Method and a device for identifying the position of a transponder

• US 9,291,703 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Original Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Inventors: Assadi, Houssem, Levionnais, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Nathan
• Application Number:
  US14/008,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20140024391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/456.1, 340 101- 104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10128 the step consisting of detection of the presence of one or more record carriers in the vicinity of the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag

Abstract

A terminal is provided, which has a near-field communication module suitable for receiving signals from a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting a load impedance. The terminal includes a receiver suitable for receiving a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder (T3). The terminal obtains a second signal from the first signal and determines a position indication of the terminal relative to the transponder and based on analysis of the second signal. The terminal delivers a third signal that is a function of the determined position indication.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a position of a terminal relative to a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting a load impedance, said terminal receiving signals from the transponder through a single antenna and circuit, wherein identifying comprises;

a step of the terminal receiving through the single antenna and circuit a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder;

a step of obtaining a second signal from the first signal;

a step of determining a position indication about the position of the single antenna and circuit of the terminal relative to the transponder and based on calculating a distance variation from the second signal, including;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a first instant;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a second instant; and

evaluating a distance variation from the first measurement and the second measurement; and

a step of delivering a third signal as a function of the distance variation as determined, suitable for informing a user of the terminal about a variation of said position indication relative to an earlier position indication.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the second signal includes a step of digitizing the first signal in order to obtain the second signal.

3. A terminal comprising:

a near-field communication device configured for receiving signals from a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting load impedance;

a receiver configured to enable the terminal to receive a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder through a single antenna and circuit;

obtaining means for obtaining a second signal from the first signal;

determination means for determining a position indication of the single antenna and circuit of the terminal relative to the transponder, based on calculating a distance variation from the second signal, including;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a first instant;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a second instant; and

evaluating a distance variation from the first measurement and the second measurement; and

delivery means for delivering a third signal that is a function of the determined distance variation, suitable for informing a user of the terminal about a variation of said position indication relative to an earlier position indication.

4. A terminal according to claim 3, wherein the terminal includes digitizing means for digitizing the first signal in order to obtain the second signal.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program stored thereon and suitable for being implemented on a terminal, the program comprising code instructions that, when the program is executed by a processor, performs steps of a method of identifying a position of the terminal relative to a transponder fitted with a circuit presenting a load impedance, said terminal being receiving signals from the transponder through a single antenna and circuit, the method comprising:

a step of the terminal receiving through the single antenna and circuit a first signal relating to the load impedance of the transponder;

a step of obtaining a second signal from the first signal;

a step of determining a position indication about the position of the single antenna and circuit of the terminal relative to the transponder and based on calculating a distance variation from the second signal, including;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a first instant;

measuring a position indication of the terminal at a second instant; and

evaluating a distance variation from the first measurement and the second measurement; and

a step of delivering a third signal as a function of the distance variation as determined, suitable for informing a user of the terminal about a variation of said position indication relative to an earlier position indication.