Method and system for control of public lighting luminaires

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device (12) designed to be placed between luminaire controllers (10) and LED panels (14) in public lighting systems without control capabilities. The system includes a control device (12) with a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, wireless communication in a mesh network, a communication gateway (31) with an antenna and cloud connection, and a server (30) operating in the cloud. The control device (12) allows the precise regulation, real-time monitoring, and remote control of lighting, optimizing energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. The easy installation and compatibility with a wide range of existing LED luminaires (1) make this solution economical and quick to implement, facilitating transition to smart and sustainable lighting systems.

Description

FIELD OF THE ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling public lighting luminaires which lack an integrated monitoring and control system, wherein each luminaire comprises a LED panel associated with a luminaire controller.

[0002] The field of the art of the present invention includes public lighting systems, and more specifically LED lighting control and management technologies. This field is evolving constantly due to the need to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve the quality of life in urban and rural areas.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is comprised in the field of lighting technology, specifically in public lighting systems and lighting control systems. This field is dedicated to the development and improvement of lighting solutions that do not only provide suitable public lighting, but also optimize energy consumption and reduce operating costs.

[0004] Conventional public lighting systems are evolving towards advanced technologies which allow a more precise and efficient control of luminaires. Today, there are different types of luminaires used in public lighting, each with specific characteristics and applications: High-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal-halide (HM) luminaires, generally known as discharge luminaires: These lamps have been widely used for many years due to their high efficiency and capacity to provide intense and uniform lighting. They are common on streets and parking lots, but present drawbacks such as poor color reproduction and high energy consumption. LED luminaires: LED luminaires (light-emitting diode) with simple controllers and without connectivity are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, long service life, and capacity to offer high quality lighting at a reduced cost. These luminaires allow significant energy savings compared to the conventional technologies, but they are incompatible with advanced control systems. LED luminaires with luminaire controllers (or drivers) using the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). This is a standardized communication protocol for lighting systems. Luminaires with DALI controllers allow precise control and two-way communication with centralized management systems, which facilitates the implementation of advanced energy management strategies. Solar luminaires: Solar luminaires integrate solar panels, batteries, and controllers in a single system, which allow lighting up areas with no access to power grid. They are ideal for remote places and sustainability projects, although their performance may vary according to weather conditions. They can also be found in a hybrid version, i.e., also connected to the grid. LED luminaires with DALI interface can be remotely controlled by means of controllers connected to a Nema socket, a Zhaga socket, or located inside the luminaire. All these systems are connected to the input of the driver and enable the control thereof.

[0005] One of the main challenges in the field of public lighting is the lack of interoperability between different components of the system. There are myriad types of drivers, and additionally many control systems use proprietary protocols that complicate the integration of technologies from different providers. This leads to great complexity in integrating different luminaires in a single system. This can result in communication and control problems that affect system efficiency.

[0006] Smart public lighting systems are an advanced solution which integrates control and management technology to optimize the use of lighting in public spaces. These technologies do not only allow the regulation of light intensity, but also the real-time monitoring and remote control of luminaires.

[0007] The most common communication technologies in smart lighting systems include ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth (being of the mesh network type) or Lora (star configuration). These technologies allow wireless data transmission, simplifying system installation and expansion.

[0008] However, LED luminaires which lack integrated monitoring and control or Zhaga or Nema sockets for connecting the control and communication system in the luminaires represent a significant challenge for public lighting optimization. These luminaires lack regulation and remote monitoring capabilities, which limits their energy efficiency and increases operating and maintenance costs, and their integration in control and remote monitoring systems is not easy at all due to the wide range of existing casuistry.

[0009] Integrating these luminaires in control and remote monitoring systems can be complicated due to the diversity of cases and existing configurations. However, the introduction of a common or universal control method and system, such as the one proposed by this invention, significantly simplifies this process. By standardizing the integration method and providing a control system which is adapted to various luminaire configurations, public lighting management and optimization is facilitated, reducing operating costs and improving energy efficiency in generalBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention describes a method and an integral system for the control and management of public lighting designed to modernize the installations of existing LED luminaires which lack integrated monitoring and control without any Nema or Zhaga socket, without having to make significant modifications on the infrastructure.

[0011] To that end, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling public lighting luminaires, wherein each luminaire comprises a LED panel associated with a luminaire controller. The method comprises: ∘ providing and electrically connecting a control device between the luminaire controller (or driver) and its corresponding LED panel, wherein the control device comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire in real time, and a power regulator for regulating the light intensity of the luminaire; ∘ transmitting the electrical parameters monitored by means of a wireless communication unit associated with the control device; ∘ receiving, storing, and processing, by means of a cloud server, the transmitted electrical parameters; and ∘ based on a result of said processing, remotely controlling each luminaire by means of the communication of said cloud server with the microcontroller.

[0012] In some embodiments, the mentioned transmission of electrical parameters is performed through a communication gateway including an antenna for receiving the monitored electrical parameters from said communication unit and the gateway of which then retransmits them to the cloud server.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mentioned transmission of electrical parameters and remote control are performed through a mobile computing device, for example, a cell phone, provided with the corresponding communication system including an antenna for receiving and sending the electrical parameters. The mentioned mobile computing device can include a mobile application intended for allowing the remote control of the luminaires.

[0014] In some embodiments, the microcontroller of the control device maintains a permanent or periodic communication with the communication gateway, sending updates about the status of the monitored electrical parameters.

[0015] According to the proposed method, it has been envisaged that the microcontroller of the control device furthermore performs a verification of the monitored electrical parameters, and in the event of detecting an anomaly or failure, sends an alert in real time to said cloud server.

[0016] In turn, according to a second aspect, the system for controlling public lighting luminaires of this invention is provided for managing a plurality of luminaires, wherein each luminaire comprises a LED panel associated with a luminaire controller, made up of: a control device located and electrically connected between each luminaire controller and its corresponding LED panel, wherein the control device comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire in real time, and a power regulator for regulating the light intensity of the luminaire; a wireless RF communication unit associated with each control device and configured to transmit the monitored electrical parameters; and a cloud server configured to: receive, store, and process the transmitted electrical parameters; and remotely control each luminaire by means of communication with the microcontroller, each of said components playing a crucial role in improving the energy and operating efficiency of public luminaires.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a communication gateway with an antenna for communication with each of the communication units of the control devices and with the cloud server.

[0018] The structure and operation of the different components that the proposed system may include, according to one or more embodiments, are described in detail below. 1. Control device: The control device is the core of the system and installed between the controller (driver) and the LED panel of each luminaire. This device allows the precise regulation of light intensity, the real-time monitoring of electrical parameters, and the remote control of lights. As indicated above, its main features include: Microcontroller: The control device uses a microcontroller suitable for supervising and controlling the operations with sufficient computing power and memory so as to meet the operating requirements. Current and voltage sensors: This control device incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the current and voltage supplied to the LED panel. These sensors provide real-time data to the microcontroller, allowing the detection of anomalies and the generation of alerts for preventive maintenance. Regulation of light intensity: Regulation of light intensity is achieved by means of a power regulator which implements, particularly, pulse width modulation (PWM), techniques, ensuring a stable and efficient energy supply. 2. Communication units: The communication units or communication nodes, particularly RF communication units or nodes, are responsible for transmitting the information gathered by the control device to the cloud server or to the communication gateway. This communication is performed wirelessly using technologies such as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, among others. The communication nodes are automatically configured to form a mesh network, which improves communication reliability and range. 3. Communication gateway: The invention comprises a central gateway which gathers information from the communication nodes, performs local verifications, and sends said information to the cloud server. It is equipped with: RF antenna: This antenna allows communication with the communication nodes. Internet connection: this connection facilitates the transmission of data to the cloud server for storage and processing. Verification system: This system can perform local verifications to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the information before sending it to the server. 4. Cloud server: The cloud server is the final component of the system, responsible for storing and processing data received from the communication nodes or the communication gateway. It offers a platform that is accessible from any device with an Internet connection, providing the following functionalities: Monitoring and remote control: Users can monitor and control the luminaires by means of a web interface or a mobile application, allowing real-time adjustments and scheduling of operating hours. Open API: The server includes an open API which allows the system to be integrated with other portals and management systems belonging to third parties, ensuring greater flexibility and compatibility, eliminating one of the main problems of proprietary systems which do not allow the use of solutions from other manufacturers. Data analysis: The server performs advanced analyses of the collected data in order to optimize energy use and detect patterns that may indicate future problems.

[0019] The operation of the system can be described in the following steps: Installation of the control device: Cables going from the luminaire controller to the LED panel are identified, cut, and connected to the input and output terminals of the control device. Configuration of the communication units or nodes: Communication units or nodes are installed and configured automatically to form a mesh network which transmits data to the communication gateway or to the cloud server. Operation of the communication gateway: The communication gateway gathers data from the communication nodes, performs verifications, and sends it to the cloud server. Cloud-based monitoring and control: Users can access the cloud portal to monitor and control the luminaires, adjust light intensity, schedule timetables, and receive alerts in real time.

[0020] Advantages of the invention: Ease of installation: The installation of the device is universal and simple and does not depend on the type of LED luminaire nor on the type of controller (driver) maintained in the luminaire; it also does not require extensive structural modifications, which minimizes initial costs and implementation time. Energy savings: The capacity to adjust light intensity and schedule operating hours allows a more efficient use of energy, significantly reducing operating costs. Improvement in operational management: Real-time monitoring and remote control improve the capability to manage and maintain the public lighting infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and increased component durability. Compatibility and scalability: The system is compatible with a wide range of controllers and LED panels, and is scalable, allowing its implementation both in small projects and in large public lighting networks. This invention allow all LED luminaires installed without connectivity in recent years to be utilized and integrated in public lighting systems with connectivity and monitoring in a simple and economical manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] To complement the preceding description and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, a set of illustrative and non-limiting drawings is attached in which the following is depicted: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a plurality of public lighting luminaires without any integrated monitoring and control system. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the components of a luminaire such as those indicated in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows the same luminaire of Figure 2 but integrating the components of the control device for luminaires of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates all the components of the system for controlling luminaires of the invention including a communication gateway, allowing the understanding of the method for controlling luminaires of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a system for controlling a plurality of luminaires 1, wherein each luminaire comprises a LED panel 14 associated with a luminaire controller 10. The invention significantly improves the energy and operating efficiency of existing LED luminaires 1 with controllers 10 that do not have an integrated control module.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the proposed system comprises a control device 12 located and electrically connected between the luminaire controller 10 and its corresponding LED panel 14. Particularly, the control device 12 comprises a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire 1 in real time, and a power regulator for regulating the light intensity of the luminaire, implemented, for example, by means of a PWM power regulator. Likewise, the system comprises a wireless communication unit 13 associated with each control device 12 and configured to transmit the monitored electrical parameters, and a cloud server 30 for receiving, storing, and processing the transmitted electrical parameters, and remotely controlling each luminaire 1 by means of communication with the microcontroller.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system also includes a communication gateway 31 with an antenna, for example, implementable by means of a Bluetooth antenna, for communication with each of the communication units 13 and with the cloud server 30.

[0025] In one implementation of the system, the communication units 13 form at least one mesh network.

[0026] As indicated above, the control device 12 or the communication gateway 31 are further configured to supervise and control the operations of the luminaire 1.

[0027] In one example of implementation, the mentioned communication units 13 are configured to operate by means of Bluetooth technology.

[0028] The communication gateway 31 may further comprise a 3G / 4G / 5G SIM card, an Ethernet socket, or other Internet access means, and can work preferably under Linux operating system.

[0029] In summary, the present invention provides an integral system for controlling and managing public lighting that is economical, easy to install, and highly efficient. This system allows a quicker and more economical transition towards smart and sustainable lighting solutions, utilizing the existing infrastructure and offering a scalable and flexible solution for various public lighting applications.

Claims

1. Method for controlling public lighting luminaires, wherein each luminaire (1) comprises a LED panel (14) associated with a luminaire controller (10), the method comprises: ∘ providing and electrically connecting a control device (12) between the luminaire controller (10) and its corresponding LED panel (14), wherein the control device (12) comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire (1) in real time, and a power regulator for regulating the light intensity of the luminaire (1); ∘ transmitting the electrical parameters monitored by means of a wireless communication unit (13) associated with the control device (12); ∘ receiving, storing, and processing, by means of a cloud server (30), the transmitted electrical parameters; and ∘ based on a result of said processing, remotely controlling each luminaire (1) by means of the communication of said cloud server (30) with the microcontroller.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmission of electrical parameters is performed through a communication gateway (31) including an antenna, which then retransmits said electrical parameters to the cloud server (30).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microcontroller of the control device (12) furthermore performs a verification of the monitored electrical parameters, and in the event of detecting an anomaly or failure, sends an alert in real time to said cloud server (30).

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the microcontroller of the control device (12) maintains a permanent or periodic communication with the communication gateway (31), sending updates about the status of the monitored electrical parameters.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said communication gateway (31) furthermore performs local verifications to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the information before sending it to the cloud server (30).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote control of each luminaire (1) is performed by means of a computer application installed on a mobile computing device.

7. A system for controlling public lighting luminaires, comprising: - a plurality of luminaires (1), wherein each of them comprises a LED panel (14) associated with a luminaire controller (10); - a control device (12) located and electrically connected between the luminaire controller (10) and its corresponding LED panel (14), wherein the control device (12) comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire (1) in real time, and a power regulator for regulating the light intensity of the luminaire (1); - a wireless communication unit (13) associated with each control device (12) and configured to transmit the monitored electrical parameters; and - a cloud server (30) configured to: receive, store, and process the transmitted electrical parameters; and remotely control each luminaire (1) by means of communication with the microcontroller of the control device (12).

8. The control system according to claim 6, further comprising a communication gateway (31) with an antenna for communication with each of the communication units (13) and with the cloud server (30).

9. The control system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the communication units (13) form at least one mesh network.

10. The control system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device (12) or the communication gateway (31) are further configured to supervise and control the operations of the luminaire (1).

11. The control system according to any one of preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein the communication units (13) are configured to operate by means of Bluetooth technology.

12. The control system according to claim 7, wherein said antenna of the communication gateway (31) is a Bluetooth antenna.

13. The control system according to claim 7 or 11, wherein the communication gateway (31) further comprises a 3G / 4G / 5G SIM card and is configured to work under a Linux operating system.

14. The control system according to any one of preceding claims 6 to 12, wherein said power regulator is a PWM.

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