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

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle's windshield washer system, comprising a touchscreen (12). For this purpose, data representing a set of activation conditions for the vehicle's windshield washer system are received from at least one sensor installed in the vehicle. A windshield washer system control button is displayed on the touchscreen (12) according to a first graphic representation (320). A command to activate the projection of windshield washer fluid by at least one nozzle of the windshield washer system is transmitted following a touch press on the control button. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a windshield washer system of a vehicle, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for controlling the activation of at least one windshield washer fluid spray nozzle of a vehicle's windshield washer system. The invention further relates to a method and device for controlling the display of a windshield washer fluid spray trigger button of a vehicle's windshield washer system. Technological background

[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with a windshield washer system configured to wash the windshield, rear window, and / or the glass surfaces protecting one or more cameras of the vehicle's ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System). Such a windshield washer system includes, in particular, one or more windshield washer fluid nozzles associated with one or more motorized windshield wipers, as well as a reservoir for the windshield washer fluid and a pump to circulate the windshield washer fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle(s).

[0003] The windshield washer system is controlled by manually operating a control device generally located on the vehicle's steering wheel. Such a control device corresponds, for example, to a stalk switch under the steering wheel or a control module. The same stalk switch or module is generally used to control, in particular, the spraying of windshield washer fluid onto the windshield and / or rear window, as well as various vehicle systems or components, for example, to control the windshield wipers, the windshield washer system, and the vehicle's turn signals.

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

[0005] Furthermore, manipulating the control stalk or module generates safety risks for the vehicle, as the driver's attention to activating the windshield washer system may be reduced due to this complexity and / or poor visibility. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] An object of the present invention is, for example, to facilitate the control or command of a vehicle's windshield washer system.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to minimize the time lost by the driver in finding the control device to activate the windshield washer system.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a windshield washer system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receipt of initial data representative of a set of activation conditions of the vehicle's windshield washer system from at least one sensor on board the vehicle; - display control of a windshield washer system control button on a main display area of ​​the touch screen according to a first graphic representation, a size of the control button according to the first graphic representation being greater than a first determined threshold, the display control being triggered by the reception of the first data; - reception of second data representing a touch press on the control button; - transmission of third data representing a command to activate the projection of window cleaning product by at least one nozzle of the window cleaning system to a window cleaning system controller, the transmission being triggered by the reception of the second data.

[0010] The detection of a set of conditions designed to activate the windshield washer system, for example, to clean one or more of the vehicle's windows, automatically triggers the display of a windshield washer control button on the touchscreen. The display is designed to be large, i.e., larger than a predetermined size, which makes operation easier for the driver compared to control via a complex control device (such as a stalk) using a small physical or touch button. The driver does not need to take their eyes off the road to find the control device. Since the driver no longer has to search for the windshield washer control button, their attention on the road is increased, thus improving the safety of the vehicle and other road users.

[0011] According to one variant, the first threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button and a total size of a main display area of ​​the touch screen.

[0012] According to one variant, the first threshold is equal to 90%.

[0013] According to another variant, the first threshold is configurable via an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) of the vehicle.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the first data belong to a dataset comprising: - representative data of a quantity of the window cleaner product available in a window cleaner product reservoir of the window cleaner system; - representative data of the temperature of an external environment of the vehicle; - data representative of a level of cleanliness of at least one glass surface of the vehicle to be cleaned with the window cleaner product; - representative data of degraded operating mode of at least one camera mounted in the vehicle; - data representative of a level of pollution in the outdoor environment; and - representative data from a voice command.

[0015] According to yet another variant, the method further includes a step of controlling the display of the windshield washer system control button on the touch screen according to a second graphic representation, a size of the control button according to the second graphic representation being less than a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold, the display of the control button according to the second graphic representation being carried out on a secondary display area of ​​the touch screen.

[0016] According to another variant, the first graphical representation of the control button is further a function of the first data.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a windshield washer system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or a intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with a window cleaning system, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a screen of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a second a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a third a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a fourth a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.6] illustrates a device configured to control the windshield washer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of the windshield washer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0033] A method and a control device for a vehicle windshield washer system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference symbols throughout the following description.

[0034] 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.

[0035] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of a windshield washer system is implemented by one or more vehicle computers, in particular by one or more processors of this or these computers. The vehicle also includes a display system comprising a touchscreen interface, referred to as a touchscreen, controlled by a computer, for example the computer of the vehicle's infotainment system, referred to as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé").

[0036] Initial representative activation data for the vehicle's windshield washer system are received from at least one sensor onboard the vehicle. This initial data corresponds, for example, to data associated with a situation in which it appears necessary to clean a vehicle window, such as the windshield, rear window, or a camera lens, using the windshield washer system, requiring confirmation from the driver (or a passenger) via a manual control. Following the receipt of this initial data, the control unit controls the display of the windshield washer system control button according to an initial graphical representation. The size of the control button in this initial graphical representation is greater than a predetermined threshold to ensure that the control button is more easily visible and accessible to a vehicle user.Second data points representing a touch press on the control button are received from the touch interface, for example when a user touches the touchscreen at the display location of the control button. In response to these second data points, third data points representing a command to activate one or more windshield washer fluid nozzles (also called windshield washer fluid) of the windshield washer system are transmitted to a [device / system]. windshield washer system controller, to clean the glass surface(s) detected as needing to be washed.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a windshield washer system configured to wash or clean one or more glass surfaces of the vehicle 10, such as the windshield, the rear window, or one or more cameras, such as a reversing camera, an infrared night vision camera, or a rear-view camera, via the action of one or more windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid projected onto the glass surface(s) to be washed by one or more nozzles adapted for this purpose. The windshield washer system thus comprises a controller (for example, a computer) controlling one or more nozzles, each configured to project the windshield washer fluid contained in a washer fluid reservoir, and the pump configured to pump the washer fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle(s).The controller is thus adapted to control the windshield washer system pump to circulate the windshield washer fluid from the windshield washer fluid reservoir to the nozzle(s) projecting the windshield washer fluid onto the surface(s) to be cleaned, and to activate the windshield wiper motor(s) to activate the windshield wipers while the windshield washer fluid is being projected and after the projection has finished for a set duration (for example 10, 20 or 30 seconds).

[0040] Such a windshield washer system is usually controlled by the driver of the vehicle 10 via a control unit of the type stalk 13 or via a central console having a set 11 of physical buttons, configured to control various functions and / or different systems of the vehicle 10 (for example the switching on / off of the hazard lights, the activation or not of the air conditioning), one or more of these physical buttons being for example provided to control / trigger the cleaning of one or more glass surfaces via the windshield washer system.

[0041] The vehicle 10 includes a display system comprising a touch screen 12 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical human-machine interface, known as an HMI, on the touch screen 12. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, known as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of the vehicle 10.

[0042] The touch screen 12 corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Display 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").

[0043] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the touch screen 12, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the touch screen 12 consists of a main display area 21 and a secondary display area 22. For example, the main display area 21 is used to display a set of information for the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 10, for example navigation information, or information relating to the operating status of the vehicle 10. According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the secondary display area 22 is used to display various touch buttons for controlling systems of the vehicle 10, for example a windshield washer system control button shown according to a second graphic representation 220.

[0045] The secondary display area 22 covers a surface of the touch screen 12 with dimensions smaller than those of the surface covered by the main display area 21. The secondary display area 22 is, for example, arranged below the main display area 21. According to other examples, the secondary display area 22 is above the main display area 21 or is formed on a lateral strip on one side or the other of the touch screen 12.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the touch screen 12 consists of a single main display area 21, occupying the entire available display area of ​​the touch screen 12, for example in the case where the vehicle 10 has a control 13 and / or a center console comprising a set of physical buttons 11, not requiring the display of such buttons on the touch screen 12.

[0047] The touchscreen 12 is configured to display content for the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10. The touchscreen 12 is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 10 to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle 10 via a human-machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touchscreen 12. For example, the touchscreen 12 is configured to interact with the IVI system and / or the windshield washer system of the vehicle 10.

[0048] The vehicle display system 10 is connected in communication with the vehicle windshield washer system 10, for example the control unit in charge of the display system (for example the IVI control unit) is connected in communication with the control unit (also called controller) in charge of the windshield washer system via one or more data buses of the vehicle's on-board network 10.

[0049] A problem that arises then concerns the use of the control device, for example the stalk 13 or a physical button from the set of physical buttons 11, when it becomes necessary to trigger the cleaning of one or more glass surfaces of the vehicle 10 by spraying windshield washer fluid onto this or these glass surfaces. The complexity of the stalk 13 or the small size of the physical button requires increased precision from the driver of the vehicle 10, while their attention must be focused on the road. The driver's attention is all the more important when the glass surface to be cleaned is the windshield, as the driver's visibility of the road is then reduced.

[0050] A control process for the windshield washer system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example one or more processors of the IVI computer and / or one or more processors of the computer or controller in charge of the windshield washer system.

[0051] In a first operation of the process, at least one processor of the vehicle 10, for example the IVI computer or a set of computers, receives first data representative of a set of activation conditions of the windshield washer system of the vehicle 10 from at least one sensor on board the vehicle 10.

[0052] According to one embodiment, this initial data corresponds, for example, to all or part of the following data, according to different combinations: - representative data of a quantity of the window cleaner product available in a window cleaner product reservoir of the window cleaner system, the window cleaner system being able to be triggered when the quantity or level of window cleaner product remaining in the reservoir is above a determined threshold; such data is received for example from a sensor intended to measure the quantity or level of window cleaner product in the reservoir; - representative data of a temperature of an environment outside the vehicle, such data being received from a temperature sensor, the windshield washer system being able to be triggered when the outside temperature is above a threshold (for example -5, 0 or 3°C) to prevent the windshield washer fluid from freezing when deposited on the glass surface; - data representative of a level of cleanliness of at least one glass surface of the vehicle to be cleaned with the glass cleaner product, this data being received for example from an optical sensor measuring the level of visibility through the glass surface (for example the windshield) and / or the quantity or level of particles deposited on the glass surface; - representative data of degraded operating mode of at least one camera mounted in the vehicle; - representative data of a level of pollution in the outdoor environment, this data being received, for example, from a sensor measuring the level of particles in the air; and - data representative of a voice command, this data being for example received from a microphone type sensor and interpreted by a voice recognition system of the vehicle 10 as corresponding to a command to activate the windshield washer system and trigger the washing of one or more glass surfaces of the vehicle 10.

[0053] According to a first example, concerning the windshield, the activation conditions include for example a level of windshield washer fluid above a threshold, an outside temperature above a threshold and a level of cleanliness below a threshold (for example a level of visibility through the windshield below a threshold or a level of particles above a threshold).

[0054] According to a second example, concerning the windshield and / or the rear window, the activation conditions include, for example, a level of windshield washer fluid above a threshold, an outside temperature above a threshold, and a pollution level above a threshold.

[0055] According to a third example, concerning a protective glass surface of a camera, the activation conditions include, for example, a level of window cleaner product above a threshold, an outside temperature above a threshold and operation in degraded mode of the camera concerned.

[0056] The above examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and the list of combinations of conditions is not exhaustive.

[0057] In a second operation of the process, illustrated in [Fig.3], the display of a windshield washer system control button is controlled in such a way that the button is displayed on the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12 according to a first graphic representation 320, the size of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320 being greater than a first determined threshold.

[0058] The control button is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen 12.

[0059] The fact that the size of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320 is greater than a first determined threshold, allows a display easily visible to the driver on the touch screen 12, to quickly trigger the windshield washer system and the cleaning of the glass surface(s) to be washed.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the first threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button according to the first graphical representation 320 and the total size of the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12. This ratio is expressed as a percentage of the total size of the main display area 21 occupied by the control button according to the first graphic representation 320.

[0061] A display control of graphic content or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, control button, indicator, etc.) includes a rendering of the graphic content or graphic object, such rendering corresponding to a set of operations performed by one or more processors on the pixels of one or more images of the graphic content to be displayed on the touch screen 12. 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.

[0062] The display control of the control button according to the first graphical representation 320 thus includes the transmission of control signals to the touch screen 12 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 12 at the location intended to display the control button according to the first graphical representation 320 (or any graphical object).

[0063] According to one particular embodiment, the first threshold is equal to 90%. Thus, the control button will be displayed with a size greater than 90% of the size of the main display area 21, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. A first threshold of 90% informs the driver of the possibility of activating the windshield washer system and cleaning one or more glass surfaces of the vehicle 10 upon detection of a set of associated conditions. Another advantage is that it allows the driver to press the control button without looking at the touchscreen 12, while keeping their attention on the external environment around the vehicle 10.

[0064] According to another particular embodiment, the first threshold is equal to 50%. Thus, the control button will be displayed with a size greater than 50% of the size of the main display area 21, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. For example, a first threshold of 50% makes it easier for the driver to touch the control button, while keeping a display area available on the main display area to show other information useful to the driver for ensuring control and supervision of the vehicle 10, for example, navigation information.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], the first graphic representation 320 represents a jet of windshield washer fluid on a windshield.

[0066] According to a particular embodiment, the first graphical representation of the control button is a function of the first data. The first graphical representation represents, for example, the spray of windshield washer fluid onto a windshield when the first data relates to the windshield, for example when the conditions These include a condition on the cleanliness level of the glass surface to be cleaned, and that the cleanliness level data is received from a sensor measuring the cleanliness level of the windshield. The first graphic representation, for example, depicts the spraying of windshield washer fluid on a vehicle's rear window when the initial data identifies that the windshield needs cleaning (for example, when the cleanliness level data is received from a sensor measuring the cleanliness level of the rear window). In another example, the first graphic representation depicts a pictogram combining the spraying of windshield washer fluid on a rear window and the spraying of windshield washer fluid on the windshield when the initial data identifies that both the windshield and the rear window need cleaning.

[0067] According to an embodiment illustrated by [Fig.4], the first graphic representation 420 occupies the left part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12, and the right part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12 is available to display other information.

[0068] According to an embodiment illustrated by [Fig.5], the first graphic representation 520 occupies the upper part of the main display area of ​​the screen 12, and the lower part of the main display area of ​​the screen 12 is available to display other information.

[0069] According to another embodiment, the first threshold represents dimensions in pixels of a height and a width of a minimum rectangular area on which to display the control button.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the first threshold is configurable via a vehicle HMI (Human-Machine Interface) 10. For example, the first threshold is configurable by selecting its value from a menu or page of the HMI. The driver selects a threshold according to their preferences, for example, a high threshold if the driver wants to make pressing the control button easier, as shown in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520.

[0071] In a third operation of the process, second data representing a touch press on the control button displayed according to the first graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 are received, following a touch press by a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the control button displayed on the touch screen 12.

[0072] A touch press on the control button displayed according to the first graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements one or more functions associated with the command corresponding to the touch press.

[0073] The second data representing a touch press are for example received via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

[0074] A touch press corresponds to a short or brief touch press in which the duration of the press on the control button is less than a threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms). According to one embodiment, a touch press corresponds to a long touch press in which the duration of the press on the control button is greater than the threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0075] In a fourth operation of the process, the IVI computer transmits third data representing a command or request to activate the projection of windshield washer product by at least one nozzle of the windshield washer system to the windshield washer system controller, the transmission of the third data being triggered by the reception of the second data by the IVI computer.

[0076] These third data are transmitted for example via one or more data buses linking the IVI computer and a control computer for the windshield washer system.

[0077] The activation command or request allows, for example, the activation of the window cleaning product pump and the projection of the window cleaning product onto the glass surface(s) to be cleaned via the nozzle(s) associated with this or these glass surfaces.

[0078] The nozzle(s) activated by the control are, for example, identified via the first graphic representation. Thus, when the first graphic representation corresponds to a jet of windshield washer fluid on the windshield, the activated nozzle(s) are those associated with the windshield. When the first graphic representation corresponds to a jet of windshield washer fluid on the rear window, the activated nozzle(s) are those associated with the rear window. When the first graphic representation corresponds to a combination of pictograms representing the jet of windshield washer fluid on the rear window and the jet of windshield washer fluid on the windshield, the activated nozzle(s) are those associated with the rear window and the windshield.

[0079] According to one embodiment, when the second data are representative of a long touch press (of duration greater than a threshold) or a double touch press, all the nozzles of the windshield washer system are activated to project windshield washer product onto all the glass surfaces of the vehicle 10 equipped with nozzle(s).

[0080] According to a particular embodiment, the display time of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 is a fixed duration. For example, the display time of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 is 10, 15, or 20 seconds. The The driver thus has a period of time to decide whether to press the control button.

[0081] According to another particular embodiment, the control button in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 disappears upon receipt of the second data. This second data indicates that a touch has been detected on the control button, and it is therefore no longer necessary to display this control button in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520. In other words, the reception of the second data also triggers a check to end the display of the control button in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520, the content displayed on the touchscreen 12 then corresponding to the content displayed before the control button in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 was displayed.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the process further comprises a display control operation for the windshield washer system control button on the touchscreen 12 according to a second graphical representation 220, the size of the control button according to the second graphical representation 220 being less than a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold. This embodiment makes it possible to maintain a reduced-size control button available on the touchscreen 12, for example, when the control button according to the first graphical representation 320, 420, or 520 disappears from the touchscreen 12.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the display of the control button according to the second graphic representation 220 is carried out on a secondary display area 22 of the touch screen 12.

[0084] The secondary display area 22 corresponds for example to a lower band of the touch screen 12, representing one or more control buttons commanding the activation of one or more systems of the vehicle 10, one of these control buttons being the control button of the windshield washer system 10 according to the second graphic representation 220.

[0085] The second graphic representation 220 represents the same symbol or pictogram as that of the first graphic representation 320, 420 or 520.

[0086] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a device 6 configured for controlling a vehicle's display system and / or for controlling a vehicle's windshield washer system, for example, vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer.

[0087] Device 6 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 5 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 7]. Examples of such a device 6 include, but are not limited to, a 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 6, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 6 can be implemented as electronic circuits, software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0088] The device 6 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further comprises at least one memory 61, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0089] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 61.

[0090] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 6 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0091] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 62 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0092] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a communication interface 63 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

[0093] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch or not, one or more speakers 650 and / or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

[0094] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a windshield washer system of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device mounted in vehicle 10 or by device 6 of Figure 6.

[0095] In a first step 71, initial data representative of a set of activation conditions of the vehicle's windshield washer system are received from at least one sensor on board the vehicle.

[0096] In a second step 72, the display of a windshield washer system control button is controlled to display this button on a main display area of ​​the touch screen according to a first graphical representation, a size of the button according to the first graphical representation being greater than a first determined threshold, the display control being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0097] In a third step 73, second data representing a touch press on the control button are received.

[0098] In a fourth step 74, third data representative of an activation command for the projection of windshield washer fluid by at least one nozzle data from the windshield washer system are transmitted to a windshield washer system controller, with the transmission of the third data being triggered by the reception of the second data.

[0099] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.7].

[0100] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for displaying a button representing a vehicle's windshield washer system in various graphic representations, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0101] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] or a display system comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] connected in communication to a touch screen 12.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a windshield washer system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a display system including a touchscreen (12), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (71) first data representing a set of activation conditions of said windshield washer system of the vehicle (10) from at least one sensor onboard in said vehicle (10); - display control (72) of a control button of said windshield washer system on a main display area (21) of said touchscreen (12) according to a first graphical representation (320), a size of said control button according to said first graphical representation (320) being greater than a first determined threshold, said display control (72) being triggered by the reception (71) of the first data; - receiving (73) second data representing a touch press on said control button;- transmission (74) of third data representing a command to activate the projection of windshield washer fluid by at least one nozzle of said windshield washer system to a controller of said windshield washer system, said transmission being triggered by the reception of said second data.;

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said first threshold represents a ratio between said size of said control button and a total size of said main display area of ​​said touch screen (12).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said first threshold is equal to 90%.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first threshold is configurable via a human-machine interface of said vehicle (10).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first data belong to a data set comprising: - data representative of a quantity of the window cleaner product available in a window cleaner product reservoir of said window cleaner system; - data representing the temperature of an external environment of the vehicle; - data representing the level of cleanliness of at least one glass surface of said vehicle to be cleaned with said glass cleaner; - data representing the operation in degraded mode of at least one camera on board said vehicle; - data representing the level of pollution of said external environment; and - data representing a voice command.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of display control of said control button of said windshield washer system on said touch screen (12) according to a second graphic representation (220), a size of said control button according to said second graphic representation (220) being less than a second threshold, said second threshold being less than the first threshold, the display of said control button according to said second graphic representation (220) being carried out on a secondary display area (22) of said touch screen (12).

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first graphical representation (320) of said control button is further a function of said first data.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when said program is executed by a processor.

9. Device (6) for controlling a windshield washer system of a vehicle (10), said control device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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

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