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 device for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle comprising a navigation system, a charge level warning system, and a trip planning module, the display system comprising a touchscreen (12). For this purpose, first data representing the activation state of the trip planning module and second data representing the current charge level of the electric vehicle's traction battery are received. The display of warning messages (21) generated by the warning system on the touchscreen (12) is controlled based on the first data, the second data, and the result of a comparison between a threshold value of the trip planning module and threshold values ​​for triggering the display of the warning messages. 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 in an electric vehicle, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention specifically relates to a method and device for controlling the display of warning messages regarding the charge level of the traction battery in an electric vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for assisting the driving of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The rise of electric vehicles, that is to say 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, route planning tools have emerged to plan a journey by calculating a route that takes 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 route calculation criteria, such as the starting point and the destination of the journey to be undertaken.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, and a criterion relating to a minimum limit for the charge level of the traction battery that must not be exceeded before planning a new charging of the traction battery at a charging station.

[0004] These new tools sometimes conflict with existing tools, for example, tools for generating alert messages based on specific charge levels reached by the traction battery. These conflicts create risks for the electric vehicle and its passengers, and result in loss of functionality that is detrimental to the safety of the electric vehicle. Summary of the present invention

[0005] One 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 further incorporating an alert system configured to trigger the display of a first alert message and a second alert message on the touch screen as a function of respectively a first threshold value representing a low charge level of a traction battery of the electric vehicle and a second threshold value representing a critical charge level of the traction battery, the second threshold value being lower than the first threshold value,the navigation system comprising an electric vehicle route planning module to plan an electric vehicle route based on location information for a set of charging stations along the route and a third threshold value representing a determined minimum charge level of the traction battery, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: , - reception of initial data representing an activation state of the route planning module and second data representing a current charge level of the traction battery; - control of display of the first alert message or the second alert message on the touch screen depending on 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 or second warning message allows the operation of the module generating the warning messages to be adapted to the operation of the trip planning module, which takes into account a lower charge level limit parameter that must not 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 warning 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.

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

[0010] According to another variant, when the first data are representative of the second state, the display control includes: - triggering the display of the first alert message on the touchscreen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering the 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 yet 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 includes: - triggering the display of the first alert message on the touchscreen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering the 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 a further embodiment, 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 includes: - triggering the display of the first alert message on the touchscreen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value; and - triggering the 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 yet another variant, the first threshold value is equal to 12% of a total charging capacity of the traction battery, the second threshold value is equal to 5% of the total charging capacity of the traction battery and the fourth threshold value is equal to 3% of the total charging 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 less than the second threshold value, the display control includes triggering the display of a third warning message on the touch screen to alert a vehicle user to a risk associated with the third threshold value.

[0015] According to another variant, the process further comprises the following steps: - reception of third data representative of a touch press on an area of ​​the touch screen including the display of the first alert message or the second alert message; - selection of a charging station from the set of charging stations corresponding to the charging station closest to a current location 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 control device for a display system of an electric vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process 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 includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process 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 an intermediate form 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 process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0022] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, 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 execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached 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 for the electric vehicle of the [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the display device of the electric vehicle of the [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] illustrates a device configured to control a display system of the electric vehicle of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Fig. 5] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of an electric vehicle display system of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

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

[0031] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0032] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system embedded in an electric vehicle and comprising a touchscreen is implemented, for example, by one or more vehicle computers, for example via one or more processors. The electric vehicle incorporates an alert system configured to trigger the display, on the touchscreen, of a first alert message based on a first value A first threshold represents a low charge level in the electric vehicle's traction battery, and a second warning message is displayed on the touchscreen based on a second threshold value representing a critical charge level in the traction battery. This second threshold value is lower than the first. The system is configured to trigger the display of the first message when the traction battery charge level reaches the first threshold value and the display of the second message when the traction battery charge level reaches the second threshold value.The electric vehicle also includes a navigation system comprising a route planning module to plan a route based on location information for a set of charging stations along the route and a third threshold value representing a predetermined minimum charge level for the traction battery. This 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 represents the minimum charge level that must not be exceeded before recharging the traction battery.

[0033] Initial data representing the activation state of the trip planning module and subsequent data representing the current charge level of the traction battery are received, for example, respectively from the control unit controlling the module and from a control unit controlling the BMS (Battery Management System) of the electric vehicle via one or more data buses. The display of the first and second messages is controlled based on the initial data, the second data, and the 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 according to the values ​​allocated to the first, second and third threshold values.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

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

[0037] The vehicle 10 carries a traction battery and a BMS (Battery Management System) device or system configured to monitor the state of the traction battery and to know the electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle 10, at all 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 charge level 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 battery's charge level; 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 or out of the battery.

[0038] The electric vehicle 10 includes a display system comprising one or more screens, for example a touchscreen 12 integrated into the dashboard 11 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) from a graphic HMI on the touchscreen 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 étoilé") of the electric vehicle 10.

[0039] The touch screen 12 corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Display à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (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 organique").

[0040] The touch screen 12 is configured to display content 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 carries one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, together with the IVI computer, form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or several computer buses, for example a CAN data bus communication bus (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers 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] Vehicle 10 also carries the following systems or modules: - a navigation and geolocation system, also called a GNSS (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System) system, for example a GPS type system (from the English "Global Positioning System" or in French "Système de géo-positionnement par satellites") or Galileo, such a system being configured to calculate one or more routes based on the current geographical 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 warning system, such a system being configured to control the display of one or more warning 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 warning message being displayed under the control of this system when the current charge level reaches a determined threshold value; the warning system is, for example, configured to trigger the display of a first warning 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 a second warning 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 or included in the navigation system, a touch press 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 as POIs (Point Of Interest) in the map data accessible by the navigation system to calculate routes for the electric vehicle 10; and; - a route planning system or module (for example, associated with or included in the navigation system) configured to calculate a route for the electric vehicle based on a starting point and a destination, the route including one or more intermediate stops at one or more charging stations to recharge the electric vehicle's traction battery 10 and allow it to reach the destination without the traction battery charge level falling below a determined minimum charge level, this determined minimum charge level corresponding to a parameter of the journey planning module, hereafter referred to as 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 navigation system's HMI, this third threshold value cannot, for example, be less than a minimum value set by the manufacturer, for example equal to 3% (to avoid excessive discharge of the traction battery);Route planning is obtained by taking into account representative information of the geographical positions of electric vehicle charging stations recorded in mapping data, the electric vehicle's electrical energy consumption 10 or the prediction of electrical energy consumption based on data such as the electric vehicle's speed along the route, 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 route planning being, according to one embodiment, updated based on the actual electrical energy consumption measured along the route calculated for the journey.

[0043] A control process for an on-board display system in 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 representing an activation state of the route planning module and second data representing a current charge level of the traction battery are received.

[0045] The first and second data are received via one or more data buses, the first data being received from the computer controlling the trip 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 route planning module; and - a second state corresponding to a deactivated state of the route planning module.

[0047] The activation and deactivation of the route planning module are triggered, for example, by an action of the driver of the electric vehicle 10, via an HMI adapted for this purpose (for example, by touching a graphic object of HMI content associated with the module and displayed on the touchscreen or via a physical button provided in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 10). According to another example, the The route planning module is set by default to the first state (activated state) when the electric vehicle 10 starts, the switch 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 into account, as additional criteria, the management or planning of the charging of the traction battery in one or more charging stations along the route to reach the destination, in such a way that the charge level of the traction battery is never less 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 warning message or a second warning message is controlled according to 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 electric vehicle warning system.

[0050] Controlling the display of an alert message corresponding to the first alert message, the second alert message or any other alert message includes 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 area 21 of the touch screen 12, as illustrated in [Fig.2] according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0052] The alert message corresponds to a 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 displayed in a window occupying part of the display area of ​​the screen 12, this window corresponding, for example, to a pop-up window, also called an intrusive or pop-up window. This window is displayed, for example, in the center of the touch screen 12.

[0054] A display control for graphic content corresponding to the alert message (as well as any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.)) includes rendering the graphic content, such rendering corresponding to a set of operations performed 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, rendering consists of associating to a set of pixels of an image 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 control of displaying graphic content thus includes 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, i.e. at a determined position on the touch screen 12.

[0056] According to a first embodiment corresponding to a scenario in which the first data are representative of the second state (i.e., the deactivated state of the trip planning module), the display control includes: - triggering the display of the first warning message on the touchscreen when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering the 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. In 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. In other examples, the value associated with the second threshold value is equal to 7% or 10%.

[0059] Thus, according to this first embodiment, when the trip planning module is deactivated, the first alert message generated by the alert system is displayed on 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 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 warning message is intended to alert the driver of the electric vehicle 10 when it reaches a first threshold (the low threshold) and that it is necessary to recharge the traction battery of the electric vehicle 10, for example by suggesting that the driver go to a charging station corresponding to the charging station closest to the current position of the electric vehicle 10. The second warning message is intended to alert the driver of the electric vehicle 10 when it reaches a second threshold (the critical threshold) and that it is necessary to plan for immediate or no further action. wait for the traction battery of the electric vehicle 10 to recharge, at the risk of seeing the amount of energy available in the battery insufficient to reach a charging station or the destination of the journey, by offering for example to the driver to join a charging station corresponding to the charging station closest to the current position of the electric vehicle 10.

[0061] According to a second embodiment corresponding to a scenario in which the first data represent the first state (i.e., the activated state of the route planning module) and when the third threshold value is greater than the first threshold value, the display control includes: - triggering the display of the first alert message on the touchscreen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the first threshold value; and - triggering the 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 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 greater than the second threshold value, which is less than the first threshold value), and the behavior of the warning system remains identical to that of the first embodiment described above. 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 embodiment.

[0063] According to a third embodiment corresponding to a scenario in which the first data represent the first state (i.e., the activated state of the route 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 within the interval delimited by the first and second threshold values, but not equal to the second threshold value), the display control includes: - triggering the display of the first alert message on the touchscreen 12 when the current charge level of the traction battery reaches the second threshold value; and - triggering the 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 embodiment corresponds to a scenario where the driver has chosen as the third threshold value a threshold value between the second and first threshold values. In this configuration, the operation The warning system is modified to prevent the first warning message from being displayed before the current charge level reaches the third threshold. Such behavior could lead to driver confusion if the first warning message suggesting a charging station were displayed when the trip planning module had scheduled battery charging for a later date, before the current battery charge level had reached the third threshold.

[0065] According to this third embodiment, the configuration of the alert system is modified so that the first alert message is displayed when the current load level reaches the second threshold value (which is less than the third threshold value) and so that the second alert message is displayed when the current load level reaches a fourth threshold value less 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 electrical power supply to the electric vehicle 10).

[0067] According to this third embodiment, the display of the first warning message and the second warning message could occur if the stop at the charging station planned by the trip planning module did not occur, for example if the driver missed the planned stop or if the charging station calculated by the trip 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 area 21 of the touch screen: - the reception of third data representative of a touch press 201 on the area 21 of the touch screen 12 including 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 or second warning message; and - the determination of a route to reach the charging station 32 from the current position 31, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

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

[0070] The third data representing the touch press are received for example via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen 12 (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

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

[0072] The determination of the nearest charging station is made based on 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 route determination is implemented by the navigation system and includes, 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 embodiment corresponding to a scenario in which the first data are representative of the first state (i.e. the activated state of the trip planning module) and when the third threshold value is less than the second threshold value, the display control includes triggering the display of a third warning 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 embodiment corresponds to a scenario where the driver has, for example, chosen a third threshold value of 3% or 4%. Since this value is very low, a third warning message, provided for in the route planning module, is triggered to alert the driver (and passengers) of the electric vehicle 10 to the risk of a power supply failure. The margin (in terms of the amount of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery) may be very small for reaching the charging station. According to this example, the route planning module uses this third threshold value as a target floor when calculating or determining charging locations along the route. With a very low third threshold value, the risk of experiencing a power supply failure is higher.

[0075] According to this fourth embodiment, the display triggering of the first and second warning messages is deactivated to prevent these warning messages from being displayed by suggesting to the driver that they join a charging station selected by the navigation system when the trip 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 optional ability to trigger the calculation of a route to the nearest charging station with the operation of a route 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 above) and with the threshold value of the route planning module (i.e. the third threshold value according to the examples described above).

[0077] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a device 4 configured for the control of a A display system for 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 route planning module of the electric vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Device 4 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the electric vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0078] Device 4 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 3 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 5]. Examples of such a device 4 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 4, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 4 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or 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 process and / or for executing instructions from the software 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 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) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on 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 (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0082] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 includes a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 42 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the 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", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0083] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 includes a communication interface 43 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded 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 CAN (Controller Area Network) or CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate) type network. flexible data rate”), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

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

[0085] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a display system embedded in an electric vehicle, for example the electric vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in the electric vehicle 10 or by the device 4 of Figure 4.

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

[0087] In a second step 52, the display of the first or second alert message on the touch screen is controlled according to 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 one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 3 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig. 5].

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

[0090] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered 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

1. Demands Method for controlling a display system of an electric vehicle (10), said display system comprising a touch screen (12), said electric vehicle (10) further incorporating an alert system configured to trigger the 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 representing a low charge level of a traction battery of said electric vehicle (10) and a second threshold value representing 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 incorporating a navigation system comprising a route planning module for said electric vehicle (10) to plan a route for said electric vehicle (10) based on location information for a set of charging stations along said route and a third threshold value representing 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 representing an activation state of said route planning module and second data representing a current charge level of said traction battery; - control (52) of displaying said first alert message or said second alert message on said touch screen (12) according to said first data, said second data and 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, said activation state belongs to a set of activation states comprising: - a first state corresponding to an activated state of said route planning module; and - a second state corresponding to a deactivated state of said route planning module, a process whereby when said first data are representative of said first state and when said third value If the threshold is greater than said first threshold value, said display control includes: - triggering the 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 the 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, or when said first data are representative of said first state and when said third threshold value is less than said first threshold value and strictly greater than said second threshold value, said display control includes: - triggering the 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 warning 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, or 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 includes triggering a display of a third warning message on said touch screen (12) to alert a user of said electric vehicle (10) to a risk associated with said third threshold value..;

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, when said first data are representative of said second state, said display control comprises: - triggering a display of said first warning 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 warning message on said touch screen (12) when the current charge level of said traction battery reaches the second threshold value.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said first threshold value is equal to 12% of the total charging capacity of said traction battery, and said second threshold value is equal to 5% of the total charging capacity of said battery traction and said fourth threshold value is equal to 3% of the total charging capacity of said traction battery.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the following steps: - receiving third data representing a touch press (201) on an area (21) of said touch screen (12) including the display of the first or second warning message; - selecting a charging station (32) from 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).

5. 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 carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Electric vehicle (10) comprising device (4) according to claim 5.

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