System and method for capturing acoustic signals, communication terminal and immersive reality system using it

Abstract

System and method for capturing acoustic signals, communication terminal, and immersive reality system using it. The invention relates to the capture of acoustic signals, particularly three-dimensional acoustic signals. One object of the invention is an acoustic signal capture system comprising: - at least one optical fiber having a predefined shape, the optical fiber being capable of capturing acoustic signal waves along the optical fiber; and - an optoelectronic detector connected to at least one optical fiber. Thus, not only is the range of captureable wavelengths greater, but the frequency limit is also lifted because the optical fiber constitutes a continuous microphone array capable of capturing an acoustic signal at any point along the optical fiber.Furthermore, since optical fiber constitutes a continuous microphone array, it offers freedom not only in geometry but also in adapting the geometry of the microphone array at any time according to the characteristics of the acoustic signals. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1a.

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for capturing acoustic signals, communication terminal and immersive reality system using it Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the capture of acoustic signals, in particular three-dimensional acoustic signals. State of the art

[0002] Currently, to achieve sound capture of a scene, the capture devices are based on discrete microphone arrays, misused to refer to microphone arrays in the literature. These microphone arrays are said to be discrete because they consist of several separate microphones or sound sensors separated by a distance depending on the type of microphones, sound sensors used by the discrete microphone array. In particular, to achieve three-dimensional sound capture, also called a 3D sound scene, the microphones of the microphone arrays provide spatialization information for the sound sources.

[0003] A technique for capturing and reproducing a sound environment is ambisonics, which allows the listener to be immersed in the captured sound environment. In the ambisonic technique ("High Order Ambisonic" in English, HOA in acronym), the sound capture devices are based on a spherical array of microphones as described in particular by F. Zotter and M. Frank in "High-Order Ambisonic Microphones and the Wave Equation", Ambisonics, Springer Topics in Signal Processing, vol 19, Springer, Cham, 2019.

[0004] More generally, microphone arrays are used in many applications for capturing sounds when the sound recording or sound capture conditions are unfavorable: distant sources, presence of a room effect, noise sources competing with the useful signal, etc. or when the separate extraction of several sound sources is desired. Indeed, the use of a microphone array allows the application in post-processing of signal processing technique(s) exploiting the microphone array such as denoising, dereverberation, sound source localization, extraction of a sound source by channel formation, etc. to improve the quality of the captured signal.

[0005] To achieve this type of microphone array, one of the difficulties is the physical arrangement of the microphones in order to obtain the desired geometry of the microphone array. In particular, the dimensions of the microphones used impose a minimum distance between two microphones, which does not allow the spacing to be reduced. inter-microphones as much as desired. Consequently, the capture of the high frequency spectrum of sound signals is then degraded due to this limitation of the minimum distance between two microphones.

[0006] The problem is very critical when using conventional microphones for the microphone array, namely the most common conventional microphones being electrostatic microphones and electrodynamic microphones. One solution is then to use miniature microphones, in particular electromechanical micromicrophones or MEMS ("Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems" in English) in order to push back the limit frequency of sound pickup by a microphone array, in particular as described in international application WO2020 / 260780.

[0007] However, in all cases there remains a constraint linked to the size of the audio cables and the electronic cards associated with the microphones. This physical constraint limits the available microphone array geometries. In addition, the microphone arrays thus produced are based on a physical structure which is fixed once defined. Consequently, the geometry of the microphone array (shape, number of microphones, spacing between the microphones) cannot be modified during use, thus limiting the uses of a given microphone array and causing a loss of capture linked to the time taken to replace the microphone array when a change of microphone array is necessary. Statement of the invention

[0008] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide improvements over the state of the art.

[0009] An object of the invention is a system for capturing acoustic signals comprising: - at least one optical fiber having a predefined shape, the optical fiber being capable of capturing acoustic signal waves along the optical fiber; and - an optoelectronic detector connected to at least one optical fiber.

[0010] Thus, not only is the range of wavelengths that can be picked up greater since the optical fiber allows a greater variety of shapes to be taken than a microphone network of the prior art, but the frequency limit is also lifted because the optical fiber constitutes a continuous microphone network, that is to say it constitutes a single continuous acoustic sensor, capable of picking up an acoustic signal at any point on the optical fiber.

[0011] Furthermore, since the optical fiber constitutes a continuous microphone network, not only is the limitation of geometry of the microphone network lifted because the microphone network is not cluttered with cables or audio cards allowing in particular the extraction of acoustic signals from the captured signals, but in addition the optical fiber offers freedom to adapt the geometry of the microphone network at any time according to the characteristics of the acoustic signals. In fact, everything happens as if the extraction of acoustic signals is carried out by the optical fiber constituting the continuous acoustic sensor.

[0012] Advantageously, the capture system comprises an assembly of several optical fibers.

[0013] Thus, the capture is improved by a greater number of possible microphone network figures thanks to the multiplication of optical fibers in the acoustic signal capture system.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one optical fiber has a predefined shape among the following: - a regular geometric shape among the following + a spherical shape, + a cubic shape, + an ellipsoidal shape, + a polyhedral shape; - an irregular geometric shape.

[0015] Advantageously, the optoelectronic detector comprises an acoustic extractor capable of extracting an acoustic signal from the optical signal received from the at least one optical fiber.

[0016] Thus, the extraction does not clutter the microphone network while being carried out as close as possible to the acoustic sensors constituted by the optical fiber, thus reducing the risks of errors linked to the transmission of the captured signal.

[0017] Advantageously, the optoelectronic detector comprises a filter capable of filtering optical signals reverberated by the optical fiber capturing acoustic signals.

[0018] Thus, the continuous microphone network consisting of at least one optical fiber is reconfigurable in real time or a posteriori and remotely, in particular by configuring the sampling distance by filtering all or part of the reverberated signals.

[0019] Advantageously, the capture system is a three-dimensional acoustic signal capture system.

[0020] An object of the invention is also a method for capturing acoustic signals comprising: - to capture acoustic signals via at least one optical fiber having a predefined shape along the optical fiber providing at least one optical signal; and - to detect optoelectronically an acoustic signal in at least one optical signal provided by the capture of acoustic signals by an optical fiber.

[0021] Advantageously, the acoustic signal capture method comprises: - modify a shape of the at least one optical fiber according to the wavelength of the acoustic signals to be captured.

[0022] Advantageously, the acoustic signal capture process comprises: - processing the acoustic signal provided by the optoelectronic detection providing an improved acoustic signal as a function of the acoustic signal provided by the optoelectronic detection.

[0023] Advantageously, according to an implementation of the invention, the different steps of the method according to the invention are implemented by software or computer program, this software comprising software instructions intended to be executed by a data processor of a device forming part of a capture system and being designed to control the execution of the different steps of this method.

[0024] The invention therefore also relates to a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the acoustic signal capture process according to the invention when said program is executed by a processor.

[0025] This program may use any programming language and be in the form of source code, object code or intermediate code between source code and object code such as in a partially compiled form or in any other desirable form.

[0026] An object of the invention is also a communication terminal comprising: - a system for capturing acoustic signals according to the invention and / or implementing the capture method according to the invention; and - a transmitter of a signal based on the acoustic signal captured by the capture system, destined for a communication device via a communication network.

[0027] Advantageously, the communication terminal includes a sound recognition device capable of recognizing the acoustic signal provided by the capture system, the recognition device providing the recognized signal to the transmitter whose emitted signal is a function of the recognized signal.

[0028] Advantageously, the transmitter is capable of emitting a signal as a function of the acoustic signal to a communication device consisting of a home automation manager capable of controlling at least one connected piece of equipment in a building as a function of the signal emitted.

[0029] Advantageously, the transmitter is capable of emitting a signal that is a function of the acoustic signal to a communication device consisting of another communication terminal.

[0030] An object of the invention is also a building monitoring system comprising: - a system for capturing infrasonic acoustic signals according to the invention and / or implementing the capture method according to the invention; and - an alert device capable of being triggered according to the infrasound signals provided by the capture system.

[0031] An object of the invention is further an immersive reality system comprising: - an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention and / or implementing the capture method according to the invention; and - an immersive reality manager, the manager being able to manage an immersive reality based on the acoustic signal captured by the capture system; - an immersive reality reproduction interface provided by the manager. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description, given by way of example, and the figures relating thereto which represent:

[0033] [Fig.la], a simplified diagram of a first embodiment of an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention;

[0034] [Fig.lb], a simplified diagram of a second embodiment of an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2], a simplified diagram of a method for capturing acoustic signals according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig.3a], a simplified diagram of a first system using the acoustic signal capture system: a communication terminal according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig.3b], a simplified diagram of a second system using the acoustic signal capture system: a construction monitoring system according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 3c], a simplified diagram of a third system using the acoustic signal capture system: an immersive reality system according to the invention. Description of embodiments

[0039] By capture is understood one or more captures of one or more elements: in this case acoustic signals, of an environment, of a scene, that is to say of an action or a set of shots forming a whole (in particular of a performed action, for example of a live show: film, theatre, video game action, etc.). In particular, the capture of a three-dimensional scene or 3D scene makes it possible not only to capture the acoustic signals but also the localization of the acoustic sources of the captured acoustic signals.

[0040] Figures 1a and 1b illustrate embodiments of an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention.

[0041] [Fig.1a] shows a simplified diagram of a first embodiment of an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention in which the acoustic signal capture system comprises a single optical fiber.

[0042] The acoustic signal capture system 1 sa, (sa,loc) comprises: - at least one optical fiber 111 having a predefined shape 112, the optical fiber 111 being capable of capturing acoustic signal waves ssb ss2, .. .ssM along the optical fiber 111; and - an optoelectronic detector 10 connected to at least one optical fiber 111.

[0043] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 comprises an acoustic extractor 103 capable of extracting from the optical signal so received from the at least one optical fiber 111 an acoustic signal sa, (sa,loc).

[0044] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 includes a filter 101 suitable for filtering optical signals reverberated by the optical fiber 111 capturing acoustic signals ssb ss2, ...ssM.

[0045] In particular, the capture system 1 is a three-dimensional acoustic signal capture system (sa, loc).

[0046] In particular, at least one optical fiber 111 has a predefined shape 112 among the following: - a regular geometric shape from among the following + a spherical shape, + a cubic shape, + an ellipsoidal shape, + a polyhedral shape; - an irregular geometric shape.

[0047] In particular, the optical fiber 111 of the acoustic signal capture system 1 is placed in an environment 0 in which the capture is to take place. Environment 0 is notably composed of one or more sources 01, 02, ..., 0M broadcasting acoustic signals, respectively ssb ss2, ...ssM in this environment 0.

[0048] The invention exploits the property of an optical fiber that allows the detection of an acoustic signal. The acoustic source 01, 02, ..., 0M generates acoustic vibrations that propagate as waves and induce deformations: elongations, compressions, etc., of the optical fiber 111.

[0049] An advantage of the optical fiber 111 is that it can be curved to take a wide variety of shapes 112. For example, the optical fiber 111 can cover a sphere shape 112, as illustrated by [Fig.1a], corresponding in particular to the geometries used for ambisonic or higher order ambisonic microphones, also called HOA for “Higher Order Ambisonic” in English.

[0050] In particular, the shape 112 of the optical fiber 111 can be a regular geometric shape (sphere, cube, ellipsoid, polyhedron, etc.) or a non-regular one.

[0051] In particular, the size of the shape 112 of the optical fiber is a function of a wavelength range of the acoustic signals to be captured. Indeed, for a given shape the size of the shape 112 influences the wavelengths that can be captured. For example, for the capture of infrasound, the shape 112 will be large: the dimensions of the shape 112 are then of the order of the wavelengths to be captured; for the capture of ultrasound, the shape 112 will be significantly smaller.

[0052] In the case of a spherical shape, a radius of the order of a centimeter (approximately 3.5 cm) will induce an upper limit frequency of capture around between 6700 Hz and 7500 Hz approximately; and a radius of the order of ten centimeters will induce a lower limit frequency of approximately 200 Hz.

[0053] The continuous sensor 11, consisting of the optical fiber 111, is easily reconfigurable, particularly by modifying its geometry and / or dimensions. Optionally, the form 112 of the optical fiber 111 is constituted by a physical support on which the optical fiber 111 is positioned, or even fixed. A physical support with adaptable geometry allows for automatic reconfiguration of the continuous sensor 11, consisting of the optical fiber 111.

[0054] The optoelectronic detector 10 connected to the optical fiber 111 uses the optical fiber 111 as a continuous acoustic signal sensor. Thus, the optical fiber 111 provides the optoelectronic detector 10 to which it is connected with a captured signal sc.

[0055] In particular, the optoelectronic detector is notably constituted by a distributed acoustic detector, also called DAS or “Distributed Acoustic Sensor” in English.

[0056] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 is capable of sending light pulses into the optical fiber 111 and receiving the reflected light sc, also called reverberated light or reverberated optical signal, in response. The optoelectronic detector 10 is notably capable of measuring the characteristics of the received reflected light sc. The optoelectronic detector 10 is, in particular, capable of measuring the deformations undergone by the optical fiber 111, deformations induced by the acoustic signals ssb ss2, ...ssM in the environment 0, since these deformations of the optical fiber 111 modify the characteristics of the reflected light, for example, its amplitude, its phase, etc.

[0057] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 is capable of providing a detected amplitude and frequency, in particular in the form of an acoustic signal sa, possibly associated with a location of a detected acoustic source loc: (sa,loc).

[0058] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 includes an optical interface 100 connected to the optical fiber 111 capable of receiving an optical signal so from the optical fiber 111. In particular, the optical interface 100 includes an optical receiver.

[0059] In the case described above where the optoelectronic detector 10 is capable of sending light pulses into the optical fiber 111, the optical interface 100 comprises one or more of the following optical devices (not illustrated): an optical emitter capable of sending the light pulses into the optical fiber 111, a light source capable of generating the light pulses and supplying them either to the optical emitter or directly to the optical fiber 111.

[0060] In particular, the receiver 100 supplies the received optical signal so to a filter 101 capable of filtering optical signals reverberated by the optical fiber 111. In particular, the filter 101 filters all or part of the reverberated optical signals so.

[0061] In particular, the filter 101 is capable of being modified in particular by configuring the sampling distance of the filter 10. Thus, everything happens as if the continuous sensor constituted by the optical fiber 111 is reconfigurable in real time or a posteriori and remotely.

[0062] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 comprises an optical signal analyzer 102 capable of analyzing the optical signal so, sf coming from the optical fiber 111. In particular, the analyzer 102 receives the received optical signal so from the optical interface 100 and / or the filtered optical signal sf provided by the filter 101. In particular, the analyzer 102 is capable of measuring and / or determining characteristics of the optical signal so, sf: for example a detected amplitude and frequency possibly associated with a location of a detected acoustic source. In particular, the analyzer 102 provides the analysis result in the form of an analyzed optical signal soa or directly in the form of an acoustic signal sa possibly associated with the location loc resulting from the analysis.

[0063] In particular, the extractor 103 is capable of processing an optical signal, in particular one or more of the following optical signals: - the optical signal is supplied directly by optical fiber 111, - the received optical signal so provided by optical interface 100, - the filtered optical signal sf provided by filter 101, - the analyzed optical signal provided by analyzer 102.

[0064] In particular, the extractor 103 includes an audio card, also called a sound card, or more generally an acoustic card, that is to say a device capable of generating recordable and / or reproducible acoustic signals.

[0065] Fig. 1b shows a simplified diagram of a second embodiment of an acoustic signal capture system according to the invention in which the acoustic signal capture system comprises an assembly of several optical fibers.

[0066] In this example, the acoustic signal capture system 1 sa, (sa,loc) comprises: - several optical fibers 1111, 111n, each optical fiber 1111, 111n having a predefined form 112b ..., 112n, the optical fiber 111b ..., 111n being capable of capturing acoustic signal waves ssb ss2, ... ssM along the optical fiber 111b ..., 111n; and - an optoelectronic detector 10 connected to optical fibers 111 b ..11 ln.

[0067] For example, the capture system 1 comprises an assembly 11 of several optical fibers 111 b ..., 11 ln.

[0068] In particular, the optical fibers 111 b ..., 11 ln of the acoustic signal capture system 1 are placed in an environment 0 in which the capture is to take place. The environment 0 is notably composed of one or more sources {0m} M, each source 0m emitting an acoustic signal ssm in this environment 0.

[0069] In particular, an optical fiber 111b ..., 111n can cover a geometric shape 112b ..., 112n, such as a regular geometric shape (sphere, cube, ellipsoid, polyhedron, etc.), notably a sphere, as illustrated by [Fig. 1b], or a non-regular shape. All or part of the shapes 112b ..., 112n of the different optical fibers 11b ..., 11n can be of identical and / or distinct geometric shapes and / or of identical and / or distinct dimensions. For example, the assembly 11 may include an optical fiber 1111 having a large spherical shape 112b ..., and an optical fiber 111n having a small spherical shape 112n as illustrated by [Fig.lb].

[0070] The continuous sensor 11 constituted by the assembly 11 of optical fibers 111 b ..., 11 ln is easily reconfigurable in particular by modification of a shape 112b ..., 112n and / or of a dimension of the shape 112b ..., 112n of at least one of the optical fibers 111 b ..., 11 ln comprising it. Optionally, the shape 112b ..., 112n of the optical fiber 111 b ..., 111 n is constituted by a physical support on which the optical fiber 111 b ..., 11 ln is positioned, or even fixed. A physical support with adaptable geometry allows automatic reconfiguration of the continuous sensor 11 in particular by the automatic reconfiguration of one of the optical fibers 111 b ..., 111 n comprising it.

[0071] The optoelectronic detector 10 connected to the optical fibers 111b..., 111n uses the optical fibers 111b..., 11ln as continuous acoustic signal sensors. Thus, the optical fibers 111b..., 11ln provide the optoelectronic detector 10 to which they are connected with a captured signal scb..., scn.

[0072] The optoelectronic detector 10 is in particular an optoelectronic detector as illustrated and described in relation to [Fig.la].

[0073] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 comprises an optical interface 100 connected to the optical fibers 1111, ..., 111n capable of receiving optical signals {son]n from the optical fibers 1111 ..., 111n. In particular, the optical interface 100 comprises a optical receiver.

[0074] In particular, the optoelectronic detector 10 includes an acoustic signal extractor from optical signals. The extractor 103 is particularly capable of extracting from optical signals {son]n received from optical fibers 111 b ..., 11 ln an acoustic signal sa, (sa,loc).

[0075] In particular, the extractor 103 is capable of processing an optical signal, in particular one or more of the following optical signals: - optical signals {son]n supplied directly by optical fiber 1111, ..., 111 n, - received optical signals {son]n supplied by optical interface 100, - filtered optical signals {sfn]n supplied by filter 101, - analyzed optical signals {soan]n provided by analyzer 102.

[0076] Figure 2 illustrates a simplified diagram of a method for capturing acoustic signals according to the invention.

[0077] The ASC acoustic signal capture method comprises: - to capture FCPT1, FCPT2, ..., FCPTn acoustic signals by at least one optical fiber Fi,i=i...n having a predefined shape GF; along the optical fiber providing at least one optical signal scb sc2, ...,scn; and - detect optoelectronically ODTCT an acoustic signal sa, (sa,loc) in the at least one optical signal scb sc2, .. .,scn provided by the capture of acoustic signals by an optical fiber FCPT1, FCPT2, ...FCPTn.

[0078] In particular, the ASC capture process comprises: - modify FF_MDF a GF shape; of the at least one optical fiber F# 1 ■ ■ ■ n] depending on the wavelength of the acoustic signals to be captured.

[0079] In particular, the ASC capture process comprises: - AEHC process the acoustic signal sa', (sa',loc) provided by the ODTCT optoelectronic detection, the AEHC processing providing an improved acoustic signal sa”,(sa”,loc) function of the acoustic signal sa', (sa',loc) provided by the ODTCT optoelectronic detection.

[0080] In particular, the ASC acoustic signal capture method uses one or more optical fibers F^ 1 ■ ■ ■ / î] placed in an environment E in which the capture is to take place. The environment E is notably composed of one or more sources SSb ..., SSM emitting acoustic signals, respectively ssb ss 2, ... ssM in this environment E.

[0081] In particular, the shape GF of the optical fiber F can be a regular geometric shape (sphere, cube, ellipsoid, polyhedron, etc.) or an irregular one. Specifically, the size of the shape GF of the optical fiber F is a function of a range of wavelengths of the acoustic signals being captured.

[0082] In particular, the modification FF_MDF of a shape GF; of at least one optical fiber F; involves modifying at least one dimension and / or geometry (in particular, changing from one geometric shape to another, such as from a sphere to a cube, for example) of the shape GF;. Thus, the continuous sensor constituted by the optical fiber F; is easily reconfigurable, notably by modifying its geometry and / or dimension. When the shape GFi of the optical fiber Fi consists of a physical support on which the optical fiber Fi is positioned, or even fixed, the shape modification FF_MDF controls the adaptable geometry of the physical support, thus allowing automatic reconfiguration of the continuous sensor constituted by the optical fiber Fi.

[0083] The optoelectronic detection ODTCT receiving a captured signal scb sc2, ..., scn from the capture FCPT1, FRCPT2, ..., FCPTn of acoustic signals by an optical fiber Fi, i=l.. .n uses the optical fiber Fi as a continuous sensor of acoustic signals.

[0084] In particular, the ODTCT optoelectronic detection includes: receiving ORCV an optical signal so of an acoustic signal capture by optical fiber FCPT1, FRCPT2, ..., FCPTn.

[0085] In particular, the ODTCT optoelectronic detection system comprises: FLT filtering of reverberated optical signals by at least one optical fiber Fi. Specifically, the ORCV optical receiver provides at least one received optical signal so to the FLT filtering. Specifically, the FLT filtering filters all or part of the reverberated optical signals so.

[0086] In particular, the FLT filtering is modifiable, notably by configuring its sampling distance. Thus, everything happens as if the continuous sensor constituted by the optical fiber Fi is reconfigurable in real time or a posteriori and remotely.

[0087] In particular, the ODTCT optoelectronic detection comprises: NLZ analysis of optical signals so, sf originating from at least one optical fiber Fi. Specifically, the NLZ analysis receives the received optical signal so from the ORCV receiver and / or the filtered optical signal sf provided by the FLT filtering. In particular, the NLZ analysis measures and / or determines characteristics of the optical signal so, sf: for example, a detected amplitude and frequency possibly associated with the location of a detected acoustic source. Specifically, the NLZ analysis provides the analysis result ra in the form of an analyzed optical signal soa or directly as an acoustic signal sa possibly associated with the location loc resulting from the analysis.

[0088] For example, NLZ analysis provides the analysis result ra for the optical fiber shape modification FF_MDF. Thus, the shape modification FF_MDF is a function of the received optical signals and, in particular, of the analysis result ra of these received optical signals, thereby improving the capture of acoustic signals by real-time or subsequent reconfiguration of at least one fiber Fi and consequently at least one capture of acoustic signals per optical fiber FCPT1, FRCPT2, FCPTn.

[0089] In particular, the ODTCT optoelectronic detection process includes: extracting AXTR acoustic signals. Specifically, the AXTR extraction process handles an optical signal, in particular one or more of the following optical signals: - the optical signal is provided directly by the capture of acoustic signals via optical fiber FCPT1, FCPT2, ..., FCPTn, - the received optical signal is provided by the ORCV optical receiver. - the filtered optical signal sf provided by the FLT filtering, - the analyzed optical signal provided by the NLZ analysis.

[0090] An embodiment of the capture method according to the invention is a program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the acoustic signal capture method according to the invention when said program is executed by a processor.

[0091] Figures 3a to 3c illustrate several systems using the acoustic signal capture system.

[0092] Fig. 3a shows a simplified diagram of a first system using the acoustic signal capture system: a communication terminal according to the invention.

[0093] The communication terminal 2 comprises: - an acoustic signal capture system 21 according to the invention and / or implementing the capture method according to the invention; and - a transmitter 20 of a signal se function of the acoustic signal captured sa by the capture system 21 destined for a communication device 3 via a communication network 4.

[0094] In particular, the communication terminal 2 includes a sound recognition device 22 capable of recognizing the acoustic signal sa provided by the capture system 21, the recognition device 22 providing the recognized signal sar to the transmitter 20 whose emitted signal se is a function of the recognized signal sar.

[0095] In particular, the transmitter 20 is capable of emitting a signal se as a function of the acoustic signal sa to a communication device 3 consisting of a home automation manager capable of controlling at least one connected piece of equipment in a building as a function of the signal emitted se.

[0096] In particular, the sound recognition device 22 is capable of automatically recognizing one or more sounds. The home automation manager 3 receiving the sound signal recognized by the sound recognition device 22 is then capable of controlling one or more connected objects equipping a building, in particular a home, such as windows, doors, multimedia equipment, lights, etc.

[0097] In particular, the transmitter 20 is capable of emitting a signal se as a function of the acoustic signal sa to a communication device 3 consisting of another communication terminal.

[0098] The communication network 4 is in particular a wired communication network consisting of computer buses, an Ethernet network, a copper network, a fiber optic network, etc. or a wireless network either local such as a network using communication protocols such as Wifi, Bluetooth, LoRa, etc. or a 4G, LTE, 5G, etc. cellular network.

[0099] Thus, the invention allows the capture of 3D sound scenes for audio and audiovisual communication services (also called videoconferencing).

[0100] Fig. 3b shows a simplified diagram of a second system using the acoustic signal capture system: a building monitoring system according to the invention.

[0101] The construction monitoring system 5 7 comprises: - a system 51 for capturing infrasonic acoustic signals according to the invention and / or implementing the capture method according to the invention; and - an alert device 52 capable of being triggered according to the infrasound signals provided by the capture system 51.

[0102] Thus, such a construction monitoring system allows at least one type of monitoring among the following: - monitoring of the construction structure; - monitoring of the construction environment; - monitoring of human activities in construction; - etc. Monitoring the building structure allows for early implementation of structural maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

[0103] Monitoring the construction environment allows for the early implementation of maintenance of this environment and / or the protection of people present in the construction in the event of an environmental alert of the natural disaster type.

[0104] Monitoring human activities in construction makes it possible to detect at least one of the following activities: - the presence of people; - the movement of people; - etc.

[0105] This monitoring allows in particular the detection of intrusion into the construction and / or the protection of people in the event of an incident (for example, providing the number of people present in the event of a fire).

[0106] In particular, alert device 52 is able to be triggered by a change in infrasound signals or recognition of a type of infrasound signal.

[0107] In particular, one or more optical fibers 5111 b 51112, ..., 511 ln are deployed relative to a structure 7. For example, some optical fibers 51111, 511 l2 are positioned above the structure 7, others at points of vulnerability of the structure 7, others 511 ln along load-bearing pillar of the structure, etc.

[0108] In particular, the shape and / or dimension of at least one optical fiber 51111, 51112, ..., 511 ln of the capture system 51 are adapted for the capture of infrasonic acoustic signals.

[0109] In particular, the alert device 52 is capable of transmitting an alert message ma to a communication terminal 3, in particular a remote communication terminal, via a communication network 4. The communication network 4 is in particular a wired communication network consisting of computer buses, an Ethernet network, a copper network, a fiber optic network, etc. or a wireless network, either local such as a network using communication protocols such as Wifi, Bluetooth, LoRa, etc. or a 4G, LTE, 5G, etc. cellular network.

[0110] Optionally, the warning device 52 is capable of transmitting a warning message to a communication terminal 3 of a building control system capable of modifying at least one element of the building according to the warning message received. Thus, the risks associated with the defect(s) detected by infrasound in the building structure will be at least temporarily reduced.

[0111] The building monitoring system 5 is of particular interest in the context of "Smart Buildings". "Smart Building" refers in particular to connected buildings, but also to all buildings equipped with one or more sensors and / or one or more actuators for the automated management of building equipment.

[0112] [Fig.3c] shows a simplified diagram of a third system using the acoustic signal capture system: an immersive reality system according to the invention.

[0113] The immersive reality system 6 comprises: - a system 61 for capturing acoustic signals according to the invention and / or implementing the capturing method according to the invention; - an immersive reality manager 62, the manager 62 being able to manage an immersive reality ri as a function of the acoustic signal sa captured by the capture system 61; - an interface 63 for reproducing immersive reality ri provided by the manager 62.

[0114] Thus, the invention enables 3D sound scene capture for services of immersive reality, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, etc.

[0115] The invention also relates to a medium. The information medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a floppy disk or a hard disk drive.

[0116] On the other hand, the information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal that can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be downloaded onto a network, especially an Internet-type network.

[0117] Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question.

[0118] In another implementation, the invention is implemented by means of software and / or hardware components. In this context, the term module can refer to either a software component or a hardware component. A software component corresponds to one or more computer programs, one or more subroutines of a program, or more generally to any element of a program or software capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described above. A hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions.

Claims

Claims

1. System for capturing acoustic signals comprising: - at least one optical fiber having a predefined shape, the optical fiber being capable of capturing acoustic signal waves along the optical fiber; and - an optoelectronic detector connected to the at least one optical fiber.

2. Acoustic signal capture system according to the preceding claim, the capture system comprising an assembly of several optical fibers.

3. System for capturing acoustic signals according to one of the preceding claims, in which the optoelectronic detector comprises an acoustic extractor capable of extracting an acoustic signal from the optical signal received from the at least one optical fiber.

4. Acoustic signal capture system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the optoelectronic detector comprises a filter capable of filtering optical signals reverberated by the optical fiber capturing acoustic signals.

5. Acoustic signal capture system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the capture system is a three-dimensional acoustic signal capture system.

6. A method of capturing acoustic signals comprising: - capturing acoustic signals by at least one optical fiber having a predefined shape along the optical fiber providing at least one optical signal; and - optoelectronically detecting an acoustic signal in the at least one optical signal provided by capturing acoustic signals by an optical fiber.

7. Method for capturing acoustic signals according to the preceding claim, the capturing method comprising: - modifying a shape of the at least one optical fiber as a function of the wavelength of the acoustic signals to be captured.

8. Method for capturing acoustic signals according to one of claims 6 or 7, the capturing method comprising: - processing the acoustic signal provided by the optoelectronic detection providing an improved acoustic signal depending on the acoustic signal provided by the optoelectronic detection.

9. Program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method for capturing acoustic signals according to any one of claims 6 to 8 when said program is executed by a processor.

10. Communication terminal comprising: - an acoustic signal capture system according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or implementing the capture method according to one of claims 6 to 8; and - a transmitter of a signal depending on the acoustic signal captured by the capture system to a communication device via a communication network.

11. Communication terminal according to the preceding claim, the communication terminal comprising a sound recognition device capable of recognizing the acoustic signal provided by the capture system, the recognition device providing the recognized signal to the transmitter whose emitted signal is a function of the recognized signal.

12. Communication terminal according to one of claims 10 or 11, in which the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal depending on the acoustic signal to a communication device constituted by a home automation manager capable of controlling at least one connected piece of equipment in a building depending on the signal transmitted.

13. Communication terminal according to one of claims 10 to 12, in which the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal depending on the acoustic signal to a communication device constituted by another communication terminal.

14. Building monitoring system comprising: - a system for capturing infrasonic acoustic signals according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or implementing the capturing method according to one of claims 6 to 8; and - an alert device capable of being triggered as a function of the infrasonic signals provided by the capturing system.

15. Immersive reality system comprising: - an acoustic signal capture system according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or implementing the capture method according to one of claims 6 to 8; - an immersive reality manager, the manager being capable of managing an immersive reality as a function of the acoustic signal captured by the capture system; - an immersive reality reproduction interface provided by the manager.

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