Management of the operation of a motor vehicle navigation system for the broadcasting of chaining areas in augmented reality

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the operation of a navigation system (2) of a motor vehicle (1) which allows the restitution of augmented reality scenes of the environment of the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle (1) approaches or leaves a chaining area. The invention also relates to a computer device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle for the broadcasting in augmented reality of chaining areas 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 motor vehicle navigation system, the navigation system comprising a camera arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to enable the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene of said environment on a screen of the navigation system. 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 navigation system of certain modern motor vehicles allows the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene of the vehicle's environment. For this, a camera is used to take shots of the driving environment and the scene of the driving environment is rendered in real time on the screen of the navigation system. In addition, in order to enhance the informative content thus provided to the driver, indicative arrows are generally embedded in the scene to indicate a direction to follow. However, these are the only additional informative elements that known navigation systems can currently provide in augmented reality.As a result, such navigation systems still remain deficient in terms of ergonomics given their limited capacity to effectively assist a driver in driving, in particular by providing relevant information relating to snow chain areas, these temporary parking areas provided at the edge of certain roads to facilitate the installation of snow chains. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to fill this gap. In particular, it aims to provide a solution for easily and ergonomically informing the driver of a motor vehicle about chaining areas, in particular by means of a navigation system on board the vehicle. In this way, the invention aims to maximize the ergonomics of motor vehicles, in particular in terms of their ability to provide drivers with relevant information that can promote driving safety.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the operation of a navigation system of the vehicle, the navigation system comprising a camera arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to allow the broadcasting in real time of a scene in augmented reality of said environment on a screen of the navigation system, the method comprising the steps of: • determine whether the vehicle is approaching a chaining area or leaving a chaining area; and, where this is determined to be the case, • cause the insertion into said scene of visual content established according to whether the vehicle is approaching a chaining area or leaving a chaining area.

[0005] According to a variant, said visual content can be embedded in said scene depending on a location located upstream or at the exit of said chaining area.

[0006] According to another variant, said visual content may contain a geometric shape.

[0007] According to yet another variant, said shape can be displayed in different manner based on the current date and / or current weather conditions.

[0008] According to yet another variant, said visual content may contain at least one pictogram.

[0009] According to yet another variant, said pictogram can be established according to the current date.

[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 camera arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to allow the real-time broadcasting of a scene in augmented reality of said environment on a screen of the navigation system, 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 the context of 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;

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

[0019] [Fig.5] illustrates the implementation of at least one step of the method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] [Fig.l] shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. This comprises an on-board navigation system 2, which conventionally interacts with a satellite positioning system (e.g. GPS, Galileo, Beidou) and which comprises a camera 3 arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle 1 so as to allow the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene of the environment of the vehicle on a screen 4 of the navigation system 2. Preferably, the navigation system 2 is of the connected type, that is to say that it regularly receives data (e.g. mapping, real-time traffic, applicable road legislation, weather conditions, etc.) by means of a radiofrequency signal communication system 5.

[0021] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also carries a device 100 for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the operation of a navigation system of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as briefly summarized below and described in detail below.

[0022] When implementing the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether the vehicle 1 is approaching a chaining area or whether it is leaving a chaining area. And if it establishes that this is the case, it then causes the incrustation of visual content within an augmented reality scene which is broadcast in real time on the screen 4 of the navigation system 2. Advantageously, this visual content is established according to whether the vehicle is approaching a chaining area or whether it is leaving a chaining area. If it establishes in particular that the vehicle 1 is approaching a chaining area, it is a visual content which provides information on the proximity of the chaining area which is incrustation in the scene. Conversely, if the vehicle 1 is going to leave a chaining area, It is a visual content that informs the output of Make chaining that is embedded in the scene. This is how the navigation system 2 is more ergonomic, particularly in terms of its capacity to provide relevant information about chaining areas.

[0023] In [Fig.2] the device 100 for managing the operation is illustrated in more detail. of a navigation system of a motor vehicle according to the invention. It is essentially a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, comprising one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0024] 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 4. 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 determining whether the vehicle 1 is approaching a chaining area or, on the contrary, whether it is leaving a chaining area, and it can cause the incrustation of visual content on the screen 4 of the navigation system 2.

[0025] 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, the navigation system comprising a camera arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to enable the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene of said environment on a screen of the navigation system, as described below in connection with Figures 3-5.

[0026] [Fig. 3] illustrates by means of a flowchart the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0027] According to a first step 301 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether the vehicle is approaching a chaining area or leaving a chaining area. To do this, it preferentially uses the mapping of the navigation system 2, the latter also having data relating to applicable legislation concerning the obligation to use snow chains when driving on certain roads, data which it has preferentially received by means of the radiofrequency signal communication system 5 of the vehicle 1. Thus, at the end of this first step of the method, the device 100 according to the invention is attached before ously to establish these particular situations in which a driver approaches a chaining area or leaves a chaining area. And if it establishes that one is in these situations, the device 100 according to the invention carries out the following step of the method according to the invention described below.

[0028] According to a second step 302 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the incrustation in the augmented reality scene which is broadcast in real time on the screen 4 of the navigation system 2 of a visual content established according to whether the vehicle 1 is approaching a chaining area or if it is leaving a chaining area. Preferably, the visual content which is thus incrusted contains a geometric shape. Alternatively or cumulatively it contains at least one pictogram. According to an exemplary embodiment the pictogram is established according to the current date. Alternatively or cumulatively, it is the shape which is displayed in different ways according to the current date and / or current weather conditions.

[0029] Advantageously, the visual content is embedded in the scene according to a location located upstream of the chaining area or at the exit thereof. Indeed, when the device 100 according to the invention has established during the previous step that the vehicle is approaching a chaining area, the visual content contains a geometric shape and a first pictogram, the shape and / or the first pictogram being embedded in the scene at a location corresponding to a location located upstream of the chaining area. Conversely, when it has established that the vehicle 1 is going to leave a chaining area, the visual content contains the shape and at least one second pictogram, the shape and / or said second pictogram being embedded in the scene at a location corresponding to a location located at the exit of the chaining area. For greater clarity, these two situations are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

[0030] [Fig. 4] shows a scene 401 in augmented reality of the environment of the vehicle 1 as displayed on the screen 4 of the navigation system 2, which corresponds to a situation in which the vehicle 1 approaches a chaining area. It is possible to distinguish, embedded in the scene 401 by the device 100 according to the invention, the geometric shape 402, in an inverted U in order to visually materialize a gantry, a first and a second pictogram of a first type 403, which reproduce, for example, a mandatory snow chain sign, a third pictogram and a fourth pictogram of a second type 404, which reproduce a light, preferably red, possibly flashing depending on the current date and current weather conditions, and a fifth pictogram of a third type 405, which contains an informative element, for example in the form of text, which provides information on the proximity of a chaining area. chaining.

[0031] Advantageously, the shape 402 is arranged at a location on the scene 401 which corresponds to a location located upstream of the chaining area. Preferably, when the device 100 according to the invention establishes that the applicable legislation requires the installation of snow chains, possibly depending on the current date, the shape 402 is displayed in a first color, for example red, and the red lights flash. In another case, when it establishes that the applicable legislation does not require the use of snow chains while the weather conditions are degraded, the shape is displayed in a second color, for example orange, and the red lights flash. In yet another case, when it establishes that the applicable legislation does not require the use of snow chains and that the weather conditions are good, the shape is displayed in a third color, for example green, and the red lights are off.The driver is thus informed in the most ergonomic way possible, in particular without resorting to intrusive pop-ups, not only about the fact that he is approaching a chaining area, but also about the legislation applicable on the current date and / or the current weather conditions. Also, the fact that the visual content is in this case embedded in the scene at a location corresponding to a place located upstream of the chaining area allows the driver to more easily understand the approach and parking on a chaining area which can be difficult in winter conditions. Thanks to the color of the shape and the different pictograms, the driver can also more easily determine the obligation and relevance of taking advantage of a nearby chaining area to fit snow chains to the wheels of his vehicle.

[0032] Conversely, we see in [Fig.5], which corresponds to a situation in which the vehicle 1 is going to leave a chaining area, a scene 501 in augmented reality of the environment of the vehicle 1 as it is displayed on the screen 4 of the navigation system 2. We can see, embedded in the scene 501 by the device 100 according to the invention, the same geometric shape 502 in an inverted U to visually materialize a gantry and two pictograms of a fourth type 503, which intuitively indicates the exit from a chaining area.

[0033] Advantageously, the shape 502 is arranged in the scene 501 at a location corresponding to the outlet of the chaining air. The driver is thus informed in the most ergonomic manner possible that he is leaving a chaining area.

[0034] Therefore, thanks to the method and device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided for easily and ergonomically informing the driver of a motor vehicle about chaining areas, in particular by means of a navigation system on board the vehicle. In this way, the invention maximizes the ergonomics of vehicles, in particular in terms of their ability to provide drivers with relevant information that promotes driving safety.

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 camera (3) arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to allow the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene (401, 501) of said environment on a screen (4) of the navigation system (2), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: • determining whether the vehicle (1) is approaching a chaining area or leaving a chaining area; and, when it is established that this is the case, • causing the incrustation in said scene (401, 501) of a visual content established according to whether the vehicle (1) is approaching a chaining area or leaving a chaining area.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said visual content is embedded in said scene (401, 501) depending on a location located upstream or at the exit of said chaining area.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said visual content contains a geometric shape (402, 502).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that said shape is displayed in different ways depending on the current date and / or current weather conditions.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said visual content contains at least one pictogram (403, 404, 405, 503).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said pictogram is established according to the current date.

7. Device (100) for managing the operation of a navigation system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), the navigation system (2) comprising a camera (3) arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to allow the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene (401, 501) of said environment on a screen (4) of the navigation system (2), 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 camera (3) arranged to take pictures of the environment of the vehicle so as to allow the real-time broadcasting of an augmented reality scene (401, 501) of said environment on a screen of the navigation system, characterized in that said vehicle (1) has on board a device (100) according to claim 7.

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