Method for controlling opacifying glass for a motor vehicle - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glass (2) for a motor vehicle (10), the glass comprising at least two partitions (21, 22), in which the opacity level of each partition is independently controlled to progress between a minimum value (OP1) and a maximum value (OPn).

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glass unit for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to an opacifying glass device for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program implementing the above-mentioned method. The invention finally relates to a storage medium on which such a program is stored.

[0002] Motor vehicles equipped with a fixed glass roof or sunroof are generally provided with a shading means, which can be a flexible or rigid screen and opens mechanically or electrically. This shading means is essential for the visual and thermal comfort of the motor vehicle user. However, the shading means significantly increases the mass of the vehicle and reduces the spaciousness of the vehicle.

[0003] In order to reduce the mass and volume of the shading means, solutions have been developed that implement opacifying glass units. The use of opacifying glass units furthermore offers multiple possibilities for opacifying the passenger compartment.

[0004] However, this solution has drawbacks, since for the user, the opacifying glass unit is less intuitive to use than a physical blind, and in particular the user may encounter difficulties in exploiting the new possibilities offered by the opacifying glass unit and by the instructions that allow the user to change the opacity of the glass unit as required.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for controlling an opacifying glass unit, which remedies the above-mentioned drawbacks and improves the devices and methods for controlling opacifying glass units known from the prior art. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to provide a device and method that is simple, reliable and allows an intuitive, independent and gradual control of the opacity of each part of an opacifying glass unit.

[0006] To that end, the invention relates to a method for controlling an opacifying glazing unit for a motor vehicle, the glazing unit comprising at least two partitions, the opacity level of each partition being autonomously commanded to vary between a minimum and a maximum value.

[0007] Each partition can take on n levels of opacity, numbered in order of increasing opacity, where n>2, in particular n=3 or n=4 or n=5.

[0008] In one embodiment, a first type of indication, in particular a short press of a control button, for the opacity level of the partition taking the value of the opacity level of rank j is - a unit reduction of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value of the opacity level of rank j-1, or - unit increase of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value of the opacity level of rank j+1 With A second type of indication for the opacity level of the partition taking the value of the opacity level of rank j, in particular a long press of the control button, - Decreasing the value of the opacity level of a partition by multiple units, or decreasing the value of the opacity level of a partition to its minimum value, or - Increasing the value of a partition's opacity level by multiple units, or increasing the value of a partition's opacity level to its maximum value This is accompanied by:

[0009] Each partition of the glass unit may be associated with a separate control element, for example a separate control button.

[0010] The method may include automatically managing the glass unit based on data from the set of sensors.

[0011] The invention furthermore relates to a device for controlling an opacifying glass unit, the device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method defined above.

[0012] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a control device as defined above.

[0013] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions stored on a computer readable medium for implementing the steps of the method defined above, when said program is executed on a computer, or alternatively to a computer program product which can be downloaded from a communications network and / or stored on a computer readable and / or computer executable data medium, characterized in that the computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, prompt said computer to implement the method defined above.

[0014] The invention also relates to a computer readable data storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method defined above, or to a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, prompt said computer to implement the method defined above.

[0015] The invention also relates to a signal from a data medium carrying a computer program product as defined above.

[0016] The accompanying drawings show, by way of example, an embodiment of a glass device according to the invention and an embodiment of a control method according to the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle equipped with a glass device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an opacifying glass unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates the operating principle for an opacifying glass unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates the operating principle for an opacifying glass unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of an opacifying glass unit. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of partitions and states of an opacifying glass unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a control interface. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a control method. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a first operating logic of the opacifying glass unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a control method. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a second operating logic of the opaque glass unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An example of a motor vehicle 10 equipped with an embodiment of a glazing device 1 for an opacifying glass unit is described below with reference to FIG.

[0019] The motor vehicle 10 may be any type of vehicle, particularly a passenger car or utility vehicle.

[0020] The glass device 1 mainly comprises the following elements: - an opacifying glass unit 2, in particular an opacifying roof glass unit, - Microprocessor 3, - control interface 4, - Set of 5 sensors Equipped with.

[0021] One embodiment of the opacifying glass unit 2 is illustrated in FIGS.

[0022] The opacifying glass unit 2 makes it possible to implement a variable opacity of the glass unit. The opacity of the glass unit can be characterized by various physical variables, in particular the light transmittance. The opacity can vary between at least two values, namely a minimum value OP1 corresponding to what is called the "light" or "transparent" state of the glass unit, and a maximum value OPn corresponding to what is called the "dark" state of the glass unit. Various technologies make it possible to implement intermediate states of opacification as well. This is particularly true for the PDLC ("polymer dispersed liquid crystal") technology described herein as preferred.

[0023] In this embodiment, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the opacifying glass unit 2 comprises an opacifying film 25, in particular a PDLC film, laminated between two glass layers 23, 27. A PDLC film consists of liquid crystals embedded in a polymer resin.

[0024] A first conductive layer 24 and a second conductive layer 26 are disposed between the opacifying film 25 and each of the glass layers 23, 27, respectively.

[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a change in the opacity of the glass unit is commanded by applying a voltage between the first conductive layer 24 and the second conductive layer 26. As illustrated in FIG.

[0026] In FIGS. 3 and 4, light enters the glazing unit through glass layer 23 .

[0027] 3, since no voltage is applied between the two conductive layers 24, 26, the liquid crystals are randomly arranged in the polymer resin and prevent light transmission. The glass layer 27 therefore receives very little light.

[0028] In Figure 4, application of a voltage between the two conductive layers 24, 26 causes the liquid crystals to become oriented in the polymer resin, thereby allowing light to pass through the PDLC film. The glass layer 27 therefore receives a significant amount of light.

[0029] In the remainder of this specification, the phrase "instruction to change the opacity" will be used to refer to the application of a voltage between the two conductive layers 24, 26 of the opacified glass unit, and the applied voltage may be zero or non-zero.

[0030] Advantageously, the glazing unit comprises at least two partitions or parts 21, 22, the opacity level of each partition being autonomously commanded to vary between a minimum opacity value OP1 and a maximum opacity value OPn.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5, the glazing unit 2 is a roof glazing unit for a motor vehicle. The opacifying film is in particular cut into two separated segments before being shaped between the two glass sheets. The glazing unit 2 thereby has two partitions 21, 22 associated respectively with the two segments of the opacifying film. Cutting the opacifying film into two separated segments thereby makes it possible to independently direct each of the two partitions defined by the segments in order to modify the opacity of the opacifying film.

[0032] The role of the glass device 1 is to implement instructions for the set of partitions 21, 22 of the opacifying glass unit 2, which allows independent and progressive opacification (or increase in opacity) and de-opacification (or decrease in opacity) of the opacity of each partition of the opacifying glass unit 2.

[0033] The level of each partition 21, 22 can vary between a minimum value OP1 and a maximum value OPn.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, each partition takes on n levels of opacity (OP1, ..., OPn), numbered in order of increasing opacity. Preferably, n>2. Advantageously, n=3 or n=4 or n=5.

[0035] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, partitions 21, 22 are defined to allow differentiated opacification between the front and rear of the vehicle, with partition 21 being installed in the front portion of the glass unit and partition 22 being installed in the rear portion of the glass unit.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the set of possible states for the glass units implementing the partitions 21, 22 is defined according to three levels of opacity: a minimum level OP1, an intermediate level OP2 and a maximum level OP3.

[0037] The partitions 21 and 22 combined with three levels of opacity OP1, OP2, OP3 make it possible to implement nine glass unit states V1 to V9, - a first glass unit state V1 corresponds to the application of a maximum opacity level OP3 to the two partitions 21, 22, - a second glass unit state V2 corresponds to the application of a minimum opacity level OP1 to the two partitions 21, 22, - the third glass unit state V3 corresponds to the application of an intermediate opacity level OP2 to the two partitions 21, 22, a fourth glass unit state V4 corresponds to the application of a minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 21 and a maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 22; a fifth glass unit state V5 corresponds to the application of a maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 21 and a minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 22; - a sixth glass unit state V6 corresponds to the application of an intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 21 and a maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 22; a seventh glass unit state V7 corresponds to the application of a maximum opacity level OP3 to partition 21 and an intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 22; an eighth glass unit state V8 corresponds to the application of a minimum opacity level OP1 to partition 21 and an intermediate opacity level OP2 to partition 22; The ninth glass unit state V9 corresponds to the application of an intermediate opacity level OP2 to the partition 21 and a minimum opacity level OP1 to the partition 22.

[0038] Alternatively, other sets of stable states of the glazing unit may be defined by varying the number of partitions and / or the number of opacity levels, the number of opacity levels being greater than or equal to two.

[0039] Advantageously, the partitions 21, 22 are defined to allow differentiated opacification between the front and rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, other embodiments of the partitions may allow differentiated opacification between the right and left portions of the vehicle.

[0040] The glass device 1 further comprises a control interface 4 which enables the vehicle user to select the states V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, V9 of the glass units which the user wishes to implement in the motor vehicle 10.

[0041] In a first preferred embodiment, the control interface 4 associates a control element with each partition 21, 22 of the glass unit.

[0042] Thereby, in the case of a glass unit with two partitions 21, 22, the control interface 4 comprises two control elements 41, 42. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the two control elements can be realised by two separate buttons 41, 42 or by one button with two press areas 41, 42.

[0043] In a variant, the control interface can be a touch screen showing the partitions of the glass unit, the control interface thereby comprising as many control elements as there are partitions, in this case as many press areas as there are partitions.

[0044] Pressing one of the control elements 41, 42 causes a change in the opacity of the partition 21, 22 of the glazing unit associated with that control element.

[0045] Advantageously, the spatial arrangement of the control elements 41, 42 is determined to correspond to the spatial arrangement of the partitions, for example, if the first partition 21 and the second partition 22 are respectively arranged from the front to the rear of the vehicle, the first control element 41 and the second control element 42 are respectively arranged from the front to the rear of the vehicle, the first control element 41 controls the first partition 21 and the second control element 42 controls the second partition.

[0046] Pressing one of the control elements 41, 42 causes a change in the opacity of the partition 21, 22 of the glazing unit associated with that control element.

[0047] In addition, the button makes it possible to measure the press duration DAPP. This measurement thereby makes it possible to categorize the press by comparing its duration with a threshold APPMIN. As a result, presses with a duration strictly shorter than the threshold APPMIN are considered to be "short presses" and presses with a duration longer than or equal to the threshold APPMIN are considered to be "long presses". Categorizing presses according to their press duration makes it possible to differentiate the processing according to the category of presses, as will be explained later in this specification.

[0048] Optionally, the button 4 may comprise a third control element 43, shown in more detail in figure 11. The third control element 43 is preferably located between the first control element 41 and the second control element 42. The third control element 43 makes it possible to activate an automatic control mode for the glass unit, which will be explained later in this specification.

[0049] In a second embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the first embodiment, the control interface 4 may be realised by a human / machine interface, which may for example be provided by a vehicle's touch screen or a cell phone application.

[0050] The human / machine interface may make it possible to control the glass unit 2 based on the same parameters as a physical button, namely the selection of a partition and the pressing duration DAPP instructed to change its opacity. Strictly speaking, instead of instructing the pressing duration, the user may select the type of pressing between two propositions, in particular a long press or a short press.

[0051] Alternatively, the human / machine interface may allow the selection of the final state of the glass unit from among all possible states V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, V9, for example by directly clicking on a visual representation of the possible states for the glass unit 2.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the human / machine interface may also comprise a voice control, making it possible in particular to activate the automatic control of the glass unit.

[0053] The glazing device may furthermore comprise a set of sensors 5, which provide data for implementing an automatic control of the glazing unit 2. For example, the set of sensors 5 may comprise one or more solar radiation sensors, advantageously placed on the roof of the vehicle. Data from these solar radiation sensors may make it possible to automatically determine which roof partitions have to be opacified to protect the passenger compartment from sunlight.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, the set of sensors 5 may comprise one or more internal and / or external temperature sensors and / or solar radiation sensors arranged in the motor vehicle 10. The temperature and / or solar radiation sensors may make it possible to implement an automatic control of the opacifying glass unit, for example, to reach and maintain a desired internal temperature. The information sent by the at least one sensor may thereby directly influence the partition and / or the opacity level.

[0055] Moreover, the external temperature sensor can make it possible to manage the influence of the external temperature on the operation of the opacifying roof. In particular, very low temperatures significantly delay the operation of the opacifying film, which obviously limits the possibility of modifying the opacity of the glass unit. Advantageously, the glass device 1 can be deactivated when the external temperature falls below a temperature limit threshold, for example the limit threshold possibly being between 0 and -20 degrees. The user is informed of this deactivation according to the external temperature.

[0056] The glass device 1, in particular the microprocessor, mainly comprises the following modules: a module 31 for detecting an instruction to change the opacity of the glass unit, said module 31 being capable of interacting with the control interface 4, a module 32 for controlling the opacity of the partition, said module being capable of interacting with the glass unit 2, - it comprises a module 33 for automatically managing the glass unit, which module is capable of interacting with the glass unit 2 and with the set of sensors 5;

[0057] The motor vehicle 10, and in particular the glass device 1, preferably comprises all hardware and / or software elements configured to implement the methods defined in the subject matter of the present invention or described below.

[0058] A first embodiment of a method for controlling the opacifying glass is described below with reference to FIG.

[0059] In a first step E1, an indication to change the opacity of the glass is detected at a time T.

[0060] The detection step E1 includes a sub-step E11 of determining the controlled partition and a sub-step E12 of determining whether it is an instruction of a first or a second type.

[0061] In a first embodiment of the control interface 4, the detection of an instruction to change the opacity of the glass unit is triggered by pressing of the control button 4, in particular a control element 41, 42 of the control button.

[0062] Thereby, if the interface is realised by one control button 4, the substep E11 of determining the controlled partition comprises detecting that a control element 41 has been pressed, which determines that the controlled partition is the first partition 21, and / or detecting that a control element 42 has been pressed, which determines that the controlled partition is the second partition 22.

[0063] Moreover, the substep E12 of determining whether it is a first or second type of control can comprise determining a press duration DAPP of the control button and comparing the press duration DAPP with a minimum threshold value APPMIN; a first type of indication is determined by a short press, i.e. a press having a duration strictly shorter than a minimum threshold value APPMIN; A second type of indication is determined by a long press having a duration greater than or equal to the minimum threshold value APPMIN.

[0064] Once the first step E1 is finished, a second step E2 of controlling the opacity of the controlled partition is performed.

[0065] The controlled partitions 21, 22 are considered to be partitions of a glass unit that can take on n opacity levels (OP1, ..., OPn), numbered in order of increasing opacity.

[0066] In step E2, the opacity level of the controlled partition is modified depending on the type of indication detected in step E1 and depending on the initial opacity level of the controlled partition.

[0067] Step E2 includes a sub-step E21 of determining an initial opacity of the controlled partition, which corresponds to the opacity of the controlled partition at the time T when the instruction to change the opacity is issued.

[0068] Using the above-mentioned glass technology, the opacity of a partition is determined by the voltage applied to the partition. In particular, in one embodiment of the method, a correspondence table giving the correlation between voltage and opacity can determine the correlation between each opacity value OPi of a glass unit and the voltage Vi that must be applied to the partition of the glass unit to implement the opacity level OPi.

[0069] Thus, knowing the voltage applied to a controlled partition determines the index j of the initial opacity level OPj of that controlled partition, j lying between 1 and n inclusive.

[0070] Step E2 furthermore comprises a substep E22 of determining the final opacity of the controlled partition based on the initial opacity OPj and the type of instruction.

[0071] The first type of instruction applied to a partition exhibiting an initial opacity level OPj is: - a unit reduction in the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value of the opacity level of rank j-1 (OPj-1), or - A unit increase in the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value of the opacity level of rank j+1 (OPj+1) Causes.

[0072] In addition, a second type of instruction applied to a partition exhibiting an initial opacity level OPj is - Decreasing the value of the opacity level of a partition by multiple units, or decreasing the value of the opacity level of a partition to its minimum value, or - Increase the value of the partition's opacity level by multiple units, or increase the value of the partition's opacity level to the maximum value Causes.

[0073] In other words, a distinction is made between two procedures for implementing the control method: a first implementation procedure called decrease and a second implementation procedure called increase.

[0074] In the remainder of this specification, the first type of indication will be referred to as a "short press" and the second type of indication will be referred to as a "long press."

[0075] In a decrease implementation procedure, a short press implements a unit change in opacity in a loop or sequence that decreases through the opacity levels (OPn, ..., OP1). Expressed differently, a short press implements a unit reduction in the value of the opacity level of a partition, which performs successive transitions between the opacity levels (OPn, ..., OP1). When a partition is at the minimum opacity level OP1, the effect of a short press is to apply the maximum opacity level OPn to this partition.

[0076] Alternatively, in an incremental implementation procedure, a short press implements a unit change in opacity in a loop or sequence that increases through the opacity levels (OP1, ..., OPn). Expressed differently, a short press implements a unit increment in the value of the opacity level of a partition, which performs successive transitions between the opacity levels (OP1, ..., OPn). When a partition is at the maximum opacity level OPn, the effect of a short press is to apply the minimum opacity level OP1 to this partition.

[0077] Moreover, the implementation procedure allows for handling long presses, whether they are increments or decrements: a long press has the effect of binding either the minimum or maximum opacity level to the partition.

[0078] The effect of a long press on the opacity of a partition that takes on an initial opacity level OPj may be described as follows: - if j=1 (i.e. the partition is at the minimum opacity level before the long press), the long press has the effect of binding the maximum opacity level OPn to the partition, regardless of whether the implementation procedure is an increase or a decrease; - if j=n (i.e. the partition is at the maximum opacity level before the long press), the second type of instruction or the long press binds the minimum opacity level OP1 to the partition, regardless of whether the implementation procedure is an increase or a decrease, - Otherwise, the opacity level to be associated with the partition following a long press is determined by the implementation procedure, where a decrease implementation procedure has the effect of associating a minimum opacity level OP1 with the partition and an increase implementation procedure has the effect of associating a maximum opacity level OPn with the partition.

[0079] Thus, if the first mode of implementation of the control method is a decreasing procedure, the final opacity level of a partition of initial opacity OPj is determined as follows: - if j is strictly greater than 1, then for a short press the final opacity level is OPj-1, and for a long press the final opacity level is OP1; - Otherwise, the final opacity level is OPn, regardless of whether the instruction type is a short press or a long press.

[0080] Alternatively, if the first mode of implementation of the control method is an increasing procedure, the final opacity level of a partition of initial opacity OPj is determined as follows: - if j is strictly less than n, then for a short press the final opacity level is OPj+1, and for a long press the final opacity level is OPn; - Otherwise, the final opacity level is OP1, regardless of whether the instruction type is a short press or a long press.

[0081] Alternatively, a long press can indicate - following an increase procedure - an increase in opacity by multiple levels or steps, or an increase in the value of the opacity level by multiple units, or - following a decrease procedure - a decrease in opacity by multiple levels or steps, or a decrease in the value of the opacity level by multiple units.

[0082] 9 illustrates the possible opacity changes according to a reduction implementation procedure of a glass unit comprising two partitions 21, 22, each of which can independently assume three opacity levels: a minimum level OP1, an intermediate level OP2 and a maximum level OP3. A first type of indication or short press is represented by a thin arrow indicating the actuated control element 41, 42. A second type of indication or long press is represented by a thick arrow indicating the activated control element 41, 42.

[0083] FIG. 9 thereby illustrates the transitions implemented by the method depending on the actuated control element 41, 42 and depending on the type of indication, ie whether it is a short or long press.

[0084] The substep of determining the final opacity level of the controlled partitions 21, 22 is followed by a substep E23 of determining an instruction to modify the opacity of the controlled partitions 21, 22.

[0085] The instruction to change the opacity of a partition is defined as instructing a modification of the voltage applied between the first 24 and second 26 conductive layers of the controlled partitions 21, 22. The value of the voltage to be applied may in particular be determined by a correspondence table giving a correlation between the opacity values ​​(OP1, ..., OPn) of the glass units and various voltage values ​​(V1, ..., Vn), an opacity level OPk being obtained on a partition 21, 22 by applying a voltage Vk between the first 24 and second 26 conductive layers of said partition.

[0086] As an alternative or in addition to the first embodiment described above, another embodiment variant may comprise a step E3 of automatically managing the glass units.

[0087] A second embodiment of the control method including a step E3 of automatically managing the glass units is illustrated in FIG.

[0088] In this embodiment, step E1 comprises detecting an indication for activation of the automatic mode, apart from the processing described above for this step.

[0089] In one embodiment of a control interface 4 with buttons, an instruction for activation of the automatic mode may be detected by detecting a press of the third control element 43 .

[0090] Alternatively or additionally, the instruction for activation of the automatic mode may be detected via a human / machine interface or voice control, which may also make it possible to control the desired temperature in the passenger compartment.

[0091] When an indication for activating the automatic mode is detected, a step E3 of automatically managing the opacifying glass units is executed.

[0092] Step E3 comprises determining a target opacity level as a function of measurements from the set of sensors 5. The measurements may comprise one or more measurements of solar radiation on the roof of the vehicle and / or a measurement of an external temperature. Advantageously, the measurements also comprise a measurement of the temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10.

[0093] Step E3 involves determining a target temperature corresponding to the temperature desired by the user in the passenger compartment. Depending on the type of control interface used, the target temperature may be determined by the user via a human / machine interface and / or voice control. Alternatively, the target temperature may be determined by a default value, for example 20 degrees, or by a predetermined deviation to the external temperature, which can be a function of the external temperature.

[0094] Based on a defined target temperature and on solar radiation or temperature measurements, a target opacity level of the glazing unit is determined, which allows the temperature of the passenger compartment to move towards the target temperature. In addition, an air conditioning device may be used to help reach the target temperature value. In this case, the means for managing the glazing unit and the means for managing the air conditioning device communicate with each other and at least simultaneously receive information from at least one temperature and / or solar radiation sensor.

[0095] In one embodiment of step E3, all partitions of the glazing unit are simultaneously instructed to implement the target opacity level uniformly across all partitions of the glazing unit, corresponding to the implementation of a tenth state V10 of the glazing unit, shown in Figure 11. In one embodiment variant, the tenth state V10 of the glazing unit may correspond to state V3 implementing an intermediate opacity level OP2 uniformly across all partitions of the glazing unit.

[0096] In an alternative embodiment, step E3 may comprise selectively modifying one or more of the at least two partitions 21, 22 of the glass unit depending on the solar radiation measurements, in particular for determining the direction of the light rays.

[0097] Step E3 involves revising the target opacity level in response to updated measurements from the set of sensors 5. The opacity of all or some of the at least two partitions of the glass unit is then changed in response to the revised target opacity level for each partition.

[0098] In one embodiment, a step E2 of detecting an instruction to change the opacity is executed when the instruction to change the opacity is detected, in particular by pressing one of the first location 41 and the second location 42 of the button 4.

[0099] Taken as a whole, the invention allows for simple and intuitive control of an opacifying glass unit, with each partition of the glass unit being independently instructed to change its opacity according to a given number of opacity levels.

[0100] The simple and intuitive essence of the invention stems firstly from the association between each partition of a glass unit to be controlled and a single control element, in particular a button or a pressable area on a button.

[0101] Moreover, the simple and intuitive nature of the invention is enhanced by the possibility of varying the opacity of the partitions according to a cycle with a single variation (configured to be either a cycle of increasing opacity or a cycle of decreasing opacity). Advantageously, the invention allows to implement a limited number of opacity levels, for example three or four levels, thereby allowing the user to indicate the desired opacity level with a limited number of presses. The indication is also simplified by the possibility of reaching the minimum or maximum opacity level with a single press of the long press type.

[0102] The invention furthermore makes it possible to activate an automatic management of the glass unit depending on the desired temperature and / or brightness in the passenger compartment.

[0103] Other advantages may result, inter alia, from the possibility of the user configuring the glass device as required to define several desired opacity levels.

[0104] Advantageously, the automatic management of the glass units can also be configured to use different sets of partitions and opacity levels depending on weather conditions. For example, the automatic management of the glass units can: - a first set of partitions in a first solar radiation configuration, this first set of partitions and their opacity levels making it possible to differentiate the opacity of the front and rear parts of the passenger compartment in order in particular to adapt the opacity of the glass units depending on the direction of the sunlight; - A second set of partitions and opacity levels of a second solar radiation configuration can be used, which makes it possible, for example, to optimize the maintenance of a target temperature in the passenger compartment.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an opaque glass unit (2) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein the glass unit comprises at least two partitions (21, 22), and the opacity level of each partition is autonomously instructed to vary between a minimum value (OP1) and a maximum value (OPn).

2. Each partition takes n levels of opacity (OP1,..., OPn) numbered in increasing order of opacity, where n > 2, in particular n = 3 or n = 4 or n = 5. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is so.

3. A first type of instruction for the opacity level of the partition (21, 22) taking the value (OPj) of the opacity level of rank j, in particular a short press of a control button, is - a unit reduction of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value (OPj-1) of the opacity level of rank j-1, or - a unit increase of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the value (OPj+1) of the opacity level of rank j+1 accompanied by, and A second type of instruction for the opacity level of the partition (21, 22) taking the value (OPj) of the opacity level of rank j, in particular a long press of a control button, is - a reduction of the value of the opacity level of the partition by a plurality of units, or a reduction of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the minimum value, or - an increase of the value of the opacity level of the partition by a plurality of units, or an increase of the value of the opacity level of the partition to the maximum value accompanied by The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is so.

4. The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each partition of the glass unit is associated with a separate control element (41, 42), for example, a separate control button.

5. The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes the step of automatically managing the glass unit based on data from a set of sensors (5).

6. A device (1) for controlling an opacifying glass unit (2), said device comprising hardware and / or software elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33), in particular hardware and / or software elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22) designed to implement the method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A motor vehicle (10) equipped with the control device (1) according to claim 6.

8. A computer program product comprising program code instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, said program code instructions for implementing the steps of the method according to claim 1 or 2 when executed on a computer.

9. A computer-readable data storage medium storing a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to claim 1 or 2.

Images