DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a ‘Smart’ multi-functional solar powered LED based street lighting device having communicating capabilities for constituting a network of several such solar powered LED based street light devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to develop an ‘intelligent’ solar powered LED based street light device with integrated LED light sources, firmware with built-in intelligence, a rechargeable battery with solar charge controller, networking and communication infrastructure - all in a single street lighting enclosure (with the Solar Photovoltaic Panel – SPV - externally provided) - which is adapted to execute core functions of a street light more exhaustively, beginning with simple street lighting and extending to networked lighting, with facility for remote access, monitoring and control from a central point for efficient operations and maintenance (O&M); and additionally/optionally carry out several other lighting/signaling/surveillance/sensing functions for public cause and safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

LED based street lighting devices which involve light emitting diodes (LED) as its light source are now widely used in lighting streets, roads, residential or commercial complexes etc.
Different designs of the LED based street lighting devices have been explored that incorporated various types of LEDs (with increasing lumens-per-watt ratings year by year) into a light fixture for efficiently lighting the streets, roads, residential or commercial complexes etc. Significant amount of work also have been carried out by the present applicant in respect of Integrated, Intelligent, Interactive, Networked Street lighting applications involving both grid-based and off-grid (Solar) based solutions as well as devising efficient packaging designs as evident from the following co-pending patent applications in the relevant field:

Serial No. Invention title Application No.
1 Programmable LED illumination systems 3038/CHE/2007
2 Intelligent Solar Lighting System 3039/CHE/2007
3 Interactive and intelligent street light of LED Light sources 2219/CHE/2009
4 An Integrated LED based Solar Street Light Luminaire Assembly 3207/CHE/2010
5 A LED Street Light Package Design (Extrusion based) 4197/CHE/2014
6 High performance intelligent and integrated LED street / outdoor lights relevant to Indian power conditions. (with Thermo Plastic Housings) 5798/CHE/2014
7
Centralised Control & Monitoring System (CCMS)
201641017028

The existing LED based street lighting devices including the above Street lighting applications as developed by the applicant are only adapted for lighting streets, roads, residential or commercial complexes etc with limited functionalities and could not carry out other lighting/signaling/surveillance applications, in addition to the mere street and public lighting.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to develop a smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device which would be configured to constitute a network of stand-alone solar powered LED based street light devices and carry out other lighting/signaling/surveillance applications in addition to the street and public lighting.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device which would be adapted to integrate multiple societal applications in a single, stand-alone, off-grid (solar) LED based street lighting device for public cause and safety.

Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device which would be adapted to include state of the art, LED light sources, customized secondary optics to deliver the right quantity of light in desired direction, built-in intelligence in the firmware which can be altered wirelessly through ‘FOTA’ – Firmware upgradation On The Air, LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries with Solar charge controllers, networking and communication infrastructure – all tightly packaged in the same street light enclosure excepting the Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) Panel which charges the battery - to execute core functions of the street light beginning with simple street lighting and extending to networked lighting, with facility for remote access, monitoring and control for ease in operations and maintenance and additionally / optionally carry out other lighting/signaling/surveillance applications.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device which would be, by virtue of the state-of-the-art LiFePO4 batteries employed, self sustaining with respect to power and should have long working life of the order of 7 years, virtually without any maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device comprising

a LED based light source, along with secondary optics for lighting application;

an auxiliary unit including means for built-in intelligence in firmware, communication and sensory operation for supporting anyone or more of networked lighting, signaling, surveillance and sensing applications;

rechargeable power supply for supplying power to said auxiliary unit and said LED light source.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the LED based light source comprises

a lighting fixture having one or more LEDlight modules;

each light module having desired number of LEDs assembled on a Metal Clad PCB (MCPCB) with an even distribution for a uniform spread of the light; and

secondary optics consisting of modular, integrally formed lens assembly disposed in contact with each of said LED light modules and covering said each LED light module for effective light dispersion in desired directions.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, each device can be designed to have wattages ranging from 7W to 40W and includes LEDs configured to generate light having around 210 lumens per watt at source and around 150-160 lumen efficiency at the light fixture with scope for still higher figures as next generation LEDs are introduced; and a choice of correlated colour temperatures (CCT) – from cool white (5700°K) down to warm white (2700° K) - the colour temperature range enables a customer base to opt a colour temperature of their choice for vision comfort or as per any governmental regulations.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, programmed dimming (from 100% illumination down to10%) along with ambient / proximity / motion sensor-based dimming is manifested to effect energy conservation, increased autonomy and extended LED life beyond 50000 hours due to driving the LEDs with safe operating currents much less than its maximum rating.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the auxiliary unit comprises RF antenna with cooperative communication means configured to deploy networking infrastructure by involving anyone or more of Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, GSM, GPRS, LoRA, Zigbee and Bluetooth based communication modes.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the communication means of the auxiliary unit deploys networking infrastructure by involving Wi-Fi and/or Li-Fi (for indoor applications only) connectivity to provide internet access from nearby positions under the said auxiliary unit - the auxiliary unit acting as a mini-tower of an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the communication means of the auxiliary unit deploys networking infrastructure by involving GSM, GPRS, LoRA, Zigbee based communication modes enabling the auxiliary unit to operate as a network node for signalling, monitoring and surveillance; the Bluetooth connectivity deployed by the auxiliary unit enables one-to-one monitoring and control.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the auxiliary unit operating as the network node for signalling involves the deployed networking infrastructure to dispose said LED based light source in operative communication with a central signalling server and enables said LED based light source to display signalling lights through the LEDs based on controlling information of the connected central signalling server.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the sensory means of the auxiliary unit is configured to execute different sensing and monitoring applications including surveillance, environment parameters tracking;

said sensor assembly includes temperatures sensor, humidity sensor, rain water gauge, air quality sensor, proximity sensor, ambient sensor, wind speed sensor and camera.

According to yet another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the camera is configured to capture images of traffic violations in vicinity and forwards the captured image to a central control for incident investigations and issuing notices by involving the auxiliary unit deployed networking infrastructure.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the auxiliary unit includes provision to activate speakers to function as a public address system in the vast open areas; may find utility in situations like unmanned railway level crossings;

said speakers also connected with radio systems for broadcasting flash / breaking news, weather alerts, important local announcements or entertainment to public in vicinity in addition to providing audio alerts in case of traffic violations as mentioned in the earlier paragraph.

According to a further aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the sensor assembly includes environment parameters tracking sensor constituted by involving the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, the rain water gauge, the air quality sensor, and the wind speed sensor;

said environment parameters tracking sensor is configured to acquire periodic weather data and forward the same to authorized meteorological server by involving the auxiliary unit deployed networking / communication infrastructure.

According to yet another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the ambient sensor helps in automatically switching on-off the LEDs of the LED based light source on sunset-sunrise by means of detecting the ambient light intensity.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the proximity sensor helps in automatically switching on-off/ dim the LEDs of the LED based light source in absence of any person/vehicle near to the street lighting device as detected by said proximity sensor.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the auxiliary unit includes firmware (microcontroller with embedded software) for facilitating total operations of the LED based light source and the auxiliary unit including programmed dimming as per a pre-decided schedule, and responding to remote access, monitoring and control commands from the central station including Centralised Control & Monitoring System over a mix of the networking infrastructure employing appropriate communication technologies; further, a latest feature is also incorporated to update / modify the Firmware On The Air (FOTA) through wireless means without grounding the unit.
According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the rechargeable power supply includes rechargeable LiFePO4 battery for supplying power to the auxiliary unit and the LED light source; said LiFePO4 battery provides long operating life for the battery by virtue of the large number of charge-discharge cycles it permits, enabling virtually a maintenance-free, unattended operation of the device for as long as around 7 years, which further allows such lighting devices to be installed in remote and difficult terrains in a ‘fit and forget’ manner;
said rechargeable LiFePO4 battery is operatively connected with solar photovoltaic panel (SPV) for charging from solar power.

According to another aspect in the present smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device, the provisioning of several utility applications for public cause and safety within and along with the solar street lighting outfit, thus avoids a separate infrastructure for the non-lighting applications and associated costs thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1A shows front view of the conceptual multi-functional smart solar LED based street lighting device from light side in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1B shows rear view of the conceptual multi-functional smart solar LED based street lighting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a shows exploded view of the conceptual multi-functional smart solar LED based street lighting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b shows a conceptual aluminium die casting casing of the present multi-functional smart solar LED based street lighting device.

Figure 2c shows an alternate view of the present multi-functional smart solar LED based street lighting device with all lighting and sensor components.

Figure 3a and 3b shows simplified architectural schematic representation of the present multi-functional smart solar LED street lighting device along with operative connection with the SPV panel.

Figure 4 shows a pictorial representation (photograph) of the present smart solar LED based street lighting device with 2 lighting modules for a 7W configuration, in a preferred thermoplastic casing.

Figure 5 shows a typical networked street light configuration involving the present smart solar LED based street lighting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a Centralised Control and Monitoring System unit (Patent pending) for prospective interfacing with the present smart solar LED based street lighting device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

As stated hereinbefore the present invention discloses a solar powered multi-functional smart LED street lighting device equipped with built-in intelligence and communicating capabilities supporting state-of-the-art Li-Fi / Wi-Fi / GSM / GPRS / Zigbee / Bluetooth / LoRA communication technologies having a vast potential for multiple functions.

The LED street lighting device of the present invention primarily carries out the core functions of a street light in the physical plane – beginning with simple street lighting and extending to networked lighting, with remote monitoring and control from a central point for operations and maintenance, to enable graduate to higher performance standards – in terms of light dispersion in desired quantity and spread; economic usage by dimming to lower levels when not necessary; automatic on-off on sunset / sun rise; periodic health monitoring for pro-active preventive maintenance; remote fault diagnosis for quick repair / replacements.
Additionally/optionally the present LED based street lighting device is capable of addressing several other lighting/signaling/surveillance/sensing applications at a higher plane. Typical of such other lighting/signaling/surveillance/sensing applications scenarios, in addition to the street and public lighting, include: (i) providing Wi-Fi connectivity for Internet access from virtually anywhere and everywhere, (ii) providing Li-Fi connectivity in indoors for Internet access while using the LED lighting for indoors (iii) functioning as a network node at remote or inaccessible locations or terrains for signaling and surveillance (iv) functioning as Rail / road Signaling & Public Alert system enhancing the safety levels of the public at un-manned Railway level crossings with go / no go signals in the well accustomed red / amber / green lights, along with audible hooter and voice overlay for announcement of the arrival of a train, like on a railway platform, with the information obtained from a central server via GSM/GPRS/ internet/satellite based GPS, (v) functioning as a Road Signaling & Public Alert system at the blind turnings or hair pin bends on hilly roads and highways for ensuring safety to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, (vi) functioning as a surveillance gadget with cameras fitted to the lighting fixture and images (footings) of traffic violations to be captured and saved for incident investigations and even for issuing notices to the offenders for demanding payment of fine, (vii) inculcating a code of conduct for traffic discipline at such accident prone locations, (viii) functioning as a Public address system in vast open areas of gated community complexes like residential buildings, factory premises, hospitals, College / University campuses, Military areas, Market yards, Sports stadia, Golf courses, Race courses, uncovered parking lots etc, (ix) functioning as a feeder system for reporting periodic weather data acquired through sensors fitted to the light fixture for monitoring parameters like Temperature, Humidity, Air quality etc., to authorised Met departments, (x) functioning as a Community Public address system with Web / FM radio systems fitted for broadcasting Flash or breaking news, weather alerts, important local announcements or entertainment to the public in the vicinity like in a community centre or a park and a host of similar others.
The accompanying figures shown in Fig 1A and Fig 1B & Fig 2a show the lighting side, the rear side and the exploded view of the present solar powered multi-functional LED based street lighting device respectively, showing the basic system components or elements of the present multi-functional smart LED based street lighting device which include LED light source (A) for main lighting application, auxiliary unit (B) for controlling the other lighting/signaling/surveillance/sensing applications and a rechargeable power supply (C).

The above system components or elements of the present LED based street lighting device accommodated in a light-weight, bio-degradable, thermoplastic casing for effective thermal management and an eco-friendly waste disposal. The accompanying Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of such thermoplastic casing.

Reference is next invited from the accompanying Fig 2c which shows an alternate view of the present smart LED based street lighting device with all lighting and sensor components. As shown in the referred figure the LED light source (A) comprises a LED based lighting fixture having one or more high bright LED based light modules (1) with around 210 lumens per watt at source and around 150-160 lumen efficacy at the light fixture, with a choice of correlated colour temperatures (CCT) – from cool white (5700°K) down to warm white (2700° K) - the colour temperature range enables a customer base to opt a colour of their choice for vision comfort or to comply with regulatory stipulations. Each solar LED street light device may have wattages ranging from 7W to 40W (Comparable to 40 to 100W conventional lights - like Incandescent, Fluorescent, CFL or Sodium). The LED light source (A) further comprises modular integrally formed lens assembly (2) placed in close contact with the LED based light modules (1) for effective light dispersion in the desired directions.

The auxiliary unit (B) comprises communication means for integrated networking and communication infrastructure and sensory means for sensing operation to support several utility applications in addition to the core function of efficient lighting in desired quantity and directivity. The auxiliary unit (B) also comprises a microcontroller and associated embedded software with built-in intelligence as firmware.

In one embodiment, the integrated networking and communication infrastructure of the auxiliary unit (B) includes RF antenna (3) for deploying the state-of-the-art wired or wireless communication modes like Li-Fi / Wi-Fi / GSM / GPRS / LoRA / Zigbee / Bluetooth and like.

The Wi-Fi connectivity deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) of the present LED based street lighting device provides Internet access virtually from anywhere and everywhere where such smart LED based street lighting device is installed (acts as a mini cell tower of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for users from nearby positions of said auxiliary unit.)
.
In yet another embodiment, the auxiliary unit (B) of the present LED based street lighting device provides Li-Fi connectivity for internet access in indoors/enclosed areas. The Li-Fi connectivity based network provides an alternative / enhancement to off-load the RF spectrum assigned to Wi-Fi. The Li-fi connectivity is also contemplated on indoor lighting fixtures to provide a ‘Line-of-Sight’ connection mechanism to access internet from a hand-held gadget.

The integrated networking infrastructure deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) of the present LED based street lighting device is also configured to function as a network node at remote or inaccessible locations or terrains for signaling/lighting and surveillance. The network utilize Wi-Fi / GSM / GPRS /LoRA / Zigbee / Bluetooth connectivity deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) of the present LED based street lighting device at individually monitored light points; where a group of lights in the present smart LED based street lighting devices can be monitored and controlled through the Zigbee network. One such local Zigbee connectivity network is shown in the Fig. 5.
The Wi-fi connectivity deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) enables the present LED based street lighting device to send/receive messages or commands. Alternatively, the Bluetooth connectivity deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) enables one-to-one monitoring and control. Where there are both clusters and individual LED based street lighting devices to be interacted, a combination of Zigbee and GSM / GPRS are used; Wi-fi is also contemplated to offer flexibility in operation.
In yet another embodiment, the present LED based street lighting device can also be used as a train signaling and public alert system by involving the unique Wi-Fi / GSM / GPRS /LoRA / Zigbee / Bluetooth connectivity based network deployed by the auxiliary unit (B) of the present smart LED based street lighting device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present street lighting device, the auxiliary unit (B) also includes speakers to function as a public address system in the vast open areas of gated community complexes like residential buildings, factory premises, hospitals, College / University campuses, Military areas, Market yards, Sports stadia, Golf courses, Race courses, uncovered parking lots etc. The speaker may also connected with Web / FM radio systems for broadcasting Flash or breaking news, weather alerts, important local announcements or entertainment to the public in the vicinity like in a community centre or a park and a host of similar others.
The present LED based street lighting device after connecting with a central server through the auxiliary unit (B) deployed network can be used in the un-manned Railway crossings with go/no go signals in the well accustomed red / amber / green LED lights, along with audible hooter and voice overlay through the speaker for announcement of the arrival of a train, like on a railway platform, with the information obtained from the central server. Similarly, the present LED based street lighting device can also be used as a road signaling & Public Alert system at the blind turnings or hair pin bends on hilly roads and highways for ensuring safety to the vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

As stated hereinbefore, the auxiliary unit (B) comprises sensory means to execute different sensing and monitoring applications such as surveillance, environment parameters tracking and like. The sensory means comprises temperatures sensor (4), humidity sensor (5), rain water gauge (6), air quality sensor (7), proximity sensor (8), ambient sensor (9), wind speed sensor (10), camera (11).

The camera (11) fitted on the sensory means facilitates the present street lighting device to functions as a surveillance gadget and capture images (footings) of traffic violations. By using the networking connection of the present LED street lighting device the image of the traffic violation can forward to a central control for incident investigations and issuing notices to the offenders for demanding payment of fine.
The environment parameters tracking sensor constituted by the temperatures sensor (4), humidity sensor (5), rain water gauge (6), air quality sensor (7), and wind speed sensor (10) facilitates the present street lighting device to operate as a feeder point for acquiring periodic weather data and forwarding to the same to authorized meteorological department server by using the networking connection of the present LED street lighting device.
The proximity sensor (8) and ambient sensor (9) of the sensor assembly facilitates the reduction of the electricity consumed by the present street lighting device by automatically on-off the LEDs of the present street lighting device on sunset/sun rise by means of detecting the ambient light intensity through the ambient sensor (9) or by a real time clock / astronomical clock and dimming to lower light levels when not necessary by using a programmed sequence or the proximity sensor (8) in the absence of any person/vehicle near to the street light as detected by said proximity sensor (8).
The firmware comprises a microcontroller of the present auxiliary unit (B) embedded with software for facilitating total operations of the street light including programmed dimming as per a pre-decided schedule, and also responding to remote monitoring and control commands from the central station over a mix of networks employing appropriate communication technologies.
The rechargeable power supply (C) of the present street lighting device preferably includes rechargeable LiFePO4 battery for supplying power to the auxiliary unit (B) and the LED based light source (A). The rechargeable LiFePO4 battery is also operatively connected with solar photovoltaic panel (SPV) for charging from the solar power.

A simplified architectural schematic of the present multi-functional smart street lighting device along with operative connection with the SPV module is shown in the accompanying figure 3a and 3b.

This present street lighting device can also be interfaced to a Centralised Control & Monitoring System - CCMS (proprietary of the Inventor - Patent Pending) shown in figure 6 for a comprehensive monitoring and supervisory control of a number of street lights either individually or in clusters, in addition to generating various management reports for use by the Administrators. Each of the present street lighting devices can be assigned with a unique ID with specific location co-ordinates so that shifting to any other location renders the lighting device dysfunctional and requires to be reconfigured, only by authorised personnel, thus arresting unauthorised movement / pilferage / theft.
It is thus the present multi-functional smart LED based street lighting device will be useful for performing lighting and other supportive applications in Rural, semi-urban, Urban gated communities, Factory/office/hospital premises, Un-manned Railway gates, Surface transport hubs, Hair pin bends on hilly roads and highways and like. It is important to note that, while the present invention may have been described through reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Other changes and modifications known to those of ordinary skill are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. One interesting application that can be cited at the outset is to build and maintain a cluster of networked smart street lighting systems for a remote and interior community, with the additional signaling/surveillance/sensing applications, by a corporate company under the Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) initiative; the status can be monitored on-line from their Head office.

Typical Lighting specifications of a 7 Watt ‘Smart’ Solar LED Street Light

Power Consumption 7W
Light Output 15 Lux @ 4m height and edge of 4m dia
LED Life Span >50000 hrs
CRI > 70
CCT 5700 K (White) or 3200 K (Warm White)
Beam Angle 140X 50 deg
LED Efficacy >150 lumen / watt
Operating Voltage 12V DC
Solar Panel 40Wp
Battery 12.8V, 12.8AH LiFePO4 (packaged within)
Duty Cycle 12 hrs / day
Autonomy 1.5 days (Full bright); better with dimming
Ingress Protection IP65 (Dust & Water proof)
Dimensions 380 X 155 X 85mm
Weight 3Kg
Mounting height 4 – 6 meters
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device comprising

a LED based light source, with secondary optics, for lighting application - having wattages ranging from 7W to 40W and includes LEDs configured to generate light having around 210 lumens per watt at source and around 150-160 lumen efficiency at the light fixture; and correlated colour temperatures (CCT) ranging from 2700 (warm white) to 5700 (cool white) - with scope for better performance with advancements in LED technology;

an auxiliary unit including means for built-in intelligence in firmware, communication and sensory operation for supporting anyone or more of networked lighting, signaling, surveillance and sensing applications;

rechargeable power supply (LiFePO4 battery) for supplying power to said auxiliary unit and said LED light source;

said subsystems are tightly integrated and packaged within a single street light casing / housing / enclosure with a unique identity rendering it theft-proof.

2. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED based light source comprises

a lighting fixture having one or more LEDlight modules;

each light module having desired number of LEDs assembled on a Metal Clad PCB (MCPCB) with an even distribution for uniform spread of the light and

secondary optics consisting of customized, modular, integrally formed multiple-lens assembly disposed in contact with each of said LED light modules and covering said each LED light module for effective light dispersion in desired directions;

programmed dimming (from 100% illumination down to10%) along with ambient / proximity / motion sensor-based dimming manifested to effect energy conservation, increased autonomy and extended LED life beyond 50000 hours due to driving the LEDs with safe operating currents much less than its maximum rating.

3. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting casing is formed of a proprietary (of the inventor) bio-degradable thermoplastic material with an insert-moulded thin aluminium plate inside for effective thermal management and eco-friendly waste disposal.

4. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claim 1 to 3, wherein the auxiliary unit comprises RF antenna with cooperative communication means configured to deploy networking infrastructure by involving anyone or more of Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, GSM, GPRS, LoRA, Zigbee and Bluetooth based communication modes enabling the auxiliary unit to operate as a network node for signalling, monitoring and surveillance operations in addition to the primary functioning of control and monitoring of the lighting device, thus avoiding a separate infrastructure for the non-lighting applications.

5. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication means of the auxiliary unit deploys networking infrastructure by involving Wi-Fi and/or Li-Fi (for indoor applications only) connectivity providing internet access (acting as a mini cell tower of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for users from nearby positions of said auxiliary unit.

6. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claim 1 to 5, wherein the auxiliary unit operating as the network node for signalling and surveillance involves the deployed networking and communications infrastructure along with the camera and speakers to dispose said LED based light source in operative communication with a central signalling server and enables said LED based light source to display signalling lights through the LEDs based on controlling information of the connected central signalling server for public cause and safety by avoiding accidents at remote locations like unmanned railway crossings, blind turnings or hair-pin bends on highways etc in addition to providing lighting for illuminating the areas during night hours;

said camera fitted to the light fixture is configured to capture images of traffic violations in vicinity and forward the captured image to a central control for incident investigations and issuing notices by involving the auxiliary unit deployed networking infrastructure.

said auxiliary unit also includes provision to activate speakers to function as a public address system in the vast open areas to alert public through hooters and announcements like on a railway platform;

said speakers also connected with radio systems for broadcasting flash/breaking news, weather alerts, important local announcements or entertainment to public in vicinity.

7. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claim 1 to 6, wherein the sensory means of the auxiliary unit is configured to execute different sensing and monitoring applications including environment parameters tracking;

said sensor assembly includes temperatures sensor, humidity sensor, rain water gauge, air quality sensor, proximity sensor, ambient sensor and wind speed sensor;

said environment parameters tracking sensor is configured to acquire periodic weather data and forward the same to authorized meteorological server by involving the auxiliary unit deployed networking/communication infrastructure;

said ambient sensor helps in automatically switching on-off the LEDs of the LED based light source on sunset-sunrise respectively by means of detecting the ambient light intensity; and the said proximity sensor helps in automatically switching on-off/dim the LEDs of the LED based light source in absence of any person/vehicle near to the street lighting device as detected by said proximity sensor.

8. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein Bluetooth communication facility enables one to one interaction with the device to monitor and control the lighting operations.

9. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein the auxiliary unit includes firmware (microcontroller with embedded software) with intelligence for facilitating total operations of the LED based light source and the auxiliary unit including programmed dimming (up to 90%) as per a pre-decided schedule, and responding to remote access, monitoring and control commands from the central station including Centralised Control & Monitoring System over a mix of the networking infrastructure employing appropriate communication technologies; and

said firmware can be updated through wireless means - FOTA (Firmware update Over The Air).

10. A smart, solar powered, multi-functional LED based street lighting device claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rechargeable power supply includes sealed maintenance-free, rechargeable LiFePO4 battery for supplying power to the auxiliary unit and the LED light source;
said LiFePO4 battery provides long operating life for the battery by virtue of the large number of charge-discharge cycles it permits, enabling virtually a maintenance-free, unattended operation of the device for as long as around 7 years; said rechargeable LiFePO4 battery is operatively connected with solar photovoltaic panel (SPV) for charging from solar power.

Dated this 11th day of October, 2017. Anjan Sen
(Applicants Agent)
(IN/PA-199)