Method and system for controlling vehicle equipment and vehicle comprising such a system

Abstract

Method and system for controlling vehicle equipment and a vehicle comprising such a system. The invention relates to a method for controlling vehicle equipment designed to deploy a functionality of said vehicle, said method being implemented by a control system comprising a navigation screen and hardware and software means. According to the invention, the method is designed to perform the following successive steps aimed at: - detecting (step E1) a press on a predetermined area of ​​said screen or a movement of said screen, - associating (step E2) said predetermined area of ​​said screen or said movement with a given region of said vehicle, - triggering (step E3) a selective mode in which an action resulting from said association step is taken on said at least one piece of equipment. The invention also relates to a control system for implementing said method and a motor vehicle comprising such a control system. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method and system for controlling vehicle equipment and vehicle comprising such a system. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and concerns a method of controlling motor vehicle equipment.

[0002] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipment control system for implementing the method and a motor vehicle comprising such a control system. Previous technique

[0003] A motor vehicle includes a set of equipment enabling the deployment of a set of functionalities of the motor vehicle.

[0004] Among these devices, we can cite for example voice recognition devices, used in particular to ask a contact from the directory to be called by voice, to enter a destination in the GPS system, to change radio frequency, etc.

[0005] Such devices comprise a set of microphones positioned in different locations in the passenger compartment and covering the different areas of the passenger compartment so that each occupant can benefit from such functionalities.

[0006] Thus, once the voice recognition device is activated, all occupants of the vehicle can access the functionalities of the voice recognition device.

[0007] However, the microphones in the passenger compartment easily pick up all the background noise in the vehicle's passenger compartment, which has the effect of degrading the performance of the voice recognition devices.

[0008] In order to overcome this drawback, it may be considered to cut off at least temporarily the functionality of some of the microphones present in the passenger compartment.

[0009] This cut-off requires activating an appropriate command, accessed by navigating through the vehicle's settings menu.

[0010] However, accessing this command is relatively long, complex and tedious.

[0011] Also, since the fact that the driver navigates the vehicle's settings menu himself while the vehicle is in motion is extremely dangerous, access to certain controls may be disabled when the vehicle is in motion, so that access to certain controls may be impossible during operation while the vehicle is in motion. Description of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and, to this end, relates to a method for controlling at least one piece of equipment in a motor vehicle, said at least one piece of equipment being designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle, said method being implemented by a control system comprising at least one navigation screen installed in the passenger compartment of said vehicle and hardware and software means, said method being remarkable in that it is designed to perform the following successive steps aimed at: - detect a press on at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen or detect a movement of said navigation screen relative to a reference position, - to associate said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen on which a touch was detected, or said movement of said navigation screen detected, with a given region of said vehicle, - trigger a selective mode in which an action resulting from said association step is taken on said at least one piece of equipment

[0013] Thus, within the framework of the present invention, when a press on at least one predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen is detected or when a movement of the navigation screen relative to a reference position is detected, a selective mode is triggered.

[0014] Thanks to the present invention, the selective mode is activated without the need to navigate through the vehicle's settings menu. When the selective mode is activated, an action is automatically taken on at least one of the vehicle's systems.

[0015] Among the various actions that can be taken on the vehicle's equipment, one of the actions may, for example, consist of inhibiting certain equipment, in particular those located outside the region of the vehicle associated with the predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen on which a press has been detected or associated with the movement of the navigation screen.

[0016] Thus, for example, when the equipment includes a microphone, inhibiting the microphone located outside the vehicle area, associated with the predetermined zone of the navigation screen where a touch has been detected, or associated with the movement of the navigation screen, makes it possible to limit background noise that can be picked up by the voice recognition device when the voice recognition device is activated. It is therefore possible, thanks to the present invention, to improve, among other things, the performance of the voice recognition device.

[0017] According to optional features of the piloting method according to the invention: - said action taken on said at least one piece of equipment consists of inhibiting said at least one piece of equipment; - said at least one piece of equipment is located outside said vehicle region associated with said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen on which a press was detected or associated with said movement of said detected navigation screen; - said action taken on said at least one piece of equipment consists of activating said at least one piece of equipment; - said at least one piece of equipment is located within said vehicle region associated with said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen on which a press has been detected or associated with said movement of said detected navigation screen; - said step aimed at detecting a touch on at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen is accomplished when a contact on said predetermined area takes place for a duration greater than or equal to one second; - said step aimed at detecting a displacement of said navigation screen relative to a reference position consists of detecting a rotation of said navigation screen; - the process may include an additional step, following the step aimed at triggering a selective mode in which an action resulting from said association step is taken on said at least one piece of equipment, aimed at displaying on said navigation screen a communication interface relating to said triggered selective mode.

[0018] The invention also relates to a control system for at least one piece of equipment of a motor vehicle, said at least one piece of equipment being designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle, notable in that it includes at least one navigation screen installed in a passenger compartment of said vehicle and hardware and software means adapted to implement the control method according to the invention.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one piece of equipment designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle and a control system for said at least one piece of equipment, notable in that said control system is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] shows a navigation screen of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0022] [Fig.2] shows the steps of the piloting process according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically represents the passenger compartment of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0024] [Fig.4] shows a first example of application of the piloting method of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.5] shows a second example of application of the piloting method of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0027] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted as indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0028] In what follows, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0029] Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0030] Reference is made to [Fig.1] showing a navigation screen 1 of a motor vehicle and to [Fig.2] showing the steps of the piloting method according to the invention.

[0031] The navigation screen 1 defines a human-machine interface that can be designated by the acronym "HMI". As is known, the navigation screen 1 can be a screen designed to allow an occupant 3 present in the passenger compartment, driver and / or passenger, to access multimedia content, navigation instructions, vehicle settings, etc.

[0032] Navigation screen 1 may include the vehicle's central screen and / or an auxiliary screen to the central screen.

[0033] The navigation screen 1 may include a panel display, which may be touch-sensitive. When the panel of the navigation screen 1 is touch-sensitive, the panel may be resistive or capacitive.

[0034] The navigation screen 1 can be fixed or movable relative to a dashboard in the vehicle's passenger compartment. When the navigation screen 1 is movable, it can be removable and can, for example, be mounted on the dashboard by means of an arm.

[0035] The navigation screen 1 can for example be mobile in translation and / or rotation relative to the dashboard of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0036] When the navigation screen 1 is mobile in rotation, the navigation screen 1 contains a gyroscope which detects the tilt of the navigation screen 1.

[0037] When the navigation screen 1 is mobile in rotation, the navigation screen can for example be moved in rotation around a substantially horizontal axis 5 and around a substantially vertical axis 7.

[0038] The vehicle also includes a set of equipment enabling the deployment of a set of functionalities of the motor vehicle.

[0039] Among these devices, the vehicle includes, for example, a set of microphones which can be used, for example, in a voice recognition device, used in particular to verbally request to call a contact from the directory, to enter a destination in the GPS system, to change radio frequency, etc.

[0040] Among these equipment, the vehicle includes, for example, a set of speakers, a set of cameras, etc.

[0041] According to the invention, the equipment of the motor vehicle can be controlled by a control system integrated into the vehicle and comprising the navigation screen 1 and hardware and software means adapted to implement a control method designed to execute the following successive steps.

[0042] During a step El, the method according to the invention consists of detecting a press on at least one predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the figures, pressing on at least one predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1 is done via four display targets 9, 11, 13, 15 present on the navigation screen 1.

[0044] Targets 9, 11 are positioned on either side of a vertical median plane 17 of the navigation screen 1, for example symmetrically with respect to this plane, while targets 13, 15 are positioned on either side of a horizontal median plane 19 of the navigation screen 1, for example symmetrically with respect to this plane.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the detection of a press on one of the predetermined areas of the navigation screen 1 is accomplished when contact takes place on one of the predetermined areas for a duration greater than or equal to approximately one second.

[0046] Contact can, for example, occur when the navigation screen 1 panel is touch-sensitive and when a finger of the occupant 3 touches the navigation screen 1 for a period greater than or equal to approximately one second.

[0047] In one embodiment, the contact must take place for at least two to three seconds approximately so that the press on one of the predetermined areas of the navigation screen 1 is detected by the method according to the invention.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment that can be applied when the navigation screen 1 is mobile, step El can consist of detecting a displacement of the navigation screen 1 relative to a reference position.

[0049] For example, when the navigation screen 1 is mobile in rotation, the step El aimed at detecting a displacement of the navigation screen 1 relative to a reference position consists of detecting a rotation of the navigation screen 1.

[0050] The rotation of the navigation screen 1 can take place when an occupant rotates the navigation screen 1 around its substantially horizontal axis 5 and / or around its substantially vertical axis 7.

[0051] The rotation of the navigation screen 1 is detected by means of the gyroscope present in the navigation screen 1.

[0052] When a press on the navigation screen 1 has been detected, the method according to the invention includes a step E2, subsequent to step E1, aimed at associating the predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which a press has been detected, i.e. the area containing one of the four display targets 9, 11, 13, 15, with a given region of the vehicle.

[0053] Similarly, when the navigation screen 1 has been moved from an original position, step E2 aims to associate the detected movement of the navigation screen 1 with a given region of the vehicle.

[0054] Following step E2 aimed at associating the predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which a press has been detected, or the movement of the navigation screen 1, with a given region of the vehicle, the method according to the invention includes a step E3 aimed at triggering a selective mode in which an action resulting from the association step E2 is taken on at least one of the vehicle's equipment.

[0055] In one embodiment, sound and / or visual information and / or haptic feedback may be provided to confirm to the occupant the entry into the selective mode.

[0056] Reference is made to [Fig.3] on which is schematically represented a passenger compartment 20 of a vehicle 21 according to the invention.

[0057] The vehicle 21 includes a central computer (not shown) capable of receiving the appropriate hardware and software means to implement the control method according to the invention.

[0058] The vehicle 21 comprises a front region 23 and a rear region 25.

[0059] The navigation screen 1 is arranged in the front region 23, at the level of the vehicle's dashboard.

[0060] The vehicle 21 further comprises an upper region, designated by what is above the navigation screen 1 of the vehicle 21, and a lower region, designated by what is below the navigation screen 1 of the vehicle 21.

[0061] The front region 23 comprises a front left region 23g and a front right region 23d and the rear region 25 comprises a rear left region 25g and a rear right region 25d.

[0062] The vehicle 21 includes a set of equipment enabling the deployment of a set of functionalities.

[0063] Among these equipment, the vehicle 21 includes, for example and in a non-exhaustive manner, a set of microphones arranged in the different regions of the vehicle 21 and which can be used in a voice recognition device.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, a front left microphone 27g is arranged in the front left region 23g, a front right microphone 27d is arranged in the front right region 23d, a rear left microphone 29g is arranged in the rear left region 25g and a rear right microphone 29d is arranged in the rear right region 25d.

[0065] Among these features, the vehicle also includes a set of loudspeakers arranged in the different regions of the vehicle 21.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, a front left speaker 31g is arranged in the front left region 23g, a front right speaker 31d is arranged in the front right region 23d, a rear left speaker 33g is arranged in the rear left region 25g and a rear right speaker 33d is arranged in the rear right region 25d.

[0067] The vehicle 21 may further include a set of driver assistance cameras. For example, the vehicle 21 may include a front left camera 35g, a front right camera 35d, a rear left camera 37g and a rear right camera 37d.

[0068] Reference is made to [Fig.4] showing a first example of application of the control method of the invention.

[0069] In the application example of the method illustrated in [Fig.4], the occupant pressed the left target 9 (visible in [Fig.1]) of the navigation screen 1 or moved the navigation screen 1 to the left, for example by rotating it around its axis 7, as represented by arrow 39.

[0070] Step El of the method thus detects a press on a "left" area of ​​the navigation screen 1 or a movement of the navigation screen 1 to the left relative to its reference position.

[0071] Step E2 of the method associates the left area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which the press was detected, or the movement of the navigation screen 1 to the left relative to its reference position, with a given region of the vehicle 21, here the front left region 23g of the passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 21.

[0072] Following the association step E2, the selective mode is triggered and an action is taken on one or more pieces of equipment of the vehicle.

[0073] The action taken may be the sending by the central computer of an inhibition signal to one or more pieces of equipment.

[0074] In an embodiment of the invention, the inhibition of one or more pieces of equipment relates to the equipment located outside the region of the vehicle associated with the predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which a press has been detected or associated with the movement of the navigation screen 1.

[0075] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], where step E2 of the method associated the left area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which the press was detected (or the movement of the navigation screen 1 to the left relative to its reference position) with the front left region 23g of the passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 21, the inhibited equipment is that of the front right 23d, rear left 25g and rear right 25d regions.

[0076] Thus, when the occupant 3, for example the driver, wishes to activate the voice recognition system without being disturbed by background noise that could be picked up by the microphones 27d, 29g, 29d of the front right 23d, rear left 25g, and rear right 25d regions, they simply need to touch the left target 9 of the navigation screen 1, for example, for a duration of one second or more. If the navigation screen 1 is movable, they simply need to move it to the left of the vehicle's interior 20, for example, by rotating it around its axis 7. Only microphone 27g remains functional in this way.

[0077] Reference is made to [Fig.5] showing a second example of application of the piloting method of the invention.

[0078] As with the application example of the method illustrated in [Fig.4], the occupant here pressed the left target 9 (visible in [Fig.1]) of the navigation screen 1 or moved the navigation screen 1 to the left, for example rotating it around its axis 7.

[0079] The action taken on one or more vehicle components when the selective mode is triggered following the association step E2 may be the sending by the central computer of an activation signal to one or more components. In one embodiment, the activation of one or more components relates to the components located within the vehicle region 21 associated with the predetermined area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which a touch has been detected or associated with the movement of the navigation screen 1.

[0080] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], where step E2 of the method associated the left area of ​​the navigation screen 1 on which the press was detected (or the movement of the navigation screen 1 to the left relative to its reference position) with the front left region 23g of the passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 21, the activated equipment can be the front left camera 35g.

[0081] Thus, when the driver wishes to perform a maneuver to the left and wishes to monitor the left side of the vehicle more closely, he can activate the camera front left 35g by the sole action of touching the left target 9 of the navigation screen 1, for example for a duration greater than or equal to that applied in the application example of [Fig.4].

[0082] In a third example of application of the control method of the invention not shown in the figures, the occupant pressed the display target 13 (visible in [Fig.1]) positioned in an upper area of ​​the navigation screen 1 or moved the navigation screen 1 upwards, for example by rotating it around its axis 5.

[0083] The action taken on one or more vehicle equipment when the selective mode is triggered following the association step E2 can here be the sending by the central computer of an activation signal to one or more equipment arranged in the upper region of the passenger compartment, i.e. above the navigation screen 1.

[0084] Equipment arranged in the upper region of the passenger compartment may, for example and in a non-exhaustive manner, include panoramic roof controls, a telematics unit, etc.

[0085] In one embodiment, the control method may include an additional step following step E3 aimed at triggering the selective mode, aimed at displaying on the navigation screen 1 a communication interface relating to the triggered selective mode, i.e. the communication interface may include a menu presenting the selective functions that can be reached via the selective mode.

[0086] In one embodiment, the exit from the selective mode can be offered to the occupant by a representation of a button which can for example be displayed in the center of the navigation screen 1. Alternatively, the exit from the chosen selective mode can be reached by choosing another selective mode.

[0087] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this method and vehicle equipment control system and of this vehicle comprising such a control system, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling at least one piece of equipment of a motor vehicle (21), said at least one piece of equipment being designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle (21), said method being implemented by a control system comprising at least one navigation screen (1) installed in a passenger compartment (20) of said vehicle and hardware and software means, said method being characterized in that it is designed to perform the following successive steps aimed at: - detecting (step E1) a press on at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen (1) or detecting a movement of said navigation screen (1) relative to a reference position, - associating (step E2) said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen (1) on which a press has been detected, or said movement of said navigation screen (1) detected, with a given region of said motor vehicle (21),- trigger (step E3) a selective mode in which an action resulting from said association step is taken on said at least one piece of equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said action taken on said at least one piece of equipment consists of inhibiting said at least one piece of equipment.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one piece of equipment is located outside said vehicle region associated with said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen (1) on which a press has been detected or associated with said movement of said navigation screen (1) detected.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said action taken on said at least one piece of equipment consists of activating said at least one piece of equipment.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one piece of equipment is located within said vehicle region associated with said at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen (1) on which a press has been detected or associated with said movement of said navigation screen (1) detected.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said step for detecting support on at least one predetermined area of ​​said navigation screen (1) is completed when contact on said predetermined area occurs for a duration greater than or equal to one second.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said step for detecting a displacement of said navigation screen (1) relative to a reference position consists of detecting a rotation of said navigation screen (1).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an additional step, subsequent to the step for triggering a selective mode in which an action resulting from said association step is taken on said at least one piece of equipment, for displaying on said navigation screen (1) a communication interface relating to said triggered selective mode.

9. Control system for at least one piece of equipment of a motor vehicle (21), said at least one piece of equipment being designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle (21), characterized in that it comprises at least one navigation screen (1) installed in a passenger compartment (20) of said motor vehicle (21) and suitable hardware and software means to implement the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle (21) comprising at least one piece of equipment designed to deploy at least one functionality of said motor vehicle (21) and a control system for said at least one piece of equipment, characterized in that said control system is according to claim 9.