Method and device for controlling a vehicle image projection system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a system for projecting images of a vehicle following a route (22) determined by a navigation system, the route (22) comprising a roundabout (21) comprising a plurality of exit lanes (200 to 203) including a final exit lane (203) associated with the route (22). For this purpose, data representative of a number of exit lanes from the roundabout (21) between a current position of the vehicle and the final exit lane (203) including said final exit lane (203) are received. A first graphic object is projected in augmented reality onto a glazed surface of the vehicle, the first graphic object being representative of the number of exit lanes with a graphic representation varying as a function of the number of exit lanes. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle image projection system Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an image projection system of a vehicle, in particular but not exclusively a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the display of information relating to guidance instructions for a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting in driving a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Contemporary vehicles mostly have a navigation system configured to calculate a route for the vehicle based on a starting position and an arrival position. Such a navigation system is, for example, integrated into the vehicle or implemented via a mobile communication device such as a smartphone.

[0003] Such a navigation system further generates guidance instructions for the driver of the vehicle so that the latter can follow the calculated route, the guidance instructions being generated as a function of the calculated route and the geographical position of the vehicle.

[0004] Some guidance instructions sometimes lack clarity or are not explicit enough for the driver who may misinterpret these instructions and take the wrong route, particularly in certain particular environments such as roundabouts (also called traffic circles). An error in following the calculated route lengthens the vehicle's journey time to reach its destination, sometimes causes the navigation system to calculate a new route or requires the driver to turn around, which can be dangerous for the vehicle and its passengers as well as for other road users. Summary of the present invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the guidance of a vehicle to follow a route determined by a navigation system.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an image projection system of a vehicle, the vehicle following a route determined by a navigation system on board the vehicle, the navigation system vigation generating a set of guidance instructions for guiding the vehicle along the route, the route comprising a roundabout comprising a plurality of exit lanes, an exit lane of the plurality of exit lanes, called a final exit lane, being associated with the route, the method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving data representative of a number of exit lanes from the roundabout between a current position of the vehicle and the final exit lane including the final exit lane; - control of the image projection system to display a first graphic object in augmented reality, the first graphic object being representative of the number of exit lanes, the first graphic object having a graphic representation varying according to the number of exit lanes, the image projection system being configured to project a set of images representative of the first graphic object onto a glazed surface of the vehicle in a field of vision corresponding to a driving position of the vehicle.

[0008] The use of a projection system projecting the first graphic object onto a glazed surface of the vehicle, for example the windshield of the vehicle, makes it easier for the driver of the vehicle to read the guidance instructions. Furthermore, the first graphic object is provided to indicate to the driver the number of exit lanes from the roundabout between the current position of the vehicle and the exit lane, which allows the driver to anticipate which exit from the roundabout he will have to take to follow the calculated route. The projection of such a first graphic object reduces errors in the interpretation of the guidance instructions by the driver and improves the guidance of the navigation system, thereby reducing route-following errors and increasing the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0009] According to a variant, the first graphic object comprises a number of graphic elements corresponding to the number of output channels.

[0010] According to another variant, the first graphic object is furthermore representative of a first guidance instruction of the set of guidance instructions indicating a direction to be followed by the vehicle in the roundabout up to a determined distance from the final exit lane.

[0011] According to yet another variant, further comprising a step of controlling the image projection system to display a second graphic object in augmented reality, the second graphic object being representative of a second guidance instruction of the set of guidance instructions, the second graphic object being displayed following an end of display of the first graphic object when the vehicle is at the determined distance from the final exit lane, the second guidance instruction corresponding to a guidance instruction towards the final exit lane.

[0012] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of graphic content on a display device of the vehicle, the graphic content comprising a third graphic object different from the first graphic object, the third graphic object being representative of the number of exit lanes.

[0013] According to an additional variant, the graphical content further comprises a fourth graphical object representative of a distance between the vehicle and the roundabout before the vehicle enters the roundabout and at least a fifth graphical object representative of a guidance instruction from the set of guidance instructions.

[0014] According to another variant, the glazed surface corresponds to a windshield of the vehicle.

[0015] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device of a vehicle image projection system, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0016] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0018] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0020] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0021] On the other hand, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by laser beam. self-directed or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0022] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 9, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a portion of the route followed by the vehicle of the [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a display support of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display support of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a second particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display support of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the display support of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the display support of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a fifth particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.8] illustrates a device configured to control a projection system of images of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] [Fig.9] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a image projection system of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0033] A method and device for controlling an image projection system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with reference to figures 1 to 9. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0034] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0035] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a system for projecting images of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, for example via one or more processors. Such a vehicle advantageously carries a navigation system configured to calculate or determine a route for the vehicle and to generate a set of guidance instructions to guide the vehicle along the route. Such a route advantageously comprises one or more roundabouts that the vehicle must cross to follow the calculated route. Each roundabout comprises a plurality of exit lanes, one of these exit lanes (called the final exit lane) being associated with the route, the final exit lane corresponding to the exit lane of the roundabout that the vehicle must take to follow the calculated route.

[0036] For this purpose, data representative of the number of exit lanes from the roundabout between a current position of the vehicle and the final exit lane, this number including the final exit lane, are received, for example from the navigation system as the vehicle moves along a portion of the route including the roundabout.

[0037] The vehicle image projection system is controlled in such a way that a first graphic object is displayed or projected in augmented reality onto a glass surface of the vehicle, for example onto a portion of the windshield or a strip of transparent material positioned in the field of vision associated with a driving position of the vehicle. The first graphic object is advantageously representative of the number of exit lanes with a graphic representation that varies as a function of the number of exit lanes. Thus, the graphic representation of the first graphic object varies as the vehicle moves through the roundabout and as it passes an exit lane until reaching the final exit lane associated with the route it is to follow.

[0038] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and a or several electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example an automobile, a truck, a bus.

[0040] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a display system comprising an image projection system configured to display images comprising one or more graphic objects on a glazed surface of the vehicle 10, for example on the windshield 17 or on a transparent strip 16 rising for example from the dashboard 11, for example behind the dashboard 13 or the steering wheel 14. Such a projection system comprises for example a projector integrated into the dashboard.Such a system for projecting images or graphic content corresponds, for example, to a so-called augmented reality system, called AR (from the English "Augmented Reality"), for example a Head-Up Display system, called VTH or HUD (from the English "Head Up Display" or in French "Display Head High"), which allows the incrustation of virtual objects in the field of vision of the driver seated in the driver's seat 15 in a so-called driving position of the vehicle 10, for example on the windshield 17 of the vehicle 10, so as to superimpose the virtual objects on the real road scene. The projection of the images of the graphic object is for example controlled by one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the computer of the infotainment system, called IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement embargo") of the vehicle 10.

[0041] According to particular embodiments, the display system of the vehicle 10 further comprises one or more screens or display devices such as: - a screen 13 corresponding for example to a screen of the LCD type (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Display à cristals liquide"), for example of the TFT type (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente biologique") and configured to display contents intended for the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10, the screen 13 being arranged in the dashboard 11, in a space provided behind the steering wheel 14 according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle 10 seated in the driver's seat 15, such a screen 13 also being called a handset or dashboard of the vehicle 10; and / or - a screen 12 corresponding for example also to an LCD type screen arranged in a central space of the dashboard 11, such a screen 12 being for example provided with a touch interface to allow the driver or passengers of the vehicle 10 to interact with one or more systems of the vehicle (for example the infotainment system, the navigation system, etc.) via touch commands entered via the touch interface.

[0042] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more embedded systems each controlled by one or more computers, in particular a navigation system. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10.The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles 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).

[0043] The navigation system is also called a navigation and geolocation system, or GNSS system (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System), for example a GPS (Global Positioning System) or Galileo type system, which system is configured to provide the vehicle 10 with data representative of its geographical position at any time, for example in the form of GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) and to calculate or determine a route for the vehicle so that the latter reaches a destination address or position based on a starting address or position (which starting position may correspond to a current geographical position of the vehicle 10 determined automatically by the GNSS system).

[0044] The navigation system is integrated into the vehicle, that is to say that the computer controlling the navigation system belongs to the internal network of computers (also called the on-board system) of the vehicle 10. According to one variant, the navigation system is implemented by a mobile communication device (for example a tablet or a smartphone) embedded in the vehicle 10 connected in communication (wireless or wired) to the network of computers of the vehicle 10. According to this variant, the mobile communication device communicates data with the vehicle 10 for example via a communication system or interface of the vehicle 10 comprising for example one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10.

[0045] A process for controlling the image projection system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors of the display system, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers, for example the IVI system calculator.

[0046] The different operations of the process are described below with reference to figures 2 to 7, according to different examples of implementation of the process.

[0047] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a portion of road environment 20 crossed by the vehicle 10 when the latter follows a route 22 calculated by the navigation system on board the vehicle 10. The route 22 is represented in dotted lines and crosses a roundabout 21.

[0048] A roundabout corresponds to an intersection at which several traffic lanes terminate. Each traffic lane also forms an exit lane from the roundabout when the vehicle 10 is traveling on the roundabout, unless one lane corresponds to a one-way street.

[0049] The roundabout 21 thus comprises a plurality of so-called exit lanes, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 or more exit lanes.

[0050] According to the example of [Fig.2], the roundabout 21 comprises 4 exit lanes 200, 201, 202 and 203. According to the route 22, the vehicle 10 arrives at the roundabout and enters it via the traffic lane 200, follows the route 22 until exiting the roundabout 21 by taking the exit lane 203, which is called the final exit lane of the roundabout 21 and is associated with the route 22 in that it corresponds to the exit lane that the vehicle 10 must take to follow the route 22.

[0051] When the vehicle 10 enters the roundabout 21 (and is located between lane 200 and lane 201, for example at point 222), the final exit lane 203 to be taken to leave the roundabout 21 by following the route 22 corresponds to the third exit lane, the first exit lane corresponding to lane or road 201 and the second exit lane corresponding to lane or road 202.

[0052] The direction of travel along route 22 is indicated by the tip of the arrow at the end of the route shown on lane or road 203.

[0053] Different positions are indicated by solid black circles along the route, namely: - a first position 221 corresponding to a position of vehicle 10 on lane or road 200 before entering roundabout 21; - a second position 222 corresponding to a position of the vehicle 10 on the roundabout 21 when the vehicle 10 is between the lane or road 200 by which it entered the roundabout 21 and the first exit lane 201; - a third position 223 corresponding to a position of the vehicle 10 on the roundabout 21 when the vehicle 10 is between the first exit lane 221 and the second exit lane 202; - a fourth position 224 corresponding to a position of vehicle 10 on roundabout 21 when vehicle 10 is between the second exit lane 202 and the third exit lane 203, at a distance from the third exit lane 203 greater than a threshold distance (for example equal to 10, 15 or 20 m); and - a fifth position 225 corresponding to a position of the vehicle 10 on the roundabout 21 when the vehicle 10 is between the second exit lane 202 and the third exit lane 203, at a distance from the third exit lane 203 less than the threshold distance.

[0054] Figures 3 to 7 each illustrate the result of the display of information intended for the driver of the vehicle 10 at a different position of the vehicle 10 among the positions 221 to 225. [Fig. 3] thus represents the result of the display of guidance information associated with the first position 221, [Fig. 4] represents the result of the display of guidance information associated with the second position 222, [Fig. 5] represents the result of the display of guidance information associated with the third position 223, [Fig. 6] represents the result of the display of guidance information associated with the fourth position 224 and [Fig. 7] represents the result of the display of guidance information associated with the fifth position 225.

[0055] In a first operation of the process, data representative of a number of exit lanes of the roundabout between a current position of the vehicle 10 and the final exit lane 203, including the final exit lane, are received by the computer implementing the process.

[0056] These data are received from the navigation system on board the vehicle 10. When the navigation system corresponds to an integrated system equipping the vehicle 10, these data are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the computers together. When the navigation system is implemented by a mobile communication device, for example in the form of a mobile application, these data are received via a wired connection (for example of the USB type (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or in French “universal serial bus”) or wireless connection (for example of the Bluetooth® or Wifi® type) connecting the wireless communication device to the vehicle 10.

[0057] The data are received as the vehicle 10 moves along the route 22, for example at regular intervals (for example every 100, 200 or 500 ms) automatically or at the request of the computer implementing the process.

[0058] Thus, the number of exit lanes changes as the vehicle 10 moves along the route 22, depending on the current position of the vehicle 10 obtained from the navigation system, in particular when the vehicle 10 enters the roundabout 21.

[0059] When the vehicle 10 is in the first position 221, this number of exit lanes is equal to 3 since the final exit lane 203 corresponds to the third exit at taken by vehicle 10 when the latter enters the roundabout 21. When vehicle 10 is in the second position 222, this number of exit lanes is equal to 3, the exit lanes before the final exit lane 203 being two in number (first exit lane 201 and second exit lane 202), to which number the final exit lane 203 should be added. When vehicle 10 is in the third position 223, this number of exit lanes is equal to 2, the first exit lane 201 having been passed by vehicle 10. Finally, when vehicle 10 is in the fourth position 224 or in the fifth position 225, this number of exit lanes is equal to 1, the first exit lane 201 and the second exit lane having been passed by vehicle 10.

[0060] In a second operation of the process, the image projection system of the vehicle 10 is controlled to project or display a set of images comprising a first graphic object in augmented reality on a glazed surface of the vehicle 10, for example on the windshield 17, in a field of vision corresponding to a driving position of the vehicle 10.

[0061] The driving position of the vehicle 10 corresponds to the position of a driver sitting in the driver's seat 15 and looking straight ahead, i.e. in the direction of travel of the vehicle 10.

[0062] The display of a first graphic object in augmented reality amounts to displaying a virtual graphic object (for example generated by computer) superimposed on the real world visible to the driver of the vehicle 10 through the windshield 17.

[0063] The first graphic object is for example semi-transparent to be both visible to the driver of the vehicle 10 and to not completely mask or obscure the real scene located behind this first graphic object according to the point of view of the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0064] The first graphical object is advantageously representative of the number of exit lanes remaining until reaching the final exit lane, the first graphical object having a graphical representation varying as a function of the number of exit lanes, which number of exit lanes varies as the vehicle 10 moves in the roundabout 21. The number of exit lanes decreases by one each time the vehicle 10 passes an exit lane without using it, until reaching and using the final exit lane 203.

[0065] Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate an example of a graphical representation of such a first graphical object.

[0066] As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the first graphical object comprises a number of graphical elements corresponding to the number of output channels. This number of graphical elements is equal to the number of output channels remaining until reaching the final output channel 203. The number of graphical elements displayed is increments by one each time the number of output channels decrements by one.

[0067] The first graphic object is furthermore representative of a first guidance instruction and indicates or represents a direction to be followed by the vehicle in the roundabout 21 until the vehicle 10 is at a determined distance from the final exit lane 203, this determined distance corresponding to the threshold distance described previously and for example equal to 10, 15 or 20 meters.

[0068] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the result of the projection of image(s) in augmented reality onto a glazed surface of the vehicle 10 such as the windshield 17, according to a particular example of implementation.

[0069] [Fig. 3] corresponds to the result of the projection of a graphic object 30 representative of a guidance instruction of the vehicle 10. The guidance instruction is generated by the navigation system on board the vehicle 10 and the graphic object 30 is generated as a function of this guidance instruction, for example selected from a library of graphic objects each associated with one or more guidance instructions.

[0070] Such a graphic object corresponds to the display obtained when the vehicle 10 is on a traffic lane or road leading to the roundabout 21, that is to say the traffic lane or road 200 according to the example of [Fig.2], the vehicle 10 being approaching the roundabout 21, for example in the first position 221.

[0071] The graphic object 30 corresponds for example to an arrow, an arrowhead or a chevron indicating to the driver of the vehicle 10 that he must follow the road 200 in the direction indicated by the graphic object 30, which is for example displayed or projected in a semi-transparent manner on the part of the windshield 17 (or on a transparent or semi-transparent strip 16) located in the driver's field of vision.

[0072] The graphic object 30 can take other graphic representations, for example that of a pictogram or icon representing a road leading to a roundabout representing the roundabout 21.

[0073] A display or projection control of graphic content or a graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.) comprises a rendering of the graphic content or the graphic object, such rendering corresponding to a set of operations carried out by one or more processors on the pixels of one or more images of the graphic content or the graphic object to be displayed or projected. For example, the rendering consists of associating with a set of pixels of an image pixel data (for example color data expressed in an RGB type space (from the English "Red, Green, Blue" or in French "rouge, vert, bleu")) associated with each graphic object.

[0074] The display control of a graphic object or graphic content thus comprises the transmitting control signals to the projection system or a display device (or screen) of the vehicle 10 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels associated with the graphic object or graphic content.

[0075] According to a particular and optional embodiment, additional information is further displayed on a screen or display device of the vehicle 10 such as the screen 13 or the screen 12. According to a variant, this additional information is projected onto the strip 16 when the graphic object 30 is projected onto the windshield 17.

[0076] This additional information is for example represented using one or more pictograms, icons or text zones and includes for example: - a first piece of information represented by a graphic object, called the fifth graphic object 31, which is representative of a guidance instruction to reach the final exit lane 203 from the entry lane 200 in the roundabout 21: this fifth graphic object 31 corresponds for example to a pictogram representing a route on a roundabout to reach the final exit lane 203 from the entry lane 200 in the roundabout 21; and / or - a second piece of information represented by a graphic object, called the fourth graphic object 32, which is representative of a distance (expressed in meters for example) between the current position of the vehicle 10 and the entry into the roundabout, this fourth graphic object 32 corresponding for example to a text zone; and / or - a third piece of information represented by a graphic object, called the third graphic object 33, which is representative of the number of exit lanes between the current position of the vehicle 10 and the final exit lane (included in the number), i.e. 3 exit lanes according to the example in [Fig.2]: this third graphic object is different from the first graphic object and takes, for example, the form of a numerical value (a positive integer) displayed in a text zone; and / or - a fourth piece of information represented by a graphic object 34, which is representative of a current speed value of the vehicle 10 (expressed for example in km / h) displayed in a text zone; and / or - a fifth piece of information represented by a graphic object 35, which is representative of a speed limit associated with the portion of road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling, the graphic object 35 corresponding for example to a pictogram representing a speed limit traffic sign, this fifth piece of information being for example obtained from a traffic sign recognition system or from map data used by the navigation system.

[0077] Figures 4, 5 and 6 each schematically illustrate the result of the projection of image(s) in augmented reality onto a glazed surface of the vehicle 10 such as the windshield 17 when the vehicle 10 is positioned respectively in the second position 222, the third position 223 and the fourth position 224, according to particular implementation examples.

[0078] Figures 4, 5 and 6 thus each illustrate the result of the projection of the first graphic object 40 onto the windshield 17 when the vehicle 10 is located on the part of the route 22 in the roundabout 21 until reaching a determined distance a position situated at a determined distance (corresponding to the threshold distance) from the final exit lane 203.

[0079] The first graphic object 40 is projected as a replacement for the graphic object 30 described previously with respect to [Fig.3].

[0080] The first graphic object 40 comprises a set of graphic elements whose number corresponds to the number of output channels remaining before reaching the final output channel 203.

[0081] Each graphic element corresponds for example to an arrowhead or a chevron, the graphic elements being arranged so as to indicate a direction to follow on the roundabout 21 and thus representing an instruction for guiding the vehicle 10 on the roundabout 21.

[0082] When the vehicle 10 is in the second position 222, the first graphical object 40 comprises 3 graphical elements ([Fig.4]) corresponding to the number of exit lanes before reaching the final exit lane 203 (and including the final exit lane 203), i.e. the exit lanes 201, 202 and 203.

[0083] When the vehicle 10 is in the third position 223, the first graphic object 40 comprises 2 graphic elements ([Fig.5]) corresponding to the number of exit lanes before reaching the final exit lane 203 (and including the final exit lane 203), i.e. the exit lanes 202 and 203, the vehicle 10 having passed the exit lane 201.

[0084] When the vehicle 10 is in the fourth position 224, the first graphic object 40 comprises 1 graphic element ([Fig.6]) corresponding to the number of exit lanes before reaching the final exit lane 203 (and including the final exit lane 203), i.e. the exit lane 203, the vehicle 10 having passed the exit lanes 201 and 202.

[0085] According to the particular and optional embodiment described with regard to [Fig. 3], additional information is further displayed on a screen or display device of the vehicle 10 such as the screen 13 or the screen 12. According to a variant, this additional information is projected onto the strip 16 when the graphic object 30 is projected onto the windshield 17.

[0086] This additional information corresponds to that described previously, excluding the second information representing the distance to be covered before entering the roundabout 21 since the vehicle 10 is then located on the part route 22 included in roundabout 21.

[0087] According to this particular embodiment, the graphical representation of the third graphical object 33 varies according to the current position of the vehicle 10 to indicate the number of exit lanes remaining before reaching the final exit lane 203 (and including the final exit lane 203). The value indicated by this third graphical object is thus equal to 3 when the vehicle 10 is in the second position 222, to 2 when the vehicle 10 is in the third position and to 1 when the vehicle 10 is in the fourth position 224.

[0088] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the result of the projection of image(s) in augmented reality onto a glazed surface of the vehicle 10 such as the windshield 17 when the vehicle 10 is positioned in the fifth position 225, according to a particular implementation example.

[0089] [Fig.7] illustrates the projection of a second graphic object 70 in augmented reality onto the windshield 17 (or onto the slat 16). This second graphic object 70 is representative of a guidance instruction generated by the navigation system embedded in the vehicle 10. This second graphic object 70 is displayed following an end of display of the first graphic object when the vehicle 10 is at the determined distance from the final exit lane 203, that is to say when the vehicle 10 is at a distance from the final exit lane 203 less than the threshold distance defined previously.

[0090] When the vehicle 10 is at a distance from the final exit lane 203 less than the distance, the second graphic object 70 is displayed in substitution for the first graphic object 40.

[0091] The guidance instruction associated with this second graphic object 70 corresponds to a guidance instruction towards the final exit lane 203, for example to an instruction indicating to the driver that he must turn to his right according to the example of [Fig.7] to take the next exit lane, that is to say the final exit lane 203.

[0092] The graphic representation of the second graphic object 70 is different from that of the first graphic object 40, for example the shape and / or the color of the second graphic object 70 is / are different from the shape and / or the color of the first graphic object 40.

[0093] As illustrated in [Fig.7], the second graphic object 70 comprises for example 2 graphic elements, each corresponding to an arrowhead or a chevron, arranged one behind the other to indicate a direction to follow, the size of each of the graphic elements varying from one graphic element to another.

[0094] Of course, the shape and arrangement of the elements forming the first graphic element 40 and the second graphic element 70 are not limited to the examples described previously but extend to any shape, in particular any shape provided to indicate a main direction to follow.

[0095] For example, the graphic elements forming the second graphic object 70 are displayed flashing, for example one after the other to attract the driver's attention.

[0096] According to the particular and optional embodiment described with regard to figures 3 to 6, additional information is further displayed on a screen or display device of the vehicle 10 such as the screen 13 or the screen 12. According to a variant, this additional information is projected onto the strip 16 when the graphic object 30 is projected onto the windshield 17.

[0097] This additional information corresponds to that described previously, excluding the second information representing the distance to be covered before entering the roundabout 21 since the vehicle 10 is then located on the part of the route 22 included in the roundabout 21.

[0098] According to this particular embodiment, the graphical representation of the fifth graphical object 31 is different from that shown in Figures 3 to 6. When the vehicle 10 has exceeded the threshold distance separating it from the final exit lane 203, the fifth graphical object 31 is representative of a guidance instruction indicating to the driver that he must take the next exit lane on the roundabout 21. According to the example of [Fig.7], this fifth graphical object 31 represents a quarter circle oriented towards the right with an arrow towards the right to indicate exiting at the next exit on the roundabout 21.

[0099] The graphical representation of the third graphical object 33 indicates the value 0 to indicate that the vehicle 10 is about to take the final exit lane 203.

[0100] Alternatively, additional information indicating the distance to be traveled along the route 22 to reach the final exit route is displayed, for example at the location of the first information described with respect to [Fig.3].

[0101] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates a device 8 configured for controlling a projection system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The device 8 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer. The device 8 is for example further configured to control each device forming the display system of the vehicle 10, for example the projection system and each screen or display device of the vehicle 10.

[0102] According to one variant, the device 8 corresponds to a mobile communication device of the smartphone or tablet type.

[0103] The device 8 is for example configured for implementing the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 7 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.9]. Examples of such a device 8 include, but are not limited to, a on-board electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic calculator such as an ECU ("Electronic Control Unit"), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 8, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 8 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0104] The device 8 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 81 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 8. The processor 81 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 8 further comprises at least one memory 82 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0105] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 82.

[0106] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 8 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0107] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 8 comprises a block 84 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 84 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0108] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 8 comprises a communication interface 84 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 840. The communication interface 84 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 840. The communication interface 84 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0109] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 8 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 850, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 860 and / or other peripherals 870 (projection system) via output interfaces 85, 86 and 87 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 8.

[0110] [Fig. 9] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling an image projection system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 8 of [Fig. 8], in particular by one or more processors of such a device 8.

[0111] In a first step 91, data representative of a number of exit lanes of the roundabout between a current position of the vehicle and the final exit lane including the final exit lane are received.

[0112] In a second step 92, the image projection system is controlled to display a first graphic object in augmented reality, the first graphic object being representative of the number of exit lanes, the first graphic object having a graphic representation varying as a function of the number of exit lanes, the image projection system being configured to project a set of images representative of the first graphic object onto a glazed surface of the vehicle in a field of vision corresponding to a driving position of the vehicle.

[0113] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 7 apply to the process steps of [Fig.9].

[0114] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying graphic contents representative of vehicle guidance instructions which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0115] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 8 of [Fig.8] or a display system comprising the device 8 of [Fig.8] connected in communication to a projection system or a screen 13.

[0116] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a mobile communication device and the vehicle connected in wired or wireless communication to the mobile communication device.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of controlling an image projection system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) following a route (22) determined by a navigation system on board said vehicle, said navigation system generating a set of guidance instructions for guiding said vehicle (10) along said route (22), said route comprising a roundabout (21) comprising a plurality of exit lanes (200 to 203), one exit lane of said plurality of exit lanes, called the final exit lane (203), being associated with said route (22), said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (91) data representative of a number of exit lanes of said roundabout between a current position of said vehicle (10) and the final exit lane (203) including said final exit lane (203);- control (92) of said image projection system to display a first graphic object (40) in augmented reality, said first graphic object (40) being representative of said number of exit lanes, said first graphic object (40) having a graphic representation varying as a function of said number of exit lanes, said image projection system being configured to project a set of images representative of said first graphic object (40) onto a glazed surface of said vehicle (10) in a field of vision corresponding to a driving position of said vehicle (10).;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first graphical object (40) comprises a number of graphical elements corresponding to said number of output channels.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first graphical object (40) is further representative of a first guidance instruction of said set of guidance instructions indicating a direction to be followed by said vehicle (10) in said roundabout (21) up to a determined distance from said final exit lane (203).

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of controlling said image projection system to display a second graphical object (70) in augmented reality, said second graphical object (70) being representative of a second guidance instruction of said set of guidance instructions, said second object graphic (70) being displayed following an end of display of said first graphic object (40) when said vehicle (10) is at said determined distance from said final exit lane, said second guidance instruction corresponding to a guidance instruction towards said final exit lane (203).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of controlling the display of graphic content on a display device of said vehicle, said graphic content comprising a third graphic object (33) different from said first graphic object (40), said third graphic object (33) being representative of said number of output lanes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said graphical content further comprises a fourth graphical object (32) representative of a distance between said vehicle (10) and said roundabout (21) before said vehicle (10) enters said roundabout (21) and at least one fifth graphical object (31) representative of a guidance instruction from said set of guidance instructions.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which said glazed surface corresponds to a windshield (17) of said vehicle (10).

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (8) for controlling an image projection system of a vehicle (10), said device (8) comprising a memory (82) associated with at least one processor (81) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (8) according to claim 9.

Images