Adaptive Sampling for Outdoor Lighting Network Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor Lighting Networks (OLNs) face high communication network overhead and costs due to excessive data transmission from light points to the Central Management System (CMS), and lack of coordination in maintenance operations among different entities.

Innovation Solution

Implement an adaptive sampling method that groups network elements based on attribute correlations, reducing data transmission by sampling only a subset of elements using a probabilistic approach, and coordinate maintenance efforts among vendors through efficient data sharing and work order management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all network elements transmit their attribute data to the Central Management System, then the CMS has complete information for monitoring and management, but the communication network overhead and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements adaptive sampling where only a subset of network elements (M out of N) transmit their attribute data to the CMS at any given time. This partial action approach reduces communication overhead while maintaining sufficient monitoring coverage. The system dynamically adjusts which elements sample and transmit data based on statistical representations, ensuring information completeness is maintained through probabilistic sampling rather than requiring all elements to transmit continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If all network elements transmit their attribute data continuously, then real-time monitoring accuracy is improved, but the communication costs and network traffic increase proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits data from only M sampled elements out of N total elements, reducing data transmission volume while maintaining monitoring accuracy through statistical representation. The adaptive sampling ensures that the subset of transmitting elements provides sufficient information to infer the state of the entire network population.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses statistical copying where the attribute data from the sampled subset (M elements) represents and infers the state of the entire population (N elements). Instead of requiring direct measurements from all elements, the system creates a statistical copy of the network state through the sampled subset, reducing transmission requirements while maintaining monitoring precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vendors manage different portions of the OLN system, then specialized maintenance expertise is improved, but coordination difficulty and information sharing barriers increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance expertiseVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal attribute data collection framework that works across multiple vendor-managed network segments. The standardized attribute groups and sampling methodology create a common interface that enables different vendors to contribute their specialized maintenance expertise while the CMS integrates their data through a unified adaptive sampling approach, reducing coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2873304B1System and method for providing adaptive measurement and coordinated maintenance of outdoor lighting systems
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2873304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2873304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2873304B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for managing networks comprising a plurality of network elements is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of identifying attributes of the network elements, grouping corresponding ones of said identified attributes into at least attribute group, collecting attribute data from selected ones of the network elements in each of the at least one attribute group, and determining a status of each attribute of network elements within the at least one attribute group based on the collected attribute data. In one aspect of the invention, the information regarding a status of each attribute of a network element may be used to provide coordinated and efficient maintenance.