WO2020030879A1

WO2020030879A1 - Autonomous method for the location, inventorying and measurement of objects

Info

Publication number: WO2020030879A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/051915
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas FAYON; Stéphane JOUIN
Original assignee: Styckr
Priority date: 2018-08-09
Filing date: 2019-08-07
Publication date: 2020-02-13
Also published as: FR3084983A1; FR3084983B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable tracking module fixed to an object having a sealed housing equipped with a means for mechanically linking to an object to be tracked and having means that periodically command: - the detection of external radiocommunication devices within the range of the first and second radiocommunication modules and the registration of the type of the detected devices - the intermittent activation of said electronic circuit depending: - on the residual amount of energy - on the type of the registered devices so as to activate only the radiocommunication modules of the same type as the detected devices, the module furthermore having at least one accelerometer delivering a signal to a means that commands the reduction of the standby periods in the event a movement of the module is detected, and for a predetermined period following the last detected movement.

Description

Autonomous method of localization, inventorying and measurement of objects

Field of the invention

The present application relates to a method for locating objects, in particular a method for locating objects located in a defined area such as a building or an outdoor site.

To locate these objects, they are conventionally equipped with mobile beacons which receive radio signals emitted by fixed beacons of determined positions. A localization method uses the radio signals exchanged between a mobile beacon and fixed beacons.

Fixed location beacons are made up of modular components using the LoRa or BLE protocols which allow objects to be tracked when network coverage does not allow the use of geolocation by GPS. The tags can be glued to walls / ceilings and are geo-referenced.

Such systems are for example offered under the trade name "Track'it - Objenious" to locate products and materials on all areas and monitoring routes, whether located inside buildings or outdoors.

State of the art

We know in the prior art European patent application EP3252493A1 describing a known example of a method for the simultaneous determination of spatial positions of mobile beacons in an area comprising fixed beacons, comprising:

- a step a) comprising:

o the collection by at least some of the mobile and fixed beacons of values representative of first signals emitted by at least some of the mobile and fixed beacons o and the collection by each mobile beacon of a value representative of at least a second signal, the second signal and the first signals being of different natures; and

a step b) of determining a series of sets of estimated positions of the mobile beacons in which:

o each set of estimated positions is associated with an error value representative of a set of differences, each difference being between a value collected in step a) and a corresponding theoretical value determined by modeling from said set of positions estimated;

o and the error values associated with successive sets of estimated positions are decreasing, o the sequence stops when a convergence criterion is reached.

Also known in the prior art is the US patent US9820099B2 describing a system for deploying and reading data from sensors or electronic beacons. The beacons include a microprocessor, a Bluetooth module or another radio frequency (RF) module and an Internet connectivity module. A database connected to the network is associated with a real-time analysis engine to perform a bidirectional analysis and an exchange of information. Mobile modules are configured to transmit identification information to Bluetooth beacons or other RF transmission devices.

Also known in the prior art is the patent application US20170208426A1 in which a method is described for operating an electronic device configured to wirelessly take and report sensor readings or measurements relating to an asset associated with the device to a remote computer system. The method includes the steps of:

(a) operating a sensor in the device to detect a given event;

(b) when the sensor does not detect the given event for a defined period of time, operating the device in standby mode, in which given portions of the device are switched to power saving mode;

(c) when the sensor detects the given event for a defined period of time, operating the device in a normal operating mode, in which the given parts of the device in energy saving mode are activated and the device takes and wirelessly reports or measures to the remote computer system;

(d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) several times;

(e) operating the device in standby mode automatically after receiving an instruction from the remote computer system to operate in standby mode until a specified event is detected or for a specified period of time; and

(f) when the device detects the specified event during a defined period of time or after the defined period of time, operating the device in the normal operating mode.

European patent application EP2998636A1 describes another example of a gas distribution assembly comprising: - a gas container fitted with a tap block comprising an internal gas passage,

a protective cowling comprising a cowling body surrounding all or part of said valve block and a carrying handle fixed to said cowling body by at least one support upright,

- at least one pressure sensor arranged so as to measure the gas pressure within said internal gas passage of the valve block,

- information processing means connected to said at least one pressure sensor,

- a wireless information transmission system comprising a radio frequency, WiFi, GPRS / 3G / 4G, Lora, Bluetooth or NFC transmitter / receiver module or modem and a transmitting and / or receiving antenna, and

at least one source of electrical energy electrically supplying said information processing means and said information transmission system,

- transmitting and / or receiving antenna being arranged in said at least one support upright carrying the carrying handle.

Disadvantages of the prior art

The solutions of the prior art relate to traceability modules which are powered by cells or batteries. The problem is that of the maintenance of fleets of modules which must remain operational for long periods without maintenance intervention. Replacing batteries as well as recharging the batteries is not suitable, especially for parks of several hundred modules because this involves tedious interventions. In addition, if you forget to replace or recharge, the module becomes silent, which disturbs the management of the associated object.

The use of energy recovery systems is not suitable because the energy produced, for modules whose dimensions are reduced, is not sufficient because the radiocommunication protocols of the prior art entail substantial consumption.

Solution provided by the invention

To remedy this drawback, the present invention relates to a completely autonomous traceability module so as to require no intervention relating to the maintenance of its autonomous supply capacity. According to its most general meaning, it relates to a portable tracing module attached to an object comprising a sealed housing provided with a mechanical connection means with an object to be tracked, inside which is housed:

an electronic circuit comprising a first radiocommunication module with low electrical consumption and short range and at least one second radiocommunication module with low electrical consumption of greater range, as well as a processor for:

o order the processing of information coming from at least one physicochemical sensor with a view to their transmission via one of said radiocommunication modules,

o order the intermittent transmission of data packets comprising an identifier of the tracing module, the zoning information and the information resulting from the processing of the physicochemical sensors

a supply assembly comprising an energy storage means and a plurality of energy recovery components, as well as an energy management module providing information relating to the residual quantity of energy,

characterized in that it further comprises means controlling periodically - the detection of external radiocommunication equipment within range of said first and second radiocommunication modules and the recording of the nature of the equipment detected

intermittent activation of said electronic circuit based on:

a) the residual quantity of energy

b) the nature of the equipment registered to activate only the radio communication modules of the same nature as the equipment detected

- The module further comprising at least one accelerometer delivering a signal to a means controlling the reduction of standby periods in the event of detection of a displacement of the module, and for a predetermined period following the last movement detected.

Preferably, said housing is sealed and devoid of means for connecting an external energy source to the internal supply means.

Advantageously, said processor also controls the calculation of zoning information as a function of the data received by said radiocommunication modules.

According to a variant, said module includes a detachment or detachment detector from the object on which it is fixed.

According to another variant, said module also comprises an RFID circuit controlling its activation or deactivation with the exception of energy recovery, the recording of the modification of the time stamped activity state being recorded in the base. server data. Preferably, said module further comprises end of operation detection means controlling the sending to all the beacons (1 to 4) and all the modules of a sequence of signals comprising a low energy indicator and an identifier of the module.

Advantageously, the module also comprises a medium distance communication module, to fulfill the beacon functions.

According to a particular embodiment, the module also includes an interface for adding an additional sensor.

According to another variant, the processor commands the emission of an alert signal when the battery is weakly charged, then the standby of the module until the battery regains a predetermined energy level.

The invention also relates to a method for managing a portable tracing module characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- detection of radio equipment outside the range of said first and second radio modules and recording the nature of the equipment detected

intermittent activation of said electronic circuit according to:

- the residual amount of energy

- the nature of the equipment registered to activate only the radio communication modules of the same nature as the equipment detected

reduction of standby periods in the event of detection of a displacement of the module, and during a predetermined period following the last movement detected. Detailed description of a nonlimiting example of

The invention

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention which follows, referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of a localization and traceability system according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a view of the hardware architecture of a module according to the invention.

Location system

The system for the implementation of the invention comprises in known manner a mesh of the site concerned by tags (1 to 4) communicating with traceability modules (10, 20) fixed on objects (11, 21 ). The tags (1 to 4) are placed on the walls or fixed parts of the site and serve as a benchmark for locating. These beacons can also be deposited or fixed in a container or mobile trailers. They are georeferenced, the coordinates of the beacons (1 to 4) being recorded in a database of administrative computer equipment (6).

Alternatively, the tags (1 to 4) are geolocated automatically, for example by means of an integrated GPS module, or geolocated at the time of their implementation.

The tags (1 to 4) communicate with a gateway (5) ensuring the collection and transmission of the data exchanged with the modules (10, 20) to administration (6) and management (7) equipment.

The applications of such a system are multiple, in particular: • Automation of inventories and search for assets

• Monitoring of transport and storage conditions

• Monitoring of manufacturing processes.

The network of fixed beacons (1 to 4) can include beacons of different types, for example:

- Beacons (3, 4) using local wireless communication means comprising a short distance radio transceiver, operating for example by Bluetooth low energy protocol (BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy in English terminology)

- Beacons (1, 2) using medium or long range wireless communication means of the LPWAN type, such as for example the LoRaWAN technology (registered trademark, “Long Range Wide-Area Network” in English), also known as short for "LoRa" (registered trademark, "Long Range" in English) from the name of the alliance promoting long range wide area network technologies LoRaWAN (registered trademark).

- These protocols are given by way of example and are not limiting.

The mobile modules (10, 20) comprise at least two communication means to allow automatic adaptation according to the type of beacons detectable in the detection perimeter. They do not include direct geolocation means such as GPS.

Some sites, especially outdoors, do not have tags. In this case, the system does not have beacons, and the traceability modules (10, 20) transmit the radiocommunication signals over a long distance network, for example a Lora cellular network.

According to a particular variant, the tags (1 to 4) have the same components as the traceability modules (10, 20) but with a different micro-program. In this case the basic component comprises the architecture of the traceability module (10, 20), the tags further comprising geolocation means and possibly additional communication modules and reinforced power supply.

Block diagram of a module

In the example described, the traceability module comprises two radiocommunication circuits each associated with its antenna. The diagram of principle is not limiting.

One of the circuits (30) is a Bluetooth Low Energy type transceiver circuit operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, based on a frequency hopping radio.

The other circuit (40) is a LoRA type transceiver circuit operating in the 915 MHz and 868 MHz bands and using a single spread spectrum modulation in the band below GHz to allow high network capacities. , long range and low consumption.

Optionally, the module also includes an RFID circuit, and / or LTE and / or Sigfox, and more generally any radiocommunication circuit.

The module also includes an electrical supply system comprising an electricity storage unit (51), for example a battery and / or a supercapacitor and several energy recovery components (52, 53), for example a photovoltaic cell and a piezoelectric component associated with a flyweight to recover the kinetic energy to produce electricity.

An intelligent energy management circuit (50) controls the storage of energy and the supply of the electronic circuits of the module. This module (50) performs the following functions:

- measures the voltages across the storage unit (51), - measures the battery input and output currents,

- determines the amount of residual energy in the battery,

- possibly controls the battery protections against overvoltages produced by the energy recovery means (52, 53),

o and transmits this information to the processor (65).

It supplies in particular a selection circuit (35) of the radiocommunication circuits (30, 40). This selection circuit (35, 36, 60) is controlled by the processor (65) as a function of the information coming from two interface circuits (31, 41) ensuring the processing of the data originating from or transmitted to the radiocommunication circuits (30, 40).

Intermittently, the selection circuit (35) supplies all of the radiocommunication circuits (30, 40) to detect the presence of one or more beacons (1 to 4). When this step results in the non-detection of a communication mode, the selection module (35) interrupts the supply of the radio module (s) (30, 40) which is unnecessary, or puts the or unnecessary radio communication module (s) (30, 40). This operation is carried out periodically (once or twice a day)

[00025] A gyroscopic sensor or an accelerometer (70) detects the movements applied to the module. A movement causes the start of a beacon detection cycle (1 to 4) present.

The module also includes sensors (61 to 64, 66, 67), typically temperature, hygrometry, brightness, acceleration sensors, a gyroscopic sensor or a C0 ₂ sensor, and more generally all types of physico-chemical sensors.

Claims

claims

1 - Portable tracing module attached to an object comprising a sealed box provided with a mechanical connection means with an object to be tracked, inside which is housed:

- an electronic circuit comprising a first radio communication module with low power consumption and short range and at least a second radio communication module with low power consumption of greater range, as well as a processor for:

o control the processing of information coming from at least one physico-chemical sensor with a view to their transmission via one of said radio communication modules,

o order the intermittent transmission of data packets comprising an identifier of the tracing module, the zoning information and the information resulting from the processing of the physico-chemical sensors,

characterized in that it further comprises means controlling periodically:

- the detection of external radio communication equipment within range of said first and second radio communication modules and the recording of the nature of the equipment detected

intermittent activation of said electronic circuit based on:

- the residual amount of energy - the nature of the equipment recorded to activate only the radio communication modules of the same kind as the detected equipment - the module further comprising at least one accelerometer delivering a signal to a means controlling the reduction of the standby periods in the event of detection movement of the module, and for a predetermined period following the last movement detected.

2 - portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that said housing is sealed and devoid of means for connecting an external energy source to the internal supply means.

3— portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that said processor also controls the calculation of zoning information as a function of the data received by said radiocommunication modules.

4— portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that said module includes a detachment detector or separation of the object on which it is fixed.

5— portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that said module further comprises an RFID circuit controlling its activation or deactivation with the exception of energy recovery, recording of the modification of the state of time-stamped activity being recorded in the server database.

6— portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that said module further comprises end of operation detection means controlling the sending to all the tags (1 to 4) and all the modules of a sequence of signals comprising an end-of-life indicator and an identifier of the module.

7 - portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a long distance communication module, to fulfill the tag functions.

8 - Portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that it further includes an interface for adding an additional sensor.

9 - portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that the processor controls the emission of an alert signal when the battery is weakly charged, then the standby of the module until the battery finds a predetermined energy level.

10 - Method for managing a portable tracing module according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- detection of radio equipment outside the range of said first and second radio modules and recording the nature of the equipment detected,

intermittent activation of said electronic circuit according to:

- the residual quantity of energy,

- the nature of the equipment registered to activate only the radio communication modules of the same nature as the equipment detected,

reduction of standby periods in the event of detection of a displacement of the module, and during a predetermined period following the last movement detected.