Digital instrument cluster for motor vehicle

Abstract

Instrument cluster (CMB) for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of functions; said cluster (CMB) comprising a touch display screen (ECT) capable of displaying, in a so-called nominal screen page (PEN), according to a first determined arrangement, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to functions activated among the plurality of functions;each activated function appearing in the first arrangement, in the form of a determined graphic object defining a touch control button capable of controlling, by contact with the touch button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page (PPS) extending substantially over the entire surface of the nominal screen page (PEN), superimposed on the nominal screen page (PEN), dedicated to the display of the activated functions and grouping together all the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined arrangement. (Figure 4);

Description

Title of the invention: Digital instrument cluster for a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates generally to HMIs (Human Machine Interface) arranged in the cockpits, or passenger compartments, of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a digital instrument cluster for a motor vehicle capable of displaying in an organized manner a set of functions of the motor vehicle, in relation to the same system of the vehicle, in particular an AD AS system (an English acronym for "Advanced Driver-Assistance System").

[0002] The terms “instrument cluster”, “instrument cluster” or simply “cluster”, are generally associated with the terms “dashboard” or “instrument panel” or even “cluster”, in Anglo-Saxon terminology.

[0003] Such motor vehicle instrument clusters comprise a screen enabling the display of graphic objects relating in particular to driving assistance functions referred to hereinafter as AD AS functions.

[0004] They are generally integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle, and arranged behind the steering wheel in the driver's line of vision, so that the latter can consult the information displayed on the instrument panel and act on some of it, without having to take his eyes off the road.

[0005] These digital handsets can also be configurable by the driver of the vehicle who can thus choose at least in part the modules that he wishes to see displayed on the screen as well as the display style (dials with needles similar to analog dials or display in the form of bar graphs or numbers translating the value of the quantity concerned) and the ambiance of the handset (sober with dark colored background lighting, or sporty with bright colored background lighting).

[0006] The driver can sometimes also reorganize the information in his instrument panel by emphasizing the functions offered by the AD AS system (AD AS functions), available from a remote control (on or under the steering wheel via a stalk) or via control buttons and / or menus on a central screen (or multimedia screen) of the vehicle.

[0007] AD AS systems are increasingly being developed on motor vehicles and offer more and more AD AS functions that the driver must be able to manage in terms of access, viewing and understanding (ergonomics of the display).

[0008] These functions include in particular adaptive cruise control or “ACC” (Anglo-Saxon acronym for “Adaptive Cruise Control”), keeping the vehicle in its lane, also designated by “LPA” or “LKA” (Anglo-Saxon acronyms glossaxon respectively for "Lane Positioning Assist" and "Lane Keeping Assist"), emergency braking also designated by "AEB" (Anglosaxon acronyms for Automatic Emergency Braking), ...

[0009] Thus, numerous graphic objects (icons, pictograms, thumbnails (or mini views), instructions, speed limit signs, side lines, ACC target, inter-vehicle space or TIV, etc.) representative of each of the activated AD AS functions must be able to find their place on a screen of the small-sized instrument panel, already loaded with the obligatory basic driving information such as the speed of the vehicle, the fuel level, the autonomy of the traction battery, etc. defining a “nominal” content of an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.

[0010] We will hereinafter designate, by “nominal” screen or “nominal” screen page, a screen or a screen page displaying the “nominal” content which is also the page which is displayed by default on the handset.

[0011] Certain graphic objects relating to AD AS functions remain fixed on the nominal screen of the instrument panel and if their number becomes large, they risk overloading the nominal screen and “polluting” the display of other driving information.

[0012] Furthermore, the information displayed in relation to the AD AS functions in the handset is only advisory (no direct user interaction via the handset screen).

[0013] The invention proposes a solution making it possible to overcome this drawback by proposing an interactive touch-sensitive digital instrument cluster allowing the display of an additional screen page dedicated to the AD AS functions, grouping together all of the AD AS functions offered by the AD AS system of the vehicle and making it possible to access, from the dedicated page, more complete information relating to a selected AD AS function.

[0014] To this end, the present invention has as its first object an instrument cluster for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of determined functions; said cluster comprising a touch display screen capable of displaying, in a so-called nominal screen page, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to functions activated among the plurality of determined functions, according to a first determined display arrangement;each activated function appearing in the first arrangement, in the form of a specific graphic object defining a touch control button capable of controlling, by contact with the touch button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page extending substantially over the entire surface of the nominal screen page, superimposed on the nominal screen page, dedicated to the display of the activated functions and re; grouping all the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.

[0015] According to one characteristic, each graphic object corresponding to an activated function, according to the second display arrangement in the first additional screen page, defines a touch control button capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page relating to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page, with a third determined display arrangement.

[0016] According to another characteristic, a touch button for accessing information on the status of determined functions of the plurality of determined functions is further displayed in the second display arrangement of the first additional screen page and is capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page superimposed on the first additional page with a fourth determined display arrangement and containing information on the activation or deactivation status of the determined functions.

[0017] According to another characteristic, touch control buttons are displayed in the fourth display arrangement, respectively opposite the status information, allowing, by contact with one of the touch control buttons, the activation or deactivation of a determined function.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the display of an additional screen page disappears by contact with the screen of the handset outside the additional screen page, to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0019] According to another characteristic, an additional screen page comprises a touch-sensitive page closing button capable, by contact with the touch-sensitive closing button, of controlling the disappearance of the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0020] According to another characteristic, the display of an additional screen page disappears automatically at the end of a configurable determined duration to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0021] According to another characteristic, the display of an additional screen page disappears following a “long” press on the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0022] According to another characteristic, the display of an additional screen page disappears by contact with the additional screen page following a lateral swiping movement of the contact on the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0023] According to another characteristic, the vehicle system is a driving assistance system, called AD AS system and the determined functions are AD AS functions.

[0024] The present invention allows, by a single touch contact on the screen of the handset, to be able to access a maximum of information linked to the AD AS functions by grouping them on a single dedicated page, available at any time and more easily readable.

[0025] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention may emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] illustrates a first arrangement for displaying graphic objects in a page nominal screen of a digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] illustrates a selection of a first graphical object of the display arrangement of [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.3] illustrates a selection of a second graphical object of the display arrangement of [Fig.l];

[0029] [Fig.4] illustrates a first additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.5] illustrates in detail a second arrangement for displaying graphic objects in the first additional screen page of the digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] illustrates a first mode of selecting a first graphical object of the second display arrangement in the additional screen page of [Fig.5];

[0032] [Fig.7] illustrates a third display arrangement in a second additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention after selection of the first graphical object of the second display arrangement;

[0033] [Fig.8] illustrates a first mode of closing the second additional screen page;

[0034] [Fig.9] illustrates a second mode of closing the second additional screen page;

[0035] [Fig. 10] illustrates a selection of a third graphical object of the display arrangement of [Fig.l]; and

[0036] [Fig. 11] illustrates a fourth display arrangement in a second additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention after selection of the third graphic object.

[0037] [Fig.l] illustrates an example of a display arrangement on an ECT touch screen of a CMB instrument cluster for a vehicle according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as “cluster”.

[0038] The substantially flat ECT screen is intended to be arranged in use, in a substantially vertical plane, behind the steering wheel of the vehicle, so as to be visible in the driver's field of vision, without impacting the driving vision and a determined distance from the driver allowing easy manipulation of the ECT screen surface by one of the fingers of one hand of the driver, generally the index finger.

[0039] The ECT screen is generally presented as a touch screen implementing for example a display technology of the TFT LCD (Thin Film Transistor Light-Emitting Diode) type or equivalent of the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) type or even AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED), associated with a touch detection layer and allowing the display of several screen pages.

[0040] In this example of display arrangement, the ECT screen displays so-called “nominal” visual content, with minimum and mandatory basic driving information such as the speed of the vehicle WH, the fuel level CAR, the water temperature TMP, etc., as well as information relating to certain activated AD AS functions and in particular keeping the vehicle in the lane MDV, the speed regulation RGV with the regulation instruction CRG, the control RAD of the inter-vehicle distance or time TIV of the adaptive speed regulation function, etc.

[0041] The information relating to the AD AS functions appears on the ECT screen in the form of various graphic objects such as pictograms, figures for the speed instructions of the regulator, mini-views, or thumbnails, used to illustrate in particular the adjustment of the TIV distance for the ACC function, textual information, etc.

[0042] These graphic objects are as many indicators and visual witnesses capable of informing the driver about the activated AD AS functions and about the adjustment or setting parameters of said AD AS functions.

[0043] According to the present invention, each graphic object related to a specific AD AS function (pictogram or image) defines a touch control button MDV, RGV, RAD related to this specific AD AS function.

[0044] All of these touch buttons MDV, RGV, RAD displayed on the screen of the CMB handset, according to this first determined display arrangement, define overall a touch control interface from the page displayed on the screen ECT of the CMB handset, called the nominal screen page PEN of the CMB handset.

[0045] By simply touching a finger of the user (generally the driver of the vehicle) one of these MDV, RGV RAD touch buttons: image or pictogram relating to one of the AD AS functions, in particular MDV ([Fig.3]), a new first screen page, or first additional screen page PPS ([Fig.4]), dedicated to all the activated and therefore functional AD AS functions, opens (or is displayed) in the CMB handset superimposed on the initial page, or “nominal” screen page PEN with a second display arrangement.

[0046] As in the example illustrated in [Fig.4], the first additional page PPS covers almost the entire surface of the ECT touch screen of the CMB handset for allow good readability of all graphic objects related to the activated AD AS functions.

[0047] This superposition is however not total but partial, only revealing certain parts of the handset's ECT screen and the nominal PEN screen page. In the example considered, the first additional PPS screen page is here represented with a generally oval shape, fitting into the outline of the generally rectangular CMB handset.

[0048] [Fig.5] illustrates in detail the second display arrangement of the graphic objects in the first additional screen page PPS, in relation to “activated” AD AS functions and therefore functional on the vehicle and not all of which are displayed on the nominal screen page PEN due to lack of space in particular.

[0049] The locations of the graphic objects relating to the “activated” ADAS functions in this second arrangement are fictitiously represented in [Fig.5], within a closed outline in broken line.

[0050] In this second display arrangement, the graphic objects are enlarged, in particular the CRG regulation setpoint speed, and arranged between them to give the USG user global information (at a single glance), “quick” and understandable on all the ADAS functions activated on the vehicle.

[0051] Indeed, the purpose of this first additional page PPS, dedicated to the ADAS functions, is not to be displayed as a customization page of the CBM handset but as an information page displayed temporarily and which, once the information has been taken, disappears from the ECT screen of the CBM handset to return to the nominal screen page PEN.

[0052] The display time of the first additional screen page PPS is set by default in the factory, or can be set by the USG user among the imposed determined duration ranges.

[0053] Indeed, it is important for safety that the display duration has the least possible impact on driving the vehicle.

[0054] In the example of the second arrangement, considered in [Fig.5], a thumbnail image ICI relating to the vehicle's adaptive cruise control function (or ACC) is displayed, enlarged, in the center of the PPS page.

[0055] To the right of the central image HERE, we find the actual speed of the WH vehicle (here 146 km / h) and to the left of the central image HERE, the set speed of the CRG cruise control (here 128 km / h).

[0056] The PRA pictogram dedicated to the ACC function (“Regulator activated”) is displayed under the CRG regulator set speed, to the left of the central image HERE.

[0057] The PMV pictogram dedicated to the “Keeping in lane” function is displayed under the actual speed WH, to the right of the central image HERE.

[0058] An AD AS function, not visible on the nominal PEN screen page, concerning the obstacle detection, is displayed in the form of a second IDO image, above the central image ICI.

[0059] Third and fourth IAM images, also not visible on the nominal screen page PEN, respectively representing the blind spot detection function AD AS on the left and right, are displayed respectively on the left and right at the bottom of the central image ICI so as to be aligned with the rearview mirrors of the vehicle virtually represented in the lower part of the central image ICI.

[0060] An additional graphic object, here a pictogram representing a PST cogwheel, is displayed on the right side of the PPS page ([Fig.5]), away from the central image HERE. This PST graphic object defines a touch button allowing access to additional information for setting AD AS functions and in particular information for activating or deactivating AD AS functions.

[0061] The names of each of the AD AS functions and instructions are clearly explained by a TXT text legend displayed near the thumbnails, pictograms or instruction value.

[0062] The pictograms PMV, PRA and PST and the images ICI, IDO, IAM define touch control buttons allowing, by simple contact, the display of a second additional page DPS (described below) containing information relating to an ADAS function, or to several ADAS functions, depending on the touch button activated.

[0063] In a first operating scenario of the first additional PPS screen page, illustrated in [Fig.6], the USG user selects the PRA pictogram relating to the ACC from the first additional PPS screen page, displayed on the ECT screen of the CMB handset, to consult the inter-vehicle space (TIV) setting.

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig.7], a second additional screen page DPS displays a third display arrangement, in which a central image IC2 is displayed in the center of the DPS page, virtually representing a vehicle and information on the inter-vehicle space (TIV) setting, set here to “far”. A text box ETX for reminder of instructions is also displayed to the right of the central image IC2.

[0065] In this third arrangement, the actual WH (146 km / h) and CRG regulation setpoint (128 km / h) speeds as well as the PRA graphic object / pictogram are reproduced identically compared to the second arrangement of the first additional PPS screen page.

[0066] The other graphic objects representing the other activated ADAS functions (PMV lane keeping, IDO obstacle detection, IAM blind spot detection) are not reproduced in the second additional screen page DPS, for focus the USG user's attention only on the information of the AD AS function consulted, displayed in the center of the DPS page (IC2 thumbnail).

[0067] As for the first additional screen page, PPS, the display of the second additional screen page DPS, disappears automatically at the end of a configurable determined duration to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN if no tactile action is carried out on the ECT screen of the CMB handset before the end of the determined duration.

[0068] A first other closing mode for making an additional screen page disappear (first PPS or second DPS page) and returning to the nominal screen page PEN before the expiry of the determined automatic disappearance duration, is illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0069] This first closing mode consists of coming into contact with the ECT screen in an area not covered by the second additional screen page DPS; which is also valid for a first additional screen page PPS.

[0070] A second other closing mode, illustrated in [Fig.9], consists of making a contact following a lateral scanning movement of the contact on the second additional screen page DPS to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN; which is also valid for a first additional screen page PPS.

[0071] A third other closing mode, not illustrated, consists of using a page closing touch button (supporting for example a graphic representation in the form of a cross) displayed on each additional screen page PPS or DPS and capable, by contact with the touch button, of controlling the disappearance of the first or second additional page PPS or DPS to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN.

[0072] Another possibility, not illustrated, consists of making a “long” press on an additional PPS or DPS page to make it disappear from the screen. Unlike a “short” press which is a “furtive” press, a “long” press requires the user's finger to be held USG for at least a determined duration until the PPS or DPS page disappears.

[0073] In a second operating scenario of the first PPS screen page, illustrated in [Fig. 10], the USG user selects the PST graphic object already introduced previously, defining a touch button allowing access to information for activating or deactivating ADAS functions or, to make quick adjustments to certain ADAS functions.

[0074] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 11], the second additional screen page DPS displays a fourth display arrangement in which a central image IC3 is displayed in the center of the DPS page, representing a menu, or table TAB, of functions AD AS with, in the example considered, five AD AS functions: “Traction control”, “Start & Stop”, “Speed limit and recommendation”, “Sign recognition” and “Drowsiness detection”.

[0075] A graphical representation of a SEL button selector in front of the textual title of each AD AS function makes it possible to visualize the activation or deactivation state of each of the five AD AS functions.

[0076] In this fourth display arrangement, the actual WH (146 km / h) and CRG regulation setpoint (128 km / h) speeds as well as the graphic object / pictogram PRA are reproduced identically compared to the second and third display arrangements of the first additional screen page PPS.

[0077] The other graphic objects representing the other activated AD AS functions (PMV lane keeping, IDO obstacle detection, IAM blind spot detection) are not reproduced in the second additional screen page DPS, to focus only the attention of the USG user on the TAB table displayed in the center of the DPS page.

[0078] Optionally, the SEL selection buttons can be tactile and define control buttons for activating or deactivating a specific AD AS function of the TAB table.

[0079] The present invention provides a certain utility responding to a user need to access a summary of the activated driving aids, accessible in a gesture and visible at a glance.

[0080] It also brings modernity, efficiency in gathering information around a specific area, intuitiveness and ease of use (touch support well known to users).

[0081] Although the handset according to the invention has been described by considering the AD AS functions of an AD AS system of a motor vehicle, other vehicle systems with multiple functions and / or settings can be taken into account by a handset according to the invention and in particular the functions of an air management system inside the vehicle or "HVAC", an English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning".

Claims

Claims

1. Instrument cluster (CMB) for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of determined functions; said cluster (CMB) comprising a touch display screen (ECT) capable of displaying, in a so-called nominal screen page (PEN), information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to functions activated among the plurality of determined functions, according to a first determined display arrangement;each activated function appearing in the first arrangement, in the form of a determined graphic object defining a touch control button (MDV, RGV, RAD) capable of controlling, by contact with the touch button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page (PPS) extending substantially over the entire surface of the nominal screen page (PEN), superimposed on the nominal screen page (PEN), dedicated to the display of the activated functions and grouping together all the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.;

2. Handset (CMB) according to the preceding claim, in which each graphic object corresponding to an activated function, according to the second display arrangement in the first additional screen page (PPS), defines a touch control button (PRA, PMV, IAM, ICI, IDO) capable of controlling the display of at least one second additional page (DPS) in relation to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page (PPS), with a third determined display arrangement.

3. Handset (CMB) according to claim 1, in which a touch button (PST) for accessing information on the status of determined functions of the plurality of determined functions, is further displayed in the second display arrangement of the first additional screen page (PPS) and is capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page (DPS) superimposed on the first additional page (PPS) with a fourth determined display arrangement and containing information on the activation or deactivation status of the determined functions.

4. Handset (CMB) according to the preceding claim, in which control touch buttons (SEL) are displayed in the fourth display arrangement, respectively opposite the status information, allowing, by contact with one of the touch control buttons (SEL), the activation or deactivation of a specific function.

5. Handset (CMB) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the screen (ECT) of the handset (CBM) outside the additional screen page (PPS or DPS), to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

6. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) comprises a page closing touch button capable, by contact with the closing touch button, of controlling the disappearance of the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

7. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears automatically at the end of a configurable determined duration to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

8. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears following a “long” press on the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

9. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) following a lateral scanning movement of the contact on the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

10. Handset (CMB) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle system is a driving assistance system, called ADAS system and the determined functions are ADAS functions.

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