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

Abstract

A method for controlling a display (140) of a motor vehicle (100), the display (140) being a touchscreen display, comprising the following steps: Receiving a voltage measurement across the terminals of a battery (120) of the motor vehicle (100), Comparing the voltage measurement with a threshold, Commanding the display of an indicator on the display (140), the indicator having: A first appearance if the voltage measurement is below the threshold, or A second appearance different from the first appearance if the voltage measurement is above the threshold, Detecting a press on the indicator, Upon detection of the press on the indicator, commanding the display on the display (140) of a first window containing initial information. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle and the display of the motor vehicle's information on a screen. In particular, there is a need to facilitate access to relevant information via this screen.

[0002] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling a screen (in other words: a display) of a motor vehicle, the screen being a touch display screen, comprising the following steps (implemented by the motor vehicle): • Receiving a voltage measurement at the (electrical) terminals of a motor vehicle battery, then • Comparison of the voltage measurement with a threshold, then • (Sending a) Command to display an indicator on the screen, the indicator having: • A first appearance (in other words; a first occurrence) if the voltage measurement is (for example strictly) less than (or equal to) a threshold, or (in other words: or) • A second appearance (in other words; a second occurrence), different from the first appearance, if the voltage measurement is (for example, strictly) greater than (or equal to) the threshold, • Then, detection of pressure (for example, from a finger) on the indicator, then • Upon detection of the press on the indicator, (a) command is sent to display, on the screen, a first window containing initial information (related 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 includes 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-acid 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 indicator 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's ignition is switched on, but the motor vehicle's propulsion engine is stopped, the indicator appears first regardless of the voltage measurement.

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

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

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

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

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

[0018] In a known manner, the estimation of the electrical charge level, the plurality of electrical charge estimates, and / or the estimation of the remaining lifetime, can be obtained, for example, by implementing 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 lifespan can be estimated from a predetermined total lifespan and an elapsed lifespan (i.e., the remaining lifespan is equal to the total lifespan minus the elapsed lifespan).

[0019] According to one embodiment, the battery producing electrical energy (in other words: electrical power), the first piece of information (and / or the second piece of 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 include 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 grasp of a person skilled in the art).

[0020] For example, the components of the motor vehicle may include an electric heater (or a motor vehicle cabin air conditioning device), motor vehicle window defrosting resistors, a screen, a car radio, lights (high beam or position lights, etc.) or a seat heating device.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the process comprises the following steps: • Detection of a (touch) action on the screen (for example, a swipe or a tap of a finger on a screen surface), • (Sends a) command to display a second window on the screen containing a second piece of information different from the first piece of information.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the action on the screen is a swipe of a finger on the first window. Alternatively, it may be the selection of an item from 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 process according to the invention, when 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, the motor vehicle, (or other element) is " To be configured to (or capable of) perform or implement a step or operation implies, for example, that the element includes means to perform the step or operation. These means preferably include electronic means, such as a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor, and / or a microcontroller.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: • [Fig. 1] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, in top view, • [Fig.2], [Fig.3] represent what is displayed on a screen of the motor vehicle the [Fig.1] during steps of the process of the [Fig.4]. • [Fig. 4] represents an implementation of the process according to the invention, according to a example of realization, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.1]. • [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] represent the content of a window displayed by a screen of the motor vehicle of [Fig.1] during steps of the process of [Fig.4],

[0028] In [Fig.1], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

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

[0030] Fig. 1 represents a vehicle 100 which is a motor vehicle. The vehicle 100 includes 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 140 screen 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 heated seat 170, • Traffic lights 130, • The 140 screen, • The 110 microprocessor, and • An electric radiator 160.

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

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

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

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

[0038] At 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 display command to the screen 140 for an indicator 153 in the shape of a battery, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The indicator 153 may be green. If the voltage measurement had been 12.3 volts, the displayed indicator could have been red and brighter or flashing, and of the same shape. The screen 140 displays, at location 151 of the screen, the speed of the motor vehicle 100, and / or, at location 152 of the screen, the rotational speed of the propulsion engine of the motor vehicle 100.

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

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

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

[0043] At 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] At step S60, the microprocessor 110 sends a display command to the screen 140, showing a graph of the charge level history, as shown in [Fig. 5], still in window 154 (or alternatively, in a new window). This history is obtained from voltage measurements across the electrical terminals of the battery 120, in a known manner, between July 1st and December 1st.

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

[0046] At step S80, the microprocessor 110 sends a display command to the screen 140 showing a breakdown of the electrical energy consumption produced by the battery 120 over the past 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 heater 160, and cl30 the electrical consumption of the lights 130.

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

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

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

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a display (140) of a motor vehicle (100), the display (140) being a touchscreen display, comprising the following steps: • Receiving (S00) a voltage measurement across the terminals of a battery (120) of the motor vehicle (100), • Comparing (S10) the voltage measurement with a threshold, • Displaying (S20) an indicator (153) on the display (140), the indicator (153) having: • A first appearance if the voltage measurement is below the threshold, or • A second appearance, different from the first appearance, if the voltage measurement is above the threshold, • Detecting (S30) that the indicator (153) has been pressed, • Upon detection (S30) of the indicator (153) having been pressed, displaying (S40) a first window (154) containing initial information.

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

3. A control method according to the preceding claim wherein the first piece of 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 across the battery terminals (120), each measurement of the plurality of voltage measurements being taken 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, • Displaying (S60) on the screen (140) of the plurality battery electrical charge estimates (120).

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

6. A control method according to claim 1, wherein, the battery (120) producing electrical energy, the first piece of 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. A 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 command (S60, S80, S100) on the screen (140) of a second window (154) comprising a second piece of information different from the first piece of information.

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

9. Electronic device (110) configured to carry out the steps of the process 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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