GB2584392A

GB2584392A - Illumination system

Info

Publication number: GB2584392A
Application number: GB1905983.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grant Alan; Lira Miguel
Original assignee: DW Windsor Ltd
Current assignee: DW Windsor Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-29
Filing date: 2019-04-29
Publication date: 2020-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-29
Also published as: GB2584392B; GB201905983D0

Abstract

A handrail illumination system 15 whereby light emitting diode (LED) current is controlled to illuminate the LEDs 151 in a selected sequence to signify an intended direction of movement and/or speed of movement. The LEDs may be addressable individually, or in groups, and be controlled consecutively so that the selected sequence corresponds to a speed of two to four mph. The supplied current may be ramped up and down with a corresponding increase and decrease in brightness of the LEDs; the illumination level being determined in dependence on whether people are detected in proximity to the handrail by a sensor (175 fig.1). The handrail may be internal or external and part of an escalator, moving walkway or a stairwell.

Description

Illumination system

Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to an illumination system, and in particular a handrail 5 illumination system.

Background

The illumination of public infrastructure is an important architectural consideration. The illumination must be both functional (for example to minimize dark patches) and 10 aesthetically pleasing.

Once such way of providing illumination to public infrastructure, for example to public stairwells, escalators and walkways, is to incorporate some form of illumination into handrails. For example, light emitting diodes, LEDs, may be incorporated into the underside of the handrail to illuminate the ground below. Once such example of a handrail illumination system is the Garda® range by DW Windsor.

Because such illumination needs to be functional there is an ongoing desire to improve the functionality of such illumination systems.

Summary of the invention

Aspects of the invention are as set out in the independent claims and optional features are set out in the dependent claims. Aspects of the invention may be provided in conjunction with each other and features of one aspect may be applied to other aspects.

In a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided an illumination system for public infrastructure. The illumination system may be a handrail illumination system, for example for a stairwell, a walkway, a moving walkway or an escalator in an item of public infrastructure -such as a train station, airport and so on. The illumination system comprises a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes, and a controller configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence. The selected sequence may be selected to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the -2 -infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

In this way, the illumination system may provide information to people using the infrastructure -such as the intended direction of movement and/or an intended speed of movement. The illumination system may therefore guide pedestrians and people in the vicinity of the illumination system to walk in a desired direction or at a desired speed. This may help ease congestion in the infrastructure at peak times and minimize risks of tripping and falling. Embodiments of the disclosure may therefore provide an illumination system for public infrastructure that improves safety.

It will be understood that in examples where the illumination system is a handrail illumination system, the handrail may comprise the plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes. It will also be understood that when the light emitting diodes are described as being individually-addressable, this may mean that groups or clusters of light emitting diodes are individually-addressable. For example, a handrail may comprise a plurality of groups of light emitting diodes, with each group being individually-addressable, and with each group comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes. In this way, each group of light emitting diodes may be individually controlled, but the light emitting diodes within each group are controllable together or as one, for example all of the light emitting diodes within a group are controlled together.

It will also be understood that when a handrail is described as comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light emitting diodes may be incorporated into a cavity or recess in the handrail (preferably the underside of the handrail so as to inhibit the ingress of water and so as to provide illumination to the ground below) -for example in the same way that light emitting diodes are incorporated into the DW Windsor Garda® range of illuminated handrails.

The controller of the illumination system may be configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a consecutive sequence. It will, however, be understood that not every light emitting diode that provides illumination needs to be illuminated as part of the sequence -for example, only selected light emitting diodes, such as every second or third light emitting diode, -3 -could be controlled in this way.

In some examples controlling the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a speed that corresponds to a selected walking speed, such as between two and four mph.

In some examples, the controller being configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises the controller increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.

The controller of the illumination system may be configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure. In this way the illumination system may provide a "baseline" level of illumination (for example to satisfy certain regulatory constraints/building regulations), and in addition provide an additional level of illumination (for example bursts of brightness above the baseline level) to provide additional information, such as an intended direction or speed of motion, to people in the nearby vicinity.

The controller of the illumination system may be configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes by increasing the current to increase the brightness for a selected time period before decreasing the current again for at least some of the light emitting diodes before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes.

It will be understood that the selected sequence has an illumination duration -the time -4 -from the first light emitting diode of the selected sequence to illumination to the last light emitting diode in the selected sequence to illuminate. It will be understood that in some examples the selected time period for the brightness of each light emitting diodes being increased is less than the illumination duration of the selected sequence. In this way each light emitting diode may provide a pulse or burst of light that may travel through the sequence -providing a ripple of light along the handrail in a manner similar to a Mexican wave. It will be understood that in some examples there may be more than one ripple travelling along the handrail at a time.

In some examples the controller of the illumination system is configured to taper the increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes. In some examples the time duration of the taper may be longer than the time duration at which the light emitting diode is emitting light at the peak level of illumination for -in other words the ramp up/down time is greater than the time at which the light emitting diode is emitting light at a consistent level for. It will therefore be understood that in some examples the tapering up and/or down of the illumination level of one light emitting diode will overlap with the tapering up and/or down of another light emitting diode (such as the neighbouring light emitting diode).

In some examples the controller of the illumination system is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence. In this way the light emitting diodes are increased in brightness one by one until all of the light emitting diodes of the sequence are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, before one by one they are dimmed again in the same sequence. This may provide the effect of pulses of light travelling along the handrail.

In other examples the controller of the illumination system may be configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected -5 -sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes decreases at the same time. In this way the light emitting diodes are increased in brightness one by one until all of the light emitting diodes of the sequence are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, before they are all dimmed again at the same time.

In some examples the handrail illumination system may comprise a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the controller is configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail from the sensor and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals. For example, the controller may only supply current to the light emitting diodes when movement is detected in proximity to the handrail.

Additionally/alternatively, the controller may be configured to supply a baseline level of illumination to the handrail, for example at all times, and control the current supplied to the light emitting diodes in sequence so as to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure, in response to movement being detected in proximity to the handrail. In some examples the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail. It may also be configured to determine the speed at which people are moving in proximity to the handrail, and compare this to a stored selected value (for example, an optimal speed of movement). In this way the controller may be configured to determine the speed at which people are moving at in proximity to the handrail, and to illuminate the light emitting didoes in the selected sequence to encourage them to speed up or slow down to match the selected, optimal, speed of movement.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a controller for a handrail illumination system. The controller may comprise any of the features of, or possess the functionality of, the controller of the illumination system described above. -6 -

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of controlling a handrail lighting system, the method comprising controlling the illumination level of a plurality of light emitting diodes incorporated into the handrail to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence. The selected sequence may be selected to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

It will be understood that controlling the illumination level of the plurality of light emitting diodes may comprise controlling a current supplied to each of the plurality of light 10 emitting diodes.

The method may comprise controlling the illumination level of each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a consecutive sequence. It will, however, be understood that not every light emitting diode that provides illumination needs to be illuminated as part of the sequence -for example, only selected light emitting diodes, such as every second or third light emitting diode, could be controlled in this way.

In some examples controlling the illumination level of each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a speed that corresponds to a selected walking speed, such as between two and four mph.

In some examples, controlling a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.

The method may comprise illuminating the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and increasing the illumination level of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the -7 -intended speed of movement through the infrastructure. In this way the illumination system may provide a "baseline" level of illumination (for example to satisfy certain regulatory constraints/building regulations), and in addition provide an additional level of illumination (for example bursts of brightness above the baseline level) to provide additional information, such as an intended direction or speed of motion, to people in the nearby vicinity.

Controlling the illumination level of the light emitting diodes may comprise increasing the brightness level for a selected time period before decreasing the brightness level again before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes. It will be understood that the selected sequence has an illumination duration -the time from the first light emitting diode of the selected sequence to illumination to the last light emitting diode in the selected sequence to illuminate. It will be understood that in some examples the selected time period for the brightness of each light emitting diodes being increased is less than the illumination duration of the selected sequence. In this way each light emitting diode may provide a pulse or burst of light that may travel through the sequence -providing a ripple of light along the handrail in a manner similar to a Mexican wave. It will be understood that in some examples there may be more than one ripple travelling along the handrail at a time.

In some examples the method may comprise tapering the increase and decrease of change in brightness level of the light emitting diodes. In some examples the time duration of the taper may be longer than the time duration at which the light emitting diode is emitting light at the peak level of illumination for -in other words the ramp up/down time is greater than the time at which the light emitting diode is emitting light at a consistent level for. It will therefore be understood that in some examples the tapering up and/or down of the illumination level of one light emitting diode will overlap with the tapering up and/or down of another light emitting diode (such as the neighbouring light emitting diode).

In some examples the method comprises increasing the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the same (for -8 -example, second) brightness level, whereupon the brightness of the light emitting diodes is decreased again in the selected sequence. In this way the light emitting diodes are increased in brightness one by one until all of the light emitting diodes of the sequence are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, before one by one they are dimmed again in the same sequence. This may provide the effect of pulses of light travelling along the handrail.

In other examples the method comprises increasing the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, whereupon the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes are decreased at the same time. In this way the light emitting diodes are increased in brightness one by one until all of the light emitting diodes of the sequence are at the same (for example, second) brightness level, before they are all dimmed again at the same time.

In some examples the handrail illumination system may comprise a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the method comprises obtaining sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail from the sensor, and controlling the illumination of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals. For example, the method may comprise only illuminating the light emitting diodes when movement is detected in proximity to the handrail. Additionally/alternatively, the method may comprise illuminating the light emitting diodes with a baseline level of illumination, for example at all times, and increasing the illumination level of the light emitting diodes in sequence so as to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure, in response to movement being detected in proximity to the handrail.

In some examples the handrail illumination system may comprise more than one sensor.

For example, the handrail illumination system may comprise a first sensor, such as an ambient light sensor for determining when the handrail illumination system is to provide a baseline level of illumination, and/or the level of brightness of the handrail illumination system based on the ambient level of light. The handrail illumination system may also -9 -comprise a second sensor, for example a movement sensor such as a passive infrared (PIR) sensor for detecting movement in proximity to the handrail illumination system for determining whether or not to control the illumination of the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

In some examples the timings of the changes in illumination of each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail. The timings of the changes in illumination of each of the light emitting diodes may also be based on the speed at which people are moving in proximity to the handrail.

In another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising 15 instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described above.

Drawings Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with 20 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an example handrail illumination system of embodiments of the disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an example handrail illumination system of 25 embodiments of the disclosure; and Fig. 3 shows a graph indicating an example current supplied to two individual light emitting diodes, for example of the handrail illumination system of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, as a function of time.

Specific description

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an illumination system, for example for use with a handrail in public infrastructure such as a bus station, a train station or an airport, that can be controlled so as to provide a selected level of functionality -for example in terms of managing congestion and minimising the risks of tripping and falling, particularly at peak times such as rush hour. As will be described herein, the illumination system can be controlled so that the illumination system can provide additional information to people in the public infrastructure -for example, the illumination system may indicate to people which direction to travel in (or which side to travel on) up a staircase, or a speed they should be walking at, so as to optimise traffic flow at peak times.

Fig. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an example illumination system of embodiments of the disclosure. The illumination system comprises a controller 100 coupled to a handrail 150. The handrail 150 comprises a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes, which are shown in more detail in Fig. 2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the handrail 150 is a handrail for a set of public stairs. The handrail 150 comprises a plurality individually-addressable light emitting diodes 151 running along the underside of the handrail 150. In the example shown, the light emitting diodes 151 are enclosed by the handrail 150 with a transparent or translucent opening to permit light to pass to the ground below.

The controller 150 comprises a processor 103 coupled to a memory 105. The controller 150 may also comprise power circuitry operable to control the plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes 151, for example by controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes 151. As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 150 may also be coupled to an optional sensor 175 (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1) in proximity to the handrail 150. The sensor 175 may be any sensor capable of detecting movement, for example a camera or a passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the controller 100 is configured to control the illumination level of each of the light emitting diodes 151 by controlling the current to each of the light emitting diodes 151. The controller 100 is configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 to illuminate the light emitting diodes 151 in a selected sequence. The sequence may be selected to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

The selected sequence may be pre-programmed (for example, held in the memory 105 of the controller 100), or the controller 100 may be configured to determine the sequence, for example based on sensor signals received from optional sensor 175. For example, the processor 103 may be configured to process the received sensor signals from the optional sensor 175 to determine the movement of people in proximity to the handrail, and in turn determine the selected sequence based on the determination of the movement of people in proximity to the handrail 150.

In some examples the controller 100 may also comprise a communications interface and the controller 100 may receive the selected sequence via the communications interface, for example from a remote device/server.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the controller 100 is configured to control the current 15 supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 to illuminate the light emitting diodes 151 in a consecutive sequence.

In the example shown, the controller 100 is configured to control the illumination level of the light emitting diodes 151 to create a ripple-effect of brighter light that travels along the length of the handrail 150. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the controller 100 is configured to control the illumination level of the light emitting diodes 151 to create a plurality of ripples of brighter light travelling along the length of the handrail 150 at the same time. To do this, the controller 100 is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of each light emitting diode for a selected time period before decreasing the current again before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes 151. The controller 100 is configured to taper the increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes 151 to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 3.

In use, the controller 100 controls the timing of current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 to illuminate the light emitting diodes 151 in a consecutive sequence. The controller 100 tapers the increase and decrease of current supplied to -12 -each of the light emitting diodes 151, and the timings of the increases and decreases of the currents, to create a plurality of ripples of brighter light that pass along the light emitting diodes 151 of the handrail 150.

The controller 100 controls the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 to illuminate the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement and/or direction of movement through the infrastructure. For example, the speed of the ripple of brighter light may be selected based on an optimal walking speed through the infrastructure.

In some examples the illumination system may comprise a plurality of handrails 150. For example, for a public staircase there may be an illuminated handrail 150 to either side of the staircase. In such examples, the ripple of light along each handrail 150 may be in opposite directions. In this way, people walking along the staircase may be encouraged to stick to one side of the staircase walking up it, and stick to the other side of the staircase when walking down it. This may ease congestion and reduce the risk of tripping and/or falling occurring.

Fig. 3 shows a graph indicating an example current supplied to two individual and 20 consecutive light emitting diodes of the sequence. The example current supplied to a first light emitting diode is indicated by the solid graph 300, and the example current supplied to the second light emitting diode is indicated by the dotted graph 303.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the same current profile is supplied to both light emitting diodes, but the timings of when the currents are supplied/increased/decreased are offset by a selected time period. The degree of offset between the timings may be determined based on at least one of (i) the physical spacing between the light emitting diodes, and (ii) the desired speed at which the ripple of brighter light is to pass along the handrail 150.

The profile of the current supplied to each light emitting diode generally comprises three phases. Phase one is a ramp up phase, which for the first light emitting diode is between to and t1. Phase two is a constant current phase, which for the first light emitting diode is between t1 and t2, when peak current is supplied to the light emitting diode (and hence peak brightness is achieved). Phase three is a ramp down phase, which for the first light emitting diode is between t2 and t3, where the current is reduced back down to what it was before phase one began. This may be zero current, or may be a baseline level of current (for example, to provide a baseline level of illumination).

It will of course be appreciated that the gradient of the ramp up and ramp down phases may be adjusted depending on, for example, the speed at which the ripple of brightness is to pass along the handrail 150 and/or the duration of the sequence for the ripple of light to pass from the first light emitting diode of the sequence to the last light emitting diode of the sequence. In the example shown, the duration of the ramp up and ramp down phases is greater than the duration of the constant current phase.

It will also be appreciated that the duration of the ramp up and ramp down phases may 15 be the same, or may differ from each other. In some examples there may be no ramp down phase at all. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples there may be no constant current phase.

In the example shown, the constant current phases of the first light emitting diode and the second light emitting diode overlap by an overlap period 305. The overlap period 305 may be adjusted depending on, for example, the speed at which the ripple of brightness is to pass along the handrail 150 and/or the duration of the sequence for the ripple of light to pass from the first light emitting diode of the sequence to the last light emitting diode of the sequence. It will be understood that in some examples there may be no overlap period 305.

In some examples the illumination system 150 may be configured to provide a baseline level of lighting, and to provide a ripple of brighter light that is brighter than the baseline level of lighting, to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure. For example the controller 100 is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes 151 so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes 151 in the selected sequence to a second brightness -14 -level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

As mentioned above, in some example the illumination system further comprises a sensor 175 coupled to the controller 100, for example for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail 150. As noted above, the sensor may be a camera or a passive infrared (PIR) sensor. In some examples the sensor 175 may be a touch sensor, for example configured to determine if someone is touching or holding the handrail 150.

In some examples the controller 100 may be configured to process sensor signals received from the sensor to determine a speed of movement of people in proximity to the handrail 150. As such, the controller 100 may be configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail 150 from the sensor 175 and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 based on the sensor signals.

In some examples the controller 100 is configured to control the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail 150. For example, the controller 100 is configured to determine the speed of movement of people in proximity to the handrail 150, and to control the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes 151 based on comparison of the determined speed with a selected speed (such as an optimal speed of movement). In this way the controller 100 can determine if people are walking too slowly or quickly (relative to an optimal speed) near the handrail 150, and adjust the speed of the ripple of light along the handrail 150 to encourage them to adjust their walking speed accordingly.

In some examples this comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each 30 of the light emitting diodes 151 based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a speed that corresponds to, for example, between two and four mph.

In the examples described above the controller 100 is configured to control the illumination level of the light emitting diodes 151 so as to provide a ripple of brighter light passing along the handrail 150. However, it will be understood that the illumination level of the light emitting diodes 151 may be controller in other ways so as to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

For example, the controller 100 may be configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes 151 in the selected sequence (for example from a first brightness level to a second brightness level) until all of the light emitting diodes 151 are at the same brightness level, whereupon the controller 100 is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light emitting diodes 151 in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence (for example from the second brightness level back down to the first brightness level). In this way the light emitting diodes 151 of the sequence are one by one controlled, in sequence and in one direction, to reach the same brightness level, and then again in sequence and in the same direction, one by one controlled to reduce in brightness.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller 100 may be configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes 151 in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes 151 are at the same brightness level, whereupon the controller 100 is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes 151 at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes 151 decreases at the same time. In this way the brightness of the light emitting diodes 151 increased, in sequence, until all of the light emitting diodes 151 are at the same brightness, and then they are "reset" back to the original brightness level. The original brightness level may correspond to a first brightness level, or may correspond to no light being emitted by each of the light emitting diodes 151.

It will be understood that not every light emitting diode 151 of a handrail 150 needs to be individually-addressable. For example, only a selected subset of the light emitting diodes 151, such as every other or every third light emitting diode, may be individually- -16 -addressable. For example, the selected subset of light emitting diodes 151 may be controllable to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure, whereas the remaining light emitting diodes may be controllable to provide a baseline level of illumination.

Additionally or alternatively, the light emitting diodes 151 may be grouped into clusters, wherein each cluster comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein each cluster is individually-addressable. For example, each cluster may comprise three or more light emitting diodes that are operable as one. For example, the controller 100 may be configured to provide a ripple of light passing along the handrail 150 by controlling each of the individually-addressable clusters.

Although Fig. 2 shows a static handrail, it will of course be appreciated that the 15 illumination system may also be applied other types of illumination systems comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes. For example, it is envisioned that such systems may equally apply to lighting incorporated into flooring or near-flooring level.

Although of course the illumination system has been described in the context of use with 20 light emitting diodes, it will of course be appreciated that the system may also work with other sources of illumination, such as incandescent light bulbs.

It will also be appreciated that the controller 100 may additionally or alternatively be configured to control the colour of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes, and to adjust the colour of the emitted light so as to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

In some examples, the handrail 150 may be comprise a light emitting diodes of different colours arranged in sequence along the handrail 150. For example, the handrail 150 may comprise blue, violet, red or green light emitting diodes. In some examples the handrail 150 may comprise a plurality of different colour light emitting diodes each arranged in respective sequences along the handrail 150. For example, the handrail 150 may comprise a sequence of white light emitting diodes 151, and a sequence of blue light emitting diodes 151. Each sequence of different coloured light emitting diodes 151 may be interspersed with the light emitting diodes of another coloured sequence -for example the light emitting diodes of each coloured sequence may alternate. It will be appreciated the controller 100 may be configured to select the colour of the emitted light so as to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.

In some examples the light emitting diodes 151 may be oriented in different directions.

For example, the handrail 150 may comprise a sequence of light emitting diodes oriented in a first direction, and a second sequence of light emitting diodes oriented in a second direction. For example, if the handrail 150 is for a staircase, the first sequence may be oriented so as to be visible by people walking up the stairs but not visible to those walking down the stairs, and the second sequence may be oriented so as to be visible by people walking down the stairs but not visible to those walking up the stairs. In such examples the controller 100 may be configured to control the illumination of each sequence so as to cause a ripple of light along one sequence, and for example a constant level of illumination or a different colour of illumination, to the second sequence.

In some examples the handrail illumination system may comprise more than one sensor. For example, the handrail illumination system may comprise a first sensor, such as an ambient light sensor for determining when the handrail illumination system is to provide a baseline level of illumination, and/or the level of brightness of the handrail illumination system based on the ambient level of light. The handrail illumination system may also 25 comprise a second sensor, for example a movement sensor such as a passive infrared (PIR) sensor for detecting movement in proximity to the handrail illumination system for determining whether or not to control the illumination of the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the 30 infrastructure.

It will be appreciated from the discussion above that the embodiments shown in the Figures and described above are merely exemplary, and include features which may be generalised, removed or replaced as described herein and as set out in the claims. In the context of the present disclosure other examples and variations of the apparatus and methods described herein will be apparent to a person of skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A handrail illumination system for public infrastructure, the system comprising: a handrail comprising a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes; 5 and a controller configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.
2. The handrail illumination system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a consecutive sequence.
3. The handrail illumination system of claim 1 or 2 wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a speed that corresponds to between two and four mph.
4. The handrail illumination system of any of the previous claims wherein the controller being configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises the controller increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.
5. The handrail illumination system of claim 4 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.
6. The handrail illumination system of claim 4 or 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes by increasing the current to increase the brightness for a selected time period before decreasing the current again for at least some of the light emitting diodes before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes.
7. The handrail illumination system of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to taper the increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes.
8. The handrail illumination system of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence.
9. The handrail illumination system of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes decreases at the same time.
10. The handrail illumination system of any of the previous claims further comprising a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the controller is configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail from the sensor and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals.
-21 - 11. The handrail illumination system of claim 10 as dependent on claim 3 wherein the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail.
12. A controller for a handrail illumination system, the controller configured to control a current supplied to each of a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes, wherein the controller is configured to control the current to each of the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.
13. The controller of claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a consecutive sequence.
14. The controller of claim 12 or 13 wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a speed that corresponds to between two and four mph.
15. The controller of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the controller being configured to 25 control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises the controller increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.
16. The controller of claim 15 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through -22 -the infrastructure.
17. The controller of claim 15 or 16 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes by increasing the current to increase the brightness for a selected time period before decreasing the current again for at least some of the light emitting diodes before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes.
18. The controller of claim 17 wherein the controller is configured to taper the 10 increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes.
19. The controller of claim 18 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence.
20. The controller of claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes decreases at the same time.
21. The controller of any of claims 12 to 20 further comprising a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the controller is configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail 30 from the sensor and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals.
22. The controller of claim 21 as dependent on claim 14 wherein the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail.
23. A method of controlling a handrail lighting system, the method comprising controlling a current supplied to each of a plurality of light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes comprising controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and increasing the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.
25. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 23 or 24.Amendments have been filed as folio: CLAI MS: 1. A handrail illumination system for public infrastructure, the system comprising: a handrail comprising a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes; and a controller configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure, wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a selected walking speed.C\I 2. The handrail illumination system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a consecutive sequence.COC\I 3. The handrail illumination system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the selected speed is between two and four mph or 3.22 and 6.44 kph.4. The handrail illumination system of any of the previous claims wherein the controller being configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises the controller increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.5. The handrail illumination system of claim 4 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.6. The handrail illumination system of claim 4 or 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes by increasing the current to increase the brightness for a selected time period before decreasing the current again for at least some of the light emitting diodes before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes.7. The handrail illumination system of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to taper the increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes.8. The handrail illumination system of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, O whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light C\I emitting diodes in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence.OCO 9. The handrail illumination system of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to C\I increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes decreases at the same time.10. The handrail illumination system of any of the previous claims further comprising a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the controller is configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail from the sensor and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals.11. The handrail illumination system of claim 10 wherein the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail.12. A controller for a handrail illumination system, the controller configured to control a current supplied to each of a plurality of individually-addressable light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes, wherein the controller is configured to control the current to each of the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure, and wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a selected walking speed.13. The controller of claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes C\I in a consecutive sequence.14. The controller of claim 12 or 13 wherein the selected speed is between two and CO four mph or 3.22 and 6.44 kph.15. The controller of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the controller being configured to control a current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence comprises the controller increasing the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence.16. The controller of claim 15 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and to increase the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through the infrastructure.17. The controller of claim 15 or 16 wherein the controller is configured to control the current to the light emitting diodes by increasing the current to increase the brightness for a selected time period before decreasing the current again for at least some of the light emitting diodes before the selected sequence has finished, so as to provide a pulse of light that travels through the selected sequence of light emitting diodes.18. The controller of claim 17 wherein the controller is configured to taper the increase and decrease of current to the light emitting diodes to taper the increase and decrease in brightness of the light emitting diodes.19. The controller of claim 18 wherein the controller is configured to increase the current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes of the selected sequence decreases in the selected sequence.20. The controller of claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to increase the C\I current to increase the brightness of the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence until all of the light emitting diodes are at the second brightness level, whereupon the controller is configured to decrease the current supplied to all of the light emitting diodes CO at the same time so that the brightness of all of the light emitting diodes decreases at the C\I same time.21. The controller of any of claims 12 to 20 further comprising a sensor for detecting the motion of people in proximity to the handrail, and wherein the controller is configured to obtain sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail from the sensor and to control the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes based on the sensor signals.22. The controller of claim 21 wherein the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes are determined based on the sensor signals indicative of the motion of people in proximity to the handrail.23. A method of controlling a handrail lighting system, the method comprising controlling a current supplied to each of a plurality of light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify at least one of (i) an intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure; wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes to illuminate the light emitting diodes in a selected sequence to signify an intended speed of movement through the infrastructure comprises controlling the timings of the current supplied to each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the timings are selected based on the respective separation between each of the light emitting diodes, such that the light emitting diodes are illuminated in the selected sequence at a selected walking speed.24. The method of claim 23 wherein controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes comprising controlling the current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes so that they are all illuminated at a first brightness level, and increasing the current to the light emitting diodes in the selected sequence to a second brightness level so as to signify at least one of (i) the intended direction of movement through the infrastructure, and (ii) the intended speed of movement through C\I the infrastructure.25. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is CO executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 23 or 24.