Configurable Streetlight Sensor Platform

• US 20170336061A1
• Filed: 03/01/2017
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cimcon Lighting Incorporated (Quantela, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cimcon Lighting Incorporated (Quantela, Inc.)
• Inventors: Riedel, Tod, Agrawal, Anil
• Granted Patent: US 10,094,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/00 Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations specially adapted for captive aircraft B64F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/37 Charging when not in flight
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/90 Launching from or landing on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/25 for recharging batteries; for refuelling
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/085 of high-built type, e.g. street light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/02 Conversion of ac power input into dc power output without possibility of reversal
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 : Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

The technology described in this document is embodied in a sensor platform that includes an enclosure for housing one or more sensors, the enclosure configured to be deployed between a streetlight and a streetlight controller that manages operations of the streetlight. The sensor platform also includes an electrical receptacle for receiving the streetlight controller in a substantially secure configuration. The sensor platform also includes an electrical connector for connecting the enclosure to the streetlight. The sensor platform also includes at least one pass-through connector disposed within the enclosure to provide an electrical connection between the electrical connector and the electrical receptacle.

Claims

1. A configurable sensor platform comprising:

an enclosure configured to be deployed between a streetlight and a streetlight controller that manages operations of the streetlight;

a plurality of sensors disposed in the enclosure, wherein individual sensors included in the plurality of sensors are selectable in accordance with a target functionality of the configurable sensor platform;

one or more processing devices disposed in the enclosure, the one or more processing devices configured to receive data from at least one of the plurality of sensors;

an electrical receptacle for receiving the streetlight controller in a substantially secure configuration;

an electrical connector for connecting the enclosure to the streetlight; and

at least one pass-through connector disposed within the enclosure to provide an electrical connection between the electrical connector and the electrical receptacle.

2. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of an environmental sensor, a noise sensor, a seismic sensor, a threat sensor, a contact sensor, or a motion sensor.

3. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of a parking sensor, a pedestrian counter, or a traffic counter.

4. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of the plurality of sensors is a part of a wireless sensor network.

5. The configurable sensor platform of claim 4, wherein the wireless sensor network includes one or more external sensors disposed outside the enclosure of the sensor platform.

6. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 further comprising a circuit board disposed within the enclosure, the circuit board including a plurality of slots configured to receive at least a subset of the plurality of sensors.

7. The configurable sensor platform of claim 6 wherein at least some slots in the plurality of slots are electrically connected to the pass-through connector.

8. The configurable sensor platform of claim 6 wherein at least some slots in the plurality of slots are electrically connected to an input/output line of one or more processing devices.

9. The configurable sensor platform of claim 7 wherein one or more of the slots are connected to the pass-through connector through an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter.

10. The configurable sensor platform of claim 6 wherein one or more of the slots comprise an input/output port electrically connected to an input/output line of one or more processors.

11. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 wherein the electrical receptacle complies with a standard associated with streetlight fixtures.

12. The configurable sensor platform of claim 11 wherein the standard is set by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

13. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 wherein power for the plurality of sensors is provided through the pass-through connector.

14. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 further comprising an outlet configured to provide power to an external sensor or device, wherein the outlet is connected to the at least one pass through connector.

15. The configurable sensor platform of claim 14, wherein the outlet comprises a charging port for an unmanned aerial vehicle.

31. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of input/output interfaces disposed in the enclosure, the input/output interfaces being configured to connect external sensors located outside of the enclosure to the configurable sensor platform.

32. The configurable sensor platform of claim 1 further comprising one or more communications devices disposed in the enclosure.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a streetlight controller that manages operations of a streetlight; and

a configurable sensor platform comprising;

an enclosure configured to be deployed between a streetlight and a streetlight controller that manages operations of the streetlight;

a plurality of sensors disposed in the enclosure, wherein individual sensors included in the plurality of sensors are selectable in accordance with a target functionality of the configurable sensor platform;

one or more processing devices disposed in the enclosure, the one or more processing devices configured to receive data from at least one of the plurality of sensors;

an electrical receptacle for receiving the streetlight controller in a substantially secure configuration,

an electrical plug for connecting the enclosure to the streetlight, and

one or more pass-through connectors disposed within the enclosure to provide an electrical connection between the electrical plug and the electrical receptacle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of an environmental sensor, a noise sensor, a seismic sensor, a threat sensor, a contact sensor, or a motion sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of a parking sensor, a pedestrian counter, or a traffic counter.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least a subset of the plurality of sensors is a part of a wireless sensor network.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the wireless sensor network includes one or more external sensors disposed outside the enclosure of the sensor platform.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a circuit board disposed within the enclosure, the circuit board including a plurality of slots configured to receive at least a subset of the plurality of sensors.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least some slots in the plurality of slots are electrically connected to the pass-through connector.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least some slots in the plurality of slots are electrically connected to an input/output lines of one or more processors to sample, process, store, and communicate data being sensed by the plurality of sensors.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein one or more of the slots are connected to the pass-through connector through an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein one or more of the slots comprise an input/output port electrically connected to an input/output line of one or more processors.

28. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein power for the plurality of sensors is provided through the pass-through connector.

29. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an outlet configured to provide power to an external sensor or device, wherein the outlet is connected to the at least one pass through connector.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the outlet comprises a charging port for an unmanned aerial vehicle.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)