Identification element detection device for system with relay metasurface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detection device (DD) equipped in a system (S) including an enclosed space (EF), the enclosed space having a metal environment and comprising an object (O) equipped with an identification element (EI) that transmits / receives waves. The device (DD) comprises: an identification reader (LI) that exchanges messages with the identification element (EI) via an antenna (AER) that transmits / receives waves installed in the enclosed space (EF) in order to detect the presence of the identification element; and a metasurface (MS1) installed in the enclosed space (EF), the metasurface being configured to reflect waves from the antenna (AER) and intended for the identification element (EI) according to a selected first rule, and to reflect waves from the identification element (EI) and intended for the antenna (AER) according to a selected second rule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising at least one closed space with a metallic environment and comprising at least one object equipped with an identification element emitting / receiving waves, and more precisely to the detection of said identification element in such a system. Background Art

[0002] Some systems include at least one closed space in which an object is housed more or less temporarily, said object being equipped with an identification element that emits / receives waves. This is the case with some vehicles, such as utility vehicles or trucks (optionally with trailers), but not limited to these.

[0003] Typically, the waves emitted have a frequency belonging to the radio frequency domain (RF), and the identification element is an RFID tag (or label) comprising an electronic chip associated with an antenna RF, hence the name Radio Frequency Identification (or RFID (“Radio Frequency Identification”)).

[0004] In order to detect the presence of the above-mentioned objects in the closed space of the system, it has been proposed to install in this closed space an identification reader responsible for exchanging messages with the identification elements of these objects via an antenna that transmits / receives waves.

[0005] Note that the antenna for transmitting / receiving waves may optionally be part of the housing of the identification reader, but this is not mandatory. In the case of separation, the antenna and the identification reader are usually connected via a cable.

[0006] When the closed space has a metallic environment, for example when it is defined by the body of a vehicle, it often happens that the detection is not performed well and, as a result, identification elements present in the closed space (due to being masked by at least another nearby object and / or by a metallic element and / or due to the impact of the RF waves) are not detected, or, on the contrary, identification elements located outside the closed space are detected. This problem of incomplete detection and / or external detection comes not only from the positioning of the antenna transmitting / receiving the waves relative to the objects in the closed space, but also from the metallic environment and configuration of the closed space.

[0007] Currently, in order to partially solve the above-mentioned problems, multiple antennas are associated with the identification reader and these antennas are positioned at different locations in the enclosure (for example on the side, on the ceiling and on the floor). However, this not only increases the cost, but also increases the probability of detecting objects outside the enclosure, and therefore forces the addition of antennas outside the enclosure to limit false detections (by distinguishing inside / outside). But it also creates problems with the positioning of the antenna relative to the door used to control access to the enclosure.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore, inter alia, to improve the situation. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the present invention particularly provides a detection device, which, on the one hand, is used to be equipped on a system including a closed space (which has a metal environment and includes at least one object, and the at least one object is equipped with an identification element for transmitting / receiving waves), and on the other hand, includes an identification reader (the identification reader exchanges messages with each identification element via at least one antenna for transmitting / receiving waves installed in the closed space in order to detect the presence of the identification element).

[0010] The detection device is characterized in that the detection device also includes at least one metasurface for installation in the closed space, and the at least one metasurface is configured to reflect waves from one or more antennas and for each identification element according to at least one first rule selected, and to reflect waves from each identification element and for the antenna according to at least one second rule selected.

[0011] The term "metasurface" is understood here to mean a surface having a thickness less than the wavelength of the wave it is to reflect and made of a metamaterial, structured (having a horizontal pattern whose dimensions are less than the wavelength) or without a structure. Metamaterials are artificial synthetic materials that have electromagnetic properties that are not possessed by natural materials and, in particular (due to certain limiting conditions), have the ability to modulate the behavior of electromagnetic waves.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the probability of reaching the object to be identified and the probability of reaching the antenna is increased very significantly and the identification of objects present in closed spaces with a metallic environment can therefore be optimized.

[0013] The detection device according to the invention may include other features which may be used alone or in combination, in particular:

[0014] - Each metasurface may be configurable. In this case, the detection device may include a computer, the computer includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one processor and the at least one memory are arranged to perform operations including: determining each first rule and each second rule according to the configuration of the metal environment and the closed space, then determining each configuration of the configurable metasurface according to the determined first rule and the determined second rule, and then triggering the establishment of each configuration by the configurable metasurface;

[0015] - the processor and the memory may be arranged to perform operations including: determining at least two first rules and a second rule according to the configuration of the metal environment and the enclosed space, then determining a first configuration of the configurable metasurface according to one of the determined first rules and the determined second rule, and determining a second configuration of the configurable metasurface according to another of the determined first rules and the determined second rule, and then triggering the configurable metasurface to successively establish (instaurations successives) the first configurations and the second configurations;

[0016] - the processor and the memory may be arranged to perform operations in case at least one door for regulating access to the enclosed space is opened, namely: determining a third rule for reflecting waves from the antenna towards an area including the access and a fourth rule for reflecting waves from the area including the access towards the antenna, then determining a configuration of the configurable metasurface according to these determined third and fourth rules, then triggering establishment of the configuration by the configurable metasurface;

[0017] - Each first rule can be used to induce a reflection of the wave selected from: reflections along successive directions parallel to one another and constituting the generatrix of a cylinder of revolution, the radius of which is selected by at least one selected area of ​​the metasurface; and reflections along a single direction based on selected areas of the metasurface aligned on a selected straight line;

[0018] - the waves may have a frequency belonging to the radio frequency domain;

[0019] - In a variant, the waves may be photons.

[0020] The present invention also provides a system, which comprises a closed space with a metal environment and at least one detection device of the type described above.

[0021] For example, the system may constitute a vehicle.

[0022] In this case, the system may, for example, constitute: a utility vehicle, in which the enclosed space is defined by a body that is at least partially metal, the body comprising an upper wall, the upper wall defining a roof and comprising an interior surface, each super surface being integrally connected to the interior surface; or a truck, in which the enclosed space is a body or trailer that is at least partially metal, the body or trailer comprising an upper wall, the upper wall defining a roof and comprising an interior surface, each super surface being integrally connected to the interior surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 schematically and functionally shows an example of a truck comprising an enclosed space comprising an object equipped with a recognition element and an embodiment of a detection device according to the invention, the enclosed space comprising an object equipped with a recognition element, the detection device using a first example of a first reflection rule and a second reflection rule,

[0025] - Figure 2 Schematically and functionally shown Figure 1 a truck, wherein the detection device uses a first reflection rule and a second reflection rule,

[0026] - Figure 3 Schematically and functionally shown Figure 1 An example of a truck, wherein the detection device uses the third reflection rule and the fourth reflection rule when the access door is open, and

[0027] - Figure 4 An embodiment of a computer of a detection device according to the invention is schematically and functionally shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The object of the invention is to provide a detection device DD intended to be equipped on a system S comprising a closed space EF having a metallic environment and in which objects O can be placed, each of which is equipped with an identification element EI that emits / receives waves in order to detect the presence of these objects O.

[0029] In the following, as a non-limiting example, it is considered that the system S is a vehicle. The system may for example involve a truck, such as Figures 1 to 3The invention is not limited to this type of system. The invention relates in fact to any type of system comprising at least one closed space with a metallic environment in which an object equipped with an identification element for transmitting / receiving waves can be placed. Thus, the invention relates to land vehicles (especially utility vehicles and trucks (with or without trailers)), ships, aircraft, safes (coffres-forts), buildings and facilities (optionally industrial facilities).

[0030] exist Figures 1 to 3 Schematically shown above is a system S (here a truck) comprising an enclosed space EF with a metallic environment and comprising objects O, each of which is equipped with an identification element EI, and an embodiment of a detection device DD according to the invention.

[0031] In this example, the system S is a vehicle, more precisely a truck, comprising a body CS fixedly integral with the chassis of the truck and at least partially metallic, which body defines an enclosed space EF, access to which is controlled by at least one door PC. Note that the body CS may be part of a trailer.

[0032] The objects O contained in the closed space EF may be of any type. Thus, the objects may be, for example, packages (or luggage) or instruments (such as tools (drills, screwdrivers, grinders, electric saws, etc.)) that need to be transported. Note that the invention is applicable when at least one object O is present in the closed space EF and is equipped with an identification element EI that transmits / receives waves.

[0033] The identification element EI for transmitting / receiving waves comprises an antenna for transmitting / receiving waves associated with an electronic chip, which is in a standby state most of the time and is awakened and supplied with energy by specific waves, which the electronic chip receives from an antenna associated with an identification reader. The electronic chip stores at least one identifier, which is used to represent the object to which it is associated.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown above, according to the invention, the detection device DD comprises an identification reader LI, at least one antenna for transmitting / receiving waves and at least one metasurface MSj.

[0035] Note that the term "metasurface" is understood here to mean a surface having a thickness less than the wavelength of the wave to be reflected and made of a metamaterial, which has a certain structure (it has a horizontal pattern, the size of which is less than the above wavelength) or has no certain structure. Metamaterials are artificial synthetic materials that have electromagnetic properties that natural materials do not have, and in particular (due to specific constraints) have the ability to modulate the behavior of electromagnetic waves.

[0036] The antenna AER is intended to be installed in the closed space EF. Note that the antenna can be part of the housing of the identification reader LI, as in Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the non-limiting example shown above. But this is not mandatory. In fact, the antenna can be far away from (or moved out of) the housing of the identification reader LI, while being connected to the identification reader (LI) for example via a cable.

[0037] In the following, as a non-limiting example, it is considered that the waves emitted by the antenna AER and each identification element EI have a frequency belonging to the radio frequency domain (or RF). Therefore, radio frequency identification (or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)) is performed here. But the invention is not limited to waves belonging to the radio frequency domain. In fact, the invention relates to any frequency domain that is not dangerous to humans. Thus, the identification waves can be photons.

[0038] Furthermore, in the following, as a non-limiting example, it is considered that the detection device DD comprises only a single antenna AER. However, the detection device may comprise a plurality of (at least two) antennas.

[0039] The identification reader LI is arranged to exchange messages via the antenna EAR with each identification element EI present in the closed space EF in order to detect the presence of the identification element. For example, the identification reader may be arranged to: determine if an object is lost in the closed space EF by comparing an identifier received from the identification element EI with a stored list of identifiers, or simply save all identifiers received from the identification element EI, or compare a previous load with a current load, or issue an alarm when the identification element EI is no longer present in the closed space EF.

[0040] Each metasurface MSj is intended to be installed in a closed space EF. Figures 1 to 3 In the non-limiting example shown above, each metasurface MSj is fixedly integrated on the inner face of the upper wall T of the body CS, which constitutes the roof. However, the metasurface MSj may be installed at any other point in the closed space, as long as it is effective to return the waves towards the objects O (and more precisely towards the identification elements EI of these objects) and towards the antenna AER.

[0041] In addition, Figures 1 to 3 In the non-limiting example shown above, the detection device DD comprises two metasurfaces MSj. However, the number of metasurfaces MSj may take any value greater than or equal to one (1).

[0042] Each metasurface MSj is configured to reflect and optionally modulate (optionally in intensity) waves from the antenna AER and for one or more identification elements EI according to at least one first rule selected and to modulate waves from one or more identification elements EI and for the antenna AER according to at least one second rule selected.

[0043] In other words, each metasurface MSj is provided with a configuration which, on the one hand, enables the waves received from the antenna AER to be reflected in the direction of at least one part of the closed space EF (where at least some of the objects O are located), and, on the other hand, enables the waves received from one or more objects O to be reflected in the direction of the antenna AER. Thus, the metasurface acts as a repeater of bidirectional waves. This makes it possible to increase very significantly the probability of reaching the object to be identified and the probability of reaching the antenna AER, and thus to optimize the identification of objects O present in a closed space EF with a metallic environment.

[0044] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown above, the first metasurface MS1 (j=1, far left) is arranged with a first configuration, which enables the first metasurface to reflect the wave from the antenna AER toward the first area where the first part of the object O is located according to a first selected first rule, and reflect the wave from the first part of the object O toward the antenna AER according to a first selected second rule, and the second metasurface MS2 (j=2, far right) is arranged with a second configuration, which enables the second metasurface to reflect the wave from the antenna AER toward the second area where the second part of the object O is located according to a second selected first rule, and reflect the wave from the second part of the object O toward the antenna AER according to a second selected second rule.

[0045] exist Figure 2 In the non-limiting example shown above, the first metasurface MS1 is arranged with a third configuration, which enables the first metasurface to reflect the wave from the antenna AER toward the first area where the first part of the object O is located according to a third selected first rule, and to reflect the wave from the first part of the object O toward the antenna AER according to a third selected second rule, and the second metasurface MS2 is arranged with a fourth configuration, which enables the second metasurface to reflect the wave from the antenna AER toward the second area where the second part of the object O is located according to a fourth selected first rule, and to reflect the wave from the second part of the object O toward the antenna AER according to a fourth selected second rule.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3As indicated above in a non-limiting manner, each metasurface may advantageously be configurable and the detection device DD may comprise a computer CA comprising at least one processor PR and at least one memory MD.

[0047] Here, the term "configurable metasurface" is understood to be a metasurface that can be configured by programming. For this purpose, so-called Huygens (or optical) metasurfaces can be used, for example. Thus, electrically or mechanically or optically or even thermally controllable metasurfaces can be used. In the case of mechanical control, the metasurface can, for example, include diodes associated with a microelectromechanical system (or MEMS ("Micro Electro Mechanical System")), which itself is controlled by an integrated circuit of the FPGA ("Field Programmable Gate Array") type or a programmable microcontroller or an integrated system-on-a-chip (or PSoC ("Programmable System on a Chip") or optionally a complex programmable logic device (or (C)PLD ("(Complex) Programmable Logic Device")).

[0048] The computer CA is implemented in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"), in that it comprises at least one processor PR and at least one memory MD.

[0049] For example, the processor PR may be a digital signal processor (or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). The processor PR may include an integrated (or printed) circuit or multiple integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is understood to be any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0050] The memory MD is a random access memory in order to store instructions for the execution of a computer program by the processor PR.

[0051] The processor PR and the memory MD are arranged to perform operations including: determining each first rule and each second rule according to the metal environment and configuration of the enclosed space EF, then determining each configuration of the configurable metasurface MSj according to these determined first rules and second rules, then triggering each configurable metasurface MSj to establish each configuration it is involved in, and optionally adjusting the power of the antenna AER with the aid of the identification reader LI (when necessary).

[0052] This may in particular enable an adaptation of the detection device DD according to the enclosed space EF considered and / or according to the objects O present in the enclosed space (EF) and / or according to the area in which the objects O are arranged.

[0053] This may also allow (optionally successively) to establish multiple different configurations in the same closed space EF in order to further increase the possibility of identifying the object O. To this end, the processor PR and the memory MD may be arranged to perform operations consisting of: determining at least two first rules and a second rule according to the metal environment and configuration of the closed space EF, then determining the first configuration of each configurable metasurface MSj according to one of these determined first rules and the determined second rule, and determining the second configuration of each configurable metasurface MSj according to another of these determined first rules and the determined second rule, and then triggering the establishment of these first configurations and the second configurations by each configurable metasurface MSj successively. In other words, the first configuration is established to perform a first presence detection (or identification), and then the second configuration is established to perform a second presence detection (or identification) as a supplement to the first presence detection.

[0054] It is noted that the processor PR and the memory MD may also be arranged to perform operations when (at least one) door PC for controlling access to the enclosed space EF is open, namely: determining a third rule for reflecting waves from the antenna AER toward an area including the access and a fourth rule for reflecting waves from the area including the access toward the antenna AER, and then determining the configuration of each configurable metasurface MSj based on these determined third and fourth rules, and then triggering the establishment of the configuration by each configurable metasurface MSj involved.

[0055] exist Figure 3 This is particularly the case in the example shown above in a non-limiting manner. In this example, the first configurable metasurface MS1 is not used, since the purpose is to identify objects entering (or leaving) the closed space EF from the open access door PC. On the contrary, the second configurable metasurface MS2 is arranged with a fifth configuration, which enables it to reflect waves from the antenna AER towards a third area containing the opening of the door PC according to a selected third rule, and to reflect waves from an object O present in this third area towards the antenna AER according to a selected fourth rule.

[0056] It is also noted that each first rule can be used to cause the reflection of the wave along the direction of successive generatrixes that are parallel to each other and constitute a cylinder of revolution whose radius is selected by at least one selected region of at least one (configurable) metasurface MSj. Figure 2), or based on the reflection along a single direction by a selected area aligned on a selected straight line of at least one (configurable) metasurface MSj ( Figure 1 in the case of Figure 2 In the non-limiting example shown above, multiple regions of each configurable metasurface MSj reflect (and optionally modulate) waves from the antenna AER simultaneously or successively, creating the impression that the multiple regions have a spiral motion, because in each region, the sub-regions act successively.

[0057] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown above, multiple regions of each configurable metasurface MSj reflect (or modulate) the waves coming from the antenna AER simultaneously or successively (e.g. from left to right (or vice versa), creating the impression of scanning in the closed space EF). It is conceivable to successively establish Figure 1 The example configuration is then built resulting in Figure 2 of the example configuration (or vice versa).

[0058] Other first rules may also be used (especially first rules allowing reflections along different directions, for example substantially contained within a truncated cone).

[0059] Also note that Figure 4 As shown above, without limitation, the computer CA of the detection device DD (which already includes a random access memory MD and a processor PR) may also include a large-capacity memory MM, which is particularly used to store data defining the metal environment and / or configuration of the closed space EF and intermediate data involved in all calculations and processing of these data. In addition, the computer CA may also include an input interface IE, which is used to receive at least the data defining the metal environment and / or configuration of the closed space EF, in order to use the data in calculations or processing, optionally after shaping and / or demodulating and / or amplifying the data with the help of a digital signal processor PR' in a manner known per se. In addition, the computer CA may also include at least one output interface IS, which is particularly used to send the definition of the determined configuration and to control the identification reader LI and each antenna AER (via the programming interface (or APIs ("Application Programming Interface")) of the identification reader LI).

Claims

1. A detection device (DD) for a system (S) comprising an enclosed space (EF) having a metallic environment and comprising at least one object (O) equipped with an identification element (EI) emitting / receiving waves, said detection device (DD) comprising an identification reader (LI) exchanging messages with said identification element (EI) via at least one antenna (AER) emitting / receiving waves installed in said enclosed space (EF) in order to detect the presence of said identification element, characterized in that The detection device also includes at least one metasurface (MSj) for installation in the closed space (EF), the at least one metasurface being configured to reflect waves from the antenna (AER) and for the identification element (EI) according to at least one selected first rule, and to reflect waves from the identification element (EI) and for the antenna (AER) according to at least one selected second rule, each metasurface (MSj) being configurable, and the detection device includes a computer (CA), the computer including at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD), the at least one processor and the at least one memory being arranged to perform operations including: determining each first rule and each second rule according to the configuration of the metal environment and the closed space (EF), then determining each configuration of the configurable metasurface (MSj) according to the determined first rule and the determined second rule, and then triggering the establishment of each configuration by the configurable metasurface (MSj).

2. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are arranged to perform operations including: determining at least two first rules and a second rule according to the configuration of the metal environment and the enclosed space (EF), then determining a first configuration of the configurable metasurface (MSj) according to one of the determined first rules and the determined second rule, and determining a second configuration of the configurable metasurface (MSj) according to another of the determined first rules and the determined second rule, and then triggering the configurable metasurface (MSj) to successively establish the first configuration and the second configuration.

3. The detection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are arranged to perform an operation when at least one door (PC) for controlling access to the enclosed space (EF) is opened, namely: determining a third rule for reflecting waves from the antenna (AER) toward an area including the access and a fourth rule for reflecting waves from the area including the access toward the antenna (AER), and then determining a configuration of a configurable metasurface (MSj) based on the determined third rule and the determined fourth rule, and then triggering the configurable metasurface (MSj) to establish the configuration.

4. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each first rule is used to cause the reflection of the wave selected from the following reflections: reflection along successive directions parallel to each other and constituting the generatrix of a rotating cylinder, the radius of which is selected by at least one selected area of ​​the metasurface (MSj); and reflection along a single direction based on a selected area of ​​the metasurface (MSj) aligned on a selected straight line.

5. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The waves have a frequency belonging to the radio frequency domain.

6. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The waves are photons.

7. A system (S) comprising an enclosed space (EF) having a metallic environment, characterized in that The system comprises at least one detection device (DD) according to any of the preceding claims.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that The system constitutes a vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that The system constitutes a utility vehicle, wherein the enclosed space (EF) is defined by a body that is at least partially metal, the body comprising an upper wall, the upper wall defining a roof and comprising an interior surface, and each super surface (MSj) is integrally connected to the interior surface; or the system constitutes a truck, wherein the enclosed space (EF) is a body or trailer that is at least partially metal, the body or trailer comprising an upper wall, the upper wall defining a roof and comprising an interior surface, and each super surface (MSj) is integrally connected to the interior surface.

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