3. How to trace in logistics

The use of tracing systems requires the following:

• the property to be identified ;

• the reader or interrogator who recognizes the good, and captures its data;

• transmitting this data where it can be interpreted;

• the system that will interpret this data.

The item must be equipped with an element enabling automatic identification in a form that can be read by the reader (see § and § ). The item may be a parcel, a vehicle, an animal, a cell phone, or a credit or access card.

The reader, or interrogator, will capture the automatic identification elements. Often, the reader will need to supply the energy required to read the identifier. For example,...