Lighting Fixture Data Hub for Parking Commerce
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of retrofitting existing parking facilities with extensive wired infrastructure for parking commerce systems (PCS) make it economically unfeasible for small and medium-sized facilities, as the necessary infrastructure, including wiring and power supply, is cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A data hub system that integrates sensors, processors, and annunciators within a lighting fixture, utilizing existing power sources and wireless communication, to provide real-time data on parking space occupancy and vehicle presence, reducing the need for additional infrastructure and lowering implementation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive wired infrastructure is installed to provide power to each sensor and indicator, then the system can fully function, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (power supply, data communication, and lighting) into a single integrated fixture. The power supply unit and communication module are merged with the lighting fixture, eliminating the need for separate wiring infrastructure. This integration allows the system to maintain full functionality while significantly reducing device complexity and installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fixture serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides lighting illumination, powers sensor and indicator components, and enables data communication with the central processor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate systems for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If separate wiring and power infrastructure are installed for each sensor and indicator, then power can be supplied to all components, but the implementation cost increases to over $500 per space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function into the integrated lighting fixture itself. The power supply unit is combined with the lighting and communication components, allowing a single installation to provide power to all components without requiring separate wiring runs. This dramatically reduces implementation cost while ensuring adequate power supply to all sensor and indicator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fixture is designed to be self-sufficient, with the power supply unit providing electrical power to all components within the fixture including sensors, indicators, and communication modules. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external power infrastructure installation, reducing implementation costs while maintaining full power supply functionality.
3Loss of information
If traditional wired systems are used for parking commerce systems, then data communication can be established, but the infrastructure required is cumbersome and difficult to retrofit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired infrastructure with a wireless communication system integrated into the lighting fixture. The communication module enables data transmission without requiring physical wire runs, making the system much easier to retrofit in existing parking facilities. This substitution maintains full data communication capability while dramatically improving ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is merged with the lighting fixture, allowing data communication functionality to be provided as part of the standard installation. This integration eliminates the need for separate communication infrastructure installation, making retrofits much simpler while ensuring reliable data communication between sensors, indicators, and the central processor.
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting fixture data hubs and systems and methods for use. An example of a data hub may include an annunciator configured to generate first and second indications; a sensor configured to detect a zone including one or more parking spaces, pedestrians, or other activity areas in a vicinity of the data hub and to determine whether or not one or more vehicles, pedestrians, and/or activities occurring in the activity areas are present within the zone, the sensor further configured to emit signals corresponding to said detection; and a gateway in communication with an on-board processor and the annunciator, the on-board processor configured for EDGE computing and processing to receive and analyze the signals from the sensor, communicate said signals to the gateway, and operable to allow the gateway to direct the annunciator to generate the first indication or the second indication in response to the signals.