Patent Publication Number: US-2022221642-A1

Title: Canopy luminaire

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/016,844, filed Sep. 10, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/898,480, filed Sep. 10, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/911,718, filed Oct. 7, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate to a canopy luminaire for projecting light toward, for instance, a vehicle bay. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a luminaire including a housing, a light diffusion panel, a reflective surface, and a plurality of light sources. The light diffusion panel is disposed in the housing. The light diffusion panel includes a light source aperture, an edge surface bounding the light source aperture, and an emission surface. The emission surface includes a first emission surface section and a second emission surface section. The second emission surface section is disposed on an opposite side of the light source aperture from the first emission surface section. The reflective surface is disposed on a side of the light diffusion panel opposite the emission surface. The plurality of light sources project light into the light diffusion panel through the edge surface. The plurality of light sources includes a first light source and a second light source. The first light source projects light into the light diffusion panel and out of the light diffusion panel through the first emission surface section. The second light source projects light into the light diffusion panel and out of the light diffusion panel through the second emission surface section. 
     The present disclosure relates, in another aspect, to a luminaire including a housing, a first light diffusion panel, a second light diffusion panel, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, a first panel light source, and a second panel light source. The first light diffusion panel is disposed in the housing. The first light diffusion panel includes a first panel outer periphery and a first panel emission surface. The second light diffusion panel is also disposed in the housing. The second light diffusion panel includes a second panel outer periphery and a second panel emission surface. The first reflective surface is disposed on a side of the first light diffusion panel opposite the first panel emission surface. The second reflective surface is disposed on a side of the second light diffusion panel opposite the second panel emission surface. The second reflective surface is also disposed between the first light diffusion panel and the second light diffusion panel. The first panel light source projects light into the first light diffusion panel through the first panel outer periphery and out of the first light diffusion panel through the first panel emission surface. The second panel light source projects light into the second light diffusion panel through the second panel outer periphery and out of the second light diffusion panel through the second panel emission surface. 
     The present disclosure relates, in another aspect, to a system for indicating a status of a vehicle bay. The system includes a luminaire, a sensor, and a controller. The luminaire includes a first light diffusion panel, a first panel light source, a second light diffusion panel, and a second panel light source. The first light diffusion panel has a first transition zone and a first extraction zone. The first transition zone guides light to the first extraction zone. The first extraction zone includes optical features. The first panel light source projects light having a first characteristic. The light projects into the first light diffusion panel, through the first transition zone, and out of the first light diffusion panel through the first extraction zone. The second light diffusion panel has a second transition zone and a second extraction zone. The second transition zone guides light to the second extraction zone. The second extraction zone includes optical features. The second panel light source projects light having a second characteristic that is different from the first characteristic. The light projects into the second light diffusion panel, through the second transition zone, and out of the second light diffusion panel through the second extraction zone. The sensor detects an object in the vehicle bay. The controller is operatively coupled to the first panel light source, the second panel light source, and the sensor. The controller receives one or more signals from the sensor, determines whether the object is in the vehicle bay, and illuminates the first and second panel light sources. If the object is determined to be in the vehicle bay, the controller illuminates the first panel light source. If the object is determined not to be in the vehicle bay, the controller illuminates the second panel light source. 
     In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “servers” and “computing devices” described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components. 
     Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side/bottom perspective view of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side/top perspective view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom plan view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom plan view of a light diffusion panel of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side elevation view of light projection patterns at two vehicle bays, each vehicle bay having a luminaire of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a top plan view of a first light projection pattern of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top plan view of a second light projection pattern of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a detailed cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 17  schematically illustrates a detailed cross-sectional elevation view of light diffusion panels of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 18  schematically illustrates a detailed cross-sectional elevation view of light diffusion panels of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a bottom plan view of examples of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a cross-sectional elevation view of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an assembly schematic of affixing reflective layer material on a light diffusion panel of the luminaire of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an alternative assembly of two light diffusion panels for use with the luminaire of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of examples of layouts of light diffusion panels of a luminaire, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 24  schematically illustrates a system for indicating a status of a vehicle bay, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 25  schematically illustrates a controller to be used in the system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  schematically illustrates the user device in communication with the luminaires associated with respective vehicle bays, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a heat map representing vehicle dwell time in and around the vehicle bays, according to embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a flowchart of an example method of operating a luminaire associated with a vehicle bay, according to embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a luminaire  100 . The luminaire includes a housing  102 . The housing  102  can be made of, for example, die-cast aluminum low-copper material. The housing  102  at least partially contains a light diffusion panel  104 , which may also be referred to as a light guide or a light guide plate. In some embodiments, the light diffusion panel  104  is a flat or planar structure. In other embodiments, the light diffusion panel  104  may be curved or some other shape. The light diffusion panel  104  can be made of an optically transmissive material such as, for example, clear acrylic. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , some embodiments of the light diffusion panel  104  include at least one light source aperture  106 . The light diffusion panel  104  also includes, in some embodiments, laser-engraved or otherwise manufactured optical features  108 . These optical features  108  (which may also be referred to as extraction features) may be in the form of surface treatment (which may also be referred to as surface features) of the light diffusion panel  104 , or may be within the light diffusion panel  104 . The optical features  108  can form what may be referred to as extraction zones. The optical features  108  can be implemented in a uniform or a non-uniform manner. The optical features  108  may be formed with, for instance, injection molding, vacuum forming, three-dimensional printing, application of a laminated film, embossing, engraving, etching, or the like. The optical features  108  are shown in  FIG. 8  as a plurality of dots. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the light diffusion panel  104  including the light source aperture  106  is bordered by an edge surface  110 . The edge surface  110  is shown as a vertical wall of the light diffusion panel  104  surrounding the centrally located light source aperture  106 . The light diffusion panel  104  further includes an emission surface  112 , which is shown in a plan view in  FIG. 8  and is shown as being perpendicular to the edge surface  110  in  FIG. 9 . The emission surface  112  includes a first emission surface section  112   a , which is illustrated as the central square section bordered by the four light source apertures  106  in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . The emission surface  112  also includes a second emission surface section  112   b , which is illustrated as the bordering outer section positioned between the light source apertures  106  and the outer periphery  114  of the light diffusion panel  104  in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . Although the optical features  108  are illustrated similarly in both the first and second emission surface sections  112   a ,  112   b , other embodiments contemplated herein include different optical features between the emission surface sections  112   a ,  112   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , some embodiments include a reflective surface  116  disposed in the housing  102  adjacent the light diffusion panel  104  (illustrated as being above the light diffusion panel  104 ). This reflective surface  116  is positioned opposite the light diffusion panel  104  from the emission surface  112 . The reflective surface  116  may be affixed to the housing  102 , a surface of the housing  102  itself, affixed to the light diffusion panel  104 , trapped between the housing  102  and the light diffusion panel  104 , or the like. The reflective surface  116  may be included to improve system efficacy and may be applied onto or adjacent to the surface of the light diffusion panel  104  that is opposite the emission surface  112 . The reflective surface  116  may be a reflector, diffuse reflective material, specular reflective material, or the like. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 9 , a plurality of light sources  118  projects light  120  into the light diffusion panel  104  through the edge surface  110  of the light diffusion panel  104 . At least one light source  118  is mounted in relatively close proximity to an edge (such as the edge surface  110 ) of the light diffusion panel  104  in such a way that the light  120  is at least partially transmitted into the light diffusion panel  104 . The plurality of light sources  118  includes a first light source  118   a  projecting light  120   a  into the light diffusion panel  104  and out of the light diffusion panel  104  through the first emission surface section  112   a . The plurality of light sources  118  also includes a second light source  118   b  projecting light  120   b  into the light diffusion panel  104  and out of the light diffusion panel  104  through the second emission surface section  112   b . In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources  118  includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs  118  may be brighter on the first emission surface section  112   a  side than on the second emission surface section  112   b  side or vice versa. In other embodiments, the brightness is controlled with features of the light diffusion panel  104  in addition to, or as an alternative to, the difference in LED brightness. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources  118  includes the first light source  118   a  configured to emit white light and the second light source  118   b  configured to emit light of a particular color (red, blue, green, or the like) or vice versa. In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources  118  includes more than one first light source  118   a  and more than one second light source  118   b . In such embodiments, some of the first light sources  118   a  may be configured to emit white light while others of the first light sources  118   a  may be configured to emit light of a particular color. Likewise, some of the second light sources  118   b  may be configured to emit white light while others of the second light sources  118   b  may be configured to emit light of a particular color. In some embodiments, however, all of the first light sources  118   a  may be configured to emit white light and all of the second light sources  118   b  may be configured to emit light of a particular color or vice versa. The light sources  118  configured to emit light of a particular color in any of the above embodiments may include some light sources  118  configured to emit one particular color (such as red), other light sources  118  configured to emit another particular color (such as blue), and so on. 
     Also shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the plurality of light sources  118  are disposed in the light source aperture  106 . The light sources  118  are mounted to a frame  122  which is coupled to the housing  102 . The frame  122  can also include a support flange  124  which supports the light diffusion panel  104  alone or in combination with an outer edge  126  of the housing  102  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 ). In some embodiments, the frame  122  includes one or more sensors  128  (shown in  FIG. 16  and described in more detail below). The sensors  128  may be disposed on or in the housing  102 , or may be placed remotely from the housing  102 . The sensors  128  include, for instance, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, induction coil sensors, weight sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the luminaire  100  may include one or more actuators, one or more electronic interfaces, one or more mechanical interfaces, or the like. 
     Also shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the light diffusion panel  104  may be configured such that at least some of the light  120   b  is reflected internally until it passes through the outer periphery  114  of the light diffusion panel  104 . Depending on the shape of the housing  102 , this outer periphery light  120   b  can function as recessed lighting for the luminaire  100  in some embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the luminaire  100  can be configured to spread light  120  in more than one pattern due at least in part to the two emission surface sections  112   a ,  112   b . For example, the center emission surface section  112   a  can create a rectangular light emission pattern (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) for general area lighting while the perimeter emission surface section  112   b  can create an asymmetric light emission pattern (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) for illuminating the pump area at a gas station vehicle bay  202 . In other embodiments, the light emission patterns are achievable by illuminating different light sources  118  of the plurality of light sources  118 . The luminaire  100  can also be configured to adjust or alter the brightness, color, and/or temperature of the light  120  for signaling or adequate illumination purposes. 
     Regardless of whether the light source  118  is located in an aperture or adjacent an outer edge of a light diffusion panel  104 , the light source  118  projects light  120  into the light diffusion panel  104  to then be emitted through an emission surface  112 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , some embodiments of the luminaire  100  further include a heat sink  130  to dissipate heat that is produced by the one or more light sources  118 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , at least some of the light  120  projected from the light source  118  may escape around the periphery of the light diffusion panel  104 . At least some of the light  120  that is projected into the light diffusion panel  104  reflects off of interior surfaces of the light diffusion panel  104  at an angle that exceeds a critical angle. This results in internal reflection of the light  120  within the light diffusion panel  104 . The portions of the light diffusion panel  104  having no optical features  108  produce the most internal reflection of the light  120 . These portions may be referred to as transition zones. The transition zones are typically unable to efficiently emit light and are, therefore, used to project the light into the emission surface sections  112 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , at least some of the light  120  encounters one or more optical features  108  (shown as a surface optical feature). The light  120  leaves the light source  118 , travels through the transition zone of the light diffusion panel  104 , and projects onto or through the optical feature  108 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the light  120  is projected out of the light diffusion panel  104  through the surface optical feature  108  and is reflected off of the reflective surface  116  back into the light diffusion panel  104 . Since the light  120  is at an angle of incidence that is much more aggressive due to the optical feature  108 , the light  120  is able to escape the light diffusion panel  104  through the emission surface  112  instead of internally reflecting. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , another embodiment of a luminaire  1000  is shown. Many components of the luminaire  1000  are similar or identical to the luminaire  100  discussed above. As such, like components will have the same reference number as discussed above, but increased by a value of one thousand. 
     The luminaire  1000  includes a housing  1102  that at least partially contains a first light diffusion panel  1104  and a second light diffusion panel  1105 , which may cooperate to form a multi-element light guide assembly (MLGA). In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 16 , the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  are shown in a stacked configuration. The two or more light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  may be substantially parallel to each other. 
     In some embodiments, each of the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  includes an aperture  1106  defined therein. The apertures  1106  receive, in the illustrated embodiment, one or more sensors  1128 . 
     The light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  include laser-engraved or otherwise manufactured optical features  1108 . The optical features  1108  are shown with shading in the form of hatching in  FIG. 16 . As discussed above, the optical features  1108  may be in the form of surface treatment of the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  or may be within the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 . 
     The first light diffusion panel  1104  further includes a first panel emission surface  1112 . Likewise, the second light diffusion panel  1105  further includes a second panel emission surface  1113 . Each of the emission surfaces  1112 ,  1113  may have one or more emission sections, but the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 16  shows only one continuous emission surface  1112 ,  1113  for each respective light diffusion panel  1104 ,  1105 . 
     The first light diffusion panel  1104  also includes a first panel outer periphery  1114 . Similarly, the second light diffusion panel  1105  also includes a second panel outer periphery  1115 . The light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  are shown in the illustrated embodiment as rectangular, but other shapes are also contemplated herein. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 16 , a first reflective surface  1116  is disposed in the housing  1102  adjacent the first light diffusion panel  1104 . The first reflective surface  1116  is disposed opposite the first light diffusion panel  1104  from the first panel emission surface  1112 . The first reflective surface  1116  may be affixed to the housing  1102 , a surface of the housing  1102  itself, affixed to the first light diffusion panel  1104 , trapped between the housing  1102  and the first light diffusion panel  1104 , or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the first reflective surface  1116  covers substantially all (or completely all) of the side of the first light diffusion panel  1104  opposite the first light diffusion panel  1104  from the first panel emission surface  1112 . 
     A second reflective surface  1117  is disposed in the housing  1102  adjacent the second light diffusion panel  1105 . The second reflective surface  1117  is disposed opposite the second light diffusion panel  1105  from the second panel emission surface  1113 . The second reflective surface  1117  may be affixed to the second light diffusion panel  1105 , affixed to the first light diffusion panel  1104 , trapped between the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 , or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the second reflective surface  1117  covers a majority of the side of the second light diffusion panel  1105  opposite the second light diffusion panel  1105  from the second panel emission surface  1113 . Also in the illustrated embodiment, the second reflective surface  1117  does not cover the entire side of the second light diffusion panel  1105 . Particularly, the illustrated embodiment includes a border area around the second light diffusion panel  1105  adjacent the second panel outer periphery  1115  that is without the second reflective surface  1117 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 16 , a plurality of first panel light sources  1118  projects light  1120  into the first light diffusion panel  1104  through the first panel outer periphery  1114 . The plurality of first panel light sources  1118  is illustrated as being light sources that are configured to emit light of one or more particular colors. Particularly, the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 16  includes red, blue, and green light sources  1118 . Of course, other embodiments include additional or alternative light sources  1118 . The first panel light sources  1118  project light  1120  into the first light diffusion panel  1104  and out of the first light diffusion panel  1104  through the first panel emission surface  1112 . 
     The luminaire  1000  further includes a plurality of second panel light sources  1119 . Each second panel light source  1119  projects light  1121  into the second light diffusion panel  1105  through the second panel outer periphery  1115 . The plurality of second panel light sources  1119  is illustrated as being light sources that are configured to emit white light. Of course, other embodiments include additional or alternative light sources  1119 . The second panel light sources  1119  project light  1121  into the second light diffusion panel  1105  and out of the second light diffusion panel  1105  through the second panel emission surface  1112 . 
     Because of the stacked configuration of the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 , the light  1120  that passes through the first panel emission surface  1112  also passes through the second light diffusion panel  1105  and through the second panel emission surface  1112 . The total output of light  1120 ,  1121  from the luminaire  1000 , therefore, is approximately the aggregate of the two or more light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 . In such embodiments, the luminaire  1000  may include a reduced size or shape due to the size/shape no longer being limited by the number of the plurality of light sources  118   a ,  118   b  that can be arranged in a single plane. 
     The positioning, size, and shape of the second reflective surface  1117  can impact how much of the light  1120  is able to pass through the second light diffusion panel  1105  and where on the second light diffusion panel  1105  the light  1120  is able to pass through. In some embodiments, the light  1120  is emitted at least partially (or even substantially) comingled with at least some of the light  1121  as the light  1120 ,  1121  projects thorough the second light diffusion panel  1105  and beyond the second panel emission surface  1113  (as shown in  FIG. 17 ). In other embodiments, the second reflective surface  1117  is positioned such that the light  1120  is emitted substantially separately from the light  1121  through and beyond the second panel emission surface  1113 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the location, size, and shape of each section of optical features  1108  in the plurality of light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 ,  1107  can allow light  1120 ,  1121 ,  1123  to transmit beyond the luminaire  1000  with minimal interference with each other (as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 ). This capability allows for multiple functions including, for instance, photometric distribution, task lighting, indicator lighting, antimicrobial effects, or the like. This capacity also allows for multiple lighting characteristics including, for instance, varied spectral power, correlated color temperature, color quality, intensity, or the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 16 , the first and second panel light sources  1118 ,  1119  are mounted to the housing  1102 , although some embodiments could have the light sources  1118 ,  1119  affixed to the respective light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 . Further, the first and second light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105  are retained in the housing  1102  in the illustrated embodiment by an outer edge  1126  of the housing  1102 . 
     The sensor  1128  is illustrated as being mounted to a portion of the housing  1102 , but it too could be mounted to one or both of the light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , the housing  1102  further includes a control module  1130 , a first panel light source driver  1132 , and a second panel light source driver  1134  disposed therein. These electrical components of the luminaire  1000  may be powered by a battery (not shown) disposed on or in the housing  1102 , or they may be powered with mains electricity routed into the housing  1102  through a junction box  1136 . The junction box  1136  is illustrated as being disposed above a canopy wall  1138  of a structure (such as a ceiling of a gas station canopy). 
     The embodiment of the luminaire  1000  shown in  FIG. 20  is identical to that shown in  FIG. 16 , except the first reflective surface  1116  does not cover substantially all of the side of the first light diffusion panel  1104  opposite the first light diffusion panel  1104  from the first panel emission surface  1112 . Instead, the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20  relies on the total internal reflection of the first light diffusion panel  1104  to retain the light  1120  in the first light diffusion panel  1104  until the light escapes through the first panel emission surface  1112 . Additionally or alternatively, the losses of light escaping through the side of the first light diffusion panel  1104  opposite the first light diffusion panel  1104  from the first panel emission surface  1112  may be considered negligible. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second reflective surfaces  1116 ,  1117  can be removed from a single sheet of reflective material. As shown in  FIG. 21 , a sheet of reflective material  1140  may include perforations  1142  for easy separation of the first reflective surface material  1116  from the second reflective surface material  1117 . The sheet of reflective material  1140  may further include a layer of adhesive on one side, such that the first and second reflective surfaces  1116 ,  1117  can be easily affixed to one or both of the first and second light diffusion panels  1104 ,  1105 . In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , the first and second reflective surfaces  1116 ,  1117  are affixed to opposite sides of the first light diffusion panel  1104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the first reflective surface  116  can be disposed between the first light diffusion panel  1104  and the second light diffusion panel  1105  such that the first panel emission surface  1112  is an upper surface of the first light diffusion panel  1104 . In this illustrated embodiment, the light  1120  is projected into the first light diffusion panel  1104  through the first panel outer periphery  1114  and upwardly out of the first panel emission surface  1112 . This embodiment may be used to provide, for instance, recessed lighting for the luminaire  1000 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 23 , although the luminaires  100 ,  1000  have been described above as relating to a canopy mounting location, the luminaires could also be mounted to a vertical wall of a structure as a wall sconce, hung from a ceiling as a pendant, mounted to a light pole, or the like. The luminaires could direct light of various characteristics in multiple directions as desired. As shown in  FIG. 23 , a plurality of light diffusion panels can cooperate to direct light in a variety of directions. Although only two-dimensional layouts of the light diffusion panels are shown in  FIG. 23 , these layouts are only meant to be examples. The light diffusion panels could be arranged in a three-dimensional layout to form a cube, pyramid, cylinder, or the like. As shown in some of the examples in  FIG. 23 , some of the layouts of the light diffusion panels may additionally or alternatively illuminate an interior space of the luminaire assembly. 
     The luminaires  100 ,  1000  discussed herein are capable of mixing light of various characteristics. Blue light can be combined with white light to create a white light having a different temperature than what might be accomplished by the white light alone. For instance, light with a temperature of 6500K can be emitted from the first light diffusion panel  1104  of the luminaire  1000 , and light with a temperature of 2700K can be emitted from the second light diffusion panel  1105 . These lights may be combined, may illuminate one at a time, or may do both in some sequence to create light having varying characteristics. Some embodiments may combine white light with high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS) light to provide adequate visual lighting that has the added benefit of killing at least some bacteria in the area. The constructions discussed above allow for one or more of the light sources to be powered by a battery backup system in case of emergencies. Different guide media can be used to vary the effect of the different light sources. Non-luminous or transmissive materials can be used for the housing or other components. Similarly, volumetric diffuse materials can be used for one or more components described above. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a system  2000  for indicating a status of a vehicle bay  2002  (shown in  FIG. 26 ). Particularly, the system  2000  is capable of detecting as well as indicating the status of a vehicle bay  2002 . The illustrated embodiment of the system  2000  includes a user device  2004 , a luminaire  100  (and/or  1000 ), a sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), a network  2008 , and a server-side mainframe computer or server  2010 . The user device  2004  includes, for example, a personal or desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone). The system  2000  is provided as an example and, in some embodiments, the system  2000  includes additional components. The system  2000  may include more than one user device  2004 , server  2010 , communication network  2008 , or the like. The system  2000  may further include one or more sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) and one or more luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ). The system  2000  may include only the sensors  128  (and/or  1128 ) disposed on the respective luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ). In some embodiments, however, the system  2000  may include additional sensors  2006  that are separate from the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ). 
     The user device  2004  is configured to communicatively connect to the server  2010  through the network  2008  and provide information to, or receive information from, the server  2010  related to the control or operation of the system  2000 . The user device  2004  is also configured to communicatively connect to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) to provide information to, or receive information from, the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). The connections between the user device  2004  and the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and sensors  206  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) are, for example, wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wireless and wired connections. Similarly, the connections between the server  2010  and the network  2008  are wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wireless and wired connections. 
     The network  2008  is, for example, a wide area network (“WAN”) (e.g., a TCP/IP based network), a local area network (“LAN”), a neighborhood area network (“NAN”), a home area network (“HAN”), or personal area network (“PAN”) employing any of a variety of communications protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. In some implementations, the network  2008  is a cellular network, such as, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) network, a General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) network, an Evolution-Data Optimized (“EV-DO”) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (“EDGE”) network, a 3GSM network, a 4GSM network, a 4G LTE network, a 5G New Radio, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (“DECT”) network, a Digital AMPS (“IS-136/TDMA”) network, or an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (“iDEN”) network, etc. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a controller  2012  for the system  2000 . The controller  2012  is electrically and/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or components of the system  2000 . For example, the illustrated controller  2012  is connected to one or more indicators  2014  (e.g., LEDs, a liquid crystal display [“LCD”], etc.), a user input or user interface  2016  (e.g., a user interface of the user device  2004  in  FIG. 24 ), and a communications interface  2018 . The controller  2012  is also connected to the sensors  2006  and the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ). The communications interface  2018  is connected to the network  2008  to enable the controller  2000  to communicate with the server  2010 . The controller  2012  includes combinations of hardware and software that are operable to, among other things, control the operation of the system  2000 , control the operation of the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ), control the operation of the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), receive one or more signals from the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), communicate over the network  2008 , receive input from a user via the user interface  2016 , provide information to a user via the indicators  2014 , etc. In some embodiments, the indicator  2014  and the user interface  2016  may be integrated together in the form of, for instance, a touch-screen. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the controller  2012  would be associated with the user device  2004 . As a result, the controller  2012  is illustrated in  FIG. 25  as being connected to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). In other embodiments, the controller  2012  can provide control signals directly to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). In other embodiments, the controller  2012  is associated with the server  2010  and communicates through the network  2008  to provide control signals to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). 
     The controller  2012  includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to the components and modules within the controller and/or the system. For example, the controller  2012  includes, among other things, a processing unit  2020  (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a memory  2022 , input units  2024 , and output units  2026 . The processing unit  2020  includes, among other things, a control unit  2028 , an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”)  2030 , and a plurality of registers  2032  (shown as a group of registers  2032  in  FIG. 25 ), and is implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, a von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit  2020 , the memory  2022 , the input units  2024 , and the output units  2026 , as well as the various modules or circuits connected to the controller  2012  are connected by one or more control and/or data buses  2034  (e.g., common bus). The control and/or data buses  2034  are shown generally in  FIG. 25  for illustrative purposes. The use of one or more control and/or data buses  2034  for the interconnection between and communication among the various modules, circuits, and components would be known to a person skilled in the art in view of the disclosure described herein. 
     The memory  2022  is a non-transitory computer readable medium and includes, for example, a program storage area  2036  and a data storage area  2038 . The program storage area  2036  and the data storage area  2038  can include combinations of different types of memory, such as a ROM, a RAM (e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, etc.), EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit  2020  is connected to the memory  2022  and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in a RAM of the memory  2022  (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory  2022  (e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of the system  2000  and controller  2012  can be stored in the memory  2022  of the controller  2012 . The software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller  2012  is configured to retrieve from the memory  2022  and execute, among other things, instructions related to the control processes and methods described herein. In other embodiments, the controller  2012  includes additional, fewer, or different components. 
     The user interface  2016  is included to provide user control of the system  2000 , the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ), and/or the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). The user interface  2016  is operably coupled to the controller  2012  to control, for example, drive signals provided to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and/or drive signals provided to the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). The user interface  2016  can include any combination of digital and analog input devices required to achieve a desired level of control for the system  2000 . For example, the user interface  2016  can include a computer having a display and input devices, a touch-screen display, a plurality of knobs, dials, switches, buttons, faders, or the like. 
     The direct drive signals that are provided to the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) and/or the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) are provided, for example, based on a user input received by the controller  2012  from the user interface  2016 . The controller  2012  is also configured to receive one or more signals from the sensors  2006  related to scan data. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates an example of the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ), the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), and the user device  2004  of the system  2000  in a location with multiple vehicle bays  2002  (such as a gas station). The user device  2004  controls the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) to illuminate in certain colors, patterns, lighting intensities, or the like (one or more lighting characteristics). The user may directly control the characteristics of the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ), or the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) may change lighting characteristics according to a preprogrammed set of rules. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a heat map  3000  of an area including multiple vehicle bays  2002 , such as a gas station. The heat map  3000  illustrates occupancy time of vehicles  2040  utilizing the gas station. Such information can be gathered with the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) and stored and/or processed by the controller  2012 . The data may then be viewed by the user on the user interface  2016  and may be stored in the server  2010  for later viewing and/or processing. 
     Embodiments described herein also relate to a method  4000  of operating a luminaire  100  (and/or  1000 ) associated with a vehicle bay  2002 . Particularly, the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 28  is an embodiment of the method  4000  utilizing the system  2000  described above. The method  4000  includes activating one or more of the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) to determine if a vehicle  2040  is currently occupying the vehicle bay  2002  (at block  4001 ). As described above, the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) to detect the presence of a vehicle  2040  may be LiDAR sensors that measure time of flight from the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), to the surface below the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), and back to the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ). 
     The method  4000  proceeds with inquiring whether the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) detected a vehicle  2040  or other obstruction in the vehicle bay  2002  (at block  4002 ). If the infrared light (regarding embodiments including an IR sensor) reaches the ground and returns to the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), the controller  2012  interprets this information as meaning there is no vehicle  2040  present in the vehicle bay  2002 . If the infrared light instead hits a vehicle  2040  prior to reaching the ground and returns to the sensor  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) faster than would otherwise occur, the controller  2012  interprets this information as meaning there is a vehicle  2040  present in the vehicle bay  2002 . 
     If an obstruction  2040  is detected by the one or more sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), the controller  2012  then illuminates the luminaire  100  (and/or  1000 ) with a first lighting characteristic (at block  4003 ). This first lighting characteristic may be, for example, a red light, a flashing light, a bright light, some combination thereof, or the like. 
     If no obstruction  2040  is detected by the one or more sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ), the controller  2012  then illuminates the luminaire  100  (and/or  1000 ) with a second lighting characteristic (at block  4004 ). This second lighting characteristic may be, for example, a green light, a solid light, a dim light, some combination thereof, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the system  2000  further includes an override mode for the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ). In the override mode, the user may control the luminaires  100  (and/or  1000 ) to illuminate with a third lighting characteristic. This override mode may be designated for a set amount of time, or the override mode may be set until the user returns the system  2000  to a normal detection mode (described above). The third lighting characteristic may be, for example, a blue light, a flashing light, a dimming and then brightening light, some combination thereof, or the like. 
     In the override mode, the sensors  2006  (and/or  128 ,  1128 ) may still be operational. In such embodiments, the controller  2012  can change the third lighting characteristic when an obstruction (such as a vehicle)  2040  is detected in the vehicle bay  2002 . For instance, the third lighting characteristic can typically be a solid blue light, but can flash blue light on and off when a vehicle  2040  is present in the vehicle bay  2002 . 
     Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, luminaires, systems, and methods for illuminating, for instance, a vehicle bay. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.