NL1040046C2

NL1040046C2 - Illumination system.

Info

Publication number: NL1040046C2
Application number: NL1040046A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Edward Jacobus Clemens Maria Neef
Original assignee: Ziut B V
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2014-08-11

Description

TITLE: Illumination system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a system that is capable to control, as desired, large groups of light sources, or small groups of light sources, or even individual light sources, of a illumination network. The groups may comprise a large quantity of light sources. The network may be a public network or a private network, a company network, a network in a business park, etc; in the following, the invention will be specifically explained for the context of a public illumination network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A public illumination network includes not only the common street lighting but more generally all illumination of public places and sometimes even private places. Traditionally, such system comprises a limited number of lighting sections, each section comprising a large number of light sources, which section as a whole is switched on or off. The decision to switch a section on or off may be made by a person or by a computer, it may be made at a location of an energy company or at a community centre, and it may be based on actual time-of-day or on sensed ambient light level, but in all these cases it is only possible to control the section as a whole.

In fact, for practical reasons, multiple sections are often controlled simultaneously.

Switching the street lighting may be done by switching over the power lines. In a commonly practiced method, the switching is done by a tone frequency switching system. A control operator of the public illumination network supplies tone frequency signals (sound signals) to the power lines. These signals are received by tone frequency receivers, which in turn switch a relais. There may be one tone frequency receiver plus relais combination for an entire lighting section, but there may also be one tone frequency receiver plus relais combination per light source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technique of sending information by sending sound pulses over the power lines is a relatively old, even old-fashioned technique that is relatively expensive to explore. Further, in the modern power grid, that not only is growing rapidly but also involves the problem that sections of the grid are galvanically separated from each other, there is a problem that the sound signals do not reach all receivers, or that it requires expensive measures to assure that the sound signals reach all receivers at an acceptable quality. Further, there is a growing demand for the capability of individual switching in time, and for the capability of giving special individual illumination characteristics to illumination of special objects or places (e.g. streets), which demand can not, or only at great difficulty and high costs, be met by this technique.

It is a further problem that the tone frequency signals are susceptible to much interference and noise. Further, the power grid comprises an ever increasing number of nodes which contain equipment that may interfere with the signals. A disturbance or interruption of a signal at one point may have consequences in a large portion of the grid.

The present invention aims to overcome these problems. To this end, for transmitting instructions to receivers associated with individual lighting units, the present invention proposes to broadcast signals via the FM-DARC channel. Although the DARC channel has a lower bandwidth as compared to for instance a 2.4 GHz channel, it offers advantages of robustness and less susceptibility to disturbances thanks to the physical properties of FM radiowaves. Apart from that, for the purpose of controlling public illumination, a large bandwidth is not essential.

With this broadcast solution transmitting from one point to many receivers, there is an almost unlimited robust solution with a reliability of better than 99,9% (depending on the chosen FM-network). There is no restriction on the number of DARC receivers cq light sources (be it ten or ten million), and there is almost no time-loss in the broadcast part of this system. With dedicated, intelligent DARC receivers per light source, the operator can switch or dim each light source individually (and the same would apply, mutatis mutandis, for DARC receivers associated with other technical installations, such as traffic lights that can be dimmed, or heating installations (boilers) or air treatment units in office buildings that can be switched). The operator can do this in real time, meaning that the operator sends direct switching instructions, but it is also possible that a DARC receiver has software running that autonomously implements a switching scheme and that the operator data change the software of the DARC receiver. Further, an important advantage of the system is that a failure in one piece of equipment will have much less consequences for other equipment, since all equipment receives directly from the source.

It is noted that systems have been proposed based on GSM/GPRS/UMTS/LTE technology. One of the disadvantages of such technology is that it requires the use of individual SIM cards per receiver, which is not necessary in the system proposed by the present invention. Further, data transmission using this technology is relatively costly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which: figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a portion of a public lighting system according to the present invention; figure 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating more details of lamp units of the public lighting system of figure 1; figure 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a possible practical situation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a situation of public lighting. The public lighting system 100 includes a plurality of lamp posts 10, each lamp post 10 comprising a lamp unit 11 and an antenna 12. The antenna 12 is shown outside the lamp unit 11, for clarity, but may in practice be located inside a housing of the lamp unit 11, for protection, so that it is not visible from the outside.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating more details of a lamp unit 11. Each lamp unit 11 comprises one or more lighting elements 20. The type of lighting element is not essential: the present invention can be implemented with any existing or future type of lighting element. Depending on the type, the lamp unit may comprise one or more driver devices matching the lighting elements 20, as should be clear to a person skilled in the art, but this is not shown for sake of simplicity. For controlling the lighting elements 20, the lamp unit 11 comprises a DARC receiver/control device 22, which may comprise a suitably programmed microprocessor or controller or the like. A supply line 23 supplies power to the DARC receiver/control device 22, typically via a power adapter, but this is not shown for sake of simplicity. The receiver/control device 22 receives an antenna signal from the antenna 12, and controls a switch 24 in the supply line 23 to switch power to one or more of the lighting elements 20, or to the respective driver devices. Since DARC receivers are known per se, a more detailed description of the design and operation of DARC receivers is omitted here.

It is noted that the receiver/control device 22 and the switch 24 are shown here as separate entities, but the receiver/control device 22 and the switch 24 may also be integrated into one receiver/control/switch device.

Operation of the lamps is controlled from a central operating centre 1, which includes a computer with a database of amongst other all lighting sources. The signal from the operating centre is transported, for instance via the internet, to a broadcast tower on which an FM Transmitter is active; this FM transmitter 2 is schematically indicated by an antenna symbol. The operating centre 1 may be a power plant, city hall, or other suitable building of e.g. a service provider.

Each DARC receiver/control device 22 has a unique address code. The address code may include one or more group codes. When the operating centre 1 wishes to switch one or more of the lamps on or off, or to change the light output level (dimming) of one or more of the lamps, the operating centre 1 transmits a DARC signal that includes a command portion (for indicating required light output level "full", "off', "dim") and an address portion, and possibly timing information. The address portion indicates the lamps that are intended to respond to the signal, and contains either the unique address code of the DARC receiver/control device 22 or one or more group codes.

A DARC receiver/control device 22 is responsive to the DARC content in the antenna signal if the address portion of the signal corresponds to its own unique address code or group code. In such case, based on the command portion of the DARC content in the antenna signal, the DARC receiver/control device 22 switches the associated lighting elements 20 individually on or off or dims these associated lighting elements 20, respectively. It is possible that the DARC receiver/control device 22 does this in real time, i.e. immediately upon receipt of the antenna signal, but it is also possible that the DARC receiver/control device 22 has software running that autonomously implements a switching scheme, and that the DARC receiver/control device 22 is responsive to the DARC content in the antenna signal by amending its software settings.

The supply line 23 is connected to a main line (not shown for sake of simplicity) that is common to a plurality of lamp posts. It should be clear that the DARC receiver/control device 22 can only operate as described, and that the lamps can only be on, during those periods when the main line carries power.

In principle, it is possible that the main line is powered at all times. In that case, the lamp units 11 always receive power. In such case, switching by the DARC operating centre can be done at all times, as desired. However, in a more practical situation, the main line is powered via a central switch that is controlled by a power provider and that is equipped with a power consumption meter. It may be that the power provider controls this central switch remotely, according to a fixed timing scheme, to switch on and off. The DARC receiver/control device 22 can have a switch-on time later than the switch-on time of the power provider, and the DARC

receiver/control device 22 can have a switch-off time earlier than the switch-off time of the power provider.

In many cases, the network of powerlines up to the individual lamp posts is owned by the power provider, and DARC-switching is only possible for the customer at the level of each individual lamp post. However, it may also be that a part of the network of powerlines, common to a group of lamps, is owned by for instance a municipality. At the point where such network is connected to the main network owned and governed by the power provider, constant power may be present, and it is possible to have DARC-switching at all times. It is even possible to have a DARC-controlled switch in a portion of the common network, to be able to switch a plurality of lamps simultaneously.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating possible practical situation differing from figure 2. The supply lines 23 of a plurality of lamp units 11 are connected to a main line 123, which is connected to a main switching station 120.

The main switching station 120 receives power from a power plant 110, over lines 111, 112. A network operator 101, which may for instance be associated with the power plant 110, remotely controls the main switching station 120, for instance according to a predefined time schedule.

In a classical prior art situation, the lighting elements 20 (or the corresponding driver devices) would always be switched by the main line 123. Whenever the network operator commands a switching station 120 to switch on, all lamp units powered via this switching station 120 would go on. Whenever the network operator commands a switching station 120 to switch off, all lamp units powered via this switching station 120 would go off.

With the present invention as discussed with reference to figure 1, however, the operating centre 1 (also shown in figure 3) will broadcast DARC control signals to the DARC receiver/control devices 22 associated with the respective lamp units 11. This will of course only be effective during those times when the supply lines 23 receive power, i.e. when the switching stations 120 are on. Lamp units 11 are only on if the switching stations 120 are on (under control of the the network operator) and the DARC receiver/control devices 22 are also on (under control of the operating centre 1). Thus, it is possible for the operating centre 1 to delay switching "on" and to advance switching "off”, and to effect a dimming irrespective of the settings by the network operator or service provider. This functionality, which applies specifically to public lighting, will result in an increased saving of energy, energy costs and carbon emission.

Further, in all cases, it may be necessary or desired for service personnel to inspect the proper operation of the lamps during daytime. For this, it is necessary that the entire network is supplied with power. This applies when the network is a private network or a municipality-owned public network and the owner turns on the main switch, and this applies when the network is switched by, for instance, a power station operator. In the classical prior art situation, all lamps of the network would be on, which during daytime is a waste of energy for those lamps not under immediate inspection. With the present invention, however, it is no longer necessary to have all lamps be switched on during the inspection period: in contrast, although the entire network carries power, the DARC signal to all lamps can turn all lamps off, and the inspection personnel can now individually switch on a lamp for inspection, which gives a large reduction of costs.

According to the current state of the art, for switching the switching stations 120, a control signal from the network operator would be a tone frequency signal, as explained earlier. For switching the lamp units 11, the present invention can be used in combination with this existing technique. However, it is also possible that the switching stations 120 are equipped with DARC receiver/control devices 122, and that the network operator, 101 is associated with an FM transmitter 102 to produce DARC control signals for controlling the switching stations 120, thus replacing the tone frequency switching technique. It is further possible that only the switching stations 120 are equipped with DARC receiver/control devices 122, and that it is not necessary to switch individual lamps at times deviating from the switching times of the switching stations 120. Other combinations are also possible.

Thus, the operation of the system is very flexible in practice. Depending on the desires of the residents and/or the system manager, it is possible to switch portions of the system on or off at different times, independently from each other, while nevertheless all lamps are powered from the same power source. Use of the DARC channel allows this functionality to be offered at relative low cost yet with high reliability.

It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, but that several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims. For instance, two or more functions may be performed by one single entity, unit or processor. Even if certain features are recited in different dependent claims, the present invention also relates to an embodiment comprising these features in common. Any reference signs in a claim should not be construed as limiting the scope of that claim.

Further, while figure 2 illustrates an embodiment with a controlled switch, it is also possible that the control device 22 directly controls a driver for the lighting elements 20.

Being able to control the lighting elements independent from a network operator or service provider is specifically useful in private lighting, but also in the case of public locations such as tunnels, railway stations, etc.

The DARC receiver can be powered from the mains. It is however also possibly that the DARC receiver/controller is provided with a dedicated battery power supply, which itself is charged from the mains, when the mains power is on, but which can continue powering the DARC receiver/controller when the mains power is off. Preferably, the capacity of such battery is sufficient to keep the DARC receiver/controller powered during the entire off-period of the mains. In this way, it is possible that control signals be transmitted to the DARC receiver/controller at all times, even when the mains power is off, for updating the software. This is advantageous on the one hand because it allows personnel to update the software during office hours, and on the other hand because it allows the software to be updated at day time when the DARC receiver/controller does not have to operate the switch.

In the above, the present invention has been explained with reference to block diagrams, which illustrate functional blocks of the device according to the present invention. It is to be understood that one or more of these functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, where the function of such functional block is performed by individual hardware components, but it is also possible that one or more of these functional blocks are implemented in software, so that the function of such functional block is performed by one or more program lines of a computer program or a programmable device such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, etc.

Claims

A lighting system (100) comprising a plurality of lamp units (11), wherein each lamp unit (11) comprises: one or more lighting elements (20); a supply line (23) for supplying power to the lighting elements (20); a DARC receiver / control device (22) for controlling the lighting elements (20); an FM antenna (12) for receiving FM DARC signals; wherein each DARC receiver / control device (22) has a unique address code; the system further comprising: an FM transmitter (2) capable of transmitting signals via an FM-DARC channel; a central control center (1) which is coupled to the FM transmitter (2) and which is capable of generating signals to be transmitted via the FM-DARC channel by the FM transmitter (2), such signals being a command part and an address part, wherein the command part of the emitted signal comprises a code indicating a required light output level, and wherein the address part of the emitted signal comprises a code indicating at least one addressed receiver / control device.

A lighting system (100) comprising a plurality of lamp units (11), the lamp units (11) having supply lines (23) connected to a common main line (123); the system comprising a plurality of switching stations (120) receiving power from a power plant (110), the main line (123) being connected to an output of one of said switching stations (120); wherein each switching station (120) comprises a DARC receiver / control device (122) for controlling the switching state of the switching station (120); wherein each DARC receiver / controller (122) has a unique address code; the system further comprising: an FM transmitter (102) capable of transmitting signals via an FM-DARC channel; a network operating device (101) coupled to the FM transmitter (102), and capable of generating signals to be transmitted through the FM DARC channel by the FM transmitter (102), such signals being a command part and an address part, wherein the command part of the transmitted signal comprises a code indicating a required switching state, and wherein the address part of the transmitted signal comprises a code indicating at least one addressed receiver / control device.

A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the address part of the transmitted signal comprises a unique address code which indicates exactly one control device.

The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the address portion of the broadcast signal comprises a group code indicating a predetermined group of control devices.

A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a receiver / control device (22) in response to receiving an FM DARC signal comprising an address code indicating this specific control device either individually or as part of a group, according to controls the corresponding lighting elements (20) with a command part of the same FM-DARC signal.

The system of claim 5, wherein the receiver / control device (22) controls the corresponding lighting elements (20) directly or via an associated switch (24), or wherein the receiver / control device (22) either directly or via an associated switch controls a drive device for the corresponding lighting elements (20).

A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitted signal comprises timing information.

A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitted signal contains information for modifying software running in the receiver / control device.

9. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lighting elements are for instance implemented as LEDs.

System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the FM transmitter (2) is placed on a broadcasting tower or mast.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein respectively the central control center (1) or the network control device (101) comprises a computer which is coupled to the FM transmitter (2; 102) via the internet.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one traffic light controlled by an associated DARC receiver / control device.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one heating installation, for example boiler, which is controlled by an associated DARC receiver / control device.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one air handling unit controlled by an associated DARC receiver / control device.

A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp unit (11) further comprises a power storage device such as a capacitor, accumulator or battery for supplying the DARC receiver / control device, which storage device is charged from a main supply line.