Outdoor Lighting Network Connectivity via Mobile Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying Outdoor Lighting Networks (OLNs) for remote management of outdoor lighting is cost-prohibitive in areas with large pole-to-pole distances, poor cellular network coverage, and a small number of poles, leading to challenges in establishing effective radio signal reception and mesh network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing authorized mobile devices to establish a connectivity link between isolated and connected light points, allowing for data exchange and command execution without direct intervention from the Lighting Management Server, thereby reducing connection costs and enabling delay-tolerant operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh network or cellular base station is deployed to provide remote management of outdoor lighting, then remote management capability is improved, but deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces authorized mobile devices as intermediary components to establish connectivity between isolated light points and the outdoor lighting network. Instead of deploying expensive mesh networks or cellular base stations, the system uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that users already possess to serve as temporary communication bridges. The mobile device establishes a short-range wireless connection (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or other protocols) to the isolated light point, then relays commands and data through cellular or other networks to the central management system, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated infrastructure deployment.
2Reliability
If mesh network is deployed to ensure radio signal reception in rural areas, then communication reliability is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing computational resources, communication capabilities, and network connectivity of authorized mobile devices that users already carry. Rather than requiring the deployment of additional infrastructure components (mesh routers, repeaters, base stations), the patent enables the mobile device itself to perform the functions of a temporary communication node. The mobile device's operating system and applications provide the necessary services for establishing connections, managing data transmission, and maintaining communication protocols, thereby eliminating the need for specialized infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If direct connection is established between Lighting Management Server and isolated light points, then management transparency is improved, but connection cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces authorized mobile devices as intermediary components to establish connectivity between isolated light points and the outdoor lighting network. Instead of deploying expensive mesh networks or cellular base stations, the system uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that users already possess to serve as temporary communication bridges. The mobile device establishes a short-range wireless connection (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or other protocols) to the isolated light point, then relays commands and data through cellular or other networks to the central management system, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated infrastructure deployment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system to extend the coverage of Outdoor Lighting Networks (OLNs) through the use of authorized mobile devices travelling around to establish a virtual connectivity link (i. e., storing data and, when in reach, using short-range wireless communication protocols) between isolated light points (or groups of light points) and connected light points so that lighting commands and data can be exchanged between the two sets of lighting points is disclosed.