Adapting a navigation function linked to vehicle energy charging based on touch input

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adapting a vehicle navigation function capable of determining an initial route to a destination, comprising, upon detection (202; 203) that the vehicle's range is below a predefined threshold, controlling a touchscreen of the vehicle to display a control interface for the navigation function in a predefined format. Upon detection (205) of a first touch input on the displayed control interface, the method comprises determining (207) a charging station selection criterion based on the type of touch input of the first touch input, and selecting (208) at least one charging station based on the determined selection criterion, for adapting the initial route. FIG. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Adaptation of a navigation function linked to the energy recharging of a vehicle according to a touch input

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of adapting a navigation function of a vehicle, in particular adapting a route determined by a navigation function.

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

[0003] When a vehicle has a fuel or battery level that falls below a predefined threshold, an alert is triggered in the vehicle's passenger compartment to inform the driver of the vehicle's low range, and to invite him to refuel or recharge the electric battery.

[0004] The user then has a range of a few tens of kilometers, in particular between 60 and 80 km depending on the type of vehicle, before the vehicle breaks down.

[0005] The triggered alert generally consists of a message visible on the dashboard, prompting the driver to interrupt their journey, to refuel or recharge the vehicle's battery.

[0006] However, such an alert has certain drawbacks. Indeed, although it is designed to improve road safety by preventing breakdowns, it can generate unexpected constraints in certain situations.

[0007] According to known solutions, after an alert is triggered, the vehicle's onboard system can automatically modify a route defined by a running navigation function to guide the driver, or the vehicle in the case of an autonomous vehicle, to the nearest gas station or electric charging point. The route initially defined by the navigation function from a destination chosen by the driver is thus replaced by a new route without prior consultation with the driver. For example, the gas station or electric charging point may not meet the driver's selection criteria, such as the price of the gasoline offered or the brand of the gas station or electric charging point when the driver has a loyalty program.Furthermore, the driver may wish to continue the journey to their destination, for example, their home, which may have its own charging station. In this case, the driver must manually adjust the navigation function to return to the original route, which is distracting.

[0008] According to alternative solutions, the on-board system does not automatically modify the initial route, but suggests a route change to the driver, which requires interaction from the driver, notably to accept or reject the suggestion. Such interaction may involve several inputs from the driver, such as touch inputs on a central screen in the vehicle, which also distracts the driver. Given the vehicle's limited autonomy, which is anxiety-inducing, requiring the user to manipulate a touchscreen, in specific areas of the screen, further increases the risk of driver inattention, which can pose safety problems and, at the very least, causes discomfort for the driver.

[0009] In the two prior art solutions identified above, it is not possible to offer the driver a quick and intuitive way to select a charging station suited to their needs. Furthermore, the inability to make a quick selection without taking their eyes off the road reduces driver vigilance and can lead to safety problems.

[0010] There is therefore a need to make the selection of a vehicle charging station simpler and more intuitive in case of low vehicle range.

[0011] The present invention improves the situation.

[0012] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for adapting a vehicle navigation function capable of determining an initial route to a destination, comprising the following steps: - upon detection that a vehicle autonomy level is below a predefined threshold, control of a vehicle touch screen to display a navigation function control interface in a predefined format; - upon detection of a first touch input on the displayed control interface, determination of a charging station selection criterion based on a type of touch input of the first touch input; - selection of at least one charging station based on the determined selection criterion, for adaptation of the initial route.

[0013] The invention thus allows the driver, when the vehicle's range is low, to intuitively and simply indicate their preference for the charging station to select in order to adapt the initial route, without taking their eyes off the road. Furthermore, the control interface is only displayed when the vehicle's range is below the predefined threshold.

[0014] According to embodiments, predefined touch input types of the first touch input can be associated with respective predefined selection criteria, and the touch input type of the first touch input can be among the predefined touch input types.

[0015] Thus, the user can indicate their preference as to the selection criterion to be taken into account, among several possible ones, from the type of touch input of the first touch input, which does not require consulting the touch screen to look for a button specifically dedicated to such a selection criterion among several buttons associated with predefined selection criteria.

[0016] In addition, the predefined selection criteria may include at least one proximity criterion and / or one price criterion.

[0017] Thus, the driver is permitted to vary the chosen selection criterion according to the driving situation and / or the driver's current preference.

[0018] According to embodiments, the predefined touch input types can correspond to respective numbers of fingers.

[0019] Thus, the driver can indicate the preferred selection criterion in a simple and intuitive way. Furthermore, errors in handling and interpreting the initial touch input are reduced.

[0020] According to embodiments, a given predefined type of touch input can be associated with a selection criterion indicating to select a charging station whose distance from a current position of the vehicle is closest to a given distance.

[0021] Thus, the driver can indicate a selection criterion allowing the initial route to continue for the given distance, which makes it possible to defer the refueling of the vehicle with petrol or electric energy, within the limit of the permitted range.

[0022] In addition, the given distance can be indicated by a type of touch input of a second touch input consecutive to the first touch input, when the type of touch input of the first touch input is the given predefined type of touch input.

[0023] Thus, the driver can accurately, simply, intuitively and without taking his eyes off the road, determine the given distance to be travelled before the charging station.

[0024] According to embodiments, the predefined format may be a default format in which the control interface occupies at least 50% of the touch screen.

[0025] Thus, the user does not have to take their eyes off the road to search for the control interface. Indeed, by displaying a large control interface on the touchscreen, the driver can enter the first touch input without having to look at the touchscreen. Therefore, little precision is required in the user's touch input, since the control interface is large and it is the type of touch input that indicates the driver's preference regarding the charging station selection criteria.

[0026] Alternatively, the method may further include a preliminary step of setting a format for the control interface of the navigation function, and the predefined format may be the format set by the user.

[0027] Thus, the driver can define the format of the control interface himself, which facilitates the entry of the first touch input.

[0028] 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.

[0029] A third aspect of the invention relates to a control module in a vehicle, comprising a processor configured to: - upon detection that a vehicle autonomy level is below a predefined threshold, control a touch screen of the vehicle to display a control interface for the navigation function in a predefined format; - upon detection of a first touch input on the displayed control interface, determine a charging station selection criterion based on a type of touch input of the first touch input; - transmit the selection criterion to a navigation module for the selection of at least one charging station based on the determined selection criterion and for the adaptation of the initial route based on the selected charging station.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] illustrates a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating the steps of a control process for a control interface for a vehicle navigation function, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0033] [Fig.3a] illustrates a graphical interface of a touch screen of the vehicle, in a initial driving situation, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3b] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle touchscreen, with a navigation function control interface, in a first format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0035] [Fig. 3c] illustrates a graphical interface of a vehicle touchscreen, with a navigation function control interface in a second format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.3d] illustrates a graphical interface of a touch screen of the vehicle, with a control interface for the navigation function in a third format, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.4] illustrates a structure of a control module of a control interface of a navigation function, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle 100, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0039] The vehicle 100 includes a control module 101, capable of implementing certain steps of the method according to the invention, for the control of a control interface of a navigation function implemented by a navigation module 102 of the vehicle 100. The control module 101 may be exclusively dedicated to the control of the control interface of the navigation 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" type module, ECU.

[0040] The vehicle 100 further comprises the navigation module 102, capable of implementing a navigation function. As is known, the navigation function allows the driver to be guided, or the vehicle to be driven autonomously, from a destination, the vehicle's current position, and map data. The navigation function can, in particular, display visual instructions on a screen 106 of the vehicle 100, which is a central touchscreen according to the invention, in the vehicle's dashboard.

[0041] Thus, the driver can indicate the desired destination, or a series of destinations, to the navigation function, which calculates, from this destination, map data and the current position of the vehicle, a route to the destination or destinations.

[0042] According to embodiments shown in [Fig.1], the control module 101 is separate from the navigation module 102. Alternatively, the control module 101 is integrated into the navigation module 102.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The radio communication module 103 can in particular be capable of and configured to access a 4G or 5G type mobile access network.

[0045] The radio communication module 103 can in particular obtain descriptive map data of the environment of the vehicle 100, the map data being descriptive of the road infrastructure over a given territory including the current position of the vehicle.

[0046] The vehicle 100 may further include a satellite positioning module 105, 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 module Satellite positioning 105 is well known and is not described further in this description.

[0047] The position of vehicle 100 can be used by the navigation module 102 of vehicle 100, as previously described, for the implementation of the navigation function.

[0048] The vehicle 100 further comprises a screen 106 which is a touchscreen according to the invention. There are no restrictions on the positioning of the touchscreen 106 in the vehicle 100: the touchscreen 106 is preferably located in the vehicle's dashboard, for example in a central position.

[0049] The touch screen 106 is 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. In particular, in an initial configuration described below, the graphical interface displayed on the touch screen 106 can display guidance information from the navigation function implemented by the navigation module 102.

[0050] No restrictions are attached to the technology associated with the touch screen 106, which may be in particular of the resistive or capacitive type.

[0051] The vehicle 100 may further include at least one sensor 104. According to the invention, the at least one sensor 104 includes a fuel level sensor capable of determining the level of fuel remaining in the vehicle's fuel tank. The fuel level sensor may transmit an alert signal to the control module 101 when the determined fuel level is below a first predefined threshold, or may transmit the fuel level to the control module 101 for comparison with the first predefined threshold. Alternatively, when the vehicle 100 is equipped with an electric motor rather than a thermal motor, the at least one sensor 104 includes a residual energy sensor capable of determining the residual electrical energy stored in the vehicle's electric battery.The residual energy detector can transmit an alert signal to control module 101 when the residual electrical energy is below a second predefined threshold, or can transmit a residual electrical energy value to control module 101 for comparison with the second predefined threshold.

[0052] Thus, more generally, the vehicle 104 includes a sensor capable of determining a level of autonomy of the vehicle, and of comparing the level of autonomy of the vehicle to a predefined threshold in order to produce an alert signal to the control module 101 when the determined level of autonomy is less than the predefined threshold, or to transmit the level of autonomy to the control module 101 for comparison with the predefined threshold.

[0053] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for controlling a control interface of a navigation function of vehicle 100, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0054] 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, at least one sensor 104, the touch screen 106 and the navigation module 102 described previously.

[0055] Initially, the vehicle 100 is in an initial driving situation, at a stage 200, in which the range level determined by at least one sensor 104 is above the predefined threshold. Thus, no warning signal is received by the control module 101 during the period corresponding to stage 200.

[0056] During step 200, corresponding to the initial situation, the navigation function is implemented by the navigation module 102 according to: - the current position of vehicle 100 obtained from the GPS module 105; - cartographic information stored in memory 107 and / or obtained from the radio communication module 103; - of a destination, or a set of destinations, indicated by the driver of the vehicle.

[0057] Based on the aforementioned information, the navigation module 102 determines one or more routes to the destination or set of destinations. The driver selects a route, and the navigation module 102 displays navigation information to guide the driver along the route, or automatically guides the vehicle, in the case of an autonomous vehicle, along the route. The route thus determined during the initial step 200 is referred to as the initial route in what follows. The adjective "initial" indicates a situation at the moment when it is detected that the level of autonomy is below the predefined threshold.

[0058] The case of a vehicle piloted at least partially manually by the driver is considered in the following, for illustrative purposes only.

[0059] The implementation of the navigation function can thus include the display of navigation data on the graphical interface of the touch screen 106, by the navigation module 102, as shown in [Fig.3a].

[0060] Figure 3a illustrates a graphical interface 300 displayed on the touchscreen 106, in the initial situation of step 200. In the initial situation, the graphical interface 300 comprises one or more graphical areas 302, running in the vehicle, one of which may correspond to the navigation function. Two other graphical areas 302 are dedicated to two other vehicle functions. This example is given for illustrative purposes only. The graphical area(s) 302 may change dynamically, for example, following the receipt of touch input. of the user, for example to interrupt the navigation function, and access an audio content playback function of a vehicle's infotainment system.

[0061] Thus, in the initial situation, the navigation function displays navigation information to guide the driver along the route.

[0062] At a step 201, at least one sensor 104 determines the vehicle's autonomy level.

[0063] At a step 202, at least one sensor 104 compares the determined battery level with the predefined threshold. If the determined battery level is higher than the predefined threshold, the initial situation of step 200 continues, and the graphical interface 300 is displayed in its initial configuration. If the determined battery level is lower than the predefined threshold, at least one sensor 104 transmits an alert signal to the control module 101.

[0064] At a step 203, the control module 101 receives the warning signal from at least one sensor.

[0065] Alternatively, the control module 101 receives the autonomy level determined by at least one sensor 104 in step 201, and performs the comparison in step 202 with the predefined threshold. In this alternative, step 203 is not performed; the at least one sensor 104 simply transmits the autonomy level it determines, without performing a comparison with the predefined threshold, since such a comparison is then performed by the control module.

[0066] At a step 204, when the determined autonomy level is below the predefined threshold, the control module 101 controls the graphical interface 300 of the touch screen 106 to display a control interface for the navigation function, in a predefined format.

[0067] The control interface according to the invention is thus displayed only when the vehicle 100 has a low range. As explained below, the control interface allows the driver to indicate, in a simple and intuitive way, how to adapt the route determined by the navigation function to take into account the low range of the vehicle: the driver can thus indicate his preferences in the selection of a charging station, or can indicate his preference to continue the initial route determined by the navigation function.

[0068] Advantageously according to the invention, the predefined format can be such that the control interface occupies more than 10% of the touch screen 106, preferably occupies more than 20% of the touch screen 106, or even more than 50%, and can occupy more than 90% of the graphical interface displayed on the screen 106.

[0069] The predefined format can be a first default format, illustrated with reference to [Fig.3b], or a format defined during a prior parameterization step 206 by the user, as illustrated with reference to figures 3c and 3d.

[0070] Figure 3b illustrates the graphical interface 300 comprising a control interface 311 for the navigation function, according to the first format. According to the first format, the control interface 311 represents more than 90% of the graphical interface 300 displayed on the touchscreen 106, and can, for example, occupy the entire touchscreen 106.

[0071] The control module 101 can control the display of the activation interface 311 by default at step 204, i.e. if the driver has not defined by parameter the format of the control interface of the navigation function during a prior parameterization step 206.

[0072] The user can also access the navigation function control interface settings to change the activation interface format in step 206. The format can be changed by touch input, for example a touch swipe, by the user on a graphical interface similar to graphical interface 300 of [Fig.3b], reducing the first format to the parameter-defined format, such as the second or third format, which are described below.

[0073] Figure 3c illustrates the graphical interface 300 displayed on the screen 106, comprising a control interface 321 for the navigation function in a second format, which is user-configurable. According to the second format, the control 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.

[0074] Figure 3d illustrates the graphical interface 300 displayed on the screen 106, comprising a control interface 331 for the navigation function in a third format, which is user-configurable. According to the third format, the control 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.

[0075] Referring again to [Fig.2], following the control of the touch screen 106 to display the control interface of the navigation function in a predefined format, which is a default format or a format defined by parameterization, the process proceeds to a step 205.

[0076] In step 205, the control module 101 can determine whether a user touch input has been made on the control interface of the navigation function thus displayed in the predefined format. Such a determination can be implemented using data from the touch screen 106, indicating a touch input or an absence of touch input from the user on the control interface 311, 321 or 331, depending on the predefined format.

[0077] As long as the user has not touched the navigation function control interface, the control module 101 maintains the display of the navigation function control interface in the format predefined in step 204.

[0078] If the control module 101 determines in step 205 that at least one first touch input from the user has been received on the activation interface, the control module 101 determines a type of touch input of the first touch input received on the activation interface, and determines a charging station selection criterion based on the type of touch input of the first touch input, in a step 207.

[0079] Several types of touch input can be predefined, each type of touch input being associated with a vehicle charging station selection criterion.

[0080] There are no restrictions on the predefined touch input types or their number. In the embodiment given in this description by way of illustration, the predefined touch input types may include: - a first type of touch input, which includes any touch input with a single finger, for example a touch of the activation interface in the predefined format with one finger; - a second type of touch input, which includes any touch input with two fingers, for example a touch of the activation interface in the predefined format with two fingers; - a third type of touch input, which includes any touch input with three fingers, for example a touch of the activation interface in the predefined format with three fingers; - a fourth type of touch input, which includes any touch input with four fingers, for example a touch of the activation interface in the predefined format with four fingers; - a fifth type of touch input, which includes any touch input with five fingers, for example a touch of the activation interface in the predefined format with five fingers.

[0081] No restrictions are attached to the selection criteria respectively associated with the types of touch input of the first touch input. By way of illustration: - a first selection criterion associated with the first type of touch input may be a proximity criterion indicating to select the nearest charging station, regardless of the type of charging station; - a second selection criterion associated with the second type of touch input, which could be a proximity criterion among charging stations of a predefined station type, the station type being able to be predefined by the user, for example to constrain the selection of the charging station among stations associated with a given company, with which the user can have a loyalty card or a subscription; - a third criterion associated with the third type of touch input which may be a price criterion, indicating to select the cheapest charging station; - a fourth criterion associated with the fourth type of touch input which can force the selection of the user's home, which includes their own charging station in the case of an electric vehicle; - a fifth criterion associated with the fifth type of touch input, which is a distance criterion, indicating the selection of the charging station closest to a point located at a given distance from the vehicle. As indicated below, the given distance can be determined by the control module 101 from a second touch input following the first touch input, when the first touch input is of the fifth type of touch input.

[0082] At step 208, the control module 101 transmits an identifier of the selection criterion determined in step 207 to the navigation module 102, and the navigation module 102 selects, at step 208, at least one charging station according to the selection criterion, in order to adapt the initial route based on the selected charging station. The process then returns to step 200 to display the navigation data corresponding to the initial route adapted in step 208.

[0083] Optionally, in a step 209 following step 207, the control module 101 can control at least one loudspeaker in the vehicle to reproduce a sound sequence or tone, indicating that the first touch input has been received. This simplifies the use of the control interface, eliminating the need for the user to look at the control interface to confirm that the first touch input has been registered.

[0084] At a step 210, implemented when the first touch input is of the fifth type of touch input, a second touch input is received on the control interface in the predefined format, and the control module 101 determines a touch input type for the second touch input. Several predefined touch input types can correspond to the second touch input. There are no restrictions on the predefined touch input types for the second touch input, nor on the number of predefined touch input types for the second touch input. Each predefined touch input type for the second touch input can correspond to a value of the given distance described previously, so that the user can define the given distance using the second touch input. For example: - if the second touch input is of the first type of touch input, i.e. a touch input with a finger, the given distance can be a first distance value, for example 10 kilometers; - if the second touch input is of the second type of touch input, i.e. a touch input with two fingers, the given distance can be a second distance value, for example 20 kilometers; - if the second touch input is of the third type of touch input, i.e. a touch input with three fingers, the given distance can be a third distance value, for example 30 kilometers; - if the second touch input is of the fourth type of touch input, i.e. a touch input with four fingers, the given distance can be a fourth distance value, for example 40 kilometers; - if the second touch input is of the fifth type of touch input, i.e. a touch input with five fingers, the given distance can be a fifth distance value, for example 50 kilometers.

[0085] Note that the predefined touch input types for the first touch input and the predefined touch input types for the second touch input may be different.

[0086] Following step 210, the process proceeds to step 208 described previously, and optionally to step 209 described previously. In step 208, the control module 101 transmits an identifier of the fifth selection criterion and the distance value determined from the second touch input to the navigation module 102, and the navigation module 102 selects the charging station whose distance from the vehicle 100 is closest to the distance value received from the control module 101. The navigation module 102 then adapts the initial route from the charging station selected in step 208. In step 209, the control module 101 can control at least one loudspeaker to reproduce a sound sequence or a tone indicating that the second touch input has been successfully received.

[0087] The invention thus allows the driver, when the vehicle's range is low, to intuitively, simply and without taking their eyes off the road, indicate their preference for the charging station to select in order to adapt the initial route.

[0088] Indeed, the user does not have to take their attention away from the road to look for the control interface, especially when it occupies more than 50% of the touch screen 106. Indeed, by displaying a large control interface on a screen in a central position in the dashboard, the driver can enter the first touch input, and the second touch input if five fingers are used for the first touch input, without having to look at the touch screen 106.

[0089] In addition, the control interface is only displayed when the vehicle's range is below the predefined threshold.

[0090] The user can indicate their preference for the selection criterion to be considered using a touch input type, which also eliminates the need to consult the touchscreen to search for a button specifically dedicated to that selection criterion among several buttons dedicated to selection criteria. Thus, little precision is required in the user's touch input, since the control interface is large and it is the type of touch input that indicates the driver's preference for the charging station selection criterion.

[0091] Figure 4 shows the structure of a control module 101, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0092] 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.

[0093] The memory 402 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of steps 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209 and 210 of the process described with reference to [Fig.2].

[0094] In particular, the memory 402 can store, at least temporarily, descriptive information in the predefined format, specifically the first format, and optionally in a format configured by the vehicle user 100 during step 206, such as the second or third format. Furthermore, the predefined threshold can be stored in the memory 402 in the embodiment where the control module 101 receives the autonomy level from the sensor 104, for comparison with the predefined threshold. The control module 101 also stores, in the memory 402, the associations between predefined input types of the first touch input and selection criteria. Optionally, the control module 402 also stores, in the memory 402, the associations between predefined input types of the second touch input and the given distance values.

[0095] According to some embodiments, the control module 101 is external to the navigation module 102. According to other variants, the control module 101 is integrated into the navigation module 102.

[0096] The processor 401 is capable of executing instructions, stored in memory 402, for the implementation of steps 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209 and 210 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 steps 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209 and 210 of the process according to the invention, described with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0097] The control module 101 includes a first interface 403 capable of communicating with at least one sensor 104 to receive the warning signal, or alternatively the autonomy level determined by at least one sensor 104.

[0098] The control module 101 further includes a second interface 404 for controlling the touch screen 106 to display the control interface during step 204 described previously.

[0099] The control module 101 may include a third interface 405 capable of communicating with the navigation module 102, to transmit the selection criterion identifier, and optionally the distance value, during step 208 described previously.

[0100] The control module 101 may include an optional fourth interface 406 capable of communicating with at least one loudspeaker to transmit a command to broadcast the sound sequence or sound during step 209 described previously.

[0101] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for adapting a vehicle navigation function (100) capable of determining an initial route to a destination, comprising the following steps: - upon detection (202; 203) that a vehicle autonomy level is below a predefined threshold, control of a touch screen (106) of the vehicle to display a control interface (311; 321; 331) of the navigation function in a predefined format; - upon detection (205) of a first touch input on the displayed control interface, determination (207) of a charging station selection criterion based on a type of touch input of the first touch input; - selection (208) of at least one charging station based on the determined selection criterion, for adaptation of the initial route.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein predefined touch input types of the first touch input are associated with respective predefined selection criteria, and wherein the touch input type of the first touch input is among the predefined touch input types.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the predefined selection criteria include at least one proximity criterion and / or one price criterion.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predefined touch input types correspond to respective numbers of fingers.

5. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a given predefined type of touch input is associated with a selection criterion indicating to select a charging station whose distance from a current position of the vehicle (100) is closest to a given distance.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the given distance is indicated by a type of touch input of a second touch input consecutive to the first touch input, where the type of touch input of the first touch input is the given predefined type of touch input.

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

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a preliminary step (206) of setting a format of the control interface (321; 331) of the navigation function, and wherein the predefined format is the format set by the user.

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: - upon detection that a vehicle autonomy level is below a predefined threshold, control a touch screen of the vehicle to display a control interface for the navigation function in a predefined format; - upon detection of a first touch input on the displayed control interface, determine a charging station selection criterion based on a type of touch input of the first touch input; - transmit the selection criterion to a navigation module for selection of at least one charging station based on the determined selection criterion and for adaptation of the initial route based on the selected charging station.

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