Method of Locating an Emitting Handheld Device and Man/Machine Interface System Implementing Such a Method

1 . A method for performing at least one interactive action using a man/machine interface system, the method comprising:

locating a handheld device emitting an electric field and/or magnetic field, the handheld device being located by:

defining a reference area,

arranging at least one electric field and/or magnetic field probe proximate to or inside the reference area,

arranging the handheld device within the reference area,

receiving from the probe a detection signal of the electric field and/or magnetic field emitted by the handheld device, and

analyzing the detection signal supplied by the probe and determining therefrom the location of the handheld device within the reference area; and

initiating the interactive action using the man/machine interface system, depending upon the location of the handheld device within the reference area, the action being initiated by supplying interactive control signals to an external device configured to perform the interactive action.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein analyzing the detection signal includes analyzing the magnitude of the detection signal to supply a magnitude value, and determining from the magnitude value the location of the handheld device within the reference area.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein analyzing the detection signal includes analyzing the phase of the detection signal to supply a phase value, and determining from the phase value the location of the handheld device within the reference area.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

arranging at least two electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area,

receiving from the probes at least two detection signals, and

determining the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the phase difference between the detection signals.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

arranging at least two electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area,

receiving from the probes at least two detection signals, and

determining the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the magnitudes of the detection signals.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

arranging at least three electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area,

receiving from the probes at least three detection signals,

determining a first phase difference between a first pair of detection signals,

determining at least a second phase difference between a second pair of detection signals, and

determining the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the first and second phase differences.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

defining predetermined locations within the reference area,

analyzing the detection signal supplied by the probe, and

determining therefrom in which predetermined location the handheld device is located.

8 . The method according to claim 7 , further comprising calibration, wherein the calibration includes recording, for each predetermined location, a set of magnitude and/or phase values of the detection signals when the handheld device is placed in the predetermined location.

9 . A man/machine interface system for use with a handheld device emitting an electric field and/or magnetic field, the interface system comprising:

at least one electric field and/or magnetic field probe supplying a detection signal; and

a device coupled to the probe, the device being configured to:

analyze the detection signal,

determine therefrom the location of the handheld device within a reference area, and

initiate at least one interactive action depending upon the location of the handheld device.

10 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , wherein the device is configured to determine the location of the handheld device from the magnitude value of the detection signal.

11 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , wherein the device is configured to determine the location of the handheld device from the phase value of the detection signal.

12 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , comprising at least two electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area, supplying detection signals, and wherein the device is configured to determine the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the phase difference between the detection signals.

13 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , comprising at least two electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area, supplying detection signals, and wherein the device is configured to determine the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the magnitudes of the detection signals.

14 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , comprising at least three electric field and/or magnetic field probes proximate to or inside the reference area, the probes supplying detection signals, the device being configured to:

determine a first phase difference between a first pair of detection signals,

determine at least a second phase difference between a second pair of detection signals, and

determine the location of the handheld device within the reference area from the first and second phase differences.

15 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 9 , the device being further configured to:

memorize predetermined locations within the reference area,

associate at least one interactive action to each predetermined location of the handheld device,

determine, from the detection signal, in which predetermined location the handheld device is located, and

initiate the interactive action that is associated with the location of the handheld device.

16 . The man/machine interface system according to claim 15 , wherein the device is further configured to perform a calibration including storing, for each predetermined location, a set of magnitude and/or phase values of the detection signals when the handheld device is placed on the location.