Method and system for controlling public lighting luminaires

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device (12) designed to be placed between drivers (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 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 the transition to smart and sustainable lighting systems.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING PUBLIC LIGHTING LUMINAIRES

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling existing street lighting luminaires where each luminaire comprises a LED panel connected to a driver and where each luminaire lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver or is devoid of connection sockets to a control and communication system, with associated protocols for controlling the driver.

[0004] The technical field 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.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] 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.

[0007] Conventional public lighting systems are evolving towards advanced technologies which allow a more precise and efficient control of luminaires. Today, there are several types of luminaires used in public lighting, each with specific characteristics and applications:

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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 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. An example of this type of LED luminaires is given in US 20170318633 A1 that discloses a LED lighting system comprising a protocol bridge, such as a Zigbee® bridge, and a router that can communicate with the bridge via a wireless LAN, for example, using an Ethernet protocol. This LED lighting system comprises a microcontroller included within a controller arrangement that always acts via a signal on the driver which is directly connected to the LED light source.

[0010] Solar luminaires: Solar luminaires integrate solar panels, batteries, and controllers in a single system, which allows 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.

[0011] 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 control thereof.

[0012] One of the main challenges in the field of public lighting lacking an integrated monitoring and control system of the luminaire driver, is the absence 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 into a single system, which can result in communication and control problems that affect system efficiency.

[0013] Smart public lighting systems are an advanced solution that 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] US 2022299190A1 discloses a cloud server for control of a luminaire.

[0016] However, LED luminaires which lack integrated monitoring and control system 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 into control and remote monitoring systems is not easy at all due to the wide range of existing casuistry.

[0017] Integrating these luminaires devoid of integrated monitoring and control system in control and remote monitoring installations can be complicated due to the diversity of cases and existing configurations.

[0018] 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 general.

[0019] With regard to US 20170318633A1 , the present invention proposes using a control device, which integrates a microcontroller and is arranged / disposed at the output of the existing driver, but with no control capacity on it, since it simply monitors, in real time, the electrical parameters of the LED light source.

[0020] Summary of the invention

[0021] The present invention relates to a method and integrated system for the control and management of public lighting, aimed at modernizing existing LED luminaires that lack built-in monitoring or control capabilities, and do not include NEMA or Zhaga sockets. The proposed solution enables this upgrade without requiring significant modifications to the existing infrastructure.

[0022] To that end, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling public lighting luminaires, in particular existing or already installed LED luminaires, wherein each luminaire of a plurality of luminaires comprises a LED panel that is electrically connected with a driver via the output cables of the driver, and wherein each luminaire of said plurality of luminaires lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver or is devoid of sockets for connection to a control and communication system, with associated protocols enabling a remote control the driver.

[0023] The method comprises: o cutting or disconnecting the output cables of the driver for each luminaire; o installing, on each luminaire, a control device between the driver and the LED panel and electrically connecting the output cables of the driver to the control device and the control device to the LED panel, wherein said control device comprises a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator; o monitoring, by the current and voltage sensors of the control device, electrical parameters of the LED panel in real time, and regulating a light intensity of the LED panel using the power regulator of the control device; o transmitting the monitored electrical parameters using a wireless communication unit associated with the control device; o receiving, storing, and processing, by a cloud server, the electrical parameters; and o based on a result of said processing, remotely controlling each luminaire by communication of said cloud server with the microcontroller of the control device.

[0024] 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 of the control device. This communication gateway then retransmits the monitored electrical parameters to the cloud server.

[0025] 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, and the computer application being connected to the cloud server. In some embodiments, the microcontroller of the control device maintains permanent or periodic communication with the communication gateway, sending updates about a status of the monitored electrical parameters.

[0026] According to the proposed method, it has been envisaged that the microcontroller of the control device also 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 the cloud server.

[0027] Additionally, according to a second aspect, the present invention also provides a system for controlling public lighting luminaires, comprising:

[0028] - a plurality of luminaires, wherein each luminaire comprises a LED panel that is electrically connected with a driver using output cables of the driver and wherein each luminaire lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver or is devoid of sockets for connection to a control and communication system, with associated protocols enabling a remote control the driver;

[0029] - for each luminaire, a control device that is located and configured to electrically connect the output cables of the driver to the control device and to electrically connect the control device to the LED panel, wherein the control device comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator, the control device being configured for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire in real time, and for regulating a light intensity of the luminaire;

[0030] - a wireless communication unit associated with each control device to transmit the monitored electrical parameters to a cloud server; and

[0031] - the cloud server being configured to receive, store, and process the transmitted electrical parameters, and to remotely control each luminaire by communicating with the microcontroller of the control device.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 1 . Control device: The control device is the core of the system and as indicated above is installed between the driver and the LED panel of each existing luminaire lacking connectivity. This control device allows real-time monitoring of electrical parameters, and the remote control of lights through a precise regulation of light intensity. As indicated above, its key features include:

[0035] Microcontroller: The control device uses a microcontroller suitable for supervising and controlling the operations of the LED luminaire with sufficient computing power and memory so as to meet the operating requirements.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 2. Communication units:

[0039] 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.

[0040] 3. Communication gateway:

[0041] 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:

[0042] RF antenna: This antenna allows communication with the communication nodes.

[0043] Internet connection: this connection facilitates the transmission of data to the cloud server for storage and processing.

[0044] 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:

[0045] 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:

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The operation of the system can be described in the following steps:

[0050] Installation of the control device: Cables going from the driver to the LED panel in an existing luminaire without connectivity, are identified, cut, and connected to the input terminals of the control device, and the output terminals of the control device are then connected to the LED panel.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Operation of the communication gateway: The communication gateway gathers data from the communication nodes, performs verifications, and sends it to the cloud server.

[0053] 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.

[0054] Advantages of the invention:

[0055] Ease of installation: The installation of the device is universal and simple and does not depend on the type of LED luminaire devoid of connectivity, nor on the type of driver maintained in the existing luminaire; it also does not require extensive structural modifications, which minimizes initial costs and implementation time.

[0056] Energy savings: The capacity to adjust light intensity and schedule operating hours allows a more efficient use of energy, significantly reducing operating costs.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Compatibility and scalability: The system is compatible with a wide range of drivers and LED panels, and is scalable, allowing its implementation both in small projects and in large public lighting networks.

[0059] This invention allows all LED luminaires installed without connectivity in recent years to be utilized and integrated into public lighting systems with connectivity and monitoring in a simple and economical manner.

[0060] Brief description of the drawings

[0061] 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:

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a plurality of public lighting luminaires without any integrated monitoring and control system according to the state of the art.

[0063] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the components of a luminaire as shown in Fig.1.

[0064] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the step of cutting the output cables of the driver of a luminaire of the state of the art according to the method of this invention.

[0065] Fig. 4 shows the same luminaire as in Fig. 3 after installation in this luminaire of the control device arranged between the driver and the LED panel by electrically connecting the output cables of the driver to input cables of the control device and output cables of the control device to the LED panel.

[0066] Fig. 5 illustrates all the components of the system for controlling luminaires of the invention including a communication gateway, according to one implementation of the method for controlling luminaires of the invention. Detailed description of the invention and of particular embodiments

[0067] The present invention provides a system for controlling a plurality of luminaires 1 in which each luminaire 1 comprises a LED panel 14 that is electrically connected with a driver 10 via the output cables 11 of the driver 10 and where each luminaire 1 lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver 10 or is devoid of sockets for connection to a control and communication system, with associated protocols enabling a remote control of the drive 10.

[0068] 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.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the proposed system comprises a control device 12 installed between the existing driver 10 of the luminaire 1 and the LED panel 14. This control device 12 is located and configured to electrically connect the output cables 11 of the driver 10, existing in the luminaire 1 , to the control device 12 and to electrically connect the control device 12 to the LED panel 14. The control device 12 comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator. The control device 12 is configured for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire 1 in real time, and for regulating via a power regulator (implemented for example by means of aa PWM power regulator) a light intensity of the luminaire 1 .

[0070] 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 of the control device 12.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 5, in another embodiment of the invention, the system also includes a communication gateway 31 with an antenna, for example, a Bluetooth antenna, for communication with each of the communication units 13 and / or with the cloud server 30.

[0072] In an embodiments, the communication units 13 form at least one mesh network.

[0073] As described before, the control device 12 or the communication gateway 31 are further configured to supervise and control the operations of the luminaire 1 .

[0074] In one embodiment, the communication units 13 are configured to operate through Bluetooth technology.

[0075] In some embodiments, 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.

[0076] The method of the present invention applicable to pre-existing luminaires 1 , not provided with connectivity, may comprise:

[0077] - cutting or disconnecting the output cables 11 of the driver 10 for each luminaire

[0078] 1 as shown in Fig. 3;

[0079] - installing (see Fig. 4), for each luminaire 1 , a control device 12 between the driver 10 and the LED panel 14 and electrically connecting the output cables 11 of the driver 10 to the control device 12 and connecting the control device 12 to the LED panel 14, wherein said control device 12 as previously indicated comprises a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator;

[0080] - monitoring, by the current and voltage sensors of the control device 12, electrical parameters of the LED panel 14 in real time, and regulating a light intensity of the LED panel 14 using the power regulator of the control device 12;

[0081] - transmitting the monitored electrical parameters using a wireless communication unit 13 associated with the control device 12;

[0082] - receiving, storing, and processing, by a cloud server 30, the monitored electrical parameters; and

[0083] - based on a result of said processing, remotely controlling each luminaire 1 by communication of said cloud server 30 with the microcontroller of control device 12.

[0084] In one embodiment said transmission of the monitored electrical parameters is performed through a communication gateway 31 (see Fig. 5) including an antenna, which then retransmits said electrical parameters to the cloud server 30.

[0085] Besides, the microcontroller of the control device 12 can maintain a permanent or a periodic communication with the communication gateway 31 , sending updates about a status of the monitored electrical parameters to the cloud server 30.

[0086] According to the proposed method, the microcontroller of the control device 12 can further perform a verification of the monitored electrical parameters, and in the event of detecting an anomaly or failure, send an alert to the cloud server 30 in real time. Thus, the present invention provides a method and an integral system for controlling and managing public lighting with LED luminaires 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

CLAIMS1. A method for controlling public lighting luminaires, wherein each luminaire (1) of a plurality of luminaires comprises a LED panel (14) that is electrically connected with a driver (10) using output cables (11) of the driver (10), and wherein each luminaire (1) lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver (10) or is devoid of sockets for connection to a control and communication system, with associated protocols for controlling the driver (10), the method comprising:- cutting or disconnecting the output cables (11) of the driver (10) for each luminaire (1);- installing, for each luminaire (1), a control device (12) between the driver (10) and the LED panel (14) and electrically connecting the output cables (11) of the driver (10) to the control device (12) and the control device (12) to the LED panel (14), wherein said control device (12) comprises a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator;- monitoring, by the current and voltage sensors of the control device (12), electrical parameters of the LED panel (14) in real time, and regulating a light intensity of the LED panel (14) using the power regulator of the control device (12);- transmitting the monitored electrical parameters using a wireless communication unit (13) associated with the control device (12);- receiving, storing, and processing, by a cloud server (30), the monitored electrical parameters; and- based on a result of said processing, remotely controlling each luminaire (1) by a communication of said cloud server (30) with the microcontroller of the control device (12).

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission of the monitored 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) further performs a verification of the monitored electrical parameters, and in the event of detecting an anomaly or failure, sends an alert to the cloud server (30) in real time.

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

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said communication gateway (31) further performs local verifications to ensure integrity and accuracy of the monitored electrical parameters before sending them to the cloud server (30).

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the remote control of each luminaire (1) is further performed using a computer application installed on a mobile computing device, the computer application being connected with the cloud server (30).

7. A system for controlling public lighting luminaires, comprising:- a plurality of luminaires (1), wherein each luminaire (1) comprises a LED panel (14) that is electrically connected with a driver (10) using output cables (11) of the driver (10) and wherein each luminaire (1) lacks an integrated monitoring and control system of the driver (10) or is devoid of sockets for connection to a control and communication system, with associated protocols for controlling the driver (10);- for each luminaire (1), a control device (12) that is located and configured to electrically connect the output cables (11) of the driver (10) to the control device (12) and to electrically connect the control device (12) to the LED panel (14), wherein the control device (12) comprises: a microcontroller, current and voltage sensors, and a power regulator, the control device (12) being configured for monitoring the electrical parameters of the luminaire (1) in real time, and for regulating a light intensity of the luminaire (1);- a wireless communication unit (13) associated with each control device (12) to transmit the monitored electrical parameters to a cloud server (30); and- the cloud server (30) being configured to: receive, store, and process the transmitted electrical parameters; and remotely control each luminaire (1) by communicating with the microcontroller of the control device (12).

8. The control system, according to claim 7, further comprising a communication gateway (31) with an antenna for communication with each wireless communication unit (13) and with the cloud server (30).

9. The control system, according to claim 7 or 8, wherein all the wireless communication units (13) form at least one mesh network.

10. The control system, according to any one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein the wireless communication units (13) are configured to operate using Bluetooth technology.

11. The control system according to claim 8, wherein the antenna of the communication gateway (31) is a Bluetooth antenna.

12. The control system, according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 11 , wherein the communication gateway (31) further comprises a 3G / 4G / 5G SIM card and is configured to work under a Linux operating system.

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