GB2541707A

GB2541707A - Magnetic field-triggered luminaire status indication

Info

Publication number: GB2541707A
Application number: GB1515220.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dixon David
Original assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-08-27
Filing date: 2015-08-27
Publication date: 2017-03-01
Also published as: GB201515220D0

Abstract

A luminaire 100 comprises a housing 101 and a lamp 103. The luminaire further comprises a magnetic field sensor 101 such as a Hall sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor or a reed switch, configured to provide a sensor signal 160 indicative of a magnetic field strength. The luminaire further comprises an electric circuit 102 which is configured to selectively output a human-perceivable status indication 170 to the outside of the housing depending on the sensor signal, such as when a magnet 150 is brought into the sensitive region 110 of the magnetic field sensor.

Description

MAGNETIC FIELD-TRIGGERED LUMINAIRE STATUS INDICATION TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to a luminaire which comprises a magnetic field sensor and at least one electric circuit, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to selectively output a human-perceivable status indication depending on a sensor signal provided by the magnetic field sensor.

BACKGROUND

Luminaires are known which provide a testing functionality; the testing functionality allows to a user to test one or more operational characteristics of the luminaire. Malfunctioning of the luminaire may thereby be detected. For this purpose, typically a user may manually actuates a button or switch of the luminaire which triggers the luminaire to output a human-perceivable status indication. Such testing functionality may be of particular relevance in safety-relevant applications, e.g., for emergency lighting functionality, etc.

However, such techniques as mentioned above face certain restrictions and drawbacks. E.g., it may be cumbersome and difficult to manually actuate the button or switch to trigger the luminaire to output the status indication. Further, provisioning the button or switch on a surface of a housing of the luminaire may degrade an Ingress Protection (IP) marking of the luminaire being an electrical device. Further, the mechanical actuation of the button or svvitch rTiay be subject to malfunctioning itself and may be prone to vandalism etc..

SUMMARY

Therefore, a need exists for advanced luminaires which provide a testing functionality. In particular, a need exists for luminaires which overcome at least some of the above mentioned restrictions and drawbacks.

This need is met by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims define embodiments.

According to an aspect, a luminaire is provided. The luminaire comprises a housing and a lamp configured to emit light to an outside of the housing. The luminaire further comprises a magnetic field sensor arranged within the housing. The magnetic field sensor is configured to provide a sensor signal indicative of a magnetic field strength. The luminaire further comprises at least one electric circuit arranged within the housing. The at least one electric circuit is coupled with the magnetic field sensor, The at least one electric circuit is configured to selectively output a human-perceivable status indication to the outside of the housing depending on the sensor signal.

The housing may be made of metal and/or plastic. E.g., at least one surface of the housing may be transparent or semi-transparent. The lamp may be provided attached to a surface of the housing; it is also possible that the lamp is fully enclosed by the housing, wherein a surface of the housing adjacent to the lamp is transparent or semi-transparent.

The lamp may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LED), one or more halogen bulbs, and / or one or more filament bulbs. The lamp may provide illumination in a lighting scene; e.g., in a room of a building etc.

The human-perceivable nature of the status indication may refer to a situation where the status indication can be visually perceived and / or audibly perceived by a human.

The magnetic field strength may correspond to an amplitude of the effective magnetic field at the position of the magnetic field sensor. In some scenarios, it is also possible that the magnetic field sensor provides the sensor signal which is further indicative of a magnetic field orientation. The magnetic field sensor may be arranged at such a position of the housing that a sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor extends at the outside of the housing. If an external magnet of sufficient strength is placed in the sensitive region, this may be detected by the magnetic field sensor. E.g., the magnetic field sensor may be arranged adjacent to an outer surface of the housing. E.g., the magnetic field sensor may be attached to an outer surface of the housing. A sensitivity of the magnetic field sensor may be such that the sensor signal is significantly altered depending on the presence of the external magnet in the sensitive region at the outside of the housing.

By relying on the magnetic field sensor and the sensor signal to trigger the outputting of the human-perceivable status indication, it is possible to provide contactless triggering attesting functionality. Remote activation of the testing functionality becomes possible. E.g., a ferromagnetic material attached to one end of a pole may be used in order to trigger the testing functionality. For this, it is possible that a user places the external magnet on the pole within the sensitive region, i.e., adjacent to a surface of the housing and adjacent to the magnetic field sensor. It is not required to establish physical contact between the magnet on the pole and the luminaire in order to trigger the testing functionality.

The at least one electric circuit may be configured to drive and read out the magnetic field sensor. E.g., a supply voltage may be provided to the magnetic field sensor via the at least one electric circuit. E.g., the magnetic field sensor may be selected from the group comprising: a Hall sensor; a Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor; a Tunnel Magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor; and an Anisotropic Magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor; and a reed switch.

Depending on the required sensitivity of the magnetic field sensor, it is possible to select the appropriate type of sensor. Microintegration of the magnetic field sensor becomes possible.

The human-perceivable status indication may be implemented by at least one of the following: a light signal; a sound signal; a voice output; and displayed information. As can be seen from the above, a wide variety of possible implementations of the status indication are conceivable. As such, it is also possible to implement the outputting of the status indication by various techniques and entities. E.g., it is possible that the at least one electric circuit is coupled with the lamp of the luminaire. The at least one electric circuit may be configured to selectively operate the lamp to selectively output the status indication. As can be seen from the above, it is possible to re-use the lamp of the luminaire in order to output the human-perceivable status indication - beyond mere lighting functionality. Thereby, an efficient way of implementing the testing functionality is available.

It is also possible that the luminaire further comprises a Human Machine Interface (HMI). The at least one electric circuit may be coupled with the HMI. The at least one electric circuit may be configured to selectively output the indication via the HMI. E.g., the HMI may comprise at least one of the following: a display; a status lamp; a voice output engine; and a loudspeaker. The HMI may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. E.g., the HMI may comprise a processor and a memory.

By relying on the HMI, it is possible to output the status indication in a convenient and comprehensive manner. In particular, it may be possible to output the status indication having a comparably high information depth. E.g., where the HMI comprises a status lamp, the at least one electric circuit may be configured to operate the status lamp in a first mode if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is below a predefined threshold: the at least one electric circuit may be configured to operate the status lamp in the second mode of the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is above the predefined threshold.

The status lamp may be implemented by a LED. E.g., the status lamp may have a comparably limited maximum luminous intensity. The status lamp may not be suited for illuminating a lighting scene. The status lamp may have the mere purpose of indicating a state of a system in a human-perceivable manner. E.g., the first mode and the second mode may differ from each other. E.g., and operation parameter of the status lamp may differ between the first mode and the second mode. E.g., it may be possible to use different colors, intensities, blinking frequencies, etc. of light emitted by the status lamp depending on which one of the first and second mode is being active.

By operating the status lamp in the first and second modes depending on the magnetic field strength, it is possible to provide a visual feedback to the user; thereby, the user may confirm that the testing functionality is triggered, e.g., by appropriately placing a magnet within the sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor.

The status lamp of the HMI may be arranged adjacent to the magnetic field sensor. The at least one electric circuit may be configured to operate the status lamp in the first mode such that it emits light.

In other words, it is possible that the status lamp is arranged adjacent to the sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor. Thereby, it is possible to indicate to a user where to place an external magnet in order to trigger the testing functionality. In particular, because the status lamp may emit light in the first mode, it is possible that the user is guided towards the sensitive region such that it is easy to place the magnet adjacent to the magnetic field sensor in order to trigger the testing functionality.

By switching between the first and second modes of operation of the status lamp depending on the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal, it is possible - as mentioned above - to provide a visual feedback to the user indicating whether the external magnet has been correctly placed within the sensitive region or not. Additionally, it is possible that the second mode is indicated of the status indication. Thereby, in addition to the above-mentioned visual feedback, it is also possible to output the status indication relying on the status lamp. Thereby, the status lamp may be re-used for, both, visual feedback and guidance assistance for placing the external magnet within the sensitive region, as well as outputting of the status indication.

Generally, various kinds and types of status information may be output in a human-perceivable manner. E.g., the status indication may be indicative of an operational characteristic of the luminaire. Thereby, testing functionality of the luminaire may be implemented and malfunctioning of the luminaire may be detected. The operational characteristic of the luminaire may relate to one or more elements of the luminaire; e.g., functionality of the at least one electric circuit may be tested; functionality of the lamp may be tested, etc.

In an example, the luminaire may further comprise a battery. The at least one electric circuit may be coupled with the battery. Then, the status indication may be indicated for of at least one of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and a SOH (SOH) of the battery.

The battery may have a sufficient capacity to drive the lamp for a duration in the order of minutes, hours, or days. As such, it may be desired to determine the SOC and / or SOC to quantify, e.g, the duration of illumination of the light scene by the lamp that can be powered by energy supplied by the battery.

Depending on the mode of outputting the status indication, a higher or lower information depth may be provided with respect to the SOC and/or the SOH of the battery. E.g., in one example, it may be possible to indicate, by means of the status indication, whether a current value of the SOC and/or the SOH is above or below a predefined threshold. In other examples, it may be possible to indicate a quantified value of the SOC and/or the SOH, e.g., by relying on a voice output engine of the HMI.

In further examples, the status indication may be indicative of a functionality test of the lamp. E.g., it may be checked, as part of the functionality test, whether the lighting functionality of the lamp is malfunctioning or expected to be malfunctioning in the future. E.g., as part of the functionality test, it may be possible to take into account a parameter selected from the group comprising: an integrated time of operation of the lamp; a power consumption of the lamp; an average current drawn by the lamp; a peak current drawn by the lamp; a number of operation cycles of the lamp; and intensity of light emitted by the lamp, etc. E.g., the at least one electric circuit may comprise a hysteretic comparator switch configured to execute a threshold comparison between the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal and a predefined threshold. The at least one circuit may be configured to selectively output the status indication depending on the threshold comparison. E.g., the hysteretic comparator switch may be implemented by a Schmitt trigger. E.g., the hysteretic comparator switch may be active-low or active-high, depending on the requirements of the luminaire components.

Due to the hysteretic behavior, the comparator switch may introduce some latency when processing changes in the sensor signal. Thereby, fast changes and spikes of the sensor signal may be disregarded or smoothed out. As such, the hysteretic comparator switch may provide low-pass filter functionality. Thereby, it becomes possible to filter out background noise and provide a more reliable detection of an external magnet within the sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor.

The luminaire may comprise the battery and a power supply. The at least one electric circuit may be coupled with the battery and the power supply. The at least one electric circuit may be configured to select between energy supplied by the battery and energy supplied by the power supply to drive the lamp. The at least one electric circuit may be configured to select energy supplied by the battery to drive the lamp if an outage of the energy supplied by the power supplies detected. As such, the luminaire may provide emergency lighting functionality. In particular in such a scenario, it is possible that the status indication is indicative of testing functionality associated with emergency lighting functionality. E.g., the power supply may be an interface for connecting the luminaire with an external power line. The at least one electric circuit may comprise power electronics to select the energy supply.

The housing may have a first surface comprising a mounting element. The mounting element may be configured to enable mounting of the luminaire to an external surface. The magnetic field sensor may be arranged in proximity of a second surface which is different from the first surface.

By means of the mounting element, it may be possible to attach the luminaire to a ceiling or wall. E.g., the mounting element may be selected from the group comprising: a hook; a clip; an adherent; an intrusion, etc.

By providing the magnetic field sensor in the proximity of the second surface which is different from the first surface, it is possible to arrange the sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor such that the testing functionality can be conveniently triggered by the user. In particular, it may be possible that the magnetic field sensor is arranged such that the sensitive region is conveniently accessible by a user, e.g., if the luminaire is mounted to the ceiling.

The magnetic field sensor and the at least one electric circuit can be provided on a single circuit carrier, Thereby, it is possible to provide the trigger for the testing functionality in a highly integrated manner. E.g., the magnetic field sensor may be arranged underneath a contiguous outer surface of the housing. Thereby, it is possible that the magnetic field sensor is not visible from the outside of the housing. In particular, it may not be required to provide an opening or the like in the surface of the housing in order to allow the testing functionality to be triggered. Thereby, a degradation of the IP rating due to provisioning of a button or switch can be avoided. The housing can be provided in a tamper and / or vandal proof manner.

According to an aspect, a system is provided. The system comprises the luminaire according to a further aspect of the present application. The system further comprises a pole and a magnet attached to the pole.

By means of such a system, it is possible to conveniently trigger the testing functionality. E.g., in a scenario where the luminaire is mounted overhead on the ceiling, by means of the pole a user may conveniently access the sensitive region with the magnet.

According to an aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises a magnetic field sensor of a luminaire providing a sensor signal indicative of a magnetic field strength. The method further comprises at least one electrical circuit of the luminaire selectively outputting a human-perceivable status indication to an outside of a housing of the luminaire, depending on the sensor signal. E.g., the method may be executed by a luminaire according to a further aspect of the present application.

For such a method, effects may be obtained which are comparable with the effects that can be obtained by the luminaire according to a further aspect of the present application

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below may be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional features and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a luminaire according to various embodiments, wherein the luminaire comprises a battery for emergency lighting functionality and further comprises an electric circuit configured tP output a human-perceivable status indication viai a laiTip ^ luminaire depending on a status signal provided by a magnetic field sensor of the luminaire. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a luminaire according to various embodiments, wherein the luminaire comprises an electric circuit configured to output a human-perceivable status indication via an HMI of the luminaire depending on a status signal provided by a magnetic field sensor of the luminaire. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the electric circuit of the luminaires of FIGs. 1 and 2, wherein the electric circuit is coupled with the magnetic field sensor and comprises a Schmitt trigger implementing a hysteretic comparator switch for processing the status signal provided by the magnetic field sensor. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a luminaire according to various embodiments in a state where an external magnet is not present in a sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor, wherein the luminaire comprises an HMI including a status lamp, wherein the status lamp is operated in a first mode. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a iuminaire of FIG. 4 in a state where the external magnet is present in the sensitive region of the magnetic field sensor, wherein the status lamp is operated in a second mode. FIG. 6 is a state chart of outputting the human-perceivable status indication according to various embodiments, wherein said outputting depends on the sensor signal provided by the magnetic field sensor and further depends on a SOC and SOH of a battery of the luminaire. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following description of embodiments is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described hereinafter or by the drawings, which are taken to be illustrative only.

The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations and elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components, or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or described herein may aiso be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A coupling between components may also be established over a wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, techniques for triggering the output of a human-perceivable status indication to the outside of a housing of a luminaire are discussed. Outputting of the human-perceivable status indication is triggered depending on a sensor signal provided by a magnetic field sensor of the luminaire. Based on the outputting of the status indication, a testing functionality of the luminaire can be implemented.

For example, the luminaire may comprise a housing and a lamp configured to emit light to an outside of the housing, the lamp being arranged inside the housing. The magnetic field sensor is also arranged in the housing and is configured to provide the sensor signal which is indicative of the magnetic field strength. Then, an electric circuit arranged within the housing and coupled with the magnetic fieid sensor is configured to selectively output the human-perceivable status indication to the outside of the housing depending on the sensor signal. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a luminaire 100 according to various examples. The luminaire 100 comprises a lamp 103 which is configured to emit light for lighting purposes. E.g., the luminaire 100 can be used to illuminate a lighting scene such as the interior of the building.

The luminaire provides emergency lighting functionality. As such, the luminaire 100 is equipped with, both, a power supply 104 and a battery 105. The power supply 104 acts as an interface to a power line 130. During normal operation, an electric circuit 102 drives the lamp 103 using energy provided by the power supply 104, respectively the power line 130. If an outage of energy supplied by the power supply 104 is detected, the electric circuit 102 is configured to select energy supplied by the battery 105 to drive the lamp 103. E.g. for safety reasons, it can be desirable to test the operational reliability of the battery 105 from time to time. For this purpose, the luminaire 100 comprises a magnetic field sensor 101. The magnetic field sensor 101 may be implemented by a GMR sensor, a Hall sensor, a TMR sensor, an AMR sensor, or a reed switch. The magnetic field sensor 101 - as well as the lamp 103, the electric circuit 102, the battery 105, and the power supply 104 - is arranged within a housing 101 of the luminaire.

The magnetic field sensor 101 is configured to detect a magnetic field strength. The magnetic field sensor 101 has a sensitive region 110 (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1) which at least partly extends at the outside of the housing 101. If an external magnet 150 is placed within the sensitive region 110, the magnetic field strength at the position of the magnetic field sensor 101 is altered; this change is reflected in a sensor signal 160 provided by the magnetic field sensor 101 and received by the circuit 102. The sensor signal 160 is indicative of the magnetic field strength. The sensor signal 160 may be an analogue signal or digital signal.

The circuit 102 is configured to selectively output a human-perceivable status indication 170 to the outside of the housing 101 depending on the sensor signal 160. In the scenario of FIG. 1, the electric circuit 102 is configured to selectively operate the lamp 103 to selectively output the status indication 170; i.e., the electric circuit 102 is configured to selectively output the status indication 170 via the lamp 103. For this purpose, flashing or blinking operation of the lamp 103, fading operation of the lamp 103, etc. may be utilized. E.g., depending on the content of the status indication 170, it is possible that the electric circuit 102 sets at least one of the following; an intensity of the light emitted by the lamp 103; a color of the light emitted by the lamp 103; a blinking frequency of the light emitted by the lamp 103; a fading duration of the light emitted by the lamp 103.

In the scenario of FIG. 1, the operational reliability of the battery 105 is tested; the status indication 170 is indicative of the SOC of the battery 105. Various examples of encoding information on the SOC of the battery 105 into the light emitted by the lamp 103 are given below. E.g., if the SOC of the battery 105 is above (below) a predefined threshold, the circuit 102 can be configured to operate the lamp 103 to emit light (to not emit light) in a situation where the magnet 150 is detected within the sensitive region 110. E.g., if the SOC of the battery 105 is above (below) a predefined threshold, the circuit 102 can be configured to operate the lamp 103 to emit green light (to emit red light) in a situation where the magnet 150 is detected within the sensitive region 110. E.g., if the SOC of the battery 105 is above (below) a predefined threshold, the circuit 102 can be configured to operate the lamp 103 to emit light in a fading operation (to not emit light) in a situation where the magnet 150 is detected within the sensitive region 110.

Such operation is not tied to the status indication 170 being indicative of the SOC of the battery 105. E.g., in other scenarios corresponding techniques may be employed where the status indication 170 is indicative of the SOH of the battery 105. In still other scenarios, the status indication 170 may be indicative of different operational characteristics of the luminaire, not tied to the battery 105. Such a scenario is shown in FIG. 2. In the scenario FIG. 2, the status indication is indicative of the functionality test of the lamp 103. E.g., the status indication may be indicative of an operational reliability of the lamp 103.

In the scenario FIG. 2, elements used for supplying the lamp 103 with energy, i.e., elements used for driving the lamp 103, are not depicted. In the scenario of FIG. 2, the electric circuit 102 is configured to selectively output the human-perceivable status indication 170 via an HMI 107. E.g., the HMI 107 may comprise a status lamp, a voice output engine, a display, and / or a loudspeaker, etc.

The functionality of the HMI 107 is generally not limited to outputting the status indication to the outside of the housing 101 in the human-perceivable manner. E.g., in various examples, alternatively or additionally to the outputting of the status indication, the HMI 107 can be configured to indicate whether the magnet 150 is detected within the sensitive region 110. E.g., in a scenario where the HM1107 comprises a status lamp, it is possible that the electric circuit 102 is configured to operate the status lamp in a first mode if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal 160 is below a predefined threshold and is further configured to operate the status lamp in a second mode of the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal 160 is above the predefined threshold. FIG. 3 illustrates aspects with respect to the electric circuit 102 being configured to selectively output the human-perceivable status indication to the outside of the housing depending on the sensor signal 160. FIG. 3 illustrates parts of the electric circuit 102 in greater detail. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of parts of the electric circuit 102; the electric circuit 102 and the magnetic field sensor 101 are provided on a single circuit carrier (not shown in FIG. 3). As can be seen from FIG. 3, the magnetic field sensor 101 - in the scenario of FIG. 3 a linear Hall Effect sensor - is provided with the supply voltage at the terminal labeled “INPUT” in FIG. 3. The magnetic field sensor outputs the sensor signal 160 via terminal “OUT’ which is fed into a Schmitt trigger 310, 323, 324 which implements a hysteretic comparator switch that is configured to execute a threshold comparison between the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal and a predefined threshold; the predefined threshold is defined by the voltage divider implemented by the resistors 321, 322. The transistor 326 and the resistor 325 implement a switch that is actuated by the Schmitt trigger 310, 323, 324. Depending on the requirements, the Schmitt trigger 310, 323, 324 can be implemented as active-high or active-low with respect to the switch 325, 326. Depending on the state of the switch 325, 326, it is possible that the circuit 102 is configured to selectively output the status indication 170; i.e., the circuit 102 is configured to selectively output the status indication depending on the threshold comparison. While with respect to FIG. 3 a Schmitt trigger 310, 323, 324 is illustrated implementing the hysteretic comparator switch, in other scenarios other types of electronics implementing such a hysteretic comparator switch functionality can be used.

With respect to FIG. 4, aspects of mounting elements 410 are illustrated. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the luminaire 100 according to various examples. As can be seen, the luminaire 100 comprises the mounting elements 410 arranged on a first surface 101A of the housing 101. The mounting elements are configured to enable mounting of the luminaire 100 to an external surface. In the scenario of FIG. 4, the mounting elements 410 are implemented by intrusions which can engage with a head of a screw or the like; thereby, it becomes possible to mount the luminaire100 to a wall or ceiling.

Further, with respect to FIG. 4 aspect with respect to the arrangement of the magnetic field sensor 101 are illustrated. Here, the magnetic field sensor 101 is arranged in proximity of and underneath a contiguous second surface 101B. As such, the magnetic field sensor 101 may not be visible or reachable from the outside of the housing 101.

Adjacent to the magnetic field sensor 101, a status lamp 401 of the HM1107 is provided. E.g., the status lamp 401 may be provided underneath the second surface 101B, as well. E.g., the second surface 101B may be formed by a transparent or semi-transparent, respectively translucent material; thereby, a light emitted by the status lamp 401 may be perceivable from the outside of the housing 101 - even though the status lamp 401 may not be physically accessible from the outside of the housing 101.

The status lamp 401 helps a user to locate the position of the magnetic field sensor 101, respectively of the sensitive region 110. This is explained hereinafter. In the scenario FIG. 4, a magnet 150 is not present within the sensitive region 110; because of this, the electric circuit 102 operates the status lamp 401 in a first mode (illustrated in FIG. 4 by the diagonally dashed filling), wherein the status lamp 401 emits light in the first mode. The user can easily perceive the light emitted by the status lamp 401 and is therefore able to accurately place the magnet 150 in the vicinity of the magnetic fieid sensor 101 within the sensitive region 110 (cf. FIG. 5). Once the magnetic field sensor 101 detects the presence of the magnet 150 within the sensitive region 110 - which is reflected by the magnetic fieid strength indicated by the sensor signal 160 being above a predefined threshold -, the electric circuit 102 operates the status lamp 401 in a second mode (illustrated by the horizontal dashed filling in FIG. 5). E.g., the second mode may be different from the first mode with respect to at least one of color, intensity, and a blinking frequency of the light emitted by the status lamp 401. E.g., it is possible that in the second mode the status lamp 401 does not emit light at all. It is also possible that in the second mode the status lamp emits light such that it additionally indicative of the status indication. E.g., in a scenario the status lamp 401, in the second mode, may emit green light if the operational characteristic of the luminaire 100 is within a predefined acceptable range and may emit red light if the operational characteristic of the luminaire 100 is outside the predefined acceptable range. Other examples are possible.

Generally, various techniques for outputting the human-perceivable status indication 170 to the outside of the housing 101 of the luminaire 100 are conceivable. Aspects in this regard are illustrated in FIG. 6. Here, a possible state chart of said outputting is shown. At SI, the external magnet 150 is not present within the sensitive region 110 and the status lamp 401 emits green light in order to guide a user to accurately place the magnet 150 within the sensitive region 110. At the same time, the lamp 103 is operated as required by the lighting scene, i.e., may be either turned on or off depending on a switch position, etc.

Once a comparably high magnetic field strength is detected by the magnetic field sensor 101 - i.e., in a state where the external magnet 150 is present within the sensitive region 110 -, the status lamp 401 is operated in the second mode and is not emitting light (S2). Because of this, the user is aware that the external magnet 150 has been properly placed in the sensitive region 110 to trigger the testing functionality.

Depending on the SOC and that SOH of the battery 105, the lamp 103 is either driven to emit light in a fading operation (S3) or to not emit light (S4). The user can perceive this status indication and can conclude on the operational reliability of the battery 105. E.g., if the user perceives that, both, the status lam 401 and the lamp 103 do not emit light (S4), appropriate actions such as exchanging the battery 105 may be taken. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method according to various examples. First, the sensor signal 160 is provided by the magnetic field sensor 101 (T1). The sensor signal 160 is indicative of the magnetic field strength. In particular, at T1 the presence of the external magnet 150 in the sensitive region 110 - i.e., adjacent to the magnetic field sensor 101 - can be detected.

Depending on a sensor signal 160, the human-perceivable status indication 170 is selectively output (T2). In detail, the outputting of the status indication 170 may depend on a threshold comparison between the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal 160 and a predefined threshold. Here, low-pass filtering may be implemented by, e.g., a hysteretic comparator switch such as a Schmitt trigger to smoothen the response. E.g., the human-perceivable status indication 170 can be output via the lamp 103 and/or via the HMI 107. The status indication may be indicative of an operational characteristic of the luminaire such as the SOC and / or SOH of the battery 105 and / or a functionality test of the lamp 103.

Summarizing, above techniques have been illustrated which enable to remotely trigger testing functionality of a luminaire. In particular, for a luminaire providing emergency lighting functionality, testing functionality of the operational reliability of the battery can be triggered.

For this purpose, the luminaire is equipped with a magnetic field sensor which senses the presence of a magnet in a sensitive region and thus triggers outputting of a corresponding status indication.

By means of the magnetic field sensor, a vandal proof housing of the luminaire may be provided. The housing may provide a high IP rating. The housing may not be required to have openings etc. to provide an externally accessibly switch or button to trigger the testing functionality. Triggering of the testing functionality may be comparably easy to achieve, because the sensitive region may be comparably large and, if compared to reference implementations which rely on a mechanical button or switch, placement of a magnet may be required only with lower accuracy and, therefore, may be less cumbersome.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A luminaire, comprising: - a housing, - a lamp configured to emit light to an outside of the housing, - a magnetic field sensor arranged within the housing, the magnetic field sensor being configured to provide a sensor signal indicative of a magnetic field strength, - at least one electric circuit arranged within the housing and coupled with the magnetic field sensor, the at least one electric circuit being configured to selectively output a human-perceivable status indication to the outside of the housing depending on the sensor signal.

2. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is selected from the group comprising: a Hall sensor; a Giant Magnetoresistive, GMR, Sensor; a Tunnel Magnetoresistive, TMR, Sensor; an Anisotropic Magnetoresistive, AMR, Sensor; and a reed switch.

3. The luminaire of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one electric circuit is coupled with the lamp, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to selectively operate the lamp to selectively output the status indication.

4. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a human machine interface, wherein the at least one electric circuit is coupled with the human machine interface, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to selectively output the status indication via the human machine interface.

5. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a human machine interface, wherein the human machine interface comprises a status lamp, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to operate the status lamp in a first mode if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is below a predefined threshold. wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to operate the status lamp in a second mode if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is above the predefined threshold.

6. The luminaire of claim 5, wherein the status lamp of the human machine interface is arranged adjacent to the magnetic field sensor, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to operate the status lamp in the first mode such that it emits light.

7. The luminaire of claim 4, and of claims 5 or 6, wherein second mode is indicative of the status indication.

8. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the status indication is indicative of an operational characteristic of the luminaire.

9. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a battery, wherein the at least one electric circuit is coupled with the battery, wherein the status indication is indicative of at least one of a state of charge of the battery and a state of health of the battery.

10. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the status indication is a indicative of a functionality test of the lamp.

11. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electric circuit comprises a hysteretic comparator switch configured to execute a threshold comparison between the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal and a predefined threshold. wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to selectively output the status indication depending on the threshold comparison.

12. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a battery, - a power supply, wherein the at least one electric circuit is coupled with the battery and the power supply, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to select between energy supplied by the battery and energy supplied by the power supply to drive the lamp, wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to select energy supplied by the battery to drive the lamp if an outage of energy supplied by the power supply is detected.

13. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a first surface comprising a mounting element, the mounting element being configured to enable mounting of the luminaire to an external surface, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged in proximity of a second surface which is different from the first surface.

14. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic field sensor and the at least one electric circuit are provided on a single circuit carrier.

15. The luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged underneath a contiguous outer surface of the housing.

16. A system, comprising: - the luminaire of any one of the preceding claims, - a pole, - a magnet attached to the pole.

17. A method, comprising: - a magnetic field sensor of a luminaire providing a sensor signal indicative of a magnetic field strength, - depending on the sensor signal: at least one electrical circuit of the luminaire selectively outputting a human-perceivable status indication to an outside of a housing of the luminaire.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said selectively outputting of the status indication comprises: - the at least one electrical circuit selectively operating the lamp.

19. The method of claims 17 or 18, wherein said selectively outputting of the status indication comprises: - the at least one electrical circuit selectively outputting the status indication via a human machine interface of the luminaire.

20. The method of any one of claims 17-19, further comprising: - if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is below a predefined threshold: the electric circuit operating a status lamp of a human machine interface of the luminaire in a first mode, - if the magnetic field strength indicated by the sensor signal is above a predefined threshold: the electric circuit operating the status lamp of the human machine interface of the luminaire in a second mode.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the status lamp of the human machine interface is arranged adjacent to the magnetic field sensor, wherein the electric circuit operates the status lamp to emit light in the first mode.

22. The method of claim 19, and of claims 20 or 21, wherein the second mode is indicative of the status indication.