Digital instrument cluster for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an instrument cluster (CMB) for a motor vehicle, comprising a system that provides a plurality of functions; the cluster (CMB) comprises a touch-sensitive display screen (ECT) capable of displaying, on what is called a nominal screen page (PEN), according to a first given arrangement, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment, including information relating to functions that are active from among the plurality of functions; each active function being displayed in the first arrangement, in the form of a given graphical object defining a control touch button capable of controlling, through contact with the touch button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page (PPS) that extends substantially over the entire area of the nominal screen page (PEN), overlaid on the nominal screen page (PEN), which is dedicated to displaying the active functions and grouping together all of the graphical objects representing the active functions according to a second given arrangement.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Digital instrument cluster for a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2400203 filed on January 10, 2024, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to HMIs (Human Machine Interface) arranged in the cockpits, or passenger compartments, of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a digital instrument cluster for a motor vehicle capable of displaying in an organized manner a set of functions of the motor vehicle, in relation to the same system of the vehicle, in particular an ADAS system (an English acronym for "Advanced Driver-Assistance System").

[0003] The terms "instrument cluster", "instrument cluster" or simply "cluster" are generally associated with the terms "dashboard" or "instrument panel" or even "cluster", in Anglo-Saxon terminology.

[0004] Such motor vehicle instrument clusters include a screen for displaying graphic objects relating in particular to driving assistance functions referred to hereinafter as ADAS functions.

[0005] They are generally integrated into the vehicle's dashboard and positioned behind the steering wheel within the driver's line of vision, so that the driver can view the information displayed on the instrument panel and act on some of it without having to take their eyes off the road.

[0006] These digital instruments can also be configured by the driver of the vehicle, who can thus choose at least in part the modules that he wishes to see displayed on the screen as well as the display style (dials with needles similar to analogue dials or display in the form of bar graphs or numbers translating the value of the quantity concerned) and the ambiance of the instrument panel (sober with dark-coloured background lighting, or sporty with brightly coloured background lighting).

[0007] The driver can sometimes also reorganize the information in his instrument panel by emphasizing the functions offered by the ADAS system (ADAS functions), available from a remote control (on or under the steering wheel via a stalk) or via control buttons and / or menus on a central screen (or multimedia screen) in the vehicle.

[0008] ADAS systems are increasingly being developed in motor vehicles and offer more and more ADAS functions that the driver must be able to manage in terms of access, visualization and understanding (display ergonomics).

[0009] These functions include adaptive cruise control or "ACC" (an English acronym for "Adaptive Cruise Control"), lane keeping, also known as "LPA" or "LKA" (an English acronym for "Lane Positioning Assist" and "Lane Keeping Assist" respectively), emergency braking, also known as "AEB" (an English acronym for Automatic Emergency Braking), etc.

[0010] Thus, numerous graphic objects (icons, pictograms, thumbnails (or mini views), instructions, speed limit signs, side lines, ACC target, inter-vehicle space or TIV, etc.) representative of each of the activated ADAS functions must be able to find their place on a small-sized instrument panel screen, already loaded with the mandatory basic driving information such as vehicle speed, fuel level, traction battery range, etc., defining a “nominal” content of an instrument panel of a motor vehicle.

[0011] We will subsequently refer to a screen or screen page displaying the "nominal" content, which is also the page displayed by default on the handset, as a "nominal" screen or "nominal" screen page.

[0012] Some graphic objects related to ADAS functions remain fixed on the nominal screen of the instrument panel and if their number becomes significant, they risk overloading the nominal screen and "polluting" the display of other driving information.

[0013] Furthermore, the information displayed in relation to ADAS functions in the handset is only advisory (no direct user interaction via the handset screen).

[0014] The invention proposes a solution to overcome this drawback by proposing an interactive touch-screen digital instrument cluster allowing the display of an additional screen page dedicated to ADAS functions, grouping together all the ADAS functions offered by the vehicle's ADAS system and allowing access from the dedicated page to more complete information relating to a selected ADAS function.

[0015] To this end, the present invention has as its first object an instrument cluster for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of functions determined; said handset comprising a touch-sensitive display screen capable of displaying, in a so-called nominal screen page, information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment, including information relating to activated functions among the plurality of determined functions, according to a first determined display arrangement; each activated function being presented in the first arrangement, in the form of a determined graphic object defining a touch-sensitive control button capable of controlling, by contact with the touch-sensitive button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page extending substantially over the entire surface of the nominal screen page, superimposed on the nominal screen page, dedicated to the display of the activated functions and grouping together all of the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.

[0016] According to one feature, each graphic object corresponding to an activated function, according to the second display arrangement in the first additional screen page, defines a touch control button capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page relating to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page, with a determined third display arrangement.

[0017] According to another characteristic, a touch button for accessing information on the status of determined functions of the plurality of determined functions is further displayed in the second display arrangement of the first additional screen page and is capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page superimposed on the first additional page with a fourth determined display arrangement and containing information on the activation or deactivation status of the determined functions.

[0018] According to another feature, touch control buttons are displayed in the fourth display arrangement, respectively opposite the status information, allowing, by contact with one of the touch control buttons, the activation or deactivation of a specific function.

[0019] According to another feature, the display of an additional screen page disappears by contact with the handset screen outside the additional screen page, to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0020] According to another feature, an additional screen page includes a page close touch button capable, by contact with the close touch button, of command the disappearance of the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0021] According to another feature, the display of an additional screen page disappears automatically after a set duration that can be configured to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0022] According to another feature, the display of an additional screen page disappears following a “long” press on the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0023] According to another feature, the display of an additional screen page disappears by contact with the additional screen page following a lateral swipe movement of the contact on the additional screen page to return to the display of the nominal screen page.

[0024] According to another characteristic, the vehicle system is a driver assistance system, called ADAS system and the determined functions are ADAS functions.

[0025] The present invention allows, with a single touch on the handset screen, to access a maximum of information linked to ADAS functions by grouping them on a single dedicated page, available at any time and more easily readable.

[0026] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention may emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] illustrates a first arrangement for displaying graphic objects in a nominal screen page of a digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0028] [Fig. 2] illustrates a selection of a first graphical object of the display arrangement of Figure 1;

[0029] [Fig. 3] illustrates a selection of a second graphical object from the display arrangement of Figure 1;

[0030] [Fig. 4] illustrates a first additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig. 5] illustrates in detail a second arrangement for displaying graphic objects in the first additional screen page of the digital instrument cluster according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig. 6] illustrates a first mode of selecting a first graphical object of the second display arrangement in the additional screen page of Figure 5;

[0033] [Fig. 7] illustrates a third display arrangement in a second additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention after selection of the first graphical object of the second display arrangement;

[0034] [Fig. 8] illustrates a first mode of closing the second additional screen page;

[0035] [Fig. 9] illustrates a second mode of closing the second additional screen page;

[0036] [Fig. 10] illustrates a selection of a third graphical object from the display arrangement of Figure 1; and

[0037] [Fig. 11] illustrates a fourth display arrangement in a second additional screen page displayed in the digital instrument cluster according to the invention after selection of the third graphic object.

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a display arrangement on an ECT touch screen of a CMB instrument cluster for a vehicle according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as “cluster”.

[0039] The substantially flat ECT screen is intended to be arranged in use, in a substantially vertical plane, behind the steering wheel of the vehicle, so as to be visible in the driver's field of vision, without impacting the driving vision and at a determined distance from the driver allowing easy manipulation of the surface of the ECT screen by one of the fingers of one of the driver's hands, generally the index finger.

[0040] The ECT screen is generally presented as a touch screen using, for example, a display technology such as TFT LCD (Thin Film Transistor Light-Emitting Diode) or equivalent OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or AMOLED (Active Matrix OLED), associated with a touch detection layer and allowing the display of several screen pages.

[0041] In this example of display arrangement, the ECT screen displays so-called "nominal" visual content, with minimum and mandatory basic driving information such as the vehicle speed WH, the fuel level CAR, the water temperature TMP, ... as well as information relating to certain activated ADAS functions and in particular keeping the vehicle in the lane MDV, the speed regulation RGV with the CRG regulation instruction, RAD control of the distance or inter-vehicle time TIV of the adaptive cruise control function, ...

[0042] Information relating to the ADAS functions appears on the ECT screen in the form of various graphic objects such as pictograms, figures for the speed regulator instructions, mini-views, or thumbnails, used to illustrate in particular the setting of the TIV distance for the ACC function, textual information,

[0043] These graphic objects are indicators and visual witnesses capable of informing the driver about the activated ADAS functions and the adjustment or setpoint parameters of said ADAS functions.

[0044] According to the present invention, each graphic object relating to a specific ADAS function (pictogram or image) defines a touch control button MDV, RGV, RAD linked to this specific ADAS function.

[0045] All of these touch buttons MDV, RGV, RAD displayed on the screen of the CMB handset, according to this first determined display arrangement, globally define a touch control interface from the page displayed on the screen ECT of the CMB handset, called the nominal screen page PEN of the CMB handset.

[0046] By simply touching a finger of the user (generally the driver of the vehicle) one of these MDV, RGV RAD touch buttons: image or pictogram relating to one of the ADAS functions, in particular MDV (figure 3), a new first screen page, or first additional screen page PPS (figure 4), dedicated to all the activated and therefore functional ADAS functions, opens (or is displayed) in the CMB handset superimposed on the initial page, or “nominal” screen page PEN with a second display layout.

[0047] As in the example shown in Figure 4, the first additional PPS page covers almost the entire surface of the ECT touchscreen of the CMB handset to allow good readability of all graphic objects related to the activated ADAS functions.

[0048] This overlay is however not total but partial, only showing certain parts of the handset's ECT screen and the nominal PEN screen page. In the example considered, the first additional PPS screen page is represented here with a generally oval shape, fitting into the outline of the generally rectangular CMB handset.

[0049] Figure 5 illustrates in detail the second display arrangement of graphic objects in the first additional screen page PPS, in relation to “activated” and therefore functional ADAS functions on the vehicle, not all of which are displayed on the nominal screen page PEN due to lack of space in particular.

[0050] The locations of the graphical objects related to the “activated” ADAS functions in this second arrangement are fictitiously represented in Figure 5, within a closed, broken-line outline.

[0051] In this second display layout, the graphic objects are enlarged, in particular the CRG regulation setpoint speed, and arranged together to give the USG user global (at a glance), "quick" and understandable information on all the ADAS functions activated on the vehicle.

[0052] In fact, the purpose of this first additional PPS page, dedicated to ADAS functions, is not to be displayed as a customization page for the CBM handset but as an information page displayed temporarily and which, once the information has been taken, disappears from the ECT screen of the CBM handset to return to the nominal PEN screen page.

[0053] The display time of the first additional screen page PPS is set by default at the factory, or can be set by the USG user within the imposed time ranges.

[0054] Indeed, it is important for safety that the display duration has the least possible impact on driving the vehicle.

[0055] In the example of the second arrangement, considered in Figure 5, an IC1 image relating to the vehicle's adaptive cruise control function (or ACC) is displayed, enlarged, in the center of the PPS page.

[0056] To the right of the central image IC1, we find the actual speed of the WH vehicle (here 146 km / h) and to the left of the central image IC1, the set speed of the CRG cruise control (here 128 km / h).

[0057] The PRA pictogram dedicated to the ACC function (“Regulator activated”) is displayed under the CRG regulator set speed, to the left of the central IC1 image.

[0058] The PMV pictogram dedicated to the “Keeping in lane” function is displayed under the actual speed WH, to the right of the central image IC1.

[0059] An ADAS function, not visible on the nominal PEN screen page, concerning obstacle detection, is displayed in the form of a second IDO image, above the central IC1 image.

[0060] Third and fourth IAM images, also not visible on the nominal PEN screen page, respectively representing the ADAS blind spot detection function on the left and right, are displayed respectively on the left and right at the bottom of the central image IC1 so as to be aligned with the rearview mirrors of the vehicle virtually represented in the lower part of the central image IC1.

[0061] An additional graphic object, here a pictogram representing a PST gear, is displayed on the right side of the PPS page (figure 5), away from the central image IC1. This PST graphic object defines a touch button allowing access to additional information for setting ADAS functions and in particular information for activating or deactivating ADAS functions.

[0062] The names of each of the ADAS functions and instructions are clearly explained by a TXT text legend displayed near the thumbnails, pictograms or instruction values.

[0063] The PMV, PRA and PST pictograms and the IC1, IDO and IAM thumbnails define touch control buttons allowing, by simple contact, the display of a second additional DPS page (described below) containing information relating to an ADAS function, or to several ADAS functions, depending on the touch button activated.

[0064] In a first operating scenario of the first PPS additional screen page, illustrated in Figure 6, the USG user selects the PRA pictogram relating to ACC from the first PPS additional screen page, displayed on the ECT screen of the CMB instrument panel, to consult the inter-vehicle space (TIV) setting.

[0065] As illustrated in Figure 7, a second additional screen page DPS displays a third display arrangement, in which a central image IC2 is displayed in the center of the DPS page, virtually representing a vehicle and information on the inter-vehicle space setting (TIV), set here to "far". A text box ETX as a reminder of instructions is also displayed to the right of the central image IC2.

[0066] In this third layout, the actual WH (146 km / h) and CRG regulation setpoint (128 km / h) speeds as well as the PRA graphic object / pictogram are reproduced identically compared to the second layout of the first additional PPS screen page.

[0067] The other graphic objects representing the other activated ADAS functions (PMV lane keeping, IDO obstacle detection, IAM blind spot detection) are not reproduced in the second additional DPS screen page, to focus the USG user's attention only on the information of the ADAS function consulted, displayed in the center of the DPS page (IC2 thumbnail).

[0068] As with the first additional screen page, PPS, the display of the second additional screen page DPS, disappears automatically after a set duration that can be configured to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN if no touch action is carried out on the ECT screen of the CMB handset before the set duration expires.

[0069] A first alternative closing mode for making an additional screen page disappear (first PPS or second DPS page) and returning to the nominal PEN screen page before the expiry of the determined automatic disappearance duration is illustrated in Figure 8.

[0070] This first closing method consists of coming into contact with the ECT screen in an area not covered by the second additional screen page DPS; which is also valid for a first additional screen page PPS.

[0071] A second other closing mode, illustrated in Figure 9, consists of making a contact following a lateral swipe movement of the contact on the second additional screen page DPS to return to the display of the nominal screen page PEN; which is also valid for a first additional screen page PPS.

[0072] A third other closing mode, not illustrated, consists of using a touch-sensitive page closing button (supporting for example a graphic representation in the form of a cross) displayed on each additional PPS or DPS screen page and capable, by contact with the touch-sensitive button, of controlling the disappearance of the first or second additional PPS or DPS page to return to the display of the nominal PEN screen page.

[0073] Another possibility, not shown, is to press and hold an additional PPS or DPS page to make it disappear from the screen. Unlike a “short” press which is a “stealth” press, a “long” press requires the user to hold the USG finger for at least a set duration until the PPS or DPS page disappears.

[0074] In a second operating scenario of the first PPS screen page, shown in Figure 10, the USG user selects the PST graphic object already introduced previously, defining a touch button to access information on activating or deactivating ADAS functions or to make quick adjustments to certain ADAS functions.

[0075] In the example illustrated in Figure 11, the second additional DPS screen page displays a fourth display arrangement in which a central image IC3 is displayed in the center of the DPS page, representing a menu, or TAB table, of ADAS functions with, in the example considered, five ADAS functions: “Traction control”, “Start & Stop”, “Speed ​​limit and recommendation”, “Sign recognition” and “Drowsiness detection”.

[0076] A graphical representation of a SEL button selector in front of the text label of each ADAS function allows you to visualize the activation or deactivation status of each of the five ADAS functions.

[0077] In this fourth display arrangement, the actual WH (146 km / h) and CRG regulation setpoint (128 km / h) speeds as well as the PRA graphic object / pictogram are reproduced identically to the second and third display arrangements of the first additional PPS screen page.

[0078] The other graphic objects representing the other activated ADAS functions (PMV lane keeping, IDO obstacle detection, IAM blind spot detection) are not reproduced in the second additional DPS screen page, to focus only the USG user's attention on the TAB table displayed in the center of the DPS page.

[0079] Optionally, the SEL selection buttons can be touch-sensitive and define control buttons for activating or deactivating a specific ADAS function from the TAB table.

[0080] The present invention provides a certain utility responding to a user need to access a summary of the activated driving aids, accessible in one gesture and visible at a glance.

[0081] It also brings modernity, efficiency in gathering information around a specific area, intuitiveness and ease of use (touch support well known to users).

[0082] Although the handset according to the invention has been described by considering the ADAS functions of an ADAS system of a motor vehicle, other vehicle systems with multiple functions and / or settings can be taken into account by a handset according to the invention and in particular the functions of an air management system inside the vehicle or "HVAC", an English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning".

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Instrument cluster (CMB) for a motor vehicle comprising a system offering a plurality of determined functions; said cluster (CMB) comprising a touch display screen (ECT) capable of displaying, in a so-called nominal screen page (PEN), information useful for driving the motor vehicle in its road environment including information relating to functions activated among the plurality of determined functions, according to a first determined display arrangement;each activated function appearing in the first arrangement, in the form of a determined graphic object defining a touch control button (MDV, RGV, RAD) capable of controlling, by contact with the touch button, the temporary display of at least one first additional screen page (PPS) extending substantially over the entire surface of the nominal screen page (PEN), superimposed on the nominal screen page (PEN), dedicated to the display of the activated functions and grouping together all the graphic objects representing the activated functions according to a second determined display arrangement.; 2 Handset (CMB) according to the preceding claim, in which each graphic object corresponding to an activated function, according to the second display arrangement in the first additional screen page (PPS), defines a touch control button (PRA, PMV, IAM, IC1, IDO) capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page (DPS) in relation to the activated function, superimposed on the first additional screen page (PPS), with a third determined display arrangement. 3 Handset (CMB) according to claim 1, in which a touch button (PST) for accessing information on the status of determined functions of the plurality of determined functions, is further displayed in the second display arrangement of the first additional screen page (PPS) and is capable of controlling the display of at least a second additional page (DPS) superimposed on the first additional page (PPS) with a fourth determined display arrangement and containing information on the activation or deactivation status of the determined functions. 4 Handset (CMB) according to the preceding claim, in which touch control buttons (SEL) are displayed in the fourth display arrangement, respectively opposite the status information, allowing, by contact with one of the touch control buttons (SEL), the activation or deactivation of a specific function.

5. Handset (CMB) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the screen (ECT) of the handset (CBM) outside the additional screen page (PPS or DPS), to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

6. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) comprises a touch-sensitive page closing button capable, by contact with the touch-sensitive closing button, of controlling the disappearance of the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

7. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears automatically after a set duration that can be configured to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

8. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears following a “long” press on the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

9. Handset (CMB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the display of an additional screen page (PPS or DPS) disappears by contact with the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) following a lateral swiping movement of the contact on the additional screen page (PPS or DPS) to return to the display of the nominal screen page (PEN).

10. Combined (CMB) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle system is a driving assistance system, called ADAS system and the determined functions are ADAS functions.

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