set of prerequisites for the circulation of the vehicle in a convoy of vehicles is fulfilled, the display on the screen (3) for a pre-established duration of a first visual content making it possible to specify a choice to authorize or prevent the circulation of the vehicle (1) within a convoy of vehicles; • causing, as soon as it is established that the circulation of the vehicle (1) within a convoy of vehicles has been authorized, a modification of a graphic representation of the vehicle on the screen (3);• cause, as soon as it is established that the vehicle (1) is approaching a convoy of vehicles formed while the movement of the vehicle within a convoy of vehicles (1) has been authorized, the display on the screen (3) of a second visual content and a third visual content established according to the possibility of joining the convoy of vehicles formed; and • cause, as soon as it is established that the vehicle (1) is joining or has joined a convoy of vehicles formed, the display on the screen (3) of a fourth visual content and a fifth visual content established according to the actual membership of the vehicle in the convoy of vehicles formed.;

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second visual content comprises a graphical representation of a first type of the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed or of a second type if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third visual content makes it possible to specify a choice to join the convoy of vehicles formed if it is possible to join the convoy of vehicles formed or it only includes an informative element if it is impossible to join the convoy of vehicles formed.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fourth visual content comprises a graphical representation of a third type of the convoy of vehicles formed when the vehicle (1) is joining the convoy of vehicles formed or of a fourth type when the vehicle (1) has joined the convoy of vehicles formed.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fifth visual content comprises an informative element of a first type when the vehicle (1) is joining the convoy of vehicles formed, of a second type when the vehicle (1) has joined the convoy of vehicles formed or of a third type when the membership of the vehicle (1) in the convoy of vehicles formed is interrupted.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises a step of causing a modification of the graphical representation of the vehicle (1) on the screen (3) as a function of the position of the vehicle (1) in a convoy of vehicles, the actual membership of the vehicle (1) in a convoy of vehicles and / or the possibility that another vehicle can join a convoy of vehicles to which the vehicle (1) belongs.

7. Device (100) for managing the operation of a navigation system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), the navigation system comprising a screen (3), characterized in that said device comprises an information processing unit (101), with one or more processors, and a data storage medium (102), which are configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

9. Computer-readable medium, characterized in that a program according to claim 8 is recorded therein.

10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a navigation system (2) which comprises a screen (3), characterized in that said vehicle (1) carries a device (100) according to claim 7.

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