GB2586466A

GB2586466A - Luminaire

Info

Publication number: GB2586466A
Application number: GB1911842.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tao Kuang Wen
Original assignee: Kosnic Lighting Ltd
Current assignee: Kosnic Lighting Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-19
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-19
Also published as: GB201911842D0; GB2586466B

Abstract

A luminaire 101 is assembled from a plurality of modules102-106. The plurality of modules 102-106 comprise a power module 102, a control module 103 and a lighting module 104. The luminaire 101 further comprises a plurality of casings 1102-1106 between which the plurality of modules 102-106 are housed. Each of the plurality of casings 1102-1016 is mechanically and electrically connectable to at least one other of the plurality of casings 1102-1106 to form an adjoined assembly in which the modules 102-106 are connected to a common power circuit and a common data communication bus.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1911842.1 RTM Date:7 January 2020 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Amazon Echo, Google Home, Philips Hue, Tado, WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Nest Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

LUMINAIRE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a luminaire, in particular to a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules.

Background of the Invention

Traditional illumination devices in the home include ceiling mounted, wall mounted and free-standing luminaires. Free-standing luminaires include floor lamps and table lamps.

Luminaires in the home typically use either an incandescent, compact fluorescent, halogen or light emitting diode bulb.

Interest in smart home systems and smart home devices that are usable within such systems is increasing. Smart home technology devices can provide a variety of functions, which may be controlled by a user remotely and/or in accordance with a learning algorithm. Smart home technology systems can include various different connected devices, for example, wireless speaker systems, thermostats, home security and monitoring systems, lighting, domestic appliances, and energy use monitors. Different categories of smart home technology include central control/communication units (for example, the voice-activated Amazon Echo TM and Google Home TM speakers) that provide a data connection to a cloud server, execution devices (for example a Philips Hue TM light or a Tado TM radiator thermostat) that have an internal communication module (such as a WiFi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee communication module) and integrate into a home control system, and sensor devices (for example, a Nest TM room thermostat or a Philips Hue TM motion sensor) that detect an environmental conditions or human presence or activity and report to a central control/communication unit which in turn instructs an execution device to respond accordingly.

A challenge encountered when installing a device within a smart home system is finding a suitable position for the device at which it can perform its function properly and receive appropriate power.

For example, in some places, it may be difficult to electrically connect a mains powered device to an available socket without the wiring creating a safety hazard or being aesthetically unappealing.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising: a power module comprising a power controller for controlling a supply of output power from a supply of input power supplied to the power module from a power source; a control module comprising a data processor, at least one wireless communicator, and at least one sensor device for providing a signal to the data processor; and a lighting module comprising an illumination source and an illumination controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the illumination source; wherein the luminaire comprises a plurality of casings between which the modules of the plurality of modules are housed, and wherein each of the plurality of casings is mechanically and electrically connectable to at least one other of the plurality of casings to form an adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings in which the modules are connected to a common power circuit and a common data communication bus.

The adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings may be a stacked assembly, in which the casings are arranged in a linear series.

The mechanical and electrical connection between adjoining first and second of the plurality of casings may be provided by a coupling comprising respective first and second connection interfaces that are manually engageable.

Each of the first and second connection interfaces may comprise a first power circuit electrical contact, a second power circuit electrical contact, a serial control bus electrical contact and a serial data bus electrical contact The first and second connection interfaces may be engageable with a twist lock action.

One of the first and second connection interfaces may comprise a central plug element and the other of the first and second connection interfaces may comprise a central socket element, the central plug element and the central socket element alignable along an axis of rotation, extending through the central plug element and the central socket element, about which the first and second connection interfaces are relatively rotatable to twist lock the first and second connection interfaces together.

Each of the central plug element and the central socket element may support a first power circuit electrical contact and a second power circuit electrical contact of the respective connection interface.

The one of the first and second connection interfaces may further comprise second and third plug elements, each radially displaced from the central plug element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of the respective connection interface, and the other of the first and second connection interfaces further may comprise second and third socket elements, each radially displaced from the central socket element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of the respective connection interface.

Each of the second and third plug elements may comprise a pin having a head, and each of the second and third socket elements may comprise an arcuate slot having a first end and a second end, the second end angularly displaced from the first end in a coupling direction of rotation around the axis of rotation, the first end having a first width sufficient to allow insertion of the head of the pin of one of the second and third plug elements into the arcuate slot and the second end having a second width sufficient to prevent retraction of the head of the pin of the one of the second and third plug elements from the arcuate slot.

Each of the second plug element and the second socket element may be radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a first distance, and each of the third plug element and the third socket element may be radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a second distance that is different from the first distance.

The plurality of modules may further comprise a speaker module, the speaker module comprising a speaker and a speaker controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the speaker.

The speaker may be in communication with a digital equalizer, the digital equaliser controllable by the speaker controller.

The plurality of modules further may further comprise an air refresher module, the air refresher module comprising an electric oil diffuser and an air refreshing controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the electric oil diffuser.

The mechanical and electrical connection between the air refresher module and another of the plurality of modules may be provided by a coupling comprising respective first and second connection interfaces that are manually engageable by a push-fit action.

The at least one input device of the control module may comprise: a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor.

The power module may comprise an AC/DC converter for converting mains AC input 20 power to DC output power.

The power module may comprise a power outlet for supplying power to a connected external electrical device. The power outlet may be a universal serial bus (USB) socket for supplying power to a connected external portable electronic device.

The illumination source of the lighting module may comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED) lamp.

According to a second aspect there is provided a module adapted for use within a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules, the luminaire according to the first aspect A plurality of modules that are assemblable to form a luminaire is provided. Each of the plurality of modules may be associated with a different function. A plurality of modules that are assemblable to form a luminaire may be provided, in which some modules of the plurality of modules are required to form the luminaire and other modules of the plurality of modules are optionally usable. Each module may be housed in a casing that is affiliated with that module only. Alternatively, modules may share one of the plurality of casings.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a luminaire formed from an adjoined assembly of a plurality of modules, according to a specific embodiment; Figures 2 & 3 show first and second exploded views respectively of the luminaire of Figure I, illustrating the individual modules thereof from first and second angles respectively; Figure 4 illustrates features of a coupling between adjoining modules of the luminaire of Figure I; and Figure 5 is a block diagram of the luminaire of Figure I.

Description

Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus, systems and/or processes described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims.

A luminaire 101 is shown in Figure I. The luminaire 101 is assemblable from a plurality of modules 102-106, as described in further detail below. Luminaire 101 is a free-standing luminaire, having a base end 107 for placing upon a support surface (not shown), and an upper end 108. The luminaire 101 has a depth in a depth direction 109 extending between the base end 107 and the upper end 108. According to this illustrated embodiment, the luminaire 101 has a profile that is substantially radially symmetrical about a central axis 110.

Figures 2 and 3 show different exploded views of the luminaire 101 of Figure I. As mentioned previously, the luminaire 101 comprises a plurality of modules 102-106 from which the luminaire 101 can be assembled.

The luminaire comprises a plurality of casings for housing the modules. Each of the casings is mechanically and electrically connectable with at least one other of the casing to form an adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings. In this embodiment, the adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings of the luminaire is a stacked assembly, in which the casings are arranged in a linear series. Preferably, and in this embodiment, the mechanical and electrical connection between adjoining first and second of the plurality of casings is provided by a coupling comprising respective first and second connection interfaces that are manually engageable. Preferably, the first and second connection interfaces are manually engageable without the use of a tool. Features of a coupling between adjoining casings of the luminaire are shown in, and will be described with reference to, Figures 2, 3 and 4.

According to this specific embodiment, each module of the plurality of modules 102-106 of the luminaire 101 is associated with a different function. Further, in this illustrated embodiment, some modules of the plurality of modules 102-106 are required to form the luminaire 101 and other modules of the plurality of modules 102-106 are optionally usable.

The plurality of modules 102-106 comprises a power module 102, a control module 103 and an illumination module 104. These modules 102-104 are required to form a luminaire 101, and can therefore be considered to be "core" modules. In addition, the plurality of modules 102-106 comprises a speaker module 105 and an air refresher module 106. These modules 105, 106 are optionally includable in the adjoined assembly and can therefore be considered to be "additional" modules. Modules 102-104 can be assembled to form a luminaire with only an illumination function, modules 102-105 can be assembled to form a luminaire with an illumination function and an audio (input and/or output) function, modules 102-106 can be assembled to form a luminaire with an illumination function, an audio (input and/or output) function and an air refreshing function, or modules 102-104 & 106 can be assembled to form a luminaire with an illumination function and an air refreshing function.

As will be detailed further, when the plurality of modules 102-106 are assembled to form the luminaire 101, the modules are connected to a common power circuit and common data communication bus.

A block diagram of components of the luminaire 101 is shown in Figure 5, according to specific examples of the modules 102-106.

Power module 102 comprises a power controller 501 for controlling a supply of output power from a supply of input power supplied to the power module 102 from a power source. According to this specific example, the power module 102 is configured to receive power from a mains power supply, and further comprises an AC/DC power converter 502 for converting mains AC input power to DC output power. In addition, according to this specific example, the power module 102 comprises a power outlet 503 for supplying power to a connected external electrical device. According to this specific illustrated example, the power outlet 503 is a universal serial bus (USB) socket for supplying power to a connected external portable electronic device, for example a mobile telephone, or tablet It is to be appreciated that one or more charging outlets of a different type may additionally or alternatively be included. In this example, the power module 102 is housed in an affiliated casing 1102.

Control module 103 comprises a data processor 504, at least one wireless communicator 505, 506, and at least one sensor device 507, 508, 509 for providing a signal to the data processor 504. According to this specific example, the at least one wireless communicator 505, 506 of control module 103 comprises a Bluetooth TM communicator 505 and a Wi-Fi TM communicator 506. Wireless communicators configured to communicate in accordance with other communication protocols, for example ZigBee TM, may additionally or alternatively be included. According to this specific example, the at least one sensor device 507, 508, 509 of control module 103 comprises a motion sensor 507, in this specific illustrated example, a microwave motion sensor, a temperature sensor 508, and a light sensor 509. It is to be appreciated that one or more sensors of a different type may additionally or alternatively be included. In this example, the control module 103 is housed in an affiliated casing 1103.

Lighting module 104 comprises an illumination source 510 and an illumination controller 511 for communicating with the control module 103 and controlling the illumination source 510. According to this specific example, the lighting module 104 comprises an optical diffuser 512 and a heat sink 513. In this specific example, the illumination source 510 comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) lamp. According to this specific illustrated example, the illumination source 510 comprises RGB (red, green, blue) and W (white) LED lamps. In this example, the lighting module 104 is housed in an affiliated casing 1104.

Speaker module 105 comprises a speaker 514 and a speaker controller 515, the speaker controller 515 for communicating with the control module 103 and controlling the speaker 514. According to this specific example, the speaker module 105 comprises a digital equalizer 516. The speaker 514 is in communication with the digital equalizer 516, which is controllable by the speaker controller 514. According to this specific example, the speaker module 105 further comprises an amplifier 517, a sound splitter 518 and a body portion 519. In this example, the speaker module 105 is housed in an affiliated casing 1105. According to this specific illustrated example, the body portion 519 is defined by the casing 1105 of the speaker module 105 and is configured to act an acoustic resonance body.

Air refresher module 106 comprises an electric oil diffuser 520 and an air refreshing controller 521 for communicating with the control module 103 and controlling the electric oil diffuser 520. According to this specific example, the electric oil diffuser 520 comprises a heater 522, a vaporizing disc 523 for receiving an essential oil or other oil, and a temperature sensor 524. It is to be appreciated that any alternative arrangement of electric oil diffuser 520 may be incorporated. In this example, the air refresher module 106 is housed in an affiliated casing 1106.

The casing in which each of the modules 102-106 is housed may be fabricated from any suitable material, for example a plastics material, and may have any suitable appearance.

According to this embodiment, each of the modules 102-106 is housed in a respective affiliated casing 1 102-1 106, the affiliated casing housing only that module.

In this illustrated embodiment, each module 102-106 comprises its affiliated casing 1102- 1106. Each of the modules 102-106 comprises at least one connection interface that is engageable with a connection interface of another of the modules 102-106. With reference to Figure 5, a first, second, third and fourth pairs of connection interfaces 525, 526, 527, 528 are shown. Each pair of connection interfaces 525, 526, 527, 528 provides a coupling between adjoining modules; the first pair of connection interfaces 525 comprises a connection interface 529 of power module 102 and a connection interface 530 of speaker module 105, the second pair of connection interfaces 526 comprises a connection interface 531 of speaker module 105 and a connection interface 532 of control module 103, the third pair of connection interfaces 527 comprises a connection interface 533 of control module 103 and a connection interface 534 of lighting module 104, and the fourth pair of connection interfaces 528 comprises a connection interface 535 of lighting module 104 and a connection interface 536 of air refresher module 537. Thus, in the shown stacked assembly, the power module 102, at one end, and the air refresher module 106, at the other end, each have only one connection interface, but the speaker module 105, control module 103 and lighting module 104 each have two connection interfaces.

Each connection interface comprises a first power circuit electrical contact, a second power circuit electrical contact, a serial data bus electrical contact and a serial control bus electrical contact, for example, first (negative) and second (positive) power circuit electrical contacts 537, 538, serial control bus electrical contact 539 and serial data bus electrical contact 540 of connection interface 533 of control module 103.

As mentioned above, when the modules are connected to form an adjoined assembly, the modules are connected to a common power circuit and a common data communication bus.

At least one of the couplings between adjoining casings is configured such that the connection interface of one casing and the compatible connection interface of the other casing are engageable with a twist lock action.

According to this illustrated embodiment, the couplings 525, 526 and 527 (between power module 102 and speaker module 105, speaker module 105 and control module 103, and control module 103 and lighting module 104) are twist lock action couplings.

Reference will now be made in particular to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

In each of the couplings 525, 526 and 527, one of the first and second connection interfaces comprises a central plug element, for example central plug element 301 of connection interface 534 of lighting module 104, the other of the first and second connection interfaces comprises a central socket element, for example central socket element 201 of connection interface 533 of control module 103, and the central plug element and the central socket element, for example central plug element 301 and central socket element 201, are alignable along an axis of rotation, extending through the central plug element and the central socket element, about which the first and second connection interfaces, for example connection interface 534, 533, are relatively rotatable to twist lock the first and second connection interfaces together. As shown, and referring also to Figure I, the axis of rotation is the central axis 110 of the luminaire 101.

According to the specific illustrated embodiment, each of the central plug element and the central socket element, for example central plug element 301 and central socket element 201, supports the first power circuit electrical contact and the second power circuit electrical contact of the respective connection interface, for example the first and second power circuit electrical contacts 537, 538 of connection interface 533 of control module 103.

In each of the couplings 525, 526 and 527 also, the aforementioned one of the first and second connection interfaces further comprises second and third plug elements, each radially displaced from the central plug element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of that connection interface, for example second plug element 302 and third plug element 303 of connection interface 534 of lighting module 104, each radially displaced from central plug element 301, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of the connection interface 534, and the aforementioned other of the first and second connection interfaces comprises second and third socket elements, each radially displaced from the central socket element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of that connection interface, for example second socket element 202 and third socket element 203 of connection interface 533 of control module 103, each radially displaced from central socket element 201, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact 539 and the serial control bus electrical contact 540 of the connection interface 533.

According to this specific illustrated embodiment, each of the second and third plug elements, for example second and third plug elements 302 and 303 of lighting module 104, comprises a pin having a head, for example pin 304 having head 305 of second plug element 302, each of the second and third socket elements, for example second and third socket elements 202 and 203 of control module 103, comprises an arcuate slot having a first end and a second end, the second end angularly displaced from the first end in a coupling direction of rotation C around said axis of rotation, for example arcuate slot 204 having a first end 205 and a second end 206 of second socket element 202, the first end having a first width sufficient to allow insertion of the head of the pin of one of the second and third plug elements into the arcuate slot and the second end having a second width sufficient to prevent retraction of the head of the pin of said one of the second and third plug elements from the arcuate slot. This arrangement enables the heads of the pins of the second and third plug elements to be inserted into the first ends of the second and third socket elements, and then rotated within the arcuate slots, as the connection interfaces are being twist locked together, to the seconds ends of the second and third socket elements. With the pins so located at the seconds ends of the arcuate slot of each of the second and third socket elements, any attempt to separate the adjoining modules by a pulling force applied in the direction of the central axis 110 will be resisted by the engaged connection interfaces. Preferably, and in this specific embodiment, each of the couplings 525, 526, 527, is releasable. According to this specific embodiment each of the coupling 525, 526, 527 is releasable by effecting relative rotation of the first and second connection interfaces in a coupling direction of rotation UC around said axis of rotation.

Preferably, and in this specific illustrated embodiment, in each of the couplings 525, 526 and 527, each of the second plug element and the second socket element are radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a first distance, and each of the third plug element and the third socket element are radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a second distance that is different from the first distance. For example, in coupling 527, second plug element 302 of connection interface 534 of lighting module 104 is radially displaced from the central plug element 301 thereof by a first distance 401 and second socket element 202 of connection interface 533 of control module 103 is radially displaced from the central plug element 201 by the first distance 401, and third plug element 303 of connection interface 534 of lighting module 104 is radially displaced from the central plug element 301 thereof by a second distance 402 that is different from the first distance 401 and third socket element 206 of connection interface 533 of control module 103 is radially displaced from the central plug element 201 by the second distance 402. In this illustrated example, the second distance 402 is greater than the first distance 401, but in other examples the second distance 402 is less than the second distance 401. This feature advantageously prevents mismatching of a plug element that supports a serial control bus electrical contact with a socket element that supports a serial data bus electrical contact and vice versa.

Further, at least one of the couplings between adjoining modules is configured such that the connection interface of one module and the connection interface of the other module are engageable with a push-fit action. According to this specific embodiment, the coupling 528 (between lighting module 104 and air refresher module 106) is a push-fit action coupling. According to this specific illustrated embodiment, the connection interface 536 of air refresher module 106 comprises first, second, third and fourth plug elements 306- 309 and the connection interface 535 of lighting module 104 comprises first, second, third and fourth corresponding socket elements (not shown). The connection interfaces 535, 536 are engageable by being pushed together, as indicated by arrow arrangement A. It is to be appreciated that any suitable number and arrangement of plug and socket elements may be provided. Preferably, and in this specific embodiment, the coupling 528 is releasable.

According to this specific embodiment, the coupling 528 is releasable by the connection interfaces 535, 536 being pulled apart, as indicated by arrow arrangement R. Modules 102-104, optionally along with one or both of modules 105 and 106, can be assembled to form a luminaire. When modules 102-104 only are used, within the stacked assembly, the control module 103 is disposed between the power module 102 and the lighting module 104. When modules 102-105 only are used, within the stacked assembly, the speaker module 105 is disposed between the power module 102 and the control module 103, and the control module 103 is disposed between the speaker module 105 and the lighting module 104. When all modules 102-105 are used, within the stacked assembly, the speaker module 105 is disposed between the power module 102 and the control module 103, and the control module 103 is disposed between the speaker module 105 and the lighting module 104, and the lighting module 104 is disposed between the control module 103 and the air refresher module 106. When modules 102-104 and 106 only are used, within the stacked assembly, the stacked assembly, the control module 103 is disposed between the power module 102 and the lighting module 104, and the lighting module 104 is disposed between the control module 103 and the air refresher module 106.

Thus, an order of the modules within an adjoined assembly can be predetermined. One or more of the modules may have a connection interface that incorporates a feature that serves to prevent connection of that module to a specific one of the other modules, for example to ensure the modules within an adjoined assembly are arranged in a predetermined order for operational or safety reasons.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a module adapted for use within such a luminaire.

The luminaire comprises a plurality of casings between which the modules of the plurality of modules are housed. Although an arrangement of a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules has been described in which each module is housed in a casing that is affiliated with that module only (such that mention of adjoined modules may be perceived as synonymous with mention of adjoined casings), it is to be appreciated that in an alternative arrangement one or more of the plurality of casings houses more than one of the plurality of modules. Thus, in both cases, a plurality of casings is provided for housing the plurality of modules, but each of the modules may be housed in a casing either alone or along with at least one other module. Thus, modules may share a casing. The modules may thus also share the or each connection interface of that casing. Casings may be releasably connected using any suitable engagement arrangement, which may include a twist-lock or push-fit mechanism.

Further details of the luminaire 101 of the specific illustrated embodiment will now be described.

Luminaire The luminaire is a multifunctional modular luminaire that comprises multiple functional units including at least an illumination unit, at least one other functional unit, and a power supply unit that drives the illumination unit and each other functional unit At least one of the functional units may be added or detached from the luminaire by a user without the use of tool, while the remaining functional units still remain functional, although the functionality of the luminaire may however be reduced. At least three of the functional units are electronically interlinked with power supply, serial control bus and serial data bus.

Power unit The unit provides a DC power supply to all functional units included in the luminaire. The power unit comprises: a. an AC/DC converter that converts a mains AC input to a DC output.

b a power control module that communicates via the control/data bus and is capable of putting the power supply function in each of a plurality of different modes, for example a low power mode, a sleep mode and a deep sleep mode for improved power efficiency.

c. at least one USE charger unit that can charge an external portable electric device.

Central control unit This unit collects environment information and monitors the status of the other functional units. It controls other functional units via the control and data bus. This unit comprises: a. a microwave motion sensor that detects the presence of a person within a detectable distance. The sensor detects the amplitude of the movement and also heart beat and breath motion. The combination of these information types allows the on-board computer to determine a status of a person (for example, sleeping, reading or walking) b. a temperature sensor that detects the room temperature.

c. a light sensor that detects natural light d. wireless communication modules (for example, WiFi TM and Bluetooth TM modules) e. an on-board computer, that can i. collect environment information, and make decisions based on predefined logic algorithms.

communicate with external devices, such as remote computing equipment (for example, a smart phone), and cloud server, where information provided can be processed and recorded.

IC iii. receive/send instructions from/to external devices iv. transfer data originating from external devices to a specific functional unit (for example, transferring audio data received from a mobile phone via a Bluetooth TM module of the central control unit to the speaker unit of the luminaire).

v. receives software upgrade from an external computing device (for example, a IS cloud server) Speaker unit This unit allows a user to stream audio data from their personal portable device to the speaker unit This unit comprises: a. a housing that accommodates a speaker and acts as an acoustic resonance body.

b. a speaker c. an amplifier d. a digital equaliser that can be adjusted by a speaker control unit with instructions received from the central control unit e. a speaker control module that interacts with the central control unit via the control and data and serial bus. It receives the audio stream from the data bus and instructions such as volume and parameters for the digital equaliser from the control bus.

Lighting unit This unit provides illumination as well as ambient light in accordance with the environment, user activity/status, user instruction or predefined schedules etc. This unit compromises:

IS

a. an LED circuit that comprises arrays of RGB and White LEDs (for example CTT LEDs 24001Q6500K). The White LEDs can provide illumination and the RGB LEDs can provide the ambient light b. a heat sink that dissipates the heat generated by the LED chips.

c. an optical diffuser that fuses lights from different LEDs with different colour.

Provides a more uniform and softer light d. a lighting control module that controls the current that drives the LED circuit It receives the instructions from the central control unit and varies the LED arrays brightness and colour accordingly.

Air refresher unit This unit vaporises essence oil applied by the user. This unit comprises: a. a vaporising disk that holds the essence oil b. a heater that heats the vaporising disk to increase the rate of vaporisation.

c. a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the vaporising disk d. an air refreshing control module that controls the temperature of the vaporising disk based on instructions from the central control unit Interlink connector Interlinks DC power supply, serial data bus and serial control bus with the neighbouring functional unit.

Luminaire function The modular multifunctional luminaire comprises the following functional modules: I. Air refreshing unit 2. Lighting unit 3. Central control unit 4. Audio unit S. Power supply unit Among these 5 units, there are 3 mandatory units, the power supply unit, the central control unit and the lighting unit, and 2 optional units: the speaker unit and the air refresher unit and speaker unit At least the functional units are interconnected via a two-part twist lock interlink connector, each part of which provides 4 electric contacts. Electric contacts 1 and 2 are positive and negative DC terminals on a DC jack, the DC Jack including a plug and a socket that are positioned in the centre of the interlink connector, and electric contacts 3 and 4 are pins and sockets for the serial data and control bus. The socket is an arc shaped slot, with a larger end and a smaller end. The pin enters the socket at the larger end and is twisted to the smaller end, where the larger tip of the pin is locked by the slot Once in place the tip of the pin is in contact with a metal contact that sits inside the socket slot. The two pins and sockets are located to either side of the central DC Jack, with different distances. This is to prevent mismatch between the pins and sockets.

With the combinations of the functional units and connectivity to the internet and personal smart devices, the luminaire can achieve countless applications. Some possible applications are outlined below.

Sleep detection and assistance Within the central control unit, there is a microwave motion sensor (Doppler radar) that can detect and recognise the following motions: I. Full body movement walking in a room.

2. Partial body movement limb movement such as elbow and shoulder movement.

3. Micro movement hand and finger movement 4. Heart and breath detection.

A time gap between certain types of motion can also be detected and used to make judgements on the user status. For example: Enter sleep status if: heart and breath detected with long time gaps between micro or partial body movements.

Exit sleep status if: heart and breath detected with multiple partial body or full body movement with short time gaps between.

With the capability of detecting sleep and wakeup, the functional units will be able to provide the following functions: I. Dim the light and then switch off the light after entering sleep status for a period time.

2. If the air refresher unit is enabled for sleeping assistance, it functions when pre-sleep status is detected: a. Partial body movement undetected or with long time gap between.

b. Micro movement detected with medium to long time gap between.

c. Strong heart and breath detected indicating that the user is close to the luminaire, which is likely to be located on a bedside table.

The air refresher unit reduces the rate of vaporisation once sleep status is detected, and will turn off after a predefined period of time.

3. The user may play music prior to sleep, and once sleep status is detected, the volume of the music is automatically reduced and eventually turned off.

4. If wakeup is detected, and if natural light is not also detected, the lights will enter night light mode with low level of light S. Sleeping quality monitoring can be performed. Given the heart rate, breath rate and the amplitude and frequency movement, the quality of sleeping can be assessed.

Human-centric lighting Human-centric lighting (HCL) is increasingly being discussed in the lighting industry, and in general means that the artificial light should simulate the correlated colour temperature (CCT) and light intensity variation of the natural light in accordance with a time of day.

During a typical sunny day, the CCT varies as below: 6:00am: 2700K; 9:00am: 4600K; 12:00am: 6500K; 3:00pm 4600K; 6:00pm 2700K.

The above pattern changes in accordance with latitude and season (time of year). This information can be synchronised with an external portable device (for example, a smart phone) that will provide the current geographical location of the luminaire and the current date/time to the central control unit Then, the central control unit can send a control message that includes the CCT information to the lighting unit, which, in response, adjusts the CCT of the LEDs by varying the current to different LED groups.

Integration with Smart Home systems With wireless communicators (for example, WiFi TM modem and Bluetooth TM modem) included in the central control unit, the luminaire can be integrated into a smart home system (for example, an Amazon Echo TM or Google Home system etc.) and the detected sleeping and wakeup status can provide a useful input to the smart home system. Some illustrative examples are outlined below: I. Once sleeping status detected, the smart home system may turn off lights in other rooms and turn on a security system. It may also turn down or even turn off other room's heating or air conditioning.

2. Once wakeup status detected, the smart home system may turn off the security system, turn on a bathroom and corridor light at a low level. Should there be a coffee machine or kettle connected to the smart home system, they can be turned on, and in time for breakfast.

The luminaire of the present invention beneficially allows additional functionality to be provided in a convenient manner, using only a single power connection between the luminaire and the mains power supply. In other words, only one power connection is needed to drive all the functional units from which the luminaire is assembled. As a luminaire is likely to be found on a bedside table, for example, other functions can be incorporated into the luminaire without the need to use additional cabling or wiring between the luminaire and the mains power supply. This is particularly advantageous in circumstances when there are limited mains power sockets available to connect to, or the presence of additional power leads would create a safety hazard or be unsightly.

In addition, the luminaire of the present invention beneficially connects each of a plurality of modules included in the assembled luminaire to a common data communication bus.

Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and/or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims I. A luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules comprising: a power module comprising a power controller for controlling a supply of output power from a supply of input power supplied to the power module from a power source; a control module comprising a data processor, at least one wireless communicator, and at least one sensor device for providing a signal to the data processor; and a lighting module comprising an illumination source and an illumination controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the illumination source; wherein the luminaire comprises a plurality of casings between which the modules of the plurality of modules are housed, and wherein each of the plurality of casings is mechanically and electrically connectable to at least one other of the plurality of casings to form an adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings in which the modules are connected to a common power circuit and a common data communication bus.
2. A luminaire as claimed in claim I, wherein said adjoined assembly of the plurality of casings is a stacked assembly, in which the casings are arranged in a linear series.
3. A luminaire as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mechanical and electrical connection between adjoining first and second of the plurality of casings is provided by a coupling comprising respective first and second connection interfaces that are manually engageable.
4. A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first and second connection interfaces comprise a first power circuit electrical contact, a second power circuit electrical contact, a serial control bus electrical contact and a serial data bus electrical contact
5. A luminaire as claimed in claim 3 or in claim 4 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the first and second connection interfaces are engageable with a twist lock action.
6. A luminaire as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of the first and second connection interfaces comprises a central plug element, the other of the first and second connection interfaces comprises a central socket element, the central plug element and the central socket element alignable along an axis of rotation, extending through the central plug element and the central socket element, about which the first and second connection interfaces are relatively rotatable to twist lock the first and second connection interfaces together.
7. A luminaire as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the central plug element and the IC central socket element supports said first power circuit electrical contact and said second power circuit electrical contact of the respective connection interface.
8. A luminaire as claimed in claim 7, wherein said one of the first and second connection interfaces further comprises second and third plug elements, each radially displaced from said central plug element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of the respective connection interface, and said other of the first and second connection interfaces further comprises second and third socket elements, each radially displaced from said central socket element, and respectively supporting the serial data bus electrical contact and the serial control bus electrical contact of the respective connection interface.
9. A luminaire as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the second and third plug elements comprises a pin having a head, and each of the second and third socket elements comprises an arcuate slot having a first end and a second end, the second end angularly displaced from the first end in a coupling direction of rotation around said axis of rotation, the first end having a first width sufficient to allow insertion of the head of the pin of one of the second and third plug elements into the arcuate slot and the second end having a second width sufficient to prevent retraction of the head of the pin of said one of the second and third plug elements from the arcuate slot
10.A luminaire as claimed in claim 8 or in claim 9, wherein each of the second plug element and the second socket element are radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a first distance, and each of the third plug element and the third socket element are radially displaced from the central plug element of the respective connection interface by a second distance that is different from the first distance.
II. A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of modules further comprises a speaker module, the speaker module comprising a speaker and a speaker controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the speaker.
I 2. A luminaire as claimed in claim II, wherein the speaker is in communication with a digital equalizer, the digital equaliser controllable by the speaker controller.
13. A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of modules further comprises an air refresher module, the air refresher module comprising an electric oil diffuser and an air refreshing controller for communicating with the control module and controlling the electric oil diffuser.
I4.A luminaire as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mechanical and electrical connection between the air refresher module and another of the plurality of modules is provided by a coupling comprising respective first and second connection interfaces that are manually engageable by a push-fit action.
15. A luminaire as claimed in claim 2 or in any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein, within said stacked assembly, the control module is disposed between the power module and the lighting module.
16. A luminaire as claimed in claim 1 1 when dependent upon claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein, within said stacked assembly, the speaker module is disposed between the power module and the control module, and the control module is disposed between the speaker module and the lighting module.
I 7. A luminaire as claimed in claim 13 when dependent upon claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein, within said stacked assembly, the speaker module is disposed between the power module and the control module, the control module is disposed between the speaker module and the lighting module, and the lighting module is disposed between the control module and the air refresher module.
I 8.A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one input device of the control module comprises a light sensor.
I 9.A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one input device of the control module comprises a temperature sensor.
20.A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one input device of the control module comprises a motion sensor.
21. A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the power module comprises an AC/DC converter for converting mains AC input power to DC output 15 power.
22.A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the power module comprises a power outlet for supplying power to a connected external electrical device.
23.A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the power outlet is a universal serial bus (USB) socket for supplying power to a connected external portable electronic device.
24. A luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the illumination source of the lighting module comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) lamp.
25.A module adapted for use within a luminaire assemblable from a plurality of modules, the luminaire as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24.