Distributed computing environment via a plurality of regularly spaced, aerially mounted wireless smart sensor networking devices

Abstract

A networking device includes a light sensor, a processor module, a communication module, and a connector. The processor module is arranged to provide a light control signal based on at least one ambient light signal generated by the light sensor, and to obtain a distributed computing result based on a distributed computing task. The communication module is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result according to a data communication standard. The connector is compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body. For example, the connector may be compliant with ANSI C136.41-2013. The processor module may be arranged to provide the light control signal based on the distributed computing result, or a received message that is generated based on a plurality of distributed computing results.

1 . A networking device, comprising:
 a light sensor;   a processor module arranged to provide a light control signal based on at least one ambient light signal generated by the light sensor, and to obtain a distributed computing result based on a distributed computing task;   a communication module arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result according to a data communication standard; and   a connector compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body.   
     
     
         2 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor module is arranged to obtain the distributed computing result based on the distributed computing task in response to determining that a utilization of the processor module is below a threshold value. 
     
     
         3 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using a powerline. 
     
     
         4 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using a cellular-based network controlled by a mobile network operator (MNO). 
     
     
         5 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result according to a wireless data communication standard. 
     
     
         6 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using infrared-based communications. 
     
     
         7 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is compliant with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C136. 
     
     
         8 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes:
 at least three pin structures, the at least three pin structures arranged for removable electromechanical coupling to a streetlight fixture administered by a government entity.   
     
     
         9 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor module is arranged to provide the light control signal based on the distributed computing result. 
     
     
         10 . The networking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is arranged to receive a message generated based on the distributed computing result, and the processor module is arranged to provide the light control signal based on the message. 
     
     
         11 . A distributed computing system, comprising:
 a plurality of networking devices, each of the networking devices including;
 a light sensor; 
 a processor module arranged to provide a light control signal based on at least one ambient light signal generated by the light sensor, and to obtain a distributed computing result based on a distributed computing task; 
 a communication module arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result according to a data communication standard; and 
 a connector compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body. 
   
     
     
         12 . The distributed computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the communication module of at least some of the networking devices is arranged to participate in a mesh network, to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result over the mesh network. 
     
     
         13 . The distributed computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor module of each of the networking devices is arranged to obtain the distributed computing result based on the distributed computing task in response to determining that a utilization of the processor module is below a threshold value. 
     
     
         14 . The distributed computing system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the communication module of at least one of the networking devices is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using a powerline,   the communication module of at least one of the networking devices is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using a cellular-based network controlled by a mobile network operator (MNO),   the communication module of at least one of the networking devices is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using a wireless communication standard, and   the communication module of at least one of the networking devices is arranged to receive the distributed computing task and to transmit the distributed computing result using infrared-based communications.   
     
     
         15 . The distributed computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each of the networking devices is compliant with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C 136 . 
     
     
         16 . The distributed computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each of the networking devices includes:
 at least three pin structures, the at least three pin structures arranged for removable electromechanical coupling to a streetlight fixture administered by a government entity.   
     
     
         17 . The networking device of  claim 11 , wherein the communication module of at least one of the networking devices is arranged to receive a message generated based on the distributed computing result, and the processor module of the at least one of the networking devices is arranged to provide the light control signal based on the message. 
     
     
         18 . A method performed by a networking device having at least one light sensor and at least one communication module electronically coupled thereto, the method comprising:
 controlling a light output of a light source based on at least one ambient light signal generated by the light sensor;   receiving a distributed computing task using the at least one communication module;   obtaining a distributed computing result based on the distributed computing task; and   transmitting the distributed computing result using the at least one communication module.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 coupling the networking device to a streetlight fixture via a connector that is compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 obtaining a final result based on a plurality of distributed computing results;   generating a message based on the final result;   transmitting the message; and   controlling the light output of the light source based on the message.