Radiocommunications and localizing device

• US 5,812,092 A
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson-CSF
• Original Assignee: Thomson-CSF
• Inventors: Auger, Gerard, Bacelon, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US08/770,324
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 342/440, 342/441, 342/431
• US Class Current: 342/441
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/48 the waves arriving at the antennas being continuous or intermittent and the phase difference of signals derived therefrom being measured

Abstract

A radiocommunications and localization device of the type comprising an array of antennas coupled respectively to a goniometer device and a radio receiver delivering phonic signals to an operator respectively on two headphones. This device includes a device to identify the position of the operator'"'"'s head and a device for the generation of phonic signals that is coupled to the goniometer device, the radio receiver and the identifying device for the application, respectively to the headphones, of the mutually phase-shifted phonic signals so as to give the operator the impression that the phonic signal that he hears is coming from the direction of arrival of the radiowaves determined by the goniometer device. The applications of this device relate to the radio-localization of persons moving in groups.

Claims

1. A radiocommunications and localization device of the type comprising an array of antennas coupled respectively to a goniometer device and a radio receiver delivering phonic signals to an operator respectively on two headphones, where said device comprises;

an identifying device to identify the position of the operator'"'"'s head; and

a generating device for the generation of phonic signals that is coupled to the goniometer device, the radio receiver and the identifying device;

said generating device applying, respectively to the headphones, mutually phase-shifted phonic signals so as to give the operator the impression that a heard phonic signal is coming from a direction of arrival of the radiowaves determined by the goniometer device.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the identifying device comprises a tilt indicator and a magnetometer firmly attached to the operator'"'"'s head.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the identifying device is formed by the array of antennas.

4. A device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the generating device applies phonic signals to the headphones with a mean power proportional to the power of the radio signal received.

5. A device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the radio receiver and the radiogoniometer are multiple-channel receivers.

6. A device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiver comprises a voice synthesis device to convert digital messages into phonic messages.

7. A device according to claim 4, wherein the radio receiver and the radio goniometer are multiple-channel receivers.

8. A device according to claim 4, wherein the receiver comprises a voice synthesis device to convert digital messages into phonic messages.

9. A device according to claim 5, wherein the receiver comprises a voice synthesis device to convert digital messages into phonic messages.