Method and device for controlling a vehicle's navigation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle navigation system comprising a touchscreen (12). For this purpose, data representing the detection of a failure in at least one vehicle component is received. A navigation system control button is displayed on the touchscreen (12) according to a predetermined graphic representation (320) following the reception of the initial data, the size of the control button according to the predetermined graphic representation being greater than a predetermined threshold. A navigation system control request is transmitted following a touch press (321) on the control button, the control request being a function of the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touchscreen interface of the touchscreen (12) during the touch press (321). Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a vehicle navigation system, particularly but not exclusively for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for determining a route using the vehicle's navigation system. Technological background

[0002] Many modern vehicles are equipped with a navigation system configured to determine and calculate a route for the vehicle based on information such as a starting point and a final destination. The navigation system may be, for example, an on-board system in the vehicle. Alternatively, the navigation system may be implemented on a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, in the form of a mobile application. Such a mobile communication device is connected wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth®) or via a wired connection (e.g., via USB) to the vehicle, and the screen of the mobile communication device is shared with a screen in the vehicle to display the content of the mobile communication device's screen on the vehicle's screen.According to this implementation example, the vehicle driver can control the mobile communication device's navigation system via actions on the vehicle's touchscreen, just as they would with an onboard navigation system.

[0003] When a fault or malfunction is detected in a vehicle component, a series of alerts are generated to warn the driver of the detected fault and any associated safety risks to the vehicle. Depending on the navigation system settings, a new route is automatically calculated by the navigation system when a fault is detected, this new route having a final destination of a garage, the objective being to guide the driver to this garage without further delay. According to another setting, the new destination is first suggested to the driver via a message displayed on the vehicle's screen, the driver must then manually confirm the proposed route calculation to this new destination for the navigation system to calculate the new route and guide the driver.Manual control is, for example, achieved by actuating an ad hoc control device, which corresponds, for example, to a physical button arranged in the vehicle's passenger compartment or, more generally, to a virtual button displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen.

[0004] Such a mode of operation presents certain problems. For example, the automatic calculation of a new route does not always correspond to what the driver wants, who must then cancel the guidance and request the calculation and guidance again for the route he was following before the fault was detected. These actions require interaction with the vehicle's control device, for example, the touchscreen, which distracts the driver from the road and presents safety risks for the vehicle. Proposing a new route with manual confirmation or validation by the driver corrects some of these problems but still requires interaction by the driver with the control device, for example, the touchscreen, which reduces the driver's attention to the road.Indeed, the driver must then search for the location of the manual control device, which is often small or located among other control devices for other vehicle systems, requiring an effort from the driver to know where to press to validate or invalidate the calculation of the proposed new route. Summary of the present invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0006] An object of the present invention is, for example, to facilitate the control or command of a vehicle's navigation system.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to minimize the driver's loss of attention in the use or control of the navigation system.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle navigation system, 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 indicating the detection of a failure in at least one component of the vehicle; - display control of the navigation system control button on a main display area of ​​the touch screen according to a determined graphic representation, a size of the control button according to the determined graphic representation being greater than a determined threshold, the display control being triggered by the reception of the first data; - reception of second data representing a first touch press on the control button, the second data including a first piece of information representing a first number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touch screen during the first touch press; - transmission of third data points representing a control request from the navigation system, the control request being a function of the first piece of information.

[0009] The use of data associated with the detection of a fault or failure of a component or part of the vehicle allows for the automatic triggering of a navigation system control button on the touchscreen. The display is designed to be large, i.e., larger than a predetermined threshold, which facilitates operation for the driver compared to control via a complex or small control device. The driver then does not need to take their attention away from the road to search for the control module and control the navigation system, for example, to confirm the determination of a new route to a vehicle repair center to correct or repair the faulty component.Since the driver no longer has to search for the navigation system control button, their attention on the road is increased, which improves the safety of the vehicle and other road users.

[0010] According to one variant, the control query corresponds to: - a request to determine a route by the navigation system where the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers belonging to a set of numbers of fingers comprising a plurality of numbers of fingers, the request to determine a route comprising a second piece of information representing a final destination of the route, the second piece of information being a function of the first number of fingers; or - a request to re-display the control button according to the graphical representation determined based on a determined event when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers not included in the set of numbers of fingers.

[0011] According to another variant, the final destination corresponds to: - a location of the first vehicle repair center closest to a current position of the vehicle when the first piece of information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 1; - a location of a second vehicle repair center recorded in a vehicle memory associated with the navigation system when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 2; - a location of a third vehicle repair center when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 3, the third vehicle repair center being determined by comparison of rates charged by a plurality of vehicle repair centers, the third vehicle repair center corresponding to the vehicle repair center of the plurality whose rates charged are the lowest; - a location of a driver's home when the first piece of information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 4.

[0012] According to a further variant, the third data represents the request to re-display the control button when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 5, the method further comprising the following steps: - rendering of an audible alert in the passenger compartment of the vehicle; - reception of fourth data representing a second touch press made on the control button following the rendering, the fourth data including a second piece of information representing a second number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen during the second touch press, the determined event being a function of the second piece of information.

[0013] According to another variant, the determined event corresponds to: - a deadline for the first duration of vehicle operation following the first touch press when the second piece of information represents a second number of fingers equal to 1; - a deadline for a second vehicle driving time following the first touch press when the second information represents a second number of fingers equal to 2, the second driving time being greater than the first driving time; - a deadline of a third vehicle driving time following the first touch press when the second information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 3, the third driving time being greater than the second driving time; - the vehicle stops in park mode when the second piece of information represents a second number of fingers equal to 4; and - a deadline of a time interval equal to 24 hours following the first touch press when the second piece of information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 5.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the determined threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button and a total size of the main display area of ​​the touch screen.

[0015] According to another variant, the determined threshold is equal to 90%.

[0016] According to another variant, the determined threshold is configurable via an interface The vehicle's man-machine interface.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle navigation system, 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 may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an 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 navigation 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 navigation 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 vehicle navigation system 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 navigation 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 signs 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 navigation 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 data representative of the detection of a failure in at least one vehicle component are received. This initial data may, for example, be representative of a fault code or correspond to data received from one or more sensors monitoring parameters representative of the operation of vehicle components. Following the receipt of this initial data, the control unit controls the display of the navigation system control button according to a predetermined graphical representation, and adjusts the size of the control button according to the a determined graphical representation being greater than a determined threshold so that the control button is more easily visible and accessible by a vehicle user, for example the driver. Second data representing a first touch press on the control button is received from the touch interface when a user touches the touchscreen at the display location of the control button. This second data includes first information representing a first number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touchscreen during the first touch press. In response to this second data, third data representing a control request from the navigation system is transmitted to a navigation system controller, the control request being a function of the first information.

[0037] The [Fig.[l] 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 navigation system configured to calculate or determine a route based on information such as the location of a starting point and the location of an arrival point (corresponding to the final destination of the route). The navigation system is further configured to display guidance instructions on a screen so that the driver of the vehicle 10 can follow the calculated route. The navigation system uses mapping data of the environment in which the vehicle 10 is moving, as well as location data of the vehicle 10 as it moves through the environment.The location data of vehicle 10 is obtained from a receiver of a GNSS type geolocation system (Global Navigation Satellite System), for example the GPS system (Global Positioning System).

[0040] The navigation system corresponds to an on-board system of the vehicle 10 or to a detached system. A detached system corresponds, for example, to a navigation system implemented by a mobile communication device connected wirelessly or via a wired connection to the vehicle 10 to receive control instructions from the vehicle 10 for the detached navigation system and to transmit to the vehicle 10 data representing the graphic content displayed on the screen of the mobile communication device so that this graphic content is also displayed on the touchscreen 12 of the vehicle 10. Such communication data is for example implemented using the technology known as screen duplication (or "screen mirroring" in English).

[0041] Such a navigation system, whether mounted on the vehicle or mounted off the vehicle, is controlled by the driver of the vehicle 10 via a manual control device or module, for example, a steering wheel control device 11 having a set of physical buttons configured to control various functions and / or different parameters of the navigation system. In another example, the control device is a graphical human-machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touchscreen 12 of the vehicle 12, the user, for example the driver, of the vehicle 10 controlling the navigation system by touching virtual buttons of the HMI displayed on the touchscreen 12.

[0042] The vehicle 10 also includes a display system comprising a touch screen interface, referred to as touch screen 12, and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical human-machine interface, referred to as HMI, on the touch screen 12. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, referred to as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of the vehicle 10.

[0043] The touch screen 12 corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[0044] The vehicle 10 also includes a system for monitoring the operation of its components. The term "component" is used to refer to all the hardware and software components of the vehicle 10, as well as all the vehicle's organs, such as the engine, a battery, a braking system, etc. The monitoring system comprises a set of sensors that measure physical quantities representative of the operating parameters of the vehicle's components. These physical quantities are monitored to detect malfunctions such as component failures or malfunctions. A failure corresponds, for example, to a malfunction of a component or organ of the vehicle, that is, a malfunction resulting in the cessation of operation of the component or organ in question.A fault also corresponds to a degraded operation of the component or part in question compared to normal operation; for example, operation or only part of the services that the component or part provides in normal operation is performed. The monitoring system is further configured, for example, to generate fault codes when a fault in a component is detected and to generate alerts for the driver. The alert is, for example, materialized by the display of a pictogram indicating the fault on the dashboard and / or by the display of a message on the touch screen 12. A fault code is also called a DTC code (from the English "Diagnostic Trouble Code" or in French "Code défaut de diagnostic").

[0045] The navigation system, the monitoring system, and the display system are interconnected and communicate with each other via one or more data buses of the vehicle's embedded network 10, which connects the computers or controllers that control, in particular, each of the ADAS systems, the navigation system, and the display system. The computers form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for implementing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle 10 and for assisting the driver and / or passengers in controlling the vehicle 10.These computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0046] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the touch screen 12, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment, the touchscreen 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 a particular embodiment, the main display area 21 is used to display the content displayed on a screen of a mobile communication device connected wirelessly or wired to the vehicle's on-board network 10 using screen mirroring technology. According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig.[2] The secondary display area 22 is used to display various touch-sensitive control buttons for vehicle systems 10, with, for example, a navigation system control button displayed with a different graphical representation 220 than the control button in the main display area, i.e., with a smaller size than the control button. This control button is used, for example, to confirm an action or function of the navigation system when user confirmation is required.

[0048] The secondary display area 22 covers a surface of the touch screen 12 with dimensions smaller than those of the surface covered by the display area main 21. The secondary display area 22 is arranged, for example, 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 side strip on one side or the other of the touch screen 12.

[0049] According to another particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.3], 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 steering wheel control module 11 or behind the steering wheel 11, not requiring the display of such buttons in a secondary display area 22 on the touch screen 12.

[0050] 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, the navigation system of the vehicle 10 and / or other driver assistance systems, called ADAS systems (Advanced Driver-Assistance System).

[0051] The vehicle display system 10 is connected in communication with the vehicle navigation system 10, for example the computer in charge of the display system (for example the IVI computer) is connected in communication to the computer (also called controller) in charge of the navigation system via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network. When the navigation system is unloaded and implemented on a mobile communication device, the computer in charge of the display system (for example the IVI computer) is connected in communication to the mobile communication device via a wireless or wired communication interface of the vehicle 10, which wireless or wired communication interface is connected to the IVI computer via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network.

[0052] A problem that then arises concerns the use of the control module or device, for example arranged at the steering wheel 11 or integrated into a graphic HMI displayed on the touch screen, when it becomes necessary to manually validate the calculation of a new route to reach a vehicle repair center following the detection of a failure of one or more components of the vehicle 10. The complexity of the steering wheel control 11 or the small size of the physical or touch button 220 requires increased precision from the driver of the vehicle 10, while his attention must be focused on the road.

[0053] A control process for the vehicle navigation system 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 navigation system.

[0054] 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 initial data representing the detection of a failure of at least one component of the vehicle 10. The initial data is received, for example, from the monitoring system, i.e. from a computer controlling such a monitoring system, or from a sensor monitoring the component detected as faulty.

[0055] These first data are thus received via one or more data buses of the vehicle's on-board network 10 linking the computer in charge of the process and the sensor or computer controlling the monitoring system.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the first data is received from the computer or controller controlling the navigation system when the latter receives an alert of detection of at least one faulty component requiring the navigation system to determine a new route to a vehicle repair center, for example a car garage or a dealer of the brand of the vehicle 10.

[0057] In a second operation of the process, illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 according to different embodiment examples, the display of a navigation system control button is controlled in such a way that the control button is displayed on the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12 according to a determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520, the size of the control button according to this determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 being greater than a 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 determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 is greater than a determined threshold, allows a display easily visible to the driver on the touch screen 12, to control the navigation system, for example requesting the calculation of a new route by the navigation system.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button according to the determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 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 determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520.

[0061] A display control for 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 corresponds 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, 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 determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 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 determined graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 (or any graphic object).

[0063] According to one particular embodiment, the 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 threshold of 90% allows the driver to be informed of the possibility of controlling the vehicle's navigation system 10 following the detection of a failure in one or more components of the vehicle 10, for example, to request the determination of a new route to a destination from a set of predetermined destinations as described below. Another advantage is that it allows the driver to perform a touch command on 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 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 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 21 to display other information useful to the driver for ensuring the control and supervision of the vehicle 10, for example, navigation information.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the determined graphic representation 420 occupies the left part of the main display area 21 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.

[0066] According to another particular embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], the determined graphic representation 520 occupies the upper part of the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12, and the lower part of the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12 is available to display other information.

[0067] According to another embodiment, the threshold represents dimensions in pixels of a height and a width of a minimum rectangular area on which to display the control button.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the threshold is configurable via a vehicle HMI (Human-Machine Interface) 10. For example, the 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 defined graphical representation.

[0069] The control button according to the graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 illustrated respectively on [Fig.3], 4 or 5 is represented by a pictogram representing a vehicle following a route to reach a final destination.

[0070] In a third operation of the process, second data representing a first touch press 321 (also called first touch command) on the control button displayed according to the determined graphic representation 320, as illustrated in [Fig.3], are received, following a touch command, corresponding to the first touch press, from a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the control button displayed on the touch screen 12. The second data advantageously includes first information representing a first number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touch screen during the first touch press.

[0071] A touch press on the control button displayed according to the graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 sends information to the IVI calculator so that the latter implements one or more functions associated with the touch press, the function or functions implemented being a function of the touch press and in particular of the number of fingers (called first number of fingers) simultaneously in contact with the touch interface during the touch press.

[0072] The second data representing the first touch press are received for example 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.

[0073] The number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface is equal to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers. The first touch press corresponds, for example, to a short or brief touch press whereby the duration of pressing the control button is less than a threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms), the touch press being made with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers of one of the driver's hands; according to another example, the touch press corresponds to a long touch press whereby the duration of pressing the control button is greater than the threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms), the touch press being made with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers of one of the driver's hands.

[0074] The simultaneous touch of one or more fingers corresponds to the detection of one or more touch presses within a short time interval (for example, equal to 100 or 200 ms), after the first detection of a touch press on the control button according to the graphic representation determined 320, 420, 520. In other words, any touch press detected on the touch interface of the touch screen 12 within this time interval will be associated with the first touch press 321, the total number of touch presses corresponding to the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen 12.

[0075] In a fourth operation of the process, the IVI computer transmits third data representing a command or control request from the navigation system to the navigation system controller, the control request being a function of the second data, and in particular of the first information included in the second data.

[0076] The control request is thus a function of the number of fingers used by the driver of the vehicle 10 to perform the first touch press, that is to say that the control request varies according to whether the first touch press 321 is performed with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen 12.

[0077] The transmission of the third data is triggered by the reception of the second data by the IVI computer.

[0078] These third data are for example transmitted via one or more data buses linking the IVI computer and a computer or controller of the navigation system.

[0079] The control query thus corresponds, for example, to: - a request to determine a route by the navigation system where the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers belonging to a set of numbers of fingers comprising a plurality of numbers of fingers, the request to determine a route comprising a second piece of information representing a final destination of the route, the second piece of information being a function of the first number of fingers; or - a request to re-display the control button according to the graphical representation determined based on a determined event when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers not included in the set of numbers of fingers.

[0080] According to a particular embodiment, the set of numbers of fingers includes the following numbers of fingers: - 1 finger, - 2 fingers, - 3 fingers, and - 4 fingers.

[0081] According to this particular embodiment, the control request corresponds to a request for the navigation system to determine a route when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 1, 2, 3, or 4 fingers. According to this particular embodiment, the control request corresponds to a request for a subsequent re-display of the control button according to the determined graphical representation when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 5. Of course, the invention is not limited to such an example; the control request could, for example, correspond to the request for a re-display when the first number of fingers is equal to 1 finger, and the control request could, for example, correspond to the request for the navigation system to determine a route when the first number of fingers is equal to 2, 3, 4, or 5 fingers.

[0082] When the control request corresponds to a request to determine a route by the navigation system, the final destination depends on the first number of fingers, that is to say that the final destination of the route to be calculated or determined varies depending on whether the first number of fingers is equal to 1, 2, 3 or 4 according to the particular embodiment example above.

[0083] Thus, according to this particular embodiment, the final destination corresponds to: - the location of a first vehicle repair center (for example, a garage or a repair center authorized by the vehicle manufacturer 10) that is closest to the current position of the vehicle 10 when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 1; the current position of the vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to the position or location of the vehicle 10 when the failure of the component(s) of the vehicle 10 is detected or to the position or location of the vehicle 10 when the first touch 321 is performed; or - the location of a second vehicle repair center when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 2; this second repair center corresponds, for example, to the authorized garage or the garage chosen by the manufacturer of vehicle 10 that is closest to the current position of vehicle 10; according to another example, the second repair center corresponds to the car garage where vehicle 10 is usually tracked, the location of this second repair center then being recorded in a memory associated with the navigation system and accessible by the latter; or - the location of a third vehicle repair center when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 3, the third vehicle repair center being determined by comparing the rates charged by a plurality of vehicle repair centers, the third repair center of vehicle corresponding to the vehicle repair center of the plurality whose rates are the lowest charged; the rates applied by each repair center are for example accessible via a wireless connection, the rates being for example stored in a "cloud" server and associated with each repair center of the plurality of repair centers; - a location of a driver's home of vehicle 10 when the first piece of information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 4, a touch press with 4 fingers being equivalent to ignoring the suggestion to go to a repair center; the location of the home is for example stored in the memory associated with the navigation system.

[0084] When the first number of fingers is 5, the control request corresponds to a request to re-display the control button according to the graphic representation determined upon the occurrence of a specific event. The user thus performs the initial touch with 5 fingers, delaying the decision regarding the possible calculation of a new route by the navigation system, the delay varying according to the event. The event corresponds, for example, to the expiry of a specific time period or to an action performed with the vehicle 10. This allows the driver time to decide how to proceed following the detection of the fault.

[0085] Thus, when the third data represents the request to re-display the control button, that is, when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 5, the process further includes the following operations: - rendering of an audible alert in the passenger compartment of vehicle 10 via one or more speakers of vehicle 10 to indicate that the first touch with 5 fingers has been successfully detected and registered; then - reception of fourth data representing a second touch press made on the control button following the rendering, the fourth data including a second piece of information representing a second number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen 12 during the second touch press, the determined event being a function of the second piece of information.

[0086] When the driver makes the first touch press 321 with 5 fingers, a second touch press after the first touch press must be made by the driver to indicate which event will trigger the new display of the control button according to the graphic representation determines 320. The number of fingers (called second number of fingers) used to make the second touch press determines the event that will trigger the new display of the control button.

[0087] According to specific examples, the determined event corresponds to: - a deadline for an initial vehicle driving time of 10 minutes following the first touch press when the second piece of information represents a second number of fingers equal to 1; this initial driving time is stored in memory and is, for example, equal to 30 minutes; or - a deadline for a second driving time (different from the first driving time) of the vehicle 10 following the first touch press when the second information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 2, the second driving time being greater than the first driving time; this second driving time is stored in memory and is for example equal to 60 minutes; - a deadline of a third driving time (different from the first driving time and the second driving time) of the vehicle 10 following the first touch press when the second information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 3, the third driving time being greater than the second driving time; this third driving time is stored in memory and is for example equal to 120 minutes; - a stop of vehicle 10 in parking mode when the second piece of information represents a second number of fingers equal to 4; stopping vehicle 10, for example when the speed of vehicle 10 is zero and / or when the parking brake is engaged and / or when the engine is off, will trigger the new display of the control button; and - a deadline of a time interval equal to 24 hours following the first touch press when the second piece of information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 5.

[0088] Following the second touch press, the control button then displayed in the main display area 21 of the touch screen disappears following the reception of the fourth data to be displayed only when the event determined according to the second number of fingers occurs.

[0089] When this new display occurs, the driver will have the opportunity to perform a touch press of the type of the first touch press, the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen 12 during this new touch press determining which control request to transmit to the navigation system, as described previously for the first touch press 321.

[0090] According to a particular embodiment, the display time of the control button on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 is a fixed duration. For example, the display time of the control button on the main display area 21 of the touchscreen 12 is 10, 15, or 20 seconds. The driver thus has a period of time to decide whether or not to perform the first touch press 321 on the control button. If no first touch press 321 is made, the navigation system is not activated, or if it was activated when the failure occurred, the route then calculated is maintained and the navigation system continues to guide the driver to follow this route.

[0091] According to another particular embodiment, the display of the control button on the main display area 21 of the touchscreen 12 disappears following the receipt of the second data point when the first information indicates that the first number of fingers is equal to 1, 2, 3, or 4. This second data point indicates that the first touch press has been detected on the control button, and it is therefore no longer necessary to display this control button. In other words, the receipt of the second data point also triggers a check to end the display of the control button when the first number of fingers is equal to 1, 2, 3, or 4, the content displayed on the touchscreen 12 then corresponding to the navigation system's guidance instructions to reach the final destination corresponding to the first number of fingers.

[0092] The navigation system is then controlled according to the control request received.

[0093] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a device 6 configured for controlling a vehicle display system and / or for controlling a vehicle navigation 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. In another example, the device 6 corresponds to a mobile communication device such as a smartphone.

[0094] 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, 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 in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0095] 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 a person skilled in the art. The device 6 further includes at least one memory 61 corresponding for example to volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or includes a memory storage device which may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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").

[0099] 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 CAN (Controller Area Network) or CAN FD (Controller-Driven Network) type network. Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate or in French “Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible”), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0100] 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.

[0101] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a vehicle navigation system, 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 embedded in vehicle 10 or by device 6 of [Fig. 6].

[0102] In a first step 71, initial data representative of the detection of a failure of at least one component of the vehicle are received.

[0103] In a second step 72, the display of the navigation system control button is controlled to display this button on a main display area of ​​the touch screen according to a determined graphical representation, a size of the control button according to the determined graphical representation being greater than a determined threshold, the display control being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0104] In a third step 73, second data representing a first touch press on the control button are received, the second data comprising a first information representing a first number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touch screen during the first touch press.

[0105] In a fourth step 74, third data representing a navigation system control request are transmitted to a navigation system controller, the control request being a function of the first information.

[0106] 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].

[0107] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method of displaying a button representing a vehicle's navigation system according to one or more 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.

[0108] 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 navigation system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a display system including a touch screen (12), said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (71) initial data representative of the detection of a failure of at least one component of said vehicle; - display control (72) of a navigation system control button on a main display area (21) of said touch screen (12) according to a determined graphical representation (320), a size of said control button according to said determined graphical representation (320) being greater than a determined threshold, said display control (72) being triggered by the receipt (71) of the initial data;- reception (73) of second data representing a first touch press (321) made on said control button, said second data comprising a first piece of information representing a first number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of said touch screen during said first touch press (321); - transmission (74) of third data representing a control request of said navigation system, said control request being a function of said first piece of information.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said control request corresponds to: - a route determination request by said navigation system when said first piece of information represents a first number of fingers belonging to a set of numbers of fingers comprising a plurality of numbers of fingers, said route determination request comprising a second piece of information representing a final destination of the route, said second piece of information being a function of said first number of fingers; or - a request to redisplay said control button according to said determined graphical representation (320) as a function of a determined event when said first piece of information is representative of a first number of fingers not included in said set of numbers of fingers.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said final destination corresponds to: - a location of a first vehicle repair center closest to a current position of said vehicle (10) when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 1; - a location of a second vehicle repair center recorded in a memory of the vehicle associated with said navigation system when the first information is representative of a first number of fingers equal to 2;- the location of a third vehicle repair center when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 3, said third vehicle repair center being determined by comparing the rates charged by a plurality of vehicle repair centers, said third vehicle repair center corresponding to the vehicle repair center of said plurality whose rates are the lowest; - the location of a driver's home when the first piece of information represents a first number of fingers equal to 4.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the third data represents the request for a new display of said control button when the first information represents a first number of fingers equal to 5, the method further comprising the following steps: - rendering an audible alert in a passenger compartment of said vehicle; - receiving fourth data representing a second touch press made on said control button following said rendering, said fourth data comprising a second information representing a second number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of said touch screen (12) during said second touch press, said determined event being a function of said second information.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said determined event corresponds to: - a first vehicle driving time (10) following said first touch press when the second information represents a second number of fingers equal to 1; - a second vehicle driving time (10) following said first touch press when the second information represents a second number of fingers equal to 2, the second driving time being greater than the first driving time; - a third vehicle driving time (10) following said first touch press when the second information represents a second number of fingers equal to 3, the third driving time being greater than the second driving time; - a vehicle stopping in park mode when the second information represents a second number of fingers equal to 4;and - a deadline of a time interval equal to 24 hours following said first touch press when the second piece of information is representative of a second number of fingers equal to 5.;

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said determined threshold represents a ratio between said size of said control button and a total size of said main display area (21) of said touch screen (12).

7. Method according to claim 6, said determined threshold is equal to 90%.

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 navigation system of a vehicle (10), said device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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

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