FR3062837A1 - DIRECTION CHANGE ANGLE DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device (400) for displaying a steering angle information (81) of a motor vehicle in an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, the device comprising a processing unit configured to determine, in the autonomous driving mode, the direction change angle information, and so as to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a command signal displaying the direction change angle information on a display part (409), in particular on a display part of the motor vehicle or on a wheel (409) of the motor vehicle or on a portion of the dashboard of the motor vehicle or on a windshield of the motor vehicle or on another element of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle or on glasses of a driver of the motor vehicle.

Description

© Publication number: 3,062,837 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17 51152 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 60 W40 / 10 (2017.01), B 60 W 50/04, G 08 G 1/0962

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 13.02.17. (© Applicant (s): VALEO VISION Joint-stock company (30) Priority: simplified - FR. @ Inventor (s): MEYRENAUD JEAN-LUC and BETTA- HAR JAMEL. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 17.08.18 Bulletin 18/33. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents Holder (s): VALEO VISION Joint stock company related: folded. ©) Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): VALEO VISION Limited company.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE ANGLE OF CHANGE OF DIRECTION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

FR 3 062 837 - A1

Device (400) for controlling the display of information (81) on the angle of change of direction of a motor vehicle in an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, the device comprising a processing unit configured so as to determine, in the autonomous driving mode, the direction change angle information, and so as to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a control signal for displaying the direction change angle information on a display part (409), in particular on a display part of the motor vehicle or on a steering wheel (409) of the motor vehicle or on a portion of the dashboard of the motor vehicle or on a windshield of the motor vehicle or on another element of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle or on glasses of a driver of the motor vehicle.

Motor vehicle direction change angle display control device.

The invention relates to a device for controlling the display of direction change angle information of a motor vehicle.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a device for controlling the angle of change of direction of a motor vehicle or more generally to a method for managing the display of angle information. change of direction of a motor vehicle.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a display control device or implementing such a display method.

Finally, the invention relates to a computer program and a data medium including the code of this computer program.

More and more motor vehicles that can switch from a so-called traditional driving mode to a so-called autonomous driving mode are appearing on the market. In the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle can change direction of travel without the action of an occupant of the vehicle on a steering control element such as a steering wheel. In the traditional driving mode, the vehicle changes direction or not depending on the action of a driver of the vehicle on the steering control element such as the steering wheel. The fact that a vehicle is moving in autonomous driving mode can be a source of stress or worry for the occupants of a vehicle. Furthermore, when a vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, it is possible that the steering wheel of the motor vehicle is in a stationary position relative to the passenger compartment so the steering of the steered wheels changes. This can be a source of additional stress or concern for occupants of a vehicle operating in autonomous driving mode. These concerns can create risks for all road users.

The object of the invention is to provide a display control device overcoming the above drawbacks and improving the devices known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce a device making it possible to limit the stress of road users in relation to vehicles operating in autonomous driving mode.

To this end, according to the invention, a device controls the display of a direction change angle information item of a motor vehicle in an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle. The device comprises a processing unit configured so as to determine, in the autonomous driving mode, the direction change angle information, and so as to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a control command signal. display of the angle of change of direction information on a display part, in particular on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle or on a portion of the dashboard of the motor vehicle or on a windshield of the motor vehicle or on another element of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle or on glasses of a driver of the motor vehicle.

The device may include a display element for the direction change angle information on the display part, in particular a selective illumination element of an area of the display part.

The display element may include light sources on the display part, in particular light sources distributed angularly on the display part, where light sources creating a continuous or almost continuous zone of lighting on the display part. display.

The display element may comprise one or more light sources, in particular a series of juxtaposed light sources, located at a distance from the display part and selectively illuminating an area of the display part from among several areas of the display part. display.

The processing unit can be configured so as to process information, in particular position information, in particular information coming from a steering sensor of at least one wheel and / or from a satellite location system and / or a camera and / or a steering wheel angular position sensor.

The processing unit can be configured so as to process information on the angular position of the steering wheel and so as to generate the signal for controlling the angle of change of direction information accordingly.

Still for this purpose, according to the invention, a method of operating a device as defined above or a method of managing the display of information of angle of change of direction of a motor vehicle is such that '' it includes a step of determining a direction change angle information of the motor vehicle, in the autonomous driving mode, and a step of generating a command signal to display the angle information change of direction on the display part of the motor vehicle, in the autonomous driving mode.

The determination step may include the use of information, in particular position information, in particular information coming from a steering sensor of at least one wheel and / or from a satellite location system and / or a camera and / or a steering wheel angular position sensor.

The operating method may include a step of displaying the direction change angle information on the display part, in particular a step of selectively illuminating an area of the display part.

The operating method may include a step of processing information of the steering wheel angular position and the step of generating the signal can be performed using the information of the steering wheel angular position.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as defined above and / or comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method as defined above or hardware and / or software elements designed to implement the method as defined above.

The invention also relates to a device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method as defined above or hardware and / or software elements designed to implement the method as defined above.

The invention also relates to a computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recordable on a data medium readable by a computer and / or executable by a computer, comprising computer program code instructions for setting implementing the method as defined above, when the program is executed by a computer.

The invention finally relates to a data storage medium, readable by a computer, on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method as defined above.

These objects, characteristics and advantage of the present invention will be detailed in the following description of three embodiments of a device for indicating a change of direction angle of a motor vehicle according to the invention made at non-limiting title in relation to the attached figures among which:

- Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

- Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a steering wheel of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.

- Figure 3 is a sectional view, along the plane III-III of Figure 2, of the first embodiment of the steering wheel.

- Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a steering wheel of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

- Figure 5 is a sectional view, along the plane V-V of Figure 4, of the second embodiment of the steering wheel according to the invention.

- Figure 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.

- Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

An embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 1.

The motor vehicle is schematically represented in top view: its longitudinal direction is represented by the direction of the axis Ox of an orthonormal coordinate system, and its transverse direction is represented by the direction of the axis Oy of this same orthonormal coordinate system.

The vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, that is to say a vehicle capable of operating in an autonomous driving mode in which the vehicle can change direction of travel without the action of an occupant of the vehicle on a direction control element such as a steering wheel, îo Optionally, the autonomous vehicle can also operate according to a traditional driving mode, in which the vehicle changes or does not change direction according to the action of a driver of the vehicle on the direction control element. Thus, the autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel

409; 509; 609. The steering wheel comprises branches 440 and a hub 430 making it possible to mechanically link the steering wheel to a steering column of the motor vehicle 1.

The motor vehicle 1 comprises a device 400; 500; 600 for displaying information 81 of a change of direction angle 41 on the steering wheel 409; 509; 609 when the vehicle is operating or moving in an autonomous driving mode.

The direction change angle is defined as the angle formed by the longitudinal direction 4 of the vehicle and the direction 42 that the vehicle is following or that is about to follow the vehicle if the latter is stationary. This direction is determined at a reference point R of the motor vehicle 1. The reference point can be a point on the front axle, in particular preferably a point on the axis of a steering wheel 5. The reference point can also be the center of gravity of the motor vehicle 1. Preferably, the reference point R is located at the level of a steering wheel 5. In this case, the angle of change of direction is the turning angle of this wheel director.

The device 400; 500; 600 includes a processing unit 35 configured so as to determine, in the autonomous driving mode, the direction change angle information, and configured so as to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a control signal d display of the direction change angle information on a steering wheel 409; 509; 609 of the motor vehicle 1 change of direction angle. The processing unit is preferably an electronic unit. The processing unit preferably includes a processor.

The angle of change of direction is preferably determined by using the angular position of at least one wheel of the vehicle, in particular the steering angle of a steering wheel.

Advantageously, the device 400; 500; 600 also includes a display element 8 for information 81 on the angle of change of direction 41 on the steering wheel 409; 509; 609.

By displaying information, we mean any means enabling a user or occupant of the vehicle to view this information. This display is performed on the steering wheel 409; 509; 609 of the vehicle.

By steering wheel is meant the steering wheel for controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle in a traditional driving mode, ie non-autonomous.

The processing unit 35 is configured so as to process information, in particular position information, in particular information from a steering sensor 3 of at least one wheel 5 and / or from a location system 31 by satellite and / or a camera 32 and / or a steering wheel angular position sensor 33.

Finally, it is necessary to define a correspondence between the value of the angle of change of direction of the vehicle and the information of angle of change of direction displayed on the steering wheel.

The displayed change of angle information is a representation of the value of the change of angle. This representation may be only approximate. This is particularly the case when a finite number of information on the steering wheel is matched to a continuum of angle of change of direction values, the finite number of information being for example equal to a number of light sources. provided on the steering wheel or more generally in the display control device.

In the various embodiments which are described below, twelve zones or five zones of the steering wheel which can be illuminated have been represented. In this case, as many sets of the continuum of angle of change of direction are defined as information of angle of change of direction displayable on the steering wheel, that is to say zones of the steering wheel which can be illuminated. Thus, to any value of a set of angle values of the continuum, a single direction change angle information displayable on the steering wheel is matched. Thus, the angle of change of direction information is displayed or viewed by means of a visible light signal. Preferably, for any value of angle of change of direction, information of angle of change of direction is displayed by illuminating an area of the steering wheel among the different areas of the steering wheel that can be illuminated. The illumination of a steering wheel area or the location of an illuminated area on the steering wheel constitutes information 81.

Preferably, the display of direction change angle information comprises the selective illumination of an area of the steering wheel. This illumination can be achieved by a light source located on the steering wheel in this area or by a light source located at a distance from the steering wheel and whose light beam illuminates this area.

An angle 41 ′ is defined as the angle between an axis A2 passing through the highest point, the lowest point of the steering wheel and an axis A3 passing through an axis A1 around which the steering wheel can be rotated on its own and an illuminated area of the steering wheel, in particular the center of the illuminated area. Preferably, the illuminated area is such that the difference between the values of the angles 41 and 41 ’is minimized.

The display control device also preferably comprises a sensor 3 for turning at least one wheel 5 and / or a satellite location system 31 and / or a camera 32 and / or a sensor 33 for angular position of the steering wheel. These possible means are linked to the processing unit. Thus, the angle of change of direction 41 can be determined, in particular calculated, on the basis of information or signals transmitted by these means.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a device 400 for displaying information 81 of direction change angle 41 on the steering wheel.

The display element 8 comprises light sources 410 on the steering wheel 409. The light sources 410 are distributed angularly on the steering wheel 409, for example if the steering wheel comprises 12 light sources 410, the latter will be spaced at an angle of 30 ° one compared to the others.

The electrical supply of light sources 410 passes through the branches 440.

The light sources 410 are positioned at the level of rings 420 locally surrounding the section of the steering wheel. The rings are preferably made of a light-guiding material.

In FIG. 2, only one area of the steering wheel near the reference 81 is illuminated.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a device 500 for displaying information 81 of the angle of change of direction 41.

The display element 8 comprises light sources 510 on the steering wheel 509. The light sources 510 are distributed so as to create a continuous or almost continuous zone of lighting on the steering wheel 509. The light sources 510 are, for example, in number of 12 and distributed angularly on the steering wheel 509 with an angle of 30 ° with respect to each other.

The power supply of the light sources 510 passes through the branches 440.

The light sources 510 are positioned at the bottom of a groove 520. The light sources 510 are notably fixed to the bottom of the groove 520. A light guide 521 covers the light sources.

Preferably, the light guide fills the groove or substantially fills the groove.

The groove can be made around the entire circumference of the steering wheel. Alternatively, it can extend over part of the steering wheel only.

In FIG. 4, only one area of the steering wheel near the reference 81 is illuminated. FIG. 6 represents a third embodiment of a device 600 for displaying information 81 of a change of direction angle 41.

The display element 8 comprises light sources 610 located at a distance from the steering wheel 609 and selectively illuminating one of the areas 640 of the steering wheel 609 by producing a light beam 620. The light sources 610 can in particular be juxtaposed on a strip 630. The sources luminous are for example positioned at a distance from the steering wheel in the ceiling of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and they each point towards an area 640 of the steering wheel.

In FIG. 6, only one area of the steering wheel near the reference 81 is illuminated.

In the various embodiments, the light sources can be light-emitting diodes. Alternatively, the light sources can be formed by the ends of optical fibers or made up of any other element capable of guiding light rays and receiving the latter from light-emitting diodes or from any other means of generating light rays.

A mode of execution of a method of operating a device according to the invention or a mode of execution of a method of managing the display of information of angle of change of direction of a vehicle automobile is described below.

Such a method advantageously comprises at least the following steps:

a step of determining information 81 of a change of direction angle 41 of the motor vehicle 1, in the autonomous driving mode, and

a step of generating a control signal for displaying the information 81 for a change of direction angle 41 on the steering wheel (409; 509; 609) of the motor vehicle 1, in the autonomous driving mode.

The determination step comprises the use of information, in particular position information, in particular information coming from the steering sensor 3 of at least one wheel 5 and / or from the satellite location system 31 and / or d a camera (32) and / or a sensor 33 for the angular position of the steering wheel. Advantageously, the signal generation step is carried out using the information of the angular position of the steering wheel.

The information on the angular position of the steering wheel is advantageously used so as to display information 81 on the angle of change of direction 41 which is representative of the angle of change of direction of the vehicle regardless of the angular position of the steering wheel.

The mode of execution of the method is now described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

Consider a motor vehicle 1 comprising a display control device as described above.

At each instant, when the vehicle 1 is running, it is checked in step 110 if the vehicle 1 is in autonomous mode. If the vehicle is in autonomous mode, we go to a step 150, otherwise we go to a step 120.

In step 120, it is checked whether a mode change has taken place, in particular if the motor vehicle 1 has switched from the traditional driving mode to an autonomous driving mode or vice versa. If in step 120, a change in driving mode is detected, we go to step 130, otherwise we go to step 140.

In step 130, the occupants of the vehicle are informed of a change in driving mode. The change can be indicated by any sensory signal, in particular light and / or sound. For example, the light sources described above can ensure the emission of this warning signal in light form. The signal may consist of light pulses of different colors and / or of different intensities and / or of different areas of the steering wheel. The signal may also consist of a succession of light pulses of varying length and in an order defined around the wheel. Preferably, the signal here indicates to the occupants a transition to the traditional driving mode.

In step 140, the steering wheel can be fully illuminated or partially illuminated. The steering wheel is illuminated by means of light sources. The light sources can be of different colors and / or light intensities depending on the time of day and / or at the driver's choice. Alternatively, the steering wheel may not be illuminated. Otherwise, in this step, the steering wheel is illuminated according to style and / or design considerations.

We then loop on step 110.

In step 150, it is checked whether a mode change has taken place, in particular if the motor vehicle 1 has gone from autonomous driving mode to a traditional driving mode. If in step 150 a change in driving mode is detected, we go to step 160, otherwise we go to step 170.

In step 160, a change in driving mode is indicated. The implementation of this step may be identical to that of step 130. However, preferably, the signal here indicates to the occupants a transition to autonomous mode.

In step 170, the processing unit 35 determines the angle of change of direction 41 of the vehicle. The angle of change of direction 41 is determined, in particular calculated, preferably on the basis of information or signals processed by the processing unit after they have been emitted by sensors or other devices. Then we go to step 180.

In step 180, the control unit 35 processes information, in particular the angle of change of direction and possibly information on the angular position of the steering wheel. This processing includes calculations for defining or determining a light source to be lit or activated. Then, we go to a step 190.

In step 190, the control unit 35 generates a control signal to switch on or activate the light source defined or determined in the previous step. Then we go to step 200.

In step 200, the control signal is applied to the display element. In practice, therefore, the activation of a light source of the display element is commanded so as to illuminate an area of the steering wheel and thus indicate a vehicle direction change angle information.

We then loop on step 110.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention allows the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 to know whether the vehicle is in traditional or autonomous driving mode, and if necessary, the device gives an indication of angle of change of direction of the motor vehicle 1 or an indication of the steering angle 41 of the steering wheels 5 of the motor vehicle 1.

Advantageously, the device gives an indication to the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 when the driving mode changes from the traditional driving mode to the autonomous driving mode and vice versa.

In the various embodiments described above, in the autonomous driving mode, a control signal is displayed for displaying the information of angle of change of direction on the steering wheel. However, it is alternatively possible to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a command signal to display the information of angle of change of direction on any part of the display. This information display can be performed on any other display part. The display part may in particular be a portion of the dashboard of the motor vehicle or a windshield of the motor vehicle or on another element of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle or of the glasses of a driver of the motor vehicle.

For example, the direction change angle information can be projected on the dashboard or on an area of the windshield (head-up display). The direction change angle information may include an image. The image can be an image of a symbol.

The image or symbol can be a steering wheel image or symbol. The steering wheel image or the steering wheel symbol may have, like the steering wheel embodiments described above, an element for displaying the direction change angle information, in particular areas of the image or of the symbol. selectively and / or contrastingly to constitute the direction change angle information. These areas can be located on the image or on the steering wheel symbol as they are located on the steering wheel embodiments described above.

Claims (9)

Claims: 1. Device (400; 500; 600) for controlling the display of information (81) of angle of change of direction (41) of a motor vehicle (1) in a mode of autonomous driving of the vehicle, the device comprising a processing unit (35) configured so as to determine, in the autonomous driving mode, the direction change angle information, and so as to generate, in the autonomous driving mode, a control signal for displaying the direction change angle information on a display part (409; 509; 609). 2. Device (400; 500; 600) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a display element (8) of the information (81) of angle of change of direction (41) on the part display (409; 509; 609), in particular an element for selective illumination of an area (440; 540; 640) of the display part. 3. Device (400; 500) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the display element (8) comprises light sources (410; 510) on the display part (409; 509 ), in particular light sources distributed angularly on the display part (409; 509), where light sources creating a continuous or almost continuous lighting zone (520) on the display part. 4. Device (600) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the display element (8) comprises one or more light sources (610), in particular a series of juxtaposed light sources, located at a distance of the display portion (609) and selectively illuminating an area of the display portion from among multiple areas of the display portion. Device (400; 500; 600) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit (35) is configured so as to process information, in particular position information, in particular information coming from '' a steering sensor (3) of at least one wheel (5) and / or a satellite location system (31) and / or a camera (32) and / or a sensor (33 ) angular position of the steering wheel. Device (400; 500; 600) according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing unit (35) is configured so as to process information on the angular position of the steering wheel (409; 509; 609) and so as to generate the direction change angle information control signal accordingly. Method of operating a device (400; 500; 600) according to one of the preceding claims or method for managing the display of a direction change angle information of a motor vehicle, the method comprising a step of determining information (81) of change of direction angle (41) of the motor vehicle, in the autonomous driving mode, and a step of generating a control signal for displaying the information d direction change angle on the display part, in the autonomous driving mode. Operating method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the determining step comprises the use of information, in particular position information, in particular information coming from a steering sensor (3) of at least one wheel (5) and / or a satellite location system (31) and / or a camera (32) and / or a steering wheel angular position sensor (33). 9. The operating method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises a step of displaying the information (81) of angle of change of direction (41) on the display part (409; 509; 609), in particular a step of selective illumination of an area (440; 540; 640) of the display part. 10. Operating method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a step of processing information on the angular position of the steering wheel (409; 509; 609) and in that the step signal generation is performed using the steering wheel angular position information. 11. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a device (400; 500; 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or comprising hardware elements (400; 500; 600) and / or software implementing the method according to one of claims 7 to 10 or hardware elements (400; 500; 600) and / or software designed to implement the method according to one of claims 7 to 10. 12. Product computer program downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a data medium readable by a calculator and / or executable by a calculator, characterized in that it includes instructions for programming computer program code implementing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, when the program is executed by a computer. 13. Data recording medium, readable by a calculator, on which a computer program is recorded comprising instructions of program code for implementing the method according to one of claims 7 to 10. 1/6