EP3580998B1

EP3580998B1 - Lighting apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: EP3580998B1
Application number: EP18704292.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Wilkes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-16
Filing date: 2018-02-05
Publication date: 2023-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-05
Also published as: GB201702501D0; EP3580998A1; WO2018150158A1

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the disclosure relate to a system comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

There are a large number of lighting devices available in which a user directly controls the light source, for instance, by actuating a switch.
There is though a requirement to provide improved lighting apparatus and systems which are interactive and are controllable by a range of user actions. JP2002260875 , JP2004259657 , US2003/057887 , US2015/084928 , WO2006/056814 , US2010/103649 , WO2011/033433 , EP2312198 , US2004/240229 , and US2016/234892 disclose lighting apparatus.
WO 2014/147524 A1 discloses a light management information system for an outdoor lighting network system, having a plurality of outdoor light units.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention is defined by a system comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus, as defined in claim 1. Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
According to examples of the invention there is provided a system comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus, each interconnected lighting apparatus comprising: a plurality of lighting units, each lighting unit comprising: a light source, a paired IR transmitter and IR receiver; the IR transmitter being configured to emit an IR signal and the IR receiver being configured to receive the IR signal reflected from a surface, the IR signal having a different signal pattern for each respective paired IR transmitter and receiver of each of the plurality of lighting units; each interconnected lighting apparatus also comprising a processor, the processor being configured for each of the plurality of lighting units to output one or more control signals to illuminate the light source in response to the IR receiver receiving the reflected IR signal, wherein in response to an IR receiver of a one of the lighting units of a one of the interconnected lighting apparatus in the system receiving a reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter, the processor of that interconnected lighting apparatus is configured to output one or more control signals to the processor of any of the other of the interconnected lighting apparatus in the system to illuminate the light source of any of the plurality of lighting units of the interconnected lighting apparatus comprising the processor receiving the one or more control signals.
Possibly, for each of the interconnected lighting apparatus the processor is configured for each of the plurality of lighting units to illuminate the light source in response to the IR receiver receiving the reflected IR signal for a predefined period of time, or for a predefined period of time and then causing the light source to fade out over a second predefined period of time, or only whilst a reflected signal is being received by the IR receiver, or until the IR receiver receives a second reflected IR signal distinct from the first reflected IR signal.
Possibly, the plurality of lighting units of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus are arranged in a regular pattern.
Possibly, each of the plurality of lighting units of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources, the processor being configured to output one or more control signals to control collectively the plurality of light sources in response to the IR receiver receiving the reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter.
Possibly, the IR receiver of each of the lighting units of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus is located in an opening in the lighting apparatus below the outer surface of the lighting apparatus such that the reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter is receivable by the IR receiver through the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a lighting apparatus viewed from above;
Fig. 2 illustrates the lighting apparatus of Fig. 1 viewed from below;
Fig. 3 illustrates the lighting apparatus of Fig. 1 viewed from a side;
Fig. 4 illustrates the lighting apparatus of Fig. 1 viewed from a side in cross section;
Fig.5 illustrates a system;
Fig. 6 illustrates a lighting apparatus comprising a sensor; and
Fig. 7 illustrates a system comprising a lighting apparatus comprising a sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures illustrate a lighting apparatus 10. The lighting apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of lighting units 12. For illustrative purposes only, a one of the plurality of lighting units 12 is demarcated with dotted in lines in Fig. 1. Each lighting unit 12 comprises a light source 14 and a paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the IR transmitter 16 is configured to emit an IR signal 20 and the IR receiver 18 is configured to receive the IR signal 20 reflected from a surface 22.
The IR signal 20 is different for each of the plurality of lighting units 12. The paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18 of each respective lighting unit 12 may be configured to respectively emit and receive an IR signal 20 which has a different signal pattern to any of the other paired IR transmitters 16 and IR receivers 18 of any of the other lighting units 12. Each respective paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18 is therefore distinguishable. Each respective signal pattern may comprise a different on-off pattern of the IR signal 20. Accordingly, the IR signal 20 for each respective paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18 may be defined by a series of IR pulses, and the duration of each pulse.
Accordingly, a receiver 18 only recognizes a reflected IR signal originating from its paired IR transmitter 16. A reflected IR signal is therefore identifiable by the processor as belonging to a particular paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18. Cross contamination of reflected IR signals from different lighting units 12 or the light source 12 is therefore avoided.
The lighting apparatus 10 also comprises a processor 24 (illustrated in Fig. 2). The processor 24 is configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal. The lighting apparatus 10 is therefore interactive by way of the processor 24 such that a user can interact with the lighting apparatus 10 to control the lighting source 12.
The processor 24 may be configured to set a different signal pattern for each paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18.
Accordingly, the processor 24 may be configured such that it may control the signal applied to each paired IR transmitter and receiver 16, 18 such that each paired IR transmitter and receiver 16, 18 has a signal that is unique to that paired IR transmitter and receiver 16, 18.
The processor 24 may be configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 by illuminating the light source 14. The processor 24 may be configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 by illuminating the light source 14 for a predefined period of time.
Alternatively, the processor 24 may be configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 by illuminating the light source 14 for a predefined period of time, and then causing the light source 14 to fade out over a second predefined period of time.
Alternatively, the processor 24 may be configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 by illuminating the light source 14 only whilst a reflected signal 20 is being received by the IR receiver 18.
Alternatively, the processor 24 may be configured for each of the plurality of lighting units 12 to control the light source 14 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 by illuminating the light source 14 until the IR receiver 18 receives a second reflected IR signal 20 distinct from the first reflected IR signal 20.
The processor 24 may be programmable to allow a user to select any of the operations described in the above four paragraphs.
The processor 24 may be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 in response to an IR receiver 18 of a one of the lighting units 12 receiving a reflected IR signal 20 from the paired IR transmitter 16. The processor 24 may also be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 in response to an IR receiver 18 of a one of the lighting units 12 receiving a reflected IR signal 20 from the paired IR transmitter 16, according to a predefined sequence.
The predefined sequence may be that a light source 14 of one or more of a first set of lighting units 12 illuminates for a predefined period of time followed by the light source 14 of one or more of a second set of lighting units 12 illuminating for a predefined period of time. The predefined sequence may comprise a plurality of sets of lighting units 14. The plurality of sets of lighting units 14 may be arranged such that each successive set is adjacent the previous set.
The processor 24 may be programmable to allow a user to select any of the operations described in the above paragraph.
By way of example, the IR receiver 18 of the lighting unit 12 demarcated in Fig. 1 may receive a reflected IR signal 20 from the paired IR transmitter 16, for instance reflected from a person's hand in front of the lighting apparatus 10, the persons hand providing the surface 22. The processor 24 may be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of the lighting unit 12 demarcated in Fig. 1 such that the light source 14 illuminates for a predefined period of time. In a predefined sequence, the processor 24 may then be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of the lighting unit 12 adjacent the lighting unit 12 demarcated in Fig. 1 such that its light source 14 illuminates for a predefined period of time once the light source 14 of the demarcated lighting unit has stopped illuminating. This sequence, which may simultaneously involve a plurality of lighting units 12, may continue across the lighting apparatus 10 such that a wave is propagated which may be circular or linear, or any other pattern.
In the above example, the surface 22 from which the IR signal 20 is reflected could be any object located proximal to the lighting apparatus, or on the lighting apparatus. The surface may, for example, be provided by an object, such as a cup, placed on the lighting apparatus or on a transparent surface such that direct contact is not necessary.
The plurality of lighting units 12 may be arranged in a regular pattern, and may be arranged in a grid. Each lighting apparatus 10 may comprise sixteen lighting units 12. In some examples there may be a minimum of sixteen lighting units 12.
The processor 24 may be configured to control the colour and/or brightness of the light source. The processor is configured to allow at least 250,000 different colours and at least 10,000 different brightness levels.
The light source 14 may comprise an LED. Alternatively, the light source 14 may comprise an RGB (Red Green Blue) LED.
Each of the plurality of lighting units 12 may comprise a plurality of light sources 14, the processor 24 being configured to output one or more control signals to control collectively the plurality of light sources 12 in response to the IR receiver 18 receiving the reflected IR signal 20 from the paired IR transmitter 16. In some examples, the processor 24 is configured to output one or more control signals to control selectively a selection of the plurality of light sources 14 of a lighting unit 12, for example an individual light source 14. Accordingly, in such examples the individual light sources 14 are selectively controllable. Accordingly, the processor 24 may be configured to control separately each of the plurality of light sources 14.
The plurality of light sources 14 in each respective lighting unit 12 may be arranged in a regular pattern, and may be arranged in a grid. Each lighting unit 12 may comprise four spaced light sources 14 arranged in a regular pattern. Each lighting unit 12 may comprise four spaced light sources 14 to one paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the IR receiver 18 may be located in an opening 26 in the lighting apparatus 10 below the outer surface 42 of the lighting apparatus 10 such that the reflected IR signal 20 from the paired IR transmitter 16 is receivable by the IR receiver 18 through the opening 26. The opening 26 defines a channel 28 through which the IR signal 20 must travel to reach the IR receiver 18. Accordingly, the IR receiver 18 is shielded from any direct IR signals from its paired IR transmitter, i.e. signals which have not been reflected form a surface, or from second or third hand reflected IR signals.
The channel 28 may extend completely through the lighting apparatus 10 such that there is an opening on each side of the lighting apparatus 10, the opening on the rear side of the lighting apparatus being closed by the IR receiver 18.
The processor 24 may be configured such that a reflected IR signal 20 received by the IR receiver 18 from the paired IR transmitter 16 is distinguishable from background IR signals. Such background IR signals may be from ambient heat sources such as incandescent lights or the sun. Accordingly, the sensitivity of the lighting apparatus can be maintained irrespective of the external conditions. This avoids a light source 14 being triggered by background IR signals.
The received IR signals may be constantly monitored for background IR, and the processor 24 may calibrate sensitivity according to this.
The lighting apparatus may comprise one or more connectors 30. The one or more connectors 30 may be configured to connect the lighting apparatus 10 to one or more further lighting apparatus 10 to provide a system 100 comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus 10. Such a system is illustrated in Fig. 5. The connectors 30 may be provided on each edge of the lighting apparatus 10.
In response to an IR receiver 18 of a one of the lighting units 12 of a one of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system 100 receiving a reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter 16, a processor 24 of that interconnected lighting apparatus 10 is configured to output one or more control signals to a processor 24 of any of the other of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system 100 to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 comprising the processor 24 receiving the one or more control signals.
The one or more control signals may be transmitted through connectors 30 and wires 40. Alternatively, the one or more control signals may be transmitted via wireless protocols.
In response to an IR receiver 18 of a one of the lighting units 12 of a one of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system 100 receiving a reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter 16, a processor 24 of that interconnected lighting apparatus 10 is configured to output one or more control signals to a processor 24 of any of the other of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system 100 to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 comprising the processor 24 receiving the one or more control signals, according to a predefined sequence.
The predefined sequence may be that a light source 14 of one or more of a first set of lighting units 14 illuminates for a predefined period of time followed by the light source 14 of one or more of a second set of lighting units 12 illuminating for a predefined period of time. The predefined sequence may comprise a plurality of sets of lighting units 12. The plurality of sets of lighting units 12 may be arranged such that each successive set is adjacent the previous set. Respective sets of lighting units 12 may be on the same or different interconnected lighting apparatus 10 of the system 100.
In view of the above, a system 100 comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus 10 can function in the same way as a single lighting apparatus 10. Accordingly, a sequence, which may simultaneously involve a plurality of lighting units 12 in one or more of the interconnected lighting apparatus 10 of the system 100, may continue across the system 100 such that a wave may propagated which may be circular or linear, or any other pattern. A wave may therefore be triggered by an IR receiver 18 of a lighting unit 12 of a lighting apparatus 10 in the top left hand corner of the system 100 of Fig. 5, and may propagate to a lighting unit 12 in the bottom right hand corner of the system 100 of Fig. 5. The system 100 may comprise any number of lighting apparatus 10. A system 100 could therefore extend over a large area, such as an internal or external wall of a building or a table, or a floor, or any other horizontal, vertical, curved or flat surface. The individual lighting apparatus 10 could though be relatively small such that the lighting apparatus 10 could be readily transported and stored.
The one or more connectors 30 may be configured to connect the lighting apparatus to other electronic devices.
As shown in Fig. 6, the lighting apparatus may comprise one or more sensors 32, which sensors 32 may be configured to detect any of: sound, motion, temperature, pressure, light, proximity of an object, biological parameters, time, smoke and/or fire, far infrared. The one or more sensors 32 may be connectable to the lighting apparatus 10 through one or more of the connectors 30. Alternatively, the one or more sensors 32 may be integral components of the lighting apparatus 10, or may be connected to the lighting apparatus 10 by any other means.
The processor 24 may be configured for each respective lighting unit 12 to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 in response to information received from the one or more sensors 32.
The processor 24 may be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 in response to information received from the one or more of sensors 32, which may be according to a predefined sequence.
As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus 10 of a system 100 may also comprise one or more sensors 32, which sensors 32 may be configured to detect any of: sound, motion, temperature, pressure, light, proximity of an object, biological parameters, time, smoke and/or fire, far infrared. The one or more sensors 32 may be connectable to the system 100 through one or more of the connectors 30 of an interconnected lighting apparatus 10 of the system 100. Alternatively, the one or more sensors 32 may be integral components of a lighting apparatus 10 of the system 100, or may be connected to an lighting apparatus 10 by any other means. A system 100 may comprise a one of any particular sensor 32.
A processor 24 of any of the plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system 100 may be configured to output one or more control signals to control the light source 14 of any of the plurality of lighting units 12 of any of the plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus 10 in the system in response to sensory information received from the one or more of sensors 32, which may be according to a predefined sequence.
The one or more control signals may be transmitted through connectors 30 and wires 40. Alternatively, the one or more control signals may be transmitted via wireless protocols.
The one or more sensors 32 may comprise a digital information systems input interface, for example, a connection to a computer. The lighting apparatus could be configured, for example, such that an update to a social media site causes a particular sequence of lighting units 12 to become illuminated.
The lighting apparatus 10 may be in the form of a panel. The lighting apparatus 10 may comprise formations 34 for mounting the lighting apparatus 10 to a surface.
The formations 34 may comprise through holes 36. Connectivity through the lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may be provided by electrically conductive elements, such as wires 40. Alternatively, connectivity through the lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may be via wireless protocols.
The lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may be operable by a controller, for instance to change the mode of operation, and/or colour, and or brightness of the light source 14, or pattern, or sensor input. The paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18 may be configured to operate intermittently.
The lighting apparatus may comprise a remote control IR (RC IR) receiver 19. During periods in which the paired IR transmitter 16 and IR receiver 18 is not operating, the RC IR receiver 19 may monitor for alternative IR signals, for instance, from the controller. Accordingly, the controller does not need to be aimed at any particular part of the lighting apparatus 10 or system 100.
Upon the beginning of a controller IR signal being detected the processor 24 may signal the IR transmitters 16 for the lighting apparatus 10 or the system 100 to not transmit for the duration of the signal and a period after the control signal ending to allow the IR control signal to be received more clearly.
The lighting apparatus 10 may comprise an inverter 38. In some examples, the inverter 38 is configured to provide a range of input power voltages to be allowed for powering the lighting apparatus 10.
There is thus described an lighting apparatus 10, system 100 and method with a number of advantages as detailed above and below. The lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 allow user interaction as detailed above. Furthermore, the lighting apparatus 10 is able to detect motion of a surface 22, which surface 22 may for instance be a person's hand or body or any other object, as the surface 22 moves past each of the respective lighting units 12 of the lighting apparatus 10. The lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may therefore be indirectly controllable by a user.
A lighting apparatus 10 comprising sixteen lighting units 12 would be more sensitive to the detection of motion than a lighting apparatus 10 of the same size comprising eight lighting units 12. Accordingly, it is possible to provide lighting apparatus 10 and systems 100 which are highly sensitive to motion by adjusting the number of lighting units 12.
The processor 24 is programmable such that once activated a lighting source 14 can illuminate for a period of time as required or selected. According, it would be possible, for instance, to write or draw on the lighting apparatus or system. Such markings could be retained until no longer required or for a predefined period of time.
Furthermore, the different lighting units 12 of the lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 communicate as discussed above such that no fixed coordination system is required. Any of the lighting units 12 of the lighting apparatus 10 or interconnected lighting apparatus 10 of the system 100 could be the first in a sequence, for example, to provide a wave as discussed above. Accordingly, there is no requirement, for instance in a system 100, to ensure that a particular lighting apparatus 10 is placed in a particular predefined position. A system 100 could therefore be provided in which the respective interconnected lighting apparatus 10 are placed in any position in the system 100. This provides a high degree of freedom and convenience to a user of the lighting apparatus 10 and system 100.
The lighting apparatus and system are highly energy efficient compared to, for instance, a touch screen device of an equivalent size. This is particularly the case when the light source 14 comprises LED's.
Each lighting apparatus 10 comprises its own processor 24, and so no additional computing power is required.
For example, the lighting apparatus 10 and system could be any shape. The lighting apparatus 10 may include any number of lighting units 12. The system 100 may include any number of interconnected lighting apparatus 10.
The lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may also be used to provide, for instance, interactive display walls, interactive learning aids and interactive furniture. The lighting apparatus 10 and system 100 may also be used to display information, for instance, to illuminate an arrow pointing to an emergency exit in the case of a fire, or to provide a flashing pattern.

Claims

A system (100) comprising a plurality of interconnected lighting apparatus (10), each interconnected lighting apparatus (10) comprising:
a plurality of lighting units (12), each lighting unit (12) comprising: a light source (14), a paired IR transmitter (16) and IR receiver (18); the IR transmitter (16) being configured to emit an IR signal and the IR receiver (18) being configured to receive the IR signal reflected from a surface, the IR signal having a different signal pattern for each respective paired IR transmitter (16) and IR receiver (18) of each of the plurality of lighting units (12) each interconnected lighting apparatus also comprising a processor (24), the processor (24) being configured for each of the plurality of lighting units (12) to output one or more control signals to illuminate the light source (14) in response to the IR receiver receiving the reflected IR signal;

wherein in response to an IR receiver (18) of a one of the lighting units (12) of a one of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) in the system (100) receiving a reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter (16), the processor (24) of that interconnected lighting apparatus (10) is configured to output one or more control signals to the processor (24) of any of the other of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) in the system (100) to illuminate the light source (14) of any of the plurality of lighting units (12) of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) comprising the processor (24) receiving the one or more control signals.
A system (100) according to claim 1, wherein for each of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) the processor (24) is configured for each of the plurality of lighting units (12) to illuminate the light source (14) in response to the IR receiver (18) receiving the reflected IR signal for a predefined period of time, or for a predefined period of time and then causing the light source to fade out over a second predefined period of time, or only whilst a reflected signal is being received by the IR receiver (18), or until the IR receiver (18) receives a second reflected IR signal distinct from the first reflected IR signal.
A system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of lighting units (12) of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) are arranged in a regular pattern.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of lighting units (12) of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of light sources (14), the processor (24) being configured to output one or more control signals to control collectively the plurality of light sources (14) in response to the IR receiver (18) receiving the reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter (16).
A system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the IR receiver (18) of each of the lighting units (12) of each of the interconnected lighting apparatus (10) is located in an opening (26) in each interconnected lighting apparatus (10) below an outer surface (42) of each interconnected lighting apparatus (10) such that the reflected IR signal from the paired IR transmitter (16) is receivable by the IR receiver (18) through the opening (26).