ENHANCED ACTIVATION OF THE NIGHT VISION FUNCTIONALITY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

IMPROVED ACTIVATION OF NIGHT VISION FUNCTIONALITY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES The present invention relates to a method for managing a night vision function for a motor vehicle (2), comprising the following steps: - detection (100) of at least one condition leading to the activation of the night vision function; - proposal (102) of activation of the night vision function by means of a clickable touch button (8) displayed on a console screen (4) of a human-machine interface (3) of the motor vehicle, said clickable touch button occupying at least 50% of the total display area of ​​said console screen; - activation (104) of the night vision function by pressing the clickable touch button. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED ACTIVATION OF THE NIGHT VISION FUNCTIONALITY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of driver assistance functions of motor vehicles. Previous technique

[0002] Modern motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with an on-board computer system providing night vision assistance functionality. This is an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) function integrated into the vehicle's driver assistance system. This functionality relies on an infrared camera, usually located in the vehicle's grille, which improves night vision up to 300 meters and detects obstacles such as pedestrians or animals larger than 50 centimeters.

[0003] The digital instrument display provides the driver with a clear view of what is ahead. The system emits visual alerts, followed by audible signals, to warn of potential hazards near the road. The night vision function allows the driver to see clearly in the dark.

[0004] However, activating this feature requires several steps in the menu displayed on the vehicle's instrument panel, involving at least four separate actions. Once activated, it is necessary to navigate the instrument panel display to access the page corresponding to night vision (infrared camera image). This process involves scrolling (cycling) through different pages of the instrument panel, such as navigation, vehicle data, and night vision, until the desired page is reached.

[0005] Thus, although this function is designed to improve driver safety at night, it can cause distraction, as the driver has to perform several manipulations which, in nighttime situations, can decrease his concentration and lengthen his reflexes, which compromises driving safety.

[0006] The published patent document FR 3 145 324 Al discloses a method for controlling a night vision assistance feature provided by a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle; the method is configured to detect a long press on a visual pictogram displayed on a human-machine interface screen, in order to trigger the deactivation of an alert for the presence of people or animals in front of the motor vehicle.

[0007] However, the solution disclosed in document FR 3 145 324 A1 still presents the same night vision activation problems mentioned previously. Therefore, this document allows for improvements aimed at facilitating and further securing the activation of night vision in the motor vehicle. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a simple and effective solution for ensuring easy and rapid activation of a night vision function on a motor vehicle.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing a night vision function for a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - detection of at least one condition leading to the activation of the night vision function; - proposal to activate the night vision functionality by means of a clickable touch button display on a console screen of a human-machine interface of the motor vehicle, said clickable touch button occupying at least 50% of a total display area of ​​said console screen; - Activation of the night vision function by pressing the clickable touch button.

[0010] Advantageously, the condition or conditions leading to the activation of the night vision functionality include in particular: the detection of nightfall (darkening of the environment) by appropriate sensors, the automatic activation of the low beams, the location of the vehicle outside of a city, etc.

[0011] Preferably, the console screen corresponds to a screen located at a substantially central part of the dashboard, used for navigation, infotainment and other functions.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying a first image, taken using an infrared camera of the motor vehicle, directly opposite the clickable touch button. The first image may occupy at least part of the size of the clickable touch button.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first shot occupies the entire clickable touch button.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying a second shot (6.1), taken using an infrared camera, on a screen of the vehicle's instruments, said display being triggered by the activation of the night vision functionality.

[0015] Preferably, the instrument display is a display located directly behind the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, designed to present driving-related information, such as speed, engine speed, and other similar data.

[0016] The display of the second shot is preferably in place of the first shot on the console screen.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a touch swipe of the console screen rejects the proposal to activate the night vision functionality.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the clickable touch button extends over at least 80% of the total display area of ​​the console screen, and preferably over the entirety of said console screen.

[0019] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising computer-readable code instructions, notable in that said program leads the computer to implement the method of managing a night vision feature for a motor vehicle according to the invention, when said program is executed by a computer.

[0020] The invention further relates to a device comprising a computer-readable recording medium, notable in that the computer program according to the invention is recorded on the recording medium.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle notable in that it is configured to perform the method of managing a night vision functionality for a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the clickable touch button includes a size adjustable by a click and slide action directly on the console screen.

[0023] The features of the invention are advantageous in that they offer improved ergonomics, allowing the driver to activate the night vision function with a simple press, without taking their eyes off the road or searching for a specific point on the screen. By eliminating the need to cycle through the instrument panel pages, this solution simplifies interaction and enhances road safety. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] [Fig.1] represents a schematic view of a motor vehicle according to the invention when a night vision function is activated by pressing a clickable touch button to the right of a console screen;

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates the motor vehicle of [Fig.1] during a refusal of the proposal Activation of the night vision feature, by a touch swipe of the console screen;

[0026] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates examples of possible adjustments to the size of the clickable touch button;

[0027] [Fig.4] represents the motor vehicle of [Fig.1] during the activation of the night vision function, in which the clickable touch button displays in its entirety a first shot, taken using an infrared camera of the motor vehicle. Detailed description

[0028] Fig. 1 represents a schematic view of a motor vehicle 2 performing a method for managing a night vision functionality according to the invention.

[0029] The motor vehicle 2 preferably includes a human-machine interface 3 comprising a console screen 4 that can be located in a central part of the dashboard. The interface 3 also preferably includes an instrument screen 6, which can be located behind the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0030] The method of the invention includes a first detection step 100 of one or more conditions for the activation of night vision, in particular the detection of nightfall.

[0031] When at least one condition is detected, the method makes a proposal 102 to activate night vision by means of a display of a clickable touch button 8, which will be designated by the button 8 in this description, on the console screen 4. Advantageously, the button 8 occupies at least 50% of a total display area of ​​said console screen 4.

[0032] Preferably, button 8 occupies more than 60% of the total display area of ​​console screen 4. More preferably, button 8 occupies more than 80% of the total display area of ​​console screen 4. Even more preferably, button 8 occupies 100% of the total display area of ​​console screen 4.

[0033] Advantageously, the enlargement of button 8 offers the driver the possibility of easily accepting proposal 102 and activating night vision by pressing anywhere on the console screen 4, without having to take their eyes off the road.

[0034] In this configuration, a touch press on the button 8 allows the activation 104 of the night vision to be launched, which preferably includes a display of a shot 10, taken using an infrared camera of the vehicle 2, on the instrument screen 6.

[0035] Preferably, a first image 10.1 is also displayed to the right of button 8 when night vision is activated (e.g., 102). Thus, the instrument display shows a second image 10, which preferably replaces the first image 10.1.

[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates motor vehicle 2 of Fig. 1 during a refusal of proposal 102 to activate the night vision functionality, by a touch swipe of the console screen.

[0037] When the conditions are met in step 100, button 8 will appear on the console screen 4 to offer the activation 102 of night vision, which the user can easily decline by simply swiping button 8. This simplifies driver interaction and helps improve driving safety.

[0038] Alternatively, the driver can change the layout of the display on the console screen 4 before choosing to accept or decline proposal 102. For example, the driver can reduce the size and / or move button 8 on the screen.

[0039] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates examples of possible adjustments to the size of the clickable touch button 8 by a click and drag action directly on the console screen.

[0040] The right-hand side of [Fig. 3] illustrates two examples of buttons 8.1 and 8.2, respectively, in which the first 8.1 occupies the upper half of screen 4, while the second 8.2 is positioned on the side of screen 4, near the steering wheel. It should be noted that the adjustment and arrangement possibilities of button 8 are not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0041] Fig. 4 represents a variant of Fig. 1, in which the button 8 displays in its entirety the first shot 10.1 taken by the infrared camera of the motor vehicle 2.

[0042] In this illustrated variant, button 8 corresponds to shot 10.1, allowing the driver to obtain a preview of the activation of the night vision feature directly on the console screen 4, before this shot is displayed on the instrument screen 6.

[0043] The method according to the invention is preferably in the form of a computer program comprising computer-readable code instructions, which can be recorded on a recording medium of a device such as an on-board computer of the motor vehicle 2.

[0044] Advantageously, the present invention allows for quick and intuitive activation of the night vision function by displaying a large button 8 on the console screen 4, thereby reducing reaction time and improving safety. By minimizing distractions, the driver can activate the function with a simple tap without taking their attention away from the road.

[0045] Furthermore, ergonomics are optimized thanks to a button size of 8 that can be adjusted to the situation, making it accessible even in difficult conditions. Finally, this solution contributes to road safety while avoiding cluttering the display. from instruction screen 6 with additional information, thus the cycling of screen 6 pages is avoided.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of managing a night vision feature for a motor vehicle (2), comprising the following steps: - detection (100) of at least one condition leading to the activation of the night vision feature; - proposal (102) of activation of the night vision feature by means of a display of a clickable touch button (8) on a console screen (4) of a human-machine interface (3) of the motor vehicle (2), said clickable touch button (8) occupying at least 50% of a total display area of ​​said console screen (4); - activation (104) of the night vision feature by pressing the clickable touch button (8).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises a display of a first shot (10.1), taken by means of an infrared camera of the motor vehicle (2), directly opposite the clickable touch button (8).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the first shot (10.1) occupies the entire clickable touch button (8).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said method further comprises a display of a second shot (10), taken using an infrared camera, on an instrument screen (6) of the motor vehicle (2), said display being triggered by the activation (104) of the night vision functionality.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a touch swipe of the console screen rejects proposal (102) to activate the night vision functionality.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the clickable touch button (8) extends over at least 80% of the total display area of ​​the console screen (4), and preferably over the entirety of said console screen (4).

7. A computer program comprising computer-readable code instructions, characterized in that said program leads the computer to implement the method for managing a night vision feature for a motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when said program is executed by a computer.

8. Device comprising a computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that the computer program according to claim 7 is recorded on the recording medium.

9. Motor vehicle (2), characterized in that it is configured to perform the method of managing a night vision functionality for a motor vehicle according to any one of the claims

10. i.e. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 9, wherein the clickable touch button (8) comprises a size adjustable by a click and slide action directly on the console screen.

Images