System for assisting in the orientation of a beacon's antenna relative to a target location

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for assisting the positioning of an antenna of a beacon (11), in particular its orientation relative to a target location, the beacon (11) being intended to be in a communication link with a transmitter / receiver device (12) by means of radio signals, the system comprising: - means (100) for representing the lobes of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon (11) on a projection surface of the environment in which the beacon (11) is intended to be installed, - means for measuring the distance separating the beacon (11) from at least one point on the projection surface corresponding to the target location or locations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of installation of equipment of wireless communication systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for assisting in the direction-direction of antennas of infrastructure equipment of wireless communication systems (herein referred to as "beacons"), the wireless communication systems comprising antennas for transmitting or receiving radio signals, depending on the equipment, with respect to an area of ​​interest in which it is possible to locate equipment transmitting to or receiving from said beacons (herein referred to as "transceiver equipment"). Background Art

[0002] The present invention has particularly advantageous application in geographical positioning systems based on wireless communication, but is not limited thereto. In such systems, an object to be located, referred to herein as a "tag", is used in a communication link with one or more beacons.

[0003] The tag can, for example, be placed on an object in an industrial area (e.g., a package or equipment stored in a warehouse). For example, the tag includes an integrated circuit and an antenna to send a radio signal to a beacon, or receive a radio signal from a beacon, appropriately positioned in the industrial area to receive or send the radio signal. When the radio signal is sent by the tag to the beacon, it carries, for example, a message corresponding to the identifier of the tag. When the radio signal is sent by the beacon to the tag, it carries, for example, a coded message and / or serves as a radio wave remote power source, the radio wave remote power source energy of which is collected by the tag.

[0004] When installed in an industrial area, the tag is typically properly oriented so that its antenna transmits or receives a radio signal for optimal communication between the tag and the beacon.

[0005] To ensure proper orientation, the operator responsible for placing the beacon takes particular account of the path of the radio signal to and from the beacon so that the tag falls within an optimal zone in the radiation pattern of the beacon's antenna where there is sufficient signal power to establish communication when the signal is uplinked and / or downlinked between the beacon and the tag.

[0006] Currently, there are no reliable tools to assist the operation of orienting the beacons, so the operator is usually forced to orient the beacons with the help of qualified personnel who estimate the correspondence between the range of the beacon's antenna and the position that the tag may occupy. In addition, the orientation of the beacon must necessarily be verified by the qualified experts.

[0007] It should be noted that tags are usually installed at high places, usually several meters above the ground. Therefore, accessing them requires the application of lifting equipment, such as a lifting basket, which requires the use of a qualified operator to control it and an operator on the ground to guide it. This means the stop movement of two people and the ground surface required to install the basket.

[0008] In addition to the accessibility restrictions of the beacons, there are also accessibility restrictions of the site where the beacons are installed. In practice, the installation of the beacons is carried out when the industrial area is relatively tidy and the site is accessible (this is not necessarily the case afterwards, for example if it is necessary to correct the orientation of the beacons). Rather, the site may later be occupied by production installations, storage installations, conveyor chains, etc. Access to the beacons may therefore be subject to a high degree of constraints (access during specified times, outside working hours, etc.), or even be impossible.

[0009] This creates additional costs and significant time loss when it is not possible for an operator to return to the site to adjust the orientation of the beacon. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a system for assisting positioning, in particular orienting the antenna of a beacon relative to a target location where a transceiver device may be located.

[0011] In other words, the invention relates to a system for locating beacons, in particular directional beacons, so as to allow optimal communication between said beacons and a transceiver device.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive solution.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a system for assisting in positioning, in particular orienting, an antenna of a beacon, intended to be in a radio signal communication link with a transceiver device, relative to a target location.

[0014] The system includes:

[0015] - representation means for representing at least one lobe of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon on a projection surface of the environment in which the beacon is to be installed, said representation means generating a graphical representation of a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface,

[0016] - means for measuring the distance separating the beacon from at least one point on the projection surface, the at least one point corresponding to a target position, for example situated in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the lobe.

[0017] The measuring means advantageously allow comparing the distances of the spaced-apart beacon's antenna and the target location and the reception range of the signal from the beacon's antenna in order to know whether the target location is within the range of the beacon's antenna.

[0018] The assistance in orienting the beacon antenna provided by the system according to the invention ensures optimal positioning of the beacon relative to the target location.

[0019] Furthermore, this characteristic also makes it possible to confirm to the operator the correct orientation of the beacon relative to the target location, once said beacon has been installed, insofar as the operator can ensure a correspondence between a predetermined value of the distance between the beacon and the target location and the measured value of this same distance.

[0020] The invention thus constitutes an effective tool for controlling beacon installations.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, the invention also satisfies the following features, which are realized individually or in each of their technically operable combinations.

[0022] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the representation device comprises a laser, which is configured to generate a light beam, the projection of which on the projection surface has a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface.

[0023] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the representation means comprise a viewing device coupled to a camera for photographing the projection surface, the viewing device comprising a graphic representation of the projection of the lobe superimposed by markings on the projection surface represented on said device.

[0024] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the representation means of the antenna lobe of the beacon comprises a video projector configured to project a graphical representation of a shape onto a projection surface of the environment, the shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe onto the projection surface.

[0025] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for measuring the distance of the separation beacon from the projection surface comprises a rangefinder.

[0026] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the device for measuring the distance separating the beacon from the projection surface includes a time-of-flight camera connected to an observation device, which is configured to display a graphical representation substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface, and the time-of-flight camera is configured to be fixed to the beacon so as to allow the measured distance between the camera and the projection surface to be observed on the observation device for each pixel of the camera sensor.

[0027] In a specific embodiment of the invention, the viewing device comprises an interactive device, and the interactive device is configured to drive the representation means so that they project a pattern onto the projection surface at a position corresponding to the position of at least one point selected by an operator on the projection surface represented on the viewing device.

[0028] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the representation means and the measuring means are arranged to represent different zones corresponding to different levels of quality of the exchange of radio signals between the transceiver device and the antenna of the beacon, said quality levels being defined as a function of different ranges of distance from the beacon, and / or as a function of the representation of different radiation lobes.

[0029] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the indicating means are arranged to indicate zones with different levels of quality of exchange of radio signals between the transceiver device and the antenna of the beacon, taking into account intrinsic parameters of the transceiver device, in particular its sensitivity and / or environmental factors that may interfere with the signal, such as the presence of flows of objects or people and / or the presence of objects emitting electromagnetic fields.

[0030] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the representation means are arranged to generate a graphical representation capable of giving an indication relating to the polarity of the antenna of the beacon.

[0031] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means for measuring the spatial position and orientation of the antenna of the beacon.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for installing beacons using the system as described above comprises:

[0033] - a step of representing, by representing means, the lobes of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon,

[0034] - a measuring step of measuring the distance between the beacon and at least one point of the projection surface corresponding to the target position,

[0035] - An orientation adjustment step, if the value of the measured distance is greater than a predetermined value of the reception range of the signal from the antenna of said beacon, adjusting the orientation of the beacon so that the measured distance is less than the value of said range, or if the point is not located in the zone corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface.

[0036] In a particular mode of implementation, the method comprises a step of acquiring data relating to the position and / or orientation of the antenna of the beacon in space.

[0037] In a particular mode of implementation, the method further comprises a step of transmitting information specific to the adjustment of the orientation of the beacon to a recording device.

[0038] In a specific mode of implementation, the method further comprises a preliminary testing step, wherein:

[0039] - the display device projects a pattern corresponding to the operator's selection of at least one point on the monitor displaying the projection surface onto the projection surface,

[0040] - placing the transceiver device at the location of the pattern on the projection surface,

[0041] -Measure the power of the signals exchanged between the beacon and the transceiver device when transmitting and receiving, and compare these data.

[0042] Thus, the quality of the signal transmission, and hence the quality of the communication, may be determined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0044] Figure 1 Schematically illustrated is a system for assisting in orienting an antenna of a beacon relative to a target location, comprising means for representing a radiation lobe of an antenna of a beacon according to a first alternative embodiment;

[0045] Figure 2 Is used according to Figure 1 Logic diagram of a method for installing beacons for a directional aid system.

[0046] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals from one drawing to another denote the same or similar elements. In addition, for the sake of clarity, unless otherwise indicated, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The system 10 according to the present invention provides one or more visual markers to assist an operator in installing the beacon 11 for establishing a radio signal communication link with the transceiver device 12 .

[0048] More specifically, the purpose of the system 10 is to provide assistance in locating the antenna of a beacon 11, especially an antenna of a directional beacon 11, relative to a predetermined area of ​​interest (hereinafter referred to as a "target location") in the environment, where the transceiver device 12 may be located.

[0049] The transceiver device 12 comprises, for example, an electronic chip, an antenna and a battery which is recharged by energy from the surrounding electromagnetic field to send radio signals to the beacon 11. In a particular embodiment, the electromagnetic field used to recharge the tag battery is generated by the beacon.

[0050] In a preferred application of the invention, the beacon 11 is intended to be mounted on a supporting structure in an open or closed environment, such as an industrial building, such as a warehouse or storage building, a factory or the like, in which the transceiver device 12 is to be placed.

[0051] The beacon 11 may comprise wireless communication means, which are regarded as known to the person skilled in the art, enabling the beacon 11 to receive radio signals in order to receive messages from the transceiver device 12 also in the form of radio signals.

[0052] In particular embodiments, the beacon 11 may additionally or alternatively include an electromagnetic energy source for generating an electromagnetic field to the transceiver device 12 .

[0053] The antenna of the beacon 11 has a specific radiation pattern representing the spatial angular distribution of the radio frequency radiation from the antenna. It should be noted that the radiation pattern is also the reception pattern of the antenna, in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0054] Advantageously, the system 10 comprises means 100 for representing at least one lobe for transmitting and receiving the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon 11 in the environment where said beacon 11 is to be installed. The lobe represents the radio frequency radiation and / or reception area of ​​the antenna of the beacon 11.

[0055] Such a feature allows an operator, when installing beacon 11, to view a graphical representation of the shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the antenna lobe of beacon 11 in the environment and thus identify the radiation coverage of signals it can receive or transmit relative to the environment.

[0056] Thus, the operator may appropriately orient the beacon 11 so that the lobe corresponds to a target location that may be occupied by the transceiver device 12 .

[0057] The representation means 100 are configured according to the intrinsic parameters of the antenna of the beacon 11 so that the shape of the graphic representation they transmit substantially corresponds to the shape of the projection of the antenna lobe of said beacon 11 .

[0058] To this end, the representation device 100 may comprise a computer, for example of the microprocessor type, connected to a database in which a representation model of the radiation pattern corresponding to the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon 11 to be installed is stored.

[0059] Alternatively, the intrinsic parameters of the antenna of the beacon 11 can be automatically identified by the representation device 100, for example when they are fixed to the beacon 11, with the help of a communication medium including data representing these parameters, such as an NFC (Near Field Communication) sensor, a barcode or any other communication device attached to the beacon 11.

[0060] In other words, when the representation devices are fixed to a beacon 11 , they acquire the characteristics of the antenna of said beacon 11 and, based on this information, can adapt to the model of the graphical representation that they intend to transmit.

[0061] The target location is predetermined and can be marked graphically in the environment ( Figure 1 ), objects or any other identification device to mark.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In a first alternative embodiment shown in , the representation device 100 comprises a laser configured according to the characteristics of the radiation pattern so that its beam has a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the lobe. For example, the laser beam is cone-shaped.

[0063] The laser is fixed to the beacon 11, preferably removably fixed to the beacon 11, so that its beam is projected onto a surface of the environment, referred to as the "projection surface". The laser is preferably fixed to the beacon 11 as close as possible to the center of the radiation pattern (i.e. the center of the antenna) and emits its beam in a direction parallel to the direction in which the longitudinal axis of the lobe extends ( Figure 1 not shown).

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laser beam can be projected through a perforated mask, which is referred to as a "gobo" by those skilled in the art, which forms the beam into a predetermined shape so that its projection on the projection surface substantially corresponds to the projection of the antenna lobe of the beacon 11.

[0065] In another example, especially if the shape of the antenna lobe is complex, the laser may include a set of movable mirrors for continuously deflecting the laser beam so that the shape of the projection produced by the beam scanning substantially corresponds to the projection of the antenna lobe of the beacon 11. Alternatively, the laser may be movable and continuously directed so that its beam is projected in a shape corresponding to the projection of the antenna lobe of the beacon 11. In these latter two exemplary embodiments, the laser may emit its beam discontinuously as it travels so as to model non-intersecting regions of the projection of the antenna lobe of the beacon 11.

[0066] Furthermore, the representation device 100 may include a plurality of lasers.

[0067] The projection surface can be the ground, such as Figure 1 shown, and / or any object in the environment, such as a structural element of a building.

[0068] Reflection of the laser beam on the projection surface produces a graphical representation 101, the shape of which substantially corresponds to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface.

[0069] This graphical representation is determined by a computer from a representation model of the radiation pattern corresponding to the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon 11 selected from a database.

[0070] With the aid of the graphical representation 101 projected onto the projection surface, the operator can orient the beacon 11 to cover the target location with the lobe.

[0071] In a second alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), the presentation apparatus 100 may include a viewing device, such as a monitor, coupled to the camera.

[0072] In this alternative embodiment, the camera is fixed to the beacon 11, preferably removably fixed to the beacon 11, so as to be as close as possible to the centre of the radiation pattern and so as to be oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lobe.

[0073] Furthermore, the monitor comprises a fixed graphic representation of the projection of the marker lobe on the projection surface. The graphic representation is superimposed on the monitor on the projection surface captured by the camera.

[0074] The graphic representation is virtually projected onto a projection surface of the environment captured by the camera. On the monitor, the graphic representation is, for example, substantially circular in shape.

[0075] Movement of the beacon 11 thus causes the projection surface opposite the camera to move relative to the circle representing the lobe on the monitor and allows the operator to quickly and easily position the beacon 11 sufficiently so that the target position is inscribed in the projection of the lobe represented on the monitor.

[0076] Therefore, it is easy for the operator to position the beacon 11 with the aid of the monitor so that the target position is within the antenna lobe of the beacon 11 .

[0077] In a third alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), the representation device 100 may comprise a video projector configured to project a graphical representation representing the antenna lobe of the beacon 11 onto a projection surface of the environment.

[0078] Similar to the alternative embodiment described above, movement of the beacon 11 causes the projected image to move relative to the projection surface and allows the operator to quickly and easily position the beacon 11 sufficiently so that the target location is inscribed in the projection of the lobe represented by the projected image.

[0079] Advantageously, the representation means may be arranged such that the graphical representation provides an indication relating to the polarity of the antenna of the beacon 11 .

[0080] More specifically, the graphical representation may have a specific pattern according to the antenna polarity, such as a shading whose direction varies according to the antenna polarity. The graphic may also or alternatively have a color that varies with the antenna polarity.

[0081] Thus, an operator can easily see if the antenna of the beacon 11 is incorrectly oriented and correct the misorientation.

[0082] Advantageously, the system 10 comprises means for measuring the distance separating the beacon 11 from at least one point on the projection surface corresponding in particular to the target location.

[0083] This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to know whether a target location is within the range of the antenna of the beacon 11 - when the reception range of the signal from the antenna of the beacon 11 is known. In fact, in some cases, the lobe representation projected onto the projection surface may extend over a greater distance than the actual range of the antenna of the beacon 11.

[0084] Furthermore, this characteristic also makes it possible to guarantee the operator, once said beacon 11 is installed, the correct orientation of the beacon 11 relative to the target location(s), provided he can ensure a correspondence between a predetermined value of the distance between the beacon 11 and the target location and a measured value of this same distance.

[0085] The means for measuring the distance separating the beacon 11 from the external environment may consist of a rangefinder, for example, intended to be fixed to the beacon 11 .

[0086] In an alternative to the measuring device, the latter can be formed by a time-of-flight camera, already known to those skilled in the art, abbreviated "TOF", connected to a monitor. The monitor is configured to display a graphical representation of the periphery of the marker lobe. This alternative embodiment can thus advantageously be combined with the second alternative embodiment of the representation device 100 described above.

[0087] Alternatively, this alternative embodiment of the measuring device may be combined with other alternative embodiments of the representation device 100 .

[0088] The time-of-flight camera is preferably fixed to the beacon 11 so as to be substantially adjacent the centre of the radiation pattern, and so as to be oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lobe.

[0089] The time-of-flight camera makes it possible to represent on the monitor, for each pixel of the camera sensor, the distance measured between the camera (and therefore the beacon 11) and the environment photographed by the camera in front of said beacon 11. On the monitor, the operator can thus view the projection of the lobe and have an indication of the distance to each point of the zone marked by a pixel.

[0090] One of the advantages of this feature lies in the fact that measuring distances is performed relative to a surface rather than relative to a point.

[0091] Advantageously, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the representation device 100 is associated with the measuring device and is configured to represent different zones corresponding to different levels of quality of the exchange of radio signals between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11, i.e. to different levels of quality of the radio communication link between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11. The quality levels are defined as a function of different distance ranges from the beacon 11 and / or represent different radiation lobes.

[0092] It should be noted that the greater the distance between the beacon 11 and the transceiver device, the more the power of the signal transmitted by the transceiver device 12 attenuates during its propagation. Therefore, the received power of the signal from the antenna of the beacon 11 varies as a function of the distance separating it from the transceiver device 12.

[0093] Thanks to this characteristic, the system 10 makes it possible to determine one or more optimal reception zones of a beacon 11 by identifying the quality levels of a plurality of exchanges of radio signals between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11 .

[0094] For example, the representation device 100 can be configured to project graphical representations onto a projection surface, each graphical representation having a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of each lobe of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon 11 on the projection surface (i.e., the projection of each side lobe on the projection surface and the projection of the main lobe on the projection surface (not shown in the figure)).

[0095] Therefore, because the operator can view the signal reception coverage of the antenna of the beacon 11 during installation, the operator's operating range is increased to properly orient the beacon 11 so that one of the antenna lobes of the beacon 11 corresponds to the target location.

[0096] For example, according to an alternative embodiment of the representation device 100 under consideration, the system 10 may comprise several lasers, cameras and / or video projectors configured so that the shape of the graphical representation they project respectively substantially corresponds to the projection on the projection surface of the antenna lobe of the beacon 11 .

[0097] In the example where the representation device 100 comprises one or more lasers whose beams are movably driven, the distance measurement may be scanned simultaneously with the movement of the beams. It is also envisaged that the beams of the one or more lasers may change colour based on a predetermined maximum distance.

[0098] In one embodiment, the distance information may also be fed back to a third party device, for example for display on a viewing device and / or for storage.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, for one or each lobe, the representation device 100 may project a set of graphical representations, for example concentric shapes, onto the projection surface, each concentric shape representing a different received power level of the signal of the antenna of the beacon 11, which may correspond to a different distance range from the beacon and / or a different radiation lobe of the antenna of the beacon 11.

[0100] Each of these concentric shapes may be represented differently depending on a predetermined distance range between the measuring device and the photographed environment, which predetermined distance range represents the exchange quality level of the radio signal between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11 .

[0101] In an alternative embodiment, the representation device 100 may be associated with a measurement device.

[0102] For example, the representation device 100 may be associated with a time-of-flight camera connected to a monitor as previously described. The time-of-flight camera and the monitor may be configured to allow observation of the environment in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the beacon 11 or each antenna lobe.

[0103] Advantageously, the time-of-flight camera and / or the monitor are configured such that the visual appearance of each pixel on the image is a function of the distance at which the photographed environment is located relative to the time-of-flight camera.

[0104] More specifically, the color of each pixel represented on the monitor depends on the value of the distance between the time-of-flight camera and the environment being photographed. For example, the color of each pixel can be changed according to a predetermined distance threshold representing the quality level of the exchange of signals between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11. Thus, different colors can define distances representing the reception quality level of the antenna of the beacon 11.

[0105] In another preferred alternative embodiment of the invention, the representation apparatus 100 is configured to represent different exchange quality levels of the signal between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11 taking into account intrinsic parameters of the transceiver device 12 , in particular its sensitivity.

[0106] The more sensitive the transceiver device 12 is, the more communication links are established with the beacon 11 in response to low strength signals. Conversely, a transceiver device 12 with low sensitivity requires a higher strength signal to establish a communication link.

[0107] Since the presentation apparatus 100 is capable of determining and presenting one or more optimal reception areas depending on the sensitivity of the transceiver device 12 , an operator may take into account a wider directional range of the beacon 11 depending on the characteristics of the one or more transceiver devices 12 used to communicate with the beacon 11 .

[0108] Alternatively or additionally, the representation apparatus 100 is configured to represent different quality levels of the signal exchange between the transceiver device 12 and the antenna of the beacon 11 taking into account environmental factors that may interfere with the signal, such as the presence of flows of objects or people or the presence of objects emitting electromagnetic fields.

[0109] Preferably, a monitor may be connected to the time-of-flight camera and comprises an interaction device, such as a touch interaction surface, in order to be able to test the communication link between the beacon 11 and the transceiver device 12. The monitor is configured to drive the representation means 100 so that they respond to an operator's selection of at least one point on the projection surface represented on the monitor by projecting a pattern at a position on the projection surface corresponding to the selected point on the monitor.

[0110] This pattern advantageously forms a mark of the test location of the transceiver device 12. Once the transceiver device 12 is placed at the test location, the operator can measure the power of the signal transmitted (or received) by the transceiver device 12 and compare it with the power of the signal received (or transmitted) by the antenna of the beacon 11.

[0111] This feature is to ensure that the communication link between the beacon 11 and the transceiver device 12 is correctly established and, possibly, to determine whether the position of the transceiver device 12 is adapted, in particular with regard to its sensitivity, and / or whether the signal transmission from the transceiver device 12 is not interfered with by environmental factors, such as metal objects located near the transceiver device 12 or devices emitting strong magnetic fields.

[0112] The display device 100 may be configured to project an indicator of the test result. For example, the color and / or shape of the pattern may be changed depending on whether a communication link between the beacon 11 and the transceiver device 12 is correctly established.

[0113] Furthermore, the system 10 comprises means for measuring the spatial position and / or orientation of the antenna of the beacon 11. These means may allow the absolute position of the antenna of the beacon 11 to be determined, for example in the form of coordinates inscribed in a Cartesian reference system. Alternatively, these means may allow the relative position of the antenna of the beacon 11 to be determined relative to an element of the environment in which the beacon 11 is installed, i.e. the distance between the antenna and the element. These elements may be infrastructures or objects, such as walls, columns, machines, etc. These means may comprise one or more position sensors as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0114] Alternatively or additionally, these means allow determining the inclination of the antenna of the beacon 11, ie the inclination of the longitudinal axis of its lobe relative to, for example, three orthogonal axes. These means may comprise a gyroscope or any other sensor within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

[0115] Advantageously, these features make it possible to verify and confirm the compliance of the installation of the antenna of the beacon 11 by comparing the positioning and / or orientation data determined according to predetermined theoretical data.

[0116] These features can also be subsequently used in calculations implemented in a method known to those skilled in the art as “Time Difference Of Arrival” (TDOA).

[0117] Further, in order to fixedly mount the beacon 11 on a fixed structure such as a building and ensure that it is maintained in a spatial position and in an optimal orientation, the beacon 11 comprises a fixing device which is configured to occupy a state that allows mobility of the beacon 11 and allows the fixing device to fix the beacon 11 itself.

[0118] The invention also relates to a method for installing a beacon 11 using the system 10, wherein Figure 2 Its steps are shown in , for example, consecutive steps.

[0119] The method comprises a step 200 of representing, by means of the representing device 100, the lobe of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon 11 and then a step of measuring the distance extending between the beacon 11 and at least one point of the projection surface corresponding to the target location.

[0120] If the point is not located in the area corresponding to the lobe projection on the projection surface, or if the value of the measured distance is greater than a predetermined value of the signal reception range from the antenna of beacon 11, step 220 of adjusting the orientation of beacon 11 is performed so that the measured distance is less than the value of the range.

[0121] The method may comprise a step 230 of acquiring data relating to the spatial position and / or orientation of the antenna of the beacon 11 by means for measuring the spatial position and / or orientation of the antenna of the beacon 11 , followed by a step 240 of storing such data.

[0122] The method may also comprise a step 240 of sending information specific to the orientation adjustment of the beacon 11 , in particular information related to the measurements performed during the measuring step 210 , data related to the test, etc., to a recording device such as a third party server.

[0123] The sending step 240 may be performed by any known communication means, such as by radio waves, by cable, by a removable internal memory that is transferable after the adjusting orientation step 220, etc.

[0124] Depending on the type of communication device considered, this sending information step 240 can be performed in real time or after the installation of the plurality of beacons 11 .

[0125] Utilizing a recording device to maintain this information allows specific configurations to be identified or determined to optimize future installations.

[0126] More generally, it should be noted that the embodiments and examples of the invention considered above have been described as non-limiting examples and that other alternatives can therefore be envisaged.

Claims

1. A system (10) for assisting the positioning of an antenna of a beacon (11) relative to a target location, the beacon (11) being in a radio signal communication link with a transceiver device (12), the system (10) being characterized in that it comprises: - representation means (100) for representing at least one lobe of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the beacon (11) on a projection surface of the environment in which the beacon (11) is to be installed, the representation means (100) generating a graphical representation (101) having a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface, - means for measuring the distance separating the beacon (11) from at least one point on the projection surface corresponding to the target location.

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the representation device (100) comprises a laser configured to generate a light beam, the projection of which on the projection surface has a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface.

3. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The representation device (100) comprises a viewing device coupled to a camera for photographing the projection surface, the viewing device comprising a graphic representation, the graphic representation marking superimposed on the projection of the lobe on the projection surface represented on the device.

4. The system (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The representation device (100) comprises a video projector configured to project a graphical representation of a shape onto a projection surface of the environment, the graphical representation of the shape substantially corresponding to a projection of the lobe onto the projection surface.

5. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The means for measuring the distance between the beacon (11) and the projection surface comprises a rangefinder.

6. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The device for measuring the distance separating the beacon (11) from the projection surface comprises a time-of-flight camera connected to an observation device configured to display a graphical representation of a shape substantially corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface, the time-of-flight camera being configured to be fixed to the beacon (11) so as to allow observation of the distance measured between the camera and the projection surface for each pixel of the camera sensor on the observation device.

7. A system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the viewing device comprises an interaction device and is configured to drive the representation means (100) so that they project a pattern onto a position on the projection surface corresponding to the position of at least one point on the projection surface selected by an operator represented on the viewing device.

8. System (10) according to any of claims 1-4, 6-7, wherein the representation means (100) and the measuring means are configured to represent different zones corresponding to different exchange quality levels of radio signals between the transceiver device (12) and the antenna of the beacon (11), the quality levels being defined as a function of different distance ranges from the beacon (11) and / or as a function of the representation of different radiation lobes.

9. System (10) according to claim 8, wherein the indicating means (100) is configured to indicate zones with different exchange quality levels of radio signals between the transceiver device (12) and the antenna of the beacon taking into account intrinsic parameters of the transceiver device (12).

10. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-7, 9, wherein: The representation means are configured to generate a graphical representation capable of giving an indication regarding the polarity of the antenna of the beacon (11).

11. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-7, 9, comprising means for measuring the spatial position and orientation of an antenna of the beacon (11).

12. The system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the intrinsic parameters of the transceiver device (12) include sensitivity of the transceiver device (12) and / or environmental factors that may interfere with signals.

13. A method of installing a beacon (11) using the system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: - a step (200) of representing the lobes of the radiation pattern of the antenna of said beacon (11) by means of representing means (100), - a step (210) of measuring the distance extending between the beacon (11) and at least one point of the projection surface corresponding to the target location, - If the value of the measured distance is greater than a predetermined value of the reception range of the signal from the antenna of the beacon (11), a step (220) of adjusting the orientation of the beacon (11) so that the measured distance is less than the value of the range, or if the point is not located in the zone corresponding to the projection of the lobe on the projection surface, a step of adjusting the orientation of the beacon (11).

14. Method for installing a beacon (11) according to claim 13, comprising a step (230) of acquiring data related to the spatial position and / or orientation of an antenna of the beacon (11).

15. Method for installing a beacon (11) according to any one of claims 13 or 14, further comprising the step (240) of sending information specific to the orientation adjustment of the beacon (11) to a recording device.

16. A method for installing a beacon (11) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, comprising a preliminary testing step, wherein: - the display device (100) projects a pattern corresponding to the operator's selection of at least one point on the monitor displaying the projection surface onto the projection surface, - placing the transceiver device (12) at the location of the pattern on the projection surface, - measuring the power of the signals exchanged between the beacon (11) and the transceiver device (12) when transmitting and receiving, and comparing these data.

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