Digital instrument cluster for motor vehicles

Abstract

Instrument cluster (IC) for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of functions; said cluster (IC) comprising a touch display screen (TDC) capable of displaying, in a screen page called nominal (NP), according to a first determined arrangement, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to activated functions among the plurality of functions;Each activated function, in the first arrangement, is presented as a specific graphical object defining a touch control button capable of controlling, by contact of the touch button, the temporary display of at least one additional first 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 all the graphical objects representing the activated functions according to a second specific arrangement. (Figure 4);

Description

Title of the invention: Digital instrument cluster for motor vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates generally to HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces) arranged in the cockpits, or passenger compartments, of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a digital instrumentation unit for motor vehicles 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 (Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Advanced Driver-Assistance System").

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

[0003] Such combined instrumentation units for motor vehicles include a screen for displaying graphic objects relating in particular to driving assistance functions referred to below as AD AS functions.

[0004] They are generally integrated into the vehicle's dashboard and positioned behind the steering wheel in the driver's line of sight, so that the driver 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 instrument clusters can also be configured by the driver of the vehicle who can thus choose at least in part the modules he wants to see displayed on the screen as well as the display style (needle dials similar to analog dials or display in the form of graph bars or numbers translating the value of the quantity concerned) and the ambiance of the instrument cluster (simple with dark coloured lighting background, or sporty with bright coloured lighting background).

[0006] The driver can sometimes also reorganize the information on his instrument cluster 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 are offering more and more AD AS functions that the driver must be able to manage in terms of access, visualization and understanding (display ergonomics).

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

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

[0010] The term "nominal" screen or "nominal" screen page will be used to refer to a screen or screen page displaying the "nominal" content, which is also the page that is displayed by default on the handset.

[0011] Some graphic objects related to AD AS functions remain fixed on the nominal screen of the instrument cluster and if their number becomes significant, 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 consultative (no direct interaction by the user via the handset screen).

[0013] The invention proposes a solution to overcome this drawback by offering an interactive touch-screen digital instrument cluster that displays an additional screen page dedicated to AD AS functions, grouping all the AD AS functions offered by the vehicle's AD AS system and allowing access, from the dedicated page, to more complete information related 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 screen page called nominal, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to activated functions among the plurality of determined functions, according to a first determined display arrangement;each activated function, presented 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 additional first 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 graphic objects representing activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.

[0015] According to one feature, 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 related to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page, with a third determined display arrangement.

[0016] According to another feature, a touch button for accessing status information 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 activation or deactivation status information of the determined functions.

[0017] According to another feature, 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 feature, the display of an additional screen page disappears by contact with the handset screen outside of the additional screen page, to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0019] According to another feature, an additional screen page includes a touch-sensitive page-close button capable, by contact with the touch-sensitive close button, of causing the additional screen page to disappear and returning to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0020] According to another feature, the display of an additional screen page automatically disappears after a predetermined configurable time period to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0021] According to another feature, 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 feature, 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 driver assistance system, called AD AS system and the determined functions are AD AS functions.

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

[0025] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the drawings in which:

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

[0027] [Fig.2] illustrates a selection of a first graphic object of the display arrangement of [Fig.1];

[0028] [Fig.3] illustrates a selection of a second graphic object from the display arrangement of [Fig.1];

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

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

[0031] [Fig.6] illustrates a first mode of selecting a first graphic 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 the selection of the first graphic 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 graphic object from the display layout of [Fig. 1]; and

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

[0037] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a display arrangement on an ECT touchscreen 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 while driving, without impacting driving vision and a determined distance from the driver allowing easy manipulation of the ECT screen surface by one of the fingers of the driver's hand, usually the index finger.

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

[0040] In this example of a display arrangement, the ECT screen displays so-called "nominal" visual content, with basic and mandatory driving information such as vehicle speed WH, fuel level CAR, water temperature TMP, ... as well as information related to certain activated AD AS functions, including lane keeping MDV, cruise control RGV with the setpoint CRG, RAD control of the inter-vehicle distance or time TIV of the adaptive cruise control function, ...

[0041] Information related to the AD AS functions appears on the ECT screen in the form of various graphic objects such as pictograms, numbers for cruise control speed settings, mini-views, or thumbnails, used to illustrate in particular the TIV distance setting for the ACC function, textual information, ...

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

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

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

[0045] By a simple touch of a finger by the user (generally the driver of the vehicle) on one of these touch buttons MDV, RGV RAD: 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 instrument cluster 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 PPS page covers almost the entire surface of the CMB handset's ECT touchscreen for to allow good readability of all graphic objects related to the activated AD AS functions.

[0047] This superimposition is not total but partial, revealing only 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 represented here with a generally oval shape, fitting within the overall rectangular outline of the CMB handset.

[0048] Fig. 5 illustrates in detail the second display arrangement of graphic objects in the first additional screen page PPS, in relation to AD AS functions "activated" and therefore functional on the vehicle, 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 ADAS functions "activated" in this second arrangement are fictitiously represented on [Fig.5], inside a closed contour in dashed line.

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

[0051] Indeed, the purpose of this first additional PPS page, dedicated to 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 PEN screen page.

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

[0053] Indeed, it is important for safety that the display time be as little impactful as possible on driving the vehicle.

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

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

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

[0057] The PMV pictogram dedicated to the "Lane Keeping" function is displayed below 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 as a second IDO thumbnail, above the central HERE thumbnail.

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

[0060] An additional graphic object, here a pictogram representing a PST gear, is displayed on the right side of the PPS page ([Fig. 5]), away from the central thumbnail HERE. This PST graphic object defines a touch button providing access to additional AD AS function settings, including information on enabling or disabling AD AS functions.

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

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

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

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], a second additional DPS screen page 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 spacing (IVS) setting, set here to "far away". An ETX text box, reminding the driver of instructions, is also displayed to the right of the central image IC2.

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

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

[0067] As with the first additional screen page, PPS, the display of the second additional screen page DPS disappears automatically after a predetermined period of time, which can be set, to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN if no touch action is performed on the ECT screen of the CMB handset before the expiry of the predetermined period.

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

[0069] This first closing method consists of making 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 alternative closing method, illustrated in [Fig.9], consists of making a contact following a lateral swiping movement of the contact on the second additional screen page DPS to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN; this is also valid for a first additional screen page PPS.

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

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

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

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

[0075] A graphical representation of a selector with a SEL button in front of the text title of each AD AS function allows visualization of the activation or deactivation state of each of the five AD AS functions.

[0076] In this fourth display arrangement, the actual speeds WH (146 km / h) and regulation setpoint CRG (128 km / h) as well as the graphic object / pictogram PRA are reproduced identically with respect 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 DPS screen page, to focus the USG user's attention solely on the TAB table displayed in the center of the DPS page.

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

[0079] The present invention provides a definite utility by meeting a user need to access a summary of activated driving aids, accessible in one gesture and visible at a glance.

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

[0081] Although the unit 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 unit according to the invention and in particular the functions of an air management system inside the vehicle or "HVAC", an Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning".

Claims

Demands

1. Instrument cluster (IC) for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of specified functions; said cluster (IC) comprising a touch display screen (TDC) capable of displaying, in a screen page called nominal (NP), information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to activated functions from among the plurality of specified functions, according to a first specified display arrangement;each activated function is presented 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 all the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.;

2. Combined (CMB) according to the preceding claim, wherein 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 a second additional page (DPS) related to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page (PPS), with a determined third display arrangement.

3. Combined (CMB) according to claim 1, wherein a touch button (PST) for accessing status information of specified functions of the plurality of specified 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 specified display arrangement and containing activation or deactivation status information of the specified functions.

4. Handset (CMB) according to the preceding claim, wherein touch control 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 any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the screen (ECT) of the handset (CBM) outside of the additional screen page (PPS or DPS), to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

6. Combined (CMB) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) has a touch page close button capable, by contact with the touch close button, of commanding the disappearance of the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

7. Combined (CMB) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) automatically disappears after the expiry of a predetermined configurable time to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

8. Combined (CMB) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 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. Combined (CMB) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) following a lateral sweeping movement of the contact on the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

10. Combined (CMB) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle system is a driver assistance system, referred to as an ADAS system, and the determined functions are ADAS functions.

Images