NFC Lighting Unit for Weatherproof Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing streetlighting systems face challenges with weatherproofing, accessibility, and safety due to the need for connectors and mechanical interactions, and over-the-air communications may not always be available or reliable.
Innovation Solution
A lighting unit with a microcontroller and NFC-enabled embedded device that uses NFC for bi-directional communication to store and retrieve data, including power usage measurements, allowing for alternative and more reliable data access and control, without requiring physical access or mains voltage isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connectors are provided on the streetlighting unit casework to communicate with internal components, then data access capability is improved, but weatherproofing properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connectors with NFC wireless communication technology. The NFC reader/writer in the casework communicates with the NFC tag in the lamp head through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical connectors that would compromise weatherproofing while maintaining data access capability.
2Ease of operation
If the streetlighting unit casework is removed to access internal connectors or components, then accessibility is improved, but waterproofing and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need to open the casework by using NFC communication. The NFC reader/writer positioned in the casework can read data from the NFC tag in the lamp head through the lampshade without requiring physical access to internal components, thereby maintaining waterproofing and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NFC tags and readers as intermediary communication elements. The NFC tag in the lamp head and the NFC reader/writer in the casework serve as intermediaries that enable data exchange without requiring direct physical access to the lamp head or internal components, thus preserving the integrity of the casework sealing.
3Ease of operation
If technicians interact mechanically with the top of the lamppost to access the streetlighting unit, then accessibility is improved, but safety risks increase due to mains voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interaction with NFC wireless communication. Technicians can access lamp head data through the NFC reader/writer in the casework without needing to climb the lamppost or open the casework, completely eliminating exposure to mains voltage risks while maintaining full data accessibility.
4Ease of operation
If over-the-air communication is used as the main communication link, then remote access is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the link is unavailable or faulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two independent paths: the primary over-the-air wireless communication link and the secondary NFC short-range communication path. This segmentation allows the system to use whichever link is available, improving overall reliability since the NFC path provides an alternative when the over-the-air link fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameter from long-range over-the-air wireless to short-range NFC electromagnetic coupling. This parameter change enables reliable communication when the over-the-air link is unavailable, as NFC can operate in environments where long-range wireless communication fails.
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 provides a safer, more reliable method for controlling and monitoring streetlighting units, enabling efficient data access and management without compromising weatherproofing or exposing technicians to risks, and functions even when primary communication links are unavailable.
Implementation Method 1
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a set of protocols that enable, for example, smartphones and other devices to establish radio communications with each other by either touching the devices together, or bringing them into a sufficiently close proximity
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting unit is described comprising: a microcontroller; and a near field communication (NFC)-enabled embedded device comprising NFC shared memory configured to be written to by both an external NFC reader/writer using near field communication and the microcontroller and configured to enable an operation of the lighting unit to be both monitored and controlled using NFC. In this manner, the operation of a lighting unit may be monitored using NFC and controlled by using one of two approaches, such as via a microcontroller within the lighting unit and/or a near field communication, NFC, via the NFC-enabled embedded device; wherein the microcontroller comprises or is coupled to a metering circuit configured to measure a power usage for the lighting unit and store the measured power usage in the shared NFC memory; and wherein the stored power usage for the lighting unit is accessible by the external NFC reader/writer for use in at least one of: a billing system, a lighting unit testing or lighting unit component testing operation, in a calibration of a metering function.