Method and device for controlling a vehicle's front windshield washer system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle's front windshield washer system, comprising a touchscreen (13). For this purpose, an indicator representing the front windshield washer system is displayed on the touchscreen (13) according to a first graphical representation (21). A command to activate the system is transmitted following a touch (201) on the indicator. The indicator is displayed according to another graphical representation based on data representing a current operating state of the system received from a system controller in response to the activation command. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle, in particular but not exclusively a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and device for controlling the display of information relating to the vehicle's front windshield washer system. Technological background

[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with a front windshield washer system configured to wash the vehicle's windshield. Such a system includes, in particular, one or more windshield washer fluid nozzles associated with one or more motorized windshield wipers, as well as a reservoir for the windshield washer fluid and a pump to circulate the windshield washer fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle(s).

[0003] The front windshield washer system is controlled by manually operating a control device generally located on the vehicle's steering wheel. Such a control device corresponds, for example, to a stalk switch under the steering wheel or a control module. The same stalk switch or module is generally used to control different vehicle systems or components, for example, to control the windshield wiper system, the windshield washer system, and the turn signals on one side of the vehicle. Control of several components or systems.

[0004] Controlling the front windshield washer system via the stalk or control module is therefore sometimes complicated and unintuitive, as the visibility of the control element located on the stalk or control module is reduced due to the location of this stalk or module which is behind and / or under the steering wheel.

[0005] Manipulating the control switch or control module also generates safety risks for the vehicle, as the driver's attention to activating the windshield wash via the front windshield washer system may be reduced due to this complexity and / or poor visibility. 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 improve the control or command of a front windshield washer system of a vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to minimize the loss of driver attention and to improve vehicle safety.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - control of display of an indicator representing the front windshield washer system on the touch screen, the indicator being, according to a first graphic representation, representative of a deactivated state of the front windshield washer system; - reception of initial data representing a touch on the indicator according to the first graphic representation; - transmission of second data representing a command to activate the front windshield washer system to a controller of the front windshield washer system, the transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first data; - reception of third data points representing a current operating state of the front windshield washer system from the controller, with the transmission of these third data points by the controller being triggered by the controller's reception of the second data points; and - control of the indicator display according to another graphic representation different from the first graphic representation based on the third data, the other graphic representation being representative of the current operating state of the front windshield washer system.

[0010] Direct use of the indicator light associated with the front windshield washer system to activate the windshield wash allows the driver to control the windshield washer system from the vehicle's touchscreen interface, thus eliminating the need for the steering wheel controls. Controlling the windshield washer system is therefore simpler and more intuitive than using the steering wheel controls, thereby improving the driver's focus on the road and enhancing the safety of the vehicle and other road users. Furthermore, feedback on the current status of the windshield washer system is provided to the driver via the indicator light display, using a specific graphic representation, which improves the user experience when controlling the windshield washer system.Centralizing controls on the touchscreen also eliminates the need for a physical control unit for the windshield washer system, thus reducing vehicle design and manufacturing costs.

[0011] According to one variant, the other graphical representation corresponds to: - a second graphical representation when the third data points are representative of an activated state of the front windshield washer system; - a third graphical representation when the third data points represent a malfunction of the front windshield washer system, the third graphical representation being different from the second graphical representation; and - a fourth graphical representation when the third data are representative of an empty state of a windshield washer fluid reservoir of the front windshield washer system, the fourth graphical representation being different from the second graphical representation and the third graphical representation.

[0012] According to one variant, the indicator is displayed according to the second graphic representation for a determined duration corresponding to an activation time of the front windshield washer system triggered by the controller upon receipt of the second data.

[0013] According to another variant, the indicator is displayed according to the first graphic representation, the third graphic representation or the fourth graphic representation following a deadline of the duration determined according to fourth data representative of a new current operating state of the front windshield washer system received from the controller.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the determined duration is equal to 3 seconds.

[0015] According to yet another variant, the process further comprises a control step activation of a windshield washer fluid nozzle and windshield wiper when the third data points are representative of the activated state of the front windshield washer system.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a front windshield washer system of a 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 a 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 a program is recorded computer including 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 7, in which:

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

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a display device for the vehicle of [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 vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the display device of the vehicle in [Fig.1], according to a fourth particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.6] illustrates a device configured to control a front windshield washer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a front windshield washer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0032] A method and a control device for a front windshield washer system of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.

[0033] 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.

[0034] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of a front windshield washer system (also called a front windshield washer system) of a vehicle is implemented by one or more vehicle control units, in particular by one or more processors of this or these control units. The vehicle also includes a display system comprising a touchscreen interface, referred to as a touchscreen, controlled by a control unit, for example the vehicle's infotainment system control unit, referred to as an IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) control unit.

[0035] To this end, the display of an indicator light is controlled by the IVI control unit so that this indicator light is displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen according to an initial graphic representation representing a deactivated state of the front windshield washer system. Initial data representing a touch on the indicator light is received from the touchscreen interface, for example, when a user touches the touchscreen at the indicator light's display location. Following the receipt of this initial data, the control unit transmits second data representing a command to activate the front windshield washer system to a front windshield washer system controller.In response to this second set of data, the control unit receives third data representing a current operating state of the windshield washer system from the front windshield washer system controller. This current operating state corresponds to the operating state at the moment the second set of data is received, or to the operating state triggered by the receipt of the second set of data. The IVI control unit then controls the indicator display on the touchscreen using a different graphic representation than the first. This alternative graphic representation is based on the third set of data and represents the current operating state of the system. front windshield washer, which corresponds for example to the activated state, to a state representative of a malfunction or to a state representative of the empty state of the windshield washer fluid reservoir (also called windshield washer fluid).

[0036] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0038] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a so-called windshield washer system configured to wash or clean the windshield of the vehicle 10 via the action of one or more windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid projected onto the windshield by one or more nozzles adapted for this purpose.

[0039] The vehicle 10 includes a display system comprising a touchscreen 13 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) from a graphic HMI on the touchscreen 13. 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 vehicle 10.

[0040] The touch screen 13 corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage 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").

[0041] The touchscreen 13 is configured to display content for the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10. The touchscreen 13 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 touchscreen 13. For example, the screen 13 is configured to interact with the IVI system and / or the front windshield washer system of the vehicle 10.

[0042] According to a particular embodiment, the display system includes one or more other screens, for example a screen of a device or system called a head-up display, corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade arranged in such a way that a driver sitting in the seat 15 sees the content displayed or projected onto the transparent blade when the driver is driving the vehicle 10. The display system further includes, for example, a display screen called a combination or instrument panel and generally arranged in an area 12 behind the steering wheel 14 in the dashboard 11.

[0043] According to a particular embodiment, the display system including the touch screen 13 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, allowing for example the removal of the display screen(s) called instrument cluster or instrument panel.

[0044] The vehicle display system 10 is connected in communication with the front windshield washer system of the vehicle 10, for example the computer in charge of the display system (for example the IVI computer) is connected in communication to the computer (also called controller) in charge of the front windshield washer system via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network.

[0045] A control process for the front windshield washer system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example one or more processors of the IVI computer and / or one or more processors of the computer or controller in charge of the front windshield washer system.

[0046] In a first operation of the process, the display of a representative indicator of the front windshield washer system is controlled in such a way that the indicator is displayed on the touch screen 13. The indicator is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen 13.

[0047] As illustrated in [Fig. 2] according to a particular embodiment, the indicator is displayed according to a first graphic representation 21, which represents a deactivated state of the front windshield washer system. The state of the front windshield washer system is said to be deactivated when the windshield cleaning operation of the vehicle 10 is not in progress, and no windshield washer fluid is being sprayed onto the windshield.

[0048] The deactivated state corresponds for example to the default state when starting the engine and / or when switching on the vehicle's on-board network 10.

[0049] The indicator is, for example, displayed in an area 211 corresponding to an upper band of the screen. Area 211 corresponds, for example, to an area known as the status bar, which is intended for displaying a set of indicators and information that remain displayed regardless of the content displayed in the rest of the touchscreen 13. The indicators displayed in area 211 include, for example, other wireless connection indicators (e.g., wireless local area networks such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®) and the information displayed includes, for example, the time, the outside temperature, information about the vehicle's climate control system 10, etc.

[0050] The content displayed in the rest of the touchscreen 13 includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver for ensuring the control and supervision of the vehicle 10. This set of information includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when it is in a driving or traffic phase, i.e., in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10, a rev counter, for example the remaining range (expressed for example in kms), the distance traveled, a volume or level of fuel remaining in the tank when the vehicle 10 includes a thermal engine, the charge level of the traction battery when the vehicle 10 carries a traction battery, etc.

[0051] The indicator corresponds to a graphic object or pictogram whose representation varies according to the operating state of the front windshield washer system.

[0052] The first graphic representation 21 representing the deactivated state represents for example a windshield with a jet of windshield washer fluid and a windshield wiper.

[0053] A display control of a witness, graphic content or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.) includes a rendering of the graphic content or graphic object, 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 13. For example, the 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.

[0054] The indicator display control thus includes the transmission of control signals to the touch screen 13 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 13 at the location intended to display the indicator (or any graphic object).

[0055] The display of the indicator is triggered, for example, by the reception of data from the windshield washer system controller, in particular data representative of the current state of the windshield washer system.

[0056] In a second operation of the process, first data representing a touch 201 on the indicator displayed according to the first graphic representation 21 are received, following a touch 201 by a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the indicator.

[0057] A touch press on the indicator sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements one or more functions associated with the command corresponding to the touch press.

[0058] The first representative data of the touch press are received for example via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

[0059] A touch press corresponds to a short or brief touch press in which the duration of the press on the indicator is less than a threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms). According to one embodiment, a touch press corresponds to a long touch press in which the duration of the press on the indicator is greater than the threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0060] In a third operation of the process, the IVI computer transmits second data representing a command or request to activate the front windshield washer system to the front windshield washer system controller, the transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first data by the IVI computer.

[0061] The touch press on the indicator according to the first graphic representation 21 thus corresponds to a command intended to control the front windshield washer system, and more particularly to require the activation of the front windshield washer system and trigger the windshield cleaning whenever the user, for example the driver, wishes to do so.

[0062] Such a means of control via the touch interface of screen 13 is a simple and user-friendly way which improves the user experience.

[0063] The second data is transmitted by the IVI computer to the controller via one or more data buses of the vehicle's on-board network 10 linking these computers.

[0064] In a fourth operation of the process, the IVI computer receives third data representing a current operating state of the front windshield washer system in response to the activation command or request, this third data being received from the front windshield washer system controller.

[0065] The current operating state indicated by the third data received corresponds to one of the following operating states: - an activated state when the activation command has succeeded and is executed without error by the front windshield washer system controller, the activation of the front windshield washer system comprising a set of windshield cleaning operations with the activation of the front windshield washer system pump to circulate the windshield washer fluid from the washer fluid reservoir to the nozzle(s) projecting the washer fluid onto the windshield and the activation of the windshield wiper motor(s) to activate the windshield wipers while the washer fluid is being projected and after the projection has ended for a specified duration (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 seconds); or - a state corresponding to a malfunction of the front windshield washer system, for example a malfunction of one or more of the components of the front windshield washer system, the third data point being, for example, representative of a fault code; or - an empty state of the window cleaner reservoir when the level or quantity of window cleaner remaining in the reservoir is less than a threshold, or when the quantity of window cleaner remaining is equal to 0.

[0066] In a fifth operation of the process, the IVI control unit controls the display of the indicator so that the indicator is displayed according to another graphical representation This differs from the first graphical representation 21, which is a function of the third data received during the fourth operation. The other graphical representation thus represents the current operating state of the front windshield washer system as indicated by the third data.

[0067] The witness according to the other graphic representation is displayed in the same location on the touch screen 13 as that of the witness according to the first graphic representation 21. The witness according to the other graphic representation thus replaces the witness according to the first graphic representation 21.

[0068] The other graphical representation corresponds to: - a second graphic representation 31 as illustrated by a particular example on [Fig.3] when the third data are representative of an activated state of the front windshield washer system: the second graphic representation 31 corresponds for example to the same pictogram as that of the first graphic representation 21 but with a different color (for example, a change from the color grey corresponding to the first graphic representation 21 to the color green corresponding to the second graphic representation 31) and / or with a transition between a fixed display (corresponding to the first graphic representation 21) to a flashing display (corresponding to the second graphic representation 31); - a third graphical representation 41 as illustrated by a particular example in [Fig. 4] when the third data points represent a malfunction of the front windshield washer system, the third graphical representation being different from the second graphical representation: the third graphical representation 41 corresponds, for example, to the same pictogram as that of the first graphical representation 21 but with a different color from those of the first and second graphical representations (for example, a change from the color gray corresponding to the first graphical representation 21 to the color red or orange corresponding to the second graphical representation 31); and - a fourth graphic representation 51 as illustrated by a particular example on [Fig.5] when the third data are representative of an empty state of the windshield washer fluid reservoir of the front windshield washer system, the fourth graphic representation being different from the second graphic representation and the third graphic representation: the fourth graphic representation 51 corresponds for example to a red or orange color pictogram representing a windshield with a jet of windshield washer fluid and liquid at the bottom of the windshield.

[0069] When the indicator is displayed according to the second graphic representation 21, the IVI control unit monitors the display of this indicator so that the indicator remains displayed according to the second graphic representation for a predetermined duration corresponding to the activation duration of the front windshield washer system, i.e., the duration during The activation time of the windshield washer system is defined as the duration for which it remains activated before switching to another operating state. This activation time corresponds, for example, to the length of time washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield via the nozzle(s) (pump activation time). A specific activation time might be 3 seconds. Other examples might include 2, 4, or 5 seconds.

[0070] The process further includes the activation control of the windshield washer nozzle(s) (i.e., activation of the pump) and the activation of the windshield wiper(s) (i.e., activation of the wiper motor(s)) when the third data are representative of the activated state of the front windshield washer system.

[0071] When the specified time has elapsed or ended, the IVI control unit controls the indicator display so that it is displayed according to the new current operating state of the front windshield washer system after the activated state, i.e.: - according to the first graphic representation 21 when the front windshield washer system remains operational but returns to the deactivated state; or - according to the third graphic representation 41 when the front windshield washer system malfunctions after being activated; or - according to the fourth graphic representation 51 when the quantity of windshield washer product falls below the threshold after the system is activated, the front windshield washer system then goes into the so-called empty reservoir state.

[0072] The user who has requested windshield cleaning via the front windshield washer system is thus continuously informed of the current status of the front windshield washer system via the graphic representation of the indicator displayed on the touch screen 13.

[0073] The user can thus take the necessary measures when a fault is found (making an appointment in a garage) or when the reservoir is empty (filling the reservoir with windshield washer fluid), which improves the safety of the vehicle 10 by facilitating the maintenance of the front windshield washer system.

[0074] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a device 6 configured for controlling a vehicle's display system and / or for controlling a vehicle's front windshield washer system, for example, vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer.

[0075] Device 6 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 5 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 6]. Examples of such a device 6 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 the device Devices 6, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 6 can be implemented as electronic circuits, software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0076] The device 6 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further comprises at least one memory 61, 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.

[0077] 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 61.

[0078] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 6 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.

[0079] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of block 62 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").

[0080] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a communication interface 63 which allows communication to be established with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

[0081] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch or not, one or more speakers 650 and / or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

[0082] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device mounted in vehicle 10 or by device 6 of Figure 6.

[0083] In a first step 71, the display of a representative indicator of the front windshield washer system is controlled to display this indicator on a touch screen of the vehicle, the indicator being according to a first graphic representation representative of a deactivated state of the front windshield washer system.

[0084] In a second step 72, first representative data of a tactile press on the witness according to the first graphic representation are received.

[0085] In a third step 73, second data representing an activation command for the front windshield washer system are transmitted to a controller of the front windshield washer system, the transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0086] In a fourth step 74, third data representing a current operating state of the front windshield washer system are received from the controller, a transmission of the third data by the controller being triggered by a reception of the second data by the controller.

[0087] In a fifth step 75, the indicator display is controlled to display this indicator according to another graphic representation different from the first graphic representation depending on the third data, the other graphic representation being representative of the current operating state of the front windshield washer system

[0088] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.7].

[0089] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying an indicator representing the front windshield washer system of a vehicle according to various graphic representations, which 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.

[0090] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] or a display system comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a display system including a touchscreen (13), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - monitoring (71) the display of an indicator representing said front windshield washer system on said touchscreen (13), said indicator being, according to a first graphical representation (21), representative of a deactivated state of said front windshield washer system; - receiving (72) first data representing a touch press (201) on said indicator according to said first graphical representation (21); - transmitting (73) second data representing an activation command for said front windshield washer system to a controller of said front windshield washer system, the transmission of said second data being triggered by the reception of said first data;- reception (74) of third data representing a current operating state of said front windshield washer system from said controller, a transmission of said third data by said controller being triggered by a reception of said second data by said controller; and - control (75) of display of said indicator according to another graphic representation different from said first graphic representation (21) as a function of said third data, said other graphic representation being representative of said current operating state of said front windshield washer system.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said other graphical representation corresponds to: - a second graphical representation (31) when said third data represents an activated state of said front windshield washer system; - a third graphical representation (41) when said third data represents a malfunction of said front windshield washer system, the third graphical representation (41) being different from the second graphical representation (31); and - a fourth graphical representation (51) when said third data are representative of an empty state of a windshield washer product reservoir of said front windshield washer system, the fourth graphical representation (51) being different from the second graphical representation (31) and the third graphical representation (41).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said indicator is displayed according to the second graphic representation (31) for a determined duration corresponding to an activation duration of said front windshield washer system triggered by said controller upon receipt of said second data.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said indicator is displayed according to the first graphic representation (21), the third graphic representation (41) or the fourth graphic representation (51) following a deadline of said duration determined according to fourth data representing a new current operating state of said front windshield washer system received from said controller.

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said determined time is equal to 3 seconds.

6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a step of checking the activation of a windshield washer fluid nozzle and windshield wiper when said third data are representative of the activated state of said front windshield washer system.

7. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 6

8. 1 d U. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when such instructions are executed by at least one processor.

9. Device (6) for controlling a front windshield washer system of a vehicle (10), said device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (6) according to claim 9.

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