Control management of a function for assisting in locating a power supply hatch of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the control, by means of a touch screen (2) of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle (1), of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch (4) concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle (1). The invention also relates to a device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of the control of a function for assisting in locating a power supply hatch of a motor vehicle by means of a touch screen Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of human-machine interfaces for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle, of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle carrying such a device. The invention applies to motor vehicles such as land motor vehicles, in particular cars. State of the prior art

[0002] Until now, drivers of motor vehicles have been informed about the location of the fuel filler flap by means of an illustration of a fuel pump shown on the instrument cluster near the fuel gauge. However, concerns related to the style and comfort of modern vehicles may require the use of a single touch screen arranged in the center console instead. As a result, the traditional information for providing the location of the fuel filler flap is no longer available, and an alternative means must be found to provide this information to drivers in a manner that remains simple and ergonomic. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to satisfy this need. In particular, it aims to provide an alternative solution for informing the driver of a motor vehicle about the location of the vehicle's fuel filler flap, or, more broadly, the location of any flap that conceals equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, for example a socket for connecting the vehicle to a charging station. In this way, the invention aims to improve the ergonomics of human-machine interfaces in motor vehicles.

[0004] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of management, by a computer device on board a motor vehicle, of the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of the vehicle, with a functionality for assisting in locating a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: i. determine whether a button is pressed on a pictogram displayed on the screen which schematically represents an element relating to the vehicle's power supply; and, when it is established that this is the case, ii. cause the broadcast on the screen of visual content indicating the location of the hatch concealing equipment for supplying power to the vehicle.

[0005] According to a variant, the visual content may comprise at least one image of at least one part of the vehicle in which the location of the hatch is indicated.

[0006] According to another variant, the image of at least part of the vehicle can be generated by interacting with a camera of a system for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0007] According to yet another variant, the pictogram may represent a gas pump, a socket, a battery or a cell.

[0008] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium, which are configured to implement a method as described above.

[0009] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended figures, in which:

[0013] [Fig-1] is a diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0014] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention; and

[0015] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] In [Fig.l] a motor vehicle 1 is schematically illustrated according to the invention. This is equipped with a human-machine interface which conventionally comprises a touch screen 2, preferably arranged at the level of the central console of the vehicle 1, on which is displayed a pictogram 3 which schematically represents an element relating to the power supply of the vehicle, for example a fuel pump, a socket, a battery or a cell. The vehicle 1 according to the invention also traditionally comprises a hatch 4 which conceals equipment for supplying the vehicle 1 with power, for example the cap of a fuel tank or a socket for connecting a battery of the vehicle 1 to a charging station. The vehicle 1 according to the invention also comprises a system for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle (eg digital rearview mirrors), which comprises at least one camera 5 making it possible to take a picture and thus generate a digital image in which the hatch 4 is visible.

[0017] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention also incorporates a device 100 for managing the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, of a functionality for assisting in locating a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, as described below, which implements a method for managing the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, of a functionality for assisting in locating a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, as briefly summarized below and described in detail below.

[0018] When implementing the method, the driver can obtain visual content that informs him about the location of the hatch 4, and this in a very easy way since it consists of simply pressing the pictogram 3. Indeed, if the device 100 according to the invention establishes that such a pressing of the pictogram 3 is carried out, as is schematically illustrated in [Fig.l], it then causes the broadcasting on the screen 2 of visual content providing information on the location of the hatch 4. Such visual content comprises, for example, an image of at least one part of the vehicle 1, this being possibly generated by interacting with the camera 5. As will be seen below, it is in this way that the invention advantageously makes it possible to inform the driver of the vehicle 1 according to the invention about the location of the hatch 4 without any instrument cluster being necessary for this.

[0019] The device 100 according to the invention is illustrated in more detail in [Fig. 2]. It is essentially a computer device, which comprises at least one information processing unit 101, with one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded in particular a program which comprises program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 allowing the reception and transmission of data.

[0020] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is integrated into an independent computer and it interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired communication network of the vehicle (e.g. CAN, Ethernet, MOST) - shown in [Fig.l] by the two-way arrows - with the screen 2 of the human-machine interface of the vehicle 1 and with the camera 5 of the system for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is partially or entirely part of the human-machine interface of the vehicle or of the screen 2. Thus, it can, in particular, determine whether a press is made at the pictogram 3 which is displayed on the screen 2, and it can cause the broadcasting of visual content on the screen 2, for example an image generated by interacting with the camera 5 of the system for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0021] According to the invention, all the elements described above combine to enable the implementation of a method for managing the control, by means of a touch screen of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle, of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, as described below in connection with Figures 1 and 3.

[0022] [Fig. 3] illustrates in the form of a flowchart the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0023] According to a first step 301 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether a press is made at the pictogram 3 which is displayed on the screen 2. In other words, the device 100 according to the invention constantly monitors whether a press, for example a short press, is made on the pictogram 3, as is schematically illustrated by means of the hand shown in [Fig.l]. To do this, the device 100 according to the invention preferentially interacts with the human-machine interface of the vehicle, which in turn uses the touch functionalities of the screen 2 in a conventional manner. Alternatively, it interacts directly with the screen 2.

[0024] Thus, thanks to this first step 301 of the method, the control of the functionality for assisting in locating the hatch 3 which conceals equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle 1 is advantageously possible in an extremely simple manner since it consists of the driver simply pressing the pictogram 3. And when it is established that such a press has been made, the device 100 according to the invention proceeds by carrying out the following step of the method according to the invention described below.

[0025] According to a second step 302 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the broadcasting on the screen 2 of visual content providing information on the location of the hatch 4 concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle. According to one embodiment, the visual content thus displayed comprises an image of the vehicle, for example a stylized image of one side thereof in which the location of the hatch 4 is indicated, for example by means of an arrow. According to another embodiment, the device 100 according to the invention interacts with the camera 5 to obtain an image of the side of the vehicle 1 on which the hatch 4 is located, and it inserts into the image obtained a graphic object in order to indicate the location of the hatch 4.

[0026] Thus, at the end of this second step 302 of the method, the driver is advantageously informed about the location of the hatch 4 in a manner that could not be more didactic and ergonomic.

[0027] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, an alternative solution is provided for informing the driver of a motor vehicle about the location of the fuel flap of the vehicle, or, more broadly, the location of any flap which conceals equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, for example a socket for connecting the vehicle to a charging station. By these means, the invention therefore significantly improves the ergonomics of the human-machine interfaces of motor vehicles in terms of the completeness of the information provided, in particular when one has to do without an instrument cluster.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing, by a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the control, by means of a touch screen (2) of a human-machine interface of the vehicle (1), of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch (4) concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle (1), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: i. determining whether a press is made at the level of a pictogram (3) displayed on the screen (2) which schematically represents an element relating to the energy supply of the vehicle; and, when it is established that this is the case, ii. causing the broadcast on the screen (2) of visual content providing information on the location of the hatch (4) concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the visual content comprises at least one image of at least one part of the vehicle in which the location of the hatch (4) is indicated.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the image of at least part of the vehicle is generated by interacting with a camera (5) of a system for monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pictogram (3) represents a fuel pump, a socket, a battery or a cell.

5. Device (100) for managing the control, by means of a touch screen (2) of a human-machine interface of a motor vehicle (1), of a functionality for assisting in the location of a hatch concealing equipment for supplying energy to the vehicle, characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102), which are configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

7. Support usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 6 is recorded therein.

8. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 5.

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