FR3115383A1 - Object location method - Google Patents

Abstract

Object localization method The invention relates to an object localization method. Said localization method comprises steps of:- obtaining (E10, G10) at least one piece of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB), - if said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between at least one transmitting device (T) and at least one receiving device (S), determining (E30, G30) of a location (LOC_OBJ) of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum (P) of said at least one transmitter device, or- if said at least an ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitter device (S) and at least one receiver device (T), determination (E30, G30) of a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum (P) dud it at least one receiving device. Figure for abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Object location method

The invention lies in the field of locating objects. It relates in particular to an object location method, a communication method, a data collection method and a method for locating at least one other object using an object location determined by means of said object location method. . It further relates to devices configured to implement the mentioned methods. The invention can for example find an application for the traceability of one or more objects, in particular of objects having been introduced into a distribution circuit as elements of a batch of objects.

The traceability of an object can include not only the activity of generating the necessary and sufficient information to know (possibly retrospectively) the life cycle of this object, but also the possibility of having access to this information. In other words, it is the ability to generate and find, for example by means of a registered identification of an object, a history recording information relating to the use and location of said object. Traceability thus makes it possible, in certain situations, to help to follow and therefore to find a product from its creation (production) until its destruction (consumption) through the stages of transformation that the latter has possibly undergone and its routing. .

Thus, the effectiveness of the traceability of one or more objects depends on the ability to locate in space and/or time the object or objects in question. To this end, traceability has been able to take advantage of advances linked to the development of IT and electronic miniaturization, to rely on contactless identification technologies.

Thus, it was made, and is still used today, barcodes affixed to objects. These barcodes can be read using dedicated means equipped with optical readers and carry information allowing the identification of the objects with which they are respectively associated.

Another solution, also widely used, consists in using electronic chips, also called radio tags, based on RFID technology (acronym of the Anglo-Saxon expression "Radio Frequency Identification") and affixed to objects intended for be drawn. RFID technology has certain advantages, including the fact of being passive (i.e. the chip does not need to be connected to a power source to operate) but also the fact that reading the information contained in such a chip can be carried out over a greater distance than that which can be envisaged in the case of the use of barcodes.

The fact remains that these techniques for locating objects have certain limits of use. Indeed, they require having to deploy dedicated and expensive hardware. Thus, and as mentioned before, barcode reading requires the use of devices equipped with optical readers. RFID chips also require the use of dedicated reading devices, for example in the form of portable RFID readers or even in the form of gates which can turn out to be heavy and complex to install.

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art, for example at least some of those set out above. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a solution that makes it possible to locate one or more objects more efficiently (for example, ease of implementation, inexpensive, and/or low energy consumption) than certain solutions of prior art. Such a solution can also offer, in certain embodiments, the possibility of carrying out an effective localization of objects outside of any logistics circuit, thus extending the application framework in which the traceability of objects is traditionally implemented.

To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for locating an object. Said location method comprises steps of:
- obtaining at least one piece of identification data of at least one object, said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscattering of at least one ambient signal,
- if said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between at least one transmitter device and at least one receiver device, determination of a location of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum of said at least one transmitting device, or
- if said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitter device and at least one receiver device, determination of a location of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum of said at least one receiver device.

The location method according to the invention is therefore based on the fact that one or more identification data respectively associated with one or more objects can be generated by a communication technology by ambient backscatter.

The use of this backscattering technology does not require the deployment of particular hardware elements to be implemented, with the exception of one or more transmitting devices capable of backscattering one or more ambient signals to generate said identification data , and may therefore be well suited to certain embodiments of the invention.

Indeed, the ambient signal(s) can be emitted by hardware elements present in the environment of the objects (cellular telephone, base stations, etc.), or hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the invention. In the same way, the identification data generated by ambient backscatter can also be collected by material elements present in the environment of the objects (cellular telephone, base stations, etc…), for example material elements of the market, by example of hardware elements on the market, or hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the invention.

Additionally, location data may, in some embodiments, also be generated and/or collected by hardware elements present in the environment of the objects.

Certain embodiments of the invention can therefore make it possible to provide advantages in terms of material savings insofar as they can be based, at least in part, on information obtained thanks to material already available in the environment of objects. Consequently, certain embodiments of the invention can therefore make it possible to avoid, or in any case to limit, the use of a dedicated workforce in charge of locating one or more objects. In particular, some of the aforementioned material elements, present in the environment of the objects, may belong to any users.

Added to this is the fact that ambient backscatter communication technology is energy efficient and easy to deploy.

Due for example to the characteristics mentioned above (potential savings in material and labor) that certain embodiments of the invention can help to extend the detection, localization and traceability of one or more objects beyond beyond the field of logistics and therefore of any logistics process.

By “logistic process”, we refer here to all manipulations of objects and changes of owners or managers of these objects. Such a logistics process makes it possible to generate, thanks to the identifications respectively attached to the objects, a history of traceability events which can be stored in one or more information systems, such as for example a server acting as a database dedicated to this effect. This history can help to trace the movements of objects in their life cycle during the logistics process, for example following successive identifications during stages of production, storage, order preparation and/or grouping with other other objects (such as objects of the same nature grouped together in the form of lots), shipping, delivery with ungrouping of objects, etc.

One can for example imagine the case of a first commodity serving as an object within the meaning of the invention, this first commodity being marketed in a point of sale. Being now for sale, this first commodity has therefore left the field of logistics. Nevertheless, by placing a transmitter device ("tag" in the Anglo-Saxon literature) on this first commodity so that identification data for this first commodity can be generated by ambient backscatter, it is possible to locate said first commodity using certain embodiments of the invention.

For example, a smartphone belonging to a potential buyer of other goods present in the point of sale can receive, in addition to an ambient signal emitted by a base station, said identification data of the first goods and transmit it to a device configured to determine a location of the first merchandise as a function of said identification datum of the first merchandise and of a location datum of said smartphone.

According to another example, the smartphone can be the source of the ambient signal from which the identification data of the first commodity is generated by ambient backscatter. Again, the location of the first commodity can be determined using a device configured for this purpose and in possession of said identification data of the first commodity and of location data of said smartphone. In this example, certain embodiments can be implemented without requiring an implementation of the invention in the smartphone originating the ambient signal.

Thus, certain embodiments of the location method of the present invention can therefore, unlike certain solutions of the state of the art, allow the location of one or more objects without it being necessary to have recourse to actions (gestures) carried out in a specific and voluntary manner by operators trained for this purpose. It also emerges from these considerations that the location of objects, with the aim of providing traceability, can be extended, in certain embodiments, outside the conventional circuits of the field of logistics (production, storage, preparation order, grouping of goods, shipping, delivery, etc.). In this way, certain embodiments of the location method of the present invention can make it possible to locate an object once it leaves the field of logistics, for example following a purchase at a distribution point, and thus also enable traceability to be ensured.

Certain embodiments of the locating method according to the invention may also differ from the state of the art in that the locating of an object is carried out at least partially involuntarily (i.e. an object may not subject to a targeted search, and is detected "randomly").

Indeed, and initially, the transmission of location data (by a receiver device in the case of a downlink or by a transmitter device in the case of an uplink) is not necessarily correlated with the reception of an identification datum (by a receiver device in the case of a downlink) or with the transmission of an ambient signal (by a transmitter device in the case of an uplink). For example, the transmission of location data may be the consequence of the implementation of a transmission protocol unrelated to the reception of identification data of an object or to the transmission of an ambient signal.

In a second step, the decoding of a backscattered signal (by a receiver device, whether the link is uplink or downlink), in order to find out an identification datum of an object, is not necessarily activated as soon as that an ambient signal is backscattered. By way of non-limiting example, and in the case of a downlink, a user in possession of a smartphone can decide, according to his desire, to activate an operating mode of said smartphone allowing the latter to receive and decode a possible backscattered ambient signal. This same user can also decide to activate said mode of operation if a recommendation message to this effect is transmitted to him (for example if it is a question of trying to locate in a given geographical area contaminated goods from a same batch).

In certain embodiments of the invention, the location method may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.

In certain embodiments of the invention, a single location datum is obtained, the determination of a location of said at least one object comprising an association of the identification datum of said at least one object with said location datum.

In certain embodiments of the invention, a plurality of location data is obtained, said location data having been transmitted by one or more transmitter devices if said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink or else by one or more receiver devices if said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink, the determination of a location of said at least one object (MD) comprising:
- a determination of an adjusted location datum, from said plurality of location data,
- an association of the identification data of said at least one object with said adjusted location data.

In some embodiments of the invention, the determination of the adjusted location data is performed by triangulation between the location data.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the method comprises steps of:
- obtaining at least one first temporal data item representative of the instant of backscattering of said at least one ambient signal,
- obtaining at least one second time datum representative of the time of generation of said at least one location datum,
determining the location of said at least one object taking into account said first and second time data.

In particular modes of implementation, the determination of the location of said at least one object takes account of data representative of a level of confidence in the accuracy of said location.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of communication, implemented in a device receiving a backscattered ambient signal. Said communication method comprises steps of:
- obtaining at least one piece of identification data for at least one object, said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal,
- when said ambient signal is emitted along a downlink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, transmission of said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object and of at least one piece of location data from said receiver device to a device object location;
- When said ambient signal is emitted along an uplink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, transmission of said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object to an object location device.

In some embodiments, said communication method further comprises, when said ambient signal is transmitted along an uplink, a step of transmitting at least one location datum from said transmitter device to said object location device.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a data collection method. Said method comprises a step of memorizing at least one location determined for at least one object in accordance with an object locating method according to the invention, said memorizing being carried out using a non-transitory storage medium for information or recording, readable by a computer, such as for example one or more computers, so as to create and/or enrich a location history of said at least one object.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for locating at least one object called “another object”. Said method for locating said at least one other object comprises steps of:
- obtaining a location of at least one object determined in accordance with an object location method according to the invention
- determination of a location of said at least one other object taking into account a neighborhood of said at least one located object and of said at least one other object.

Such provisions are particularly advantageous because they can, in certain embodiments, locate one or more objects for which it would not be possible to obtain identification data.

Concretely, the invention proposes in such modes of implementation to try to compensate for this lack of information (absence of identification data on a given object) by determining whether a past proximity (neighborhood) link and/or schedule exists between the affected objects.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the method for locating said at least one other object may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.

In certain embodiments of the invention, said neighborhood is a past and/or planned geographic proximity of said at least one located object and said at least one other object.

In some embodiments of the invention, said neighborhood is a past and/or planned geographic proximity of said at least one located object and said at least one other object during a first time period.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing an object location method according to the invention or a communication method according to the invention or a method for collecting data according to the invention or a method for locating at least one other object according to the invention when said computer program is executed by a computer.

This program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a computer-readable information or recording medium on which a computer program according to the invention is recorded.

The information or recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, a USB key or else a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk. or a hard drive.

On the other hand, the information or recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

Alternatively, the information or recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

According to a seventh aspect, the invention relates to an object location device comprising at least one processor configured to:
- obtaining at least one piece of identification data from at least one object, said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of at least one ambient signal,
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device, determining a location of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and d at least one location datum of said at least one transmitter device;
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitter device and at least one receiver device, determining a location of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and d at least one location datum of said at least one receiver device.

According to an eighth aspect, the invention relates to a communication device configured to receive a backscattered ambient signal and comprising at least one processor configured to:
- obtaining at least one piece of identification data from at least one object, said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal,
- when said ambient signal is transmitted along a downlink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, transmitting said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object and at least one piece of location data from said receiver device to a location device d 'objects ;
- when said ambient signal is emitted along an uplink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, transmitting said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object to an object location device.

According to a ninth aspect, the invention relates to a data collection device, said device comprising at least one processor configured to memorize at least one location determined for at least one object by a location device according to the invention, said memorization being performed by using a non-transitory information or recording storage medium, readable by a computer, such as for example one or more computer file(s), so as to create and/or enrich a location history of said at least one object.

According to a tenth aspect, the invention relates to a device for locating at least one object called "another object" from a location of at least one object determined by a locating device according to the invention. Said device for locating said at least one other object comprises at least one processor configured to determine a location of said at least one other object taking into account a neighborhood of said at least one located object and of said at least one other object.

In certain embodiments of the invention, said location, communication and/or collection device is an element of a group comprising at least:
- a smart phone;
- a mobile terminal;
- a base station;
- a waiter ;
- a network interconnection gateway.

Other characteristics and/or advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof which is devoid of any limiting character. In the figures:
FIG. 1 schematically represents, in its environment and according to certain embodiments of the invention, a system for locating an object, configured to implement backscatter on a downlink between a transmitter device and a receiver device;
FIG. 2 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of a location device belonging to the location system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the receiver device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of a location method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the location device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of a communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the receiver device of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of a data collector device which can belong in certain embodiments to the location system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 schematically represents another exemplary embodiment of the system for locating an object, configured to implement backscatter on a downlink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, and in which a device for locating said object is external to the transmitting device;
FIG. 8 schematically represents, in its environment and according to certain embodiments of the invention, a system for locating an object implementing backscatter on an uplink between a transmitter device and a receiver device;
FIG. 9 schematically represents an example hardware architecture of a location device belonging to the location system of FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the receiver device of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of a location method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the location device of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of a communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the receiver device of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 schematically represents another embodiment of the system for locating an object implementing backscatter on an uplink between a transmitter device and a receiver device, and in which a device for locating said object is external to the receiver device ;
FIG. 14 schematically represents in its environment and according to certain embodiments of the invention, a system for locating an object implementing backscatter on a downlink and backscatter on an uplink;
FIG. 15 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of a data collection method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the data collection device of FIG. 6;

The present invention falls within the scope of the location of objects, for example goods, in particular before and/or after the latter have followed a logistics circuit, such as for example a distribution circuit. At least certain embodiments of the invention can for example help to extend the detection, localization and traceability of one or more objects, for example beyond said distribution circuit, in other words beyond the domain of logistics and therefore of any logistics process.

By “logistic process”, we refer here to all manipulations of objects and changes of owners or managers of these objects. Such a logistics process makes it possible to generate, thanks to the identifications respectively attached to the objects, a history of traceability events which can be stored in one or more information systems, such as for example a server acting as a database dedicated to this effect. This history can help to trace the movements of objects in their life cycle during the logistics process, for example following successive identifications during stages of production, storage, order preparation and/or grouping with other other objects (such as objects of the same nature grouped together in the form of lots), shipping, delivery with ungrouping of objects, etc.

The traceability events recorded during a logistics process may include the list of identified objects, the timestamp of the identification, the location of the identification, and the business step performed during the identification, such as example, an order preparation. These fields can still be completed by others, for example the recipient of the order.

Traceability events can, for example, be compatible or use various standards, such as those provided by EDIFACT (acronym for the Anglo-Saxon expression "Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport), those used by warehouse management of the WMS type (acronym of the Anglo-Saxon expression "Warehouse Management Systems") or enterprise management software of the ERP type (acronym of the Anglo-Saxon expression "Enterprise Resource Planning"), or even those provided by the GS1 group, such as the EPCIS standard (acronym of the Anglo-Saxon expression "Electronic Product Code Information Services").

Furthermore, within the meaning of the present invention, the expression "beyond the field of logistics" refers to the fact that an object leaves the logistics circuit to which it was previously attached. Thus, when an object leaves the field of logistics, it can be located in a place of distribution (this is for example the case when goods are delivered to a distribution point, such as for example a supermarket, which can therefore be purchased by a consumer), a place of consumption (for example a restaurant), a place intended for the recovery of waste, a place in the public space (such as a street for example), a place in a private personal space (such as a dwelling), etc.

In general, no limitation is attached to the place where an object capable of being localized by means of certain embodiments of the present invention can be located, and this in particular when the latter has left the field of logistics.

It may also be noted that certain embodiments of the invention can help to locate an object taken out of the field of logistics (unlike certain solutions of the prior art), and this without requiring the redeployment of a hand. dedicated work which would act voluntarily (identification and active localization).

In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention tend to propose a location system which is simpler to produce and less expensive than certain solutions of the prior art and which helps to passively locate one or more objects (the use of a workforce specially deployed to locate said object(s) not being required).

For the rest of the description, and essentially for the purpose of simplifying it, we consider in no way limiting, and unless otherwise stated, the case of a location of a single object. It is further considered by way of example that said object corresponds to a commodity (for example a sporting article) positioned in a point of sale (for example a store dedicated to the sale of sports equipment).

The fact remains that certain embodiments of the invention remain applicable regardless of the number of objects to be located and regardless of the nature of these objects, the generalization of the embodiments described also falling within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically represents, in its environment and in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a system 10 for locating an object MD.

The location system 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a location device called a “tracer” TRA in the remainder of the description and configured to carry out processing operations making it possible to locate the object MD by implementing a location method according to certain modes of realization of the invention. The technical details relating to the hardware configuration of said TRA tracer as well as to the localization method implemented by the latter, within the framework of the embodiments of FIG. 1, are described in more detail later.

The system 10 also includes a communication device T configured to receive a backscattered signal and transmit location data P, by implementing a communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention. The technical details relating to the hardware configuration of said communication device T as well as to the communication method implemented by the latter, within the framework of the embodiments of FIG. 1, are described in more detail later.

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the location system 10 is placed in an environment comprising a transmitter device S configured to transmit, according to a transmission frequency F_E included in a given frequency band called the "transmission band", a radio signal called "ambient signal" S_AMB. The emission of the ambient signal S_AMB can be carried out for example permanently or else recurrently.

For the remainder of the description, in the embodiments illustrated by FIG. 1, the case in which the ambient signal S_AMB is only transmitted by a single transmitter device S is considered in no way limiting. The choice consisting in considering a single transmitter device is made here for the purpose of simplifying the description only. Also, no limitation is attached to the number of transmitter devices that can be considered in the context of the present invention, the developments which follow can in fact be generalized without difficulty by those skilled in the art to the case of a plurality of transmitter devices.

By “radioelectric signal”, reference is made here to an electromagnetic wave propagating by non-wired means, the frequencies of which are included in the traditional spectrum of radioelectric waves (a few hertz to several hundred gigahertz).

By way of non-limiting example, the ambient signal S_AMB is a 4G mobile telephone signal transmitted in the transmission band [811 MHz, 821 MHz] by the transmitter device S. It should however be specified that certain embodiments of the invention can be applied to other types of radioelectric signals, such as for example a mobile telephone signal other than 4G (for example 2G, 3G, 5G at 3.5 GHz, 5G at 700 MHz, etc.), a Wi-Fi signal, a WiMax signal, a DVB-T signal, or a combination of such signals. In general, no limitation is attached to the ambient radio signal that can be considered within the framework of the embodiments of the present invention. Consequently, it should be noted that the number of antennas fitted to the transmitter device S does not constitute a limiting factor of the invention.

Within the framework of the example illustrated in FIG. 1, it is considered that the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted along a downlink (“downlink” in the Anglo-Saxon literature) between the transmitter device S and the communication device T. In this way, the communication device T is served by the transmitter device S by means of the ambient signal S_AMB. It therefore emerges from these provisions that the transmitter device S and the communication device T can be considered as two devices of a communication system in which the communication device T plays the role of “receiver device” of the ambient signal S_AMB but also a backscattered signal from said S_AMB signal as detailed below.

For the rest of the description of the embodiments of FIG. 1, it is considered that the transmitter device S is a base station and that the receiver device T is a smartphone-type mobile terminal belonging to a user. Said user may be a person who does not belong to a workforce dedicated to the implementation of logistics processes. Typically, it is a member of the public moving near the MD object, such as a consumer moving through the point of sale in which the MD object is located.

It should however be noted that no limitation is attached to the form taken by the transmitter device S and the receiver device T provided that they are able to communicate with each other within a wireless communication network. Thus, according to another example, the transmitter device S can correspond to a Wi-Fi terminal and the receiver device T to a smartphone, or a touch pad, or a personal digital assistant, or even a personal computer, etc., capable of to communicate using the Wi-Fi protocol.

In certain embodiments of the location method of the invention, the location datum P that the terminal T is able to transmit can be used by the tracer TRA. This location data P is transported by a signal, called “location signal” S_LOC, and is representative of a location of the terminal T at the moment when said location signal S_LOC is transmitted.

For example, said location data P may be GPS data (acronym for the English expression “Global Positioning System”) indicating the geographical coordinates of the terminal T.

However, nothing excludes considering location data other than GPS data. For example, said location data P may be an identifier attached to the communication cell to which the terminal T belongs among all the cells of the communication network via which said communication terminal T and the base station S communicate. Such an identifier refers for example to the geographical coordinates of the center of the communication cell which is attached to it.

The environment in which the localization system 10 is located also comprises the object MD which can be localized by means of said system 10. Said object MD is provided with a wireless communication device, called an RF "transmitter device" in the Anglo-Saxon literature), for example arranged in a fixed manner on the surface of the object MD. Furthermore, said RF transmitter device is configured to transmit to the terminal T a signal S_RETRO by ambient backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB.

In the embodiments illustrated, the communication by ambient backscatter comprises an exploitation of the ambient signal S_AMB, by the RF transmitter device, to send a message to said terminal T, here by means of said signal S_RETRO. In particular, said message may include identification data M of said RF transmitter device. Said identification data M may comprise an identifier of the object MD, this identifier being for example a manufacturing number making it possible to distinguish said object MD from similar objects in the case of mass production.

The transmission of the identification data item M is carried out for example by variation of the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB, this variation being based on the possibility that the RF transmitter device has of modifying the impedance presented to an antenna which equips it (not shown in the figures), depending on the identification data M to be transmitted.

In particular, the RF transmitter device can be associated with operating states depending on the impedance that is presented to the antenna with which it is provided. For the rest of the description, it is considered in a non-limiting manner that these states are a so-called "backscatter" state (the RF transmitter device can backscatter the S_AMB signal), as well as a contrary state called "non-backscatter" ( the RF transmitter device cannot backscatter the S_AMB signal, or, in other words, is "transparent" to the S_AMB signal). The impedance associated with the backscattering state corresponds for example to zero or infinite impedance, while the impedance associated with the non-backscattering state corresponds for example to the complex conjugate of the characteristic impedance of the antenna in the considered propagation medium and at the considered frequency.

It is important to note that the invention is not limited to this ideal case in which only two states respectively perfectly backscattering and perfectly non-backscattering would be considered. Indeed, certain embodiments of the invention can be applied in the case where two states (first state and second state) are not perfectly backscattering/non-backscattering, since the variation of the backscattered waves is perceptible by the terminal T which is intended to receive the identification data M.

The identification data M transmitted by the RF transmitter device to the terminal T, by means of the S_RETRO signal, can for example be encoded, in certain embodiments of the invention, by means of a set of symbols, comprising for example a so-called "high" symbol with a first value (for example a bit or a set of bits with the value "1"), and/or a so-called "low" symbol with a second value (for example a bit or a set of bits value "0"). The transmission of the identification data item M by variation of the ambient backscatter can therefore be carried out, by alternating between said backscatter and non-backscatter states, each of said states being dedicated to the transmission of one of the symbols (for example high symbol for backscatter state and low symbol for non-backscatter state, or vice versa). In other words, the identification data M transmitted by the RF transmitter device can be transported to the terminal T by modulation of the waves of the ambient signal S_AMB (i.e. by retromodulation).

The processing aimed at backscattering said ambient signal S_AMB can for example be performed by the RF transmitter device by implementing a backscattering method (not shown in the figures). For this purpose, the RF transmitter device comprises for example one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.) in which data and a computer program can be stored, under the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed to implement said backscatter method.

Alternatively or in addition, the RF transmitter device may also comprise one or more programmable logic circuits, of the FPGA, PLD, etc. type, and/or specialized integrated circuits (ASIC), and/or a set of discrete electronic components, etc. adapted to implement the backscattering method.

In other words, the RF transmitter device may include a set of means configured in software (specific computer program) and/or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) to implement the backscatter method.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, the terminal T can be configured to perform processing aimed at decoding the backscattered signal S_RETRO, so as to obtain in particular the identification data item M of the RF transmitter device. Said identification datum M can be obtained in certain embodiments by implementing a decoding method (not shown in the figures).

To this end, the terminal T comprises for example one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.) in which are stored data and a computer program, in the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed to implement said decoding method.

Alternatively or in addition, the terminal T may comprise one or more programmable logic circuits, of the FPGA, PLD, etc. type, and/or specialized integrated circuits (ASIC), and/or a set of discrete electronic components, etc. adapted to implement the decoding method.

In other words, the terminal T can include a set of means configured in software (specific computer program) and/or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) way to implement the decoding method.

In certain embodiments, the signal processing for the transmission of data by ambient backscatter as well as the decoding of this data can implement various techniques, and in particular those detailed in the following document to which those skilled in the art can refer : “Ambient Backscatter Communications: A Contemporary Survey”, N. Van Huynh, D. Thai Hoang, X. Lu, D. Niyato, P. Wang, D. In Kim, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 20, no. 4, p. 2889-2922, Fourthquarter 2018.

It is noted that with regard to the communication by ambient backscatter, the base station S, the terminal T, the tracer TRA as well as the transmitter device RF can be distinct from each other. As illustrated by figure 1, the tracer TRA can also be integrated in certain embodiments into the base station S.

Although the backscatter signal S_RETRO (respectively the localization signal S_LOC) has only been described until now as comprising the identification data M (respectively the localization data P), nothing excludes considering that this signal contains further data.

Thus, according to one example, the backscatter signal S_RETRO may comprise, in addition to the identification datum M, a temporal datum representative of the instant of backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB (or representative of a moment very close to this moment ).

According to another example, or possibly in addition to the previous example, the location signal S_LOC may comprise, in addition to the location datum P, a time datum representative of the instant of generation of a location datum P .

Figure 2 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the TRA plotter of figure 1.

As shown in figure 2, the TRA tracer can have the hardware architecture of a computer. Thus, the tracer TRA may comprise, in particular, at least one processor 1_TRA1, at least one random access memory 2_TRA1, at least one ROM 3_TRA1 and at least one non-volatile memory 4_TRA1. It also has at least one 5_TRA1 communication module.

The ROM 3_TRA1 of the tracer TRA can constitute a recording medium, readable by the processor 1_TRA1 and on which is recorded a computer program PROG_TRA1, comprising instructions for the execution of a location method according to certain embodiments of the invention. The PROG_RA1 program can for example define functional modules of the TRA plotter, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_TRA1 to 5_TRA1 of the TRA plotter mentioned above, and which include in particular:
- a first obtaining module configured to obtain an identification datum (here the identification datum M of the object MD),
- a second obtaining module configured to obtain location data (here location data P of the terminal T),
- a determination module configured to determine a location of an object (here of the object MD) from said identification data M and location P.

Thus, when it executes the PROG_TRA1 program, the 1_TRA1 processor of the TRA plotter can be configured to:
- obtain identification data (here the identification data M of the object MD), said identification data M coming from the backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB,
- determining a location of an object (here of the object MD) from said identification data M and a location datum (here a location datum P of the terminal T).

The communication module 5_TRA1 can in particular allow the tracer TRA to exchange data with another device, for example a device receiving a backscattered signal (such as the terminal T) and/or the base station S (to which it is integrated according to the example of figure 1). For this purpose, the communication module 5_TRA1 comprises for example a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data. In general, no limitation is attached to the communication interface used by the 5_TRA1 communication module, which can be wired or wireless, and able to implement various communication protocols (Ethernet, Wifi , Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.) for the aforementioned data exchange. It should be noted that the 5_TRA1 communication module can integrate said first and second obtaining modules fitted to the TRA tracer.

Figure 3 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the terminal T of figure 1.

As illustrated by figure 3, the terminal T can have the hardware architecture of a computer. Thus, the terminal T may include, in particular, at least one processor 1_T, at least one RAM 2_T, at least one ROM 3_T and at least one non-volatile memory 4_T. It also has at least one 5_T communication module.

The read only memory 3_T of the terminal T can constitute a recording medium, readable by the processor 1_T and on which is recorded a computer program PROG_T, comprising instructions for the execution of a communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention. The PROG_T program can for example define functional modules of the terminal T, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_T to 5_T of the terminal T mentioned above, and which include in particular:
- a module for obtaining configured to obtain an identification datum (here an identification datum M) of an object (here of the object MD),
- A transmission module configured to transmit said identification data M of the object MD and a location data (here an identification data P of the terminal T) to the tracer TRA.

Thus, when it executes the PROG_T program, the processor 1_T of the terminal T can be configured for:
- obtain identification data (here identification data M) of an object (here object MD), said identification data M coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal S_AMB,
- Transmit said identification data M of the object MD and a location data (here a location data P of the terminal T) to the tracer TRA.

FIG. 4 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of the location method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the TRA plotter of FIG. 2.

For the rest of the description of the location process, it is considered in no way limiting that:
- the backscattered signal S_RETRO also includes a time datum T_RETRO representative of a backscatter instant of the ambient signal S_AMB,
- the location signal S_LOC also comprising a time datum T_LOC representative of the instant of generation of a location datum P.

As illustrated by FIG. 4, the location method comprises a step E10 of obtaining the identification datum M of the object MD. This step E10 is for example implemented at least partially by the first obtaining module equipping the tracer TRA.

The step E10 for obtaining the identification data item M may comprise in certain embodiments a reception by the tracer TRA of the identification data item M, for example via the communication module 5_TRA1.

For example, insofar as the S_RETRO signal is transmitted to the terminal T, another signal comprising said identification data item M can be transmitted by the terminal T to the base station S (the transmission of such another signal is here considered to be a step of the communication method according to the invention, implemented by the terminal T in the illustrated embodiment). This other signal can be received by the base station S, so that the identification data M can be transferred to (and therefore obtained by) the tracer TRA which is integrated into the base station S in the example of the figure 1.

Similarly, the location method also includes a step E20 of obtaining location data P representative of the geographical location of the terminal T of the backscattered signal S_RETRO containing the identification data M (for example the communication device 12 according to figure 1). This step E20 can be implemented at least partially by the second obtaining module equipping the tracer TRA.

Said step E20 of obtaining may comprise in certain embodiments a reception of location data P representative of the geographical location of the terminal T receiving the backscattered signal S_RETRO containing the identification data M. Thus in the example illustrated by FIG. 1, the step of obtaining E20 comprises reception of the signal S_LOC by the base station S (the transmission of the signal S_LOC is here considered as a step of the communication method according to the invention, implemented by the terminal T in the illustrated embodiment). Said signal S_LOC is received by the base station S, so that the location data P can be transferred to (and therefore obtained by) the tracer TRA which is integrated into the base station S.

It should be noted that, in certain modes of implementation, the steps E10 and E20 can be considered as being two distinct steps. However, nothing excludes considering other modes of implementation in which the steps E10 and E20 correspond to one and the same step, so that the terminal T obtains jointly (for example simultaneously) the identification data M and location P. For example, it may be a simultaneous reception of the signal comprising the identification data M as well as the location signal S_LOC, or even, according to another example, the reception of a single signal comprising both the identification data M and the location data P (for example when the location signal S_LOC includes said identification data item M) (it is understood that in this case the communication method according to the invention, which can be implemented for example by the terminal T, comprises either two transmissions, implemented simultaneously or not, or a single transmission).

Furthermore, in the event that the identification data M and location data P are not obtained simultaneously by the tracer TRA, no limitation is attached to the order in which these data are obtained. Thus, the identification data M can be obtained before the location data P, and vice versa.

At the end of steps E10 and E20, the tracer TRA is in possession of the identification data M and location data P. Therefore, and as illustrated by FIG. 4, the location method includes a step E30 of determining a location of the object MD from the identification data M and location P. This step E30 is implemented by the determination module equipping the tracer TRA.

The location of the MD object being determined by the TRA tracer, it is denoted “TRACE_MD” in the remainder of the description.

In certain modes of implementation, the determination of the location TRACE_MD of the object MD can include an association of the identification data M of the object MD with the location data P of the terminal T. In other words, in such modes, and insofar as a single location datum P is obtained by the tracer TRA following the implementation of step E20, it is considered that the object MD occupies a position identical to that occupied by the terminal T, independently (i.e. without taking into account) of the temporal data T_RETRO and T_LOC respectively associated with the backscattering signals S_RETRO and localization S_LOC. As a reminder, these time data are optional and can be omitted in certain embodiments of the invention.

According to another particular mode of implementation, the determination of the location TRACE_MD of the object MD can also take into account the temporal data T_RETRO and/or T_LOC.

For example, a time difference can be determined between the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, and, if said time difference is less than a first value (such as a constant threshold value, for example between a few minutes and a few days, or a threshold value relative), it can be, in certain embodiments, considered that the object MD occupies a position identical to that occupied by the terminal T, as was the case in the embodiments described previously. The fact of imposing an upper bound on said time difference, via the use of the first value, can help to increase the reliability of the determined TRACE_MD location. Indeed, it is understood that if said time difference is very large (i.e. greater than the first fixed value), there is a risk that the communication device 12 occupies a position P far from that of the object MD when the location signal S_LOC is issued.

Note that if said time difference is greater than said first value, it can be considered that no TRACE_MD location of the MD object can be determined.

FIG. 5 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of the communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the terminal T of FIG. 3.

At least part of said steps of the communication method have already been mentioned above during the description of the location method of FIG. 4. They are therefore recalled here only briefly.

Thus, as illustrated by FIG. 5, the communication method comprises a step F10 of obtaining the identification data item M of the object MD, said identification data item M originating from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB.

Furthermore, the communication method includes a step F20 of obtaining location data P of the terminal T.

It is recalled here that this step F20 may be the subject in certain embodiments of two transmission sub-steps when the identification data M and location data P are not transmitted by means of a single and same signal .

Finally, the communication method includes a step F30 of transmitting identification data M and location data P from the terminal T to the tracer TRA.

In the case where the location TRACE_MD of the object MD is determined independently of the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, said location TRACE_MD is for example stored in the memory means of the tracer TRA and/or of the base station S in the form of 'a pair of data comprising the location data P as well as the identification data M, i.e. TRACE_MD = (P, M).

As a variant, said location TRACE_MD is for example stored in memory means of the tracer TRA and/or of the base station S in the form of an n-tuple of data comprising the location datum P, the identification datum M as well as at least one temporal datum, for example the temporal datum T_RETRO, the temporal datum T_LOC, a temporal datum representative of the instant of obtaining the identification and/or location data, and/or a temporal datum representative of the instant of determination of said location TRACE_MD (i.e. instant of execution of step E30).

In the case where the location TRACE_MD of the object MD is determined by taking into account the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, said location TRACE_MD is for example stored in the memory means of the tracer TRA and/or of the base station S. In particular, said storage takes place in the form of an n-tuple of data comprising the location datum P, the identification datum M as well as a time datum determined as a function of the data T_RETRO and T_LOC. For example, in certain embodiments, the time datum contained in said n-tuple of data may be the datum T_RETRO. However, nothing excludes considering that the temporal data contained in the n-tuple of data differs from T_RETRO, and is equal for example to T_LOC, or else to a temporal data representative of a moment between T_RETRO and T_LOC (ex : an average equal to 1/2 x (T_RETRO + T_LOC)), or even to a time datum representative of the instant of determination of said location TRACE_MD (i.e. instant of execution of step E30).

Thus, it emerges from the aspects that have just been described, in connection with the storage of a location TRACE_MD of the object MD, that the invention also covers a data collection device D_MEM. In the modes described above in connection with FIG. 1, the tracer TRA or else the base station S can play the role of this data collection device D_MEM. It is nevertheless understood that it is also possible for a device distinct from the tracer TRA and from the base station S to play the role of said data collection device, this other device therefore being configured to obtain from the tracer TRA the location TRACE_MD in question. It can be for example a server coupled to a database.

In general, the data collection device D_MEM has a hardware architecture such as that illustrated by FIG. 6 (it should be noted that the data collection device D_MEM is also illustrated by way of no limitation in FIG. in Figures 8 and 14 described later).

As illustrated by figure 6, the data collection device D_MEM can have the hardware architecture of a computer. Thus, the collection device D_MEM may comprise, in particular, at least one processor 1_MEM, at least one random access memory 2_ MEM, at least one read only memory 3_ MEM and at least one non-volatile memory 4_ MEM. It also has at least one 5_ MEM communication module.

The read only memory 3_ MEM of the data collection device D_MEM can constitute a recording medium, readable by the processor 1_ MEM and on which is recorded a computer program PROG_ MEM, comprising instructions for the execution of a method data collection according to certain embodiments of the invention. The PROG_MEM program can for example define functional modules of the data collection device D_MEM, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_ MEM to 5_ MEM of the data collection device D_MEM mentioned above, and which include in particular a module for data collection configured to store at least one location TRACE_MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, said storage being for example performed in a file so as to constitute a location history of said at least one object.

Thus, when it executes the program PROG_MEM, the processor of the data collection device D_MEM can be configured to memorize at least one location TRACE_MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, said memorization being carried out in a file so as to constituting a location history of said at least one object.

It also emerges from the above that the data collection method (illustrated for example in FIG. 15 ) implemented by the data collection device D_MEM comprises a step K10 of storing at least one location TRACE_MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, said storage being for example carried out in a file so as to constitute a location history of said at least one object.

Said location history may comprise, in certain embodiments, n-tuples of data as mentioned above. These n-tuples can for example be ordered, in increasing or decreasing fashion, according to their time data. Such an embodiment can help keep track of certain positions occupied by the MD object over time. Such a history can for example be useful in the case where it has been identified that the MD object belongs to a batch of defective (or contaminated) goods, to define a geographical area comprising a person (consumer) or an entity (point of sale) likely to be (or to have been) in possession of said MD object and notify

It should be noted that whatever the mode of implementation considered (taking into account or not of the temporal data T_RETRO and T_LOC in the determination of the TRACE_MD location of the MD object), the determination of the TRACE_MD location of the object MD can take account of data representative of a confidence level of said location TRACE_MD.

A probability can for example be calculated according to the time difference between the temporal data T_RETRO and T_LOC, so that the greater this time difference, the lower said probability (i.e. the confidence in the accuracy of the TRACE_MD location of the MD object is low).

According to another example, or else in combination with the previous one, said probability is calculated so as to take account of a precision of the location datum P. Such precision typically depends on the way in which said location datum P is obtained. For example, the precision in question can be a characteristic precision of a GPS survey or even a precision implemented manually to take account of a margin of error (for example a radius in meters to define an area around a geographical coordinate, an area in which an object is likely to be found, etc.).

According to another example, a probability or a weighting coefficient may be taken into account, linked to a quality of one of the signals received by the base station S or by the tracer TRA.

Furthermore, the location method of FIG. 4 has been described so far by considering that the group of steps formed by steps E10, E20 and E30 were executed only once. However, the invention also covers the case where at least one step of this group is executed repeatedly.

Thus, in certain embodiments, steps E10, E20 and E30 of the location method can be iterated repeatedly, for example periodically.

Furthermore, it is also possible to envisage that the tracer TRA is in possession of a plurality of location data transmitted by the terminal T at the time of execution of step E30. This can result, for example, from the fact that the location signal S_LOC is transmitted recurrently, for example periodically, by the terminal T. In this case, the expression “obtaining at least one identification datum”, with reference to the implementation of said step E20, corresponds to obtaining at least one of the data among said plurality of location data.

For example, the data obtained following the implementation of step E20 is any one of said plurality of location data.

According to another example, the location data obtained may be the last location data received from the terminal T, or be deduced from the location data received immediately before and immediately after obtaining the identification data. In certain embodiments, the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC respectively contained in the backscatter S_RETRO and location S_LOC signals can be taken into account. For example, the datum obtained following the implementation of step E20 may be that among said plurality of location data whose associated time datum is closest in time to the time datum associated with the identification datum M obtained by the tracer TRA following the implementation of step E10.

In addition, it has also been considered up to now and with regard to the embodiments in connection with FIG. 1, that the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S. That being so, nothing excludes consider, according to other embodiments, that the tracer TRA be external to the base station S. In this case, the location data P and identification M can for example be transmitted directly by the terminal T to the tracer TRA . By “directly”, reference is made here to the fact that said location P and identification data M do not pass through the base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA. Alternatively, even when the tracer TRA is external to the base station S, all or part of said data can be transmitted directly by the terminal T to the tracer TRA, the other data passing through the base station S before be obtained by the TRA tracer. FIG. 7 illustrates, in no way limiting, the case where the location data P and identification data M pass through the base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA which is external to said base station S.

The invention as a whole has been described so far in connection with the location system 10 of FIG. 1, in which the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted along a downlink between the base station S and the terminal T. However, the invention is not limited to such embodiments.

FIG. 8 schematically represents, in its environment and in accordance with the invention, a system 20 for locating an object MD according to other embodiments.

The embodiments of FIG. 8 differ in particular from the embodiments of FIG. 1 in that it is now considered that the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted by the terminal T. In other words, the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted along a link rising ("uplink" in the Anglo-Saxon literature) between the terminal T and the base station S. Consequently, and contrary to what has been described above in connection with the embodiments of the figure 1, the base station S and the terminal T can be considered here as two devices of a communication system, the terminal T playing the role of “transmitter device” with regard to the ambient signal S_AMB and the base station S henceforth playing the role of “receiver device” of the backscattered signal (and therefore of the data relating to the identification of the object MD).

It therefore emerges from these provisions that, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8, the RF transmitter device can be configured to transmit to the base station S the signal S_RETRO by ambient backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB emitted by the terminal T.

Also, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8, the base station S can in particular be configured to perform processing aimed at decoding the backscattered signal S_RETRO, so as to obtain the identification data item M of the RF transmitter device contained in the S_RETRO signal. Said identification data M is obtained for example by implementing a decoding method (not shown in the figures).

The base station S comprises for example one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.) in which data and a computer program can be stored, in the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed to implement said decoding method.

Alternatively or in addition, the base station S may also comprise one or more programmable logic circuits, of the FPGA, PLD, etc. type, and/or specialized integrated circuits (ASIC), and/or a set of discrete electronic components, etc. . adapted to implement the decoding method.

In other words, the base station S can include a set of means configured in software (specific computer program) and/or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) to implement the decoding method .

We have detailed above, in connection with FIG. 1, embodiments comprising obtaining location data of a device receiving the backscattered signal on a downlink. It should be noted, however, that embodiments in connection with FIG. 8 may comprise obtaining at least one location datum of the device transmitting the ambient signal S_AMB on an uplink, that is to say the terminal T illustrated in Figure 8.

It is also noted that insofar as it is the base station S which is now the receiver of the backscattered signal, certain embodiments of the communication method according to the invention can be implemented by the base station S.

Apart from these aspects, the technical characteristics described above in connection with the location system 10 as well as the elements included in the environment of the latter, and technically applicable within the framework of the embodiments of FIG. repeated here, it being understood that the obtaining of identification data for the object MD is here obtained from the base station S, and the location data relating to the terminal T transmitting the ambient signal are obtained by the tracer TRA directly or indirectly (for example through the station).

For the rest of the description, and initially, it is considered in no way limiting (and as had been done for the system 10 of FIG. 1) that the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S.

Figure 9 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the TRA plotter of figure 8.

As illustrated by figure 9, the TRA tracer can for example have the hardware architecture of a computer. Thus, the TRA plotter may comprise, in particular, at least one processor 1_TRA2, at least one RAM 2_TRA 2, at least one ROM 3_TRA 2 and at least one non-volatile memory 4_TRA 2. It may also have at least one 5_ TRA 2 communication module.

The ROM 3_TRA 2 of the plotter TRA constitutes a recording medium, readable by the processor 1_TRA 2 and on which a computer program PROG_TRA 2 can be recorded, comprising instructions for the execution of steps of a method of localization according to certain embodiments of the invention. The PROG_TRA 2 program defines, for example, functional modules of the TRA plotter, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_TRA 2 to 5_TRA 2 of the TRA plotter mentioned above, and which include in particular:
- a first obtaining module configured to obtain an identification datum (here the identification datum M of the object MD),
- a second obtaining module configured to obtain location data (here location data P of the terminal T),
- a determination module configured to determine a location of an object (here of the object MD) from said identification data M and location P.

Thus, when it executes the PROG_TRA2 program, the 1_TRA2 processor of the TRA plotter can be configured to:
- obtain an identification datum (here an identification datum M of the object MD), said identification datum M coming from the backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB,
- determining a location of an object (here of the object MD) from said identification data M and a location data (here a location data P of the terminal T).

The communication module 5_TRA2 notably allows the tracer TRA to exchange data with another device, for example a device transmitting a backscattered signal (such as the terminal T) and/or the base station S (to which it is integrated according to the example of figure 8). For this purpose, the communication module 5_TRA2 comprises for example a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data. In general, no limitation is attached to the communication interface used by the 5_TRA2 communication module, which can be wired or wireless, and able to implement various communication protocols (Ethernet, Wifi , Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.) for the aforementioned data exchange. It should be noted that the 5_TRA2 communication module can integrate said first and second obtaining modules fitted to the TRA plotter.

FIG. 10 schematically represents an example of the hardware architecture of the base station S of FIG. 8.

As illustrated by figure 10, the base station S can have the hardware architecture of a computer. Thus, the base station S may include, in particular, at least one processor 1_S, at least one RAM 2_S, at least one ROM 3_S and at least one non-volatile memory 4_S. It also has at least one 5_S communication module.

The read only memory 3_S of the base station S can constitute a recording medium, readable by the processor 1_S and on which is recorded a computer program PROG_S, comprising instructions for the execution of a communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention. The PROG_S program can for example define functional modules of the base station S, which rely on or control the hardware elements 1_S to 5_S of the base station S mentioned above, and which include in particular:
- a module for obtaining configured to obtain an identification datum (here an identification datum M) of an object (here of the object MD),
- a transmission module configured to transmit said identification data M of the object MD and a location data (here a location data P of the terminal T) to the tracer TRA.

Thus, when it executes the PROG_S program, the processor 1_S of the base station S can be configured to:
- obtain identification data (here identification data M) of an object (here object MD), said identification data M coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal S_AMB,
- Transmit said identification data M of the object MD and a location data (here a location data P of the terminal T) to the tracer TRA.

FIG. 11 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of the location method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the TRA plotter of FIG. 9.

For the rest of the description of the location process, it is considered in no way limiting that:
- the backscattered signal S_RETRO also includes a time datum T_RETRO representative of a backscatter instant of the ambient signal S_AMB,
- the location signal S_LOC also comprising a time datum T_LOC representative of the instant of generation of a location datum P.

As illustrated by FIG. 11, the location method comprises a step G10 of obtaining the identification data item M of the object MD. This step G10 is for example implemented at least partially by the first obtaining module equipping the tracer TRA.

It is noted that unlike what was described above for the location method of FIG. 4, the backscatter signal S_RETRO is here directly or indirectly received by the base station S (the obtaining of the data identification M, with a view to its transfer to the tracer TRA is here considered to be a step of the communication method according to the invention, implemented by the base station S).

By “directly received”, reference is made here to the fact that the S_RETRO signal is not intercepted between the RF transmitter device and the base station S, where, in the case of the embodiments in connection with FIG. 1, said signal S_RETRO was initially received by the terminal T to then transmit the identification data M to the tracer TRA (possibly via the source SO).

Thus, at the end of step G10, the tracer TRA is in possession of the identification data M of the object MD.

The location method of FIG. 11 also includes a step G20 for obtaining location data P of the terminal T. This step G20 is for example implemented at least partially by the second obtaining module equipping the tracer TRA.

Said obtaining step G20 follows the transmission, by the terminal T, of the signal S_LOC to the base station S. Said signal S_LOC is received by the base station S, so that the location datum P can be transferred to (and therefore obtained by) the tracer TRA which is integrated into the transmitting source SO (the transmission of the location data P by the base station S to the tracer TRA is here considered to be a step of the communication method according to invention).

It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, steps G10 and G20 are two distinct steps. However, nothing excludes considering other modes of implementation in which said steps G10 and G20 correspond to one and the same step, so that the tracer TRA obtains jointly (for example simultaneously) the identification data M and location P., similarly to what has been described above in connection with embodiments of Figure 1.

Furthermore, in the event that the identification data M and location data P are not obtained simultaneously by the tracer TRA, no limitation is attached to the order in which these data are obtained. Thus, the identification data M can be obtained before the location data P, and vice versa.

At the end of steps G10 and G20, the tracer TRA is in possession of the identification data M and location data P. Therefore, and as illustrated by FIG. 10, the location method includes a step G30 for determining a location TRACE_MD of the object MD from the identification data M and location P. This step G30 is implemented by the determination module equipping the tracer TRA.

The implementation of step G30 is identical to that of step E30 described above with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 represents, in the form of a flowchart, certain steps of the communication method according to certain embodiments of the invention, such as they can be implemented by the base station S of FIG. 10.

At least part of said steps of the communication method have already been mentioned above during the description of the location method of FIG. 11. They are therefore recalled here only briefly.

Thus, as illustrated by FIG. 12, the communication method comprises a step H10 of obtaining the identification data item M of the object MD, said identification data item M originating from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB.

In addition, the communication method includes a step H20 for obtaining location data P of the terminal T. In a manner similar to what was described above for steps G10 and G20 of the location method of FIG. 11, said step H20 can be implemented so that the identification data M and location data P are received simultaneously or not by the base station S.

Finally, the communication method comprises a step H30 of transmitting said identification data M and location data P from the base station S to the tracer TRA.

It should be noted that the location TRACE_MD, determined by the tracer TRA in accordance with the location method of FIG. 11, can also be the subject, in certain embodiments, of a storage in a file so as to constitute a history location of the MD object. To this end, the aspects described above with regard to the use of a data collection device (FIG. 6) and the implementation of a data collection method implemented by said collection device data still apply for the embodiments related to the system 20 of Figure 8.

It has also been considered so far, with regard to the embodiments in connection with FIG. 8, that the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S. That being so, nothing excludes considering, according to other embodiments, that the tracer TRA is external to the base station S. In this case, the location data P and identification M are initially received by the base station S which transmits them to the TRA tracer. FIG. 13 illustrates, in no way limiting, the case where the location data P and identification data M pass through the base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA which is external to said base station S.

In addition, it is also possible to envisage, in certain embodiments in connection with FIG. 8 and when the tracer TRA is external to the base station S, that:
- said base station S receives, from the RF transmitter device (and therefore from the object MD), the identification data item M of said object MD by backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB;
- the tracer TRA receives directly, from the terminal T, the location data P of said terminal T.
In other words, in these embodiments, only the identification data item M passes through the base station S before being transferred to the tracer TRA.

In addition, the invention has also been described so far considering that the location system 10, 20 only comprises a single communication device T (FIG. 1 and FIG. 8). The fact of considering a single communication device T only constitutes, however, a variant embodiment of the invention.

Thus, it is also possible to envisage that a plurality of location data is obtained by the tracer TRA, said location data having been transmitted by a plurality of communication devices (in this case, these are devices "transmitters" if it is considered that an ambient signal is transmitted along an uplink or "receiver" devices if it is considered that an ambient signal is transmitted along a downlink, or even a combination of transmitting and receiving devices). Therefore, the determination of a location of the object MD can comprise for example:
- a determination of an adjusted location datum, from said plurality of location data,
- an association of the identification data of said at least one object with said adjusted location data.

By way of non-limiting example, the determination of the adjusted location data can be carried out by triangulation between the location data (it is therefore then a matter of pooling several location data).

However, nothing excludes considering that the adjusted location data is determined other than by triangulation. For example, a location datum is randomly selected from said plurality of location data to constitute said adjusted location datum.

Of course, the invention as described above can also be generalized to the case where several objects positioned in the environment of the localization system 10, 20 are each equipped with a transmitter device capable of backscattering an ambient signal to generate a signal backscatter at least carrying an item of identification data to which said transmitter device is attached.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in FIG. 14. In this example, the location system comprises a plurality of objects MD_1, MD_2, MD_3 respectively equipped with transmitter devices RF_1, RF_2, RF_3. It also comprises a plurality of terminals T_E1, T_E2 each configured to emit an ambient signal that can be backscattered by the transmitter devices RF_1, RF_2, RF_3 towards the base station S. The location system further comprises a plurality of terminals T_R1 , T_R2, T_R3, T_R4 configured to receive and decode a backscattered signal originating from the backscattering by the transmitter devices RF_1, RF_2, RF_3 of an ambient signal transmitted by the base station S. The location system of FIG. 14 also comprises a tracer TRA integrated into the base station S as well as a data collection device D_MEM.

It is important to note that the invention is not limited to the location of one or more objects provided with transmitting devices capable of backscattering one or more ambient signals to transmit identification data of said objects.

Indeed, in certain embodiments, the invention can allow the localization of at least one object called “another object” from a localization of at least one object determined by the tracer TRA.

The remainder of the description aims, in no way limiting, at the case where a single other MC object can be located, on the basis of the location of a single MD object determined in accordance with the embodiments described previously (said MC object is illustrated as an example in Figures 7 and 13). Of course, and as was already the case with regard to the location of objects equipped with respective transmitting devices, no limitation is attached to the number of other objects (i.e. objects not equipped with respective transmitting devices) which can be located by means of the invention.

In addition, for the remainder of the description, and in order to simplify it, it is considered in no way limiting that the entity capable of locating said other object MC is also the tracer TRA. For this purpose, the tracer TRA also comprises a determination module (for example distinct from the determination module capable of determining a location of the object MD) configured to determine a location of said other object MC taking into account a neighborhood of said located object MD and said at least one other object MC.

Thus, when it executes the program PROG_TRA1, the processor 1_TRA1 of the tracer TRA can be configured to determine a location of said other object MC taking into account a neighborhood of said located object MD and of said at least one other object MC.

It should however be noted that the invention is not limited by such arrangements. Thus, nothing excludes considering, according to other embodiments, that a device for locating said other object MC be included in the locating system while being distinct from the tracer TRA. In this case, said location device separate from the TRA tracer has a hardware architecture similar to that described above for the TRA tracer with reference to Figures 2 and 9.

Regardless of the mode of implementation described above, and to help locate said other MC object, the location method according to the invention may also include a step of determining a location TRACE_MC of said other MC object (step denoted E40 in FIG. 4 and G40 in FIG. 11) taking account of a neighborhood V of said located object MD and of said at least one other object MC.

In certain embodiments, said neighborhood V is a past and/or planned geographical proximity of said at least one localized object MD and of said other object MC. In addition, it may be a past and/or planned geographical proximity during a first time period. For example, said first time period can refer to a design or storage or transport phase of said objects MD, MC. It is understood of course that considering such an example of implementation is particularly relevant in the case of objects produced in series, and sold in batches.

In practice, said neighborhood V can be taken into account by evaluating a neighborhood criterion CR_V making it possible at least to check whether the object MD and the said other object MC have been positioned close to one of the another before the implementation of said evaluation of the neighborhood criterion CR_V and/or if it is planned that these objects MD, MC are going to be positioned close to one another.

Therefore, if the CR_V neighborhood criterion is verified, the TRACE_MC location of said other MC object is considered at least close to that of the MD object. In a more specific implementation example, the TRACE_MC location of said other MC object is considered equal to that of the MD object. In other words, in this more specific example, and if it has been determined that the location of the MD object is TRACE_MD = (t, P, MD) (t corresponding to time information which, as a reminder, is only 'optional), the location of the other MC object is TRACE_MC = (t, P, MC).

In a manner similar to what was described above for the MD object, the TRACE_MC location of the MC object can also be determined so as to take into account a level of confidence in the accuracy of said TRACE_MC location. To do this, a probability representative of a level of confidence in the accuracy of said TRACE_MC location can be calculated. The probability attached to the TRACE_MC location depends for example on a probability attached to the TRACE_MD location of the MD object.

In general, no limitation is attached to the definition of said neighborhood criterion CR_V since it at least makes it possible to determine whether the objects OBJ and OBJ_BIS have been neighbors of each other in the past and/or if it is planned that these objects MD, MC will be positioned close to each other. Indeed, the purpose of using such a neighborhood criterion CR_V is at least to ensure that there has existed and/or that there will exist a proximity link between the object MD and the other OBJ_BIS object.

In order to evaluate said neighborhood criterion (i.e. proximity) CR_V, the tracer TRA can for example have access to information stored in a database (for example in a BDD server acting as a database and illustrated in no way limiting in Figure 13). Said information is for example at least partly contained in one or more traceability event histories recorded during one or more logistics processes for said MD and MC objects.

In certain embodiments, the definition of the neighborhood criterion CR_V can be carried out a posteriori, on the basis of new information, or of an update of information, according to which the objects MD and MC have been neighbors l each other in the past. For example, such an example of implementation can find a use within the framework of a health alert or a recall of batches, to reconstitute the path of potentially defective or contaminated OBJ_BIS objects and forming part of the same batch. production as the MD object, or potentially contaminated with OBJ.

As mentioned before, said traceability event history(s) to which the TRA tracer can have access can be subject to various standards, such as for example EDIFACT, WMS, ERP, GS1 EPCIS.

More specifically still, said information to which the TRA tracer can have access relates, for example, to information on a common group of goods (group with identifier) to which the objects OBJ and OBJ_BIS belonged or are supposed to belong (Common transport: boat , plane, Common transport: truck, maritime container identified by GIAI (Global Individual Asset Identifier) or GRAI = Corporate Asset (Global Returnable Asset Identifier), Common shipping unit such as for example filmed pallet identified by SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code), Common packaging unit such as, for example, Box identified by GTIN (General Trade Item Number = 13-digit bar code) or Spacer (cardboard pallet) identified by GIAI / GRAI or Reusable wooden pallet or container (plastic crate) identified by GRAI).

It should be noted that the invention has been described by considering exemplary embodiments in which the transmitter device or the receiver device could be in particular (depending on whether one is in the case of an uplink or downlink) a smartphone, a base station. These examples are not limiting of the invention, and it is possible to envisage, in certain embodiments of the invention, that said location, communication and/or collection device is an element of a group comprising at least:
- a smart phone;
- a mobile terminal;
- a base station;
- a waiter ;
- a network interconnection gateway.

Claims (15)

Object location method, said location method comprising steps of:
- obtaining (E10, G10) at least one piece of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscattering of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB ),
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between at least one transmitter device (T) and at least one receiver device (S), determination (E30, G30) of a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum (P) of said at least one transmitter device;
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitting device (S) and at least one receiving device (T), determination (E30, G30) of a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum of said at least one receiver device. Method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of location data (P) is obtained, said location data having been transmitted by one or more transmitter devices (T) if said at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted next to at least one uplink or else by one or more receiver devices (T) if said at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted along at least one downlink, the determination (E30, G30) of a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one least one object (MD) comprising:
- a determination of an adjusted location datum, from said plurality of location data,
- an association of the identification data of said at least one object with said adjusted location data. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determination of the adjusted location data is performed by triangulation between the location data. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises steps of:
- obtaining at least one first temporal data item representative of the instant of backscattering of said at least one ambient signal,
- obtaining at least one second time datum representative of the time of generation of said at least one location datum (P),
determining the location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one object (MD) taking into account said first and second time data. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the determination of the location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one object (MD) takes account of data representative of a level of confidence in the accuracy of said location . Communication method, implemented in a receiver device (S, T) of a backscattered ambient signal (S_AMB), the method comprising steps of:
- obtaining (F10, H10) at least one piece of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal,
- when said ambient signal is emitted along a downlink between a transmitter device (S) and said receiver device (T), transmission (F30, H30) of said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object and of at least at least one location datum (P) from said receiver device to an object location device (TRA);
- when said ambient signal is emitted along an uplink between a transmitter device (T) and said receiver device (S), transmission (F30, H30) of said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object to a device ( TRA) object location. Method according to claim 6, said method further comprising, when said ambient signal is transmitted along an uplink, a step of transmitting at least one location datum (P) from said transmitting device to said device (TRA) for locating objects. Method for collecting data, said method comprising a step (K10) of memorizing, in a non-transitory storage medium readable by a computer, at least one location (TRACE_MD) determined for at least one object (MD) according to a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, so as to create and/or enrich a location history of said at least one object. Method for locating at least one object called "another object" (MC), said method comprising steps of:
- obtaining a location (TRACE_MD) of at least one object (MD) determined according to a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5 or 8,
- determination (E40, G40) of a location (TRACE_MC) of said at least one other object taking into account a neighborhood of said at least one located object and of said at least one other object. Method according to claim 9, in which said neighborhood is a past and/or planned geographical proximity of said at least one located object (MD) and of said at least one other object (MC). Computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 or a method according to any one of Claims 6 to 7 or a method according to Claim 8 or a method according to any of claims 9 to 10, when said computer program is executed by a computer. Object location device (TRA), said location device comprising at least one processor configured to:
- obtaining (E10, G10) at least one piece of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscattering of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB),
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between at least one transmitting device (T) and at least one receiving device (S), determining (E30, G30) a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum (P) of said at least one transmitter device;
- when said at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitting device (S) and at least one receiving device (T), determining (E30, G30) a location (TRACE_MD) of said at least one object from said at least one identification datum and at least one location datum (P) of said at least one receiver device. Communication device (S, T) configured to receive a backscattered ambient signal (S_AMB), called “receiver device”, said receiver device comprising at least one processor configured for:
- obtaining (F10, H10) at least one piece of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), said at least one piece of identification data coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal,
- when said ambient signal is emitted along a downlink between a transmitter device (S) and said receiver device (T), transmitting said at least one identification data of said at least one object and at least one location data (P) said receiver device to a device (TRA) for locating objects;
- when said ambient signal is emitted along an uplink between a transmitter device (T) and said receiver device (S), transmitting said at least one piece of identification data of said at least one object to a device (TRA) for locating object. Data collection device (D_MEM), said device comprising at least one processor configured to memorize (K10) at least one location (TRACE_MD) determined for at least one object (MD) by a location device (TRA) according to claim 12 , said storage being performed in a file so as to constitute a location history of said at least one object. Device for locating (TRA) at least one object called "another object" (MC) from a location (TRACE_MD) of at least one object (MD) determined by a locating device (TRA) according to claim 12, said device for locating said at least one other object comprising at least one processor configured to determine (E40, G40) a location (TRACE_MC) of said at least one other object taking into account a neighborhood of said at least one located object and of said at least one other object.