FR3102590A1 - SELF-CONFIGURATION OF A HUMAN / MACHINE INTERFACE OF A SYSTEM BY DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF ACTIONABLE COMPONENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-configuration method is implemented in a system providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man / machine interface allowing the user to control at least some of these functions and to display , once configured, information relating to functions controlled by system components present, operable by the user and known to at least one computer. This method comprises a step (10-60) in which each computer associated with a component present in the system is made to provide a message indicating the presence of this component, then a self-configuration of the man / machine interface is triggered in order to it is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component present. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

SELF-CONFIGURATION OF A MAN/MACHINE INTERFACE OF A SYSTEM BY DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF ACTIONABLE COMPONENTS

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to systems that provide functions that can be controlled by users via human/machine interfaces and operable components, and more specifically the configuration of such human/machine interfaces.

Here, "operable component" means a component generating a control signal for a controllable function of a system when manually operated, and the existence of which is known to a computer of this system.

State of the art

Certain systems, such as for example certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, comprise electronic equipment which performs functions which can be controlled at least partially by their users. These systems often include at least one man/machine interface allowing the user to control at least some of their functions and to display, once it has been configured, information which relates to functions controlled by components. present and actionable by the user.

In fact, the man/machine interface is initially designed in such a way as to be capable of displaying information relating to functions, often optional, controlled by a set of predefined components, in order to be able to be adapted to numerous combinations of functions corresponding to as many different system configurations. In other words, we initially design a human/machine interface called an "envelope", because it is arranged to operate in the presence of all the combinations of functions of the predefined set, and we configure each interface specifically generic man/machine depending on the combination of functions that the system it will equip will ensure.

Each configuration is carried out by a technician using a telecoding tool, and each configuration of a configured human/machine interface is stored in a space dedicated to the specific combination of functions corresponding to its configuration. This mode of operation can induce two disadvantages, possibly cumulative. Indeed, configuration errors may occur, and storage may be subject to misclassification, requires a lot of space, complicated management and careful manpower, and therefore proves to be expensive.

It has certainly been proposed in the patent document CN-A 108099818 a method of configuring a vehicle computer consisting, when it has been installed in this vehicle with an initial configuration, in having this computer check whether this initial configuration is actually adapted to a combination of functions provided by his vehicle, then, in the event of a discrepancy, to let this computer update its initial configuration. Such a method requires that the computer has been initially configured. In addition, if there is an error during verification, the updated configuration becomes erroneous, and may cause malfunctions in the vehicle.

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

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose a system providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man/machine interface allowing the user to control at least some of these functions and capable of displaying, once configured, information relating to functions controlled by system components present, operable by the user and known to at least one computer.

This system is characterized in that it comprises an auto-configuration device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to carry out the operations consisting in automatically configuring the man/machine interface according to messages received by this last and signaling the presence of each component present in the system, so that the man/machine interface is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component present.

Thanks to the invention, there is no longer any need to preconfigure the man/machine interface, which makes it possible to avoid preconfiguration errors, and there is no need to carry out a verification of the effective configuration in relation to this pre-configuration, which makes it possible to avoid comparison errors.

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

- the processor and the memory can be arranged, in the absence of reception of a message indicating the presence of a component of a predefined set, to carry out the operations consisting in recording the absence of this component in order to never trigger a display of predefined information relating to the function that this component would have controlled if present;

- in a first embodiment, the processor and the memory can be arranged to carry out the operations consisting in interrogating each computer knowing at least one component of a predefined set in order to trigger the supply by each computer of a presence message for every component it knows about;

- the processor and the memory can be arranged to carry out the operations consisting in interrogating each computer knowing at least one component of the assembly about which it is not known whether it is present or absent;

- in a second embodiment, its self-configuration device can receive from each computer knowing at least one component a presence message for each component that it knows and that it provides spontaneously;

- It can constitute a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type.

The invention also proposes a self-configuration method intended to be implemented in a system providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man/machine interface allowing the user to control at least some of these functions and capable of displaying, once configured, information relating to functions controlled by components of the system which are present, operable by the user and known to at least one computer.

This self-configuration method is characterized in that it comprises a step in which each computer associated with a component present in the system is supplied with a message indicating the presence of this component, then self-configuration is triggered of the man/machine interface so that it is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component present.

The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when it is executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing a self-configuration method of the type presented below. prior to self-configuring at least one man/machine interface equipping a system, providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user, allowing the user to control at least some of these functions, and capable of displaying information relating to functions controlled by components present, operable by the user and known to at least one computer.

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 system according to the invention comprising two components and a man/machine interface comprising a computer equipped with a self-configuration device,

schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a self-configuration method according to the invention, and

schematically and functionally illustrates an embodiment of a computer comprising an embodiment of a self-configuring device.

Detailed description of the invention

The aim of the invention is in particular to propose a self-configuration method, and a system S ensuring functions that can be controlled by a user and comprising at least one self-configurable man/machine interface IH and at least one component Ck operable by this user, controlling one of these functions and known to a computer CC of this system S.

It is recalled that the term "operable component" here means a component generating a control signal for a controllable function of a system when it is operated manually, and whose existence is known to a computer of the system whose he belongs.

Furthermore, here the term "man/machine interface" means an interface allowing the user of a system to control at least some of the functions provided by the latter and to display, once configured, information relating to system functions that are controlled by system components present and operable by the user.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the system S is a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1. But the invention is not limited to this type of system. It relates in fact to any type of system ensuring functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man/machine interface allowing the user to control at least some of these functions and to display, once configured, information relating to functions controlled by components of the system which are present, operable by the user and known to at least one computer. Consequently, the invention concerns at least all vehicles (land, sea (or river), and air), electronic devices (including consumer), installations (including industrial), and buildings.

There is schematically represented in FIG. 1 a system S (here a motor vehicle), according to the invention, comprising two components Ck (k=1 or 2), a man/machine interface IH comprising a computer CA, and a device for auto-configuration DA. It will be noted that for the invention to be able to be implemented, the system S must comprise at least one component Ck and at least one man/machine interface IH.

This system S comprises electronic equipment which performs functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user by means of the man/machine interface IH and the components Ck.

Each component Ck is arranged to at least partially control a function of the system S when it is actuated by the user, and is known by a computer CC of the system S. It will be noted that several (at least two) components Ck can be known of the same computer CC, or several components Ck can be known respectively by several computers CC. In other words, each component Ck is known by at least one computer CC. Note that a component Ck can include a computer CC.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the system S comprises a first component C1 (k=1) which is not part of the man/machine interface IH and a second component C2 (k=2) which is part of the human/machine interface IH (for example at the level of its facade frame). But all Ck components may or may not be part of the IH man/machine interface. Moreover, it is considered here that the computer CC knows the two components C1 and C2. But these two components C1 and C2 could be known respectively by two different computers CC.

The man/machine interface IH is arranged so as to allow the user of the system S to control at least some of the functions of the latter (S) and to display, once configured, information relating to controlled functions by the Ck components present. Such a man/machine interface IH must therefore comprise at least one display screen and selection means, possibly combined in a touch screen. For example, in the case of a motor vehicle, it may be what those skilled in the art call a central handset, which is generally installed in or on the dashboard or the central console. It will be noted that the selection means could be control members (such as for example push and/or rotary buttons, knobs, strips, or reconfigurable controls as in a touch screen), for example.

It is important to note that initially, that is to say before self-configuring thanks to the invention, the man/machine interface IH is potentially capable of displaying information relating to all the functions which are controlled by Ck components that are part of a predefined set. In other words, it (IH) is initially arranged to operate in the presence of all the combinations of functions of this predefined set.

As mentioned above, the system S comprises a self-configuring device DA which comprises at least one processor PR, for example of digital signal (or DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”)), and at least one memory MD. This self-configuration device DA can therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or “hardware”) and software modules (or “software”).

The memory MD is live in order to store instructions for the implementation by the processor PR of at least part of the self-configuration method presented below.

The 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.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the self-configuration device DA is part of a computer CA which equips the man/machine interface IH. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, the auto-configuration device DA could be equipment comprising its own computer coupled to the computer CA of the human/machine interface IH or could be hosted in another computer (for example referenced CC).

The DA auto-configuration device acts when the human/machine interface IH needs to be configured, once installed in a fully equipped S system. For example, he can start by accessing a non-volatile memory (which the human/machine interface IH preferably includes but which could be hosted in another computer) in order to read its content. This non-volatile memory initially includes (before self-configuration) the list of all the identifiers of the components Ck belonging to the predefined set in correspondence with the identifier(s) of the computers CC which know them and a first parameter whose current value indicates whether their presence in the system S is known or unknown. A priori, initially the first parameter associated with each component Ck of the predefined set must have a value indicating that the presence of the latter (Ck) is not known. If the self-configuration device DA determines that the configuration of the system S (and more precisely which components Ck of its predefined set are present) is fully known, then it ceases to act since this means that the interface man/machine IH is already configured. The configuration is not known when all the values of the first parameters signal that the presence of all the Ck components of the predefined set is not yet known.

On the other hand, if the configuration is not known, the processor PR and the memory MD of the auto-configuration device DA are arranged to carry out the operations consisting in automatically configuring the man/machine interface IH according to messages received by this last (IH) and signaling the presence of each component Ck present in the system S, so that the man/machine interface IH is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component Ck having signaled its presence.

Thus, there is no longer any need to pre-configure the human/machine interface IH, which makes it possible to avoid pre-configuration errors, and there is no need to carry out a verification of the effective configuration by compared to this pre-configuration, which makes it possible to avoid comparison errors.

Once the self-configuration has been performed, the processor PR and the memory MD can control the storage of the definition of the configuration in a non-volatile memory, for example that in which the list of all the identifiers of the components Ck belonging to to the predefined set in correspondence of the identifiers of the computers CC which know them and of the current values of the first parameter. But this storage could be carried out in another non-volatile memory of the human/machine interface IH.

Preferably, in the absence of reception of a message signaling the presence of a component Ck of a predefined set, the processor PR and the memory MD are arranged to carry out the operations consisting in recording the absence of this component Ck so as never to trigger a display of predefined information relating to the function that this component Ck would have controlled if it had been present.

In the presence of the last option, storing the configuration can, for example, consist of changing the current value of the first parameter associated with each of the components Ck of the predefined set so that it indicates that the presence of the latter ( Ck) is known, and to add to each component identifier Ck a value of a second parameter indicating whether it is present in, or absent from, the system S.

Two embodiments can be considered for each computer CC to signal the presence of each component Ck that it knows (and therefore that is present).

In a first embodiment, the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to perform the operations consisting in interrogating each computer CC knowing at least one component Ck of a predefined set, in order to trigger the supply by each computer CC of a presence message for each component Ck that it knows (and therefore that is present). It will be understood that each computer CC associated with a component Ck present and belonging to the set is interrogated, but that only those which are present will be the subject of a response message by the computer CC which knows them, an absence of response within a chosen period then being considered by the self-configuration device DA as a non-presence.

For example, this query can be done by transmission of presence request requests to each computer CC by the self-configuration device DA. These transmissions can, for example, be done via a communication network equipping the system S, possibly multiplexed, and allowing the communicating electronic equipment to exchange messages and data. This communication network can, for example, be of the CAN (“Controller Area Network”) or LIN (“Local Interconnect Network”) type. But it should be noted that the transmissions could be done by other technologies (such as for example Ethernet or Flex ray) or by way of waves, for example by WiFi or Bluetooth.

Likewise, the presence messages can be transmitted by the components Ck present via the aforementioned communication network. But they could also be done over the air, for example via WiFi or Bluetooth.

In the presence of the last option, the processor PR and the memory MD can be arranged to carry out the operations consisting in interrogating each computer CC knowing at least one component Ck of the assembly about which it is not known whether it is present or absent, instead of interrogating all the CC computers. This sub-option is useful when it is realized that the configuration of the human/machine interface IH is already partially known.

In a second embodiment, the self-configuration device DA can receive from each computer CC, knowing at least one component Ck, a presence message for each component Ck that it knows and that it provides spontaneously. Each presence message (transmitted spontaneously) is then used by the DA self-configuration device.

These spontaneous transmissions of presence messages can, for example, take place via the aforementioned communication network. But they could also be done over the air, for example via WiFi or Bluetooth.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 3, that the self-configuration device DA can also comprise, in addition to its random access memory MD and its processor PR, a mass memory MM, in particular for storing messages presence, and intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this self-configuration device DA can also comprise a digital signal processor PR' responsible, if necessary, for formatting and/or demodulating and/or amplifying, in a manner known per se, the information contained in the presence messages.

When the auto-configuration device DA is part of the computer CA of the man/machine interface IH, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 3, this computer CA must include an input interface IE for the reception, in particular, of presence messages (which are then transmitted to the auto-configuration device DA), and an output interface IS, in particular to deliver any requests intended for each computer CC. However, when the auto-configuration device DA is not part of the computer CA of the man/machine interface IH, it must include an input interface for receiving at least presence messages, and an output interface IS, in particular to deliver any requests intended for each computer CC.

It will also be noted that the invention can also be considered from the angle of a self-configuration process intended to allow the self-configuration of the man/machine interface IH of the system S. This self-configuration process configuration can be implemented (at least partially) by the auto-configuration device DA described above.

This self-configuration method comprises a step 10-60 in which each computer CC associated with a component Ck present in the system S is supplied with a message indicating the presence of this component Ck, then a self-configuration of the man/machine interface IH so that it is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component Ck present.

Schematically illustrated in Figure 2 is an example of an algorithm implementing the self-configuration method according to the invention.

This algorithm comprises a sub-step 10 in which one (the self-configuration device DA) can begin by accessing the non-volatile memory which initially comprises (before the self-configuration) the list of all the identifiers of the components Ck belonging to the predefined set in correspondence of identifier(s) of the computer(s) CC which know(s) them and of a first parameter whose current value indicates whether their presence in the system S is known or unknown .

Then, in a sub-step 20 one (the self-configuration device DA) can determine whether the configuration of the system S is fully known.

If this configuration is known, then the algorithm ends in a sub-step 30, since this means that the man/machine interface IH is already configured.

On the other hand, if this configuration is not known, then in a sub-step 40 each computer CC associated with a component Ck present in the system S provides a message indicating the presence of this component Ck. Then, in a sub-step 50, self-configuration of the human/machine interface IH is triggered, so that it is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component Ck present.

Once the self-configuration has been performed, the definition of the configuration is stored in a sub-step 60 in a non-volatile memory.

It will be noted that when each computer CC knowing at least one component Ck spontaneously provides a presence message for each component Ck that it knows, there is no need to perform sub-steps 10 to 30 and sub-step 40 is reduced to the only automatic and spontaneous transmission of at least one presence message by each computer CC for each component Ck that it knows. Then the processing is identical to that of sub-steps 50 and 60.

These spontaneous transmissions of presence messages can, for example, take place via the aforementioned communication network. But they could also be done over the air, for example via WiFi or Bluetooth.

It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program which can be embedded in any type of computer) comprising a set of instructions which, when it is executed by circuit-type processing means electronics (or hardware), such as for example the processor PR, is capable of implementing the self-configuration process described above so that at least the man/machine interface IH equipping the system S .

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

Claims (9)

System (S) providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man/machine interface (IH) allowing said user to control at least some of said functions and capable of displaying, once configured, information relating to functions controlled by components (Ck) of said system (S) present, operable by said user and known to at least one computer (CC), characterized in that it comprises an auto-configuration device (DA) comprising at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to perform the operations consisting in automatically configuring said man/machine interface (IH) according to messages received by the latter (IH) and signaling the presence of each component (Ck) present in said system (S), so that said man/machine interface (IH) is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component (Ck) having signaled its presence. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said processor (PR) and the said memory (MD) are arranged, in the absence of reception of a message indicating the presence of a component (Ck) of a predefined set, to perform the operations consisting in recording the absence of this component (Ck) so as never to trigger a display of predefined information relating to the function that this component (Ck) would have controlled if it had been present. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said processor (PR) and the said memory (MD) are arranged to carry out the operations consisting in interrogating each computer (CC) knowing at least one component (Ck) of a predefined set in order to trigger the supply by each computer (CC) of a presence message for each component (Ck) that it knows. System according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said processor (PR) and the said memory (MD) are arranged to carry out the operations consisting in interrogating each computer (CC) knowing at least one component (Ck) of the said set about which one does not not know if he is present or absent. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said self-configuration device (DA) receives from each computer (CC) knowing at least one component (Ck) a presence message for each component (Ck) that it knows and that he provides spontaneously. System according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it constitutes a vehicle. System according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said vehicle is of the automobile type. Self-configuration method for a system (S) providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user and comprising at least one man/machine interface (IH) allowing said user to control at least some of said functions and capable of displaying, once configured, information relating to functions controlled by components (Ck) of said system (S) present, operable by said user and known to at least one computer (CC), characterized in that it comprises a step ( 10-60) in which each computer (CC) associated with a component (Ck) present in said system (S) is supplied with a message indicating the presence of this component (Ck), then a self-configuration of said man/machine interface (IH) so that it is capable of displaying predefined information relating to each function controlled by a component (Ck) present. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the self-configuration method according to claim 8 so that at least a man/machine interface (IH) equipping a system (S), providing functions that can be controlled at least partially by a user, allowing said user to control at least some of said functions, and capable of displaying information relating to functions controlled by components (Ck) present, operable by said user and known to at least one computer (CC).