FR3069673A1 - DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE IN A VEHICLE COMPRISING RESIZABLE WIDGETS - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for providing a graphical interface in a vehicle, configured to control the display of a plurality of graphical data display objects called "widgets" on a handset display (11), characterized in that it is configured, in response to an erase or hide command of a first widget, to stop the display of said first widget on the handset screen (11) and to resize at least one second widget, adjacent to said first widget first widget.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE IN A

VEHICLE WITH RESIZABLE WIDGETS

The invention relates to graphical interfaces, and in particular to customizable vehicle handsets.

Conventionally composed of a plurality of analog dials with needles associated with indicator lights, the combined instruments are used to provide the driver with a multitude of data relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, such as for example, instantaneous speeds and average, engine speed, number of kilometers traveled since the start or over a specified period of time, fuel level, or even average consumption. They also make it possible to display warning signals (excessive engine temperature, insufficient oil level, door not or badly closed, seat belt not fastened, etc.) and warning lights signaling the activation of certain vehicle devices ( turn signals, handbrake, position, low beam or main beam).

These combined instruments, integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle, are usually arranged behind the steering wheel in the direct line of sight of the driver, so that the latter can consult the information displayed without having to look away from the road.

In recent years, fully digital instrument sets have appeared with an active matrix LCD display screen (LCD-TFT) instead of analog needle dials.

These handsets of a new type which offer a very good image quality in terms of resolution, contrast and brightness, are moreover configurable by the driver of the vehicle who can thus choose at least in part the modules he wishes. see displayed on the screen as well as the display style (dials with hands similar to analog dials or display in the form of graduations or numbers reflecting the value of the quantity concerned) and the ambiance of the handset (sober with dark colored lighting background, or sporty with bright colored lighting background).

These digital handsets also make it possible to control a certain number of vehicle functions (air conditioning, audio system, central locking, lighting, etc.) via controls located on the steering wheel or remote at the center console of the vehicle.

However, these digital handsets do not really offer the possibility of customizing the display of driver information. The consequence is that certain information not of interest to the driver can be displayed and degrade the display synthesis and in particular the density of information.

In addition, when settings are available, the multitude of data that can be displayed and the variety of possible options, make the setting of these handsets relatively complex, in particular for a novice user.

Document US20170010766 discloses a method for configuring widgets displayed on a vehicle screen. However, the possibilities of arrangement of widgets are relatively limited so that the display surface is not necessarily well exploited.

One of the objectives of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned problem. The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for providing a vehicle graphic interface allowing advanced personalization of the handset while being simple to handle and making the best use of the display surface.

To this end, it more specifically proposes a device for providing a graphical interface in a vehicle, configured to control the display of a plurality of graphical data display objects called “widgets” on a handset screen, characterized in what it is configured for, in response to a command to erase or hide a first widget, stop displaying said first widget on the handset screen and resize at least a second widget, adjacent to said first widget .

The invention allows the user to easily reduce the density of information on the screen in order to gain readability. Resizing widgets makes the most of the screen display area.

Advantageously, said first widget being placed to the left or to the right of the second widget, the resizing of said second widget is an enlargement in a horizontal direction, so that the second widget occupies at least partially a space previously occupied by said first widget.

Advantageously, said first widget being disposed above or below the second widget, the resizing of said second widget is an enlargement in a vertical direction, so that the second widget occupies at least partially a space previously occupied by said first widget .

Advantageously, the device for providing a graphical interface is further configured to control the display of at least one editing page on a second screen, the editing page comprising a representation of the widgets displayed on the first screen and a representation free space to add new widgets.

Advantageously, on the editing page displayed on the second screen, each widget is associated with a graphic object making it possible to delete or hide said widget, the device being configured to delete the widget in response to the detection of a command on said graphic object associated with said widget.

Advantageously, the representation of the second widget retains the same size on the second screen after the first widget has been hidden.

Advantageously, the location of the first widget deleted on the first screen remains visible on the second screen but its representation is also deleted on the second screen.

These characteristics are used to indicate the locations available on the edit page.

Advantageously, the first hidden widget remains visible on the second screen, the graphic object making it possible to hide said widget being replaced by a graphic object making it possible to display said widget on the first screen.

Advantageously, an enlargement of a widget comprises an enlargement of at least one character or a drawing, or a recentering of a graphic representation in a free space.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a first and a second screen characterized in that it comprises a device according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle interior adapted to the implementation of the invention;

- Figures 2a to 2c illustrate the removal of a widget with the device according to the invention;

- Figures 3a and 3b show an example of displaying the first screen respectively before and after hiding a widget.

- Figures 4a and 4b show another example of displaying the first screen respectively before and after hiding a widget.

- Figures 5a and 5b show an example respectively of a display of a plurality of widgets on the first screen and a corresponding editing page.

The accompanying drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

The invention makes it possible to personalize display modes of a first screen, in particular a handset. If the user wishes, he can edit the display mode of his handset by changing customizable areas called "widgets". The handset is capable of displaying several widgets, comprising several sizes and which can represent the different functional areas available (Navigation, ADAS, Driving, Media, etc.). The user can choose and arrange them as they see fit.

The display of the first screen includes at least one widget (example: fuel level widgets, odometer, tachometer ...) that cannot be deleted, positioned by default and hides (giving the user the choice of showing or hiding The area)

In the personalization page of the handset display, the so-called hideable widgets are accompanied by an explicit action button to display or hide the area on the handset:

When a widget is hidden, the neighboring widget (s) (horizontally and vertically) occupy the space left vacant according to an adaptive (or responsive) reorganization principle. The benefit for the user is to have a homogeneous interface.

Figure 1 shows a passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle and in particular a dashboard. The dashboard comprises, on the driver side, which is in the example shown on the left side of the vehicle, an instrument cluster 11.

The dashboard also includes, in a central part, a second screen 12. It is advantageously a touch screen.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to provide a graphical interface in the vehicle. It is in particular configured to control the display on the first 11 and, advantageously, on the second 12 screen and, in particular to control the display of a plurality of graphic data display objects called “widgets” on the first screen 11 and, advantageously, at least one editing page on the second screen 12.

FIG. 2a shows an example of a display of a plurality of widgets on the first screen 11 and of a corresponding editing page 12.

In this example, the first screen 11 displays:

A first widget 21.1 displaying data relating to the fuel level of the vehicle,

A second widget 21.2 displaying data relating to a distance separating the vehicle from a vehicle preceding it,

A third widget 21.3 displaying information such as a speed of movement of the vehicle, a speed limit value for the speed limiter, a speed limit detected on the road segment traveled by the vehicle,

A fourth widget 21.4 displaying guidance information, and

A fifth widget 21.5 displaying a counter data indicating an engine rotation frequency.

The corresponding editing page displayed on the second screen 12 includes a representation 21 '.1, 21' .2, 21 '.3, 21' .4, 21 '.5 of the widgets 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5 displayed on the first screen 11. It also includes a representation of free spaces 22'.1, 22'.2, 22'.3 for adding new widgets.

These free spaces 22’.1,22’.2, 22’.3 are indicated by graphic elements delimiting said free spaces. In the example, this is a border, surrounding each of said spaces.

It can be noted that said graphic elements delimiting spaces are absent from the first screen 11.

Advantageously, the editing page, displayed on the second screen 12, further comprises a graphic object allowing the removal of a widget, the device being configured to, in response to an action on said graphic object, erase said widget.

In practice, each widget that can be deleted (in other words, whose display can be interrupted) is associated with a graphic object, represented in the example by a circle with a cross displayed in the upper right corner of the widget, but it could be another symbol placed in another location.

FIG. 2b shows a representation of a hand 25 of a user touching the touch screen 12 at the level of the circle 26 of the representation 21'.5 of the fifth widget displaying tachometer data indicating a motor rotation frequency .

Figure 2c shows the effect of this command on the displays of the first 11 and second 12 screens.

It can be noted that the fifth widget 21.5 is no longer displayed either on the first screen 11 or on the second 12. It can also be noted that the second screen 12 displays an available space 22'.4 at the place where the fifth widget was displayed. The fourth widget 21.4 displaying guidance information, has been resized (a horizontal enlargement) by the device according to the invention.

Figures 3a and 3b show an example of displaying the first screen respectively before and after hiding a widget.

In FIG. 3a, showing an example of displaying the first screen respectively before hiding a widget, the first screen 11 displays:

A first widget 31.1, displaying data indicating an engine temperature

A second widget 31.2 displaying data relating to song being listened to,

A third widget 31.3 displaying a distance traveled since the vehicle was put into circulation,

A fourth widget 31.4 displaying a distance traveled since the last refueling, and

A fifth widget 31.5 displaying data relating to the fuel level of the vehicle;

A sixth widget 31.6 displaying data relating to a distance separating the vehicle from a vehicle preceding it,

A seventh widget 31.7 displaying information such as a speed of movement of the vehicle, a speed limit value for the speed limiter, a speed limit detected on the road segment traveled by the vehicle,

An eighth widget 31.8 displaying a time and an outside temperature.

FIG. 3b shows an example of the same display of the first screen respectively after the masking of the fourth widget 31.4 displaying a distance traveled since the last refueling. The fourth widget

31.4 is no longer displayed and the eighth widget 31.8, located above the fourth widget 31.4, has been resized.

This is a vertical enlargement of the widget which results in an increase in the size of the dial surrounding the time and temperature information.

Figures 4a and 4b show another example of displaying the first screen respectively before and after hiding a widget.

FIG. 4a shows an example of display of the first screen 11 identical to that of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 4b shows an example of the same display of the first screen respectively after the masking of the first widget 31.1. The first widget 31.1 is no longer displayed. The second widget 31.2 and the sixth widget 31.6, located next to the first widget 31.1, have been resized.

This is a horizontal enlargement of the widgets which results in a refocusing of the different representations.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show an example respectively of a display of a plurality of widgets on the first screen 11 and of a corresponding editing page 12.

In FIG. 5a, the first screen 11 displays:

- A first widget 51.1, displaying data indicating a fuel level,

- A second widget 51.2 displaying a time and an outside temperature,

- A third widget 51.3 displaying a distance traveled since the vehicle was put into circulation,

- A fourth widget 51.4 displaying a distance traveled since the last refueling, and

- A fifth widget 51.5 displaying data relating to a distance separating the vehicle from a vehicle preceding it,

- A sixth widget 51.6 displaying information such as a speed of movement of the vehicle, a speed limit value for the speed limiter, a speed limit detected on the road segment traveled by the vehicle,

- A seventh widget 51.7 displaying guidance information.

Figure 5b shows the corresponding edit page displayed on the second screen 12 and includes a representation 5T.1, 5T.2, 5T.3, 5T.4, 51 '.5, 51' .6, 51 '.7 widgets 51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7 displayed on the first screen 11. It also includes a 5T.8 representation of a hidden widget. In the example, this is a widget displaying data from a tachometer indicating an engine rotation frequency.

Advantageously, for better user guidance, specific graphic processing is applied on the editing page to the content of the masked area (for example, reduction in opacity).

Advantageously, the format of the zone is predefined and cannot be modified by the user. The location of the zone in the handset 11 is predefined and cannot be modified by the user

The user can simply choose whether or not to display said widget.

Claims (10)

1. Device for providing a graphical interface in a vehicle, configured to control the display of a plurality of graphical data display objects called “widgets” (21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5) on a screen (11) handset, characterized in that it is configured, in response to a command to erase or hide a first widget, to stop the display of said first widget on the screen (11) of handset and resize at least one second widget, adjacent to said first widget. 2. Device for providing a graphical interface according to claim 1, characterized in that said first widget being disposed to the left or to the right of the second widget, the resizing of said second widget is an enlargement in a horizontal direction, so that the second widget at least partly occupies a space previously occupied by said first widget. 3. Device for providing a graphical interface according to claim 1, characterized in that said first widget being disposed above or below the second widget, the resizing of said second widget is an enlargement in a vertical direction, so that the second widget at least partly occupies a space previously occupied by said first widget. 4. Device for providing a graphical interface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further configured to control the display of at least one editing page on a second screen (12), the page editing comprising a representation of the widgets (21'.1, 21'.2, 21'.3, 21'.4, 21'.5) displayed on the first screen (11) and a representation of free spaces ( 22'.1,22'.2, 22'.3) to add new widgets. 5. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, on the editing page displayed on the second screen (12), each widget is associated with a graphical object making it possible to delete or hide said widget , the device being configured to delete the widget in response to the detection of a command on said graphic object associated with said widget. 6. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, the representation of the second widget retains the same size on the second screen (12) after the first widget has been hidden on the first screen (11). 7. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, the location of the first widget deleted on the first screen (11) remains visible on the second screen but its representation is also deleted on the second screen (12 ). 8. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, the first hidden widget remains visible on the second screen, the graphical object making it possible to hide said widget being replaced by a graphical object making it possible to display said widget on the first screen. 9 Device for providing a graphic interface according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, an enlargement of a widget comprises an enlargement of at least one character or a drawing, or a refocusing of a graphic representation in free space. 10. Vehicle comprising a first (11) and a second (12) screen characterized in that it comprises a device according to any one of the preceding claims.