Apparatus and system for locating an object

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for positioning an object, comprising: at least two lighting modules (10), each lighting module (10) being arranged to emit an emission light beam; at least one detection circuit (20) arranged to receive the at least two reflected light beams; a calculation unit (30) arranged to determine the position of the object by analyzing the at least two reflected light beams; characterised in that each light beam (F) emitted by one of said at least two lighting modules (10) has a primary light distribution obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions, the device further comprising at least one optical component (40) arranged to shield a portion of said at least two secondary light distributions, one of the secondary light distributions is arranged to be at least partially superimposed on the other secondary light distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for locating an object.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a device for locating an object located in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle for controlling functions in the passenger compartment, such as audio, air conditioning, telephone, navigation, etc.

[0003] The invention further relates to a system for locating an object, which is preferably located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] An object localization device is known, comprising at least two light modules located on the same axis, which illuminate an object and whose light reflected by said object is received by an optical receiver. According to this arrangement, conventional triangulation methods are not applicable, since the light beams emitted by the light modules are aligned on the same axis. Therefore, in this configuration, it is feasible to derive position information from the reflected light beams based only on at least two light beams, each having a spatially variable intensity according to the emission direction.

[0005] Light modules that make it possible to obtain spatially variable intensities depending on their emission direction are usually obtained using specific light guides coupled to light sources. These light guides have complex shapes and therefore require high alignment with their light sources and other elements present in the positioning device. As a result, alignment errors reduce the performance of the object positioning device. In addition, these devices are complex to implement, which also leads to problems in terms of the production costs of such devices. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to correct the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention proposes a device for locating an object, comprising:

[0007] at least two lighting modules, each lighting module being arranged to emit a light beam in a propagation direction, referred to as an emitted light beam;

[0008] at least one detection circuit configured to receive at least two reflected light beams, each reflected light beam being associated with a reflection of a light beam emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules from the object,

[0009] The at least two lighting modules and the at least one detection circuit are located in the same plane, and the device further comprises:

[0010] a computing unit configured to determine the position of the object by analyzing the at least two reflected light beams,

[0011] Characterized in that each light beam emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules has a main light distribution obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions, and the device also includes at least one optical component, which is arranged to shield a part of the at least two secondary light distributions, and one of the secondary light distributions is arranged to at least partially superimpose on another of the secondary light distributions.

[0012] Due to the arrangement of the optical components and the secondary light distribution, the main distribution of the emission beam can be easily modeled. Therefore, the device according to the present disclosure makes it possible to easily obtain emission beams, each of which has a spatially varying main distribution. This solution is easy to adopt and implement and is low-cost, because the device is made of standard components that are easier to arrange in the device according to the present invention. They also require fewer adjustments. As a result, the device according to the present disclosure is easier to modulate or modify.

[0013] In the following, a light distribution is understood to mean a radiation pattern of a light beam associated with the light distribution. Such a light distribution can be represented by its associated spatial distribution or its associated angular distribution.

[0014] In the present invention, the total angular range is understood to be the total aperture angle or the total angular range of the angular distribution of the light distribution.

[0015] In the present invention, the intensity emitted by the light source varies with the emission direction. Each light source preferably has a total angular range that is symmetrical about its optical axis. Preferably, each total angular range has a maximum point located on the optical axis of the light source.

[0016] The total angular range or total aperture angle defines the half angle. In the present disclosure, the half angle corresponds to half of the total angular range or total aperture angle. Thus, it is possible to define that the illumination limit, light intensity or curve is halved at the half angle. Thus, at the half angle, the emission intensity emitted by the light source at this angle is half of the intensity emitted at the center, that is to say half of the intensity emitted along the optical axis of the light source.

[0017] Further advantageous and non-limiting features of the device according to the invention, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination, are described below.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the main light distribution emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules is arranged to at least partially illuminate the same spatial area in the vertical direction as at least one other main light distribution emitted by at least one other lighting module of the at least two lighting modules, thereby positioning the object along the vertical direction of the plane.

[0019] According to this aforementioned embodiment, each sub-distribution of one of the at least two lighting modules is arranged to at least partially illuminate in vertical direction the same spatial area as at least one of the at least two sub-distributions of at least one other of the at least two lighting modules.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the device according to the present invention comprises at least two other lighting modules located on the plane, the at least one detection circuit is located between the at least two lighting modules and the at least two other lighting modules, and the main light distribution emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules is arranged to at least partially illuminate the same spatial area in the horizontal direction as the at least one main light distribution emitted by at least one other lighting module of the at least two other lighting modules, so as to be able to locate the object along the horizontal direction of the plane, thereby obtaining the three-dimensional position of the object.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each lighting module comprises at least two different light sources, each light source emitting an initial light beam having one of said secondary light distributions.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least two light sources are arranged along a principal axis which is parallel or orthogonal to the axis of the plane.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, each lighting module comprises a light source arranged to emit a primary light beam in a light guide arranged to emit the at least two secondary light distributions.

[0024] In another embodiment, each primary light distribution has a maximum point with respect to maximum light intensity, each maximum point of a primary light distribution being angularly separated from other maximum points of other primary light distributions by at least 10 degrees in the vertical direction.

[0025] In one embodiment, each lighting module comprises an optical axis, and the optical axes of the at least two lighting modules are inclined by 10 to 90 degrees relative to each other.

[0026] In one embodiment, the angular distribution of each secondary light distribution is different from the angular distribution of at least one other secondary light distribution of the same lighting module.

[0027] In one embodiment, the total angle range of each main light distribution is between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, preferably between 20 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0028] In one embodiment, the total angular range of each secondary light distribution is between 20 and 150 degrees, preferably between 50 and 120 degrees.

[0029] In another embodiment, in the same lighting module, the total angular range of at least one of the secondary angular distributions is between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, preferably between 30 degrees and 50 degrees, and the total angular range of at least another of the at least two secondary angular distributions is between 45 degrees and 150 degrees, preferably between 70 degrees and 120 degrees.

[0030] In other words, in this embodiment, in the same lighting module, the total angle range of at least one of the secondary angular distributions is between 20 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably between 20 degrees and 25 degrees, and the total angle range of at least another of the at least two secondary angular distributions is between 40 degrees and 80 degrees, preferably between 50 degrees and 70 degrees.

[0031] In an embodiment, the at least one optical component is arranged to shield at least half of the at least two secondary light distributions of the same lighting module.

[0032] In one embodiment, the at least one optical component is an absorption element or a beam deflecting element.

[0033] In one embodiment, the at least two lighting modules are arranged on either side of the at least one optical component.

[0034] In one embodiment, the emitted light beam is an infrared light beam.

[0035] In another embodiment, the light beam emitted by each lighting module is a pulse light beam.

[0036] In one embodiment, the pulsed light beam comprises at least one pulse of at least ten microseconds.

[0037] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a control circuit configured to alternately activate the at least two lighting modules.

[0038] In one embodiment, the at least two lighting modules are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of the plane.

[0039] In one embodiment, the position of the object is determined according to a graph linking the ratio between the intensity of one of the at least two reflected light beams and the intensity of another of the at least two reflected light beams.

[0040] The present invention also proposes a system, comprising:

[0041] According to the device disclosed in the present invention,

[0042] The display screen is arranged to extend in two directions, namely the main vertical direction and the main horizontal direction,

[0043] The at least two lighting modules and the at least one detection circuit are aligned along the main horizontal direction.

[0044] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not mutually exclusive or incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is given by way of non-limiting examples to help better understand the content of the present invention and its implementation methods.

[0046] In the attached picture:

[0047] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[0048] [ Figure 2 ] is a schematic diagram of a chart, which is used to Figure 1 The device determines the angular position of the object by intensity changes of two reflected light beams of each lighting module;

[0049] [ Figure 3 ] is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a lighting module used in a device according to the present invention;

[0050] [ Figure 4 ] is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a lighting module used in a device according to the present invention;

[0051] [ Figure 5 ] is a first embodiment of an arrangement of two lighting modules and a detection circuit in a device according to the present invention;

[0052] [ Figure 6 ] for use Figure 5 Schematic diagram of two main light distributions obtained by the device shown;

[0053] [ Figure 7 ] is a second embodiment of the arrangement of two lighting modules and a detection circuit in a device according to the present invention;

[0054] [ Figure 8 ] for use Figure 7 Schematic diagram of two main light distributions obtained by the device shown;

[0055] [ Fig. 9 ] is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

[0056] [ Fig.10 ] is a side view of a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

[0057] [ Fig.11] is a front view of the first embodiment of the system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Device

[0059] Will refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 A first embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention for locating an object 5 is described. By way of example, the object may be associated with a hand of a person who is positioned facing the device 100.

[0060] In this example, Figure 1 The device 100 shown comprises two lighting modules 10 (respectively denoted as 10A, 10B), a detection circuit 20, a computing unit 30 and an optical component 40. Advantageously, the computing unit 30 of the device 100 may be a computer, a processor or any other electronic component for implementing a series of commands and / or calculations.

[0061] In the device 100, each lighting module 10 is arranged to emit a light beam in a propagation direction 17, referred to as the emitted light beam F. The detection circuit 20 is arranged to receive two reflected light beams. Each reflected light beam is associated with a reflection of a light beam F emitted by one of the two lighting modules 10 from the object 5. Therefore, each reflected light beam is associated with a lighting module 10.

[0062] The calculation unit 30 is arranged to determine the position of the object 5 by analyzing the two reflected light beams.

[0063] According to this example, each light beam F emitted by the two lighting modules 10 has a main light distribution 13 obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions 14. The device 100 also includes an optical component 40, which is arranged to shield a portion of the at least two secondary light distributions, wherein one of the secondary light distributions 141 is arranged to at least partially superimpose on the other secondary light distribution 142.

[0064] Figure 3 A first exemplary embodiment of a lighting module 10 of a device 100 for emitting a light beam F is shown. Figure 3 The illustrated lighting module 10 comprises at least two different light sources 11 , 12 .

[0065] Figure 3Both light sources 11, 12 shown in the figure are used to emit an initial light beam 15. Each initial light beam 15 emitted by the light sources 11, 12 has a secondary light distribution 14. By way of example, a secondary light distribution 141 is emitted by the light source 11 and a light distribution 142 is emitted by the light source 12. The two secondary light distributions 141 and 142 are superimposed (here along a secondary overlap region 19) so that a main light distribution 13 is created by combining the two secondary light distributions 141, 142.

[0066] According to this example, the properties of the emission flux F therefore depend on the initial light beams 15 emitted by the two light sources 11, 12. The main light distribution 13 is therefore a function of the properties of the secondary light distributions 141, 142, in particular the properties of the secondary light distributions in the secondary overlap region 19. By way of example, the properties of the secondary light distributions are understood to mean at least one of the features listed below:

[0067] The shape of the secondary light distribution,

[0068] Its etendue, defined by its total angular extent or its total angular aperture,

[0069] The change of its spatial intensity,

[0070] The change in its angular intensity,

[0071] Its spectrum,

[0072] The wavelength etc. associated with the initial light beam 15 of the secondary light distribution.

[0073] This arrangement can easily simulate the emission light beam F and the main light distribution 13 associated with the emission light beam F. Figure 3 The lighting module 10 is composed of standard components, is easy to implement and has low cost. In addition, these components require little adjustment or very easy adjustment compared to using a light module composed of complex light guides.

[0074] according to Figure 3 In the example shown, both secondary distributions 141, 142 of the initial light beam 15 emitted by the two light sources 11, 12 have secondary propagation directions 111, 112. The secondary propagation directions 111, 112 are aligned within 0.3 mm on the same axis P and are parallel to the propagation direction 17 of the emitted light beam F. In this example, the secondary light distributions 141, 142 each have a secondary maximum point 113, 114, which is related to the maximum intensity of the secondary light distribution 141, 142 associated therewith.

[0075] exist Figure 3In the example of , these secondary maximum points 113, 114 are aligned on the same axis, here the axis P. The angular position of the maximum point 113 on its associated secondary light distribution 141 is therefore equal to the angular position of the maximum point 114 associated with the secondary light distribution 142. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a primary distribution 13 with a single maximum intensity point 133.

[0076] In this example, the optical component 40 is located Figure 3 In the lighting module 10 shown. Preferably, it is arranged to shield a portion 18 of the secondary light distribution 141, 142. Therefore, the optical component 40 is positioned to cut off a portion of the secondary light distribution 141, 142, in particular the portion located after the secondary maximum point 113, 114 of each secondary light distribution 141, 142. Therefore, for each initial light beam 15, only the portion of the secondary distribution 141 or 142 oriented on the side not shielded by the optical component 40 (that is, the other side of the maximum point 113, 114) remains. The use of such an optical component 40 makes it easy and inexpensive to select the portion of the secondary light distribution 141, 142 that will form the main light distribution 13. In a preferred embodiment, the optical component 40 is an absorption element, which is arranged to absorb a portion of the two secondary distributions 141, 142. In another embodiment, the optical component 40 can be a beam deflecting element. Preferably, the optical component 40 is arranged to shield half of the two secondary light distributions 141, 142. This arrangement further increases the simplicity of selecting the functionality of the optical component 40 explained above.

[0077] The two secondary light distributions 141, 142 each have their own total angular range or total aperture angle. Optionally, the secondary light distribution 141 has an angular distribution that is different from the angular distribution of the secondary light distribution 142. Therefore, the variations of the secondary light distributions 141, 142 are different. According to the example, the total angular range of the secondary light distribution 141 is smaller than the total angular range of the secondary light distribution 142. For example, the total angular range of the secondary light distribution 141 is 50.0 degrees (°), while the total angular range of the secondary light distribution 142 is 120.0 degrees. Therefore, according to the example, the half angle of the secondary light distribution 141 is 25.0 degrees, while the half angle of the secondary light distribution 142 is 60.0 degrees.

[0078] This configuration makes it possible to obtain a main distribution 13 , the angular extent of which depends on the angular extents of the two secondary light distributions 141 , 142 .

[0079] The total angular range of the main light distribution 13 is obtained from the unshielded parts of the secondary light distributions 141, 142. Therefore, this makes it possible to obtain a main light distribution 13 with a wide angular range, and the main light distribution 13 presents a high intensity in a first angular range 136 that is substantially proportional to the secondary light distribution 141, and presents a lower intensity in a second angular range 137 that is proportional to the secondary light distribution 142. In this example, the first angular range 136 is smaller than the second angular range 137, so that it is possible to obtain an emission light beam F that has a directional portion and high intensity in the first angular range 136, and has a less directional portion in the second angular range 137 and presents a lower intensity compared to the intensity of the main light distribution 13 in the first angular range 136. For example, Figure 3 The total angular range of the main light distribution 13 shown in FIG. 1 is approximately within a range of 60 degrees to 10 degrees, ie approximately half the angle of the secondary light distribution 142 (which has a larger total angular range).

[0080] Such features make it easy and inexpensive to obtain a wide and spatially varying primary light distribution 13. The variation of the primary light distribution can be easily modeled (by acting on the total angular range or half of the total angular range of the secondary light distributions 141, 142) in order to obtain a good signal-to-noise ratio in the desired detection area.

[0081] The two light sources 11, 12 are preferably infrared light emitting diodes, preferably near infrared light emitting diodes of 780 nm to 1400 nm. Therefore, the emitted light beam F does not interfere with the vision of people in the vehicle. In the example considered, the two light sources 11, 12 emit the same wavelength of 890 nm. Optionally, the two light sources 11, 12 are pulse sources emitting pulses of at least 10 microseconds, preferably 10 microseconds. Therefore, by Figure 3 The light beam F emitted by the lighting module 10 is a pulsed light beam containing pulses from two light sources 11 and 12. Figure 3 The light beam F emitted by the lighting module 10 shown comprises pulses of at least 10 microseconds, preferably equal to 10 microseconds. This arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the processing and analysis of the reflected light beam in order to find position information about said object 5.

[0082] Figure 4 A second exemplary embodiment of a lighting module 10 of the device 100 is shown. Figure 3 The difference.

[0083] According to this example, the lighting module 10 comprises a single light source 11 and a light guide 16 . Figure 4The light source 11 shown is arranged to emit an initial light beam 15 in a light guide 16, in particular at a first end 161 of the light guide 16. The light guide 16 is arranged to emit a plurality of secondary distributions 14. In the example shown, at least four secondary distributions are formed from the light guide 16, numbered 141, 142, 143, 144. Figure 4 In the example shown, each secondary distribution 14 is arranged to propagate in a secondary propagation direction, which are numbered 111, 112, 113, 114. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 1 , each sub-distribution 14 is arranged to overlap its adjacent sub-distribution.

[0084] Combining the four secondary light distributions 14 allows for a finer sampling of the detection area. This improves the measurement accuracy. By increasing the number of light sources 11, 12, it is possible to utilize Figure 3 The illumination module in the example shown achieves this accuracy. The additional light sources may also have different angular ranges or different overall aperture half angles.

[0085] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 1 , the combination of the main light distribution 13 of each lighting module 10A, 10B defines a detection zone associated with the device 100. By way of example, for object-detection circuit 20 distances varying between 1.0 cm and 30.0 cm, the detection zone is defined according to the total angular range of each main light distribution 13 of the device 100. According to the example, the detection zone is defined along a horizontal direction 3 of the plane 1 and along a vertical direction 2 of the plane 1.

[0086] according to Figure 4 In the example of , the device 100 comprises a plurality of optical elements 40, which are contained in a light guide 16. There are as many secondary light distributions 14 as optical elements 40. Each optical element 40 is therefore associated with a secondary light distribution 14 so as to shield a portion 18 of this secondary light distribution 14. Here, half of each secondary light distribution 14 is shielded by the optical component 40. This arrangement makes it possible to easily modulate the main light distribution 13.

[0087] exist Figure 4 In the example of , the secondary light distribution 14 has a total angular range with a half angle that is arranged to increase as the initial light beam 15 propagates in the light guide 16. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a primary light distribution 13 with a variation of luminous intensity (or intensity profile) that varies gradually depending on the emission angle associated with the primary light distribution 13. Such a light guide is easier to implement and adjust.

[0088] and Figure 3 Different from Figure 3 Compared with the optical module 10 shown, the use of Figure 4The light guide 16 shown emitting the secondary light distribution 14 may cause manufacturing difficulties. In addition, the light guide 16 is fixed after manufacturing. Therefore, Figure 4 The lighting module cannot be like Figure 3 The example shown is modulated in Figure 3 In the example shown, the optical component 40 may have an adjustable position.

[0089] Preferably, Figure 1 The two lighting modules 10 of the device 100 shown are similar. This makes it possible to obtain two similar main light distributions 13, thereby ensuring a simple design of the device 100. Figure 3 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the device 100 may therefore include two optical modules 10. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 1 , a further light source 12 arranged to emit a further initial light beam 15 at a second end 162 of the light guide 16 makes it possible to obtain a second lighting module 10 for use in the device 100. This arrangement avoids the use of a second light guide 16 and thus also avoids additional adjustments that may be tedious.

[0090] In another embodiment, another optical module 10 may include Figure 4 In this case, the light guides 16 of each lighting module 10 may overlap, each light guide 16 being arranged to form a main light distribution 13 which is inverted with respect to another light guide belonging to another lighting module 10 .

[0091] Figure 6 Shown by Figure 1 An example of two main distributions 13 obtained by the device 100 through two lighting modules 10, numbered 131, 132, according to Figure 3 The two lighting modules are shown in the example of 4. The main distributions 131, 132 obtained are oriented along the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1 (that is to say along the y-axis).

[0092] according to Figure 6 In the example of , the two main light distributions 131, 132 present similar variations (intensities). They both show spatial variations in intensity. However, the two main light distributions 131, 132 are inverted relative to each other. In addition, the two main light distributions 131, 132 are superimposed on an overlapping portion indicated as 134. Therefore, the lighting modules 10A and 10B are arranged to illuminate, preferably individually illuminate, the same spatial area defined by the overlapping area 134 in this example. This arrangement makes it possible to continuously sample the detection area. In this example, the overlapping area 134 is oriented in the vertical direction 2.

[0093] According to this example, the two main light distributions 131 , 132 each have a maximum point 133 . Figure 6The two maximum points 133 are shown to be angularly separated along the vertical direction 2 ( Figure 6 The distance 135 in the image is at least 10 degrees, so that each reflected light beam can be easily associated with the lighting module 10 in order to determine the position of the object 5 in the vertical direction 2 (that is, along the vertical y-axis).

[0094] Preferably, the two lighting modules 10 of the device 100 are configured to alternately emit their emission light beams F. Therefore, the two main light distributions 131, 132 will be emitted alternately, making it easier to associate the received reflected light beams with the light beams F emitted by the lighting modules 10, so as to find the position of the object 5. These features further improve the ease of implementation of the device 100.

[0095] Furthermore, since the two secondary light distributions 131, 132 are arranged to (alternately) illuminate the same spatial area, i.e. the overlapping portion 134, it is not necessary to use a linearization function to relate the intensity of the reflected light beam associated with the emission light beam F from the module 10A and the intensity of the received light beam associated with the emission light beam F at the module 10B. Therefore, the processing performed by the calculation unit 30 is easier to implement and cheaper in terms of calculation time. Preferably, when the two lighting modules 10A, 10B are activated alternately, Figure 1 The illustrated device 100 optionally includes a control circuit 50 configured to alternately activate the two lighting modules 10A, 10B.

[0096] Therefore, according to the present disclosure, by analyzing the proportion of light from lighting module 10A and the proportion of light from lighting module 10B, object 5 may be located in vertical direction 2 of the plane (ie, along the vertical y-axis).

[0097] Figure 2 shows an example of a graph that can be based on Figure 6 The reflected light beams of the main light distribution 131, 132 of each lighting module 10A and 10B shown are used to find the position of the object 5 in the vertical direction 2. Figure 2 The diagram shown is pre-recorded, for example, in an external memory linked to the device 100 or in an internal memory of the computing unit 30. According to one example, the diagram is recorded using a target associated with an object to be detected 5 having a grayscale of 18% (reflectivity of 10%). The target moves in space (that is, in the detection area, in particular in the vertical direction 2 for different positions along the horizontal x-axis of the plane 1), and the distance of the distance detection circuit 20 varies between 5 mm for two-dimensional detection along the vertical y-axis (vertical direction 2 of the plane 1) and 150 mm when performing three-dimensional detection ( Fig. 9 , 10and 11). The light beam reflected by the target is recorded. In this example, the zero degree angular position w is associated with the object 5 positioned facing the detection circuit 20 (along its optical axis), the intensity change of the light beam reflected by the lighting module 10A is associated with the change marked 201, and the intensity change of the light beam reflected by the lighting module 10B is associated with the change marked 202.

[0098] use Figure 2 , the position of the object 5 is shown below. The lighting modules 10A and 10B of the device 100 emit their emission light beams F alternately, and the intensity received by the detection circuit 20 is I A or I B Each reflected light beam I received by the detection circuit 20 is associated with a lighting module 10A or 10B of the device 100 and is therefore associated with a change in intensity 201 or 202. A and I B The intensity value can therefore be converted to the angular position w using a conversion table vertical For example, the ratio R vertical This allows the angular position to be found using a pre-recorded conversion table that converts each ratio R vertical and the angular position or angle w vertical Related:

[0099] [Mathematical formula 1]

[0100]

[0101] In addition, the reflected light beam I from the optical module 10A is A The intensity and intensity of the reflected light beam I from the optical module 10B are related to B The relevant intensities are added so that the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 can be estimated. The distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 is thus determined using the following formula:

[0102] [Mathematical formula 2]

[0103] T=I A +I B

[0104] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in polar coordinates, the angle w vertical The position of the object 5 is determined by the distance between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20. Therefore, the angle w is used vertical and the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 , the two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates in the vertical direction 2 (vertical y-axis) of the plane 1 can be found using conventional trigonometric formulas.

[0105] The three-dimensional position of the object can be obtained using the device according to the invention, which comprises two other lighting modules 10 located on the plane 1. In this embodiment, the detection circuit 20 is located between the two lighting modules 10 and the other two lighting modules 10 ( Figure 9-10 According to this embodiment, the main light distribution 13 emitted by one of the two lighting modules 10 is arranged to at least partially illuminate the same spatial area in the horizontal direction 2 as at least one other main light distribution 13 emitted by one of the other two lighting modules 10 .

[0106] Figure 5 A first exemplary arrangement of two lighting modules 10 , designated 10A and 10B respectively, is shown with detection circuitry 20 and optical components 40 in an apparatus 100 .

[0107] According to this example, the lighting modules 10A, 10B and the detection circuit 20 are located in the same plane 1. The plane 1 is arranged to extend in a vertical direction 2 and a horizontal direction 3. The optical component 40 is located between the two lighting modules 10A and 10B, and extends along an extension direction 41 that is orthogonal to the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1. In this embodiment, the lighting modules 10A, 10B and the optical component 40 are aligned along a first principal axis indicated as A1, while the detection circuit 20 is aligned along a second principal axis indicated as A2, which is parallel to the first principal axis A1. The first principal axis A1 and the second principal axis A2 are parallel to the vertical direction 2. The optical component 40 is located at a distance d from the detection circuit 20. The distance d between the optical component 40 and the detection circuit 20 is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm. In addition, Figure 5 In the example of , the optical component 40 is located equidistantly between the lighting modules 10A, 10B. By way of example, the optical component 40 is located at a distance e from the lighting modules 10A and 10B, the distance being given, for example, by the distance between the light source 12A or 12B and the wall of the optical component 40 oriented on the lighting module 10A or 10B side. The distance e is preferably less than 3 mm.

[0108] In this example, each lighting module 10A, 10B includes two light sources 11, 12. The light sources of the lighting module 10A are numbered 11A and 12A, and the light sources of the lighting module 10B are numbered 11B and 12B. Preferably, the lighting modules 10A and 10B are similar to Figure 3 1. Thus, for example, light sources 11A and 11B each have a total angular range (that is, a total aperture angle) of 120.0 degrees (that is, a half angle of 60.0 degrees), while light sources 12A and 12B each have a total aperture angle of 50.0 degrees (that is, a half angle of 25.0 degrees). Thus, according to this embodiment, light sources 11A and 11B (that is, the light sources with the highest total angular range) are further away from optical component 40 than light sources 12A and 12B.

[0109] Positioning the light sources 11A and 11B with the highest total angular range at a greater distance from the optical component 40 makes it possible to avoid a sharp cut-off in the primary light distribution 13 emitted by each of the lighting modules 10A, 10B. Furthermore, this arrangement further facilitates axial integration of elements of the device 100 in a vehicle dashboard.

[0110] Figure 7 A second exemplary arrangement of two lighting modules 10 is shown, wherein the device 100 has a detection circuit 20 and an optical component 40. Only the components with respect to Figure 5 The difference.

[0111] In this embodiment, the lighting module 10A is oriented along the first main axis A1, and the lighting module 10B is oriented along the second main axis A2. The optical component 40 and the detection circuit 20 are aligned along the third main axis A3. The first, second and third main axes A1, A2, A3 are parallel to each other and to the extension direction 2 (vertical direction) of the plane 1, and the third main axis A3 is located between the first and second main axes A1, A2. Therefore, in this arrangement, the lighting modules 10A, 10B are symmetrically positioned relative to the third main axis A3.

[0112] In this embodiment, each light source 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B is separated from the optical component 40 by a distance e, which means that Figure 7 The light sources 11A and 11B, 12A and 12B in the example are not far from the optical component 40 according to their total angle range or half angle, which is different from Figure 5 Example shown.

[0113] Figure 8 Shown by Figure 1 The device 100 shown in FIG. Figure 7 An example of two main distributions 13 obtained by the arrangement shown, the two main distributions are numbered 131, 132. Only the main distributions with respect to Figure 6 According to this example, the maximum points 133 of the two main distributions 131, 132 are superimposed. This makes it possible to obtain a comparison Figure 6 The example shown is a more continuous sampling. Furthermore, this makes it possible to obtain a continuous variation of the intensity associated with the main distributions 131, 132. The main distributions 131, 132 are thus directional in the same detection area. However, the processing of the reflected light beams performed by the calculation unit 30 may be more complex than Figure 6 The processing in the example is more cumbersome and less precise.

[0114] system

[0115] Fig. 9 , 10 11 show an example of a system 1000 according to the present invention. Fig. 9 , 10 The system 1000 shown in FIG. 11 includes a display screen 200 and two devices, respectively denoted as 100 G and 100 D .

[0116] The display screen 200 extends along two elongated directions 201 , 202 , which are respectively referred to as a main horizontal direction 201 and a main vertical direction 202 .

[0117] In another variant, the display screen 200 can be tilted at a tilt angle obtained by rotating the display screen 200 around an axis parallel to the first main axis A1 or parallel to the main horizontal direction 201. The tilt angle is preferably less than 50 degrees.

[0118] According to this example, two devices 100 G and 100 D are identical and include a common detection circuit 20. The device 100 located to the left of the detection circuit 20 G The optical element 40 G Two separate lighting modules 10A G and 10B G , the device 100 located on the right side of the detection circuit 20 D The optical element 40 D Two separate lighting modules 10A D and 10B D . Two lighting modules 10A G , 10A D , 10B G , 10B D And each device 100 G and 100 D Optical elements 40 G and 40 D The arrangement can be similar to Figure 5 and 7 Those shown in .

[0119] According to this example, two devices 100 G and 100 D They each include two lighting modules 10A, 10B. Lighting module 10A G and 10A D The lighting module 10B includes light sources 11A and 12A. G and 10B D Light sources 11B and 12B are included. As previously mentioned, light sources 12A and 12B each have a smaller total aperture angle than light sources 11A and 11B.

[0120] In this example, the lighting module 10AG and 10A D The lighting module 10B is aligned on a first main axis A1 parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200. G and 10B D The device 100 is aligned on a second main axis A2 parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200. Therefore, in the system 1000, each device 100 G and 100 D The plane 1 is the plane of the display screen 200. Each device 100 G and 100 D Optical elements 40 G and 40 D The detection circuit 20 is aligned on the third main axis A3, and the third main axis A3 is parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200. Preferably, the detection circuit 20 and the optical component 40 G and 40 D In this embodiment, the detection circuit 20 is positioned with each optical component 40. G and 40 D The separation distance d preferably varies between 20.0 mm and 300.0 mm.

[0121] Fig. 9 A side view of the system 1000 is shown. According to this description, the lighting module 10A G Including lighting module 10A G The optical axis of the lighting direction OPTA G The optical axis may be defined as the axis passing through one of the light sources 11A, 12A and passing through the maximum 133 of the main distribution 131. Optical axis OPTA G Parallel to the lighting module 10A G The propagation direction 17 of the emitted light beam F. Lighting module 10B G Including lighting module 10B G The optical axis of the lighting direction OPTB G , and similarly to lighting module 10A G Optical axis OPTA G Optical axis OPTB G Parallel to the lighting module 10B G The propagation direction of the emitted light beam F is 17.

[0122] In this example, two lighting modules 10A G and 10B G Optical axis OPTA G OPTB GThe lighting modules 10A are inclined relative to each other at an angle between 10 and 90 degrees, which is given between their respective maximum intensity points 133. G The spatial region 8 (schematically shown on the first main axis A1) arranged to illuminate the detection region is referred to as the upper region 8, while the illumination module 10B G A spatial region 9 (schematically shown on the second main axis A2) arranged to illuminate the detection region is referred to as the lower region 9. With module 10B G Compared with the lower lighting area 9, module 10A G The upper lighting area 8 is positioned higher along the main vertical direction 202 .

[0123] In the device 100 G Module 10A G Main light distribution 131 and module 10B G The main light distribution 132 is arranged to illuminate the same spatial area in the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1, that is, parallel to the main vertical direction 202 of the display screen 200. Fig.10 As shown (or as Figure 6 This arrangement makes it possible to position an object 5 located in a spatial region 6 (schematically shown by axis 6) in the vertical direction of the space (along the y-axis), which region is referred to as the left-hand region 6.

[0124] In the device 100 D Module 10A D Main light distribution 131 and module 10B D The main light distribution 132 is arranged to illuminate another identical spatial area in the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1, that is, parallel to the main vertical direction 202 of the display screen 200, which is represented by another overlapping area 134 (equivalent to Fig.10 or Figure 6 ). This arrangement makes it possible to position an object 5 located in a spatial region 7 (schematically shown on axis 7) in the vertical direction of the space (along the y-axis), which region is referred to as the right-hand region 7. Therefore, the right-hand region 7 and the left-hand region 6 have different spatial positions along the horizontal direction 3 or the main horizontal direction 201 (x-axis).

[0125] Module 10A G The main light distribution 131 is arranged to at least partially illuminate the illumination module 10A in the horizontal direction 3 of the plane 1 or the main horizontal direction 201 (along the x-axis) of the display screen. DThe primary light distribution 131 is emitted in the same spatial region (secondary overlapping region 138). This arrangement makes it possible to locate an object located in the upper region 8 (schematically shown on the first main axis A1) of the detection region in the horizontal direction of the space (along the x-axis).

[0126] Module 10B G The main light distribution 132 is arranged to at least partially illuminate the illumination module 10B in the horizontal direction 3 of the plane 1 or the main horizontal direction 201 (along the x-axis) of the display screen. D The upper region 8 and the lower region 9 have the same spatial area (other secondary overlapping area 138) as the main light distribution 132. This arrangement makes it possible to position the object 5 along the horizontal spatial direction (along the x-axis) in the lower region 9. Therefore, the upper region 8 and the lower region 9 have different spatial positions along the vertical direction 2 or the main vertical direction 202 (y-axis).

[0127] exist Fig. 9 , 10 and 11, module 10A G and module 10A D Arranged to simultaneously emit their emission beams F, modules 10B G and 10B D Arranged to simultaneously emit its emission light beam F, while the lighting module 10A G , 10B G and module 10A D , 10B D This arrangement makes it possible to find the three-dimensional position of the object 5.

[0128] In practice, the position detection of the objects in the right-hand area 7 and the left-hand area 6 in the vertical direction 2 or main vertical direction 202 (y-axis) is given by:

[0129] In the left-hand area 6, the G (I AG ) and the reflected beam from module 10B G (I BG ) of the reflected beams vertical，6 ,as well as

[0130] In the right area 7, the D (I AD ) and the reflected beam from module 10B D (I BD ) of the reflected beams vertical，7 .

[0131] like Figure 2 As shown, the two ratios R explained above vertical，6 and Rvertical，7 Conversion tables (pre-recorded diagrams) can be used to convert the angular position w vertical This ratio makes it possible to find the angular position w in the left-hand region 6 and the right-hand region 7 vertical , in order to find the spatial position of the object along the vertical direction 2.

[0132] Furthermore, the position of the objects in the lower region 8 and the upper region 9 in the horizontal direction 3 or the main horizontal direction 201 (x-axis) can be found in the following way:

[0133] In the upper region 8, from module 10A G (I AG ) and the reflected beam from module 10A D (I AD ) of the reflected beams horizontal,8 ,as well as

[0134] In the lower area 9, from module 10B G (IB G ) and the reflected beam from module 10B D (I BD ) of the reflected beams horizontal,9 .

[0135] Such ratios can determine the rotational angular position of the object 5 in the upper region 8 and the lower region 9. For example, the ratio R in the upper region 8 horizontal，8 Use the following formula to obtain:

[0136] [Mathematical formula 3]

[0137]

[0138] like Figure 2 As shown, the above two ratios R horizontal，8 and R horizontal，9 Each can use a conversion table (pre-recorded chart) with the angular position w horizontal This ratio makes it possible to find the angular position in the upper region 8 and in the lower region 9 in order to find the spatial position of the object along the horizontal direction 3 .

[0139] According to a variant, another ratio makes it possible to determine the position of the object using the following formula:

[0140] [Formula 4]

[0141]

[0142] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the position of the object 5 is determined based on the respective ratios, so that the angle w horizontal 、wvertical The polar coordinates of the object 5 can be found by using the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20. vertical 、w horizontal and the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 to find the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates.

[0143] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, and a person skilled in the art will know how to add any variants according to the invention.

[0144] For example, the device 100 G and 100 D It may form part of the same device 100 consisting of four lighting modules 10. The operation of such a system or such a device is similar to the devices or systems described in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device (100) for locating an object (5), comprising: at least two lighting modules (10), each lighting module (10) being arranged to emit a light beam in a propagation direction (17), referred to as an emitted light beam (F), at least one detection circuit (20) arranged to receive at least two reflected light beams, each reflected light beam being associated with a reflection of a light beam emitted by one of at least two lighting modules (10) from the object (5), the at least two lighting modules (10) and the at least one detection circuit (20) being located in a same plane (1), the device (100) further comprising: a computing unit (30) arranged to determine the position of the object (5) by analyzing the at least two reflected light beams, Characterized in that each light beam (F) emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules (10) has a main light distribution (13, 131, 132) obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions (14), the device also comprising at least one optical component (40), the at least one optical component being arranged to shield a portion of the at least two secondary light distributions, one of the secondary light distributions (141) being arranged to at least partially overlap another of the secondary light distributions (142).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that A main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules (10) is arranged to at least partially illuminate the same spatial area in a vertical direction (2) as at least one other main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by at least one other lighting module of the at least two lighting modules (10).

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that The device comprises at least two other lighting modules (10) located on the plane (1), the at least one detection circuit (20) being located between the at least two lighting modules (10) and the at least two other lighting modules (10), and the main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by one of the at least two lighting modules (10) being arranged to at least partially illuminate the same spatial area in the horizontal direction (2) as at least one main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by at least one other lighting module of the at least two other lighting modules (10).

4. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Each lighting module (10) comprises at least two different light sources (11, 12), each light source emitting an initial light beam having one of said secondary light distributions (141; 142).

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least two light sources (11, 12) are aligned along a principal axis which is parallel or orthogonal to the axis of the plane.

6. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Each lighting module (10) comprises a light source (11) arranged to emit an initial light beam (15) in a light guide (16), the light guide (16) being arranged to emit the at least two secondary light distributions (14; 141, 142; 143; 144).

7. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Each main light distribution (10) has a maximum point (133) associated with a maximum light intensity, each maximum point (133) of the main light distribution (13, 131, 132) being angularly separated from other maximum points (133) of other main light distributions (13, 131, 132) by at least ten degrees in the vertical direction.

8. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Each lighting module (10) comprises an optical axis, and the optical axes of the at least two lighting modules (10) are inclined relative to each other at an angle between 10 and 90 degrees.

9. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that Each secondary light distribution (14) comprises an angular distribution that is different from the angular distribution of at least one other of the secondary light distributions (14) of the same lighting module (10).

10. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Each main light distribution (13, 131, 132) has a total angular extent between 10 and 90 degrees, preferably between 20 and 60 degrees.

11. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that In the same lighting module (10), at least one of the secondary angular distributions (14) has a total angular range between 20 and 60 degrees, and at least one other of the at least two secondary angular distributions (14) has a total angular range between 45 and 150 degrees.

12. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The at least one optical component (40) is arranged to shield at least half of the at least two secondary light distributions of the same lighting module (10).

13. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The at least one optical component (40) is an absorption element or a beam deflecting element.

14. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 13, characterized in that The at least two lighting modules (10) are arranged on either side of the at least one optical component (40).

15. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The emission light beam (F) is an infrared light beam.

16. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The light beam emitted by each lighting module (10) is a pulsed light beam.

17. The device (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that The pulsed light beam includes at least one pulse of at least ten microseconds.

18. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The device (100) further comprises a control circuit configured to activate the at least two lighting modules (10) alternately.

19. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that The at least two lighting modules (10) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the plane.

20. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that The position of the object (5) is determined based on a graph that relates the ratio between the intensity of one of the at least two reflected light beams and the intensity of the other of the at least two reflected light beams to the angular position.

21. A system (1000) comprising a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20; a display screen (200) arranged to extend in two directions (201, 202), which are respectively referred to as a main vertical direction (202) and a main horizontal direction (201); the at least two lighting modules (10) and the at least one detection circuit (20) are aligned along the main horizontal direction (201).

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