WO2012114210A1

WO2012114210A1 - Emergency exit way guiding lighting system

Info

Publication number: WO2012114210A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/050341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-02-21
Filing date: 2012-01-25
Publication date: 2012-08-30

Abstract

The invention provides an emergency exit way guiding lighting system comprising (a) one or more emergency lighting units, each lighting unit comprising a first light emissive segment configured to provide first light emissive segment light for indicating a direction to an emergency exit, and a second light emissive segment having a non-directive segment shape and configured to provide second light emissive segment light for accentuating the first light emissive segment; and (b) a control unit configured to control the second light emissive segment light independently from the first light emissive segment light.

Description

Emergency exit way guiding lighting system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an emergency exit way guiding lighting system and to a method of guiding evacuees to an emergency exit and emergency personnel to a target location. The invention further relates to a space including such emergency exit way guiding lighting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Way finding problems in emergency situations are known in the art. US- 7026947 describes the situation that during emergency situations in buildings, evacuees can have difficulty finding safe egress routes out of the building. For instance, as indicated in that document, in a severe fire, the whole process of finding safe escape routes may become even more difficult if thick smoke fills the entire structure. In a severe fire, evacuee panic can combine with obscuration by heavy smoke to create severe disorientation in evacuees. These difficulties can be further aggravated if the fire spreads so rapidly that escape routes are blocked or cut off by the fire. In conditions where it might be difficult to find a safe way out of a building, indications of where the safe egress routes are would be very helpful. On the other hand, first responders, especially fire fighters, often have considerable difficulty in navigating through buildings during an emergency. Even if the location of the fire is known, this can be a challenging task due to lack of knowledge of the building layout. Medical first responders are another group that might benefit from more building information.

US-7026947 suggests a regional information system comprising a plurality of detectors for monitoring a region, control circuitry coupled to the detectors, the control circuitry at least in part in response to indicia from the detectors, establishes at least one ingress path into a portion of the region indicated by at least some of the detectors, as being the location of a hazardous condition. According to this document, the indicators can include traditional indication solutions such as "EXIT" signs, emergency announcement systems or strobe lights all without limitation. Other indicators that could identify paths could include arrows on exit signs that turn on or off as needed to change the indication of where to go to find a safe exit. Indicators could include exit signs with arrows, but mounted low on the wall so they can be seen under smoke clouds. Strips can be mounted on walls to light with arrows or a line of light. Conductors with jackets that glow when the conductor is energized could light the path if they could be mounted low and in a manner that doesn't risk wear to the jacket. Such glowing conductors could be different colors for evacuees and first responder paths.

According to US-7026947 indicators can be placed into at least two categories, those that direct evacuees out, and those that direct first responders in.

Combinations of some indicators can provide path finding for both first responders and evacuees without confusing either one. For example, additional lighting could be used to demonstrate paths to first responders when joined with traditional exit lights. A small, intense, flashing light mounted on the bottom of the EXIT sign could be used by fire fighters to find their path without confusing evacuees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem that the present invention addresses is how to provide an emergency exit way guiding lighting system in such a way that it can simultaneously guide evacuees away from an emergency and emergency personnel towards the location of emergency, depending on the location of the emergency. This may not be straightforward, because these groups may need to travel in opposing directions, implying the risk of evacuees being confused by direction signs meant for emergency personnel. If emergency personnel follow the arrows in opposite direction, it may not always be possible to find the emergency location, because in opposite directions paths can split. More specifically, the invention addresses the problem of how to implement such an emergency exit way guiding lighting system in a low-location path marking installation using a cover layer ("covering"), such as wall paper or carpet, to hide light sources of such system, such that light only becomes visible when needed.

Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative emergency exit way guiding lighting system and an alternative method of guiding evacuees to an emergency exit and emergency personnel to a target location (using such emergency exit way guiding lighting system), which preferably further at least solve one or more of above-described problems. It is further an aspect of the invention to provide a space with such emergency exit way guiding lighting system.

The solution proposed here is to use words, arrows or similar symbols, to guide evacuees, and to use path marking with non- directional symbols for emergency personnel. In this way, the emergency personnel can follow the arrows etc. in opposite direction towards the location of the emergency, while evacuees follow the arrows to get away from the emergency. The two items (direction information and non-direction symbols) can be controlled independently.

The directional symbol is especially provided as light emissive segment of a lighting unit, and the non-direction symbol is especially provided as light emissive segment of the (same) lighting unit. Where the path splits in opposite direction, the emergency personnel can follow the non-directional symbols to find the right direction. Especially, the non-directional symbols for emergency personnel may only used where paths split; i.e. only those non-directional symbols may appear as lighting symbols where necessary to guide emergency personnel.

Hence, in a first aspect, the invention provides an emergency exit way guiding lighting system comprising (a) one or more emergency lighting units (further also indicated as "lighting unit" or "lighting units"), each lighting unit comprising a first light emissive segment (further also indicated as "first segment") configured to provide first light emissive segment light for indicating a direction to an emergency exit, and a second light emissive segment (further also indicated as "second segment") having a non-directive segment shape and configured to provide second light emissive segment light for accentuating the first light emissive segment; and (b) a control unit configured to control the second light emissive segment light independently from the first light emissive segment light.

With such emergency exit way guiding lighting system evacuees can safely be guided to an emergency exit and emergency personnel can clearly be led to a target location, for instance a fire location. The evacuees are not confused by the sign, since intuitively, evacuees will follow the directive signs or symbols of the first light emissive segment.

Emergency personnel simply follow the route in counter direction of the directive signs when such directive sign is accentuated by the second light emissive segment. Especially in case were routes for evacuees merge, but emergency personnel has to choose, or for instance where there are more than one emergency exits, the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may be advantageous in simply indicating for emergency personnel the shortest (unbranched) route to the target location

As indicated above, the second light emissive segment may only necessarily be lighting (i.e. emitting light) at locations where there may have to be chosen between routes, for instance at a crossing or branching of routes, such as passages or corridors. In this case, the emergency personnel can be instructed to follow the accentuated signs (first light emissive segments accentuated by the second light emissive segments) in opposite direction.

In a specific embodiment, the emergency personnel might be instructed to follow the directive signs in opposite direction, but when these signs are accentuated, they should ignore the direction given by the sign (i.e. any direction given by the first light emissive segments), and just follow only the accentuated direction (in opposite direction). The advantage of the latter approach is that it is also possible to instruct emergency personnel to follow the same path as evacuees in certain circumstances.

Hence, the invention also provides an embodiment of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system wherein the control unit is configured to switch on only the second light emissive segment(s) of the lighting unit(s) on a single route to the target location in a situation wherein in case of emergency, at a branch location where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units is available.

Hence, the invention also provides an embodiment of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system wherein the control unit is configured to switch on, in a case of an emergency, the first light emissive segment light of the first light emissive segment(s) and only to switch on the second light emissive segment light of the second light emissive segment(s) of said emergency exit way guiding lighting system when emergency personnel is to be directed to a target location in an opposite direction relative to a direction of the evacuees indicated by the first light emissive segment light of the respective first light emissive segment(s).

The first light emissive segment may show any (lighting) sign or symbol, or combination of signs or combination of symbols to indicate a direction. The term first light emissive segment (and second light emissive segment), may in an embodiment also refer to a plurality of first light emissive segments (and second light emissive segments, respectively).

For instance, in an embodiment one or more first light emissive segment(s) show one or more of the word "EXIT", an equivalent thereof in another language (such as "SORTIE", "AUSGANG", or "UITGANG", etc.), and an arrow.

The second light emissive segment may show any sign or symbol, or combination of signs or combination of symbols, which prima facie do not indicate a direction. Hence, the second light emissive segment is prima facie non-directive. This does of course not exclude that emergency personnel from the fact that the second light emissive segment is switched on understand that the target location is in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the first light emissive segment of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system of which the second light emissive segment is switched on. For instance, in an embodiment, one or more second light emissive segment(s) have a shape selected from the group consisting of a line, a circle, a square, a rectangular, a trapezoid, and an ellipse. In an embodiment, the one or more second light emissive segment(s) have a polygonal shape having a non-directive arrangement.

The emergency exit way guiding lighting system may further be equipped with additional apparatus or devices, like sensors (heat sensor, smoke sensor, and the like) and/or camera's, herein indicated as emergency sensor(s). Hence, the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may further comprise an emergency sensor configured to provide an emergency sensor signal to the control unit. The term "sensor" may also refer to a plurality of sensors. The control unit may be configured to derive from the sensor signal whether there is an emergency and determine the location of the emergency. This may then be defined as target location (for emergency personnel). Of course alternatively and/or additionally, the target location may be defined manually (for instance via a user input device or interface) and based thereon the control unit will switch on, where necessary, one or more second light emissive segments. Likewise, based on the target information, the control unit may switch on the first light emissive segments, where necessary. In this way, evacuees may be guided out of a building and emergency personnel may be guided to the target location.

Especially, the lighting unit may be arranged behind a light transmissive cover

(see also below). Hence, as further elucidated below, the invention also provides an embodiment of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system wherein one or more lighting unit(s) are (configured to be) suitable for arranging between (a) a boundary element selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling and (b) a light transmissive boundary covering selected from the group consisting of a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, wall paint, veneer, a PVC flooring, and linoleum. For instance, the lighting unit(s) may have a height (thickness) of 2 mm or less. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, some the lighting units may be hidden, some of them may be non-hidden. Further, a subset of lighting units may be arranged behind for instance plaster, and another subset of lighting units may be arranged (visible) at the ceiling.

A specific advantage of using (solid state) LEDs is that they are relatively small and may thereby fit better in a recess in a substrate (see also below). A total thickness of the lighting unit(s) below 1 mm is preferred, and this may only be achieved with LEDs. The term LED may refer to OLEDs, but especially refers to solid state lighting. Unless indicated otherwise, the term LED herein further refers to solid state LEDs. Especially, the light source is part of a lighting unit comprising a plurality of light sources.

Solid state LEDs as light source(s) are especially desired because of their small dimensions. Such light sources with state of the art technique may be less than 1 mm thick, even in the range of about 0.2 mm (excluding a support structure of 0.5-1 mm thickness, such as PCB (printed circuit board), or smaller. When arranging such light source (for example having a total thickness of 1 mm including support structure) on a wall or ceiling, the covering material may be arranged over the light source without substantial influence of the (presence of the) light source on the (local) surface height of the covering material. Preferably, the total height of the light sources, and even more preferably the total height of the lighting unit(s) are at maximum 2 mm, preferably less, such as 1 mm or less, for instance equal to or less than about 0.7 mm, especially 0.5 mm or less, such as 0.2-0.4 mm, like 0.3 mm.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of guiding evacuees to an emergency exit and emergency personnel to a target location, comprising switching on the first light emissive segment light of the first light emissive segment(s) of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims and only switching on the second light emissive segment light of the second light emissive segment(s) of said emergency exit way guiding lighting system when emergency personnel is to be directed to the target location in an opposite direction relative to a direction of the evacuees indicated by the first light emissive segment light of the respective first light emissive segment(s).

As indicated above, the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may further comprise an emergency sensor configured to provide an emergency sensor signal to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to derive from the emergency sensor signal the target location for emergency personnel, and wherein the control unit controls the second light emissive segment light of the second light emissive segment(s) as function of the target location for emergency personnel. Especially, in case of emergency, at a branch location where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units is available, the control unit may be configured to switch on only the second light emissive segment(s) of the lighting unit(s) on a single route to the target location.

As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may be part of a larger security and/or safety system, for instance also including one or more of a fire extinguisher, a sprinkler, a heat sensor, a microphone, emergency lighting, a gas controlling system (such as a system that may be used to remove air, such as by introducing nitrogen or C0₂), etc.

Especially beneficial for reducing confusion may be by arranging the lighting unit behind a light transmissive element. In this way, when the first light emissive segment (and second light emissive segment) is not switched on, the first light emissive segment may even not be visible. Hence, the direction indicated will not be visible to evacuees, thereby reducing possible confusion. Only when the first light emissive segment is switched on, the first light emissive segment, and thus the direction indicated, will be visible through the light transmissve element. Hence, in an embodiment, one or more lighting units are arranged between (a) a boundary element and (b) a light transmissive boundary covering. For instance, the boundary element may be selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling. In a further embodiment, the light transmissive boundary covering is selected from the group consisting of a carpet (such as a wall-to-wall carpet, a broadloom carpet, or a carpet tile), plaster, wallpaper, wall paint, a PVC flooring, veneer and linoleum.

The light transmissivity of the light transmissive boundary covering is preferably in the range of 0.5 % - 30 % transmission, preferably in the range 1 % - 10 %. A too low percentage may give too low optical efficiency, but a too high percentage may make the underlying lighting unit visible, which may be less desired. The determination of transmission is known in the art. For instance, the transmission or light can be determined by providing light at a specific wavelength with a first intensity to the material and relating the intensity of the light at that wavelength measured after transmission through the material, to the first intensity of the light provided at that specific wavelength to the material (see also E- 208 and E-406 of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 69th edition, 1088-1989).

In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a space comprising an emergency exit and an emergency exit way guiding lighting system as described herein. Of course, such space may comprise more than one emergency exits and the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may comprise a plurality of lighting units. The space may be (part of) a hospitality area, such as a restaurant, a hotel, a clinic, or a hospital, an office, a department store, a warehouse, a cinema, a church, a theatre, etc.

Hence, the space may comprise a plurality of exits and wherein the emergency exit way guiding lighting system comprises a plurality of lighting units at lighting unit locations. The control unit may especially be configured to control the light of the first emissive light segments and the light of the second light emissive segments as function of the locations of the plurality of exits, the location of the plurality of lighting units, and a control input signal. In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to derive a target location for emergency personnel from the emergency sensor signal (see also above) and the control unit is configured to control the light of the second light emissive segments as function of the locations of the plurality of lighting units and the target location for emergency personnel.

As indicated above, especially one or more lighting units of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system may be arranged between a boundary element selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling and a light transmissive boundary covering selected from the group consisting of a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, a PVC flooring, and linoleum.

Hence, the invention especially provides a dynamic emergency exit way guiding lighting system, which may comprise a plurality of display means (first segments) for displaying way-guiding information such as for example arrows, a control unit that controls the dynamic way-guiding information displayed on the display means, and plurality of display means (second segments) for displaying a symbol, where the control unit is configured to control the on/off state of the symbol.

Thus, a method is provided, comprises the steps of displaying way-guiding information on the dynamic emergency exit way guiding lighting system, for directing evacuees out of the building and displaying symbols at locations along the path leading from the building entrance/exit towards the location of the emergency. By using this method, emergency personnel can follow the opposite direction of evacuees, and at locations where confusion arises, they can follow the symbols that are displayed. In a further embodiment, the display means for way-guiding information and the display means for symbols are hidden behind a light transmissive cover layer, such that only the light becomes visible when needed.

The advantage of this approach is a reduction of clutter (improve aesthetics), but it also makes the displayed information more clear, because unneeded signs are not visible. This may imply that evacuees may not be confused by signs that are visible, but not illuminated. This is of particular importance in the case where additional signs or symbols are present for the emergency personnel (as is the case here). The "hide-light" concept, i.e. where a lighting is "hidden" behind a boundary covering such as wall paper or carpet may circumvent the above problem.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" relate to an arrangement of items or features relative to the propagation of the light from a light generating means (here especially the first light source), wherein relative to a first position within a beam of light from the light generating means, a second position in the beam of light closer to the light generating means is "upstream", and a third position within the beam of light further away from the light generating means is "downstream".

The term "substantially" herein, such as in "substantially all emission" or in "substantially consists", will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term

"substantially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term "substantially" may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99%) or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%). The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to a system or device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figs, la- Id schematically depict some aspects of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system and of the lighting unit;

Figs. 2a-2c schematically depict some background of the invention and some embodiments; and

Figs. 3a-3b schematically depict a specific embodiment, where "hide lighting" is applied.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figs, la- lb schematically depict embodiments of emergency lighting units 100 (further indicated as lighting unit(s) 100). The lighting unit comprises a first light emissive segment 110 configured to provide first light emissive segment light 111 for indicating a direction to an emergency exit (not depicted), and a second light emissive segment 120 having a non-directive segment shape and configured to provide second light emissive segment light 121 for accentuating the first light emissive segment 110 (or for accentuating the first light emissive segment light 111).

Figure la schematically depicts an embodiment wherein both the first segment 110 and the second segment are giving light, respectively, i.e. the first light emissive segment 110 and the second light emissive segment 120 are switched on. For evacuees, it is clear that the direction out is in correspondence with the arrow, i.e. in this example to the right. For emergency personnel, it is clear that they have to follow the opposite direction, since the second segment light 121 accentuates the first segment 110 / first segment light 111.

Fig. lb may show an embodiment of the lighting unit 100, wherein both segments 110,120 are not switched on.

In the former embodiment, the first segment 110 displays an arrow, wherein in the latter embodiment, the first segment 110 displays the word "EXIT". In the former embodiment, the second segment has a (non-directive) circular segment shape, whereas in the latter embodiment, the second segment 120 has a (non-directive) rectangular segment shape.

Fig. lc schematically depicts an embodiment of an emergency exit way guiding lighting system 1 comprising one or more emergency lighting units 100 (here only one lighting unit 100 is displayed), as described above, and a control unit 200 configured to control the second light emissive segment light independently from the first light emissive segment light.

Here, by way of example, the emergency exit way guiding lighting system 1 further comprises an optional sensor 300, such as a fire sensor or a smoke sensor, and an optional user input device 400. For instance, a target location for emergency personnel may also manually be selected. The control unit 200 may then switch on the first light emissive segment(s) 110 of one or more lighting units 100 and one or more second light emissive segments(s) 120 of said lighting units 100.

Fig. Id schematically depicts an embodiment of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system 1 comprising a plurality of lighting units 100.

Figure 2a schematically depicts an example of space 10, which comprises a plurality of hallways. Reference 2 indicates a place of emergency (which may also be interpreted as target location for emergency personnel; hence, reference 2 also refers to a target location for emergency personnel). The space 10 here comprises three exits 3, which are defined as emergency exits 3. The arrows 5 indicate the evacuation direction(s) according to which evacuees have to be evacuated / can escape to the emergency exits 3. References 20 indicate locations within the space, especially locations where routes merge or split.

Assuming emergency personnel entering the space 10 according to arrow 15, emergency personnel has to follow the route from location 20(1), to 20(2) and finally 20(3), close to the target location 2.

Would the instruction for emergency personnel, such as may be the case in prior art solutions, to simply follow the opposite direction of evacuees, at location 20(1) a problem arises: should evacuation personnel go to the right or to the left? This problem is solved with the present invention.

Fig. 2b schematically depicts the same space 10, but now including the emergency exit way guiding lighting system 1 with a plurality of lighting units 100. First segments 110 are accentuated with second segments 120 only when emergency personnel have to follow the direction indicated by the first segments 110 in an opposite direction. Now it is clear what the route for emergency personnel is, even when there are branches (20(1) and 20(2)). In fact, in this embodiment, the emergency personnel can be instructed to ignore the direction given by the arrows, and to just walk from accentuated sign to the next accentuated sign. Thus, they don't necessarily need to walk in the opposite direction in this case. As shown in figure 2b, there is a branch location, such as location 20(2), where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units is available.

A problem that might occur with the previous solution is when emergency personnel not only enter at the location of arrow 15, but also at another location, such as the entrance indicated with reference r 20(4). A problem may be that two paths are joining (for instance at reference 20(2) and all signs along these path might be accentuated. This means that at location 20(2), the emergency personnel can choose two directions. This problem is solved with a further embodiment, see also figure 2c.

Hence, the control unit (not shown in this figure), may be configured to switch on only the second light emissive segment(s) of the lighting unit(s) 100 on a single route to the target location 2 in a situation wherein in case of emergency, at a branch location (here location 20(2)) where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units is available. Hence, figure 2c shows that only the second segment of lighting unit 100(2) is switched on, indicating for emergency personnel coming from location 20(4) and from location 20(1) that they have to continue their route or take a right turn (to location 20(3)), respectively.

Fig. 2c schematically depicts an embodiment wherein only those second segments 120 are switched on to indicate the direction, where emergency personnel has to choose, such as locations 20(1) and 20(2) (herein also indicated as branch locations). At such locations, where a plurality of lighting units 100 may give directions to emergency exits 3, only one of the lighting units may indicate the direction for emergency personnel by accentuating the first light emissive segment with second light emissive segment light.

It can be seen that in this case, the emergency personnel can enter at any exit, and will always be directed towards the target location.

Fig. 3a schematically depicts an embodiment, wherein the lighting unit 100 (for way-guiding information) is hidden behind a light transmissive cover layer, such that only the light becomes visible when needed. The advantage of this approach may be a reduction of clutter (improve aesthetics), but it also makes the displayed information more clear, because unneeded signs are not visible. Here, the lighting unit 100 is arranged between a boundary element 610, such as a wall, a floor and a ceiling, and a light transmissive boundary covering 620, such as a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, a PVC flooring, and linoleum. The boundary covering 620 may also be wall paint or veneer. The thickness or height of the lighting unit 100 is indicated with reference h. for instance, the height may be 1 mm or less. It may be advantageous to use one or more wedges 170 for bridging the height of the lighting unit 100. Hence, in order to hide the lighting unit 100 better, it is proposed to use a wedge (edge) 170 of the lighting unit 100, such that there is not a sudden step of for instance 1 mm on a wall or on a floor, but instead a wedge 170.

Here, by way of example, the lighting unit 100 comprises two light sources

101.

Fig. 3b schematically depicts effects of hide lighting. Three lighting units 100 are hidden behind the light transmissive boundary covering 620. The contours of the lighting units are indicated with the dashed lines. The left lighting unit 100, indicated with reference 100(1), is shown to have the first light emissive segment 110 to switched on, with a lighting arrow to the right. The second light emissive segment is not switched on (and is thus not visible). By way of example, the middle lighting unit 100(2) has both the first light emissive segment 110 and the second light emissive segment 120 switched off; the lighting unit 100 is thus substantially not visible at all and its presence may also not be noticed (this lighting unit might for example normally display an arrow to the right, and if it were visible, it could confuse evacuees). The right lighting unit, indicated with reference 100(3) has both the first light emissive segment 110 and the second light emissive segment 120 switched on, indicated that emergency personnel has to go to the right, whereas evacuees will follow the direction indicated by the first light emissive segments 110 (i.e. to the left).

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) comprising:

one or more emergency lighting units (100), each lighting unit (100) comprising a first light emissive segment (110) configured to provide first light emissive segment light (111) for indicating a direction to an emergency exit, and a second light emissive segment (120) having a non-directive segment shape and configured to provide second light emissive segment light (121) for accentuating the first light emissive segment (110); and

a control unit (200) configured to control the second light emissive segment light (121) independently from the first light emissive segment light (111).

2. The emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to claim 1, wherein one or more lighting units (100) are suitable for arranging between (a) a boundary element (610) selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling and (b) a light transmissive boundary covering (620) selected from the group consisting of a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, wall paint, veneer, a PVC flooring, and linoleum.

3. The emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (200) is configured to switch on in a case of emergency the first light emissive segment light (111) of the first light emissive segment(s) (HO) and only to switch on the second light emissive segment light (121) of the second light emissive segment(s) (120) of said emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) when emergency personnel is to be directed to a target location in an opposite direction relative to a direction of the evacuees indicated by the first light emissive segment light (111) of the respective first light emissive segment(s) (110).

4. The emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (200) is configured to switch on only the second light emissive segment(s) (120) of the lighting unit(s) on a single route to the target location in a situation wherein in case of emergency, at a branch location where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units (100) is available.

5. The emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more first light emissive segment(s) (110) show one or more of the word "EXIT", an equivalent thereof in another language, and an arrow, and wherein one or more second light emissive segment(s) (120) have a shape selected from the group consisting of a line, a circle, a square, a rectangular, a trapezoid, and an ellipse.

6. The emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an emergency sensor (300) configured to provide an emergency sensor signal to the control unit (200).

7. A method of guiding evacuees to an emergency exit and emergency personnel to a target location, comprising switching on the first light emissive segment light (111) of the first light emissive segment(s) (110) of the emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and only switching on the second light emissive segment light (121) of the second light emissive segment(s) (120) of said

emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) when emergency personnel is to be directed to the target location in an opposite direction relative to a direction of the evacuees indicated by the first light emissive segment light of the respective first light emissive segment(s) (110).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) further comprises an emergency sensor (300) configured to provide an emergency sensor signal to the control unit (200), and wherein the control unit (200) is configured to derive from the emergency sensor (300) signal the target location for emergency personnel, and wherein the control unit (200) controls the second light emissive segment light (121) of the second light emissive segment(s) (120) as function of the target location for emergency personnel.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein in case of emergency, at a branch location where an evacuee can choose between a plurality of exits and where at the branch location a plurality of lighting units is available, the control unit (200) is configured to switch on only the second light emissive segment(s) (120) of the lighting unit(s) (100) on a single route to the target location.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein one or more lighting units (100) are arranged between (a) a boundary element (610) selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling and (b) a light transmissive boundary covering (620) selected from the group consisting of a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, wall paint, veneer, a PVC flooring, and linoleum.

11. A space (10) comprising an emergency exit and an emergency exit way guiding lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1-6.

12. The space (10) according to claim 11, wherein one or more lighting units (100) are arranged between (a) a boundary element (610) selected from the group consisting of a wall, a floor and a ceiling and (b) a light transmissive boundary covering (620) selected from the group consisting of a carpet, plaster, wallpaper, wall paint, a PVC flooring, veneer, and linoleum.

13. The space (10) according to any one claims 11-12, wherein the space (10) comprises a plurality of exits and wherein the emergency exit way guiding lighting system

(1) comprises a plurality of lighting units (100) at lighting unit locations, wherein the control unit (200) is configured to control the light (111) of the first emissive light segments (110) and the light (121) of the second light emissive segments (120) as function of the locations of the plurality of exits, the location of the plurality of lighting units (100) , and a control input signal.

14. The space (10) according to any one claims 11-13, further comprising an emergency sensor (300) configured to provide an emergency sensor signal to the control unit (200), and wherein the control unit (200) is configured to derive a target location for emergency personnel from the emergency sensor signal, and wherein the control unit (200) is configured to control the light (121) of the second light emissive segments (120) as function of the locations of the plurality of lighting units (100) and the target location for emergency personnel.

15. The space (10) according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein one or more first light emissive segment(s) (110) show one or more of the word "EXIT", an equivalent thereof in another language, and an arrow, and wherein one or more second light emissive segment(s) (120) have a shape selected from the group consisting of a line, a circle, a square, a rectangular, a trapezoid, and an ellipse.