Methods and systems for detecting receivers, and adjustable receivers

Abstract

A method for detecting a receiver includes a step of detecting the receiver, wherein a master controller detects the adjustable receiver when a master antenna receives a secondary wave transmitted by the adjustable receiver, followed by a reconfiguration step, wherein the master controller commands the controller of the detected adjustable receiver to switch to an interactive mode, wherein the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between a first configured impedance and a second configured impedance to detect other receivers. The duration of the reconfiguration step is an order of magnitude longer than the duration of each alternation of the first and second configured impedances.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiver detection method and a system capable of implementing the method, as well as an adjustable receiver. Background Technology

[0002] Items available for purchase can be tagged or identified with RFID technology to reduce checkout time, for example. Items are placed in a tray in front of or to the side of the cashier, and the system identifies the items using RFID tags and automatically generates a receipt, eliminating the need for cashiers to scan each item individually. This saves time.

[0003] However, the system may fail to detect some items, which could lead to checkout errors.

[0004] When multiple receivers (or markers) are placed close to each other, such as in the case of a cash register tray, they can be difficult to read, especially due to interference and / or minimum electromagnetic fields. This interference is attributable to the environment, which can scatter, reflect, and / or diffract waves, and also to the receivers themselves, as they are also scatterers, so receivers can reflect, scatter, diffract, and even attenuate waves.

[0005] There may also be a problem with the receiver when it sends a simultaneous response. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure aims to improve the detection of identifiers within a volume.

[0007] To this end, a method for detecting a receiver is provided, the method being implemented by a detection system including a main antenna adapted to transmit an initial wave and a main controller connected to the main antenna. The system includes an adjustable receiver having a receiver antenna adapted to receive the initial wave and to transmit a secondary wave. The adjustable receiver has a receiver controller connected to the receiver antenna, the receiver controller being adapted to detect the initial wave received by the receiver antenna and to command the transmission of the secondary wave by the receiver antenna. The adjustable receiver has a modifiable impedance, thus affecting the transmitted secondary wave. The adjustable receiver is initially in a detection mode, wherein the adjustable receiver has a base impedance. The method includes:

[0008] - Receiver detection step, wherein when the main antenna receives the secondary wave transmitted by the adjustable receiver, the adjustable receiver is detected by the main controller, followed by...

[0009] - A reconfiguration step in which the master controller commands the receiver controller to switch to interactive mode, wherein the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between a first configured impedance and a second configured impedance to detect other receivers, and the duration of the reconfiguration step is an order of magnitude longer than the duration of each alternation of the first and second configured impedances.

[0010] With this arrangement, the number of adjustable receivers that can be used by the main controller to detect new receivers increases when a new receiver is detected. Each time a receiver is detected, its impedance is adjusted by the main controller to a mode suitable for detecting other receivers. The system can then more effectively detect the presence of one or more receivers that have not yet been detected, regardless of the location of the receivers and whether they are fixed or mobile.

[0011] In various embodiments of the system, one or more of the following arrangements may be utilized:

[0012] - The base impedance is applied by the receiver controller independently of the master controller.

[0013] - The first configuration impedance is the base impedance.

[0014] - The first configuration impedance and the second configuration impedance are separated by a certain distance.

[0015] - The first configuration impedance and the second configuration impedance are close to the base impedance in the complex plane and are on either side of the base impedance.

[0016] - An adjustable receiver is a first adjustable receiver, a receiver antenna is a first receiver antenna, an initial wave is a first initial wave, a second wave is a first first wave, a receiver controller is a first receiver controller, a base impedance is a first base impedance, a configuration impedance is a first configuration impedance, and the system includes a second adjustable receiver having a second receiver antenna adapted to receive the initial wave and transmit the second wave, and a second receiver controller connected to the second receiver antenna, the second receiver controller being adapted to control the transmission of the second wave by the second receiver antenna and to detect the initial wave received by the second receiver antenna, the second adjustable receiver having a modifiable impedance that affects the second wave transmitted by the second receiver antenna, the second adjustable receiver initially being in a detection mode, wherein the second adjustable receiver has a second base impedance.

[0017] The method further includes a reconfiguration step of reconfiguring the second receiver, wherein when the main antenna receives a second wave transmitted by the second adjustable receiver and the controller detects the second adjustable receiver, the main controller commands the second adjustable receiver to switch to an interactive mode, wherein the impedance of the second adjustable receiver alternates between a first configured impedance and a second configured impedance of the second receiver to detect other receivers, and the duration of the reconfiguration step of reconfiguring the second adjustable receiver is an order of magnitude longer than the duration of each alternation of the first and second configured impedances of the second receiver.

[0018] - The first configuration impedance of the second receiver is the second base impedance of the second receiver.

[0019] - The first configuration impedance of the second receiver is separated from the second configuration impedance of the second receiver by a certain distance.

[0020] - The first configuration impedance of the second receiver and the second configuration impedance of the second receiver are close to the base impedance in the complex plane and are on either side of the base impedance.

[0021] - The alternation of the configuration impedance of the second receiver in the interaction mode is determined by an optimization algorithm or by a predefined series of impedance values.

[0022] - The configuration impedance of the second receiver is alternated in the interactive mode during irregular, non-periodic moments.

[0023] - The master controller determines the alternation of the configuration impedance of the second receiver in interactive mode.

[0024] - The master controller commands the identified receivers to switch to interactive mode, and the controllers of these identified adjustable receivers determine the alternation of configuration impedances while in interactive mode.

[0025] - In interactive mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between multiple configured impedances.

[0026] - The adjustable receiver comprises multiple adjustable components and associated antennas, and: the master controller commands the master antenna to transmit a master control wave containing identification information and associated adjustment parameters to represent each adjustable component with the expected adjustment parameters, and if the identification information is equal to its adjustable component identification code, the adjustable component controls the impedance of the associated antenna associated with the adjustment parameters.

[0027] The system further includes an adjustable element connected to the main antenna, and during the receiver detection step, the main controller also modifies the impedance of the adjustable element.

[0028] - Based on the values ​​determined by the optimization algorithm, the master controller simultaneously modifies the impedance of the adjustable element and the impedance of the identified adjustable receiver.

[0029] A receiver detection system is also provided, comprising:

[0030] - Adjustable receiver

[0031] - A main antenna, adapted to transmit an initial wave and to receive a secondary wave transmitted by an adjustable receiver in response to receiving the initial wave.

[0032] - A main controller connected to the main antenna, the main controller being adapted to command the transmission of the initial wave and adapted to adjust the receiver by means of the secondary wave received by the main antenna.

[0033] The adjustable receiver is characterized in that it further comprises:

[0034] - Suitable receiver antenna for transmitting secondary waves;

[0035] - A receiver controller connected to the receiver antenna, the receiver controller being adapted to command the transmission of a secondary wave by the receiver antenna and to detect the primary wave received by the receiver antenna.

[0036] The adjustable receiver has a modifiable impedance to modify how the receiver antenna reflects and / or transmits the primary wave as a secondary wave.

[0037] The system is configured such that when the master controller detects an adjustable receiver, it commands the receiver controller to switch from detection mode to interactive mode.

[0038] - In detection mode, the receiver has an adjustable base impedance.

[0039] - In interactive mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between a first configured impedance and a second configured impedance to detect other receivers. The duration of the interactive mode is an order of magnitude longer than the duration of each alternation between the first and second configured impedances.

[0040] In various embodiments of the system, one or more of the following arrangements may be utilized:

[0041] - The first configuration impedance is the base impedance.

[0042] - The first configuration impedance and the second configuration impedance are separated by a certain distance.

[0043] - The alternation of impedance configuration in interactive mode is determined by an optimization algorithm or by a predefined set of impedance values.

[0044] - To perform the alternation of configured impedances in interactive mode during irregular, non-periodic moments.

[0045] - The master controller is suitable for commanding the configuration impedance to alternate between the interactive modes of the adjustable receiver.

[0046] - The master controller is adapted to command the identified adjustable receiver to switch to interactive mode, and the controller of the identified adjustable receiver is adapted to command the configured impedance to alternate when in interactive mode.

[0047] An adjustable receiver is also provided, comprising:

[0048] - An antenna adapted to transmit a secondary wave in response to receiving an initial wave and adapted to receive a total control wave; and

[0049] - A controller connected to the antenna, the controller being adapted to command the transmission of the secondary wave and to detect the received primary wave and total control wave.

[0050] Adjustable receivers have modifiable impedance, which affects the transmitted secondary wave.

[0051] The adjustable receiver has a detection mode and an interactive mode, and switches from the detection mode to the interactive mode according to the received total control wave.

[0052] - In detection mode, the receiver has adjustable base impedance, and

[0053] - In interactive mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver is adapted to alternate between a first configured impedance and a second configured impedance to detect other receivers. The duration of the interactive mode is an order of magnitude longer than the duration of each alternation between the first and second configured impedances. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of one of the embodiments of this disclosure given by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] In the attached diagram:

[0056] - Figure 1 This is a general diagram of one embodiment of the receiver detection system;

[0057] - Figure 2 Instructions for Figure 1 An example of an adjustable receiver in a system;

[0058] - Figure 3 Instructions for Figure 2 The impedance of the adjustable receiver changes over time; and

[0059] - Figure 4 The explanation can be provided by Figure 1The system uses a dynamic list of algorithms.

[0060] In each figure, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0061] system

[0062] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a receiver detection system 10. In this example, system 10 includes a container C having a volume V. Container C can be optional and the volume V is defined without solid walls. Container C is adapted to accommodate one, two, or more receivers within its volume V. Among these receivers, one or more receivers can be adjustable receivers 30, which, once detected, can be controlled to participate in the detection of other receivers that may be contained within the volume V. Specifically, the adjustable receivers may include a first adjustable receiver 30a and a second adjustable receiver 30b. The adjustable receivers 30 can be static or mobile. Identification or simple communication itself also corresponds to detection. Thus, system 10 is a system for receiver detection and / or receiver identification and / or communication with receivers. According to one example, the adjustable receiver 30 is attached to merchandise (e.g., items for sale), and container C is a tray of a store checkout cashier. Thus, by simply placing items in the tray, the cashier can identify items without scanning them one by one. Other applications will be described in this disclosure.

[0063] As will be described below, the identified adjustable receivers (when they are identified) help to identify other receivers present within the volume V. Although only two adjustable receivers 30a and 30b are shown in the diagram, system 10 may have three or more receivers similar to adjustable receivers 30a and 30b. Among those identified receivers, some may not be impedance-adjustable receivers.

[0064] exist Figure 1 In a specific case, container C is a parallelepiped comprising a bottom surface C1, four sides C2, C3, C4, C5, and an open surface C6 opposite the bottom surface C1. For example, the adjustable receivers 30 of the first adjustable receiver 30a and the second adjustable receiver 30b can be inserted into and / or removed from the volume via the open surface C6. These adjustable receivers 30 can also move around within the volume V. The first adjustable receiver 30a and the second adjustable receiver 30b are substantially identical and will be described in detail below with reference to the total receiver 30.

[0065] System 10 further includes:

[0066] - A total antenna 42, adapted to transmit the initial wave OP into the volume V, and adapted to receive, in response to the receiver receiving the initial wave OP, the secondary wave OS transmitted by each adjustable receiver 30 located in the volume V, and

[0067] A master controller 41, connected to a master antenna 42, is adapted to command the transmission of the initial wave OP and to identify the adjustable receiver 30 via the corresponding secondary wave OS transmitted by the adjustable receiver 30 and received by the master antenna 42. According to one embodiment, the master controller 41 and the master antenna 42 are shown in the figure as arranged outside the volume V. Alternatively, the master controller 41 and the master antenna 42 may be one or both arranged within the volume V.

[0068] Adjustable receiver

[0069] exist Figure 2 One of the adjustable receivers 30 is illustrated schematically. The first adjustable receiver 30a and the second adjustable receiver 30b are similar to the adjustable total receiver 30. The description of the structure and operating mode of the adjustable receivers 30 will serve as a description of the first adjustable receiver 30a and the second adjustable receiver 30b. It should be remembered that common elements will be indicated by index "a" for the first adjustable receiver 30a and index "b" for the second adjustable receiver 30b.

[0070] The adjustable receiver 30 includes an antenna 32 adapted to transmit a secondary wave OS in response to receiving an initial wave OP transmitted by a main antenna 42. The adjustable receiver 30 also includes a controller 31 connected to the antenna 32; and an adjustable component 35 connected to both the controller 31 and the antenna 32. The controller 31 is configured to command the transmission of the secondary wave OS and to detect and decode the information contained in the received initial wave OP. The controller 31 also controls the impedance of the adjustable component 35, which affects the secondary wave OS transmitted by the antenna 32. The adjustable component 35 can be connected to the controller 31 via wired or wireless means. A local control wave OCl can be transmitted from the controller 31 to the adjustable component 35 to transmit adjustment parameters to the adjustable component 35.

[0071] Each adjustable component 35 has an associated antenna. This antenna can be antenna 32 of the adjustable receiver 30 or a separate antenna.

[0072] According to one embodiment, at least one of the adjustable receivers 30 includes a plurality of adjustable components 35. The adjustable receiver 30 may include a plurality of adjustable components 35, each component having an associated antenna. In another embodiment, the adjustable receiver 30 includes a single antenna for the plurality of adjustable components 35 of this receiver. The adjustable receiver 30 may include one or more controllers 31 for controlling the whole. For simplicity, by way of example, this specification will describe adjustable receivers each having one antenna, one controller, and one adjustable component; it should be understood that each adjustable receiver may have a plurality of antennas and / or a plurality of adjustable components and / or a plurality of controllers.

[0073] Overall Structure

[0074] For example, the adjustable receiver 30 is a device for a technology called RFID, which is used for "radio frequency identification".

[0075] The adjustable receiver 30 is, for example, a connected object (e.g., an Internet of Things (IoT) type or a type that transmits via WiFi, Bluetooth, or LoRa networks).

[0076] The adjustable receiver 30 may include one or more sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, presence detection, gas detection, flow rate, voltage, current). One or more values ​​measured by the sensors may be stored in the receiver memory or any other memory and may be transmitted to the main controller 41 via a secondary OS.

[0077] The controller 31, antenna 32, and adjustable component 35 of the same receiver 30 can be grouped together on the base 36, making the receiver 30 a compact object. According to one embodiment, the base 36 is, for example, a label for clothing or articles made of a flexible polymer material, said label being thin, for example, less than 0.2 mm thick. For example, the adjustable component 35, antenna 32, and controller 31 can be adhesively attached to the base 36. The adjustable component 35, antenna 32, and controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30 are themselves thin circuitry, making the adjustable receiver 30 a thin and flexible device associated with an article.

[0078] Adjustable components

[0079] Several methods exist for obtaining an adjustable receiver 30 with variable impedance.

[0080] The adjustable component 35 of the adjustable receiver 30 comprises, for example, at least one adjustable electronic circuit connected to the antenna 32 to modify the impedance of electromagnetic radiation, which characterizes its interaction with electromagnetic fields, particularly waves surrounding the receiver. The adjustable electronic circuit is, for example, a capacitor, a diode, a transistor, or a combination thereof. This adjustable electronic circuit includes an input that can be controlled by the controller 31 to modify one of its electronic characteristics, more generally representing its resistivity as a load impedance of the antenna 32 of the adjustable receiver 30. This modification involves altering the radiation impedance of the antenna 32 and its interaction with waves.

[0081] Therefore, the adjustable component 35 can be controlled by an input, which can be modified, for example, by a voltage value applied by the controller 31 and corresponds, for example, to one or more adjustment parameter values. These adjustment parameters can be determined by the master controller 41, or alternatively by the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver, as explained in more detail below.

[0082] Modifying the impedance of the adjustable receiver 30 alters the spatial distribution of the initial wave OP within the volume V. This modification can be optimized to detect other receivers contained within the volume V that were not initially recognized by the master controller 41. Furthermore, as detection of receivers within the volume V proceeds, these receivers become controlled by the master controller 41 to participate in modifying the spatial distribution of the initial wave OP for more efficient detection of any other receivers present in the volume V. Modifying the impedance of the adjustable receiver 30 is far more complex than spatial directivity or focusing: it involves modifying the electromagnetic field within the volume surrounding the receiver.

[0083] model

[0084] When the impedance of the adjustable receiver 30 is modified, the way the adjustable receiver 30 reflects and / or transmits the initial wave OP is also modified, which affects the overall electromagnetic field within the volume V. This modification is used here to detect other receivers that are not visible to the main controller 41. Therefore, the main controller 41 can command the adjustable receiver 30 to switch to an interactive mode, where the adjustable receiver 30 has a changed impedance to modify the overall electromagnetic field within the volume V. This modification of the electromagnetic field can help detect one or more other receivers that were previously silenced by the main controller 41.

[0085] Each adjustable receiver 30 contained in the volume V is initially not detected by the master controller 41 and is in detection mode. In detection mode, the adjustable receiver 30 has a base impedance IB1. For example, the base impedance IB1 is the load impedance of the antenna 32 of the adjustable receiver 30, which means the impedance suitable for receiving maximum energy. For example, the base impedance IB1 of the adjustable receiver 30 is 11 + 143 * j (j is a complex number, where j^2 = -1). According to one embodiment, the base impedance IB1 of the adjustable receiver 30 is applied by its controller 31 independently of the master controller 41. According to another embodiment, the base impedance IB1 of the adjustable receiver 30 is commanded by the master controller 41. In detection mode, the adjustable receiver 30 may have several base impedances, and the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30 may alternate between different base impedances. This alternation may occur without the master controller 41 commanding the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30, or alternatively, it may occur under the control of the master controller 41.

[0086] When the main antenna 42 receives the secondary wave OSa transmitted by the receiver located in the volume V and the receiver is an adjustable receiver 30, the main controller 41 can command the controller 31 of this adjustable receiver 30 to switch to interactive mode in order to help identify other receivers contained in the volume.

[0087] In interactive mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver 30 alternates between a first configured impedance IC1 and a second configured impedance IC2. For example, the first configured impedance IC1 is IB1-20j, and the second configured impedance IC2 is IB1+20j. The first configured impedance IC1 can be infinite, and the second configured impedance IC2 can be zero, low modulus, or close to zero. The impedance of the adjustable element 35 can alternate between three or more configured impedances. At least one of the first configured impedance IC1 and the second configured impedance IC2 can be the base impedance IB to enable energy recovery.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the first configured impedance IC1 and the second configured impedance IC2 are separated by a certain distance. "Separated by a certain distance" should be understood to mean that there is a distance between them, for example, on the order of at least 10. Impedance is a complex value, therefore an impedance can be considered to be separated from another impedance by a certain distance when, for example, the following conditions are met:

[0089] - Their moduli have values ​​that are spaced apart from each other, for example, the ratio between their values ​​is at least 2, and preferably at least 10 (as mentioned above), or

[0090] - Their phases are separated by a certain distance from each other, for example, at least pi / 4, and preferably greater than pi / 2, or

[0091] - The difference in modulus between the first and second impedances has a high value, for example, greater than a threshold, or greater than the modulus of the first impedance and / or greater than the modulus of the second impedance.

[0092] Many standards can be defined for the distance between impedances.

[0093] A minute change in the impedance of the adjustable component allows for a significant modification of the radiation impedance of the antenna acting as a resonator: specifically, at the fundamental frequency of this resonator, the amplitude and phase of the impedance seen by the electromagnetic wave will change dramatically via this minute change in the load impedance. Therefore, since the antenna is distributed, a small modification to its load impedance near its resonant frequency can achieve a long-distance alternation between a first configuration impedance IC1 and a second configuration impedance IC2. Furthermore, this type of resonator is quite easy to implement in a small, specifically thin, adjustable receiver 30.

[0094] According to another embodiment, the first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2 are close to the base impedance IB. "Close to" should be understood to mean that there is at most a 10 order of magnitude between them. Impedance is a complex value, so when their modulus and / or the modulus of their phase and / or the modulus of their complex difference are close to each other, an impedance is close to another impedance. The advantage of having the first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2 close to the base impedance IB is that the adjustable receiver 30 can recover energy and remain powered during interactive modes. According to one embodiment, the first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2 are close to the base impedance in the complex plane and on either side of said base impedance.

[0095] The first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2 can both be higher than the base impedance IB1, or both can be lower than the base impedance IB1, or one can be higher than the base impedance IB1 and the other can be lower than the base impedance IB1.

[0096] In the interaction mode, there are fairly frequent alternations between two or more configuration impedances. In a sense, the duration T1 of the interaction mode is an order of magnitude higher than the durations T2 and T3 of each alternation between the first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2. For example, Figure 3 To illustrate this point, in one example, the duration T1 of the interaction mode is 100ms, and the durations T2 and T3 of each alternation between the first configuration impedance IC1 and the second configuration impedance IC2 are 10ms.

[0097] Exit interactive mode

[0098] Each adjustable receiver detected by the main controller 41 and switched to interactive mode can remain in interactive mode until all receivers present in volume V are detected.

[0099] The adjustable receiver 30 can exit the interactive mode after a predetermined time period, which corresponds to a time considered sufficient to detect all receivers present in the volume V, such as tens or hundreds of milliseconds. This time period can be applied by the master controller 41, or otherwise by the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30. This time may differ for each or some receivers contained in the volume V. This time can be random.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the main controller 41 controls the adjustable receivers to exit interactive mode. The main controller 41 can command all detected adjustable receivers to exit simultaneously, or it can do so through a group of receivers.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the adjustable receiver 30 remains in interactive mode until the energy stored in this adjustable receiver is below a minimum value.

[0102] Alternation based on predefined or random sequences

[0103] According to one embodiment, the master controller 41 periodically defines adjustment parameters for the adjustable components 35 of the receiver 30, which have been detected randomly or in a predefined manner, to sweep through a set of adjustment parameter combinations. This allows for the use of various electromagnetic field scanning containers with respect to volume V. In each impedance alternation, the master controller 41 simultaneously transmits an initial wave OP to detect the receiver with this new setting. Alternatively, the master controller 41 may transmit the initial wave OP after transmitting the impedance adjustment parameters. According to a variation of this embodiment, the master controller 41 only commands the identified receivers to switch from detection mode to interactive mode, and the controller of each identified adjustable receiver 30 periodically defines adjustment parameters for its adjustable components 35 in a random manner to sweep through a set of adjustment parameter combinations.

[0104] According to another embodiment, the alternating timing is not periodic, but irregular, specified, or random.

[0105] According to another embodiment, once the adjustable receiver 30 is detected and in interactive mode, the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver is passive and the master controller 41 commands the adjustable receiver 30 to perform impedance alternation via the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the master controller 41 commands only the identified receivers to switch to interactive mode, and the controller 31 of this receiver or those receivers commands the adjustable receivers 30 to perform impedance alternation. These alternations can be pre-programmed. To this end, when the master controller 41 switches the adjustable receivers 30 to interactive mode, each controller 31 of the adjustable receivers 30 may include a memory 33 containing a programmed sequence of interactive mode impedances to be alternating (possibly with a time delay associated with the sequence or each alternation, e.g., alternating after an alternation duration of approximately a few milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds).

[0107] Based on optimized alternation

[0108] According to another embodiment, the electromagnetic field can be modified by the adjustable receiver 30, which has been switched to interactive mode, to optimize the electromagnetic field for detecting other receivers. Optimization can be achieved using several adjustable receivers 30 (detected adjustable receivers) to improve the electromagnetic field within volume V, and thus detect other receivers that were previously undetectable. The main controller 41 monitors the secondary wave OS received by the main antenna 42 (when the wave is received) and originating from the detection of the various adjustable receivers 30. Through these waves, the main controller 41 can, for example, determine reception information regarding the reception of the secondary wave OS received by its main antenna 42, such as reception level and / or reception quality.

[0109] The main controller 41 can then use the received information to estimate the value to be optimized (optimized value), which is a combination of one or more received messages.

[0110] The main controller 41 executes, for example, an optimization algorithm based on (in time) the previous parameter set, the previously estimated values, and the currently estimated values.

[0111] The optimization algorithm can maximize or minimize the estimated value, depending on the magnitude represented by that value. In one or more successive steps, the optimization algorithm can obtain the optimal set of parameters for detecting new adjustable receivers 30. At each step or at a predetermined period, the overall controller 41 applies the new set of parameters to its already identified adjustable receivers 30 and / or determines the received information for performing the next iteration. These iterations can be performed at extremely high rates, making the duration of this optimization very short compared to the number of receivers to be detected and / or identified in the volume.

[0112] The optimal parameter set makes it possible, for example, to improve the reception level of the secondary wave OS at the total antenna 42. Due to this modification of the optimized state of the adjustable components of the identified receiver, such as the first receiver 30, the propagation field of the secondary wave OS toward the total antenna 42 is improved, and receiver detection and / or identification of, for example, the second receiver 30b, which was not previously identified in the volume V, is improved or even becomes possible.

[0113] Therefore, according to one embodiment, the master controller 41 determines a set of parameters for adjusting a plurality of adjustable components of the receiver identified by the master controller 41, for example, to optimize the reception of secondary waves by the master antenna 42. Optimization involves estimates, such as estimates of the reception level and / or reception quality of the master antenna 42 for secondary waves.

[0114] Dynamic optimization

[0115] The optimization is dynamic; that is, as a new receiver is detected in volume V, the number of parameters sent by the master controller 41 to the adjustable receivers 30 to adjust the adjustable components 35 increases. Therefore, when the first adjustable receiver 30a is detected, the master controller 41 will command a change in the impedance of this adjustable receiver, and then perform the same operation for each new adjustable receiver detected. Thus, after several iterations, for example, five adjustable receivers 30 will be controlled by the master controller 41 to detect new receivers present in volume V.

[0116] For illustration, consider a first receiver 30a and a second receiver 30b existing within volume V, assuming they are initially not identified by the master controller 41. The first receiver 30a and the second receiver 30b are initially (t = t0) in detection mode, where their corresponding base impedances IBa and IBb are fixed only by their associated controllers 31a and 31b (independent of the master controller 41). In the first step, the receiver detection step, when the master antenna 42 receives the secondary wave OSa transmitted by the first receiver 30a (time t = t1), the master controller 41 detects the first receiver 30a. The master controller 41 can then add the first receiver 30a to the dynamic list L of identified receivers (see...). Figure 4 The dynamic list L can be stored in the memory of the main controller 41. The list is dynamic because it is updated in real time by adding the receivers detected by the main controller 41 to the list when a receiver is detected and the receiver switches to interactive mode.

[0117] During the third step, namely the second receiver detection step, the main antenna 42 receives the secondary wave OSb transmitted by the second receiver 30b. The main controller 41 identifies the second receiver 30b and can then add the second receiver 30b to its dynamic list L of identified receivers (time t = t2). The main controller 41 further commands the controller 31b of the second receiver 30b to switch to an interactive mode, wherein the impedance of the second adjustable receiver 30b alternates at least between a first configuration impedance IC1b and a second configuration impedance IC2b.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the first configuration impedance IC1b of the second receiver 30b is separated from the second configuration impedance IC2b of the second receiver 30b by a certain distance. "Separated by a certain distance" should be understood to mean that there is a distance between them, for example, on the order of at least 10. Impedance is a complex value, therefore an impedance can be considered to be separated from another impedance by a certain distance when, for example, the following conditions are met:

[0119] - Their moduli have values ​​that are spaced apart from each other, for example, the ratio between their values ​​is at least 2, and preferably at least 10 (as mentioned above), or

[0120] - Their phases are separated by a certain distance from each other, for example, at least pi / 4, and preferably greater than pi / 2, or

[0121] - The difference in modulus between the first and second impedances has a high value, for example, greater than a threshold, or greater than the modulus of the first impedance and / or greater than the modulus of the second impedance.

[0122] Many standards can be defined for the distance between impedances.

[0123] Optimize using previously saved parameters

[0124] According to one embodiment, the master controller 41 periodically defines adjustment parameters for the adjustable components of the detected receiver based on a previously saved table in order to sweep through a set of adjustment parameter combinations.

[0125] For example, this previously stored table can be defined by understanding the propagation of the initial wave OP within volume V through simulation or measurement in the environment of volume V. This previously stored table can be defined to ensure that the entire volume V can be scanned with predefined spatial accuracy.

[0126] Next, the master controller 41 proceeds as previously described: with each adjustment of the adjustable component of the identified receiver, the master controller 41 also controls the transmission of the initial wave OP to detect the receiver with this new setting. This process allows it to detect one or more new receivers (adjustable or non-adjustable) within the volume V. After a predefined number of combinations, this process can identify all receivers in the volume V.

[0127] Alternatively, by searching for optimal adjustment parameters for some reference adjustable receivers, the master controller 41 may periodically perform calibration of the previously saved table, for example, during predetermined time periods (within time gaps and / or on a given date of a week and / or month).

[0128] Such additional optimization can be based on the secondary OS received by the master controller 41. The master controller 41 determines reception information (reception level and / or reception quality) related to the reception of the secondary OS returned by its antenna pair. The master controller 41 then performs optimization of the set of adjustment parameters for the identified adjustable receiver 30.

[0129] Following these optimizations of the adjustment parameters used for the identified adjustable receiver, the master controller 41 infers the previously stored table using various techniques such as parametric modeling and / or interpolation techniques.

[0130] According to a variant of this embodiment, the main controller 41 commands only the identified adjustable receiver 30 to switch from detection mode to interactive mode, and the controller 31 of each receiver periodically defines adjustment parameters for the adjustable components based on a previously saved table in the memory of the receiver in question, so as to sweep through a set of adjustment parameter combinations.

[0131] Receiver - Identification

[0132] Additionally, the memory 33 of each receiver 30 may include an adjustable receiver identification code IDrr, making it possible to distinguish receivers (the identification codes are all different).

[0133] In this configuration, the master controller 41 can transmit identification information IID with impedance adjustment parameters in the master control wave transmission OCg, which makes it possible to identify the adjustable receiver 10 to which the adjustment parameters are intended. The master controller 41 thus sequentially transmits, for example, the entire set of parameters (all adjustment parameters), each adjustment parameter associated with identification information, such that the adjustable receiver 30 to which the adjustment parameters are sent is the only adjustable receiver to which the adjustment parameters in question are applied.

[0134] In the case where the adjustable receiver 30 includes multiple adjustable components and their associated antennas, the total control wave contains identification information with associated adjustment parameters to indicate each adjustable component with the expected adjustment parameters, and if the identification information is equal to its adjustable component identification code IDcr, the adjustable component controls the impedance of the associated antenna related to the adjustment parameters.

[0135] Therefore, receiver 30 may include receiving device 34 for receiving the total control wave OCg, which decodes the adjustment parameters originating from the total controller 41 contained in this total control wave OCg. The controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30 then uses the adjustment parameters to control and modify the impedance of the associated adjustable component 35.

[0136] The receiving device 34 of receiver 30 then decodes the identification information IID and adjustment parameters in the total control wave OCg. Next, if the identification information is equal to its adjustable receiver identification code IDrr, the adjustable receiver 30 controls its impedance according to the adjustment parameters (i.e., the adjustable component 35 controls the impedance of its associated antenna).

[0137] The master controller 41 may periodically transmit an initial wave OP within the volume V of container C to detect and identify receivers, and it periodically transmits a master control wave OCg within the volume V to adjust the already detected adjustable receivers 30. Each detected adjustable receiver 30 then selects the adjustment parameters intended for it.

[0138] Alternatively, the memory 33 of the adjustable receiver 30 stores a set of adjustment parameters (pre-saved and / or saved by transmission from the controller) and one (or more) read cycles associated with these adjustment parameters. This set of adjustment parameters and the read cycle are known to the master controller 41. This arrangement allows the master controller 41 to avoid systematically sending new adjustment parameters to the adjustable receivers; in other words, it reduces the need for transmission. This set of adjustment parameters and / or these read cycles may be different for each adjustable receiver 30.

[0139] According to a first variant of the master controller 41, the master controller 41 includes in its memory 43 a dynamic list L of identification codes for adjustable components or adjustable receivers (if it has only one adjustable component). This list is populated with the identification codes IDrr of the adjustable receivers identified by the system 10 to enable the transmission of identification codes for adjustable components with adjustment parameters. Each adjustable receiver 30 may periodically transmit its adjustable receiver identification code IDrr via an echo, which may be a secondary wave Osa. The master controller 41 then builds a list of adjustable receivers 30 identified in the system 10 and updates the list whenever a new receiver identification code is received. Additionally, if the master controller 41 no longer receives the identification code of an adjustable receiver 30 after a period of time exceeding the inactivation duration limit of the adjustable receiver 30, the adjustable receiver 30 can be removed from the dynamic list or deactivated (via an activity flag) in the list.

[0140] Therefore, through this dynamic operation, the main controller 41 will always use the operable or functional adjustable receiver 30. This dynamic operation also facilitates the installation of system 10, which automatically adapts to the adjustable receiver 30 present within volume V.

[0141] Additionally, according to one variant, the adjustable receiver 30 will periodically transmit its adjustable identification code IDrr only in the presence of the initial wave OP and / or the total control wave OCg originating from the antenna 42 of the controller 41, specifically:

[0142] - This is because the adjustable receiver 30 uses the energy recovery device 37 to recover energy from this wave for its operation. In the absence of energy, the adjustable receiver 30 will automatically disconnect and will not broadcast its identification code;

[0143] -Or, for this reason, the adjustable receiver 30 is designed not to transmit its identification code if it does not receive the initial wave OP or the total control wave OCg for a period of time longer than the predetermined standby time.

[0144] Receiver - Impedance Alternation Command

[0145] Impedance alternation in the identified interaction modes of the adjustable receiver 30 can be performed in different ways. According to one embodiment, an optimization algorithm iteratively determines the impedance of each adjustable component in the dynamic list L, with the goal of optimizing the electromagnetic field in the volume V.

[0146] Alternatively, the main controller 41 includes a memory that stores one or more optimal parameter sets for detecting receivers present in the volume V but not yet identified. In this way, the optimization algorithm can start its process based on one or more of the stored parameter sets, which allows for time savings in optimization and avoidance of transient effects.

[0147] Alternatively, the optimization algorithm monitors its performance and stops its optimization iterations when a stopping criterion is reached. The stopping criterion could be the identification code of a receiver that the main controller 41 has not yet recognized. Therefore, insignificant changes or fluctuations in the reception of the secondary OS can be avoided.

[0148] Finally, the above embodiments of the master controller 41 can be combined to generate a portion of the adjustment parameters through optimization of the received secondary OS, a portion of the adjustment parameters through random adjustment, and a portion of the adjustment parameters through predefined parameters within the volume V. This strategy allows for faster identification of even more receivers within the volume V.

[0149] Furthermore, in order for the receiver to receive and decode the adjustment parameters intended for it, the master controller 41 determines these adjustment parameters, for example, according to the optimization process described above for each adjustable receiver 30 contained in the system 10 (i.e., the receivers detected and listed by the master controller 41 at the time in the dynamic list L), and the master controller 41 transmits each adjustment parameter to the corresponding associated receiver when transmitting the master control wave OCg, which may or may not be the initial wave OP.

[0150] Specifically, this transmission in the control wave OC is performed by any type of encoding and / or any type of modulation in the total control wave OCg transmitted signal, which is supplied by the total controller 41 to the total antenna 42.

[0151] Alternatively, the master controller 41 can simultaneously command all adjustable receivers 30 to change their impedance, or adjust their impedance according to parameters specific to each receiver. For example, a command can be sent that depends on the identification code of each receiver ("contains or does not contain 0", "last digit is even") and modifies the impedance of each receiver according to a defined formula.

[0152] Receiver - Energy Restoration

[0153] In addition, refer to Figure 2 One or more adjustable receivers 30 may further include an energy storage device 38 adapted to store and potentially accumulate energy received by the energy recovery device 37. In this way, the adjustable receiver 30 will have greater autonomy and be able to operate continuously for a period of time determined by the capacity of the energy storage device. This energy storage device may be, for example, a capacitor, a battery, or any other energy storage device.

[0154] The energy recovery device 37 is capable of recovering energy, for example, from the initial wave OP and / or from the total control wave OCg, in order to power its receiving device 34 and / or its controller 31 and / or adjustable component 35.

[0155] Therefore, the adjustable receiver 30 can be energy-self-sufficient and also self-sufficient in adapting to its impedance. The adjustable component 35 of each adjustable receiver 30 may not require a wired connection to the controller 31 of the adjustable receiver 30 and may also have access to its energy recovery device.

[0156] Advantageously, all adjustable receivers of system 10 can each have their own energy recovery device 37 and are therefore independent of each other.

[0157] Adjustable element

[0158] Optional and refer again Figure 1 The system 10 may further include one (or more) adjustable elements 20 fixed within the volume V. The adjustable elements 20 may have impedance, which may be modified to modify the manner in which the initial wave OP is reflected and / or transmitted by each adjustable element 20 in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the adjustable receiver 30.

[0159] Adjustable elements 20 are structurally and functionally similar to adjustable receiver 30, except that they are fixed relative to volume V, always identified by the master controller 41, and always directly controlled by the master controller 41. Therefore, they are passive elements with an impedance specified by the master controller 41.

[0160] The number N of adjustable elements 20 is preferably greater than or equal to two. Optionally, the number N is greater than five, ten, or twenty to further modify the distribution of the initial wave OP within the volume V.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the total control wave OCg or initial wave OP emitted by the main controller 41 can control or drive the adjustable element 20. Therefore, the main controller 41 can simultaneously control or drive the adjustable element 20 and the adjustable receiver 30 of the system 10.

[0162] Furthermore, each adjustable element 20 includes a receiving device for receiving the total control wave OCg, which decodes adjustment parameters contained in the total control wave OCg and originating from the total controller 41. The adjustable element 20 then uses the adjustment parameters to control and modify its impedance.

[0163] The total control wave OCg can be in the same or a different frequency band as the initial wave OP. Advantageously, these waves are at different frequencies and their transmission is independent.

[0164] Furthermore, since the adjustable elements 20 are fixed to containers C in multiple different locations, the distribution of the initial wave OP within the volume V can be modified even further. The positions of the adjustable elements 20 on the containers C can be optimized to optimally cover the volume V with a minimum number of adjustable elements 20. This spatial optimization can be performed through simulation and / or measurement of the volume V. Tolerances can be added to the number of adjustable elements 20 used to improve the recognition robustness of the system 10.

[0165] Adjustable components - optimization

[0166] Adjustable elements 20 may be considered during the adjustment and / or optimization process described above for adjustable receiver 30. Since adjustable elements 20 are always identified, they can also be part of the dynamic list L.

[0167] Adjustable element – ​​energy recovery

[0168] Additionally, one, several, or all of the adjustable elements 20 (if they are part of system 10) may include an energy recovery device similar to the energy recovery device described above for adjustable receiver 30. Therefore, the adjustable elements 20 can be energy-self-sufficient and also self-sufficient in adapting to their impedance. In this case, each adjustable element 20 will not require a wired connection to the main control module, nor will it require a wired connection to the main controller 41 of this detection system 10.

[0169] Adjustable elements – spatial distribution

[0170] When present in system 10, the adjustable element 20 can be located within volume V without any wiring constraints (e.g., inside or outside container C, or on any surface of container C). This provides a great deal of freedom in placing the adjustable element 20 to optimally maximize the possibility of detecting and identifying all adjustable receivers 30 within volume V. This also makes it possible to equip container C very quickly, as it is sufficient to attach the adjustable element 20 to container C and position the main antenna 42 close to volume V.

[0171] Adjustable element 20 can be attached to container C by any attachment member. For example, adjustable element 20 can be secured to container C by adhesive, by resilient fasteners, by screws, by rivets, by interlocking, or by press-fit.

[0172] Furthermore, the adjustable element 20 advantageously has a flat shape. A portion of its circuitry is printed directly onto a substrate, for example. The substrate is made of paper, cardboard, plastic, or fabric, and has, for example, a side including an adhesive. Optionally, a portion of the circuitry includes an antenna. The adjustable element 20 may also be flexible, allowing it to bend at a radius of curvature, thus enabling it to be fixed to a non-planar surface. With these arrangements, the adjustable element 20 can be easily fixed to a large number of surfaces (planar or non-planar) of the container, allowing it to be positioned suitable for controlling the electromagnetic field within the volume V.

[0173] Non-adjustable components

[0174] The system 10 according to the invention may further include a non-adjustable element 29 fixed within a volume V having a predetermined and fixed impedance, which is adapted to modify the manner in which the initial wave OP is reflected and / or absorbed by the non-adjustable element 29.

[0175] These or other non-adjustable elements 29 are fixed to the container C at different locations. These non-adjustable elements 29 allow for uncontrolled modification of the initial wave OP distribution within the volume V.

[0176] For example, these non-adjustable elements 29 are elements that resonate in the frequency band of the initial wave OP.

[0177] For example, the non-adjustable element 29 can reflect and / or absorb the initial wave OP. This non-adjustable element can limit the initial wave OP to the volume V of the container C in order to optimize the efficiency of the adjustable element 20 and the adjustable receiver 30 within the volume V.

[0178] The position of the non-adjustable element 29 on the container C can be optimized so that the initial wave optimally covers the volume V with the minimum number of adjustable elements 20. This optimization can be performed through simulation of the volume V and / or through measurement (experimental method).

[0179] Industrial applications

[0180] The inclusion of an adjustable receiver in the system 10 allows the master controller 41 to more quickly identify other receivers present in the volume V but not yet identified. Since the adjustable receiver is identified by the master controller 41, it participates in the detection of other receivers by increasingly engaging in the modification and / or optimization of the electromagnetic field.

[0181] This system 10 has many industrial applications.

[0182] For example, in the following items:

[0183] - A piece of furniture (optionally equipped with adjustable element 20), such as storage furniture suitable for storing products, such as cabinet or shelf units, each product having an adjustable receiver attached thereto, or such as office furniture, such as a table or desk; or

[0184] - A container for the store's cash register (optionally equipped with an adjustable element 20), into which products are inserted, each product having an associated adjustable receiver 30. The system will be able to identify the products via the adjustable receivers attached to them, and the cash register will be able to issue a receipt; or

[0185] - A shopping cart (optionally equipped with an adjustable element 20) containing several purchased items, each with an associated adjustable receiver 30; or

[0186] - A bag (optionally equipped with an adjustable element 20), such as a shopping bag, and containing several items inside, each item having an adjustable receiver 30; or

[0187] - A motor vehicle, aircraft, or train (optionally equipped with adjustable element 20 and / or adjustable receiver 30) and carrying within it devices, each device having an adjustable receiver 30; or

[0188] - A room or other space (optionally equipped with adjustable elements 20), such as an industrial space like a warehouse, or a room in a residence, or a retail space in a shopping mall, having movable elements, each with an associated adjustable receiver 30; or

[0189] - Store shelves, each product equipped with an adjustable receiver 30; or

[0190] - A storage or shipping center for products that can be sold by mail order, each product being equipped with an adjustable receiver 30.

Claims

1. Method for detecting receivers, said method being implemented by a detection system (10) comprising a global antenna (42) suitable for emitting primary waves (OP) and a global controller (41) connected to said global antenna, said system comprising an adjustable receiver (30) having a receiver antenna (32) suitable for receiving said primary waves and suitable for emitting secondary waves (OS), said adjustable receiver having a receiver controller (31) connected to said receiver antenna, said receiver controller being suitable for detecting primary waves received by said receiver antenna and for commanding the emission of said secondary waves by said receiver antenna, said adjustable receiver having a modifiable impedance thus affecting the emitted secondary waves, said adjustable receiver initially being in a detection mode in which it has a base impedance (IB), said method comprising: - a receiver detection step in which, when said global antenna receives secondary waves emitted by said adjustable receiver, said adjustable receiver is detected by said global controller; - a reconfiguration step in which said global controller commands said receiver controller to switch to an interaction mode in which the impedance of said adjustable receiver alternates between a first configuration impedance (IC1) and a second configuration impedance (IC2) to detect other receivers, the duration (T1) of said reconfiguration step being higher by one order of magnitude than the duration (T2, T3) of each alternation of said first and second configuration impedances.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Said base impedance is imposed by said receiver controller independently of said global controller.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, Said first configuration impedance is said base impedance.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, Said first configuration impedance is separated from said second configuration impedance by a distance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, Said first configuration impedance and said second configuration impedance are separated from said base impedance by at most one order of magnitude in the complex plane and on either side of said base impedance, respectively.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Said adjustable receiver is a first adjustable receiver (30a), said receiver antenna (32) is a first receiver antenna, said primary waves are first primary waves, said secondary waves are first secondary waves, said receiver controller (31) is a first receiver controller, said base impedance is a first base impedance, said configuration impedances are first configuration impedances, and said system contains a second adjustable receiver (30b) having a second receiver antenna (32b) suitable for receiving said primary waves and for emitting second secondary waves (OSb) and a second receiver controller (31b) connected to said second receiver antenna, said second receiver (30) controller (31b) being suitable for controlling the emission of said second secondary waves by said second receiver antenna and for detecting primary waves received by said second receiver antenna, said second adjustable receiver having a modifiable impedance thus affecting the second secondary waves emitted by said second receiver antenna, said second adjustable receiver initially being in a detection mode in which it has a second base impedance, The method further comprises a reconfiguration step of the second receiver, wherein when the total antenna receives a secondary wave emitted by the second adjustable receiver and the controller detects the second adjustable receiver, the total controller commands the second adjustable receiver to switch to an interactive mode, wherein the impedance of the second adjustable receiver alternates between a first configuration impedance (IC2a) of the second receiver and a second configuration impedance (IC2b) of the second receiver to detect other receivers, the duration (T1b) of the reconfiguration step of the second adjustable receiver being one order of magnitude higher than the duration (T2b, T3b) of each alternation of the first and second configuration impedances of the second receiver.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first configuration impedance of the second receiver is a second base impedance of the second receiver.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first configuration impedance of the second receiver is separated from the second configuration impedance of the second receiver by a distance.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first configuration impedance of the second receiver and the second configuration impedance of the second receiver are respectively separated from a base impedance in the complex plane by at most one order of magnitude and are respectively on either side of the base impedance.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein, The alternation of the configuration impedances of the second receiver in the interactive mode is determined by an optimization algorithm or by a predefined series of impedance values.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein, The alternation of the configuration impedances of the second receiver in the interactive mode is performed at irregular non-periodic instants.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein, The total controller determines the alternation of the configuration impedances of the second receiver in the interactive mode.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein, The total controller commands the switch to the interactive mode of the identified receivers and the controllers of these identified adjustable receivers determine the alternation of the configuration impedances while in the interactive mode.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the interactive mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between a plurality of configuration impedances.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein, The adjustable receiver comprises a plurality of adjustable components and associated antennas, and wherein: - the total controller commands the total antenna to emit a total control wave containing identification information and associated adjustment parameters to represent each adjustable component for which the adjustment parameters are intended, and - if the identification information is equal to the identifier (IDcr) of its adjustable component, the adjustable component controls the impedance of the associated antenna related to the adjustment parameters.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The system further comprises an adjustable element (20) connected to the total antenna and, in the receiver detection step, the total controller also modifies the impedance of the adjustable element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The total controller simultaneously modifies the impedance of the adjustable element and the impedance of the identified adjustable receivers according to values determined by an optimization algorithm.

18. Receiver detection system (10) comprising: - an adjustable receiver (30), - a total antenna (42) suitable for emitting a primary wave (OP) and suitable for receiving, in response to receiving the primary wave, a secondary wave (OS) emitted by the adjustable receiver, - a global controller (41) connected to the global antenna, the global controller being suitable for commanding the emission of the primary wave and for detecting the adjustable receiver by means of the secondary wave received by the global antenna, characterized in that the adjustable receiver further comprises: - a receiver antenna (32) suitable for emitting the secondary wave; - a receiver controller (31) connected to the receiver antenna, the receiver controller being suitable for commanding the emission of the secondary wave by the receiver antenna and for detecting the primary wave received by the receiver antenna, the adjustable receiver having a modifiable impedance so as to modify the way in which the receiver antenna reflects and / or transmits the primary wave as a secondary wave, the system being configured so that when the global controller detects the adjustable receiver, the global controller commands the receiver controller to switch from a detection mode to an interaction mode, - in the detection mode, the adjustable receiver has a base impedance (IB), - in the interaction mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver alternates between a first configuration impedance (IC1) and a second configuration impedance (IC2) to detect other receivers, the duration (T1) of the interaction mode being higher by an order of 10 than the duration (T2, T3) of each alternation of the first and second configuration impedances.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein, The first configuration impedance is the base impedance.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein, The first configuration impedance is separated from the second configuration impedance by a distance.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein, The alternation of the configuration impedances in the interaction mode is determined by an optimization algorithm or by a predefined series of impedance values.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein, The alternation of the configuration impedances in the interaction mode is performed at irregular aperiodic instants.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein, The global controller is suitable for commanding the alternation of the configuration impedances in the interaction mode of the adjustable receiver.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein, The global controller is suitable for commanding the switch to the interaction mode of the identified adjustable receiver and the controller of the identified adjustable receiver is suitable for commanding the alternation of the configuration impedances when in the interaction mode.

25. Adjustable receiver (30) comprising: - an antenna (32) suitable for emitting a secondary wave (OS) in response to the reception of a primary wave (OP) and suitable for receiving a global control wave; and - a controller (31) connected to the antenna, the controller being suitable for commanding the emission of the secondary wave and for detecting the received primary wave and the global control wave, the adjustable receiver having a modifiable impedance thus affecting the emitted secondary wave, the adjustable receiver having a detection mode and an interaction mode, the adjustable receiver switching from the detection mode to the interaction mode according to the received global control wave, - in the detection mode, the adjustable receiver has a base impedance (IB), and - in the interaction mode, the impedance of the adjustable receiver is suitable for alternating between a first configuration impedance (IC1) and a second configuration impedance (IC2) to detect other receivers, the duration (T1) of the interaction mode being higher by an order of 10 than the duration (T2, T3) of each alternation of the first and second configuration impedances.

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