摘要：
An illumination device that is suitable for use as a floor or wall covering, the device comprising a generally planar surface 1; an electroluminescent light source (3, 4) arranged in a predetermined pattern; and a controller (7) that is configured to couple the electroluminescent light source to a power supply in response to a detected stimulus; wherein the planar surface and electroluminescent light source are configured and arranged so that the generally planar surface forms a carrier for said light source that enables said pattern to be viewed, at least whilst said light source is energised and emits light.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
1. An illumination device configured for use as a floor or wall covering, the device comprising: a generally planar outer surface that comprises a plurality of regions arranged in a predetermined pattern through which light can be emitted; an electroluminescent light source comprising a plurality of electroluminescent light source elements that each include a pair of electrical contacts for the supply of electrical power to the corresponding light source element, the light source elements being arranged so that at least one element is provided in each of said regions; a power supply unit; and a control module that is configured to couple the electroluminescent light source to the power supply unit for the supply of power to said light source in response to a detected stimulus, the control module including a pattern generator that is operable to energise one or more of the light source elements of said electroluminescent light source to provide one or more predetermined illuminated patterns; wherein the generally planar outer surface and electroluminescent light source are configured and arranged so that the generally planar outer surface forms a carrier for said light source and so that light can be emitted through said regions.
2. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein one or more of said light source elements comprises electroluminescent wire.
3. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein one or more of said light source elements comprises an electroluminescent sheet.
4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the electroluminescent sheet has been formed by printing (e.g. by screen or ink jet printing) layers of material onto a substrate.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a sensor coupled to said control module for sensing said stimulus.
6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein said stimulus comprises light.
7. A device according to Claim 5, wherein said stimulus comprises sound.
8. A device according to Claim 5, wherein said stimulus comprises pressure, said sensor comprising a pressure sensor.
9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a capacitative pressure sensor.
10 A device according to Claim 9, wherein said capacitative pressure sensor is formed by screen printing, on a substrate, at least: a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer.
11. A device according to Claim 4 and Claim 10, wherein said capacitative pressure sensor is printed on a first side of said substrate and said electroluminescent sheet is printed on the other side of said substrate.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said power supply unit is integrated into said control module.
13. A device according to Claim 12, wherein said power supply unit comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.
14. A device according to Claim 13, wherein said control module comprises a connector port for coupling the power supply unit to a charger.
15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical contacts for said light source elements are extended to a first part of a two-part electrical connector; and the control module carries a second part of said two-part electrical connector, the arrangement being such that the control module and electroluminescent light source can be push-fitted together to electrically connect the module to the light source.
16. A device according to Claim 15 when dependent on any of Claims 5 to 10, wherein said sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts for passing signals to said control module.
17. A device according to Claim 16, wherein said one or more sensor contacts are extended to said first part of the two-part electrical connector.
18. A device according to Claim 17, wherein one of said first and second parts comprises a card like member, and the other of said first and second parts comprises a slot connector into which at least a part of said card like member can be plugged.
19. A device according to Claim 18, wherein said card like member is locally stiffened.
20. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said control module comprises a rigid outer shell that is configured not to deform when stepped upon.
21. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said pattern generator is comprises a sequencer that is configured to energise the light source elements of said electroluminescent light source in one or more predetermined sequences.
22. A device according to any preceding claim configured for use as a stair carpet, the arrangement being such that the electroluminescent light source is configured to illuminate each of the steps when said stimulus is sensed.
23. A device according to Claim 22, comprising a sensor for placement adjacent a top step of the stairs and a sensor for placement adjacent a bottom step of the stairs, the controller being configured to illuminate the light source when a said stimulus is detected at one of said sensors, and to continue to illuminate said light source at least until a said stimulus is detected at the other of said sensors.
24. An illumination device that is suitable for use as a floor or wall covering, the device comprising a generally planar surface; an electroluminescent light source arranged in a predetermined pattern; and a controller that is configured to couple the electroluminescent light source to a power supply in response to a detected stimulus; wherein the planar surface and electroluminescent light source are configured and arranged so that the generally planar surface forms a carrier for said light source that enables said pattern to be viewed, at least whilst said light source is energised and emits light.
25. An illumination device configured as a rug or wall-hanging, the device comprising a substrate having an electroluminescent light source printed on one side thereof and a pressure sensor formed on the other side thereof, a control module configured to interface with said electroluminescent light source and said pressure sensor, a backing layer to which said substrate is configured to be adhered, and a cover layer that is configured to be adhered to said backing layer and over said substrate so as to sandwich said substrate between the cover layer and said backing layer, the cover layer including one or more means for permitting light from said illumination device to emanate from the light source through said cover when the light source is energised.
26. A device according to Claim 25, wherein said illumination device and said pressure sensor include electrodes that are configured to converge at a tongue portion of said substrate, said tongue being pluggable into a slot connector provided in said control module.
27. A device according to Claim 26, wherein said tongue portion is locally stiffened.
28. An illumination device configured as a rug or wall-hanging, the device comprising: a substrate having a plurality of electroluminescent light source elements printed on one side thereof in a predetermined pattern, a pressure sensor printed on the other side of the substrate, a control module configured to interface with said electroluminescent light source and said pressure sensor, a backing layer to which said substrate is configured to be affixed, a cover layer including one or more regions through which light can be emitted, said regions being arranged to be in substantially the same pattern as the light source elements; wherein the cover layer is affixed to said backing layer and over said substrate so as to sandwich said substrate between the cover layer and said backing layer, the control module includes a sequencer that is operable to energise the light source elements in one or more predetermined sequences, and the light source elements and said pressure sensor include electrodes that are configured to converge at a tongue portion of said substrate, said tongue being pluggable into a slot connector provided in said control module to electrically connect the control module to the light source elements and the pressure sensor.
29. A method of manufacturing an illumination device that is configured as a floor or wall covering, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; printing a plurality of electroluminescent light source elements onto a first side of said substrate in a predetermined pattern; printing a first conducting layer onto a second side of said substrate; printing a dielectric layer onto said first conducting layer; printing a second conducting layer onto said dielectric layer; printing electrical circuitry on said first and second sides of the substrate that is suitable for passing electrical signals between a series of contacts on a tongue portion of said substrate and the electroluminescent light source elements and the pressure sensor; covering the first side of the substrate with a cover layer that includes a plurality of regions through which light can be emitted, said regions being arranged to be in substantially the same pattern as the light source elements; covering the second side of the substrate with a backing to sandwich the substrate between the cover and the backing; and joining the backing to the cover to secure the substrate in place therebetween.