LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A ROUTE GUIDANCE SYSTEM

• US 20110007280A1
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kieran Patterson
• Original Assignee: Kieran Patterson
• Inventors: Patterson, Kieran
• Application Number:
  US12/921,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20110007280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/46 Emergency lighting, e.g. for escape routes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/032 the surface being a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated

Abstract

A lighting device (10) for a route guidance system comprises a body (12) adapted to be mounted to a surface; at least one light source (18) housed within the body; a corresponding at least one outlet (14, 16) in the body from which light may be emitted; and focusing means (20) operable to focus the light into a beam projecting from the outlet. In one embodiment the device comprises a pair of outlets (14, 16) in the body, the focusing means being operable to focus light from the at least one light source into a pair of beams, one beam projecting from each outlet. In a second embodiment, the focusing means of the device is operable to focus the beam onto an adjacent surface. The device may be adapted to project static and/or moving images onto said adjacent surface.

Claims

1. A lighting device for a route guidance system, said lighting device comprising a body adapted to be mounted to a surface;

at least one light source housed within the body;

a corresponding at least one outlet in the body from which light may be emitted; and

focusing means operable to focus the light into a beam projecting from the outlet.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one of at least one LED, a laser cluster or any other suitable light source.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a pair of outlets in the body, the focusing means being operable to focus light from the at least one light source into a pair of beams, one beam projecting from each outlet.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pair of outlets are arranged such that the pair of beams are directed in substantially opposite directions to one another.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the focusing means is operable to focus the beam onto, in use, a surface adjacent the device.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 adapted to project static and/or moving images onto an adjacent surface.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 adapted to project directional information, such as a directional arrow, onto said surface and/or to project advertising images onto said surface.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim actuable in response to a signal from at least one sensor.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a heat sensor and/or a smoke sensor and/or an auditory sensor and/or a light sensor operable to generate a signal on detection of a reduced light level.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an independent power supply.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim is arranged to communicate with a remote device or one or more other similar or identical lighting devices.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 arranged to receive and send information to the remote device or one or more other lighting devices

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to project one or more of still images, moving images and/or an image stream.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device includes a motion and/or location detector and is arranged to communicate movement and/or location information to a central controller.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises an auditory emitter operable to emit an auditory signal.

17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is adapted to be integrated into an existing alarm system.

18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a counter operable to count the number of people passing the device.

19. A route guidance system comprising a plurality of lighting devices in accordance with any preceding claim.

20. A system as claimed claim 19, wherein a plurality of said devices are arranged, in use, in series such that the facing beams of adjacent devices converge.

21. A vehicle having a route guidance system incorporating at least lighting device according to any of claims 1 to 18.

22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein said lighting devices are incorporated into seats within the vehicle.