Method and device for controlling an electric vehicle display system comprising a navigation system with a route planning module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle comprising a navigation system, a charge level warning system and a route planning module, the display system comprising a touch screen (12). For this purpose, first data representative of an activation state of the route planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of the traction battery of the electric vehicle are received. The display of warning messages (21) generated by the warning system on the touch screen (12) is controlled according to the first data, the second data and a result of a comparison between a threshold value of the route planning module and threshold values ​​for triggering the display of the warning messages. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an electric vehicle display system comprising a navigation system with a route planning module Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a display system of an electric 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 alert messages on the charge level of the traction battery of an electric vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting in driving a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The rise of electric vehicles, i.e. vehicles with one or more electric motors powered by a traction battery, has led to the development of new tools to assist drivers of such electric vehicles.

[0003] For example, journey planning tools have emerged to plan a journey by calculating a route taking into account the need to recharge the traction battery with electrical energy using one or more charging stations located along the route. Several criteria are taken into account to calculate the route in addition to the classic criteria for route calculation, which are the starting point and the arrival point of the journey to be made.The new criteria taken into account include the estimated electrical energy consumption on the different sections of the route (for example based on the speed limits associated with these different sections), the geographical location of the different charging stations or even a criterion relating to a minimum limit of the charge level of the traction battery not to be exceeded before planning a new recharge of the traction battery in a charging station.

[0004] These new tools sometimes conflict with existing tools, for example tools for generating alert messages based on determined charge levels reached by the traction battery. These conflicts generate risks for the electric vehicle and its passengers and losses of functionality that are detrimental to the safety of the electric vehicle. 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 management of alerts on the charge level of the traction battery of an electric vehicle.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle, the display system comprising a touch screen, the electric vehicle furthermore carrying an alert system configured to trigger a display of a first alert message and a second alert message on the touch screen as a function of respectively a first threshold value representative of a low charge level of a traction battery of the electric vehicle and a second threshold value representative of a critical charge level of the traction battery, the second threshold value being lower than the first threshold value,the navigation system comprising a route planning module of the electric vehicle for planning a route of the electric vehicle based on location information of a set of charging stations along the route and a third threshold value representative of a determined minimum charge level of the traction battery, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: , - receiving first data representative of an activation state of the journey planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of the traction battery; - controlling the display of the first alert message or the second alert message on the touch screen as a function of the first data, the second data and a result of a comparison between, on the one hand, the third threshold value and, on the other hand, the first and second threshold values.

[0008] Taking into account the comparison between the third threshold value and the first and second threshold values ​​to control the display of the first alert message or the second alert message makes it possible to adapt the operation of the module generating the alert messages to the operation of the journey planning module which takes into account a parameter of a low limit of the charge level not to be exceeded before the next recharge of the traction battery. This makes it possible to alert the driver of the electric vehicle by generating the necessary alert messages even if a conflict exists between the third threshold value on the one hand and the first and second threshold values ​​on the other hand.

[0009] According to a variant, the activation state belongs to a set of activation states comprising: - a first state corresponding to an activated state of the journey planning module; and - a second state corresponding to a deactivated state of the journey planning module.

[0010] According to another variant, when the first data are representative of the second state, the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

[0011] According to another variant, when the first data are representative of the first state and when the third threshold value is greater than the first threshold value, the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

[0012] According to an additional variant, when the first data are representative of the first state and when the third threshold value is less than the first threshold value and strictly greater than the second threshold value, the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches a fourth threshold value lower than the second threshold value.

[0013] According to another variant, the first threshold value is equal to 12% of a total charge capacity of the traction battery, the second threshold value is equal to 5% of the total charge capacity of the traction battery and the fourth threshold value is equal to 3% of the total charge capacity of the traction battery.

[0014] According to an additional variant, when the first data are representative of the first state and when the third threshold value is lower than the second threshold value, the display control comprises triggering a display of a third alert message on the touch screen to alert a user of the vehicle to a risk associated with the third threshold value.

[0015] According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - reception of third data representative of a touch press on an area of ​​the touch screen comprising the display of the first alert message or the second alert message; - selecting a charging station from the set of charging stations corresponding to the charging station closest to a current position of the electric vehicle; and - determining a route to reach the charging station from the current position.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to an electric vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Furthermore, 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 self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0023] 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

[0024] 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 5, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device of the electric vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the electric vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a second particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] illustrates a device configured to control a display system of the electric vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Fig.5] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a display system of the electric vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0030] A method and a device for controlling a display system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 5. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0031] 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.

[0032] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system on board an electric vehicle and comprising a touch screen is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, for example via one or more processors. The electric vehicle has an on-board alert system configured to trigger a display, on the touch screen, of a first alert message as a function of a first value threshold representative of a low charge level of a traction battery of the electric vehicle and a display of a second alert message, on the touch screen, as a function of a second threshold value representative of a critical charge level of the traction battery, the second threshold value being lower than the first threshold value. Such a system is thus configured to trigger the display of the first message when the charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value and the display of the second message when the charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value.The electric vehicle further includes a navigation system comprising a route planning module of the electric vehicle for planning a route of the electric vehicle based on location information of a set of charging stations along the route and a third threshold value representative of a determined minimum charge level of the traction battery. The third threshold value corresponds, for example, to a parameter of the module whose value can be adjusted or chosen by a user, this third threshold value corresponding to the minimum charge level not to be exceeded before recharging the traction battery.

[0033] First data representative of an activation state of the journey planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of the traction battery are received, for example respectively from the computer controlling the module and from a computer controlling the BMS (Battery Management System) of the electric vehicle via one or more data buses. The display of the first message and the second message is controlled as a function of the first data, the second data and a result of a comparison between, on the one hand, the third threshold value and, on the other hand, the first and second threshold values.

[0034] Such a method makes it possible to adjust the control of the display of the first alert message and the second alert message as a function of the values ​​allocated to the first, second and third threshold values.

[0035] [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.

[0036] The vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle comprising one or more electric motors powered by a traction battery. The electric vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus, a utility vehicle.

[0037] The vehicle 10 has a traction battery and a BMS type device or system (from the English “Battery Management System” or in French “Battery control system”) configured to monitor the state of the traction battery and know the electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle 10, at any time. instant. Such a BMS system is for example associated or coupled to the traction battery. Such a BMS system makes it possible to obtain or measure at a given instant 't' the state or level of charge via one or more of the following parameters: - the state of charge, known as SOC (from the English “State of Charge”) or depth of discharge, known as DOD (from the English “Depth of Discharge”) indicating the charge level of the battery; and / or - the voltage: total or of each cell of the battery; and / or - temperature: average temperature, coolant inlet temperature, coolant outlet temperature, temperature of each battery cell; and / or - the state of health, known as SOH (from the English “State Of Health”); and / or - the current (intensity in amperes) in the battery or out of the battery.

[0038] The electric vehicle 10 has a display system comprising one or more screens, for example a screen 12 with a touch interface integrated into the dashboard 11 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical MMI on the touch screen 12. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the electric vehicle 10.

[0039] The touch screen 12 corresponds 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 type (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente biologique”).

[0040] The touch screen 12 is configured to display content intended for the driver and passengers of the electric vehicle 10. The touch screen 12 is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle via a human machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touch screen 12. For example, the screen 12 is configured to interact with the IVI system, a navigation system, a traction battery charge level alert system, etc.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems each controlled by one or more computers. 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 the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) on board the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data between them via one or more several 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).

[0042] The vehicle 10 also carries the following systems or modules: - a navigation and geolocation system, also called a GNSS system (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System), for example a GPS (Global Positioning System) or Galileo type system, such a system being configured to calculate one or more routes based on the current geographic position of the electric vehicle and a destination entered via a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with the navigation system and for example displayed on the touch screen 12; - a battery level alert system, such a system being configured to control the display of one or more alert messages, for example on the touch screen 12, depending on the current charge level (or state) of the traction battery obtained from the BMS system, a determined alert message being displayed under the control of this system when the current charge level reaches a determined threshold value; the alert system is for example configured to trigger the display of a first alert message when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches a first threshold value (for example equal to 12% of the total capacity of the traction battery) and of a second alert message when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches a second threshold value (for example equal to 5% of the total capacity of the traction battery);the alert system is for example associated with the navigation system or included in the navigation system, a touch on a displayed message triggering for example the calculation of a route to the nearest charging station (the geographical positions of charging stations for electric vehicles being for example recorded in the form of POI (from the English “Point Of Interest” or in French “point of interest”) in the mapping data accessible by the navigation system to calculate routes for the electric vehicle 10; and; - a route planning system or module (e.g. associated with the navigation system or included in the navigation system) configured to calculate a route of the electric vehicle based on a starting point and a destination, the route providing one or more intermediate stops at one or more charging stations to recharge the traction battery of the electric vehicle 10 and allow it to reach the destination without the charge level of the traction battery falling below a determined minimum charge level, this determined minimum charge level corresponding to a parameter of the journey planning module, subsequently called the third threshold value; the value associated with this third threshold value is for example adjustable by the driver of the electric vehicle 10 via for example the HMI of the navigation system, this third threshold value cannot for example be lower than a minimum value set by the manufacturer, for example equal to 3% (to avoid excessive discharge of the traction battery);the planning of a journey is obtained by taking into account information representative of the geographical positions of the charging stations for electric vehicles recorded in the mapping data, the electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle 10 or the prediction of the electrical energy consumption as a function of data such as the speed of the electric vehicle along the journey, the topology of the road environment, the season and the associated need in terms of air conditioning or heating of the passenger compartment, etc., the planning of the journey being, according to an alternative embodiment, updated as a function of the actual electrical energy consumption measured along the route calculated for the journey.;

[0043] A process for controlling a display system on board the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example by one or more processors of the computer of an on-board system of the vehicle 10 such as the IVI system.

[0044] In a first operation of the process, first data representative of an activation state of the journey planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of the traction battery are received.

[0045] The first data and the second data are received via one or more data buses, the first data being received from the computer controlling the path planning module and the second data from the BMS system or the computer controlling the BMS system.

[0046] The activation state of the route planning module corresponds, for example, to the following states: - a first state corresponding to an activated state of the journey planning module; and - a second state corresponding to a deactivated state of the journey planning module.

[0047] The activation and deactivation of the journey planning module are for example triggered by an action of the driver of the electric vehicle 10, via an HMI adapted for this purpose (for example via a touch on a graphic object of a content of the HMI associated with the module and displayed on the touch screen or via a physical button provided in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 10). According to another example, the The journey planning module is set by default to the first state (activated state) when the electric vehicle 10 is started, with the transition to the deactivated state following an action by the driver via the HMI.

[0048] When the route planning module is in the first state (activated state), the calculation of a route by the navigation system to reach a destination also takes as additional criteria the management or planning of the recharging of the traction battery in one or more recharging stations along the route to reach the destination, in such a way that the charge level of the traction battery is never lower than the third threshold value (set by default or chosen by the driver of the electric vehicle 10).

[0049] In a second operation of the process, the display of a first alert message or a second alert message is controlled as a function of the first data, the second data and a result of a comparison between on the one hand the third threshold value and on the other hand the first and second threshold values ​​of the alert system of the electric vehicle.

[0050] Controlling the display of an alert message corresponding to the first alert message, the second alert message or any other alert message comprises triggering the display of such an alert message according to one or more triggering (or non-triggering) rules which depend in particular on the first data, the second data and the result of the comparison between the third threshold value and each of the first and second threshold values.

[0051] When the display of an alert message is triggered or controlled via the alert system, such an alert message is displayed in a determined zone 21 of the touch screen 12, as illustrated in [Fig.2] according to a particular exemplary implementation of the invention.

[0052] The alert message corresponds to graphic content comprising text and / or one or more graphic objects (icons, pictograms) illustrating the content of the alert message.

[0053] According to a particular example, the graphic content is for example displayed in a window occupying a part of the display area of ​​the screen 12, this window corresponding for example to a contextual window, also called an intrusive or pop-up window (from the English “pop-up window”). This window is for example displayed in the center of the touch screen 12.

[0054] A display control of a graphic content corresponding to the alert message (as well as any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.)) comprises a rendering of the graphic content, 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 to be displayed on the screen 12. For example, the rendering consists of associating to a set of pixels of an image of pixel data (for example color data expressed in an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) type space) associated with each graphic object of the graphic content.

[0055] The display control of graphic content thus comprises the transmission of control signals to the touch screen 12 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 12 at the location intended to display the graphic content, that is to say at a determined position on the touch screen 12.

[0056] According to a first exemplary embodiment corresponding to a case in which the first data are representative of the second state (i.e. the deactivated state of the journey planning module), the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

[0057] The value associated with the first threshold value is for example equal to 12% of the total energy storage capacity (in kWh) of the traction battery. According to other examples, the value associated with the first threshold value is equal to 15% or 20%.

[0058] The value associated with the second threshold value is for example equal to 5% of the total energy storage capacity (in kWh) of the traction battery. According to other examples, the value associated with the second threshold value is equal to 7% or 10%.

[0059] Thus, according to this first exemplary embodiment, when the journey planning module is deactivated, the first alert message generated by the alert system is displayed on the screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery (obtained from the BMS system) reaches the first threshold value (representing a low charge level of the traction battery) and the second alert message generated by the alert system is displayed on the screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery (obtained from the BMS system) reaches the second threshold value (representing a critical charge level of the traction battery).

[0060] The first alert message is intended to alert the driver of the electric vehicle 10 that a first threshold (called low) has been reached and that it is appropriate to provide for recharging the traction battery of the electric vehicle 10, for example by proposing to the driver to go to a charging station corresponding to the charging station closest to the current position of the electric vehicle 10. The second alert message is intended to alert the driver of the electric vehicle 10 that a second threshold (called critical) has been reached and that it is appropriate to provide for an emergency or without further wait for the traction battery of the electric vehicle 10 to recharge, at the risk of seeing the quantity of energy available in the battery insufficient to reach a charging station or the destination of the journey, for example by offering the driver to reach a charging station corresponding to the charging station closest to the current position of the electric vehicle 10.

[0061] According to a second exemplary embodiment corresponding to a case in which the first data are representative of the first state (i.e. the activated state of the path planning module) and when the third threshold value is greater than the first threshold value, the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

[0062] According to this second exemplary embodiment, the value associated with the third threshold value (and for example set by the driver of the electric vehicle) is greater than the first threshold value (and therefore than the second threshold value which is less than the first threshold value) and the behavior of the alert system remains identical to that of the first exemplary embodiment described previously. If the value associated with the first threshold value is equal to 12%, the value associated with the third threshold value is greater than 12% according to this second exemplary embodiment.

[0063] According to a third exemplary embodiment corresponding to a case in which the first data are representative of the first state (i.e. the activated state of the path planning module) and when the third threshold value is less than the first threshold value and strictly greater than the second threshold value (i.e. the third threshold value is included in the interval delimited by the first and second threshold values, without being equal to the second threshold value, the display control comprises: - triggering a display of the first alert message on the touch screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value; and - triggering a display of the second alert message on the touch screen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches a fourth threshold value lower than the second threshold value.

[0064] This third exemplary embodiment corresponds to a case where the driver has chosen as the third threshold value a threshold value between the second threshold value and the first threshold value. In this case, the operation of the alert system is modified to prevent the first alert message from being displayed before the current charge level reaches the third threshold value. Such behavior could lead to a misunderstanding by the driver if the display of the first alert message proposing to reach a charging station was displayed while the journey planning module had planned a later battery recharge, the current charge level of the battery not having yet reached the third threshold value.

[0065] According to this third exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the alert system is modified so that the first alert message is displayed when the current charge level reaches the second threshold value (which is lower than the third threshold value) and so that the second alert message is displayed when the current charge level reaches a fourth threshold value lower than the second threshold value.

[0066] The fourth threshold value is for example equal to 4% of the total capacity of the traction battery, this value of 3% corresponding for example to an absolute minimum charge level below which the charge of the traction battery must not fall (to avoid any risk of failure of the electrical energy supply to the electric vehicle 10).

[0067] According to this third exemplary embodiment, the display of the first alert message and the second alert message could occur if the stop at the charging station planned by the journey planning module did not occur, for example if the driver missed the planned stop or if the charging station calculated by the journey planning module was closed without the module having been informed.

[0068] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises the following operations following the display of an alert message (for example the first alert message or the second alert message) in the zone 21 of the touch screen: - the reception of third data representative of a tactile press 201 on the zone 21 of the touch screen 12 comprising the display of the first alert message or the second alert message; - the selection of a charging station from a set of charging stations corresponding to the charging station closest to a current position of the electric vehicle 10 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the threshold value for triggering the display of the first alert message or the second alert message; and - determining a route to reach the charging station 32 from the current position 31, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

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

[0070] The third data representative of the tactile support are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the tactile interface of the screen 12 (or a computer controlling such a tactile interface where appropriate) and the IVI computer.

[0071] Touch support corresponds for example to: - a short or brief tactile press where the duration of the press on zone 21 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms); or - a long tactile press where the duration of the press on zone 21 is greater than the threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms); or - a double touch, i.e. two successive touch presses within a given time interval.

[0072] The determination of the nearest charging station is made as a function of the current position of the electric vehicle 10 (obtained from the navigation system) and the geographical location information of the charging stations in the road environment surrounding the vehicle 10. The determination of the route is implemented by the navigation system and further comprises, for example, the display of guidance instructions on the touch screen 12 to reach the charging station 32 selected by the navigation system.

[0073] According to a fourth exemplary embodiment corresponding to a case in which the first data are representative of the first state (i.e. the activated state of the journey planning module) and when the third threshold value is lower than the second threshold value, the display control comprises triggering a display of a third alert message on the touch screen 12 to alert a user of the electric vehicle 10 to a risk associated with this third threshold value.

[0074] This fourth exemplary embodiment corresponds to a scenario where the driver has, for example, chosen as a third threshold value a value equal to 3% or 4%. This value being very low, the display of a third alert message provided in the journey planning module is triggered to alert the driver (and passengers) of the electric vehicle 10 of the risk of a fault in the electrical power supply of the electric vehicle 10, the margin (in terms of quantity of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery) being able to prove very low for reaching the charging station. According to this example, the journey planning module in fact uses this third threshold value as a floor target in the calculation or determination of the charging locations along the journey. With a very low third threshold value, the risk of running into a power supply failure is higher.

[0075] According to this fourth exemplary embodiment, the triggering of the display of the first alert message and the second alert message is deactivated to prevent these alert messages from being displayed by proposing to the driver to reach a charging station selected by the navigation system while the journey planning module has potentially planned a stop at another charging station, taking into account the third threshold value chosen by the driver.

[0076] Such a process makes it possible to make the operation of the charge level alert system controlling the display of alert messages compatible with the option of triggering the calculation of a route to the nearest charging station with the operation of a journey planning module regardless of the values ​​associated with the threshold values ​​for triggering the display of alert messages (i.e. the first and second threshold values ​​according to the examples described previously) and with the threshold value of the journey planning module (i.e. the third threshold value according to the examples described previously).

[0077] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a device 4 configured for the control of a display system of an electric vehicle, for example the electric vehicle 10, and / or for controlling functions implemented by a navigation system associated with an alert system and a journey planning module of the electric vehicle 10, according to particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The device 4 corresponds for example to a device on board the electric vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0078] The device 4 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 3 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.5]. Examples of such a device 4 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 4, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 4 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0079] The device 4 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 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 4. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 4 further comprises at least one memory 41 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or includes a memory storage device which may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0080] 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 41.

[0081] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 4 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.

[0082] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 4 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 42 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”).

[0083] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 comprises a communication interface 43 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) type, or CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) type. flexible data rate”), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0084] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 4 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 440, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 450 and / or other peripherals 460 (projection system) via output interfaces 44, 45 and 46 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 4.

[0085] [Fig. 5] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a display system on board an electric vehicle, for example the electric 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 electric vehicle 10 or by the device 4 of [Fig. 4].

[0086] In a first step 51, first data representative of an activation state of a journey planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of a traction battery of the electric vehicle are received.Such an electric vehicle has a display system comprising a touch screen, the electric vehicle also having an alert system configured to trigger a display of a first alert message and a second alert message on the touch screen as a function of respectively a first threshold value representative of a low charge level of a traction battery of the electric vehicle and a second threshold value representative of a critical charge level of the traction battery, the second threshold value being lower than the first threshold value, the navigation system comprising the route planning module of the electric vehicle for planning a route of the electric vehicle as a function of location information of a set of charging stations along the route and a third threshold value representative of a determined minimum charge level of the traction battery.

[0087] In a second step 52, the display of the first alert message or the second alert message on the touch screen is controlled as a function of the first data, the second data and a result of a comparison between, on the one hand, the third threshold value and, on the other hand, the first and second threshold values.

[0088] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of figures 1 to 3 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.5].

[0089] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying graphic contents generated by a charge level alert system and / or a journey planning module of an electric vehicle which would include secondary stages without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0090] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 4 of [Fig.4] or a display system comprising the device 4 of [Fig.4] connected in communication to a touch screen 12.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle (10), said display system comprising a touch screen (12), said electric vehicle (10) furthermore incorporating an alert system configured to trigger a display of a first alert message and a second alert message on said touch screen (12) as a function of respectively a first threshold value representative of a low charge level of a traction battery of said electric vehicle (10) and a second threshold value representative of a critical charge level of said traction battery (10), said second threshold value being lower than said first threshold value,said electric vehicle (10) further comprising a navigation system comprising a route planning module of said electric vehicle (10) for planning a route of said electric vehicle (10) as a function of location information of a set of charging stations along said route and of a third threshold value representative of a determined minimum charge level of said traction battery, said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (51) first data representative of an activation state of said route planning module and second data representative of a current charge level of said traction battery; - controlling (52) the display of said first alert message or said second alert message on said touch screen (12) as a function of said first data,of said second data and of a result of a comparison between on the one hand said third threshold value and on the other hand said first and second threshold values.,

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said activation state belongs to a set of activation states comprising: - a first state corresponding to an activated state of said path planning module; and - a second state corresponding to a deactivated state of said path planning module.

3. Method according to claim 2, for which, when said first data are representative of said second state, said display control comprises: - triggering a display of said first alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of said second alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

4. Method according to claim 2, for which, when said first data are representative of said first state and when said third threshold value is greater than said first threshold value, said display control comprises: - triggering a display of said first alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering a display of said second alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

5. Method according to claim 2, for which, when said first data are representative of said first state and when said third threshold value is lower than said first threshold value and strictly higher than said second threshold value, said display control comprises: - triggering a display of said first alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the second threshold value; and - triggering a display of said second alert message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches a fourth threshold value lower than the second threshold value.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first threshold value is equal to 12% of a total charge capacity of said traction battery, said second threshold value is equal to 5% of the total charge capacity of said traction battery, and said fourth threshold value is equal to 3% of the total charge capacity of said traction battery.

7. Method according to claim 2, for which, when said first data are representative of said first state and when said third threshold value is lower than said second threshold value, said display control comprises triggering a display of a third alert message on said touch screen (12) to alert a user of said electric vehicle (10) to a risk associated with said third threshold value.

8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising the following steps: - receiving third data representative of a touch press (201) on an area (21) of said touch screen (12) comprising the display of the first alert message or the second alert message; - selecting a charging station (32) in the set of charging stations corresponding to the charging station closest to a current position (31) of said electric vehicle; and - determining a route to reach said charging station (32) from said current position (31).

9. Device (4) for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle (10), said device (4) comprising a memory (41) associated with at least one processor (40) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Electric vehicle (10) comprising the device (4) according to claim 9.

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