FR3146527A1 - Method and device for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle by means of a warning light - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a differential lock system (known as the RDL system) of a vehicle (10). For this purpose, a signaling indicator representing the RDL system is displayed according to a first graphic representation representing a first activation state of the RDL system in a determined content of a human-machine interface displayed on a touch screen (13). First data representing a touch press on the signaling indicator are received. The signaling indicator is displayed according to another graphic representation different from the first graphic representation and representative of another activation state of the RDL system different from the first activation state in the first part of the screen (13). Abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle by means of a warning light

The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for controlling the activation and deactivation of the differential lock system of a vehicle. The invention also relates to methods and devices for controlling a display system of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for assisting in driving a vehicle.

Technological background

Some contemporary vehicles have several screens to display information useful to the driver for driving the vehicle as well as comfort information, such as information for interacting with the vehicle's infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system.

Among these screens, it is known to embed one or more LCD type screens (from the English “Liquid Crystal Display” or in French “Display à cristaux liquide”), for example of the TFT type (from the English “Thin-Film Transistor” or in French “Transistor en film mince”), or OLED type (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente biologique”).

The integration of such screens associated with a touch interface makes it possible to control via this touch interface and the graphic Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displayed on such a screen one or more system(s) embedded in the vehicle, for example the air conditioning system, by navigating in menus and setting the value of certain parameters, for example from values proposed in drop-down menus or by entering the desired value in a field of the HMI provided for this purpose.

Control of some of these on-board systems is also enabled by one or more control levers and/or physical buttons provided around or on the steering wheel, or on the dashboard or a central console of the vehicle.

The multiplication of command or control means leads to a complexity of the HMI by which a user interacts with the on-board systems to control them, with in particular a multiplication of icons or command shortcuts whose control and management are consequently complicated for a user. The user experience is degraded and the attention of the driver of the vehicle may be reduced when the driver navigates through the different menus of the HMI or looks for the control levers to execute the function(s) that he wishes to activate at the level of the on-board systems, for example the driver assistance systems, known as ADAS systems (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système d'aide à la conduite supérieur") or any system or organ embedded in the vehicle ensuring the operation of the vehicle or making it possible to supervise the operation of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the multiplication of display devices in a vehicle as well as the multiplication of means of controlling on-board systems increases the price of these vehicles and complicates access to information for the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle, which can also degrade the user experience.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of one or more differential locking systems of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

Another object of the present invention is for example to improve the user experience with regard to the control of this differential locking system.

Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve safety in a vehicle.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a differential locking system of a vehicle, called RDL system, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, the method comprising the following steps:
- display control of a signaling indicator representative of the RDL system, according to a first graphic representation in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed on a first part of the touch screen, the first graphic representation of the signaling indicator being representative of a first activation state of the RDL system;
- reception of first data representative of a tactile press on the indicator light;
- transmitting a request to transition the RDL system from the first activation state to a second activation state;
- display control of the indicator light, according to another graphic representation different from the first graphic representation, in the determined content displayed on the first part of the touch screen, the other graphic representation being representative of another activation state of the RDL system different from the first activation state.

The direct use of the RDL system representative indicator light (from the English "Rear Differential Lock") for the control of this RDL system, for example to control the activation or deactivation of the system, i.e. to control the locking or unlocking of the differential, makes it possible to improve the control of the RDL system by providing direct access to the control via the use of the TDL system symbol displayed on a touch screen.

User control access is centralized on this touchscreen, reducing the time spent searching for the function and thus improving the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

According to a variant, the first activation state and the second activation state belong to a set of activation states of the RDL system comprising:
- a disabled state; and
- an activated state.

According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of receiving second data representative of a response from the RDL system to the request, the display control of the indicator light according to the other graphic representation being a function of the second data.

According to a further variant, when the first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state:
- the other graphical representation corresponds to a second graphical representation representative of the second activation state corresponding to the activated state; and
- the other graphical representation corresponds to a third graphical representation different from the second graphical representation and representative of a third activation state corresponding to a current activation or deactivation state.

According to yet another variant, the display control of the indicator light according to the other graphic representation is implemented when the first data is representative of a tactile press on the indicator light for a duration less than a threshold.

According to an additional variant, when the first data are representative of a tactile press on the indicator light for a duration greater than the threshold and when the first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state, the method comprises a step of controlling the display of first information representative of an operating state of the RDL system, the first information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information representative of a faulty operating state of the RDL system;
- information representative of a faulty operating state of a system other than the RDL system and associated with said RDL system; and
- information representative of a correct operating state.

According to another variant, the method further comprises the following steps when the other activation state corresponds to the third activation state corresponding to the current activation or deactivation state:
- reception of third data representative of a tactile press on the signaling indicator displayed according to the third graphic representation, the tactile press corresponding to a tactile press of a duration greater than the threshold;
- control of display of second information representative of the current activation or deactivation state following receipt of the third data, the second information belonging to a set of information comprising:
● information representative of differential release in progress; and
● information representative of an alert for exceeding a threshold speed associated with the RDL system.

According to a further variant, the first information and the second information are displayed on a second part of the touch screen different from the first part.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a differential locking system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing 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, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a 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 carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

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

On the other hand, this recording medium may 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 means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

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

Brief description of the figures

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

schematically illustrates a portion of a vehicle passenger compartment, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a vehicle display device of the , according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates the vehicle's display device of the , according to a second particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates the vehicle's display device of the , according to a third particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates the vehicle's display device of the , according to a fourth particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates the vehicle's display device of the , according to a fifth particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

illustrates a device configured to control a differential lock system of the vehicle of the , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method of controlling a differential lock system of the vehicle of the , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of examples of implementation

A method and device for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 8. Like elements are identified with like reference signs throughout the description which follows.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of a lighting differential lock system (called RDL system, from the English “Rear Differential Lock” or in French “Blockage du différents arrière”) of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle. The method comprises the control of the display of a signaling indicator representative of the RDL system of the vehicle according to a first graphic representation of the signaling indicator. The signaling indicator corresponds for example to a symbol or a pictogram representing the RDL system and displayed on a touch screen of the vehicle. The signaling indicator is displayed on the screen according to its first graphic representation in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, for example in a determined page of the HMI corresponding for example to the home screen or to the default screen of the HMI. The first graphic representation of the signaling indicator is for example representative of a first activation state of the RDL system, for example the activated state (or the deactivated state). Data representative of a touch press on the displayed indicator light are received from the touch interface, for example when a user makes a touch press on the touch screen at the location where the indicator light is displayed in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen. Following receipt of the data representative of the touch press, a request to switch the RDL system from the first activation state to a second activation state is transmitted, for example to the computer responsible for controlling the RDL system. The second activation state corresponds for example to the activated state (or to the deactivated state) when the first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state (or respectively to the activated state). Finally, the display of the indicator light is controlled to display the indicator light according to a graphic representation different from the first graphic representation in the determined content of the HMI displayed on the touch screen. This other graphical representation corresponds, for example, to a second graphical representation representative of the second activation state or to a third graphical representation representative of a third activation state (corresponding, for example, to a state known as activation or deactivation in progress).

Such a method makes it possible to control the transition from the first activation state to the second activation state (and vice versa) by a single touch press on the indicator light that corresponds to the symbol associated with the RDL system displayed in the HMI displayed on the touch screen of the vehicle. This avoids the user wishing to switch from the first activation state to the second activation state (or vice versa) from having to search in the various menus or contents of the HMI where the option to activate/deactivate the RDL system is located, the activation state control being obtained directly by pressing the symbol of the RDL system. The symbol of the RDL system corresponds, according to a particular example, to a symbol defined in an international standard, for example an ISO standard.

There schematically illustrates a portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds for example to a land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment or at least equipped with a display screen, for example an automobile, a truck, a coach, a motorcycle.

The vehicle 10 advantageously includes a display system comprising a screen 13 with a touch interface and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical HMI on the touch screen 13. The computer corresponds for example to the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) computer of the vehicle 10. The connection between the computer and the head-up display device corresponds for example to a connection of the LVDS type (Low Voltage Differential Signaling).

According to a particular embodiment, the display system further comprises a display screen 12 corresponding for example to a transparent or semi-transparent blade 12, for example arranged on the top of the dashboard 11 in front of the windshield of the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 is for example arranged behind the steering wheel 14, according to the point of view of a driver installed in the driver's seat 15, such that the driver sees the content displayed or projected on the transparent blade 12 when the driver is driving the electric vehicle 10. The transparent blade 12 thus corresponds to an element of a device or system called a head-up display. Such a display system comprises for example one or more projectors integrated for example in the dashboard 11. Such a system for projecting images or graphic content corresponds for example to a so-called augmented reality system, called AR (from the English “Augmented Reality”), for example a Head-Up Display system, called VTH or HUD (from the English “Head Up Display” or in French “Display Tête Haute”), which allows the embedding of virtual objects in the driver’s field of vision by projecting the images onto the blade 12, so as to superimpose the virtual objects of the projected images onto the real road scene. The projection of the images of the graphic object is for example controlled by one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

Such a display system comprising the touch screen 13 and the head-up display device 12 is for example provided or configured to reduce the number of screens present in the vehicle 10, making it possible for example to eliminate the display screen(s) called the instrument panel or dashboard and generally arranged in an area 141 behind the steering wheel in the dashboard 11.

According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 has one or more on-board systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, with the IVI computer, form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and/or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data between themselves via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN data bus type (from the English “Controller Area Network” or in French “Réseau de contrôles”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible”), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English “Local Interconnect Network” or in French “Réseau interconnecté local”) or Ethernet (according to the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

The vehicle 10 thus advantageously incorporates a differential locking system, also called RDL system (from the English “Rear Differential Lock” or in French “Blockage du différents arrière”). Such a system is for example controlled by a computer and comprises a mechanical system configured to “lock” the two wheels mounted on the same axle together as if they were connected by a common shaft. The differential lock makes it possible to ensure that the two wheels associated with the same axle rotate at the same speed. The differential locking system is for example installed on the front axle, on the rear axle or on the front and rear axles (for example for all-wheel drive vehicles).

A specific speed value, called a threshold speed, is for example associated with such a differential lock system. Such a threshold value corresponds to the maximum speed value recommended for the vehicle when the differential lock system is activated, i.e. when the differential is locked and both wheels associated with the same axle (front and/or rear) are rotating at the same speed. The threshold value is for example equal to 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 km/h.

A process for controlling the RDL system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers of the vehicle 10, for example by the IVI computer.

In a first operation, the display of a signal indicator representative of the RDL system is controlled in such a way that the signal indicator is displayed on the touch screen 13 according to a first graphical representation. The signal indicator is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen.

The content displayed includes, for example, a set of information useful to the driver to ensure control and supervision of the vehicle 10.

The set of information includes, for example, the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 10 when the latter is in a rolling or traffic phase, that is to say in motion, driven by the engine of the vehicle 10.

The set of information includes for example other additional information such as for example the remaining autonomy (expressed for example in km), the distance traveled, a level of energy remaining in the tank (for example the quantity of electrical energy remaining in the traction battery when the vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle or the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank when the vehicle 10 is a vehicle with a thermal engine), etc.

The first graphic representation of the signaling witness is advantageously representative of a first activation state of the RDL system.

The first activation state corresponds for example to:
- the activated state (i.e. in the RDL system operating or running state, or “ON” in English) in which the differential of the vehicle 10 is in the locked state; or
- the deactivated state (i.e. in the off or standby state, or “OFF” or “STANDBY” in English) in which the vehicle differential 10 is in the unlocked state; in the unlocked state, the wheels on the same axle can rotate at different rotational speeds.

There illustrates the touch screen 13 with the display, according to a first graphic representation, of a signaling indicator 211 representative of a first activation state of the RDL system. The signaling indicator 211 is displayed in a first determined part 21 of the touch screen 13. The first determined part 21 is for example assigned or dedicated for the display of contents of the HMI controlled by the IVI computer to provide or display to the driver the information necessary for controlling the vehicle 10, for example the instantaneous speed.

One or more second determined parts 22, 23 of the touch screen 13 are for example assigned to other contents of the HMI, for example an area for displaying information associated with the multimedia system of the vehicle 10 and/or an area for displaying information associated with the navigation system of the vehicle 10.

The indicator light 211 corresponds for example to a graphic object or an icon representing the RDL system. The indicator light corresponds for example to an icon representing a transmission system of the vehicle 10 or to the acronym “RDL” or to any other acronym or abbreviation. In the remainder of the text, a graphic object corresponding to the acronym “RDL” will be used to represent the indicator light representing the RDL system.

According to the example of the , the first graphical representation of witness 211 is representative of the first activation state.

According to the example of the , the signaling indicator 211 according to the first graphic representation, for example the acronym “RDL”, is displayed with a first particular color (in gray on the ) representing the first activation state. This first particular color is for example defined in a color space of type RGB (from the English "Red, Green, Blue" or in French "Rouge, vert, bleu"). This first color corresponds for example to gray or red.

According to a variant, the signaling indicator 211, for example the acronym “RDL” is displayed with an attached graphic object representative of the first activation state. For example, when the first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state, the acronym “OFF” is added to the acronym “RDL”, for example in the form of an exponent: “RDL ^OFF ”.

There illustrates the touch screen 13 with the display, according to a second graphic representation 311, of the indicator light representative of the RDL system. The indicator light according to the second graphic representation 311 is displayed in the first determined part 21 of the touch screen 13, at the same location as the indicator light according to the first graphic representation 211 in replacement of the indicator light according to the first graphic representation 211.

According to the example of the , the second graphical representation 311 of the witness is representative of the second activation state and is different from the first graphical representation.

According to the example of the , the signaling indicator according to the second graphic representation 311, for example the acronym “RDL”, is displayed with a second particular color (in black on the ) representing the second activation state. This second particular color is for example defined in the RGB color space and corresponds for example to green or red depending on the first color used for the first graphic representation.

According to a variant, the signaling indicator according to the second graphic representation 311, for example the acronym “RDL” is displayed with an attached graphic object representative of the second activation state. For example, when the second activation state corresponds to the activated state, the acronym “ON” is added to the acronym “RDL”, for example in the form of an exponent: “RDL ^ON ”.

There illustrates the touch screen 13 with the display, according to a third graphic representation 311, of the indicator light representative of the RDL system. The indicator light according to the third graphic representation 411 is displayed in the first determined part 21 of the touch screen 13, at the same location as the indicator light according to the first graphic representation 211 or the second graphic representation 311 in replacement of the indicator light according to the first graphic representation 211 or the second graphic representation 311.

According to the example of the , the third graphical representation 411 of the witness is representative of the third activation state and is different from the first graphical representation 211 and the second graphical representation 311.

The third activation state corresponds, for example, to a state of the RDL system in which the locking or unlocking of the differential is in progress, i.e. not completed.

A differential lock or unlock in progress corresponds, for example, to a situation in which a request to lock or unlock the differential is transmitted to the RDL system, but the RDL system cannot process or execute the request due to the condition(s) required for the operation not being met.

According to the example of the , the signaling indicator according to the third graphic representation 411, for example the acronym “RDL”, is displayed with a third particular color representing the third activation state. This third particular color is for example defined in the RGB type color space and corresponds for example to orange, ochre or yellow.

According to a variant, the indicator light according to the third graphic representation 411, for example the acronym “RDL” is further displayed flashing, that is to say the indicator light according to the third representation 411 is displayed so as to flash (or with a flashing luminous halo surrounding the indicator light 411), for example to better draw the driver’s attention to the fact that the RDL system is in the third activation state.

In a second operation of the process, first data representative of a touch press 212 on the indicator light 211 are received, following a touch press by a user on the indicator light.

A touch press 212 on the indicator 211 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the touch press 212.

The first data representative of the touch support 212 are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where appropriate) and the IVI computer.

The first data are for example representative of a so-called brief tactile press, that is to say the duration of the press on the first indicator 211 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms)

In a third operation, the IVI computer transmits a request to the computer controlling the RDL system associated with the indicator light 211 on which the user made a touch press 212. The transmission of the request is triggered automatically by the reception of the data representative of the touch press on the indicator light 211. The request is for example generated automatically by the IVI computer upon reception of the data representative of the touch press and then transmitted automatically via one or more data buses connecting the IVI computer to the computer controlling the RDL system.

The request advantageously includes control or command data to request the transition of the RDL system from the first activation state, that is to say the current state in which the RDL system is found when the indicator light 211 is pressed, to a second activation state.

For example, when the first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state, the transmitted request requires the transition from the deactivated state (first activation state) to the activated state (second activation state) to block the differential, after a tactile press 212 on the indicator displayed according to the first graphic representation 211.

Conversely, when the first activation state corresponds to the activated state, the transmitted request requires the transition from the activated state (first activation state) to the deactivated state (second activation state) to unlock the differential and allow the wheels of the same axle to turn at different speeds, after a tactile press on the indicator displayed according to the second graphic representation 311.

In a fourth operation, the computer receiving the request transmitted by the IVI computer controls the RDL system to command the transition from the first activation state (current state) to the second required activation state.

According to a particular embodiment, an acknowledgement of receipt of the request is transmitted by the RDL system calculator to the IVI calculator upon receipt of the request.

According to this embodiment, in the absence of an acknowledgment received within a determined time interval, the IVI calculator retransmits the request.

According to another embodiment, the computer controlling the RDL system transmits second data in response to the request to the IVI computer.

These second data are for example representative:
- information confirming the transition to the second activation state when the RDL system has actually moved into the second activation state; and/or
- information representing a problem with the RDL system or an associated system intervening in the operation of the RDL system preventing the transition to the second activation state; and/or
- information representing one or more parameters and/or one or more unfulfilled conditions preventing the transition to the second activation state.

In a fifth operation, the IVI calculator controls the display of the indicator light so that the latter is displayed in the determined content of the HMI according to a graphic representation other than the first graphic representation, this other graphic representation being representative of an activation state of the RDL system other than the first activation state.

For example, when the first activation state matches the activated state:
- the other graphical representation corresponds to the second graphical representation 311 representative of the second activation state corresponding to the activated state when the request to switch from the first activation state to the second activation state has succeeded, or in the absence of a response to the request within a determined period (for example within a period equal to 100, 200, 500 or 1000 ms); and
- the other graphical representation corresponds to the third graphical representation 411 representative of the third activation state (corresponding to an activation or deactivation state in progress) when the transition of the RDL system to the second activation state could not be implemented.

Thus, in a situation where the RDL system (and any other on-board systems associated with the RDL system and involved in locking/unlocking the differential) is in an operating state allowing the transition from the first activation state to the required second activation state:
- if the first graphic representation corresponds to that 211 of the (first activation state of the RDL system corresponding to the activated state), then the second graphic representation corresponds to that 311 of the (second activation state of the RDL system corresponding to the deactivated state); and
- if the first graphic representation corresponds to that 311 of the (first activation state of the RDL system corresponding to the deactivated state), then the second graphic representation corresponds to that 211 of the (second activation state of the RDL system corresponding to the activated state).

The display of the indicator light according to the second graphic representation 211 or 311 replaces for example the display of the indicator light according to the first graphic representation 311 or 211 respectively. According to this example, the display location in the content of the HMI and on the screen 13 is the same regardless of the graphic representation (first or second) of the indicator light.

In another example, the signal indicator is displayed in a different location depending on whether it is in the first graphical representation or the second graphical representation (e.g. side by side).

If the user wishes to return the RDL system to the first activation state, he simply needs to press the indicator light 211 or 311 then displayed to trigger the second, third, fourth and fifth operations again, the display of the indicator light being modified again at the end of the process to graphically represent the activation state (activated or deactivated) current and desired by the user.

Such a process allows the user to control with a single click or touch the activation/deactivation status of the RDL system to control the differential lock/unlock. Access to the command is direct from a content or a home page or by default from the vehicle's HMI.

In a situation where the RDL system (and any other on-board system associated with the RDL system and involved in the locking/unlocking of the differential) is in an operating state that does not allow the transition from the first activation state to the required second activation state:
- the indicator light remains displayed according to the graphic representation in which it was at the time of the touch press 212, for example according to the first graphic representation 211 representing the first activation state corresponding for example to the deactivated state; or
- the indicator light is displayed, under the control of the IVI calculator, according to the third graphic representation 411 to indicate a problem or a delay in the transition to the second activation state.

According to a particular embodiment, for example to obtain more information on the current state of the RDL system and/or on the reason for the display of the indicator light according to the third graphic representation 411, a touch press, called long, that is to say of a duration greater than the threshold duration defined previously (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms) on the indicator light, triggers the reception by the IVI computer of data representative of a long touch press on the displayed indicator light.

According to this particular embodiment, when the indicator light is displayed according to the first graphic representation 211 representative of a first activation state corresponding to the deactivated state, a long tactile press on the indicator light 211 triggers the control of the display by the IVI computer of first information representative of a current operating state of the RDL system.

This initial information includes, for example:
- information representative of a faulty operating state of the RDL system; and/or
- information representative of a faulty operating state of a system other than the RDL system and associated with said RDL system; and/or
- information representative of a correct operating state.

This first information is for example displayed in a second part 22 of the touch screen different from the first part 21, for example adjacent to this first part 21, as illustrated in the according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment.

The first information displayed in the second part 22 of the screen includes for example an illustration 52 of the transmission of the vehicle 10. When the RDL system encounters a problem, the illustration 52 takes for example a particular shape or color, or the element(s) presenting a fault are highlighted on the illustration.

A text area 51 is for example provided for displaying a text explaining the type of problem, the system experiencing a malfunction (for example the RDL system and/or an associated system) or simply specifying that the RDL system is in working order, that is to say that it can be activated by a simple touch press 521 on the indicator 211 when the latter is representative of the deactivated state. When the RDL system has a problem and it cannot be activated, the message displayed in the text area 51 proposes for example a solution, for example that the vehicle must be repaired.

According to this particular embodiment, when the indicator light is displayed according to the third graphic representation 411 representative of the third activation state corresponding to the current activation or deactivation state (or current differential locking or unlocking state), a long tactile press 611 on the indicator light 411 triggers the control of the display by the IVI computer of second information representative of the current activation or deactivation state.

This second information includes for example:
- information representative of the differential unlocking in progress, for example when the differential is still in the process of being unlocked, a new request requesting the blocking cannot for example yet be implemented; and/or
- information representing an alert for exceeding a threshold speed associated with the RDL system, the differential lock not being able to be implemented until the speed of the vehicle 10 is lower than this threshold speed.

This second information is for example displayed in the second part 22 of the touch screen, like the first information, as illustrated in the according to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment.

The second information displayed in the second part 22 of the screen comprises for example an illustration 62 representative of the type of the second information (for example a graphic object representing a speedometer to indicate that the condition or parameter preventing the differential from locking is relative to the speed).

A text box 61 is for example provided for displaying a text explaining the type of problem, for example to specify that the differential unlocking is still in progress or to specify that the speed of the vehicle 10 is too high to authorize the differential locking.

The display of the indicator according to the third graphic representation 411 is for example transient, the indicator switching to the second graphic representation as soon as the condition preventing the activation of the RDL system is lifted: for example if the driver lowers the speed of the vehicle 10 below the threshold speed, the indicator automatically switches from the third graphic representation 411 to the second graphic representation 311 indicating that the RDL system is active and the differential locked.

There schematically illustrates a device 7 configured for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 7 corresponds for example to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, for example a calculator.

The device 7 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 6 and/or the steps of the method described with regard to the . Examples of such a device 7 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the device 7, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and/or in discrete components. The device 7 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

The device 7 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 70 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 7. The processor 70 may include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 7 further comprises at least one memory 71 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which may 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 embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 71.

According to various particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the device 7 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 exemplary embodiment, the device 7 comprises a block 72 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 72 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:
- RF radio frequency 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 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced;
- USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);
- HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface”);
- LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 7 comprises a communication interface 73 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 730. The communication interface 73 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 730. The communication interface 73 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 7 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 740, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 750 and/or other peripherals 760 (projection system) via output interfaces 74, 75 and 76 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 7.

There illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 7 of the .

In a first step 81, the display of a signaling indicator representative of the RDL system is controlled so that the signaling indicator is displayed according to a first graphic representation in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed on a first part of the touch screen (13), the first graphic representation of the signaling indicator being representative of a first activation state of the RDL system.

In a second step 82, first data representative of a tactile press on the indicator light are received.

In a third step 83, a request to switch the RDL system from the first activation state to a second activation state is transmitted.

In a fourth step 84, the display of the indicator light is controlled in such a way that the indicator light is displayed according to another graphic representation different from the first graphic representation in the determined content displayed on the first part of the touch screen, the other graphic representation being representative of another activation state of the RDL system different from the first activation state.

Alternatively, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 6 apply to the steps of the method of the .

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method of displaying a signaling indicator representative of the RDL system according to several graphic representations 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-powered vehicle, comprising the device 7 of the or a display system comprising the device 7 of the connected in communication to a touch screen 13.

Claims (10)

Method for controlling a differential lock system of a vehicle (10), called RDL system, said vehicle (10) having a display system comprising a touch screen (13), said method comprising the following steps:
- control (81) of display of a signaling indicator representative of said RDL system, according to a first graphic representation (211) in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, displayed on a first part (21) of said touch screen (13), said first graphic representation (211) of said signaling indicator being representative of a first activation state of said RDL system;
- reception (82) of first data representative of a tactile press (212) on said indicator light (211);
- transmitting (83) a request to switch said RDL system from said first activation state to a second activation state;
- control (84) of display of said indicator light, according to another different graphic representation (311, 411) from said first graphic representation (211), in said determined content displayed on said first part (21) of said touch screen (13), said other graphic representation (311, 411) being representative of another activation state of said RDL system different from said first activation state. The method of claim 1, wherein said first activation state and said second activation state belong to a set of activation states of said RDL system comprising:
- a disabled state; and
- an activated state. Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of receiving second data representative of a response from said RDL system to said request, said control of display of said indicator light according to said other graphic representation (311, 411) being a function of said second data. Method according to claim 3 in dependence on claim 2, for which, when said first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state:
- said other graphical representation corresponds to a second graphical representation (311) representative of said second activation state corresponding to the activated state; and
- said other graphic representation corresponds to a third graphic representation (411) different from said second graphic representation (311) and representative of a third activation state corresponding to a current activation or deactivation state. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, for which said control (84) of display of said indicator light according to said other graphic representation is implemented when said first data are representative of a tactile press on said indicator light of a duration less than a threshold. Method according to claim 5 in dependence on claim 2, for which, when said first data are representative of a tactile press on said indicator light of a duration greater than said threshold and when said first activation state corresponds to the deactivated state, said method comprises a step of controlling the display of first information representative of an operating state of said RDL system, said first information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information representative of a faulty operating state of said RDL system;
- information representative of a faulty operating state of a system other than said RDL system and associated with said RDL system; and
- information representative of a correct operating state. A method according to claim 5 or 6 in dependence on claim 4, further comprising the following steps when said other activation state corresponds to said third activation state corresponding to the current activation or deactivation state:
- receiving third data representative of a tactile press (611) on said signaling indicator displayed according to said third graphic representation (411), said tactile press (611) corresponding to a tactile press of a duration greater than said threshold;
- control of display of second information representative of said current activation or deactivation state following the reception of said third data, said second information belonging to a set of information comprising:
● information representative of differential release in progress; and
● information representative of an alert for exceeding a threshold speed associated with the RDL system. Method according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said first information and said second information are displayed on a second part (22) of said touch screen different from said first part (21). Device (7) for controlling a differential locking system of a vehicle (10), said device (7) comprising a memory (71) associated with at least one processor (70) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (7) according to claim 9.