FR2551542A1 - Method and device for the acquisition and recording of the coordinates of a point in space - Google Patents

Abstract

The method and device determines the coordinates defining the position of a point in space or in a plane. A stylus 11 enables a wave 16, 17, which may be ultrasonic, to be transmitted from the point. At the same time, counting is initiated on a counter 18, 19 supplied with a time base 47. Two suitably placed receivers 31', 32' receive the wave, while two counters 18 and 19 measure the time taken for the wave to travel over its path in air between its transmission from the point to be determined and its reception at each of the receivers. These times are proportional to the distance between each receiver and the point in question. They are collected by a digital computer and processed for conversion into analogue signals giving the required coordinates of the point. Application to the production of a graphics reader usable in computer-aided design.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for implementing this method with a view to determining and automatically entering data such as the coordinates of one or a plurality of points defining a plot in a plane or a volume in space.

 Inventlon has many applications including: computer-aided design and manufacturing; the method and the device of the invention allowing the realization of an extremely simple input and calculation system, therefore of a limited cost price, easily manageable, will receive numerous new applications both graphically and in terms of direct data entry.

The invention aims in the first place to allow the location of a point located in a plane, which can be a console or drawing table or a cathode screen (allowing the projection of images).

Devices are known which make it possible to physically locate the position of a point, for example on a projected image or a drawing, by application of a dry or tracing point, and the point thus identified materially is identified by its coordinates
X and Y in the two-dimensional surface formed by the console, drawing table, etc.

Devices of this kind are known and use various methods.

In an electromechanical process, the tip is mechanically followed in its movement by a set of levers and the movements of the positions of the levers are identified by electronic devices, converting the data transmitted by the levers into computer signals and corresponding to the successive positions of the point of location. These devices only benefit from a limited lifespan linked to the phenomenon of wear by friction and they also have the disadvantage of a certain inertia in their handling.

Induction devices have also been used, not without difficulty, due to the noise generated by dispersion fields and other interference.

Other corollary system methods were used to obtain X and Y coordinates. All presented resolution and uniformity problems leading to incorrect information.

More recent methods consist of monoblock application tables internally equipped with matrix networks of conductors X and Y, the movement of a stylus on the table allowing the reading of the coordinates thereof. This method is expensive in that it requires a whole fixed and bulky movable embodiment comprising numerous electronic devices necessary for the interpretation of the coordinates of the position of the stylus.

The use of coordinate devices with a sonic transducer requires the use of an acoustic transmission plate in contact with a vibrating stylus.

The fact that the stylus must remain in direct contact with the acoustic transmission agent at all times
(generally a glass plate) the operation of such a process is barmtLicapé by the fact that a simple sheet of paper can not be inserted. Furthermore, the need for tuned piezoelectric sensors, acoustically coupled by the glass plate, leads to a very complicated implementation.

There are also known optical devices which proceed by projection of a matrix array of light beams respectively according to vertical columns and horizontal rows, each beam being received at the opposite end of the table or of the console by an optoelectronic receiver, the positioning of a locating tip on the console or the screen interrupting a vertical beam and a horizontal beam and thus making it possible to determine the positioning of said point; such devices are described for example in French patent application NO 80 26567.

It is understood that the optical devices can hardly be used except in the context of locating and analyzing the coordinates of a point located and positioned with respect to a cathode-ray screen; the process would indeed be difficult to use for example in the context of locating a drawing during tracing on a console since the four sides of the plan or drawing dolvent be released in order to allow the free passage of the light beams, which is incompatible with the work of the designer whose hand is resting on the console supporting the document being executed.

Finally, all the systems described above are only suitable for working in a plane with two dimensions defining two axes, X and Y respectively of the coordinates defining the positioning of a point in a plane.

An interesting development of the invention which will be explained in the present specification makes it possible to calculate the positioning of a point, not only in a two-dimensional plane but in space, thus allowing location and entry. of data corresponding to the determination of a plurality of points in space, making it possible in particular to analyze the structure of volumes in three dimensions.

To this end, the invention relates to a method for determining the coordinates defining the position.

ment of a point in space or in a plane, and the method is characterized in that one emits from.

this point an impulse such as an ultrasonic wave, and at the same time the start of a counter powered by a time base, it is collected by at least two receivers suitably positioned at a certain distance and for example on both sides other from the point of emission to be determined, the arrival of the pulse and the time taken for the pulse to travel through the atmosphere between the emission at the point to be determined and each of the receivers, these time values, proportional to the distance separating each receiver from the point to be determined, being collected by a digital counter and processed to be converted into analog signals giving the desired coordinates of the point.

Preferably, within the framework of the above method, a specific counter is used for each of the receivers, each counter being coupled to the time base and receiving the starting signal corresponding to the instant of emission of the pulse, and the counting stop is triggered by the output signal from the receiver assigned to the corresponding counter
According to another characteristic of the process of the invention, the emission is triggered by a manual contactor closing the circuit which connects the 6 emitter, for example ultrasonic, to a 4n pulse generator, the emitter being rigorously positioned in superposition and at the contact of the point to be located, this electrical pulse is collected at the same time at each counter to trigger the start of the counting, which is stopped by the sound reception at each receiver.

The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the above method.

And for this purpose the invention relates to a device for determining and automatically entering data such as the coordinates of a plurality of points defining a plot in a plane or a volume - in space and the device is characterized in that qucil includes - a pulse generator - a point source emitting pulses, for example ultrasonic, supplied by said generator and secured to a mobile support capable of being successively positioned in support and in the immediate vicinity of points whose coordinates are a determine - at least two receivers located at a distance and for example on either side of all the points whose coordinates are to be determined, the receivers being sensitive to the waves emitted from said point source - a plurality of counters, each counter being osuplE has a time base, and each counter being connected on the one hand to the pulse generator (and thus able to receive the signal corresponding to the gen eration of pulses, for example ultrasonic) and each counter is connected on the other hand to one of the ultrasonic receivers (and it is thus able to measure and record the time interval between the emission of a pulse by the transmitter and reception of this pulse by a receiver, the time interval defining the positioning of the point source by its distance from the receiver).

It is understood that the device of the invention is thus able, by using very simple means, to collect the signals, from where the distance from the point to be located relative to the receiver can be easily deduced, the integration of these two values giving the positioning in a plane of the point sought.

Thus, and according to a first application of the invention, the device is provided for determining the positioning, that is to say the definition of the coordinates, of a plurality of points in a plane materialized by a shape support console. general quadrangular, and the device comprises for this purpose two ultrasonic receivers arranged on either side of the plane, for example at the top and right and left of the console.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is coupled to a memory capable of receiving and recording the signals from the computers in order to memorize the data corresponding to the positioning of the points successively entered by the device.

Advantageously also, the device of the invention is coupled to information processing means capable of converting the signals received from the counters into analog values defining the ordinates of the successively determined points.

According to a variant, the pulse generator is coupled to a selector making it possible to alternately control either the continuous emission of a train of pulses, or successive pulses controlled piecemeal by the contactor provided on the stylus.

Preferably, and according to a more particular embodiment, each ultrasonic receiver is associated with a bandpass amplifier allowing the elimination of the parasitic waves and the determination with precision over time of the 1 arrival point of the reviewed sound wave. by the receiver.

According to an even more particular embodiment, each ultrasonic receiver is associated with a counter and each counter comprises an electronic device of the flip flop type, powered by the output amplifier of the ultrasonic receiver and connected to a door.
AND also receiving the signals from the time base, the output signals from the AND gate leading to a digital counter connected to a memory capable of storing the data received from the counter.

Preferably again, each digital counter is able to be reset to zero after each counting by the start of the pulse from the electronic pulse generator, the rear edge of the pulse flipping the flip flop which is then activated and opens the AND gate allowing the arrival of the train of signals from the time base in the digital counter, the reception of the sound wave by the receiver, retransmitted by the amplifier, being able to switch the flip flop which is deactivated by closing the AND gate and stopping the accumulation of time signals by the digital counter whose instantaneous data are transmitted to the memory.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given in relation to the embodiments presented by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figure I shows a schematic view of the various functions used in the context of the method and the device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a device for locating coordinates of points arranged in a plane and mounted on a console or drawing board.

FIG. 3 represents a schematic view of the various component elements involved in the implementation of the functions of the device and of the method using two linear receivers at right angles.

Figure 4 shows a graphical diagram showing the successive operation of the various elements of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 5 schematically represents an embodiment of the device of the invention, identical to the diagram of FIG. 1 but operating from two receivers arranged at the top and respectively to the right and to the left of the scanned plane.

By considering FIG. 1, the principle of the method and the device of the invention can be analyzed as a locating system by listening to a sound wave emitted from a source corresponding to a material locating instrument such as the tip of a stylus. .

In the case of FIG. 1, a locating system has been schematically represented along a plane 30 corresponding to the plane of the figure and being in the form of a rectangle of length L and width 1.

This surface 30 thus delimited defines a system inside which each point can be located and defined by its coordinates along the X axis parallel to the length L and the Y axis parallel to the width 1.

The problem which the invention solves consists, a determined point being located inside this surface, in automatically calculating the coordinates and in entering and recording the values defining these coordinates.

To this end, the invention proceeds by emission of a sound wave, preferably ultrasonic at the tip 10 of the stylus 11.

The ultrasonic emission can be obtained for example by a magnetic material (ferrite) expanded by the action of an electric current coming from the pulse generator 33 connected to the stylus 11 by the flexible wire 12.

The ultrasonic emission can be controlled by the manual contactor 13 positioned on the stylus 11, once the tip 10 of the stylus has been properly positioned in contact with the point whose location must be calculated.

In the example of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, linear ultrasonic receivers are respectively placed on the surface 30 materializing the support plane on which the points to be calculated are plotted, respectively on the horizontal upper edge and on the left vertical edge. 32 and 31.

It can be seen that under these conditions (as it appears moreover from FIG. 2) that the device of the invention can be positioned on a foreign support and for example on a simple drawing board.

The linear ultrasonic receivers can be positioned inside two profiled boxes arranged at right angles (Figure 2) which are integral with each other and can rest on a support plane, for example a drawing board.

But one could also position the listening system constituted by the two linear ultrasonic receivers 31 and 32 with respect to any support plane such as a screen for projecting images or viewing clichés (radio clichés) or a cathode ray screen.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the two right-angle arms containing the ultrasonic receivers 31 and 32 may have graduations on their edges which allow the correct positioning and positioning of the device relative to the support plane or vice versa the correct positioning, for example of a drawing inside the ordinate system as visually materialized by the graduations 14 and 15.

In the context of the invention, the sound emission, preferably ultrasonic, as shown schematically in FIG. 1 at 16 and 17, is perceived by the ultrasonic receivers at right angles 31 and 32 respectively.

Linear ultrasonic receivers, for example, consist of a succession of receivers, for example of the acoustic transducer type. These receivers are staggered and aligned to conform to a linear receiving ramp, the receivers being connected in series.

Indeed, as we will see, unlike 2US optical systems for which it is important to determine the identity of the transmitter corresponding to the positioning of the point, in the context of the acoustic system according to the invention, it is immaterial to know the particular receiver which, inside a ramp, is responsible for reception.

In fact, the system of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 will measure, under the conditions which are described below, the time taken by the wave to successively reach each of the receiving ramps 32 and 31; and this time determines the distance of the point relative to each of the ramps and consequently the positioning of this point in the two axes of the plane as a function of the distances L1 and
In any event, it is necessarily the receiver located in the ramp to the right of the point to be identified that will be the first receiver of the sound wave and will therefore trigger the signal.

The output signal of the receiving ramp, corresponding to the reception of the sound wave at this ramp, is sent for each ramp in a counter respectively 18.19.

Each counter receives the pulses from a time base, for example from the common clock 47; and each counter also receives by the link 20 the signal corresponding to the start of the pulse from the pulse generator 33.

The pulse from generator 33 and transmitted by link 20, triggers, at each counter, the start of counting; this starting point in time corresponding to the emission of the sound wave from the tip 10, carrying a ferrite particle.

The arrival of the sound signal at a ramp received by each counter 18 or 19 triggers the stop of the counting and the sending of the data then recorded in the memory 48.

It is understood that each of these digital data corresponds to the accumulation of time intervals (originating from the pulses of the base 47) separating the emission of the sound wave 10 from its reception by successively each of the acoustic ramps 32, 31; and this time interval corresponds to the distance between the tip 10 of the heart
ramp and therefore sets the values L1 and respectively
From memory 48, the data can be transmitted for example to a computer capable of transforming the digital data received into analog values allowing their exploitation in all forms, for example displaying it in the screens 21,22 (FIG. 2) their storage for storing graphic data, sending them to a projection screen and generally any appropriate processing by peripheral instruments and machines.

In the example of FIG. 2, it can be seen for example that a simple and compact assembly represented by the two ultrasonic ramps 31 and 32 associated with the assembly for digitizing the data contained in the housing 22, can receive an external pin 23 for connection has a peripheral device.

The device described here thus makes it possible to transform graphic data into information and to digitize it (digitalize), to transmit it to a memory (an electronic calculator) capable of storing it temporarily or of keeping it.

This processing allows - image representation via tubes
cathode ray; - presentation on a digital display device,
or by translation on an analog signal device; - exploitation on stock and subsequent treatments
IT.

The device does not necessarily have a console and can therefore be positioned on any work surface located within the reference coordinates. The active surface is preferably 40 x 60 cm. approximately, and allows to draw, or to take the coordinates of the drawings via a mobile module. It can be increased by adding modular listening ramps positioned in line with the ramps 31,32 (ffg. L and 2) and connected in series with the fixed ramps 3 and 32.

The device can thus work directly on systems such as cathode ray tubes, plasma displays, projected images from films, X-rays, as well as on cards, opaque and thick documents, paper.

Digitization is done by mobile module such as the stylus allowing a resolution of the order of 10 mm. This stylus takes X, Y readings up to 25 measurements / second.

The digitizer (constituted by the listening assembly 3i, 32, the counters 18,19 and the memory 48, possibly the calculator 52) has a tracking system which makes it possible to modify the point of origin inside the active surface, which particularly offers the advantage of being able to directly connect any work previously carried out and being able to connect it.

This system also allows working in cm. or in inches, in point mode or in line mode.

The sound emission module or stylus 11 consists of an envelope whose design allows it to be used as a drawing instrument. Its tip can be applied to reference documents without registering.

This point can also be that of a drawing device, which makes it possible to create a drawing which is digitized simultaneously as the drawing is carried out. In this case, it is the ink tank incorporated into the interior of the module which triggers the microswitch.

The transmission module is started using a pulse generator 33 which simultaneously produces a start time pulse at the counters 18 and 19.

The wave created at the tip 3 of the module by the ferrite 10 4 propagates in the atmosphere until the precise moment when it comes into contact with the receivers 31 and 32.

Since the "front" of the sound wave generated by the spark reaches each receiver respectively at first at the shortest distance from the sound source, the time between transmission and reception is the precise measure between the position of the tip of the module and the microphone.

the starting pulse of the ultrasonic wave can be a single pulse for a single digitization point.

 It can also very well be a series of pulses repeated at a controlled rate for a whole series of digitization of coordinates. The method is particularly effective for storing drawn images, even very finely, which can be defined by series of very close points.

The acoustic listening ramps 31 and 32 as well as the pulse generator 33 are supplied with voltage 34.

The pulses are low energy - for example 10 joules because the energy must necessarily be limited for obvious safety reasons. The switching pulses are produced by the contactor 13 for the production of single sparks which can be controlled manually.

Considering the detailed diagram in FIG. 3, it can be seen that a second variable-speed engagement device 36 is provided for producing pulses in series and an input device of an electronic computer 37 makes it possible to externally control the source of pulses. by a switch 49 with input selection.

Receivers 31 and 32 are coupled to high gain bandpass amplifiers 39 and 40, respectively, which pass only the specific signal of the point emission from tip 10 and block all other signals outside the range. bandaged.

In order to ensure rapid operation, the amplifiers have threshold discriminators which cause a steep edge output when the input signal exceeds a determined level. The outputs of amplifiers 39 and 40 are coupled to flip-flop inputs 41 and 42. Each flip-flop output 41 and 42 is connected by AND gates 43 and 44 to a channel counter X 45 and to a counter of channel Y 46.

The doors 43 and 44 receive a clock pulse coming from the clock pulse generator 47. The output of the counters is coupled to any reading unit 48 provided that it functions as a temporary storage transfer device, or a transfer register.

A switch-on signal generated by the external source passing through the switch 49, triggers a pulse from the pulse generator 33 as well as from the tip 10. This signal is also transmitted simultaneously to each of the flip-flops 41 and 42 afip to bring the indicators 45 and 46 to zero. The effect of the trigger signal on the flip-flops 41 and 42 is to bring each flip-flop to a state allowing the AND gates 43 and 44 to transmit clock pulses of the clock pulse generator 47.

The counters then begin to accumulate digital counting. Counting continues until an appropriate signal is received by receivers 31 and 32. The leading edge of the coordinate signal then received causes the corresponding flip-flop -41 or 42 as appropriate to be reset to zero and thereby blocks the corresponding AND gate, -43 or 44 - which is coupled to it, stopping the transmission of clock pulses and consequently the accumulation in the counter.

The time (period) between the pulses is very sufficient to allow the received signals to be damped.

The counter is reset to zero by the front side of the pulse and the AND doors unlocked by the rear sides.

The complementary outputs of the flip-flops 41 and 42 are coupled to a complementary AND gate 50. It is placed in the circuit only during the time when the accumulation of the counter is completed, but nevertheless before the reset period when it occurs a period in which the two flip-flops 41 and 42 are in the zero state. This produces a wait indication which is used to transfer the stored count to an appropriate output, for example memory 48.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a door 50 can either engage the channel of the electronic computer 52 which receives the data from the reading unit 48, or a digital analog converter 51 which will supply the resulting series of analog voltage to a cathode ray screen positioned at the periphery of the system 23 or has a display system 21, 22 (fig. 2). The latter can also be a permanent reading storage unit.

A switch 60 placed in the module performs various functions, for example:
The switch is used to trigger a choice between several operating modes. A first position 52 of the switch 60 transmits continuous pulses to the tip 10. This therefore results in continuous digitization of the emission, whether the tip of the module is in the writing surface or not. In position 54, the digitization will only be read when the switch is actuated, thus unlocking door 50 under the impulse of door 53.

Figure 4 shows the succession of phases in the implementation of the device. The generator 33 triggers a pulse 21 which generates the emission 22 at the tip 10 of the mobile emission module.

The closing signal transmitted to the flip-flops brings them back to a state allowing the AND gates 43,44 to transmit clock pulses 47 to the counters which then accumulate digital counting.

Counting thus continues until a signal for reception of the sound wave is retransmitted by the receivers 31, 32.

This signal causes the flip-flop to be reset, blocks the corresponding AND gate, stops the transmission of clock pulses and the accumulation in the corresponding counter.

The counter is then reset to zero by the front flank 21 ′ of the subsequent closing pulse and the unlocking of the doors AND by the rear flanks 21 ″.

FIG. 5 shows a more advantageous embodiment and using only the receivers 31 'and 32' from which the positioning of the emission point can be calculated under the conditions set out above; the counters 18 and 19 measuring the travel time of the wave put from the point of emission to each of the counters from which the positioning of the point of emission is deduced.

The invention makes it possible to produce a system with three receivers making it possible to define the positioning of a point in space according to its coordinates in three dimensions.

Such a system with three receivers makes it possible in particular to locate and define in space a volume corresponding to a hollow body; the tip 10 can indeed be supported on the inner wall of this hollow volume to define a certain number of points, the coordinates of all of these points defining the hollow volume to be analyzed and the coordinates of which will thus be calculated, entered and recorded by the machine.

The invention allows many developments apart from its preferred application which will be computer-aided design (drawing, architecture, design, etc.) and computer-aided manufacturing.

In particular commercially, the invention makes it possible to directly make available to consumers, that is to say users, a tool enabling them to project, and to simulate all forms of combinations, of elements, in particular modular, as part of the architectural design of a housing or its interior decoration, in particular by the installation of modular furniture elements.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce a microinformatics unit making it possible to examine, create and view all the simulations that can be carried out using juxtaposable elements, in particular in the furniture field, the elements belonging for example to a collection.

It is a common phenomenon that the user, the simple individual, who is offered a collection of elements, for example assemblable furniture elements for the decoration and interior design of an apartment is often overwhelmed and overwhelmed by the large number of combinations and the mind is quickly put off by the multiplicity of choices and the intellectual effort required, just like the time which must be devoted to this successive examination.

The invention thus makes it possible to produce a device of simple design, making it possible to immediately project the volume inside which the assemblies must be integrated and then also to produce by projection, for example on a cathode screen, the different combinations which will be selected by according to predetermined criteria and chosen after visualization by projection of the different types of combinations.

 It appears that the user can thus very quickly represent himself and select until a final choice the various elements of a combination such as a furniture element.

It is indeed very easy, from devices of the invention, to call up a graphic representation symbolizing the frame inside which the assembled element will have to fit.

Beforehand, the device of the invention makes it possible to quickly store the coordinates, and consequently the corresponding images, of all the modular elements.

All this data corresponding to the characteristics of the modular elements can thus be quickly stored in the machine.

Then, at the time of use, the future customer can register and determine the imperative data (dimensions, dimensions, needs, situations etc ...) which will have to be respected, which then allows the computer to select the corresponding elements. with pre-established definitions which can be viewed in their different combinations; this allows the client to represent the effect and the aesthetics as well as the ambiance achieved by the proposed combination in a situation and these simulations allow him to orient his choice and guide it towards an appropriate selection.

Once the choice has been made from the projection of the various possibilities of combinations, the computer which has in memory the characteristics of the elements chosen, can then function in a conventional manner to carry out all the administrative work corresponding to the recorded order, in particular the name and the customer's address, the descriptive estimate, the reference quotes, the unit prices of the elements, the total as well as the VAT, delivery times, payment or credit conditions, etc.

So that the device of the invention allows small and medium-sized enterprises to have a particularly attractive promotion tool, while considerably reducing administrative and management work.

Claims (11)

 l - Method for determining the coordinates defining the positioning of a point in space or in a plane, characterized in that a wave (16 -94 such as a ultrasonic wave, and at the same time the start of a counter (18,19) ignited by a time base (47), is collected by at least two receivers (31, 32) suitably positioned at a certain distance and for example on either side of the emission point to be determined, the arrival of the wave and the travel time of the wave in the atmosphere is counted between the emission at the point to be determined and each of the receivers, these time values, proportional to the distance separating each receiver from the point to be determined, being collected by a digital counter and processed to be converted into analog signals giving the desired coordinates of the point.  2 - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a specific counter (18.19) is used for each of the receivers (31p 32); each counter being coupled to the time base (47) and receiving the starting signal corresponding to the instant of emission of the wave, and the counting is stopped by the output signal from the receiver assigned to the corresponding counter . 3 - Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a sound emission is triggered by a manual contactor (13) closing the circuit which connects the sound transmitter (10), for example ultrasonic, to a generator d pulses (33), the transmitter-10 being rigorously positioned in superposition and in contact with the point to be located, this electrical pulse is collected at the same time at each counter (18,19) to trigger the start of counting, which is stopped by the sound reception at each receiver (31, 32). 4 - Device for determining and automatically entering data such as the coordinates of a plurality of points defining a plot in a plane or a volume in space, characterized in that it comprises - - a generator of surpluses (33) - a point source (10) emitting waves (16, 17), for example ultrasonic, supplied by said generator and secured to a mobile support (11) able to be positioned successively in support and in close proximity date of points whose coordinates are to be determined. - at least two receivers (31, 32), arranged at a distance and for example on either side of the surface containing all the points whose coordinates are to be determined, the receivers being sensitive to the waves emitted from said source point (10), - a plurality of counters (18,19), each counter being coupled to a time base (47), and each counter (18,19) being connected on the one hand to the pulse generator (33 ) (and thus able to receive the signal corresponding to the generation of pulses and to the start of the sound wave) and each counter is connected on the other hand to one of the receivers (31, 32) and it is thus able to measure and record the time interval between the emission of a wave (i6, 17) by the point source (10) and the reception of this wave by a receiver (31, 32, the time interval defining the positioning of the point source (10) by its distance from the receiver. 5 - Device according to claim 4 and provided for determining the positioning, that is to say the definition of coordinates, of a plurality of points in a plane materialized by a support console of generally quadrangular shape, characterized in that 'It comprises for this purpose two linear receivers (31, 32) arranged in two adjacent sides and at right angles to said console (30). The linear receivers preferably being made up of a plurality of individual acoustic receivers aligned respectively along the length (or upper horizontal edge) of the console (X axis) and along the width (or left vertical edge) of the console; (axis of Y). 6 - Device according to one of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that each of the receivers (31, 32) composing the linear receiver has an orientation  reception directed along an axis perpendicular to the alignment of said receivers, each unit receiver thus preferably listening to a sound emission coming from a direction perpendicular to the linear complex receiver. 7 - Device according to claim 4 and more particularly capable of determining the coordinates successively of a plurality of points defining a path or a volume in space, characterized in that it comprises at least three receivers arranged at three angles of a virtual parallelepiped defining the space inside which the points to be raised are positioned. 8 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the mobile support of the sound emission source consists of a stylus. (11) provided with one end of a tip (10) d support capable of coming into position for locating on the console (30) materializing the plar in which the point to be defined is located, the point being of the dry or tracer point type, the stylus is connected by a set of flexible conductive wires 12 to the pulse generator (33) and it comprises a contactor (13) capable of closing the circuit connecting the wave emission source to the pulse generator. 9 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that it is coupled to a memory (48) capable of receiving and recording the signals from the computers (18,19) in order to store the data corresponding to the positioning points successively entered by the device, and has information processing means (52) capable of converting the signals received from the counters into analog values defining the ordinates of the successively determined points. 10 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that each receiver (31, 32) is associated with a bandpass amplifier (39, 40) allowing the elimination of parasitic waves and the determination with precision over time the point of arrival of the sound wave received by the receiver and each receiver is associated with a counter, which comprises an electronic device of the flip-flop type (41r 42), powered by the output amplifier (39, 40) of the corresponding receiver (31, 32) and connected to a door AND (43, 44) also receiving the signals from the time base (47), the output signals from the AND gate leading to a digital counter (45, 46) connected to a memory (48) capable of storing the data received; of the counter. 11 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that each digital counter (45,46) is able to be reset to zero after each count by the start of the pulse from the impurity generator ( 33) electronics, the rear edge of the pulse rocking each flip-flop (41,42) which is then activated and opens the corresponding AND gate (43,44) allowing the arrival of the train of signals from the base time (47) in the digital counter, the reception of the sound wave by the receiver, rSceptor, retransmitted by the amplifier, being able to toggle the flip-flop which is deactivated by closing the door AND and stopping the accumulation of time signals by the digital counter whose instantaneous data are transmitted to the memory.