Method and device for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be followed with a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be followed by a vehicle. To this end, first data representing the geographical coverage of an insurance policy for the use of the vehicle are received (31). Second data representing the route are received (32). A route is calculated (33) based on the first and second data. The display of the instructions is controlled (34) based on the result of the calculation. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be followed with a vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling the display of instructions associated with a journey to be taken with a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for determining a route for a journey to be taken with a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Driving a vehicle is subject to a set of rules, which vary, for example, depending on the territory in which the vehicle is driven. Thus, in many countries, driving a vehicle within the associated territory requires taking out motor insurance covering the use of the vehicle. The coverage and protection guaranteed by the insurance policy depend on the options and choices made by the policyholder. Driving a vehicle without motor insurance poses risks to the person or persons in the vehicle, as well as to other road users.

[0003] Since the driver of the vehicle is not always the person who took out the insurance policy, it is not easy for the driver to access information relating to the vehicle's insurance and the associated risks while driving the vehicle. Summary of the present invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to reduce the risks of driving a vehicle without coverage by vehicle insurance.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the display of instructions associated with a journey to be made with a vehicle, the method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving initial data representative of a geographical coverage of an insurance policy for use of the vehicle; - reception of second data representative of the route; - calculating a route based on the first and second data points; - control of the display of instructions based on a calculation result.

[0007] Calculating a route associated with a journey to be made with the vehicle based on data on the vehicle's insurance and in particular on geographical coverage The vehicle's insurance policy allows for the display of instructions to the driver that take into account an additional parameter, beyond the data representing the route to be traveled, relating to the vehicle's coverage under the purchased insurance. This allows, for example, informing the driver that the calculated route includes one or more sections not covered by the insurance, if applicable.

[0008] This improves the safety of vehicle passengers and other road users.

[0009] According to one variant, when the result is representative of a failure to calculate a route fully covered by insurance, the instructions correspond to a route alert including at least one part not covered by insurance; and, when the result is representative of a success in calculating a route fully covered by insurance, the instructions correspond to navigation instructions to follow the calculated route.

[0010] According to another variant, the second data are representative of a destination of the journey.

[0011] According to yet another variant, the second data are also representative of a starting point of the journey.

[0012] According to another variant, the first data is received from a remote device via a wireless connection.

[0013] According to a further variant, the method further includes a step of transmitting third data representative of vehicle identification to the remote device via the wireless connection, the first data being received in response to the third data.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the first data is received from a touch interface.

[0015] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device displaying instructions associated with a route to be taken with 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or a intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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

[0023] 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:

[0024] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a data communication environment for a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to control the display of instructions associated with a journey to be made with the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process display of instructions associated with a journey to be taken with the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0027] A method and a device for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be followed by a 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 symbols throughout the description that follows.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a communication environment 1 of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] 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, such as a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle.

[0031] The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a so-called connected vehicle in that it carries a communication system configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 101 via a wireless communication network infrastructure. The remote device 101 corresponds, for example, to a server or a computer in the "cloud" 100.

[0032] The communication system of a connected vehicle includes, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit (TCU), which is itself connected to one or more computers of the connected vehicle's embedded system. The antenna(s), the TCU, and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the connected vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the connected vehicle in controlling the vehicle and / or for diagnosing the operation of one or more components of the connected vehicle.The computer(s) and the TCU 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) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the communication environment 1 further comprises a mobile communication device 11 such as a smartphone or tablet. The mobile communication device 11 is configured for wireless data communication with each of the remote devices 101 via the mobile communication infrastructure and / or with the vehicle 10 via the mobile communication infrastructure and / or in direct wireless communication mode.

[0034] The mobile communication infrastructure enabling wireless data communication between, on the one hand, the vehicle 10 and / or the mobile communication device 11 and, on the other hand, each of the remote devices 101, comprises, for example, one or more communication devices 102 of the relay antenna type (cellular network). In a communication mode using such a network architecture, the data is, for example, transmitted by the vehicle connected to the remote device 101 of the "cloud" 100 via a relay antenna 102 (the antenna 102 being, for example, connected to the "cloud" 100 via a wired link and the remote device 101 being itself connected to the network infrastructure of the "cloud" 100 via a wired and / or wireless network).

[0035] The wireless communication system enabling the exchange of data between, on the one hand, the connected vehicle 10 and / or the mobile communication device 11 and, on the other hand, the remote device 101 corresponds, for example, to: - a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication system, for example based on the 3GPP LTE-V or IEEE 802.1 lp standards of ITS G5; or - a cellular network communication system, for example an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network, LTE-Advanced (also called LTE 3G, 4G or 5G); or - a Wifi type communication system according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.1 In or IEEE 802.1 lac.

[0036] The remote device 101 is, for example, configured to host or store data associated with a set of insurance contracts covering the use of a set of vehicles. This data includes, for example, for each insurance contract: - data relating to the geographical coverage of an insurance contract, i.e. for example the territory or territories (e.g. countries) covered by the insurance contract, the distance (e.g. in km) for which a vehicle is covered, this distance corresponding for example to the maximum distance (over a year or over a month for example) that a vehicle can travel while being covered by the insurance; and / or - data representative of the insurance validity period, the period during which the insurance is active (e.g., a season), or the date until which the insurance is valid and active (expiry date of the insurance contract); and / or - representative data of the damages covered by the insurance; and / or - data representative of a type of use; and / or - representative data of drivers or persons who can use vehicle 10 while being covered by the insurance contract.

[0037] The remote device 101 includes, for example, such data for each vehicle in a set of vehicles. According to this example, each vehicle is identified via a unique identifier, which corresponds, for example, to the vehicle identification number, known as the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and / or via a unique registration number corresponding, for example, to the vehicle registration number.

[0038] According to one variant, a group or list of identified users (or drivers) is associated with each vehicle, and in particular with vehicle 10. This list of identified users includes all users authorized to drive vehicle 10 according to the terms of the insurance contract, each user being identified via a unique identifier (for example, a number or authentication key, an identity (first and last name), a face image, etc.).

[0039] The data associated with the insurance contract of vehicle 10, and in the same way for each vehicle, are entered for example by a user of vehicle 10, for example the owner of the vehicle, for example via a mobile application installed on the mobile communication device or via a human-machine interface (HMI) of the vehicle, for example a graphic HMI displayed on a touch screen of vehicle 10.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the data associated with the insurance contract of vehicle 10, and in the same way for each vehicle, are received from a server adapted to store insurance contract data, such a server being for example one or more vehicle insurers.

[0041] A process for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be taken with a vehicle 10 is implemented by one or more processors of a data processing device such as a computer (or a group of computers) of the vehicle 10 or such as the mobile communication device 11. According to alternative embodiments, part of the operations of the process described below is implemented by the remote device 101 or in relation to the remote device 101.

[0042] The process is for example implemented via an interactive application of the vehicle 10, which interactive application is implemented in the form of software executed by the computer, the interactive application being configured for data communication with the remote device 101 via the wireless communication interface of the vehicle 10. Such an implementation has the advantage of not requiring any specific hardware other than the computer and the wireless communication means of the vehicle 10.

[0043] According to another example, the process is implemented via a mobile application installed on the mobile communication device 11 and executed by the latter, the mobile application being configured for data communication with the remote device 101 via the wireless communication interface of the mobile communication device 11.

[0044] In a first operation of the process, initial data representing an insurance contract associated with the use of vehicle 10 are received, and more particularly initial data representing a geographical coverage of the insurance covering the use of vehicle 10.

[0045] According to one embodiment, this first data is received in a data set relating to the insurance contract, for example all or part of the data listed above.

[0046] The first data is for example received from the remote device 101 connected in wireless communication to the vehicle 10 or to the mobile communication device 11 depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 (for example a computer of the vehicle 10) or by the mobile communication device 11.

[0047] According to another example, the first data is received from a memory of the vehicle 10 or from a memory of the mobile communication device 11 depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device 11.

[0048] According to yet another example, the first data is received from a touch interface, for example a touch interface of an on-board touchscreen of the vehicle 10 or a touch interface of the touchscreen of the mobile communication device 11, depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device 11. According to this example, the first data is entered by a user of the vehicle 10 wishing to take a trip with the vehicle 10. The first data is entered, for example, by this user via a form displayed on the screen.

[0049] The first data is received, for example, following the generation of a request, which is generated, for example, during the execution of the interactive application or the mobile application, depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device 11. This interactive application or mobile application corresponds, for example, to a navigation application whose execution is triggered by the user wishing to take a trip with the vehicle 10. The navigation application is configured to calculate a route based on trip data (such as the starting point and the destination of the trip, for example), as known to a person skilled in the art.

[0050] When the first data are received from the remote device 101, the request includes vehicle identification data 10, called third representative vehicle identification data 10, to obtain from the remote device 101 the insurance contract data associated with the vehicle 10 in response to the request and to this third data.

[0051] The third data is for example stored in the memory of the vehicle 10 or the mobile communication device 11, or entered by the user via the touch interface according to a request from the navigation application.

[0052] In a second operation of the process, second data representing the route that the user wishes to travel with the vehicle 10 are received.

[0053] This second data includes the destination of the journey, that is to say the arrival point of the journey. This second data corresponds, for example, to coordinates of a geolocation system such as the GPS system (from the English "Global Positioning System" or in French "Système de emplacement global"), to an address or to a point of interest identified by a name or selected in a list (for example displayed on a road map).

[0054] The second set of data includes, for example, the starting point of the journey. This second set of data also corresponds, for example, to coordinates from a geolocation system such as the GPS (Global Positioning System), an address, or a point of interest. In one embodiment, the starting point of the journey corresponds to the current position of the vehicle 10 or the mobile communication device 11 and is automatically retrieved by the navigation application.

[0055] The second data is entered by the user via the touch interface, on a request displayed on the touch screen when the navigation application is running.

[0056] According to different embodiments: - the first operation is implemented before the second operation from a temporal point of view, the reception of the first data being required as soon as the navigation application is executed; or - the first operation is implemented after the second operation from a temporal point of view.

[0057] In a third operation of the process, a route is calculated based on the first and second data obtained in the first and second operations.

[0058] The route calculation is further based on mapping data as known to a person skilled in the art, the mapping data comprising representative data of all existing road segments in a territory or a set of given territories (for example one or more countries, a continent or even the whole world).

[0059] The result of the route calculation corresponds to: - a result representative of a failure to calculate a route fully covered by insurance, such a result being obtained when each calculated route includes at least one part belonging to a geographical area in which vehicle 10 is not insured under its associated insurance contract, or when the distance travelled by vehicle 10 to travel each route exceeds the maximum distance limit stipulated in the insurance contract, if applicable; or - a result representative of a successful calculation of a route fully covered by insurance, the calculation of the route resulting in this case in the calculation and identification of a route proposed to the user to make the journey.

[0060] In a fourth operation of the process, the display of instructions is controlled according to a result of the calculation to display these instructions on the touch screen of the vehicle 10 or on the touch screen of the mobile communication device 11 depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device 11.

[0061] When the result indicates a failure, the instructions correspond to a route alert containing at least one portion not covered by insurance. Such instructions take, for example, the form of text, for instance accompanied by a graphic object (icon, pictogram, image) representing an alert, informing the user that each route connecting the starting point to the destination calculated by the navigation system includes at least one portion of the route on which the vehicle 10 is not covered by the insurance policy. Thus, no route fully covered by insurance could be identified or calculated.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the displayed instructions further include text prompting the user to cancel or confirm the route calculation, with guidance instructions displayed. Cancellation or confirmation is triggered, for example, by the user by touching a route calculation cancel or confirmation button displayed on the screen.

[0063] A touch press on the validation button triggers the display of navigation instructions or guidance to follow the calculated route, a new alert being rendered for example again (displayed and / or rendered by speech synthesis) to remind the user that the calculated route includes one or more sections of road on which the use of the vehicle 10 will not be ensured.

[0064] When the result is representative of a success, the instructions correspond to navigation or guidance instructions to follow the calculated route, which are displayed as vehicle 10 moves, depending on the current position of vehicle 10 along the calculated route.

[0065] A display control for a graphical object or content (instructions, text, pictogram, icon, etc.) includes rendering the graphical content or graphical 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 graphical content to be displayed on the screen. For example, rendering consists of associating pixel data (for example, color data expressed in an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color space) with each graphical object.

[0066] The instruction display control thus includes the transmission of control signals to the touch screen to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen at the location intended to display the instructions (or any graphic object).

[0067] According to a particular embodiment, the route calculation is further based on user identification data of the user wishing to make the journey with the vehicle 10. According to this embodiment, the process further includes an operation of receiving the user's identification data, this data being for example entered by the user himself via the touch screen interface or obtained automatically by acquiring a fingerprint, a face image or any other biometric or other identifier via an ad-hoc sensor of the vehicle 10 or of the mobile communication device 11 depending on whether the process is implemented by the vehicle 10 or by the mobile communication device 11.

[0068] According to this particular embodiment, the user identity obtained via the identification data is compared to the first representative data of the insurance contract, and more particularly to the data relating to the persons insured to use the vehicle 10 via the insurance contract (with possible coverage restrictions according to each user covered by the insurance contract, if applicable).

[0069] According to this particular embodiment, when the result of the comparison indicates that the user thus identified belongs to the list of insured persons, then the result of the route calculation is representative of a failure or a success according to the criteria described above.

[0070] According to this particular embodiment, when the result of the comparison indicates that the user thus identified does not belong to the list of insured persons, then the result of the route calculation represents a failure and instructions representing an alert on the lack of insurance for the identified user are displayed to warn the user of the danger associated with using a vehicle without valid insurance.

[0071] Data representing an alert are then optionally transmitted via a wireless connection to a mobile communication device of the owner of vehicle 10 to warn him that an uninsured user of vehicle 10 has expressed a desire to make a trip with vehicle 10.

[0072] Such a process makes it possible to verify the suitability of a vehicle's use in relation to the coverage provided by the vehicle's insurance policy. This allows for the notification of any user when the intended use, or at least part of the intended use, of the vehicle is not covered by the terms of the insurance contract and of the associated hazards and / or risks. This allows for improved vehicle control and safety at lower costs, without the need for additional equipment.

[0073] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a display control device 2 for instructions associated with a route to be followed with a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle, such as a computer. According to alternative embodiments, Device 2 corresponds to a mobile communication device such as Device 11 or to a server such as the remote device 101.

[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, a laptop, a computer, or a server. The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 2 may 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 which may include memory volatile and / or non-volatile, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic 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 a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices such as connected vehicles and / or measuring devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise 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").

[0078] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which enables communication with other devices (such as other servers, databases) 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 Ethernet network (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0079] 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. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0080] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling the display of instructions associated with a route to be followed with a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is, for example, implemented by one or more processors of a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer, or of a mobile communication device 11, or by the device 2 of the [Fig.2].

[0081] In a first step 31, initial data representative of a geographical coverage of an insurance policy for use of the vehicle are received.

[0082] In a second step 32, second data representative of the journey are received.

[0083] In a third step 33, a route is calculated based on the first and second data.

[0084] In a fourth step 34, the display of instructions is controlled according to a result of the calculation of the third step 33.

[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].

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling the display of instructions associated with a journey to be taken with a vehicle (10), said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31) first data representing a geographical coverage of an insurance for a use of said vehicle (10); - receiving (32) second data representing said journey; - calculating (33) a route based on said first and second data; - controlling the display (34) of the instructions based on a result of said calculation (33).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein: - when the result is representative of a failure to calculate a route fully covered by said insurance, said instructions correspond to a route alert including at least a part not covered by said insurance; and - when the result is representative of a success in calculating a route fully covered by said insurance, said instructions correspond to navigation instructions to follow the calculated route.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second data are representative of a destination of said journey.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said second data are further representative of a starting point of said journey.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first data are received from a remote device (101) via a wireless connection.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of transmitting third data representing vehicle identification (10) to said remote device (101) via the wireless connection, said first data being received in response to said third data.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first data are received from a touch interface.

8. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Display control device for instructions associated with a route to be traveled with a vehicle (10), said device comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 9.

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