WO2023007066A1

WO2023007066A1 - Method and device for providing warning of vehicles driving contraflow in a given traffic lane

Info

Publication number: WO2023007066A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/051218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent LAINE; Anthony Guillaud; Michael DUQUEROY; David Vrinat
Original assignee: Psa Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2021-07-27
Filing date: 2022-06-22
Publication date: 2023-02-02
Also published as: CN117716406A; FR3125890A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for providing warning of vehicles driving contraflow in a given traffic lane. The method and device use an augmented-reality system to provide warning to the driver of a vehicle that another vehicle is driving contraflow in the same traffic lane. Images are displayed by this augmented-reality system. These images comprise graphical objects that represent the imminence of an encounter between the two vehicles and the dangerousness of the road situation.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Method and device for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane.

Technical area

The present invention claims the priority of French application 2108164 filed on July 27, 2021, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to methods and devices for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane.

Technology background

Systems for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane are known. Such systems are for example implemented by the installation of a dedicated application on a mobile device such as a telephone or a tablet or an infotainment system embedded in a vehicle. This application is designed to detect if the vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction by comparing the movement of this vehicle with respect to an authorized traffic direction and recorded in a database. In the event that the application detects that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction, the driver of this vehicle is notified via a notification on the application of his mobile device or on the infotainment system embedded in the vehicle he is driving. . Another road user traveling in the area where the vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction can also be alerted if this user has also installed the application on one of his mobile devices or on an in-vehicle infotainment system that he is driving. When the application is installed on an infotainment system using a central display screen, a visual alert message is displayed on this central display screen and/or an audible alert is triggered. This implementation of this type of alert requires the installation and launch of a dedicated application on a mobile device. Furthermore, the display of a visual alert message on the central display screen of a vehicle is not the most likely to signify an emergency or a dangerous road situation because this central screen is not in the field of vision of the driver who focuses on the road.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to alert a driver of a vehicle when another vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction in the same traffic lane.

Another object of the present invention is to improve road safety.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, said method being implemented by a processor, said method comprising the following steps:

- Obtaining, from at least one sensor, a distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane;

- if the distance is greater than a first threshold, triggering of a visual and/or audible warning of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction in the first vehicle;

- If the distance is less than the first threshold, display of an image comprising a graphic object representative of an alert for a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction by an augmented reality system of the first vehicle; obtaining a meeting time between the first and second vehicles from the distance and a speed of the first vehicle; if the meeting time is greater than a second threshold, display of an image comprising a graphical object representative of an incentive to brake by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle; and if the encounter time is less than the second threshold, display of an image comprising a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle. According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, if the meeting time is less than the second threshold, the method further comprises a step of triggering an audible alert in the first vehicle.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the displayed image also comprises at least one graphical object representing a parameter or an operating state of the first vehicle, or contextual or environmental information of the first vehicle .

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, said at least one sensor is on board the first vehicle.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, said at least one sensor is a millimeter wave radar, a camera or an optoelectronic sensor or an on-board ultrasound sensor of the first vehicle.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, said at least one sensor is embedded in a roadside device located in an environment of the first vehicle.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, this in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a ROM memory of the microelectronic circuit type, or even a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other ways. The computer program according to the present invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 8, in which:

[Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a road environment for the implementation of an alert of vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the projection of images in a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a field of vision associated with a driving position of the vehicle of FIG. 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a display of a graphical object representative of an incentive to brake according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a display of a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 6] schematically illustrates an augmented reality system for the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a device for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; And

[Fig. 8] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the examples of realization

A method and a device for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane will now be described in the following with reference jointly to FIGS. 1 to 8. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs while throughout the following description.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane is obtained from at least one sensor. If the distance is greater than a first threshold, a visual and/or audible warning of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction is triggered in the first vehicle. If the distance is less than the first threshold, an image including a representative graphical object of an oncoming vehicle warning is displayed by an augmented reality system of the first vehicle, and a meeting time between the first and second vehicles is obtained from the distance and the speed of the first vehicle. If the meeting time is greater than a second threshold, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an incentive to brake is displayed by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle, and if the meeting time is less than the second threshold, a image comprising a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver is displayed by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle.

The use of an augmented reality system is particularly suitable for the display of an image comprising graphic objects representative of warning levels of vehicles traveling in the opposite direction because this system superimposes the virtual image on the reality of a scene road. The driver then focused on his driving immediately becomes aware of the alert level, thus limiting his reaction time without diverting his attention.

The present invention makes it possible to limit the danger of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on a traffic lane by thus warning a driver of another vehicle traveling on this same traffic lane.

The present invention is advantageous because it triggers alert levels which depend on the proximity of the two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane and proposes solutions for resolving a road situation according to the dangerousness of this situation. road.

[Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a road environment 1 for the implementation of an alert for vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The road environment 1 comprises a roadway comprising two traffic lanes 12 and 13, both intended to be used by vehicles traveling in the same direction of traffic, for example from left to right in FIG. 1 as indicated by arrows. Two vehicles 10 and 11 are traveling on the same traffic lane 13. Vehicle 10 is traveling in the authorized traffic direction (from left to right in FIG. 1) and vehicle 11 is traveling in the opposite direction (from right to the left in Figure 1).

The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a combustion engine, with electric motor(s) or else a hybrid vehicle with a combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle, for example an automobile, a truck, a coach.

The vehicles 10 and 11 are within communication range of a roadside device 14, that is to say the device 14 is located in the environment of the vehicles 10 and 11. The device 14 comprises at least one sensor intended to detect whether a vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction of the traffic lane 13 and to determine a distance between the vehicles 10 and 11. Depending on the road environment 1, the device 14 detects that the vehicle 11 is traveling in an opposite direction on the traffic lane 13 and transmits to the vehicle 10 a signal carrying the detection of the vehicle 11 and the distance which separates the two vehicles 10 and 11.

Vehicle 101, vehicle 102 and device 14 can communicate with each other over wireless connections either via a direct connection or via an indirect connection through a communications network infrastructure (not shown). These direct or indirect connections can use a vehicle-to-everything communication mode, known as V2X (from the English “vehicle-to-everything”). A V2X communication mode comprises vehicle-to-vehicle communication modes, called V2V (from the English “vehicle-to-vehicle”) and/or vehicle-to-infrastructure V2I (from the English “vehicle-to-infrastructure”) .

According to a variant, the vehicle 101, the vehicle 102 and the device 14 can communicate from a cellular network of the 4G or 5G type.

The vehicle 10 carries a device 40 for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane described in relation to Figure 7.

The vehicle 10 also embeds a so-called augmented reality system 3, called AR (from the English “Augmented Reality”), for example a Head-Up Vision system, called VTH or HUD (from English “Head Up Display” or in French “Display Tête Haute”). The augmented reality system 3 is described in relation to FIG. 6.

[Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the projection of images in a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a view of the interior of the vehicle 10, in particular of the front part of its passenger compartment comprising in particular the steering wheel, the dashboard, and the windshield 100.

The vehicle 10 embeds for example a set of sensors configured to obtain data on the environment of the vehicle 10, these data or a part of them being used in particular for driving in autonomous mode of the vehicle 10. This or these sensors correspond for example to sensors of one or more systems for detecting objects in the environment of the vehicle 10, the data obtained from this or these sensors making it possible, for example, to detect objects in the environment of the vehicle 10, for example in front of the vehicle 10. This or these object detection systems are for example associated with or included in one or more driving assistance systems, called ADAS systems (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced driver assistance system”).

The sensor(s) associated with these object detection systems correspond, for example, to one or more of the following sensors:

- one or more millimetric wave radars arranged on the vehicle 10, for example at the front, at the rear, on each front/rear corner of the vehicle; each radar is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive the echoes of these waves returned by one or more objects, with the aim of detecting obstacles at a distance of the order of 150 m and their distances vis-à-vis the vehicle ; and or

- one or more LIDAR(s) (from the English “Light Detection And Ranging”, or

"Detection and estimation of the distance by light" in French), a LIDAR sensor corresponding to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser transmitter device, a receiver device comprising a light collector (to collect the part of the light radiation emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located on the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector which transforms the light collected as an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects situated in the light beam emitted at a distance of approximately 100 m maximum and to measure the distance between the sensor and each object detected; and or

- one or more cameras (associated or not with a depth sensor) for the acquisition of one or more images of the environment around the vehicle located in the field of vision of the camera or cameras; and or

- one or more ultrasonic sensors.

The vehicle 10 also embeds at least one speed sensor.

The vehicle 10 can also embark for example a navigation system, which uses for example geolocation information provided by a satellite positioning system such as the GPS system (from the English "Global Positioning System" or in French "Système mondial positioning”) or the Galileo system. This geolocation information is combined with mapping data, in particular road data, to display the route of the route on a map obtained from the mapping data.

The augmented reality system 3 is configured to display an image (or part of an image) comprising one or more graphic objects by projection of a light beam carrying image data onto a surface 101 of the windshield 100.

The surface 101 is for example located above and behind the steering wheel with respect to a point of view corresponding to the point of view according to which a driver is supposed to look at the road in front of him when he is driving the vehicle 10.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, a graphic object is representative of an alert of a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, of an incitement to brake or of an avoidance maneuver.

As a variant, the graphic objects can be representative of parameters or operating state of the vehicle 10 correspond to all or part of the following information, according to all possible combinations:

- information representative of instantaneous speed; and or - information representing the rotation of a motor shaft (also called tachometer information); and or

- information representative of a mileage travelled; and or

- information representing a fuel level or the state of charge of the battery in the case of an electric vehicle; and or

- information representing the temperature of an engine coolant; and or

- at least one item of information representative of a warning light (for example battery charge indicator, engine oil pressure indicator, engine oil or coolant temperature indicator, brake failure indicator, etc.), corresponding for example to a pictogram displayed or taking on a specific color in the event of an alert; and or

- at least one piece of information representative of a warning light (for example engine oil level light, air bag light (also called airbag), brake pad wear light, etc.), corresponding for example to a pictogram displayed or taking on a specific color in the event of a warning; and or

- at least one item of information representative of an on-board system operating indicator light (positioning, dipped or main beam indicator light, hazard warning light indicator light, rear window demisting indicator light, etc.), corresponding for example to a pictogram displayed or taking on a determined color in the event of the on-board system being put into operation.

As a variant, the graphic objects can be representative of contextual information or of the environment of the vehicle 10 correspond to all or part of the following information, according to all possible combinations:

- information representative of the map of the environment of the vehicle 10, for example obtained from the on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10 or from a navigation system installed on a mobile communication device (for example a smart telephone “smartphone”) linked in wireless communication with the vehicle 10; and/or - information representative of the navigation of the vehicle 10, for example a plot of the route to be followed by the vehicle 10, the current position of the vehicle 10, the speed limit applicable on the portion of road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling; this information is for example obtained from the navigation system on board the vehicle 10 or from the navigation system installed on a mobile communication device; and or

- information representative of an object detected in the environment, for example the presence of the vehicle 11, the presence of a pedestrian or an animal on the roadway in front of the vehicle 10, the presence of a road sign , the presence of a stationary object on the roadway, the presence of a tunnel entrance, etc. ; this or this information is for example obtained from one or more object detection sensors on board the vehicle 10 and for example associated with one or more ADAS systems of the vehicle 10; according to a variant, this information is received from another vehicle, for example the vehicle 11, or from the device 14 or from an infrastructure of a communication network connected to the vehicle 10 in wireless communication according to a V2X communication mode; according to another variant, this information is received from one or more servers of the “cloud” (or “cloud” in French) via a cellular wireless network of the 4G or 5G type; and or

- information representative of an event detected in the environment, for example information on a disturbance on the road, for example an accident, a traffic jam, information on particular climatic conditions and able to disturb traffic (snow, fog, rain, ice); according to a variant, this information is received from another vehicle, for example the vehicle 11, or from the device 14 or from an infrastructure of a communication network connected to the vehicle 10 according to a V2X communication mode; according to another variant, this information is received from one or more servers of the “cloud” (or “cloud” in French) via a cellular wireless network of the 4G or 5G type.

[Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a field of vision associated with a driving position of the vehicle of FIG. 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates the front part of the vehicle 10 in a top view. The field of vision 210 is associated with a point of view 21 which corresponds to the point of view according to which a driver is supposed to look at the road in front of him when driving the vehicle 10. This point of view 21 is for example positioned in the middle of the driver's seat (left front in the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 according to the particular example of Figure 3), at the location of the driver's head if the driver was seated in the driver's seat. The point of view 21 is for example positioned in the center of a headrest resting on the driver's seat when the seat is equipped with such a headrest.

The field of vision 210 extends for example around a main axis of vision 211, and covers an area between an upper vertical limit (forming for example an angle of 15° with the axis 211 from the point of view 21) , a lower vertical limit (forming for example an angle of 15° with the axis 211 from the point of view 21 ), a right lateral limit (forming for example an angle of 20 or 25° with the axis 211 from the point of view 21) and a left lateral limit (forming for example an angle of 25 or 30° with the axis 211 from the point of view 21).

A graphic object 2100 corresponding to an element of the image is advantageously projected or displayed inside the field of vision 210, to ensure that the driver looks at the road or the environment in front of the vehicle 10 according to this field of vision. 210.

The graphic object 2100 corresponds for example to a pictogram representing a warning sign, a vehicle, for example automobile, or a pedestrian, or an arrow indicating a direction to follow. The graphic object 2100 is for example semi-transparent to allow the driver to see the road environment through this graphic object 2100.

When the display of the image is intended to alert the driver of the vehicle 10 to a potential danger, the graphic object is for example displayed at the location of an object detected in front of the vehicle 10, for example the vehicle 11 to draw the driver's attention to this detected object. The graphic object 2100 corresponds to a virtual element added by augmented reality by overlaying or superimposing this virtual element on an element of the real world. The movement of the graphical object 2100 follows, for example, the movement of an object detected in front of the vehicle 10, the movement of the detected object corresponding, for example, to the movement of the detected object, where applicable, relative to the movement of the vehicle 10. According to a variant, the graphic object 2100 is initially displayed in a first position before following the movement of the detected object.

A process for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10 (that is to say by one or more devices on board the vehicle 10).

Vehicle 11 is detected by vehicle 10 from an on-board sensor of vehicle 10.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, a sensor of the millimeter wave radar type is used to detect the vehicle 11 located at a distance of up to approximately 150 m, or even a little more for the most efficient.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, a sensor of the roadside device 14 or the vehicle 11 can emit a signal carrying information representative of the traffic lane on which the vehicle 11 is traveling and of the direction of traffic of the vehicle. vehicle 11. This information can be received by the vehicle 10 by a V2X communication mode, for example via a V2V or V2I connection.

In a first operation, a distance D between the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 11 traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane is obtained from at least one sensor.

In a second operation, if the distance D is greater than a threshold TH1, a visual and/or audible alert is triggered in the vehicle 10.

This visual and/or sound alert is only triggered as an indication for the driver of the vehicle 10 and its level of danger is low because the vehicle 11 is far from the vehicle 10. The threshold TH1 can be fixed by the maximum range of an on-board sensor of the vehicle 10 which can be used to detect the vehicle 11 when this vehicle 11 is relatively close to the vehicle 10 (of the order of approximately 200 m). For example, the visual alert can be displayed on a central screen of the vehicle 10 or a warning light can light up on the dashboard of the vehicle 10.

In a third operation, if the distance D is less than the threshold TH1, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an alert of a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

Vehicles 10 and 11 being relatively close to each other, the level of danger increases and the image displayed challenges the driver of vehicle 10 who can react accordingly.

In a fourth operation, if the distance D is less than the threshold TH1, a meeting time T of the vehicles 10 and 11 is also obtained from the distance D and the speed of the vehicle 10.

In a fifth operation, if the meeting time T is greater than a threshold TH2, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an incentive to brake is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

For example, if vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed of 50 km/h, a millimeter wave radar on board vehicle 10 can detect vehicle 11 at 150m and estimate that the encounter time is 5.4 seconds. The encounter time T is then equal to 5.4 seconds and can then be considered as greater than the threshold TH2.

If vehicle 10 is traveling at a speed of 100 km/h, the radar can detect vehicle 11 at 150m in 2.7 seconds. The encounter time T is then equal to 2.7 seconds and can then be considered to be lower than the threshold TH2.

[Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a display of a graphic object representative of an incentive to brake according to a particular and non-limiting example embodiment of the present invention. The image displayed by the augmented reality system 3 comprises a graphic object 11 representing a pictogram representing a danger sign positioned at the location of the detected vehicle 11 and a graphic object I2 representing a pictogram representing a foot pressing a brake pedal. Vehicles 10 and 11 being close to each other, the level of danger becomes critical and the displayed image suggests that the driver of vehicle 10 brake to avoid approaching vehicle 11 too quickly.

In a sixth operation, if the encounter time T is less than the threshold TH2, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the avoidance maneuver consists in proposing a change of lane to the vehicle 10.

[Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a display of a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The image displayed by the augmented reality system 3 comprises a graphic object I3 representing a pictogram representing a change of traffic lane to the right.

Since vehicles 10 and 11 are close to each other, the level of danger is very critical and the image displayed offers the driver of vehicle 10 an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision between vehicles 10 and 11.

According to a variant, an audible alert is triggered in the vehicle 10 if the encounter time T is less than the threshold TH2.

According to a variant, the lane change is conditional on the availability of a destination lane and the absence of obstacles on this destination lane.

The displayed image is generated, for example by an on-board computer of the vehicle 10. The image corresponds, for example, to a matrix of pixels, each pixel being associated with gray level information, for example information on the level of gray coded on 8, 10 or 12 bits for each color channel of a determined color space, for example RGB (from English “Red, Green, Blue” or in French “Rouge, vert, bleu”).

[Fig. 6] schematically illustrates an augmented reality system 3 for the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The system 3 comprises a device or a control unit 31 configured for the processing of data received from sensors of the vehicle 10 and/or from systems on board the vehicle 10 and/or from remote devices connected to the vehicle 10. control 31 is advantageously configured to generate images from the data received.

The control unit 31 advantageously comprises one or more processors of the CPU type (from the English "Central Processing Unit" or in French "Unité centrale de treatment") and/or GPU (from the English "Graphics Processing Unit" or in French "graphic processor") associated with a memory. The control unit 31 corresponds for example to a computer or to a combination of computers.

The data representative of an image are transmitted to a projector 32 configured to project a light beam representative of the image.

The projector 32 is for example of the “emissive” type and corresponds for example to a laser scanner comprising at least one laser diode, for example three laser diodes to generate three different colors, for example RGB (one diode per RGB color).

A laser scanner advantageously comprises a diffuser and a scanning unit generating a light beam, which light beam scans the rear face of the diffuser. The scanning unit comprises for example a light beam generator associated with a matrix of micromirrors, called DMD (from the English "Digital Micromirror Device") configured to direct the light beam on the rear face of the diffuser. The DMD comprises a matrix of mobile mirrors produced in the form of a micro-electromechanical system, known as MEMS (from the English "Micro-Electro-Mechanichal System").

According to another example, the projector 32 is for example of the "light modulation" type and corresponds for example to a display screen, for example an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Liquid crystal display"), for example of the TFT type type (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Thin film transistor"), or an OLED type screen (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Organic electroluminescent diode”). The system 3 also comprises a reflective device 33 associated with the projector 32. The reflective device 33 is configured to direct the light beam (emitted by the projector 32 towards the surface 101 for display of the image in the field of vision of the point of view 21. According to a variant, the system 3 does not include such a reflecting device, the projector being arranged so as to project the light beam directly onto the surface 101.

According to an optional variant embodiment, the system 3 further comprises optical means (for example an arrangement of optical lenses not shown) configured to focus the image in an image plane.

The system 3 is for example configured for the display of images as generated by the operations described with regard to FIGS. 1 to 5 and/or by steps of the method described with regard to FIG. 8.

[Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a device for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The device 40 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

The device 40 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to FIGS. 1 to 5 and/or of the steps of the method described with regard to FIG. 8. Examples of such a device 40 comprise, without being limited, on-board electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic computer such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer. The elements of device 40, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and/or into discrete components. The device 40 can be made in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or else a combination of electronic circuits and software modules. The device 40 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 401 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software or software embedded in the vehicle 10. The processor 401 can include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 40 further comprises at least one memory 403 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which can comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM , PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

The computer code of the on-board software or software comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on the memory 403.

According to different particular and non-limiting examples of embodiment, the device 40 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and/or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French "Telematic Control Unit"), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input/output ports.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 40 comprises a block 402 of interface elements for communicating with external devices such as, for example, the device 14 or the vehicle 11. The interface elements of the block 402 include one or more of the following interfaces:

- RF radiofrequency interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the band frequency at 2.4 GHz, or of the Sigfox type using UBN radio technology (Ultra Narrow Band, in French ultra narrow band), or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (from English " Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long terme”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced);

Data, such as data obtained by sensors are for example loaded to the device 40 via the interface of block 402 using a Wi-Fi® network such that according to IEEE 802.11, an ITS G5 network based on IEEE 802.11 p or a mobile network such as a 4G (or 5G) network based on the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard defined by the 3GPP consortium, in particular a network LTE-V2X.

According to another particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the device 40 comprises a communication interface 404 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers or on-board sensors) via a communication channel 405 The communication interface 404 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 405. The communication interface 404 corresponds for example to a CAN-type wired network (of English “Controller Area Network” or in French “Réseau de Contrôleurs”), CAN FD (from English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de Contrôleurs à Flow de Data Flexible”), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the device 40 can supply output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 406, touchscreen or not, one or more loudspeakers 407 and/or other peripherals 408 (augmented reality system 3) respectively via output interfaces 409, 410 and 411. According to a variant, one or the other of the external devices is integrated into the device 40.

For example, if the distance D is greater than the threshold TH1, the visual alert can be displayed on the screen 406 and/or the sound alert can be emitted by the loudspeakers 407.

The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 40 of Figure 7. In a first step 51 , a distance D between the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 11 traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane is obtained from at least one sensor.

In a second step 52, if the distance D is greater than the threshold TH1, a visual and/or audible warning of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction is triggered in the vehicle 10.

In a third step 53, if the distance D is less than the threshold TH1, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an alert for a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

In a fourth step 54, if the distance D is less than the threshold TH1, the meeting time T between the vehicles 10 and 11 from the distance D and a speed of the vehicle 10.

In a fifth step 55, if the encounter time T is greater than the threshold TH2, an image comprising a graphic object representative of an incentive to brake is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

In a sixth step 56, if the encounter time T is less than the threshold TH2, an image comprising a graphical object representative of an avoidance maneuver is displayed by the augmented reality system 3 of the vehicle 10.

According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to Figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the method of Figure 8.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land motor vehicle, comprising the device 40 of FIG.

Claims

1. Method for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, said method being implemented by a processor, said method comprising the following steps:

- Obtaining (51), from at least one sensor, a distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane;

- if the distance is greater than a first threshold, triggering (52) of a visual and/or audible warning of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction in the first vehicle; - if the distance is less than the first threshold, display (53) of an image comprising a graphical object representative of an alert of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction by an augmented reality system of the first vehicle; obtaining (54) a meeting time between the first and second vehicles from the distance and a speed of the first vehicle; if the meeting time is greater than a second threshold, display (55) of an image comprising a graphic object representative of an incentive to brake by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle; and if the encounter time is less than the second threshold, display (56) of an image comprising a graphic object representative of an avoidance maneuver by the augmented reality system of the first vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein if the meeting time is less than the second threshold, the method further comprises a step of triggering an audible alert in the first vehicle.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which a displayed image further comprises at least one graphical object representing a parameter or an operating state of the first vehicle or contextual or environmental information of the first vehicle .

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one sensor is embedded in the first vehicle.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein said at least one sensor is a millimeter wave radar, a camera or an optoelectronic sensor or an on-board ultrasound sensor of the first vehicle.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one sensor is embedded in a roadside device located in an environment of the first vehicle.

7. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

8. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Device (40) for alerting vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on the same traffic lane, said device comprising a memory (403) associated with at least one processor (401) configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (40) according to claim 9.