Method for generating a transport document

Abstract

This description concerns a process comprising the following steps: - detection (E1) of the movement of a transport unit during the loading of contents into the transport unit, - reception (E3) of a signal emitted by a beacon placed on a loading unit performing the loading, and extraction, from the signal, of a beacon-specific identifier, - determination (E5) of information about the loaded contents from the extracted beacon-specific identifier, and - generation (E6) of a transport document from a transport unit-specific identifier and the information about the loaded contents, such that the transport document associates the transport unit with the information about the loaded contents. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Method for generating a transport document. Technical field.

[0001] The present presentation relates to the general technical field of monitoring the loading operations of transport vehicles, in particular on a construction site. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] On a construction site, loading operations typically consist of loading excavated material into a dump truck using a loader such as an excavator. The excavated material is then removed from the site and transported to an unloading area by the transport vehicle.

[0003] However, tracking excavated material is mandatory, particularly for hazardous waste. It is therefore necessary to generate a transport slip linking the dump truck to the loaded excavated material and its destination. Currently, the transport slip is generated manually by an operator. The operator enters the transport slip information, for example, on a tablet when the dump truck is loaded or leaves the site. The operator then manually sends the transport slip to the carrier, for example, by email. This process therefore requires the presence of an operator and the manual entry of information, with the associated risks of error and the time taken by these operations.

[0004] Document WO 2020 / 087171 A1 describes a system for managing a fleet of construction equipment, configured to detect proximity between a loader and a truck using their respective GPS (Global Positioning System) positions and the duration for which they are near each other. However, implementing this method requires positioning GPS sensors on both the loader and the truck, which is costly. Furthermore, this method presents problems related to the inaccuracy of GPS position measurements at short distances, for example, only a few meters, leading to reliability issues in proximity detection. Moreover, this method can lead to erroneous detections between the loader and the truck, as any loader located near the truck is detected even when the loader and the truck are not interacting.This document proposes implementing additional measures to analyze the work cycles of the loader and the truck to reduce the risk of incorrect detection, but this complicates the process. GENERAL STATEMENT

[0005] One aim of the present exposition is to propose a method for automatically generating a transport slip when a transport vehicle is loaded by a loading vehicle.

[0006] Another aim of the present presentation is to propose a method for generating a transport slip in a reliable and simple manner.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present application relates to a process comprising the following steps: - detection of movement of a transport vehicle during the loading of contents into the transport vehicle, by a motion sensor placed on the transport vehicle, - reception, by a receiver, of a signal emitted by a beacon placed on a loading device performing the loading operation, and extraction, from the signal, of an identifier specific to the beacon, - determination, by a processing system, of information about the content loaded from the identifier specific to the extracted tag, and - generation, by the processing system, of a transport slip from an identifier specific to the transport vehicle and information on the contents loaded, so that the transport slip associates the transport vehicle with the information on the contents loaded.

[0008] The signal emitted by the beacon can be a short-range wireless signal, for example a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal.

[0009] The signal can be emitted by the beacon with an emission power less than or equal to -10 decibel-milliwatt (dBm), or even less than or equal to -20 decibel-milliwatt.

[0010] The receiver can periodically perform a signal search, at a search period of between 1 second and 1 minute, for example between 10 seconds and 30 seconds, for example equal to 20 seconds.

[0011] The receiver can perform a signal search for a search duration, and the signal can be emitted by the beacon periodically with an emission period strictly less than twice the search duration, or even strictly less than four times the search duration.

[0012] The search time can be between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds, for example can be between 1 second and 5 seconds, for example can be equal to 2 seconds.

[0013] The emission period can be between 0.05 seconds and 1 second, for example can be between 0.1 seconds and 0.5 seconds, for example can be equal to 0.3 seconds.

[0014] The receiver can be placed on one side of a tipper of the transport vehicle.

[0015] The identifier specific to the extracted tag can be transmitted to the processing system by a transmitter placed on the transport vehicle.

[0016] Information about the loaded content can be determined from the tag's unique identifier by the processing system using a lookup table that associates each of a plurality of tag-specific identifiers with a corresponding piece of information about the loaded content.

[0017] Information about the loaded content may include information about a loading area and / or information about a type of content loaded.

[0018] The signal can be emitted periodically by the beacon when a movement of the beacon is detected by a motion sensor placed on the loading equipment.

[0019] The process may further include the following steps: - detection of unloading of the transport vehicle by the motion sensor placed on the transport vehicle, - when the unloading of the transport vehicle is detected, a position of the transport vehicle is measured by a position sensor placed on the transport vehicle, and - the transport slip is updated by the processing system, using the position measurement of the transport vehicle.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present application relates to a system configured to implement the method according to the first aspect, comprising: - a motion sensor configured to detect movement of a transport vehicle during the loading of contents into the transport vehicle, when the motion sensor is placed on the transport vehicle, - a receiver configured to receive a signal emitted by a beacon placed on a loading vehicle performing the load, and to extract from the signal a beacon-specific identifier, and - a processing system configured to determine information on the content loaded from the identifier specific to the extracted tag, and to generate a transport slip from an identifier specific to the transport vehicle and information on the content loaded, the transport slip associating the transport vehicle with the information on the content loaded.

[0021] The system may further include a transmitter configured to be placed on the transport vehicle and to transmit to the processing system the identifier specific to the beacon.

[0022] The system may further include a battery configured to be placed on the transport vehicle and to power the motion sensor, the receiver and, where applicable, the transmitter.

[0023] The system may further include a beacon configured to be placed on a loading vehicle, the beacon comprising a short-range transmission module configured to periodically emit a signal including the tag's unique identifier.

[0024] The system may further include a loading device comprising an articulated arm and a bucket fixed on the articulated arm.

[0025] The system may include at least three beacons fixed respectively on a right side, on a left side and below the articulated arm of the loading device.

[0026] The loading device may further include a driver's seat and a main arm fixed between the driver's seat and the articulated arm. The system may further include an additional beacon fixed to the main arm of the loading device.

[0027] The system may further include a transport vehicle comprising a skip.

[0028] The system may include at least two motion sensors 61 and two receivers, each motion sensor being fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip and each receiver being fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip.

[0029] The system may further include a self-contained sensor configured to be placed on the transport vehicle and comprising an external housing containing the motion sensor, receiver, transmitter and battery. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Fig. 1 represents a schematic side view of a loading device according to one embodiment.

[0031] Figure [Fig. 2] represents a schematic front view of the loading device [Fig.l].

[0032] Figure 3 represents a schematic perspective view of a transport vehicle according to a particular embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 represents a block diagram of a method for generating a slip of transport according to a mode of embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 represents a block diagram of a method for updating a slip of transport according to a mode of embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 represents a block diagram of a system configured for implementation of the process according to a particular embodiment.

[0036] Throughout the figures, similar elements bear identical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Process

[0037] One method, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig.4], comprises the following steps:

[0038] - detection El of a movement of a transport vehicle 2 during a loading of a content in transport unit 2, by a motion sensor 61 placed on transport unit 2, - reception E3, by a receiver 62, of a signal emitted by a beacon 50 placed on a loading unit 1 carrying out the loading, and extraction, in the signal, of an identifier specific to the beacon 50, - determination E5, by a processing system 70, of information on the loaded content from the identifier specific to the extracted beacon 50, and - generation E6, by the processing system 70, of a transport slip from an identifier specific to transport unit 2 and the information on the loaded content, so that the transport slip associates transport unit 2 with the information on the loaded content.

[0039] The process described above makes it possible to automatically generate E6 the transport slip associating the loaded transport unit 2 with the information on the contents loaded during the loading of the transport unit 2. Thus, it is no longer necessary for an operator to manually enter the transport slip, the monitoring of the loading and transport operations of contents being automated.

[0040] The generation E6 of the transport slip is only carried out when the motion sensor 61 detects El a movement of the transport vehicle 2, for example during a loading of the transport vehicle 2. Thus, the method avoids the untimely generation of transport slips in the case, for example, of a simple proximity between the transport vehicle 2 and the loading vehicle 1, without movement of the transport vehicle 2.

[0041] Furthermore, this method is simple to implement since it does not require additional sensors, the motion sensor 61 generally already being present on the transport unit 2 to detect the unloading of the transport unit 2. This limits costs and the risk of error during the implementation of the method. Motion detection El

[0042] The detection El of the movement of the transport vehicle 2 at step El is carried out by a motion sensor 61 placed on the transport vehicle 2.

[0043] Movement can be detected by the motion sensor 61 in step 11 as soon as the transport unit 2 experiences any movement, regardless of the type of movement. Thus, movement is detected, for example, during the loading of the transport unit 2, but also during the movement of the transport unit 2 while it is rolling, or even during the unloading of the transport unit 2. Such detection of any movement of the transport unit 2 is particularly simple to implement, and the risk of generating a transport slip unintentionally remains limited because a moving transport unit 2 is generally not not close enough to a beacon 50 for a sufficient duration for the receiver 62 to receive E3 the signal emitted by the beacon 50 following the detection El of the movement of the transport vehicle 2. Signal transmission by the E0 beacon

[0044] The signal emitted by the beacon 50 can be a short-range wireless signal. The signal can be emitted by a short-range wireless transmission module 51 of the beacon 50 during a step E0.

[0045] By "wireless", it is understood that the signal transmission is carried out by the beacon 50 at stage E0, in particular by the transmitting module 51 of the beacon 50, without the use of physical cables, the data of the signal emitted by the beacon 50 being transmitted via electromagnetic waves.

[0046] By "short range," it is understood that the transmission distance of the signal from the beacon 50 at step E0 is less than 10 meters, for example, between 1 and 5 meters. Such a short-range signal implies proximity detection between the loading unit 1 and the transport unit 2 being loaded. This proximity detection increases the reliability of the process and avoids generating transport slips when the transport unit 2 is not being loaded. Indeed, the signal emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0 can only be received at step E3 by a receiver 62 located in the immediate vicinity of the beacon 50.

[0047] The signal emitted by the beacon 50 can be a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) signal. The transmission of such a BLE signal allows for low energy consumption, thus enabling the beacon 50 to have a long battery life.

[0048] Alternatively, the short-range signal may be an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication), UWB (Ultra-Wideband), Zigbee, or any other conceivable short-range signal.

[0049] The signal can be emitted by the beacon 50 at stage E0 with a transmission power less than or equal to -10 decibel-milliwatts (dBm), or even less than or equal to -20 decibel-milliwatts. For example, the transmission power can be between -15 decibel-milliwatts and -30 decibel-milliwatts. Such a transmission power is very low and thus ensures that the signal cannot be received E3 by a receiver 62 located more than a few meters away, for example, more than about 5 meters when the transmission power is equal to -20 decibel-milliwatts. Thus, the receiver 62 located on a transport unit 2 that merely passes by a loading unit 1 during the movement of the transport unit 2 does not detect the beacon 50 placed on the loading unit 1. Furthermore, when several loading units are When multiple units are present in the same area, such a very low transmission power ensures that receiver 62, located on one of the loading units in that area, receives only the signal emitted by beacon 50, which is located on the loading unit 1 that is currently loading it and is therefore closest to it. Finally, this very low transmission power further reduces the energy consumption of beacon 50.

[0050] The signal emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0 contains the identifier specific to the beacon 50. The signal emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0 may contain only the identifier specific to the beacon 50, for even reduced energy consumption.

[0051] The identifier specific to the tag 50 may contain a tag number 50 which may be either strictly numeric or alphanumeric. Alternatively, the identifier specific to the tag 50 may contain a position of the tag 50, for example a position of the tag 50 in the form of a latitude and a longitude of the tag 50, the position of the tag 50 being measured by means of a position sensor 52 placed on the loading unit 1, for example placed in the tag 50.

[0052] The signal can be emitted periodically by the beacon 50 at step E0, at an emission period. The emission period is chosen so as to find a balance between the energy consumption caused by the emission E0 of the signal, and the signal transmission frequency required for the beacon 50 to be detected during the loading of the transport unit 2 by the loading unit 1 on which the beacon 50 is placed.

[0053] Receiver 62 can perform a search for signal E2 for a specified duration. The signal can be emitted by beacon 50 at step E0 periodically with an emission period strictly shorter than the search duration, or even strictly less than two, or even four, times the search duration. Thus, at least one, or even several, signals are emitted E0 by beacon 50 during the search duration, thereby increasing the probability of receiver 62 receiving the signal emitted by beacon 50.

[0054] The emission period can be between 0.05 seconds and 1 second, for example, between 0.1 seconds and 0.5 seconds, for example, or equal to 0.3 seconds. The search duration can be between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds, for example, between 1 second and 5 seconds, for example, or equal to 2 seconds. For example, if the search duration is equal to 2 seconds, the emission period can be equal to 0.3 seconds.

[0055] The signal can be emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0 in non-connectable advertising mode. The signal can thus be received at step E3 by any receiver 62 compatible with the transmission mode of the beacon 50, for example BLE-compatible, without requiring prior coupling between the receiver 62 and the beacon 50, which simplifies the process and increases its reliability. Furthermore, the signal can be received without establishing a reciprocal connection between the beacon 50 and the receiver 62, which further reduces the energy consumption generated by the implementation of the process.

[0056] The signal can be emitted continuously by the beacon 50 at stage E0, with the beacon 50 emitting the signal periodically over time as long as the transmitting module 51 is operating. Alternatively, the signal transmission E0 by the beacon 50 can be subject to one or more transmission conditions. In this case, the beacon 50 is in standby mode and wakes up to emit the signal when at least one of the transmission conditions is met, or alternatively, when all the transmission conditions are met. Such an E0 emission subject to one or more transmission conditions further reduces the energy consumption associated with the signal transmission by the beacon 50 and prevents false detections of beacons 50 when there is no load.

[0057] For example, the signal can be emitted periodically by the beacon 50 at step E0 only when movement of the beacon 50 is detected by a motion sensor 61 located on the loading unit 1, for example, placed in the beacon 50. Thus, in the absence of movement of the loading unit 1, the beacon 50 is in a standby state and does not emit a signal. On the other hand, if movement of the loading unit 1 is detected, and as long as the loading unit 1 is moving, the beacon 50 exits its standby state to emit the signal. Such an emission condition E0 makes it possible to limit energy consumption and avoid generating a transport slip when the loading unit 1 is parked and not in operation, i.e., when it is not being loaded. Signal search E2

[0058] The signal search E2 can be triggered by the detection El of the movement of the transport vehicle 2 by the motion sensor 61. The signal search E2 can be performed by the receiver 62 as long as the motion sensor 61 detects El a movement of the transport vehicle 2. The signal search E2 is therefore performed concomitantly with the detection El of a movement of the transport vehicle 2 by the motion sensor 61, throughout the entire duration of the loading of the transport vehicle 2. Thus, the probabilities of reception by the receiver 62 during step E3 of the signal emitted by the beacon 50 in step E0 during the loading of the transport vehicle 2 by the loading vehicle 1 are maximized.Conversely, in the absence of movement of the transport unit 2, the receiver 62 does not search for a signal, which limits energy consumption and avoids the risk of receiving a signal emitted by a beacon 50 when the transport unit 2 is simply parked outside its period of activity, for example.

[0059] The receiver 62 can periodically search for signal E2, with a search interval of between 1 second and 1 minute, for example between 10 seconds and 30 seconds, for example 20 seconds. Such a search interval allows for sufficiently frequent E2 signal searches to detect the beacon 50 during the loading of the transport unit 2 by the loading unit 1, and sufficiently spaced to limit energy consumption.

[0060] The receiver 62 can be configured to perform a passive signal search, the receiver 62 receiving any incoming signals without sending requests or responses, i.e., without a reciprocal connection with the device, in particular the beacon 50, that emitted the signal. Such a passive signal search further reduces the energy consumption generated by the implementation of the method.

[0061] The receiver 62 can be configured to receive at step E3 a signal emitted by the beacon 50, for example it can be a BLE compatible receiver 62.

[0062] The receiver 62 may have a power threshold configured to receive at step E3 only the signals emitted at step E0 by beacons 50 located within a short range of the receiver 62, for example, less than 5 meters from the receiver 62. For example, the receiver 62 may have a power threshold less than or equal to -60 decibel-milliwatts. Thus, the receiver 62 receives only a signal emitted at step E0 by a beacon 50 located in the immediate vicinity of the receiver 62, for example, less than 5 meters from the receiver 62, or even less than 3 meters from the receiver 62, which avoids receiving signals emitted by other, more distant beacons 50 placed on nearby loading equipment that are not currently carrying out loading.

[0063] The receiver 62 extracts the identifier specific to the beacon 50 from the signal emitted by the beacon 50 and received E3 by the receiver 62, i.e. the beacon number 50 or the position of the beacon 50.

[0064] Transmission of the identifier specific to the E4 tag

[0065] The identifier specific to the beacon 50 can be transmitted to the processing system 70 at step E4 when the receiver 62 placed on the transport vehicle 2 receives at step E3 the signal emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0.

[0066] The identifier specific to the extracted tag 50 can be transmitted to the processing system 70 at step E4 by a transmitter 63 within communication range with the processing system 70, for example by a transmitter 63 placed on the transport vehicle 2 or alternatively by a transmitter 63 located on the construction site at a distance from the transport vehicle 2 which allows it to communicate with the receiver 62.

[0067] The identifier specific to beacon 50 can be transmitted at step E4, for example, each time receiver 62 receives E3 the signal emitted by beacon 50 at step E0. Alternatively, the identifier specific to beacon 50 can be transmitted at step E4 when receiver 62 receives E3 the signal emitted by the same beacon 50 during a certain number of consecutive signal searches, for example during at least two consecutive searches. Thus, the transport slip is not likely to be generated when a transport unit 2 simply passes by a beacon 50 momentarily while moving, but only when it remains for a certain time next to the beacon 50 during a loading operation.

[0068] An identifier specific to the transmitter 63, for example an identifier specific to an autonomous sensor 60 housing the transmitter 63, can further be transmitted to the processing system 70 by the transmitter 63, for example simultaneously with the transmission of the identifier specific to the beacon 50 during step E4. Thus, the processing system 70 has both the identifier specific to the beacon 50 placed on the loading unit 1 which emitted the signal in step E0, and also the identifier specific to the transmitter 63 which received the signal in step E3, the transmitter 63 being able to be associated with the loaded transport unit 2.

[0069] The transmitter 63 can be a medium-range wireless transmitter, for example, a Wi-Fi transmitter. "Medium range" means that the signal transmission distance of the transmitter 63 is greater than 10 meters and less than a few kilometers, for example, between 100 meters and 10 kilometers. Thus, the transmitter 63 can communicate with a processing system 70 located away from the transport vehicle 2.

[0070] Alternatively, the transmitter 63 may be a long-range wireless transmitter 63, for example a cellular network transmitter 63 such as a 3G transmitter 63, or an LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) transmitter 63. "Long range" means that the signal transmission distance of the transmitter 63 is greater than 10 kilometers. Generation of the E6 transport slip

[0071] The processing system 70 is configured to receive the identifier specific to the tag 50 transmitted by the transmitter 63 at step E4.

[0072] Information about the loaded content can be determined during step E5 from the identifier specific to the tag 50 by the processing system 70 by means of a correspondence table associating to each of a plurality of identifiers specific to tags 50 a corresponding piece of information about the loaded content.

[0073] For example, the lookup table can associate with each of a plurality of 50 tag numbers, or alternatively with each of a plurality of 50 tag positions, information on the corresponding loaded content.

[0074] Information about the loaded content includes information about a loading area and / or information about a type of content loaded.

[0075] The loading area can correspond to an operating area of ​​the loading device 1 on which the tag 50 is placed and can itself be associated with information concerning a type of content loaded in the lookup table.

[0076] Information concerning the type of content loaded may include the nature of the material loaded, the type of material loaded, for example inert, hazardous, etc.

[0077] The loading area or the information on the loaded content may also include a site-specific identifier, which is associated with them in the lookup table.

[0078] The loading area or information on the loaded content may further include information on the destination of the loaded content, which is associated with it in the lookup table.

[0079] The processing system 70 can further be configured to receive the transmitter's own identifier 63, which is, for example, transmitted by the transmitter 63 along with the tag's own identifier 50 in step E4. The transport unit's own identifier 2 can be determined by the processing system 70 from the transmitter's own identifier 63, by means of a lookup table associating each of a plurality of transmitter's own identifiers 63 with a corresponding transport unit's own identifier 2. Thus, the processing system can generate in step E6 a transport slip associating the information on the contents loaded by the loading unit 1, on which the tag 50 is placed, with the transport unit 2 associated with the transmitter 63.

[0080] The correspondence table associating each of a plurality of identifiers specific to tags 50 with information on the corresponding loaded content and, where applicable, the correspondence table associating each of a plurality of identifiers specific to emitters 63 with an identifier specific to a corresponding transport device 2 can be stored in a memory 72. These correspondence tables can be filled in manually and updated at any time. E9 transport slip updated

[0081] The process may further include the following steps, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 5]:

[0082] - detection E7 of an unloading of the transport vehicle 2 by the sensor of movement 61 placed on transport vehicle 2,

[0083] - when the unloading of the transport vehicle 2 is detected, measurement E8 of a position of the transport vehicle 2 by a position sensor 64 placed on the transport vehicle 2, and

[0084] - E9 update of the transport slip, by the processing system 70, by means of of the position measurement of the transport device 2.

[0085] The transport slip generated in step E6 is thus updated in step E9 during the unloading of the transport unit 2, with information on the destination of the loaded contents corresponding to the position of the transport vehicle 2 during its unloading.

[0086] Unloading detection can be carried out at step E7 by the same motion sensor 61 that detects the movement of the transport vehicle 2 during its loading at step E1. Unloading can in particular correspond to the lifting of a skip 21 of the transport vehicle 2, which causes a movement detected by the motion sensor 61.

[0087] The transport slip can also be updated at step E9 by means of a timestamp of the unloading. The unloading is then associated, in addition to the position of the transport unit 2, with a precise date and time, which may, for example, correspond to the date and time of receipt of the position measurement of the transport unit 2 by the processing system 70. System

[0088] A system configured to implement the method as described above is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 6]. The system comprises:

[0089] - a motion sensor 61 configured to detect at step 11 a motion of a transport unit 2 during the loading of contents into the transport unit 2, when the motion sensor 61 is placed on the transport unit 2, - a receiver 62 configured to receive at step E3 a signal emitted by a beacon 50 placed on a loading unit 1 performing the loading, and to extract from the signal an identifier specific to the beacon 50, and - a processing system 70 configured to determine at step E5 information on the content loaded from the identifier specific to the extracted tag 50, and to generate at step E6 a transport slip from an identifier specific to the transport vehicle 2 and information on the content loaded, the transport slip associating the transport vehicle 2 with the information on the content loaded.

[0090] Such a system offers advantages similar to those described above concerning the method. In particular, the system allows the transport slip E6 to be automatically generated during the loading of the transport unit 2, and this only when the motion sensor 61 detects El movement of the transport unit 2. Furthermore, the system is inexpensive since it does not require additional sensors. Loading equipment

[0091] The system may further include a loading device 1 comprising an articulated arm 13 and a bucket 12 fixed on the articulated arm 13.

[0092] The loading device 1 may further include a pilot station 11 and a main arm 14 fixed between the pilot station 11 and the articulated arm 13.

[0093] The loading device 1 can be any type of device allowing the loading of contents into a transport device 2, for example it can be an excavator, a loader, a backhoe loader, etc. Transport vehicle

[0094] The system may further include a transport vehicle 2 comprising a skip 21.

[0095] The skip 21 can be a tipping skip 21, a tipping of the skip 21 allowing the unloading of the transport vehicle 2.

[0096] The transport vehicle 2 may include a driver's seat 22 located at the front of the skip 21. The skip 21 may be configured to tilt, for example, towards the rear, or towards one side of the transport vehicle 2.

[0097] The transport vehicle 2 can be any type of vehicle allowing the transport of a content loaded into the transport vehicle 2, for example it can be a dump truck, a dump truck, a tractor, a tracked transport truck, etc. Tag

[0098] The system may further include a beacon 50 configured to be placed on the loading unit 1, the beacon 50 comprising a short-range transmission module 51 configured to periodically transmit E0 the signal comprising the identifier specific to the beacon 50.

[0099] The transmitter module 51 of the beacon 50 can be wireless. The transmitter module 51 of the beacon 50 can, for example, be a BLE transmitter module configured to transmit a BLE signal. The transmitter module 51 of the beacon 50 can be configured to periodically transmit the signal at the transmission period. The transmitter module 51 can be configured to transmit the signal in advertising mode.

[0100] The beacon 50 may include a motion sensor 53 configured to detect the movement of the loading gear 1.

[0101] The beacon 50 may include a battery 54 configured to power the transmission module 51. The battery 54 of the beacon 50 may further be configured to power the motion sensor 53 placed in the beacon 50 and / or the position sensor 52 when placed in the beacon 50.

[0102] A number and arrangement of beacons 50 are chosen so that the signal emitted by beacon 50 at step E0 can be received regardless of the position of the loading unit 1, and therefore of the beacon 50 placed on the loading unit 1, relative to the receiver 62 placed on the transport unit 2, during the loading of the transport unit 2 by the loading unit 1. Thus, the receiver 62 placed on the loading unit 1 receives E3 the signal emitted by beacon 50 at step E0 in all of the various loading configurations of the loading equipment 1 compared to the transport equipment 2.

[0103] Thus, the system can include one 50 tag, two 50 tags, three 50 tags, four 50 tags, or a greater number of 50 tags.

[0104] At least one beacon 50 of the system can be fixed on the articulated arm 13 of the loading machine 1. Thus, the beacon 50 is close to the bucket 12 of the loading machine 1, which makes it possible to reduce the distance between the beacon 50 and the receiver 62 during loading, and thus to increase the reliability of the reception E3 by the receiver 62 of the signal emitted by the beacon 50 at step E0.

[0105] When the system includes several beacons 50, the beacons 50 are arranged at different locations on the articulated arm 13, so as to ensure good overall detection coverage of at least one beacon 50 by the receiver 62 placed on the transport vehicle 2, when the transport vehicle 2 is being loaded by the loading vehicle 1.

[0106] In particular, the system may include at least three beacons 50 fixed respectively on a right side, on a left side, and below the articulated arm 13 of the loading unit 1, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2]. Such a number and arrangement of beacons 50 enables reliable reception E3 of the signal emitted by the beacons 50 by the receiver 62 located on the transport unit 2.

[0107] Depending on the nature and dimensions of the loading unit 1, the system may include an additional beacon 50 fixed to the main arm 14 of the loading unit 1, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2]. The additional beacon 50 is thus located in a different arrangement relative to the other beacon(s) 50, which further increases the reliability of the reception E3 of at least one of the signals emitted by the beacons 50 during the loading of the transport unit 2 by the loading unit 1, regardless of the position of the loading unit 1 relative to the transport unit 2 during loading. Motion sensor

[0108] The motion sensor 61 is placed on the transport vehicle 2, for example it can be placed on one side of a skip 21 of the transport vehicle 2.

[0109] The system may include at least one motion sensor 61, for example, at least two motion sensors 61. Each motion sensor 61 may be fixed to the skip 21, for example, may be fixed respectively to a right side and a left side of the skip 21. Thus, the reliability of the detection of the unloading E7 of the transport unit 2 by the motion sensor 61 is increased, regardless of the unloading direction. For example, unloading of the transport unit 2 by tilting the skip 21 to the side, for example in the case of a dump truck, will result in a maximum displacement of one of the two motion sensors 61.

[0110] Each motion sensor 61 can be fixed at the front of the skip 21, i.e. near the driver's seat 11 of the transport vehicle 2. Thus, unloading the transport vehicle 2 by tilting the skip 21 towards the rear will cause maximum displacement of the motion sensor 61, which increases the reliability of the detection of the unloading E7 of the transport vehicle 2 by the motion sensor 61.

[0111] The motion sensor 61 may include an accelerometer or any other system for detecting movement of the transport device 2. Receiver

[0112] The receiver 62 can be placed on the transport unit 2, for example on one side of a skip 21 of the transport unit 2. The system may include at least one receiver 62, for example at least two receivers 62. Each receiver 62 can be fixed to the skip 21, for example can be fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip 21. Thus, the reliability of the reception E3 of the signal emitted by the beacon 50 is improved, regardless of the position of the beacon 50 relative to the transport unit 2 during loading. For example, the signal emitted by the beacon 50 is received equally well E3 by either of the two receivers 62, whether the loading unit 1 is positioned to the right or to the left of the transport unit 2. Issuer

[0113] The system may further include a transmitter 63 configured to transmit at step E4 to the processing system 70 the identifier specific to the tag 50.

[0114] The transmitter 63 can be configured to be placed on the transport vehicle 2, for example on one side of a skip 21 of the transport vehicle 2.

[0115] The system may include at least one transmitter 63, for example at least two transmitters 63. Each transmitter 63 may be fixed to the skip 21, for example may be fixed respectively to a right side and to a left side of the skip 21.

[0116] Alternatively, the transmitter 63 can be placed in a given location on the construction site, within communication range of the receiver 62 placed on the transport vehicle 2. The same transmitter 63 can then be configured to communicate with several receivers 62 and to transmit E4 to the processing system 70 the identifier specific to the beacon 50 and the identifier specific to the transmitter 63 corresponding to an identifier specific to the receiver 62 with which it communicates. Position sensor

[0117] The system may include a position sensor 64 placed on the transport vehicle 2.

[0118] Alternatively or in addition, the system may include a position sensor 52 configured to be placed on the loading gear 1, for example in the beacon 50, so as to measure the position of the beacon 50.

[0119] The position sensor 64 can be a GPS (Global Positioning System) or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module. Battery

[0120] The system may further include a battery 65. The battery 65 is configured to be placed on the transport vehicle 2 and to supply power to the motion sensor 61 and, where applicable, the receiver 62 when the receiver 62 is placed on the transport vehicle 2. Autonomous sensor

[0121] The system may include a self-contained sensor 60 configured to be placed on the transport vehicle 2. The self-contained sensor 60 may include an external housing containing the motion sensor 61, the receiver 62, the transmitter 63 and the battery 65.

[0122] The sensor is described as autonomous in that the battery 65 powers the motion sensor 61, and where applicable the receiver 62 and / or the transmitter 63.

[0123] The autonomous sensor 60 can be placed on the transport vehicle 2, for example on one side of a skip 21 of the transport vehicle 2, as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in [Fig.3].

[0124] The system may include at least one autonomous sensor 60, for example two autonomous sensors. The system then comprises the same number of autonomous sensors 60 as batteries 65, motion sensors 61, receivers 62 and transmitters 63. Each autonomous sensor 60 can be fixed to the skip 21 of the transport vehicle 2, for example can be fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip 21. Processing system

[0125] The processing system 70 may include a receiving module 71 configured to receive the identifier specific to the tag 50 and, where applicable, the identifier specific to the transmitter 63.

[0126] The processing system 70 may include a communication module configured to communicate with the memory 72 storing the lookup table(s). Alternatively, the processing system 70 may include the memory 72 storing the lookup table(s).

[0127] The processing system 70 may include an association unit 73 configured to determine E5, from the lookup table(s), the information on the content loaded from the identifier specific to the tag 50 and where applicable the identifier specific to the transport vehicle 2 from the identifier specific to the issuer 63.

[0128] The processing system 70 may include a waybill generation unit 74 configured to generate E6 the waybill from the information on the loaded contents and the identifier specific to the transport unit 2, the waybill associating the transport unit 2 with the information on the loaded contents. The waybill generation unit 74 may also be configured to update E9 the waybill following the detection of the unloading E7 of the transport unit 2.

[0129] The processing system 70 may include a movement determination unit configured to differentiate between a movement corresponding to loading the transport unit 2, a movement corresponding to unloading the transport unit 2, and a movement corresponding to moving the transport unit 2, for example, based on movement thresholds associated with these three situations respectively. The processing system 70 may be configured to generate the transport slip E6 only when a movement corresponding to loading the transport unit 2 is detected E1, and to update the transport slip E9 only when a movement corresponding to unloading the transport unit 2 is detected E7.

[0130] The association unit 73, the transport slip generation unit 74 and the movement determination unit may correspond to one or more processing units, for example of processor or microcontroller type, possibly located in one or different locations. Parking beacon

[0131] The system may further include at least one parking beacon configured to be placed in an area where transport vehicles and / or loading vehicles are likely to be parked without operating, i.e., in the absence of loading activity. The parking beacon is configured to emit a signal specific to the parking beacon, with a range defining a radius of a parking area. The range of the emission of the parking beacon's own signal is adjusted according to the desired extent of the parking area.

[0132] When the signal emitted by the parking beacon is received by the receiver 62, the receiver 62 extracts an identifier specific to the parking beacon, and the transmitter 63 transmits it to the processing system 70. As long as the processing system 70 receives the identifier specific to the parking beacon, the processing system 70 does not generate a transport slip, even if it also receives one or more signals specific to other beacons 50 than the parking beacon, for example, a signal specific to a beacon 50 which would be placed on a transport vehicle 2. Thus, no transport slip is generated when the transport vehicle 2 is located in the parking area.

[0133] Such a parking beacon makes it possible to avoid the generation of transport slips for example when a transport vehicle 2 leaves or arrives in an area where it is parked without working and where loading vehicles are also likely to be parked without working.

[0134] The parking beacon may include a wireless medium-range transmission module. The parking beacon's transmission module may be configured to transmit the parking beacon's own signal periodically and continuously. Unloading beacon

[0135] The system may further include at least one unloading beacon configured to be placed in an unloading area in which a transport vehicle 2 is likely to carry out an unloading operation.

[0136] The unloading beacon is configured to emit a signal specific to the unloading beacon, including a unique identifier for the unloading beacon. When the signal emitted by the unloading beacon is detected by the receiver 62, the receiver 62 extracts the unique identifier for the unloading beacon, and the transmitter 63 transmits it to the processing system 70.

[0137] A position of the unloading beacon is determined by the processing system 70 by means of a correspondence table associating each of a plurality of identifiers specific to unloading beacons 50 with a corresponding unloading beacon position.

[0138] When updating the transport document, the processing system 70 can be configured to check for consistency between the position of the transport unit 2, as measured by the position sensor 64 located on the transport unit 2, and the position of the unloading beacon corresponding to the unloading beacon's unique identifier, as provided by the lookup table. If the difference between these two positions exceeds a certain threshold, the processing system 70 retains the position of the unloading beacon and not the position of the transport unit 2, in order to update the transport document accordingly.

[0139] Such an unloading beacon makes it possible to update the transport slip with precise position information concerning the unloading, including in cases where the position measured by the position sensor 64 placed on the transport unit 2 would be inaccurate or distorted.

[0140] The unloading beacon may include a wireless medium-range transmission module. The unloading beacon's transmission module may be configured to transmit the unloading beacon's own signal periodically and continuously.

[0141] Although the present exposition has been made with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from their general scope. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated / mentioned may be combined in additional embodiments.

Claims

Demands

1. A method comprising the following steps: - detection (E1) of a movement of a transport unit (2) during the loading of contents into the transport unit (2), by a motion sensor (61) placed on the transport unit (2), - reception (E3), by a receiver (62), of a signal emitted by a beacon (50) placed on a loading unit (1) carrying out the loading, and extraction, in the signal, of an identifier specific to the beacon (50), - determination (E5), by a processing system (70), of information on the loaded contents from the extracted identifier specific to the beacon (50), and - generation (E6), by the processing system (70), of a transport slip from an identifier specific to the transport unit (2) and the information on the loaded contents, such that the transport slip associates the transport unit (2) with the information on the loaded contents.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the signal emitted by the beacon (50) is a short-range wireless signal, for example a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal.

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the signal is emitted (E0) by the beacon (50) with an emission power less than or equal to -10 decibel-milliwatt (dBm), or even less than or equal to -20 decibel-milliwatt.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiver (62) periodically performs a signal search (E2), at a search period of between 1 second and 1 minute, for example between 10 seconds and 30 seconds, for example equal to 20 seconds.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiver (62) performs a signal search (E2) for a search time, and the signal is emitted (E0) by the beacon (50) periodically at an emission period strictly less than twice the search time, or even strictly less than four times the search time.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the search time is between 0.1 seconds and 10 seconds, for example is between 1 second and 5 seconds, for example is equal to 2 seconds, and in which the emission period is between 0.05 seconds and 1 second, for example is between 0.1 seconds and 0.5 seconds, for example is equal to 0.3 seconds.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiver (62) is placed on one side of a bin (21) of the transport vehicle (2).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the identifier specific to the extracted beacon (50) is transmitted (E4) to the processing system (70) by a transmitter (63) placed on the transport vehicle (2).

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information on the loaded content is determined from the tag identifier (50) by the processing system (70) by means of a lookup table associating to each of a plurality of tag identifiers (50) a corresponding piece of information on the loaded content, and wherein the information on the loaded content includes information concerning a loading area and / or information concerning a type of the loaded content.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the signal is emitted (E0) periodically by the beacon (50) when a movement of the beacon (50) is detected by a motion sensor (61) placed on the loading device (1).

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising the following steps: - detection (E7) of an unloading of the transport unit (2) by the motion sensor (61) placed on the transport unit (2), - when the unloading of the transport unit (2) is detected, measurement (E8) of a position of the transport unit (2) by a position sensor (64) placed on the transport unit (2), and - updating (E9) of the transport slip, by the processing system (70), by means of the position measurement of the transport unit (2).

12. A system configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: - a motion sensor (61) configured to detect (E1) a movement of a transport device (2) during loading of a content in the transport unit (2), when the motion sensor (61) is placed on the transport unit (2), - a receiver (62) configured to receive (E3) a signal emitted by a tag (50) placed on a loading unit (1) carrying out the loading, and to extract from the signal an identifier specific to the tag (50), and - a processing system (70) configured to determine (E5) information on the loaded content from the extracted tag identifier specific to the tag (50), and to generate (E6) a transport slip from an identifier specific to the transport unit (2) and the information on the loaded content, the transport slip associating the transport unit (2) with the information on the loaded content.

13. System according to claim 12, further comprising a transmitter (63) configured to be placed on the transport vehicle (2) and to transmit (E4) to the processing system (70) the identifier specific to the beacon (50).

14. System according to claim 13, further comprising a battery (65) configured to be placed on the transport vehicle (2) and to power the motion sensor (61), the receiver (62) and the transmitter (63).

15. System according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a beacon (50) configured to be placed on a loading device (1), the beacon (50) comprising a short-range transmission module (51) configured to periodically emit (E0) a signal comprising the identifier specific to the beacon (50).

16. System according to claim 15, further comprising a loading device (1) comprising an articulated arm (13) and a bucket (12) fixed on the articulated arm (13), in which the system comprises at least three beacons (50) fixed respectively on a right side, on a left side and below the articulated arm (13) of the loading device (1).

17. System according to claim 16, wherein the loading device (1) further comprises a cockpit (11) and a main arm (14) fixed between the cockpit (11) and the articulated arm (13), and wherein the system further comprises an additional beacon (50) fixed on the main arm (14) of the loading device (1).

18. System according to any one of claims 12 to 17, further comprising a transport device (2) comprising a skip (21), the system comprising at least two motion sensors (61) and two receivers (62), each motion sensor (61) being fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip (21) and each receiver (62) being fixed respectively on a right side and on a left side of the skip (21).

19. System according to claim 14, further comprising a self-contained sensor (60) configured to be placed on the transport vehicle (2) and comprising an external housing containing the motion sensor (61), the receiver (62), the transmitter (63) and the battery (65).

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