Logistic tracking method and logistic tracking beacon

Abstract

The invention relates to the logistic tracking of the transportation and delivery of products subject to strict operational rules. The compliance with the operational rules is continuously monitored and any deviation from these rules is signaled in real time to the person in charge of the logistics, who may then possibly take emergency corrective measures or reroute the product to another destination. This is enabled by an autonomous beacon which is in reciprocal wireless communication and is remote from the person in charge.

Description

[0001]Logistics Tracking Method and Tag The invention relates to the field of logistics, and in particular the transport and delivery of products subject to strict operational rules. International logistics circuits involve complex methods for tracking products. Indeed, these can be transported in a multimodal manner and cross borders. Customs can retain certain products for inspection, deadlines are uncertain, etc. This tracking is even more complex when the products are "sensitive", that is to say they have a short expiry date or they must be kept in a regulated atmosphere, as may be the case for agri-food products, they must be kept in particular conditions of temperature, humidity, light, etc. as may be the case for medical or pharmaceutical products or works of art, or they have an exceptional value,such as currencies or precious metals. There are logistics tracking tags or trackers that accompany the products and allow them to be geolocated. These tags are designed to send geolocation information to the logistician responsible for tracking, at regular intervals (cadence), using Bluetooth, CAT-M1 or NB-IoTioT technologies. However, these technologies are not uniformly used across the globe and some territories are therefore not covered by these tags. In addition, these technologies are not always authorized in air transport because of the interference they can cause with the aircraft's onboard systems, and current tags stop all transmission in flight. These tags can also carry probes to monitor, for example, the temperature of the product during transport, this information being stored in an internal memory of the tag and transferred to the logistician, for information purposes,as soon as possible. Upon arrival at the destination, the information is extracted from the memory and then analyzed before determining whether the transport conditions complied with the operational rules, i.e. the constraints applicable to the product to guarantee its integrity, i.e. conservation, quality, etc. For example, the transport of a vaccine may require that the temperature be maintained at -20°C throughout the transport for the batch to be released. Only a qualified technician can authorize this release. The information from the tag, once extracted, must be transmitted to the pharmacist, who must study it and authorize or not the release of the batch. As a result, the batch is stored at the destination for several days or even weeks before being released. The probability that there was a problem during transport is quite high, and if the batch is not released, it will have to be rerouted to another destination for destruction,which implies a new logistics mission. The applicant therefore deemed it necessary to develop a beacon which makes it possible to overcome, at least in part, these problems. Solution of the invention To this end, the invention relates to a method for logistical monitoring of the transport of a product subject to operational rules to a destination using a beacon equipped with at least one transmitting antenna and one signal receiving antenna and at least one probe for measuring a parameter of the operational rules, said operational rules defining compliance values ​​for said parameter, method according to which: - An operator enters the operational rules and the destination of the product in the beacon; - The beacon is placed with the product; - The product is transported with the beacon to its destination; - during transport,o the beacon emits a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate to the operator; o the probe continuously measures the operational rules parameter and, o if the operational rules parameter deviates or will deviate from the predefined compliance values, the beacon emits an alert signal to the operator. The possibility of combining an alert signal for deviation of the operational rules parameter with a more conventional timed notification makes it possible to slow down this rate to reduce the energy consumption of the battery and increase its autonomy accordingly. The alert signal is emitted independently of the timed signal, and preferably immediately, that is to say as soon as the deviation is detected or about to occur. This also allows the operator to be warned almost in real time of a problem on the product and to possibly take action to remedy the problem. Advantageously,the predetermined rate can be modified during transport. A deviation from the operational rules will occur if the measured parameter approaches a limit of the predefined compliance values ​​in such a way that it is no longer technically possible for the deviation to stop before crossing this limit. For example, the measured temperature increases at a given rate, according to a curve having a slope such that an inflection of the slope, even if it occurred, would not allow it to remain within the compliance temperature range. Advantageously, when the operator receives an alert signal, he can remotely enter a new destination on the beacon. This means that the beacon is not only able to emit signals, but also to receive them, unlike known beacons. The operator enters the operational rules in the beacon manually or automatically,for example using an airway bill. To enter the operational rules and the destination of the product in the beacon, the operator preferably uses a web interface. In some cases, it may be necessary to physically turn on the beacon beforehand, for example by pressing an "on" button located on the beacon, or to activate the beacon remotely. The web interface is preferably connected wirelessly to the beacon. However, if there is a lack of network, this connection can possibly be made wired, for example via a USB cable. The beacon and the operator are preferably in reciprocal communication, that is to say that the beacon can transmit and receive information to and from the operator. Preferably,The wireless connection uses at least the 4G network. This 4G network is available almost uniformly across the globe and therefore allows reciprocal communication between the operator and the beacon everywhere. The wireless connection can be supported by other complementary networks, for example when the beacon is located in buildings outside the range of the 4G network. This can then be the LoRa network, Bluetooth or any other suitable network. The web interface allows the operator to define the transport parameters, such as the product's departure point and destination, operational rules. It can also be used to define the product's route (road, air, etc.). The product's departure point may be different from the operator's location. Indeed, the operator is generally an employee of the logistics company in charge of transport,not from the product manufacturer. It must therefore first send the tag on which the operational rules and the destination of the product are indicated to the product's departure location. Generally, the logistics company also provides the product packaging, which may be specific to the product, for example a negative temperature pharmaceutical transport box, a sealed container for placing a product in an inert atmosphere, etc. Before it can be placed with the product, it may therefore be necessary to transport the tag to the product's departure location. The operational rules are the constraints to which the product to be transported must be subjected throughout the transport. This may, for example, be a temperature or temperature range, a humidity level or humidity range, exposure or absence of exposure to certain lights, absence of exposure to X-rays,an absence of shock defined by a maximum permissible acceleration, a rate or a range of rates of presence of a certain gas, or the absence of a gas, the absence of opening of the package containing the product, the non-deviation beyond a certain angle of the product with respect to a particular direction, for example horizontal or vertical, a separation of a part of the batch and / or its movement to an unauthorized geolocation, etc. The parameters to be measured to monitor these operational rules are for example the temperature, the humidity rate, the light, the acceleration, the rate of oxygen, CO2 or other gas, the position... The transport of the product associated with the tag (the tag is for example in a product transport container, such as a box transporting a batch of the product) can involve several successive modes of transport. The product can for example be transported by truck, to a transhipment platform to a train,a ship or an airplane. It usually ends its journey again in a truck. The product can cross borders. During transport, the tag emits a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate to the operator, for example via the 4G network. The signal can be tracked by the operator on the web interface. The signal can, for example, be sent every 15 minutes, or every 30 minutes, or more sporadically. The frequency or rate may depend on the expected duration of transport depending on the autonomy of the battery powering the tag. The signal preferably includes at least the geolocation of the product. In parallel, the probe continuously measures the parameter of the operational rules. The tag can include several probes,each measuring a different parameter. The tag is preferably equipped with a microprocessor to compile the parameters and compare them in real time with the operational rules to calculate a possible deviation. If the parameter of the operational rules deviates from the predefined compliance values, that is to say if the embedded microprocessor calculates a deviation of one or more parameters, the tag emits an alert signal to the operator, for example via the 4G network. The alert signal is preferably emitted as soon as the deviation is detected, that is to say within seconds or minutes following detection. This alert and error anticipation signal constitutes the essence of the invention. The operator can then, for example, trigger a corrective action if this is possible. For example, in the event of detection of a temperature that is too high for a low-temperature product, if it is in an intermediate warehouse,It may be possible to intervene within minutes to add ice or move the product to a cold room to avoid losing the product. Alternatively, the operator can intervene to cancel the delivery if the product is no longer compliant, and re-route the product to a destruction site. This results in a real saving of time and money. At the end of the transport, the recipient takes possession of the product and the associated tag. Advantageously, the tag issues, preferably instantly, to the recipient a certificate of conformity or non-conformity of the product taking into account the transport parameters. The tag can for example be equipped with a screen on which will be displayed, provided that the destination has been reached,a code to immediately retrieve a certificate of conformity online. The certificate of conformity is preferably validated by the competent authorities. Since compliance with operational rules has been monitored and controlled in real time throughout transport, it is not necessary to have the transport parameters history analyzed and validated by a competent operator. The product can be released directly, and does not have to be stored while waiting for confirmation of release. In the absence of a screen, the tag can be equipped with another means of issuing the certificate of conformity, for example an NFC chip connectable to a smartphone, or issue the certificate to the recipient via the 4G network. After release of the product, or if the product is not compliant, the tag can similarly issue instructions for the return of the tag,and possibly the box or packaging of the product. The recipient can then take the necessary steps to have the entity in charge of logistics retrieve the tag and possibly the box. Frequently, it is not a question of transporting one product, but a set of products to the same destination, for example several boxes, each containing a batch of the same type of product. It is then essential to monitor compliance with the operational rules for each product. It is therefore necessary to associate a tag with each product. However, it is not necessary for each tag to communicate with the operator. The method of the invention allows the logistical monitoring of the transport of several products subject to operational rules to a destination using a set of tags equipped with at least one signal transmission and reception antenna and at least one probe for measuring a parameter of the operational rules,said operational rules defining compliance values ​​for said parameter, method according to which: - An operator enters in each tag the operational rules and the destination of the product that it must follow; - The operator defines, among the tags, a main tag and secondary tags, the main tag being placed in wireless communication with the secondary tags; - Each tag is placed with the product that it must follow; - The products with their tags are transported to their destination; - during transport, o the main tag emits a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate to the operator; o the probes of each tag continuously measure the parameter of the operational rules and, if the parameter of the operational rules of a product deviates from the predefined compliance values,the beacon emits an alert signal to the main beacon which relays it to the operator. This creates a hierarchy of probes, which can include several levels, for example per box, pallet of boxes, truck. The flow of data to be transmitted and received is thus limited and more easily managed at the level of the telecommunications networks. It is organized and simpler to analyze by the logistician. Preferably, the secondary probes also emit a proximity signal to the main beacon. This signal makes it possible, for example, to detect a theft or a breach in the integrity of a pallet, or a grouped shipment. The invention also relates to a beacon for logistics monitoring of the transport of a product subject to operational rules comprising at least one signal transmission and reception antenna and at least one probe for measuring a parameter of the operational rules connected to a microcontroller arranged to: - receive,via the antenna, the operational rules defining compliance values ​​of the parameter measurable by the probe, - control the emission, via the antenna, of a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate; - continuously receive from the probe measures the measured parameter, - determine if this parameter deviates from predefined compliance values, and - control the emission, via the antenna, of a deviation alert signal. This autonomous beacon equipped with a microcontroller makes it possible to exchange geolocation information and information on transport conditions, in a timed manner and in real time in the event of non-compliance, via an alert signal. This allows greater responsiveness in the logistics circuit. The signal transmission and reception antenna is to be understood as a wireless telecommunications antenna. The antenna can be composed of several separate elements,for the same transmission-reception technology and / or for several different technologies. Preferably, the signal transmission and reception antenna comprises a 4G antenna (dual antenna required for this technology). The measurement probe may be a temperature or humidity probe, a light sensor (visible, UV, etc.), an accelerometer, a dosimeter, a gas detection probe, a gyroscope and / or a sound level meter. Preferably, the beacon comprises at least one temperature probe. The microcontroller is understood in its general sense well known to those skilled in the art. It is an integrated circuit that brings together the essential elements: processor, memories (read-only memory and RAM), peripheral units and input-output interfaces. Microcontrollers are characterized by low power consumption. Compared to electronic systems based on microprocessors and other separate components, microcontrollers make it possible to reduce the size,Power consumption and product cost. Microcontrollers are frequently used in embedded systems. The components of the beacon are preferably enclosed in a housing to protect the components. The housing is preferably made of impact-resistant materials. The beacon includes a power supply battery. The operational flow of transport makes it possible to optimize the energy required to operate the beacon(s) and to reduce the power and battery size required. This is particularly interesting for air transport. Indeed, IATA standards set strict limits on the batteries that can be carried,these being considered as dangerous goods and likely to create interference with in-flight navigation systems. The beacon of the invention complies with IATA standards and can remain operational in flight. The beacon may include one or more external connection ports from the microcontroller to an additional probe. This may for example be an additional temperature probe to supplement the temperature range covered by the probe integrated in the beacon, or a probe specific to the product transported and which is not included by default in the beacon. The beacon may also include a screen connected to the microprocessor. The screen may for example display the status of the beacon, the battery charge level, the value of the parameter measured by the probe(s), the transport compliance status, etc. After receipt of the package,it can also display an access code to the certificate of conformity or non-conformity of the product taking into account the transport parameters. This could be, for example, a barcode, a QR code, a series of numbers, or any other type of code. The screen can also display the information necessary for the return of the tag and / or the packaging. The tag can then include buttons to navigate through the menus and / or information displayed on the screen. The tag can include an NFC chip and / or an RFID chip, connected to the microcontroller. This chip allows, for example, to save the last known status of the tag, for example in the event of discharge of the batteries, and to retrieve this information. It serves as a sort of "black box" for the tag. The tag can also include external connection ports, such as a USB port,for battery search and / or wired information exchange between the beacon and an external computer system. The invention will be better understood with the help of the description of several embodiments detailed in the examples below. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beacon of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the beacon of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram of the operational flow of logistical monitoring of the transport of a product according to the method of the invention. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a beacon 1 for logistical monitoring of the transport of a product subject to operational rules comprises an antenna 2 for transmitting and receiving a signal, here a 4G signal, it is therefore a double antenna, fixed on a printed circuit support 3. A temperature measuring probe 4, a screen 5 and a microcontroller 6 are also fixed on the printed circuit support 3. The antenna 2,the probe 4 and the screen 5 are connected by tracks (identified by solid lines in figure 2) for electrical connection to the microcontroller 6. The integrated circuit is inserted in a two-part housing: a lower part 10a and an upper part 10b. The integrated circuit 3 is inserted in the lower part 10a of the housing, which forms a box. Additional tracks extend on the integrated circuit, from the microcontroller 6 towards the edge of the integrated circuit 3 to connect respectively a USB port 7,an external connection port 8 and a power button 9 housed on an edge of the lower part of the housing 10a. The upper part 10b of the housing is shaped to close the housing. It includes an opening 11 intended to be superimposed on the screen 5 to allow the screen to be read. A battery (not shown) is arranged under the printed circuit 3 and is connected to power all the elements. The beacon shown in Figures 1 and 2 is simple in its design for reasons of clarity of the illustration, but it can include multiple sensors, probes, antennas, etc. inside in a non-visible manner or on the surface of the housing,such as a presence sensor or a light sensor. The screen shown here is not an essential feature but a design option. The shape and design of the housing are only possible representations and any other suitable configuration can be imagined. The beacon having been illustrated,The logistics tracking method of the invention will now be described in relation to Figure 3. The following vocabulary is used: The Operator is the operator of the logistics company in charge of managing the transport of the product and its monitoring by the beacon during the journey; Fleet Manager: the web application allowing the operator of the logistics company to manage the beacons and to view the data sent by or to them; The product is the object to be tracked with the beacon; The packaging is the container in which the product and the beacon are inserted; The example below illustrates the shipment of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products. The logistics company receives, for example, a request 30 to transport from a starting point A to a destination B three batches of vaccines that must be kept between -18°C and -20°C. To begin, the operator opens 301 the Fleet manager. He can view the beacons at his disposal,for example, tags with a charged battery that are not already in use. He selects one 31 and associates 302 this tag with one of the batches that he must transport. This "association" can, for example, be done automatically if the batch characteristics have been loaded into the Fleet Manager. The batch characteristics include, for example, its identifiers, as well as the operational rules to be respected, i.e. here a temperature that must be between -18°C and -20°C, and the destination information. In this way, the operator enters the operational rules 32 and the destination 33 of the product in the Fleet Manager first. In the same way, he can associate two other tags with the other two batches that he must transport. Concretely,These three batches will be transported in insulated boxes. He can then create a substructure where he defines the first beacon as the main beacon and the other two beacons as secondary beacons. Thus, the secondary beacons will communicate with the Fleet Manager via the main beacon. The operator can also specify the frequency or rate at which he wishes to receive geolocation information, for example every 30 minutes. The operator then physically takes the beacon 301 and turns it on, for example by pressing the on button. If the beacon has a screen,it can indicate for example a status "U" or "unconfigured". The tag then connects 304 to the Fleet Manager via the telecommunications network and receives the operational rules and then switches to "C" or "configured" mode. The operational rules information can appear on the screen as well as the information on the contents of the packaging and its destination. The packaging and the tag are then sent 305 to the starting point, so that the product can be placed in the packaging under operational conditions, i.e. between -18°C and -20°C, as well as the tag. When the measured temperature is consistent with the desired temperature for transport, the tag 31 switches to "R" or "Ready" mode. This is visible in the Fleet Manager, and can also be on the screen. The carrier can then take charge 306 of the package which includes the three packages each containing the product and the tag assigned to them,the tags switch to “T” or “tracking” mode (only the tag 31 is illustrated in Figure 3 for clarity). During transport 307, the main tag 31 emits a geolocation signal 34 at the predetermined rate, here every 30 minutes, to the operator via the Fleet Manager. The probe of each tag measures the temperature 35 continuously. This temperature can optionally be relayed to the Fleet Manager at the same rate as the geolocation. If the temperature measured by a tag deviates from the predefined compliance range, this tag emits an alert signal 36, either to the main tag which then relays it if it is a secondary tag, or directly to the Fleet Manager to the operator. Indeed, during transport,The secondary beacons are in communication with the primary beacon, which acts as a relay. The status of the beacon where the temperature deviation occurs changes to "X" mode. When the package arrives close to destination B, the Fleet Manager can inform the recipient so that they prepare to receive the product. When the package arrives at its destination, the beacons change to "D" or "Delivery" status. The beacons are extracted 308 from the packaging by the recipient. If the beacons have a screen, this screen can indicate the "compliant" or "non-compliant" status so that the recipient can quickly identify the products they can take charge of and the products they may need to destroy. The screen can also display a QR code that allows the recipient to immediately download the certificate of conformity associated with the product. All transport information and any deviations having been transmitted almost in real time to the Fleet Manager,there is no need to extract them from the beacon for analysis by a competent professional. The compliant product can be immediately released. Alerts can be generated by the beacon for events other than temperature deviation, which will also have been defined as operational rules. For example, if a secondary beacon is moved away from the main beacon beyond an acceptable distance, if the packaging is opened (presence or light detection), if too strong a shock has been perceived, etc., an alert can also be issued. Once the packaging has been emptied of its contents, it can be returned 309 to the logistics company or to the starting point of a new package. The beacon can then switch to "B" or "returning" mode. Preferably, generally speaking, only the Fleet Manager operator can turn the beacon on or off. If the battery were to fail, or for any other reason,An NFC chip housed in the tag could save part of the transport data, at least for example the last "status" of the tag, to be retrieved and analyzed later. If in a package, all the products were to be non-compliant, well before their final destination, the operator could enter a new destination in the Fleet Manager, for example a destination where the products could be destroyed. Thus, part of the transport could be saved.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on March 21, 2024 (21.03.2024) 1. Method for logistical monitoring of the transport of several products subject to operational rules using a set of autonomous beacons each equipped with at least one signal transmission and reception antenna and at least one probe for measuring a parameter of the operational rules, method according to which: The operator enters in each tag the operational rules and the destination of the product that it must follow; The operator defines, among the beacons, a main beacon and secondary beacons, the main beacon being placed in wireless communication with the secondary beacons; Each tag is placed with the product it is to track; The products are transported with their tags to their destination; during transport, o the main tag emits a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate to the operator; o the probes of each tag continuously measure the parameter of the operational rules and, if the parameter of the operational rules of a product deviates from the predefined compliance values, the tag emits an alert signal to the main tag which relays it to the operator. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 2. Method according to claim 1, according to which, to enter the operational rules and the destination of the product in the tag, the operator uses a web interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the web interface is wirelessly connected to the beacon.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, according to which the beacon and the operator are in reciprocal communication via a wireless connection.

5. Method according to claim 4 wherein the wireless connection uses at least the 4G network. 6 Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which, when the operator receives an alert signal, he remotely enters a new destination on the beacon.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the operational rules comprise a temperature, a temperature range, a humidity level, a range of humidity levels, exposure to a defined light, an absence of exposure to a defined light, an absence of exposure to X-rays, an absence of shock defined by a maximum permissible acceleration, a rate or a range of rates of presence of a certain gas, the absence of a gas, the absence of opening of the package containing the product, the non-deviation beyond a certain angle of the product with respect to a particular direction, for example horizontal or vertical and / or a maximum level of sound exposure.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) one parameter of the operational rules includes at least the temperature.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which, when it has arrived at its destination, the tag issues a certificate of conformity or non-conformity of the product taking into account the transport parameters.

10. Logistical tracking beacon for the transport of a product subject to operational rules comprising at least one signal transmission and reception antenna and at least one probe for measuring a parameter of the operational rules connected to a microcontroller arranged to: receive, via the antenna, the operational rules defining compliance values ​​of the parameter measurable by the probe, control the transmission, via the antenna, of a geolocation signal at a predetermined rate; - continuously receive the measured parameter from the probe, determine whether this parameter deviates from predefined conformity values, and control the transmission, via the antenna, of a deviation alert signal.

11. Beacon according to claim 10, the measuring probe of which comprises at least one temperature probe, one humidity probe, one light sensor, one accelerometer, one dosimeter, one gas detection probe, one gyroscope and / or one sound level meter, and preferably at least one temperature probe.

12. Beacon according to one of claims 10 and 11, further comprising one or more external connection ports. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 13. Beacon according to one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a screen connected to the microprocessor.

14. Tag according to one of claims 10 to 13, comprising an NFC chip and / or an RFID chip, connected to the microcontroller. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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