FR3048394A1 - TWO AXIS MOTORIZED SCREEN FOR AUTOMOBILE DASHBOARD - Google Patents

Abstract

Multimedia human-machine interaction system, comprising a mounting base, integrally connected to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, a display screen (1) mounted on the mounting base via a hinge with at least two motorized axes , a camera (integrated in the screen or not), configured to detect the position of the eyes (E1, E2) of the driver and / or passenger (E1 ', E2') before and the position of at least one light source predominant (LS) relative to the screen, a control unit, (separate or integrated on the screen) configured to cause a displacement of the screen to prevent the eyes perceive a reflection of the dominant light source, and associated method.

Description

The present invention relates to display screens in motor vehicles, in particular the screens arranged in the central position of the dashboard, in particular in the middle position between driver and front passenger, that is to say roughly between the steering wheel and the glove box located on the passenger side. Indeed, in the most recent configurations, there is in this position a large multimedia screen, often touch. Often the useful face of a screen is almost vertical with a slight inclination forward, to follow the central descent of the dashboard to the console arranged between the front seats.

Such screens are known, for example from document EP 1 020 329. According to this document, it is proposed a single axis of rotation to orient the screen either towards the driver or towards the front passenger, this being controlled manually, without automation, and with a small screen.

It turns out, however, that the trend is for a significant increase in the size of multimedia screens in dashboard center. This increases the risk of having a reflection of a light source, internal or external, which hinders the legibility of the information displayed from the driver's point of view and / or from the point of view of the front passenger.

It has therefore appeared a need to improve the legibility of the information displayed, from the point of view of the driver and / or from the point of view of the front passenger, under very different light environment conditions, and in particular to avoid certain phenomena. of light reflection.

In addition, it is increasingly common to use touch screens in the context of a car interior and this is to be taken into account in the new solutions to offer. For this purpose, it is proposed here a multimedia human-machine interaction system, comprising: a fixing base, integrally connected to a central portion of the motor vehicle dashboard, a display screen mounted on the fixing base via an articulation with at least two motorized axes, • a camera, integrated in the screen or not, configured to detect the position of the eyes of the driver and / or the front passenger and to detect the position of at least one predominant light source in relation to the screen, • a control unit, separate or integrated on the screen, configured to cause a displacement of the screen to prevent the eyes perceive a reflection of the predominant light source.

Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate the risk of light reflection which hinders the legibility of the screen and information displayed. The control unit, after having identified, by means of the camera, the position of the light source, calculates the optical paths that are reflected on the screen, and in the case where some of the refiéchis rays cross the eyes of the driver, then the control unit triggers via one or two of the motorized axes, an angular displacement of the screen to move the beam away from the reflected rays of the driver's eye area. A similar calculation is made for the front passenger especially if the control unit has the information of the presence or absence of such a passenger in the vehicle.

If the camera detects more than one powerful light source, then calculations are made not only for the first detected source but also for the other more or less powerful sources detected, and the screen is oriented according to the least annoying angular position for the driver (respectively for the front passenger).

In various embodiments of the system, one or more of the following arrangements may also be used.

According to an advantageous configuration the articulation comprises a rotation along a first axis in a vertical median plane of the vehicle, and a rotation along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, which provides rotations in line with the placement of the screen in the dashboard, rotational movements that are perceived as logical by the occupants of the vehicle.

According to an advantageous configuration, the screen will be of generally rectangular shape with one of the motorized axes parallel to a first side of the rectangle and the other of the motorized axes parallel to a second side of the rectangle, perpendicular to the first side. The rotational movements are then coherent with the Cartesian coordinate system specific to the screen.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an intermediate support, rotatably mounted on the base according to the first axis, and the screen is rotatably mounted on said intermediate support along the second axis. This forms a reliable and robust assembly, simple to implement.

According to one embodiment, the display screen is tactiie, and 1'articulation further comprises a translation intended to bring closer or éxiign the screen driver and / or the passenger. This allows or not the tactiy interaction of the driver (respectively passenger front) with the screen. Reconciliation may be subject to security conditions, and therefore allowed contextually.

According to a particular embodiment, the translational movement is provided perpendicularly to the first axis in the intermediate support, preferably by means of a slide with a screw-nut system or a deformable parallelogram with a micro jack. This forms a reliable and robust assembly.

The present invention also relates to a method implemented in a human-machine interaction multimedia system, the system comprising: a fixing base, connected in solidarity with a motor vehicle dashboard, a display screen mounted on a the attachment base via an articulation with at least two motorized axes, a camera, integrated in the screen or not, and a control unit, separate or integrated on the screen, the method comprising the following steps: detect the position of the head / eyes of the driver and / or front passenger and the position of at least one predominant light source in relation to the screen; b) cause the screen to be displaced in order to prevent the eyes perceive a reflection of the predominant light source, c) repeat steps a and b.

In various embodiments of the method, one or more of the following arrangements may also be used.

According to a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise the following step: detecting one or more movements of the driver or the passenger and orient the screen towards the driver or the front passenger; the motion detection thus makes it possible to choose the most relevant orientation for the screen.

In a particular embodiment, the control unit causes the orientation of the screen towards the driver, under the conditions in which the camera does not detect significant movements of the front passenger, and / or after a predefined delay. This favors the driver side in the absence of relevant decision criteria.

In a particular embodiment, the display screen is tactile and the method comprises the following steps: detecting one or more movements of the driver or the front passenger and bringing the screen closer to and / or away from the driver or from the front passenger . This allows or not the tactile interaction of the driver (respectively front passenger) with the screen. Reconciliation may be subject to security conditions, and therefore allowed contextually. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front passenger compartment with a driver and a multimedia screen located in the center of the dashboard; with the system proposed by the present invention, - Figure 2 is a side view of the configuration corresponding to Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a top view of the configuration corresponding to Figure 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the articulation between the fixing base and the display screen with the two motorized axes, the figures represents a variant of the articulation of FIG. 4, which further comprises a movement Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the system, - Figure 7 shows schematically the first axis of articulation, - Figure 8 schematically shows the second axis of articulation.

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter in their nonlimiting application. It is understood that the invention is not limited, however, to this example.

According to the exemplary embodiment, a multimedia screen 1 is disposed in the center of the dashboard. The screen in question will preferably be tactile, although non-tactile versions may also be suitable for the implementation of the present invention. This multimedia screen is part of a human-machine interaction ("HMI") system in a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of communication, driver assistance and entertainment functions. The multimedia screen is preferably of generally rectangular shape with the small horizontal side and the large, substantially vertical side.

The size of the multimedia screen is generous, it will be between the A5 format and the A4 format for example. The short side may have a size between 10 cm and 20 cm, while the long side may have a size of between 15 cm and 30 cm.

In the vehicle we have a driver spotted CD and possibly a front passenger spotted PAV.

In the context of the present invention, there is at least one predominant light source LS located either inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle.

This LS light source is reflected at all points on the front of the multimedia screen 1 symmetrically with respect to a local normal direction (denoted N) at the front of the screen. In some cases, from the point of view of the eyes of the driver, there is then a reflection that handicaps the visibility of the information presented on the screen, the annoying reflection is actually the reflection of the light source LS on the front face of the driver. 'screen.

The eyes of the driver are noted E1, E2, the eyes of the front passenger are noted E1 ', E2'.

It should be noted that, in addition to the CD driver, the front passenger PAV may also wish to read the information present on the multimedia screen 1 and may also be subject to reflections from an internal or external light source.

It should also be noted that the position of the main light source L5 can move, especially when the vehicle itself is traveling on a road that is straight or even more when the road is winding, which is particularly the case. This is the case for external light sources such as street lighting, sun, other vehicle projectors, etc.

In order to eliminate annoying reflections for readability, the multimedia display screen 1 is mounted on a mounting base 10 by means of a hinge 4 to at least two motorized axes. The attachment base 10 may be directly the dashboard or a base part integrally connected to the dashboard.

In the figures, the axes and directions are designated as follows: X is the direction of travel of the vehicle, therefore the longitudinal direction, Y is the transverse direction corresponding to the horizontal perpendicular to X, Z is the vertical direction, V is the direction of the first axis of rotation of the joint, inclined forwardly with respect to the vertical of a predefined angle β for example between 15 ° and 30 °, cf. Figure 2. W is the direction of the second axis of rotation of the hinge 4, which is perpendicular to the first axis V; when the multimedia screen 1 is in the intermediate position, that is to say neither oriented towards the driver nor oriented towards the front passenger, then the direction W coincides with the transverse Y.

According to a first example schematically illustrated in Figure 4, the first rotational movement is provided relative to the mounting base, it is a rotation about the axis V. This rotation is motorized by the motor Ml (fixed to the base 10) which drives a pinion 51 which is engaged with a toothed wheel 41 integral with a shaft 31. The shaft 31 of the first axis is arranged vertically, it is received in bearings 13 to allow the rotational movement and at the same time prohibit other degrees of freedom at this location.

An intermediate support 6 is fixed on the shaft 31 (note: they can be formed integrally in one piece). This intermediate support 6 is in the example shown as a stirrup with a body fixed on the shaft 31 and two arms 61,62 which extend on either side, spaced from each other in the direction W.

In the end portions of the two arms 61, 62 are provided bearings for supporting a second shaft 8 with a degree of freedom in rotation about the axis W.

The second shaft 8 is rotatably mounted on the intermediate support with respect to the axis W and the second shaft 8 is motorized by the motor M2 which drives a pinion 52 which is engaged with a toothed wheel 42 secured to the second shaft 8 The motor M2 is fixed to the intermediate support 6. The multimedia screen 1 is fixed on the second shaft 8, removably or not.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, in addition to the two rotational movements, a translation movement is provided along an axis T perpendicular to the axis V and to the axis W. For this purpose, a slider is provided in the intermediate support 6 to receive a second intermediate support marked 7. The intermediate support 6 is called in this case "first intermediate support" 6.

In this configuration, it is the second intermediate support 7 which carries the arms 71, 72 with the receiving bearings of the second shaft.

This third degree of freedom is also motorized by means, in the illustrated example, of a rack-and-rack connection (with pinion 53 and rack 43); the pinion being driven by a motor denoted M3 fixed to the intermediate support 6. In this configuration the motor M2 is fixed to the second intermediate support 7.

In other embodiments, the motorization may use a screw-nut mechanism driven by the motor M3.

In other embodiments, the translational movement can be achieved through a deformable parallelogram driven by a jack.

In still other embodiments, the third degree of freedom could be different from a translation, for example a translation combined with a rotation by means of a four-bar connection.

Figure 6 illustrates the system control scheme diagram. A control unit 3 controls each of the motors M1, M2 and, if appropriate, M3, to cause an angular displacement of the multimedia screen 1. The computer uses the images supplied by the camera 2 as input data.

The analytical treatment of these images makes it possible to locate the eyes of the driver E1, E2 and, where appropriate, the eyes of the front passenger E1 E2 '.

The analytical treatment of these images also makes it possible to identify the most important L5 light sources.

Thanks to these data, the control unit 3 can determine the presence of risk of reflection by constructing all the optical paths from the predominant light source (s) L5 over the entire usable area of the multimedia screen 1. of the camera 2, a wide-angle camera is preferably chosen with a digital correction of the "fish-eye" effect.

In the illustrated example, the multimedia screen 1 and the control unit 3 are integrated into one and the same entity; however, it could be different and they could be separated.

Similarly, in the illustrated example, the camera 2 is integrated in the multimedia screen 1; however it could be otherwise and the camera 2 could be in other equipment of the vehicle to monitor the drowsiness of the driver for example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the angular displacement of the first rotation denoted 6V can typically be +/- 30 ° with respect to a median centered position, marked θο. Thus, Θ1 (-30 °) corresponds to an optimal inclination towards the front passenger PAV, while Θ2 (+ 30 °) corresponds to an optimal inclination towards the CD driver. The angular deflection of the first rotation denoted OV could be greater than +/- 30 °, for example +/- 45 °.

Similarly, the angular displacement of the second rotation denoted aW with respect to a neutral position marked aO is [-15 °, + 30 °]. The neutral position marked aO (referenced to the horizontal) corresponds to the perpendicular to V, so aO = β.

For extreme deflections, al (-15 °) corresponds to a maximum inclination downwards whereas a2 (+ 30 °) corresponds to a maximum inclination upward.

In the second embodiment, the stroke between the second intermediate support 7 and the first intermediate support 6 is typically of the order of 40 mm to 100 mm.

As mentioned above, the control unit 3 geometrically constructs all the optical paths from the light source or sources detected over the entire useful surface of the screen and compares these optical paths with the detected position of the driver's eyes CD ( and if necessary the front passenger PAV). If the eyes of the driver CD are in one of the calculated path areas, then the control unit 3 calculates a better orientation of the multimedia screen 1 and if this position is allowed (and / or reachable), then the command 3 controls the motors M1, M2 so that the screen is moved until reaching the target orientation.

These calculations (and possible displacements) are made recurrently. The control unit 3 iterates the following phases of: • detection of the eyes (E1, E2) of the driver and / or the front passenger (E1 ', E2') • detection of the position of the light sources LS with respect to the multimedia screen 1, • then the calculation of a better orientation of the multimedia screen 1, • and if this position is authorized (and / or reachable), controls the motors M1, M2 so that the multimedia screen 1 is moved up to 'to reach the target orientation.

This adjustment can be called "anti-reflective function". The "anti-reflective" adjustment is therefore always performed, depending on the driver alone CD if there is no front passenger. If there is also a front passenger PAV, then the calculation is done for both people; if there is a conflict between the two decisions, then the "priority" is given to the CD driver. The analysis of the images by the control unit 3 thus makes it possible to detect well-localized entities (light sources, eyes).

In addition, the image analysis is also intended to detect the movements and gestures of the CD driver (and possibly a front passenger PAV). These include hand gestures to or near the multimedia screen 1. When there are two people (driver and passenger), gesture detection allows the multimedia screen 1 to be most active person.

More specifically, the control unit 3 calculates an activity index for each person, according to the intensity of the gestures and their frequency. The control unit 3 can decide according to different criteria to direct the multimedia screen 1 to the active person (respectively the most active person). The analysis of the movements and gestures of the CD driver (and possibly a front passenger PAV) also triggers a reconciliation of the multimedia screen 1 to the active person (respectively the most active person). The approximation is obtained by the translation movement described above.

Reconciliation may be subject to safety conditions, such as only if the vehicle is at zero speed.

So reconciliation will typically be allowed contextually according to predefined criteria. It should be noted that the criteria for the driver are different from the criteria for the front passenger.

For example, if the multimedia screen 1 has been brought closer to the CD driver and the vehicle speed becomes non-zero (> 5 km / h for example) the multimedia screen 1 will be returned to the most retracted position to prevent the driver CD continues to use the touch function of the multimedia display 1. The same restriction will not apply to the passenger.

Claims (10)

1. Multimedia human-machine interaction system, comprising: • a mounting base (10), integrally connected to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, • a display screen (1) characterized in that it is mounted on the mounting base via a hinge (4) to at least two motorized axes, • a camera (2), integrated into the screen or not, configured to detect the position of the eyes (E1, E2) of the driver (CD ) and / or the front passenger (PAV) and to detect the position of at least one predominant light source (LS) with respect to the screen (1), • a control unit (3), separate or integrated with the screen (1), configured to cause a displacement of the screen (1) to prevent the eyes perceive a reflection of the predominant light source. 2. System according to claim 1, wherein the articulation (4) comprises a rotation along a first axis (V) in a vertical median plane of the vehicle, and a rotation along a second axis (W) perpendicular to the first axis. 3. System according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the screen (1) is generally rectangular with one of the motorized axes parallel to one side of the rectangle and the other motorized axes parallel to a second side rectangle, perpendicular to the first side. 4. System according to claim 2, wherein II is provided an intermediate support (6), rotatably mounted on the mounting base (10) along the first axis (V), and the screen (1) being mounted to rotating on said intermediate support (6) along the second axis (W). 5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display screen (1) is tactile, and the hinge (4) further comprises a translation intended to bring the screen closer or further away (1). ) of the driver (CD) and / or front passenger (PAV). 6. System according to claim 5, wherein the translational movement is provided perpendicularly to the first axis (V) in the intermediate support (6), preferably by means of a slide with a screw-nut system or a deformable parallelogram. with a micro cylinder. 7. A method implemented in a multimedia human-machine interaction system, the system comprising: a fixing base (10), integrally connected to a motor vehicle dashboard, a display screen (1) mounted on the mounting base (10) via a hinge (4) to at least two motorized axes, • a camera (2), integrated in the screen (1) or not, and a control unit (3), separate or integrated on the screen, the method comprising the following steps: a) detecting the position of the eyes (E1, E2) of the driver (CD) and / or the front passenger (E1 ', E2') and the position of at least one predominant light source (LS) with respect to the screen (1), b) causing the screen (1) to move in order to prevent the eyes from perceiving a reflection of the predominant light source (LS), c) repeat steps a and b. The method of claim 7, the method further comprising the step of detecting one or more movements of the driver (CD) or the front passenger (PAV) and orienting the screen towards the driver (CD) or the front passenger ( VAP). 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit (3) causes the orientation of the screen (1) to the driver (CD), under the conditions where the camera (2) does not detect movements Significant Passenger Passenger (PAV), and / or after a predefined time delay. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the display screen (1) is tactile and wherein the method comprises the step of detecting one or more movements of the driver (CD) or the passenger forward (PAV) and bring the screen (1) closer to and / or away from the driver (CD) or from the front passenger (PAV).