Luminaire for controlling a light output of a lighting module comprising at least one light source

A luminaire (100) for controlling a light output of a lighting module (106) comprising at least one light source is disclosed. The luminaire (100) comprises a housing (102) and a plurality of connectors (104, 105) for interfacing with the lighting module (106). Each connector (104, 105) has a position defined by a location relative to the housing (102) and an orientation relative to the gravitational field, wherein at least two connectors (104, 105) have different orientations. The luminaire (100) further comprises a processor (108) for detecting the lighting module (106) at a connector (104) and for accessing information indicative of the position of the connector (104). The processor (108) is further arranged for identifying the lighting module (106) based on a signal received from the lighting module (106), and for controlling the light output of the lighting module (106) based on the identification of the lighting module (106) and the position of the connector (104).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/077847, filed on Nov. 16, 2016 which claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 15196483.0, filed on Nov. 26, 2015. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a luminaire for controlling a light output of a lighting module comprising at least one light source. The invention further relates to a lighting module for use in the luminaire. The invention further relates to a method of controlling a light output of a lighting module comprising at least one light source.

BACKGROUND

Current and future smart lighting devices are already or will be controlled digitally, which provides new control paradigms for such lighting devices. An example of such a smart lighting device is a modular USB luminaire, which comprises sockets arranged for receiving a variety of lamps and sensors. A user may for example remove a lamp, which is arranged for providing task lighting, from a first socket of the luminaire and replace this lamp with a lamp arranged for providing ambient lighting. A second socket of the same luminaire may be arranged for receiving a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor detecting a presence of the user, which provides a sensor signal to a central processing unit of the luminaire that controls a connected lamp accordingly. However, the functionality of such a modular luminaire system currently depends on how each of the connected sensors and/or lamps are configured (or commissioned). This configuration process may be cumbersome for an average user. Thus, there is a need in the art to configure the modules connected to the luminaire automatically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular luminaire that configures connected modules automatically. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular luminaire that controls connected modules automatically. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a luminaire module arranged for interfacing with the luminaire accordingly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a luminaire for controlling a light output of a lighting module comprising at least one light source, the luminaire comprising:

a housing,

a plurality of connectors for interfacing with the lighting module, which connector has a position defined by a location relative to the housing and an orientation relative to the gravitational field, and wherein at least two connectors have different orientations, and

a processor for detecting the lighting module at a connector, for accessing information indicative of the position of the connector, identifying the lighting module based on a signal received from the lighting module, and for controlling the light output of the lighting module based on the identification of the lighting module and the position of the connector.

By controlling the light output based on the position of the connector where the lighting module is connected to the luminaire, the processor is able to determine how the connected lighting module operates. The position (the location of the connector relative to the housing and the orientation of the connector), and therewith the position of the lighting module, determines how the processor configures and/or controls the lighting module. This provides the advantage that when the lighting module is connected to the luminaire, the light output of the lighting module is controlled based on its position. A user may, for example, connect a lighting module (e.g. an LED lamp) to a connector of a chandelier luminaire, which connector faces upwards. The processor may determine to control the light output of the lighting module according to an ambient light setting, while when the lighting module is connected to a downward facing connector, the processor may determine to control the light output of the lighting module according to a task light setting.

The position of the connector is defined by a location of the connector relative to the housing. The location of the connector (and therewith the location of a connected lighting module) relative to the housing may be determined associated with a unique address of the connector. Each connector may have its own address, and the processor may have access to these addresses. This is advantageous because it allows the processor to determine the location of a connector interfacing with a lighting module.

In an embodiment of the luminaire, the luminaire comprises an orientation sensor for providing an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the orientation sensor to the processor, and the processor is further arranged for determining the orientation of the connector relative to the housing based on the orientation signal. This is beneficial, because it allows the processor to control the light output of the lighting module based on the orientation (e.g. the tilt) of the luminaire and/or the connector (and therewith the orientation of the lighting module) relative to the gravitational field.

In an embodiment of the luminaire, the orientation sensor is located in the housing of the luminaire. This embodiment may be advantageous when the orientation of the connector is fixed relative to the orientation of the housing, because when the orientation of the connector is fixed relative to the orientation of the housing, the processor is able to determine the orientation of the connector, and therewith the orientation of the lighting module, based on the orientation of the housing.

In an embodiment of the luminaire, the orientation sensor is located in the connector. This embodiment may be advantageous when the orientation of the connector is not fixed relative to the orientation of the housing. The luminaire may, for example, further comprise a connector orientation adjustment element, which connector orientation adjustment element is arranged for adjusting the orientation of the connector relative to the orientation of the housing. This enables the processor to determine the orientation of the connector, and therewith the orientation of the lighting module, based on the signal received from the orientation sensor. In an embodiment of the luminaire, each connector is arranged for interfacing with a sensor module comprising at least one sensor arranged for detecting an environmental condition of the connector or the luminaire, and the processor is arranged for controlling the mode of operation of the sensor module based on the position of the sensor module. This embodiment is advantageous, because it allows the processor to determine how the sensor operates (e.g. how the sensor senses its environment). In a further embodiment, the luminaire further comprises at least one light source (which may be connected to a further connector), and the processor is arranged for controlling the light output of the at least one light source based on the detected environmental condition. This provides the advantage that it enables the processor to control the light setting of the at least one light source.

In an embodiment of the luminaire, the processor is further arranged for controlling the light output of a further lighting module connected to a further connector of the plurality of connectors based on the light output of the lighting module. This allows the processor to, for example, determine the light output of a light emitting module based on the setting of another light emitting module, thereby possibly complementing the light output of the one light emitting module by the light output of the other lighting module.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a lighting module for use in the luminaire according to the luminaire of any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the lighting module comprising:

a second connector for interfacing with one of the plurality of connectors of the luminaire, and

a processor arranged for controlling the light output of the lighting module based on a control signal received from the luminaire.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a method of controlling a light output of a lighting module comprising at least one light source, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting the lighting module at a connector of a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector has a position defined by a location relative to a housing of a luminaire and an orientation relative to the gravitational field, and wherein at least two connectors have different orientations,—accessing information indicative of the position of the connector,

identifying the lighting module based on a signal received from the lighting module, and

controlling the light output of the lighting module based on the identification of the lighting module and the position of the connector.

In embodiments of the methods, the method further comprises the step of detecting an orientation of the connector. Detecting the orientation of the connector provides the advantage that it provides specific parameters, which parameters are used to determine the light output of the lighting module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows schematically an embodiment of a luminaire100according to the invention for controlling a light output of a lighting module106. The luminaire100comprises a housing102and a plurality of connectors104for interfacing with the lighting module106. Each of the connectors104,105has a position relative to the housing, which position may be defined by a fixed location and an orientation relative to the gravitational field. The orientation may be detected by an orientation sensor. The luminaire100further comprises a processor108(e.g. a microcontroller, a microchip, circuitry, etc.) for detecting the presence of the lighting module106at a connector104of the plurality of connectors104,105and for accessing information indicative of the position of the connector104(for example by receiving the information from an orientation sensor, accessing a memory storing a look-up table storing information about one or more connectors and their respective positions, etc.). The processor108is further arranged for identifying the lighting module106based on a signal received from the lighting module106, and for controlling the light output of the detected lighting module106based on the identification of the lighting module106and the position of the respective connector104. This enables the processor108to, for example, determine how to configure and/or control the lighting module106, or how to interpret data received from the lighting module106.

Each connector104,105is arranged for interfacing with a lighting module106. This interface (i.e. a connection) allows either one-directional or bidirectional data communication. This allows the processor108to identify, detect, control and/or configure the lighting module106. The lighting module106may, for example, be a USB module and the connector104,105may be a USB socket for receiving the lighting module106. A connected USB module may communicate, for example, its idVendor and idProduct (which are standardized USB descriptors) to the processor108, thereby allowing the processor108to identify the lighting module106. The USB module may further communicate its device related properties (such as light emission properties, dimming properties, light colour, beam shape, sensing properties, etc.). The luminaire100may further comprise a memory for storing the properties of the identified lighting module106.

The connectors104,105, which may be comprised in the housing102or may be located outside the housing102, may be any connector104,105arranged for interfacing with a lighting module106. The connectors104,105may have a fixed position relative to the housing102, or the connectors104,105may have an adjustable position relative to the housing102. The connectors104,105are arranged for interfacing with the lighting module106, which lighting module106may be connected to a connector104,105with a fixed position relative to the housing102. By connecting the lighting module106to a connector104,105with a fixed position relative to the housing102, the processor108is able to determine the position of the lighting module106based on the position of the connector104. The connector104,105may, for example, be a socket (e.g. a screw socket (E14, E26, E27, etc.), a bayonet socket, a USB socket, a power over Ethernet socket, etc.) or a plug (e.g. a screw plug (E14, E26, E27, etc.), a bayonet plug, a USB plug, a power over Ethernet plug, etc.), but it may also be a connector104,105that is arranged for connecting with the lighting module106via any other mechanical connection (for example a magnetic connection).

Each connector104,105has a position relative to the housing102. The position of a connector104,105(and therewith the location of a connected lighting module106) may be defined by a location of the connector104,105relative to the housing102. Each connector104,105may be associated with a unique address, and the processor108may have access to these addresses, allowing the processor108to determine which connector104,105is interfacing with which lighting module106.FIG. 2bshows an example of a luminaire200bcomprising connectors206b,206b′ and206b″ with positions are defined by locations of the connectors204b,204b′,204b″ relative to the housing202b. The luminaire200bcomprises a first connector206bwith a first location (left) relative to the housing202b, which is associated with a first address A1. The luminaire200bfurther comprises a second connector206b′ with a second location (center) relative to the housing202b, which is associated with a second address A2. The luminaire200bfurther comprises a third connector206b″ with a third location (right) relative to the housing202b, which is associated with a third address A3. In this example, the processor (not shown) may have access to a memory (not shown) which stores the locations of the connectors204b,204b′,204b″, for example as unique addresses A1, A2, and A3which are associated with their locations. This allows the processor108to control the light output of a connected lighting module206b,206b′,206b″ based on the location of the lighting module206b,206b′,206b″.

The position of the connector104,105may be represented by its orientation relative to the housing (which housing has an orientation relative to the gravitational field). The luminaire may, for example, have multiple connectors which each have their own orientation relative to the housing.FIG. 2ashows an example of such a luminaire200a. The luminaire200ainFIG. 2acomprises a first connector204awith a first orientation (up) relative to the housing202aand a second connector204a′ with a second orientation (down) relative to the housing202aof the luminaire200a. In this example, the processor (not shown) may have access to a memory (not shown) which stores the orientations of the connectors204a,204a′. This allows the processor to control the light output of a connected lighting module206a,206a′ based on the orientation of the lighting module206a,206a′. In an embodiment wherein the position is determined by both the location and the orientation of the connector204a,204a′, the processor is able to control the light output of a connected lighting module206a,206a′ based on both the orientation and the location of the lighting module206a,206a′.

The processor108is arranged for identifying the lighting module106based on a signal received from the lighting module106. Upon connecting the lighting module106to the connector104, the connector104and the lighting module106interface, thereby allowing the processor108to receive a signal which identifies the lighting module106.

The processor108is further arranged for controlling the light output of the lighting module106based on the identification of the lighting module106and the position of the connector104(and therewith the orientation of the lighting module106). A lighting control signal is communicated to the lighting module106, allowing the lighting module106to set its light output to the light output determined by the processor108. This allows the processor108to configure/control the lighting module106.FIG. 2ashows schematically an embodiment of a luminaire200aaccording to the invention comprising a first connector204aand a second connector204a′ for interfacing with a first lighting module206aand a second lighting module206a′. The first connector204ais located at the top side of housing202aof the luminaire200a, and it is oriented upwards. The second connector204a′ is located at the bottom side of the housing202aof the luminaire200a, and it is oriented downwards. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2a, the positions (locations and/or orientations) of the connectors204a,204a′ are fixed relative to the housing202a. The next examples illustrate how the processor (not shown) may control the light output of the first lighting module206aand the second lighting module206a′ based on their orientation relative to the housing202a.

In a first example, the luminaire200amay be a pendant lamp hanging on a ceiling. A user may connect the first lighting module206ato the first connector204aand the second lighting module206a′ to the second connector204a′. In this example, the first and second lighting modules206a,206a′ comprise one or more light sources arranged for emitting light. Based on the orientation of the lighting modules206a,206a′ relative to the housing202a, the processor determines the light output of the lighting modules206a,206a′. The processor may, for example, determine to control the light output of the first lighting module206a(oriented upwards) according to an ambient light setting (e.g. a warm yellow colour to illuminate the ceiling) and to control the light output of the second lighting module206a′ (oriented downwards) according to a task light setting (e.g. a cool white colour to illuminate the surface, e.g. a table, underneath the pendant lamp).

FIG. 2bshows schematically an embodiment of a luminaire200baccording to the invention comprising a first connector204b, a second connector204b′ and a third connector204b″ for interfacing with a first lighting module206b, a second lighting module206b′ and a third lighting module206b″. The first connector204bis located at the left side of housing202bof the luminaire200b, and it is oriented downwards. The second connector204b′ is located at the center of the housing202bof the luminaire200b, and it is also oriented downwards. The third connector204b″ is located at the right side of the housing202bof the luminaire200b, and it is also oriented downwards. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2b, the positions (location and/or orientation) of the connectors204b,204b′,204b″ are fixed relative to the housing202b. The luminaire200bmay, for example be a troffer installed in the ceiling. A user may connect the first lighting module206b, the second lighting module206b′ and the third lighting module206b′ to the first, second and third connectors204b,204b′,204b″ respectively. In this example, the first, second and third lighting modules206b,206b′,206b″ may comprise one or more light sources arranged for emitting light. Based on the location of the lighting modules206b,206b′,206b″ relative to the housing202b, the processor determines the light output of the lighting modules206b,206b′,206b″. The processor may, for example, determine to set the light output of the first lighting module206bto a red light setting and to set the light output of the third lighting module206b″ to a yellow light setting based on their location relative to the housing202b. In order to create a consistent light effect (e.g. a gradually changing colour from red to yellow), the processor may determine to set the light output of the second lighting module206b′ to an orange light setting based on its location relative to the housing202b.

The luminaire100may further comprise an orientation sensor for providing an orientation signal. This allows the processor108to determine the orientation of the connector104,105relative to the housing102based on the orientation signal. The next examples, as illustrated inFIGS. 3aand 3b, explain how the processor may determine the orientation of the lighting module based on the orientation signal.

In a first example, as illustrated inFIG. 3a, the orientation sensor310ais located at the housing302aof the luminaire300a. This is beneficial if the connectors304a,304a′ have a fixed orientation relative to the housing302a. The orientation sensor310amay be arranged for detecting an orientation and/or a location of the luminaire. The orientation sensor310amay for example detect that the luminaire300ais installed in a vertical orientation and the processor may control the light output of the lighting modules306a,306a′ based on this detection.

In a second example, as illustrated inFIG. 3b, the orientation sensors310b,310b′ are located at the connectors304b,304b′ of the luminaire300b. This is advantageous when the orientation of the connector is not fixed relative to the orientation of the housing302b. The luminaire300bmay, for example, further comprise a first connector orientation adjustment element312band a second connector orientation adjustment element312b′, which connector orientation adjustment elements312b,312b′ are arranged for adjusting the orientation of the connectors304b,304b′ relative to the orientation of the housing302b. The connector orientation adjustment elements312b,312b′ (e.g. flexible/bendable rods, rods comprising one or more moveable joints, or any other mechanically operable adjustable means) couple the connectors304b,304b′ to the housing302band allow a user or the processor to change the location and/or the orientation of the connectors304b,304b′. Orientation sensor310bmay for example detect that the connector304bis oriented downwards, and orientation sensor310b′ may for example detect that the connector304b′ is oriented horizontally. The orientation sensors310b,310b′ may be arranged for generating the orientation signals based on the detected orientation and/or location, and for communicating the orientation signals to the processor108, which determines the light output of the lighting modules306b,306b′ based on the orientation signals.

FIG. 4shows schematically an embodiment of an orientation sensor for detecting an orientation relative to the gravitational field. The orientation sensor400may be arranged for detecting an orientation of the luminaire100or a connector104,105relative to the gravitational field. The orientation sensor400may comprise one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more magnetometers, one or more tilt sensors, etc. in order to determine the orientation of the luminaire100. The orientation of the luminaire100may be defined by the roll404, pitch406and yaw408of the luminaire100around the X, Y and Z axes respectively. Upon detecting the orientation of the luminaire100, the orientation sensor400may generate an orientation signal in order to communicate the orientation to the processor108. The processor108may determine the orientation of the lighting module106based on the orientation signal and control the light output of the lighting module based on the orientation400.

Each connector104,105is arranged for interfacing with a lighting module comprising at least one light source (e.g. an LED light source, an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, etc.). The processor108is arranged for controlling the light output of the at least one light source based on the position (the location relative to the housing102and/or the orientation) of the lighting module. For example, an upward facing light emitting module may emit coloured light at a low intensity, while a downward facing light emitting module may emit white light at a high intensity.

Additionally or alternatively, each connector104,105may be arranged for interfacing with a sensor module comprising at least one sensor (e.g. a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a camera, etc.) arranged for detecting an environmental condition of the connector104,105or the luminaire100, and the processor108may be arranged for setting the mode of operation of the sensor module based on the position of the sensor module. The sensor module may, for example, comprise a audio sensor. Depending on the position (location and orientation) of the audio sensor, the processor108may determine to set a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the audio sensor may, for example, be set to a high sensitivity, while in the second mode of operation, the audio sensor may be set to a low sensitivity. This may be advantageous if the audio sensor is arranged for receiving voice input. For example, an upward facing audio sensor may require a louder noise, and therefore require a higher sensitivity, while a downward facing audio sensor may require a less loud noise, and therefore require a lower sensitivity.

The luminaire100comprises a plurality of connectors104,105. In an embodiment, a first connector may be interfacing with a light emitting module, and a second connector may be interfacing with a sensor module. The processor108may determine the light output of the light emitting module based on sensor information from the sensor module. The sensor module may for example comprise an occupancy sensor arranged for detecting the presence of a plurality of people. The processor108may determine to control the light emitting module according to a first light output, e.g. a task lighting setting, when one person is detected, or to a light output, e.g. an ambient light setting, when a plurality of persons are detected, or to a ‘low energy’ mode when no people are detected. Alternatively, the processor108may determine the mode of operation of the sensor module based on a current light output. The light emitting module may for example comprise one or more light sources for providing cool bright lighting and, alternatively, for providing less bright coloured lighting. The processor108may determine to set the sensor module, which for example comprises a camera to detect the presence of objects and/or people, to a first mode of operation, e.g. a low sensitivity when the light emitting module emits cool bright lighting, or to a second mode of operation, e.g. a high sensitivity when the light emitting module emits less bright coloured lighting.

The luminaire100may be further arranged for receiving control commands from a further device, such as a user interface device (e.g. a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet pc, etc.). Such a control command may, for example, comprise instructions for applying a specific light setting to the luminaire100. The light setting, for example a rainbow light effect, may be selected by a user operating the user interface device. The processor108of the luminaire100may be further arranged for setting the mode of operation further based on the user input. Based on, for example, the selection of the rainbow effect (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), the processor108may determine to control the light output of a first lighting module106connected to a first connector to emit light according to a first colour of the rainbow, and to control the light output of five other connectors accordingly such that they emit light according to the other five colours of the rainbow. Such a light effect may also be a dynamic light effect (i.e. a light effect that changes hue, saturation and/or brightness over time).