Streetlight control for emergency response

• US 10,127,777 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2018
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cimcon Lighting Incorporated (Quantela, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cimcon Lighting Incorporated (Quantela, Inc.)
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anil, Agrawal, Shweta
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US15/887,652
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 455521, 4554041, 4554042, 4554221, 455403, 4554141-4142, 455410, 455411, 455412, 455445, 4555501, 340 462, 340 75, 340 81
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1965 using handheld communication devices

Abstract

A method of controlling streetlights by a centralized streetlight management system is described. The method includes receiving, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance and determining, based on the information, a location of the user device. The method also includes sending, from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to the location of the user device to one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority, and receiving, from the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device. The method also includes, responsive to receiving the information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, transmitting, from the centralized streetlight management system, one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device.

Claims

1. A method of controlling streetlights by a centralized streetlight management system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance;

determining, based on the information, a location of the user device;

sending, from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to the location of the user device to one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority;

receiving, from the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device; and

responsive to receiving the information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, transmitting, from the centralized streetlight management system, one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device, wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode,

wherein the at least one streetlight at the location of the user device is located within a predetermined radius of the location of the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for assistance is based on a user-input received through at least one motion sensor of the user device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises a gyroscope.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

10. A method of controlling streetlights by a centralized streetlight management system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance;

determining, based on the information, a location of the user device;

sending, from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to the location of the user device to one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority;

receiving, from the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device;

responsive to receiving the information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, transmitting, from the centralized streetlight management system, one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device, wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode; and

cataloging the request for assistance and the one or more transmitted control signals in a database.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a responsiveness score of the assistance-providing authority based on the cataloged request.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the request for assistance is based on a user-input received through at least one motion sensor of the user device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

18. A method of controlling streetlights by a centralized streetlight management system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance;

determining, based on the information, a location of the user device;

sending, from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to the location of the user device to one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority;

receiving, from the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device;

responsive to receiving the information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, transmitting, from the centralized streetlight management system, one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device, wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode; and

upon receiving information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, sending, to the user device from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to a confirmation that assistance is being provided.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the request for assistance is based on a user-input received through at least one motion sensor of the user device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

25. A method of controlling streetlights by a centralized streetlight management system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance;

determining, based on the information, a location of the user device;

sending, from the centralized streetlight management system, information corresponding to the location of the user device to one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority;

receiving, from the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device;

responsive to receiving the information indicating dispatch of assistance to the location of the user device, transmitting, from the centralized streetlight management system, one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device, wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode; and

transmitting one or more reset signals to the at least one streetlight, wherein the one or more reset signals comprise instructions to change the lighting mode of the streetlight from the second lighting mode to the first lighting mode.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the one or more reset signals is sent responsive to receiving, at the centralized streetlight management system, information that assistance has arrived at the location of the user device.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the request for assistance is based on a user-input received through at least one motion sensor of the user device.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

33. A method of requesting assistance via an application installed on a user device, the method comprising:

presenting, on a display associated with the user device, a user interface for requesting assistance;

receiving, via the user interface, user-input indicative of a request for assistance;

transmitting from the user device, information corresponding to the request for assistance, the information being configured to be addressed to a centralized streetlight management system;

receiving from the centralized streetlight management system, confirmation indicating dispatch of assistance in response to the request; and

responsive to receiving the confirmation, displaying, on the user device, a graphical representation of the confirmation.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the graphical representation of the confirmation includes a text string.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the graphical representation of the confirmation includes a map comprising a real-time location of the assistance being provided.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the information corresponding to the request for assistance comprises location information for the user device.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the user-input indicative of the request for assistance includes information related to a type of emergency.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the user interface includes a selection of icons, each icon corresponding to a different type of emergency.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the type of emergency is a medical emergency.

40. A centralized streetlight management system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance and configured to receive, from one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance;

a controller configured to determine, based on the received information, a location of the user device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, based on the received information corresponding to the request for assistance, information corresponding to the location of the user device to the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority and one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device,

wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device,

wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode, and

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit, to the user device, information corresponding to a confirmation that assistance is being provided.

41. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 40, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

42. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 40, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

43. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 40, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

44. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 40, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

45. A centralized streetlight management system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance and configured to receive, from one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance;

a controller configured to determine, based on the received information, a location of the user device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, based on the received information corresponding to the request for assistance, information corresponding to the location of the user device to the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority and one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device,

wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device,

wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode,

wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode, and

wherein in the blinking mode, a frequency of blinking is indicative of an estimated arrival time of assistance at the location of the user device.

46. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 45, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

47. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 45, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

48. A centralized streetlight management system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance and configured to receive, from one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance;

a controller configured to determine, based on the received information, a location of the user device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, based on the received information corresponding to the request for assistance, information corresponding to the location of the user device to the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority and one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device,

wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device,

wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode,

wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode, and

wherein in the blinking mode, a frequency of blinking is based on a type of emergency.

49. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 48, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

50. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 48, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.

51. A centralized streetlight management system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, from a user device, information corresponding to a request for assistance and configured to receive, from one or more computing devices associated with an assistance-providing authority, information indicating dispatch of assistance;

a controller configured to determine, based on the received information, a location of the user device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, based on the received information corresponding to the request for assistance, information corresponding to the location of the user device to the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority and one or more control signals to at least one streetlight at the location of the user device,

wherein the request for assistance is based on user-input received through a user-interface displayed on the user device,

wherein the one or more control signals comprise instructions to change a lighting mode of the streetlight from a first lighting mode to a second lighting mode, and

wherein the one or more control signals are sent to any streetlight within a predetermined radius of the location of the user device.

52. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 51, wherein the second lighting mode is a blinking mode.

53. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 51, wherein the second lighting mode is a full power mode.

54. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 51, wherein the information corresponding to the location of the user device comprises information configured to be presented on a map at the one or more computing devices associated with the assistance-providing authority.

55. The centralized streetlight management system of claim 51, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive, from the user device, information corresponding to an identification of a user and determining, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine, from the information corresponding to the identification, that the request for assistance is originating from an authorized user.