Tracing device

Abstract

Tracing Device Tracing Device (1) comprising: An electronic tracing circuit including a printed circuit board (11), One or more batteries (12a, 12b), the battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, the device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device to a cylindrical receiving surface (C) of revolution, of outer diameter D, and a convex outer face, defining with the inner face a thickness e of the device, this thickness e being less than or equal to 2D / 3 Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tracing device technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to anti-theft tracking devices. Previous technique

[0002] A tracking device, also called a "tracker", suitable for geolocating various objects in order to track them in case of theft or to highlight trafficking, and in particular of cigarette packs, is known from patent EP3286741B1.

[0003] Furthermore, telecommunications operators experience numerous cable thefts on their local loop networks, with consequences for service quality and technician workload. These cables are often laid in hard-to-reach environments, such as underground tunnels or buried conduits, which are susceptible to flooding, subject to vibrations from road traffic, and where intense magnetic fields are sometimes present.

[0004] To date, there is no truly satisfactory solution enabling the detection of theft of these cables quickly enough to intervene to arrest the thieves and recover the cables before they are transformed, in particular to recover the copper.

[0005] In particular, no known tracing device is used, to the applicant's knowledge, for monitoring cables or conduits by telecommunications operators or manufacturers of conduits or cables. Description of the invention

[0006] There is therefore a need to reduce the theft of cables or pipes and the invention aims to address this need. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention thus relates to a tracing device, comprising: - An electronic tracing circuit comprising a printed circuit board, - One or more batteries, the battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, - the device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device onto a cylindrical receiving surface of revolution, of outer diameter D, and a convex outer face, defining with the inner face a thickness e of the device, this thickness e being less than or equal to 2D / 3

[0008] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to geolocate a cable or pipe on which the tracking device is attached, and thus to detect thefts and to intervene quickly to intercept the perpetrators.

[0009] When installed on a cable, the tracing device, due to its shape and relatively thin profile, can be easily concealed between the cable and the sheathing typically used to protect the connections between successive cable sections. Thus, the device is not easily detectable by thieves, particularly if this sheathing consists of adhesive tape of the same color as the cable or conduit.

[0010] Preferably, the device is arranged to allow its deformation around preferred deformation lines located respectively between the printed circuit board and a battery or between two batteries. This flexibility allows it to easily adapt to different cable or conduit diameters.

[0011] The invention is particularly suitable for cables or conduits with a diameter D greater than or equal to 20mm, preferably with D between 20 and 50mm.

[0012] Preferably, e is less than or equal to D / 2. In particular, e < 15mm, better e < 12mm, even better e < 0mm.

[0013] The length of the device can be between 50 and 100 mm. This allows for relatively high capacity batteries while maintaining a reduced thickness.

[0014] The electronic circuit and batteries are advantageously encapsulated in a flexible resin. Such encapsulation can provide a level of IP68 protection.

[0015] The battery or batteries may be LiPo batteries.

[0016] Preferably, the electronic circuit does not include a battery charging circuit. This reduces power consumption in standby mode and thus extends the device's operating time. A charging circuit is defined as a specialized electronic circuit that is powered by a voltage source and manages the charging of one or more batteries based on changes in the voltage across their terminals. In some embodiments, the concave inner face extends angularly over more than 180° around the axis around which it is curved. The device is elastically deformable and arranged to snap onto the receiving surface. The concave inner face can, in particular, extend over an angle between 240° and 300°.

[0017] As mentioned above, the device advantageously comprises a flexible resin encapsulating at least partially the electronic circuit and the battery or batteries.

[0018] The flexible resin can totally cover, at least on their radially external side, the battery or batteries and / or the printed circuit board of the electronic tracing circuit.

[0019] The flexible resin is advantageously the same color as the cable or conduit, in particular black. This makes it easier to conceal the device.

[0020] The device may comprise at least two batteries, the resin encapsulation having at least one groove between each pair of adjacent batteries or between a battery and the board. Each groove preferably opens on the radially outer side.

[0021] The device may include a charging connector, preferably encapsulated in a resin or varnish. The contacts of this charging connector are insulated from the external environment by the resin or varnish. The resin or varnish is removed when it is necessary to recharge the battery or batteries, and the seal can then be re-established with a fresh coat of resin or varnish. This has the advantage of being more compact than a conventional sealed connector with a cap, and allows the device to be easily concealed within the required space.

[0022] The charging connector may have at least three terminals, including two charging terminals to be connected to a charge management circuit external to the device, and at least one control terminal for an electronic switch arranged to electrically isolate at least one of said charging terminals when no control potential is applied to it. This makes it possible to isolate the DC bus to which the batteries are connected from the outside outside of charging periods, thus limiting electrical losses and corrosion at the connector contacts, particularly if the external environment is humid and the contacts are poorly insulated from this external environment.

[0023] The device may include a flexible printed circuit board onto which the battery or batteries are soldered. The printed circuit board of the tracing circuit may be a rigid board connected to this flexible circuit.

[0024] The flexible printed circuit board may have a side without electrical traces, at least partially visible, on the side of the inner face of the device facing said cylindrical surface. This contributes to giving the device a reduced thickness.

[0025] The connector can be defined as an extension of the flexible circuit, in particular folded back on itself. Alternatively, the connector is attached and fixed to said printed circuit board, extending from it.

[0026] The device may include a processor executing a program providing at least one of the following functionalities, and preferably all of the following functionalities: The recording in an internal memory of the device of data, in particular of events relating to a flight scenario, before transmission to a central server, in particular in the absence of the possibility of connecting the device with a gateway or a cellular network, among the data recorded in the memory preferably including the value of the measured acceleration, radio frequency environment data, in particular Bluetooth, the possibility or not of obtaining a geolocation position by satellites within a given time period, the battery voltage, the temperature, the magnetic environment, the ability to communicate with the central server, the date and the time; Delayed retrieval, when the connection with a gateway or with a cellular network allows it, of information recorded in memory; Managing the transitions between sleep and active modes, with certain actions preferably only performed if the energy level in the battery or batteries allows it, including downloading an update, with certain peripherals preferably not being activated simultaneously, in order to limit the current drawn from the battery or batteries, in particular the satellite and cellular geolocation modules not being activated simultaneously; The modification of a communication frequency with the central server, depending on the state of charge of the battery or batteries, this frequency being preferably decreased when the state of charge of the battery or batteries falls below a predefined threshold; The detection of failed cellular communications; the processor preferentially stops communication attempts or reduces their frequency when this detection occurs and the network environment does not change, particularly when the network remains the same, with the same signal strength and / or the same device position. The filtering of data from an accelerometer, in order to prevent the device from waking from sleep mode in the event of movement such as vibrations, not resembling a theft or attempted theft; the filtering preferably discriminates the accelerometer signal according to its duration, amplitude and a profile of the evolution of the amplitude as a function of time, so that as long as the detected movement is not analyzed as corresponding to a theft or attempted theft, the device remains in a sleep state and does not seek to communicate immediately with the central server; In the event of detection of a movement validated as corresponding to a theft or attempted theft, particularly due to the intensity of the acceleration

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[0036] measured, and / or the repetition of acceleration peaks exceeding a given threshold, the activation of the satellite geolocation module; - Recording the device's data to create one or more data frames stored in memory before their transmission to the central server. The invention also relates to a range of tracing devices, in particular as defined above, each device in the range comprising: - An electronic tracing circuit comprising a printed circuit board, - One or more batteries, the battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, - the device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device onto a cylindrical receiving surface of revolution, of outer diameter D, - an encapsulation resin whose molding gives the device its final shape at rest, Since the printed circuit boards of the various devices in the range are the same, the range includes at least two devices adapted to different diameters D, in particular the range including four devices whose encapsulation resin makes them suitable for snap-fit ​​attachment to cylindrical surfaces with respective diameters D between: 40 and 50mm, or better yet 45 and 47mm, 30 and 37 mm, better 32 and 35 mm 22 and 27 mm; better yet, 24 and 26 mm 15 and 21mm, better 19 and 20.5mm. The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a tracing device comprising: - An electronic tracing circuit comprising a printed circuit board, - One or more batteries, the battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, - the device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device on a cylindrical receiving surface of revolution, of outer diameter D, the concave inner face extending angularly over more than 180° around the axis around which this inner face is curved, the device being elastically deformable and arranged to be fixed by snapping onto the receiving surface.

[0037] The concave inner face can in particular extend over an angle between 240 and 300°.

[0038] Such a device allows it to be easily attached to the cable or pipe to be monitored, by elastic deformation.

[0039] The invention also relates to a tracing system, comprising: - One or more tracking devices according to the invention, as defined above, - One or more gateways, each arranged to receive data from at least one tracking device and communicate with a remote server connected via the Internet to one or more terminals.

[0040] The invention further relates to a method for protecting against theft of a pipe or cable, in which a tracing device according to the invention, as defined above, is fixed to the pipe or cable by pressing its inner face against the cylindrical surface of the pipe or cable, and preferably the device is activated by bringing a magnet near a magnetic sensor of the device, in particular a Hall effect sensor, the device being arranged to activate when the magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field corresponding to the proximity of the magnet. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0042] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] schematically and partially represents, in perspective, an example of a tracing device equipping a cable or conduit to be protected,

[0043] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a simplified sectional view of the device,

[0044] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view of the device of the [Fig.1],

[0045] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial longitudinal section of the device,

[0046] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a detail of [Fig.4],

[0047] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic and partial perspective view of a variant of realization, showing in transparency certain constituent elements of the device,

[0048] [Fig.7] the [Fig.7] is a cross-section of the device of the [Fig.6],

[0049] [Fig.8] The figure represents an example of a terminal isolation stage power supply to the electrical connector,

[0050] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a block diagram of the electronic circuit, and

[0051] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 represents an example of a tracing system. Description of the implementation methods

[0052] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an example of a tracing device 1 according to the invention, arranged on a cable or conduit C, of ​​outside diameter D.

[0053] The device 1 has a concave inner face capable of substantially conforming to the cylindrical shape of revolution of the underlying cable or conduit C, typically with a diameter greater than 20mm.

[0054] The device 1 comprises a flexible support 10, for example a flexible printed circuit board, an electronic circuit 11 which has, for example, its own flexible or rigid printed circuit board, and one or more batteries, in this case two batteries 12a and 12b arranged, for example, as illustrated, on either side of the electronic circuit 11. Where appropriate, the electronic circuit 11 may be made with the flexible support 10 when the latter is a flexible printed circuit board and the component layout allows it. The printed circuit board of the electronic circuit 11 may have a width less than or equal to 25 mm, for example, approximately 20 mm, and a length greater than or equal to 60 mm, for example, approximately 80 mm.

[0055] The electronic circuit 11 can be made without an antenna connector, without a power connector, and without a SIM card connector, by directly soldering the components onto the printed circuit board, so as to improve the reliability of the device. The flexible support 10, when made of a flexible printed circuit board, can be directly soldered to the printed circuit board of the electronic circuit 11 or connected to it by soldered conductors. The flexible printed circuit board 10 may have no electrical traces on its side facing the cable or conduit, and may at least partially define the inner surface of the device facing the cable or conduit.

[0056] The batteries 12a and 12b can be directly soldered to the flexible support 10 when the latter is a flexible printed circuit board, as seen in [Fig.7]. Their capacity is, for example, greater than or equal to 800 mAh each, the batteries being, for example, connected in parallel.

[0057] The device 1 has a general elongated shape along the longitudinal axis of the cable or conduit C.

[0058] All the components of the device 1 are embedded in a flexible resin encapsulation 13, providing the device with water resistance, for example, IP68 protection at a depth of 2 meters. The thickness of the encapsulation resin is, for example, greater than or equal to 2 mm. The encapsulation resin 13 is transparent to radio waves used for communication, including GSM, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi bands. The encapsulation resin 13 may not cover the side of the flexible circuit 10 facing the cable or conduit, thus reducing its thickness.

[0059] A charging connector 14, directly electrically connected to batteries 12a and 12b, is present on the device 1. This connector 14 may be a male connector formed by An extension of the flexible printed circuit board 10, which can be folded back on itself as shown in [Fig. 5], to achieve a thickness compatible with conventional female connectors. Electrical contacts are, for example, located on the upper surface of connector 14.

[0060] The connector 14 may, in the absence of a plug in the female connector itself, be encapsulated in a varnish or, where appropriate, in a resin which may be the same as that used for encapsulation 13. This connector 14 may have only two pins, connected to the load bus, but preferably has at least three, as explained later with a control pin.

[0061] In one variant, the connector 14 is a conventional connector connected to the printed circuit board 11, and located in the extension thereof.

[0062] The batteries 12a and 12b have an elongated shape and are approximately the same length as the electronic circuit 11, for example, the same length to within + / - 10%. Their thickness is preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, for example, approximately 4 mm. Their width corresponds, for example, approximately to that of the printed circuit board of the electronic circuit 11, the widths being, for example, identical to within + / - 10%.

[0063] Batteries 12a and 12b are preferably LiPo type batteries, with a low self-discharge coefficient.

[0064] Depending on the diameter D of the cable or conduit C, we have a thickness e of the device, measured between its inner and outer faces, i.e. e = dext-D, where dext designates the outer diameter of the device when its outer face is a portion of a cylinder of revolution, which can be more or less important.

[0065] For example: D e 46mm 7.8mm 33.8mm 8.2mm 24.7mm 8.8mm 19.8mm 9.2mm

[0066] The device 1 comprises, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], a processor 100, for example of the STM32L4 type, a flash memory 101, a Bluetooth SoC communication circuit 102, an LTE cellular communication module 103 and a satellite geolocation module 104, various sensors, including an accelerometer 105, a Hall effect sensor 106, and a very low leakage current battery voltage measurement system 107, one or more antennas, in particular for satellite geolocation and / or cellular, and can switch from a standby mode where consumption Electrical power consumption is minimal in an active information transmission mode. For example, the electrical autonomy is greater than 40 months in standby mode.

[0067] The processor 100 can exit sleep mode by a time delay or the receipt of a predefined message, or the detection of a predefined event, for example a movement or a light.

[0068] Device 1 can be inactive during transport until installation.

[0069] The device 1 can be arranged so that activation occurs following detection by the Hall effect sensor 106 of the proximity of a magnet.

[0070] To minimize power consumption in standby mode, the device 1 preferably does not include a battery charging management circuit. It is the charger used to recharge the batteries between uses of the device that includes such a charging management circuit.

[0071] Device 1 is programmed so that in active mode it emits one or more alert messages, as detailed below.

[0072] The device 1 can be fixed to the cable or conduit C using adhesive tape wrapped around the device 1 placed on the cable or conduit C. When the device 1 is placed on a cable, it can be positioned near the junction of successive sections or of cable arrivals or departures, taking advantage of the fact that the cables can at these locations conventionally be wrapped in an added sheath, which makes it easier to conceal the tracing device.

[0073] In the variant illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the device 1 is configured to attach by snapping onto the cable or conduit, thanks to a general C-shaped form, given by molding with the encapsulation resin 13.

[0074] The concave inner face extends over more than 180°, and the encapsulation resin 13 provides an opening of angular extent u around the axis of the cable or conduit which is less than or equal to 120°.

[0075] The encapsulation resin 13 can elastically deform during mounting on the cable or conduit.

[0076] Grooves 19 can be made in the encapsulation resin 13, opening onto the convex outer face of the device 1, between each battery 12a or 12b and the printed circuit board 11, to increase the flexibility of the device at this level.

[0077] The device 1 preferably comprises a circuit as illustrated in [Fig. 8] which isolates the DC bus from the connector 14. The latter carries, in addition to the contacts defining charging terminals 18a and 18b, a third contact corresponding to a control terminal 18c. This terminal is used to control an electronic switch 15 such as a MOSFET transistor, being connected to its gate. The transistor has its source and drain respectively connected to the + terminal of the DC bus of the device with which the batteries are directly connected in parallel, and to terminal 18a. A biasing resistor 16 A relatively high resistance, for example 100 kOhms, connects terminals 18a and 18c. Terminal 18b is connected to the negative terminal of the DC bus. Transistor 15 is off (not conducting) when terminal 18b is not grounded. Thus, the DC bus remains electrically isolated from the outside, even if the electrical insulation covering the electrical contacts of connector 14 fails. This further reduces electrical losses.

[0078] The device l (whatever variant is described above) can be used within a tracking system 2 comprising, as illustrated in [Fig.4], one or more gateways 20 and a central server 40 communicating via a cellular network 30 with the gateway(s) 20.

[0079] Access to the central server 40 can be made by one or more terminals 50, for example via the Internet.

[0080] The processor 100 of device 1 can, in particular, execute a program that provides at least one of the following functionalities: - The recording in internal device memory of data, including events relating to a flight scenario, before transmission to the central server 40, particularly in the absence of the possibility of connecting the device 1 with a gateway 20 or with the network 30; among the data recorded in the memory, may include the measured acceleration value, the Bluetooth environment, the possibility or not of obtaining a GPS position within a given time period, the voltage of the battery or batteries, the temperature, the magnetic environment, the ability to communicate with the central server, the date, the time,... - Delayed retrieval, when the connection with a gateway 20 or with network 30 allows it, of information recorded in memory or certain other data; - Management of transitions between sleep and active modes; in particular, certain actions can only be performed if the energy level allows it, for example downloading an update; in sleep mode in particular, some peripherals may not be activated simultaneously, in order to limit the current drawn from the battery or batteries; thus the GPS and cellular modules may not be activated simultaneously; - The modification of the communication frequency with the server, depending on the state of charge of the battery or batteries, this frequency being decreased, for example, when the state of charge of the battery or batteries falls below a predefined threshold; for example, in the absence of detection of a theft or attempted theft following the analysis of acceleration measurements, the number of communication attempts or communications with the gateway(s) 20 and / or with the central server 40 can be between 1 and 5 per 24h, per 48h or per week; - Detection of failed cellular communications; in this case, the processor can stop communication attempts or reduce their frequency when this detection occurs and the network environment does not change, for example, the network remaining the same, with the same signal strength, the same device position, ... - Filtering of data from the accelerometer, in order to avoid unintentional awakening of device 1 in the event of movement such as vibrations, not resembling a theft or attempted theft; the filtering discriminates for example the accelerometer signal according to its duration, amplitude and a profile of the evolution of the amplitude as a function of time; as long as the detected movement is not analyzed as corresponding to a theft or attempted theft, the device remains in a standby state and does not seek to communicate with the central server; - If a movement is detected that is validated as corresponding to a theft or attempted theft, for example due to the intensity of the measured acceleration, and / or the repetition of acceleration peaks exceeding a given threshold, the GPS module can be activated immediately; if the position reading via geopositioning satellites fails, the position of the tracking device can be determined via the location of the cellular communication module, for example by analyzing the LAC code of the telecommunications network antenna to which device 1 connects; if location fails, the central server 40 can display the initial position of device 1 on the user interface of terminals 50; - The recording of data in order to constitute data frames stored in memory before their transmission to the central server 40; this allows the energy deployed for the connection to the communication network 30 to be shared over a larger number of frames which are transmitted simultaneously.

[0081] Preferably, the gateways 20 allow a local connection using a suitable terminal, such as a smartphone for example, in order to be able to directly query the tracking device(s) 1 connected to these gateways, without going through a connection to the central server 40; this can allow to receive data relating for example to the state of charge of the batteries, and to identify the devices 1 whose batteries need to be recharged.

[0082] Preferably, the firmware embedded in the tracking device has a watchdog system to prevent infinite software loops from occur, to guarantee the processor wakes up even in the event of hardware failure and prevents any overconsumption of the device.

[0083] Preferably, the firmware embedded in device 1 contains a certificate and a unique private key. This key and certificate are used respectively to encrypt and authenticate the exchanges between the tracking device and the central server. Identification parameters for each tracking device can be provided to the central server, such as a unique identifier, the IMEI number, the hardware revision number, the software versions, the SIM card identifier, etc.

[0084] Preferably, the central server has the ability to trigger the following on the tracking device: - The erasure of all data present in the flash memory; - the erasure of the secret key and certificate of the tracking device, the latter being advantageously arranged to trigger a new provisioning process for this key and certificate; - the complete erasure of the flash memory containing the firmware, which renders the tracking device inoperative.

[0085] To use a tracing device 1 according to the invention, one begins by fixing it on the cable or conduit to be protected, for example by means of an adhesive tape wound around the device 1 placed on the cable or conduit by its inner face.

[0086] The device 1 can then be activated by bringing a permanent magnet close to the Hall effect sensor 106.

[0087] When the device is discharged, it can be separated from the cable or conduit, and the electrical contacts of connector 14 can be exposed by dissolving, for example, the varnish with a solvent. A dedicated battery charger can then be connected to these exposed contacts.

[0088] Once the battery or batteries have been recharged, a new insulator is applied to the contacts of connector 14, for example a new layer of resin or varnish, and the device can be reinstalled and reactivated.

[0089] Preferably, each gateway 20 contains a light indicator that provides information on the status of the link with at least one associated tracking device 1.

[0090] When installing a tracking device 1, the gateway 20 located a few meters away from it allows a Bluetooth connection to be established with it.

[0091] Preferably, gateway 20 includes a GPS module which allows the location of the installation to be geolocated securely.

[0092] The tracking device 1 and the gateway 20 can exchange various information when connected, such as the status of the tracking device, the status of the battery or batteries, and various diagnostic information.

[0093] Gateway 20 transmits this information to the central server 40 which can activate alarms relating to this tracking device 1. If the cellular coverage of the network 30 is insufficient, gateway 20 can send back this information as soon as the cellular connection becomes possible.

[0094] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described; for example, the GPS geopositioning module can be replaced by any geopositioning module operating on other satellite networks, for example Galileo, Glonass or Beidou

[0095] The Bluetooth connection can be replaced by any other wireless connection.

[0096] The number of batteries can be three, four or one.

Claims

Demands

1. Tracer device (1) comprising: - An electronic tracer circuit comprising a printed circuit board (11), - One or more batteries (12a, 12b), the battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, - the device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device on a cylindrical receiving surface (C) of revolution, of outer diameter D, and a convex outer face, defining with the inner face a thickness e of the device, this thickness e being less than or equal to 2 D / 3.

2. Device according to claim 1, the concave inner face extending angularly over more than 180° around the axis around which this inner face is curved, the device being elastically deformable and arranged to snap onto the receiving surface.

3. Device according to claim 2, the concave inner face extending over an angle between 240 and 300°.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a flexible resin (13) encapsulating at least partially the electronic circuit board (11) and the battery or batteries (12a, 12b).

5. Device according to the preceding claim, the flexible resin (13) totally covering, at least on their radially outer side, the battery or batteries and / or the printed circuit board (11) of the electronic tracing circuit.

6. Device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, comprising at least two batteries (12a, 12b), the resin encapsulation (13) comprising at least one groove (19) between each pair of adjacent batteries or between a battery (12a; 12b) and the card (11).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, being arranged to permit deformation of the device around preferential deformation lines located respectively between the printed circuit board and a battery, or between two batteries.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, D being greater than or equal to 20mm.

9. Device according to claim 8, D being between 20 and 50mm.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, with e less than or equal to D / 2.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, with e<15mm, better e<12mm, even better e<10mm.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, having a length between 50 and 100mm.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, having a sealing rating of IP68.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the battery or batteries (12a, 12b) being LiPo batteries.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the electronic circuit being devoid of a battery charging circuit.

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a charging connector (14).

17. Device according to claim 16, the charging connector (14) having at least three terminals (18a, 18b, 18c), of which two charging terminals (18a, 18b) are to be connected to a charging management circuit external to the device, and at least one control terminal (18c) of an electronic switch (15) arranged to electrically isolate at least one of said charging terminals in the absence of application of a control potential to it.

18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a flexible printed circuit (10) on which the battery or batteries are soldered.

19. Device according to claim 18, the printed circuit board (11) of the tracing circuit being a rigid board connected to this flexible circuit (10).

20. Device according to any one of claims 18 and 19, the flexible printed circuit (10) having a face without electrical traces, at least partially apparent, on the side of the inner face of the device turned towards the cylindrical surface (C).

21. Device according to claim 16 and any one of claims 17 to 20, the connector (14) being defined by an extension of the flexible circuit (10), in particular folded back on itself.

22. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a processor (100) executing a program providing at least one of the following functionalities, and preferably all of the following functionalities: - The recording in an internal memory of the device of data, in particular of events relating to a flight scenario, before transmission to a central server, in particular in the absence of the possibility of connecting the device with a gateway (20) or a cellular network (30), among the data recorded in the memory preferably including the value of the measured acceleration, radio frequency environment data, in particular Bluetooth, the possibility or not of obtaining a position via geolocation satellites within a given time period, the battery voltage, the ability to communicate with the central server, the date and the time; - the recording of data from the device in order to create one or more data frames stored in memory before their transmission to the central server; - the delayed retrieval, when the connection with a gateway or with a cellular network allows it, of information recorded in memory; - the management of transitions to sleep or active mode, certain actions preferably being carried out only if the energy level in the battery or batteries allows it, in particular the downloading of an update, certain peripherals preferably not being operated simultaneously, in order to limit the current delivered by the battery or batteries, in particular the satellite and cellular geolocation modules not being activated simultaneously; - Modifying the communication frequency with the central server, depending on the charge level of the battery or batteries, this frequency preferably being reduced when the state of charge of the battery or batteries falls below a predefined threshold; - Detection of cellular communications that fail, with the processor preferably stopping communication attempts or reducing their frequency when this detection occurs and the network environment does not change, in particular the network remaining the same, with the same signal strength and / or the same position of the device, - Filtering of data from an accelerometer of the device, in order to prevent the device from waking from sleep mode in case of movement such as vibrations, not resembling a theft or attempted theft;the filtering discriminates preferably the accelerometer signal according to its duration, amplitude and a profile of the evolution of the amplitude as a function of time, such that as long as the detected movement is not analyzed as corresponding to a theft or an attempted theft, the device remains in a standby state and does not seek to communicate immediately with the central server; - in the event of detection of a movement validated as corresponding to a theft or an attempted theft, in particular due to the intensity of the measured acceleration, and / or the repetition of acceleration peaks exceeding a given threshold, the activation of the satellite geolocation module.;

23. Tracing system (2) comprising: - One or more tracing devices (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, - One or more gateways (20) each arranged to receive data from at least one tracing device and to communicate with a remote server (40) connected via the Internet to one or more terminals (50).

24. A method for protecting against theft of a pipe or cable (C), wherein at least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is fixed to the pipe or cable, with its inner face pressed against the cylindrical surface of the pipe or cable, and

25. Preferably, the device is activated by bringing a magnet close to a magnetic sensor of the device, in particular a Hall effect sensor (106), the device being arranged to activate when the magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field corresponding to the proximity of the magnet. Range of tracing devices (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 21, each of the devices in the range comprising: - An electronic tracing circuit comprising a printed circuit board (11), - One or more batteries (12a, 12b), The battery or batteries being connected to the printed circuit board by one or more deformable links, each device having a concave inner face adapted for fixing the device to a cylindrical receiving surface of revolution (C), of outer diameter D, an encapsulation resin (13) whose molding gives the device its final shape at rest, the printed circuit boards (11) of the different devices in the range being the same, the range comprising at least two devices (1) adapted to different diameters D, in particular the range comprising four devices (1) whose encapsulation resin (13) makes them suitable for snap-fit ​​fixing onto cylindrical surfaces of respective diameters D between: 40 and 50 mm, preferably 45 and 47 mm, 30 and 37 mm, preferably 32 and 35 mm, 22 and 27 mm, preferably 24 and 26 mm, 15 and 21 mm, preferably 19 and 20.5 mm

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