Managing the operation of a head-up display system in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing the operation of a head-up display (2) in a motor vehicle to help the driver improve their responsiveness, particularly for faster acceleration. The invention also relates to a computer device (100) implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a device (100). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Management of the operation of a head-up display system in a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of head-up displays for motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method for managing the operation of a head-up display in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a device implementing such a method, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a device. The invention is applicable to motor vehicles such as motor vehicles, particularly cars. Prior art

[0002] It is known that some modern vehicles are equipped with a head-up display that projects useful driving information onto the windshield within the driver's field of vision when their gaze is directed forward. It is also known that some modern motor vehicles allow for driver responsiveness training, particularly to help drivers learn to accelerate more quickly after a stop. However, to enable this, the human-machine interfaces of known vehicles generally present the necessary driver training information on a vehicle screen, for example, on the instrument cluster screen or on an additional screen that is usually located in the center of the vehicle's console between the driver's and passenger's seats.However, this method of displaying training information forces the driver to take their eyes off the road for at least a brief moment, which inevitably compromises driving safety, especially if a pedestrian or any other obstacle suddenly appears in front of the vehicle while the driver's gaze is at that moment directed towards the screen displaying the training information. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to remedy this problem. In particular, it aims to provide a solution enabling a driver of a motor vehicle to train their responsiveness without compromising driving safety. Through this means, the invention aims to enable the provision of more ergonomic and safer motor vehicles.

[0004] In order to achieve these goals, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a management method, using a computer device embedded on board a motor vehicle, of the operation of a vehicle head-up display system, the process comprising the steps of: i. determine whether a command to activate a display mode for driver responsiveness training is entered via a control interface of the head-up display equipment; and where it is established that this is the case, ii. cause at least the display by the head-up display device of a first visual content if the vehicle is moving when said command is entered or, when the vehicle is stationary when said command is entered and when it comes to a stop after said command is entered, the display of a second visual content and then, when the vehicle moves again after the display of said second visual content, the display of a third visual content.

[0005] According to one variant, the first visual content may include at least a first pictogram and at least a first text.

[0006] According to another variant, the first pictogram and / or the first text can (may) be displayed on a plane whose distance from the driver varies according to the current speed of the vehicle.

[0007] According to yet another variant, the second visual content may include a second pictogram and at least a second text.

[0008] According to yet another variant, the second pictogram and / or the second text can (may) be displayed on a plane whose distance varies according to a countdown.

[0009] According to yet another variant, the third visual content may include at least a third pictogram and a third text which are established according to the duration of a time interval which separates the display of the second visual content and a moment at which the vehicle moves again.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for managing the operation of a head-up display device of a motor vehicle, the device comprising at least one information processing unit, including at least one processor, and a data storage medium configured to implement a method as described above.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of a process as described above when said program is executed by at least one processor.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a medium usable in a computer on which a program as described above is recorded.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] is a diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a functional diagram of a device according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the steps of a process according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.4] is an illustration of the implementation of at least one step of the process according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig. 5] is an illustration of the implementation of at least one step of the process according to the invention; and

[0020] [Fig.6] is an illustration of the implementation of at least one step of the process according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. This vehicle is equipped with a head-up display 2, which conventionally allows the display of visual content on the vehicle's windshield, positioned so as to be within the driver's field of vision when the driver is looking at the road ahead. Preferably, the head-up display 2 advantageously allows such visual content to be displayed on one or more planes that appear at a greater or lesser distance from the driver. The vehicle 1 according to the invention also includes a speedometer 3, which conventionally measures the instantaneous speed of the vehicle at any given time, and at least one loudspeaker 4, which allows the broadcasting of sound content in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0022] Advantageously, the vehicle 1 according to the invention further incorporates a device 100 for managing the operation of a head-up display of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as described below, which implements a method for managing the operation of a head-up display of a motor vehicle within the meaning of the present invention, as briefly summarized below and described in detail further down.

[0023] While driving or when the vehicle 1 is stationary, the driver can activate a display mode on the head-up display 2 that allows them to train their reaction time for quicker starts. And when they activate this function, by submitting a command to that effect via a control interface of the head-up display 2, the device 100 according to The invention causes the head-up display 2 to display various visual content, depending on whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion. Advantageously, this displayed visual content frames, in particular, a vehicle start-up sequence 1, thus allowing the driver to practice their reaction time for such a driving phase. In this way, the device 100 according to the invention provides a feature that improves vehicle ergonomics and, by leveraging the display capabilities of the head-up display 2, maximizes driving safety.

[0024] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the device 100 for managing the operation of a head-up display system in a motor vehicle according to the invention. It is essentially a computer device, which includes at least one information processing unit 101, comprising one or more processors, a data storage medium 102, on which is recorded, in particular, a program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the process according to the invention described below, and an input and output interface 103 enabling the reception and transmission of data.

[0025] Preferably, the device 100 according to the invention is housed on an independent computer and interacts via its input and output interface 103 and by means of a wired vehicle communication network (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, MOST) – represented in [Fig. 1] by the double-headed arrows – with the head-up display unit 2, with the speedometer 3, and with the loudspeaker 4. Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention is partially or fully integrated into the head-up display unit 2. As a result, the device 100 according to the invention can, in particular, cause the head-up display unit to display visual content, it can determine the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 1 at any given time, and it can also cause the playback of audio content.

[0026] According to the invention, all the elements described above contribute to enabling the implementation of a method for managing the operation of a head-up display device of a motor vehicle, as described below in relation to figures 3-6.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates, by means of a flowchart, the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0028] According to a first step 301 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention determines whether a command to activate a display mode for driver responsiveness training is received by means of a control interface of the head-up display unit 2. To do this, it interacts with the head-up display unit 2, which preferentially transmits data as soon as when such a command is entered. And when it establishes that such a situation occurs, the device 100 according to the invention then proceeds by carrying out the next step of the process according to the invention described below.

[0029] According to a second step 302 of the method according to the invention, the device 100 according to the invention causes the head-up display to display at least a first visual content if the vehicle is moving when said command is entered. Alternatively, if the vehicle is stationary when the command is entered and comes to a stop after the command is entered, the device 100 according to the invention causes a second visual content to be displayed, and then, if the vehicle starts moving again after the second visual content has been displayed, it causes a third visual content to be displayed.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates the first case, in which the vehicle 1 according to the invention is in motion when the command to activate the display mode for driver responsiveness training is entered. In this situation, it is not possible to train the driver's responsiveness for quicker starts, and the aim is to inform them of this. To this end, the first visual content displayed on the windshield in the driver's field of vision is schematically represented by an eye. This first visual content includes at least one pictogram 41 and one text 42. The first pictogram 41 preferentially indicates the need to reduce the speed of vehicle 1, for example, by means of a semicircle and / or a traffic light. The first text 42 preferentially indicates the current speed of vehicle 1.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, which is preferentially applicable when the head-up display 2 allows information to be displayed on several planes, the first pictogram 41 and / or the first text 42 are displayed on a plane (P1, P2, P3) whose distance from the driver varies according to the vehicle's current speed. For example, as seen in the upper part of the figure, when the vehicle 1 is still traveling at a high speed, the first pictogram 41 and the first text 42 are displayed on a first plane P1. Then, as the vehicle's speed decreases, the first pictogram 41 is displayed on a second plane P2, and then, possibly, on a third plane P3, as seen in the lower part of the figure. This provides the driver with information that reflects their behavior when reducing the vehicle's speed.

[0032] Figure 5 similarly illustrates the second case, in which the vehicle 1 according to the invention is stationary when the command to activate the display mode for driver responsiveness training is entered, and if it comes to a stop after the command is entered (whereas it was previously in (movement). In this situation, driver responsiveness training can begin for quicker starts. To this end, we see, in particular, the second visual element displayed at this stage. It includes at least a second pictogram 51 and a second text 52. The second pictogram 51 takes the form of a traffic light, which, according to a countdown, gradually changes from red to green. The second text 52 describes a starting sequence, i.e., on your marks (AVM), ready (PRT), go (DEP).

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, which is preferentially applicable when the head-up display 2 allows information to be displayed on several planes, the second pictogram 51 and / or the second text 52 is displayed on a plane (PI, P2, P3) whose distance from the driver varies according to a countdown timer. In the illustrated example, only the second text 52 is progressively moved from the plane P3 furthest from the driver (upper part of the figure) to the plane P2 (in the middle), and finally to the nearest plane PI (lower part of the figure). This displays visual content that conveys the increasing urgency of a starting sequence.

[0034] Figure 6 similarly illustrates the third case, in which vehicle 1 moves again after the second visual content is displayed. In this situation, driver responsiveness training for quicker starts is completed. This is achieved, in particular, by displaying the third visual content at this stage. It includes at least a third pictogram 61 and a third text 62. Both are determined based on the duration of a time interval between the display of the second visual content and the moment the vehicle moves again. Specifically, a timer starts at the end of the display of the second visual content (i.e., when the text "DEP" is displayed), and the device 100 according to the invention determines the time elapsed between this display and the moment the driver presses the accelerator pedal, resulting in an increase in the speed of vehicle 1.It determines this instant by interacting with the speedometer 3 or, for example, with a pressure sensor installed on the accelerator pedal of vehicle 1. The third pictogram 61 thus preferentially indicates this duration, which represents a response time, while the third text 62 preferentially indicates the speed of vehicle 1 at the current instant.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, the device 100 of the invention also causes the diffusion of sound content in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 in addition to the visual content described above, by interacting with the loudspeaker 4. Thus, it causes, for example, the diffusion of initial sound content in addition to initial visual content to inform the driver of the need to stop. Similarly, it causes the diffusion a second audio element is introduced to complement the second visual element, using sound to represent the starting sequence. Finally, a third audio element is played to complement the third visual element, providing audible feedback on the driver's performance.

[0036] Thus, thanks to the method and device according to the invention described above, a solution exists to allow a driver to train their responsiveness in a way that does not compromise driving safety. In this way, the method and device according to the invention contribute to the provision of more ergonomic and safer motor vehicles.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing, by means of a computer device (100) on board a motor vehicle (1), the operation of a head-up display device (2) of the vehicle, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: i. determining whether a command to activate a display mode for driver responsiveness training is entered by means of a control interface of the head-up display device; and when it is established that this is the case, ii.cause at least the display by the head-up display device of a first visual content if the vehicle is moving at the time said command is entered or, if the vehicle is stationary when said command is entered and if it comes to a stop after said command is entered, the display of a second visual content and then, if the vehicle moves again after the display of said second visual content, the display of a third visual content.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first visual content includes at least one first pictogram (41) and at least one first text (42).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pictogram (41) and / or the first text (42) are displayed on a plane whose distance from the driver varies according to the current speed of the vehicle.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second visual content comprises a second pictogram (51) and at least one second text (52).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the second pictogram (51) and / or the second text (52) are displayed on a plane whose distance varies according to a countdown.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third visual content comprises at least a third pictogram (61) and a third text (62) which are established as a function of the duration of a time interval separating the display of the second visual content and a moment at which the vehicle moves again.

7. Device (100) for managing the operation of a head-up display device (2) of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that the device comprises at least one information processing unit (101), comprising at least one processor, and a data storage medium (102) configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for carrying out the steps of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when said program is executed by at least one processor.

9. A medium usable in a computer, characterized in that a program according to claim 8 is stored thereon.

10. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a device (100) according to claim 7.

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