Activation interface for downhill traction control

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an activation interface for a vehicle's downhill traction control function, the vehicle's downhill traction control function being associated with at least one activation condition. Upon obtaining descriptive data (200) of a typical driving situation of the vehicle, a control module verifies (201) that each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met. If each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met, the method includes controlling (203) a graphical interface of a vehicle's touchscreen to display an activation interface for the traction control function in a predefined format.Upon detection (206) of a user touch input on the activation interface displayed on the touch screen, the method includes the transmission (207) of an activation command for the downhill traction control function. FIG. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Activation interface for downhill traction control

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of controlling an activation interface for a downhill traction control function of a vehicle.

[0002] The term “vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a private, utility or heavy goods vehicle.

[0003] A vehicle user may encounter difficulties in driving downhills that are too steep, i.e. with a high negative elevation change, particularly when the vehicle is heavy, loaded and / or the weather conditions are unfavorable.

[0004] A hill descent control function, also known as HDC (Hill Descent Control), is capable of maintaining a constant vehicle speed downhill. Such an HDC function is based, in particular, on the vehicle's anti-lock braking system, also known as ABS (Antiblockiersystem).

[0005] The HDC function is thus a driving assistance function that replaces engine braking. However, the driver can retain control of the speed using the accelerator pedal: the speed maintained by the HDC function can therefore be increased.

[0006] Activation of the HDC function may be conditional upon the vehicle traveling at low speed, on a downhill slope, in one or more given gears, and / or on an uneven or slippery road. In most existing vehicles, user activation of the HDC function is conditional upon the vehicle speed being low.

[0007] If such a condition is met, the driver can press a button dedicated to the HDC function in order to activate it.

[0008] The HDC function can be deactivated by the driver pressing the HDC function button a second time, if a gear ratio not supported by the HDC function is selected, or in case of vehicle brake overheating.

[0009] In order not to waste time, and for safety reasons, it is preferable that the activation of the HDC function occurs quickly after the vehicle enters a descent.

[0010] However, the button dedicated to activating the HDC function is often small, difficult to access and little known to the driver since such a driving situation is infrequent.

[0011] Thus, by the time the button dedicated to the function is found, the vehicle has already been on the descent for several seconds and the driver must therefore concentrate on the road.

[0012] In most cases, the driver does not activate the HDC function because he cannot quickly find the button or because he does not know what the button is for.

[0013] The result is: - either under-use or non-use of the vehicle's HDC function; - either suboptimal use because it is triggered late, or even dangerous, because the search for the activation button distracts the driver who pays less attention to the road.

[0014] Furthermore, if the driver, after locating the HDC activation button, presses the button when the conditions for HDC activation are not met, for example, the vehicle speed is too high, a message such as "HDC not available" may be displayed on the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. The driver is then distracted, while the driving situation requires their full attention.

[0015] There is therefore a need to make the activation of the HDC function in a vehicle simpler and faster, in order to enhance driving safety when the vehicle is engaged in a steep descent.

[0016] The present invention improves the situation.

[0017] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling an activation interface for a vehicle downhill traction control function, the vehicle downhill traction control function being associated with at least one activation condition, comprising the following steps: - obtaining descriptive data of a common vehicle driving situation; - verification that each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met; - if each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met, control of a graphical interface of a touch screen of the vehicle to display an activation interface of the traction control function according to a predefined format; - upon detection of a user touch input on the activation interface displayed on the touch screen, transmission of a command to activate the downhill traction control function.

[0018] Thus, the invention makes it possible to display the activation interface on the screen in the predefined format when the activation condition(s) for the HDC function are met. This allows the activation of the HDC function to be suggested proactively. This increases the security and optimizes the use of the HDC function. Furthermore, the predefined format can be sized to allow the user to easily and quickly identify the activation interface, thus facilitating HDC activation.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the touch screen can be in a central position in a vehicle dashboard.

[0020] Such a touch screen is generally large and close to the driver's arm, thus allowing easy, quick and intuitive activation.

[0021] According to embodiments, at least one activation condition may include a first activation condition whereby the vehicle is travelling downhill having an incline greater than a predefined incline threshold.

[0022] Thus, such a condition makes it possible to suggest the activation of the HDC function proactively only when the vehicle is engaged in a steep descent.

[0023] In addition, at least one activation condition may further include: - a second activation condition whereby the vehicle's current speed is below a predefined speed threshold; and / or - a third activation condition according to which a current vehicle gear ratio is among a set of at least one predefined gear ratio.

[0024] Thus, these embodiments make it possible to activate the HDC function only when it is necessary and when the current speed of the vehicle or the current gear ratio of the vehicle actually allows its optimal implementation.

[0025] According to embodiments, the predefined format may be a default format in which the activation interface occupies at least 50% of the touch screen.

[0026] Thus, the activation interface is displayed in a large size when the activation condition(s) of the HDC function are met, which allows for quick and easy activation of the HDC function, and thus enhances the safety associated with the driving situation.

[0027] In addition, depending on the default format, the activation interface can occupy more than 90% of the touch screen.

[0028] Thus, the driver can activate the HDC function without even looking at the touch screen, and remaining focused on the driving situation, which enhances safety and allows for simple, intuitive and quick activation of the HDC function.

[0029] According to embodiments, the method may further include a preliminary step of setting a format for the activation interface, and the predefined format may be the format set by the user.

[0030] Thus, the user can configure the display format of the HDC function activation interface himself. The user therefore knows in advance the positioning and size of the activation interface, which allows, when the interface The activation status is displayed, allowing for quick and easy activation of the HDC function by the user.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the descriptive data of the vehicle's current situation may include one or more of the following data: - vehicle positioning data; - one or more images acquired by a camera; - data from a tilt sensor; and / or - the vehicle's current speed; and / or - a current vehicle speed ratio

[0032] Such data can be obtained from sensors and / or modules already existing in most vehicles, which allows for an inexpensive implementation of the invention, without further encumbering the vehicle.

[0033] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0034] A third aspect of the invention relates to a control module in a vehicle comprising a processor configured for: - obtain descriptive data of a common vehicle driving situation; - verify that each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met; - if each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met, control a graphical interface of a vehicle touch screen to display an activation interface for the traction control function in a predefined format; - upon detection of a user touch input on the activation interface displayed on the touch screen, transmit a command to activate the downhill traction control function.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0036] [Fig-1] illustrates a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating the steps of a control process for a activation interface for a downhill traction control function, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.3a] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle display device, in an initial driving situation, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0039] [Fig. 3b] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle display device, with an interface for activating the downhill traction control function in a first format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.3c] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle display device, with an interface for activating the downhill traction control function in a second format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0041] [Fig.3d] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle display device, with an interface for activating the downhill traction control function in a third format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.4] illustrates a structure of a control module of an activation interface of a downhill traction control function, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0043] Fig. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle 100, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0044] The vehicle 100 includes a control module 101, capable of implementing the steps of the method according to the invention, for controlling an activation interface for a hill descent control function, referred to as the HDC function in the following. The control module 101 may be exclusively dedicated to controlling the activation interface of the HDC function, as described below, or may alternatively implement other additional functions of the vehicle 100. The control module 101 may be an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) type module.

[0045] The vehicle 100 further includes a driver assistance module 102, referred to hereafter as the AD AS 102 module, capable of implementing at least one driver assistance function, or AD AS function. In particular, the AD AS 102 module can implement the HDC function by controlling an anti-lock braking system 109, or ABS 109, of the vehicle 100. As previously stated, when performing the HDC function, the AD AS 102 module is capable of maintaining a constant vehicle speed downhill.

[0046] Alternatively, the HDC function is implemented by a module separate from the ADAS 102 module.

[0047] The vehicle 100 may include a radio communication module 103 capable of communicating with a mobile access network, allowing access to a wide area network, such as an IP network for Internet Protocol. The radio communication module 103 thus enables the establishment of communication sessions with remote entities in order to obtain information that can be processed by other modules of the vehicle 100 and / or stored in a memory 107 of the vehicle 100.

[0048] The radio communication module 103 can in particular be capable of and configured to access a 4G or 5G type mobile access network.

[0049] The radio communication module 103 can in particular obtain descriptive mapping data of the environment of the vehicle 100.

[0050] The vehicle 100 may further include a satellite positioning module 108, for example GPS, for "Global Positioning System", capable of determining in real time a current position of the vehicle 100. The operation of such a satellite positioning module 108 is well known and is not described further in the present description.

[0051] The position of the vehicle 100 can be used by a navigation module 110 of the vehicle 100, capable of implementing a navigation function. The navigation function allows the user to be guided, in particular by visual instructions displayed on a screen 106 of the vehicle 100, which is a central touchscreen according to the invention, in the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0052] The screen 106 is thus capable of displaying a graphical interface, including touch areas corresponding to buttons, allowing the user, by touch input, to control vehicle functions and / or navigate in a vehicle menu 100.

[0053] No restrictions are attached to the technology associated with the screen 106, which may be in particular of the resistive or capacitive type.

[0054] The vehicle 100 may further include a camera 105 capable of obtaining representative images of a scene outside the vehicle, for example, a scene facing the vehicle during a driving situation. There are no restrictions on the positioning of the camera 105 in the vehicle 100, which may, for example, as shown in [Fig. 1], be arranged in a central position at the top of the windshield of the vehicle 100.

[0055] The vehicle 100 may further comprise at least one sensor 104. According to the invention, the at least one sensor 104 comprises a tilt detector for the vehicle 100, capable of determining a current tilt angle of the vehicle. Such a tilt angle thus makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle is on a steep descent or not, by comparison with a predefined tilt angle.

[0056] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for controlling an HDC function activation interface, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0057] The method described with reference to [Fig.2] can be implemented in the vehicle 100 described with reference to [Fig.1], in particular by the control module 101 described previously.

[0058] Initially, the vehicle 100 is in an initial driving situation, in which at least one activation condition of the HDC function is not met. For example, the vehicle 100 is not initially engaged in a descent with an incline greater than a predefined angle of inclination.

[0059] For example, as previously stated, the HDC function can be associated with at least one activation condition, and the HDC function cannot be activated by the driver until at least one activation condition is met. The at least one activation condition includes at least one initial activation condition, which is that the vehicle is engaged in a descent with an incline greater than a predefined angle of inclination. In addition, the at least one activation condition may include: - a second activation condition is that the vehicle 100 is traveling at a speed below a predefined speed threshold; and / or - A third activation condition is that the current gear ratio is among one or more predefined gear ratios. For example, the HDC function may only be activated when the current gear ratio is a first gear of the vehicle's manual or automatic transmission.

[0060] In other words, in the initial driving situation, at least one activation condition is not met.

[0061] At a step 200, during the initial driving situation, the screen 106 can display a graphical interface on the touch screen 106 in a default configuration.

[0062] Figure 3a illustrates a graphical user interface 300 displayed on the touchscreen 106 in the default configuration. In the default configuration, the graphical user interface comprises one or more graphical areas 302, which can be associated with one or more functions other than the HDC function running in the vehicle. For example, in the example in Figure 3a, one graphical area 302 may correspond to the navigation function implemented by the navigation module 110, and two other graphical areas 302 are dedicated to two other vehicle functions. This example is, however, given for illustrative purposes only. The graphical area(s) 302 may change dynamically, for example, following the receipt of touch input from the user, for example, to interrupt the navigation function and access an audio playback function from a vehicle infotainment system.

[0063] In the default configuration, the graphical interface 300 does not include any interface for activating the HDC function, which would be useless since at least one condition for activating the HDC function is not met.

[0064] At a step 200, the control module 101 obtains descriptive data of the current driving situation of the vehicle, which may include: - positioning data of the vehicle 100, from the navigation module 110. The navigation module 110, by comparing a current position of the vehicle 100 from the satellite positioning module 108, and descriptive map data of a vehicle environment, may indicate in the positioning data that the vehicle is located on a descent with a given angle of inclination; - one or more images acquired by camera 105; - data from the tilt sensor 104; and / or - the vehicle's current speed; and / or - a current speed ratio of the vehicle.

[0065] Thus, the descriptive data of the vehicle 100 driving situation obtained in step 200 are data that allow verification of whether at least one activation condition of the HDC function is met or not. For example: - The first activation condition can be verified by the control module 101 using data from the tilt sensor 104, by comparing a current tilt angle with the tilt threshold. Alternatively or in addition, the first activation condition can be verified using an image captured by the camera 104 and / or using vehicle positioning data from the navigation module 110. For example, the scene in the image captured by the camera 104 may include a sign indicating a descent associated with a tilt angle, which may be expressed as a percentage; - the second activation condition can be verified by control module 101 based on the vehicle's current speed; and - the third activation condition can be checked by control module 101 from the current speed report of the vehicle.

[0066] At a step 201, the control module 101 checks whether each activation condition among the at least one activation condition of the HDC function is met or not.

[0067] If at least one activation condition is not met, the process returns to step 204 and the graphical interface 300 in the default configuration of [Fig.3a] is maintained.

[0068] If each activation condition is met among at least one activation condition, the control module 101 controls the graphical interface 300 of the screen 106 to display an HDC function activation interface in a predefined format, at a step 203.

[0069] Advantageously according to the invention, the predefined format can be such that the HDC function activation interface has a format occupying more than 10% of the screen 106, preferably occupying more than 20% of the screen 106, or even more than 50%, and can occupy more than 90% of the graphical interface displayed on the screen 106.

[0070] The predefined format can be a first default format, illustrated with reference to [Fig.3b], or a format defined by parameterization during a prior step 205 by the user, as illustrated with reference to figures 3c and 3d.

[0071] Figure 3b illustrates the graphical interface 300 comprising an activation interface 311 of the HDC function, according to the first format. According to the first format, the HDC function activation interface 311 represents more than 90% of the graphical interface 300 displayed on screen 106, and can for example occupy the entire touch screen 106.

[0072] The control module 101 can control the display of the activation interface 311 by default at step 203, i.e. if the driver has not defined by parameter the format of the activation interface of the HDC function during a previous parameterization step 205.

[0073] The user can also access the parameters of the control function of the HDC function activation interface, to modify the format of the activation interface, in step 205. The modification of the format can be carried out by a touch input, for example a touch swipe, by the user on a graphical interface similar to the graphical interface 300 of [Fig.3b], reducing the first format to a parameter-defined format, such as the second format or the third format, which are described below.

[0074] Figure 3c illustrates the graphical interface 300 displayed on the screen 106, comprising an activation interface 321 for the HDC function in a second user-configurable format. According to the second format, the activation interface 321 has a primarily horizontal orientation and occupies 50% of the screen, namely, the upper half of the touchscreen 106, by way of illustration.

[0075] Figure 3d illustrates the graphical interface 300 displayed on the screen 106, comprising an activation interface 331 for the HDC function in a third user-configurable format. According to the third format, the activation interface 331 has a primarily vertical orientation and occupies 50% of the screen, namely, the left half of the touchscreen 106, by way of illustration.

[0076] Referring again to [Fig.2], following the control of the screen 106 to display the activation interface in a predefined format, which is a default format or a format defined by parameterization, the process proceeds to a step 206.

[0077] At step 206, the control module 101 can determine whether a user touch input has been made on the HDC function activation interface, which is displayed in the predefined format. This determination can be made using data from the touchscreen 106, indicating whether a user touch input has been made or not on the activation interface 311, 321, or 331.

[0078] As long as the user has not touched the HDC function activation interface, the control module 101 continuously receives, or at regular intervals receives, updated descriptive data of the driving situation to verify that at least one activation condition is still met. If at least one activation condition is no longer met, the process returns to step 204, without the HDC function having been activated. If every activation condition is still met, the control of The graphical interface 300 according to step 203, with the activation interface 311, 321 or 331, is maintained.

[0079] If the control module 101 determines in step 206 that a touch input from the user has been received on the activation interface, the control module 101 can transmit an activation command for the HDC function to the AD AS module 102. The AD AS module 102, or another module of the vehicle 100, thus implements the HDC function, controlling the ABS system 109.

[0080] At step 208, the control module 101 can transmit a command to deactivate the HDC function to the AD AS module 102, for example: - in the event of a new touch input on the HDC function activation interface by the user; or - in the event that control module 101 determines that at least one activation condition is no longer met, following the receipt of updated descriptive data of the driving situation.

[0081] The invention thus enables quick and intuitive activation of the HDC function: the activation interface is only displayed when HDC function activation is possible, and the HDC function format allows the user to easily identify the activation interface. The time spent by the user activating the HDC function is therefore reduced, which improves driving safety.

[0082] Furthermore, the user does not have to take their attention away from the road to look for the HDC function activation interface, especially when it occupies more than 50% of the touch screen 106. Indeed, by displaying a large activation interface on the touch screen 106 in a central position in the dashboard, the driver can activate the HDC function with a simple touch, press or double press.

[0083] Furthermore, the HDC function activation interface is only displayed when the driving situation allows for HDC activation. The invention uses one or more sensors or other vehicle modules to detect driving situations in which the HDC function is necessary. This makes it possible to proactively suggest HDC activation, thereby increasing safety and optimizing HDC use.

[0084] The ergonomics associated with the activation interface are also improved compared to the prior art, the format of the activation interface occupying a large part of the screen 106 when the vehicle is in a driving situation requiring the activation of the HDC function, which is particularly advantageous in conditions of low visibility or high stress.

[0085] Finally, road safety is improved by allowing simple and quick activation of the HDC function, which helps to improve driver vigilance.

[0086] Figure 4 shows the structure of a control module 101, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0087] The control module 101 includes a processor 401 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 402 such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 402 comprises several memories of the aforementioned types.

[0088] The memory 402 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of the process described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0089] In particular, the memory 402 can store, at least temporarily, descriptive information of the predefined format, in particular of the first format, and optionally of a format set by the user of the vehicle 100 during step 205, such as the second format or the third format.

[0090] The processor 401 is capable of executing instructions, stored in memory 402, for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 2]. Alternatively, the processor 301 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to perform the steps of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0091] The control module 101 includes a first interface 403 capable of communicating with the AD AS module 102, to transmit the activation command and the deactivation command, during steps 207 and 208 described previously

[0092] The control module 101 may include a second interface 404 capable of communicating with the navigation module 110, in particular to receive the vehicle positioning data during step 200.

[0093] The control module 101 may include a third interface 405 capable of communicating with the communication module 108 of the vehicle, for obtaining data from a remote server.

[0094] The control module 101 may include a fourth interface 406 capable of communicating the vehicle's memory 107.

[0095] The control module 101 may include a fifth interface 407 capable of obtaining the current speed of the vehicle and / or the current speed ratio of the vehicle.

[0096] The control module 101 may further include a sixth interface 408 capable of communicating with the camera 105, in order to obtain representative images of the scene facing the vehicle 100.

[0097] The control module 101 may further include a seventh interface 409 capable of communicating with the satellite positioning module 108, to obtain descriptive data of a current position of the vehicle 100.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling an activation interface (311; 321; 331) for a vehicle downhill traction control function (100), the vehicle downhill traction control function being associated with at least one activation condition, comprising the following steps: - obtaining (200) descriptive data of a typical vehicle driving situation; - verifying (201) that each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met; - if each activation condition associated with the downhill traction control function is met, controlling (203) a graphical interface of a vehicle touchscreen (106) to display an activation interface for the traction control function in a predefined format;- upon detection (206) of a user touch input on the activation interface displayed on the touch screen, transmission (207) of an activation command for the downhill traction control function.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the touch screen (106) is in a central position in a dashboard of the vehicle (100).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one activation condition includes a first activation condition whereby the vehicle (100) is traveling downhill having an inclination greater than a predefined inclination threshold.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein at least one activation condition further comprises: - a second activation condition whereby a current vehicle speed (100) is below a predefined speed threshold; and / or - a third activation condition whereby a current vehicle speed ratio is among a set of at least one predefined speed ratio.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predefined format is a default format in which the activation interface (311; 321; 331) occupies at least 50% of the touch screen (106).

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein, according to the default format, the activation interface (311; 321; 331) occupies more than 90% of the touch screen (106).

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a prior parameterization step 205) of an activation interface format (311; 321; 331), and wherein the predefined format is the user-parameterized format.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the descriptive data of the current situation of the vehicle (100) comprises one or more of the following data: - vehicle positioning data (100); - one or more images acquired by a camera (105); - data from a tilt sensor (104); and / or - a current vehicle speed; and / or - a current vehicle speed ratio

9. 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 (401).

10. Control module (101) in a vehicle (100) comprising a processor (401) configured to: - obtain descriptive data of a current vehicle driving situation; - verify that each activation condition associated with the hill descent control function is met; - if each activation condition associated with the hill descent control function is met, control a graphical interface of a vehicle touchscreen to display an activation interface of the traction control function in a predefined format; - upon detection of a user touch input on the activation interface displayed on the touchscreen, transmit a command to activate the hill descent control function.

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