Method and device for controlling the activation of a vehicle's hazard warning lights

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling the activation of a vehicle's hazard warning lights (10). To this end, initial data representing two consecutive presses of a control button (12) are received, these two consecutive presses being performed within a time interval of less than a threshold. The activation of the hazard warning lights is controlled for a predetermined duration following the receipt of the initial data. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the activation of hazard warning lights on a vehicle technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a hazard warning light control 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 activation of a vehicle's hazard warning lights. Technological background

[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with hazard warning lights controlled by a hazard warning light control system, which is linked to the vehicle's turn signal and indicator repeater systems. A vehicle's hazard warning lights are used to alert other road users to an immediate danger, for example, to signal a significant slowdown or even a complete stop on the road that could cause a collision. The hazard warning lights are activated and deactivated by pressing a dedicated control button, for example, a control button located on the dashboard, the vehicle's center console, or on or near the steering wheel.

[0003] Hazard warning lights are sometimes used by the driver to signal thanks to another road user, for example, when that other user has yielded to the vehicle or for any other reason. To do this, the driver presses the control button once to activate the hazard warning lights, waits a few seconds, and then presses it a second time to deactivate them. Activating and deactivating the hazard warning lights distracts the driver because it requires searching for the control button and taking one hand off the steering wheel to press it. Such behavior poses a safety risk to the vehicle and its passengers, as well as to other road users. 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] An object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of hazard lights.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to minimize the loss of driver attention and to improve vehicle safety.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the activation of hazard warning lights of a vehicle, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - reception of initial data representative of two consecutive presses on a hazard warning light control button, the two consecutive presses comprising a first press at a first time instant followed by a second press at a second time instant, a time interval between the first press and the second press being less than a threshold; - activation control of hazard lights for a determined duration following the receipt of the first data.

[0008] Activating the hazard warning lights for a set duration, for example 1, 2, or 3 seconds, by double-pressing the control button allows the hazard warning lights to be triggered temporarily, for example, to signal thanks or for any other reason, with a single action of the control button that is distinct from the action for full activation. This reduces driver inattention associated with this action and consequently increases vehicle safety compared to the conventional method requiring two presses of the control button, one to activate and another to deactivate the hazard warning lights.

[0009] According to one variant, the determined duration is controlled by: - ​​a first parameter representing a time interval; or - a second parameter representing a number of flashes of the hazard warning lights.

[0010] According to another variant: - a value assigned to the threshold can be configured via a human-machine interface of the vehicle; and / or - a value assigned to the first parameter can be configured via the vehicle's human-machine interface; and / or - a value assigned to the second parameter can be set via the vehicle's human-machine interface.

[0011] According to another variant, the activation control includes a transmission of a request to activate the hazard lights to a controller of a hazard light control system, the request including second data representing the determined duration.

[0012] According to yet another variant, the control button corresponding to a virtual button displayed on a screen embedded in the vehicle, the first data are generated following the reception of at least one signal from a touch interface associated with the screen.

[0013] According to yet another variant, the control button corresponding to a switch comprising a light source backlighting a surface of the switch configured to receive two consecutive presses, the method further comprises a step of controlling the activation of the light source for the determined duration.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle hazard warning light activation control device, 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment, according to a example of a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to control the activation of hazard warning lights of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process activation of the vehicle's hazard warning lights [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiment examples

[0026] A method and device for controlling the activation of hazard warning lights of 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 signs throughout the description that follows.

[0027] 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.

[0028] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the activation control of hazard warning lights of a vehicle is implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, in particular by one or more processors of this or these computers.

[0029] To this end, initial data representing two consecutive presses of a hazard warning light control button are received. The generation of this initial data is triggered by the double press of the control button. The two consecutive presses comprise a sequence of two presses following each other temporally, namely a first press at a first time instant followed by a second press at a second time instant subsequent to the first time instant, the time interval between the first and second presses being less than a threshold (for example, equal to 250, 500, or 1000 ms). The reception of the initial data triggers the activation of the hazard warning lights for a predetermined duration (for example, equal to 1, 2, 3, or 5 seconds).

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a set of direction indicator lights, also called turn signals, controlled by a computer; the assembly comprising the computer and the turn signals is called the direction indicator light system. Such a system includes a flasher unit configured to supply the set of direction indicator lights with an electrical power supply that divides the power supply into sequences of opening and closing the lights, which causes the direction indicator lights to flash.

[0033] The direction indicator light system further includes a hazard warning light module configured for the simultaneous activation of the direction indicator lights in flashing mode, for example to signal danger.

[0034] Activation and deactivation of such a module, i.e. activation and deactivation of the hazard lights, are achieved by pressing a control button.

[0035] The control button corresponds, for example, to a switch-type control button 12, for example, arranged in the dashboard of the vehicle 10, for example, under a screen 13 of the vehicle 10, also arranged in the dashboard 11, according to the specific and non-limiting example in [Fig. 1]. According to other examples, such a control button 12 is arranged or located on the center console of the vehicle 10, around the steering wheel, or in an area between the steering wheel and the dashboard of the vehicle 10.

[0036] When the hazard warning lights are deactivated (i.e., when the direction indicators are not emitting any light), pressing the control button 12 activates the hazard warning lights, i.e., all the direction indicators of the vehicle 10 flash simultaneously. When the hazard warning lights are activated (i.e., when the direction indicators are illuminated and flashing), pressing the control button 12 deactivates the hazard warning lights, i.e., the emission of light and the flashing of all the direction indicators of the vehicle 10 cease.

[0037] The surface of the control button configured to receive the press made by the driver of the vehicle 10 (or any other passenger) to activate and deactivate the hazard warning lights includes, for example, a pictogram representing the hazard warning light system (for example, two red triangles nested one inside the other corresponding to the pictogram provided for by UNECE Regulation 121). In one embodiment, such a pictogram is backlit by means of a light source integrated into the button control button 12, which is a light source corresponding, for example, to an LED (Light-Emitting Diode). According to this embodiment, pressing control button 12 to activate the hazard warning lights triggers the power supply to the light source, which illuminates the pictogram, for example, continuously or flashing. The power supply to the light source is controlled, controlled, or triggered by pressing the control button used to deactivate or stop the hazard warning lights.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the control button corresponds to a virtual button displayed on the screen 13, which is associated with a touch interface. The virtual control button is, for example, permanently displayed in an upper or lower banner on the screen 13. This virtual control button has a graphic representation corresponding to the pictogram provided for by UNECE Regulation 121. A touch press on this virtual control button triggers the activation or deactivation of the hazard warning lights, depending on whether they are deactivated or activated, in the same way as for the control button 12. The virtual control button and the control button 12 are, for example, provided together in the vehicle 10. According to another embodiment, only one of the control buttons is fitted to the vehicle 10, i.e., the control button 12 (corresponding to the switch) or the virtual control button displayed on the screen 13.

[0039] The screen 13 belongs to the vehicle display system 10 and is controlled by a computer configured to control the display of content from a graphical HMI on the screen 13, referred to as a touchscreen because it is associated with a touch interface. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, referred to as the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) computer 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 on board 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 hazard warning light system, for example to modify or configure a set of parameters of the hazard warning light system or more broadly of the vehicle 10's direction indicator light system.

[0042] The control button 12 and / or the vehicle display system 10 are connected in communication with the hazard warning light system (or more broadly the direction indicator light system) of the vehicle 10, for example the computer in charge of the hazard warning light system (or more broadly the direction indicator light system) via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network.

[0043] A process for controlling the activation of the hazard warning lights (or the hazard warning light system) of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example one or more processors of one or more computers of the vehicle 10.

[0044] In a first operation of the process, initial data representing two consecutive presses of the hazard warning light control button, for example, the control button 12 or the virtual control button displayed on the touchscreen 13, are received. The two consecutive presses comprise a first press at a first time instant followed by a second press at a second time instant, the time interval between the first and second presses being less than a threshold. In other words, the two consecutive presses are performed within a limited time interval, which is less than the threshold for them to be considered as two consecutive presses.

[0045] The threshold value is stored in the memory of the computer implementing the process. The threshold value corresponds, for example, to a pre-configured system parameter, this value being, for example, equal to 250, 500 or 1000 ms.

[0046] According to one variant, the threshold value is configurable, i.e., modifiable and adjustable by a user. Adjusting this value is achieved, for example, via an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) of the vehicle 10, for example a graphical HMI displayed on the touchscreen 13, this value being entered in a specific field of the HMI or chosen from a list of preconfigured values.

[0047] Thus, in order for the first data to be generated, it is necessary that two consecutive presses in the time interval less than the threshold be detected, that is to say with a time difference between the two consecutive presses less than the threshold.

[0048] When the time difference between the two presses which follow each other temporally is greater than the threshold, these two presses are interpreted as two singular presses, for example a first press to command the activation of the hazard lights and then a second press to command the deactivation or stopping of the hazard lights, the hazard lights being activated during the time interval separating these two presses.

[0049] The first representative data of the two consecutive presses (also called double-press or double-click) correspond for example to a sequence of binary data, for example data of a digital signal coded on 2, 4, 6 or 8 bits. According to one variant, the first data correspond to characteristic data of an analog electrical signal.

[0050] The first data is generated, for example, following the reception of one or more electrical signals received from the control button 12 (for example, an electrical signal generated at each press of the control button) when consecutive presses are made on the control button 12. The first data is generated, for example, following the reception of one or more electrical signals received from the touch interface associated with the touch screen 13 (for example, an electrical signal generated at each press of the virtual control button) when consecutive presses are made on the virtual control button displayed on the screen 13.

[0051] In a second operation of the process, the activation of the hazard warning lights is controlled for a predetermined duration following the receipt of the initial data. The receipt of the initial data triggers, for example, the transmission of a control signal or an activation request to activate the illumination and flashing of all the vehicle's direction indicator lights 10 for a predetermined duration. The control signal or activation request includes a second data point representing the predetermined duration. Such a control signal or activation request is, for example, transmitted to a computer or controller that manages the power supply to the direction indicator lights forming the hazard warning lights. This computer or controller manages the power supply to the direction indicator lights for a time interval equal to the predetermined duration.

[0052] According to one variant, the control of the activation of the hazard lights includes the generation and transmission of a first control signal to activate the hazard lights to a computer or controller controlling the supply of electrical energy to the direction indicator lights forming the hazard lights so that the latter triggers the supply and consequently the flashing light, followed by the generation and transmission of a second control signal to deactivate the hazard lights to the computer or controller controlling the supply of electrical energy to the direction indicator lights so that the latter stops the supply and consequently the flashing light, the second signal being transmitted at the end of the time interval of determined duration.

[0053] The determined duration corresponds, for example, to a pre-configured parameter of the hazard warning light system, for example: - a first parameter representing a time interval corresponding to the determined duration (whose value is, for example, equal to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 seconds); or - a second parameter representing a number of flashes of the hazard lights (whose value is for example equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10 consecutive flashes).

[0054] According to one variant, the value assigned to the first parameter and / or the value assigned to the second parameter is / are configurable via the human-machine interface of the vehicle 10, in the same way as for the threshold.

[0055] According to a particular embodiment, when two consecutive presses are made on the switch-type control button 12, the process further includes an operation in which the activation of the light source integrated into the control button 12 (if present) is controlled or commanded so that it illuminates the pictogram drawn on the surface of the control button 12 receiving the presses. Such control corresponds to a control of the power supply to the light source resulting in continuous or flashing illumination (depending on the power supply command) of the pictogram by the light source.

[0056] When two consecutive presses are made on the virtual control button displayed on the touch screen 13, the graphic representation of this virtual control button is controlled to be modified, i.e. so that the graphic representation of the virtual control button changes to visually indicate that the hazard lights are activated (for example the control button flashes or changes color on the screen).

[0057] A display control of a graphic object (virtual button, pictogram, icon, etc.) includes a rendering of the 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 graphic content including the graphic object 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.

[0058] According to this process, two consecutive presses of a control button within a time interval less than the threshold trigger a thank you signal via a time-limited activation of the hazard lights equal to a determined duration (i.e. an activation duration equal to one or more seconds or a number of flashes equal to one or more flashes), the threshold and the duration (or the number of flashes) being, for example, adjustable or configurable by a user, for example the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0059] In the event of two consecutive presses separated by a time interval greater than the threshold, the control of the hazard warning light system by the control button corresponds to a conventional control as known to those skilled in the art (activation or deactivation of the hazard lights depending on the current activation state (on or off) of the hazard lights).

[0060] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for controlling the activation of the hazard warning lights of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device installed in the vehicle 10, for example a control unit.

[0061] 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, 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] According to various particular 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.

[0065] 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 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").

[0066] 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).

[0067] 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.

[0068] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling the activation of the hazard warning lights 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 installed in vehicle 10 or by device 2 of Figure 2.

[0069] In a first step 31, first representative data of two consecutive presses on a hazard warning light control button are received, the two consecutive presses comprising a first press at a first time instant followed by a second press at a second time instant, a time interval between the first press and the second press being less than a threshold.

[0070] In a second step 32, the activation of the hazard lights is controlled for a determined duration following the receipt of the first data.

[0071] 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. Method for controlling the activation of hazard warning lights of a vehicle (10), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31) first data representative of two consecutive presses on a hazard warning light control button (12), the two consecutive presses comprising a first press at a first time instant followed by a second press at a second time instant, a time interval between the first press and the second press being less than a threshold; - controlling (32) the activation of the hazard warning lights for a determined duration following the receipt (31) of the first data.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said determined time is controlled by: - ​​a first parameter representing a time interval; or - a second parameter representing a number of flashes of the hazard warning lights.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein: - a value assigned to said threshold is configurable via a human-machine interface of said vehicle (10); and / or - a value assigned to said first parameter is configurable via said human-machine interface of said vehicle (10); and / or - a value assigned to said second parameter is configurable via said human-machine interface of said vehicle (10).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said activation control comprises a transmission of a hazard warning light activation request to a controller of a hazard warning light control system, said request comprising second data representative of said determined duration.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control button corresponds to a virtual button displayed on a screen (13) embedded in said vehicle (10), said first data are generated following the reception of at least one signal from a touch interface associated with said screen (13).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control button (12) corresponds to a switch comprising a light source backlighting a surface of said switch configured to receive two consecutive presses, said method further includes a step of controlling the activation of said light source during said determined duration.

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 (2) for controlling the activation of hazard warning lights of a vehicle (10), 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 6.

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

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