FR2785056A1 - Ultrasonic transmitter/receiver position location system having circle mounted receive detectors with fixed time processing lighting light sets - Google Patents

Abstract

The ultrasonic position indicator has an ultrasonic transmitting source to be received by a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit has a number of detectors (6,7) in a circle around a central point on a support. Incoming signals above a threshold are filtered (15,16). Signals are processed (17-24) and displayed as a series of lights (8,9). Processing is carried out over a fixed time period. Further lighting of the signals is then inhibited over a further time period.

Description

LOCATION DEVICE HAVING MEANS
EMISSION AND RECEPTION OF ULTRASONIC RADIATION,
AND CONSTITUENT MEANS OF RECEIPT.

 The invention relates to a locating device comprising means for emitting ultrasonic radiation, and means for receiving this radiation for locating the direction of the transmitting means. It extends to receiving means constituting this location device.

 There are at present many locating devices for locating the direction of a source emitting ultrasonic radiation. Such location devices are mainly of either manual or automatic design.

 Automatic location devices are widely used on fixed or mobile installations (aircraft, boat, vehicle). The direction indication is available in the form of a bearing (angle between the carrier and the apparent source) or a left or right deviation indication.

 Manual location devices are generally used to search for a source of emission using an antenna or a hand-oriented sensor. This type of device is based on the search for maximum or minimum reception without delivering the direction information relative to the position of the source relative to the antenna or the exploration sensor.

 In addition, these two types of location devices, manual or automatic, require the reading of an instrument often associated with listening on earphone or speaker to allow identification of the source. In addition, manual type location devices do not allow a hands-free search of the radiation source.

 The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages and its main purpose is to provide a location device of particularly simple design, leaving free the hands of the user.

 Another object of the invention is to provide a locating device making it possible to overcome parasitic radiation such as the echo of the signal emitted by the transmitting means.

For this purpose, the invention provides a locating device comprising:
means for emitting ultrasonic radiation,
means for receiving the radiation emitted by the transmitting means, comprising:
n sensors distributed on a support around an axis of revolution and disposed at equal distance from said axis, each of said sensors being adapted to deliver an electrical signal during the detection of radiation emitted by the transmitting means,
for each of the sensors, means for filtering the signal emitted by said sensor, adapted to deliver an electrical signal when the intensity of the received signal is greater than a predetermined threshold,
* n luminous display elements each associated with a sensor, distributed on the support and arranged so that each luminous display element is aligned radially with the associated sensor,
means for processing and managing the electrical signals delivered by the filtering means, adapted during reception of an electrical signal delivered by the filtration means associated with a sensor for:
. controlling the lighting of the luminous display element associated with said sensor for a predetermined period of time,
. inhibiting any other ignition control of a luminous display element for a period of time t such that t> tl,
. to control the extinction of the illuminated display element on, once the time has elapsed,
. and put itself in the acquisition state of the signals delivered by the filtering means, once the time has elapsed.

 According to this device, when the ultrasonic radiation emitted by the transmitting means reaches the level of the receiving means, only one (or at most two sensors, depending on the incidence of the radiation, the number and the distribution of the sensors), is activated. firstly by the front of said radiation, because of the distribution of said sensors around an axis of revolution, equidistant from said axis, and therefore only the luminous display element radially aligned with said sensor (or maximum two of these elements) is lit for a time tl.

 Indeed, the processing and management means of this locating device are designed, once a radiation emitted by the detected transmission means, to control the ignition for a time tl of the luminous display element associated with the sensor activated, then inhibit any other ignition control of any luminous display element for a time t 2 tl.

 As a result, such a locating device directly provides, by means of the ignition of one (or two) luminous display elements (s), during the reception of a radiation emitted by the transmitting means , information representative of the position of said transmitting means relative to the receiving means. In addition, this locating device leaves free the hands of the user and does not involve the reading of any instrument.

 Such a locating device can be advantageously used in many applications, both in the underwater environment and in the air, for the purpose of identifying the direction of a radiation source. Examples of applications include the location of distress beacons on land or under the snow (detection of people under an avalanche), the safety, identification and / or orientation of underwater divers .

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locating device comprises a general power supply switch for the n light display elements, and the means for processing and managing the electrical signals delivered by the sensors:
-associated with each:
. triggering means comprising two electrical inputs, called first and second electrical inputs, whose first electrical input is connected to the filtering means associated with said sensor, and an electrical output, and adapted to deliver an electrical signal upon reception of a electrical signal delivered at the first electrical input, only in the absence of an electrical signal delivered at the second electrical input,
. switching means comprising two electrical inputs, called first and second electrical inputs, whose first electrical input is connected to the electrical output of the tripping means, and an electrical output, and adapted to switch from a passive state to an active state upon receiving an electrical signal at the first electrical input, and switching from an active state to a passive state upon receiving an electrical signal at the second electrical input.

delaying means provided with n electrical inputs, each connected to the electrical output of one of the tripping means, and of electrical outputs respectively connected to the second electrical inputs of the tripping means, to the second electrical inputs of the switching means, and at the general switch, said timing means being adapted, when receiving an electrical signal delivered by one of the triggering means, for:
. delivering, during the time t, an electrical signal to the second electrical inputs of the tripping, locking means of said tripping means,
. simultaneously deliver during the time tl an electrical signal for closing the master switch,
. and, once the time has elapsed, deliver an electrical signal to the switching means, adapted to reset them.

 In addition, the transmission means are advantageously adapted to deliver a periodic signal of period T, the processing and management means being adapted to inhibit any ignition control of the luminous display elements for a time t slightly less than T. once the lighting of one of said luminous display elements has been controlled.

 Such arrangements make it possible to ensure that, during the unlocking of the reception means, controlled by the processing and management means, a stream of waves emitted by the emission source reaches the level of the sensors, so that the sensor better oriented with respect to this source is systematically triggered.

 In addition, the locking time of the receiving means being slightly less than the transmission period of a wave train by the transmitting means, such a localization device is insensitive to external disturbances that may occur between the emission of two wave trains, such as for example the echo signal of these wave trains.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the delay means comprise:
first delay means having n electrical inputs connected to n electrical outputs of the tripping means, and two electrical outputs, said first and second, in opposition, whose first electrical output is respectively connected to the main switch and to the n second electrical inputs of the tripping means, said first timing means being adapted to be active and to deliver an electrical signal at the first electrical output during the time t1,
second timing means provided with an electrical input connected to the second electrical output of the first delay means, and an electrical output connected to the n second electrical inputs of the tripping means and to the n second electrical inputs of the switching means; said second delay means being adapted to be active and to deliver an electrical signal at the electrical output for a period of time t2 such that t2 + t1 = t.

 This arrangement makes it possible to obtain flashing of the luminous display elements during successive reception of radiation emitted by the transmission means, which facilitates the tracking of the identification of the latter.

 In addition, the luminous display elements are not lit in continuity, this solution leads to significant savings in energy consumption, especially if the receiving means are intended to be worn by an individual and therefore of small dimensions.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the first delay means comprise a monostable able to be active for a time t1, and activation means of said monostable, interposed electrically between the latter and the triggering means.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the sensors are uniformly distributed over a circular curve centered on the axis of revolution.

 In addition, the filtering means advantageously comprise, for each sensor, a comparator interposed between said sensor and the triggering means associated therewith.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the triggering means comprise, for each sensor, a logic circuit consisting of a NOR gate.

 The switching means preferably comprise, for each sensor, a bi-stable flip-flop.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the locating device comprises, associated with each sensor, means for amplifying the signals delivered by said sensor.

 Furthermore, the processing and management means are advantageously integrated in a housing of dimensions adapted to be worn on the wrist, said housing comprising a dial on which are distributed the light display means, and the sensors being arranged on the edge of said case, each facing one of the illuminated display elements.

 In addition, according to another characteristic of the invention, the housing incorporates a compass disposed centrally within said housing, and which allows for example a diver to move with this compass when moving away of a boat, then thanks to the tracking system when returning to said boat.

The invention extends to a device for receiving an ultrasonic radiation comprising:
n sensors distributed on a support around an axis of revolution and disposed at an equal distance from said axis, each of said sensors being adapted to deliver an electrical signal during the detection of a radiation emitted by a source,
for each of the sensors, means for filtering the signal emitted by said sensor, adapted to deliver an electrical signal when the intensity of the signal received is greater than a predetermined threshold,
a luminous display elements each associated with a sensor, distributed on the support and arranged so that each luminous display element is aligned radially with the associated sensor,
means for processing and managing the electrical signals delivered by the filtering means, adapted during reception of an electrical signal delivered by the filtration means associated with a sensor for:
. controlling the lighting of the luminous display element associated with said sensor for a predetermined period of time,
. inhibiting any other ignition control of a luminous display element for a period of time t such that t> tl,
. to control the extinction of the luminous display element on, once the tl has elapsed,
. and put itself in the acquisition state of the signals delivered by the filtering means, once the time has elapsed.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, two preferred embodiments. On these drawings:
FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively represent schematically transmission and reception means according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is an electronic diagram of the reception means according to the invention,
and FIG. 3 is a view from above of a variant of the reception means according to the invention.

 The locating device shown in FIG. 1 comprises an ultrasonic transmitter 1 and an ultrasonic receiver 2. Such a locating device can in particular be used in an underwater environment in order to replace the current locating means.

 In this case, this device can also serve as an orientation system for the divers, the transmitter is then placed on a boat and the receiver equipping the diver to indicate the direction to follow to reach the boat. It can also serve as a tracking system for locating a diver equipped with the transmitter in the case where the latter is in difficulty.

 This device can, moreover, also be used in the air, and for example allow the location of people or objects with the transmitter, or be associated with electronic equipment requiring a system of orientation relative to a benchmark fixed or mobile.

 The transmitter 1 of this locating device consists firstly of an electronic wave generator 3 adapted to drive a piezoelectric cell probe 4 in the ultrasonic spectrum.

 This transmitter is adapted to generate a source signal of a predetermined frequency and amplitude (for example the frequency may be of the order of 40 Khz and the amplitude of 30V) for a duration of the order 10 ms seconds and this with a periodicity of the order of 2 seconds.

 The receiver 2 is in turn in the form of a circular housing 5 of dimensions adapted to be worn, such as a watch, the wrist of an individual.

 This receiver 2 is, firstly, equipped with piezoelectric sensors such as 6.7, for example eight in number, uniformly distributed around the peripheral periphery of said housing, and comprises a processing and management electronics, represented in FIG. FIG. 2, integrated in said housing, and visual information means associated with each of the sensors.

 In the example, these visual information means consist, for each sensor 6,7, in a light-emitting diode such as 8,9 radially aligned with said sensor, the housing being closed by a dial 10 in which is engraved, at plumb with each diode 8,9, a radial arrow such as 11,12 oriented towards the associated sensor 6.7.

The processing and management electronics shown in FIG. 2 comprise, for its part, associated with each sensor:
an amplifier such as 13, 14,
a comparator such as 15, 16,
a first logic circuit such as 17, 18 consisting of a NOR gate equipped with two electrical inputs,
and a second logic circuit such as 19, 20 consisting of a bi-stable flip-flop equipped with two electrical inputs and an electrical output connected to a light-emitting diode 8, 9.

 This management electronics further comprises a logic circuit 21 consisting of an OR gate connected to collect the signals output from the NOR gates 17, 18, and adapted to trigger a timer monostable 22 having two electrical outputs. opposition, and one of said electrical outputs, said first, is electrically connected to each of the second inputs of the different NOR gates 17,18.

 This processing and management electronics also comprises a second timer monostable 23 electrically connected to the second output of the first monostable 22, and provided with an electrical output electrically connected to each of the second inputs of the different NOR gates 17, 18, and each of the second inputs of the latches 19,20.

 This processing and management electronics finally comprises a transistor 24 whose collector is connected to the various light-emitting diodes 8, 9 and whose base is connected to the first electrical output of the first monostable 22.

 The operation of the locating device is explained below: (It should be noted that this operation is made explicit by assuming that a single sensor is activated when receiving radiation emitted by the source, it being understood that two these sensors can be activated simultaneously, in which case the operation would be identical, except that it would lead to the simultaneous ignition of two neighboring diodes 8, 9).

 In the standby state, the outputs of the comparators 15, 16 are at the high level, and the coupling produced at the output of the monostables 22, 23 is at "zero".

 During the emission by a sensor 6.7 of an electrical signal of intensity greater than that of the stored trigger threshold of the comparators 15, 16, the associated comparator goes low, the output of the NOR gate 17, 18 corresponding goes to "one" and triggers both the corresponding D 19,20 rocker, and the first monostable 22 through the OR gate 21.

The corresponding light-emitting diode 8, 9 is then lit.

 At the same time, the inputs of all the D flip-flops 19, 20, connected to the NOR gates 17, 18, remain blocked at "zero".

 The device is thus "locked" at the reception.

 Once the lighting time t 1 of the light emitting diodes 8, 9, defined by the first monostable 22 has elapsed, the first output of the latter goes back to "zero" while the second output goes to "1" causing the triggering of the second monostable 23 whose output goes to "one".

 This change of state of the monostables 22,23 makes it possible to cause the extinction of the light-emitting diode 8,9 previously lit, to keep the NOR gates 17,18 locked during the time t2 by the activation of the second monostable 23, and to send a reset signal D flip-flops 19,20.

 Finally, once this time t2 has elapsed, and therefore when the output of the second monostable 23 returns to "zero", the management electronics is ready for the processing of a new signal.

 FIG. 3 represents, for its part, an alternative embodiment of the receiver of this locating device, according to which this receiver 25 constitutes an electro-directional compass adapted to be worn on the wrist and provided for this purpose with a bracelet 31.

 For this purpose, the housing 26 of this receiver 25 incorporates a compass 32 of conventional type, and on the periphery of this compass 32, several light-emitting diodes such as 29,30, in the example of eight, evenly distributed around the axis of said housing.

 As before, this housing 26 also includes, associated with each diode 29,30, a piezoelectric sensor such as 27,28.

 The interest of such an electro-directional compass lies in the fact, for example in the case of a diver, that it allows the latter to orient himself, first of all, thanks to the compass 23 when away from a boat, then through the tracking system when returning to this boat.

Claims (15)

 1 / -Location device, characterized in that it comprises in combination:  means (1) for emitting ultrasonic radiation,  means for receiving the radiation emitted by the transmitting means, comprising:  * n sensors (6,7) distributed on a support (5) around an axis of revolution and disposed at equal distance from said axis, each of said sensors being adapted to deliver an electrical signal when detecting a radiation emitted by the transmission means (1),  for each of the sensors (6, 7), means (15, 16) for filtering the signal emitted by said sensor, adapted to deliver an electrical signal when the intensity of the signal received is greater than a predetermined threshold,  * n luminous display elements (8,9) each associated with a sensor (6,7), distributed on the support (5) and arranged so that each luminous display element (8,9) is aligned radially with the associated sensor (6, 7)  means (17-24) for processing and managing the electrical signals delivered by the filtering means (15, 16), adapted when receiving an electrical signal delivered by the associated filtering means (15, 16) to a sensor (6,7) for:  . controlling the illumination of the luminous display element (8, 9) associated with said sensor for a predetermined period of time,  . inhibiting any other ignition control of a luminous display element (8,9) during a period of time t such that t! t 1,  . to control the extinction of the luminous display element (8,9) lit, once the tl elapsed,  . and to put itself in the acquisition state of the signals delivered by the filtration means (15, 16), once the time has elapsed.  2 / -Dispositif location according to claim I, characterized in that it comprises a general switch (24) for supplying the n light display elements (8,9), and in that the means of treatment and of management of the electrical signals delivered by the sensors (8, 9):  -associated with each sensor (8,9):  . triggering means (17, 18) comprising two electrical inputs, called first and second electrical inputs, whose first electrical input is connected to the filtering means (15, 16) associated with said sensor, and an electrical output, and adapted to deliver an electrical signal when receiving an electrical signal delivered at the first electrical input, only in the absence of an electrical signal delivered at the second electrical input,  . switching means (19, 20) comprising two electrical inputs, called first and second electrical inputs, whose first electrical input is connected to the electrical output of the tripping means (17, 18), and an electrical output, and adapted to switch from a passive state to an active state upon receipt of an electrical signal at the first electrical input, and switch from an active state to a passive state upon receipt of an electrical signal at the level of the second electrical input.  . and, once the time has elapsed, deliver an electrical signal to the switching means (19,20), able to reset them.  . simultaneously to deliver during the time tl an electrical signal for closing the main switch (24),  . delivering, during the time t, an electrical signal to the second electrical inputs of the triggering means (17, 18) for locking said triggering means,  timing means (21-23) having n electrical inputs, each connected to the electrical output of one of the triggering means (17, 18), and of electrical outputs respectively connected to the second inputs of the triggering means (17). , 18), at the second inputs of the switching means (19, 20), and at the general switch (24), said timing means being adapted, when receiving an electrical signal delivered by one of the triggering means (17,18), for:  3 / -Location device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting means (1) are adapted to deliver a periodic signal of period T, the processing and management means (17-24 ) being adapted to inhibit any ignition control of the illuminated display elements (9, 10) for a time t slightly less than T, once the illumination of one of said luminous display elements has been controlled.  4 / -Location device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the delay means comprise:  first delay means (21, 22) having n electrical inputs connected to the n electrical outputs of the tripping means (17, 18), and two electrical outputs, said first and second, in opposition, whose first electrical output is respectively connected to the main switch (24) and to the n second electrical inputs of the tripping means (17, 18), said first delay means being adapted to be active and to deliver an electrical signal at the level of the first electrical output during the time tl,  second timing means (23) having an electrical input connected to the second electrical output of the first delay means (21,22), and an electrical output connected respectively to the n second electrical inputs of the tripping means ( 17, 18) and the n second electrical inputs of the switching means (19, 20), said second delay means being adapted to be active and to deliver an electrical signal at the electrical output for a period of time t2 such that t2 + t = t.  5 / -Dispositif location according to claim 4, characterized in that the first delay means comprises a monostable (22) capable of being active for a time tl, and means (21) for activation of said monostable, interposed electrically between the latter and the triggering means (17,18).  6 / -Location device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means (21) for activating the monostable (22) comprise an OR logic circuit with n electrical inputs.  7 / -Dispositif location according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensors (6,7) are uniformly distributed on a circular curve centered on the axis of revolution.  8 / -Location device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtering means comprise, for each sensor (6,7), a comparator (15,16) interposed between said sensor and the triggering means ( 17,18) associated with the latter.  9 / -Dispositif location according to claim 2, characterized in that the triggering means (17,18) comprise, for each sensor (6,7), a logic circuit NOR.  10 / -Dispositif location according to claim 2, characterized in that the switching means (19,20) comprise, for each sensor (6,7), a bi-stable rocker.  11 / -Location device according to claim 2, characterized in that the main switch (24) consists of a transistor.  12 / -Dispositif location according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, associated with each sensor (6,7), means (13,14) for amplifying the signals delivered by said sensor.  13 / -Dispositif location according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing and management means (17-24) are integrated in a housing (5; 26) of dimensions adapted to be worn on the wrist, said housing comprising a dial (10) on which are distributed the light display means (8,9; 29,30), and the sensors (6,7; 27,28) being arranged on the edge of said housing, each facing one of the luminous display elements (8, 9; 29,30).  14 / -Dispositif location according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing (26) incorporates a compass (32) disposed centrally within said housing.  15 / -Device for receiving ultrasonic radiation delivered by a source, characterized in that it comprises in combination:  n sensors (6, 7) distributed on a support (5) around an axis of revolution and arranged equidistant from said axis, each of said sensors being adapted to deliver an electrical signal when a radiation emitted by a source,  for each of the sensors (6, 7), means (15, 16) for filtering the signal emitted by said sensor, adapted to deliver an electrical signal when the intensity of the signal received is greater than a predetermined threshold,  a luminous display element (8, 9) each associated with a sensor (6, 7), distributed on the support (5) and arranged so that each luminous display element (8, 9) is aligned radially with the associated sensor (6, 7)  means (17-24) for processing and managing the electrical signals delivered by the filtering means (15, 16) adapted during the reception of an electrical signal delivered by the associated filtering means (15, 16). to a sensor (6,7) for:  controlling the lighting of the luminous display element associated with said sensor (8, 9) for a predetermined period of time,  . inhibiting any other ignition control of a luminous display element (8,9) for a period of time such as t 2 tl,  . to control the extinction of said display element once the tl has elapsed,  . and then enter the acquisition state of the signals delivered by the filtering means (15, 16), once the time has elapsed.