Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
  • G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
  • G01C21/20—Instruments for performing navigational calculations
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
  • G02B27/017—Head mounted
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/32—Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system
  • G02B27/34—Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system illuminated
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. visible personal calling systems or remote indication of seats occupied
  • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. visible personal calling systems or remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
  • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. visible personal calling systems or remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting in contact-lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
  • A61F9/02—Goggles
  • A61F9/029—Additional functions or features, e.g. protection for other parts of the face such as ears, nose or mouth; Screen wipers or cleaning devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
  • G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
  • G02B2027/0138—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of guidance assistance systems.
• the object of the present invention relates more particularly to a guidance aid system allowing a display of visual information in real time to help a user to observe a determined area of interest or to move towards a determined area of interest. .
• zone of interest within the meaning of the present invention, is meant throughout the following description any zone which is of interest to the user; it can be for example a final destination such as an assembly/rallying point, a finish line, an airstrip. It can also be a route, a predefined route or even one or more stages on a route or a predefined route. It can also be a target or a point or a person to observe/monitor. It will be understood here that, generally, this area of interest is defined by a set of spatial coordinates.
• the present invention finds many advantageous applications in the field of sport and in particular extreme sports or sliding sports such as for example parachute jumping, paragliding, downhill mountain biking, skiing, car rallying, etc. .
• the present invention also finds many other advantageous applications in other activities such as for example for piloting a vehicle (aircraft or other) or for firefighter or military interventions in a hostile environment.
• Remote interfaces are known in the prior art; these remote interfaces are by definition outside the user's field of vision and require a movement of the user's head to be consulted.
• HUD head-up display devices
• head-up display devices most often incorporate augmented reality display means which make it possible to provide the user with additional information such as for example extrinsic information relating to the environment of the vehicle.
• ADAS systems from the English “Advanced Driver-Assistance System” or in French “Advanced Driving Assistance System” which are equipped with an on-board camera and which are configured to display on a screen, for example a head-up screen or HUD, an element of the road environment such as for example a road sign of the road environment and/or a pictogram representing a vehicle traveling in front of said vehicle or a detected danger.
• a screen for example a head-up screen or HUD
• an element of the road environment such as for example a road sign of the road environment and/or a pictogram representing a vehicle traveling in front of said vehicle or a detected danger.
• helmets or goggles incorporating a screen are also known, such as those proposed in the documents EP3028121B1, FR3061312A1, FR3017966A1,
• the helmet prefferably be light and compact in order to avoid interfering with practice or creating problems or fatigue on the user's neck.
• the present invention aims to improve the situation described above.
• One of the objectives of the present invention is in particular to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a solution to help guide a user heading towards or observing an area of interest.
• the object of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a system for assisting the guidance of a user heading towards or observing a determined area of interest.
• the system according to the present invention comprises a viewing window having a peripheral perimeter defining a peripheral field of vision of the user.
• the system according to the present invention further comprises a device for displaying guidance information comprising a plurality of light sources extending at least partially along the peripheral periphery of the viewing window, the light sources being capable of be controlled independently of each other by a control unit.
• the display device further comprises:
• At least one sensor configured to capture spatial information relating to a position and/or an orientation of the viewing window with respect to the area of interest
• control unit configured to (selectively) control the light sources as a function of the guidance information in order to display in the peripheral field of vision a direction to be followed by the user to move towards or observe the area of interest.
• the viewing window is equipped with an optical viewing screen (transparent).
• optical display screen is meant here an optical protection screen such as a visor and not a display screen.
• the display is done directly by the light points located in the peripheral periphery of the viewing window.
• the optical display screen is provided with etchings and/or inclusions formed in the screen, for example vertically and/or horizontally, to conduct the light emitted by the at least one light source on the screen, preferably towards the center of the field of vision so as to refocus the information so that it is less in the peripheral vision zone.
• the light sources are actuated selectively on the peripheral periphery of the viewing window so as to interpose with respect to each other to intersect and form a virtual reticle in the axis of the field of vision of the user, such a virtual reticle indicating with precision the direction/orientation of the target zone to be observed or reached.
• the at least one sensor is a position sensor and/or an azimuth sensor and/or an inclination sensor and/or an accelerometer.
• Such a sensor thus makes it possible to recover information relating to the relative position of the viewing window with respect to the zone of interest, the azimuth and/or the inclination of the viewing window.
• the display device comprises wireless communication means configured to communicate with an external entity in order to retrieve at least one external piece of information relating to the external environment of the user.
• the display device comprises acquisition means configured to acquire at least one piece of system status information.
• control unit is configured to control each of the light sources in terms of intensity and/or color.
• the plurality of light sources comprises an LED or OLED ribbon.
• the plurality of light sources comprises an optical fiber.
• the object of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a facial support intended to be worn directly or indirectly on the head of the user and comprising a guidance aid system as described above in which the window display is integrally assembled to said facial support.
• the facial support consists of a pair of glasses, a mask or a helmet.
• the facial support can also be in the form of a visor for example.
• the facial support is provided with at least one strap for holding said support in position on the head of said user.
• the object of the present invention makes it possible to provide in real time reliable guidance information intended for the user to guide him or direct his gaze towards a zone of predetermined interest.
• FIG. 1 represents a first schematic view of a guidance aid system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 shows a second schematic view of the guidance aid system according to Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 represents a schematic view of a guidance aid system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of a guidance aid system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 represents a schematic view of a guidance aid system forming a reticle in the user's field of vision
• FIG. 6 represents a schematic view representing a use of a guidance aid system according to the invention for the practice of an activity with several users;
• FIG. 7 represents a schematic view representing a use of a guidance aid system according to the invention for a construction site comprising dangers
• FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the guidance information display device integrated into the guidance assistance system according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 9 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method implemented by a device according to Figure 8.
• a guidance assistance system 100 as well as the method associated with it will now be described in the following with reference jointly to FIGS. 1 to 9.
• HUD head-up display devices
• augmented reality headsets are not suitable for these issues and suffer in particular from their high technicality; thus, current solutions have the following drawbacks: they require precise adjustments (inter-pupillary distance, binocular diopter, etc.), they are heavy and cumbersome, they require energy, they are expensive, they are likely to shift from the axis of vision in the event of impact and offer incorrect guidance, they are sensitive to mist, smoke and the presence of dust.
• the concept underlying the present invention is to direct the gaze and the practice of the user by exploiting the human reflexes of attention and hypervigilance by the embedding of luminous points in periphery of the user's field of vision.
• peripheral field of vision enables the user's peripheral visual awareness which is considered to be the ability to be aware without being distracted by a significant amount of information in relation to the particular setting and the task at hand.
• peripheral vision zone represents 80% of the surface of the retina for 20% of the optic cells.
• the peripheral field of vision therefore allows the establishment of a process of vigilance over a large portion of space, with blurred and deficient vision of light, without distracting from the main task.
• the present invention provides in the example of Figures 1 and 2, which illustrate a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the implementation of a guidance aid system 100 of a user U directing towards an area of interest, denoted here T (for “target”).
• This zone of interest T can correspond for example to a rendezvous or rallying point, a finish line, a stage on a journey, a particular point to observe, a danger zone to avoid, etc.
• this area of interest T is therefore defined by spatial coordinates which are known.
• the system 100 comprises a device 10, here called a display device, which comprises an electronic card having at least one memory 27.
• the coordinates of the zone of interest T are recorded beforehand during a step S0 in this memory 27.
• the at least one memory 27 corresponds for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which can comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM , PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.
• volatile and/or non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, ROM , PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.
• one of the objects of the present invention is to provide easily usable information allowing the user U to be guided in real time and intuitively towards this area of interest T without being hindered in the practice of his activity.
• the system 100 integrated directly or indirectly into a facial support 200 in the form of a mask such as a ski mask for example.
• such a mask 200 is provided with a strap 14 intended to hold the mask 200 in position around the head of the user U.
• the strap 14 is further provided with adjustment means 14a making it possible to adjust the diameter of the strap 14 to adapt to the size of the user's head U.
• a classic 200 mask is used, the general structure of which matches the anatomy of the user's face U.
• the system 100 integrated into the mask 200 therefore includes a viewing window 11 delimited by the peripheral perimeter 12 which here corresponds to the frame of the mask 200.
• the peripheral perimeter 12 of this window 11 here defines the peripheral field of vision of the user U.
• an optical display screen 13 is provided, here a protective screen, covering the field of vision and making it possible to protect the eyes of the user U.
• Such a screen 13 can also include an anti-fog treatment, an anti-ultraviolet filter and/or an anti-reflective treatment to improve user comfort.
• the peripheral periphery 12 is equipped with a plurality of light sources 21.
• These light sources 21 are therefore located on the periphery of the user's field of vision U and are not likely to hinder it in its perception of space. They therefore remain visible without obstructing vision (i.e. without coming into the central axis of the user's field of vision).
• the light sources 21 extend at regular intervals along this peripheral periphery 12.
• the light sources 21 are formed by a strip of LEDs (from the English “Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode electroluminescente”) or OLED (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Organic light-emitting diode”).
• light sources 21 can also be envisaged here by those skilled in the art, such as for example optical fiber.
• One of the concepts underlying the present invention is to use these sources 21 to indicate outside the main axis of the user's field of vision U (but at the periphery thereof) the preferred direction to follow for reach area of interest T.
• the device 10 which comprises, without being limited thereto, on-board electronic equipment such as an electronic computer (an ECU for “Electronic Control Unit”, a smart phone, a tablet or even a laptop computer) .
• electronic computer an ECU for “Electronic Control Unit”, a smart phone, a tablet or even a laptop computer
• the elements of device 10, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and/or in discrete components.
• the device 10 can be made in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or else a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.
• the device 10 comprises one (or more) processor(s) configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software or software embedded in the device 10.
• the processor may include onboard memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art.
• the computer code of the on-board software or software comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on the memory 27.
• the device 20 further comprises a control unit 22 capable of controlling the sources 21 independently of each other.
• At least one sensor 23 such as an azimuth sensor, an inclination sensor and/or a position sensor.
• a sensor 23 is capable of capturing during a step SI spatial information II relating to a position and/or an orientation of the viewing window (11) with respect to said zone of interest T.
• the sensor 23 therefore measures a value representative of the relative position of the mask (that is to say the inclination/orientation/position of the user's gaze) with respect to the zone of interest T to be reached.
• This spatial information II is then transmitted to the processing circuit 24 (here for example a computer) which during a step S2 will process this spatial information II according to the zone of interest T (here the spatial coordinates of the zone d interest T recorded in memory 27) in order to determine guidance information 12.
• the processing circuit 24 here for example a computer
• This information 12 aims to determine a guidance vector to orient the gaze of the user U so that the latter observes or heads towards the area of interest T.
• This guidance information 12 is then sent to the control unit 22 so that the latter selectively controls each of the light sources 21 as a function of this guidance information 12 so as to, during step S3, display on the periphery of the field of vision of the user a direction to follow so that the latter is heading towards said zone of interest T.
• the light sources 21 will light up according to this guidance information 12 determined by the processing circuit 24.
• the light sources are actuated on the periphery of the user's field of vision so as to form a virtual reticle in the latter's field of vision.
• the latter only has to follow the direction provided by the virtual reticle by fixing his gaze on the fictitious intersection of two light beams formed by the two pairs of activated light sources.
• the display of this information located in the peripheral vision zone allows the user to intuitively orient himself in space.
• the light sources 21 are integrated directly into the screen 13.
• These sources 21 are inserted in one or more layers and at different spacings from the central axis of vision between or on the different sheets making up the screen 13.
• the sources 21 only extend over the side edges of the screen 13 so as to limit the size of the field of vision. It can be considered here that the sources 21 therefore remain at the periphery of the field of vision within the meaning of the present invention and do not come into the central axis of the field of vision.
• FIG. 4 another exemplary embodiment is further illustrated.
• Such an inclusion can be carried out for example by one or several light guides of the optical fiber type and makes it possible to reflect the light towards the central axis of vision of the user's gaze U.
• Such a light source 21 included in the screen 13 can carry information of an important nature such as for example information relating to an imminent danger.
• optical display screen 13 it is possible to form in the optical display screen 13 rectilinear engravings and/or inclusions formed for example vertically and/or horizontally in the screen 13 in order to conduct the light emitted by the at least one light source 21 on the screen 13.
• other external entities for example another system 100' of another user U' (FIG. 6), a remote server, the " cloud”, an entity 300 such as for example a truck (FIG. 7) likely to represent a danger or else a marker indicating a danger zone not to be crossed on a construction site.
• These means of communication 24 are therefore capable of communicating with one or more external devices 100' and/or 300 and comprise one or more RF radio frequency interfaces, for example of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® type, LTE (from the English “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long terme”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced).
• data can for example be loaded to the device 10 via the communication interface 24 using a Wi-Fi® network such as according to IEEE 802.11, an ITS G5 network based on IEEE 802.11p or a mobile network such as a 4G network (or LTE Advanced according to 3GPP release 10 - version 10) or 5G, in particular an LTE-V2X network.
• the information 13 collected by these wireless communication means 24 is transmitted to the processing circuit 24 and is analyzed to be taken into consideration in determining the guidance information 12. For example, the presence of a danger or an obstacle on the path of the user U can thus be taken into consideration to recalculate another path in order to reach the area of interest T.
• an additional camera 26 capable of capturing representative images 15 of the environment. These images 15 can then be processed by image processing algorithms to detect any danger or obstacle.
• a LIDAR sensor corresponds here to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser transmitter device, a receiver device comprising a light collector (to collect the part of the light radiation emitted by the transmitter and reflected by any object located on the path of the light rays emitted by the transmitter) and a photodetector which transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each object detected, this with the aim of recovering points representative of an obstacle or a danger on the user's journey.
• the information coming from this camera 26 or from the LIDAR(s) is sent directly to the processing circuit 24 for analysis and consideration in determining the guidance information 12.
• the information 13 and/or 15 originating from these wireless communication means 24 and/or from the camera 26 and/or from the LIDAR(s) can also be directly displayed on the peripheral periphery 12 of the user's field of vision by the actuation of one of the light sources 21.
• a microphone and/or headphones capable of collecting or processing sounds. These sounds can then be processed by processing algorithms configured to reduce parasitic noise, or reinforce the spatial perception of a georeferenced point.
• the light sources 21 in intensity and/or in color. It is possible, for example, to emit a red light in the field of vision which flashes with strong intensity to signal an imminent danger.
• the device 100 is capable of displaying several different pieces of information according to different selectable modes.
• a remote control for example in the form of a watch connected to the wrist of the user U (not represented here) which is capable, by an actuation on the touch screen, of selecting the type of display to switch, for example, the system from a “guidance/geolocation aid” mode allowing you to follow different meeting points on a predetermined route to an “equipment” mode making it possible to know the state of an item of equipment or even a “team” mode making it possible to know the relative position of the other users U′.
• a remote control for example in the form of a watch connected to the wrist of the user U (not represented here) which is capable, by an actuation on the touch screen, of selecting the type of display to switch, for example, the system from a “guidance/geolocation aid” mode allowing you to follow different meeting points on a predetermined route to an “equipment” mode making it possible to know the state of an item of equipment or even a “team” mode making it possible to know the relative position of the other users U′.
• the intensity and/or the color of all or part of the light sources can make it possible to indicate other information such as for example the passage of the zone of interest.
• the variation of the parameters relating to the intensity, the colors and the number of light sources 21 makes it possible to superimpose several pieces of information according to the case of use.
• the present invention thus makes it possible to overcome the various drawbacks of the state of the art by allowing the supply of implicit information in the peripheral vision zone of the user.
• the display of this information which does not occur in the user's main field of vision but on the periphery of it, can be used directly by the user and does not require any reflection.
• this information can also be transmitted to other users.
• the present invention is particularly intended, in a non-limiting manner, for extreme athletes, firefighters, industrial operators or even agents of the defense and security forces during their interventions.
• Tourism applications and/or digital games as well as applications allowing learning or capacity building through interaction with the peripheral vision area can also be considered.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
• Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Navigation (AREA)
• Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
• Controls And Circuits For Display Device (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=78806543

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Citations (12)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2020
  • 2020-11-05 FR FR2011341A patent/FR3115890B3/fr active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-10-21 FR FR2111166A patent/FR3115889B1/fr active Active
  • 2021-10-21 JP JP2023528019A patent/JP7848201B2/ja active Active
  • 2021-10-21 WO PCT/FR2021/051844 patent/WO2022096797A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2021-10-21 US US18/251,453 patent/US12279992B2/en active Active
  • 2021-10-21 EP EP21815551.3A patent/EP4241044B1/fr active Active

Patent Citations (12)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events