Introduction
[0001] The present invention relates to a public lighting system comprising a central controller
for operating and monitoring a plurality of lamp assemblies, each lamp assembly comprising
a lamp and a monitoring station, each comprising lamp control and data acquisition
modules. It also relates to a method of operating such a public lighting system..
[0002] There are certain problems with public lighting networks in that currently, the testing
of public lighting networks is carried out, either visually, in other words, to see
is the actual particular lamp or lamps operating correctly, and or alternatively,
by cycling the power to the lamps. Needless to say, visual inspection can only be
done at night and cycling the power to cause the lamps to temporarily light is both
time consuming and difficult as it requires access to inspection covers, photoelectric
cells where such are fitted, and so on. The more sophisticated the lamp control system
is, the more difficult it is to carry out routine monitoring and control. When, for
example, repairs have been made or lamps replaced, it is necessary for some inspector
or supervisor to check that the work has been done correctly. Again, this can be time
consuming and difficult to do, often requiring the input of many personnel.
[0003] Generaily, as stated above, such a public lighting network comprises a lighting control
system of the type comprising a central controller for operating and monitoring the
lamps including the provision of lamp and system operating data and comprising at
least one monitoring station in communication with one or more of the lamps. With
such a sophisticated system, it is possible to carry out many tests and other monitoring
operations both before and after maintenance, however, such tasks very often require
the presence of somebody at the lamp in question. Many of the tasks cannot be carried
out totally remotely but do require that there be some human intervention.
[0004] A further problem when people have to access specific lamps for inspection is that
only limited tests can be carried out so that only scant data on lamp performance
is provided. Generally, any control system will consist of a network which embodies
a lamp equipped with means of monitoring power usage, lamp voltage, ballast temperature,
general lamp and ballast status, and any other data that is important to system operation,
for example, the number of hours the lamp was lit at full intensity where lamp dimming
is part of the control operation or indeed any other data. An example of such a system
is sold under the Trade Name SELC 2000 Ballast (manufactured by SELC Ireland Limited,
County Mayo, Ireland) which combines ballast and monitoring functions.
[0005] Generally, a monitoring station is connected to one or more lamps to provide the
necessary functionality. individual monitoring devices can be connected to each lamp
and in turn, the monitoring devices may be connected to further monitoring devices
and finally to a base station.
[0006] For example, it is known to use SMS messages to control equipment, such as, for example,
switchgear, as described in PCT Patent Specification No. WO 02/054749 (Westphal Mussgnug
& Partner). In this specification, there is described a control and/or monitoring
device comprising switchgear having a plurality of input terminals and/or output terminals
which can be interrogated or controlled according to control commands supplied to
the switchgear. Said switchgear is coupled to an SMS receiver device, for example,
a mobile phone and then the switchgear is provided with a decoding device for converting
a received SMS into a control command by means of predefined switch functions. Similarly,
monitoring tasks can be carried out. While this has been applied to, for example,
switchgear, heretofore it has not been applied to what are, in some ways, the more
important element of control, namely that of a public lighting system.
[0007] There are specific problems inherent in the operation of public lighting systems.
If one considers a lamp and its associated ballast and lamp control and data acquisition
modules as a unit, they are relatively inexpensive, however, there is a large number
of them. Further, in any particular area, there is a large number of such lamps and
each one has to be individually tracked and tested on a regular basis. It is very
important when reports of any malfunctioning of a particular lamp is received, that
the actual lamp causing the difficulty can be identified and located. A further problem
also arises in that with such lamps, the ancillary control equipment and indeed the
whole lamp unit itself, is often replaced, from time to time, by personnel and thus,
unless a very accurate record is kept of the particular lamp unit at a particular
location, the management of such lamps very quickly becomes difficult in the sense
that nobody is aware as to what particular equipment or unit is at any particular
location. It is almost certainly correct to suggest that with the constant replacement
of units and other equipment in public lighting systems, the tracing of the location
of any particular item of equipment becomes almost impossible. This is irrespective
of the system installed to provide traceability. The problem is that any such system
depends on human interaction and, almost certainly, maintenance personnel are not
likely to keep sufficiently accurate records to ensure that those controlling the
system will know when and where particular items of equipment are located. If overall
control of the system is to be maintained, it is vital to know exactly what equipment
is in any particular location. Further, when equipment is not working, for example,
if equipment has been tested and it is found not to be operative, it is vital to be
able to direct maintenance personnel to the correct location to deal with the specific
item of equipment that is not operating correctly.
[0008] Thus, while there are many sophisticated control and monitoring systems available,
none of these are that user friendly in the sense that they can be used easily by
maintenance and other personnel who may wish to, for example, discover how a particular
lamp is operating before and after maintenance, or may wish to, in some way, check
the operation of one or more lamps about which certain complaints have been made by
the general public. Such personnel may be security or other staff as well as the operators
of the lighting system.
[0009] Further, it will be appreciated that in many instances, authorities may wish to switch
on or off the public lighting system for some specific reason. One can envisage, for
example, the police authorities might wish to have the power to switch on and off
various portions of a lighting system.
[0010] Further, while lighting systems are used extensively and they, in effect, are on
almost all major motorways and all urban roads, the lighting system is generally used
simply for lighting and nothing else. The present invention is directed towards providing
some other uses for the lighting system which would further increase the versatility
of the system.
[0011] The present invention is directed towards overcoming the problems inherent in the
present systems and in particular to the control of such systems.
Statements of Invention
[0012] According to the invention, there is provided a public lighting system comprising
a central controller for operating and monitoring a plurality of lamp assemblies,
each lamp assembly comprising a lamp and a monitoring station, each comprising lamp
control and data acquisition modules, characterised in that the system further comprises:
command means in the controller to receive and process instructions in text format
from a communications device; and
a transmitter in the controller to send data to the communications device.
[0013] The ability to accept text messages will greatly increase the functionality of the
system.
[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the lamp assembly comprises a transmitter for
a global positioning system to locate the position of the lamp assembly for the central
controller. The advantage of this is that by incorporating a GPS transmitter in the
the lamp assembly, the effect is that any specific item of equipment can be rapidly
located. Indeed, by carrying out a polling of a number of lamps, the central controller
can have an exact record of the particular lamp assemblies at each location. This
will have considerable advantages such as, for example, when a particular lamp is
indicated to have been operating incorrectly, without sending somebody out to investigate
the position, those operating the central controller can identify a number of lamps
by location and then test the lamps and can then accurately determine which lamp requires
maintenance. There is no dependence on the accuracy of third party reports. Thus,
the maintenance personnel can be quickly sent to the particular location. Subsequently,
the necessary tests can be carried out.
[0015] In another embodiment, the communications protocol used is GPRS, which protocol allows
always-on data connections over a mobile phone network. The advantage of this is that
there is no need to perform any dial up operation, once a person operating a mobile
phone has the correct code to input into the mobile phone. Then, immediately, the
person carrying out the work will be connected directly into the system.
[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, at least some of the lamp assemblies comprise
a data transmitter for the transmittal of data to associated receivers. The advantage
of this is that now the public lighting system can be used, for example, to display
traffic messages or other information. For example, if a receiver and an associated
signboard or the like is mounted on a bus shelter, it will be possible for the bus
company to download accurately the expected time of arrival of a particular bus at
a particular shelter. Similarly, advertising and the like can be downloaded as required.
With this latter embodiment, the data transmitter may deliver the data by one or more
of ISM Band Radio Telemetry, broadband infrared mesh transmission, and fixed line.
[0017] Preferably, each monitoring station is connected to the controller by a combined
power and data transmission wire or alternatively may be by a separate data transmission
line or by wireless transmission.
[0018] Further, there is provided a method of operating a public lighting system of the
type comprising a central controller for operating and monitoring a plurality of lamp
assemblies, each lamp assembly comprising a lamp and a monitoring station comprising
lamp control and data acquisition modules, the method comprising:
sending a command signal in the form of a text message from a communication device
to the controller;
causing one or more lamps to be activated;
carrying out monitoring of the operation and/or condition of each lamp or a plurality
of lamps;
recording lamp data; and
transmitting the lamp data to the communications device.
[0019] Ideally, the data transmitted is stored for future analysis.
[0020] The lamp data may include data on the location of the lamp.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the controller transmits data to one or more
monitoring stations for broadcasting to other receivers. Such data may comprise one
or more of:
advertising media data;
messages for the public;
internet broadband information;
GPS data to vehicles; and
traffic data.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0022] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some
embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a control system according to the invention,
Fig. 2 illustrates another control system according to the invention, and
Fig. 3 illustrates a still further control system according to the invention.
[0023] Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1, there is provided a public lighting
system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a plurality of
lamps 2 each connected to lamp control and data acquisition modules, namely, monitoring
stations 3, together forming lamp assemblies 5. All the monitoring stations 3 are
connected by a wire 6 which in this embodiment is a combined wire for power and data
transmission to a central controller, indicated generally by the reference numeral
10. The controller 10 comprises a control system 11 for operating and monitoring each
lamp assembly 5, as well as a command means 12 to receive and process instructions
received in text format. It further comprises a transmitter 13 for downloading data
externally to communications devices. It thus comprises an interface 14 for reception
of the wire 6 and a modem 15 for connection to a landline network 16 and a mobile
phone network 17. There is illustrated a mobile phone 20 operating as a communications
device. The mobile phone 20 is equipped with SMS. Each monitoring station 3 has means
for monitoring power usage, lamp voltage, ballast temperature, general lamps or ballast
status and any other data that is important to the system operator. Such a system
could, for example, be a ballast, previously mentioned as being sold under the Trade
Name SELC 2000 Ballast which combines the ballast and monitoring functions.
[0024] Essentially, the controller 10 is the base station and the system interface 7 may,
for example, be Lonworks modem, DALI interface or SCADA interface or similar, to allow
it to communicate with the wire 6.
[0025] In operation, maintenance personnel have access to each monitoring station 3 by entering
passwords into a mobile phone, followed by commands in standard text format. The information
is relayed via the public network to the base station, namely, the controller 10.
Then, the various security checks, as desired, including password verification, are
performed before interrogating the monitoring station 3 or issuing commands to it.
Then, the monitoring station 3 will cause a specific lamp 2 to operate or will carry
out various checks on the lamp operation, as desired, which information is then relayed
to the controller 10 for onward transmission to the mobile phone 20.
[0026] Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a modified diagrammatic view of a control
system according to the invention, again indicated generally by the reference numeral
1 and all parts similar to those described, with reference to the previous drawings,
are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, there is provided
an additional global positioning GPS transmitter 25m in each monitoring station 3.
[0027] Fig. 3 shows a further modification of a control system forming part of a lighting
system according to the invention. In this embodiment, again parts similar to those
described with reference to the previous drawings, are Identified by the same reference
numerals. In this embodiment, at least one and probably a considerable number of the
lamp assemblies 5 are provided with a data transmitter 30 for transmission of data.
The data is transmitted from the data transmitters 30 to receivers 31 which are illustrated
mounted, for example, in a bus shelter 33 having a sign 34 thereon for the transmittal
of messages to the general public. There is also illustrated a motorcar 35 having
a further transmitter 31 which would allow GPS and traffic information to be transmitted
to passing vehicles. Further, there is illustrated a signboard 36 having a display
sign 37 and again it is shown mounted a receiver 31. With this latter embodiment,
various messages can be provided.
[0028] With this embodiment, as suggested, various messages could be delivered such as,
for example:
Internet Broadband Information for distribution through the streetlight network system
to the citizens;
Advertising Media Data and Information through the streetlight network to the citizen
on the city streets; and
Sending messages to other street furniture, e.g. bus shelters, advertising signs,
and so on.
[0029] It will be appreciated that when the data is transmitted to passing vehicles, where
the vehicle does not have GPS, the motorist can be updated with relevant GPS information
and relevant motoring data. Similarly, it is envisaged that such vehicles could be
provided with transmitters to allow the reception of data for onward transmission
to authorities. It is envisaged that this information could be used to control the
speed of vehicles and data to operate the vehicles correctly.
Further, with this system, it is envisaged, as with the previous system, that communication
protocols, such as GPRS, may be used to provide always-on data connections over a
mobile phone network. The advantage of this is that it prevents the need for continual
dial-up. Further, the global positioning transmitter will ensure that the position
of each lamp assembly can be accurately pin-pointed at any time.
[0030] It will be appreciated that typical commands could include:-
provide lamp data such as operational status, power, lamp voltage, ballast temperature,
burning hours, ballast serial number, software version, status of access panels, and
any other data that is required;
switch the lamp on;
switch the lamp off;
dim the lamp;
test the photoelectric cell, and so on.
[0031] It should be noted that the transmission medium could be either through powerline
cable through the air by utilising radio, radio using the ISM Band Radio Telemetry
or using Broadband Infra Red Mesh Transmission from the streetlight.
It will be appreciated that the system can be used by maintenance personnel to test
lamps during daylight hours and without the need to have a manned base station or
control station. The maintenance personnel can operate totally independently of anybody
else.
[0032] Further; when maintenance personnel have carried out a repair, they can quickly determine
whether a repair has been successful or not. This will also allow those in charge
of maintenance personnel to check whether work has been carried out satisfactorily.
[0033] Further, it will be appreciated that people other than those actively involved in
the maintenance and control of the public lighting system may also be provided with
access to it. For example, police or other authorities could, as well as checking
the operation of a system, also use the system to allow variation of lighting levels
to match local conditions, without the need for specified centralised control by the
lighting system authorities. The lighting system authorities can give whatever powers
they so desire to other personnel.
[0034] It will be appreciated that the use of a combined wire for power and data transmission
is not essential. The data may be transmitted by separate wire or wireless transmissions.
[0035] One of the great advantages of the present invention is that it is not necessary
to provide special equipment to access the system, just standard low cost mobile phone
may be used.
[0036] In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or
any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or
any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should
all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.
[0037] The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be
varied in both construction and detail.
1. A public lighting system (1) comprising a central controller (10) for operating and
monitoring a plurality of lamp assemblies (5), each lamp assembly (5) comprising a
lamp (2) and a monitoring station (3), each comprising lamp control and data acquisition
modules,
characterised in that the system (1) further comprises:
command means (12) in the controller (10) to receive and process instructions in text
format from a communications device (20); and
a transmitter (13) in the controller (10) to send data to the communications device
(20).
2. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the lamp assembly (5) comprises a GPS
transmitter (25) for a global positioning system to locate the position of the lamp
assembly for the central controller (10).
3. A system (1) as claimed in claim 2, in which GPRS communications protocol is used
to provide always-on-data connections for a mobile phone when used as the communications
device (20).
4. A system (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least some of the lamp
assemblies (5) comprise a transmitter (30) for the transmittal of data to associated
receivers (31).
5. A system (1) as claimed in claim 4, in which the transmitter (30) delivers the data
by one or more of ISM Band Radio Telemetry, broadband infrared mesh transmission,
and fixed line.
6. A system (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each monitoring station (3)
is connected to the controller (10) by a combined power and data transmission wire
(6).
7. A system (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which each monitoring station
(3) is connected to the controller (10) by a separate data transmission line or by
wireless transmission.
8. A method of operating a public lighting system of the type comprising a central controller
for operating and_monitoring a plurality of lamp assemblies, each lamp assembly comprising
a lamp and a monitoring station comprising lamp control and data acquisition modules,
the method comprising:
sending a command signal in the form of a text message from a communication device
to the controller;
causing one or more lamps to be activated;
carrying out monitoring of the operation and/or condition of each lamp or a plurality
of lamps;
recording lamp data; and
transmitting the lamp data to the communications device.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the data transmitted is stored for future
analysis.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the lamp data includes data on the location
of the lamp.
11. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, in which the controller transmits data
to one or more monitoring stations for broadcasting to other receivers.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which the data comprises one or more of:
advertising media data;
messages for the public;
internet broadband information;
GPS data to vehicles; and
traffic data.