GPS Relay Controller for Streetlight Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current street light controllers, relying on photoresistors, are inefficient, prone to decay, and affected by environmental factors, leading to unreliable energy savings and increased costs due to unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A GPS-enabled relay controller that calculates and adjusts the timing of outdoor lighting based on mathematically predicted ambient light levels at specific latitudes and longitudes, eliminating the need for directional positioning and reducing maintenance, and operates effectively regardless of dirt, debris, or environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photoresistors are used to detect ambient light levels, then the controller can switch streetlights on and off, but the photoresistors decay over time resulting in unreliable light switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the photoresistor-based optical detection system with an electronic calculation system using a microprocessor. The microprocessor calculates ambient luminous flux magnitude based on satellite clock time and pre-stored solar position algorithms, eliminating the need for physical photoresistors that degrade over time. This substitution of mechanical/optical components with electronic computation resolves the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores solar position and ambient luminous flux data in the microprocessor's memory before operation. By having this data pre-computed and stored, the system can immediately determine switching times without relying on deteriorating photoresistor components, thereby improving reliability and extending operational duration.
2Reliability
If a photoresistor window is used to protect electrical components, then components are protected from elements, but the window accumulates dirt or snow that inhibits photons from reaching the photoresistor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the physical window structure by replacing the photoresistor detection system with electronic calculations performed by a microprocessor. Since there is no physical window or photoresistor, there is no surface for dirt or snow to accumulate on, thus maintaining both component protection and detection accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the window structure and photoresistor from the system entirely. By taking out the components that cause the contradiction (the window that needs to be both protective and transparent), the system achieves both goals without compromise through electronic computation alone.
3Extent of automation
If photoresistors are used for light detection, then the controller can operate automatically, but photoresistors are inefficient consumers of electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the continuously active photoresistor with a microprocessor that performs calculations only when needed to determine switching times. The microprocessor can enter low-power states between calculations, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining automatic operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation like photoresistors, the microprocessor performs ambient luminous flux calculations periodically or event-driven (at sunrise/sunset transitions). This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining the automatic control function.
4Ease of operation
If photoresistor light switches are used, then streetlights can be controlled, but the window must be pointed in a particular direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the directionally-dependent photoresistor system with a microprocessor that calculates solar positions based on geographic coordinates and time. This electronic calculation system has no directional requirements, allowing the controller to be installed in any orientation while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor-based system is universal and orientation-independent, unlike photoresistors that require specific positioning. The electronic calculation system can determine ambient light levels regardless of the device's physical orientation, providing installation flexibility and adaptability to various mounting locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A GPS enabled relay controller that interfaces with an electronic device, such as a street light, barricade light, refrigerator, and other similar applications for turning off power to an electronic device for energy savings. The relay controller invokes quantification of refractive photon diffusion to switch between on and off an electronic device based upon refracted photons diffused at the surface of the earth at a particular location and based upon sampling at the Earth's surface from before civil twilight start until after sunrise and from before sunset until after civil twilight end.