METHOD FOR PROCUREMENT OF A DIGITAL IMAGE, ASSOCIATED COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND OPTICAL SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optical system for reconstructing a natural image of a scene under study, combined with a digital image, in order to characterize and highlight objects present in said natural image. Such an optical system may, by way of non-limiting example, consist of an astronomical telescope, a reflector telescope, or binoculars.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for creating a digital image. Said digital image can, by way of non-limiting example, be created from the natural image of the scene under study and include, by way of non-limiting example, a text area associated with meta-information characterizing an object represented on the digital image, such as for example a name of said object, its size, its position relative to other objects, etc.

[0003] As a preferred but not limiting example of application, the invention will be described through an astronomical telescope whose objective captures a study scene corresponding to a portion of the celestial vault, that is to say a portion containing astronomical objects, such as, by way of non-limiting examples, stars, planets, galaxies and / or nebulae.

[0004] In the remainder of this document, the term "optical system" refers to any system that captures light rays emitted by an object and then forms and reproduces a natural image using a set of optical elements, such as mirrors, lenses, etc. We will refer to any image that has not undergone electronic processing as a "natural image," also called a "real image," and to the digital representation of a natural image—that is, an image that has undergone electronic processing—as a "digital image." The terms "object" or "astronomical object" refer to any object observable by an optical system, such as, but not limited to, a celestial body, a star, a planet, an airplane, a satellite, an animal, a constellation of stars, etc.

[0005] Humans have always observed the sky. With the naked eye, they observed stars and planets. This allowed them to determine their relative positions, thus defining constellations—groups of stars with a consistent shape or pattern, such as the Big Dipper, composed of seven stars. After the invention of the telescope, humans were able to observe even more astronomical objects, some located outside our solar system, such as nebulae and galaxies. Since these astronomical objects are not visible to the naked eye, it is difficult for an inexperienced astronomer to correctly orient their optical system toward the celestial sphere in order to observe them. Several criteria must be met. First, the optical system must be high-performing, meaning it must have an appropriate aperture and magnification.Next, observing conditions must be optimal, meaning a sky with little or no light pollution is necessary to capture primarily the light from astronomical objects. Finally, the user must be patient and have the necessary information regarding the location of the astronomical objects to be observed. A beginner astronomer who cannot orient their optical system correctly can quickly become disappointed and abandon observing the night sky.

[0006] To facilitate the search for astronomical objects, some optical systems have been motorized. This is the case, for example, with certain telescopes. Such a telescope generally includes an onboard electronic system, allowing a user to enter the desired astronomical object. The telescope then automatically points towards it using a motor that correctly orients the telescope. Thus, the user can directly observe the desired astronomical object. However, such optical systems require a tedious polar alignment procedure and / or the addition of a very wide-field camera parallel to the main telescope to perform this alignment automatically. Furthermore, some astronomers remain attached to the "search for the astronomical object" aspect and do not wish to remain passive in their quest for observation.Furthermore, even a motorized telescope can produce a disappointing image of the observed astronomical object for an astronomer. For example, such a system might display a grayish mass representing a nebula. Indeed, since some astronomical objects are located several light-years from Earth, the amount of light captured by the optical system may be limited. The natural image produced by this system may therefore not meet the user's expectations, as they may compare the results of their observation with images of astronomical objects observed by super-telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Moreover, the poor quality of the natural image produced by the optical system can mislead the user during observation.Indeed, the observed image, due to its low resolution and / or low contrast and brightness, may prevent a user from identifying an observed astronomical object. Finally, the user may make mistakes regarding the orientation of their optical system and point it at a different astronomical object than the one initially sought, thus leading to errors in interpretation.

[0007] To improve the image quality produced by optical systems, some telescopes are equipped with an augmented reality system, such as the one described in document DE 10 2005 025 048. Such a system captures a portion of the light from an observed scene to create a digital image of that scene, for example, using a semi-reflective plate and a matrix sensor. The resulting digital image is compared to a database containing high-resolution images of commonly observed astronomical objects. Using an image recognition and comparison process, the targeted area can then be identified. A high-resolution image corresponding to the observed scene can then be displayed in the optical system, which is viewed through an eyepiece.In some versions, this image can be enhanced with additional information characterizing a particular astronomical object. Using a second semi-reflective plate, the high-resolution image and the natural image are combined and simultaneously displayed to the user by the optical system. However, this system has the major drawback of significantly reducing the brightness of the natural image displayed to the user due to the use of two semi-reflective plates, thus altering the natural perception of the observed astronomical object. Furthermore, the user of such a system perceives the high-resolution image more prominently than the natural image, thereby affecting their observation and appreciation. In addition, such systems have a long processing time, primarily due to the implementation of a series of comparisons between the observed scene and numerous images stored in the database.During this particularly time-consuming process, an observed astronomical object may move out of the optical system's field of view, as the natural image and the selected high-resolution image no longer correspond. Indeed, due to the Earth's rotation, the optical system is constantly moving relative to the celestial sphere, and this correspondence can only be perfectly corrected by very expensive and highly precise motorized mounts. The use of two beam splitters is not only costly to acquire and maintain, but also adds weight to the telescope's mount, potentially even causing it to become unbalanced during use.

[0008] Documents US 2016 / 0109695 A1 and LINTU, A. An Augmented Reality System for Astronomical Observations. Virtual Reality,2006. IEEE Alexandria, VA, USA MARCH 25-29, 2006, PISCATAWAY, NJ, MARCH 25, 2006 (2006-03-25), XP010912069, DOI: 1.1109 / VR.2006.24

[0009] ISBN: 978-1-4244-0224-3 describe an optical system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] The invention addresses all or some of the drawbacks of known solutions. Among the numerous advantages of the invention, we can mention that a system conforming to the invention retains a large portion of the light captured by the optical system, thus producing a natural image with excellent brightness, particularly due to the preferred use of a single semi-reflective plate. The invention also allows for faster identification of the observed astronomical object. The user is thus provided with user-friendly information throughout the observation. Furthermore, the invention enhances the user's viewing experience, as they are guided and informed about the observed astronomical object quickly and intuitively.The rendering of a study scene to a user is not perceived as artificial, as it is generated from the captured natural image. This rendering also allows for the observation of transient or new phenomena and objects. Collaboratively, an optical system according to the invention offers a method for enriching a location database, ultimately enabling the delivery of metadata related to a studied scene when a new astronomical object has been identified. Such a method according to the invention allows a user, even a novice, to collect reliable, precisely identified images associated with metadata, these images corresponding to study scenes of scientific interest.

[0011] The invention also provides assistance in pointing at a desired scene while allowing the user to carry out their search for astronomical objects while being accompanied, guided and advised if they wish.

[0012] To this end, an optical system according to claim 1 is specifically provided.

[0013] According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, in order to retain a large part of the light captured by the optical system and thus to superimpose on the digital image a natural image exhibiting excellent brightness, an optical system according to the invention may comprise a semi-reflective blade positioned within the hollow body to reflect a first subset of incoming light rays towards the active face of said capture means and transmit a second subset of incoming light rays towards the eyepiece, said semi-reflective blade being further arranged to transmit and reflect the first and second subsets of said light rays projected respectively towards the active face of the capture means and the eyepiece.Furthermore, the respective active faces of the capture means and the restitution means can face each other and be arranged on either side of the semi-reflective blade, said active faces being crossed by a virtual transverse axis of the hollow body perpendicular to a virtual longitudinal axis of said hollow body and crossing the center of the semi-reflective blade.

[0014] To limit the capture of light rays projected by the restitution means and transmitted by the semi-reflective plate, the hollow body of the optical system may include a polarizer arranged between the capture means and said restitution means, said polarizer being crossed by the virtual transverse axis.

[0015] Alternatively or in addition, the hollow body of the optical system may include an imaging lens to form an image from the projected light rays, arranged between the rendering means (25) and the semi-reflecting plate, said lens being crossed by the virtual transverse axis.

[0016] Advantageously, in order to offer a plurality of users, possibly geographically distant, the possibility of collaborating, transmitting and exchanging the results of their discoveries or observations, an optical system according to the invention may further include communication means cooperating with the processing unit, arranged to receive a transmission message emitted from a third party, the processing unit being arranged to: decode a transmission message issued by said third-party entity, said transmission message encoding data characteristic of a determined pattern, location data and meta-information associated with said pattern; write into the data memory said data characteristic of a determined pattern, said location data and said meta-information associated with said pattern deduced from said transmission message. Alternatively or in addition, the communication means of an optical system according to the invention may be arranged to transmit a discovery message, and the processing unit of said optical system may further be arranged to: to develop said discovery message, so that it encodes the images and positioning data of the study scene in the celestial vault; to trigger the transmission of said discovery message by means of communication to request from a third entity data characteristic of a pattern determined by said positioning data of the study scene and meta-information related to said pattern determined.

[0017] Furthermore, an optical system according to the invention may also include communication means cooperating with the processing unit, arranged to receive a discovery message, the processing unit being arranged to: search in the data memory for characteristic data of a pattern determined by said positioning data of the study scene deduced from said discovery message and characteristic data of a determined pattern, location data and associated meta-information; develop a transmission message to encode said characteristic data of a determined pattern, said location data and associated meta-information; trigger the transmission of said transmission message by said means of communication.

[0018] Alternatively or in addition, an optical system according to the invention may further comprise communication means cooperating with the processing unit, arranged to receive a discovery message, the processing unit being arranged to: decode said discovery message, said discovery message containing positioning data of a study scene in the celestial vault; search in the data memory for characteristic data of a pattern determined by said positioning data of the study scene deduced from said discovery message and characteristic data of a determined pattern, location data and associated metadata; develop a transmission message to encode said characteristic data of a determined pattern, said location data and associated metadata; trigger the transmission of said transmission message by said means of communication.

[0019] According to a second object, the invention provides a method for developing a digital image according to claim 9.

[0020] To determine the location of the study scene, the processing unit can further cooperate with means for determining the positioning data of the study scene in the celestial sphere, and the record in the data memory associated with the determined pattern may also include location data for said determined pattern in the celestial sphere. The method may therefore include, prior to the step of searching the data memory for a record associated with a pattern close to the detected characteristic pattern: • a step to collect location data produced by said means to determine the location of the study scene and to determine from said location data and estimate positioning data of the study scene in the celestial vault; • a step to extract location data from a first record in the data memory and calculate the distance between said extracted location data and the positioning data of said study scene in the celestial vault; • a step to confirm the proximity of a pattern associated with the location data extracted from the study scene if said calculated distance is less than a predetermined threshold;∘ said step to search in the data memory for a record associated with a pattern close to the detected characteristic pattern, being implemented if and only if the step to attest to the proximity of the pattern associated with the location data extracted from the study scene, attests to such proximity. ;

[0021] To facilitate pattern detection within a produced digital representation, the process may include, prior to the step to analyze said digital representation produced by the capture means, a step to reduce noise and / or improve the contrast of the digital representation.

[0022] To increase the contrast and / or reduce the noise of the final analyzed digital representation, the process may include, prior to the step for analyzing said digital representation: a step to trigger the acquisition of several successive digital representations by the capture means; a step to develop a single digital representation from said successive digital representations.

[0023] To eliminate any noise or interference arising from the reproduction of a digital image by the reproduction means during the capture of incoming and reflected rays by the capture means, the process may include: a step to record, at the end of the step to reproduce the digital image by the means of reproduction, said digital image in the data memory; a step prior to the step to analyze the digital representation, to extract from said data memory the digital image resulting from the previous reproduction, and subtract said digital image from the digital representation of the current study scene.

[0024] In particular, to share the discovery of a new pattern detected within a digital representation, the processing unit of an optical system according to the invention can also cooperate with communication means to communicate with a third party.

[0025] A method for developing a digital image according to the invention may further include a step for developing a discovery message for the third party containing the positioning data of the study scene and triggering the emission of said discovery message, if the step for searching in the data memory for a record associated with a pattern close to the detected characteristic pattern has not succeeded.

[0026] In the process of developing a digital image according to the invention, the step to trigger the capture of incoming light rays from said study scene by the capture means and to produce a digital representation of said study scene, can be implemented so as to capture a study scene designated by positioning data of said study scene in the celestial vault.

[0027] Other features and advantages will become clearer upon reading the following description, which relates to an example implementation given for illustrative purposes only and is not exhaustive, and upon examination of the accompanying figures, including: there figure 1 describes a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of an optical system according to the invention; the figure 2 describes the path of light rays in an optical system according to the invention during the observation of a scene under study; the figure 3 describes a functional flowchart of a method for developing a digital image according to the invention.

[0028] By way of a preferred but not limiting application, the invention will be described through an application relating to the observation of a study scene S by an optical system 10 according to the invention, said scene S comprising, by way of non-limiting example, astronomical objects O1, O2, such a system consisting of a particularly intuitive and ergonomic telescope or astronomical binoculars. Said astronomical objects O1 and O2 are advantageously objects emitting light rays.

[0029] There figure 1 This allows us to present a preferred, but not limiting, example of an optical system 10 according to the invention. Such an optical system 10 comprises a hollow body 11, for example, a hollow cylinder, having at one end an objective lens 12 for collecting light rays emitted by observed astronomical objects 01, 02. By way of non-limiting example, such an objective lens 12 may consist of a simple aperture, as for example in a telescope. Alternatively or in addition, such an objective lens 12 may include a lens, as is common, for example, in a refracting telescope or binoculars. The hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention further comprises an eyepiece 13 for displaying to a user the natural image formed by the optical system 10. By way of non-limiting example, such an eyepiece 13 may consist of a lens or any other equivalent means.

[0030] Such a hollow body 11 further includes a means 14 for separating a set of light rays RE entering the system via the lens 12 into two subsets RE1 and RE2. Such a means 14 may consist, by way of non-limiting examples, of a beam splitter, a semi-reflecting plate, a polarizing cube, a polarizing plate, a semi-reflecting mirror, or any other optical instrument capable of reflecting part of the light rays and transmitting the other part. For the sake of simplicity, in the remainder of this document, we will refer to such a means 14 as a "semi-reflecting plate." The role of such a semi-reflecting plate 14 may therefore be to transmit a first subset of incoming light rays RE1 to the eyepiece 13 and reflect a second subset of incoming light rays RE2, as shown in figure 2 by solid lines.

[0031] The optical system 10 further comprises capture means 24 arranged within the hollow body 11 and cooperating with a processing unit 21. This processing unit is responsible for generating a digital image containing metadata that characterizes or highlights one or more objects present in a study scene S. The capture means 24 may, for example, consist of a matrix sensor and produce a digital representation Rj of a natural image produced by the optical system 10. This natural image consists of the light rays RE2 entering and reflected from the semi-reflective plate 14. These rays are captured by the capture means 24 via their active face. The digital representation Rj delivered by such a sensor may consist of an array of pixels, each pixel encoding a shade of gray, a light intensity, or a color.The digital representation Rj is then stored in storage means 23, also referred to as data memory 23, cooperating with the processing unit 21. In one embodiment, the recording of a time datum t, characterizing the current acquisition or capture period, can be carried out simultaneously with that of the digital representation Rj. Such a digital representation Rj can be used to detect and identify astronomical objects during observation of the celestial sphere. Such detection can be performed using known detection methods, as will be seen later. The said processing unit 21 can further be used to generate a digital image characterizing or highlighting objects detected in the study scene S.The capture means 24 can be directly connected by wired bus to said processing unit 21, such buses being represented by double arrows in . figure 1 , or alternatively, remotely from said processing unit 21 and cooperate with said processing unit 21 via a wireless link, such as, by way of non-limiting example, by implementing a proximity communication protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol.

[0032] To generate a digital image, the processing unit 21 advantageously comprises one or more microcontrollers or microprocessors cooperating, by coupling and / or wired bus, with data storage means 23 and / or program storage means 22, also and respectively referred to as data memories 23 and / or program memories 22. Such storage means 22, 23 may consist, for example, of one or more separate non-volatile memories. The program memory 22 allows, in particular, the storage of instructions from a program P which, when executed or interpreted by said processing unit 21, trigger the implementation of a specific process for generating a digital image. One or more data memories 23 cooperating with said processing unit 21 are structured to record data necessary for implementing such a process for generating a digital image according to the invention.

[0033] The data memory 23(s) is / are generally electrically erasable and writable. By way of non-limiting examples, data can be stored in them in tables or linked data structures, each containing one or more records. A first structure TM can contain one or more records Ei, where i is an integer between 1 and n, n being a specific integer, respectively dedicated to or associated with one or more patterns defined by characteristic data Mi, for example in the form of a polyvector and containing metadata Ii characterizing said pattern. For simplicity, we will call a specific pattern Mi instead of the data characterizing it. A second structure TO can contain one or more records EOl, where 1 is an integer between 1 and r, r being a specific integer, respectively dedicated to or associated with one or more observable astronomical objects O1.A third data structure TRN may comprise one or more ETRNj records, where j is an integer between 1 and m, and m is a specific integer, each associated with one or more digital representations Rj of a captured natural image. A fourth structure TRR may comprise one or more ETRRk records, where k is an integer between 1 and p, and p is a specific integer, each associated with one or more digital representations of recoverable images RRk. The various structures mentioned above may, alternatively, constitute a single logical entity, and their respective arrangements shall not constitute any limitation of the invention.

[0034] Furthermore, each ETRNj record associated with a digital representation Rj can be advantageously arranged to store an array of pixels, each pixel of which encodes a value of grayscale, color, or light intensity. Such a record can also include a value characterizing the timestamp HTRj of the light ray capture period RE1. In addition, each ETRRk record associated with a digital representation of a restitutable image—that is, an image that has been restored or is ready to be restored—can be arranged to store an array of pixels, each pixel of which encodes a value of grayscale, color, or light intensity. This restitutable image is constructed from the captured natural image and metadata characterizing a pattern or object present in the study scene S.Each EOI record associated with an astronomical object can also be arranged to store data specific to that object, such as, for example, an object identifier (IdOl), location data (DLOl), and one or more metadata elements (101) that characterize the object. These location data (DLOl) may consist of the object's declination and right ascension coordinates. Such metadata may, by way of example, include the object's name, its mass, its distance from Earth, one or more identifiers, or the names of patterns to which it may belong, etc. Finally, each EI record associated with a pattern (Mi) can be arranged to store data to characterize that pattern (Mi), such as, for example, location data (DLi) of the pattern (Mi) in the celestial sphere and one or more metadata elements (Ii) that characterize the pattern.Such an Ei record may, by way of non-limiting examples, include coordinates of the center of said pattern, coordinates or identifiers of astronomical objects that compose it, and / or coordinates of vectors extending from the center of said pattern to said astronomical objects.

[0035] Furthermore, the storage means 23 may advantageously include a PRMx field, where x is an integer between 1 and y, and y is a specific integer, for example within a PRM parameter data structure, to store a predetermined value of a distance dist_max characterizing a proximity zone around any astronomical object. This distance can then be used to determine the proximity of a first astronomical object to a second astronomical object.

[0036] To reproduce a digital image RRk generated by the processing unit 21, the hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention comprises reproduction means 25 cooperating with said processing unit 21 and having an active face that projects said image. Said reproduction means 25 may, for example, consist of an image projector or a screen, for example of the OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) type, and reproduce projected light rays RP in the direction of the semi-reflective plate 14, as shown in figure 2 by discontinuous lines. The latter thus transmits a first subset of projected rays RP1 towards the capture means 24 and reflects a second subset of projected rays RP2 towards the eyepiece 13. The rendering means 25 can then be directly connected by wired bus to said processing unit 21 or, alternatively, be physically distant from said processing unit 21 and cooperate with it via a wireless link, for example according to a proximity communication protocol, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the Bluetooth protocol.

[0037] To capture and reproduce respectively a natural image and a digital image, said semi-reflective plate 14, the capture means 24 and the reproduction means 25 are advantageously arranged to be positioned on a transverse axis AT of the hollow body 11, said transverse axis AT being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said hollow body, as shown in figure 1 by the discontinuous lines AT and AL. The active faces of said rendering means 25 and capture means 24 are therefore oriented in mirror image with respect to each other.

[0038] Alternatively or in addition, to create an image from the projected light rays RP, the hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention may further comprise a lens 17 (not shown in figure 2 ), called the "imaging lens", to direct and / or converge the light rays projected RP by the rendering means 25 towards a determined fixed point, commonly called the focal point. The said lens is therefore advantageously positioned between the said rendering means 25 and the semi-reflecting plate 14 on the transverse axis AT.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, the hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention may include a polarizer 15 for absorbing said transmitted rays RP1. The role of such a polarizer 15 is to prevent all or part of the projected light rays RP emitted by the restitution means 25, and more particularly the light rays projected and transmitted RP1 by the semi-reflective plate 14, from being captured by the capture means 24. Such a polarizer 15 is advantageously positioned between the semi-reflective plate 14 and the capture means 24 on the transverse axis AT.

[0040] To increase the image capture and therefore the number of rays captured RP2, the hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention may include a focal reducing blade 16 positioned between the semi-reflecting blade 14 and the capture means 24 on the transverse axis AT.

[0041] According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment, the invention provides that the optical system 10 can further interact with third-party entities ST, 10T. An optical system 10 according to the invention may therefore include communication means 28b, for example in the form of a modulator-demodulator, cooperating with the processing unit 21 by means of wired buses. Through said communication means 28b, and more specifically the processing unit 21, the optical system 10 can trigger and / or detect the transmission and / or reception of messages to and / or from third-party entities 10T, ST positioned within communication range. If said optical system 10 cooperates with such third-party entities via wireless communication, said elements can also cooperate by any other means suitable for carrying said messages.By way of non-limiting examples, such third-party entities may consist of a remote server ST or a second optical system 10T. According to the invention, such messages may consist, without limitation, of discovery messages (MsgD) containing the coordinates of a newly discovered astronomical object, more specifically the positioning data (DP) of the study scene S, and informing said third-party entities of the discovery of said new astronomical object. More generally, such messages may contain coordinates of a scene to be observed in order to help characterize, possibly collaboratively, an astronomical object or phenomenon. As we will see later in connection with an example of a method for generating a digital image implemented by the processing unit of an optical system 10 according to the invention, such as the method 100 described in connection with the . figure 3 The use of such means of communication 28b offers a plurality of users, possibly geographically distant, the possibility of collaborating, transmitting and exchanging the results of their discoveries and / or observations, in order to participate in an observation or data collection requested by a third party and / or to enrich in particular the TO and / or TM structures of different optical systems, thus allowing all or part of the users to benefit from the display of new meta-information when observing a studied scene of the celestial vault.

[0042] Advantageously, but not necessarily, an optical system 10 according to the invention may further include means 26 and / or 27 for determining the location of the scene of study S in the celestial vault observed by such an optical system 10. Said means may respectively consist of means 26 for terrestrial localization of the optical system 10 and means 27 for determining the orientation of the objective 12 of said optical system 10.

[0043] The aforementioned terrestrial positioning means 26 and / or the means 27 for determining the orientation of the objective lens 12 of the optical system 10 may, in particular, cooperate, via the processing unit 21, with communication means 28a, such communication means 28a being arranged to communicate with a satellite navigation and positioning system, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). According to this advantageous embodiment, the processing unit 21 is thus responsible for collecting data transmitted by the GPS system and received by the communication means 28a, and consequently, said processing unit 21 knows precisely the portion of the celestial sphere being observed. Alternatively, such location data for the study scene with respect to the celestial sphere may be entered by a user U.In this case, said optical system 10 may include a setpoint human-machine interface, cooperating with the processing unit 21 by coupling and / or by wired bus, allowing the user to enter the geographical coordinates of his location, for example, in the form of a latitude, a longitude and / or an altitude and / or a timestamp.

[0044] The means 27 for determining the orientation of the lens 12 of the optical system 10 may include, by way of non-limiting example, a compass, a magnetometer, a compass, an accelerometer, and / or any other means for determining the orientation of the lens 12 cooperating with the processing unit 21, and producing data which, individually or collectively, constitute data enabling the determination of the orientation of the lens 12 and the optical system. The data collected from the localization means 26 and the means 27 for determining the orientation of the lens 12 will be referred to as "DL localization data" in the remainder of this document. Such DL localization data may be recorded within the storage means 23.Combined, the said localization data DL allows the estimation of positioning data DP of the study scene S, thus making it possible to determine precisely the portion of the celestial vault, i.e. study scene S observed by said optical system 10. Knowledge of such localization data DL can be exploited in accordance with a method for developing a digital image implemented by the processing unit of an optical system 10 according to the invention, such as the method 100 described in connection with the. figure 3 In order to reduce the search within the TM structure to only those relevant Ei records respectively associated with specific Mi patterns in the observed portion of the sky, the Ei records can each contain the DLi location data value of a specific Mi pattern relevant to the study scene S. Thus, although the TM structure may contain a very large number of Ei records, the search for relevant Mi patterns will only require minimal processing of Ei records within the structure. The recognition of patterns of interest over a reduced field of view is therefore made possible quickly and intuitively, even almost in real time, for any processing unit 21, even one with limited or modest processing capabilities.

[0045] According to another embodiment of the invention, an optical system 10 according to the invention may further comprise means 29 for detecting movement of the hollow body 11, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a gyroscope. An interpretation by the processing unit 21 of data produced by such means may allow it to interrupt or begin the implementation of processing or methods according to the invention carried out by said optical system 10, more particularly search and / or pattern recognition steps that may be relevant, described later in connection with the example of method 100 illustrated by the figure 3 .

[0046] Finally, as an alternative or in addition, an optical system 10 conforming to the invention may advantageously have a battery or more generally any internal source of electrical energy, in order to draw the electrical energy necessary for its operation.

[0047] There figure 3 describes a functional diagram of a method 100 for producing a digital image according to the invention.

[0048] The method 100 can be implemented iteratively and continuously, i.e., by way of non-limiting example, every second or any other predetermined time period. According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment, said method 100 can be implemented iteratively as long as the means 29 for detecting movement of the hollow body 11 of an optical system 10 according to the invention return a value characterizing a temporary immobility of the optical system, and / or can be interrupted when said means 29 for detecting movement return a value indicating that the optical system 10 has started moving. By way of non-limiting example, after a predetermined, or even configurable, period of immobility of the hollow body 11, for example, ten seconds, the processing unit 21 can automatically trigger the implementation of the method 100 to produce a digital image.

[0049] To illustrate the contribution of the invention, let us study a case in which an optical system 10 observes a study scene comprising a pattern composed of one or more astronomical objects 01, 02, such as a nebula for example.

[0050] In connection with the figure 3 , a method 100 according to the invention and implemented by the processing unit 21 of an optical system 10 as described in connection with the figure 1 The process includes a first step 101 to trigger the capture of a study scene S, located opposite the lens 12 and more generally the optical system 10, by the capture means 24 of said optical system 10. This step 101 consists in particular of producing a digital representation Rj of the study scene S. The data thus produced is stored in a record ETRNj of a dedicated TRN structure within the storage means 23, for example in the form of a pixel array. As mentioned previously, such a data structure TRN can include one or more records ETRNj, j being an integer between 1 and m, m being a fixed integer, respectively associated with one or more digital representations Rj of a captured natural image.

[0051] The method 100 further includes a step 103 for analyzing the content of a generated digital representation Rj in order to detect the possible presence of a characteristic pattern corresponding to a grouping of astronomical objects 01, 02 in the study scene S. Such a step 103 may consist of analyzing said digital representation Rj according to known methods, for example, by thresholding said digital representation Rj. Such thresholding may, for example, consist of replacing the value of a gray level, light intensity, or color associated with any pixel with a zero value if said value is less than a predetermined threshold value, or with a second predetermined value of gray level, light intensity, or color otherwise. By way of non-limiting example, for an image with two hundred and fifty-six gray levels, the predetermined threshold value may be set at one hundred and twenty-five.Detecting a characteristic pattern involves observing whether the digital representation Rj, after thresholding, contains pixels with a non-zero value, characterizing a bright object. Another thresholding technique involves calculating a histogram of the image, that is, determining a distribution of the light intensities of the image pixels. Detecting a characteristic pattern can then consist of observing peaks on this histogram that characterize a bright object.

[0052] According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a digital representation Rj advantageously contains a predetermined and minimum number of astronomical objects to be effectively used. For example, it has been observed that the value of such a predetermined and minimum number can advantageously be set to four. Thus, step 103 can further consist of determining whether the scene under study S contains enough astronomical objects to be usable. Such a determination can consist, based on a thresholding of the digital representation Rj, of counting the areas of said representation whose pixel values ​​are non-zero, or the histogram peaks characterizing the presence of such objects.If the number of objects counted is less than the value of the predetermined number, then the implementation of process 100 consists of triggering a new capture of the light rays RE from the scene S observed to obtain a new digital representation Rj, situation symbolized by link 103-n in . figure 3 by first adjusting one or more capture parameters of the capture means 24, for example, to increase the exposure time or duration, in order to capture more RE light rays. Such parameters can be entered into a field of the previously mentioned PRM parameter data structure.

[0053] When a characteristic pattern is detected in the digital representation Rj, the process 100 further includes a step 105 for searching, in the storage means 23, for a record Ei associated with a pattern Mi similar or resembling the detected characteristic pattern. According to an advantageous embodiment, this step 105 may consist of generating a polyvector, for example a quadrivector, from the digital representation Rj; that is, a four-dimensional vector with four coordinates describing four astronomical objects. Such a vector is characterized by a pair of coordinates of the center of its field, allowing it to be located in the celestial sphere. For example, such coordinates may be expressed as a pair of values ​​characterizing the declination and right ascension of the center of the field.A four-vector can also be defined by characteristic values, such as the origin of a reference frame defined by two of the four astronomical objects in the pattern, with the origin at the center of the field, and the coordinates of the other two astronomical objects in said reference frame. Thus, such characteristic values ​​can be determined by the relative positions of the four astronomical objects constituting the characteristic pattern. In this way, the proportions, orientation, and location of the characteristic pattern can be determined.Step 105 may consist of searching in a structure TM, dedicated to the determined patterns Mi and recorded in the storage means 23, for an associated record Ei, that is to say, comprising, for example, a field describing characteristic data Mi for example in the form of a four-vector similar to those of the four-vector of the characteristic pattern identified within the digital representation Rj.

[0054] If so, that is, when step 105 for searching for a record associated with the detected characteristic pattern confirms the presence of such a record Ei containing characteristic data Mi similar to those of the characteristic pattern identified within the digital representation Rj, a situation symbolized by link 105-y in figure 3 The process 100 also includes a step 106 for extracting from such a record Ei the IdOl identifiers of the astronomical objects that compose it, and searching in the TO structure dedicated to astronomical objects for records EOl containing said IdOl identifiers. Step 106 therefore consists of extracting from said EOl records metadata 101 associated respectively with the objects, for example, their names and their distances from Earth. The conjunction or union of said metadata constitutes metadata Ii associated with the pattern Mi. According to an alternative embodiment, a record Ei of a pattern structure TM can directly include a field associated with the value of metadata Ii characterizing said pattern Mi. This latter metadata can therefore be directly extracted in step 106.

[0055] A method 100 according to the invention further comprises a step 107 for developing a digital image RRk, the objective of which is to be reproduced by the reproduction means 25 of an optical system 10 according to the invention and described by way of non-limiting example by the figure 1 Step 107 may consist of creating the RRk image so that the respective values ​​of its constituent pixels are equivalent to those of the Rj representation, with the exception of certain pixels resulting from the overlay or insertion into the Rj digital representation of signs, characters, or drawings derived from the metadata 101 and / or 1i extracted in 106. Such a step 107 may, by way of non-limiting example, consist of overlaying a text area using known overlay methods. In addition, the resulting RRk digital image may contain all sorts of geometric symbols, such as circles or arrows, to highlight certain astronomical objects.

[0056] Once the digital image RRk has been generated in step 107, the process 100 includes a step 108 to trigger a graphical reproduction of said digital image RRk by said reproduction means 25 of an optical system 10 according to the invention. As explained previously in connection with the figures 1 And 2 The light rays RP2 from the projection of said digital image RRk combine with the light rays RE1 from the observation of the scene of study S under the action of the semi-reflecting plate 14. This combination can then be observed, via the eyepiece 13, by a user of the optical system 10. Such a user then benefits from additional information enriching the natural image, the result of his observation.

[0057] Alternatively or in addition, a method 100 according to the invention may include a step 109 for recording, at the end of step 108 for reproducing by the reproducing means 25 the digital image RRk in a recording ETRRk of the structure TRR mentioned above, dedicated to digital images reproducible within the storage means 23 of the optical system 10, for historical purposes for example.

[0058] The image observable via eyepiece 13 is already of excellent quality and corresponds in every respect to what the user can perceive during observation if process 100 were not implemented, with the exception of additional embedded elements.

[0059] However, to further improve the user's view, a method 100 according to the invention may include an optional step 110, prior to step 103 for analyzing the digital representation Rj, to extract from the TRR structure dedicated to reproducible images the digital image RRk produced during the previous iteration of the implementation of method 100 and subtract, pixel by pixel, said extracted image from the digital representation Rj of the current scene under study S. Indeed, given the configuration of an optical system 10 according to the invention, said digital representation Rj is the result of light rays RE2 (observed scene) and RP1 (projected digital image). This technique thus makes it possible to filter or reduce the contribution of said RP1 rays in the final production of the digital representation Rj analyzed in step 103.

[0060] Step 105, which tests the similarity of a characteristic pattern detected within a digital representation Rj, can be time-consuming if the structure TM associated with the determined patterns Mi contains numerous records Ei. Indeed, a similarity test may be entirely unnecessary if the characteristic pattern detected in an observation scene is located very far apart spatially in the celestial sphere from a determined pattern Mi associated with a record Ei of said structure TM. To reduce the number of similarity tests performed in step 105, the method 100 may include, prior to said step 105, a step 104-a to collect the values ​​of the localization data DL produced from the data delivered by means 26, 27, 28a to determine the location of the study scene S of an optical system 10 according to the invention.This step 104-a may consist of requesting from said location means 26 the terrestrial positioning of said optical system 10, by way of non-limiting example, by developing and encoding a location request to a geolocation system, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a GPS system. Step 104-a therefore consists of perceiving data, for example in the form of one or more values ​​representing a longitude, latitude and / or altitude of said optical system 10. Said data thus decoded can then be recorded in the storage means 23. Step 104-a also consists of collecting data produced by the means 27 to determine the orientation of the lens 12. By way of example, said step 104-a may consist of collecting the value of an angle between magnetic north and a longitudinal axis AL of the optical system 10, in order to determine the orientation of said optical system 10.The said angle can be estimated by the processing unit 21 of the optical system 10 or directly by means 27, when these include a magnetometer for example, and then communicated to said processing unit 21.

[0061] The process 100 can therefore include a step 104-b to determine the location of said study scene S in the celestial sphere based on previously collected DL location data. Knowing the terrestrial location of the system 10 and the orientation of its objective 12, the processing unit 21 can determine, by implementing known techniques, the portion of the celestial sphere observed and thus estimate DP positioning data for said study scene S.

[0062] To determine whether a given pattern Mi associated with a recording Ei of the TM structure is spatially distant from the study scene S, the method 100 may include a first step 104-c to extract from said recording Ei associated with a pattern Mi, a location data DLi, and calculate a Euclidean distance between the field center of the detected characteristic pattern and the theoretical location of the pattern Mi deduced from the DLi data. The method 100 may further include a step 104-d to confirm the proximity of a detected characteristic pattern to the given pattern Mi from the TM structure, if said Euclidean distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance dist_max characterizing a proximity zone around any astronomical object. If so, the pattern Mi is relevant for performing a similarity test, and step 105 may then be implemented.If the Euclidean distance is greater than the predetermined distance dist_max, then such a test would be irrelevant. Steps 104-c and 104d are then iterated with a separate record of the TM structure.

[0063] To improve the quality of the rendered digital image RRk, the invention provides an optional step 102, prior to step 103, for analyzing the digital representation Rj. The purpose of this step 102 is ultimately to improve the resolution of said digital representation Rj. Indeed, during such a capture, the acquisition parameters of the capture means 24 may need to be adjusted according to the properties of the sky at the time of observation, to take into account, for example, possible light pollution, particularly with regard to the environment. Furthermore, an optical system 10 according to the invention, comprising lenses, may cause distortions or aberrations in the produced digital image RRk.The invention provides that step 102 can therefore consist of implementing known image correction methods and / or techniques, such as, by way of non-limiting example, deconvolution of the point spread function (or Point Spread Function, according to Anglo-Saxon terminology), or even blur minimization. Furthermore, to deliver a more attractive rendering to the user, step 102 can also consist of improving the contrasts of the generated digital image RRk, in order to reproduce, using the rendering means 25, a more contrasted image.

[0064] It is also possible to reduce noise and / or improve the intensity and contrast of the digital representation Rj analyzed in 103 by implementing an optional step 102-a that triggers the capture of several successive digital images by the capture means 24, according to different acquisition parameters. The various intermediate digital representations Rj produced can be stored in the storage means 23, for example, in a TRN data structure provided for this purpose. A final Rj representation can then be produced for analysis in 103 by implementing a step 102-b to create said final digital representation from said successive captures, for example, by averaging the gray level value of light intensity or color of each pixel from said successive captures.Because the Earth rotates continuously on its axis during the observation of astronomical objects, these objects appear to move until they are outside the field of view of the optical system 10. Step 102-b can therefore consist of registering the intermediate digital representations Rj before averaging the pixels of each representation by implementing any known registration method. A "registration method" is defined as any method that allows the superposition of the pixels of two different digital representations encoding the same moving object observed at different times.

[0065] Alternatively or in addition, according to another embodiment of the invention, when step 105 for searching, in the storage means or data memory 23, for a record Ei associated with the characteristic pattern detected in a digital representation Rj does not succeed, a situation symbolized by link 105-n in figure 3 The method 100 can implement a step 111 to generate a discovery message (MsgD) for a third-party entity 10T, ST via the communication means 28b. This MsgD message may contain the previously determined positioning data DP of the study scene S. Such a third-party entity may consist of a remote server ST, for example, or a second optical system 10T. It is then possible to enrich the list of determined patterns Mi made available to a community of astronomers and ultimately stored in the memory means 23 of the systems 10 according to the invention, for example, in the form of structures TM. Indeed, upon receiving such a discovery message (MsgD), the third-party entity 10T, ST searches for characteristic pattern data sharing location data substantially similar to the positioning data DP contained in the discovery message.The third-party entity 10T, ST, generates and transmits, to the requesting optical system 10, a transmission message MsgT encoding data similar to that contained in a record Ei describing such a pattern, sharing location data substantially similar to the positioning data DP. Step 111 then consists of decoding such a transmission message MsgT and creating, from the data originating from said transmission message MsgT, a new record Ei in the structure TM. This structure is thus collaboratively enriched.

[0066] Since said third entity may be a 10T optical system according to the invention, the invention provides that the method 100 may include additional steps aimed respectively at receiving a discovery message (MsgD) and at generating and transmitting a transmission message (MsgT). Such additional steps would consist, by way of non-limiting example, of: decode a discovery message MsgD, said discovery message MsgD containing positioning data DP of a study scene S in the celestial vault; - search in the data memory for characteristic data of a pattern determined by said positioning data DP of the study scene S deduced from said discovery message MsgD and characteristic data of a determined pattern, location data DLi and associated metadata; develop a transmission message MsgT to encode said characteristic data of a determined pattern, said location data DLi and associated metadata; trigger the transmission of said transmission message MsgT by said means of communication 28b.

[0067] Such search, processing, and triggering of a transmission message MsgT can also result from the reception, via communication means 28b, of a separate information request, for example, a request to observe a portion of the celestial sphere emanating from a third-party entity 10T, ST, instead of a response to the reception of a discovery message MsgD. The processing unit 21 can then be configured to implement a step, prior to the processing of a transmission message MsgT, to capture a study scene S whose positioning data DP in the celestial sphere are deduced from such an observation request. In this case, the transmission message MsgT can also encode the digital representation Rj or the digital image RRk resulting from said capture.Finally, the invention provides that such a capture of a study scene S whose positioning data DP in the celestial vault are deduced from an observation request can be implemented without necessarily being followed by a step of developing a transmission message, in order to control an optical system comprising automatic pointing means, one or more motors and / or actuators, and / or to offer a user a simplified and assisted procedure for observing a portion determined by positioning data in the celestial vault such as, without limitation, an aid to pointing a given study scene.

[0068] The invention also provides that discovery messages MsgD, transmission messages MsgT and other information requests may further include or encode any other supplementary information, such as, by way of non-limiting examples, parameter values ​​relating to the capture of a portion of the celestial vault, for example, an exposure time or light sensitivity of the capture means, an acquired digital representation or a produced image.

[0069] Furthermore, according to a variant of the invention, a digital image RRk produced in 105 may include graphic content enabling the user of a system 10 according to the invention, in which a processing unit 21 implements a method 100 as described above, to be informed that an astronomical object of interest is located near the scene S currently being observed. This graphic content, for example, a directed arrow, may be stored in the storage means 23 and retrieved along with textual content indicating the direction of the positioning of said astronomical object located near the scene S being studied. The user can thus, if desired, orient their optical system to observe a new scene containing said object.Such an indication can be encoded in the form of meta-information Ii associated with a pattern Mi determined in the TM structure or with an astronomical object having a TO memory structure as described previously.

[0070] The invention has been described in its use in connection with applications relating to the observation of a study scene corresponding to a portion of the celestial sphere by an optical system, such as, but not limited to, a telescope or a refractor telescope. For the purposes of the invention and throughout this document, the terms "location and / or positioning data" may include, in addition to spatial or geographic coordinates, a timestamp of a capture of a portion of the celestial sphere, for example, a study scene S, from which said location and / or positioning data are derived.In this case, the processing unit 21 of an optical system 10 will include or cooperate with time-stamping means, such as, but not limited to, an atomic clock, such a clock possibly cooperating with an intelligent phone (also known by the Anglo-Saxon terminology Smartphone) and / or a satellite navigation and location system, etc., and the data structures within the data memory 23 will be arranged to record such composite location and / or position data.

[0071] The method for producing a digital image according to the invention has been described during its implementation by an optical system as presented in connection with the figures 1 And 2The invention also provides that such a method can be implemented by an optical system having a distinct structure, for example, comprising a reflective plate in place of the semi-reflective plate, or any other distinct optical arrangement including or not said semi-reflective plate. For example, the capture means 24 and the rendering means 25 of an optical system 10 according to the invention could be positioned along a longitudinal axis of the hollow body, with their active faces opposite each other.

[0072] Other modifications may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An optical system (10) comprising: - a processing unit (21) for producing a digital image (RRk) ; - a hollow body (11) comprising: ∘ an objective (12) for collecting a set of incoming light rays (RE) from a study scene (S); ∘ an eyepiece (13) for rendering all or part (RE1) of said incoming light rays (RE); ∘ capture means (24) having an active face, for capturing all or part (RE2) of said incoming light rays (RE); ∘ rendering means (25) comprising an active face for projecting the digital image in the form of a set of projected light rays (RP) into the hollow body (11); - the processing unit (21) being arranged to produce the digital image (RRk) from the captured light rays (RE2) and from meta-information (li, 101) recorded in a data memory (23, TM, Ei, TO, EOI) cooperating with said processing unit (21), which data memory comprises records (Ei) associated with determined patterns (Mi) (R9) and location data (DLi) of each said determined pattern (Mi) in the celestial vault (R10); - means (26, 27, 28a) for determining positioning data (DP, DL) of a study scene (S) in the celestial vault observed through the objective_(12) cooperating with the processing unit (21), said means (26, 27) consisting of means (26) for locating the optical system (10) on earth and means (27) for determining the orientation of the objective (12) of said optical system (10), said system (10) being characterised in that: - the processing unit (21) cooperates with a program memory (22) comprising instructions of a computer program product to: ∘ trigger capture of the incoming light rays (RE) from said study scene (S) by the capture means (24) and produce a digital representation (Rj) of said study scene (S); ∘ analyse said digital representation (Rj) and detect the presence of a characteristic pattern; ∘ extract from a first record (Ei) of the data memory (23, TM) the location data (DLi) and calculate a distance between said location data (DLi) extracted and the positioning data (DP) of said study scene (S) in the celestial vault; ∘ certify proximity of a pattern (Mi) associated with the location data (DLi) extracted from the study scene (S) if said distance calculated is less than a predetermined threshold (dist_max); ∘ if such proximity is certified, then search in the data memory (23, TM) for a record (Ei) associated with a determined pattern (Mi) close to said detected characteristic pattern, ∘ create the digital image (RRk) from the digital representation (Rj) and the meta-information (li, 101) and render said digital image (RRk) by said rendering means (25).

2. The optical system (10) according to claim 1: - comprising a semi-reflective blade (14) positioned within the hollow body to reflect a first subset of incoming light rays (RE2) toward the active face of said capture means (24) and transmit a second subset of incoming light rays (RE1) toward the eyepiece (13), the semi-reflective blade (14) being further arranged to transmit and reflect first and second subsets (RP2, RP1) of said projected light rays (RP) respectively to the active face of the capture means (24) and the eyepiece (13); - for which, the respective active faces of the capture means (24) and of the rendering means (25) face each other and are arranged on either side of the semi-reflective blade (14), said active faces being crossed by a virtual transverse axis (AT) of the hollow body (11) perpendicular to a virtual longitudinal axis (AL) of said hollow body (11) and crossing the centre of the semi-reflective blade (14).

3. The optical system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the hollow body comprises a polariser (15) for absorbing the light rays projected and transmitted (RP1) by the semi-reflective blade (14), arranged between the capture means (24) and the rendering means (25), said polariser being crossed by the virtual transverse axis (AT).

4. The optical system (10) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the hollow body (11) comprises an imaging lens (17) to constitute an image from the projected light rays (RP), arranged between the rendering means (25) and the semi-reflective blade (14), said lens being crossed by the virtual transverse axis (AT).

5. The optical system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising communication means (28b) cooperating with the processing unit (21), arranged to receive a transmission message (MsgT) issued from a third-party entity (10T, ST), the processing unit (21) being arranged to: - decode such a transmission message (MsgT) issued by said third-party entity (10T, ST), said transmission message (MsgT) encoding characteristic data of a given pattern, location data (DLi) and meta-information associated with said pattern; - register in the data memory (23, TM, Ei) said characteristic data of a determined pattern, said location data (DLi) and said meta-information associated with said pattern and deduced from said transmission message (MsgT).

6. The optical system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the communication means (28b) are arranged to issue a discovery message (MsgD) and the processing unit (21) is further arranged to: - create said discovery message (MsgD), such that it encodes the positioning data (DP, DL) of the study scene (S) in the celestial vault; - trigger issuance of said discovery message (MsgD) by the communication means (28b) to request from a third party entity (10T, ST) characteristic data of a pattern determined by said positioning data (DL, DP) of the study scene (S) and meta-information (li) in connection with said determined pattern.

7. The optical system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising communication means (28b) cooperating with the processing unit (21), arranged to transmit a transmission message (MsgT), the processing unit (21) being arranged to: - search in the data memory (23, TM, Ei) for characteristic data of a pattern determined by positioning data (DL, DP) of the study scene (S) and characteristic data of a determined pattern, location data (DLi) and meta-information associated with said pattern; - create a transmission message (MsgT) to encode said characteristic data of a given pattern, said location data (DLi) and said meta-information associated with said pattern; - trigger issuance of said transmission message (MsgT) by said communication means (28b).

8. The optical system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising communication means (28b) cooperating with the processing unit (21), arranged to issue a transmission message (MsgT) and receive a discovery message (MsgD), the processing unit (21) being arranged to: - decode said discovery message (MsgD), said discovery message (MsgD) comprising positioning data (DP, DL) of a study scene (S) in the celestial vault; - search in the data memory (23, TM, Ei) for characteristic data of a pattern determined by said positioning data (DL, DP) of the study scene (S) deduced from said discovery message (MsgD) and characteristic data of a determined pattern, location data (DLi) and meta-information associated with said pattern; - create a transmission message (MsgT) to encode said characteristic data of a given pattern, said location data (DLi) and said meta-information associated with said pattern; - trigger issuance of said transmission message (MsgT) by said communication means (28b).

9. A method (100) for creating a digital image (RRk) implemented by the processing unit (21) of an optical system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and observing a study scene (S), said processing unit (21) cooperating with the capture means (24), the rendering means (25) and the data memory (23) of said optical system (10), - the data memory (23, TM) comprises a record (Ei) associated with a determined pattern (Mi) comprising meta-information (li) characterising said pattern (Mi);-said method (100) comprises: ∘ a step (101) of triggering capture of the incoming light rays (RE) from said study scene (S) by the capture means (24) and creating a digital representation (Rj) of said study scene (S); ∘ a step (103) of analysing said digital representation (Rj) and detecting presence of a characteristic pattern; ∘ a step (105) of searching the data memory (23, TM) for a record (Ei) associated with a determined pattern (Mi) close to said detected characteristic pattern; ∘ a step (106) of extracting from such a record (Ei) the value of the associated meta-information (li); ∘ a step (107) of creating a digital image (RRk) from the digital representation (Rj) and said meta-information (li); ∘ a step (108) of rendering said digital image (RRk) by said rendering means (25), - the method (100) comprises, prior to the step (105) of searching in the data memory (23, TM) a record (Ei) associated with a pattern (Mi) close to the detected characteristic pattern: ∘ a step (104-a, 104-b) of collecting location data (DL) produced by said means (26, 27, 28a) and determining from said location data (DL) the positioning data (DP) of the study scene (S) in the celestial vault; ∘ a step (104-c) of extracting from a first record (Ei) of the data memory (23, TM) the location data (DLi) and calculating a distance between said extracted location data (DLi) and the positioning data (DP) of said study scene (S) in the celestial vault; ∘ a step (104-d) of certifying proximity of a pattern (Mi) associated with the location data (DLi) extracted from the study scene (S) if said distance calculated is less than a predetermined threshold (dist_max); ∘ said step (105) of searching in the data memory (23, TM) for a record (Ei) associated with a pattern (Mi) close to the detected characteristic pattern, being implemented if and only if the step (104-d) of certifying proximity of the pattern (Mi) associated with the location data (DLi) extracted from the study scene (S), certifies such proximity.

10. The method (100) according to claim 9, comprising, prior to step (103) of analysing said digital representation (Rj) produced by the capture means (24), a step (102) of improving contrast and / or reducing noise of the digital representation (Rj).

11. The method (100) according to claim 10, comprising, prior to step (103) of analysing said digital representation (Rj): - a step (102-a) of triggering acquisition of several successive digital representations by the capture means (24); - a step (102-b) of creating a single digital representation (Rj) from said successive digital representations.

12. The method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising: - a step (109) of recording, at the end of the step (108) of rendering the digital image (RRk) by the rendering means (25), said digital image (RRk) in the data memory (23, TRR); - a step (110), prior to the step (103) of analysing the digital representation (Rj), to extract from said data memory (23, TRR) the digital image (RRk) derived from the previous rendering, and subtracting said digital image (RRk) from the digital representation (Rj) of the current study scene (S).

13. The method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: - the processing unit (21) further cooperates with communication means (28b) to communicate with a third-party entity (10T, ST); - said method (100) comprises a step (111) of creating a discovery message (MsgD) comprising the positioning data (DP) of the study scene (S) in the celestial vault and triggering issuance thereof, if the step (105) of searching in the data memory (23, TM) for a record (Ei) associated with a pattern close to the characteristic pattern has failed (105-n).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the step (101) of triggering capture of the incoming light rays (RE) from said study scene (S) by the capture means (24) and producing a digital representation (Rj) of said study scene (S) is implemented so as to capture a study scene (S) designated by positioning data (DP, DL) of said study scene (S) in the celestial vault.