PUBLIC LIGHTING NETWORK * * *

The present invention relates to a system for communication and management of data, configured to be installed on a public lighting network. The present invention also relates to a method of operation of such a system.

As is known, public lighting network is configured for lighting urban environments and areas subjected to vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic through a plurality of lighting poles, each one carrying one or more light sources, which light sources are configured for emitting at least one light beam in the surrounding area, for example toward the ground from which each lighting pole extends.

A conventional public lighting network comprises, generally:

- at least one plurality of lighting poles, installed into a determined geographical area;

- at least one electrical cabin for transforming the electrical voltage from medium to low, which electrical cabin is electrically connected, through a suitable distribution line, to each pole of the plurality of lighting poles, and is also configured for providing the voltage feeding required for the operation of the light source or light sources carried by each pole, and

- at least one operating center, remotely located with respect to the at least one electrical cabin and operatively connected to the taller for controlling the operation of the lighting system.

Nowadays several systems for communication and management of data, for surveillance and/or monitoring of a geographical area, have been provided, based on such conventional public lighting network. For example, systems have been provided, configured for detecting and transmitting to a remote station images of the area surrounding one or more of the above lighting poles or for measuring environmental parameters such as the level of fine particulate, CO ₂ or other pollutants possibly present in the air.

Such systems for communication and management of data for surveillance and/or monitoring of a geographical area suffer for several drawbacks.

Firstly, such systems, in order to be implemented, require the complete substitution of the lighting poles of a pre-existing public lighting network with so called "smart" lighting poles, which entails high implementation costs and effects on the environment and the aesthetics, which is not always compliant with particular needs such as those foreseen in art cities. Secondly, such systems for communication and management of data for surveillance and/or monitoring of a geographical area derive from proprietary solutions, i.e. not standard and not open solutions, in the sense that not always they allow fort their simple integration with other systems from other manufacturers and this, clearly, determines a high grade of complexity and high costs with reference to maintenance operations in the field, given that operators must consider the installation and operation and/or management mode (which is different for each manufacturer) of the several systems that are installed in a determined geographical area, for executing routine and extraordinary maintenance of the public lighting network and of the same systems/apparatuses.

Therefore, the conventional surveillance and/or monitoring systems for communication and management of data, based on the public lighting network, implement solutions which are not modular and provide for services traditionally directed to specific users (for example, dedicated to surveillance only, environmental monitoring only, etc.) which therefore require specific programming/management software and specific interface systems.

The need is therefore felt to improve the state of the art in the field of systems for communication and management of data, based on the public lighting network, and the main object of the present invention is to provide for a system for communication and management of data based on a public lighting network, allowing in a simple, reliable and efficient way the managing of service information regarding the public lighting network and which system, at the same time, can be used for environment surveillance and/or monitoring and/or for providing additional services by the public lighting network manager and/to by third parties.

Another object of the present invention is that of providing a system for communication and management of data, based on a public lighting network, which can be easily installed on such a network without requiring the complete substitution of its lighting poles.

One further object of the present invention is that of providing a method for operating such a system for communication and management of data based on the public lighting network, which is easy to implement.

It is a specific object of the present invention a system for communication and management of data, configured for being installed on a public lighting network, wherein said public lighting network comprises: at least one primary lighting pole and at least one secondary lighting pole, at least one electrical cabin configured for detecting at least one operating parameter thereof and for powering each lighting pole of said public lighting network through one distribution line, and at least one operating center located remotely with respect to the at least one electrical cabin, said system comprising:

- at least one first apparatus, configured for being mounted on said at least one primary lighting pole and comprising at least one first detection group, in turn configured for detecting at least one first parameter, and at least one first interface group, configured for putting into communication said at least one first apparatus with the outside and transmitting said at least one first parameter on at least one communication network;

- at least one second apparatus, configured for being mounted on said at least one secondary lighting pole and comprising at least one second detection group, in turn configured for detecting at least one second parameter, and at least one second interface group, configured for putting into communication said at least one second apparatus with the outside and transmitting said at least one second parameter on at least one other communication network;

- at least one third apparatus, configured for being operatively connected to said at least one electrical cabin and comprising at least one third interface group, in turn configured for putting into communication said at least one electrical cabin with at least one first apparatus, through the first interface group thereof, on said at least one communication network, and transmitting, on said at least one communication network, said at least one operating parameter;

- at least one fourth apparatus, configured for being operatively connected to said at least one operating center and comprising at least one fourth interface group, in turn configured for putting into communication said at least one operating center with each first apparatus and with each second apparatus, through the respective interface groups, on at least one of said respective communication networks; wherein said at least one first interface group is configured for putting into communication said at least one first apparatus: with said at least one electrical cabin on at least one first communication network and/or with said at least one second apparatus on at least one second communication network and/or with said at least one operating center on at least one third communication network; and said at least one second interface group is configured for putting into communication said at least one second apparatus: with said at least one first apparatus on said second communication network and/or with said at least one operating center on at least one fourth communication network; said at least one third interface group is configured for putting into communication said at least one operating center with said at least one first apparatus, on said at least first communication network; and said at least one fourth interface group is configured for putting into communication said at least one operating center: with said at least one first apparatus on said at least one third communication network, with said at least one second apparatus on said at least one fourth communication network; so that it is possible to transmit, to said at least one operating center, on said at least one third communication network:

- said at least one first parameter, when detected by said at least one first apparatus; and/or

- said at least one second parameter, when detected by said at least one second apparatus and after said at least one second parameter is transmitted to said at least one first apparatus via said at least one second communication network; and/or

- said at least one operating parameter, when detected by said at least one electrical cabin and after said at least one operating parameter is transmitted to said at least one first apparatus via said at least one first communication network.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one first communication network can be a wired network comprising at least one copper cable, and wherein said at least one first interface group optionally comprises at least one input-output port, optionally comprising at least one RJ45 connector, connected to a network card, and wherein said at least one third interface group optionally comprises at least one corresponding input-output port, optionally comprising at least one RJ45 connector, connected to a network card.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said at least one second communication network can be a wireless network, optionally of the LoRaWAN or WM-bus type, optionally at a frequency of 868 MHz or 169MHz or 433MHz.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, said at least one first interface group can comprise at least one gateway transceiver unit, optionally of the LoRaWAN type or at least one transceiver WM-bus unit at said frequency, optionally single-channel, and wherein said at least one second interface group comprises at least one radio transceiver unit at said frequency, operatively connected to at least one antenna integrated on an electronic card.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one third communication network can be a communication network, optionally a radio communication network, optionally a 4G communication network and said at least one first interface group can comprise at least one corresponding modem unit, optionally a 4G modem unit, and said at least one fourth interface group can comprise at least one corresponding transceiver device connected to at least one network server, optionally a LoRaWAN network server.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said at least one fourth communication network can be a radio communication network, optionally of the NB-loT or LTE Ml type and said at least one second interface group can comprise at least one corresponding modem unit, optionally an NB-loT or LTE Ml modem unit, and said at least one fourth interface group can comprise at least one corresponding transceiver device connected to at least one web server.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, said at least one first apparatus can be configured to be powered by a dedicated supply line, directly derived from said at least one electrical cabin and separated from said at least one distribution line.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one dedicated supply line can comprise at least one industrial feeder, optionally watertight, optionally installed in a well at one base of said at least one primary lighting pole and at least one supply cable between said at least one industrial feeder and said at least one first apparatus .

According to a further aspect of the invention, said at least one second apparatus is configured to be powered by said at least one electrical cabin, through said at least one distribution line, which is optionally parallel or coincident with said at least one distribution line, and through at least one battery, included in said at least one second apparatus, when said distribution line is inactive.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, said at least one third interface group can be configured to communicate directly with said at least one fourth interface group on at least one fifth communication network, wherein said at least one fifth communication network can optionally be a wireless network, optionally of the 4G type or a wired network, optionally a optical fibre cable network, whereby said at least one first interface group, said second interface group, said at least one third interface group and said at least one fourth interface group can be configured for transmitting to said at least one operating center, on said at least one fifth communication network: - said at least one first parameter, when detected by said at least one first apparatus and after said at least one first parameter is transmitted to said at least one electrical cabin via said at least one first communication network; and/or

- said at least one second parameter, when detected by said at least one second apparatus and after said at least one second parameter is transmitted to said at least one electrical cabin via said second communication network and said at least one first communication network; and/or

- said at least one operating parameter, to said at least one operating center.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one fourth interface group can comprise:

- at least one first network server, optionally of the LoRaWAN type, configured for communicating with said at least one first apparatus on said at least one third communication network;

- at least one second web server, configured for communicating with said at least one second apparatus on said at least one fourth communication network;

- at least one application server, connected to said at least one first network server and said at least one second web server, optionally through at least one server MQTT.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said at least one first detecting group can comprise at least one or more between:

- at least one presence sensor, optionally of the type configured for detecting microwaves;

- at least one sensor for sensing the illumination produced by said at least one secondary lighting pole, optionally at least one luxmeter;

- at least one position sensor, optionally at least one GPS sensor;

- at least one motion sensor, optionally one gyroscope having 6 axes;

- at least one ambient temperature sensor;

- at least one ambient humidity sensor;

- at least one atmospheric pressure sensor; and

- at least one sensor of one or more among a plurality of nitrogen oxides (NOx) or other pollutants; and

- at least one image acquisition device, optionally at least one camera; whereby said at least one first parameter may include one or more among: an indicator of presence, an indicator of the illumination produced by said at least one primary lighting pole ), at least one indicator of the position of said at least one primary lighting pole with respect to a global positioning system, at least one indicator of the position of said at least one primary lighting pole with respect to the ground from which said at least one primary lighting pole extends, and at least one indicator of the ambient temperature, ambient humidity, atmospheric pressure and quantity of one or more among a plurality of nitrogen oxides and/or other pollutants detected in the vicinity of said at least one primary lighting pole, at least one image, both static or dynamic of one region of space in the vicinity of the primary pole.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, said at least one second detecting group can comprise at least one sensor, optionally one or more between:

- at least one presence sensor, optionally of the type configured for detecting microwaves;

- at least one sensor for sensing the illumination produced by said at least one secondary lighting pole, optionally at least one luxmeter;

- at least one position sensor, optionally at least one GPS sensor;

- at least one motion sensor, optionally one gyroscope having 6 axes;

- at least one ambient temperature sensor;

- at least one ambient humidity sensor;

- at least one atmospheric pressure sensor whereby said at least one second parameter may include one or more among: an indicator of presence, an indicator of the illumination produced by said at least one primary lighting pole, at least one indicator of the position of said at least one secondary lighting pole with respect to a global positioning system, at least one indicator of the position of said at least one secondary lighting pole with respect to the ground from which said at least one secondary lighting pole extends, and at least one indicator of the ambient temperature, ambient humidity, atmospheric pressure in the vicinity of said at least one secondary lighting pole.

It is also a specific object of the invention a method of operation of at least one system for communication and management of data as described above, when installed on a public lighting network, the public lighting network comprising: at least one primary lighting pole and at least one secondary lighting pole, at least one electrical cabin configured for detecting at least one operating parameter thereof and for powering each lighting pole of said lighting network through one distribution line, and at least one operating center located remotely with respect to the at least one electrical cabin and operatively connected thereto for public lighting operations, said method comprising the following operational steps:

A. arranging at least one system as described above and activating said at least one first detection group, said at least one second detection group, thus detecting said at least one first parameter and said at least one second parameter;

B. if said at least one second interface group of said at least one second apparatus and said at least one first interface group of said at least one first apparatus of said system are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one second communication network, the first apparatus and the second apparatus with each other:

B.l transmitting said at least one second parameter, if available, to said at least one first apparatus on said at least one second communication network, through said at least one second interface group of said at least one second apparatus and said at least one first interface group of said at least one first apparatus; and

C.l if said at least one third interface group and said at least one fourth interface group of said system are configured for putting into communication, on at least one fifth communication network, said at least one electrical cabin and said at least one operating center with each other:

D.l transmitting said at least one second parameter and/or said at least one first parameter to said at least one electrical cabin, through said at least one first communication network; and

D.2 transmitting said at least one second parameter and/or said at least one first parameter and, if available, said at least one operating parameter to said at least one operating center, through said at least one fifth communication network; otherwise

D.3 transmitting, if available, said at least one operating parameter to said at least one first apparatus, through said at least one first communication network; and D.4 if said at least one first interface group and said at least one fourth interface group are configured to directly put into communication, on said at least one third communication network, said at least one first apparatus and said at least one operating center with each other, transmitting said at least one second parameter and/or said at least one first parameter and/or said at least one operating parameter to said at least one operating center, through said at least one third communication network. According to another aspect of the invention, if said at least one second interface group of said at least one second apparatus and said at least one first interface group of said at least one first apparatus of said system are not configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one second communication network, the first apparatus and the second apparatus with each other, said method can comprise the following steps:

B.2 transmitting said at least one second parameter, if available, to said at least one operating center on said at least one fourth communication network, through said at least one second interface group of said at least one second apparatus and said at least one fourth interface group operatively connected to said at least one operating center; and

C.2 if said at least one third interface group and said at least one fourth interface group of said system are configured for putting into communication, on at least one fifth communication network, said at least one electrical cabin and said at least one operating center with each other:

D.5 transmitting said at least one first parameter to said at least one electrical cabin, through said at least one first communication network; and

D.6 transmitting said at least one first parameter and, if available, said at least one operating parameter to said at least one operating center, through said at least one fifth communication network; otherwise

D.7 transmitting, if available, said at least one operating parameter to said at least one first apparatus, through said at least one first communication network; and D.8 if said at least one first interface group and said at least one fourth interface group are configured to directly put into communication, on said at least one third communication network, said at least one first apparatus and said at least one operating center with each other, transmitting said at least one second parameter and/or said at least one operating parameter to said at least one operating center, through said at least one third communication network.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said method can comprise the step of transmitting, through the operating center OC, at least one fourth configuration/update parameter to said at least one first apparatus, on said at least one third communication network, if said at least one fourth interface group and said at least one first interface group are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one third communication network, said at least one operating center and said at least one first apparatus with each other.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, if said at least one second interface group and said at least one first interface group are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one second communication network, said at least one first apparatus and said at least one second apparatus with each other, said method can comprise transmitting, by the operating center, at least one third configuration/update parameter to said at least one second apparatus, on said at least one third communication network and then on said at least one second communication network.

According to another aspect of the invention, if said at least one fourth interface group and said at least one second interface group are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one fourth communication network, said at least one operating center and said at least one second apparatus with each other, said method can comprise transmitting, by the operating center, at least one third configuration/update parameter to said at least one second apparatus, directly on said at least one fourth communication network.

According to a further aspect of the invention, if said at least one third interface group and said at least one first interface group are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one first communication network, said at least one first apparatus and said at least one third apparatus with each other, said method can comprise transmitting, by said at least one operating center, at least one fifth configuration/update parameter to said at least one third apparatus, on said at least one third communication network and then on said at least one first communication network.

According to another aspect of the invention, if said at least one fourth interface group and said at least one third interface group are configured for directly putting into communication, on said at least one fifth communication network, said at least one operating center and said at least one third apparatus with each other, said method can comprise transmitting, by the operating center, at least one fifth configuration/update parameter to said at least one third apparatus, directly on said at least one fifth communication network.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limiting purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a portion of a system for communication and management of data based on a public lighting network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the main components of a system for communication and management of data according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows another schematic representation of a particular communication configuration among other components of the system for communication and management of data; and

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the method according to the invention.

In the enclosed Figures the same reference numbers will be used for similar elements.

Before going into the merits, it is provided that in the description and in the following figures, see in particular Figure 1, reference will be made to a public lighting network comprising, among a plurality of lighting poles, a single electrical cabin for their powering and a single operating center. However, as will be easily understood, the present invention can be applied in a simple and straightforward way also to more complex public lighting networks, for example provided with more electrical cabins, each connected to a respective operating center or to the same operating center, each cabin being configured to power a respective plurality of lighting poles, installed within a respective geographical area. The present invention can be advantageously applied also to public lighting networks provided with more electrical cabins, each one of them being configured to power a respective plurality of lighting poles installed in a respective geographical area, wherein the electrical cabins can be connected to each other, for remote control purposes, through a cable, for example comprising an optical fibre or through a radio communication on a specific service communication channel, different from the channel traditionally used for communication with an operating center. In this second configuration, one of the electrical cabins above is in turn connected to the operating center.

It is also provided that in the present description and in the following claims, with the term "interface group" at least one set of physical/logical component is intended, which allow information (signal) exchange between two or more devices.

Moreover, it is specified that in the conventional public lighting network, for the purposes of the present invention and as will be read below, the term "primary pole" is aimed at indicating the lighting pole or more lighting poles of the public lighting network that is/are closer to the electrical cabin that powers it/them, or however easier to connect thereto (being it/them typically at a distance from the electrical cabin that is shorter that or equal to few the meters, optionally not more that 60 m, more optionally not more that 40 m). Instead, the term "secondary pole" refers to each lighting pole of the public lighting network, which is in the same geographical area and is powered by the same electrical cabin above, which is however at a greater distance therefrom, with respect to the respective "primary pole" or that can be connected to the secondary cabin in a more difficult way with respect to the "primary pole"-

With reference now to Figures 1 to 4, it will be noted that a system for communication and management of data according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference number 1 and is in particular configured to be applied to a public lighting network, which public lighting network comprises: at least one primary pole PI and at least one secondary pole P2, and at least one electrical cabin EC configured to power each lighting pole (PI, P2) of the public lighting network, through a suitable distribution line L.

As is known, the electrical cabin EC dedicated to the powering of the traditional public lighting network is configured to detect at least one parameter regarding the operation thereof (indicated also as operating parameter PEC). The traditional public lighting network, to which the system 1 according to the invention can be applied, comprises also at least one operating center OC, remotely located with respect to the at least one electrical cabin EC and to the lighting poles powered thereby

The system 1 of the present invention comprises at least one first apparatus 10, each configured to be mounted on a respective primary pole PI of the lighting network, comprising at least one first detecting group 11, which detecting group is in turn configured to detect at least one first parameter pi, which will be better explained in the following. Each first apparatus 10 also comprises at least one first interface group 12, configured to put into communication the first apparatus 10 with the outside and transmit at least the first parameter pi on at least one communication network, which will also be discussed in greater detail below.

The system 1 of the present invention comprises at least one second apparatus 20, configured to be mounted on at least one secondary pole P2 and comprising at least one second detecting group 21, which detecting group is in turn configured to detect at least one second parameter p2, which will be better explained in the following. Each second apparatus 20 also comprises at least one second interface group 22, configured to put into communication the second apparatus 20 with the outside and transmit at least the second parameter p2 on at least another communication network, which will also be discussed in greater detail below.

Advantageously, the system 1 of the present invention comprises at least one third apparatus 30 (only one in the figures), configured to be operatively connected to the at least one electrical cabin EC and comprising at least one third interface group 32. The third interface group 32 is configured for putting into communication the electrical cabin EC with at least one first apparatus 10, through the first interface group 12 thereof, on said at least one communication network, and transmitting, on said at least one communication network, said at least one operating parameter (PEC).

The system 1 of the present invention also comprises at least one fourth apparatus 40 (only one in the Figures), configured to be operatively connected to the at least one operating center OC and comprising at least one fourth interface group 42. The fourth interface group 42 is configured to put into communication the operating center OC with each first apparatus 10 and each second apparatus 20, through the respective interface groups 12, 22, on at least one of the respective aforesaid communication networks.

More specifically, with reference to the at least one communication network of the first apparatus 10, the first interface group 12 of each first apparatus 10 is configured to put into communication each first apparatus 10:

- with the electrical cabin EC, on at least one first communication network Nl, through the third interface group 32 operatively connected thereto,

- with at least one second apparatus 20, on at least one second communication network N2, through the second interface group 22 thereof, and

- with the operating center OC, on at least one third communication network N3, through the fourth interface group 42 operatively connected thereto.

Similarly, with reference to the at least one other communication network of the second apparatus 20, the second interface group 22 of each second apparatus 20 is configured to put into communication each second apparatus 20:

- with at least one first apparatus 10, on the second communication network N2, through the first interface group 12 thereof, and

- with the operating center OC, on at least one fourth communication network N4, through the fourth interface group 42 operatively connected thereto. Clearly, the third interface group 32 of each third apparatus 30 is configured to put into communication the electrical cabin EC operatively connected thereto with at least one first apparatus 10, on the aforementioned first communication network Nl, through the first interface group 12 thereof, and the fourth interface group 42 of each fourth apparatus 40 is configured to put into communication the operating center OC operatively connected thereto:

- with each first apparatus 10, on the third communication network N3 above, through the first interface group 12 thereof, and

- with each second apparatus 20, on the fourth communication network N4 above, through the second interface group 22 thereof.

With such an architecture of the system 1 of the present invention, represented for example in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it is possible to advantageously transmit to the operating center OC, on the third communication network N3:

- at least one first parameter pi, when detected by the detecting group 11 of a first apparatus 10; and/or

- at least one second parameter p2, when detected by the detecting group 22 of a second apparatus 20, after the second parameter p2 is transmitted to the first apparatus 10 via at least one second communication network N2; and/or

- at least one operating parameter P _EC , when detected by at least one electrical cabin EC, after said operating parameter P _EC is transmitted to at least one first apparatus 10 via said at least one first communication network Nl.

Advantageously, the first communication network Nl is a wired network comprising at least one copper cable. In this case, the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 comprises, for example, at least one input-output port, optionally comprising at least one RJ45 connector connected to a network Ethernet card and, correspondingly, the third interface group 32, operatively connected to the electrical cabin EC, comprises at least one corresponding input-output port, optionally comprising at least one RJ45 connector connected to a corresponding network Ethernet card. Clearly, the person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in understanding how other configurations of the interface groups 12 and 32 are possible, as long as they allow the operational coupling between the first apparatus 10 and the electrical cabin EC through the aforementioned copper cable.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the second communication network N2 is instead a wireless network, for example of the LoRaWAN type and/or a network of the WM-bus type, optionally at a frequency of about 868 MHz or at a frequency of about 169MHz or about 433MHz, in any case, at a so-called "unlicensed" frequency, so that the first interface group 12 of each first apparatus 10 can also comprise at least one corresponding gateway module, LoRaWAN for example, and/or at least one optionally single-channel transceiver WM-bus Unit at the corresponding frequency indicated above (equal to about 868 MHz or about 169MHz or about 433MHz), while each second interface group 22 of each second apparatus 20 can comprise, for example, at least one radio transceiver Unit at the aforementioned corresponding frequency (for example 868MHz, or 169MHz or 433MHZ), operationally connected to at least one antenna, optionally integrated on the electronic board. Clearly, in this case also, the skilled person will have no difficulty in understanding how other configurations of the first interface group 12 and second interface group 22 are possible, as long as they allow the operational coupling between the first apparatus 10 and the second apparatus 20 on a corresponding wireless communication network.

The LoRaWAN gateway module on each first apparatus 10 advantageously allows the first apparatus 10 to implement the LoRaWAN gateway functionality. In this way, each second apparatus 20, as well as any standard LoRaWAN sensor that is in the area, for example located near a primary pole on which a first apparatus 10 is mounted - i.e., for example, installed on a neighbouring building, in a parking lot, on a sign nearby, etc. - can be put into contact, through the second communication network N2 with the first apparatus 10 of system 1 and, for example, through the third communication network N3, with the fourth apparatus 40 operatively connected in turn to the operating center OC, for the provision of services to other operators.

With reference to the transceiver WM-bus Unit, it allows the first apparatus 10 to implement data collection functions from corresponding WM-bus sensors that are in its proximity, for example comprised in the second detecting group 21 of each second apparatus 20 or, as in the case of the LoRaWAN gateway module, located near a primary pole on which a first apparatus 10 is mounted - i.e., for example, installed on a neighbouring building, a parking lot, a nearby sign, etc.

The third communication network N3 that can be used by the system 1 of the present invention is a communication network, for example a radio communication network, optionally of the 4G type, so that each first interface group 12 of each first apparatus 10 can also comprise at least one corresponding modem unit, optionally a 4G modem unit, and each fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 can comprise at least one corresponding transceiver device connected to at least one network server 43, optionally of the LoRaWAN type. Clearly, the skilled person will have no difficulty in understanding how other types of networks could be implemented for the third communication network N3, for example a public or private communication network, for example also in optical fibre, allowing operative coupling between the first interface group 12 and the fourth interface group 42. Clearly, based on the type of the third communication network N3 and the corresponding implemented technology, other configurations of the first interface group 12 and fourth interface group 42 can also be used, provided that they allow operational coupling between the first apparatus 10 and the operating center OC on the third communication network N3.

The fourth communication network N4 that can be used by the system 1 of the present invention can be a radio communication network, for example of the NB-loT or LTE Ml type, so that each second interface group 22 of each second apparatus 20 can also comprise at least one corresponding modem unit, optionally one NB-loT or LTE Ml modem unit, and each fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 can comprise at least one corresponding transceiver device connected to at least one web or http server 44. In this case also, the skilled person will have no difficulty in understanding how other types of radio networks could be implemented for the fourth communication network N4, for example a public or private communication network, of one type suitable for allowing operative coupling between the second interface group 22 and the fourth interface group 42. Clearly, based on the type of the fourth communication network N4 and the corresponding implemented radio technology, other configurations of the second interface group 22 and fourth interface group 42 can also be used, provided that they allow the operational coupling between the second apparatus 20 and the operating center OC on the fourth radio communication network N4.

With reference to the communication networks indicated above, it should be taken into account that they advantageously allow to be not bound to a single communication technology between the various components of the system 1 of the invention, so that the possibility of effectively communicating and managing data there between gets higher.

In fact, for example, each second apparatus 20 can simultaneously integrate two or more communication technologies which are completely different from each other both with reference to the supplying subject and the architecture. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in fact, the communications at the frequency, for example, of 868 MHz on the second communication network N2 occur in the free band and the entire infrastructure of the communication network could be under direct management of the applicant of the present application, while the NB-loT/LTE Ml communication technology implemented by the fourth communication network N4 is a newborn service that will be provided by telephone operators with proprietary networks on licensed frequencies (in Figure 1, as can be seen, the fourth communication N4, as well as the third communication network N3, are supported by one RS repeater station of a telephone operator).

A further advantage due to the particular configuration of each first apparatus 10 and each second apparatus 20 of the system 1 of the invention, allowing information to be transmitted (i.e. at least the first parameter p2) on a LoRaWAN type network, is the possibility of providing access to that network, if necessary or desirable, also to third parties for the implementation of specific applications, for example, for surveillance and/or environmental monitoring.

The advantages of LoRaWAN transmission technology over the use of WM-bus technology are, for example, that: LoRaWAN modulation, while being in the same frequency, for example, of the 868 MHz communication, allows Long Range connections, compared to WM-bus connections. By way of illustration, for example, an open field comparison could be that with a WM-bus type network a signal can be transmitted at a maximum distance of a few hundred meters, while with the LoRaWAN communication technology the transmission can occur over a maximum distance of few kilometres. This turns, in the city, into a greater penetration and the ability to overcome obstacles and reduce interference by LoRaWAN technology compared to WM-bus, during the transmission of information between components of the system 1 of the invention.

Furthermore, the WM-bus communication protocol is a protocol exclusively dedicated to the metering of meters (for example, gas, water, light meters) while the LoRaWAN technology is based on a protocol dedicated to generic loT fields, fully configurable and customizable based on the intended use.

In any case, based on the architecture of system 1, the implementation and/or use of devices with both WM-bus - LoRaWAN technologies is possible for cases wherein it is desired to improve the probability that a second apparatus 20 is able to communicate with the closest first apparatus 10, on a second communication network N2, for example for the transmission thereto of a second detected parameter p2.

According to a further variant of the system 1 of the invention, the radio transceiver unit of a second apparatus 20 can natively support, at the hardware level, LoRaWAN and/or WM-bus modulation.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the interface group 22 of each second apparatus 20 can be a configurable system whose entire firmware/software or optionally part thereof can be updated or replaced by means of a remote communication, by the operating center OC. In fact, as can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the communication networks N3, N2 and N4 allow, in an obvious way for the skilled person, the transmission of at least one third configuration/update parameter (p3), from the operating center OC to each second apparatus 20, for configuring/updating its firmware or for configuring/updating each of its components.

Analogously, the first interface group 12 of each first apparatus 10 can be a configurable system, where the entire firmware/software thereof or optionally one part thereof can be updated or replaced through a remote communication, for example output by the operating center OC. Communication networks N3 allows, in fact, in an obvious way for the skilled person, the transmission of at least one fourth configuration/update parameter (p4), from the operating center OC to each first apparatus 10, for configuring/updating its firmware or for configuring/updating each one of its components.

So, again, the third interface group 32 of each third apparatus 30 can be a configurable system, where the entire firmware/software thereof or optionally one part thereof can be updated or replaced through a remote communication, for example output by the operating center OC. In fact, as can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the communication networks N3 and N1 allow, in an obvious way for the skilled person, the transmission of at least one fifth configuration/update parameter (p5), from the operating center OC to each third apparatus 30, for configuring/updating its firmware or for configuring/updating each of its components.

In light of this, it is quite clear that the architecture of system 1 of the present invention, as represented for example in Figures 1, 2 and 3, advantageously allows the operating center OC to transmit:

- at least one third configuration/update parameter p3, to a second apparatus 20, on the third communication network N3 and then on the second communication network N2 or directly on the fourth communication network N4; and/or

- at least one fourth configuration/update parameter p4, to a first apparatus 10, on the third communication network N3; and/or

- at least one fifth configuration/update parameter p5, to a third apparatus 30, on the third communication network N3 and then on the first communication network Nl.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, each first apparatus 10 is configured to be powered by a dedicated power line, derived directly from the electrical cabin EC and separated from the traditional distribution line L of the public lighting system. In Figure 1 there is illustrated, purely by way of example and not limitation, an electrical branch LI that leads directly from the electrical substation to a pit Al, positioned at the base of the corresponding primary pole PI and wherein a dedicated power supply is housed, optionally an industrial power supply, optionally a watertight one, for powering a first apparatus 10, which power supply Al is in turn connected by means of another branch L2 to a control panel A2 of the dedicated power supply, and by means of a further branch L3 to the apparatus 10.

In the system 1 of the present invention, unlike each first apparatus 10, each second apparatus 20 is configured to be powered by the electrical cabin EC, through the traditional distribution line L, optionally in parallel with respect to or coinciding with the power supply line of the light source or light sources carried by the secondary pole P2, on which the system can be mounted. In this case, each second apparatus 20 of the system 1 of the invention comprises at least one battery (not shown in the drawings), optionally of the rechargeable type, configured to guarantee the power supply of the second apparatus 20 when the distribution line L is inactive, for example during the day, when the respective secondary lighting pole P2 is not powered or in case of a fault of the distribution line L.

According to a variant of the present invention, the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 can also be configured to put the respective electrical cabin EC directly in communication with the operating center OC, trough the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 to it, in turn operationally connected, on at least one fifth communication network N5. The fifth communication network N5 is optionally a wireless network, optionally of the 4G type or a wired network, optionally a fibre optic communication network, so that on this fifth communication network N5 it is possible to transmit to the operating center OC:

- at least one first parameter pi, when detected by at least one first apparatus 10 and after said at least one first parameter pi is transmitted to said at least one electrical cabin EC through the first communication network Nl; and/or

- at least one second parameter p2, when detected by at least one second apparatus 20, after said at least one second parameter p2 is transmitted to said at least one electrical cabin EC through the second communication network N2 and the first communication network Nl; and/or

- at least one P _EC operating parameter, when detected by the electrical substation EC.

Furthermore, it is quite clear that the variant of the architecture of the system 1 of the present invention advantageously allows the operating center OC to transmit:

- at least one third configuration/update parameter p3, to a second apparatus 20, on the fifth communication network N5, then on the first communication network Nl and then on the second communication network N2 or directly on the fourth communication network N4; and/or

- at least one fourth configuration/update parameter p4, to a first apparatus 10, on the fifth communication network N5, and then on the first communication network Nl; and/or

- at least one fifth configuration/update parameter p5, to a third apparatus 30, on the fifth communication network N5.

With reference to the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40, it comprises (see Figure 3), as already mentioned in part:

- at least one first network server 43, optionally of the LoRaWAN type, configured for communicating with said at least one first interface group 12 of each first apparatus 10, on the third communication network N3;

- at least one second web or http server 43, configured for communicating with each second interface group 22 of each second apparatus 20, on the fourth communication network N4; and

- at least one application server 46, connected to said at least one first network server 43 and to said at least one second web or http server 44, optionally through at least another MQTT (MQ Telemetry Transport) server 45, configured to receive and process information (i.e. at least parameter pi and/or p2 and/or P _EC ) forwarded by those servers and to transmit the configuration/update parameters (p3, p4 and p5) intended for the first apparatus 10, the second apparatus 20 and the third apparatus 30.

The fourth interface group 42 is also connected to at least one database server 47 included in the operating center OC, which is connected to said at least one application server 46.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, and as shown in Figure 4, the information (i.e. at least parameter pi and/or p2 and/or P _EC ) passes through a MQTT server before arriving at the application server 46.

According to a variant of the present invention, the fourth interface group 42 could comprise the second web server or http server 44 integrated on the application server 46 and, in this way, only the data flow (i.e. (at least the parameter pi and/or p2 and/or P _EC ) coming from the first network server 43 would enjoy the MQTT services. In this scenario, an architectural separation between the third and fourth communication network would be obtained, allowing a greater compartmentalization between the communications of the first 10 and second 20 apparatuses with the operating center OC. Naturally, the possibility of using the MQTT functionalities for communications arriving through the web server or http server 46 would be lost.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, each first detecting group 11 can comprise at least one sensor, for example at least one or more of:

- at least one presence sensor, optionally of the type configured for detecting microwaves;

- at least one sensor for sensing the illumination produced by the respective primary lighting pole, optionally at least one luxmeter;

- at least one position sensor, optionally at least one GPS sensor;

- at least one motion sensor, optionally one gyroscope having 6 axes;

- at least one ambient temperature sensor;

- at least one ambient humidity sensor;

- at least one atmospheric pressure sensor; and

- at least one sensor of one or more among a plurality of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or other pollutants; and

- at least one image acquisition device, optionally at least one video camera; so that, said at least one first parameter pi may include one or more among: an indicator of presence, an indicator of the illumination produced by said at least one primary lighting pole PI, at least one indicator of the position of the respective primary lighting pole PI with respect to a global positioning system, at least one indicator of the position of the respective primary pole with respect to the ground from which that primary pole extends, and at least one indicator of the ambient temperature, ambient humidity, atmospheric pressure and quantity of one or more among a plurality of Nitrogen Oxides or other pollutants detected in the vicinity of the respective primary lighting pole PI, at least one image, both static or dynamic of one region of space in the vicinity of the primary pole PI.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, each second detecting group 21 can comprise at least one sensor, optionally one or more between:

- at least one presence sensor, optionally of the type configured for detecting microwaves;

- at least one sensor for sensing the illumination produced by the respective secondary lighting pole, optionally at least one luxmeter;

- at least one position sensor, optionally at least one GPS sensor;

- at least one motion sensor, optionally one gyroscope having 6 axes;

- at least one ambient temperature sensor;

- at least one ambient humidity sensor;

- at least one atmospheric pressure sensor. whereby each second parameter p2 can comprise one or more of: a presence indicator in the vicinity of the secondary pole on which the second apparatus 20 is mounted, an indicator of the illumination produced by the respective secondary pole P2, at least one indicator of the position of the secondary pole P2 with respect to a global positioning system, at least one indicator of the position of the secondary pole P2 with respect to the ground from which the secondary pole extends, and at least one indicator of the ambient temperature, humidity and pressure in the vicinity of such secondary pole P2.

The system 1 as described above is very simple to use according to the method 100 described below and represented in Figure 5, which also forms part of the present invention.

That method concerns the operation of a system 1 as described above, when installed on a public lighting network which comprises at least one primary lighting pole PI and at least one secondary lighting pole P2, at least one electrical cabin EC for powering each lighting pole (PI, P2) of said lighting network through a distribution line L, wherein the at least one electrical cabin EC is configured to detect at least one of its operating parameters P _EC , and at least one operating center OC, located remotely from the at least one electrical cabin EC. The method of the present invention includes at least the following operating steps of:

A. arranging at least one system (1) as described above and activating the first detection group 11 of said first apparatus 10, and/or said at least one second detection group 21 of said second apparatus 20, thus detecting at least one first parameter pi and/or at least one second parameter p2;

B. if the second interface group 22 of the second apparatus 20 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of system 1 are configured for directly putting into communication, on at least one second communication network N2, the first apparatus 10 and the second apparatus 20 with each other:

B.l transmitting the at least one second parameter p2, if available, to the at least one first apparatus 10 on the second communication network N2, through the second interface group 22 of the at least one second apparatus 20 and the first interface group 12 of the at least one first apparatus 10; and

C.l if the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 and the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 of system 1 are configured to directly put the electrical cabin EC and the operating center OC into communication with each other, on at least one fifth communication network N5:

D.l transmitting the at least one second parameter p2 and/or the at least one first parameter pi to the at least one electrical cabin EC, through the at least one first communication network Nl; and

D.2 transmitting the at least one second parameter p2 and/or the at least one first parameter pi and, if available, said at least one operating parameter P _EC to said at least one operating center OC, through said at least one fifth communication network N5; otherwise

D.3 transmitting, if available, said at least one operating parameter P _EC to at least one first apparatus 10, through the at least one first communication network Nl; and D.4 if the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 and the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 of system 1 are configured to directly put into communication, on at least one third communication network N3, the first apparatus 10 and said the operating center OC with each other, transmitting said at least one second parameter p2 and/or said at least one first parameter pi and/or the at least one operating parameter P _EC to the at least one operating center OC, through the at least one third communication network N3.

As highlighted above, the method of the present invention is configured in such a way that the transmission of the detected parameters (pi and/or p2 and/or P _EC ) to the operating center OC occurs via the fifth communication network N5, if implemented by the system and, otherwise, through the third communication network N3.

According to a further preferred variant of the method of the present invention, the transmission of each second parameter p2 to the operating center OC preferably occurs through the second communication network N2 and, alternatively, through the fourth communication network N4, so that:

B. if the second interface group 22 of the second apparatus 20 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of system 1 are not configured for directly putting into communication, on at least one second communication network N2, the first apparatus 10 and the second apparatus 20 with each other:

B.2 transmitting the at least one second parameter p2, if available, to the at least one operating center OC on the fourth communication network N4, through the second interface group 22 of the at least one second apparatus 20 and the fourth interface group 42 operatively connected to the operating center; and

C.2 if the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 and the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 of system 1 are configured to directly put the electrical cabin EC and the operating center OC into communication with each other, on at least one fifth communication network N5:

D.5 transmitting the at least one first parameter pi to said at least one electrical cabin EC, through the at least one first communication network Nl; and

D.6 transmitting the at least one first parameter pi and, if available, the at least one operating parameter P _EC to said at least one operating center OC, through the at least one fifth communication network N5; otherwise

D.7 transmitting, if available, said at least one operating parameter P _EC to at least one first apparatus 10, through the at least one first communication network Nl; and D.8 if the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 and the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 of system 1 are configured to directly put into communication, on at least one third communication network N3, the first apparatus 10 and the operating center with each other, transmitting the at least one first parameter pi and/or the at least one operating parameter P _EC to the at least one operating center OC, through the at least one third communication network N3. According to a further variant of the method of the present invention, in a completely similar way to what described above, the transmission of each second parameter p2 to the operating center OC preferably occurs through the fourth communication network N4 and, alternatively, through the second communication network N2.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the second communication network N2 could be used for default connections, while the communication via the fourth communication network N4 could be advantageously used as an automatic backup channel and as a firmware update channel (for transmission of at least one configuration/update parameter p3).

According to the additional variant above of the method of the present invention, the fourth communication network N4 could be used for default connections, while the communication via the second communication network N2 could be advantageously used as an automatic backup channel and as a firmware update channel (for transmission of at least one configuration/update parameter p3). In any case, the communication on the fourth communication network N4 will include an http post directly addressed to the central web application of the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 of system 1.

In the other case, wherein parameter p2 is transmitted to a first apparatus 10, each first apparatus 10, after having received the second parameter p2, transmits it in turn to the electrical cabin EC on a first communication network N1 and, if the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 connected to the electrical cabin EC and the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 connected to the operating center OC are configured to implement one communication on a fifth communication network N5. Alternatively, it transmits it directly to the operating center OC via the communication network N3.

According to a further aspect of the method of the present invention, the method comprises transmitting, by the operating center OC, at least one fourth configuration/update parameter p4 to the first apparatus 10, on the third communication network N3, if the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of system 1 are configured to directly put into communication the operating center OC and the first apparatus with each other, on at least one third communication network N3.

Furthermore, if the second interface group 22 of the second apparatus 20 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of system 1 are configured to directly put the first apparatus 10 and the second apparatus 20 into communication with each other, on at least one second communication network N2, the method 100 also comprises transmitting, by the operating center OC, at least one third configuration/update parameter p3, to a second apparatus 20, on the third communication network N3 and then on the second communication network N2.

Alternatively or in addition, if the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 and the second interface group 22 of the second apparatus 20 of system 1 are configured to directly put into communication the operating center OC and the second apparatus 20 with each other, on at least one fourth communication network N4, the method 100 also comprises transmitting, by the operating center OC, at least one third configuration/update parameter p3, to a second apparatus 20, directly on the fourth communication network N4.

Furthermore, if the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of the system 1 are configured to put directly into communicate with each other, on at least one third communication network N3, the operating center OC and the first apparatus and if the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 and the first interface group 12 of the first apparatus 10 of system 1 are also configured to put directly into communication with each other, on at least one first communication network Nl, the first apparatus 10 and the third apparatus 30, the method 100 of the present invention comprises transmitting, by the operating center OC, at least one fifth configuration/update parameter p5, to a third apparatus 30, on the third communication network N3 and then on the first communication network Nl.

Alternatively or in addition, if the fourth interface group 42 of the fourth apparatus 40 and the third interface group 32 of the third apparatus 30 of system 1 are configured to directly put into communication the operating center OC and the third apparatus 30 with each other, on at least one fifth communication network N5, the method of the present invention also comprises transmitting, by the operating center OC, at least one fifth configuration/update parameter p5, to a third apparatus 30, directly on the fifth communication network N5.

The advantages offered by the integrated system 1 and the method according to the invention are evident.

In particular, without need to replace the lighting poles of an already existing lighting network with so-called "smart" lighting poles and by simply installing the aforementioned first 10 and second 20, third BO and fourth 40 apparatuses, it is possible to allow, in a simple, reliable and efficient way detecting parameters pi, p2 through respective detection groups and transmitting and managing service information relating both to the public lighting network and the surrounding environment (parameters pi, p2 and PEC), which parameters can be used also for environmental surveillance and/or monitoring by various operators in the field.

Not only that, the operating method is simple and makes it possible to provide a plurality of communication networks between the several components of the system, which communication network allow adapting the transmission of detected parameters to the particular configurations of the public lighting network and to the presence of physical obstacles in the field.

In the foregoing the preferred embodiments were described and some modifications of the present invention were suggested, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make modifications and changes without departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the appended claims. Thus, for example, system 1 of the present invention can allow a first apparatus 10 to communicate with another first apparatus 10'(not shown in the drawings), through the operating center OC and the communication networks N3 connecting the operating center to each one of the aforesaid first apparatuses 10, 10'. Alternatively, each first apparatus 10 can communicate directly with another first apparatus 10', since the respective first interface groups 12 can be configured for this purpose, for example through transmission, by the operating center OC of suitable fourth configuration parameters p4.