Method of controlling a screen for displaying the status of a battery, associated device and motor vehicle.

Abstract

Method for controlling a screen (140) of a motor vehicle (100), the screen (140) being a touch display screen, comprising the following steps: Receiving a measurement of a voltage at the terminals of a battery (120) of the motor vehicle (100), Comparing the voltage measurement with a threshold, Controlling the display on the screen (140) of a warning light, the warning light having: A first appearance if the voltage measurement is lower than the threshold, or A second appearance different from the first appearance if the voltage measurement is higher than the threshold, Detecting a press on the warning light, Upon detection of the press on the warning light, controlling the display on the screen (140) of a first window comprising a first piece of information. Figure for the abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling a screen for displaying the status of a battery, associated device and motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle and the display by a screen of the motor vehicle. There exists, in particular, a need to facilitate access to relevant information via this screen.

[0002] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for controlling a screen (in other words: a panel) of a motor vehicle, the screen being a touch display screen, comprising the following steps (implemented by the motor vehicle): • Receiving a measurement of a voltage at the (electrical) terminals of a motor vehicle battery, then • Comparison of the voltage measurement with a threshold, then • (Sending of a) Command to display a witness on the screen, the witness having: • A first appearance (in other words; a first appearance) if the voltage measurement is (for example strictly) less than (or equal to) a threshold, or (in other words: either) • A second appearance (in other words; a second appearance), different from the first appearance, if the voltage measurement is (for example strictly) greater than (or equal to) the threshold, • Then, detection of a pressure (for example, of a finger) on the indicator, then • Upon detection of pressure on the indicator, (sends a) command to display, on the screen, a first window including a first piece of information (relating to the battery).

[0003] Thus, by pressing the indicator, it is possible for the driver (or a passenger) to obtain information relating to the battery, which is particularly simple, practical, and intuitive for the driver (or a passenger) of the motor vehicle.

[0004] For example, the motor vehicle comprises a driver's seat and a steering wheel, and the steering wheel is located between the driver's seat and the screen.

[0005] For example, the battery is a 12 volt and / or lead battery.

[0006] For example, the battery powers electronic components of the vehicle.

[0007] Preferably, the battery does not power a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle.

[0008] For example, the indicator has the shape of a battery. The indicator has, for example, a rectangular shape.

[0009] For example, the witness appears brighter when it has the first appearance than when it has the second appearance.

[0010] According to a first variant, the witness appears in a first color when it has the first appearance, and in a second color, different from the first color, when it has the second appearance.

[0011] According to a second variant, the indicator appears flashing when it has the first appearance, and not flashing when it has the second appearance.

[0012] For example, when the vehicle ignition is on, but the motor vehicle's propulsion engine is off, the indicator has the first appearance regardless of the voltage measurement.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the screen displays a travel speed of the motor vehicle, and / or a rotation speed of the propulsion engine of the motor vehicle.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first information (and / or the second information below) is obtained from the measurement of the voltage.

[0015] For example, the first information (and / or the second information below) is an estimate of an electrical charge level of the battery (for example, as a percentage of a maximum charge of the battery). Such an estimate can be obtained from the measurement of the voltage (for example, according to a predetermined function linking charge and voltage) (and the method can comprise a step of determining this estimate).

[0016] According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: • Receiving a plurality of voltage measurements at the (electrical) terminals of the battery, each measurement of the plurality of voltage measurements being measured at a different time within a time range, • Obtaining a plurality of electrical charge estimates of the battery, each charge estimate of the plurality of electrical charge estimates being obtained from a measurement among the plurality of voltage measurements (for example, according to a predetermined function linking charge and voltage) (and the method may comprise a step of determining each estimate) • (Sending a) Command to display, on the screen, the plurality of electrical charge estimates (for example in graphic form) of the battery.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first information (and / or the second information below) is an estimate of a remaining life of the battery.

[0018] In a known manner, the estimation of the electrical charge level, the plurality of electrical charge estimations, and / or the estimation of the remaining lifetime, can be obtained, for example, by the implementation of state observer algorithms, in particular, for example by a Kalman filter, or by other models. artificial intelligence or other types of algorithms. Alternatively, for example, the remaining lifetime can be estimated from a predetermined total lifetime and an elapsed lifetime (i.e., the remaining lifetime is equal to the total lifetime minus the elapsed lifetime).

[0019] According to one embodiment, the battery producing electrical energy (in other words: electrical power), the first information (and / or the second information below) is a distribution of consumption of said electrical energy, by a plurality of components of the motor vehicle, during a predetermined period (in other words: a duration) (and the method may comprise a step of measuring the consumption of electrical energy by each electrical component of the plurality of electrical components, during the predetermined period (of time) (such a measurement step is, of course, within the reach of those skilled in the art).

[0020] For example, the components of the motor vehicle may include an electric radiator (or a device for air conditioning the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle), defrosting resistors for the windows of the motor vehicle, a screen, a car radio, lights (main beam or position lights, etc.) or a seat heating device.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: • Detection of a (touch) action on the screen (for example, a slide or a finger pressing on a screen surface), • (Sending a) command to display on the screen a second window including a second piece of information different from the first piece of information.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the action on the screen is a sliding of a finger on the first window. Alternatively, it may be a selection of an item in a menu displayed on the screen.

[0023] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0024] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device (or a motor vehicle). The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device (or a motor vehicle) configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0025] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0026] When the electronic device, motor vehicle, (or other element) is “ configured to” (or “capable of”) performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, in top view, • [Fig.2], [Fig.3] represent what a motor vehicle screen displays [Fig.l] during steps of the method of [Fig.4]. • [Fig.4] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to a exemplary embodiment, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.l]. • [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] represent the contents of a window displayed by a screen of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l] during steps of the method of [Fig.4],

[0028] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0029] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0030] [Fig.l] represents a vehicle 100 which is a motor vehicle. The vehicle 100 comprises a microprocessor 110 connected to a screen 140 of the motor vehicle 100 and to a battery 120 of the motor vehicle 100 (these two connections are represented by a solid line, the microprocessor 110 can be connected to other components of the motor vehicle 100, by connections not shown).

[0031] The screen 140 is a touch screen.

[0032] The vehicle also includes a steering wheel 150.

[0033] The battery 120 powers (as shown in dotted lines) the following components of the motor vehicle 100: • A 170 heated seat, • 130 lights, • The 140 screen, • The microprocessor 110, and • A 160 electric radiator.

[0034] The battery 120 is a 12-volt lead-acid battery, and does not power a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle 100.

[0035] With reference to [Fig.4], in step S00, the microprocessor 110 receives a measurement of a voltage at the battery terminals 120.

[0036] Of course, the person skilled in the art knows how such a measurement can be received and obtained.

[0037] It is assumed that the voltage measurement is 12.5 volts.

[0038] In step S10, the microprocessor 110 compares this voltage measurement of 12.5 volts with a threshold of 12.4 volts.

[0039] In step S20, the microprocessor 110 sends a command to display a battery-shaped indicator 153 on the screen 140, as shown [Fig.2]. The indicator 153 may be green. If the voltage measurement had been 12.3 volts, the indicator displayed could have been red and brighter or flashing, and of the same shape. The screen 140 displays, at location 151 of the screen, a driving speed of the motor vehicle 100, and / or, at location 152 of the screen, a rotation speed of the propulsion engine of the motor vehicle 100.

[0040] In step S30, the microprocessor 110 detects a finger pressing on the indicator 153.

[0041] In step S40, the microprocessor 110 sends a display command to the screen 140 of a window 154, as shown [Fig.3].

[0042] Window 154 includes the percentage of charge of battery 120, obtained, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, from the measurement of the voltage of 12.5 volts. For example, window 154 includes the following message: the charge level of the battery is 50%.

[0043] In step S50, the microprocessor 110 detects a slide of a finger (for example, horizontal, alternatively, vertical or diagonal or defining another pattern not necessarily rectilinear) on the window 154.

[0044] In step S60, the microprocessor 110 sends a command to display on the screen 140, a graph of the history of the charge level, represented [Fig.5], still in the window 154 (or alternatively, in a new window). This history is obtained from voltage measurements at the electrical terminals of the battery 120, in a known manner, between July 1 and December 1.

[0045] In step S70, the microprocessor 110 again detects a sliding of a finger on the window 154.

[0046] In step S80, the microprocessor 110 sends a display command to the screen 140, of a distribution of consumption of the electrical energy produced by the battery 120, for one week. [Fig.6], cl70 represents the electrical consumption of the heated seat 170, cl40 the electrical consumption of the screen 140, cl60 the electrical consumption of the electric radiator 160, and cl30 the electrical consumption of the lights 130.

[0047] For this, step S80 may comprise, beforehand, a measurement of consumption of the electrical energy, produced by the battery, on the part of these components (which is, of course, within the reach of those skilled in the art).

[0048] In step S90, the microprocessor 110 again detects a sliding of a finger on the window 154.

[0049] In step S100, the microprocessor 110 sends a display command to the screen 140, indicating the remaining battery life. For example, the window 154 then includes the following message: the estimated remaining battery life is 30 months.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a screen (140) of a motor vehicle (100), the screen (140) being a touch display screen, comprising the following steps: • Receiving (S00) a measurement of a voltage at the terminals of a battery (120) of the motor vehicle (100), • Comparing (S10) the measurement of the voltage with a threshold, • Controlling the display (S20) on the screen (140) of a warning light (153), the warning light (153) having: • A first appearance if the measurement of the voltage is lower than the threshold, or • A second appearance, different from the first appearance, if the measurement of the voltage is higher than the threshold, • Detecting (S30) a press on the warning light (153), • Upon detection (S30) of the press on the warning light (153), controlling the display (S40), on the screen (140), of a first window (154) comprising first information.

2. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the first information is obtained from the measurement of the voltage.

3. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the first information is an estimate of an electrical charge level of the battery (120).

4. A control method according to claim 2 comprising: • Receiving a plurality of voltage measurements at the terminals of the battery (120), each measurement of the plurality of voltage measurements being measured at a different time within a time range, • Obtaining a plurality of electrical charge estimates of the battery (120), each charge estimate of the plurality of electrical charge estimates being obtained from one measurement among the plurality of voltage measurements, • Controlling display (S60), on the screen (140), of the plurality of battery electrical charge estimates (120).

5. A control method according to claim 2 wherein the first information is an estimate of a remaining battery life.

6. Control method according to claim 1, in which, the battery (120) producing electrical energy, the first information is a distribution of consumption of said electrical energy, by a plurality of components of the motor vehicle (100), during a predetermined period.

7. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps: • Detection (S50, S70, S90) of an action on the screen (140), • Display control (S60, S80, S100) on the screen (140) of a second window (154) comprising a second item of information different from the first item of information.

8. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

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

10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to the preceding claim.

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