Light Reflectance Detection Using Pole Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current outdoor lighting systems require expensive wide field of view sensors to detect objects effectively, as narrow field of view sensors have limited observation areas and are not cost-effective for responsive detection.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a photosensor having a narrow field of view, directed onto a reflective surface of a lighting pole, which detects changes in light reflected from approaching objects, allowing for object detection and control of lighting devices based on the reflected light patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If narrow field of view photosensors are used, then cost is reduced, but observation area and detection effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface of the lighting pole acts as an intermediary between the approaching vehicle and the narrow FOV photosensor. Light from the vehicle's headlights reflects off the pole's surface into the sensor, enabling detection without requiring the sensor to directly face the approaching object. This mediator extends the effective detection area while maintaining the use of inexpensive narrow FOV sensors.
2Productivity
If wide field of view sensors are used, then detection responsiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the detection approach from direct line-of-sight detection to indirect detection via light reflection. By utilizing the vertical dimension of the lighting pole as a reflective surface, the system achieves wide-area detection capabilities with narrow FOV sensors, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the detection geometry without requiring expensive wide-angle sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient detection of objects, such as vehicles, using a narrow field of view photosensor, reducing costs by utilizing the reflective surface of the lighting pole to enhance the sensor's effective field of view, thereby controlling lighting levels and patterns dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle may be detected in an environment by detecting a change in the amount of light that is reflected off a surface of a lighting pole caused by light emitted from light sources
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system comprising one or more lighting devices mounted on a pole and operable to illuminate an outdoor environment; a photosensor, wherein a sensing region associated with the photosensor is directed onto a surface of the pole to detect light reflected off said surface; and a controller comprising an input for receiving a signal output from the photosensor. The controller is configured to: detect an object in the outdoor environment based on detecting a change in the light reflected off the surface in response to receiving said signal; and control the one or more lighting devices in response to detecting the object.