FR3102323A1 - VEHICLE WITH INFO-ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE WITH CONTROLLED OPERATION DEPENDING ON THE DRIVING PHASE - Google Patents

Abstract

A control method is implemented in a vehicle with automated driving phases and manual driving phases and comprising an infotainment device offering first and second infotainment programs respectively authorized and prohibited during a driving phase manual. This method comprises a step (10-70) in which, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle at the end of an automated driving phase while the infotainment device provides him with a second selected infotainment program, information is stored defining at least one access to the selected second infotainment program, and then, when a new phase of automated driving begins, the infotainment device is instructed to use the information stored to re-provide the second selected infotainment program. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

VEHICLE WITH INFOTAINMENT DEVICE WITH CONTROLLED OPERATION DEPENDING ON THE DRIVING PHASE

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to vehicles that can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase and manually during a manual driving phase, and more specifically the control of the operation of the infotainment device that some of these vehicles include.

Here, "automated (or autonomous) driving phase" means a phase during which the driver of a vehicle does not intervene, driving being entirely controlled by an on-board driving assistance (or aid) device. , and by "manual driving phase" a phase during which the driver of the vehicle intervenes at least on the steering wheel and/or the pedals (or levers).

State of the art

Some automated (or self-driving) and manually driven vehicles include a passenger compartment that seats at least one passenger and in which that passenger can partially control an infotainment device that provides infotainment programs (or "infotainment") ). The latter can be divided into two groups, those which are considered as little or not distracting and therefore which are authorized to be offered to the driver in the manual driving phase as well as in the automated driving phase, and those which are considered as distracting and therefore which are only allowed to be offered to the driver during the automated driving phase.

Generally, the first infotainment programs (authorized regardless of the driving phase in progress) are purely audio and broadcast by at least one loudspeaker present in the vehicle, while the second infotainment programs ( prohibited in the manual driving phases) are videos, video games or Internet browsing displayed on at least one screen present in the vehicle. It will be noted that a first or second infotainment program can be recorded on a storage medium present in the vehicle or else transmitted to the vehicle by wave, for example by a server which can possibly be accessed via the Internet.

Today when an infotainment device offers the driver of a vehicle a second infotainment program, the latter is no longer offered as soon as the driver regains manual control of this vehicle (because he wishes or that the vehicle driving assistance (or assistance) device has requested it). If the driver wants to access this same second infotainment program again at the start of the next automated driving phase, he must again carry out the search or programming (or selection) previously carried out, which often turns out to be tedious, sometimes time-consuming (when he forgets how he previously accessed that second infotainment program), and if he wants to pick it up where it left off he has to remember the moment of approximate interruption and perform additional manual operations, which again is tedious and potentially time-consuming.

The aim of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

In particular, it proposes for this purpose a vehicle that can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase, and comprising an infotainment device offering first and second respectively authorized and prohibited infotainment during a manual driving phase.

This vehicle is characterized in that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle at the end of an automated driving phase while the device infotainment system provides it with a second selected infotainment program, to carry out the operations consisting of storing information defining at least one access to the second selected infotainment program, then, when a new driving phase begins automated, providing the infotainment device with this stored information to again provide the selected second infotainment program.

Thanks to the invention, the driver no longer needs to re-perform the search or the programming (or selection) necessary for access to the second infotainment program at the start of the next automated driving phase, this which avoids tedious and possibly time-consuming operations.

The vehicle according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- its processor and its memory can also store information defining a current instant of the second infotainment program selected, and, when a new phase of automated driving begins, can order the infotainment device to use these information stored to re-provide the second infotainment program selected from that current time;

- its processor and its memory can, before the infotainment device again provides the second infotainment program selected, trigger a proposal of this provision to the driver, and can trigger a new provision of the second program of infotainment selected by the infotainment device upon acceptance by the driver by means of a human/machine interface present in the vehicle;

- its processor and memory can also trigger a new delivery of the second infotainment program selected by the infotainment device if there is no response from the driver within a predefined time interval;

- when its infotainment device simultaneously provides first and second infotainment programs when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle at the end of an automated driving phase, its processor and its memory can let the infotainment device continue to provide the first infotainment program;

- in the event of the driver's decision to switch from a first infotainment program to the second infotainment program during the automated driving phase, its processor and its memory can store information defining at least one access to this first Infotainment program selected. In this case, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle at the end of this automated driving phase, his processor and his memory can trigger a new supply of this first infotainment program previously selected by the infotainment device;

- before the new supply of the first infotainment program previously selected, its processor and its memory can trigger a proposal of this supply to the driver, and can trigger a new supply of this first infotainment program previously selected by the infotainment device upon acceptance by the driver by means of a human-machine interface present in the vehicle or if there is no response from the driver within a predefined time interval;

- its infotainment device may include the processor and memory.

The invention also proposes a control method intended to be implemented in a vehicle that can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase, and comprising a device for infotainment offering first and second infotainment programs respectively authorized and prohibited during a manual driving phase.

This control method is characterized in that it comprises a step in which, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle at the end of an automated driving phase while the information device entertainment provides it with a second selected infotainment program, information is stored defining at least one access to this second selected infotainment program, then, when a new automated driving phase begins, the device is ordered to infotainment to use this stored information to again provide the selected second infotainment program.

The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when it is executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a control method of the type of that presented above for controlling the provision of infotainment programs by an infotainment device of a vehicle that can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase.

Brief description of figures

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

schematically and functionally illustrates a vehicle according to the invention, comprising a central handset comprising a screen and associated with an infotainment device,

schematically and functionally illustrates an embodiment of an infotainment device implementing at least part of a control method according to the invention, and

schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention is in particular to propose vehicle V with manual driving phases and automated driving phases and comprising an infotainment device DI whose operation depends on the driving phase in progress, and a control method intended to allow control of this DI infotainment device.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated without limitation in Figure 1. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any type of vehicle that can be driven manually by a driver during a manual driving phase or else in an at least partially automated (or autonomous) manner, and comprising at least one passenger compartment that can accommodate at least one passenger (possibly a driver). Thus, it concerns all land vehicles (and in particular motor vehicles, utility vehicles, camper vans, minibuses, coaches, trucks, road construction machinery, construction machinery and agricultural machinery, but not motorcycles with at least two wheels), boats and aircraft.

It is recalled that the term "automated (or autonomous) driving phase" is understood here to mean a phase during which the driver of the vehicle V does not intervene, driving being entirely controlled by an assistance device (or ) to on-board DA driving, and by "manual driving phase" a phase during which the driver of the vehicle V intervenes at least on the steering wheel VV and/or the pedals (or levers).

There is schematically represented in FIG. 1 an embodiment of a vehicle V comprising a driving assistance (or assistance) device DA, an infotainment device DI, at least one processor PR, at least one least one memory MD, and a passenger compartment H comprising, here, two front seats Sj (j=1 or 2), one of which (S1) dedicated to the driver and associated with a steering wheel VV, and a central handset CC comprising a screen of EA display.

The passenger compartment H is suitable for accommodating at least one passenger. In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the passenger compartment H comprises two seats S1 and S2 capable of accommodating two passengers (including a driver (on S1)). But it could only have one seat (accommodating at least one passenger (driver)), or it could have more than two seats. The S1 driver's seat is here associated with a VV steering wheel installed behind a PB dashboard.

It is recalled that the term "automated (or autonomous) driving phase" is understood here to mean a phase during which the driver of the vehicle V does not intervene, driving being entirely controlled by an assistance device (or ) to on-board DA driving, and by "manual driving phase" a phase during which the driver of the vehicle V intervenes at least on the steering wheel VV and/or the pedals (or levers).

The driving assistance (or aid) device DA is responsible for at least partially controlling the driving of the vehicle V in an automated driving phase. When this driving assistance (or aid) device DA is arranged to fully control driving, it can here fully control the direction and/or the dynamics of the vehicle V, including when the latter (V) is in a manual driving phase, to replace the driver as much as possible. It therefore determines commands for components of the vehicle V involved in the movements of the latter (V), such as for example the powertrain (or GMP), the braking system, and the gear change means (for example a gearbox automatic gearshift), but also for components of the vehicle V involved in the direction taken by the latter (V), such as for example the electric power steering. This driving assistance (or assistance) device DA can, for example, be of the ADAS (“Advanced Driver Assistance System”) type. But other driving assistance (or aid) devices, possibly of the ADAS type, may be affected by the invention in order to (strengthen) their intervention in a manual driving phase.

The central handset CC is here installed in or on the dashboard PB. But it could be installed in or on a possible center console. This central handset CC is associated with a man/machine interface which it can integrate (possibly in its screen EA which is then digital or tactile (for example)), or which can be external. It will be noted that this man/machine interface may optionally be vocal (at least partially).

The infotainment device DI is arranged so as to offer first and second infotainment programs which are respectively authorized and prohibited during a manual driving phase.

The first infotainment programs (authorized regardless of the driving phase in progress) are purely audio and broadcast by at least one loudspeaker fitted to the vehicle V. The second infotainment programs (prohibited in the driving phases automated driving) are videos, video games or Internet browsing displayed on at least one screen EA present in the vehicle V.

Access to the Internet is done via a communication module by way of waves MC arranged so as to communicate by way of waves with at least one communication network RC at least partially wireless. In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the wave communication module MC forms part of the vehicle V permanently. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could be part of a communication device temporarily on board the vehicle V and accompanying a passenger, such as for example a smart mobile telephone (or “smartphone”) or a communicating electronic tablet.

The DI infotainment device includes a DC control device to control its operation.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the infotainment device DI is part of the central handset CC. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could be electronic equipment present in the vehicle V, temporarily or permanently, or it could be part of an electronic equipment present in the vehicle V, permanently or temporarily (as for example a smart mobile phone or a communicating electronic tablet).

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the processor PR and the memory MD form part of the control device DC of the infotainment device DI. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, they could be part of another control device made in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"), and coupled to the device DI infotainment, directly or indirectly.

For example, the processor PR can be a digital signal processor (or DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”)). This processor PR can comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or else several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. By integrated (or printed) circuit is meant any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

The memory MD is active in order to store instructions for the implementation by the processor PR of at least part of a control method to which we will return later.

As illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the processor PR and the memory MD may optionally form part of a computer CD.

The processor PR and the memory MD are arranged to intervene when the driver has to at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle V at the end of an automated driving phase while the infotainment device DI provides him with a second Infotainment program selected. For example, the driver must regain control of the drive within a time interval of a maximum of ten seconds.

When the double condition described in the preceding paragraph is satisfied, the processor PR and the memory MD are arranged to carry out (in the aforementioned time interval) the operations consisting in storing information which defines at least one access to the second program of infotainment selected. Then, when a new phase of automated driving begins, the processor PR and the memory MD are arranged to carry out the operations consisting in providing the infotainment device DI with this stored information so that it again provides the second driving program. infotainment selected.

Thus, the driver no longer has to re-perform the search or the programming (or selection) necessary for access to the second infotainment program at the start of the next automated driving phase, which saves him operations tedious and possibly time-consuming.

Preferably, the processor PR and the memory MD are also arranged to store information which defines a current moment of the second infotainment program selected (at the moment when it is interrupted). In this case, when a new automated driving phase begins, the processor PR and the memory MD order the infotainment device DI to use the stored information to again supply the second infotainment program selected from of this current moment. This option advantageously allows the driver to resume the second infotainment program from the moment it was interrupted, without having to carry out manual operations.

It will be noted that before the infotainment device DI again supplies the second infotainment program selected, the processor PR and the memory MD can trigger a proposal for this supply to the driver.

For example, the processor PR and the memory MD can trigger the display on a screen EA present in the passenger compartment H and/or the broadcasting by means of at least one loudspeaker present in the passenger compartment H of a message proposing to the driver the restoration of the second infotainment program interrupted when the control of the driving of the vehicle V is resumed.

When such a proposal is made, the processor PR and the memory MD trigger a new supply of the second infotainment program selected by the infotainment device DI in the event of acceptance by the driver by means of an interface man/machine present in the vehicle V. This man/machine interface can, for example, be the one associated with the central handset CC. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could, for example, be a dedicated man/machine interface, possibly vocal.

If the driver refuses, the second infotainment program is not restored.

In the presence of the last option, the processor PR and the memory MD can also, optionally, trigger a new supply of the second infotainment program selected by the infotainment device DI in the absence of a response from the driver in a predefined time interval. This sub-option is advantageous because it saves the driver from having to perform an operation to accept the restoration of the interrupted second infotainment program when resuming control of the vehicle's driving V. However, if the driver does not does not want the second infotainment program to be restored, it must report this.

The aforementioned predefined time interval may, for example, be between two and five seconds.

It will also be noted that when the infotainment device DI simultaneously provides first and second infotainment programs when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle V at the end of an automated driving phase , the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to let the infotainment device DI continue to provide the first infotainment program during the manual driving phase that is beginning. Thus, there is no interruption in the broadcast of the first infotainment program when switching from the automated driving phase to the manual driving phase.

This option saves the driver from having to perform operations to restore a first interrupted infotainment program when controlling the driving of the vehicle V is resumed.

It will also be noted that in the event of the driver's decision to switch from a first infotainment program to the second infotainment program during the automated driving phase, the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to store information that defines at least one access to the first selected infotainment program. In this case, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle V at the end of this automated driving phase, the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to trigger a new supply of this first program of infotainment previously selected by the infotainment device DI. This option prevents the driver from suddenly finding himself without any infotainment program at the start of a manual driving phase.

In the presence of the last option, before the new supply of the first infotainment program previously selected, the processor PR and the memory MD can trigger a proposal for the supply of the first infotainment program (previously interrupted) to the driver .

For example, the processor PR and the memory MD can trigger the display on a screen EA present in the passenger compartment H and/or the broadcasting by means of at least one loudspeaker present in the passenger compartment H of a message offering the driver the resumption of the first infotainment program that he himself had interrupted during the last phase of automated driving.

When such a proposal is made, the processor PR and the memory MD trigger a new supply of the first infotainment program previously selected by the infotainment device DI in the event of acceptance by the driver by means of a man/machine interface present in the vehicle V or in the absence of a response from the driver within a predefined time interval. The latter can, for example, be between two and five seconds. The aforementioned man/machine interface can, for example, be the one associated with the central handset CC. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, it could, for example, be a dedicated man/machine interface, possibly vocal.

If the driver refuses, the first infotainment program is not restored.

As for a second infotainment program, the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to store information which defines a current moment of the first infotainment program selected (at the moment when it is interrupted by the driver ). In this case, when the manual driving phase begins, the processor PR and the memory MD order the infotainment device DI to use the stored information to again provide the first infotainment program previously interrupted from of this current moment. This sub-option advantageously allows the driver to resume the first infotainment program at the moment it was interrupted, without having to carry out manual operations.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that the control device (here DC), which already comprises the random access memory MD, the processor PR and the possible computer CD, can also comprise a mass memory MM, in particular for the storage of access information to the various infotainment programs (and their possible moments of interruption), and intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this control device (here DC) can also comprise an input interface IE for receiving at least the aforementioned information, to use it in calculations or processing, possibly after having formatted it and/or demodulated and/or amplified, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR′. In addition, this control device (here DC) can also comprise an IS output interface, in particular for delivering infotainment program restoration proposal messages to the driver and orders or commands (in particular to the communication module by way of waves MC to re-access an infotainment program accessible remotely from the vehicle V).

The invention can also be considered in the form of a control method intended to allow the control of the supply of infotainment programs by the infotainment device DI of the vehicle V, and which can be implemented at least partially by the processor PR and the random access memory MD (here of the control device DC).

This control method comprises a step 10-70 in which, when the driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle V at the end of an automated driving phase while the infotainment device DI provides him a second infotainment program selected, information is stored defining at least one access to this second infotainment program selected, then, when a new phase of automated driving begins, the infotainment device is ordered DI to use the stored information to again provide that second selected infotainment program.

Schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention.

The control method comprises a sub-step 10 in which the driver is asked to at least partially regain control of the driving of the vehicle V at the end of an automated driving phase while the infotainment device DI provides him a second selected infotainment program.

Then, in a sub-step 20, information is stored defining at least the access to this second infotainment program selected, as well as possibly the current instant of its interruption.

Then, in a sub-step 30, it is informed that a new automated driving phase is beginning.

Then, in a sub-step 40, the driver is offered to restore the second infotainment program selected and interrupted, possibly from its moment of interruption.

If the driver refuses in a sub-step 50, the method ends in a sub-step 60.

On the other hand, in the event of the driver's agreement in a sub-step 50, the infotainment device DI uses in a sub-step 70 the stored information to supply the second infotainment program again, possibly to from its moment of interruption.

It will be noted that one or more sub-steps of the control process step can be carried out by different components. Thus, the control method can be implemented by a plurality of digital signal processors, random access memory, mass memory, input interface, output interface.

It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when it is executed by processing means of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type, such as for example the processor PR, is able to implement the control method described above to control the supply of infotainment programs by the infotainment device DI of the vehicle V.

Claims (10)

Vehicle (V) capable of being driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase, and comprising an infotainment device (DI) offering first and second infotainment respectively authorized and prohibited during a manual driving phase, characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD) arranged, when said driver must at least partially regain control of the driving said vehicle (V) at the end of an automated driving phase while said infotainment device (DI) provides it with a second selected infotainment program, to carry out the operations consisting in storing information defining at the at least one access to said second selected infotainment program, then, when a new automated driving phase begins, providing said infotainment device (DI) with said stored information so that it again provides said second program d infotainment selected. Vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said processor (PR) and the said memory (MD) also store information defining a current moment of the said second infotainment program selected, and, when a new phase of automated driving begins , instruct said infotainment device (DI) to use said stored information to again provide said second selected infotainment program from said current time. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that before said infotainment device (DI) again provides said second selected infotainment program, said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) trigger a proposal for this supply to said driver, and trigger a new supply of said second infotainment program selected by said infotainment device (DI) in the event of acceptance of said driver by means of a present human/machine interface in said vehicle (V). Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) also trigger a new supply of said second infotainment program selected by said infotainment device (DI) in the absence response of said driver within a predefined time interval. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the said infotainment device (DI) simultaneously supplies first and second infotainment programs when the said driver has to take back at least partial control of driving said vehicle (V) at the end of an automated driving phase, said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) let said infotainment device (DI) continue to provide said first infotainment program . Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the event of the decision of the said driver to switch from a first infotainment program to the said second infotainment program during the said automated driving phase, the said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) store information defining at least one access to said first infotainment program selected, and in that, when said driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of said vehicle (V ) at the end of this automated driving phase, said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) trigger a new supply of said first infotainment program previously selected by said infotainment device (DI). Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that before the new supply of said first infotainment program previously selected, said processor (PR) and said memory (MD) trigger a proposal of this supply to said driver, and trigger a new supply of said first infotainment program previously selected by said infotainment device (DI) in the event of acceptance by said driver by means of a man/machine interface present in said vehicle (V) or in the absence response of said driver within a predefined time interval. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said infotainment device (DI) comprises the said processor (PR) and the said memory (MD). Control method for a vehicle (V) which can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase, and comprising an infotainment device (DI) offering first and second infotainment programs respectively authorized and prohibited during a manual driving phase, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-70) in which, when said driver must at least partially regain control of the driving of said vehicle (V) at the end of an automated driving phase when said infotainment device (DI) provides it with a second selected infotainment program, information is stored defining at least one access to said second program selected infotainment, then, when a new automated driving phase begins, said infotainment device (DI) is ordered to use said stored information to again provide said second selected infotainment program. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the control method according to claim 9 for controlling the provision of infotainment programs by an infotainment device (DI) of a vehicle (V) that can be driven automatically during an automated driving phase or manually by a driver during a manual driving phase.