A system to assist in guiding a user moving towards or observing a specific area of interest.
The guidance assistance system uses peripheral light sources to provide intuitive guidance through a virtual reticle, addressing the limitations of existing systems by maintaining user focus and enhancing safety in extreme sports and high-stress environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021011166
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-11-05
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing guidance systems, such as head-up displays and augmented reality headsets, are not suitable for extreme sports or high-stress environments due to their complexity, bulkiness, energy requirements, and potential for obstructing the user's vision, failing to provide simple and intuitive information without cognitive load.
A guidance assistance system using a viewing window with peripheral light sources that provide guidance information outside the central axis of vision, utilizing sensors and a control unit to direct the user's gaze towards an area of interest through a virtual reticle formed by selectively activated light sources on the periphery.
Enables intuitive and reliable real-time guidance without obstructing the user's main field of vision, leveraging peripheral vision to maintain focus on the task at hand, with energy efficiency and minimal cognitive load.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: System for assisting in guiding a user heading towards or observing a specific area of interest Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of guidance assistance systems.
[0002] The object of the present invention relates more particularly to a system for assisting in guidance allowing real-time display of visual information to help a user observe a specific area of interest or move towards a specific area of interest.
[0003] By area of interest within the meaning of the present invention, is meant throughout the following description any area which is of interest to the user; it may be for example a final destination such as a gathering / rallying point, a finish line, a landing strip. It may also be a journey, a predefined route or one or more stages on a journey or a predefined route. It may also be a target or a point or a person to be observed / monitored. It will be understood here that, generally, this area of interest is defined by a set of spatial coordinates.
[0004] The present invention finds numerous advantageous applications in the field of sport and in particular extreme sports or sliding sports such as, for example, parachute jumping, paragliding, downhill mountain biking, skiing, car rallying, etc.
[0005] The present invention also finds numerous other advantageous applications in other activities such as for example for piloting a vehicle (airplane or other) or for interventions by firefighters or soldiers in a hostile environment. Prior art
[0006] Remote interfaces are known in the prior art; these remote interfaces are located by definition outside the user's field of vision and require a movement of the user's head to be consulted.
[0007] It is easy to understand that the use of such interfaces is not feasible for certain applications, such as the practice of an extreme sport. The athlete needs to be focused on his practice to avoid any accident; the same is true for the firefighter or the soldier during an operation because neither can use his hands to interact with the screen.
[0008] Other types of interfaces are known in the prior art which are located in the user's field of vision.
[0009] In aviation and more recently in the automobile industry, such interfaces are presented in the form of head-up display devices also known by the acronym HUD (from the English “Head Up Display”).
[0010] These head-up display devices most often integrate augmented reality display means which make it possible to provide the user with additional information such as, for example, extrinsic information relating to the vehicle's environment.
[0011] The display of this extrinsic information often contributes to the safety of the vehicle and allows the driver or pilot to understand the environment in which it is moving by improving his perception of the environment.
[0012] Thus, in the automotive field, certain AD AS systems (from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Système d'aide à la conduite avance”) are already known which are equipped with an on-board camera and which are configured to display on a screen, for example a head-up display or HUD, an element of the road environment such as for example a road sign of the road environment and / or a pictogram representing a vehicle traveling in front of said vehicle or a detected danger.
[0013] Other helmets or glasses incorporating a screen are also known, such as those proposed in documents EP3028121B1, FR3061312A1, FR3017966A1, US2003 / 0184868Al, US6,394,601B or FR 2806312A1.
[0014] These devices therefore provide additional information either offset or superimposed on the user's field of vision.
[0015] The principle of superimposing additional information in a user's field of vision, however, makes the use of this type of device unsuitable for certain applications.
[0016] The Applicant submits that intensive practice such as the practice of an extreme sport or an intervention by security forces requires the provision of simple and intuitive information for the user. This information must not obstruct the user's field of vision and must be usable by the user without too much cognitive load. Indeed, explicit information, numbers, letters require the user to defocus from the activity on which he is concentrating.
[0017] It is also preferable for the helmet to be light and compact in order to avoid hindering practice or creating problems or fatigue on the user's neck.
[0018] It is also preferable that the calculation times are very short, in particular to provide information in real time and guarantee good energy autonomy.
[0019] The Applicant respectfully submits that the prior art solutions are not not satisfactory and do not offer a system that is both ergonomic and lightweight, requiring few computing resources and providing the user with reliable and intuitive visual information without obstructing their field of vision or hindering practice. Summary of the invention
[0020] The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.
[0021] One of the objectives of the present invention is in particular to remedy the various disadvantages mentioned above by offering a solution to help guide a user heading towards or observing an area of interest.
[0022] To this end, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a system for assisting in guiding a user heading towards or observing a determined area of interest.
[0023] Advantageously, the system according to the present invention comprises a viewing window having a peripheral perimeter defining a peripheral field of vision of the user.
[0024] Advantageously, the system according to the present invention further comprises a device for displaying guidance information comprising a plurality of light sources extending at least partially along the peripheral periphery of the viewing window, the light sources being capable of being controlled independently of one another by a control unit.
[0025] Advantageously, the display device further comprises:
[0026] - at least one sensor configured to capture spatial information relating to a position and / or orientation of the viewing window relative to the area of interest; and
[0027] - a processing circuit configured to process the spatial information as a function of the area of interest in order to determine information to guide the user to the area of interest.
[0028] Advantageously, the control unit is configured to (selectively) control the light sources as a function of the guidance information in order to display in the peripheral field of vision a direction to be followed by the user to move towards or observe the area of interest.
[0029] Preferably, the viewing window is equipped with an optical viewing screen (transparent). By optical viewing screen is meant here an optical protection screen such as a visor and not a display screen.
[0030] Preferably, the display is done directly by the light points located in the peripheral periphery of the viewing window.
[0031] In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the optical display screen is provided with engravings and / or inclusions formed in the screen, for example vertically and / or horizontally, to conduct the light emitted by the at least one light source onto the screen, preferably towards the center of the field of vision so as to refocus the information so that it is less in the peripheral vision area.
[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, it is preferably provided that the control unit is configured to control the light sources so as to form a virtual reticle (or another symbol) in the user's field of vision.
[0033] It is understood here that the light sources are selectively actuated on the peripheral periphery of the viewing window so as to interpose with respect to each other to cross and form a virtual reticle in the axis of the user's field of vision, such a virtual reticle indicating precisely the direction / orientation of the target area to be observed or reached.
[0034] We speak here of a virtual reticle because the light sources are here on the peripheral periphery of the viewing window and do not come into the central axis of the user's field of vision. The presence of the light sources selectively actuated on the periphery allows the formation of a non-real reticle which is perceived by the user's brain by extrapolation of the light sources and which is fictitiously formed by the user's brain in the field of vision without hindering the user's concentration and vision.
[0035] Preferably, the at least one sensor is a position sensor and / or an azimuth sensor and / or a tilt sensor and / or an accelerometer.
[0036] Such a sensor thus makes it possible to recover information relating to the relative position of the viewing window with respect to the area of interest, the azimuth and / or the inclination of the viewing window.
[0037] Advantageously, the display device comprises wireless communication means configured to communicate with an external entity in order to retrieve at least one external item of information relating to the user's external environment.
[0038] Advantageously, the display device comprises acquisition means configured to acquire at least one piece of system status information.
[0039] Preferably, the control unit is configured to control each of the light sources in intensity and / or color.
[0040] Preferably, the plurality of light sources comprises an LED or OLED strip.
[0041] Preferably, the plurality of light sources comprises an optical fiber.
[0042] Correlatively, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a facial support intended to be worn directly or indirectly on the user's head and comprising a guidance assistance system as described above in which the viewing window is assembled integrally with said facial support.
[0043] Advantageously, the facial support consists of a pair of glasses, a mask or a helmet. It is understood here that the facial support can also be in the form of a visor for example.
[0044] Advantageously, the facial support is provided with at least one strap for holding said support in position on the head of said user.
[0045] Thus, the object of the present invention, through its various functional and structural aspects described above, makes it possible to provide reliable guidance information in real time to the user to guide him or direct his gaze towards a predetermined area of interest. Description of figures
[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 9 which illustrate different exemplary embodiments thereof without any limiting character and in which:
[0047] [Fig.l]
[0048] [Fig.l] represents a first schematic view of a guidance assistance system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] [Fig.2]
[0050] [Fig.2] represents a second schematic view of the guidance assistance system according to [Fig.l];
[0051] [Fig.3]
[0052] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic view of a guidance assistance system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0053] [Fig.4]
[0054] [Fig.4] represents a schematic view of a guidance assistance system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0055] [Fig.5]
[0056] [Fig.5] represents a schematic view of a guidance aid system forming a reticle in the user's field of vision;
[0057] [Fig.6]
[0058] [Fig.6] represents a schematic view representing a use of a guidance assistance system according to the invention for practicing an activity with several users;
[0059] [Fig.7]
[0060] [Fig.7] represents a schematic view showing a use of a guidance assistance system according to the invention for a construction site comprising dangers;
[0061] [Fig. 8]
[0062] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the information display device of guidance integrated into the guidance assistance system according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0063] [Fig.9]
[0064] [Fig.9] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a process implemented implemented by a device conforming to [Fig.8]. Detailed description
[0065] A guidance assistance system 100 and the method associated therewith will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
[0066] The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.
[0067] As explained in the preamble, behaviors are becoming digital and are increasingly benefiting from the valorization of data, particularly geolocated data.
[0068] However, the technologies known to date and allowing access to augmented reality exclude users under constraints whose security essentially depends on simple and intuitive information, such as for example people practicing extreme sports or firefighters or security forces.
[0069] The Applicant observes that a person practicing an extreme sport such as, for example, skydiving or downhill mountain biking must be able to have reliable and easy-to-process information without being hindered in their practice, i.e. handling a dedicated object or focusing on something other than their trajectory. This person must indeed focus on their practice and must be able to obtain simple information which mainly answers the following questions: "where should I go?", "where is the danger?" and in certain situations "where are the others?".
[0070] The Applicant submits that head-up display devices (or HUDs) and augmented reality headsets are not suited to these issues and suffer in particular from their high technicality; thus, current solutions have the following drawbacks: - they require precise adjustments (interpupillary distance, binocular diopter, etc.), - they are heavy and bulky, - they require energy, - they are expensive, - they are likely to shift from the line of vision in the event of impact and provide incorrect guidance, they are sensitive to fog, smoke and the presence of dust.
[0071] The Applicant further submits that the solutions of the prior art do not allow to provide the user with simple and usable information directly to answer the questions above.
[0072] The system 100 proposed herein within the scope of the present invention achieves this objective.
[0073] To achieve this, the concept underlying the present invention is to orient the user's gaze and practice by exploiting the human reflexes of attention and hypervigilance by the incrustation of light points on the periphery of the user's field of vision.
[0074] The exploitation of the peripheral field of vision is characteristic of the present invention.
[0075] Such exploitation of the peripheral field of vision allows peripheral visual awareness of the user which is considered as the ability to be aware without being distracted by a significant amount of information relative to the particular setting and the task at hand.
[0076] Physiologically, we know that the peripheral vision area represents 80% of the surface of the retina for 20% of the optical cells. The peripheral vision field therefore allows the implementation of a vigilance process over a large portion of space, with blurred and deficient vision of light, without distracting from the main task.
[0077] It is further known that stressful situations (as is the case in the present invention) arouse the nervous system which, among other things, causes dilation of the pupils. Such dilation of the pupil therefore allows more light to enter and reach a larger area of the retina, which can provide a wider range of information about the environment.
[0078] It is therefore this peripheral field of vision that we seek to use to provide the user with simple and intuitive information without distracting their concentration.
[0079] The present invention provides in the example of figures 1 and 2, which illustrate a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the implementation of a guidance assistance system 100 for a user U heading towards an area of interest, noted here T (for “target”).
[0080] This area of interest T may correspond, for example, to a meeting or rallying point, a finish line, a stage on a journey, a particular point to observe, a danger zone to avoid, etc.
[0081] Here, this area of interest T is therefore defined by spatial coordinates which are known.
[0082] The system 100 comprises a device 10, here called a display device, which comprises an electronic card having at least one memory 27.
[0083] The coordinates of the area of interest T are recorded beforehand during a step S0 in this memory 27.
[0084] In this example, the at least one memory 27 corresponds for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.
[0085] As stated previously, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide easily exploitable information allowing the user U to be guided in real time and intuitively towards this area of interest T without being hindered in the practice of his activity.
[0086] In this example and as illustrated in [Fig.l] and 2, the system 100 is integrated directly or indirectly into a facial support 200 in the form of a mask such as, for example, a ski mask.
[0087] In the example [Fig.2], such a mask 200 is provided with a strap 14 intended to hold the mask 200 in position around the head of the user U.
[0088] In this example, the strap 14 is further provided with adjustment means 14a making it possible to adjust the diameter of the strap 14 to adapt to the size of the user's head U.
[0089] In this example, a conventional mask 200 is used, the general structure of which matches the anatomy of the user's face U.
[0090] In this example, the system 100 integrated into the mask 200 therefore comprises a viewing window 11 delimited by the peripheral perimeter 12 which here corresponds to the frame of the mask 200.
[0091] The peripheral contour 12 of this window 11 here defines the peripheral field of vision of the user U.
[0092] In this example, an optical viewing screen 13 is provided, here a protective screen, covering the field of vision and making it possible to protect the eyes of the user U.
[0093] Such a screen 13 may further comprise an anti-fog treatment, an anti-ultraviolet filter and / or an anti-reflective treatment to improve user comfort.
[0094] In this example and as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the peripheral periphery 12 is equipped with a plurality of light sources 21. These light sources 21 are therefore located on the periphery of the field of vision of the user U and are not likely to hinder the latter in his perception of space. They therefore remain visible without obstructing the vision (that is to say without coming into the central axis of the field of vision of the user).
[0095] In the example illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the light sources 21 extend at regular intervals along this peripheral periphery 12.
[0096] Here, the light sources 21 are formed by a strip of LEDs (from the English “Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente”) or OLEDs (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente”). organic”).
[0097] Other types of light sources 21 may also be envisaged here by those skilled in the art, such as, for example, optical fiber.
[0098] One of the concepts underlying the present invention is to use these sources 21 to indicate outside the main axis of the user's field of vision U (but on the periphery thereof) the preferred direction to follow to reach the area of interest T.
[0099] This is made possible by intelligence embedded in the system 100.
[0100] This intelligence resides more particularly in the device 10 which includes, but is not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an electronic calculator (an ECU for “Electronic Control Unit”, a smartphone, a tablet or even a laptop). The elements of the device 10, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 10 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.
[0101] In this example, the device 10 comprises one (or more) processor(s) configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 10. The processor may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art.
[0102] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 27.
[0103] In the example described here, the device 20 further comprises a control unit 22 capable of controlling the sources 21 independently of one another.
[0104] In this example, the integration of at least one sensor 23 such as an azimuth sensor, a tilt sensor and / or a position sensor is also provided. Such a sensor 23 is capable of capturing, during a step SI, spatial information II relating to a position and / or an orientation of the viewing window (11) relative to said area of interest T.
[0105] The sensor 23 therefore measures a value representative of the relative position of the mask (i.e. inclination / orientation / position of the user's gaze) in relation to the area of interest T to be reached.
[0106] This spatial information II is then transmitted to the processing circuit 24 (here for example a computer) which during a step S2 will process this spatial information II as a function of the area of interest T (here the spatial coordinates of the area of interest T recorded in the memory 27) in order to determine guidance information 12.
[0107] This information 12 aims to determine a guidance vector to orient the gaze of the user U so that the latter observes or moves towards the area of interest T.
[0108] This guidance information 12 is then sent to the control unit 22 so that the latter selectively controls each of the light sources 21 as a function of this guidance information 12 so as, during step S3, to display at the periphery of the user's field of vision a direction to follow so that the user heads towards said area of interest T.
[0109] It is therefore understood here that the light sources 21 will light up according to this guidance information 12 determined by the processing circuit 24.
[0110] This selective control of the light sources 21 outside the central axis of the user's field of vision but on the periphery thereof makes it possible to guide the user U towards the area of interest T without disturbing the user. [YES] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.5], the light sources are activated on the periphery of the user's field of vision so as to form a virtual reticle in the user's field of vision. The user only has to follow the direction provided by the virtual reticle by fixing his gaze towards the fictitious intersection of two light beams formed by the two pairs of activated light sources.
[0112] It will be understood here that this information evolves in real time with the movement of the head and therefore of the central axis of vision of the user.
[0113] The display of simple visual information at the periphery of the user's field of vision according to the direction of gaze and the position of the user is characteristic of the present invention.
[0114] The display of this information located in the peripheral vision zone allows the user to intuitively orient himself in space.
[0115] Several other alternative embodiments are described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
[0116] In [Fig. 3], we find all the characteristics of figures 1 and 2 described above. The positioning and arrangement of the light sources 21 are however very slightly different from the example of figures 1 and 2.
[0117] Here, the light sources 21 are integrated directly into the screen 13.
[0118] These sources 21 are inserted in one or more layers and at different spacings from the central axis of vision between or on the different sheets making up the screen 13.
[0119] In this example, the sources 21 only extend over the lateral edges of the screen 13 so as to limit the size of the field of vision. It may be considered here that the sources 21 therefore remain on the periphery of the field of vision within the meaning of the present invention and do not come into the central axis of the field of vision.
[0120] In [Fig.4], another example of embodiment is further illustrated.
[0121] In this, provision is made for the inclusion of one or more sources 21 at a specific position, here for example at the top left of the field of vision of the user U. Such inclusion can be achieved for example by one or more light guides of the optical fiber type and makes it possible to reflect the light towards the central vision axis of the gaze of the user U. Such a light source 21 included in the screen 13 can carry information of an important nature such as for example information relating to imminent danger.
[0122] In an advantageous embodiment not illustrated here, it is possible to form in the optical display screen 13 rectilinear engravings and / or inclusions formed for example vertically and / or horizontally in the screen 13 in order to conduct the light emitted by the at least one light source 21 onto the screen 13.
[0123] Thanks to these engravings / inclusions made in the screen 13, it is thus possible to form in the field of vision a real reticle in the axis of the user's field of vision which makes it possible to guide the user precisely towards the zone T.
[0124] In order to enrich the visual information communicated to the user U, it is planned to provide other information and to take into account the external environment (presence of a danger for example) and any other users U' who are located near the user U.
[0125] It is therefore planned to equip the device 20 with wireless communication means 24 to communicate with other external entities, for example another system 100' of another user U' ([Fig.6]), a remote server, the "cloud", an entity 300 such as for example a truck ([Fig.7]) likely to represent a danger or even a terminal signaling a danger zone not to be crossed on a construction site.
[0126] These communication means 24 are therefore capable of communicating with one or more external devices 100' and / or 300 and comprise one or more of the RF radiofrequency interfaces, for example of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced type. Thus, data can for example be loaded to the device 10 via the communication interface 24 using a Wi-Fi® network such as according to IEEE 802.11, an ITS G5 network based on IEEE 802.1 Ip or a mobile network such as a 4G network (or LTE Advanced according to 3GPP release 10 -version 10) or 5G, in particular an LTE-V2X network.
[0127] The information 13 collected by these wireless communication means 24 is transmitted to the processing circuit 24 and is analyzed to be taken into consideration in determining the guidance information 12. For example, the presence of a danger or an obstacle on the path of the user U can thus be taken into consideration to recalculate another path in order to reach the area of interest T.
[0128] To secure the system, it is also possible to provide for the integration of an additional camera 26 capable of capturing representative images 15 of the environment. These images 15 can then be processed by image processing algorithms to detect a possible danger or obstacle.
[0129] It is also possible to provide for the integration of one or more LIDAR(s) (from the English “Light Detection And Ranging”) arranged on the helmet; a LIDAR sensor here corresponds to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser emitting device, a receiving device comprising a light collector (to collect the part of the light radiation emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located on the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector which transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each detected object, this with the aim of recovering points representative of an obstacle or a danger on the user's path.
[0130] The information coming from this camera 26 or from the LIDAR(s) is sent directly to the processing circuit 24 for analysis and consideration in determining the guidance information 12.
[0131] The information 13 and / or 15 coming from these wireless communication means 24 and / or from the camera 26 and / or from the LIDAR(s) can also be directly displayed on the peripheral periphery 12 of the user's field of vision by actuating one of the light sources 21.
[0132] Thus, for example, when an external danger is detected (for example via the means 24 or the camera 26), it is possible to activate a specific source such as for example that which is located by inclusion in the screen 13 ([Fig.4]).
[0133] To secure the system, it is also possible to provide for the integration of microphones and / or earphones capable of collecting or processing sounds. These sounds can then be processed by processing algorithms configured to reduce parasitic noise, or to reinforce the spatial perception of a georeferenced point.
[0134] In the example described here, it is also possible to control the light sources 21 in intensity and / or color. It is possible, for example, to emit a red light in the field of vision which flashes with a high intensity to signal imminent danger.
[0135] Obviously, this is one example among others possible.
[0136] Those skilled in the art will understand here that it is possible to provide depending on the case to use a plurality of scenarios and to program the control of light sources 21 according to the specificities of each practice and each need.
[0137] Similarly, other information may be of interest and may be useful. communicated via the light sources 21 to the user U. Thus, the example described here provides for the presence of acquisition means 25 which are capable of recovering status information 14 of the system 100 such as for example the status of the power supply battery or the level of wear of certain components to prevent a maintenance operation.
[0138] Depending on the coding of the information and the implementation of the display decision model, the device 100 is capable of displaying several different pieces of information according to different selectable modes.
[0139] For example, it is possible to provide for the implementation of a remote control presented for example in the form of a watch connected to the wrist of the user U (not shown here) which is capable, by actuation on the touch screen, of selecting the type of display to switch, for example, the system from a “guidance assistance / geolocation” mode making it possible to follow different meeting points on a predetermined route to an “equipment” mode making it possible to know the state of a piece of equipment or even a “team” mode making it possible to know the relative position of the other users U'.
[0140] Other display modes can also be envisaged to provide the user with reliable and easily usable information.
[0141] Thus, for example, it is possible to provide for an orientation especially far from the user's cone of vision, the actuation of a single light source to indicate the orientation towards which the user must make a movement to find the area of interest.
[0142] When the T zone enters the user's vision cone, it is possible to provide for the actuation of four cross-shaped light sources ([Fig.5]) to indicate the direction of the point relative to that of the axis of gaze with a virtual reticle.
[0143] Similarly, as stated previously, the intensity and / or color of all or part of the light sources can make it possible to signal other information such as, for example, the passage of the area of interest. The variation of the parameters relating to the intensity, the colors and the number of light sources 21 makes it possible to superimpose several pieces of information depending on the use case.
[0144] The present invention thus makes it possible to overcome the various drawbacks of the state of the art by allowing the provision of implicit information in the user's peripheral vision zone.
[0145] The display of this information, which does not occur in the user's main field of vision but on the periphery thereof, can be used directly by the user and does not require any thought.
[0146] Thanks to the communication means embedded in the system, this information can also be transmitted to other users.
[0147] The present invention is particularly intended, in a non-limiting manner, for extreme sportsmen, firefighters, industrial operators or even agents of the defense and security forces during their interventions. Tourism and / or digital gaming applications as well as applications allowing learning or capacity building by interaction with the peripheral vision zone can also be envisaged.
[0148] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character with respect to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the claims which follow.
[0149] It should also be noted that the reference signs placed in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting; these signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims as well as the scope of the protection sought.
Claims
Claims
1. Guidance assistance system (100) for a user (U) heading towards or observing a determined area of interest (T), said system (100) comprising: - a viewing window (11) having a peripheral periphery (12) defining a peripheral field of vision of said user (U) and being equipped with an optical viewing screen (13), and - a display device (20) for displaying guidance information (12) comprising a plurality of light sources (21) extending at least partially along said peripheral periphery (12) of the viewing window (11), said light sources (21) being capable of being controlled independently of one another by a control unit (22), wherein said display device (20) further comprises: - at least one sensor (23) configured to capture spatial information (II) relating to a position and / or an orientation of the viewing window (11) relative to said area of interest (T);- a processing circuit (24) configured to process said spatial information (II) as a function of said area of interest (T) in order to determine guidance information (12) for said user (U) towards said area of interest (T); said system (100) being characterized in that said control unit (22) is configured to selectively control said light sources (21) on the peripheral periphery (12) of the viewing window (11) as a function of said guidance information (12) so as to form in the axis of the field of vision of the user (U) a virtual reticle indicating in the field of vision of the user (U) a direction to follow to move towards or observe said area of interest (T).;
2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein said optical display screen (13) is provided with rectilinear engravings and / or inclusions formed in the screen (13) to conduct the light emitted by the at least one light source (21) onto the screen (13).
3. System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one sensor (23) is a position sensor and / or an azimuth sensor and / or a tilt sensor and / or an accelerometer.
4. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display device (20) comprises wireless communication means (24) configured to communicate with an external entity (100', 300) in order to retrieve at least one external information (13) relating to the external environment of said user (U).
5. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display device (20) comprises acquisition means (25) configured to acquire at least one state information (14) of the system (100).
6. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (22) is configured to control each of the light sources (21) in intensity and / or color.
7. A system (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of light sources (21) comprises an LED or OLED strip.
8. A system (100) according to any preceding claim, the plurality of light sources (21) comprises an optical fiber.
9. Face support (200) intended to be worn directly or indirectly on the head of said user (U) and comprising a system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said viewing window (11) is securely assembled to said face support (10).
10. Support (200) according to claim 9, which is in the form of a pair of glasses, a mask or a helmet.
11. Support (200) according to claim 9 or 10, which is provided with at least one holding strap (14) in position of said support (10) on the head of said user (U).
