WO2021069887A1

WO2021069887A1 - Ceiling tile

Info

Publication number: WO2021069887A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/052475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Mcdonagh; Brian Stevens
Original assignee: Bernard Mcdonagh; Brian Stevens
Priority date: 2019-10-11
Filing date: 2020-10-07
Publication date: 2021-04-15
Also published as: GB201914727D0

Abstract

A ceiling tile (1) is provided, the ceiling tile (1) having an illumination means for connection with an evacuation system (E). The illumination means has an emergency mode in which it provides an illuminated indication of a safe or unsafe exit route, e.g. from a building. During use, the illumination means is configured to receive a signal indicative of an emergency and to operate in the emergency mode in response to the signal.

Description

CEILING TILE

This invention relates generally to ceiling tiles, and more particularly to illuminating ceiling tiles. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to illuminating ceiling tiles for providing an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building in the case of an evacuation event, e.g. emergency.

Ceiling tiles, including ceiling tile lighting panels, are used in all manner of buildings where secondary or suspended ceilings are used. Ceiling tile lighting panels replace the traditional, recessed fluorescent lights integrated within suspended ceilings. Primarily, the tiles are supported by a suspended grid and are generally a mix of non-illuminated tiles and illuminated ceiling tile lights that hide the electrical/communication and venting infrastructure of a building, whilst providing acoustic and thermal properties.

To aid in the evacuation of buildings in the event of emergencies, current building standards require emergency route signage. The running man pictogram or the word ‘EXIT’ are often hung from below a ceiling tile or provided in the vicinity of a door, such that a final exit door from a room or building can be identified.

It has been found that in large buildings with large numbers of people, e.g. offices, airports and hospitals, it can be hard to see from one end of a corridor or walkway to the other such that emergency route signage can be identified. Studies have shown that only 38% of people see a fire exit sign due to what is known as learned irrelevance. Plus, many other signs compete to attract attention. This can be particularly problematic during evacuations.

Studies have also shown that, in evacuations, people tend to follow one another, especially when their field of vision is limited. Another issue is knowing which route is the quickest or safest to an emergency exit. Further studies have shown that people prefer to exit the way they came in, a route that is familiar to them. But that exit might not necessarily be the safest or quickest.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an illuminating ceiling tile that overcomes, or at least mitigates, the known issues in evacuation signage and in the evacuation of buildings more generally. It is a further, non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an illuminating ceiling tile that provides more effective indication of an exit route from a building than is the case with current emergency route signage. An aspect of the invention provides a ceiling tile, e.g. an illuminating ceiling tile, comprising an illumination means for connection with an evacuation system, the illumination means having an emergency mode in which it provides an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication of a safe or unsafe exit route. Preferably, the illumination means is configured to receive, in use, a signal indicative of an emergency and to operate in the emergency mode in response to the signal.

As used herein, the term emergency lighting mode will be used interchangeably with emergency mode.

The illumination means may comprise two or more modes in which it provides a different illuminated configuration. The illumination means may be configured to switch, in use, between the two or more modes in response to a signal. The two or more modes may comprise a first emergency mode, in which it provides an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication of a safe exit route. The two or more modes may comprise a second emergency mode, in which it provides an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication of an unsafe exit route. The two or more modes may comprise a normal mode in which the ceiling tile is configured to operate as a ceiling tile light.

As used herein, the term normal lighting mode will be used interchangeably with normal mode.

The illumination means may be configured to operate in the normal mode in the absence of the signal indicative of an emergency or in response to a further signal indicative of a normal state. The illumination means may comprise one or more, e.g. a plurality, of light emitting elements. The same light emitting elements may be operable in each of the two or more modes. The illumination means may be configured to operate in either the first emergency mode or the second emergency mode, e.g. in response to the signal.

The illumination means operable during the first emergency mode and second emergency mode may be of a different colour.

The ceiling tile may be configured for use in or may be useable in a suspended ceiling.

The illumination means may comprise one or more, e.g. a plurality of, light emitting elements or LEDs. The illumination means may comprise one or more strip(s) of lighting emitting elements. One or more LEDs may be RGB LEDs. The illumination means may comprise one or more Surface Mounted Diodes (SMDs), OLEDs, AMOLEDs. The illumination means may comprise a LCD.

The illumination means may be mounted along or adjacent one or more peripheral edges of the ceiling tile. The illumination means may be mounted along or adjacent one or more peripheral sides of the ceiling tile. The illumination means may be mounted along or adjacent one or more thickness-wise extending surfaces of the ceiling tile. The illumination means may be mounted along, across or adjacent a planar surface of the ceiling tile. The illumination means may be at least partially embedded within or encapsulated by the ceiling tile.

The illumination means may comprise an array or matrix of lighting elements or light emitting elements, e.g. LEDs or OLEDs. The light emitting elements may be selectively operable to describe an illuminated indication. The array of light emitting elements or LEDs may be mounted across and/or adjacent a planar surface of the ceiling tile, e.g. a room facing surface or cavity facing surface of the ceiling tile. One or more, e.g. the array of, light emitting elements or LEDs may comprise or be controllable by a microcontroller. The ceiling tile may be substantially transparent. The ceiling tile may be formed of a polymeric material, e.g. a polymeric sheet. The ceiling tile may be formed of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (acrylic).

The ceiling tile may comprise a room facing surface and a cavity or non-room facing surface. The room facing surface may, in use, be configured to face into or towards a room in which the ceiling tile is installed. The non-room facing or cavity facing surface may, in use, be configured to face into or towards a cavity described partially by a suspended ceiling, or away from a room in which the ceiling tile is installed.

The ceiling tile may comprise a masking material, e.g. on a room facing surface thereof. The masking material may be arranged such that light from the illumination means is emitted through a selected area describing an illuminated indication. The masking material may be configured to prevent the emission of light from the room facing surface from regions other than the illuminated indication.

The ceiling tile may comprise one or more surface features, e.g. on a room facing surface or non-room facing surface thereof. The one or more surface features may be configured to selectively deflect or direct light emitted from the illumination means, e.g. so as to provide an illuminated indication. The one or more surface features may be configured to selectively deflect or direct light emitted from the illumination means during the emergency lighting mode.

The one or more surface features may comprise etching(s), marking(s) and/or deformation(s).

The illuminated indication may be provided by an illuminated arrow, chevron, word, colour block or cross. The illuminated indication may be changeable or controllable, e.g. the direction of the arrow or chevron may be changeable or controllable. The word and/or colour may be changeable or controllable, e.g. in dependence on a signal. The signal may be received at an input of the ceiling tile. The colour of the illuminated indication may be changeable or controllable, e.g. so as to differentiate between a safe exit route and an unsafe exit route. The illuminated indication may be changeable or controllable in dependence on a signal, e.g. received at an input of the ceiling tile. The illuminated indication may comprise a pulsating or flashing light. The illumination means may be configured to flash or pulsate.

The illuminated indication may be switchable, e.g. between different indication types and/or to depict different directions

The ceiling tile may comprise an input, e.g. for connection to an external power source and/or to another ceiling tile, e.g. of an indication system. The input may be for connection to a controller and/or another element of an evacuation system.

The ceiling tile may comprise a control means or controller, e.g. a printed circuit board.

The ceiling tile may comprise a power source of a cable connectable to a power source.

The ceiling tile may comprise a wireless transmitter, receiver and/or transceiver, e.g. for communication with a controller and/or other illuminated ceiling tile(s), e.g. forming part of an indication system.

The ceiling tile may comprise a wired connection means, e.g. for communication with a controller and/or other illuminated ceiling tile(s), e.g. forming part of an indication system.

In embodiments, the or a signal may be received from an external source, e.g. a controller or control system.

In embodiments, the ceiling tile may comprise a wired connection means, e.g. for connection to a controller or control system.

The ceiling tile may be operable in dependence on a signal received at an input of the ceiling tile.

The signal may be received from, e.g. the controller or control system may comprise, a fire alarm input/output unit, which may be connected to a nearby smoke/heat detector or interface. The signal may be received from, e.g. the controller or control system may comprise, a building management system interface (BMS), a fire alarm panel, a wireless transmitter, an emergency lighting control panel, a combined emergency lighting and fire alarm control panel, a digital acoustic device, a mesh networking system {e.g. Zig-Bee), a digital multiplex interface (DMX), mains power signalling, an emergency lighting system e.g. DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), evacuation computer modelling software connected to the BMS, ethernet and/or a manual/automated activation via a CCTV monitoring system.

The signal may be received via a wired connection means, e.g. via power over ethernet (POE). The wired connection means may comprise a cable, e.g. an ethernet cable. The ceiling tile may have a pair of modes, e.g. an emergency mode and a normal mode. In the normal mode, the ceiling tile may be configured to operate as a ceiling tile light, e.g. emit substantially white light and/or provide workplace lighting.

The emergency mode and normal mode may be mutually exclusive, i.e. the ceiling tile may be operate in only one of the emergency mode and normal mode at any given time.

The ceiling tile may be configured to produce at least 5 LUX, e.g. when in the emergency mode, first emergency mode and/or second emergency mode. The ceiling tile may be a dual-mode or multi-mode ceiling tile, e.g. further comprising a normal mode. The normal mode may be that in which the ceiling tile is configured to operate as a ceiling tile light, e.g. emit substantially white light and/or provide workplace lighting.

In embodiments, the illumination means operable during the emergency mode and normal mode are different. In embodiments, a first illumination means is operable during the normal mode. A second illumination means may be operable during the emergency mode, first emergency mode and/or second emergency mode. The first illumination means may also be operable during the emergency mode, first emergency mode and/or second emergency mode.

The illumination means operable during the emergency mode and normal mode may be of a different colour. The ceiling tile may be switchable between the emergency mode and normal mode. The ceiling tile may be switchable between the emergency mode and normal mode in dependence on a signal received at an input of the ceiling tile.

The ceiling tile may comprise a substantially transparent or light transmissive panel, e.g. configured to emit, transmit or project light from the illumination means during the emergency mode and/or normal mode. The panel may be configured to emit or project light from the illumination means when the ceiling tile is in the emergency mode.

The ceiling tile may comprise two illumination means. Each of the two illumination means may be independently controllable. Each of the two illumination means may be configured to provide a different illuminated indication.

The ceiling tile may comprise two or more light transmissive panels or layers in a layered or stacked arrangement. A first of the layers or light transmissive panels may be configured to transmit or project light from the illumination means during a first of the modes. A second of the light transmissive panels may be configured to transmit light from the illumination means during a second of the modes.

The illumination means may comprise one or more first light emitting elements, e.g. for lighting the first of the light transmissive panels. The illumination means may comprise one or more second light emitting elements, e.g. for lighting the second of the light transmissive panels.

A second of the layers or light transmissive panels may configured to transmit light from the illumination means during the normal mode or normal lighting mode.

The ceiling tile, first and/or second layers may comprise a light diffusive material or a light diffusive layer, e.g. applied across a room facing surface thereof.

The ceiling tile may comprise a controllable diffusive material or layer, e.g. located between layers or provided on a room facing surface of the ceiling tile, first layer or second layer. The controllable diffusive material or layer may comprise polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). The controllable diffusive material or layer may be controllable in dependence on a signal, e.g. received at an input of the ceiling tile. The first layer or light transmissive panel may comprise a first illumination means. The second layer or light transmissive panel may comprise a second illumination means. The first illumination means and second illumination means may be different from one another. The first illumination means and second illumination means may be independently controllable.

The, a or each layer or light transmissive panel may be substantially transparent.

The ceiling tile may comprise a back-up power source, e.g. for supplying power to the illuminating means during the emergency mode. The back-up power source may comprise a battery.

The ceiling tile may be substantially square when viewed in plan. The ceiling tile may have dimensions substantially 600mm x 600mm square. In embodiments, the ceiling tile may be rectangular, parallelepipedal, elliptical or circular when viewed in plan.

The ceiling tile may be operatively connectable to or communicable with another ceiling tile, e.g. the ceiling tile may be configured to output a signal to another ceiling tile. The ceiling tile may be configured to output a status to an adjacent or other ceiling tile, e.g. forming part of an indication system or evacuation system. The status may comprise whether the ceiling tile is in the normal mode or emergency mode, first emergency mode or second emergency mode.

The ceiling tile may comprise positional or locational data, e.g. a location of an ceiling tile within a building or relative to other ceiling tiles and/or relative to one or more detectors.

The ceiling tile may comprise a processor, microprocessor or memory unit. The processor, microprocessor or memory unit may comprise the status or positional or locational data of the ceiling tile.

An aspect of the invention provides a ceiling tile, e.g. an illuminating ceiling tile, having an emergency lighting mode, wherein in use and in the emergency lighting mode the ceiling tile is configured to provide, via illumination means, an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an indication system comprising two or more, e.g. a plurality, ceiling tiles as described above.

Each ceiling tile may comprise communication means for communicating with the other ceiling tiles for providing an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit from building.

Each ceiling tile may be configured such that, in use and in the emergency mode, together they provide an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

The ceiling tiles of the indication system may be communicable with one another e.g. so as to provide the illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

The ceiling tiles of the indication system may be communicable via wired means, e.g. the ceiling tiles may be connected to one another by wires. The ceiling tiles of the indication system may be communicable via wireless means, e.g. each ceiling tile may comprise a wireless receiver, transmitter and/or transceiver. One or more ceiling tiles of the indication system may be configured to provide a status to an adjacent or other ceiling tile of the indication system. The status may comprise whether the ceiling tile is in the normal mode or emergency mode.

One or each of the ceiling tiles of the indication system may comprise positional or locational data, e.g. a location of an ceiling tile within a building, relative to other ceiling tiles of the indication system and/or relative to one or more detectors.

The ceiling tiles may together provide the illuminated indication in dependence on a signal, e.g. received at an input of one or more of the ceiling tiles. The indication system may dynamically change the illuminated indication in dependence on a signal received, e.g. at an input of one or more of the ceiling tiles.

When in the emergency mode, the ceiling tiles may be configured to sequentially pulse or flash, e.g. so as to provide an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication along a safe exit route from a building. The indication system may comprise a controller configured to sequentially pulse or flash the ceiling tiles when they are in the emergency mode, thereby to provide an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication along a safe exit route from a building. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an evacuation system, e.g. for a building, the system comprising a controller operably connected to one or more ceiling tiles as described above or an indication system as described above and operatively connected to one or more detectors, wherein the controller is configured, upon receipt of an alarm signal from the one or more detectors, to transmit a signal indicative of an emergency to one or more ceiling tiles such that the illumination means of the one or more ceiling tiles operate in the emergency mode to provide an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

The controller may comprise, a fire alarm input/output unit, e.g. which may be connected to a nearby smoke/heat detector or interface. The controller may comprise a building management system interface (BMS), a fire alarm panel, a wireless transmitter, an emergency lighting control panel, a combined emergency lighting and fire alarm control panel, a digital acoustic device, a mesh networking system (e.g. Zig-Bee), a digital multiplex interface (DMX), mains power signalling, an emergency lighting system e.g. DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), evacuation computer modelling software connected to the BMS, ethernet and/or a manual/automated activation via a CCTV monitoring system.

The controller may be connected, e.g. operably or operatively, to the ceiling tile, for example via a lighting control unit. The lighting control unit may be configured to receive a command from the controller and output a lighting control signal to one or more ceiling tiles to control the light output thereof. The light output may comprise whether the ceiling tile operates in a normal mode, emergency mode first emergency mode or second emergency mode. The evacuation system may comprise a plurality of ceiling tiles or an indication system. Each ceiling tile may be operably or operatively connected to the controller. The signal transmitted to a respective ceiling tile may be dependent on its location relative to the locations of the one or more detectors providing the alarm signal. The ceiling tiles may together provide the illuminated indication, e.g. in dependence on the command signal received at an input of one or more of the ceiling tiles.

In the case of an evacuation system comprising two or more ceiling tiles, the ceiling tiles may be communicable with one another so as to provide the illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

The ceiling tiles of the evacuation system may be communicable via wired means, e.g. the ceiling tiles may be connected to one another by wires. The ceiling tiles of the evacuation system may be communicable via wireless means, e.g. each illuminating ceiling tile may comprise a wireless receiver, transmitter and/or transceiver. One or more ceiling tiles of the evacuation system may be configured to provide a status to an adjacent or other ceiling tile of the evacuation system. The status may comprise whether the ceiling tile is in the normal lighting mode or emergency lighting mode.

The one or more ceiling tiles and controller may be connected by wired means. Alternatively, the one or more ceiling tiles and controller may be wirelessly connected.

The evacuation system may comprise positional or locational data. The positional or locational data may comprise the position or location of ceiling tiles and/or the one or more detectors within a building. The positional or locational data may comprise the position of location of one or more ceiling tiles relative to other ceiling tiles of the evacuation system and/or more detectors. The positional or locational data may comprise the position or location of one or more ceiling tiles and/or one or more detectors relative to one or more exits of a building.

The evacuation system may be configured to change, e.g. dynamically, the illuminated indication in dependence on an alarm signal received by the controller from the one or more detectors and/or at an input of one or more of the ceiling tiles.

The evacuation system may be configured to change the illuminated indication in dependence on the positional or locational data and/or an alarm signal received by the controller from the one or more detectors. The evacuation system may be configured to change the illuminated indication due a change in the alarm signal received by the controller, e.g. an alarm signal received from a different detector or having different associated locational or positional data.

The controller may be configured to switch the one or more ceiling tiles from a normal mode to an emergency mode, e.g. upon receipt of an alarm signal from the one or more detectors.

The controller may be configured to transmit a command signal to change the illuminated indication in the event of a change in the alarm signal received from the one or more detectors.

The one or more detectors may comprise a smoke detector and/or heat detector.

For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. For example, the ceiling tile may comprise any one or more features of the indication system or evacuation system relevant to the ceiling tile. Further, the indication system may comprise any one of more features of the evacuation system compatible and relevant to the indication system.

Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising and/or describing and/or defining a three-dimensional design for use with a simulation means or a three-dimensional additive or subtractive manufacturing means or device, e.g. a three- dimensional printer or CNC machine, the three-dimensional design comprising an embodiment of the ceiling tile described above. A further aspect of the invention provides a computer program element comprising computer readable program code means for causing a processor to execute a procedure to implement one or more functions of the ceiling tile, indication system and/or evacuation system. A yet further aspect of the invention provides the computer program element embodied on a computer readable medium.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a computer readable medium having a program stored thereon, where the program is arranged to make a computer execute a procedure to implement one or more steps of the functions of the ceiling tile, indication system and/or evacuation system.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a control means or control system or controller comprising the aforementioned computer program element or computer readable medium.

For purposes of this disclosure, and notwithstanding the above, it is to be understood that any controller(s), control units and/or control modules described herein may each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. The controller may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the control of the system or apparatus may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers or control modules. As used herein, the terms “control unit” and “controller” will be understood to include both a single control unit or controller and a plurality of control units or controllers collectively operating to provide the required control functionality. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) or control module(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the method(s) described herein). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, may be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement. In any event, the set of instructions described herein may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM ad EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “may”, “and/or”, “e.g.”, “for example” and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a ceiling tile according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a ceiling tile according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a ceiling tile according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a ceiling tile according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic of an indication system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a schematic of an evacuation system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a ceiling tile 1 (hereinafter ‘tile’ 1) according to an embodiment of the invention for use in a suspended ceiling (not shown). The ceiling tile 1 is substantially square when viewed in plan and has a room facing surface 10 and a non room facing surface 11 separated by thickness ‘t’.

In the present embodiment, in use, the room facing surface 10 is configured to face into or towards a room in which the tile 1 is installed and the non-room facing surface 11 faces into a cavity described by a suspended ceiling (as shown in more detail in Figure 5), or away from a room in which the tile 1 is installed. Extending through the thickness of the tile 1, between the room facing surface 10 and cavity facing surface 11 is a thickness-wise extending surface 12. The thickness-wise extending surface 12 has portions 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d extending along each peripheral edge of the tile 1 in this embodiment.

The ceiling tile 1 is formed of a substantially transparent polymeric material, in the form of a single Poly(methyl methacrylate) (acrylic) sheet.

Mounted along each portion 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d is a strip of lighting emitting elements 13, in the form of LEDs in this embodiment. The lighting emitting elements 13 are positioned such that they are directed an opposing portion 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to that on which they are mounted. The lighting emitting elements 13 are configured to emit green light in this embodiment.

The tile 1 is provided with a masking material 14 on the room facing surface 10 thereof. The masking material 14 is arranged so as to describe an illuminated indication in the form of an arrow 15 when the lighting emitting elements 13 are activated. The arrow 15 is described by an absence of a portion of masking material 14.

The tile 1 has an input 16 in a corner thereof. The input 16 allows for connection of the tile 1 to another ceiling tile (not shown), e.g. of an indication system (Figure 5), or an element/component of an evacuation system E (Figure 6).

In the present embodiment, in the absence of an emergency event or signal indicative of an emergency, the lighting emitting elements 13 are in a normally inactive state such that no illuminated indication is provided.

In the event of an emergency and in dependence on a signal indicative of an emergency received at input 16, the tile 1 is configured to enter an emergency mode in which the lighting emitting elements 13 are activated. Due to the transparency of the tile 1 , the light emitted from the lighting emitting elements 13 passes therethrough. The masking material 14 prevents the emission of light from the room facing surface 10 from regions other than arrow 15. In the event of emergency, the illuminated indication in the form of arrow 15 provides a visual indication of a safe exit route.

Although the present embodiment shows the illuminated indication being in the form of arrow 5, this need not be the case. Instead, the illuminated indication may be in the form of a chevron, cross, word or any other indicia suitable for use during an emergency event and which can be described by the absence of a portion of masking material 14. Further, the colour of the light emitted by the lighting emitting elements 13 may be different and tailored to the illuminated indication being displayed.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a ceiling tile 101 according an embodiment of the invention. Like features of tile 1 (Figure 1) and tile 101 will be denoted by like reference numerals and will not be described further.

Tile 101 has a light diffusive layer 117 applied across the entire room facing surface 10. Further, in contrast to tile 1, tile 101 is operable in three modes, a normal mode, an first emergency mode and a second emergency mode.

When operating in the normal mode, the lighting emitting elements 13 are configured to emit substantially white light, e.g. so as to provide workplace lighting. In the first emergency mode the lighting emitting elements 13 are configured to emit substantially green light to provide an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication of a safe exit route. In the second emergency mode the lighting emitting elements 13 are configured to emit substantially red light to provide an illuminated, e.g. visual, indication of an unsafe exit route. The mode in which the tile 101 operates is in dependence on a signal received at input 16.

In the present embodiment, in the absence of an emergency event, the lighting emitting elements 13 are in a normally active state in which substantially white light is provided.

In each of the normal mode or emergency mode, the light diffusive layer 117 diffuses light from the lighting emitting elements 13 such that the tile 101 produces block colour. In the event of an emergency and in dependence on a signal received at input 16, the tile 101 is configured to switch from the normal mode to the first and/or second emergency modes. The colour output by the lighting emitting elements 13 is then dependent on whether a particular exit route is safe of unsafe, e.g. green representing a safe exit route and red representing an unsafe exit route. In the event of emergency, the illuminated indication in is in the form of block colour in this embodiment, providing a visual indication of a safe exit route and/or unsafe exit route.

Although each of the tile 1 and tile 101 are described as having strips of lighting emitting elements 13 this need not be the case. Instead, illumination means may be provided in the form of an array of lighting emitting elements mounted adjacent and extending across the non-room facing surface 11. In such a case, the lighting emitting elements are positioned such that they are directed through the thickness t of the tile 1, 101 from the non-room facing surface 11 towards the room facing surface 10. The transparency of the tile 1, 101 allows the light to enter the non-room facing surface 11 , pass through the thickness and exit the room facing surface 10. In either of tile 1, 101, it will be understood that the illumination indication would be provided in a similar way to that depicted in Figures 1 and 2.

Additionally, although one set of lighting emitting elements 13 is described, this need not be the case. Two or more sets of lighting emitting elements may be provided, one of which may provide light during the normal mode and another during the emergency mode.

Further, instead of light diffusive layer 117, the tile 101 may comprise or have a layer comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display. In such that case, diffusive properties can be controllable by application of electrical current. This is in contrast to the diffusive layer 117 where the diffusive properties are fixed or passive.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a ceiling tile 201 according to another embodiment of the invention. Like features of tiles 1, 101 will be denoted by like reference numerals and will not be described further. As per tile 101, tile 201 is operable in three modes, a normal mode, first emergency mode and second emergency mode.

In the present embodiment, the tile 201 is formed of a substantially transparent polymeric material. The non-room facing surface 11 is provided with lighting emitting elements 213 in the form of an array of LEDs.

When operating in the normal mode, the lighting emitting elements 213 are either inactive or configured to emit substantially white light, e.g. so as to provide workplace lighting. In the first emergency mode the lighting emitting elements 213 are configured to emit substantially green light and in the second emergency mode the light emitting elements 213 are configured to emit substantially red light.

Further, as the lighting emitting elements 213 are provided as an array, different elements 213a of the array can be set to an active or inactive state depending on the illuminated indication that is desired. A plurality of shapes can be described by the lighting emitting elements 213 by selective activation of the individual elements 213a of the array, e.g. arrow, chevron, cross etc. The room facing surface 10 is completely absent masking material or light diffusive material in this embodiment. The transparency of the tile 201 means that the illuminated indication provided by the lighting emitting elements 213 penetrates the tile 201 from the non-room facing surface 11 and is emitted from room facing surface 10. It is also envisaged that the room facing surface 10 may comprise or have a layer comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display. In such a case, depending on the status of the PDLC, the lighting emitting elements 213 may be configured to provide block colour or generally soften the emitted light, either in the emergency mode or normal mode.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an ceiling tile 301 according to another embodiment of the invention. Like features of tiles 1, 101, 201 will be denoted by like reference numerals and will not be described further. Tile 301 includes a first layer 301 a in the form of tile 1 , and a second layer 301 b in the form of a transparent sheet with lighting emitting elements 313 mounted along the thickness- wise extending portions 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, in a similar manner to that of tile 1. The first and second layers 301a, 301b are arranged in a stacked arrangement such that the first layer 301a is on a cavity facing side of the tile 301 and the second layer 301b is on a room facing side of the tile 301.

Each of the first and second layers 301a, 301b are operable independently of one another, and are each capable of producing a different illuminated indication.

In the present embodiment, the first layer 301a is capable of producing an illuminated indication as is described in relation to tile 1. However, depending on the situation, the lighting emitting elements 13 may be deactivated such that no illuminated indication is provided by the first layer 301a.

In such a case, the lighting elements 313 may be activated so as to provide an alternative illuminated indication.

As per tiles 101, 201, tile 301 may comprise or have a layer comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display, e.g. located between the first and second layers 301a, 301b or formed on or in the second layer 301b. In embodiments, either of the lighting emitting elements 13, 313 may be operable in a normal mode.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown an indication system S according to an embodiment of the invention, in an emergency mode and installed in the ceiling of a building. The indication system S is formed of four tiles 201a, 201b, 201c and 201 d. Each of the tiles 201 a-d are as per tile 201 (as described above, Figure 3) in this embodiment. It will be appreciated that any one, or combination, of tiles 1, 101, 201, 301 may be used in the indication system of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, each of the tiles 201 a-d enter the emergency mode in dependence on a signal received at their respective inputs. Each of tiles 201 a-c are in the first emergency mode and tile 201d is in the second emergency mode. In this embodiment, the signal determines where an event is taking place and signals each of the tiles 201 a-d to provide an illuminated indication in dependence on the location of the event, and the safe and unsafe exit routes.

In this case, tiles 201 a-c produce an illuminated indication in the form of a chevron C. The first tile 201a produces a chevron C1 in a first direction. The second tile 201b, adjacent the first tile 201a produces a chevron C2 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The third tile 201c produces a chevron C3 in the same direction as chevron C2. The chevrons C1 , C2, C3 together highlight a safe exit route.

The fourth tile 201 d produces an illuminated indication in the form of a cross X. The fourth tile 201a is adjacent the second tile 201b and highlights an unsafe exit route, due to the location of an event.

In the present embodiment, the chevrons C1-C3 are provided in green light and the cross X is provided in red light.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown an evacuation system E according to an embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, the evacuation system E includes an ceiling tile 1 (as described above, Figure 1) configured to provide an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building within which the evacuation system E is installed. The ceiling tile 1 may alternatively be any one of tiles 101 , 201, 301.

Working backwards from the tile 1, the evacuation system E also includes a lighting control module 2 configured to control illumination means of the tile 1. The lighting control module 2 has an input 20 and output 21. The tile 1 has an input 16 connected to output 21 of lighting control module 2. The lighting control module 2 is configured to process a signal received at its input 20 so as to produce a lighting control signal at output 21.

A power source 3 in the form of mains power is connected to the tile 1 via a control module in the form of a LED control module 4 in this embodiment. The LED control module 4 is configured to regulate the power received from power source 3 and provide it to illumination means (LEDs in this embodiment) of the tile 1. Additionally, a back-up power source 3a is provided in the form of a battery pack in this embodiment. The back-up power source 3a is also connected to the LED control module 4. The LED control module 4 is connected to a controller 5, in the form of a fire alarm panel in this embodiment, via a relay module 6. The relay module 6 is configured to convert a signal received at its input, from the controller 5, and output a control signal at its output to the LED control module 4.

Also connected to the controller 5 is a detector 7, in the form of a smoke alarm in this embodiment.

In the case of a fire (and resulting evacuation event), the detector 7 sends an alarm signal to the controller 5. In the present embodiment, the controller 5 has locational data regarding the detector 7, tile 1 and exits.

The controller 5 processes the alarm signal and outputs a command signal to the relay module 6. The relay module 6 reconfigures the command and sends it to the tile 1 via the LED control module 4 and lighting control module 2. The lighting control module 2, in dependence on the control signal, produces lighting control signal which is sent to the tile 1.

In the present embodiment, the controller 5 is configured to operate the tile in the emergency mode in dependence on the locational data, /.e. the location of the detector 7 producing the alarm signal, tile 1 and exits.

As an alternative, instead of tile 1 , the evacuation system E may utilise tile 201. In this case, the controller 5 is configured to select the particular illuminated indication in dependence on the location of the detector 7 producing the alarm signal, tile 201 and exits.

Further, instead of having single tile 1, the evacuation system E may include a plurality of tiles 1, 101, 201, 301 or indication system S. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A ceiling tile comprising an illumination means for connection with an evacuation system, the illumination means having an emergency mode in which it provides an illuminated indication of a safe or unsafe exit route, wherein the illumination means is configured to receive, in use, a signal indicative of an emergency and to operate in the emergency mode in response to the signal.

2. A ceiling tile according to claim 1, wherein the illumination means comprises two or more modes in which it provides a different illuminated configuration, wherein the illumination means is configured to switch, in use, between the two or more modes in response to a signal.

3. A ceiling tile according to claim 2, wherein the two or more modes comprises a first emergency mode, in which it provides an illuminated, visual indication of a safe exit route, and a second emergency mode, in which it provides an illuminated, visual indication of an unsafe exit route.

4. A ceiling tile according to claim 3, wherein the illumination means is configured to operate in either the first emergency mode or the second emergency mode in response to the signal.

5. A ceiling tile according to claim 3, wherein the illumination means operable during the first emergency mode and second emergency mode are of a different colour.

6. A ceiling tile according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the two or more modes comprises a normal mode in which the ceiling tile is configured to operate as a ceiling tile light.

7. A ceiling tile according to claim 6, wherein the illumination means is configured to operate in the normal mode in the absence of the signal indicative of an emergency or in response to a further signal indicative of a normal state.

8. A ceiling tile according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, the same light emitting elements operable in each of the two or more modes.

9. A ceiling tile according to any one of claims 2 to 8, comprising two or more light transmissive panels in a layered arrangement, a first of the light transmissive panels configured to transmit light from the illumination means during a first of the modes and the second of the light transmissive panels configured to transmit light from the illumination means during a second of the modes.

10. A ceiling tile according to claim 9, wherein the illumination means comprises one or more first light emitting elements for lighting the first of the light transmissive panels and one or more second light emitting elements for lighting the second of the light transmissive panels.

11. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, comprising a masking material arranged such that light from the illumination means is emitted through a selected area describing an illuminated indication.

12. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more surface features configured to selectively direct light emitted from the illumination means so as to provide an illuminated indication.

13. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means is mounted along one or more peripheral edges of the ceiling tile.

14. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means comprises one or more LEDs.

15. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means comprises an array of LEDs selectively operable to describe an illuminated indication.

16. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminated indication is provided by an illuminated arrow, chevron, word, colour block, cross or pulsating light.

17. A ceiling tile according to any preceding claim, comprising a back-up power source for supplying power to the illumination means during the emergency mode.

18. An indication system comprising two or more ceiling tiles according to any preceding claim, each ceiling tile comprising communication means for communicating with the other ceiling tile(s) for providing an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

19. A indication system according to claim 18, comprising a controller configured to sequentially pulse the ceiling tiles when they are in the emergency mode, thereby to provide an illuminated indication along a safe exit route from a building.

20. An evacuation system for a building, the system comprising a controller operably connected to one or more ceiling tiles according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and operatively connected to one or more detectors, wherein the controller is configured, upon receipt of an alarm signal from the one or more detectors, to transmit a signal indicative of an emergency to one or more ceiling tiles such that the illumination means of the one or more ceiling tiles operate in the emergency mode to provide an illuminated indication of a safe and/or unsafe exit route from a building.

21. An evacuation system according to claim 20, comprising a plurality of ceiling tiles each operatively connected to the controller, wherein the signal transmitted to each respective ceiling tile is dependent on its location relative to the locations of the one or more detectors providing the alarm signal.

22. An evacuation system according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to switch the one or more ceiling tiles from a normal mode to an emergency mode upon receipt of an alarm signal from the one or more detectors.

23. An evacuation system according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the one or more detectors comprise a smoke detector and/or heat detector.