GB2403357A - Monitoring system for public lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

Control nodes 16 monitor the operating parameters of streetlights 12, 20, and transmit them over a communication network 14 to a personal computer (PC) 10 where they are logged on a database 32 which can in turn be interrogated by lap top computers 40. Operating parameter data may include: lamp voltage; lamp power; ballast temperature; mains voltage; lamp failure; weak lamp signal; photocell operational signal; mains interruption; tilt signal and illumination time. The system may store data from a group of 100 or more lamps and be used to predict lamp failure and provide warning when a lamp 12 has a predicted life of less than 300 hours. Communication network 14 may comprise: mains wiring; radio signals; and a mobile phone GSM network. Data may be transmitted using short message service (SMS) text and be coded as a series of alphanumeric digits. Mobile phones 30 carried by engineers may be used to monitor, query, test and control a series of lamps 12, 20.

Description

Monitoring System for Public Lighting The present invention relates to a

monitoring system for public lighting and in particular, although not exclusively, to a monitoring system for street lighting.

Public lighting such as street lighting or lighting in parks or tenement buildings is required to be routinely inspected by local councils or authorities. Such inspection is typically undertaken by physical observation whereby teams of scouts drive around looking for street lamp failures at night, or day burners during the day which are indicative of a lamp or ballast fault. The scouts may also perform the task of responding to reports about a problem with a specific lamp from local residents or road users. Once a failed lamp has been found the scouts log an identification number of the lamp so that an engineer can be sent to a specific location to effect a repair.

The scouts may notice further problems with lighting such as a leaning lamp post caused by a vehicle collision, or damage due to vandalism, such as the loosening of a lamp post inspection cover.

There are a number of disadvantages associated with the prior method of monitoring public lighting. The use of scouts is an inefficient and expensive means of locating failed lamps since a significant portion of time may be wasted without finding a single failed lamp. Consequently a long period of time may elapse before a failed lamp is logged by the team of scouts. Local authorities and councils may be legally obliged to provide operational public lighting and in cases where failed street lighting is not rectified promptly the local authorities or councils may not be fulfilling their obligation.

What is required is an improved means of monitoring public lighting.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a monitoring system for public lighting comprising a master computer and a device adapted to monitor and store operational data for public lighting in use, and to send said data to the master computer via a communications network.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for monitoring public lighting comprising the steps of; providing a master computer; and using a device to monitor and store operational data for public lighting in use, and to send said data to the master computer via a communications network.

Such a system and method can be used to monitor and store operational data of public lighting from a remote location which may assist in locating problems with individual lamps. The master computer may be a personal computer due to the simple nature of the operational requirements of the monitoring system.

The operational data might include information such as lamp voltage, lamp power, ballast temperature, mains voltage, lamp failure, weak lamp, photocell operation, mains interruption or lamp illumination time. Such information may eliminate the need for scouts and provides a reason for lamp failure which may be particularly useful for

engineers in the field.

Preferably the device is adapted to monitor and store data from a group of lamps and in a preferred embodiment the device is adapted to store data from up to approximately lamps. This may provide an economical means to implement the system.

The system and method may be adapted to provide a prediction of lamp failure. The prediction may be based on the operational data being monitored such as the monitoring of a weak lamp which is indicative that a lamp is nearing the end of its life.

The prediction may be adapted to provide a warning signal that a particular lamp has a life of less than 300 hours. Such information is particularly useful because it allows engineers in the field can take action before lamp failure occurs. This information may also be useful to plan the future work load for engineers in the field.

Preferably an updatable database may be provided to permit storage of the operational data. The database may be physically located in the master computer or the device or both.

In one embodiment the said device monitors the lighting via the mains wiring used to power the lighting.

In an alternative arrangement the device monitors the lighting via radio means. The communication via radio means can be adapted to use license free radio frequencies thereby keeping costs to a minimum.

In a preferred embodiment the master computer and said device communicate with each other via a GSM mobile phone network. Utilisation of the mobile phone network provides a simple and economical means of communication. This provides the advantage that a standard mobile phone device such as a telephone or pager can be adapted to the invention, thus keeping the cost of equipment low since a dedicated mobile phone device is not required.

A system so arranged can be pre-programmed telephone numbers such as any series of alphanumeric digits that permit connection to the telephone network or the ternet.

Similarly the method may be arranged to use such pre-programmed telephone numbers.

Preferably the device communicates a Short Message Service (SMS) text message to the master computer which contains information on the operational data or the lamp fault. The text message may contain a series of alphanumeric digits which is a coded form of the operational data or fault.

Preferably a single text message is used to communicate information relating to the group of lamps being monitored.

Optionally the monitoring system may comprise a number of terminals such as lap top computers or personal computers. The lap top computers or personal computers may be adapted to access the database or databases from remote locations via an internal network or via the Internet. Access to the database or databases may also be provided by a number of mobile phones such as the mobile phone of engineers in the field.

In a preferred embodiment the system and method permit coded text messages in the form of commands to be sent from the master computer, the personal computers or the lap top computers to the device to permit control and/or operation of the lamps being monitored. The system and method may also permit such text messages to be sent from the mobile phones such as the mobile phone of engineers in the field. This feature may provide a convenient means by which to manage and maintain public lighting.

Each lamp may be provided with a tilt sensor to provide a signal if the lamp is knocked by a vehicle. Such a signal might be an alert text message which is sent to the master computer. An alert text message may also be sent in the case of a sudden surge in electricity supply which might damage street lamps.

An alert message may also be sent if a lamp or group of lamps is drawing more power, which may be indicative of a fault.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a public lighting monitoring system, according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a representation of an output of the monitoring system of Figure 1.

In Figure 1 there is shown a schematic representation of a public lighting monitoring system, according to the present invention. In Figure 1 the monitoring system is adapted for monitoring street lights and comprises a master Personal Computer (PC) 10 which is in communication with a series of street lights 12 via a GSM mobile phone network 14. The series of street lights 12 is monitored by a device in the form of a control node 16 which is a device for monitoring and storing operational data and which, in Fig. 1, can monitor up to approximately 100 lamps. A suitable control node 16 is a master node available from Kongsberg Analogic of Kongsberg, Norway. The series of lamps 12 and the control node 16 are in communication with each other using mains wiring used to power the lamps 12. Communication between components using power lines is well known to the skilled person and is not described further.

In an alternative arrangement also shown in Figure 1 the monitoring system comprises a series of lamps 20 and the control node 16 is in communication with the series of lamps using radio communication. The radio communication can be adapted to use license free radio frequencies. In this example the control node 16 is also in communication with the master PC 10 via the GSM network 14.

Optionally the monitoring system comprises a number of mobile phones 30, for example the mobile phones 30 of engineers in the field. In a further option the monitoring system comprises a number of terminals such as lap top computers 40.

In use, the master PC 10 is located in a local council or authority building and has a database 32 which stores the current status of all street lamps in the series of street lights 12, 20. The control node 16 is responsible for logging all the activities of the lamps under its control and for forwarding the information to the master PC 10. The master PC and each control node 16 can be adapted to monitor operational parameters of the lamps 12, 20 via an electronic ballast for each lamp, such as the Electronic Ballast available from SELC of Belmullet, Ireland. Such operational parameters may include lamp voltage, lamp power, mains interruption, ballast temperature, ballast run time, mains voltage, or lamp illumination time. Transceiver modules (not shown) allow information from the ballast to be communicated to the control node 16. A suitable transceiver is a candelon module available from Kongsberg Anologic. The monitoring system can be used to show a fault such as a lamp failure, a weak lamp, a photocell fault, mains interruption, brown out or a ballast fault. A weak lamp may be indicative of a future lamp failure and the monitoring system can be adapted to provide a predictive warning signal that a particular lamp has a life of less than, say, 300 hours.

Such information is useful because engineers in the field can take action before a lamp 12, 20 fails. This information may also be useful to plan the future work load of

engineers in the field.

The operational parameters and predicted faults or known faults are logged in the database 32 which can be accessed through standard SQL commands or displayed via web pages. The utilization of free software tools such as Internet Explorer (Trade Mark) may help to minimize the cost of implementing the system. The lap top computers 40 can access the database 32 from locations within the local authority buildings via an internal network or via the Internet. In this way local authorities can be provided with up to the minute information regarding the status of all of the street lamps in their district. Faults can be reported as they happen and a prediction of future failures can be provided. The number of complaints from local residents or road users is consequently reduced. The lap top computers 40 provide a means whereby multiple users can use the monitoring system.

Now referring to Figure 2 there is shown a representation of an output of the monitoring system of Figure 1, generally designated 50. Such an output would be visible on a monitor 1 Oa of the computer l O or screens 40a of the lap top computers 40. In Figure 2 the output 50 shows streets 52, buildings 54 and lamps 56. The lamps 56 are indicated with various colours or shades to indicate the various parameters or faults with a particular lamp 56. If a particular lamp 56 is clicked on by using the pointer of a computer mouse a table is displayed which shows the operational parameters and the status of the system or lamp components. The status may be indicated with a red light to indicate a fault or a green light to indicate normal operation.

In use the control node 16 communicates a Short Message Service (SMS) text message to the master PC 10 with information on the operational parameters or the lamp fault.

The text message contains a series of alphanumeric digits which are a coded form of the operational parameters or faults for approximately 100 lamps. Similar coded text messages in the form of commands can be sent from a lap top computer 40 to each control node 16 in the monitoring system to control the operation of the lamps 12, 20.

The mobile phones 30 of field engineers can also be used to monitor, query, test and control the series of lamps 12, 20 thereby permitting an engineer in the field to interact with the control node 16 via simple text message commands. The mobile phones 30 can also be used to replace or add particular street lamps to the series of street lamps 12,20 being monitored.

The text message sent from the control node 16 or the command message received by the control node 16 from the mobile phones 30 or lap top computers 40 contains the address of a particular lamp together with a command. The text message from the mobile phones 30 or lap top computers 40 can be understood by the control node 16 so that the command can be carried out.

Each lamp has an optional feature of a tilt sensor whereby if a lamp is knocked by a vehicle an alert text message can be sent to the master PC 10. An alert text message can also be sent if there is a sudden surge in electricity supply. Each street lamp post typically has an inspection cover which may be susceptible to being opened by a vandal. The inspection cover has an optional feature of a security switch whereby if the cover is opened by a vandal an alert text message is sent to the master PC 10.

Utilization of the GSM mobile phone network provides an inexpensive communication network by which to operate the system. Costs are thereby minimized and coverage is almost guaranteed in all areas where street lights are likely to exist. Utilizing the GSM network via text messaging provides a low cost and reliable means of communication.

Whilst a preferred embodiment for the public lighting monitoring system has been described it will be appreciated that other designs of the system could exist that would have the desired effect of the invention as set out in the aforesaid aspects with respect to the monitoring of public lighting.

Claims (16)

1. Claims 1. A monitoring system for public lighting comprising a master

   computer, and a device adapted to monitor and store operational data for public lighting, and to send said data to the master computer via a communications network.
2. 2. A system according to claim I wherein the master computer is personal computer.
3. 3. A system wherein said device is adapted to monitor and store one or more of the following kinds of data: lamp voltage, lamp power, ballast temperature, mains voltage, lamp failure signal, weak lamp signal, photocell operation signal, mains interruption signal, lamp tilt signal and lamp illumination time.
4. 4. A system according to any preceding claim and adapted to monitor and store data from a group of lamps.
5. 5. A system according to claim 5 and adapted to store data from up to approximately 100 lamps.
6. 6. A system according to any preceding claim and further adapted to provide a prediction of lamp failure based on the operational data monitored in use.
7. 7. A system according to claim 6 and adapted to provide a warning signal that a lamp has a predicted life of less than 300 hours.
8. 8. A system according to any preceding claim wherein said device is adapted to monitor lighting via mains wiring used to power the lighting.
9. 9. A system according to any of claims 1-7 wherein said device is adapted to monitor lighting via radio.
10. 10. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the master computer and the device are adapted to communicate with each other via a GSM mobile phone network.
11. 11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the device is adapted to communicate with the master computer via a Short Message Service (SMS) text message which contains information on operational data.
12. 12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the text message contains a series of l O alphanumeric digits, being a coded form of the operational data.
13. 13. A method for monitoring public lighting comprising the steps of; providing a master computer; and using a device to monitor and store operational data for public lighting, and to send said data to the master computer via a communications network.
14. 14. A method according to claim 13 and including the step of sending data as a coded text message of a GSM mobile phone network.
15. 15. A system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. 16. A method substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.