Method for controlling opacifying windows for motor vehicles - Patents.com

Abstract

A method for controlling an opacifying glazing (2) for a motor vehicle (10), at least a portion of the glazing comprising a plurality of zones, the level of opacity of each of which is individually controlled to vary between a minimum and a maximum value, the plurality of zones being arranged with a sequence number i that increases in a first direction, the method comprising: - a step (E2) of increasing the opacity of the glazing, comprising increasing the level of opacity of the individual zones as an increasing function of time, this increase being initialized for each zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zone, and / or - a step (E3) of reducing the opacity of the glazing, comprising reducing the level of opacity of the individual zones according to a decreasing function of time, this reduction being initialized zone by zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zones; Includes.

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glazing for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a device for controlling an opacifying glazing for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program for implementing said method. Finally, the invention relates to a recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0002] Motor vehicles equipped with a fixed or retractable glass roof are usually equipped with screening means, which may be flexible or rigid blinds that open mechanically or electrically. This screening means is essential for the visual and thermal comfort of the user of the motor vehicle. However, the screening means significantly increase the weight of the vehicle and also significantly impair the habitability of the vehicle.

[0003] In order to reduce the weight and volume of the screening means, one solution consists in replacing this type of screening means with a solution using opacifying glazing, which also offers multiple possibilities for opacifying the passenger compartment.

[0004] However, this solution has drawbacks: in particular, for a user, the use of an opaque pane is less intuitive than the use of a physical screen, and in particular, a user may find it difficult to get used to the new possibilities offered by the opaque pane and the control that allows the user to vary the opacity of the pane according to the user's needs.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for controlling an opacified window pane that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and improves upon the devices and methods for controlling an opacified window pane known in the prior art. In particular, the present invention allows for the construction of a simple and reliable device and method, and the present invention can allow intuitive and multi-directional control of the opacified window pane.

[0006] To that end, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glazing for a motor vehicle, at least a portion of the glazing comprising a plurality of zones, the level of opacity of each zone being individually controlled to vary between a minimum and a maximum value, the plurality of zones being arranged with sequential numbers i increasing in a first direction.

[0007] The method is: - increasing the opacity of the glazing, comprising increasing the level of opacity of the individual zones according to an increasing function of time, the increase being initialized zone by zone with a time lag between each zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zones, and / or - a step of reducing the opacity of the glazing, comprising reducing the level of opacity of the individual zones according to a decreasing function of time, said reduction being initialized zone by zone with a time lag between each zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zones. Includes.

[0008] The method may include the steps of increasing the opacity of the pane and detecting a command to change the opacity of the pane prior to the steps of decreasing the opacity of the pane.

[0009] The step of detecting the command may include the sub-step of determining a control orientation in either a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the increasing and decreasing steps may be performed for each zone, respectively: - according to increasing sequence numbers i of the zones, if the direction of control is determined in the first direction, or - if the direction of control is determined in the second direction, according to the decreasing sequence number i of the zones, It can start to increase and decrease the opacity.

[0010] The sub-step of determining a control orientation comprises: - detecting the direction of control as indicated by the location of the push; and / or - Control button pressing direction may include.

[0011] The increase or decrease function of the opacity of the zones with time may be linear or non-linear and / or the increase or decrease function of the opacity of the zones with time may be different depending on the zone.

[0012] The method may include using data from the set of sensors to automatically control the glazing.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a method for controlling an opacifying window glass for a motor vehicle, comprising: - by a command of a first type, such as a short press of a control button, a phase of an embodiment of a control method as claimed in one of the preceding claims is applied to a portion of the window pane, and / or A second type of command, such as a long press of the control button, causes a phase of an embodiment of the control method as claimed in one of the preceding claims to be applied to the entire window pane.

[0014] The invention also relates to an opacifying glazing device, the device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method defined above.

[0015] The invention further relates to a vehicle equipped with a glazing device as defined above.

[0016] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer readable medium, which, when said program is run on a computer, implements the steps of the method defined above, or a computer program product recorded on a data medium which can be downloaded from a communications network and / or which is readable by a computer and / or which is executable by a computer, characterized in that the program comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method defined above.

[0017] The invention also relates to a computer readable data recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, the computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method defined above, or the computer readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method defined above.

[0018] The invention also relates to a signal carried on a data medium carrying a computer program product as defined above.

[0019] The accompanying drawings show, by way of example, an embodiment of a glazing device according to the invention and a mode of implementation of the control method according to the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle equipped with a glazing device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an opacified glazing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates the operating principle of an opacifying glazing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates the operating principle of an opacifying glazing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of an opacifying glazing constructed from multiple zones and installed in a vehicle. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a partition and a stable state of an opacified glazing. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a control interface. [Figure 8] 4 is a flow chart of a first mode of an embodiment of a control method. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 illustrates a first operating logic of the opacifying window glass. [Figure 9 - following] FIG. 2 illustrates a first operating logic of the opacifying window glass. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 illustrates a sequence of individual opacification commands for multiple zones of an opacified glazing. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 illustrates a second operating logic of the opacifying pane. [Figure 11-following] FIG. 13 illustrates a second operating logic of the opacifying pane. [Figure 12] 4 is a flow chart of a second mode of an embodiment of the control method. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 illustrates a third operating logic of the opacifying pane. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating a user's perception of animation achieved in a first mode of an embodiment of the control method; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An example of a motor vehicle 10 equipped with an embodiment of a glazing device having an opacified glazing will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0022] The motor vehicle 10 may be any type of vehicle, including, inter alia, a passenger vehicle or a utility vehicle.

[0023] The window glass device 1 mainly comprises: - Opaque Window Glass 2 - Microprocessor or computer 3 - Control Interface 4 - Set of 5 sensors It has elements of.

[0024] An embodiment of the opacifying pane 2 is shown in FIGS.

[0025] The opacifying pane 2 allows a variable opacity to be achieved in the pane. The opacity of the pane can be characterized by different physical quantities, in particular the percentage of light transmitted. The opacity can vary between at least two values, namely a minimum value OPMIN, corresponding to what is called the "light state" or "transparent state" of the pane, and a maximum value OPMAX, corresponding to what is called the "dark state" of the pane. Various technologies also allow the realization of intermediate opacification states. This is especially the case with the PDLC ("Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal") technology, which is preferentially described in this document.

[0026] In this embodiment, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opacifying glazing 2 comprises an opacifying film 25, in particular a PDLC film, laminated between two layers of glass 23 and 27. A PDLC film consists of liquid crystals embedded in a polymer resin.

[0027] First and second conductive layers 24, 26 are disposed between the opacifying film 25 and each of the glass layers 23, 27, respectively.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the change in opacity of the window glass is controlled by applying or not applying a voltage between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26.

[0029] In FIG. 3, where no voltage is applied between the two conductive layers 24 and 26, the liquid crystals are randomly arranged in the polymer resin, blocking the transmission of light.

[0030] In FIG. 4, by applying a voltage between the two conductive layers 24 and 26, the liquid crystals in the polymer resin are oriented, allowing the transmission of light through the PDLC film.

[0031] In the remainder of this document, the expression "opacity change command" is used to refer to applying a voltage between the two conductive layers 24 and 26 of the opacifying pane, and the applied voltage may be zero or non-zero.

[0032] The glazing 2 according to the invention comprises a number of zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7, the level of opacity of each of the zones being individually controlled to vary between a minimum value OPMIN and a maximum value OPMAX, the number n of zones of the glazing being 2 or more.

[0033] In the embodiment shown more clearly in Figure 5, the glazing 2 is a motor vehicle roof glazing. In the embodiment presented, the opacifying film is cut, in particular into seven separate segments, before being shaped between the two sheets of glass. The glazing 2 thus has seven zones, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7, respectively associated with the seven segments of the opacifying film. By cutting the opacifying film into seven separate segments, the level of opacification of each of the seven defined zones can thus be controlled independently.

[0034] The role of the glazing device 1 is to realize the coordination of commands for a set of zones of the opacifying glazing, so that - Multi-directional opacification of the second pane of glass, i.e. a multi-directional increase in the opacity of the pane of glass, is now possible; A multidirectional opacification of the pane 2, in other words a multidirectional reduction in the opacity of the pane, is possible.

[0035] Multi-directional opacification and de-opacification correspond to the implementation of opacity in several directions. Multi-directional opacification and de-opacification are the opposite of unidirectional opacification and de-opacification, particularly achieved by physical screens, which allows for opacification of roof glazing in a single direction, usually from the rear to the front of the vehicle, and allows for de-opacification of window glazing in a single direction opposite to the direction of opacification. Multi-directional opacification allows for an increase or decrease in the opacity of the window glazing, which can both be performed in at least two directions, for example from the rear to the front of the vehicle and from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

[0036] In the embodiment presented, the defined zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7 correspond to a segmentation of the glazing into stripes, which are arranged along a line 28, referred to in the remainder of this document as the "control line" 28. In this embodiment, the control line 28 is substantially straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 10.

[0037] The two directions of the control line 28 are: a first direction 281 connecting, in the case shown, the front of the motor vehicle 10 to the rear of the motor vehicle 10; - a second direction 282 opposite to the first direction 281 It is defined in.

[0038] In the embodiment described, the zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7 are numbered in increasing order or have an order number i that increases in a first direction 281.

[0039] The direction 281, 282 of the control line defines the order in which multiple zones are commanded to change their opacity. For example, in the event of a command to change the opacity of zones Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4, if the control line is oriented in direction 281, zone Z1 will be commanded to change its opacity first, then zone Z2 will be commanded second, zone Z3 will be commanded third, and zone Z4 will be commanded fourth. If the control line is oriented in direction 282, zone Z4 will be commanded to change its opacity first, then zone Z3 will be commanded second, then zone Z2 will be commanded third, and zone Z1 will be commanded fourth.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the pane 1 can be cut into fewer zones, for example 3 zones. Alternatively, the pane 1 can be cut into a larger number of zones, such as 8 or more, for example 10 zones.

[0041] The zones can also have different widths and distances along the control line 28, and may be variable between two adjacent stripes.

[0042] The zones can take on various shapes, in particular they can be delimited from one another by lines of various shapes, for example curved lines.

[0043] Depending on the spatial arrangement of the zones, the control lines 28 may be curved as well.

[0044] In the embodiment described, the number of zones of a pane is constant, since the zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7 are defined by the structure of the pane 2 itself.

[0045] However, the glazing device may group the zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7 together into a set of partitions 20 containing at least one partition 21, 22.

[0046] A partition is made up of a subset of zones that are preferably arranged consecutively along a control line, in other configurations the zones can be alternately distributed between at least two partitions, for example odd numbered zones can be included in a first partition 21 and even numbered zones can be included in a second partition 22, such that the glazing can be opacified in spaced stripes.

[0047] The function of the partitions is to configure various opacity configurations of the glazing based on the glazing zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7. These configurations are referred to in the remainder of this document as "stable states of the glazing" or "stable states".

[0048] The pane 2, and in particular the individual zones of the pane, can either be in a steady state or in a transient state.

[0049] The steady state of the glazing is characterised by the opacity of the glazing zones being homogeneous throughout each of the partitions, in other words, when the glazing is in the steady state, the zones of a given partition all have the same opacity for the individual partitions 21, 22 of the glazing 2.

[0050] The transient state of the glazing corresponds to one of a plurality of states that may be adopted by the glazing while it is transitioning between two stable states. When the glazing is in the transient state, at least two zones of the glazing partition have different levels of opacity.

[0051] An embodiment of the glazing partitions and associated stable states is shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the zones and partitions are defined in a manner that allows differentiated opacification between the front and rear of the vehicle, - partition 21 groups together zones Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4, which are located in the front part of the glazing, - Partition 22 groups together zones Z5, Z6 and Z7, which are located in the rear part of the glazing.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the set of possible stable states realizing the partitions 21, 22 is defined as a function of two levels of stable opacity: a minimum level OPMIN and a maximum level OPMAX.

[0053] The partitions 21 and 22 combined with two levels of opacity OPMIN and OPMAX allow the realization of four stable states of the glazing ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4, a first stable state ES1 corresponds to the application of the highest level of opacity OPMAX to the two partitions 21, 22; a second stable state ES2 corresponds to the application of a minimum level of opacity OPMIN to the two partitions 21, 22; a third stable state ES3 corresponds to the application of a minimum level of opacity OPMIN to partition 21 and a maximum level of opacity OPMAX to partition 22; A fourth stable state ES4 corresponds to the application of the highest level of opacity OPMAX to partition 21 and the lowest level of opacity OPMIN to partition 22.

[0054] Alternatively, it is possible to define other sets of stable states for the glazing comprising zones Z1 to Z7 by varying at least one of the following parameters: - the number of partitions, which may range from 1 to 7, where a number of partitions equal to 1 corresponds to the distribution of 7 zones in a single partition, and a number of partitions equal to 7 corresponds to the distribution of one zone per partition. - Distribution of zones Z1 to Z7 between at least one partition and up to seven partitions. - number of stable levels of opacity which may be 2 or more.

[0055] Advantageously, the partitions 21, 22 are defined in a manner that allows differentiated opacification between the front and rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, other embodiments of the zones and partitions may allow differentiated opacification between the right and left portions of the vehicle.

[0056] The glazing device 1 further comprises a control interface 4 allowing the vehicle user to select the stable state ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4 of the glazing that the vehicle user wishes to use in the motor vehicle 10.

[0057] In a first embodiment, the control interface 4 may be produced in the form of a button, in particular a directional push button 4 as shown in figure 7. The directional push button allows the user to control the change in opacity via two parameters: the selected direction and the duration of the press.

[0058] In the first embodiment of the control interface, the selection of the direction is performed by pressing a first location 41 on the button pointing to the rear of the vehicle and pressing a second location 42 on the button pointing to the front of the vehicle. In other words, the button allows the selection of either a first direction 281 or a second direction 282.

[0059] Furthermore, the directional push button allows the duration of the press DAPP to be measured. This measurement then allows the press to be classified by comparing the duration of the press against a threshold APPMIN. Presses of a duration strictly less than the threshold APPMIN are thus considered "short presses" and presses of a duration equal to or greater than the threshold APPMIN are therefore considered "long presses". Classifying the presses according to their duration allows differential treatment to be applied according to the classification of the press.

[0060] Optionally, the directional push button 4 may include a third location 43, which is shown more clearly in FIG. 13. The third location 43 is preferably located between the first location 41 and the second location 42. This third location 43 may activate an automatic glazing control mode, which will be described later in this document. In one embodiment, a long press on location 43 may deactivate the automatic control mode. Additionally or alternatively, deactivating the automatic mode may be achieved by a long or short press on one of locations 41 or 42.

[0061] In a second embodiment, which is an alternative or additional to the first embodiment, the control interface 4 may take the form of a human-machine interface, which may be provided, for example, by a multimedia screen in a vehicle or mobile telephone application.

[0062] The human machine interface allows the window pane 2 to be controlled according to the same parameters as a physical button of the directional push button type, namely the control direction 281, 282 and the duration of the press DAPP. Instead of commanding the duration of the press in the strict sense, the user can select the type of press between two options, namely a long press or a short press.

[0063] Alternatively, the human-machine interface may allow the selection of the final stable state of the pane from among all possible stable states ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4, for example by directly clicking on the visual representation of the possible stable states for pane 2.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, the human machine interface may include voice commands that can, among other things, activate and deactivate the automatic window control.

[0065] The glazing device may also include a set of sensors 5. The set of sensors 5 provides data that allows realization of an automatic control of the glazing 2. For example, the set of sensors 5 may include one or more sun sensors that may be advantageously placed on the roof of the vehicle. Data from these sun sensors may allow an automatic determination of which roof partitions should be opacified to protect the passenger compartment from the sun's rays.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the set of sensors 5 may include one or more interior and exterior temperature sensors disposed on the motor vehicle 10. The temperature sensors may enable automated control of the opacifying window pane to be achieved, for example to achieve and maintain a desired interior temperature.

[0067] Furthermore, an external temperature sensor makes it possible to manage the influence of the external temperature on the operation of the opacifying roof. In particular, at very low temperatures the operation of the opacifying film slows down significantly, considerably limiting the possible changes in the opacity of the glazing. Advantageously, the glazing device 1 can be deactivated when the external temperature falls below a temperature limiting threshold, which may be -20 degrees. The user will be informed of this deactivation linked to the external temperature.

[0068] The glazing device 1 and in particular the microprocessor mainly comprises the following modules: a module 31 for detecting commands to modify the opacity of the window panes, said module 31 being able to interact with the control interface 4; a module 32 for opacifying the window pane, which module is able to interact with the window pane 2. a module 33 for opacifying the pane, which module is able to interact with the pane 2. a module 34 for automatically controlling the window panes, which module is able to interact with the window panes 2 and with a set of sensors 5 .

[0069] The motor vehicle 10, and in particular the glazing device 1, preferably comprises all hardware and / or software elements configured to realize the method defined in the subject matter of the present invention or the method described below.

[0070] A first mode of embodiment of the method for controlling an opacifying pane will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] In a first step E1, a command to change the opacity of a window pane is detected at a time T.

[0072] In a first embodiment of the control interface 4, detection of a command to change the opacity of the window pane is triggered by pressing the control button 4, in particular by pressing a location 41, 42 on the control button.

[0073] The detection step E1 includes the sub-step of determining the orientation of the control, - pressing location 41 determines the control orientation as the first direction 281; Pressing location 42 determines the control orientation as the second direction 281.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, the detection step E1 includes the substep of determining the orientation of the control, - pressing the button in the third direction determines the control orientation as the first direction 281; Pressing the button in the fourth direction determines the control orientation as the second direction 282.

[0075] The detection step E1 further comprises a step of determining the duration DAPP of the press on the control button. By comparing the duration of the press against a minimum press duration threshold APPMIN, two classifications of the press are determined: - a press called a short press, the duration of which is strictly less than the minimum duration threshold APPMIN for a press; - a press called a long press, the duration of which is equal to or longer than the minimum press duration threshold APPMIN; is determined.

[0076] Therefore, as will be seen in the rest of this document, a distinction is made between two types of commands using the push duration DAPP: a first type of command, such as a "short" press of a control button, results in a phase of the implementation of an opacification or de-opacification command being applied to a portion of the window pane, said portion of the window pane corresponding in the embodiment shown to one of the partitions 21, 22, and / or A second type of command, such as a "long" press of the control button, results in a phase of implementation of an opacify or reduce opacify command that results in a full opacification or a reduced opacification of the pane. It should be noted that following a second type of command, the opacify or reduce opacify command can be applied to a portion of the pane or to the entire pane, depending on the initial state of the pane's opacification.

[0077] Step E1 further comprises the sub-step of determining an initial stable state ESI, which corresponds to the state of opacity of the window pane at time T when the opacity change command is issued. In the described embodiment, the initial stable state corresponds to one of the four stable states ES1, ES2, ES3 and ES4 described in FIG.

[0078] The initial steady state is determined by the voltages applied to the individual zones of the glazing at time T, with zones of the same partition all being exposed to substantially the same voltage. Of course, the control device may use techniques other than voltage control to ensure the steady state of at least one partition.

[0079] Thus, by knowing the voltages applied to the zones, the initial stable state ESI is determined as one of a number of stable states defined for the pane 2, namely state ES1, state ES2, state ES3 or state ES4.

[0080] Next comes the sub-step of determining the final stable state ESF. Note that any new opacity change commands issued by the user during the execution of the control method are only taken into account if the pane has reached the final stable state ESF.

[0081] In the embodiment described, the final steady state ESF of the pane 2 can be determined as a function of the parameters already defined in step E1, namely the initial steady state ESI, the control directions 281, 282 and the duration of the push DAPP.

[0082] The first mode of determining the final steady state as a function of these parameters is illustrated in FIG.

[0083] A short push command is indicated by a thin arrow oriented in one of the control directions 281, 282. A long push command is indicated by a thick arrow oriented in one of the control directions 281, 282.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows the possible transitions between the two stable states of the window pane according to the first operating logic of the window pane. The individual control sequences are: - Initial stable states ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4 - A command consisting of the control direction 281, 282 and the duration of the push DAPP - Transitions ET12a, ET12b, ET13, ET14, ET21a, ET21b, ET23, ET24, ET31, ET32, ET41, ET42, each transition consists of a set of transition states between two stable states - Final stable state ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4

[0085] The first operation logic of the window pane illustrated in FIG. 9 is transcribed in Table 1, which is referred to in the remainder of this document as the "First Transition Table." TIFF2024526943000002.tif209170

[0086] The first transition table translates a selected operating logic into a set of possible transitions between two states, with each row of the table representing a transition. A unique reference is associated with each possible transition. A first column of the first transition table contains a unique reference for each transition. The reference is defined by the letters "ET" followed by a first digit corresponding to the number of the initial stable state and a second digit corresponding to the number of the final stable state. For example, the first row of the table describes transition ET14 between initial stable state ES1 and final stable state ES4.

[0087] The references may also include additional letters, as for example in the case of references ET12a and ET12b appearing in the third and fourth rows of the table, respectively. Although the transitions ET12a and ET12b describe two possible transitions between the same initial stable state ES1 and the same final stable state ES2, the transitions ET12a and ET12b differ from each other in control direction, which will result in different commands for the de-opacification of the zone - in the de-opacification step E3 - for executing any of these transitions.

[0088] The second column of the first transition table contains a reference to the initial state ESI of each transition.

[0089] The third column of the first transition table contains a reference to the final state ESF of each transition.

[0090] The fourth column of the first transition table contains a classification of the push duration DAPP of each transition, which may be a short or long push. For certain transitions, such as transition ET31, the classification of the push does not matter. In other words, by pushing in the second control direction 282, the pane progresses from the initial stable state ES3 to the final stable state ES1, regardless of the duration of the push, and the transition occurs by increasing the opacity of zones Z4 to Z1, and the sequencing of the opacification commands is performed in descending order of the zone numbering.

[0091] The fifth column of the first transition table contains the control direction, which may be either the first direction 281 or the second direction 282 .

[0092] The sixth column of the first transition table contains a reference to at least one partition 21, 22, the opacity of which is changed during the respective transition.

[0093] The seventh column of the first transition table contains the perception of a change (increase, decrease) in opacity of at least one partition shown in the sixth column.

[0094] The eighth column of the first transition table includes the order in which the zones of at least one partition identified in the sixth column are commanded to change their opacity.

[0095] It should be noted that the first transition table provides a multi-directional shift in opacity change. In other words, the window pane 1: - becomes opaque in the first or second direction, - Transparent in the first or second direction.

[0096] A single row of the table can be selected by the parameters defined in the above substeps of step E1, which are the initial stable state ESI, the control direction 281, 282 and the duration of the push DAPP.

[0097] Thus, using the first transition table, a single transition ET12a, ET12b, ET13, ET14, ET21a, ET21b, ET23, ET24, ET31, ET32, ET41, ET42 is determined, thus determining other parameters of the transition, i.e. the final stable state, the at least one partition whose opacity has been modified is referred to in the remainder of this document as "at least one selected partition", the perception of the change in opacity, and the order in which the zones of the at least one partition are specified in the sixth column are commanded to change their opacity.

[0098] Depending on the determination of these parameters, the next step is to: a step E2 of opacifying at least one selected partition 21, 22 if the perception of the change in opacity determined by the transition is an increase in opacity, or a step E3 of de-opacifying at least one selected partition 21, 22 if the perception of the change in opacity determined by the transition is a decrease in opacity. It can be either of the following.

[0099] The opacification step E2 comprises a sub-step E21 of determining individual opacification commands for the individual zones of at least one selected partition 21,22.

[0100] In the remainder of this document, the zone of the at least one selected partition 21, 22 is referred to as the "selected zone."

[0101] In substep E21, an individual opacity change command is determined for each selected zone.

[0102] A separate opacity command is defined to command the change in opacity of a zone over time between an initial value OPMIN and a final value OPMAX, the final value being greater than the initial value.

[0103] The opacity of a glazing zone increases as the voltage V applied between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26 in this zone decreases.

[0104] Thus, an individual opacification command is defined to command a decreasing change in the value of the voltage V over time between an initial value VMAX and a final value VMIN that is less than VMAX, and the voltage V is applied between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26 in this zone.

[0105] In the remainder of this document, the term “zone voltage change function” is used to refer to the change in voltage commanded between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26 in this zone over time.

[0106] The zone voltage change function may be linear or non-linear, in particular the zone voltage change function may be defined in such a way that a gradual disappearance of the opacity of the zone or a gradual enhancement of the opacity of the zone is achieved.

[0107] In one embodiment, the voltage change function may be different for different zones to create animated effects, for example in conjunction with the sequencing of individual opacity change commands described below.

[0108] The opacification step E2 includes a sub-step E22 of sequencing individual opacification commands for selected zones.

[0109] The sequencing order is defined by the orientation of the control lines in the first or second direction 281, 282. Substep E22 thus comprises, for each zone: once it has been determined that the control direction is the first direction 281, then according to the increasing sequence number i of the zone Zi, or - if the control direction is determined to be the second direction 282, then according to the decreasing sequence number i of the zone Zi Start enhancing opacity.

[0110] The individual commands determined in step E21 are therefore applied in the order of increasing or decreasing numbering of the selected zones. Advantageously, a time delay, for example a delay of 500 milliseconds, separates the application of two successive individual commands. The time delay may be constant over the entire interval separating the two successive commands. Alternatively, the time delay may vary over the interval in order to generate animation. For example, the time delay may be shorter for successive applications of the commands, which has the effect of accelerating the change in opacity in the control direction.

[0111] 10 shows an embodiment mode of sequencing of individual opacity commands for zones Z1 to Z4 of partition 21. Graph G1 shows the change in opacity over time of each of zones Z1 to Z4 as a non-linear increasing function of time.

[0112] The profile of the change in opacity over time is approximately the same for each zone, meaning that each zone follows the same cycle of becoming opaque.

[0113] The profile is - starting with a minimum opacity value OPMIN with a slight acceleration of the opacity at the beginning of the cycle until a given opacification speed is reached, - maintain a given opacification speed until the opacity approaches the maximum opacity value OPMAX, - Then, the opacification slows down at the end of the cycle. It may also be a progressive change type profile.

[0114] According to a variant, the profile may be a linear type profile between a minimum OPMIN opacity value and a maximum OPMAX opacity value.

[0115] On the other hand, the time delay between two successive individual opacity commands varies, in particular shortens as a function of time. - The first individual opacification command for zone Z1 is issued at time T=0. A first delay Δt1 is applied between a first individual opacity command for zone Z1 and a second individual opacity command for zone Z2. A second delay Δt2, shorter than the first delay Δt1, is applied between the second individual opacity command for zone Z2 and the third individual opacity command for zone Z3. A third delay Δt3, shorter than the second delay Δt2, is applied between the third individual opacity command for zone Z3 and the fourth individual opacity command for zone Z4.

[0116] Therefore, When the first zone Z1 reaches the first level of opacity OP1, the opacification of the second zone Z2 starts, and then - when the second zone Z2 reaches a second level of opacity OP2, which is lower than the first level of opacity OP1, the opacification of the third zone Z3 starts, then When the third zone Z3 reaches a third level of opacity OP3 that is lower than the second level of opacity OP2, the opacification of the fourth zone Z4 starts.

[0117] Graph G1 thus illustrates a mode of embodiment of the method for achieving a gradual acceleration of the rate of opacification of the glazing, while the individual zones vary individually according to the same opacification curve.

[0118] Alternatively, if step E1 detects a command to reduce opacity, this is followed by a decrease opacity step E3.

[0119] The de-opacification step E3 is carried out according to the same principle as the opacification step E2. In other words, step E3: a substep E31 of determining an individual de-opacification command for each selected zone, and - Substep E32, which sequences the individual de-opacification commands for the selected zones. Includes.

[0120] In substep E31, an individual de-opacification command is determined for each selected zone.

[0121] An individual de-opacifying command is defined to command a change in the opacity of the zone over time between an initial value OPMAX and a final value OPMIN, the final value being less than the initial value. Since the opacity varies inversely with the voltage applied between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26 of this zone, an individual de-opacifying command is therefore defined to command an increasing change in the voltage V over time between an initial value VMIN and a final value VMAX that is higher than VMIN.

[0122] Substep E32 of sequencing the individual de-opacification commands for the selected zones operates according to the same principle as substep E22 described above for opacification. The sequencing order is defined by the orientation of the control line in the first or second direction 281, 282. Substep E32 therefore comprises, for each zone: once it has been determined that the control direction is the first direction 281, then according to the increasing sequence number i of the zone Zi, or - if the control direction is determined to be the second direction 282, then according to the decreasing sequence number i of the zone Zi Begin reducing the opacity.

[0123] The description of the sequencing achieved in sub-step E32 is similar to that of the sequencing achieved in sub-step E22.

[0124] Different variants of the first mode of implementation can be considered.

[0125] A first variant consists in using a transition table different from the first, for example a second transition table as illustrated in Table 2 describing the transitions shown by FIG.

[0126] FIG. 11 shows possible transitions between the two stable states of the pane according to a second pane operating logic. TIFF2024526943000003.tif131170

[0127] It should be noted that the second transition table provides a unidirectional movement of opacity change. In other words, pane 1: - transparent only in the first direction 281, and - It is only opaque in the second direction 282.

[0128] It is therefore not possible to reach the stable state ES4 with the operation described by the second transition table. In other words, in this mode of embodiment, if the partition 22 located behind the window pane is made opaque, then only the partition 21 located in front of the window pane can be made opaque, and if the partition 21 located in front of the window pane is made transparent, then only the partition 22 located behind the window pane can be made transparent.

[0129] In an alternative embodiment of the control interface, the human-machine interface allows a user of the automotive vehicle 10 to select or configure a transition table from a predefined set of partitions and possible stable states of a window pane having the predefined set of partitions.

[0130] User configuration may also relate to the number of pane partitions, the distribution of pane zones between the various partitions, the possible stable states of the panes associated with these partitions, and the definition of a table of transitions between the possible stable states of the panes.

[0131] Via the human machine interface, the number of intermediate levels of opacity between the lowest level OPMIN and the highest level OPMAX can also be configured. Then, taking into account the different configured levels of opacity, a table of possible stable states of the pane as well as the transitions between these stable states must be defined.

[0132] As an alternative or in addition to one of the modes of embodiment described above, another variant mode of embodiment may include a step E4 of automatic glazing control.

[0133] A mode of embodiment of the control method including step E4 of automatic glazing control is illustrated in FIG.

[0134] In this mode of embodiment, step E1 includes, in addition to the processing described above for this step, the detection of a command to activate the automatic mode.

[0135] In one embodiment of the control interface 4 that includes a multi-directional push button, detecting the command to activate the automatic mode is performed by detecting a press of a third location 43 on the button.

[0136] Alternatively or additionally, detection of the command to activate the automatic mode may be performed via a human machine interface or voice command, which may also control the passenger compartment to a desired temperature, and the state of the roof opacification may contribute to reaching this temperature.

[0137] If a command to activate the automatic mode is detected, the next step is step E4 of automatic control of the opacifying pane.

[0138] Step E4 comprises determining a target level of opacity based on measurements from the set of sensors 5. The measurements may comprise one or more measurements of sunlight on the roof of the vehicle and / or a measurement of external temperature. Advantageously, the measurements also comprise a measurement of temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10.

[0139] Step E4 involves determining a target temperature corresponding to the user's desired temperature in the passenger compartment. Depending on the type of control interface used, the target temperature can be determined by the user via a human machine interface and / or a voice command. Alternatively, the target temperature can be determined by a default value, for example 20 degrees, or by a predetermined difference to the external and / or internal temperature, possibly being a function of at least one of these temperatures.

[0140] Based on the defined target temperature and based on the daylight or temperature measurements, a target level of glazing opacity is determined that allows the temperature of the passenger compartment to evolve towards the target temperature.

[0141] In one mode of implementation of step E4, all zones of the window pane are controlled simultaneously to achieve a target level of opacity uniformity across the zones of the window pane, corresponding to the implementation of the fifth stable state ES5 shown in FIG.

[0142] In an alternative embodiment, step E4 may comprise selectively modifying one or more of the at least one partition 21, 22 of the window pane, in particular depending on the daylight measurement, to allow the direction of the light rays to be determined.

[0143] Step E4 comprises updating the target levels of opacity based on updated measurements from the set of sensors 5. The opacity of all or part of at least one partition of the glazing is then modified according to the updated target levels of opacity for each partition.

[0144] In one mode of implementation, once a change command has been detected, in particular by pressing one of the locations on a multi-directional push button, the next step is a step E2 of detecting an opacity change command.

[0145] Taken together, the present invention provides a simple and intuitive way to control an opacified window pane.

[0146] The simple and intuitive nature perhaps arises in the first place from the use of directional push buttons, allowing the user to visually link the direction of button press with the direction of opacity change.

[0147] Furthermore, the first mode of embodiment of the method defined by the first transition table mimics the movement of a screen built of a number of segments, in particular seven segments.

[0148] 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the user's perception of the animation achieved in a first mode of an embodiment of the control method. Drawings of eyes are placed beneath each of the four stable states of the pane shown, ES1, ES2, ES3, ES4, to represent the user's viewpoint on the pane while achieving these stable states.

[0149] The filled rectangular segments correspond to opacified window zones, for example, stable state ES1 has seven filled rectangular segments, representing seven opacified window zones.

[0150] The hollow rectangular segments are virtual and they embody a psychological representation of a virtual hidden portion of the screen. This perception of the hidden portion of the screen is created by a moving image that mimics the physical movement of the screen.

[0151] For example, the transition ET14 makes it possible to progress from a completely opaque glazing to a glazing that is only opaque in the partition 21 located at the front of the vehicle. The realization of the transition ET14 is carried out by successively reducing the opacity of a zone in the partition 22 in the control direction 282, thus creating the illusion of a screen moving towards the front of the vehicle and of that part of the screen gradually disappearing into the roof of the vehicle, until a stable state ES4 is reached.

[0152] If the user continues to change the opacity to obtain the least opaque glazing, from the stable state ES4, a transition ET42 is realized, which produces a successive reduction in the opacity of the zones in the partition 21 after the screen reaches the stable state ES2 until it disappears completely, creating the illusion that the screen continues its physical movement towards the front of the vehicle.

[0153] The representation of the stable state ES2 therefore includes seven hollow rectangular segments which embody the disappearance of the virtual screen.

[0154] This mental representation of the stable state ES2 allows a user to intuitively perceive, for example, two possible operations for making a window pane transparent from the stable state ES2: - By commanding a change in opacity in a second direction 282 directed towards the front of the vehicle, an opaque zone will appear behind the vehicle, following transition ET23, as if a physical screen had reappeared behind the window glass and extended towards the front of the vehicle. - By commanding a change in opacity in a first direction 281 directed towards the rear of the vehicle, an opaque zone will appear in front of the vehicle, following transition ET24, as if a physical screen had reappeared in front of the window glass and was extending towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0155] The first mode of embodiment of the control method thus provides the sensation of a physically extended screen, allowing the user to intuitively understand the operation of the invention and to simply control the window pane as if they were controlling a physical screen. The first mode of embodiment of the method thus makes the operation of the invention intuitive while providing advantages over the use of a physical screen.

[0156] A first advantage is provided by the multi-directional movement of the opacity change, which allows the front and rear passengers to choose their level of opacification independently of each other. This advantage is embodied, inter alia, by the possibility of reaching a stable state ES4 in which the partition 21 arranged in front of the window pane is opaque and the partition 22 arranged behind the window pane is transparent.

[0157] A second advantage relates to the automatic control of the glazing depending on the desired temperature and / or brightness in the passenger compartment, potentially in combination with other functionality of the vehicle, such as the air conditioning system.

[0158] The possibility for the user to configure the glazing partitions and the transitions between stable states defined on the basis of these partitions according to the user's needs can provide further advantages.

[0159] Advantageously, the automatic glazing control may also be configured to use different sets of partitions 20 and levels of opacity depending on weather conditions. For example, the automatic glazing control may: - a first set of partitions in a first daylight configuration may be used, with this first set of partitions and opacity levels being able to have different opacities in the front and rear parts of the passenger compartment, in order, inter alia, to adapt the opacity of the glazing depending on the direction of the sun's rays; A second set of partitions and opacity levels in a second daylight configuration may be used, which may optimize the maintenance of a target temperature, for example, in a passenger compartment.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an opaque window glass (2) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein at least a part of the window glass comprises a plurality of zones (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7), and the opacity level of each individual zone is individually controlled to vary between a minimum value (OPMIN) and a maximum value (OPMAX), and the plurality of zones (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7) are arranged with a sequence number i increasing in a first direction (281), the method comprising: - A step (E2) of increasing the opacity of the window glass, which includes increasing the opacity level of each individual zone according to an increasing function of time, and the increase is initialized for each zone with a time lag between each zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zones, step (E2), and / or - A step (E3) of reducing the opacity of the window glass, which includes reducing the opacity level of each individual zone according to a decreasing function of time, and the reduction is initialized for each zone with a time lag between each zone according to the increasing or decreasing sequence number i of the zones, step (E3) A method comprising.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a step (E1) of detecting a command for changing the opacity of the window glass prior to the step (E2) of increasing the opacity of the window glass and the step (E3) of reducing the opacity of the window glass.

3. The step (E1) of detecting a command includes a sub-step (E31) of determining a control orientation in either the first direction (281) or a second direction (282) opposite to the first direction, and the increasing step (E2) and the reducing step (E3) are, for each zone, respectively - When the control direction is determined to be in the first direction (281), according to the increasing sequence number i of the zone, or - When the control direction is determined to be in the second direction (282), according to the decreasing sequence number i of the zone, Starting the increase and decrease of opacity. The control method according to claim 2.

4. The sub-step of determining the control orientation includes - A step of detecting the control direction (281, 282) indicated by the pressing location, and / or - The direction of pressing the control button (4) The control method according to claim 3, characterized by including

5. The increase function or decrease function of the opacity of the zone over time is linear or non-linear, and / or the increase function or decrease function of the opacity of the zone over time varies according to the target zone, the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by including the step of automatically controlling the window glass using data from a set of sensors (5).

7. A method for controlling an opaque window glass (2) for a motor vehicle (10), - By a first type of command such as briefly pressing a control button, a phase of an embodiment of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is applied to a part of the window glass, and / or - By a second type of command such as long-pressing a control button, a phase of an embodiment of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is applied to the entire window glass Method.

8. An opaque window glass (2) device (1), the device comprising hardware elements and / or software elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7) for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in particular hardware elements and / or software elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 22, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7) designed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an opaque window glass (2) device (1).

9. A motor vehicle (10) equipped with the window glass device (1) according to claim 8.

10. A computer program product including program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium, wherein when the program code instructions operate on a computer, they are for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a computer program product.

11. A data recording medium readable by a computer, on which a computer program including program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is recorded, a data recording medium.

12. A signal from a data medium carrying the computer program product according to claim 10.

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