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

Centralizing TPMS information on a vehicle's touch screen through intuitive touch interactions addresses interface complexity, enhancing driver alertness and safety while reducing costs.

FR3157289B1Active Publication Date: 2025-11-07STELLANTIS AUTO SAS +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023014858
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-21
Publication Date
2025-11-07
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The proliferation of embedded systems in vehicles leads to increased interface complexity, making it difficult for drivers to locate and interact with controls for infrequent operations like tire pressure monitoring, which can distract the driver and degrade the user experience.

Method used

A method and device for controlling a vehicle display system that centralizes TPMS-related content on a single touch screen, allowing drivers to access additional information on demand through intuitive touch interactions, eliminating the need for physical buttons and reducing interface complexity.

Benefits of technology

This approach improves driver alertness and safety by minimizing the time spent searching for information, simplifies control interactions, and reduces vehicle design and manufacturing costs by eliminating physical buttons.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle display system comprising a tire pressure monitoring system, known as a TPMS. To this end, a warning indicator (21) representing the TPMS is displayed in a specific area of ​​a human-machine interface displayed in a first zone of a touchscreen (13). Data representing a touch press (201) on the displayed warning indicator (21) is received. Graphic content comprising a set of information relating to the vehicle's tire pressure monitoring is displayed in a second zone of the touchscreen, different from the first zone, depending on the data received. Figure 2 (for the abstract)
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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 in a vehicle, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention specifically relates to a method and device for controlling the display of information relating to a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for assisting with driving a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Contemporary vehicles include, for some of them, several screens to display information useful to the driver for driving the vehicle as well as comfort information, such as, for example, information to interact with the infotainment system, also called IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé"), of the vehicle.

[0003] Among these screens, it is known to include one or more LCD type screens (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[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 on board the vehicle, for example AD AS systems (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système d'aide à la conduite avancé").

[0005] The proliferation of embedded systems in the vehicle and the multiplication of means of commanding or controlling these systems lead to an increased complexity of the interface through which a user interacts with the embedded systems to control them, notably with a proliferation of icons, displayed messages, or command shortcuts, the control and management of which are consequently complicated for a user. The user experience is thus degraded, and the driver's attention may be reduced when different messages are displayed on the vehicle. or the built-in screens.

[0006] For example, in vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), several messages may appear to alert the driver. Some TPMS operations require the driver to locate the physical (e.g., a physical button) or touchscreen control to perform the necessary actions (e.g., resetting tire pressures). Since these operations are infrequent, it is not always easy for the driver to know where to find the associated controls. Summary of the present invention

[0007] One 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, known as a TPMS system, the display system comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps: - control of display of a signal indicator representative of the TPMS system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, known as HMI, displayed in a first area of ​​the touch screen; - reception of initial data representative of an initial touch on the signal indicator; - control of display of graphic content including representative information 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 area of ​​the touch screen different from the first area.

[0010] Direct use of the TPMS indicator light to request the display of additional TPMS-related content, such as the pressure of each tire, identification of one or more tires with low pressure, etc., allows the driver to obtain additional information on demand simply by touching the indicator light. This reduces the unintended display of unwanted content, as the driver controls the display of this content on demand. Furthermore, all content is displayed on a single screen, which facilitates access to information and minimizes the time spent searching for it. This improves driver alertness, as well as 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, thus reducing vehicle design and manufacturing costs.

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

[0013] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a second touch press on the signal indicator, the second touch press being subsequent to the first touch press, the second touch press corresponding to a touch 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 representing a temporal evolution of the pressure for at least a part of the set of tires over a determined time interval ending at a time moment associated with the reception of the second data.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving second data representative of a pressure drop detection for at least one tire in the set of tires, the display control of the warning light being triggered by the reception of the second data, - transmission of a request to associate a pressure value measured at a specific time point associated with the receipt of the first data to each tire in the tire set when the first touch contact corresponds to a touch contact lasting longer than a threshold, the graphic content corresponding to a third graphic content comprising a second textual message representative of the association.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the method further comprises a step of receiving fourth data representing a request to display the warning light initiated by a vehicle user, the warning light display control signaling is triggered by the reception of the fourth data point, the graphic content corresponding to a fourth graphic content comprising: - at least one second graphic object representing a measured pressure for each tire in a set of tires on the vehicle at a time associated with the reception of the fourth data point when the first touch press corresponds to a touch press duration of 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 yet another variant, the process further comprises the following steps: - reception of fifth data points representative of a touch scan on a part of the second zone; - control of display of a fifth graphic content in replacement of the fourth graphic content following the reception of the fifth data, the fifth graphic content comprising a second diagram representing a forecast of a temporal evolution of the pressure for each tire in the set of tires.

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

[0018] According to another variant, the process further comprises the following steps: - reception of seventh data points representing a fourth touch press on the touch screen outside the first and second zones; - control of the display completion of the fourth, fifth, or sixth graphic content following the receipt of the seventh data point; and - control of the end of the display of the signal indicator following the reception of the seventh data point.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle display system, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process 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 the 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 includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process 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 an 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 process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

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

[0025] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, 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 execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 10, in which:

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

[0029] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a vehicle display device of [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a fifth particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a sixth particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a seventh particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig.9] illustrates a device configured to control a display system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Fig. 10] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a process for controlling a vehicle display system of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

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

[0039] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. 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 an embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system embedded in a vehicle is, for example, implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, for example via one or more processors.

[0041] To this end, the display of a warning indicator representing a TPMS system (also called a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) system or function) is controlled so that this warning indicator is displayed within a specific area of ​​a human-machine interface (HMI), shown in the first zone of a touchscreen display in the vehicle's display system. The warning indicator corresponds, for example, to a symbol or pictogram representing the TPMS system, such as a pictogram indicating an alert when underinflation of one or more tires has been detected. The warning indicator is displayed, for example, on a specific page of the HMI, such as the home screen or the default screen of the HMI.

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

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

[0044] Such a method makes it possible to control, via a voluntary action, the display of a set of graphic content including information relating to the inflation status 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's tires and to issue a warning (via the indicator light) if the inflation pressure of at least one tire falls below a predetermined threshold (which depends, for example, on a reference inflation pressure associated with each tire and stored in the system's memory). The pressure measurement is obtained from a set of sensors, for example, pressure sensors located 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 for such a TPMS were published in the Official Journal of the European Union L323 on September 13, 2021.

[0046] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

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

[0048] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system comprising a touchscreen 13 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) from a graphic HMI on the touchscreen 13. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, known as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of the vehicle 10.

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

[0050] The touch screen 13 is configured to display content 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, known as a TPMS system.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment, the display system includes 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 sitting in the seat 15 sees the content displayed or projected onto the transparent blade when the driver is driving the vehicle 10. The display system further includes, for example, a display screen called a combination or instrument panel 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 including the touch screen 13 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, allowing for example the removal of the display screen(s) called instrument cluster or instrument panel.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, together with the IVI computer, form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example, a communication bus of the type CAN data (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0054] An embedded system in the vehicle 10 corresponds to a tire pressure monitoring system for the vehicle 10, called a TPMS system.

[0055] A control process for 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 method of implementing the display control process is described below in support of Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

[0057] A second method of implementing the display control process is described below in support of Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8.

[0058] In a first operation of the process according to the first embodiment and according to the second embodiment, the display of a signal indicator representative of the TPMS system of the vehicle 10 is controlled in such a way that the signal 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 includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure the control and supervision of the vehicle 10. The set of information includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when it is in a driving or traffic phase, i.e. in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10, a rev counter, for example the remaining range (expressed for example in kms), 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 signal indicator 21 on the touch screen 13, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment.

[0061] The warning light 21 corresponds, for example, to a pictogram representing an underinflated tire with an exclamation mark inside the tire, the warning light being, for example, displayed in orange.

[0062] A display control for a signal indicator, graphic content, or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.) includes a rendering of the graphic content or 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 to 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 signal indicator 21 thus includes 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 signal indicator 21 (or any graphic object).

[0064] The display of the signal indicator 21 is controlled so that this signal indicator 21 is displayed in a first determined area of ​​the touch screen 13. According to the particular example of [Fig.2], the first area 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 embodiment of the process, the display of the warning light 21 is triggered by the receipt of data representing a pressure drop detection for at least one tire in the tire set, referred to as second data. This second data is received, for example, by the IVI control unit from the control unit controlling the TPMS system. The TPMS control unit receives 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) tire(s) falls below a threshold (for example, determined relative to a reference pressure associated with each tire), the TPMS system triggers a low-inflation detection alert for the tire(s) in question and transmits the associated information to the IVI control unit in the form of the second data.The second set of data thus represents an underinflation (or pressure drop) alert detected for one or more tires, the second set of data also including, for example, information identifying each tire for which an underinflation alert is generated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0072] The third operation includes, 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 content, specific examples of which are described below with reference to figures 3 to 8. The graphic content is displayed in a second area of ​​the touch screen 13, different from the first area comprising the displayed signal indicator 21.

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

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

[0076] According to the first method of implementing the process, the graphic content corresponds 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 are representative of a touch press 201 said to be brief, that is to say whose duration of pressing 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 representing the vehicle. The first graphic object 31 includes, for example, a graphic identification of each tire that has suffered a drop in pressure or is affected by an underinflation alert, this or these tires being identified in the second data received.

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

[0080] According to one variant, the first graphic object 31 further includes 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 underinflation alert was generated or when the first touch press 201 was made.

[0081] Text message 32 corresponds, for example, to the message automatically displayed when a low tire pressure alert is generated by the TPMS system. This message is automatically displayed for a few seconds on the screen 13 before disappearing automatically. Such a message alerts and informs the driver of the vehicle 10 about the actions to be taken to correct the detected problem. The message corresponds, for example, to the following: "Adjust the tire pressure, then reset."

[0082] Thus, the first touch press allows the message to be displayed again in area 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 allows 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 underinflation.

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

[0084] In a further operation of the process according to the first embodiment, third data points representing 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 the reception 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 area, 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 touch 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 moment of detection of an underinflation state (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 had been 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 beginning of the time interval.

[0088] Diagram 41 includes, for example, a set of pressure curves as a function of time, for example, one curve for each tire. The curve associated with the tire 313 that is the subject of the low inflation warning is, for example, illustrated differently from the other curves (for example, in a particular color such as red or with dashed lines). According to an alternative embodiment, diagram 41 includes only the pressure curve(s) associated with the tire(s) 313 that are the subject of the low inflation warning.

[0089] According to an alternative embodiment of the first method of implementing the process, the graphic content corresponds to a third graphic content 50 (as illustrated in [Fig.5]) when the first touch 201 on the signal indicator corresponds to a so-called long press, i.e. a touch press of duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously and for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms.

[0090] Such a long press resets the pressure value associated with each tire, that is, it resets the reference pressure value associated with each tire 311 to 314 and stored in the memory of the TPMS system's control unit. The reset occurs after the tires have been inflated (by the driver or a mechanic) following a low tire pressure warning.

[0091] Pressing and holding the indicator light 21 triggers the transmission of a request to reset the recorded reference pressure values ​​for each tire to the control unit controlling the TPMS system. Upon receiving the request, the TPMS system measures the current pressure of each The system associates this measured value with each tire as the new reference pressure, which will subsequently be used to detect underinflation 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 specific time frame linked to the receipt of the first representative data from the long press on indicator 21 includes storing this new reference pressure in memory for each tire, for example, in a Look-Up Table (LUT) that associates each tire identifier with the reference pressure value.

[0092] Once the reset is complete, the third graphic content 50 is displayed in the second area of ​​the touchscreen 13. This third graphic content 50 includes, 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 also includes, for example, a specific pictogram or icon associated with the second text message (for example, the "Information" symbol).

[0093] According to the second implementation mode 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 signal indicator 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 representing a pressure measured for each tire in the vehicle's tire set at a time associated with the reception of the fourth data point; and - a first diagram 62 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.

[0096] The second graphic object 61 corresponds, for example, to the first graphic object 31 illustrated in [Fig. 3], that is, a vehicle seen from above with each tire of the vehicle's tire set 10 graphically highlighted. The second graphic object 61 further includes, for example, a pressure value displayed next to each tire, this pressure value corresponding to the pressure value measured for each tire by the TPMS system when the warning light display was required (via the reception of the fourth data point) or when the first data point representing 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 a state of underinflation, unlike the first graphic object 31, the display of the warning light 21 having been requested by the driver of the vehicle 10 and not following a detection of a state of underinflation of a tire.

[0098] The first diagram 62 is, for example, identical or similar to diagram 41 shown in [Fig. 4] and includes, for example, a pressure-time curve for each tire over a predetermined time interval. The duration of the time interval is, for example, a few weeks or a few months. In one 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 TPMS system's human-machine interface), this date then corresponding to the start of the time interval.

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

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

[0101] Receiving the fifth data point triggers the display of a fifth graphic content 70, replacing the fourth graphic content 60, i.e., in the second zone. The fifth graphic content 60 comprises a second diagram 71 representing a forecast of the pressure evolution over time for each tire in the set of tires, for example, from the current moment over a forecast or projection period of a few weeks or months. The forecast for each tire is determined, for example, from a set of parameters such as the pressure at the current moment, 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 predetermined rules or charts, taking the parameter values ​​as input.

[0102] The fifth graphic content 70 includes, for example, a third text message 72 (for example, displayed in an area provided below 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 tire pressure RR and LF in 250 km or 45 days," with RR identifying the right rear tire and LF identifying the left front tire.

[0103] According to an alternative embodiment of the second implementation of the process, the reception of sixth data representing a third touch 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 place of the fifth graphic content 70. The sixth graphic content 80 is illustrated in [Fig. 8] and represents instructions for actions to be implemented to reset the pressure associated with each tire of the tire set 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 a sequence of graphic pages whose scrolling is launched for example following a touch press on the sixth graphic content 80, a new touch press on the displayed content putting for example pause the playback of the video or the sequence of pages which is launched again by a new touch press.

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

[0107] In an additional operation of the second implementation mode of the process, seventh data representing 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 signal indicator 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 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] The reception of the seventh data triggers the end-of-display control of the fourth graphic content 60, the fifth graphic content 70, or the sixth graphic content 80 (according to the graphic content displayed at the time of receipt of the seventh data) and the end-of-display control of the signal indicator 21.

[0109] The content displayed on 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 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 to control the TPMS system and allows a 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 content displayed.

[0111] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a device 9 configured for controlling a vehicle display system, for example, the vehicle 10, and / or for controlling functions implemented by a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of the vehicle, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 9 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, for example, a computer.

[0112] Device 9 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 8 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 10]. Examples of such a device 9 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 9, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 9 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or 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 process and / or for executing instructions from the software 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, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0114] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on 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 (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0116] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 9 includes a block 92 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of block 92 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the 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", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0117] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 9 includes a communication interface 93 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded 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), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

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

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

[0120] In a first step 101, the display of a signal indicator representative of the vehicle's TPMS system is controlled so that this signal indicator is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, known as HMI, displayed in a first area of ​​the touch screen.

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

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

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

[0124] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying warning lights and graphic content representative of a TPMS system, which would include secondary steps without 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-powered 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

Demands

1. Method for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a tire pressure monitoring system, said TPMS system, said display system comprising a touch screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - control (101) of displaying a warning light (21) representative of said TPMS system in a determined content of a human-machine interface, said HMI, displayed in a first area of ​​said touch screen (13); - reception (102) of first data representative of a first touch press (201) on said warning light (21); - control (103) of displaying 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 area of ​​said touch screen (13) different from said first area.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving second data representing a pressure drop detection for at least one tire of said tire set, said second data comprising an identifier of said at least one tire, said display control (101) of the warning 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 touch press (301) on said signal indicator (21), said second touch press being subsequent to said first touch press, the second touch press corresponding to a touch 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) representing 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 according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: - receipt of second data representing a detection of a pressure drop for at least one tire of said tire set, said display control (101) of the warning light (21) being triggered by the reception of said second data, - transmission of a request to associate 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. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving fourth data representing 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) representing a pressure measured for each tire of a set of tires of said vehicle (10) at a time 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) representing 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 associated with the reception of said fourth data.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the following steps: - receiving fifth data representing a touch scan (601) on a part of said second zone; - checking the display of a fifth graphic content (70) in place of said fourth graphic content (60) following the reception of the fifth data, said fifth graphic content (70) comprising a second diagram (71) representing a prediction of a time evolution of the pressure for each tire of said tire assembly.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the following steps: - receiving sixth data representing a third touch press (701) on said fifth graphic content (70); - checking the display of a sixth graphic content (80) in place of said fifth graphic content (70) following the receipt of the sixth data, said sixth graphic content (80) being representative of instructions for actions to be implemented to reset the pressure associated with each tire of said tire set.

8. A method according to claims 5, 6 and 7, further comprising the following steps: - receiving seventh data representing a fourth touch press on said touch screen (13) outside said first zone and said second zone; - checking 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 - checking 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 carrying out 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.