Control module for controlling a light, particularly a street light, and network of lights

Abstract

Described herein is control module for a street light which is mounted on the street light and provides a control output for controlling the operation of the light. The control module has a circuit board (38) on which a controller (39) is mounted, the controller being connected a long-distance communication module, a short-distance communication module, and a geocoordinate module. A network can be formed by the control modules in which a central server uses long-distance communication for communicating with the control modules at start up and with a group controller after start up, the group controller using short-distance communication for communicating with control modules within its group. A sensor (41) may be provided in the control module for modifying the normal operation of the light in accordance with sensed changes in its local environment.

Claims

1. A control module for controlling a light comprising a long-distance communication module operable to reaching a server, a short-distance communication module, a geocoordinate module, and a controller, the control module being configured for providing a control output for controlling the driver of the light and for transmitting, to the server, at least one of: environmental, light and control module information.

2. The control module according to claim 1, further comprising a near field communication module.

3. The control module according to claim 2, wherein the near field communication module comprises a RFID reader.

4. The control module according to claim 1, further comprising a first part to be located outside of a light head and a second part to be located inside of a light head.

5. The control module according to claim 1, wherein the short-distance communication module is multiplex-capable and designed particularly for communication on multiple frequencies via the same antenna.

6. The control module according to claim 1, factory-provided with log-in information, particularly for an international network provider.

7. The control module according to claim 6, wherein the log-in information is stored in a memory of at least one of: the controller and the long-distance communication module, and is replaceable.

8. The control module according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic SIM.

9. The control module according to claim 1, comprising at least one sensor.

10. The control module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a brightness sensor.

11. The control module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

12. The control module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a seismometer.

13. The control module according to claim 1, wherein the light is a street light.

14. A light comprising a control module including: a long-distance communication module operable to reach a server, a short-distance communication module, a geocoordinate module, and a controller, the control module being configured for providing a control output for controlling the driver of the light and for transmitting, to the server, at least one of: environmental, light and control module information.

15. A light according to claim 14, further comprising a light head and further comprising a data medium storing light-specific data installed in or on the light head.

16. A light according to claim 15, wherein the data medium is an RFID transponder.

17. A network comprising: a server; and a multitude of groups of lights, each light being equipped with a control module including: a long-distance communication module configured for reaching a server, a short-distance communication module, a geocoordinate module, and a controller, the control module being configured for providing a control output for controlling the driver of the light and for transmitting, to the server, at least one of: environmental, light and control module information, wherein each group of lights has a control module specified as a group controller, the group controller being configured for communication with the server via the long-distance communication module, control modules other than the group controller are configured for indirect communication with the server (4) via their associated group controller, and control modules (1,23,28) other than the group controller are configured for communication with each other and with the group controller via the short-distance communication module.

18. The network according to claim 17, wherein the server is equipped with an interface with a network provider, the interface being used to activate, suspend or deactivate communication with long-distance communication modules of the control modules.

19. The network according to claim 17, wherein the group controllers have a unique IP address and each group forms a separate personal area network.

Description

[0040] For further advantages and detailed features of the invention, refer to the following figure descriptions. The schematic figures show:

[0041] FIG. 1: a network according to this invention,

[0042] FIG. 2: a further object according to this invention,

[0043] FIG. 3: a simplified flow diagram for a process according to this invention,

[0044] FIG. 4: a further object according to this invention,

[0045] FIG. 5: a component of an object according to this invention,

[0046] FIG. 6: a further object according to this invention, and

[0047] FIG. 7: a component of an object according to this invention, according to FIG. 6

[0048] Individual technical features of the design examples described below can also be combined with design examples described above as well as the features of independent claims and potential further claims to form objects according to this invention. If this makes sense, functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference number.

[0049] The present invention comprises a network comprising a plurality of luminaires, each luminaire having a controller or control module for controlling the operation thereof, and a server. Each controller is connected over an GSM Modem or a low power radio network (LPRN) and decides how best they can communicate to the server. In a preferred embodiment, the controllers are able to form small networks with a group controller, the group controller having an active GSM modem which is shared within the small network and through which communication is made with the server over a provider GSM network.

[0050] As each controller communicates with the group controller, there is no need for more than one active GSM modem to be present in each small network with the advantage that costs can be reduced (GSM network costs). Each controller uses the LPRN to communication to its group controller using 6LoWAN using an IPv6 protocol. As a result, each small network comprises an internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) network and communication within the network is only using IPv6 protocols.

[0051] The server also operates using IPv6 protocols. However, to transmit information from each group controller to the server, a GSM network is needed and currently, these operate using internet protocol version 4 (IPv4) protocols. This means that communication between the group controller and the server needs to be converted from IPv6 to IPv4 for transmission over the GSM network and then converted back again at the server. In addition, the communication over the GSM network is encrypted and secure, the encryption being provided in accordance with a suitable encryption protocol.

[0052] The server can decipher the encrypted communications received from group controllers over the GSM network and can also encrypt communications for transmission to the group controllers over the GSM network. This provides an end-to-end encrypted communication between the group controllers and the server.

[0053] According to the method of this invention, FIG. 1 shows a multitude of control modules 1 being allocated to a group controller 2. The hardware of group controller 2 is identical to control modules 1. However, only the respective group controller 2 can use long-distance connection 3 to communicate with a server 4. Typically this is access to a local cellular network provider, through which the server can then remain accessible based on IP-WAN. Communication between the servers and group controllers can, for instance, be carried out via a common internet protocol (TCP/IP). As described above, this communication is using IPv6 protocol, and communication between the server and the group controllers involves tunnelling between IPv6 and IPv4 for transmission onto the GSM network, a communication using IPv4 over the GSM network, and a tunnelling between IPv4 and IPv6 at the server.

[0054] It will readily be understood that the requirement for the conversion/tunnelling between IPv6 and IPv4 and back again is due to the GSM network operating at IPv4. However, in the future, once the GSM network operates at IPv6, there will be no need for this conversion/tunnelling.

[0055] It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention, the group controller and the server may operate on the same version of IP protocol as the GSM network.

[0056] Within a group 7, the control modules communicate with each other via short-distance connections 6. Preferably this communication should be based on on a mesh network on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, for example ZigBee.

[0057] The individual groups 7 of control modules 1, 2 can generally not see each other and therefore cannot interfere with each other. However, for communication of several groups it may be intended for control modules with adjacent locations to use short-distance connection 8 to share/exchange or forward sensor data between groups. This can then be used to initiate actions such as an increase of the light volume. As an alternative, this communication may also use the corresponding group controllers 2, which can see each other through their IP addresses on the internet. The information regarding which control module may communicate with which other control module and how this module can communicate is defined on the server and carried out, for instance in case of short-distance communication between groups, in particular by means of a multiplex unit of each control module.

[0058] Furthermore, a server for operating a network according to this invention can control a state-of-the-art network with a segment controller 15 (FIG. 2) in addition to connecting to one or several groups 7 of control modules 1, 2, which form a PAN. This segment controller manages several light controllers 9. The segment controller 15 is connected via an interface 11, which makes data exchange with server 4 possible. In addition to a connection to several groups 7 via, if necessary, an additional interface 12, the server 4 can exchange data with a long-distance network provider 14 via another interface (API) 13.

[0059] In general, a database 16 runs on the server, interacting with different operating modules (clients) 17. A graphical user interface 18 grants the user access to the server and its programs for operation and control purposes.

[0060] FIG. 3 briefly describes the process of setting up a network of street lights. After installation 19 of a number of control modules on street lights, these will scan their environment in phase 20 which is either started by the server or starts automatically. They then transmit environment information and possible light-specific or control module specific information to the server. This can take place either directly under roaming conditions with a first provider or, if necessary, with a local network provider determined by the server after the first log-in of the respective control modules. Once the environmental and other information has been transmitted by the respective control modules of the street light, an analysis of the control modules and allocation 21 into groups and determination of the group controller takes place. On the PAN level, set-up of the network can, for instance, be dynamic on the basis of the standard in use. Once the respective group controller has transmitted a data signal to the server, informing the server that the internal group communication has been successfully established, the system switches over to normal operation 22.

[0061] If additional control modules in a quantity pre-determined on the server have been installed, the process can be carried out again according to feedback loop 25.

[0062] According to another design example of the invention according to FIG. 4, a number of lights with their respective control modules 23 and 23 are arranged along a street 24. These lights belong to a group of lights or control modules A, which was pre-determined on the server. Both group A and group B are marked by the broken lines 26 or 27. Group B contains lights with their corresponding control modules 28 or 28 which are placed alongside an intersecting street 29 leading into street 24. The inner black circles 31 and 32 mark a light with an active control module, a group controller. Sensors S1 and S2 are allocated to control module 23 and 28 respectively. As sensors, above all, radar sensors, infrared sensors (particularly passive infrared sensors) or induction loops in street 24 or 29 may be considered. These detect an approaching object, e.g. a vehicle, leading to the control modules both within a group and between groups adapting the light of the respective street light of the group to the situation.

[0063] For instance, sensor S1 of the control module 23 of street light detects an approaching object, e.g. a car, the information is shared within the group or part of the group and the light intensity of group A is increased by control modules 23 and 23. Also this information or the information about the approaching car is transmitted via group controller 23 to the group controller 28 of group B. Subsequently, the brightness of the relevant lights of control modules 28 or 28, i.e. those selected by the server, is adjusted as well. As an alternative, the control module 23 equipped with sensor S1 can communicate directly with the group controller 28 of group B or another control module 28 allocated to this group controller, which means that this information is shared in the network and group B reacts accordingly.

[0064] Allocation of the respective control modules and therefore the corresponding street lights of a first group, which are to be provided with sensor information of an adjacent group's sensor and through which the information is then transmitted between groups, can be carried out on the server. Input masks are available for this purpose, particularly on the server.

[0065] A control module according to this invention, which can be used to implement the method described above, is preferably designed as a separate unit, which can be installed on a light head, for instance of a street light (cf. FIG. 7). For further details regarding the crucial components of an externally installed control module, see FIG. 5. The exploded view of this figure comprises the control module, a top housing part 33 and a bottom housing part 34. The bottom housing part is to be fastened to a base fitted on top of the light by means of seal 36. The part is connected with the base through bayonet-type twisting contacts 37. These contacts 37 are fastened in housing 34 and also the location of the central circuit board unit 38. Among other things, a controller 39, short-and long-distance communication modules and an acceleration sensor unit 41 for detecting in particular seismic waves are located on this circuit board unit.

[0066] This figure does not show an RFID reader, which can be installed in a base on the light housing side in order to register light-specific data of an RFID transponder in the near field.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a street network with multiple streets 42 with a length of several hundred metres. A multitude of street lights 43 with their respective control modules are placed alongside these streets. Each of the control modules is equipped with sensors for detecting seismic waves. These may be simple acceleration sensors. As an alternative, more sophisticated seismometers may be integrate in the street light. The data coming from the acceleration sensors, which are preferably integrated directly in the control module within the housing, can be transmitted to the server via the group controller and its long-distance communication module. Even if the sensors are relatively inaccurate, the high number of signals transmitted by them makes it possible to detect earthquake waves and analyse them on the server according to their location and time due to the geocoordinates transmitted by the control modules and the group controller. This means that even in case of a low resolution of the of the P and/or S waves a comparatively exact image of the course of the earthquake can be created. Information regarding the earthquake epicentre can be extracted from this information accordingly. This can either be carried out on the network server or on a special server allocated to an earthquake centre. Accordingly the lights can be controlled to be used as a subsequent tsunami warning or earthquake warning, for instance by sending out light signals which the population has been informed of beforehand. These may be wave-like light signals of alternating or propagating light intensity running along the street.

[0068] Due to the integration of a street light into the ground according to FIG. 7 and the fixed installation and connection of the light with the ground, for instance by means of a layer of lean concrete 44, a foundation pipe 45 or dense filling material 46, acceleration sensors located in or on the light head 48 in the control module can easily register the seismic waves propagating in the ground or along the surface via mast 49. As an alternative or in addition, a seismometer 52 with a higher resolution can be located in the foot of mast 49 and connected with control module 2 via a data line (not shown). A significant advantage of this system is that a large number of sensors distributed on a large surface can be evaluated almost simultaneously, making analysis for detection of the seismic waves 50, depicted as a broken line in FIG. 6, possible. At the same time, an information system is provided which can inform a multitude of road users at the same time.