Lamp monitoring and control unit and method
First Claim
1. A lamp monitoring and control unit, comprising:
- a processing and sensing unit to sense at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp, and to process the at least one lamp parameter to monitor and control the associated lamp by outputting monitoring data and control information; and
a wireless transmit unit coupled to transmit the monitoring data, representing said at least one lamp parameter, from said processing and sensing unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unit and method for remotely monitoring and/or controlling an apparatus and specifically for remotely monitoring and/or controlling street lamps. The lamp monitoring and control unit comprises a processing and sensing unit for sensing at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp, and for processing the lamp parameter to monitor and control the associated lamp by outputting monitoring data and control information, and a transmit unit for transmitting the monitoring data, representing the at least one lamp parameter, from the processing and sensing unit. The method for monitoring and controlling a lamp comprises the steps of: sensing at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp; processing the at least one lamp parameter to produce monitoring data and control information; transmitting the monitoring data; and applying the control information.
147 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A lamp monitoring and control unit, comprising:
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a processing and sensing unit to sense at least one lamp parameter of an associated lamp, and to process the at least one lamp parameter to monitor and control the associated lamp by outputting monitoring data and control information; and
a wireless transmit unit coupled to transmit the monitoring data, representing said at least one lamp parameter, from said processing and sensing unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 39, 40, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
a light sensor, coupled to said processing and sensing unit, for sensing an amount of ambient light, producing a light signal associated with the amount of ambient light, and outputting the light signal to said processing and sensing unit.
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3. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 2, wherein the light signal from said light sensor is a threshold indication signal.
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4. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 2, wherein said light sensor includes a photo sensor and associated light sensor circuitry.
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5. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein said processing and sensing unit receives a hot power line and a neutral power line and outputs a switched power line.
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6. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 5, wherein the lamp monitoring and control unit is coupled to the associated lamp via a standard three prong plug which carries the hot power line, the switched power line, and the neutral power line.
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7. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 5, wherein the processing and sensing unit includes a relay for switching the switched power line to the hot power line.
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8. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 5, wherein the processing and sensing unit includes a current sensor for sensing a switched current in the switched power line.
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9. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 8, wherein the current sensor includes a transformer and associated circuitry to produce a DC voltage associated with the switched current.
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10. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 8, wherein the processing and sensing unit includes an A/D converter for converting a DC voltage associated with the switched current to a switched current data signal.
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11. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 5, wherein the processing and sensing unit includes a voltage sensor for sensing a switched voltage in the switched power line.
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12. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 5, further comprising a power supply for receiving the hot power line and the neutral power line and for outputting at least one internal voltage.
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13. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the monitoring data is transmitted to a centralized base station.
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14. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein said transmit unit includes a transmitter and a modified directional discontinuity ring radiator.
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15. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 14, wherein said modified directional discontinuity ring radiator includes a plurality of loops for resonance at a desired frequency range.
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16. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein said transmit unit transmits signals in a frequency range of 218-219 MHz.
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17. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the associated lamp is a street lamp.
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18. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the associated lamp is a mercury-vapor lamp.
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39. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the lamp monitoring and control unit is coupled to the associated lamp via a standard three prong plug.
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40. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein said transmit unit has an range of more than 30 meters.
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45. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmit unit transmits the monitoring data in free space.
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46. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmit unit further comprises a directional antenna to direct the transmission of the monitoring data.
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47. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmit unit is configured for point-to-point communication.
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48. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmit unit comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter.
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49. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the control information comprises a request to send signal.
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50. The lamp monitoring and control unit of claim 1, wherein the request to send signal is transmitted by the wireless transmit unit prior to transmitting the monitoring data to prevent a data collision.
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19. A lamp monitoring and control unit, comprising:
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a processing unit for processing at least one lamp parameter and outputting a relay control signal;
a light sensor, coupled to said processing unit, for sensing an amount of ambient light, producing a light signal associated with the amount of ambient light, and outputting the light signal to said processing unit;
a relay for switching a switched power line to a hot power line based upon the relay control signal from said processing unit;
a voltage sensor, coupled to said processing unit, for sensing a switched voltage in the switched power line;
a current sensor, coupled to the switched power line, for sensing a switched current in the switched power line; and
a wireless transmit unit for spontaneously transmitting monitoring data, representing said at least one lamp parameter, from said processing unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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24. A method for monitoring and controlling a lamp comprising:
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sensing at least one lamp parameter of the lamp;
processing the at least one lamp parameter to produce monitoring data and control information;
spontaneously transmitting the monitoring data in free space; and
applying the control information to the lamp. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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41. A lamp monitoring and control unit adapted to be coupled to an associated lamp, comprising:
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a processing and sensing unit which senses at least one lamp parameter of the associated lamp, and processes the at least one lamp parameter to monitor and control the associated lamp by outputting monitoring data and control information; and
a wireless transmitter which spontaneously broadcasts the monitoring data, representing said at least one lamp parameter, from said processing and sensing unit. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 60, 61)
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Specification