Method and device for controlling a display system of a vehicle to display indicators by scrolling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a display system of a vehicle. For this purpose, first data of a request to display first indicators (211, 212, 213) belonging to a first category of indicators are received. A display of the first indicators (211, 212, 213) is controlled in order to display these first indicators in a first predetermined region (21) of a display screen (13) of the display system, the first predetermined region (21) having a size which is configured to display a predetermined maximum number of indicators. When a number of first indicators to be displayed is greater than the predetermined maximum number, the display of the first indicators is controlled in order to display the first indicators by means of sequential scrolling in the first predetermined region (21).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Method and device for controlling a vehicle display system for scrolling indicator lights technical field

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2310322 filed on September 28, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a vehicle display system, particularly in automobiles. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and device for controlling the display of indicator lights for vehicle monitoring. The invention also relates to a method and device for assisting with vehicle driving. Technological background

[0002] The increasing sophistication of vehicles is accompanied by high demands for the safety of both the vehicles and their passengers. The systems, components, and functions implemented in a vehicle must often meet a specific safety level. These safety levels are described, for example, in the ISO 26262 standard, and are identified by their ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level), i.e., ASIL A, B, C, or D, each associated with a permissible failure rate per hour.

[0003] For example, the components or computers controlling a vehicle's braking system must be at a very high ASIL level, for example, ASIL D. In the event of a problem or failure of the braking system, it is essential to inform the driver of the vehicle so that they can take the necessary measures, for example, stopping the vehicle and / or making an appointment at a garage.

[0004] Vehicles also include one or more screens displaying one or more human-machine interfaces (HMIs), which allow the driver or passengers to interact with the vehicle. These HMIs are currently used to display information such as vehicle speed, or to show one or more warning lights to alert the driver to a potential problem with a vehicle component or the operating status of a driver assistance system, for example. The diversity of these HMIs is very wide, with each vehicle model having its own specific HMI, including a particular layout and / or graphics for the elements displayed.

[0005] For reasons of operational safety, regulation or vehicle use, these HMIs display dozens of indicators so that a vehicle user can supervise the overall condition of the vehicle's components and systems implemented in the vehicle.

[0006] These HMIs are generally displayed in different areas of a screen. Each area can correspond to one or more indicators of an HMI, and each indicator corresponds to information relating to a vehicle component or an operating state of one of the systems implemented by that vehicle.

[0007] This is how these user interfaces can be displayed in so-called dedicated areas, that is, areas in which one or more indicators can be displayed, but exclusively. For example, an indicator representing an active system and an indicator representing that same inactive system can be displayed exclusively in the same dedicated area of ​​the screen.

[0008] These HMIs can also be displayed in so-called stackable areas, i.e. areas in which one or more indicators can be displayed according to display priority rules: some indicators can be displayed simultaneously while others are not, according to a first priority rule, and these other indicators can be displayed according to a second priority rule, etc.

[0009] The proliferation of indicators to be displayed on a screen whose dimensions are sometimes constrained by the ergonomics of the driving position leads, for example, to readability problems with at least some of the indicators and / or the implementation of costly solutions to relocate the display of some of the indicators to other screens or physical buttons. Summary of the present invention

[0010] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of the display of warning lights in a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the user experience with regard to the display of warning lights, for example to improve the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0013] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle display system, the display system comprising a display screen, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving initial data representative of a request to display a first set of first witnesses on the display screen, each first witness of the first set belonging to a first category of witnesses; - control of display of the first set of first witnesses in a first determined area of ​​the display screen following the reception of the first data, the first determined area having a size configured for a display of a maximum determined number of witnesses, and when a number of first witnesses from the first set of first witnesses is greater than the maximum determined number, the display of the first witnesses being controlled to display the first witnesses by sequential scrolling in the first determined area.

[0014] Controlling the display of cookies of a specific category (for example, cookies whose display frequency is below a certain threshold) within a limited area of ​​a screen by scrolling through the cookies in that area reduces the space required for displaying cookies while still allowing The display of all witnesses. The sequential scrolling of witnesses in the area allows the witnesses to be displayed one after the other, according to a predetermined sequence.

[0015] The driver can thus easily access the information associated with the display of the warning lights to control the vehicle safely, the access to the information being readable among all the additional information displayed on the screen.

[0016] According to one variant, when the number of first witnesses in the first set of first witnesses is greater than the maximum number determined, the method further includes a display control step of a first graphic object representing the number of first witnesses in a second area of ​​the display screen, the second area being adjacent to the first determined area.

[0017] According to another variant, a graphic representation of the first graphic object is a function of a current graphic representation of the first witnesses of the first set.

[0018] According to yet another variant, the process further includes a display control step of a second graphic object representing a result of a display test of the first warning lights when starting the vehicle in the second area of ​​the display screen.

[0019] According to an additional variant, the second zone covers part of the first determined zone.

[0020] According to yet another variant, the maximum number of witnesses determined is equal to 3 witnesses.

[0021] According to another variant, sequential scrolling corresponds to a continuous scrolling of the first witnesses in the first determined zone along a principal direction of the first determined zone. The display of a new first witness at one end of the first determined zone results in a spatial shift of the first witnesses already displayed in the first zone along the principal direction towards a second end of the first determined zone opposite the first. end, the first witness already displayed at the second end exiting the first area determined when the new first witness is displayed at the first end.

[0022] According to yet another variant, the process also includes the following steps: - receipt of second data representative of a request to display at least one second witness on the display screen, the at least one second witness belonging to a second category of witnesses different from the first category, each second witness of the second category having a display occurrence greater than a threshold, each first witness of the first category having a display occurrence less than the threshold; - display control of at least a second indicator in at least a third determined area of ​​the display screen different from the first determined area.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle display system, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0026] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded computer including instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0028] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard drive.

[0029] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0030] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a display device for the vehicle of figure 1, according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the vehicle display device of figure 1, according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates the vehicle display device of figure 1, according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates the vehicle display device of figure 1, according to a fourth particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] [Fig. 6] illustrates a device configured to control a vehicle display system of Figure 1, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] [Fig. 7] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a process for controlling a display system of the vehicle of figure 1, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0039] A method and device for controlling a vehicle display system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference symbols throughout the description that follows.

[0040] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0041] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of a display system comprising a vehicle display screen is, for example, implemented by one or more vehicle computers. To this end, the method includes receiving initial data representing a request to display a first set of indicators on the screen. display. This initial data is received, for example, from one or more data buses connecting different vehicle control units. Each first indicator in the first set belongs to a first category of indicators. The display of the first set of indicators is then controlled to show the first indicators in a predetermined area of ​​the display screen. This first area is configured so that it can only display a maximum number (an integer value) of indicators simultaneously, for example, 3 indicators.

[0042] When the number of first witnesses to be displayed (i.e., the number of first witnesses included in the first set) is greater than this maximum number, the display of the first witnesses is controlled to display the first witnesses by sequential scrolling in this first area of ​​the display screen.

[0043] Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle.

[0045] Vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a display system including, for example, a display screen 13 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) from a graphic HMI on the screen 13. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of vehicle 10.

[0046] The screen 13 corresponds, for example, to a combination screen or instrument panel arranged in an area of ​​the dashboard 11 located behind the steering wheel 14 from the point of view of a driver of the vehicle 10 seated in the front driver's seat 15 of the vehicle 10. Such a screen 13 is configured for the display of necessary information to the driver to control the vehicle 10, for example the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10, level of fuel remaining in the tank or the amount of energy remaining in the traction battery, the number of kilometers traveled, information on the environment of the vehicle 10 (for example information representative of the distance to a vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 10, the detected traffic sign(s), according to the ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System) systems on board the vehicle 10).

[0047] Such a screen 13 is also configured for the display, under the control of the IVI computer for example, of indicators corresponding for example to so-called safety or alert indicators, so-called warning indicators and / or so-called signaling indicators.

[0048] An indicator corresponds to a graphic icon or pictogram of a specific color. Each indicator advantageously has a particular and specific shape or graphic representation, and a particular and specific color. Certain representations and colors associated with indicators, particularly safety or warning indicators, are defined, for example, in an international standard such as ECE R121.

[0049] Each warning indicator belongs to a set of safety or warning indicators, including: - the battery charge indicator: the display of such an indicator indicates an insufficient battery charge resulting, for example, from an alternator failure; - the engine oil pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates insufficient pressure (below a certain threshold); - the engine oil temperature warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates engine oil overheating (temperature above a determined threshold); - the coolant temperature indicator: the display of such an indicator indicates any engine overheating (temperature above a determined threshold); - The brake or braking system failure indicator: the display of such an indicator signals, for example, a drop in pressure in the braking circuit and / or a insufficient brake fluid level and / or improper parking brake application; - the tire pressure warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates an excessive loss of pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires; and - the seat belt not fastened warning light: the display of such a warning light indicates that the driver and / or a passenger has not fastened their seat belt.

[0050] A warning light is an indicator signaling a malfunction in an onboard electronic system or the need for prompt inspection of a vehicle component, while still allowing the vehicle to be driven. The set of warning lights to check includes, for example, one or more of the following: engine oil level indicator, airbag indicator, ABS system indicator, electronic stability control indicator, brake pad wear indicator, traction control indicator, fuel level indicator, engine emissions indicator, power steering indicator, and bulb failure indicator.

[0051] A signal indicator corresponds to an indicator signaling the activation (automatic or following a manual command) of a vehicle component such as the lights (position, dipped, main, fog lights), the direction change indicators (turn signal), the hazard lights, the parking brake, the demister, etc.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the display system further comprises one or more other screens, for example a screen 12, for example touch screen, arranged in the middle of the dashboard 11 and / or a head-up display device or system corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade arranged in such a way that a driver sitting in the seat 15 sees the content displayed or projected onto the transparent blade when the driver is driving the vehicle 10.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 incorporates one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, together with the IVI computer, form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers in controlling the vehicle. vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) on board the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN data bus (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0054] A control process for the vehicle's display system 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more control units of the vehicle's embedded system 10, for example by the IVI control unit. The display system control includes controlling the display of indicators on one or more display devices of the vehicle 10, for example on the screen 13.

[0055] In the first operation, initial data representing a request to display a first set of first witnesses on the display screen is received. Each first signaling witness in the first set belongs to a first category of witnesses.

[0056] The first data is for example received by the IVI computer via a wired connection, for example via one or more data buses linking the IVI computer to one or more other computers in the vehicle 10. This or these other computers correspond for example each to a computer controlling an on-board system or a component of the vehicle 10 associated with the first warning light to be displayed, for example an ADAS system, the lighting system, the engine or any other component of the vehicle 10.

[0057] The first category, comprising the first witnesses, includes, for example, witnesses whose display frequency over a given period (e.g., 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year) is below a certain threshold. This first category thus includes, for example, witnesses that appear less than 5 or 10 times per year.

[0058] A second category includes, for example, other witnesses (called second witnesses) not belonging to the first category, the second witnesses having a display occurrence greater than the set threshold.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the indicators are grouped by type of indicator. For example, the first category groups together safety or alert indicators and warning indicators, while the second category groups together signaling indicators.

[0060] In a second operation of the process, the display of the first set of first signal indicators is controlled so as to display this first set of first indicators in a first determined area 21 of the display screen 13 following the reception of the first data, as illustrated in Figure 2 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The first zone 21 corresponds to a display area with a size (or dimensions) adapted and configured to display a predetermined maximum number of indicators. This maximum number corresponds to a parameter of the display system stored in a memory associated with the IVI control unit.

[0062] This maximum number corresponds to an integer and is, for example, equal to 3. According to other examples, this maximum number is equal to 2, 4 or 5.

[0063] The first zone 21 corresponds, for example, to a two-dimensional surface in the shape of a rectangle, a rectangle with rounded corners, an oval, or an ellipse displayed on the screen 13, for example, in the right-hand part of the screen 13 (from the viewpoint of a user viewing the screen 13). According to the example in Figure 2, this first zone extends along a principal or longitudinal direction (along a Y-axis of an orthonormal coordinate system (X,Y) where the X-axis represents the horizontal axis or the length of the screen 13 and the Y-axis the vertical axis or the height of the screen 13) and a lateral or transverse dimension along the X-axis. The principal dimension is greater than the lateral dimension.

[0064] According to other examples, the first zone 21 is displayed in the left part of the screen 13 or in the lower or upper part of the screen (the largest principal dimension then being along the X axis).

[0065] The size of the first zone 21 is designed to allow the simultaneous display of this maximum number of first witnesses, i.e., 3 first witnesses 211, 212 and 213 which are displayed one above the other vertically as shown in Figure 2. The first witness 211 is displayed at the top of the first zone (on one end of the first zone 21), the first witness 213 is displayed at the bottom of the first zone (on one end of the first zone 21 opposite the first end along the Y-axis) and the first witness 212 is displayed in the middle of the first zone between witnesses 211 and 213. The dimensions (or size) of the first zone 21 are related (or dependent) on the display dimensions (or size) of the first witnesses.

[0066] When the number of first witnesses, denoted N, forming the first set is less than or equal to the maximum number, denoted Nmax (N < Nmax) then all the first witnesses 211 to 213 are displayed simultaneously in the first zone 21.

[0067] When the number of first witnesses 'N' forming the first set is greater than the maximum number 'Nmax' (N > Nmax), then the display of the first witnesses is controlled to show them by sequential scrolling in the first determined zone. Sequential scrolling corresponds to a rotation of the display of the first witnesses one after the other in the first zone so that all the first witnesses are displayed in turn in the first zone, simultaneously displaying a number of first witnesses equal to Nmax.

[0068] Depending on the direction in which the first witnesses appear in the first zone 21, a new first witness is displayed in the first zone 21 by being inserted from the bottom or at the first end (respectively from the top or at the second end) of the first zone. This shifts the first witnesses already displayed upwards (respectively downwards) (i.e., those displayed before the new first witness is displayed, from a temporal point of view) and removes the first witness already displayed from the first zone. displayed at the top or on the second end (respectively at the bottom or on the first end). An example of such a scroll is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0069] In Figure 3, the display of a new first witness 311 entering from the bottom or on the first end of the first zone 21 causes the first witness 211 which was displayed at the top (or on the second end) of the first zone to exit the first zone 21, the first witnesses 212, 213 displayed in the first zone 21 before the display of the new witness 311 each moving up one position along the Y axis according to arrow 300, the first witness 213 passing to the middle and replacing the first witness 212 previously displayed in the middle, the first witness 212 passing to the top (or on the second end) and replacing the first witness 211 previously displayed at the top (or on the second end) of the first zone 21.

[0070] According to this example of implementation, the first witnesses of the first set parade by rotation in the first zone according to a direction of scrolling or rotation (from bottom to top according to arrow 300 or conversely from top to bottom).

[0071] Sequential scrolling thus corresponds to a continuous scrolling of the first witnesses in the first zone 21 along a principal direction of the first zone 21 (for example, the Y-axis as shown in Figure 3). Displaying a new first witness 311 at one end of the first zone 21 results in a spatial shift of the first witnesses 212, 213 already displayed (i.e., previously displayed, before the display of the new first witness 311) in the first zone 21 along the principal direction towards a second end of the first zone 21 opposite the first end. The first witness 211 already displayed at the second end moves out of the first zone 21 when the new first witness 311 is displayed at the first end. The previously displayed first witness 211 is therefore no longer displayed in the first zone 21.

[0072] The transition from one position to another for an indicator is, for example, continuous, with a gradual transition from one display position to another. In another variation, the transition from one position to another is incremental, with the display controlled in such a way as to remove the indicator from the current position. to display it simultaneously in the next position (above or below, for example).

[0073] According to another embodiment, sequential scrolling corresponds to scrolling by blocks of first indicators (the number of first indicators in a block being, for example, equal to Nmax, for example, equal to 3). According to this other example, the first 3 indicators 211 to 213 are displayed for a determined duration (for example, 1, 2, or 3 seconds), and when the determined display time has elapsed, these first 3 indicators are replaced by 3 new first indicators from the first set, which will in turn be displayed in place of the previously displayed first 3 indicators 211 to 213, and so on until all the first indicators of the first set have been displayed. The cycle then restarts with the first 3 indicators 211 to 213 if the command to display these first indicators is still active.

[0074] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, one or more second witnesses 221, 222 are displayed in one or more determined third zones of the screen 13, only one third zone 22 being illustrated in Figure 2. This third zone 22 is different and distinct from the first zone 21.

[0075] The display of a second indicator 221, 222 in a third zone 22 remains constant as long as the display command for this second indicator is active. For example, a second indicator representing the vehicle's low beam headlights remains displayed in the third zone 22 as long as the low beam headlights are on.

[0076] Several third zones are provided for example on the display screen 13, for example a third zone 22 to the left of the screen 13 to display indicators such as the light indicators and the left turn signal indicator and a third zone to the right of the screen (for example below the first zone 21) to display the right turn signal indicator.

[0077] The display of one or more second indicators in one or more third zones is triggered by the reception of second data points representing a request to display at least one second signal indicator on the screen. 13, at least one second indicator light belonging to a second category of indicator lights different from the first category. The second data is received, for example, by the IVI control unit via a wired connection, for example via one or more data buses linking one or more control units to the IVI control unit.

[0078] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the process includes a third operation in which, when the number 'N' of first witnesses in the first set of first witnesses is greater than the maximum number 'Nmax', the display of a first graphic object 41 representing the number 'N' of first witnesses is controlled to be displayed in a second area of ​​the screen 13, the second area being adjacent to the first area 21.

[0079] The first graphic object 41 corresponds, for example, to an icon or pictogram containing a number corresponding to the number 'N' of first witnesses to be displayed. According to the example in Figure 4, the number '8' is displayed in the center of a circle appearing in the upper left corner of the first zone 21, this circle partially overlapping, for example, the first zone 21. According to another example, the first graphic object corresponds solely to the number 'N' adjacent to the first zone, for example, below or above the first zone 21.

[0080] According to this example, the number of first witnesses to be displayed is equal to 8. The display of such a first graphic object 41 informs the driver of the vehicle 10 that 8 first witnesses will pass one after the other in the first zone 21, even if at a current time 't' only 3 (equal to Nmax) first witnesses are displayed in this first zone 21.

[0081] According to a particular embodiment, a graphical representation of the first graphical object 41 is a function of a current graphical representation of the first witnesses in the first set of first witnesses to be displayed. For example, the color of the first graphical object 41 varies according to the color of the first witnesses to be displayed in area 21. If all the first witnesses are orange, then the dominant color of the first graphical object (for example, the background color of the pictogram) is orange, with the number displayed in its center being, for example, displayed in black or white. If at least one first witness of the first set is red (and the others orange or green) then the dominant colour of the first graphic object 41 is red, the number displayed in its centre being for example displayed in black or white.

[0082] Displaying the first graphic object 41 according to the graphic representation of the first indicators allows the driver's attention to be drawn when at least one first indicator is representative of a critical anomaly (for example a first indicator in red) even though this first indicator is not displayed at the current time because it is waiting to be displayed in the first zone 21 when its turn comes in the sequence of scrolling of the first indicators.

[0083] According to another particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the process includes a fourth operation in which the display of a second graphic object 51 representing a result of a display test of the first witnesses of the first set is controlled to be displayed in the second area (i.e. in the same location as the first graphic object 41) at each start of the vehicle.

[0084] This second graphic object is displayed following a test to ensure the correct and error-free display of all the first witnesses. The second graphic object 51 is displayed according to a first graphic representation (for example, a green checkmark or cross) when the test result indicates that all the first witnesses are displayed correctly. The second graphic object 51 is displayed according to a second graphic representation (for example, a red checkmark or cross) different from the first graphic representation when the test result indicates that one or more first witnesses could not be displayed or could not be displayed correctly.

[0085] The second graphic object 51 is displayed for a specified duration (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 seconds). The first graphic object 41 is then displayed after the second graphic object 51, in the position of the second graphic object and replacing it, after the specified duration has elapsed (if the number of first indicators to be displayed is strictly greater than N max).

[0086] Such an embodiment makes it possible to satisfy a regulatory requirement for testing the indicators when starting the vehicle, which makes it possible to inform the driver of the result of the test carried out, in particular when the number of first indicators is greater than N max.

[0087] In one particular embodiment, the process further includes controlling the vehicle 10 based on the first warning lights displayed. The vehicle 10 is, for example, controlled by the driver or by an automated control system, according to the display of the first warning lights. For example, when a first warning light indicates a critical condition of an onboard system or a failure of an onboard system, the vehicle is controlled to stop in a parking space.

[0088] According to one variant, such control further includes the transmission via a wireless connection of data representing an alert to one or more remote devices, for example a server, to alert a remote help center about the occurrence of the failure or problem encountered by the system which caused the display of the first failure indicator.

[0089] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a device 8 configured for controlling a vehicle display system, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer.

[0090] Device 6 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 5 and / or the steps of the process described opposite Figure 7. Examples of such a device 6 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 6, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 6 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or modules. software (or computer software) or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0091] The device 6 includes one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further includes at least one memory 61, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0092] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is, for example, stored on memory 61.

[0093] According to various specific and non-limiting embodiment examples, device 6 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0094] According to a specific and non-limiting embodiment, device 6 includes a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of block 62 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0095] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a communication interface 63 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the type CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0096] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch or non-touch, one or more speakers 650 and / or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

[0097] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a vehicle display system, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in vehicle 10 or by the device 6 shown in Figure 6.

[0098] In a first step 71, initial data representing a request to display a first set of first witnesses on a vehicle display screen are received, each first witness in the first set belonging to a first category of witnesses.

[0099] In a second step 72, a display of the first set of first witnesses is controlled to display these first witnesses in a first determined area of ​​the display screen following the receipt of the first data, the first determined area having a size configured for displaying a maximum determined number of witnesses.

[0100] When the number of first witnesses in the first set of first witnesses exceeds the maximum number determined, the display of the first witnesses is controlled to display the first witnesses by sequential scrolling in the first determined area.

[0101] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the process in Figure 7.

[0102] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method of displaying indicators on a display screen that would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0103] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 6 of figure 6 or a display system comprising the device 6 of figure 6 connected in communication to a screen 13.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said display system comprising a display screen (13), said method comprising the following steps: - reception (71) of first data representative of a request to display a first set of first witnesses on said display screen (13), each first witness of said first set belonging to a first category of witnesses; - display control (72) of said first set of first indicators (211, 212, 213) in a first determined area (21) of said display screen (13) following the reception of said first data, said first determined area (21) having a size configured for displaying a determined maximum number of indicators, and when a number of first indicators of said first set of first indicators is greater than said determined maximum number, the display of said first indicators being controlled to display said first indicators by sequential scrolling in said first determined area (21).

2. Method according to claim 1, for which when the number of first witnesses of said first set of first witnesses is greater than said determined maximum number, the method further comprises a step of controlling the display of a first graphic object (41) representative of said number of first witnesses in a second zone of said display screen (13), said second zone being adjacent to said first determined zone (21).

3. Method according to claim 2, for which a graphic representation of said first graphic object (41) is a function of a current graphic representation of said first witnesses of said first set.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a step of controlling the display of a second graphic object (51) representative of a result of a test of display of said first indicators when starting said vehicle (10) in said second zone of said display screen (13).

5. Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, for which said second zone covers a part of said first determined zone (21).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said determined maximum number of witnesses is equal to 3 witnesses.

7. Method according to claim 6, for which said sequential scrolling corresponds to a continuous scrolling of said first indicators in said first determined zone (21) in a main direction (300) of said first determined zone (21), a display of a new first indicator (311) at a first end of said first determined zone (21) causing a spatial shift of the first indicators (212, 213) already displayed in said first determined zone (21) in said main direction (300) towards a second end of said first determined zone (21) opposite said first end, the first indicator (211) already displayed at said second end leaving said first determined zone (21) when the new first indicator (311) is displayed at said first end.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the following steps: - receiving second data representative of a request to display at least one second indicator (221, 222) on said display screen (13), said at least one second indicator (221, 222) belonging to a second category of indicators different from said first category, each second indicator of the second category having a display occurrence greater than a threshold, each first indicator of the first category having a display occurrence less than said threshold; - display control of said at least one second indicator (221, 222) in at least one third determined zone (22) of said display screen (13) different from said first determined zone (21).

9. Device (6) for controlling a display system of a vehicle (10), said device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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

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