FR3074600B1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting portable electronic equipment (3) in an autonomous vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a steering wheel (12), at least one airbag (13) mounted at the said steering wheel (12), and a detection system of the portable electronic equipment (3) in the vehicle (1), the method comprising a step of determining the location of a portable electronic equipment (3) in the vehicle ( 1) by said detection system, a step of comparing the location of the portable electronic equipment (3) and the position of the steering wheel (12) in the vehicle (1), and a step of detecting the electronic equipment portable (3) in a deployment area of the airbag (13) if the portable electronic equipment (3) is located at a distance from the steering wheel (12) less than a predetermined threshold distance.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE

[001] The invention relates, in general, the autonomous driving, in particular of a motor vehicle.

[002] The invention relates more particularly to a method and a system for locating portable electronic equipment, such as a mobile phone, in an autonomous vehicle.

[003] In a known manner, a motor vehicle includes driving aids, such as ESP, for the Electronic Stability Program in English, which is a vehicle trajectory corrector. Certain components of the vehicle are also designed to assist the driver, including the GMP, for Groupe MotoPropulseur, including a traction aid and shifting gear, or the DAE, for electric power steering, helping the driver to maneuver the vehicle. vehicle. Such aids thus help to assist the driver when using the vehicle.

[004] Today, it is also known vehicles, said autonomous, including aids for driving the vehicle independently. In other words, without driver action.

[005] Such an autonomous vehicle comprises a steering wheel that can retract when activating the autonomous driving mode so that the driver has more space at its seat. However, this has drawbacks. Indeed, the driver having no action to perform during this mode of driving, it may be tempted to use his portable electronic equipment to view emails or exchange messages. The driver then holds the portable electronic equipment in his hands, placing his portable electronic equipment near the steering wheel.

[006] Now, the steering wheel comprises in known manner an airbag that deploys during a shock of the vehicle. There is a risk that, during the deployment of the airbag, the portable electronic equipment is projected towards the driver, particularly towards his face, becoming an aggressive object that can cause injury to the driver. The effectiveness of the protection of the driver by the airbag is then reduced due to the portable electronic equipment placed between the driver and the airbag. In addition, hands holding portable electronic equipment may also be damaged.

[007] These disadvantages are even more important in an autonomous vehicle in which the steering wheel does not retract. Indeed, the portable electronic equipment is then even closer to the steering wheel from which the airbag deploys.

[008] The invention therefore aims to solve these disadvantages by providing a simple and effective solution to prevent such damage.

[009] To achieve this result, the present invention relates to a method for detecting a portable electronic equipment in an autonomous vehicle, said vehicle comprising a steering wheel, at least one airbag mounted at said steering wheel, and a control system. detecting the portable electronic equipment in the vehicle, the method comprising a step of determining the location of a portable electronic equipment in the vehicle by said detection system, a step of comparing the location of the portable electronic equipment and the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle, and a step of detecting the portable electronic equipment in an airbag deployment zone if the portable electronic equipment is located at a distance from the steering wheel less than a predetermined threshold distance.

With the method according to the invention, it is possible to detect the proximity of a portable electronic equipment of the airbag deployment zone located in the steering wheel to limit the damage caused by the use of a portable electronic equipment by the driver in autonomous driving mode. In addition, the emission of an audible and / or visual alert makes it possible to warn the driver of the risks of such use so that the latter modifies the position of the portable electronic equipment. Advantageously, such detection of the portable electronic equipment is carried out without additional elements by using elements already present in an autonomous vehicle, in order to limit costs. In addition, such detection is visible to the driver through alerts, which increases the quality perceived by the driver.

Advantageously, the method comprises a driver alerting step if the portable electronic equipment is detected in the deployment zone.

[0012] Advantageously, the alert is audible and / or visual.

Advantageously, the detection system comprises a communication module adapted to communicate with the portable electronic equipment in order to receive the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment.

Advantageously, the detection system comprises position sensors adapted to detect the position of the portable electronic equipment inside the vehicle.

[0015] Preferably, the position sensors are of the ultrasound and / or magnetic field type.

Advantageously, the detection system comprises at least one camera adapted to capture at least one representative image of the interior of the vehicle in order to detect the portable electronic equipment in said image.

Advantageously, the method comprises an initial step of activating the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, said initial step comprising a sub-step of retracting the steering wheel.

The invention furthermore relates to a system for detecting portable electronic equipment in an autonomous vehicle, said vehicle comprising a steering wheel and at least one airbag mounted at the level of said steering wheel, said system comprising a locating module of portable electronic equipment in the vehicle configured to detect that the portable electronic equipment is in an air bag deployment area if the portable electronic equipment is located at a distance from the lower steering wheel to a predetermined threshold distance.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel, at least one airbag mounted at said steering wheel, and a system, as described above, for detecting the position of a portable electronic equipment in the vehicle interior, said system being configured to detect that the portable electronic equipment is in a deployment area of the airbag if it is located near the steering wheel.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings which show: FIGS. and 2, diagrams of one embodiment of a detection system according to the invention mounted in a motor vehicle, and FIG. 3, a diagram of different zones defined by the system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In what follows, the described embodiments focus more particularly on an implementation of the method according to the invention within a motor vehicle. However, any implementation in a different context, in particular in any type of vehicle, is also covered by the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show a motor vehicle 1 in which sits a driver 2 holding a portable electronic equipment 3 in his hands.

[0023] Portable electronic equipment 3 The portable electronic equipment 3, such as a mobile phone, also called smartphone in English language, is typically an electronic communication device.

Such portable electronic equipment 3 comprises a display screen, a communication module and a geolocation module (not shown).

The display screen can display information, such as emails or e-mail messages. Preferably, the display screen is a touch screen allowing a user to enter data, especially for writing emails or e-mail messages.

The communication module allows the portable electronic equipment 3 to exchange data wirelessly. The communication module allows the portable electronic equipment 3 to send and receive emails and e-mails. According to one aspect of the invention, the communication module also allows the portable electronic equipment 3 to exchange data, such as the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment 3, with the motor vehicle 1 as will be described by the after.

The geolocation module makes it possible to determine the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment 3, for example by means of a satellite positioning system of the GPS type.

Such portable electronic equipment 3 is known, it will not be described in more detail.

Motor vehicle [0031] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a passenger compartment in which are mounted seats 11 on which can sit users of the vehicle 1. A steering wheel 12 is also mounted at the seat 11 of the driver to allow the latter to control the trajectory of the vehicle.

The vehicle 1 comprises a further airbag 13 mounted in the flywheel 11. Such an airbag 13 is adapted to deploy to the driver during a shock of the vehicle to protect the driver.

The motor vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an autonomous vehicle. In other words, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a driving aid adapted to autonomously control the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the steering wheel 12 is adapted to be retracted upon activation of the autonomous driving mode. In other words, the steering wheel 12 moves away from the seat 11 of the driver to increase the space in front of the driver.

The vehicle 1 according to the invention further comprises a detection system.

Detection system The detection system comprises a location module of the portable electronic equipment 3 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 and an alarm module.

Location module [0038] The location module is used to determine the location of the portable electronic equipment 3 inside the vehicle 1 to detect its proximity to the steering wheel from which the airbag deploys.

According to one embodiment, the location module comprises a communication device adapted to exchange data with the portable electronic equipment. The communication device makes it possible, in particular, to receive the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment 3. For this purpose, the communication device of the location module communicates with the communication module of the portable electronic equipment 3 in order to receive the geolocation determined by the geolocation module of the portable electronic equipment 3. This allows the detection system to determine the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment 3 without additional elements.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the locating module may alternatively or additionally comprise sensors 14 mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 in order to determine the position of the portable electronic equipment 3. Such sensors 14 may be ultrasonic sensors, electromagnetic field sensors, etc. The use of a plurality of sensors 14 in the vehicle 1 makes it possible to increase the accuracy by triangulation of the position of the portable electronic equipment 3 by the location module.

Finally, the location module may comprise, alternatively or additionally, a camera, preferably of the infrared type, adapted to capture images of the interior of the vehicle 1. The location module is then adapted to detect, on an image captured by the camera, the position of the portable electronic equipment 3 in the vehicle 1.

The detection system according to the invention further comprises a computer configured to determine, from the location of the portable electronic equipment 3 determined by the location module and the predetermined location of the steering wheel 12 of the vehicle 1, the distance between the portable electronic equipment 3 and the steering wheel 12.

The computer further determines different zones at the steering wheel 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3: a first zone, called the "deployment zone Z1", corresponding to the zone in which the airbag 13 is deployed, a second zone , called "risk zone Z2", and a third zone, called "risk zone Z3" located at a distance from the deployment zone Z1 of the airbag 13.

Alarm module [0044] The alarm module makes it possible to alert the driver 2 of the vehicle 1 when the portable electronic equipment 3 is located in the deployment zone Z1.

The alarm module may include a screen located in the cabin of the vehicle 1 to display a visual alert. Such a screen is advantageously the display screen of the vehicle 1. Thus, no additional element is necessary to issue such a visual alert.

The alarm module may, alternatively or additionally, include a module adapted to emit a sound alert.

The alarm module is configured to issue an alert, visual and / or audible, as the portable electronic equipment 3 is located in the Z1 deployment zone. Thus, when the driver uses his portable electronic equipment 3 in the vehicle 1, the alert warns him of the risk in case of deployment of the airbag 13.

[0049] Method will now be described the method according to the invention for detecting a portable electronic equipment 3 in an autonomous vehicle 1.

When using the vehicle 1, a driver 2 sits on a seat 11 facing the steering wheel 12 to control the path of the vehicle 1. When activating the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel 12 retracts so as to move away from the conductor 2. The detection system detects such activation to control the position of a portable electronic equipment 3 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

The geolocation module of the portable electronic equipment 3 then determines the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment 3. Then, the communication module of the portable electronic equipment 3 sends the geolocation thus determined to the vehicle location module 1 wirelessly.

The sensors 14 and the camera of the location module also detect the location of the portable electronic equipment 3 inside the vehicle 1 to increase the accuracy of this location.

The calculator of the detection system then determines, from these different measurements, the precise location of the portable electronic equipment 3 inside the vehicle 1. Then, the calculator compares this location with that of the steering wheel 12. has been determined in advance, especially when designing the vehicle 1.

The computer 1 then determines in which zone Z1, Z2, Z3 is the portable electronic equipment 3.

If the portable electronic equipment is located in the deployment zone Z1 of the airbag 13, the alarm module emits a visual and / or audible warning to warn the driver of the risk of such a position of the airbag. portable electronic equipment 3 in case of deployment of the airbag 13 following a shock of the vehicle 1.

If the portable electronic equipment is located in the Z2 risk zone, the alarm module can emit a vigilance signal, in particular by means of a visual alert on the screen, in order to warn the driver. the proximity of the portable electronic equipment 3 with the deployment zone Z1.

Finally, if the portable electronic equipment is located in the risk-free zone Z3, no alert is issued: the portable electronic equipment 3 is sufficiently far from the deployment area to limit the risk of damage in case of deployment of the airbag 13.

Thus, the alarm module can issue an alert as the portable electronic equipment 3 is not located in the Z3 risk free zone. This prevents the driver 2 from the risk related to the position of the portable electronic equipment 3 near the steering wheel 12 from which the airbag 13 deploys.

Claims (10)

Claims: A method of detecting a portable electronic equipment (3) in an autonomous vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a steering wheel (12), at least one airbag (13) mounted at said steering wheel (12). ), and a detection system of the portable electronic equipment (3) in the vehicle (1), the method comprising: - a step of determining the location of a portable electronic equipment (3) in the vehicle (1) by said detection system, - a step of comparing the location of the portable electronic equipment (3) and the position of the steering wheel (12) in the vehicle (1), and - a step of detecting the electronic equipment portable (3) in a deployment zone (Z3) of the airbag (13) if the portable electronic equipment (3) is located at a distance from the steering wheel (12) less than a predetermined threshold distance. 2. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a driver alerting step (2) if the portable electronic equipment (3) is detected in the deployment zone (Z3). 3. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the alert is audible and / or visual. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system comprises a communication module adapted to communicate with the portable electronic equipment (3) to receive the geolocation of the portable electronic equipment (3). 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system comprises position sensors (14) adapted to detect the position of the portable electronic equipment (3) inside the vehicle (1). 6. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the sensors (14) position are ultrasonic type and / or magnetic field. 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system comprises at least one camera adapted to capture at least one image representative of the interior of the vehicle (1) in order to detect the portable electronic equipment (3). in said image. 8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an initial step of activation of the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle (1), said initial step comprising a substep of retraction of the steering wheel (12). 9. A detection system of portable electronic equipment (3) in a self-driving vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a steering wheel (12) and at least one airbag (13) mounted at said steering wheel (12). ), said system comprising a location module of the portable electronic equipment (3) in the vehicle (1) configured to detect that the portable electronic equipment (3) is in a deployment zone (Z3) of the airbag ( 13) if the portable electronic equipment (3) is located at a distance from the steering wheel (12) below a predetermined threshold distance. 10. Autonomous vehicle (1) comprising a steering wheel (12), at least one airbag (13) mounted at said steering wheel (12), and a system, according to the preceding claim, for detecting the position of a device portable electronic system (3) in the passenger compartment of the vehicle (1), said system being configured to detect that the portable electronic equipment (3) is in a deployment zone (Z3) of the airbag (13) if it is located near the steering wheel (12).