Method for locating an object

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for locating an object. The location method comprises the steps of obtaining (E10, G10) at least one item of identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), wherein the at least one item of identification data comes from backscattering of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB), and determining (E30, G30) the location (LOC, , OBJ) of the at least one object from the at least one item of identification data and at least one item of position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device, if the at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one uplink between the at least one transmitter device (T) and the at least one receiver device (S), or determining (E3Q, G30) the location (TRACEMD) of the at least one object from the at least one item of identification data and at least one item of position data (P) of the at least one receiver device, if the at least one ambient signal is transmitted along at least one downlink between the at least one transmitter device (S) and the at least one receiver device (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is in the field of identifying the position of an object. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for identifying the position of an object, a communication method, a data collection method, and a method for identifying at least one other object using the position of the object determined by the aforementioned method for identifying the position of the object. The present invention also relates to an apparatus configured to implement the recited methods. The present invention can be applied, for example, to the traceability of one or more objects, specifically objects introduced into a distribution circuit as elements of a group of objects.

Background Art

[0002] The traceability of an object can include not only the activity of generating the necessary and sufficient information to (possibly retrospectively) verify the life cycle of that object, but also the possibility of having access to that information. Put another way, the traceability of an object includes the ability to generate and find a history of recording information related to the use and position of the aforementioned object, for example by the registered identification of the object. Thus, traceability can, in some situations, enable the tracking of a product from its creation (manufacture) to its destruction (consumption) and thus help find it, made possible by the transformation steps and its routing that the product may have gone through.

[0003] Therefore, the effectiveness of the traceability of one or more objects depends on the ability to identify the one or more objects with respect to space and / or time. To achieve this purpose, traceability has benefited from the progress associated with the miniaturization of IT and electronic components so as to utilize non-contact identification technologies.

[0004] Therefore, barcodes attached to objects have been used and continue to be used today. These barcodes can be read using dedicated means equipped with an optical reader and carry information for identifying the objects to which they are individually related.

[0005] Another equally widely used solution consists of using electronic chips, also known as wireless tags, attached to objects intended to be tracked, based on RFID (Radiofrequency Identification) technology. RFID technology has certain advantages, including being passive (i.e., the chip does not need to be connected to an energy source to operate), and furthermore, being able to read the information contained within such chips over longer distances than can be considered in barcode use cases.

[0006] The fact remains that these object location techniques have certain limitations. In fact, such techniques require the introduction of specialized and expensive hardware. Thus, as mentioned above, reading barcodes requires the use of equipment equipped with optical readers. RFID chips also require the use of specialized reading devices, such as portable RFID readers or gates, which can be heavy and complex to install.

[0007] Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to correct all or some of the shortcomings of the prior art, such as at least some of those described above. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention may propose a solution that enables the location of one or more objects more efficiently than certain solutions of the prior art (e.g., in terms of ease of implementation, cost, and / or energy consumption). Such a solution may, in certain embodiments, help to locate objects outside of any logistics circuit, and thus can also extend the range of applications in which object traceability is traditionally implemented. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve this objective, and according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for locating an object. The aforementioned locating method includes the following steps: - A step of obtaining at least one identification data of at least one object, wherein the said at least one identification data arises from the backscattering of at least one ambient signal, - If the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one uplink between at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, the step of determining the position of the aforementioned at least one object based on the aforementioned at least one identification data and at least one position data of the aforementioned at least one transmitter, or - When the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one downlink between at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, the step of determining the position of the aforementioned at least one object based on the aforementioned at least one identification data and at least one position data of the aforementioned at least one receiver.

[0009] Therefore, the localization method according to the present invention is based on the fact that one or more identification data associated with one or more objects can be generated by ambient backscatter communication technology.

[0010] The use of this backscattering technique does not require the introduction of any specific hardware elements for implementation, except for one or more transmitter devices that can backscatter one or more ambient signals to generate data (e.g., the aforementioned identification data), and therefore can be readily adopted in certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] In fact, one or more ambient signals may be transmitted by hardware elements (such as mobile phones or base stations) in the environment of the object, or by hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, identification data generated by ambient backscatter may be collected by hardware elements (such as mobile phones or base stations) in the environment of the object, for example, by commercially available hardware elements, or by hardware elements implementing certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] In addition, in certain embodiments, location data may also be generated and / or collected by hardware elements within the object's environment.

[0013] Therefore, certain embodiments of the present invention may help to provide advantages in terms of saving hardware, insofar as the hardware can be at least partially based on information obtained using hardware already available in the environment of the object. As a result, certain embodiments of the present invention may help to avoid or, in any case, limit the use of a workforce dedicated to locating one or more objects. Specifically, some of the aforementioned hardware elements in the environment of the object may belong to any user.

[0014] This is further supported by the fact that backscatter communication technology is energy-efficient and easy to implement.

[0015] For example, as a result of the features described above (potential savings in hardware and workforce), certain embodiments of the present invention may help extend the detection, location, and traceability of one or more objects beyond the logistics site and therefore beyond any logistics process.

[0016] In this specification, “logistics process” refers to all operations on objects and changes in the ownership or management of those objects. Such logistics processes enable the generation of a traceable history of events using, for example, an identification associated with each object, and such history may be stored in one or more information systems, such as a server, which functions as a database for this purpose. This history can help trace the movement of objects throughout their lifecycle during the logistics process, after a series of identifications during steps such as manufacturing, storage, order creation and / or grouping with other objects (e.g., grouping objects of the same type in batches), shipping, and delivery of objects that are not grouped.

[0017] For example, it is possible to imagine a case where the first product is the subject of the present invention, and this first product is sold in a store. Therefore, this first product, currently being sold, has left the logistics field. Nevertheless, by placing a transmitter device (or "tag") on this first product such that identification data for this first product can be generated by surrounding backscatter, the aforementioned first product can be located according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] For example, a smartphone belonging to a potential buyer of other products in the store may receive the aforementioned identification data of the first product in addition to ambient signals transmitted by a base station, and transmit that data to a device configured to determine the location of the first product based on the aforementioned identification data of the first product and the location data of the aforementioned smartphone.

[0019] In another example, a smartphone can be a source of ambient signals from which identification data for a first product is generated by ambient backscatter. In this case as well, the position of the first product can be determined using a device configured for this purpose and holding the aforementioned identification data of the first product and the aforementioned position data of the smartphone. In this example, certain embodiments can be implemented without requiring the implementation of the present invention within the smartphone in the ambient signal source.

[0020] Therefore, certain embodiments of the location method of the present invention, unlike certain solutions of the prior art, can enable the location of one or more objects without necessarily relying on actions (gestures) specifically and intentionally performed by an operator trained for this purpose. These considerations also reveal that, in certain embodiments, the location of objects with the aim of providing traceability can be extended outside the conventional circuit of the logistics site (manufacturing, storage, order taking, product grouping, shipping, delivery, etc.). Thus, certain embodiments of the location method of the present invention can help to locate an object after it has left the logistics site, for example, after purchase at a point of sale, and thus help to ensure its traceability.

[0021] Certain embodiments of the location identification method according to the present invention may differ from the prior art in that an object can be located at least partially unintentionally (i.e., the object does not need to be subjected to target search and is detected "accidentally").

[0022] In fact, and initially, the transmission of position data (by the receiver in the case of downlink or by the transmitter in the case of uplink) does not necessarily correlate with the reception of identification data (by the receiver in the case of downlink) or the transmission of ambient signals (by the transmitter in the case of uplink). For example, the transmission of position data may arise from the implementation of a transmission protocol that is unrelated to the reception of object identification data or the transmission of ambient signals.

[0023] Second, in order to verify the identification data of the object, decoding the backscattered signal (whether the link is uplink or downlink by the receiver device) is not necessarily activated as soon as the ambient signal is backscattered. As a completely non-limiting example, and in the case of downlink, the user holding the aforementioned smartphone can decide at will whether to activate the operating mode of the smartphone that enables receiving and decoding possible backscattered ambient signals. (For example, when trying to locate contaminated products from a given batch within a given geographical area) This same user can also decide to activate the aforementioned operating mode when a recommendation message for this effect is transmitted to the user.

[0024] In certain embodiments of the present invention, this location identification method may further include one or more of the following features alone or in any technically possible combination.

[0025] In certain embodiments of the present invention, single location data is obtained, and the step of determining the location of the at least one object described above includes the step of associating the identification data of the at least one object described above with the location data described above.

[0026] In certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of first location data (P) is obtained, and the aforementioned first location data is transmitted by one or more transmitter devices (T) when the aforementioned at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted on at least one uplink, or by one or more receiver devices (T) when the aforementioned at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted on at least one downlink. The step (E30, G30) of determining the location (TRACE_MD) of the aforementioned at least one object (MD) includes - the step of associating the identification data of the at least one object described above with second location data obtained based on the plurality of first location data described above including.

[0027] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second position data is determined by triangulation with the first position data.

[0028] In certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of position data is obtained, and the aforementioned position data is transmitted by one or more transmitter devices when the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted on at least one uplink, or by one or more receiver devices when the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted on at least one downlink. The step of determining the position of the aforementioned at least one object (MD) is - determining adjusted position data based on the aforementioned plurality of position data; - associating the identification data of the aforementioned at least one object with the aforementioned adjusted position data and includes.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the adjusted position data is determined by triangulation with the position data.

[0030] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the method includes the following steps, namely: - obtaining at least one first time data representing the time of backscattering of the aforementioned at least one ambient signal; - obtaining at least one second time data representing the time of generation of the aforementioned at least one position data; determining the position of the aforementioned at least one object taking into account the aforementioned first time data and second time data and includes.

[0031] In some specific implementation modes, the step of determining the position of the aforementioned at least one object takes into account data representing the confidence level in the accuracy of the aforementioned position.

[0032] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a communication method implemented in a receiver device for receiving backscattered ambient signals. The aforementioned communication method includes the following steps, namely: - A step of obtaining at least one identification data of at least one object, wherein the said at least one identification data arises from the backscattering of the said ambient signal, - When the aforementioned ambient signal is transmitted over the downlink between the transmitter and the receiver, the step of transmitting the aforementioned at least one identification data of the aforementioned at least one object and the aforementioned at least one position data of the receiver to the object positioning device, - When the aforementioned ambient signal is transmitted over the uplink between the transmitter and receiver, the step of transmitting the aforementioned at least one identification data of the aforementioned at least one object to the object location device. Includes.

[0033] In certain embodiments, when the aforementioned ambient signal is transmitted over the uplink, the communication method further includes the step of transmitting at least one position data of the aforementioned transmitter device to the aforementioned object positioning device.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a data acquisition method. The method described above includes the step of storing at least one location determined for at least one object according to the object location method according to the present invention, wherein the storage is performed using, for example, one or a computer-readable non-temporary information or recording storage medium to create and / or enhance the location history of the said at least one object.

[0035] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for locating at least one object referred to as “other object”. The aforementioned method for locating at least one other object comprises the following steps: - A step of obtaining the position of at least one object determined according to the object position identification method of the present invention, - A step of determining the position of the aforementioned at least one other object, taking into consideration the vicinity of the aforementioned at least one object and the aforementioned at least one other object. Includes.

[0036] Such measures can help locate one or more objects for which identification data may not be available in certain embodiments.

[0037] In particular, the present invention proposes to attempt to compensate for the lack of this information (the absence of identification data regarding a given object) by determining whether there are past and / or planned proximity (neighborhood) connections between the objects in question in such an implementation.

[0038] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the method for locating at least one other object described above may further include one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0039] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned neighborhood is the past and / or planned geographical neighborhood of the aforementioned at least one localized object and the aforementioned at least one other object.

[0040] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned neighborhood is the past and / or planned geographical neighborhood of the aforementioned at least one localized object and the aforementioned at least one other object during the first period.

[0041] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program that includes instructions for implementing, when executed by a computer, an object location method according to the present invention, a communication method according to the present invention, a data collection method according to the present invention, or a method for locating at least one other object according to the present invention.

[0042] This program can use any programming language and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as a partially compiled form, or any other desired form.

[0043] According to a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable information medium or recording medium on which a computer program according to the present invention is recorded.

[0044] This information medium or recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing a program. For example, the medium may include ROM, such as a CD-ROM or a miniature electronic circuit ROM, a USB key, or magnetic recording means, such as a floppy disk or a hard disk.

[0045] Furthermore, this information medium or recording medium may be a transmission medium such as an electrical signal or optical signal that can be routed via an electrical cable or optical cable, wirelessly, or by other means. The program according to the present invention can be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0046] Alternatively, the information medium or recording medium may be an integrated circuit into which a program is incorporated, and the circuit is designed to perform or be used in performing the method.

[0047] According to the seventh aspect, the present invention - Obtaining at least one identification data for at least one object, wherein the said at least one identification data arises from the backscattering of at least one ambient signal. -When the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one uplink between at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, the position of the aforementioned at least one object is determined based on the aforementioned at least one identification data and at least one position data of the aforementioned at least one transmitter. - When the aforementioned at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one downlink between at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, the position of the aforementioned at least one object is determined based on the aforementioned at least one identification data and at least one position data of the aforementioned at least one receiver. The present invention relates to an object positioning device including at least one processor configured to perform the following.

[0048] According to the eighth aspect, the present invention is configured to receive backscattered ambient signals, -To obtain at least one identification data of at least one object, wherein the said at least one identification data arises from the backscattering of the said ambient signal, -When the aforementioned ambient signal is transmitted over the downlink between the transmitter and receiver, the aforementioned at least one identification data of the aforementioned at least one object and the aforementioned at least one position data of the receiver are transmitted to the object positioning device. -When the aforementioned ambient signal is transmitted over the uplink between the transmitter and receiver, the aforementioned at least one identification data of the aforementioned at least one object is transmitted to the object location device. The present invention relates to a communication device including at least one processor configured to perform the following.

[0049] According to a ninth aspect, the present invention relates to a data acquisition device, the device comprising at least one processor configured to store at least one location determined for at least one object by a location identification device according to the present invention, the storage thereof is performed using computer-readable non-temporary information or recording storage medium, such as one or more computer files, to create and / or enhance the location history of the aforementioned at least one object.

[0050] According to a tenth aspect, the present invention relates to a location device for locationating at least one object referred to as “another object” based on the location of at least one object determined by a location device according to the present invention. The aforementioned location device for locationating at least one other object includes at least one processor configured to determine the location of the aforementioned at least one other object, taking into account the vicinity of the aforementioned at least one location object and the aforementioned at least one other object.

[0051] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned location, communication, and / or collection device - Smartphone - Mobile devices -Base station -server - Network interconnection gateway It is an element of a group that includes at least [this element].

[0052] Brief explanation of the drawing With reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are not limiting, other features and / or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] A system for locating an object, configured to implement backscattering on the downlink between a transmitter and a receiver, is schematically shown in that environment and according to certain embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] A schematic example of the hardware architecture of a location tracking device belonging to the location tracking system shown in Figure 1 is provided. [Figure 3] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of the receiver device. [Figure 4] Some steps of a location identification method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the location identification device shown in Figure 2, are shown in flowchart form. [Figure 5]A flowchart shows some steps of a communication method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the receiver device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of a data acquisition device that, in a certain embodiment, belongs to the location identification system. [Figure 7] Another exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned object locating system is schematically shown, configured to implement backscatter on the downlink between the transmitter and receiver, with a locating device for locating the object located outside the transmitter. [Figure 8] A system for locating an object, which implements backscatter on the uplink between a transmitter and a receiver, is schematically shown in that environment and according to certain embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 9] A schematic example of the hardware architecture of a location tracking device belonging to the location tracking system shown in Figure 4 is provided. [Figure 10] Figure 8 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of the receiver device. [Figure 11] A flowchart shows some steps of a location identification method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the location identification device shown in Figure 9. [Figure 12] A flowchart shows some steps of a communication method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the receiver device shown in Figure 10. [Figure 13] A system for locating an object, which implements backscattering on the downlink and backscattering on the uplink, is schematically shown in that environment and according to certain embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 14] A flowchart shows some steps of a data acquisition method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the data acquisition device shown in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] The present invention includes, for example, locating objects, such as products, particularly before and / or after they have traveled along a logistics circuit, such as a distribution circuit. At least certain implementations of the present invention can help extend the detection, locating, and tracking of one or more objects beyond the aforementioned distribution circuit, in other words, beyond the logistics site, and therefore beyond any logistics process.

[0055] Traceable events recorded during the logistics process may include, among other things, a list of identified items, a timestamp of the identification, the location of the identification, and business steps performed in the identification, such as order creation. These fields may also be supplemented by other information, such as the intended recipient of the order.

[0056] Traceable events can conform to, or utilize, various standards, such as those provided by EDIFACT (Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport), standards used by warehouse management system (WMS) software or business management ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, and standards provided by the GS1 Group, such as EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) standards.

[0057] Furthermore, in the sense of the present invention, the expression "beyond the logistics site" refers to the object leaving the logistics circuit to which it was previously connected. Therefore, when an object leaves the logistics site, it can be located in a place of distribution (for example, this applies when a product is delivered to a distribution point such as a supermarket and is therefore available for purchase by consumers), in a place of consumption (for example, a restaurant), in a place intended for waste collection, in a place within a public space (for example, a road), or in a place within a private personal space (for example, a residence).

[0058] In general, there are no limitations on the location of objects that can be located by certain embodiments of the present invention, particularly once they leave the logistics site.

[0059] Certain embodiments of the present invention can also be noted as being able to help locate objects that are away from the logistics site (unlike certain solutions of the prior art) without requiring the relocation of a dedicated workforce to work intentionally (identification and active localization).

[0060] In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention tend to propose a localization system that is easier and less expensive to implement than certain solutions of the prior art, and that helps to passively localize one or more objects (without requiring the use of a workforce specifically introduced to localize the aforementioned one or more objects).

[0061] In the remaining explanation, and basically in order to simplify such explanations, we will consider examples of locating a single object in a completely non-restrictive manner and unless otherwise specified. For example, we will consider the case where the aforementioned object corresponds to a product (e.g., a sports product) placed in a sales area (e.g., a store specializing in the sale of sporting goods).

[0062] The fact remains that certain embodiments of the present invention remain applicable regardless of the number of objects to be located and the nature of those objects, and generalizations of the embodiments described also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 1 schematically shows a system 10 for locating an object MD in its environment and according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0064] The location system 10 in Figure 1, referred to as the “tracer” TRA in the remainder of this description, includes a location device configured to perform processing operations for locating an object MD by implementing a location method according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Technical details relating to the hardware configuration of the aforementioned tracer TRA, which is included in the scope of the embodiment of Figure 1, and the location method implemented by the aforementioned tracer TRA will be described in more detail later.

[0065] System 10 also includes a communication device T configured to receive backscatter signals and transmit position data P by implementing a communication method according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Technical details relating to the hardware configuration of the aforementioned communication device T, which is included in the scope of the embodiment of Figure 1, and the communication method implemented by the aforementioned communication device T will be described in more detail later.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the location system 10 is placed in an environment that includes a transmitter device S configured to transmit a radio signal called an "ambient signal" S_AMB at a transmission frequency F_E that falls within a given frequency band called the "transmission band". The ambient signal S_AMB can be transmitted continuously, for example, or recursively.

[0067] With regard to the remaining explanation, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 considers, in a completely non-limiting manner, a case in which the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted by only a single transmitter device S. The choice to consider a single transmitter device is made here simply for the sake of simplicity. Therefore, there is no limit to the number of transmitter devices that can be considered within the scope of the present invention, and the following development can generally be easily applied by those skilled in the art to cases in which there are actually multiple transmitter devices.

[0068] In this specification, "wireless signal" refers to electromagnetic waves propagated by wireless means, and their frequencies fall within the spectrum of conventional radio waves (from a few hertz to several hundred gigahertz).

[0069] As a completely non-limiting example, the ambient signal S_AMB is a 4G mobile phone signal transmitted by the transmitter S within the transmission bandwidth [811MHz, 821MHz]. However, it should be noted that certain embodiments of the present invention can be applied to other types of radio signals, such as mobile phone signals other than 4G (e.g., 2G, 3G, 5G at 3.5GHz, 5G at 700MHz, etc.), Wi-Fi signals, WiMax signals, DVB-T signals, or combinations of such signals. In general, there are no limitations on the ambient radio signals that can be considered within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Consequently, it should be noted that the number of antennas adapted to the transmitter S does not constitute a limiting factor of the present invention.

[0070] Within the scope of the example shown in Figure 1, we assume that the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted over the downlink between the transmitter S and the communication device T. Thus, the communication device T is serviced by the transmitter S via the ambient signal S_AMB. From these provisions, it becomes clear that the transmitter S and the communication device T can be considered as two devices in a communication system in which the communication device T acts as a "receiver" that receives not only the ambient signal S_AMB but also signals backscattered from the aforementioned signal S_AMB, as will be detailed below.

[0071] In the remaining description of the embodiment in Figure 1, we assume that the transmitter S is a base station and the receiver T is a smartphone mobile terminal belonging to a user. The aforementioned user may be a person who does not belong to the workforce dedicated to implementing the logistics process. Typically, the user is a member of the public moving near the target item MD, for example, a consumer walking through the sales floor where the target item MD is located.

[0072] However, it should be noted that, provided that the transmitter S and receiver T can communicate with each other within a wireless communication network, there are no restrictions on the form that the transmitter S and receiver T can take. Therefore, to give another example, the transmitter S can be compatible with a Wi-Fi terminal, and the receiver T can be compatible with a smartphone, touchscreen tablet, personal digital assistant, or even a personal computer that can communicate using the Wi-Fi protocol.

[0073] In certain embodiments of the location identification method of the present invention, location data P that can be transmitted by terminal T may be used by a tracer TRA. This location data P is carried by a signal called a "location signal" S_LOC, which represents the location of terminal T at the time the aforementioned location signal S_LOC is transmitted.

[0074] For example, the aforementioned location data P could be GPS (Global Positioning System) data indicating the geographical coordinates of terminal T.

[0075] However, nothing precludes the expectation of location data other than GPS data. For example, the aforementioned location data P can be an identifier associated with the communication cell to which terminal T belongs among all the cells of the communication network in which the aforementioned communication terminal T and base station S communicate. Such an identifier could, for example, point to the geographical coordinates of the center of the communication cell associated with terminal T.

[0076] The environment in which the positioning system 10 is located also includes an object MD that can be positioned by the aforementioned system 10. The aforementioned object MD includes, for example, a wireless communication device called an RF "transmitter" (also called a "tag" in the literature) that is fixedly placed on the surface of the object MD. The aforementioned RF transmitter is further configured to transmit a signal S_RETRO, which is the result of ambient backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB, to a terminal T.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the ambient backscatter communication includes an RF transmitter that utilizes the ambient signal S_AMB to transmit a message to the aforementioned terminal T using the aforementioned signal S_RETRO. Specifically, the aforementioned message may include identification data M of the aforementioned RF transmitter. The aforementioned identification data M may include an identifier of object MD, which is, for example, a manufacturing number to distinguish the aforementioned object MD from similar objects in the case of mass production.

[0078] Identification data M is transmitted, for example, by altering the backscatter of an ambient signal S_AMB, and this alteration is based on the RF transmitter's ability to modify the impedance shown in an antenna (not shown) adapted to the RF transmitter in accordance with the transmitted identification data M.

[0079] Specifically, an RF transmitter may be associated with an operating state that depends on the impedance exhibited by its antenna. For the remainder of this explanation, these states are considered without restriction as either a “backscattered” state (the RF transmitter can backscatter the signal S_AMB) or the opposite state called a “non-backscattered” state (the RF transmitter cannot backscatter the signal S_AMB, or in other words, is “transparent” to the signal S_AMB). The impedance associated with the backscattered state corresponds, for example, to zero or infinite impedance, while the impedance associated with the non-backscattered state corresponds, for example, to the complex conjugate of the antenna's characteristic impedance in the propagation medium under consideration and at the frequency under consideration.

[0080] It is important to note that the present invention is not limited to this ideal case in which only two states, complete backscattering and complete non-backscattering, are considered. In fact, certain embodiments of the present invention can be applied to cases in which the two states (the first and second states) are not complete backscattering / complete non-backscattering, provided that the change in the backscattered wave is perceptible to a terminal T intended to receive identification data M.

[0081] The identification data M transmitted to terminal T by the RF transmitter device via the signal S_RETRO can be encoded by a set of symbols, for example, in certain embodiments of the present invention, including a symbol called a "high" symbol having a first value (e.g., a bit or a set of bits with the value "1") and / or a symbol called a "low" symbol having a second value (e.g., a bit or a set of bits with the value "0"). Thus, the transmission of the identification data M by changing the ambient backscatter can be done by alternating between the aforementioned backscatter state and the non-backscatter state, with each of the aforementioned states being used for the transmission of one symbol (e.g., a high symbol for the backscatter state and a low symbol for the non-backscatter state, or vice versa). In other words, the identification data M transmitted by the RF transmitter device can be carried to terminal T by modulating the wave of the ambient signal S_AMB (i.e., by backmodulation).

[0082] The processing operation aimed at backscattering the aforementioned ambient signal S_AMB can be performed by an RF transmitter device, for example, by implementing a backscattering method (not shown). For this purpose, the RF transmitter device includes, for example, one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.), in which data and computer programs can be stored in such storage means in the form of a set of program code instructions executed to implement the aforementioned backscattering method.

[0083] As an alternative or in addition, the RF transmitter device may also include one or more programmable logic circuits of the type such as FPGAs and PLDs, and / or dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or a set of discrete electronic components, etc., designed to implement a backscattering method.

[0084] In other words, an RF transmitter device may include a set of means consisting of software (a specific computer program) and / or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) for implementing a backscattering method.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, terminal T may be configured to perform processing operations aimed at decoding the backscatter signal S_RETRO in particular to obtain identification data M of the RF transmitter device. The aforementioned identification data M can be obtained by implementing a decoding method (not shown) in certain embodiments.

[0086] For this purpose, terminal T includes, for example, one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.), in which data and computer programs are stored in such storage means in the form of a set of program code instructions that are executed to implement the aforementioned decoding method.

[0087] Alternatively, or in addition, terminal T may include one or more programmable logic circuits of the type such as FPGAs and PLDs, and / or dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or a set of discrete electronic components, etc., designed to implement the decoding method.

[0088] In other words, terminal T may include a set of means consisting of software (a specific computer program) and / or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) for implementing the decoding method.

[0089] In certain embodiments, signal processing for ambient backscatter data transmission and decoding of such data can implement various techniques, particularly those detailed in the following document, which will be useful to those skilled in the art: “Ambient Backscatter Communications: A Contemporary Survey”, N. Van Huynh, D. Thai Hoang, X. Lu, D. Niyato, P. Wang, D. In Kim, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol.20, no.4, pp.2889-2922, Fourthquarter 2018.

[0090] It should be noted that, with respect to ambient backscatter communication, the base station S, terminal T, tracer TRA, and RF transmitter equipment may be separate from each other. As shown in Figure 1, in certain embodiments, the tracer TRA can also be integrated into the base station S.

[0091] The backscatter signal S_RETRO (each corresponding to the position signal S_LOC) has so far been described only as containing identification data M (each corresponding to the position data P), but there is nothing to rule out the possibility that this signal contains further data.

[0092] Therefore, for example, the backscatter signal S_RETRO may include, in addition to the identification data M, time data representing (or a time very close to) the time of backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB.

[0093] In another example, or perhaps in addition to the previous example, the position signal S_LOC may include time data representing the time of generation of the position data P, in addition to the position data P.

[0094] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of the tracer TRA shown in Figure 1.

[0095] As shown in Figure 2, the tracer TRA may have a computer hardware architecture. Specifically, the tracer TRA may include at least one processor 1_TRA1, at least one random access memory 2_TRA1, at least one read-only memory 3_TRA1, and at least one non-volatile memory 4_TRA1. The tracer TRA also has at least one communication module 5_TRA1.

[0096] The read-only memory 3_TRA1 of the tracer TRA can constitute a recording medium, which is readable by the processor 1_TRA1, and a computer program PROG_TRA1 containing instructions for performing a location method according to certain embodiments of the present invention is recorded thereon. The program PROG_TRA1 is based on, for example, the aforementioned hardware elements 1_TRA1 to 5_TRA1 of the tracer TRA, or controls them, and in particular - A first acquisition module configured to obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M of the object MD), - A second acquisition module configured to obtain location data (in this case, location data P of terminal T), - A decision module configured to determine the position of an object (in this case, object MD) based on the aforementioned identification data M and position data P. A functional module for the tracer TRA can be defined, which includes [this].

[0097] Therefore, when the program PROG_TRA1 is executed, the tracer TRA processor 1_TRA1 is, - Obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M of the object MD), and the aforementioned identification data M is obtained from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB. - Determine the position of the object (in this case, object MD) based on the aforementioned identification data M and location data (in this case, location data P of terminal T). It can be configured to perform the following actions.

[0098] The communication module 5_TRA1 can, in particular, enable the tracer TRA to exchange data with other devices, such as a receiver device (terminal T, etc.) that receives backscatter signals and / or a base station S (in which the tracer TRA is incorporated, as in the example of Figure 1). To this end, the communication module 5_TRA1 includes, for example, a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data. In general, there are no restrictions on the communication interface used by the communication module 5_TRA1, which may be wired or wireless and can implement various communication protocols for exchanging the aforementioned data (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). It should be noted that the communication module 5_TRA1 can incorporate the aforementioned first and second acquisition modules adapted to the tracer TRA.

[0099] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of terminal T in Figure 1.

[0100] As shown in Figure 3, terminal T may have a computer hardware architecture. Specifically, terminal T may include at least one processor 1_T, at least one random access memory 2_T, at least one read-only memory 3_T, and at least one non-volatile memory 4_T. Terminal T also has at least one communication module 5_T.

[0101] The read-only memory 3_T of terminal T can constitute a recording medium, which is readable by processor 1_T, and on which a computer program PROG_T containing instructions for executing a communication method according to certain embodiments of the present invention is recorded. The program PROG_T is based on, for example, the aforementioned hardware elements 1_T to 5_T of terminal T, or controls them, and in particular - An acquisition module configured to obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M) of the target object (in this case, target object MD), - A transmission module configured to transmit the identification data M and location data (in this case, the identification data P of terminal T) of the aforementioned object MD to the tracer TRA. A functional module for terminal T, including this module, can be defined.

[0102] Therefore, when the program PROG_T is executed, the processor 1_T of terminal T is, - Obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M) of the object (in this case, object MD), and the aforementioned identification data M is obtained from the backscattering of the aforementioned ambient signal S_AMB. - The identification data M and location data (in this case, the location data P of terminal T) of the aforementioned object MD are transmitted to the tracer TRA. It can be configured to perform the following actions.

[0103] Figure 4 shows in flowchart form some steps of a localization method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the tracer TRA of Figure 2.

[0104] In the remaining explanation of this location method, - The backscatter signal S_RETRO also includes time data T_RETRO, which represents the time of backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB. - The position signal S_LOC also includes time data T_LOC, which represents the time of generation of the position data P. To think about it in a completely unrestricted way.

[0105] As shown in Figure 4, this localization method includes step E10 of obtaining identification data M of the object MD. This step E10 is at least partially implemented by a first acquisition module, for example, which is adapted to a tracer TRA.

[0106] Step E10, which involves obtaining identification data M, may, in certain embodiments, include a tracer TRA that receives the identification data M by, for example, a communication module 5_TRA1.

[0107] For example, as long as the signal S_RETRO is transmitted to terminal T, another signal containing the aforementioned identification data M may be transmitted by terminal T to base station S (the transmission of such another signal is considered here to be a step of the communication method according to the present invention, implemented by terminal T in the illustrated embodiment). In the example of Figure 1, this other signal may be received by base station S so that the identification data M can be transferred to (and thus obtained by) a tracer TRA incorporated within base station S.

[0108] Similarly, this localization method also includes step E20 of obtaining location data P representing the geographic location of terminal T (e.g., communication device 12 in Figure 1) of the backscatter signal S_RETRO containing identification data M. This step E20 can be at least partially implemented by a second acquisition module adapted to the tracer TRA.

[0109] In certain embodiments, the aforementioned obtaining step E20 may include receiving location data P representing the geographical location of terminal T that receives the backscatter signal S_RETRO containing identification data M. Thus, in the example shown by Figure 1, obtaining step E20 includes base station S receiving signal S_LOC (where the transmission of signal S_LOC is considered a step of the communication method according to the present invention implemented by terminal T in the illustrated embodiment). The aforementioned signal S_LOC is received by base station S so that the location data P can be transferred to (and thus obtained by) a tracer TRA incorporated within base station S.

[0110] It should be noted that in certain implementations, steps E10 and E20 may be considered as two separate steps. However, nothing precludes considering other implementations in which steps E10 and E20 correspond to exactly the same steps, such that terminal T obtains identification data M and location data P together (for example, simultaneously). For example, such an implementation may involve simultaneously receiving a signal containing identification data M and a location signal S_LOC, or, in another example, receiving a single signal containing both identification data M and location data P (for example, if the location signal S_LOC contains the aforementioned identification data M) (in this case, it will be understood that the communication method according to the present invention, which may be implemented by terminal T, for example, involves two transmissions or a single transmission that are implemented simultaneously or non-simultaneously).

[0111] Furthermore, if identification data M and location data P cannot be obtained simultaneously by the tracer TRA, there are no restrictions on the order in which these data can be obtained. Therefore, identification data M can be obtained before location data P, and vice versa.

[0112] At the end of steps E10 and E20, the tracer TRA holds identification data M and location data P. Thus, as shown by Figure 4, this localization method includes step E30, which determines the location of object MD based on the identification data M and location data P. This step E30 is implemented by a determination module adapted to the tracer TRA.

[0113] The position of object MD is determined by the tracer TRA, and such position is referred to as "TRACE_MD" for the remainder of this specification.

[0114] In certain implementations, determining the position TRACE_MD of object MD may involve associating the identification data M of object MD with the position data P of terminal T. In other words, in such a configuration, and insofar as a single position data P is obtained by the tracer TRA after the implementation of step E20, object MD is considered to occupy the same position as that occupied by terminal T, independently of (i.e., without considering) the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC associated with the backscatter signal S_RETRO and position signal S_LOC, respectively. Note that these time data are optional and may be omitted in certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0115] According to another specific implementation, determining the object's position TRACE_MD may also take into account the time data T_RETRO and / or T_LOC.

[0116] For example, the time difference between time data T_RETRO and T_LOC can be determined, and if the aforementioned time difference is less than a first value (e.g., a constant threshold or relative threshold ranging from a few minutes to several days), then, as in the implementation mode described above, in certain embodiments, it can be assumed that the object MD occupies the same location as the terminal T. Imposing an upper limit on the aforementioned time difference by using the first value can help improve the reliability of the determined location TRACE_MD. In fact, if the aforementioned time difference is very large (i.e., exceeds the first fixed value), there is a risk that the communication device 12 is occupying a location P far from the location of the object MD when the location signal S_LOC is transmitted.

[0117] It should be noted that if the aforementioned time difference exceeds the first value mentioned above, it can be considered that the position TRACE_MD of the object MD cannot be determined.

[0118] Figure 5 shows in flowchart form some steps of a communication method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by terminal T in Figure 3.

[0119] At least some of the aforementioned steps of the communication method have already been described in the explanation of the location method in Figure 4. Therefore, those steps will only be briefly reviewed here.

[0120] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, this communication method includes a step F10 to obtain identification data M of the object MD, the aforementioned identification data M arising from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB.

[0121] This communication method further includes step F20 of obtaining location data P of terminal T.

[0122] Here, it should be noted that if the identification data M and location data P are not transmitted by the exact same signal, this step F20 may be subject to two transmission substeps in certain implementations.

[0123] Finally, this communication method includes step F30 of transmitting identification data M and terminal T location data P to tracer TRA.

[0124] If the position TRACE_MD of the object MD is determined independently of the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, the aforementioned position TRACE_MD is stored in the memory means of the tracer TRA and / or base station S as a pair of data including position data P and identification data M, i.e., in the format TRACE_MD=(P,M).

[0125] In a modified form, the aforementioned location TRACE_MD is stored in the storage means of the tracer TRA and / or base station S in the form of an n-tuple of data including location data P, identification data M, and at least one time data, for example, time data T_RETRO, time data T_LOC, time data representing the acquisition time of the identification data and / or location data, and / or time data representing the determination time of the aforementioned location TRACE_MD (i.e., the execution time of step E30).

[0126] When the position TRACE_MD of an object MD is determined taking into account the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, the aforementioned position TRACE_MD is stored, for example, in the memory means of the tracer TRA and / or base station S. Specifically, the aforementioned storage is performed in the form of an n-tuple of data containing position data P, identification data M, and time data determined based on the data T_RETRO and T_LOC. For example, in certain embodiments, the time data contained in the aforementioned n-tuple of data may be the data T_RETRO. However, nothing excludes considering time data that is different from T_RETRO contained in the n-tuple of data, and is, for example, T_LOC, or time data representing the time between T_RETRO and T_LOC (for example, an average equal to 1 / 2x(T_RETRO+T_LOC)), or time data equal to the time of determination of the aforementioned position TRACE_MD (i.e., the execution time of step E30).

[0127] Therefore, from the embodiments described above regarding the storage of the object MD's position TRACE_MD, it becomes clear that the present invention also includes a data acquisition device D_MEM. In the configuration described above with respect to Figure 1, the tracer TRA or base station S can play the role of this data acquisition device D_MEM. Nevertheless, it is understood that a device separate from the tracer TRA and base station S can also play the role of the aforementioned data acquisition device, and therefore, this other device is configured to obtain the position TRACE_MD from the tracer TRA. Such a device could be, for example, a server connected to a database.

[0128] In general, the data acquisition device D_MEM has a hardware architecture as shown in Figure 6 (Figure 1 and Figure 8 and later described). Figure 13 It should be noted that the data acquisition device D_MEM is also shown in a completely non-restrictive manner.

[0129] As shown in Figure 6, the data acquisition device D_MEM may have a computer hardware architecture. Therefore, the acquisition device D_MEM may include, in particular, at least one processor 1_MEM, at least one random access memory 2_MEM, at least one read-only memory 3_MEM, and at least one non-volatile memory 4_MEM. The acquisition device D_MEM also has at least one communication module 5_MEM.

[0130] The read-only memory 3_MEM of the data acquisition device D_MEM is readable by the processor 1_MEM and may constitute a recording medium on which a computer program PROG_MEM containing instructions for performing a data acquisition method according to certain embodiments of the present invention is recorded. The program PROG_MEM may define a functional module of the data acquisition device D_MEM, which includes a data acquisition module configured to store TRACE_MD, the location of an object MD determined by, for example, the hardware elements 1_MEM to 5_MEM of the data acquisition device D_MEM, and in particular by the tracer TRA, wherein the aforementioned storage is performed in a file to constitute a location history of the aforementioned at least one object.

[0131] Therefore, when the program PROG_MEM is executed, the processor of the data acquisition device D_MEM may be configured to store at least one location TRACE_MD of the object MD determined by the tracer TRA, and the aforementioned storage is performed in a file to constitute the location history of the aforementioned at least one object.

[0132] Implemented by the data acquisition device D_MEM (for example) Figure 14 It is also clear from the above that the data collection method (shown above) includes step K10 of storing TRACE_MD, the location of at least one object MD determined by the tracer TRA, and the aforementioned storage is performed in a file to constitute the location history of the aforementioned at least one object.

[0133] The aforementioned location history may, in certain embodiments, include n-tuples of data as described above. These n-tuples can be ordered, for example, in ascending or descending order according to their time data. Such embodiments can help track a particular location occupied by an object MD over time. Such history may be useful, for example, when an object MD is identified as belonging to a batch of defective (or contaminated) products, to determine a geographical area containing persons (consumers) or entities (sales floors) that are likely (or likely to be) holding the aforementioned object MD, and to warn those persons (consumers) or entities (sales floors) of that fact.

[0134] Regardless of the implementation method under consideration (whether or not to consider time data T_RETRO and T_LOC when determining the position TRACE_MD of the object MD), it should be noted that determining the position TRACE_MD of the object MD can take into account the data representing the confidence level of the position TRACE_MD as described above.

[0135] For example, the probability can be calculated based on the time difference between the time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, and the larger this time difference, the lower the aforementioned probability (i.e., the lower the reliability of the accuracy of the object MD's position TRACE_MD).

[0136] In another example, or in combination with the previous example, the aforementioned probability is calculated to take into account the precision of the location data P. Such precision typically depends on how the location data P is obtained. For example, such precision could be the characteristic precision of the GPS reading, or even a precision manually implemented to take into account error limits (e.g., a radius in meters to define an area around geographic coordinates, an area where the object is likely to be located, etc.).

[0137] In another example, a probability or weighting factor can be taken into account, which is associated with one quality of the signal received by the base station S or tracer TRA.

[0138] Furthermore, the location identification method in Figure 4 has been described so far assuming that the group of steps formed by steps E10, E20, and E30 is performed only once. However, the present invention also includes cases in which at least one step of this group is performed repeatedly.

[0139] Therefore, in certain implementations, steps E10, E20, and E30 of the localization method may be repeated recursively, for example, periodically.

[0140] Furthermore, it can be considered that when step E30 is executed, the tracer TRA holds multiple location data transmitted by terminal T. This can occur, for example, from the recursive transmission of the location signal S_LOC by terminal T, for example, periodically. In this case, the expression "obtain at least one identification data" in the implementation of step E20 above corresponds to obtaining at least one of the data from the aforementioned multiple location data.

[0141] For example, the data obtained after implementing step E20 is one of the multiple location data mentioned above.

[0142] In another example, the obtained position data can be the last position data received from terminal T, or it can be inferred from position data received immediately before and immediately after obtaining the identification data. In certain embodiments, time data T_RETRO and T_LOC, which are contained in the backscatter signal S_RETRO and position signal S_LOC respectively, can be taken into consideration. For example, the data obtained after the implementation of step E20 may be one of the aforementioned multiple position data whose associated time data is temporally closest to the time data associated with the identification data M obtained by tracer TRA after the implementation of step E10.

[0143] Furthermore, we have considered the possibility of the tracer TRA being integrated into the base station S in relation to the embodiments described so far and in Figure 1. However, according to other embodiments, nothing precludes considering the tracer TRA to be located outside the base station S. In that case, location data P and identification data M can be transmitted directly to the tracer TRA by, for example, a terminal T. Here, "directly" means that the aforementioned location data P and identification data M do not pass through the base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA. Alternatively, even if the tracer TRA is located outside the base station S, all or part of the aforementioned data may be transmitted directly to the tracer TRA by the terminal T, and the remaining data may pass through the base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA. Figure 7 illustrates, in a completely non-limiting manner, an example in which location data P and identification data M pass through the base station S before being obtained by a tracer TRA located outside the base station S.

[0144] The present invention has been generally described up to this point with respect to the location identification system 10 in Figure 1, in which the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted over the downlink between the base station S and the terminal T. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

[0145] Figure 8 schematically shows a system 20 for locating an object MD in another embodiment, in its environment and in accordance with the present invention.

[0146] The embodiment in Figure 8 differs from the embodiment in Figure 1, in particular, in that we now consider the ambient signal S_AMB to be transmitted by terminal T. In other words, the ambient signal S_AMB is transmitted over the uplink between terminal T and base station S. As a result, and contrary to what was explained above regarding the embodiment in Figure 1, here we can consider base station S and terminal T as two devices of a communication system, with terminal T acting as a "transmitter" for the ambient signal S_AMB, and base station S acting as a "receiver" that will receive the backscatter signal (and therefore data related to the identification of the target object MD).

[0147] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, it is clear from these specifications that the RF transmitter device can be configured to transmit the signal S_RETRO to the base station S due to the ambient backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB transmitted by the terminal T.

[0148] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the base station S can be configured to perform a processing operation aimed at decoding the backscatter signal S_RETRO in order to obtain the identification data M of the RF transmitter device contained in the signal S_RETRO. The aforementioned identification data M can be obtained, for example, by implementing a decoding method (not shown).

[0149] The base station S includes, for example, one or more processors and storage means (magnetic hard disk, electronic memory, optical disk, etc.), and data and computer programs may be stored in such storage means in the form of a set of program code instructions executed to implement the aforementioned decoding method.

[0150] As an alternative or in addition, the base station S may also include one or more programmable logic circuits of the type such as FPGAs and PLDs, and / or dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or a set of discrete electronic components, etc., designed to implement the decoding method.

[0151] In other words, base station S may include a set of means consisting of software (a specific computer program) and / or hardware (FPGA, PLD, ASIC, etc.) for implementing a decoding method.

[0152] Some embodiments, including obtaining position data of a receiver device that receives backscatter signals on the downlink, have been described above with reference to Figure 1. However, it should be noted that some embodiments with reference to Figure 8 may include obtaining position data of at least one transmitter device that transmits ambient signals S_AMB on the uplink, i.e., terminal T shown in Figure 8.

[0153] Now, let me further point out that certain embodiments of the communication method according to the present invention can be implemented by a base station S, as long as it is a base station S that is a receiver of backscatter signals.

[0154] Apart from these embodiments, the technical features described above with respect to the location identification system 10 and the elements included in its environment, and which are technically applicable within the scope of the embodiment in Figure 8, are again adopted here. It will be understood that the identification data of the target object MD is obtained from the base station S, and the location data related to the terminal T that transmits ambient signals is obtained directly or indirectly (for example, via the station) by the tracer TRA.

[0155] In the remainder of the explanation, and to begin with, we will consider in a completely non-restrictive manner (and as we did for system 10 in Figure 1) when the tracer TRA is integrated into base station S.

[0156] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of the tracer TRA shown in Figure 8.

[0157] As shown in Figure 9, the tracer TRA may have, for example, a computer hardware architecture. Therefore, the tracer TRA may specifically include at least one processor 1_TRA2, at least one random access memory 2_TRA2, at least one read-only memory 3_TRA2, and at least one non-volatile memory 4_TRA2. The tracer TRA may also have at least one communication module 5_TRA2.

[0158] The read-only memory 3_TRA2 of the tracer TRA constitutes a recording medium, which is readable by the processor 1_TRA2, and a computer program PROG_TRA2 containing instructions for performing steps of a location method according to certain embodiments of the present invention may be recorded thereon. The program PROG_TRA2 is based on, for example, the aforementioned hardware elements 1_TRA2 to 5_TRA2 of the tracer TRA, or controls them, and in particular - A first acquisition module configured to obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M of the object MD), - A second acquisition module configured to obtain location data (in this case, location data P of terminal T), - A decision module configured to determine the position of an object (in this case, object MD) based on the aforementioned identification data M and position data P. Define the functional modules of the tracer TRA, including those included.

[0159] Therefore, when the program PROG_TRA2 is executed, the tracer TRA processor 1_TRA2 is, - Obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M of the object MD), and the aforementioned identification data M is obtained from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB. - Determine the position of the object (in this case, object MD) based on the aforementioned identification data M and location data (in this case, location data P of terminal T). It can be configured to perform the following actions.

[0160] The communication module 5_TRA2 enables, in particular, the tracer TRA to exchange data with other devices, such as a transmitter device (terminal T, etc.) that transmits backscatter signals and / or a base station S (in which the tracer TRA is incorporated, as in the example in Figure 8). To this end, the communication module 5_TRA2 includes, for example, a computer data bus capable of transmitting digital data. In general, there are no restrictions on the communication interface used by the communication module 5_TRA2, which may be wired or wireless and can implement various communication protocols for exchanging the aforementioned data (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). It should be noted that the communication module 5_TRA2 can incorporate the aforementioned first and second acquisition modules adapted to the tracer TRA.

[0161] Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the hardware architecture of base station S shown in Figure 8.

[0162] As shown in Figure 10, the base station S may have a computer hardware architecture. Specifically, the base station S may include at least one processor 1_S, at least one random access memory 2_S, at least one read-only memory 3_S, and at least one non-volatile memory 4_S. The base station S also has at least one communication module 5_S.

[0163] The read-only memory 3_S of the base station S can constitute a recording medium, which is readable by the processor 1_S, and a computer program PROG_S containing instructions for executing a communication method according to certain embodiments of the present invention is recorded thereon. The program PROG_S is based on, for example, the above-mentioned hardware elements 1_S to 5_S of the base station S, or controls them, and in particular - An acquisition module configured to obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M) of the target object (in this case, target object MD), - A transmission module configured to transmit the identification data M and location data (in this case, the location data P of terminal T) of the aforementioned object MD to the tracer TRA. The functional modules of the base station S, including the above, can be defined.

[0164] Therefore, when the program PROG_S is executed, the processor 1_S of the base station S is, - Obtain identification data (in this case, identification data M) of the object (in this case, object MD), and the aforementioned identification data M is obtained from the backscattering of the aforementioned ambient signal S_AMB. - The identification data M and location data (in this case, the location data P of terminal T) of the aforementioned object MD are transmitted to the tracer TRA. It can be configured to perform the following actions.

[0165] Figure 11 shows in flowchart form some steps of a localization method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the tracer TRA of Figure 9.

[0166] In the remaining explanation of this location method, - The backscatter signal S_RETRO also includes time data T_RETRO, which represents the time of backscatter of the ambient signal S_AMB. - The position signal S_LOC also includes time data T_LOC, which represents the time of generation of the position data P. And we think about it in a completely non-limiting way.

[0167] As shown in Figure 11, this localization method includes step G10 of obtaining identification data M of the object MD. This step G10 is at least partially implemented by a first acquisition module, for example, which is adapted to a tracer TRA.

[0168] Unlike the method for determining location shown in Figure 4 described above, here the backscatter signal S_RETRO is received directly or indirectly by the base station S (obtaining identification data M for the purpose of forwarding it to the tracer TRA is considered here to be a step of the communication method according to the present invention implemented by the base station S).

[0169] "Direct reception" here means that the signal S_RETRO is not intercepted between the RF transmitter and the base station S. In the embodiment relating to Figure 1, the aforementioned signal S_RETRO is first received by the terminal T in order to later transmit identification data M to the tracer TRA (possibly by source SO).

[0170] Therefore, at the end of step G10, the tracer TRA holds the identification data M of the object MD.

[0171] The location method shown in Figure 11 also includes step G20, which involves obtaining location data P for terminal T. This step G20 is at least partially implemented by a second acquisition module, for example, which is adapted to a tracer TRA.

[0172] The aforementioned obtaining step G20 follows the transmission of the signal S_LOC by terminal T to base station S. The aforementioned signal S_LOC is received by base station S so that the location data P can be transferred to the tracer TRA incorporated into the transmission source SO (and therefore can be obtained by the tracer TRA) (the transmission of the location data P by base station S to the tracer TRA is considered here to be a step of the communication method according to the present invention).

[0173] It should be noted that in certain implementations, steps G10 and G20 are two separate steps. However, nothing precludes considering other implementations in which steps G10 and G20 correspond to exactly the same steps, so that the tracer TRA obtains the identification data M and location data P together (for example, simultaneously) in the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0174] Furthermore, if identification data M and location data P cannot be obtained simultaneously by the tracer TRA, there are no restrictions on the order in which these data can be obtained. Therefore, identification data M can be obtained before location data P, and vice versa.

[0175] At the end of steps G10 and G20, the tracer TRA holds identification data M and location data P. Thus, as shown by Figure 10, this localization method includes step G30, which determines the location TRACE_MD of the object MD based on the identification data M and location data P. This step G30 is implemented by a determination module adapted to the tracer TRA.

[0176] The implementation of step G30 is the same as that of step E30 described above with respect to Figure 4.

[0177] Figure 12 shows in flowchart form some steps of a communication method according to a certain embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented by the base station S of Figure 10.

[0178] At least some of the aforementioned steps of the communication method have already been described in the explanation of the location method in Figure 11. Therefore, those steps will only be briefly reviewed here.

[0179] Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, this communication method includes a step H10 to obtain identification data M of the object MD, the aforementioned identification data M arising from the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB.

[0180] This communication method further includes step H20, which involves obtaining location data P for terminal T. In the same manner as described above with respect to steps G10 and G20 of the location method in Figure 11, step H20 may be implemented such that the identification data M and location data P are received simultaneously or non-simultaneously by the base station S.

[0181] Finally, this communication method includes step H30 of transmitting the aforementioned identification data M and location data P from the base station S to the tracer TRA.

[0182] It should be noted that the position TRACE_MD determined by the tracer TRA according to the positioning method in Figure 11 may, in certain embodiments, be stored in a file to constitute the position history of the object MD. For this purpose, the above embodiments regarding the use of the data acquisition device (Figure 6) and the implementation of the data acquisition method implemented by the aforementioned data acquisition device are still applicable to the embodiment relating to the system 20 in Figure 8.

[0183] Up to this point, we have considered embodiments related to Figure 8, assuming that the tracer TRA is integrated into the base station S. However, according to other embodiments, there is nothing that excludes the idea that the tracer TRA is located outside the base station S. In that case, the location data P and identification data M are first received by the base station S, and the base station S transmits them to the tracer TRA. In a completely unrestricted manner, This example shows a case where location data P and identification data M pass through base station S before being obtained by the tracer TRA located outside of base station S.

[0184] In a certain embodiment related to Figure 8, when the tracer TRA is outside the base station S: -The aforementioned base station S receives the identification data M of the aforementioned object MD from the RF transmitter (and therefore from the object MD) due to the backscattering of the ambient signal S_AMB. - The tracer TRA receives the location data P of the aforementioned terminal T directly from terminal T. It is also possible to consider this. In other words, in these embodiments, only the identification data M passes through the base station S before being transferred to the tracer TRA.

[0185] The present invention has been described so far assuming that the location identification systems 10 and 20 include only one communication device T (Figures 1 and 8). However, considering a single communication device T constitutes only one variant embodiment of the present invention.

[0186] Therefore, it can be considered that multiple position data are obtained by the tracer TRA, and the aforementioned position data is transmitted by multiple communication devices (in this case, there is a "transmitter" device if the ambient signal is thought to be transmitted on the uplink, or a "receiver" device if the ambient signal is thought to be transmitted on the downlink, and there is also a combination of a transmitter and a receiver). Therefore, determining the position of the object MD is, for example: - Determining adjusted position data based on the aforementioned multiple position data, - Associating the identification data of at least one of the aforementioned objects with the adjusted position data. It may include.

[0187] As a completely non-restrictive example, adjusted position data can be determined by triangulation between position data (and therefore this involves pooling multiple position data).

[0188] However, nothing precludes the possibility that the adjusted position data is determined by a method other than triangulation. For example, the position data is randomly selected from the aforementioned multiple position data, as is the case with the adjusted position data.

[0189] Naturally, the present invention as described above can generally be applied even when multiple objects located within the environment of the positioning systems 10 and 20 are each equipped with a transmitter that can backscatter ambient signals in order to generate a backscatter signal that carries at least identification data of the object to which the aforementioned transmitter device is connected.

[0190] A certain exemplary embodiment of the present invention Figure 13 As shown below, in this example, the location system includes a plurality of objects MD_1, MD_2, MD_3, each having a transmitter RF_1, RF_2, RF_3, respectively. The location system also includes a plurality of terminals T_E1, T_E2, each configured to transmit a backscatterable ambient signal by the transmitters RF_1, RF_2, RF_3 toward a base station S. The location system further includes a plurality of terminals T_R1, T_R2, T_R3, T_R4, each configured to receive and decode a backscatter signal resulting from the backscattering of the ambient signal transmitted by the base station S by the transmitters RF_1, RF_2, RF_3. Figure 13 The location system also includes a tracer TRA and a data acquisition device D_MEM, which are integrated into the base station S.

[0191] It is important to note that the present invention is not limited to locating one or more of the aforementioned objects, which are provided with a transmitter device capable of backscattering one or more ambient signals for transmitting identification data of the objects.

[0192] In fact, in certain embodiments, the present invention may enable the localization of at least one object, referred to as "other object," based on the location of at least one object determined by the tracer TRA.

[0193] The remaining description will in a completely non-limiting manner cover cases in which another single object MC can be located based on the position of a single object MD determined according to the above embodiment (the aforementioned object MC is Figure 7 (As shown in the example). Naturally, and as has already been the case with respect to the location of objects equipped with individual transmitter devices, there is no limit to the number of other objects that can be located by the present invention (i.e., objects that do not have individual transmitter devices).

[0194] Furthermore, for the remainder of the explanation, and to simplify the remainder, we consider in a completely non-restrictive manner that the entity capable of locating the aforementioned other object MC is also a tracer TRA. To this end, the tracer TRA also includes a determination module (separate from, for example, the determination module capable of determining the location of the object MD) configured to determine the location of the aforementioned other object MC, taking into account the neighborhood of the aforementioned locating object MD and the aforementioned at least one other object MC.

[0195] Therefore, when the program PROG_TRA1 is executed, the tracer TRA's processor 1_TRA1 may be configured to determine the position of the aforementioned other object MC by taking into consideration the vicinity of the aforementioned localized object MD and the aforementioned at least one other object MC.

[0196] However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited by such provisions. Therefore, nothing precludes considering, according to other embodiments, a location device for locating the aforementioned other object MCs included in the location system, while being separate from the tracer TRA. In this case, the aforementioned location device, separate from the tracer TRA, has the same hardware architecture as described above for the tracer TRA with respect to Figures 2 and 9.

[0197] Regardless of the above implementation configuration, and in order to assist in locating the aforementioned other object MC, the location method according to the present invention may further include the step of determining the location TRACE_MC of the aforementioned other object MC, taking into account the neighborhood V of the aforementioned location object MD and the aforementioned at least one other object MC (the step shown in E40 in Figure 4 and G40 in Figure 11).

[0198] In certain embodiments, the aforementioned neighborhood V is the past and / or planned geographical vicinity of the aforementioned at least one localized object MD and the aforementioned other object MC. The aforementioned neighborhood V may also be the past and / or planned geographical vicinity during a first period. For example, the aforementioned first period may refer to the design, storage, or transportation phases of the aforementioned objects MD, MC. Naturally, it will be understood that considering such exemplary implementations is particularly relevant in the case of mass-produced objects sold in batches.

[0199] In practice, the aforementioned neighbor V can be taken into account by evaluating the neighbor criterion CR_V, which allows us to at least check whether object MD and the aforementioned other object MC are located close to each other, and / or whether those objects MD, MC are planned to be located close to each other, before implementing the aforementioned evaluation of the neighbor criterion CR_V.

[0200] Therefore, if the neighborhood criterion CR_V is satisfied, the position TRACE_MC of the other object MC is considered to be at least close to the position of object MD. In a more detailed exemplary implementation, the position TRACE_MC of the other object MC is considered to be equal to the position of object MD. In other words, in this more detailed example, if the position of object MD is determined to be TRACE_MD=(t,P,MD) (where t is merely an optional temporal information), then the position of the other object MC is TRACE_MC=(t,P,MC).

[0201] In the same manner as described above for object MD, the aforementioned position TRACE_MC can also be determined to take into account the confidence level of the accuracy of the object MC's position TRACE_MC. To do this, the probability representing the confidence level of the accuracy of the aforementioned position TRACE_MC can be calculated. The probability associated with position TRACE_MC depends, for example, on the probability associated with the object MD's position TRACE_MD.

[0202] In general, there are no restrictions on the definition of the aforementioned proximity criterion CR_V, provided that it is at least possible to determine whether the object OBJ and OBJ_BIS were in the vicinity of each other in the past, and / or whether those objects MD and MC are planned to be placed near each other. In fact, the purpose of using such a proximity criterion CR_V is to at least ensure that there was and / or will be a proximity connection between the object MD and other objects OBJ_BIS.

[0203] To evaluate the aforementioned neighborhood (i.e., proximity) criterion CR_V, the tracer TRA is placed in, for example, a database (for example, as a database) Function The information stored in the server BDD can be accessed. This information is at least partially included in the history of one or more traceable events recorded during one or more logistics processes for the aforementioned object MD and MC.

[0204] In certain embodiments, the proximity criterion CR_V can be inductively determined based on new or updated information that object MD and MC have previously been in each other's vicinity. For example, such exemplary implementations may be used in the context of health alerts or batch recalls to reconstruct the path of potentially defective or contaminated object OBJ_BIS that forms part of the same manufacturing batch as object MD or is possibly contaminated by OBJ.

[0205] As mentioned above, the history of one or more traceable events that the Tracer TRA can access may be subject to various standards such as EDIFACT, WMS, ERP, GS1, and EPCIS.

[0206] More specifically, the aforementioned information accessible to the tracer TRA relates to information about common product groups (groups with identifiers) to which the subject object OBJ and OBJ_BIS belonged or should belong (common transport: ships, airplanes, common transport: trucks, shipping containers identified by GIAI (Global Individual Asset Identifier) ​​or GRAI = Corporate Asset (Global Returnable Asset Identifier), common cargo units such as film packaging pallets identified by SSCC (Continuous Shipment Container Code), common packaging units such as boxes identified by GTIN (General Trade Item Number = 13-digit barcode), spacers (corrugated cardboard pallets) identified by GIAI / GRAI, or reusable wooden pallets or containers (plastic crates) identified by GRAI).

[0207] It should be noted that the present invention has described exemplary embodiments in which the transmitter or receiver device could be a smartphone or a base station, in particular (depending on whether it is an uplink or downlink). These examples are not limiting to the present invention, and in certain embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned location, communication, and / or data collection device may be - Smartphone - Mobile devices - base station - Server - Network interconnection gateway It can be considered an element of a group that includes at least [this element]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0208] S base station T terminal MD Location Identification Object TRA locating device

Claims

1. - A step (E10, G10) in which at least one receiver device (S, T) obtains at least one identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), wherein the at least one identification data arises from the backscatter of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB), - A step (E30, G30) of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object based on the at least one identification data and at least one first position data (P) of the at least one receiver device (T) that receives the at least one ambient signal, wherein the at least one first position data (P) of the at least one receiver device (T) is transmitted from the at least one receiver device (T) to the at least one transmitter device (S), or - A step (E30, G30) of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object based on the at least one identification data and at least one first position data (P) of at least one transmitter device (T) that transmits the at least one ambient signal, wherein the at least one first position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device (T) is transmitted from the at least one transmitter device (T) to the at least one receiver device (S). Methods that include...

2. - When the at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one uplink between the at least one transmitter device (T) and the at least one receiver device (S), the step (E30, G30) of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object is based on the at least one identification data and at least one first position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device (T). The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

3. - When the at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one downlink between the at least one transmitter device (S) and the at least one receiver device (T), the step (E30, G30) of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object is based on the at least one identification data and at least one first position data of the at least one receiver device (T), The method according to claim 1 or 2, including the method described in claim 1 or 2.

4. A plurality of first position data (P) are obtained, and the first position data are transmitted by one or more transmitter devices (T) if the at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted on at least one uplink, or by one or more receiver devices (T) if the at least one ambient signal (S_AMB) is transmitted on at least one downlink, and a step (E30, G30) of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object (MD) is performed, - A step of associating the identification data of the at least one object with second position data obtained based on the plurality of first position data. The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second position data is determined by triangulation between it and the first position data.

6. The method described above is - A step of obtaining at least one first time data representing the time of backscattering of the at least one ambient signal, - A step of obtaining at least one second time data representing the time of generation of the at least one first position data (P), A step of determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object (MD) taking into account the first time data and the second time data; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object (MD) takes into account data representing a confidence level in the accuracy of the position.

8. A communication method implemented in a receiver device (S, T) that receives backscattered ambient signals (S_AMB), - A step (F10, H10) in which the receiver device (S, T) obtains at least one identification data (M) of at least one object (MD), wherein the at least one identification data arises from the backscatter of the ambient signal, - A step (F30, H30) of transmitting the at least one identification data of the at least one object and the at least one position data (P) of the receiver device (T) to the object position identification device (TRA), wherein the at least one position data (P) of the receiver device (T) is transmitted from the receiver device (T) to the transmitter device (S), or - A step of transmitting the at least one identification data of the at least one object and the at least one position data (P) of the transmitter device (T) to the object position identification device (TRA), wherein the at least one position data (P) of the transmitter device (T) is transmitted from the transmitter device (T) to the receiver device (S). A communication method that includes this.

9. - When the ambient signal is transmitted over the downlink between the transmitter device (S) and the receiver device (T), the step (F30, H30) of transmitting at least one position data (P) from the receiver device to the object positioning device (TRA) The communication method according to claim 8, including the method described in claim 8.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of transmitting at least one position data (P) of the transmitter to the object positioning device (TRA) when the ambient signal is transmitted over the uplink between the transmitter device (S) and the receiver device (T).

11. A data acquisition method comprising the step (K10) of storing in a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium at least one location (TRACE_MD) determined for the at least one object (MD) according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, in order to create and / or enhance the location history of the at least one object (MD).

12. - A step of obtaining the position (TRACE_MD) of at least one object (MD) determined according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7 or 11, - A step (E40, G40) of determining the location (TRACE_MC) of the at least one other object (MD) taking into consideration the neighborhood of the at least one other object (MC), wherein the neighborhood of the at least one other object (MC) is taken into consideration by evaluating the neighborhood criterion CR_V, and Methods that include...

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the vicinity is a past and / or planned geographical vicinity of the at least one object (MD) and the at least one other object (MC).

14. A computer program, when executed by a computer, including instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, or the method according to claim 11, or the method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. - Obtaining at least one identification data (M) of at least one object (MD) (E10, G10), wherein the at least one identification data arises from the backscatter of at least one ambient signal (S_AMB), - Determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object (E30, G30) based on the at least one identification data and at least one position data (P) of the at least one receiver device (T) that receives the at least one ambient signal, wherein the at least one position data (P) of the at least one receiver device (T) is transmitted from the at least one receiver device (T) to the at least one transmitter device (S), or - Determining the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object (E30, G30) based on the at least one identification data and the at least one position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device (T) that transmits the at least one ambient signal, wherein the at least one position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device (T) is transmitted from the at least one transmitter device (T) to the at least one receiver device (S). An object location device (TRA) comprising at least one processor configured to perform the following.

16. - When the at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one uplink between the at least one transmitter device (T) and the at least one receiver device (S), the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object is determined based on the at least one identification data and at least one position data (P) of the at least one transmitter device (T) (E30, G30). The object positioning device (TRA) according to claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform the following.

17. - When the at least one ambient signal is transmitted over at least one downlink between the at least one transmitter device (S) and the at least one receiver device (T), the position (TRACE_MD) of the at least one object is determined based on the at least one identification data and at least one position data (P) of the at least one receiver device (T) (E30, G30). The object positioning device (TRA) according to claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform the following.

18. A communication device (S, T) called a "receiver device" is configured to receive backscattered ambient signals (S_AMB), - Obtaining at least one identification data (M) of at least one object (MD) (F10, H10), wherein the at least one identification data arises from the backscatter of the ambient signal (F10, H10), - Transmitting the at least one identification data of the at least one object and the at least one position data (P) of the receiver device (T) to the object position identification device (TRA), wherein the at least one position data (P) of the receiver device (T) is transmitted from the receiver device (T) to the transmitter device (S), or - Transmitting the at least one identification data of the at least one object and the at least one position data (P) of the transmitter device (T) to the object position identification device (TRA), wherein the at least one position data (P) of the transmitter device (T) is transmitted from the transmitter device (T) to the receiver device (S). A communication device (S, T) including at least one processor configured to perform the following.

19. - When the ambient signal is transmitted over the downlink between the transmitter device (S) and the receiver device (T), at least one position data (P) of the receiver device (T) is transmitted to the object positioning device (TRA). The communication device (S, T) according to claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured as described above.

20. A location-locating device (TRA) for locating at least one object called "other object" (MC) based on the location (TRACE_MD) of at least one object (MD) determined by the location-locating device (TRA) according to claim 15, comprising at least one processor configured to determine the location (TRACE_MC) of the at least one other object (MC) taking into account the neighborhood of the at least one object (MD) and the at least one other object (MC) (E40, G40), and to take into account and determine the neighborhood of the at least one other object (MC) by evaluating a neighborhood criterion CR_V (E40, G40).

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