Apparatus and method employing sensor-based luminaires to detect areas of reduced visibility and their direction of movement

摘要

A method and system that relies on visibility detectors deployed on luminaires in outdoor lighting networks (OLNs) to independently treat and consolidate the sensed data in a fault-tolerant manner. By communicating with neighboring luminaires and/or with a centralized server, the invention is able to identify the position and direction of movement of areas of reduced visibility (e.g. fog). This information can then be used to alert drivers who are approaching the identified area.

主权项

1. A method for providing visibility alerts, said method using at least one Outdoor Lighting Network (OLN) comprising a plurality of lighting units at least two of which are in communication with each other, wherein a plurality of visibility detectors are each in communication with at least one of the lighting units, said method comprising:
monitoring by each visibility detector a geographical area; receiving monitoring data from two or more of the visibility detectors; deriving a consolidated estimate of visibility conditions pertaining to a combined geographical area defined by the monitored geographical areas associated with two or more visibility detectors; determining direction and speed of an area of reduced visibility area using the consolidated estimate of visibility conditions; and, transmitting information pertaining to said estimated visibility conditions and/or area of reduced visibility.