GB2372160A

GB2372160A - Street light management

Info

Publication number: GB2372160A
Application number: GB0103214A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Larry Taylor; Mark Anthony Burrows
Original assignee: SELV Ltd
Current assignee: SELV Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-09
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2002-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-09
Also published as: GB0103214D0; GB2372160B; EP1241924A2; EP1241924A3

Abstract

A street lamp management system with a plurality of modules 11 mounted on each of a number of lamps for monitoring and controlling of the lamps having a radio communication section 10 to transmit data to and receive data from a sub-master unit 13 which collates information from the modules and transfers the data to a master control unit 14 which then processes this information to control the lamps. The master control unit has a computer 15 which includes a database to automatically bill the customer and alert maintenance vehicles 16 to lamp failures.

Description

2372 1 60

STREET LIGHTING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a management system for street lighting. The current street lighting infra-structure within the United Kingdom consists of approximately 7.5 million units with the day-to-

day operational performance of the whole system monitored on a manual basis.

With the current requirements for performance monitoring and value for money, together with an increasing demand for improved service and reliability in all sections of the economy, there is a need for an intelligent management system for street lighting.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such a system.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a street lighting management system which will provide customers with an improved level of service while, at the same time, giving the lighting contractor an opportunity to operate in a more efficient and competitive manner.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a street lighting management system which includes: a) a plurality of modules for mounting on the street lights, each module including information collating means and data transmitting means, b) a plurality of sub-master units for receiving and collating the data transmitted by the modules, each submaster unit including data transmitting means, and c) a master unit for receiving and interpreting the data transmitted by the sub-master unit.

The modules are preferably in the form of units which can be mounted on the street lights in place of (or instead of) the photocell units currently employed.

Each module preferably includes means for monitoring and recording the voltage consumed by the associated lamp, the current supplied to the associated lamp and the corresponding power factor. Each module preferably also includes a switching facility and means for turning the associated lamp on and off and changing the operating period of the lamp.

Each of the data transmitting means is preferably a radio frequency transmitter and the modules are preferably arranged in series so that communication is effected between a plurality of

modules and then with the associated sub-master unit. This permits the use of short-range radio transmitters.

The master unit is preferably linked to a computer having a memory for storing all the data transmitted by the modules and by the sub-master units.

The computer is preferably linked to or incorporates a data base containing billing information.

Brief Descrintion of the Drawings Figure 1 is a flow chart showing the mode of operation of part of the street lighting management system, and Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the mode of operation of the system as a whole.

Descrintion of the Preferred Embodiment Current street lighting systems currently include a photo-cell unit which is contained within a housing installed in a recess at the top of the street light. The system of the present invention involves the use of node units or modules 10 which are installed in the street lights in place of the photo-cell units and are arranged in communication with the lamps and control gear 11 of the street lights.

Each node unit or module 10 includes a radio transmitter and receiver 12 which is arranged to receive data from the node unit or module 10 mounted in the preceding street light and to transmit data to the node unit or module 10 mounted in the succeeding street light, the node units or modules 10 being arranged in sequence with approximately sixty four node units or modules 10 arranged in communication with a sub-master unit 13. The node units or modules 10 are preferably arranged so that, in addition to communicating with one another, each unit or module 10 can communicate directly with the associated sub-master unit 13.

Each of the sub-master units 13 includes a radio transmitter and receiver and the sub-master units are arranged in sequence so that each sub-master unit 13 can communicate with its respective preceding and succeeding submaster units and with a master unit 14. The master unit 14 includes a radio transmitter and receiver and communicates with a computer 15 which is programmed with data concerning the client base and cost information enabling direct billing to the client or clients, completion of time sheets, time management and automated stock control.

The computer 15 is linked to a radio transmitter and receiver enabling it to communicate with each of the master units 14 and with any operational units 16, for example, maintenance vehicles.

Each node unit or module 10 includes monitoring means arranged to receive an activate pulse 17 as indicated and, after a predetermined time delay, to carry out monitoring procedures for

monitoring and recording the voltage supplied to the associated lamp, the current consumed by the associated lamp and the corresponding power factor. Each node unit or module 10 also has a switching capability.

The information obtained by the monitoring procedures is passed to a microprocessor 18 which collates the information which it receives and compares it with information obtained during the previous monitoring process. If the newly received data differs from the previous data, a unique identifier (specific to that particular node unit or module 10) is added to the newly received data and such data is transmitted via the associated radio transmitter and receiver to the next node unit or module in the sequence and, in due course, to the associated sub-master unit 13 and then to the master unit 14.

The master unit 14 transfers all the information which it receives to the computer 15, the memory of which the retains collated data concerning each of the street lights within the entire system. This data can be accessed to provide all the information required by the managers of the street lighting system Each node unit or module 10 also includes a timing facility for turning the associated lamp on and off and for changing the operating period of the lamp. Each node unit or module 10 normally receives an hourly Uon/off" signal to turn the lamp on or off but, if no on/off signal is received in a period of, for example, four hours, the timing facility automatically sends an font signal to the associated lamp.

The overall system thus includes a facility for turning all the lamps on and off at pre-selected times, depending on the time of year, and for monitoring the performance of the lamps. In practice, the power consumption of a lamp will tend to increase prior to failure of a lamp and a feed-back can be obtained of the particular lamps which are not operational, i.e. have failed and require replacement, plus those which have not yet failed but are likely to fail in the reasonably near future.

The advantages of the system of the present invention include the following: a) a reduction in administration costs, b) faulty component identification is facilitated, c) improved routing and programming of works, d) a reduction in costly abortive calls, e) no need for costly night-time inspections, Al automatic stock replenishment, and 9) a direct billing facility.

Claims

Claims:

1. A street lighting management system which includes: a) a plurality of modules for mounting on the street lights, each module including information collating means and data transmitting means, b) a plurality of sub-master units for receiving and collating the data transmitted by the modules, each sub-master unit including data transmitting means, and c) a master unit for receiving and interpreting the data transmitted by the sub-master unit.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the modules are in the form of units which can be mounted on the street lights in place of (or instead of) the photocell units currently employed.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which each module includes means for monitoring and recording the voltage supplied to the associated lamp, the current consumed by the associated lamp and the corresponding power factor.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, in which each module includes switching means and means for turning the associated lamp on and off and changing the operating period of the lamp.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the data transmitting means is a radio frequency transmitter.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5, in which the modules are arranged in series so that communication is effected between a plurality of modules and then with the associated sub-master unit.

7. An intelligent street lighting management system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the master unit is linked to a computer having a memory for storing all the data transmitted by the modules and by the sub-

master units.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 7, in which the computer is linked to or incorporates a data base containing billing information.

9. An intelligent street lighting management system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

À. Amp Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A street lighting management system which includes: a) a plurality of modules for mounting on the street lights, each module including information collating means and data transmitting means in the form of a radio frequency transmitter, b) a plurality of sub-master units for receiving and collating the data transmitted by the modules, each sub-master unit including data transmitting means in the form of a radio frequency transmitter, and c) a master unit for receiving and interpreting the data transmitted by the sub-master units, and in which the modules are arranged in series so that communication is effected between a plurality of modules and then with the associated sub-master unit.

r il 5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the master unit is linked to a computer having a memory for storing all the data transmitted by the modules and by the sub-

master units.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5, in which the computer is linked to or incorporates a data base containing billing information.