FR3069675A1 - DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE HAVING WIDGET PAGES IN A VEHICLE. - 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 screen, characterized in that comprises a memory in which a plurality of pages are stored, each of said pages comprising at least one widget and in that it is configured to control the successive display of the plurality of pages on said handset screen, in response to a command of 'an user.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

COMPRISING PAGES OF WIDGETS IN A VEHICLE.

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 speed 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 poorly 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.

Recent years have seen the emergence of fully digital instrument sets with a digital display screen in place 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 also sometimes configurable by the driver of the vehicle who can thus choose at least in part the modules he would like to see displayed on the screen as well as the display style (needle dials similar to analog dials or display in the form of graduations or numbers translating 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 EP2927791 discloses a method for configuring a widget displayed in a handset from a touch screen. However, customization is relatively limited. Some of the information displayed on the handset cannot be configured.

One of the objectives of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned problem. The purpose 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.

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 that that it comprises a memory in which a plurality of pages is stored, each of said pages comprising at least one widget and in that it is configured to control the successive display of the plurality of pages on said handset screen, in response to a command from a user.

The invention allows the user to completely adapt the display to his needs by offering to access different widget pages on his handset.

Advantageously, at least one of the plurality of pages is a predefined widget page, said device being configured to prohibit modifications to said predefined widget page.

This feature allows a novice user to access a functional interface on their handset without any special settings.

Advantageously, at least one of the plurality of pages is a customizable widget page, said device being configured to authorize modifications of said customizable widget page in response to a command from a user.

This feature allows a user to customize the graphical interface of their handset.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises a maximum number of pages stored in the memory and in that it is configured to add to the memory, an additional page of widgets in response to a command to add an additional page. , only if the number of current pages is less than said maximum number of pages.

This feature further increases the possibilities for user personalization of the handset.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is, moreover, configured to hide a page in response to a command from the user, said hidden page being still stored in the memory but being absent from the successive display of the plurality of pages. on said handset screen, in response to a command from a user.

This characteristic makes it possible to maintain ease of access to information by limiting the number of pages accessible directly to the user.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises a maximum number of pages displayed successively and in that it is configured to hide or propose to the user to hide a predefined page in response to a command to add a additional page, if the number of pages in the list is greater than or equal to the maximum number of pages successively displayed.

This characteristic makes it possible to maintain ease of access to information by limiting the number of pages accessible directly to the user.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is further configured to control the display of at least one editing page, for example on a second screen, the editing page comprising a representation of the widgets displayed on the first screen and a representation of free spaces to add new widgets.

This feature makes it easy to configure the handset in particular from a second screen.

Advantageously, the edition page displayed for example on the second screen comprises a plurality of thumbnails for previewing pages displayed on the first screen, each of the thumbnails representing a simplified version of the page with which it is associated.

This feature allows you to easily view the available pages without cluttering the display of the first screen.

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 and 2b respectively illustrate examples of displays on the first and second screen;

- Figure 3 illustrates the detail of a plurality of preview thumbnails on the editing page;

- Figure 4 illustrates examples of configurations of the plurality of pages according to the invention.

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

The invention relates to a device configured to control the display of a digital instrument cluster of a display, in particular to control several display modes (or page of widgets) in response to the activation of a command to the steering wheel, for example.

The invention includes:

- a first number x of predefined display modes, where x is a predefined value (for example: 3);

- A second number y of display modes customizable by the user, there being a floating value;

- A third number z of maximum display modes, z being a fixed number (for example: 5), this limitation making it possible to limit the risks of distraction of the driver, linked to the change (for example by cycling) of the display modes while driving.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle interior and in particular a dashboard. The dashboard comprises, on the driver's 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 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 at least one edit page on the second screen 12

FIG. 2a shows an example of a display of a plurality of widgets 21 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, and

- A fourth widget 21.4 displaying guidance information.

The third widget 21.3 displays so-called regulatory information because their display is constrained by certain regulations. One can cite as an example the speed of movement of the vehicle.

The regulatory information displayed in this widget can be adapted according to various national laws.

Figure 2b shows an example of a display of an edit page. The corresponding editing page displayed on the second screen 12 includes a representation 2Γ.1, 21'.2, 21'.3, 21'.4, widgets 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, displayed on the first screen 11 It also includes a representation of free spaces 22 '. 1, 22’.2, 22’.3, 22’.4 to add new widgets.

These free spaces 22’.1, 22’.2, 22’.3, 22’.4 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.

The device is configured to successively display a plurality of pages on the first screen 11. Each of the pages comprises at least the regulatory widget. This feature ensures that regulatory information is always displayed on the handset even if the driver changes the display of the handset.

The position of the widget on the different pages is not necessarily the same. This position can be modified by the user.

Advantageously, the edit page displayed on the second screen 12 comprises a plurality 30 of page preview thumbnails displayed on the first screen 11. Each of the thumbnails represents a simplified version of the page with which it is associated. Advantageously, each of the thumbnails indicates the position of the regulatory widget in the page associated with said thumbnail.

FIG. 3 shows the detail of an example of a plurality 30 of display thumbnails.

A first thumbnail 31.1 represents the page being viewed on the first screen 11. A second thumbnail 31.2 and a third thumbnail 31.3 represent two other pages available for display.

Each of the thumbnails has a plurality of rectangles. These rectangles represent a widget or an available space for a widget. The user can quickly find out the layout of the widgets on the corresponding page.

Advantageously, each rectangle has a graphical indication indicating whether it represents a widget, a free space or the regulatory widget.

In the example, the black rectangles represent the widgets, the white rectangles represent the free spaces, and the striped rectangle represents the regulatory widget. It can be noted that each of the vignettes 31.1, 31.2, 31.3. has a striped rectangle. In other words, each page displayed on the first screen 11 includes a regulatory widget. This color code is not mandatory, it could be other colors or other graphic indications such as transparency or highlighting effects.

Advantageously, at least one of the plurality of pages is a predefined widget page, said device being configured to prohibit modifications to said predefined widget page.

Advantageously, at least one of the plurality of pages is a customizable widget page, said device being configured to authorize modifications of said customizable widget page in response to a command from a user.

The predefined pages are particularly suitable for a beginner user or not wishing to configure in a combined way. The predefined pages can for example include widgets relating to a similar theme, for example driving aids.

The customizable pages are more suited to advanced users who want advanced configuration of their handset.

Figure 4 examples of configurations of the plurality of pages according to the invention.

Each of the rectangles represents a widget page. Each of the lines represents the pages accessible by a user command.

The first line from the top corresponds to a first configuration in which only predefined widget pages are accessible. This may for example be a default configuration of the vehicle particularly suitable for a novice user.

The second line represents a second configuration obtained after a user has added a personalized page starting from the first configuration.

Indeed, the device according to the invention comprises a maximum number of displayable pages, in other words of pages directly accessible by the user. It is configured to add to memory a page of additional widgets in response to a command to add an additional page, if the number of current pages is less than the maximum number of displayable pages. Assume in the example that the maximum number of pages is five.

The third line represents a third configuration obtained after a user has added a new personalized page to the second configuration, and comprising the three predefined pages as well as two personalized pages.

The second and third configuration are particularly suitable for an intermediate user wishing to have personalized pages and, at the same time, keep the predefined pages.

The fourth line represents a fourth configuration obtained after a user has added a new personalized page to the third configuration, and comprising two predefined pages as well as three personalized pages.

Indeed, the device according to the invention is, moreover, configured to hide or propose to the user to hide a predefined page in response to a command to add an additional page, if the number of pages in the memory is greater than the maximum number of displayable pages.

The user can therefore choose to hide the predefined page they want. For customizable pages, the user can choose to hide or delete

One of the personalized pages is hidden, in other words it is not directly accessible to the user. But it is still kept in memory. If the user removes a custom page then the hidden page will be available again.

The fifth line represents a fifth configuration obtained after a user added a new personalized page to the fourth configuration, and comprising a predefined page as well as four personalized pages.

The sixth line represents a sixth configuration obtained after a user added a new custom page to the fifth configuration, and comprising five custom pages.

The user can no longer add custom pages from the sixth configuration.

In fact, the device is also configured to prohibit the addition of a new personalized page if the maximum number of pages is reached.

Thus, three main configurations allow to take into account the different user profiles encountered:

A default configuration of the handset allows the user to cycle x predefined display modes only (in the example x = 3), x being a value less than z. This default configuration corresponds to a "novice" user profile for the handset: with little or no personalization.

The user, if he wishes, can edit the configuration of his handset to add up to y customizable display modes in addition to the x predefined display modes, within the limit where x + y does not exceed 5 z value (e.g. x = 3 predefined modes + y = 2 customizable modes for z = 5 modes maximum). This configuration corresponds to an intermediate use profile.

The user wishing to further personalize his handset can edit the configuration so that the display modes x are replaced by display modes y, so as to have up to z display modes y (ex. : 5 customizable modes). This last configuration corresponds to an "expert" usage profile, which can go as far as personalizing all the display modes of the handset.

In these three types of configuration, the user has the option of hiding a display mode, to choose another to display or simply to have fewer modes to cycle with his steering wheel control.

Claims (9)

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) on a screen (11 ) handset, characterized in that it comprises a memory in which is stored a plurality of pages, each of said pages comprising at least one widget and in that it is configured to control the successive display of the plurality of pages on said handset screen (11), in response to a command from a user. 2. Device for providing a graphical interface according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of pages is a predefined widget page, said device being configured to prohibit modifications to said predefined widget page. 3. Device for providing a graphical interface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of pages is a page of customizable widgets, said device being configured to authorize modifications of said page of customizable widgets in response to a user command. 4. Device for providing a graphical interface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a maximum number of pages stored in the memory and in that it is configured to add to the memory, a page of widgets additional in response to a command to add an additional page, only if the number of current pages is less than said maximum number of pages. 5. Device for providing a graphical interface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further configured to mask a page in response to a command from the user, said masked page being still stored in the memory but being absent from the successive display of the plurality of pages on said handset screen, in response to a command from a user. 6. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a maximum number of pages successively displayed and in that it is configured to hide or propose to the user to hide a predefined page in response to a command to add an additional page, if the number of pages in the list is greater than or equal to the maximum number of pages successively displayed. 7. Device for providing a graphical interface one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further configured to control the display of at least one editing page, the editing page comprising a representation of the widgets (21'.1, 21'.2, 21'.3, 21 '.4) displayed on the first screen (11) and a representation of free spaces (22'.1, 22'.2, 22'. 3, 22'.4) to add new widgets. 8. Device for providing a graphical interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the editing page comprises a plurality of thumbnails for previewing pages displayed on the first screen (11), each of the thumbnails representing a simplified version of the page to which it is associated. 9. 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.