Method and device for controlling a vehicle display system comprising a tire pressure monitoring system

The method and device for controlling a vehicle display system address the complexity of TPMS and infotainment systems by using a touch screen to provide intuitive access to TPMS information, improving user experience and safety while reducing costs.

FR3157289A1Active Publication Date: 2025-06-27STELLANTIS AUTO SAS +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023014858
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-21
Publication Date
2025-06-27
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The complexity of modern vehicle infotainment systems and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) leads to user experience degradation and reduced driver attention due to the multitude of icons, messages, and physical controls required for operation.

Method used

A method and device for controlling a vehicle display system that utilizes a touch screen to display a signaling indicator for the TPMS, allowing drivers to access additional information on demand by touching the indicator, thereby reducing unnecessary content display and eliminating the need for physical buttons.

Benefits of technology

This solution improves user experience and driver vigilance by providing intuitive access to TPMS information on a single screen, reducing vehicle design and manufacturing costs, and enhancing safety by minimizing distractions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle comprising a tire pressure monitoring system, called a TPMS system. For this purpose, a warning light (21) representative of the TPMS system is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface displayed in a first zone of a touch screen (13). Data representative of a touch press (201) on the displayed warning light (21) are received. A graphic content comprising a set of information relating to the monitoring of the pressure of the tires of the vehicle is displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, following the reception of the data. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2
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Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle display system comprising a tire pressure monitoring system Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a display system of a vehicle, in particular but not exclusively a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of information relating to a tire pressure monitoring system, known as a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting in driving a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Some contemporary vehicles have several screens on board to display information useful to the driver for driving the vehicle as well as comfort information, such as, for example, information for interacting with the infotainment system, also called the IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement monté"), of the vehicle.

[0003] Among these screens, it is known to incorporate one or more LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) type screens, for example TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) type, or OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type.

[0004] The integration of such screens makes it possible, for example, to control, via a graphical Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on such screens, the operating status of the systems embedded in the vehicle, for example the AD AS systems (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced Driving Assistance System”).

[0005] The multiplication of systems embedded in the vehicle and the multiplication of means of command or control of these systems lead to a complexity of 1THM by which a user interacts with the embedded systems to control them, with in particular a multiplication of icons, displayed messages or command shortcuts whose control and management are consequently complicated for a user. The user experience is degraded and the attention of the driver of the vehicle can be reduced when different messages are displayed on the or on-board screens.

[0006] For example, for vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, known as a TPMS system (from the English "Tire Pressure Monitoring System"), several messages are likely to be displayed to alert the driver. Certain operations related to the TPMS system require the driver to find the physical control (for example a physical button) or tactile control to be activated to carry out the required operations (for example resetting the pressures associated with the tires). Since these operations are infrequent, it is not always easy for the driver to know where to find the associated control means. Summary of the present invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is for example to improve the user experience with respect to a tire pressure monitoring system.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system, called a TPMS system, the display system comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - display control of a signaling indicator representative of the TPMS system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed in a first zone of the touch screen; - reception of first data representative of a first tactile press on the indicator light; - control of display of graphic content comprising information representative of pressure monitoring of a set of tires of the vehicle following the reception of the first data, the graphic content being displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone.

[0010] The direct use of the indicator light representative of the TPMS system to request the display of additional content relating to the TPMS system, for example the pressure of each tire, the identification of one or more tires whose pressure is considered too low, etc. allows the driver to obtain additional information on demand, by simply touching the indicator light. This reduces the untimely display of unwanted content by the driver who controls the display of this content on demand. All of the content is also displayed on a single screen, which promotes access to information and minimizes the time spent searching for information. The driver's vigilance is improved, as is the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0011] Centralizing controls on a single screen also eliminates the need for physical buttons to control the TPMS system, thereby reducing vehicle design and manufacturing costs.

[0012] According to a variant, the method further comprises a step of receiving second data representative of a detection of a drop in pressure for at least one tire of the set of tires, the second data comprising an identifier of the at least one tire, the display control of the indicator light being triggered by the reception of the second data, the graphic content corresponding to a first graphic content comprising a first text message and / or a first graphic object representative of the vehicle when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold, the first graphic object comprising a graphic identification of the at least one tire.

[0013] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a second tactile press on the signaling indicator, the second tactile press being subsequent to the first tactile press, the second tactile press corresponding to a tactile press of a duration less than the threshold; - control of display of a second graphic content in the second zone following the reception of the third data, the second graphic content comprising a diagram representative of a temporal evolution of the pressure for at least part of the set of tires over a determined time interval having as its end a time instant associated with the reception of the second data.

[0014] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of second data representative of a detection of a drop in pressure for at least one tire of the set of tires, the display control of the indicator light being triggered by the reception of the second data, - transmission of a request to associate a pressure value measured at a time instant associated with the reception of the first data to each tire of the set of tires when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than a threshold, the graphic content corresponding to a third graphic content comprising a second text message representative of the association.

[0015] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises a step of receiving fourth data representative of a request to display the signaling indicator light initiated by a user of the vehicle, the control of display of the indicator light signaling being triggered by the reception of the fourth data, the graphic content corresponding to a fourth graphic content comprising: - at least one second graphic object representative of a pressure measured for each tire of a set of tires of the vehicle at a time instant associated with the reception of the fourth data when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold; and - a first diagram representing a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of the set of tires over a determined time interval ending at a time instant associated with the reception of the fourth data.

[0016] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving fifth data representative of a touch scan on a part of the second zone; - display control of a fifth graphical content replacing the fourth graphical content following receipt of the fifth data, the fifth graphical content comprising a second diagram representing a forecast of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of the set of tires.

[0017] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of sixth data representative of a third touch press on the fifth graphic content; - display control of a sixth graphic content in replacement of the fifth graphic content following the reception of the sixth data, the sixth graphic content being representative of action instructions to be implemented to reset the pressure associated with each tire of the set of tires.

[0018] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of seventh data representative of a fourth touch press on the touch screen outside the first zone and the second zone; - control of the end of display of the fourth graphic content, the fifth graphic content or the sixth graphic content following the reception of the seventh data; and - end of display control of the signaling indicator following reception of the seventh data.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of automotive type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0022] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or even a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0025] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0026] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 10, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a second particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a third particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fifth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a sixth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a seventh particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.9] illustrates a device configured to control a display system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Fig. 10] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a display system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0038] A method and a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 10. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0039] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0040] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system on board a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, for example via one or more processors.

[0041] For this purpose, the display of a warning light representative of a TPMS system (also called DSG (Under-Inflation Detection) system or function) is controlled so that this warning light is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed in a first zone of a touch screen of the vehicle display system. The warning light corresponds for example to a symbol or a pictogram representing the TPMS system, for example a pictogram representing an alert when under-inflation of one or more tires has been detected. The warning light is for example displayed in a determined page of the HMI corresponding for example to the home screen or the default screen of the HMI.

[0042] First data representative of a touch press on the displayed indicator light are received from the touch interface, for example when a user makes a touch press on the touch screen at the display location of the indicator light.

[0043] Following receipt of the first data, the computer controls the display of graphic content comprising information relating to the monitoring or control of the pressure of a set of tires of the vehicle in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone.

[0044] Such a method makes it possible to control, via a voluntary action, the display of a set of graphic contents comprising information relating to the inflation state of the vehicle's tires.

[0045] Such a vehicle tire pressure monitoring system corresponds to a system configured to continuously monitor the inflation pressure of the vehicle tires and to issue an alert (via the display of the warning light) if the inflation pressure of at least one tire falls below a determined threshold (which depends for example on a reference inflation pressure associated with each tire and recorded in a memory of the system). The pressure measurement is obtained from a set of sensors, for example pressure sensors present in the valve of each tire. Such a system is known to those skilled in the art and is not described in detail. The specifications of such a TPMS system were published in the Official Journal of the European Union L323 published on September 13, 2021.

[0046] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus.

[0048] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a screen 13 with a touch interface and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical MMI on the touch screen 13. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the vehicle 10.

[0049] The touch screen 13 corresponds for example to a screen of the LCD type (from the English “Liquid Crystal Display” or in French “Display à cristals liquide”), for example of the TFT type (from the English “Thin-Film Transistor” or in French “Transistor en film mince”), or OLED type (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente biologique”).

[0050] The touch screen 13 is configured to display content intended for the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10. The touch screen 13 is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle via a human machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touch screen 13. For example, the screen 13 is configured to interact with the IVI system and / or a tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle 10, called a TPMS system.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment, the display system comprises one or more other screens, for example a screen of a device or system called a head-up display corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade arranged in such a way that a driver seated in the seat 15 sees the content displayed or projected on the transparent blade when the driver drives the vehicle 10. The display system comprises for example furthermore a display screen called a handset or dashboard and generally arranged in an area 12 behind the steering wheel 14 in the dashboard 11.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the display system comprising the touch screen 13 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, making it possible for example to eliminate the display screen(s) called the instrument panel or dashboard.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data between them via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the bus type CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), LIN (Local Interconnect Network) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0054] A system on board the vehicle 10 corresponds to a system for monitoring the pressure of the tires of the vehicle 10, called a TPMS system.

[0055] A process for controlling an on-board display system in the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors of the display system, for example by a computer of an on-board system of the vehicle 10 such as the IVI system or the navigation system or by a processor of the mobile communication device.

[0056] A first mode of implementation of the display control process is described below with reference to figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

[0057] A second mode of implementation of the display control process is described below with reference to Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8.

[0058] In a first operation of the process according to the first mode of implementation and according to the second mode of implementation, the display of a signaling indicator representative of the TPMS system of the vehicle 10 is controlled in such a way that the signaling indicator is displayed on the touch screen 13 in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen 13.

[0059] The displayed content comprises, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10. The set of information comprises, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a rolling or traffic phase, i.e. in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10, a rev counter, for example the remaining autonomy (expressed for example in km), the distance traveled, a volume or level of fuel remaining in the tank, etc.

[0060] [Fig.2] illustrates a result of the display control of the signaling indicator 21 on the touch screen 13, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment.

[0061] The indicator light 21 corresponds for example to a pictogram representing an under-inflated tire with an exclamation mark inside the tire, the indicator light being for example displayed with an orange color.

[0062] A display control of a signaling indicator, graphic content or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.) comprises a rendering of the graphic content or the graphic object, such rendering corresponding to a set operations performed by one or more processors on the pixels of one or more images of the graphic content to be displayed on the screen 13. For example, rendering consists of associating with a set of pixels of an image pixel data (for example color data expressed in an RGB type space (from the English “Red, Green, Blue” or in French “rouge, vert, bleu”)) associated with each graphic object.

[0063] The display control of the indicator light 21 thus comprises the transmission of control signals to the touch screen to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 13 at the location intended to display the indicator light 21 (or any graphic object).

[0064] The display of the indicator light 21 is controlled so that this indicator light 21 is displayed in a first determined zone of the touch screen 13. According to the particular example of [Fig.2], the first zone corresponds to an area located at the bottom right of the screen 13, according to the point of view of a person looking at the screen 13 from a front seat of the vehicle 10 for example.

[0065] According to the first mode of implementation of the process, the control of the display of the indicator light 21 is triggered by the reception of data representative of a detection of a drop in pressure for at least one tire of the set of tires, called second data. These second data are for example received by the IVI computer of the computer controlling the TPMS system, the computer of the TPMS system receiving pressure data from the sensors associated with each tire to determine in real time the pressure (for example in bars or PSI) in each tire of the vehicle 10. When the pressure in one (or more tires) falls below a threshold (for example determined with respect to a reference pressure associated with each tire), the TPMS system triggers an alert for detecting under-inflation of the tire(s) in question and transmits the associated information to the IVI computer in the form of the second data.The second data are thus representative of an under-inflation alert (or drop in pressure) detected for one or more tires, the second data further comprising, for example, information identifying each tire for which an under-inflation alert is generated.

[0066] According to the second embodiment, the control of the display of the indicator light 21 is triggered by the reception of data representative of a request to display the indicator light 21 initiated by a user of the vehicle 10, for example the driver, these data being called fourth data.

[0067] The fourth data are for example obtained from a voice-controlled human-machine interaction system, the driver having requested the display of the indicator 21 by voice command.

[0068] In a second operation, first data representative of a first tactile press 201 on the indicator light 21 are received, following a tactile press 201 of a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the indicator light 201.

[0069] A tactile press on the indicator light 21 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements one or more functions associated with the command corresponding to the tactile press.

[0070] The first data representative of the touch pressure are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where appropriate) and the IVI computer.

[0071] In a third operation of the process, the IVI computer controls the display of graphic content comprising one or more pieces of information representative of the pressure of a set of tires of the vehicle 10. The control of display of the graphic content is for example triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0072] The third operation comprises, for example, the transmission of a request by the IVI computer to the computer controlling the TPMS system, via one or more data buses, to receive the information necessary for displaying the graphic content.

[0073] The graphic content belongs to a set of graphic contents, particular examples of which are described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. The graphic content is displayed in a second zone of the touch screen 13 different from the first zone comprising the displayed indicator light 21.

[0074] According to a particular and illustrative embodiment, the second zone is located in the center of the touch screen 13.

[0075] According to a particular example, the graphic content is for example displayed in a window occupying a part of the display area of ​​the screen 13 and corresponding to the second area, this window corresponding for example to a contextual window, also called an intrusive or pop-up window (from the English "pop-up window"). This window is for example displayed next to the first area 21, for example centered on the screen (around the center of the screen 13).

[0076] According to the first mode of implementation of the process, the graphic content corresponding to a first graphic content 30 as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0077] The first graphic content 30 is displayed under the control of the computer in charge of the process when the first data is representative of a so-called brief tactile press 201, that is to say the duration of the press on the indicator 21 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0078] The first graphic content 30 comprises a first text message 32 and / or a first graphic object 31 representative of the vehicle. The first graphic object 31 includes for example a graphic identification of each tire having suffered a drop in pressure or affected by an under-inflation alert, this or these tires being identified in the second data received.

[0079] The first graphic object 31 represents for example a vehicle seen from above with graphic highlighting of each tire of the set of tires 311, 312, 313, 314 of the vehicle 10. A tire affected by an under-inflation alert signaled in the second data is for example represented with a particular color or texture, for example in red. According to the particular example of [Fig. 3], the right rear tire 313 is illustrated differently from the other tires (for example with a particular color), the tire 313 being the subject of an under-inflation alert detected by the TPMS system.

[0080] According to a variant, the first graphic object 31 further comprises a pressure value displayed opposite each tire 311 to 314, this pressure value corresponding to the pressure value measured for each tire by the TPMS system when the under-inflation alert was generated or when the first touch 201 was made.

[0081] The text message 32 corresponds for example to the message automatically displayed when an under-inflation alert is generated by the TPMS system, this message being automatically displayed for a few seconds on the screen 13 before automatically disappearing. Such a message makes it possible to alert and inform the driver of the vehicle 10 about the actions to be taken to correct the detected problem, the message corresponding for example to the following message: “Adjust the tire pressure, then reset”.

[0082] Thus, the first touch press makes it possible to display the message again in the zone 32 and allows the driver to reread the instructions whenever he wishes, for example to better understand the reason for the display of the indicator 21 on the touch screen 13. The first touch press also makes it possible to request the display of the location of the tire(s) whose pressure is below the required threshold, i.e. each tire detected in a state of under-inflation.

[0083] The display area of ​​the first text message 32 corresponds for example to an area located under the display area of ​​the first graphic object 31 (as illustrated in [Fig.3]) or to any other area, for example superimposed on a part of the display area of ​​the first graphic object 31.

[0084] In an additional operation of the process according to the first mode of implementation, third data representative of a second touch press 301 on the indicator light 21 following the first touch press 201 (i.e. the second touch press 301 being subsequent to the first touch press 201, for example when the first graphic content 30 is displayed). The second touch press advantageously corresponds to a brief touch press, i.e. a touch press of a duration less than the threshold duration, for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms.

[0085] Following receipt of the third data, the display of a second graphic content 40 is controlled so that the second graphic content 40 is displayed in the second zone, replacing the first graphic content 30.

[0086] The second graphic content 40 is illustrated in [Fig.4], according to a particular example. This second graphic content 40 advantageously comprises a diagram representing a temporal evolution of the pressure measured for all or part of the tires over a time interval preceding the second tactile press 301. The time interval has for example a determined duration (for example a few months or a few weeks), the end of the time interval corresponding for example to the instant of detection of a state of under-inflation (of one or more tires) reported in the second data.

[0087] The duration of the time interval is for example determined by the last date on which the tire pressure was readjusted (corresponding to the date on which the pressure value associated with each tire was reset by the driver via the human-machine interface of the TPMS system), this date then corresponding to the start of the time interval.

[0088] The diagram 41 comprises, for example, a set of pressure curves as a function of time, for example a curve for each tire. The curve associated with the tire 313 subject to the under-inflation alert is, for example, illustrated differently from the other curves (for example, in a particular color such as red or in dotted lines). According to an alternative embodiment, the diagram 41 only comprises the pressure curve(s) associated with the tire(s) 313 subject to the under-inflation alert.

[0089] According to an alternative embodiment of the first mode of implementation of the process, the graphic content corresponds to a third graphic content 50 (as illustrated in [Fig.5]) when the first tactile press 201 on the signaling indicator corresponds to a so-called long press, that is to say a tactile press of duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously and for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms.

[0090] Such a long press makes it possible to reset the pressure value associated with each tire, that is to say to reset the reference pressure value associated with each tire 311 to 314 and stored in the memory of the TPMS system computer. The reset follows a tire inflation operation (by the driver or by a garage mechanic) following an under-inflation alert.

[0091] A long press on the indicator light 21 triggers the transmission of a request to reset the reference pressure values ​​recorded for each tire to the computer controlling the TPMS system. Following receipt of the request, the TPMS system measures the current pressure of each tire and associates this measured value with each tire as the new reference pressure which will subsequently be used to detect under-inflation alerts (for example when the measured pressure falls below a threshold corresponding to 0.8 times the reference pressure). The association of the measured pressure value with a time instant associated with the reception of the first data representative of the long press on the indicator 21 includes the recording in memory of this new reference pressure for each tire, for example in a LUT type correspondence table (from the English “Look-Up Table”) associating the reference pressure value with each tire identifier.

[0092] Once the reset has been carried out, the third graphic content 50 is displayed in the second zone of the touch screen 13. This third graphic content 50 comprises, for example, a second text message informing the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10 that the tire pressure has been recorded. The third graphic content 50 further comprises, for example, a specific pictogram or icon associated with the second text message (for example, the “Information” symbol).

[0093] According to the second mode of implementation of the process, the graphic content displayed following the first touch press 201 corresponds to a fourth graphic content 60 as illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0094] The fourth graphic content 60 is displayed in the second area of ​​the touch screen 13 near or next to the first area comprising the displayed indicator light 21.

[0095] The first short (or brief) touch press 201 triggers the display of the fourth graphic content 60, which includes: - at least one second graphic object 61 representative of a pressure measured for each tire of the set of tires of the vehicle at a time instant associated with the reception of the fourth data; and - a first diagram 62 representative of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of the set of tires over a determined time interval having as its end a time instant associated with the reception of the fourth data.

[0096] The second graphic object 61 corresponds for example to the first graphic object 31 illustrated in [Fig. 3], that is to say a vehicle seen from above with graphic highlighting of each tire of the set of tires of the vehicle 10. The second graphic object 61 further comprises for example a pressure value displayed opposite each tire, this pressure value corresponding to the pressure value measured for each tire by the TPMS system when the display of the indicator light has been requested (via the reception of the fourth data) or when the first data representative of the first touch press Court 201 on Witness 21 were received.

[0097] The second graphic object 61 does not include a graphic illustration of a tire in an under-inflated state, unlike the first graphic object 31, the display of the indicator 21 having been requested by the driver of the vehicle 10 and not following detection of an under-inflated state of a tire.

[0098] The first diagram 62 is for example identical or similar to the diagram 41 illustrated in [Fig.4] and comprises for example a pressure curve as a function of time for each tire over a time interval of determined duration. The duration of the time interval is for example equal to a few weeks or a few months. According to a variant, the duration is defined by the last date on which the tire pressure was readjusted (corresponding to the date on which the pressure value associated with each tire was reset by the driver via the human-machine interface of the TPMS system), this date then corresponding to the start of the time interval.

[0099] In an additional operation of the second mode of implementation of the process, fifth data representative of a touch scan 601 on a part of the second zone on which the fourth graphic content 60 is displayed are received, for example via one or more data buses connecting the touch interface of the screen 13 to the computer.

[0100] A tactile scan corresponds to a continuous and prolonged tactile pressure of one (or more) fingers on a part of the screen 13, the continuous and prolonged tactile pressure forming a line of a segment (from 1 to several centimeters for example), the segment being for example horizontal (as represented by the arrow 601 in [Fig.6]), or even vertical or oblique.

[0101] Receiving the fifth data triggers the display control of a fifth graphical content 70 in replacement of the fourth graphical content 60, i.e. in the second zone. The fifth graphical content 60 comprises a second diagram 71 representing a forecast of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of the set of tires, for example from the current time over a forecast or projection duration equal to a few weeks or a few months. The forecast for each tire is for example determined from a set of parameters such as the pressure at the current time, the date of the last reset associated with a pressure readjustment operation (by inflation), the age of the tires (duration or distance of use), etc. The forecasts are calculated or determined from determined rules or charts by taking the values ​​of the parameters as input.

[0102] The fifth graphic content 70 further comprises, for example, a third text message 72 (for example, displayed in an area provided under the second diagram 71). The third text message 72 includes, for example, text informing the driver of the estimated date on which the pressure of one or more tires will need to be adjusted. The text corresponds, for example, to the following message: “Adjustment of the pressure of the ARD and AVG tires in 250 km or 45 days”, with ARD identifying the right rear tire and AVG identifying the left front tire.

[0103] According to an alternative embodiment of the second mode of implementation of the process, the reception of sixth data representative of a third tactile press 701 on the fifth graphic content 70 (indifferently on the second diagram 71 or on the third text message 72) triggers the display control of a sixth graphic content 80 in replacement of the fifth graphic content 70. The sixth graphic content 80 is illustrated in [Fig.8] and is representative of action instructions to be implemented to reset the pressure associated with each tire of the set of tires of the vehicle 10.

[0104] The third touch press 701 corresponds for example to a short or brief touch press whose duration is less than the threshold duration described previously.

[0105] The sixth graphic content 80 corresponds for example to a video or to a sequence of graphic pages whose scrolling is launched for example following a tactile press on the sixth graphic content 80, a new tactile press on the displayed content for example pausing the playback of the video or of the page sequence which is launched again by a new tactile press.

[0106] The content displayed corresponds to a tutorial explaining or describing to the driver the procedure to follow to reset the pressure associated with each tire after having readjusted the tire pressure by inflating one or more tires.

[0107] In an additional operation of the second mode of implementation of the process, seventh data representative of a fourth touch press on the touch screen 13 outside the first zone and the second zone (i.e. outside the zone in which the indicator light 21 is displayed following the display request initiated by the driver and outside the display zone of the fourth graphic content 60, the fifth graphic content 70 or the sixth graphic content 80 displayed in parallel with the display of the indicator light 21 in the first zone) are received, the fourth touch press corresponding for example to a short press or a double click, i.e. a sequence of two consecutive and close touch presses (with for example less than 250 or 500 ms between the two consecutive touch presses).

[0108] Receiving the seventh data triggers the end of display control of the fourth graphic content 60, of the fifth graphic content 70 or of the sixth graphic content 80 (depending on the graphic content displayed at the time of reception of the seventh data) and the end of display control of the indicator light 21.

[0109] The content displayed on the screen 13 following the end of the display of the fourth graphic content 60, the fifth graphic content 70 or the sixth graphic content 80 and the indicator light 21 corresponds to the content displayed on the screen 13 before the driver requests the display of the indicator light 21 (for example by voice command) and presses this indicator light 21 with one of his fingers.

[0110] Such a process thus makes it possible to do away with any physical button for controlling the TPMS system and allows more intuitive control of the HMI associated with the TPMS system than HMIs requiring navigation through different pages or menus before arriving at the content specific to the TPMS system, via simple touch presses on the indicator 21 and / or on the different graphic contents displayed.

[0111] [Fig. 9] schematically illustrates a device 9 configured for controlling a display system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, and / or for controlling functions implemented by a tire pressure monitoring system, called TPMS system, of the vehicle, according to particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The device 9 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0112] The device 9 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 8 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.10]. Examples of such a device 9 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 9, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 9 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0113] The device 9 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 90 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 9. The processor 90 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 9 further comprises at least one memory 91 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0114] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 91.

[0115] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 9 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0116] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 9 comprises a block 92 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 92 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0117] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 9 comprises a communication interface 93 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 930. The communication interface 93 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 930. The communication interface 93 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0118] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 9 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a screen display 940, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 950 and / or other peripherals 960 (projection system) via output interfaces 94, 95 and 96 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 9.

[0119] [Fig. 10] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a display system on board a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 9 of [Fig.9].

[0120] In a first step 101, the display of a signaling indicator representative of the TPMS system of the vehicle is controlled so that this signaling indicator is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed in a first zone of the touch screen.

[0121] In a second step 102, first data representative of a tactile press on the signaling indicator are received.

[0122] In a third step 103, the display of graphic content comprising information representative of pressure monitoring of a set of tires of the vehicle is controlled so that the first graphic content is displayed in a second zone of the touch screen different from the first zone, following the reception of the first data.

[0123] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 8 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.10].

[0124] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying indicator lights and graphic contents representative of a TPMS system which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0125] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 9 of [Fig.9] or a display system comprising the device 9 of [Fig.9] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a tire pressure monitoring system, called a TPMS system, said display system comprising a touch screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - controlling (101) the display of a warning light (21) representative of said TPMS system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called an HMI, displayed in a first zone of said touch screen (13); - receiving (102) first data representative of a first touch press (201) on said warning light (21); - controlling (103) the display of graphic content comprising information representative of pressure monitoring of a set of tires of said vehicle (10) following the reception (102) of said first data, said graphic content being displayed in a second zone of said touch screen (13) different from said first zone.

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving second data representative of a detection of pressure drop for at least one tire of said set of tires, said second data comprising an identifier of said at least one tire, said display control (101) of the indicator light (21) being triggered by the reception of said second data, said graphic content corresponding to a first graphic content (30) comprising a first text message (32) and / or a first graphic object (31) representative of said vehicle (10) when said first touch press corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold, said first graphic object (31) comprising a graphic identification of said at least one tire.

3. Method according to claim 2, further comprising the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a second tactile press (301) on said indicator light (21), said second tactile press being subsequent to said first tactile press, the second tactile press corresponding to a tactile press of a duration less than said threshold;

4.

5. - control of display of a second graphic content (40) in said second zone following the reception of said third data, said second graphic content (40) comprising a diagram (41) representative of a temporal evolution of the pressure for at least a part of said set of tires over a determined time interval having as its end a time instant associated with the reception of said second data. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: - reception of second data representative of a detection of pressure drop for at least one tire of said set of tires, said display control (101) of the indicator light (21) being triggered by the reception of said second data, - transmission of a request for association of a pressure value measured at a time instant associated with the reception of said first data to each tire of said set of tires when said first touch press (201) corresponds to a touch press of a duration greater than a threshold, said graphic content corresponding to a third graphic content (50) comprising a second text message representative of said association. Method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving fourth data representative of a request to display said indicator light initiated by a user of said vehicle, said display control (101) of the indicator light (21) being triggered by the reception of said fourth data, said graphic content corresponding to a fourth graphic content (60) comprising: - at least one second graphic object (61) representative of a pressure measured for each tire of a set of tires of said vehicle (10) at a time instant associated with the reception of the fourth data when said first touch press (201) corresponds to a touch press of a duration less than a threshold; and - a first diagram (62) representative of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of said set of tires over a determined time interval having as its end a time instant associated with the reception of said fourth data.

6. Method according to claim 5, further comprising the following steps: - receiving fifth data representative of a touch scan (601) on a part of said second zone; - controlling the display of a fifth graphic content (70) in replacement of said fourth graphic content (60) following the reception of the fifth data, said fifth graphic content (70) comprising a second diagram (71) representative of a forecast of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire of said set of tires.

7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising the following steps: - receiving sixth data representative of a third touch press (701) on said fifth graphic content (70); - controlling the display of a sixth graphic content (80) in replacement of said fifth graphic content (70) following the reception of the sixth data, said sixth graphic content (80) being representative of action instructions to be implemented to reset the pressure associated with each tire of said set of tires.

8. Method according to claims 5, 6 and 7, further comprising the following steps: - receiving seventh data representative of a fourth touch press on said touch screen (13) outside said first zone and said second zone; - controlling the end of display of said fourth graphic content (60), said fifth graphic content (70) or said sixth graphic content (80) following the reception of said seventh data; and - controlling the end of display of said indicator light (21) following the reception of said seventh data.

9. Device (9) for controlling a vehicle display system, said device (9) comprising a memory (91) associated with at least one processor (90) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (9) according to claim 9.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • System, receiving device and program

    JP6780169B2