Method and device for controlling an ambient lighting system in a vehicle interior

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle (10). To this end, initial data representing a route determined by a navigation system based on departure and destination information for a journey to be undertaken with the electric vehicle (10) are received. A light intensity is determined based on this initial data. The ambient lighting system is controlled according to the light intensity, with a set of light sources (14) of the ambient lighting system being controlled to illuminate the passenger compartment according to the light intensity. Figure 1 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an ambient lighting system in a vehicle interior. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a method and device for determining a light intensity value to control a set of light sources in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Some modern vehicles are equipped with an ambient interior lighting system. Such a system comprises a set of light sources arranged in one or more areas of the vehicle's interior, for example on the dashboard, center console, armrests, etc. These light sources correspond, for example, to light-emitting diodes, known as LEDs (from the English "Light-Emitting Diode"), or to LED strips.

[0003] The ambient lighting system can be controlled and personalized by a vehicle user, for example by associating a particular color with each potential driver of the vehicle. Further customization is possible, for example by associating a specific light intensity level with each driving mode from a set of driving modes available for the vehicle.

[0004] A problem associated with such an ambient lighting system is the electrical consumption of the light sources used in the passenger compartment, which has an impact on the range of electric vehicles equipped with such a system, the range of the electric vehicle being reduced due to the electrical consumption of these light sources.

[0005] Another problem associated with such an ambient lighting system is the variation in light intensity when the vehicle driver changes driving modes during a single journey, particularly when the changes in driving modes are frequent and close together. The resulting variation in light intensity causes visual discomfort for the driver, which can disrupt their driving, with an associated risk to the safety of the vehicle and other road users. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] An object of the present invention is, for example, to optimize the electrical energy consumption of an ambient lighting system of an electric vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle having a navigation system, the method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving initial data representative of a route determined by the navigation system from departure and destination information of a journey to be made with the electric vehicle; - determination of a light intensity based on the initial data; - control of the ambient lighting system according to the light intensity, a set of light sources of the ambient lighting system being controlled so as to illuminate the passenger compartment according to the light intensity.

[0009] Adjusting the interior lighting intensity according to the vehicle's journey allows the electrical energy consumption of the ambient lighting system's light sources to be adapted to the journey. For example, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of the light sources by lowering the light intensity for a journey requiring a significant amount of electrical energy for the electric vehicle's motor, and conversely, to allow higher energy consumption by increasing the light intensity for a journey requiring less electrical energy for the electric vehicle's motor.

[0010] According to one variant, the luminous intensity is determined as a percentage of a reference maximum luminous intensity.

[0011] According to an additional variant, the maximum reference luminous intensity corresponds to a maximum luminous intensity during the day or to a maximum intensity at night.

[0012] According to yet another variant, the first data are representative of a distribution between different types of road travelled along the route.

[0013] According to an additional variant, the distribution being between two different types of road corresponding to a city road type and a motorway type, the sum of the distribution of the city road type and the motorway type being equal to 100%, the luminous intensity is equal to: - 100% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road above a first threshold value and a percentage of motorway below a second threshold value; - 90% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of urban road between a third threshold value and the first threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the second threshold value and a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being lower than the first threshold value and the fourth threshold value being higher than the second threshold value; - 80% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a fifth threshold value and the third threshold value and a percentage of motorway between a fourth threshold value and a sixth threshold value, the fifth threshold value being lower than the third threshold value and the sixth threshold value being higher than the fourth threshold value; - 70% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a seventh threshold value and the fifth threshold value and a percentage of motorway between a sixth threshold value and an eighth threshold value, the seventh threshold value being less than the fifth threshold value and the eighth threshold value being greater than the sixth threshold value; - 60% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a ninth threshold value and the seventh threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the eighth threshold value and a tenth threshold value, the ninth threshold value being lower than the seventh threshold value and the tenth threshold value being higher than the eighth threshold value; - 50% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road below the ninth threshold value and a percentage of motorway above the tenth threshold value.

[0014] According to an additional variant, the first threshold value is equal to 80%, the second threshold value is equal to 20%, the third threshold value is equal to 60%, the fourth threshold value is equal to 40%, the fifth threshold value is equal to 40%, the sixth threshold value is equal to 60%, the seventh threshold value is equal to 20%, the eighth threshold value is equal to 80%, the ninth threshold value is equal to 5% and the tenth threshold value is equal to 95%.

[0015] According to another variant, the ambient lighting system is further controlled according to second data representative of an electric vehicle driving mode selected from a set of electric vehicle driving modes, the set of light sources of the ambient lighting system being controlled so as to illuminate the passenger compartment in a different color according to each driving mode of the set of driving modes, the light intensity being identical for each driving mode of the set of driving modes.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment 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.

[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 3, 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] illustrates a device configured to control an ambient lighting system for the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a Ambient lighting system for the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle of [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiment examples

[0028] A method and a device for controlling an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.

[0029] 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.

[0030] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle is implemented by one or more vehicle computers, for example via one or more processors. The electric vehicle includes a traction battery powering one or more electric motors. In the remainder of the description, reference will be made to an electric motor, the expression "an electric motor" being used to designate one or more electric motors. An electric vehicle corresponds to a vehicle powered solely by an electric motor or to a hybrid vehicle, plug-in or not, incorporating a combustion engine and an electric motor.

[0031] Initial route data is determined, via an on-board navigation system of the electric vehicle, from the starting and destination information of a journey to be undertaken with the electric vehicle. This initial data includes, for example, data representing the distribution, for example as a percentage, of the mileage traveled by type of road used along the route. A light intensity is determined based on this initial data. The light intensity value thus determined is used to control the ambient lighting system by controlling a set of light sources (for example, LEDs) positioned in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle according to the determined light intensity.

[0032] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle comprising one or more electric motors powered by a traction battery or to a hybrid vehicle comprising one or more electric motors and a combustion engine, also called a heat engine. The electric vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus, a utility vehicle.

[0034] The electric vehicle 10 includes 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 any given time. Such a BMS system is, for example, associated or coupled with the traction battery.

[0035] The vehicle 10 incorporates one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers 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 of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10.Computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0036] The electric vehicle 10 includes, in particular, a navigation and geolocation system, also called a GNSS (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System) 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 a starting point, corresponding for example to a current geographical position of the electric vehicle 10, and a destination of a journey to be traveled with the electric vehicle 10. The destination, and potentially the starting point, are entered via a human-machine interface (HMI) associated with the navigation system and for example displayed on a screen 12, for example a touchscreen, of the electric touchscreen vehicle 10, which screen 12 is for example arranged in the dashboard 11 of the electric vehicle 10.

[0037] The electric vehicle 10 also includes an ambient lighting system to illuminate the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 10, or certain areas thereof, according to a predetermined lighting ambiance. The ambient lighting system comprises This effect is achieved by a set of 14 light sources, each configured to emit light according to a set of parameters controlled by the computer controlling the ambient lighting system.

[0038] The light source(s) 14 consist of a single light source or a set of light sources of any type known to those skilled in the art. To reduce the power consumption of this light source(s) 14, they may, for example, be light-emitting diodes, known as LEDs, configured to emit light in several colors, for example RGB LEDs (Red, Green, Blue), that is to say, an assembly of LEDs comprising one LED configured to emit red light, one LED configured to emit green light, and one LED configured to emit blue light. Each light source 14 comprises one or more LEDs, for example, arranged in the form of an LED strip.

[0039] By way of example, the light sources are arranged in the passenger compartment at the level of: - the dashboard 11, for example on the part of the dashboard near the windshield of the electric vehicle 10; and / or - the center console; and / or - the pavilion; and / or - the doors; and / or - the seats; - etc.

[0040] The set of light sources 14 is controllable according to a set of parameters, that is to say, the light sources 14 are controllable to control their light emission according to one or more parameters such as: - the luminous intensity, for example expressed in candelas (cd); and / or - the color, for example the color defined in a specific color space such as the RGB color model or the CMYK color model (from the English "Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black" or in French "cyan, magenta, jaune, noir"); and / or - the color temperature, for example expressed in Kelvin (K).

[0041] A process for controlling the ambient lighting system of the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example by one or more processors of the computer controlling the ambient lighting system and / or of the computer controlling the navigation system.

[0042] In a first operation of the process, initial data representative of a route are calculated or determined from departure and destination information of a journey to be taken with the electric vehicle 10.

[0043] The departure and destination information for the journey to be taken is entered, for example, via an HMI of the navigation system, for example via the touch interface of screen 12.

[0044] The departure and destination information correspond, for example, to representative coordinate data such as longitude / latitude (e.g., GPS coordinates), address, and destination name (e.g., the name of a point of interest such as a cultural site or a store referenced in map data used by the navigation system). In one embodiment, the departure and destination information is retrieved from lists of departure and destination points stored in the memory of the electric vehicle 10. In yet another embodiment, the departure information corresponds to the current position of the electric vehicle 10, automatically obtained from a GPS-type geolocation system receiver associated with the navigation system of the electric vehicle 10.

[0045] The route data calculated by the navigation system includes data describing the portions or sections of road forming the route, as known to a person skilled in the art.

[0046] The first data are calculated or determined from this route data and correspond, for example, to data representing a distribution between different types of roads traveled along the route. This data is obtained, for example, from information or attributes associated with each road segment of the calculated route, describing the type of road or environment traversed.

[0047] The initial data thus provides, for a calculated route, the percentage represented by each type of road in the calculated route. The roads or road segments are, for example, classified into two groups, each corresponding to a type of road: - a first group (or first class) corresponding to the type known as "city road"; and - a second group (or a second class) corresponding to the so-called "highway" type.

[0048] The first group thus includes, for example, all types of roads other than motorways, while the second group includes only motorways (a motorway corresponding to a wide, double-carriageway road reserved for motor vehicles, protected, without intersections or level crossings).

[0049] The percentage associated with each group is calculated by determining the distance traveled (in km) along the roads of the route classified in the group considered in relation to the total distance (in km) of the route.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the roads or sections of road are classified into more than 2 groups, the distribution of the distance travelled being made for all the groups, these groups including for example all or part of the following groups, according to all possible combinations: - a group for motorways; and - a group for national roads; - a group for departmental roads; - a group for local roads; - a group for roads in towns or urban areas.

[0051] The sum of the distribution between the different road type groups is equal to 100%.

[0052] In a second operation, the first data is received from the navigation system, i.e. the first data is received by the computer controlling the ambient lighting system from the computer controlling the navigation system, for example via one or more data buses linking these computers.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the control unit for the ambient lighting system receives the route data calculated by the navigation system. According to this embodiment, the control unit for the ambient lighting system determines the initial data from the received route data, as described in the first operation.

[0054] In a third operation of the process, the computer controlling the ambient lighting system determines a light intensity based on the first data.

[0055] The light intensity value is determined according to a set of rules determined according to the distribution of the mileage to be covered according to the different types of road along the calculated route.

[0056] The luminous intensity is for example determined as a percentage of a reference maximum luminous intensity value corresponding to the maximum luminous intensity value of the luminous flux emitted by the set of light sources 14.

[0057] This maximum reference light intensity takes different values, for example, depending on whether the control of the light sources 14 is implemented during the day or at night. The day and night periods are determined, for example, from data received from a light sensor installed in the electric vehicle 10, such a sensor being, for example, located in the base of the central interior rearview mirror of the electric vehicle. The light intensity value of the external environment The light intensity measured by this sensor is compared to a predetermined threshold value. This threshold value represents the light intensity level that marks the transition from day to night or vice versa. Thus, when the measured light intensity value is lower than the threshold value, the associated time of day is night, and when the measured light intensity value is higher than the threshold value, the associated time of day is day.

[0058] According to this example, the maximum reference luminous intensity takes: - a first value (in candela) corresponding to the maximum daytime light intensity; and - a second value (in candela) corresponding to the maximum nighttime light intensity value, the second value being lower than the first value so as not to disturb the driver of the electric vehicle 10 with the ambient lighting of the light sources 14 when the journey is made at night.

[0059] According to a particular embodiment, the luminous intensity is determined according to the following set of rules, being equal to: - 100% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road above a first threshold value and a percentage of motorway below a second threshold value; - 90% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a third threshold value and the first threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the second threshold value and a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being lower than the first threshold value and the fourth threshold value being higher than the second threshold value; - 80% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a fifth threshold value and the third threshold value and a percentage of motorway between a fourth threshold value and a sixth threshold value, the fifth threshold value being lower than the third threshold value and the sixth threshold value being higher than the fourth threshold value; - 70% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a seventh threshold value and the fifth threshold value and a percentage of motorway between a sixth threshold value and an eighth threshold value, the seventh threshold value being less than the fifth threshold value and the eighth threshold value being greater than the sixth threshold value; - 60% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road between a ninth threshold value and the seventh threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the eighth threshold value and a tenth threshold value, the ninth threshold value being lower than the seventh threshold value and the tenth threshold value being higher than the eighth threshold value; - 50% of the maximum reference light intensity when the route includes a percentage of city road below the ninth threshold value and a percentage of motorway above the tenth threshold value.

[0060] Of course, the invention is not limited to the rules for determining light intensity described below but extends to any set of rules configured to determine a light intensity value to control a set of light sources 14 as a function of characteristics of a route, in particular as a function of the distribution of road types followed along the route.

[0061] The first threshold value is, for example, equal to 80% and the second threshold value is, for example, equal to 20% (the sum of the first threshold value and the second threshold value being thus equal to 100%); the third threshold value is, for example, equal to 60% and the fourth threshold value is, for example, equal to 40% (the sum of the third threshold value and the fourth threshold value being thus equal to 100%); the fifth threshold value is, for example, equal to 40% and the sixth threshold value is, for example, equal to 60% (the sum of the fifth threshold value and the sixth threshold value being thus equal to 100%); the seventh threshold value is, for example, equal to 20% and the eighth threshold value is, for example, equal to 80% (the sum of the seventh threshold value and the eighth threshold value being thus equal to 100%);the ninth threshold value is for example equal to 5% and the tenth threshold value is for example equal to 95% (the sum of the ninth threshold value and the tenth threshold value thus being equal to 100%). ;

[0062] According to other examples, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth threshold values ​​are respectively equal to 90%, 10%, 70%, 30%, 50%, 50%, 30%, 70%, 10% and 90% or any other values.

[0063] According to the rules described above, the calculated light intensity is adapted to the characteristics of the route and the types of roads or environments encountered. According to these rules, the light intensity value is higher when the percentage of roads in urban areas is high and the percentage of highways is low. This is because the electrical energy consumption of the electric motor of the electric vehicle 10 is higher on highways (where the speed of the electric vehicle 10 is high, potentially reaching 130 km / h in France, for example) than in urban areas where speed limits are lower than on highways.Reducing the light intensity on routes with more motorway reduces the amount of electrical energy consumed by light sources 14, which helps to preserve the range of the electric vehicle 10 when the electrical energy needs of the electric vehicle 10 are high due to the type of roads followed along the calculated route.

[0064] In a fourth operation of the process, the ambient lighting system is controlled according to the light intensity determined or calculated in the third operation, such control including the control of the set of light sources 14 of the ambient lighting system so as to illuminate the passenger compartment according to the light intensity determined or calculated in the third operation.

[0065] For this purpose, the computer in charge of controlling the ambient lighting system transmits one or more control signals to each of the light sources 14 so that the light emitted by each of these light sources is according to the light intensity determined or calculated in the third operation.

[0066] Controlling the light intensity emitted by each light source 14 corresponds, for example, to controlling the supply voltage of each light source 14. When the light sources 14 have the same characteristics, all the light sources are controlled with the same supply voltage to obtain ambient lighting with the same light intensity for each light source 14.

[0067] According to a particular embodiment, the ambient lighting system is further controlled based on second data representing a driving mode of the electric vehicle 10 selected from a set of driving modes. According to this embodiment, the set of light sources 14 of the ambient lighting system is controlled so as to illuminate the passenger compartment in a different color for each driving mode within the set of driving modes, the light intensity being identical regardless of the driving mode selected.

[0068] By way of example, the set of driving modes available for the electric vehicle 10 includes: - an economical driving mode, called eco mode; - a standard driving mode; - a sporty driving mode; and - one or more customizable driving modes.

[0069] Selecting a driving mode allows certain vehicle parameters to be set differently, such as damping system parameters, steering parameters, engine control parameters (e.g., limiting maximum permitted acceleration values), which allows the vehicle's road behavior 10 and / or energy consumption to be modified, the latter increasing according to the driving mode (minimum consumption for economy mode and maximum consumption for sport mode).

[0070] Each driving mode is associated, for example, with a particular color, either by default or according to the driver's choice. For example, the color red is associated In sport driving mode, the color is blue; in standard driving mode, the color is green; in economy driving mode, the color is green.

[0071] According to this embodiment, if the ambient lighting color varies depending on the driving mode selected by the electric vehicle driver, the light intensity will be identical regardless of the selected driving mode and calculated as described above with regard to the first, second, and third steps of the process. This ensures a constant light intensity in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 10 during a single journey, even if the driver changes driving modes during the journey; only the lighting color varies according to the selected driving mode.

[0072] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured to control an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, for example, the electric vehicle 10. The device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the electric vehicle 10, for example, a computer.

[0073] According to a particular embodiment, the device 2 is further configured to control the navigation system of an electric vehicle, for example the electric vehicle 10.

[0074] Device 2 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite [Fig. 1] and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 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 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 2 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0075] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0076] 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 21.

[0077] According to various specific and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 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.

[0078] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 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").

[0079] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which allows communication to be established with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0080] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. In one variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into device 2.

[0081] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of an ambient lighting system for the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, for example the electric vehicle 10, the electric vehicle equipped with a navigation system, 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 2 of [Fig. 2].

[0082] In a first step 31, initial data representing a route determined by the navigation system from departure and destination information of a journey to be taken with the electric vehicle are received.

[0083] In a second step 32, a light intensity is determined based on the first data.

[0084] In a third step 33, the ambient lighting system is controlled according to the light intensity, a set of light sources of the ambient lighting system being controlled so as to illuminate the passenger compartment according to the light intensity.

[0085] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.1] apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.3].

[0086] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling light intensity in a vehicle interior that would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0087] The present invention also relates to an ambient lighting system for a vehicle interior, the system comprising device 2 of [Fig.2].

[0088] The present invention also relates to an electric vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising device 2 of [Fig.2] or the ambient lighting system.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for controlling an ambient lighting system in the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle (10), said electric vehicle (10) having a navigation system, said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31) initial data representing a route determined by said navigation system from departure and destination information of a journey to be traveled with said electric vehicle (10); - determining (32) a light intensity based on said initial data; - controlling (33) said ambient lighting system based on said light intensity, a set of light sources (14) of said ambient lighting system being controlled so as to illuminate said passenger compartment according to said light intensity.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light intensity is determined as a percentage of a reference maximum light intensity.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said maximum reference luminous intensity corresponds to a maximum daytime luminous intensity or a maximum nighttime intensity.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first data are representative of a distribution between different types of road traveled along said route.

5. A method according to claim 4 depending on one of claims 2 and 3, wherein said distribution being between two different types of road corresponding to a type of urban road and a type of highway, the sum of the distribution of the urban road type and the highway type being equal to 100%, said luminous intensity is equal to: - 100% of said maximum reference luminous intensity when said route comprises a percentage of urban road greater than a first threshold value and a percentage of highway less than a second threshold value; - 90% of said maximum reference luminous intensity when said route comprises a percentage of urban road between between a third threshold value and the first threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the second threshold value and a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being lower than the first threshold value and the fourth threshold value being higher than the second threshold value; - 80% of said maximum reference light intensity when said route includes a percentage of road in town between a fifth threshold value and the third threshold value and a percentage of motorway between the fourth threshold value and a sixth threshold value, the fifth threshold value being lower than the third threshold value and the sixth threshold value being higher than the fourth threshold value;- 70% of said maximum reference luminous intensity when said route includes a percentage of urban road between a seventh threshold value and a fifth threshold value and a percentage of motorway between a sixth threshold value and an eighth threshold value, the seventh threshold value being lower than the fifth threshold value and the eighth threshold value being higher than the sixth threshold value; - 60% of said maximum reference luminous intensity when said route includes a percentage of urban road between a ninth threshold value and a seventh threshold value and a percentage of motorway between an eighth threshold value and a tenth threshold value, the ninth threshold value being lower than the seventh threshold value and the tenth threshold value being higher than the eighth threshold value;- 50% of said maximum reference light intensity when said route includes a percentage of urban road below the ninth threshold value and a percentage of motorway above the tenth threshold value.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first threshold value is equal to 80%, the second threshold value is equal to 20%, the third threshold value is equal to 60%, the fourth threshold value is equal to 40%, the fifth threshold value is equal to 40%, the sixth threshold value is equal to 60%, the seventh threshold value is equal to 20%, the eighth threshold value is equal to 80%, the ninth threshold value is equal to 5% and the tenth threshold value is equal to 95%.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said ambient lighting system is further controlled according to second data representative of a driving mode of said electric vehicle (10) selected from a set of driving modes of said electric vehicle (10), said set of light sources of said ambient lighting system being controlled so as to illuminate said passenger compartment in a different color according to each driving mode of said set of driving modes, said light intensity being identical for each driving mode of said set of driving modes.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when such instructions are executed by at least one processor.

9. Device (2) for controlling an ambient lighting system of an electric vehicle interior, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Electric vehicle (10) comprising device (2) according to claim 9.

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