Device and system for locating an object

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for locating an object, comprising: - at least two illumination modules (10), each illumination module (10) being arranged to emit an emitted beam, - at least one detection circuit (20) arranged to receive at least two reflected beams, - a computation unit (30) arranged to determine the position of the object by analysing the at least two reflected beams, characterised in that each beam (F) emitted by one of the at least two illumination modules (10) has a main light distribution obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions, the device further comprising at least one optical component (40) arranged to obscure part of the at least two secondary light distributions, one of the secondary light distributions being arranged to be superimposed at least in part on another of the secondary light distributions.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATING AN OBJECT TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

[0002] It relates more particularly to a device for locating an object positioned in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to control functions inside the passenger compartment such as, for example, audio, air conditioning, telephone, navigation functions, etc.

[0003] It also relates to a system for locating an object, preferably positioned in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Object location devices are known comprising at least two light modules positioned 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 because the beams emitted by the light modules are aligned on the same axis. Therefore, in this configuration, the deduction of position information from the reflected beams is only feasible from at least two light beams which each have variable intensities in space depending on the direction of emission.

[0005] Light modules that allow for variable intensities in space depending on their emission direction are usually obtained by specific light guides coupled to light sources. These light guides have complex shapes and therefore require high alignment requirements with their light source and with the other elements present in the location device. As a result, an alignment error penalizes the performance of the object location device. In addition, these devices are complex to implement, which also raises problems of production cost of such a device. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a device for locating an object comprising: - at least two illumination modules, each illumination module being arranged to emit a beam, called the emitted beam, in a propagation direction; - at least one detection circuit arranged to receive at least two reflected beams, each reflected beam being associated with a reflection, on said object, of the beam emitted by one of the at least two illumination modules, said at least two illumination modules and said at least one detection circuit being positioned in the same plane, said device further comprising: - a calculation unit arranged to determine the position of said object by analysis of said at least two reflected beams, characterized in that each beam emitted by one of said at least two illumination modules has a main light distribution obtained by combination of at least two secondary light distributions, said device further comprising at least one optical component arranged to obscure a portion of said at least two secondary light distributions, one of said secondary light distributions being arranged to overlap at least in part with another of said secondary light distributions.

[0007] Thanks to the arrangement of the optical component and the secondary light distributions, it is possible to simply model the main distributions of the emitted beams. Thus, the device according to the present disclosure makes it possible to simply obtain emitted beams which each have a main distribution which varies in space. Such a solution is easy to implement and inexpensive since the device is made from standard components which are more easily arranged in the device according to the present disclosure. They also require fewer adjustments. As a result, the device according to the present disclosure is more easily modular or modifiable.

[0008] In the following, light distribution means the representation of the radiation pattern of the beam associated with this light distribution. This light distribution can be represented either by its spatial distribution or associated spatial distribution or by its angular distribution or associated angular distribution.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the term total angular extent means the total angular aperture or the total angular range of the angular distribution of the light distribution.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the intensity emitted by a light source varies with the direction of emission. Each light source preferably has a total angular extent having symmetry about its optical axis. Preferably, each total angular extent has a maximum point positioned on the optical axis of the light source.

[0011] Using the total angular extent or total angular aperture, a half angle is defined, also known in English as "half angle". In the present disclosure, the half angle corresponds to half of the total angular extent or total angular aperture. It is thus possible to define an illumination limit, a curve where the intensity of the light is reduced by half at the half angle. Thus, at the half angle, the intensity of the emission of the light source emitted at this angle is half the intensity emitted at the center, i.e. half the intensity emitted along the optical axis of the light source.

[0012] Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the device according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are set out below.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the main light distribution emitted by one of said at least two illumination modules is arranged to illuminate, in a vertical direction, at least in part the same area of ​​space as the at least one other main light distribution emitted by the at least one other of said at least two illumination modules so as to locate the object along a vertical direction of the plane.

[0014] According to this latter embodiment, each secondary distribution of one of said at least two illumination modules is arranged to illuminate, in a vertical direction, at least in part the same area of ​​space as at least one of said at least two secondary distributions of at least one other of said at least two illumination modules.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment, the device according to the present disclosure comprises at least two other illumination modules positioned on said plane, said at least one detection circuit being positioned between said at least two illumination modules and said at least two other modules. illumination, the main light distribution emitted by one of said at least two illumination modules is arranged to illuminate, in a horizontal direction, at least in part the same area of ​​space as the at least one main light distribution emitted by at least one other of said at least two other illumination modules, so as to be able to locate the object along a horizontal direction of the plane in order to obtain the position of said object in three dimensions.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure, each illumination module comprises at least two distinct light sources each emitting an initial beam having one of said secondary light distributions.

[0017] In one embodiment, said at least two light sources are aligned along a main axis which is parallel or orthogonal to an axis of said plane.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, each illumination module comprises a light source arranged to emit an initial beam in a light guide, said light guide being arranged to emit said at least two secondary light distributions.

[0019] In another embodiment, each main light distribution has a maximum point relating to a maximum light intensity, each maximum point of the main light distributions being angularly separated by at least ten degrees from the other maximum points of the other main light distributions in a vertical direction.

[0020] In one embodiment, each illumination module comprises an optical axis, the optical axis of said at least two illumination modules being inclined relative to each other at an angle of between 10 and 90 degrees.

[0021] In one embodiment, each secondary light distribution comprises an angular distribution distinct from the angular distribution of at least one other of said secondary light distributions of the same illumination module.

[0022] In one embodiment, each main light distribution has a total angular extent of between 10 and 90 degrees, preferably between 20 and 60 degrees.

[0023] In one embodiment, each secondary light distribution has a total angular extent of between 20 and 150 degrees, preferably between 50 and 120 degrees.

[0024] In another embodiment, in the same illumination module, at least one of said secondary angular distributions has a total angular extent of between 20 and 60 degrees, preferably between 30 and 50 degrees, while at least one other of said at least two secondary angular distributions has a total angular extent of between 45 and 150 degrees, preferably between 70 and 120 degrees.

[0025] In other words, in this embodiment, in the same illumination module, at least one of said secondary angular distributions has a total angular extent with a half-angle between 20 and 45 degrees, preferably between 20 and 25 degrees, while at least one other of said at least two secondary angular distributions has a total angular extent with a half-angle between 40 and 80 degrees, preferably between 50 and 70 degrees.

[0026] In one embodiment, said at least one optical component is arranged to obscure at least half of said at least two secondary light distributions of the same illumination module.

[0027] In one embodiment, the at least one optical component is an absorbing element or an optical beam deflecting element.

[0028] In one embodiment, said at least two illumination modules are arranged on either side of said at least one optical component.

[0029] In one embodiment, the emitted beam is an infrared beam.

[0030] In another embodiment, the beam emitted by each illumination module is a pulsed beam.

[0031] In one embodiment, said pulsed beam has at least one pulse of at least ten microseconds.

[0032] In one embodiment, said device further comprises a control circuit configured to activate the at least two illumination modules alternately.

[0033] In one embodiment, said at least two illumination modules are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of said plane.

[0034] In one embodiment, the position of said object is determined according to an abacus linking a ratio between an intensity of one of said at least two reflected beams and an intensity of another of said at least two beams. think.

[0035] The invention also provides a system comprising: - a device according to the present disclosure, - a display screen arranged to extend in two directions, called respectively the main vertical direction and the main horizontal direction, said at least two illumination modules and said at least one detection circuit being aligned in said main horizontal direction.

[0036] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0038] On the attached drawings:

[0039] [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0040] [Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of an abacus for ascending to an angular position of an object as a function of variations in intensity of two reflected beams coming from each illumination module of the device of Figure 1;

[0041] [Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an illumination module used in the device according to the present disclosure;

[0042] [Fig. 4] is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an illumination module used in the device according to the present disclosure;

[0043] [Fig. 5] is a first embodiment of an arrangement of two illumination modules and a detection circuit in a device according to the present disclosure;

[0044] [Fig. 6] is a schematic representation of two principal light distributions obtained by the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5;

[0045] [Fig. 7] is a second embodiment of an arrangement of two illumination modules together with a detection circuit in a device according to the present disclosure;

[0046] [Fig. 8] is a schematic representation of two principal light distributions obtained by the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7;

[0047] [Fig. 9] is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure;

[0048] [Fig. 10] is a side view of the first embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure;

[0049] [Fig. 1 1 ] is a front view of the first embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure. Device

[0050] A first embodiment of a device 100 for locating an object 5 according to the present disclosure will be described using figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. By way of example, the object can be associated with a hand of an individual positioned with regard to the device 100.

[0051] The device 100 illustrated in figure 1 comprises in this example two illumination modules 10, denoted respectively 10A, 10B, a detection circuit 20, a calculation unit 30 and an optical component 40. Advantageously, the calculation unit 30 of the device 100 can be a computer, a processor or any other electronic element making it possible to implement a succession of commands and / or calculations.

[0052] In the device 100, each illumination module 10 is arranged to emit a beam, called emitted beam F, along a propagation direction 17. The detection circuit 20 is arranged to receive two reflected beams. Each reflected beam is associated with a reflection, on said object 5, of the emitted beam F by one of the two illumination modules 10. As a result, each reflected beam is associated with an illumination module 10.

[0053] The computing unit 30 is arranged to determine the position of the object 5 by analyzing the two reflected beams.

[0054] According to this example, each beam emitted F by the two illumination modules 10 has a main light distribution 13 obtained by combining at least two secondary light distributions 14. The device 100 further comprises an optical component 40 arranged to obscure a part of said at least two secondary light distributions, one of said secondary light distributions 14i being arranged to overlap at least in part another of said secondary light distributions 142.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates a first example embodiment of the illumination module 10 of the device 100 emitting an emitted beam F. The illumination module 10 illustrated in Figure 3 comprises at least two light sources 1 1 , 12 distinct.

[0056] The two light sources 11, 12 illustrated in Figure 3 are each arranged to emit an initial beam 15. Each initial beam 15 emitted by the light sources 11, 12 has a secondary light distribution 14. For example, the secondary light distribution 14i is emitted by the light source 11 while the light distribution 142 is emitted by the light source 12. The two secondary light distributions 14i and 142 overlap (here following a secondary overlap zone 19) thus creating the main light distribution 13 by combining the two secondary light distributions 14i, 142.

[0057] Following this example, the properties of the emitted flux F therefore depend on the initial beams 15 emitted by the two light sources 11, 12. Consequently, the main light distribution 13 is a function of the properties of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142, in particular the properties of the secondary light distributions in the secondary overlap zone 19. By way of example, by properties of the secondary light distributions, we mean at least one of the characteristics listed below: - the shape of the secondary light distribution, - its spread defined by a total angular extent or its total angular opening, - its variation in spatial intensity, - its variation in angular intensity, - its spectrum, - the wavelength associated with the initial beam 15 of the secondary light distribution, etc.

[0058] Such an arrangement makes it possible to simply model the emitted beam F and the main light distribution 13 associated with this emitted beam F. Also, the illumination module 10 of figure 3 is composed of standard components, it is easy to implement and inexpensive. In addition, these components require few adjustments or adjustments that are very easy to implement compared to the use of light modules composed of complex light guides.

[0059] According to the example illustrated in Figure 3, the two secondary distributions 14i, 142 of the initial beam 15 emitted by the two light sources 11, 12 each have a secondary propagation direction 111, 112. The secondary propagation directions 111, 112 are aligned on the same axis P to within 0.3 millimeters and are parallel to the propagation direction 17 of the emitted beam F. In this example, the secondary light distributions 14i, 142 each have a secondary maximum point 113, 114 which is relative to a maximum intensity of the secondary light distribution 14i, 142 with which it is associated.

[0060] In the example of figure 3, these secondary maximum points 1 13, 1 14 are aligned on the same axis, here the axis P. As a result, the maximum point 1 13 has an angular position on its associated secondary light distribution 14i which is equivalent to the angular position of the maximum point 1 14 associated with the secondary light distribution 142. Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain a main distribution 13 with a single maximum point 133 of intensity.

[0061] In this example, the optical component 40 is positioned in the illumination module 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably, it is arranged to obscure a portion 18 of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142. The optical component 40 is thus positioned to cut off a portion of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142, in particular a portion positioned after the secondary maximum point 113, 114 of each secondary light distribution 14i, 142. As a result, for each initial beam 15, only the portion of the secondary distribution 14i or 142 oriented on the side not obscured by the optical component 40 (i.e. on the other side of the maximum point 113, 114) is retained. The use of such an optical component 40 makes it possible to select in a simple and inexpensive manner the parts of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142 which will form the main light distribution 13.In a preferred embodiment, the optical component 40 is an absorbing element arranged to absorb a portion of the two secondary distributions 14i, 142. In another embodiment, the optical component 40 may be an optical beam deflecting element. Preferably, the optical component 40 is arranged to obscure half of the two secondary light distributions 14i, 142. Such an arrangement further improves. plus the simplicity of the optical component selection function 40 explained previously.

[0062] The two secondary light distributions 14i, 142 each have their own total angular extent or total angular opening. Optionally, the secondary light distribution 14i has a different angular distribution than the angular distribution of the secondary light distribution 142. Therefore, the variation of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142 are different. According to this example, the secondary light distribution 14i has a total angular extent less than a total angular extent of the secondary light distribution 142. For example, the total angular extent of the secondary light distribution 14i is 50.0 degrees (°) while the total angular extent of the secondary light distribution 142 is 120.0 degrees. Thus, according to this example, the half-angle of the secondary light distribution 14i is 25.0 degrees while the half-angle of the secondary light distribution 142 is 60.0 degrees.

[0063] Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain a main distribution 13 having an angular extent which is a function of the angular extent of the two secondary light distributions 14i, 142.

[0064] The total angular extent of the main light distribution 13 is obtained from the unobscured parts of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142. Thus, this makes it possible to obtain a main light distribution 13 with an extended angular extent and which has high intensities over a first angular range 136 which is substantially proportional to the secondary light distribution 14i and lower intensities over a second angular range 137 which is proportional to the secondary light distribution 142.In this example, the first angular range 136 is less than the second angular range 137, which makes it possible to obtain an emitted beam F with a directional and high intensity part over the first angular range 136 and a less directional part over the second angular range 137 and having lower intensities compared to the intensities of the main light distribution 13 over the first angular range 136. By way of example, the total angular extent of the main light distribution 13 shown in FIG. 3 is of the order of 60 degrees to within 10 degrees, i.e. of the order of the half-angle of the secondary light distribution 142 (of greater total angular extent).

[0065] Such characteristics make it possible to obtain in a simple and inexpensive manner a main light distribution 13 which is extended and varies in space. The variation of the main light distribution can be modeled in a simple manner (by playing on the total angular extents or half-angles of the total angular extents of the secondary light distributions 14i, 142) to obtain a good signal-to-noise ratio in desired detection zones.

[0066] The two light sources 11, 12 are preferably light diodes emitting in the infrared, preferably in the near infrared between 780 nanometers and 1400 nanometers. In this way, the emitted beam F does not disturb the vision of an individual in a vehicle. In the example considered, the two light sources 11, 12 emit at the same wavelength of 890 nanometers. Optionally, the two light sources 11, 12 are pulsed sources emitting pulses of at least 10 microseconds, preferably 10 microseconds. Thus, the beam F emitted by the illumination module 10 of FIG. 3 is a pulsed beam which has pulses which are a function of the pulses of the two light sources 11, 12. Preferably, the beam F emitted by the illumination module 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 has pulses of at least ten microseconds, preferably equal to 10 microseconds.Such an arrangement makes it easier to process and analyze the reflected beams to retrieve the position information of said object 5.

[0067] Figure 4 illustrates a second example embodiment of the illumination module 10 of the device 100. Only the differences with Figure 3 will be described.

[0068] According to this example, the illumination module 10 comprises a single light source 11 and a light guide 16. The light source 11 illustrated in FIG. 4 is arranged to emit an initial beam 15 in the light guide 16, in particular at a first end 161 of the light guide 16. The light guide 16 is arranged to emit several secondary distributions 14. In the illustrated example, at least four secondary distributions, numbered 14i, 142, 143, 144 are formed from the light guide 16. Each secondary distribution 14 of the example illustrated in FIG. 4 is arranged to propagate in a secondary propagation direction, numbered respectively 111, 112, 113, 114. According to the example of FIG. 4, each secondary distribution 14 is arranged to overlap with its adjacent secondary distributions.

[0069] Combining four secondary light distributions 14 allows a detection area to be sampled more finely. The measurement accuracy is therefore increased. Such accuracy can be achieved with the illumination module of the example illustrated in Figure 3 by increasing the number of light sources 1 1 , 12. These additional light sources can also have distinct angular extents or distinct half-angles of the total angular apertures.

[0070] In the examples of Figures 3 and 4, the combination of the main light distributions 13 of each illumination module 10A, 10B defines the detection zone associated with the device 100. By way of example, the detection zone is defined as a function of the total angular extent of each main light distribution 13 of the device 100 for an object-detection circuit distance 20 varying between 1.0 centimeter and 30.0 centimeter. According to this 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.

[0071] According to the example of Figure 4, the device 100 comprises a plurality of optical elements 40 which are incorporated in the light guide 16. There are as many secondary light distributions 14 as there are optical elements 40. Thus, each optical element 40 is associated with a secondary light distribution 14 to obscure a portion 18 of this secondary light distribution 14. Here, half of each secondary distribution 14 is obscured by the optical component 40. Such an arrangement makes it possible to easily modulate the main light distribution 13.

[0072] In the example of Figure 4, the secondary light distributions 14 have a total angular extent with a half-angle that is arranged to increase as a function of the propagation of the initial beam 15 in the light guide 16. Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain a main light distribution 13 that has a variation in light intensity (or intensity profile) that varies progressively as a function of an emission angle associated with the main light distribution 13. Such a guide is easier to implement and adjust.

[0073] Unlike Figure 3, using a light guide 16 emitting secondary light distributions 14 as illustrated in Figure 4 may pose manufacturing difficulties compared to a light module 10 as illustrated in Figure 3. In addition, the light guide 16 after manufacturing is fixed. The module illumination of figure 4 is therefore less adjustable than the example illustrated in figure 3 in which the optical component 40 can have a adjustable position.

[0074] Preferably, the two illumination modules 10 of the device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are similar. This makes it possible to obtain two main light distributions 13 which are similar, thus ensuring simplicity of design of the device 100. Thus, the device 100 may comprise two light modules 10 as illustrated in the example of FIG. 3. In the case of the example of FIG. 4, another light source 12 arranged to emit another initial beam 15 at the second end 162 of the light guide 16 makes it possible to obtain a second illumination module 10 used in the device 100. Such an arrangement avoids using a second light guide 16, which also avoids additional adjustments which can be tedious.

[0075] In another embodiment, the other light module 10 may comprise the same elements illustrated in FIG. 4. In this case, the light guide 16 of each illumination module 10 may be superimposed, each light guide 16 being arranged to form a main light distribution 13 inverted with respect to the other light guide belonging to the other illumination module 10.

[0076] Figure 6 illustrates an example of two main distributions 13, numbered 131, 132 obtained by the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1 by means of two illumination modules 10 illustrated according to the example of Figure 3 or 4. The main distributions 131, 132 obtained are oriented along the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1 (i.e. along the y axis).

[0077] Following the example of Figure 6, the two main light distributions 131, 132 have a similar variation (in intensity). They both have a variation in intensity that varies in space. However, the two main light distributions 131, 132 are inverted relative to each other. Furthermore, the two main light distributions 131, 132 are superimposed on an overlapping portion denoted 134. Thus, the illumination modules 10A and 10B are arranged to illuminate, preferably separately, the same area of ​​space defined in this example by the overlapping area 134. Such an arrangement makes it possible to sample the detection area continuously. The overlapping area 134 is oriented in this example in a vertical direction 2.

[0078] Following this example, the two main light distributions 131, 132 each have a maximum point 133. The two maximum points 133 illustrated in FIG. 6 are angularly separated (distance 135 in FIG. 6) by at least ten degrees along the vertical direction 2, making it possible to easily associate each reflected beam with an illumination module 10 in order to determine the position of said object 5 in the vertical direction 2 (i.e. along the vertical axis y).

[0079] Preferably, the two illumination modules 10 of the device 100 are configured to emit their emitted beam F alternately. As a result, the two main light distributions 131, 132 will be emitted alternately, making it easier to associate the reflected beam received with the emitted beam F by the illumination module 10 in order to find the position of the object 5. Such characteristics further improve the ease of implementation of the device 100.

[0080] Furthermore, since the two secondary light distributions 131, 132 are arranged to illuminate (alternately) the same area of ​​the space, i.e. the overlapping portion 134, it is not necessary to use a linearization function linking the intensity of the reflected beam associated with the emitted beam F of the module 10A to the intensity of the received beam associated with the emitted beam F to the module 10B. The processing carried out by the calculation unit 30 is therefore easier to implement and less costly in terms of calculation time. Preferably, when the two illumination modules 10A, 10B are activated alternately, the arrangement 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 optionally comprises a control circuit 50 configured to activate the two illumination modules 10A, 10B alternately.

[0081] Thus, according to the present disclosure, by analyzing the proportion of light coming from the illumination module 10A and the proportion of light coming from the illumination module 10B, it is possible to locate an object 5 in the vertical direction 2 of the plane (i.e. along the vertical axis y).

[0082] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an abacus making it possible to find the position of the object 5 in the vertical direction 2 from the reflected beams coming from the main light distributions 131, 132 of each illumination module 10A and 10B illustrated in Figure 6. The abacus as illustrated in Figure 2 is pre-recorded, for example in an external memory linked to the device 100 or an internal memory of the calculation unit 30. According to one example, this abacus has been recorded in using a target associated with an object 5 to be detected which has a gray of 18% (reflectance of 10%). The target was moved in space (i.e. in the detection zone, in particular along the vertical direction 2 for different positions along a horizontal axis x of the plane 1) at a distance from the detection circuit 20 varying between 5 mm for a two-dimensional detection along the vertical axis y (vertical direction 2 of the plane 1) and 150 mm when a three-dimensional detection is carried out (figures 9, 10, 11). The beams reflected by the target were recorded. In this example, the zero angular position w is associated with an object 5 positioned in front of the detection circuit 20 (along its optical axis), the variation in intensity of the beam reflected by the illumination module 10A is associated with the variation noted 201 while the variation in intensity of the beam reflected by the illumination module 10B is associated with the variation noted 202.

[0083] Using Figure 2, the position of the object 5 is found as follows. The illumination modules 10A and 10B of the device 100 emit their emitted beam F alternately, each reflected beam of intensity IA or IB received by the detection circuit 20 is associated with an illumination module 10A or 10B of the device 100 and therefore with the intensity variation 201 or 202. The intensity value of each reflected beam IA and IB received by the detection circuit 20 can thus be associated with the angular position Wverticai by means of a conversion table. For example, the following ratio Rverticai makes it possible to find the angular position with the pre-recorded conversion table which associates with each ratio value Rverticai, an angular position or an angle Wverticai: [Math 1] p — _ I A ''vertical j 'B

[0084] Furthermore, the addition of the intensity associated with the reflected beam IA from the light module 10A with the intensity associated with the reflected beam IB from the light module 10B makes it possible to estimate the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20. Thus, the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 is determined by the following formula: [Math 2] T = I A + I B

[0085] Thus, according to this embodiment, the position of said object 5 is determined according to polar coordinates by the angle wverticai and the distance between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20. It is therefore possible from the angle wverticai and the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 to find the Cartesian coordinates in two dimensions along the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1 (vertical axis y) from classic trigonometric formulas.

[0086] The three-dimensional position of the object can be obtained from a device according to the present disclosure comprising two other illumination modules 10 positioned on said plane 1. In this embodiment, the detection circuit 20 is positioned between the two illumination modules 10 and the two other illumination modules 10 (Figures 9-10). According to this embodiment, the main light distribution 13 emitted by one of said two illumination modules 10 is arranged to illuminate, in a horizontal direction 2, at least in part the same area of ​​space as the at least one other main light distribution 13 emitted by one of the two other illumination modules 10.

[0087] Figure 5 illustrates a first example of arrangement of two illumination modules 10, denoted respectively 10A and 10B, with a detection circuit 20 and an optical component 40 in the device 100.

[0088] According to this example, the illumination modules 10A, 10B and the detection circuit 20 are positioned in the same plane 1. The plane 1 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction 2 and the horizontal direction 3. The optical component 40 is positioned between the two illumination modules 10A and 10B and extends in an elongation direction 41 which is orthogonal to the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1. In this embodiment, the illumination modules 10A, 10B and the optical component 40 are aligned along a first main axis, denoted A1 while the detection circuit 20 is aligned along a second main axis, denoted A2, which is parallel to the first main axis A1. The first main axis A1 and the second main axis A2 are parallel to the vertical direction 2. The optical component 40 is positioned at a distance d from the detection circuit 20.The distance d separating the optical component 40 from the detection circuit 20 is less than 10 millimeters, preferably less than 5 millimeters. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 5, the optical component 40 is positioned between the illumination modules 10A, 10B at equal distance. By way of example, the optical component 40 is positioned at a distance e from the illumination modules 10A and 10B given for example by the distance between the light source 12A or 12B and a wall of the optical component 40 oriented towards the side of the illumination module 10A or 10B. The. distance e is preferably less than 3 millimeters.

[0089] In this example, each illumination module 10A, 10B comprises the two light sources 11, 12, numbered 11A and 12A for the light sources of the illumination module 10A and 11B and 12B for the light sources of the illumination module 10B. Preferably, the illumination modules 10A and 10B are similar to the illumination module 10 illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, by way of example, the light sources 11A and 11B each have a total angular extent (i.e. total angular opening) of 120.0 degrees (i.e. a half-angle of 60.0 degrees) while the light sources 12A and 12B each have a total angular opening of 50.0 degrees (i.e. a half-angle of 25.0 degrees). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the light sources 11A and 11B (i.e., the light source having the highest total angular extent) are further from the optical component 40 than the light sources 12A and 12B.

[0090] Arranging the light sources 11A and 11B having the highest total angular extents at a further distance from the optical component 40 makes it possible to avoid sharp cutoffs of the main light distribution 13 emitted by each of the illumination modules 10A, 10B. Furthermore, such an arrangement is more favorable for axial integration of the elements of the device 100 in a dashboard of a vehicle.

[0091] Figure 7 illustrates a second example of arrangement of two illumination modules 10 with a detection circuit 20 and an optical component 40 in the device 100. Only the differences with Figure 5 will be described.

[0092] In this embodiment, the illumination module 10A is oriented along a first main axis denoted A1 and the illumination module 10B is oriented along a second main axis denoted A2. The optical component 40 and the detection circuit 20 are aligned along a third main axis A3. The first, second and third main axes A1, A2, A3 are parallel to each other and parallel to the elongation direction 2 (vertical direction) of the plane 1, the third main axis A3 being positioned between the first and second main axes A1, A2. Therefore, in this arrangement, the illumination modules 10A, 10B are positioned symmetrically with respect to the third main axis A3.

[0093] In this embodiment, each light source 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B is separated from the optical component 40 by the distance e, which means that the light sources 11A and 11B, 12A and 12B of the example of Figure 7 are not distant from the optical component 40 as a function of their total angular extent or half-angle, unlike the example illustrated in figure 5.

[0094] Figure 8 illustrates an example of two main distributions 13, numbered 131, 132 obtained by the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1 by means of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 7. Only the differences with Figure 6 will be described. According to this example, the maximum points 133 of the two main distributions 131, 132 are superimposed. This makes it possible to obtain a more continuous sampling than the example illustrated in Figure 6. In addition, this makes it possible to obtain a variation in intensity linked to the main distributions 131, 132 continuous. The main distributions 131, 132 are therefore directive in the same detection zone. However, the processing by the calculation unit 30 of the reflected beams can be more tedious and less precise than that of the example of Figure 6. System

[0095] Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate an example of a system 1000 according to the present disclosure. The system 1000 illustrated in Figures 9, 10 and 11 comprises a display screen 200 and two devices, denoted 100G and 100D respectively.

[0096] The display screen 200 is arranged to extend in two elongation directions 201, 202, called respectively the main horizontal direction 201 and the main vertical direction 202.

[0097] In another variant, the display screen 200 may be tilted by a tilt angle obtained by rotating the display screen 200 about 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.

[0098] According to this example, the two devices 100G and 100D are identical and comprise a common detection circuit 20. The device 100G positioned to the left of the detection circuit 20 comprises two illumination modules 10AG and 10BG separated by the optical element 40G and the device 100D positioned to the right of the detection circuit 20 comprises two illumination modules 10AD and 1OBD separated by the optical element 40D. The arrangement of the two illumination modules 10AG, 10AD, 10BG, 10BD and the optical element 40G and 40D of each device 100G and 100D may be similar to those shown in Figures 5 and 7.

[0099] Following this example, the two devices 100G and 100D are identical. They are each composed of two illumination modules 10A, 10B. The modules illumination modules 1 0AG and 1 0AD comprise light sources 11 A and 12A and illumination modules 1 0BG and 1 0BD comprise light sources 1 1 B and 12B. As before, light sources 12A and 12B each have a lower total angular aperture than light sources 1 1 A and 1 1 B.

[0100] In this example, the illumination modules 10AG and 10AD are aligned on the first main axis A1 which is parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200 and the illumination modules 10BG and 10BD are aligned on the second main axis A2 which is parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200. Therefore, in the system 1000, the plane 1 of each device 100G and 100D is a plane of the display screen 200. The optical elements 40G and 40D of each device 100G and 100D and the detection circuit 20 are aligned on the third main axis A3 which is parallel to the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen 200. Preferably, the detection circuit 20 is positioned equidistant from the optical components 40G and 40D. 40D.In this embodiment, the distance d separating the detection circuit 20 from each optical component 40G and 40D preferably varies between 20.0 millimeters and 300.0 millimeters.

[0101] Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the system 1000. According to this representation, the illumination module 10AG comprises an optical axis OPTAG relative to an illumination direction of the illumination module 10AG. The optical axis can be defined as an axis passing through one of the light sources 11A, 12A and passing through the maximum 133 of the main distribution 131. The optical axis OPTAG is parallel to the propagation direction 17 of the beam F emitted by the illumination module 10AG. The illumination module 10BG comprises an optical axis OPTBG relative to an illumination direction of the illumination module 10BG and defined similarly to the optical axis OPTAG of the illumination module 10AG. The optical axis OPTBG is parallel to the propagation direction 17 of the beam F emitted by the illumination module 10BG.

[0102] In this example, the optical axis OPTAG, OPTBG of the two illumination modules 1 0AG and 1 0BG are inclined relative to each other at an angle of between 10 and 90 degrees, an angle given between their respective maximum intensity point 133. In this way, the illumination module 1 0AG is arranged to illuminate an area of ​​the space 8 (shown schematically on the first main axis A1), called the high area 8, of the detection zone while the illumination module 1 0BG is arranged to illuminate another area of ​​the space 9 (shown schematically on the second main A2), called low zone 9, of the detection zone. The high zone 8 of illumination 1 OAG is positioned higher along the main vertical direction 202 compared to the low zone 9 of illumination of the module 1 0BG.

[0103] In the device 100G, the main light distribution 131 of the module 10AG, the main light distribution 132 of the module 10BG are arranged to illuminate the same area of ​​the space, the area materialized by the overlapping area 134 illustrated in FIG. 10 (or as illustrated in FIG. 6), in the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1, that is to say parallel to the main vertical direction 202 of the display screen 200. Such an arrangement makes it possible to locate objects 5 along a vertical direction of the space (long axis y) positioned in an area of ​​the space 6 (shown schematically by the axis 6), called left area 6.

[0104] In the device 100D, the main light distribution 131 of the module 10AD, the main light distribution 132 of the module 1OBD are arranged to illuminate the same other zone of the space, the zone materialized by another overlapping zone 134 (equivalent to the overlapping zone 134 illustrated in FIG. 10 or in FIG. 6), according to the vertical direction 2 of the plane 1, that is to say parallel to the main vertical direction 202 of the display screen 200. Such an arrangement makes it possible to locate objects 5 along a vertical direction of the space (long axis y) positioned in a zone of the space 7 (schematized on the axis 7), called right zone 7. The right zone 7 and the left zone 6 thus have a different spatial position along the horizontal direction 3 or the main horizontal direction 201 (axis x).

[0105] The main light distribution 131 of the module 1 OAG is arranged to illuminate, in the horizontal direction 3 of the plane 1 or the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen (along the x axis), at least in part the same area of ​​space (secondary overlap area numbered 138) as the main light distribution 131 emitted by the illumination module 1 0AD. Such an arrangement makes it possible to locate objects along a horizontal direction of space (long axis x) positioned in the upper area 8 (schematized on the first main axis A1) of the detection area.

[0106] The main light distribution 132 of the module 1 OBG is arranged to illuminate, in the horizontal direction 3 of the plane 1 or the main horizontal direction 201 of the display screen (along the x axis), at least in part the same area of ​​space (other secondary overlapping area 138) as the distribution main light 132 emitted by the illumination module 10BD. Such an arrangement makes it possible to locate objects 5 along a horizontal direction of space (long axis x) positioned in the lower zone 9. The upper zone 8 and the lower zone 9 thus have a different spatial position along the vertical direction 2 or the main vertical direction 202 (axis y).

[0107] In the example of figures 9, 10 and 11, the module 1 OAG and the module 1 OAD are arranged to simultaneously emit their emitted beam F and the modules 10BG, 10BD are arranged to simultaneously emit their emitted beam F, while the illumination modules 10AG, 10BG, and respectively the modules 10AD, 1 OBD, are alternated with respect to each other. Such an arrangement makes it possible to find the three-dimensional position of the object 5.

[0108] In fact, a detection of the position of the object according to the vertical direction 2 or main vertical direction 202 (y axis) in the right 7 and left 6 zones is given: - in the left zone 6, by the ratio Rverticai.6 between the reflected beam from the 10AG module (IAG) and the reflected beam from the 10BG module (IBG), and - in the right zone 7, by the ratio Rverticaij between the reflected beam from the 10AD (IAD) module and the reflected beam from the 10BD (IBD) module.

[0109] As explained in Figure 2, the two ratios explained above Rverticai.6 Rverticai,7 can each be associated with an angular position Wvertical by means of a conversion table (pre-recorded abacus). Such ratios make it possible to find the angular position Wvertical in the left 6 and right 7 zones in order to find the spatial position of the object along the vertical direction 2.

[0110] Furthermore, it is possible to find the position of the object according to the horizontal direction 3 or main horizontal direction 201 (x axis) in the upper 8 and lower 9 zones by: - in the upper zone 8, with a ratio Rhorizontai.s between the reflected beam from the 10AG module (IAG) and the reflected beam from the 10AD module (IAD), and - in the lower zone 9, with a ratio Rhorizontai,9 between the reflected beam from the 10BG module (IBG) and the reflected beam from the 10BD module (IBD). [01 1 1 ] Such ratios make it possible to find the angular position of the object 5 Whorizontal in the upper 8 and lower 9 zones. For example, the ratio Rhorizontai.s in the upper 8 zone is obtained according to the formula: [Math 3]

[0112] As explained in Figure 2, the two ratios explained above Rhonzomai.s Rhorizontai,9 can each be associated with an angular position Whorizontal by means of a conversion table (pre-recorded abacus). Such ratios make it possible to find the angular position Whorizontal in the upper zone 8 and the lower zone 9 in order to find the spatial position of the object along the horizontal direction 3.

[0113] Alternatively, another ratio allows the position of the object to be determined by the following formula: [Math 4]

[0114] Thus, according to this embodiment, the position of said object 5 is determined from the different ratios which make it possible to return to the polar coordinates of the object 5 by the angle Whorizontal, Wverticai and the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20. It is therefore possible from the angle Wverticai, Whorizontal and the distance T between the object 5 and the detection circuit 20 to find the Cartesian coordinates in three dimensions.

[0115] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide any variation in accordance with the invention.

[0116] For example, the devices 100G and 100D may be part of the same device 100 composed of 4 illumination modules 10. The operation of such a system or device is similar to the device or system described in the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Device (100) for locating an object (5) comprising: - at least two illumination modules (10), each illumination module (10) being arranged to emit a beam, called emitted beam (F), in a propagation direction (17), - at least one detection circuit (20) arranged to receive at least two reflected beams, each reflected beam being associated with a reflection, on said object (5), of the beam emitted by one of the at least two illumination modules (10), said at least two illumination modules (10) and said at least one detection circuit (20) being positioned in the same plane (1), said device (100) further comprising: - a calculation unit (30) arranged to determine the position of said object (5) by analysis of said at least two reflected beams, characterized in that each beam emitted (F) by one of said at least two illumination modules (10) has a main light distribution (13, 131, 132) obtained by combination of at least two secondary light distributions (14), said device further comprising at least one optical component (40) arranged to obscure a portion of said at least two secondary light distributions, one of said secondary light distributions (14i) being arranged to overlap at least in part with another of said secondary light distributions (142).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by one of said at least two illumination modules (10) is arranged to illuminate, in a vertical direction (2), at least in part the same area of ​​space as the at least one other main light distribution (13, 131, 132) emitted by the at least one other of said at least two illumination modules (10).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises at least two other illumination modules (10) positioned on said plane (1), said at least one detection circuit (20) being positioned between said at least two illumination modules (10) and said at least two other illumination modules (10), the distribution main light distribution (13,131,132) emitted by one of said at least two illumination modules (10) is arranged to illuminate, in a horizontal direction (2), at least in part the same area of ​​space as the at least one main light distribution (13,131,132) emitted by the at least one other of said at least two other illumination modules (10).

4. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each illumination module (10) comprises at least two distinct light sources (11, 12) each emitting an initial beam having one of said secondary light distributions (14i; 142).

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

6. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each illumination module (10) comprises a light source (11) arranged to emit an initial beam (15) in a light guide (16), said light guide (16) being arranged to emit said at least two secondary light distributions (14; 14i, 142; 14a; 144).

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

8. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each illumination module (10) comprises an optical axis, the optical axis of said at least two illumination modules (10) being inclined relative to each other at an angle of between 10 and 90 degrees.

9. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each secondary light distribution (14) comprises an angular distribution distinct from the angular distribution of at least one other of said secondary light distributions (14) of the same illumination module (10).

10. 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 of between 10 and 90 degrees, preferably between 20 and 60 degrees. [Claim 1 1 ] Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, in the same illumination module (10), at least one of said secondary angular distributions (14) has a total angular extent of between 20 and 60 degrees while at least one other of said at least two secondary angular distributions (14) has a total angular extent of between 45 and 150 degrees.

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

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

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

15. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the emitted beam (F) is an infrared beam.

16. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the beam emitted by each illumination module (10) is a pulsed beam.

17. Device (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that said pulsed beam has at least one pulse of at least ten microseconds.

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

19. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said at least two illumination modules (10) are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of said plane.

20. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the position of said object (5) is determined according to an abacus linking a ratio between an intensity of one of said at least two reflected beams and an intensity of another of said at least two reflected beams at an angular position.

21. 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), called respectively the main vertical direction (202) and the main horizontal direction (201), said at least two illumination modules (10) and said at least one detection circuit (10) being aligned in said main horizontal direction (201).

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