Patent Description:
State-of-the-art luminaire systems comprise one or more light modules and one or more peripheral interface devices, such as sensors or communication devices. Examples of such peripheral interface devices are: a camera, a light sensor, a particle sensor, a microphone, a radar, a loudspeaker, a wireless communication device, a motion sensor, etc..

Typically, those peripheral interface devices are configured to communicate with other devices using a particular protocol. When multiple peripheral interface devices are included in the same luminaire system, the exchange of data between those peripheral interface devices is limited or non-existing because different peripheral interface devices typically use different protocols.

<CIT> discloses a signal conversion device, which may include a connection interface, a processing module, and a signal conversion module. The connection interface may be detachably coupled to the power conversion module of a lighting device, and may receive a wired control signal via the power conversion module. The processing module may be coupled to the connection interface. The signal conversion module may be coupled to the processing module and the connection interface, and may include an industrial communication protocol standard interface; the signal conversion module may convert the wired control signal into an industrial communication protocol standard signal so as to control at least one controlled device.

<CIT> discloses a lighting control device that includes a control unit and a control request unit. The control unit sets up a virtual multiple lighting control unit corresponding to a lighting control command received from a lighting management device. The control request unit selects a wireless light fixture corresponding to a light fixture ID included in the lighting control command, and makes a lighting control request to the selected wireless light fixture. The control unit transfers a response to the lighting control request to the lighting management device, and thus allows a corresponding lighting switch to control the wireless light fixture.

<CIT> discloses a lighting system that includes a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) master controller, a lighting driver, and a signal converter. The DALI master controller is connected to a management server. The lighting driver operates a lighting device including a light emitting diode (LED). The signal converter is connected to the DALI master controller by a DALI bus operating according to a DALI communication protocol, and is communicatively connected to the lighting driver via a wireless communication connection operating according to a wireless communication protocol. The signal converter inter-converts a signal transmitted and received from the DALI master controller according to the DALI communication protocol and a signal transmitted to and received from the lighting driver according to the wireless communication protocol so as to enable communication between the lighting driver and the DALI master controller.

<CIT> discloses a lighting control system that includes a control card for an illumination device. The control card receives an input signal from a controller electronic device, identifies a type of the illumination device, and uses the identified type to identify an output signal protocol corresponding to the illumination device. If the input signal uses a protocol that differs from that of the output signal protocol, the control card will convert the input signal to the output signal protocol. The controller device may be programmed to enable a user to display and/or control various parameters of various lighting devices.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide a luminaire system capable of integrating peripheral interface devices in an enhanced way, allowing a more advanced communication between peripheral interface devices.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a luminaire system comprising a light module with at least one light source, a first peripheral interface device, a second peripheral interface device, a first interface, a second interface, a transfer module, and a control means. The first interface is configured to receive first signals from the first peripheral interface device using a first protocol. The second interface is configured to send second signals to the second peripheral interface device using a second protocol. The first protocol and the second protocol are different. The transfer module is configured to transfer first data content included in a first input signal received at the first interface and/or first processed data based on said first data content, to the second interface. The control means is configured to control the signaling between the first interface, the transfer module and the second interface such that, when said first input signal is received, a second output signal according to the second protocol is generated at said second interface, said second output signal including said first data content and/or said first processed data.

For example, the control means may control the retrieval of first data content included in a first input signal received at the first interface according to a first protocol, may optionally process said first data content to obtain first processed data, wherein the first data content and/or the first processed data may be stored by the transfer module. The control means may then control the inclusion of the stored first data content and/or the first processed data into a second output signal to be sent using the second protocol. In that manner, the first and second peripheral device may exchange data, without the need to have peripheral devices which use the same protocol.

Preferably, the first interface is a first transceiver interface configured to receive and send first signals from and to the first peripheral interface device using the first protocol; and/or the second interface is a second transceiver interface configured to receive and send second signals from and to the second peripheral interface device using the second protocol. The transfer module may then be configured to transfer second data content included in a second input signal received at the second interface and/or second processed data based on said second data content, to the first interface; and the control means may be configured to control the signaling between the second interface, the transfer module and the first interface such that, when the second input signal is received, a first output signal according to the first protocol is generated at said first interface, said first output signal including said second data content and/or said second processed data. In that manner data can be communicated from the first peripheral device to the second peripheral device, and vice versa.

Preferably, the first and second interface, the transfer module, and the control means are configured such that the first and second interface can be used independently, such that signaling using the first protocol and signaling using the second protocol can take place independently of each other, and optionally simultaneously.

Preferably, the luminaire system comprises luminaire head with a luminaire housing containing the light module, and the first and second interface, the transfer module and the control means are arranged in the luminaire housing. The first and/or second peripheral interface device may be arranged on the luminaire housing or integrated in the luminaire housing. Also, the first and/or second peripheral interface device may be mounted on or integrated in a luminaire pole, or may be provided on a bracket attached to the luminaire pole or luminaire housing. More generally, the first and/or second peripheral interface device may be provided anywhere in or near the luminaire head or the luminaire pole.

Preferably, the first and/or second peripheral interface device are any one of the following: a sensor, a communication device. More in particular, the first and/or second peripheral interface device may be any one of the following: a light sensor, a particle sensor, a camera, a microphone, a radar, a loudspeaker, a wireless communication device, a motion sensor, an image sensor, a display, a voice recorder, a detector of smoke, an antenna configured for receiving and emitting cellular data, a telecommunication device for wired or wireless communication, WiFi circuitry, charger circuitry, a human interface device (HID), a signaling device, a mechanical and/or electrical plug-in device.

Preferably, the first protocol and the second protocol are any one of the following: Communication Area Network (CAN), Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART), <NUM>-10V, I2C, RS485, USB, Ethernet, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), an analogue communication protocol such as an analog <NUM>-<NUM> mA current loop protocol used for electronic signaling. It is also possible to use a wireless protocol, such as EnOcean, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee control, NFC (Near Field Communication), Sigfox, Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), LoRaWAN, Li-Fi control, Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN), but this is generally not preferred.

Preferably, the luminaire system further comprises a driver comprising a driver housing with input connector elements for connection to a power supply and output connector elements for connection to the at least one light source; and driver circuitry arranged in said driver housing and adapted to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source. Preferably, the driver circuitry comprises voltage-to-current regulating circuitry. Such converter circuitry is preferred when the light module comprises light emitting diodes. In that manner, a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series can be easily provided with a drive current. In alternative embodiments, a voltage-to-voltage converter circuitry may be used. Optionally the driver circuitry further comprises rectifier circuitry downstream of the converter circuitry.

The first and the second interface may be provided in or on the driver housing. If the first and the second interface are provided in the driver housing, the driver housing may be provided with at least one first and second control connector element for being connected to the first and second peripheral interface device, respectively.

The driver circuitry may be configured to drive not only the at least one light source, but may be configured to drive also other components of the luminaire system, e.g. the first and/or second peripheral interface device. The driver housing may then be provided with output connector elements for connection to the first and/or second peripheral interface device.

Preferably, the first and/or the second interface is configured to directly or indirectly (e.g. through the control means) control the driver circuitry. It is possible that e.g. only the first interface is connected to the driver circuitry, and that the second interface is not connected to the driver circuitry.

The first and the second interface may be provided in or on the driver housing. The driver housing may be provided with at least one first and second control connector element connected to the first and the second interface, respectively.

Preferably, the input connector elements and/or the output connector elements and/or the at least one first and second control connector element are any one of the following: a connection wire, a connector plug, a connector pin, a connector socket, a terminal block, or any combination thereof.

In a possible embodiment, the driver housing may be provided with a receiving means configured for receiving at least one pluggable module, such that the at least one pluggable module can be received from outside of the driver housing. The at least one pluggable module may comprise at least a portion of the first and/or second interface and/or of the transfer module and/or of the control means. For example, the pluggable module may comprise a first circuitry associated with the first protocol and a second circuitry associated with the second protocol. Alternatively, a first pluggable module may comprise a first circuitry associated with the first protocol and a second pluggable module may comprise a second circuitry associated with the second protocol. The receiving means may then be configured such that at least one of the first circuitry and the second circuitry is connected to the driver circuitry when the one or more pluggable modules are plugged in the receiving means, and the at least one first and second control connector element may be connected to the first and second circuitry, respectively, when the one or more pluggable modules are plugged in the receiving means. In that manner, the driver is given additional functionalities in a modular way. The at least one first and second control connector element are connected to the first and second circuitry, respectively, when the one or more pluggable modules are plugged in the receiving means, such that input and/or output control signals can be sent and/or received to/from the first and second circuitry. First input and/or output signals can be sent to and/or received from the first circuitry using the first protocol, allowing the at least one first control connector element to be connected to the first peripheral interface device. Similarly, second input and/or output signals can be sent to and/or received from the second circuitry using the second protocol, allowing the at least one second control connector element to be connected to the second peripheral interface device. In other words, the pluggable module(s) can be selected in function of the first and second peripheral interface devices present in the luminaire, and the driver can be extended with the required functionalities in a very convenient manner using the selected pluggable module(s), without the need for redesigning the driver.

The driver housing may be provided with at least one recess for receiving the at least one pluggable module, wherein the recess forms a part of the receiving means. The driver housing may comprise internal circuitry configured to recognize the presence and/or the type of the at least one pluggable module when plugged-in. Preferably, the receiving means and the pluggable module are configured such that the pluggable module is removable. In that manner the pluggable module may be easily removed and changed for another pluggable module, e.g. when the first and/or second peripheral interface devices have changed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control means comprises digital signal processing circuitry. This may be useful e.g. if the data received by the first and/or second interface needs to be further processed into a suitable control signal for controlling the driver circuitry, and/or if data obtained e.g. from the driver circuitry needs to be processed before sending it to the first and/or second peripheral interface device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first protocol is a dimming protocol, such as DALI or <NUM>-10V, and the second protocol is a communication bus protocol such as CAN-bus, SPI or I<NUM>C.

The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of luminaire drivers and systems of the present invention.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system comprising a light module <NUM> with at least one light source <NUM>, a first peripheral interface device 100a, a second peripheral interface device 100b, a first interface 310a, a second interface 310b, a transfer module <NUM> and a control means <NUM>.

The luminaire system may comprise a luminaire head <NUM> with a luminaire housing <NUM> and a luminaire pole (not shown). The luminaire head <NUM> may be connected in any manner known to the skilled person to the luminaire pole. Typical examples of such systems are street lights. In other non-illustrated embodiments, a luminaire head <NUM> may be connected to a wall or a surface, e.g. for illuminating buildings or tunnels. The light module <NUM> is arranged in the luminaire housing <NUM>. Typically, the light module <NUM> comprises a plurality of light sources <NUM>, e.g. a plurality of light emitting diodes, preferably mounted on a carrier such as a PCB.

The first interface 310a is configured to receive first signals from the first peripheral interface device 100a using a first protocol. The second interface 310b is configured to send second signals to the second peripheral interface device 100b using a second protocol. It is assumed here that the first protocol and the second protocol are different.

The transfer module <NUM> is configured to transfer first data content included in a first input signal received at the first interface 310a and/or first processed data based on said first data content, to the second interface 310b. The control means <NUM> is configured to control the signaling between the first interface 310a, the transfer module <NUM> and the second interface 310b such that, when said first input signal is received, a second output signal according to the second protocol is generated at said second interface, said second output signal including said first data content and/or said first processed data. The transfer module <NUM> comprises a storage means <NUM> configured to store data content included in the first and/or second signals, or processed data content derived from said data content.

The first and second interface 310a, 310b, as well as the transfer module <NUM> and the control means <NUM> are arranged in the luminaire housing <NUM>. The first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be arranged on the luminaire housing <NUM> or integrated in the luminaire housing <NUM>. Also, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be mounted on or integrated in a luminaire pole, or may be provided on a bracket attached to the luminaire pole or to luminaire housing <NUM>. More generally, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be provided anywhere in or near the luminaire head <NUM> or luminaire pole. Preferably, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b are any one of the following: a sensor, a communication device. More in particular, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be any one of the following:.

Preferably, the first protocol and the second protocol are any one of the following: Communication Area Network (CAN), Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART), <NUM>-10V, I2C, RS485, USB, Ethernet, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), an analogue communication protocol such as an analog <NUM>-<NUM> mA current loop protocol used for electronic signaling.

<FIG> illustrates a more detailed exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system with a luminaire head <NUM> comprising a luminaire housing <NUM>. The luminaire system comprises a light module <NUM> with at least one light source <NUM>, a first peripheral interface device 100a, a second peripheral interface device 100b, a first interface 310a, a second interface 310b, a transfer module <NUM>, and a control means 320a, 320b. The first interface 310a may be a first transceiver interface 310a configured to receive and send first signals from and to the first peripheral interface device 100a using the first protocol. The second interface 310b may be a second transceiver interface 310b configured to receive and send second signals from and to the second peripheral interface device 100b using the second protocol.

The transfer module <NUM> is configured to transfer first data content included in a first input signal received at the first interface 310a and/or first processed data based on said first data content, to the second interface 310b. The control means <NUM> is configured to control the signaling between the first interface 310a, the transfer module <NUM> and the second interface 310b such that, when said first input signal is received, a second output signal according to the second protocol is generated at said second interface 310b, said second output signal including said first data content and/or said first processed data. The transfer module <NUM> comprises a storage means <NUM> configured to store data content included in the first and/or second signals, or processed data content derived from said data content. Further, the transfer module <NUM> is configured to transfer second data content included in a second input signal received at the second interface 310b and/or second processed data based on said second data content, to the first interface 310a, and the control means <NUM> is configured to control the signaling between the second interface 310b, the transfer module <NUM> and the first interface 310a, such that, when the second input signal is received, a first output signal according to the first protocol is generated at said first interface 310a, said first output signal including said second data content and/or said second processed data.

The first peripheral interface device 100a may be e.g. a wireless communication device configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g. through <NUM>) with a remote device, and to communicate using the first protocol (e.g. DALI) with the first interface 310a. The second peripheral interface device 100b may be e.g. a sensor device configured to communicate using the second protocol, e.g. CAN, with the second interface 310b.

Further, a luminaire driver <NUM> for driving the light module <NUM> is provided. The luminaire driver <NUM> is shown to be arranged in the luminaire housing <NUM>. However, in other embodiments the luminaire driver <NUM> may be arranged on the luminaire housing <NUM>, on or in the luminaire pole, or in any other location near the luminaire. The luminaire driver <NUM> comprises a driver housing <NUM> with input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> for connection to a power supply P and output connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> for connection to the at least one light source <NUM>; and driver circuitry <NUM> arranged in said driver housing <NUM> and adapted to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source <NUM>. The first and the second interface 310a, 310b may be provided in or on the driver housing <NUM>. The driver circuitry <NUM> may comprise converter circuitry, e.g. voltage-to-current regulating circuitry for providing a drive current to the at least one light source <NUM>. Further the driver circuitry <NUM> may be configured to provide power to the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b, and/or the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b, and/or the transfer module <NUM> and/or the control means 320a, 320b (not illustrated).

Optionally, the driver housing <NUM> is provided with a receiving means (not shown) configured for receiving at least one pluggable module, such that the at least one pluggable module can be received from outside of the driver housing <NUM>. The at least one pluggable module may comprise at least a portion of the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b and/or of the transfer module <NUM> and/or of the control means 320a, 320b. To that end, the driver housing <NUM> may be provided with at least one recess for receiving the at least one pluggable module.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a luminaire system with a luminaire driver <NUM> arranged in a luminaire housing <NUM>. The luminaire system further comprises a light module <NUM> with at least one light source <NUM>, a first peripheral interface device 100a, a second peripheral interface device 100b, a first interface 310a, a second interface 310b, a transfer module <NUM>, and a control means <NUM>. The first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be arranged on the luminaire housing <NUM> or integrated in the luminaire housing <NUM>. More generally, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be provided anywhere in or near the luminaire head or luminaire pole. Preferably, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b are any one of the following: a sensor, a communication device.

The luminaire driver <NUM> comprises a driver housing <NUM> with input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> for connection to a power supply P, output connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> for connection to the at least one light source <NUM>, output connector elements <NUM>', <NUM>' for connection to the first peripheral interface device 100a, output connector elements <NUM>", <NUM>" for connection to the second peripheral interface device 100b, and with a first and second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>'. The input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the output connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>", <NUM>" and/or the first and second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>' may be any one of the following: a connection wire, a connector plug, a connector pin, a connector socket, a terminal block, or any combination thereof.

A driver circuitry <NUM> is arranged in the driver housing <NUM> between said input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> and said output connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>", <NUM>", and adapted to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source <NUM> and of the first and second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b. In other embodiments, the first and/or second peripheral interface device 100a, 100b may be provided with its own power supply. The first and the second interface 310a, 310b, the transfer module <NUM> and the control means <NUM> may be provided in or on the driver housing <NUM>. The driver circuitry <NUM> may comprise voltage-to-current regulating circuitry. Looking in a downstream direction from the power supply input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM> towards the output connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>', <NUM>'; <NUM>", <NUM>", the driver circuitry <NUM> comprises a filtering circuitry <NUM>, a rectifier circuitry <NUM> with optional smoothing and power factor correction circuitry, and a power switching converter circuitry <NUM>. The filtering circuitry <NUM> may be designed to filter out high frequency noise generated by the power switching converter circuitry <NUM>. It may also include one or more protective components such as a varistor to filter out electrical transients from the power supply P, typically an electrical grid. The rectifier circuitry <NUM> may include one or more components, such as diodes, transistors, capacitors, and/or resistors, arranged to rectify the voltage between the first and second power supply input connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>. The rectifier circuitry <NUM> may include e.g. a passive diode bridge rectifier. The rectifier circuitry <NUM> may further include one or more components arranged to smoothen and/or otherwise condition the rectified DC voltage, and/or a passive component, such as inductor and capacitor, to perform a power factor correction. The power switching converter circuitry <NUM> includes a transformer with at least one primary side winding and at least one secondary side winding, preferably with a galvanic insulation between the primary side and the secondary side. The power switching converter circuitry <NUM> may comprise e.g. a flyback converter, a buck converter, a boost converter, etc..

The driver circuitry <NUM> may also comprise control circuitry <NUM> configured for controlling the converter circuitry <NUM>, and in particular a switching element <NUM> of the converter circuitry <NUM>, in function of a signal received from the control means <NUM>, which signal may be based on a data received through the first control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>' and/or the second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>'. It is noted that the control means <NUM> and the control circuitry <NUM> may be implemented in a single unit or module. The transfer module <NUM> comprises a storage means <NUM> configured to store data content included in the first and/or second signals received through the first control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>' and/or the second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>', or processed data content derived from said data content. In addition or alternatively, such storage means may also be part of the control circuitry <NUM>.

The converter circuitry <NUM> may comprise voltage-to-current converter circuitry configured for generating a drive current for the at least one light source <NUM>, as well as other converter circuitry configured for generating a drive current or voltage suitable for driving the peripheral interface devices 100a, 100b, which may be any one of the devices listed above in connection with <FIG>. Further the driver circuitry <NUM> may be configured to provide power to the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b, and/or to the transfer module <NUM> and/or to the control means <NUM>, see the connections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Those connections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may each comprise a power line and/or a control data line.

Optionally, the driver housing <NUM> is provided with a receiving means (not shown) configured for receiving at least one pluggable module <NUM>, such that the at least one pluggable module <NUM> can be received from outside of the driver housing <NUM>. The at least one pluggable module <NUM> may comprise at least a portion of the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b and/or of the transfer module <NUM> and/or of the control means <NUM>. The driver housing <NUM> may be provided with at least one recess for receiving the at least one pluggable module <NUM>, said recess forming a portion of the receiving means. In other embodiments, the receiving means may be only partly situated in the driver housing <NUM>, or may not be part of the driver housing <NUM>. For example, the receiving means could also have a separate housing mounted on the driver housing <NUM>. The receiving means is configured such that the pluggable module <NUM> can be received from outside of the driver housing <NUM>. The receiving means may comprise a mechanical means comprising a biunique fitting mechanism configured to hold the pluggable module <NUM>. In addition, the receiving means and the pluggable module <NUM> may be configured such that the pluggable module <NUM> is removable.

When the pluggable module <NUM> is plugged in the receiving means, the control means <NUM> may be connected to the driver circuitry <NUM>. Also the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b and/or the transfer module <NUM> may be connected to the driver circuitry <NUM>. The receiving means may be configured such that the first and/or second interface 310a, 310b and/or the transfer module <NUM> are directly or indirectly connected to the driver circuitry <NUM>, e.g. via the control means <NUM>, when the pluggable module <NUM> is plugged in the receiving means.

In addition, when the pluggable module <NUM> is plugged in the receiving means the first and second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>' are connected to the first and second interface 310a, 310b, respectively. The first and second control connector elements <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>' are arranged such that they are accessible by a user from outside of the driver housing <NUM>. The number of first and second control connector elements may be chosen in function of the type of peripheral interface device. The luminaire driver <NUM> may further comprise internal circuitry (not shown) configured to recognize the presence and/or the type of the pluggable module <NUM> when the pluggable module <NUM> is plugged-in in the receiving means. In such case, the luminaire driver <NUM> may further comprise signal switching and/or signal adaption circuitry (not shown). The internal circuitry may be configured to set the signal switching and/or signal adaption circuitry in function of the recognized type of pluggable module <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A luminaire system comprising:
- a light module (<NUM>) with at least one light source (<NUM>);
- a first peripheral interface device (100a) and a second peripheral interface device (100b);
- a first interface (310a) configured to receive first signals from the first peripheral interface device using a first protocol, wherein the first signals comprise a first input signal including first data content;
- a second interface (<NUM>10b) configured to send second signals to the second peripheral interface device using a second protocol; wherein the first protocol and the second protocol are different;
- a transfer module (<NUM>) configured to transfer said first data content and/or first processed data based on said first data content, to the second interface;
- a control means (<NUM>) configured to control the signaling between the first interface, the transfer module and the second interface such that, when said first input signal is received, a second output signal according to the second protocol is generated at said second interface, said second output signal including said first data content and/or said first processed data;
characterized in that the luminaire system further comprises a driver (<NUM>) comprising a driver housing (<NUM>) with input connector elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) for connection to a power supply and output connector elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) for connection to the at least one light source; and driver circuitry (<NUM>) arranged in said driver housing and adapted to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source;
wherein the driver circuitry (<NUM>) is further configured to perform a driving functionality of the first and/or second peripheral interface device (100a), (100b), and the driver housing (<NUM>) is further provided with output connector elements (<NUM>', <NUM>') , (<NUM>", <NUM>") for connection to the first and/or second peripheral interface device (100a), 100b).