Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
  • G06Q10/083—Shipping
  • G06Q10/0833—Tracking
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W64/00—Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
  • H04W64/006—Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
  • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
  • H04W4/30—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
  • H04W4/35—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for the management of goods or merchandise

Definitions

• the invention lies in the field of locating objects. It relates in particular to a method for locating an object, a method for communication, a method for collecting data and a method for locating at least one other object using an object location, determined by means of said method for locating object. 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 retrieve, for example by means of a recorded 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. .
• barcodes affixed to objects have been used and are still used today. These barcodes can be read using dedicated means equipped with optical readers and carry information making it possible to identify the objects with which they are respectively associated.
• RFID technology has certain advantages, including the fact that it is passive (ie 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 distance greater than that which can be envisaged in the case of the use of barcodes.
• 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.
• certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a solution that makes it possible to locate one or more objects more efficiently (in terms, for example, of ease of implementation, cost, and/or energy consumption) than certain solutions of the prior art.
• Such a solution can also help, in certain embodiments, to perform a localization of objects outside of any logistics circuit, thus extending the application framework in which the traceability of objects is. traditionally implemented.
• the invention relates to an object location method.
• Said location method comprises steps of:
• 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
• said at least one ambient signal is. transmitted along at least one downlink between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving 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, [0010]
• 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 transmitter devices capable of backscattering one or more ambient signals to generate data (for example said identification data), and. may therefore be well suited to certain embodiments of the invention.
• the ambient signal or signals can be emitted by hardware elements present in the environment of the objects (cellular telephone, base stations, etc.), or by hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the invention.
• 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 , or hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the invention.
• the location data can, in certain embodiments, also be generated and/or collected by material elements present in the environment of the objects.
• Certain embodiments of the invention can, therefore, help to provide advantages in terms of saving equipment insofar as they can be based, at least in part, on information obtained thanks to equipment already available in the object environment. Consequently, certain embodiments of the invention can therefore help to avoid, or in any case to limit, the use of a workforce dedicated to locating one or more objects.
• some of the aforementioned material elements, present in the environment of the objects may belong to any users,
• the ambient backscatter communication technology is an energy-efficient and easy-to-deploy technology.
• certain embodiments of the invention can help to extend the detection, localization and traceability of one or more objects beyond the field of logistics and therefore of any logistics process.
• Logistics process refers here to all manipulations of objects and changes of owners or managers of these objects.
• a logistics process can for example make 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 for this purpose.
• This history can help trace the movements of objects in their life cycle during the logistics process, for example following successive identifications during production, storage, order preparation and/or grouping with other objects (such as objects of the same nature grouped together in the form of lots), shipping, delivery with ungrouping of objects, etc.
• 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.
• the smartphone can be the source of the ambient signal from which the identification data of the first commodity is generated by ambient backscatter.
• the location of the first commodity can be determined by means of a device configured for this purpose and in possession of said identification data of the first commodity and of location data of said smartphone.
• certain embodiments can be implemented without requiring an implementation of the invention in the smartphone originating the ambient signal.
• 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 help to locate an object once it leaves the field of logistics, for example following a purchase, at a distribution point, and. thus helping to ensure traceability.
• Certain embodiments of the location method according to the invention can also be distinguished from the state of the art in that the location of an object can be carried out at least partially involuntarily (ie an object may not be the subject of a targeted search, and is detected “randomly”).
• the transmission of location data does not 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 a rising).
• 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.
• a backscattered signal (by a receiver device, whether the link is uplink or downlink), to find out an object identification datum, is not necessarily activated as soon as an ambient signal is backscattered.
• 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).
• the location method may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.
• 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 datum location.
• a plurality of first location data (P) is obtained, said first location data having been transmitted by one or more transmitter devices (T) if said at least one ambient signal (S AMB) is transmitted along 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) a location (TRACE MD) of said at least one object (MD) comprising:
• the second location data is determined by triangulation between the first location data.
• 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 emitted along at least one downlink, determining a location of said at least one object.
• MD comprising:
• the determination of the adjusted location data is performed by triangulation between the location data.
• the method comprises steps of:
• 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.
• the invention relates to a communication method, implemented in a device receiving a backscattered ambient signal.
• Said communication method comprises steps of:
• 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 .
• 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.
• 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:
• Such provisions can, in certain embodiments, help to locate one or more objects for which it would not be possible to obtain identification data.
• 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 proximity link (neighborhood) past and/or planned exists between the objects concerned.
• the method for locating said at least one other object may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.
• said neighborhood is a past and/or planned geographical proximity of said at least one located object and of said at least one other object.
• said neighborhood is. a past and/or planned geographical proximity of said at least one located object and. of said at least one other object during a first time period.
• the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for the implementation of 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 can 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 a partially compiled form, or in no any other desirable shape,
• the invention relates to an information or recording medium readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program according to the invention.
• the information or recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the invention relates to an object location device comprising at least one processor configured to:
• the invention relates to a communication device configured to receive a backscattered ambient signal and comprising at least one processor configured to:
• 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 carried out 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.
• 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.
• said location, communication and/or collection device is an element of a group comprising at least:
• 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 transmitter device;
• Figure 8 schematically shows, in its environment, and. according to certain embodiments of the invention, an object location system 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 receiving 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 Figure 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.
• 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.
• the traceability events recorded during a logistics process may include in particular the list of identified objects, the timestamp of the identification, the location of the identification, and the business step carried out during the identification. , such as order preparation. These fields can still be completed by others, for example the recipient of the order.
• the traceability events can for example be compatible or use various standards, such as those provided by EDIFACT (acronym of the Anglo-Saxon expression "Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport), those used by warehouse management software 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”).
• the expression “beyond the field of logistics” refers to the fact that an object leaves the logistics circuit to which it was previously attached.
• an object when an object leaves the field of logistics, it can be located in a place of distribution (this is the case, for example, when goods are delivered to a distribution point, such as 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 for example a street), a place in a private personal space (such as for example a dwelling ), etc
• certain embodiments of the invention can help to locate an object outside the field of logistics (unlike certain solutions of the prior art), and this without requiring redeployment a dedicated workforce that would act voluntarily (active identification and localization).
• certain embodiments of the present invention tend to provide 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 specially deployed manpower to locate said object(s) not being required).
• 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 embodiments of the invention.
• TRA tracer a location device
• Technical configuration details material of said TRA tracer as well as to the location 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.
• 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 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 " transmission band", a radioelectric signal called "ambient signal” S_AMB.
• the emission of the ambient signal S_AMB can be carried out for example permanently or else recurrently.
• the case where the ambient signal S_AMB is only transmitted by a single transmitter device S is considered in no way limiting. to consider 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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 for example 2G, 3G, 5G at 3.5 GHz, 5G at 700 MHz, etc. .
• a Wi-Fi signal for example 2G, 3G, 5G at 3.5 GHz, 5G at 700 MHz, etc. .
• WiMax for example 2G, 3G, 5G at 3.5 GHz, 5G at 700 MHz, etc. .
• DVB-T a combination of such signals.
• no limitation is attached to the ambient radio signal that can be considered within the framework of the embodiments of the present invention.
• the number of antennas fitted to the transmitter device S does not constitute a limiting factor of the invention.
• the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted along a downlink (“downlink” in the English literature) between the transmitter device S and the communication device T.
• 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.
• the transmitter device S is a base station and that the receiver device T is a mobile terminal of the smartphone type belonging to a user.
• Said user may be a person who does not belong to a workforce dedicated to the implementation of logistics processes.
• it is a member of the public moving close to the object MD, such as for example a consumer moving through the point of sale in which the object MD is located.
• 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 following the Wi-Fi protocol.
• 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 intendLOC, and is representative of a location of the terminal T at the moment when said location signal S_LOC is transmitted.
• said location data P may be GPS data (acronym for the English expression "Global Positioning System”) indicating the geographical coordinates of the terminal T.
• 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 location system 10 is located also includes the MD object that can be located by means of said system 10.
• Said MD object is provided with a wireless communication device, called an RF "transmitter device” called "tag” in the Anglo-Saxon literature), for example arranged in a fixed manner on the surface of the object. MD.
• said RF transmitter device is configured to transmit to the terminal T a signal S_RETRO by ambient backscattering of the ambient signal S palmAMB.
• 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.
• said message may include an identification data item M of said RF transmitter device.
• Said identification data M can 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 datum 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 the team (not shown in the figures), depending on the identification data item M to be transmitted.
• the RF transmitter device can be associated with operating states depending on the impedance which is presented to the antenna with which it is provided.
• 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 a zero or infinite impedance
• 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.
• 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 used backscattered waves is perceptible. by the terminal T which is intended to receive the identification data item 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 symbol called "high" with a first value (for example a bit or a set of bits of value
• 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).
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the RF transmitter device can include a set of means configured in software (specific computer program) and/or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) to implement the method. of backscatter.
• 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 datum M of the RF transmitter device.
• Said identification data item M can be obtained in certain embodiments by implementing a decoding method (not shown in the figures).
• 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, under the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed to implement said decoding method.
• processors and storage means magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.
• 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.
• 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.
• the terminal T can include a set of means configured in software (specific computer program) and/or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) to implement the method of decoding.
• 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.
• the base station S, the terminal T, the tracer TRA as well as the RF transmitter device can be distinct from each other.
• the tracer TRA can also be integrated in certain embodiments into the base station S.
• 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 very close to this time).
• the location signal S_ LOC may include, in addition to the location datum P, a time datum representative of the instant of generation of a location data p.
• FIG. 2 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the TRA tracer of FIG. 1.
• the TRA plotter can have the hardware architecture of a computer.
• the tracer TRA may include, in particular, at least one processor 1 administratTRA1, at least one random access memory 2_TRA1, at least one ROM 3 instructTRA1 and at least one non-volatile memory 4 instructTRA1. It also has at least one 5_TRA1 communication module.
• the ROM 3_TRA1 of the TRA tracer 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.
• PROG...RA1 program can for example define functional modules of the TRA tracer, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_TRA1 to 5_TRA1 of the TRA tracer 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,
• the processor 1 when it executes the program PROG spiritTRA1, the processor 1 administered to the tracer TRA can be configured for:
• identification data M of the object MD said identification data M coming from the backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB,
• 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 S (to which it is integrated according to the example of FIG. 1).
• the communication module 5_TRA1 comprises for example a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data.
• 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.
• the 5_TRA1 communication module can integrate said first and second obtaining modules fitted to the TRA tracer.
• FIG. 3 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the terminal T of FIG. 1.
• the terminal T can have the hardware architecture of a computer.
• 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 clutterT, comprising instructions for the execution of a method of communication according to certain embodiments of the invention.
• the PROG_T program can for example define functional modules of the terminal T, which rely 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.
• the processor 1...T of the terminal T can be configured for:
• identification data M of an object (here the object MD), said identification data M coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal S_AMB,
• 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.
• the backscattered signal S_RETRO also includes a time datum T_RETRO representative of an instant of backscattering 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.
• the location method comprises a step E10 of obtaining the identification data item 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 datum M can comprise in certain embodiments a reception by the tracer TRA of the identification datum M, for example via the communication module 5_TRA1.
• 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 figure 1.
• 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 device 12 communication 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 representing the geographical location of the terminal T receiving the backscattered signal S...RETRO containing the identification data M,
• the step of obtaining E20 comprises reception of the signal S generallyLOC by the base station S (the transmission of the signal S desLOC 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.
• steps E10 and E20 can be considered to be 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 P location. a single signal comprising both the identification data M and the location P (for example when the location signal S_ LOC includes said identification data 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),
• 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.
• the identification data M can be obtained before the location data P, and vice versa.
• the tracer TRA is in possession of the identification data M and location data P. Consequently, and as illustrated by FIG. 4, the method of focusing comprises a step E30 of determining a focusing of the object MD from the identification data M and focusing P. This step E30 is implemented by the determination module equipping the tracer TRA.
• the determination of the location TRACE...MD of the object MD may include an association of the identification data M of the object MD with the location data P of the terminal T. That is, in such modes, and as far as a single location data 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 (ie without taking account) of the time data T_RETRO and T_ LOC respectively associated with the backscatter S_RETRO and localization S fineLOC signals. As a reminder, these time data are optional and can be omitted in certain embodiments of the invention,
• the determination of the location TRACE_MD of the object MD can also take into account the time data T_RETRO and/or T_LOC.
• 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 relative threshold value), 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.
• a first value such as a constant threshold value, for example between a few minutes and a few days, or a relative threshold value
• 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. [0118] At least some 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,
• the communication method includes a step F10 for obtaining the identification data item M of the object MD, said identification data item M coming from the backscattering of the signal ambient.
• S_AMB the identification data item M coming from the backscattering of the signal ambient.
• the communication method includes a step F20 for obtaining location data P of the terminal T,
• this step F20 can be the subject in certain modes of implementation of two transmission sub-steps when the identification data M and location data P are not transmitted by means of a single and the same signal,
• the communication method includes a step F30 for transmitting identification data M and location data P from the terminal T to the tracer TRA.
• the TRACE_MD location of the MD object is determined independently of the time data T_RETRO and T intendLOC
• said TRACE_MD location is for example stored in storage 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, ie TRA ⁇ repeatMD (P, M).
• said location TRA ⁇ _MD is for example stored in the 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 datum of identification M as well as at least one temporal datum, for example the temporal datum T_RETRO, the temporal datum T deliberatelyLOC, a temporal datum representative of the instant of obtaining the identification and/or location data, and /or a time datum representative of the instant of determination of said location TRACE...MD (ie instant of execution of step E30).
• said location TRACE...MD is for example stored in the memory means of the tracer TRA and/or of the base station S.
• 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 T_RETRO and T_LOC data.
• the time datum contained in said n-tuple of data may be the datum T_RETRO.
• the temporal datum contained in the n-tuple of data differs from T_RETRO, and is equal for example to T_ LOC , or else to a temporal datum representing a time between T.. RETRO and T._ LOC (e.g.: a 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 (ie instant of execution of step E30 ).
• the invention also covers a data collection device D_MEM.
• the tracer TRA or else the base station S can play the role of this data collection device D_MEM.
• a device separate from the tracer TRA and from the base station S can 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.
• the data collection device D...MEM has a hardware architecture such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 (it should be noted that the data collection device D_MEM is also illustrated by way of non-limiting in Figure 1, as well as in Figures 8 and 14 described later).
• the data collection device D_MEM can have the hardware architecture of a computer.
• the collection device D_MEM may comprise, in particular, at least one processor 1JMEM, at least one random access memory 2 tread MEM, at least one read only memory 3 curat MEM and at least one non-volatile memory 4 tread MEM. It also has at least one communication module 5.... MEM.
• the read only memory 3 hail 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 performing a data collection method according to some embodiments of the invention.
• the PROG_MEM program can for example define functional modules of the data collection device D_MEM, which rely on or control the hardware elements 1_ MEM to 5 tread MEM of the data collection device D_MEM mentioned above, and which include in particular a module data collection configured to memorize at least one location TRACE...MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, said memorization being for example carried out in a file so as to constitute a location history of said at least one object,
• the processor of the data collection device D can be configured to memorize at least one location TRA ⁇ _MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, said memorization being, performed in a file so as to constitute a location history of said at least one object.
• the data collection method illustrated for example in FIG. 15
• the data collection device D...MEM comprises a step K10 of storing at at least one location TRA ⁇ instructMD 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, increasing or decreasing, 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 object MD and. warn him
• 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 as a function of the time difference between the time data T_RETRO and T_ LOC, so that the greater this time difference, the lower said probability (ie the confidence in the accuracy TRACE...MD location of the MD object is low).
• said probability is calculated so as to take account of a precision of the location datum P.
• precision typically depends on the way in which said location datum P.
• the precision in question may be a precision characteristic of a GPS survey or even a precision implemented manually to take account of a margin of error (for example a radius in meters for define an area around a geographical coordinate, an area in which an object is likely to be found, etc.).
• 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.
• steps E10, E20 and E30 of the locaiization method can be iterated repeatedly, for example periodically.
• the tracer TRA being in possession of a plurality of location data transmitted by the terminal T at the time of execution of step E30. This may result, for example, from the fact that the location signal SJ..OC is transmitted recurrently, for example periodically, by the terminal T.
• the expression “obtaining at least one identification datum” corresponds to obtaining at least one of the data among said plurality of location data.
• the data obtained following the implementation of step E20 is any one of said plurality of location data.
• the location datum obtained may be the last location datum received from the terminal T, or be deduced from the location data received immediately before and immediately after obtaining the identification datum.
• 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.
• 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.
• the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S. That being so, nothing excludes considering, according to other embodiments, that the tracer TRA be external to the base station S.
• the location data P and identification data M can for example be transmitted directly by the terminal T to the TRA tracer.
• 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.
• 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 up to now in connection with the location system 10 of FIG. 1, in which the ambient signal S_AMB is emitted following a connection downlink between the base station S and the terminal T.
• the invention is however 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 ShaAMB is transmitted by the terminal T.
• the ambient signal S “AMB is transmitted along an uplink (“uplink” in the Anglo-Saxon literature) between the terminal T and the base station S.
• 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 respect 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).
• 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 T terminal.
• 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 M of the RF transmitter device contained in the signal S...RETRO.
• Said identification data item 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, under the form of a set of program code instructions to be executed to implement said decoding method.
• processors and storage means magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.
• 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 electronic components discrete, etc. adapted to implement the decoding method.
• programmable logic circuits of the FPGA, PLD, etc. type, and/or specialized integrated circuits (ASIC), and/or a set of electronic components discrete, etc. adapted to implement the decoding method.
• 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 process.
• FPGA field-programmable gate array
• PLD programmable logic array
• ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
• the obtaining of identification data for the object MD is obtained here 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 (eg through the station).
• the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S .
• FIG. 9 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the TRA plotter of FIG. 8.
• the TRA plotter can for example have the hardware architecture of a computer.
• the tracer TRA may include, in particular, at least one processor 1...TRA2, at least one random access memory 2...TRA 2, at least one ROM 3...TRA 2 and at least one memory not volatile 4_ TRA 2. It can also have at least one 5 handed TRA 2 communication module.
• the ROM 3_TRA 2 of the TRA plotter 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 processing steps. a location method according to certain embodiments of the invention.
• the PROGJTRA 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.
• 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 a 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,
• the processor 1 when it executes the PROG_TRA2 program, can be configured for:
• 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
• 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 FIG. 8).
• the communication module 5_TRA2 comprises for example a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data.
• 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.
• the communication module 5...TRA2 can integrate said first and second obtaining modules fitted to the TRA tracer.
• FIG. 10 schematically represents an example of hardware architecture of the base station S of FIG. 8.
• the base station S can have the hardware architecture of a computer.
• the base station S may comprise, in particular, at least one processor 1_S, at least one RAM 2_S, at least one ROM 3_S and. at least one 4_S non-volatile memory. It also has at least one 5_S communication module.
• the ROM 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 according to certain embodiments of the invention.
• the PROGJS program can for example define functional modules of the base station S, which are based on or control the hardware elements 1_S to 5.
• 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.
• the 1 spoilS processor of the base station S can be configured for:
• identification data M of an object (here object MD), said identification data M coming from the backscatter of said ambient signal S_AMB,
• 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 tracer of FIG. 9.
• 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 safelyLOC also comprising a time datum T_LOC representative of the instant of generation of a location datum P.
• the location method includes a step G10 for 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.
• the backscatter signal S_RETRO is here directly or indirectly received by the base station S (the obtaining of the identification data 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).
• 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 fitted to the TRA tracer,
• Said obtaining step G20 follows the transmission, by the terminal T, of the signal S deliberatelyLOC intended for the base station S.
• the 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 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 the invention).
• 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.
• 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.
• the identification data M can be obtained before the location data P, and vice versa.
• the location method comprises a step G30 of determination of a location TRACE...MD of the object MD from the identification data M and location data P.
• This step G30 is implemented by the determination module equipping the tracer TRA.
• step G30 is identical to that of step E30 described above with reference to Figure 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.
• the communication method includes a step H 10 for obtaining the identification data item M of the object MD, said identification data item M originating from the backscatter of the ambient signal S surAMB.
• the communication method includes a step H 20 for obtaining location data P of the terminal T, similarly to what was described above for steps G10 and G20 of the method of location of Figure 11, said step H20 can be implemented so that the identification data M and location P is received simultaneously or not by the base station S.
• 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.
• the location TRA ⁇ _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 location history of the MD object.
• 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 of data still apply for the embodiments in connection with the system 20 of FIG. 8,
• 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.
• the location data P and identification data 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.
• 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 sesAMB;
• the tracer TRA receives directly, from the terminal T, the location data P of said terminal T.
• the location system 10, 20 comprises only one communication device T (FIG. 1 and FIG. 8).
• 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, it is are "transmitting” devices if an ambient signal is considered to be transmitted along an uplink or "receiver” devices if an ambient signal is considered to be transmitted along a downlink, or well still a combination of transmitting and receiving devices). Therefore, the determination of a location of the object MD can comprise for example:
• the determination of the adjusted location data can be performed by triangulation between the location data (therefore it is then a matter of pooling several location data).
• the adjusted location datum is determined other than by triangulation.
• a location datum is randomly selected from said plurality of location data to constitute said adjusted location datum.
• 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 generating a backscatter signal at least carrying an identification datum of the object to which said transmitter device is attached.
• 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 which can be backscattered by the transmitter devices RF_1, RF_2, RF cramp3 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 din1, RF_2, RF_3 of a transmitted ambient signal 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.
• 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 location of at least one object called "another object" from a location of at least one object determined by the tracer TRA,
• 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.
• a determination module for example distinct from the determination module capable of determining a location of the object MD
• 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.
• a device for locating said other object MC be included in the locating system while being distinct from the tracer TRA.
• said location device distinct from the TRA tracer has a hardware architecture similar to that described above for the TRA tracer with reference to FIGS. 2 and. 9.
• the location method according to the invention may also include a step of determining a TRACE_MC location of said other object.
• MC step denoted E40 in FIG. 4 and G40 in FIG. 11
• MC taking account of a neighborhood V of said located object MD and of said at least one other object MC.
• 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.
• it may be a past and/or planned geographical proximity during a first time period,
• said first time period may refer to a design phase or storage or transport of said objects MD, MC.
• said neighborhood V can be taken into account by evaluating a neighborhood criterion CR structuriV making it possible at least to check whether the object MD and the said other object MC have been positioned close to each other. from each other 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 each other.
• the location TRA ⁇ _MC of said other object MC is considered to be at least close to that of the object MD.
• the TRA ⁇ _MC location of said other MC object is considered equal to that of the MD object.
• the location of the other object MC is TRA ⁇ _MC - (t, P, MC).
• MC can also be determined so as to take account of a level of confidence in the accuracy of said location TRA ⁇ _MC. 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.
• neighborhood criterion CR. V when this allows at least to determine if your objects OBJ and OBJ_BIS have been close to each other in the past and/or if it is planned that these objects MD, MC will be positioned nearby one of the other.
• 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 OBJJ3IS object.
• 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 non-limiting title 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 objects MD and MC.
• 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 to each other in the past.
• a health alert or batch recall may find use in a health alert or batch recall, to reconstitute the route of potentially defective or contaminated OBJ...BIS objects and forming part of the same production batch as the MD object, or potentially contaminated by OBJ.
• 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.
• 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 (Transport common: 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 Carton identified by GTIN (General Trade Item Number ⁇ 13-digit barcode) or Interlayer (cardboard pallet) identified by GIAI / GRAI or Wooden pallet or container (plastic crate) reusable identified by GRAI).
• the transmitter device or the receiver device could be in particular (depending on whether one is in the case of an uplink or a downlink) a smartphone, a base station.
• said location, communication and/or collection device is an element of a group comprising at least:

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• Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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• 2021
  • 2021-09-07 CN CN202180062021.4A patent/CN116134445A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-09-07 JP JP2023515352A patent/JP2023545618A/ja active Pending
  • 2021-09-07 KR KR1020237011662A patent/KR20230062623A/ko unknown
  • 2021-09-07 EP EP21782780.7A patent/EP4211633A1/fr active Pending
  • 2021-09-07 US US18/044,279 patent/US20230337178A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-09-07 WO PCT/FR2021/051532 patent/WO2022053758A1/fr unknown
  • 2021-09-07 BR BR112023004210A patent/BR112023004210A2/pt unknown

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