The present invention generally relates to a water slide and in particular to a luminaire and other interactive elements of a water slide. More in particular, the present invention relates to luminaire arranged for integration into a wall surface of a water slide. The present invention further relates to a water slide of the interactive type wherein sliding users can interact with various elements in and around the water slide.

BACKGROUND

Water slides are known for many years. Typically water slides provide the user, i.e. the slider, a pleasant entertaining experience of speed and g-forces upon the body of the user when passing through the tubes of the slide.

Typically water slides can be considered systems that are comprised of an inclined slide through which water flows from the entrance of the slide at a high elevation to an exit of the slide at the bottom of the water slide. The inclined slide consists of several tube segments that are interconnected with each other to form the slide and support the flow of water and the user through said slide.

The user enters the slide at the entrance and slides along the inclined slide towards the exit at the bottom, such either with or without a ride vehicle such as a (small) boat. Throughout the ride the segments can be formed such that the user experiences twists, turns, drops, etc. These twits etc. increase the level of entertainment for the user in comparison with simple, conventional straight sloped water slides. However, nowadays users want to be entertained even more and current levels of (mechanical) entertainment which only increase or temporarily change speed or g-forces are considered not sufficiently challenging. Further increasing the amount and impact of the twists, turns and drops will only marginally increase the level of entertainment. Accordingly, it is known to add audio/visual element to the slide to further increase entertainment. By adding lights or audio effects the user could for example be given the illusion of speed. For example, stroboscopic lights are known to create an illusion of going really fast. Adding light effects into the water slide is challenging, not only from a mechanical perspective as to integrate the luminaire into the water slide and/or how to direct the light in a correct manner, but also from a physics perspective due to the atmosphere, e.g. temperature, humidity, levels of chlorine, etc. The atmosphere has a major impact on the materials and lifespan of the luminaire.

A yet further development in the field of water slides is to add a level of interactivity, thus for example to let the system react upon certain actions of the user before, after or during the slide.

Water slides are rather costly, due to for example the difficult environmental conditions, safety prescriptions, complex mechanics, large constructional elements and so on. Adding a level of entertainment by adding light effects through luminaires in the water slide will increase complexity and thus costs even further. Maintenance is costly and difficult, and safety prescriptions require the luminaire to be robust and resistant to the corrosive environment of water slides and indoor water parks in general. Known luminaires cannot meet most or all of these criteria. Moreover, interactive water slides not only need to be very robust, but also flexible in such a way that adapting or upgrading an already installed water slide to a next level of entertainment or different type of interactivity should be simple. SUM MARY

It is another object of the present invention to provide a water slide, of the interactive type, that is robust and simple to maintain and upgrade.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved luminaire which is suitable for use in an indoor or outdoor water park.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved luminaire which is suitable for use in a water slide of a water park, and more in particular, is it a further object of the present invention to provide an improved luminaire which is arranged for integration with a wall surface of a water slide of a water park.

The object is achieved, in a first aspect of the invention, by providing a luminaire for use in an indoor water park, comprising:

a light emitting diode module, comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light through a light exit face of the luminaire; a driver, arranged to be connected with a power supply and arranged for driving the light emitting diode module;

a communication module, arranged to provide remote access for control of the driver and activation of the light emitting diode module; and

- a luminaire housing, arranged to be attached to a wall or ceiling of the indoor water park, defining an inner compartment arranged for receiving the light emitting diode module, the driver as well as the communication module, wherein the housing consists of polymer materials the inner compartment is casted with transparent resin enclosing the housing and the light emitting diode module, the driver as well as the communication module, and wherein the luminaire housing is enclosed with a thermal conductive resin for providing heat dissipation generated from the light emitting diode module.

Modern water parks are often parks having multiple indoor and often also outdoor swimming pools and one or more water slides. Hardware and electronics such as luminaires should be able to withstand the corrosive atmosphere of the water park. Hardware installed outdoor should of course be constructed to resist the weather influences but hardware installed indoor is also highly susceptible to the corrosive compounds of the water park, e.g. the high corrosive chlorine concentrations but also the high temperatures and high humidity levels in modern water parks. All of these aspects have a negative influence on the durability and lifetime of the hardware.

Several national and international standards prescribe safety measures that need to apply for a luminaire in a humid environment. Some standards even apply to luminaires that can be used underwater. Such known luminaires have a housing which is sealed with for example a glass plate on a rubber seal. Alternative solutions are known as well, e.g. polymer based transparent polyvinylchloride or transparent polyethylene terephthalate, which are used as an alternative exit window for the housing and for sealing the internal parts of the luminaire such as the light emitting diode module.

These solutions however have several drawbacks, e.g. the use of glass in luminaire is not desirable when the luminaire is used in a water park building. If, for any reason, the glass breaks, it can cause serious injuries. Glass furthermore very rigid, not having any flexibility to maintain the seal under thermal expansion due to temperature variations in the water park. Hence, additional measures should be taken, e.g. adding rubber seals. The known alternatives for the use of a glass exit window is not without drawbacks as well. In most applications the contact of the exit window with the environment and the water is in a non-corrosive manner. In water parks, however, these environments are far more corrosive, e.g. due to the high levels of chlorine, high temperatures and high levels of humidity. The effect thereof is that the polymers degrade and the transparency of the window decreases until the window becomes frosted. As such, these luminaires require regular maintenance wherein the exit windows have to be renewed.

Another challenge in luminaires with light emitting diodes is the dissipations of heat. Conventional light emitting diode luminaires often have the diodes or the substrate on which the diodes are provided, attached to a wall surface of the housing. By constructing the housing from a material with a high thermal conductivity, such as metal, the heat can be transferred from the light emitting diodes through the housing and dissipated to the environment.

In luminaires that need to withstand the water, e.g. underwater luminaires, the housing needs to be sealed and the housing cannot be constructed from metal since that would result in oxidation. It is thus for such luminaires a challenge to provide sufficient heat dissipation to prevent the diodes from degrading.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention a luminaire is presented for use in an indoor water park, in particular in a water park building and/or in or in a water slide within an indoor and/or outdoor water, and in particular for use underwater in a swimming pool of a water park, and more in particular integrated into the wall surface of a water slide tube segment in a water park.

The luminaire according to the invention comprises a light emitting diode module, which comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light through a light exit face of said luminaire. The Light Emitting Diode, LED module has the advantage, in comparison with traditional incandescent light sources, to have low power requirements and low heat production. Moreover, LEDs have longer lifetime expectations, thus lowering standard maintenance intervals. Finally, LEDs are available in module colour modules, which by way of external control, are able to produce several colours.

The LED module is controlled by a driver module which is connected to a power supply. The power supply could be an internal power supply, e.g. a (replaceable and/or rechargeable) battery, and/or a power supply module which converts a high voltage mains power to a low voltage power suitable for driving the LEDs, finally, it could also consist of a power supply connector, suitable for connecting with a low voltage external power supply.

The luminaire further comprises a communication module, arranged to provide remote access for control of said driver and activation of said light emitting diode module. Hence, the communication module enables remote control, either wired, wirelessly or a combination of both. Wireless communication can be conducted through local wireless communication protocols such as according to I EEE 802.1 1 standards, or through personal area networks such as Bluetooth and the like.

The luminaire further comprises a luminaire housing, in which the communication module, the LED module and the driver are contained. The housing is arranged to be attached to a wall or a ceiling of the indoor water park and preferably arranged to be integrated with such a wall or ceiling surface. More in particular, and most preferably, the housing is arranged for integration with a wall surface of a water slide tube segment. The housing defines an inner compartment defined by wall surfaces. In the inner compartment the LED, driver and communication module and optionally the power supply are received.

The luminaire housing is constructed from polymer or polymeric materials and the inner compartment with its modules is casted with transparent resin which encloses and seals the inner compartment and hence the housing. The transparent polymeric resin provides an alternative solution to both the use of a glass as an exit window to seal the luminaire housing as well the use of a polyvinylchloride exit windows. Glass is undesirable in water parks and polyvinylchloride degrades, amongst other under the influence of the chloride levels in the water. By casting the luminaire housing with a polymeric transparent resin, these drawbacks have been resolved and the object of providing a robust, low maintenance luminaire suitable for use in water parks and water slide tube segments is obtained. Also air in the luminaire in not wanted since the inside of the waterslide will be warmer than the outside atmosphere, this giving a thermal difference that will cause condensation.

The further object is achieved, in a further aspect of the invention, by a water slide system for entertaining at least one user sliding through the water slide, the water slide comprising:

an inclined slide, consisting of a plurality of closed and/or open interconnected tube segments for supporting a flow of water through the slide; at least one sensor, arranged for generating sensor data upon interaction with the at least one user;

at least one audio/visual module, arranged for providing an audio and/or visual signal to the at least one user;

a control unit, in communicative connection with the at least one sensor, and the at least one audio/visual module, and arranged for activating the at least one audio/visual module in response to receiving the sensor data, wherein the response is performed in accordance an entertainment application pre-programmed within the control unit, and wherein the control unit is further arranged for communication over a wide area network for monitoring, manipulating and replacing the application pre-programmed from a remote server.

The water slide of the present invention comprises a system for entertaining at least one user, but this could also be several users sliding the slide at the same time or in parallel or it could combine an interaction between the sliders in the slide and people outside of the slide, either performing a slide on their own, or in a game setting with other users of the slide. The system consists of an inclined slide, consisting of a plurality of closed and/or open interconnected tube segments for supporting a flow of water through the slide. The slide can be located in an indoor water park, an outdoor water park, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor water park. Hence, the slide can be inside the water park, outside the water park, or partly inside and party outside the water park. The slide can be composed of only a few segments, but also of a large amount of these segments, depending on length and distance of the slide. Throughout the slide sensors are provided which are arranged to generate sensor data upon interaction with the user. These sensors could be simple switches, or electronic actuators or detection means such as cameras, which can produce a sensor signal upon a touch, approach of the user or one of his/her limbs or a gesture detected by detection means such as the camera or a laser system. More in particular, the gestures can be detected by a gesture recognition device, such a depth or stereo cameras, radar systems, single cameras, magnetic detection units or a combination thereof. The system further comprises at least one audio and/or visual module which is arranged to provide at least one of a visual light and an audio signal. The system further comprises a control unit which is in communicative connection with the at least one sensor and the at least one audio/visual module. The control unit is arranged to detect/receive the sensor data and react upon such receipt by activating the audio/visual module according to a software routine of an entertainment application that is pre-programmed into the control unit.

To enable the system to be maintained and for enabling manipulation and upgrading of the entertainment application and thus software routines comprised therein, the control unit is arranged for communication over a wide area network. The communication module makes the control unit remotely accessible and controllable. That way the system is arranged to provide data from the system, for example forwarding to a remote location of the sensor data received by the one or more sensors. All relevant data generated within the system can be accessed remotely. This has the advantage that service engineers can analyse the system remotely and (at least in a first analysis stage) do not need to be locally present. Accordingly, maintenance is simplified.

In an example water slide system consists of one or preferably plural sensors and/or one or preferably plural audio modules and/or one or preferably plural visual modules and/or one or preferably plural cameras and/or one or preferably plural microphones. According to an entertainment application loaded into the non-volatile memory of the control unit the user can perform an interactive game throughout the water slide activating of touching the right sensor buttons and receiving feedback of the "score" through audio and/or visual effects. In an example, at least some of the audio/visual modules are combined with the sensor such that a user interface is provided. A module could for example consists of a light unit and an inductive sensor such that not only certain colours of light can be radiated, but the module is able to detect when the user touches the module. According to the entertainment application the user for example needs to touch all green lights.

In an example, an interactive entertainment application or simply game, could be played by using microphones in the water slide by which microphones, which can be integrated into the audio modules, sound and the volume of those sounds can be translated to game element, e.g. resulting in scoring points. As an example the colours of the lights in the slide or a projected visual could change, then the slider should shout the name of the visual or colour, hence shout "green, green". This recording will be played over a pair of speakers placed outside the slider such that it can be heard by the people outside of the slide or the people to wait in the line or to people online at a remote location. They then need to push the corresponding colour or execute the order that the slider is shouting, by which points can be scored. In another example of the interactive game, the game could be played by using camera's by which movement of the sliders can be monitored and translated to scoring points. In particular these movements can be gestures, e.g. of a slider moving his/her arm towards a certain direction or making a certain gesture with their limbs.

During the start of the slide, either when the user manually selects to start the slide or by an automatic start from a sensor at the entrance, or timer controlled, a start time will be stored by the control unit and certain lights will light up in green colour, others in other colours. The lights can also change in colour over time. The user then tries to touch as many lights as he/she can, preferably in the least amount of time. The system can provide feedback for example in the form of an audio signal indicative for the score. At the exit of the slide a sensor will detect that the ride has come to an end and a timer will store the end time such that the run time can be calculated.

The feedback from the interactive system can also be provided by the light modules. These modules for example illuminate in a certain colour, indicative for the user to touch the light, and when the light is touched, the light will change colour.

The system preferably comprises an input console, which can be located near the entrance of the slide. The input console gives the user the option to select a certain game routine, for example one the game of touching lights, or a game or entertainment experience in a certain theme such as a wildlife theme wherein audio modules, i.e. speakers, or video projections within the slide segments produce animal sounds and light modules illuminate the tube in a colour corresponding to the theme. Other selections could also be possible, for example a game or entertainment experience corresponding to the age of the user, e.g. fairy tails for young children. Lights, audio and visual effects are then provided according to the selected theme. To this end the system is preferably also provided with at least one visual module arranged to provide video effects, for example from a video projector located within a tube segment or at least configured in such a way that the projected video can be observed from the slide. Preferably one of the slide segments is comprised of a water jet or a water curtain of the waterslide and arranged to generate an artificial waterfall which can be used as a screen to project videos on with a video projector, or alternatively, the surface of the waterslide can be used as a screen to project videos on with the video projector. The projector is then arranged to visualize images/videos corresponding to the theme selected at the input console. The tube segments, or at least some, are in an example, provided with additional small light units, for example Licht Emitting Diodes. These diodes are small enough, to be integrated in the top part of the tube segments. As such, these can create the illusion of a sky full of stars for example.

In an example the at least one sensor comprises a proximity sensor, and in particular a capacitive proximity sensor, for the at least one user to activate the sensor by touching and/or approaching the sensor with a body part such as a limb, more in particular a hand, wherein the proximity sensor in particular is provided in a wall surface of at least one of the interconnected tube elements.

The sensor is preferably integrated within an audio/visual module in the form of a light unit. The unit is able to emit light, preferably in several colours and is able to detect whether a user has touched the light. Preferably, the light is switched on or off after the light has been touched, or the light changes colour. That way an interactive element is provided which enriches the water slide with high tech level of entertainment.

In an example the at least one audio/visual module comprises a display, for providing visual content to the at least one user, wherein the display in particular is provided in a wall surface of at least one of the interconnected tube elements.

The tube elements can be provided in an example with a display. The display and the sensor are preferably integrated but can also be constructed as separate units. The integrated units are preferably constructed as wall elements of the tube such that a smooth surface transition is provided between the unit and the rest of the wall of the tube.

In an example the water slide further comprises a touch screen display, comprising the proximity sensor and the display, wherein the touch screen display in particular is provided in a wall surface of at least one of the interconnected tube elements.

The sensor is preferably a touch sensor, e.g. a proximity sensor, which is arranged to detect when a user touches the sensor or at least detect proximity. In the preferred embodiment the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor, wherein the proximity of the user, e.g. the hand, finger, etc. can be detected through capacitive coupling. This has the advantage that the embodiment of such a sensor can be constructed with a transparent surface and thus combined with a light module. Moreover, the sensor can be constructed as a glass cover, or as a polymer basis by which the light can be sealed in manner sufficient for use in a water slide tube.

In an example the at least one audio/visual module comprises a speaker, for providing audio content to the at least one user, wherein the speaker in particular is provided in a wall surface of at least one of the interconnected tube elements.

A speaker can provide audio feedback to the user, for example to indicate the score, ranking or individual hits of a target, e.g. a sensor unit. With such an audio module the level of entertainment of the water slide is further increased. The speaker unit are preferably manufactured from non-corroding materials, hence, the frame is preferably manufactured from stainless steel, aluminium, brass or from a polymer basis. The diaphragms of the speaker are preferably polymer basis diaphragms such as polyester or polyethylene terephthalate. The casing is preferably water tight, e.g. from polypropylene and/or TEFLON® water tight finish. Even more preferably, the polymer materials used, are polymers which have a high resistance to indoor (tropical) swimming pools environments which high temperature, high humidity and high levels of chlorine and the like. The skilled person will appreciate which polymers are sufficiently resistant for use in such environments, examples thereof are CPVC, FLUOROSI NT®, PEEK, PVC, PTFE, etc. The speaker unit is especially designed for the best sound in the waterslide. It is preferred to have an area where sound is absorbed to get the best sound. Waterslides however are constructed from hard surfaces which generates bad sound. In order to create sound with better sound quality a special housing is developed. The housing consists of a dome with a predetermined volume which corresponds to a calculated volume optimal for sound reflection. The dome is also fully insulated on the inside with a sound absorbing material to absorb the soundwaves and create a "dry" sound. The dome and/or the speaker driver are configured for a low-pass or band filter to cut-off the highest frequencies or peaks which will only create noise or unwanted sounds in the waterslide.

In an example the water slide further comprises at least one further sensor arranged for determining the passage of the at least one user past the sensor, wherein the control unit is arranged to determine at least one or more the user entering the water slide, the user exiting the water slide, and the user passing a tube segment of the water slide. By use of the further sensor, the control unit is arranged to detect passage of the user in the tube. The sensor is preferably mounted at the exit of the slide and preferably also at the entrance. Hence, with such sensors the control unit can determine start and end time of the user in the tube and hence time duration in the tube used in defining the score/ranking. Moreover, the sensor at the end/exit can be used to increase safety to indicate whether a user is still in the tube or has exited the tube and thus when it is safe for a next user to start the slide. This is preferably indicated by a light at the entrance which is controlled by the control unit when the control unit determines the user has passed the further sensor at the exit of the slide.

In an example the water slide further comprises at least one terminal display, located at the start of the water slide, for presenting a plurality of entertainment programs from the terminal, and receiving, from the user, a selection of the entertainment programs, wherein the control unit is arranged to activate the at least one audio/visual module in response to receiving the sensor data in accordance with the program selected by the user.

A terminal is preferably provided at the top (or, alternatively at the base of the water slide system). The terminal displays several entertainment programs of which the user can make a selection. These programs are routines which define the control of the light, audio, video and sensor. These could for example represent a theme such as a safari theme or a well-known animated cartoon for example, wherein the light, audio and video corresponds to the theme and the sensors for example trigger activation of these audio/video units. These programs could also be game programs which represent a game setting wherein user compete against each other or against themselves, or against a computer.

The user can preferably interact with others outside the tube, this could be a person or persons at the location or online playing a waterslide game with the slider. As such, the speakers within the tube can output audio recorded from outside the tube, for example recorded by a mobile device, i.e. a smart phone, which is connected to the control unit via an app. The audio can also be recorded and received by the control unit from a terminal at the base of the water slide system or some other location in the swimming pool. As such a level of entertainment can be provided wherein not only user of the slide participate in a game setting, but also other persons outside the slide. In yet another example the control device of one water slide system is able to connect with at least one other control device of yet another water slide system that is located somewhere else. These control devices communicate preferably through a central server which is able to determine which systems are up and running and thus which systems can be interconnected to create a game setting between users of water slides throughout the world. Accordingly, scores and ranking can be defined for all users that participate in such systems throughout the world.

The game or play element of the system can be further enriched by adding karaoke functionality.

In an example the control unit is arranged for receiving, from a remote server, an updated entertainment application, and wherein the control unit is further arranged to overwrite a current entertainment application by the received updated entertainment application.

In a further aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a data storage device storing thereon computer program code data arranged for performing the method of any of the previous descriptions, when the program code data are loaded into a memory of an electronic processing unit and are executed by the electronic processing unit.

In view of the foregoing certain illustrative aspects of the inventions are described herein in connection with the following description of the drawings as well as the annexed drawing. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the invention can be put into practice, all of which are covered herein. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

The luminaire according to the first aspect of the invention is further characterized by the luminaire housing to be enclosed with a thermal conductive resin for providing heat dissipation generated from said light emitting diode module. The front, light emitting side, of the luminaire is casted with a polymeric transparent resin and the back side is defined by the luminaire housing wall surfaces. These wall surfaces are covered with a resin as well, however, a resin having high thermal conductivity. Hence, heat generated by the LEDs is transferred through the luminaire housing and dissipated by the thermal conductive resin covered over the housing. As such, the resin provides protection, seals the housing from external corroding influences such as condensation, and enable heat dissipation.

In an example, the luminaire housing is arranged to be integrated into a wall surface of a tube segment of a water slide, and wherein said light exit face of said luminaire coincides with said wall surface of said tube segment and is provided with a flange having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said wall surface of said tube segment, and wherein said flange consists of a transparent resin. With this design the maintenance of the luminaire can be done from the inside of the waterslide, this making service and maintenance easy to execute.

The effect thereof is that such luminaire housing does not require an extra additional conversion layer to match the shape of the luminaire light exit window to the inner shape of the water tube.

In an example, the transparent resin comprises any one or more of the group consisting of polycarbonate, polycarbonate alloy, ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, CAB, CPVC, ECTFE, HDPE, Nylon, PEEK, PET, polypropylene, polysulfide, PPS, PVC, PVDF, PTFE, UHMW.

In an example, the communication module is a wireless communication module. In another example, the communication module is a hard wired communication module. Preferably the communication is performed wirelessly, either through a local area network interface, or through a personal area network. Both have advantages, whereas local area networks are arranged to be connected to a router for direct external control from a remote location whereas personal area networks are directed to short range communication to a further device from where control is provided from a remote location. The latter has the advance to have low power requirement, hence enabling the luminaire to be stand-alone, battery powered.

In an example, the communication module is arranged to be individually addressed and controlled through the remote access for control of the driver and activation of the light emitting diode module. Preferable, a local control unit is provided which is able to communicate with one or more of the luminaires according to the invention. The local control unit is programmed for, at one end, control of each luminaire by communication on an individual addressable basis, e.g. through local or personal area network connections, and provides remote control through for example an internet connection at the other end, through a wide area network connection. In an example, the communication module is also arranged for operating in an ad-hoc network configuration.

In an example, the light emitting diode module is a multi-colour light emitting diode module, arranged to be driven by the driver for providing multi-spectral light.

In an example, the luminaire housing further comprises an internal power supply, preferably being any one or more of a battery, a backup battery, a mains power supply and a low-voltage power supply.

In an example, the internal power supply is casted in the transparent resin.

In view of the foregoing certain illustrative aspects of the inventions are described herein in connection with the following description of the drawings as well as the annexed drawing. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the invention can be put into practice, all of which are covered herein. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 shows from several views a water slide system according to an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows from several views a luminaire according to an aspect of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows several elements of a luminaire according to an aspect of the invention for installation in a segment of a water slide of a water park.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The subject disclosure is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the description.

In Fig. 1 a water slide system 10 is shown in accordance with an example of the invention. Typically water slides can be considered complex technical systems that are comprised of several components. First of all, the system 10 consist of an inclined slide through which water flows from the entrance of the slide at a high elevation to an exit of the slide at the bottom of the water slide. The inclined slide consists of several tube segments 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c, etc. The segments are interconnected with each other to form the slide and support the flow of water and the user through said slide.

The user enters the slide at the entrance 16 at the top of the slide and slides along the inclined slide towards the exit at the bottom part 19, such either with or without a ride vehicle such as a (small) boat. Throughout the ride the segments 1 1 a- c can be formed such that the user experiences twists, turns, drops, etc. These twits etc. increase the level of entertainment for the user in comparison with simple, conventional straight sloped water slides. Besides these mechanical entertainment experiences the slide according to the invention further comprises several electronic entertainment element. The slide system 10 of Fig. 1 is for example equipped with light units, or audio units, video units, interactive elements, etc. With such elements a user or slider could for example be given the illusion of speed, by adding the lights, such as stroboscopic lights and/or showing videos, and playing sounds, all to create an illusion of going really fast or adding entertainment.

Nowadays the addition of entertainment is becoming more and more important. As such, the system 10 is arranged to react upon certain actions of the user before, after or during the slide, in the slide and outside of the slide, with other sliders in the same slide, neighbouring slides, or remote slides.

Since water slides are rather costly, due to for example the difficult environmental conditions, safety prescriptions, complex mechanics, large constructional elements and so on, and the addition of a level of entertainment by interactive audio/visual elements will increase complexity and thus costs even further. Since maintenance is costly and difficult as well, and desires of users also change over time, these interactive water slides not only need to be very robust, but also flexible in such a way that adapting or upgrading an already installed water slide to a next level of entertainment or different type of interactivity should be simple.

In Fig. 1 a water slide system 10 is shown which does not increase the level of complexity or at least is less complex than other interactive water slides. The slide system 10 is arranged for entertaining at least one user or slider that is sliding through the water slide. The water slide comprises an inclined slide, consisting of a plurality of closed and/or open interconnected tube segments 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c for supporting a flow of water through the slide. The slide further comprises at least one sensor, 12a, 12b, 22, 23, ... . but preferably has plural sensors, for example laser sensors and/or LED and photocell unit. The slide of Fig. 1 has a start 22 and stop 23 sensor. With these sensors the position of the slider can be determined. Moreover, the sensors 22, 23 are arranged to determine the position and time of the slider and thus can determine the speed of the slider as well.

The system consists of additional sensors that are arranged for generating sensor data upon interaction with the at least one user, i.e. the slider. Preferably, the slide has interactive units in which a sensor and an audio or video/light element is combined. For example a luminaire which is arranged for detecting touch by the slider. The touch can be a physical touch of the surface of the luminaire or a near touch or gesture detection. Because the law may prohibits you from not having your hands onto your body, for example in the USA, the game may be implemented differently, for example by interaction through voice/speech commands in stead of actual touching a surface/button/luminaire or the like. The system can also comprise audio units which are arranged for outputting audio to the slider and/or to record audio from the user. As such, the user can interact by talking, yelling, singing. The audio unit(s) or speaker(s) or microphone(s) 24 can be present at several positions on, in and near the slide 10. These units are preferably arranged to filter out the sound of the water by subtracting the recorded audio from a predetermined/predefined water sound recording and/or by a bandpass filter, low pass filter, high pass filter or combinations thereof. Preferably, the audio is only recorded upon detection of a user by sensor. This way data usage is kept minimal.

Throughout the slide also several cameras 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, etc. are installed. With the camera the slider can be recorded. For example a recording can be made which is presented as a video file upon exiting the water slide and which recorded video file can be bought by the slider in accordance with buying action photos in rides in amusement parks. The camera's can also record the users' actions and determine input commands thereof, for example the detection of a user pointing, moving (gesture) or touching a certain part of the slide, e.g. an indicated passive touchpad in the slide, or a luminaire. Other uses of the camera's can be used as well, the skilled person will appreciate what other use is applicable. By using RFID tags a slider can be identified. For privacy reasons, it is prevented to view other persons/sliders photo's or video's, therefor a system has been developed that only the sliders own photo or video will be shown when the correct corresponding RFI D is presented. Besides camera's the water slide 10 also consists of luminaires that are preferably integrated in the wall surface of the water slide. These luminaires 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e are preferably arranged with a touch sensor which as indicated above, is arranged to determine when a user touches the luminaire. The luminaire can interact to the input of the slider, e.g. when the slider touches the luminaire (preferably a the correct time), it will be enabled, change light colour, intensity, start to blink, etc. Moreover, the luminaire can also respond to audio being recorded by the audio units or both on touch and audio. More preferably the system is arranged to execute a certain program which program preferably is selectable by the slider at the entrance 21 of the slide. To this end the water slide has an input unit 21 which is a display an input means such as buttons or a touch panel. The user can select a certain program, e.g. with a certain theme, and the according to the selected program certain lights will blink or shine during the slide. Preferably the users' presence near such a light will be detected by a sensor, giving the user a certain time frame within which the slide should touch the (correct) luminaire and achieve points. The luminaire can also emit different colours and the program can contain element that only certain colours may be touched, by which points are achieved, and which colours should not be touch and for which points will be subtracted.

Al elements of the water slide system are connected to one or more control unit. The control unit is 14 in communicative connection with the at least one sensor, and the at least one audio/visual module, and arranged for activating the at least one audio/visual module in response to receiving the sensor data. As such the control unit executes the program selected by the slider and control the output units like the luminaires, audio units, etc. and determines input like the touch screens of the luminaires, audio recordings, camera recordings and sensor detections. The response of the output is thus according to a certain program executed in accordance with the program selected. The control unit 14 is arranged for communication over a wide area network for monitoring, manipulating and replacing the application pre-programmed from a remote server. A software application is proposed which is arranged for reverse connection. This means that the server on location only needs an open outgoing port from the clients network. By setting up and initiating the connection from within the clients network strict firewall and other safety restrictions can be obviated.

Since the control unit 14 is arranged for wide non local remote communication, e.g. through a cellular network, data network, WiFi, etc. the control unit and all connected units may be read-out remotely and may be manipulated remotely as well. As such, not only the status and possible error codes of units in the system can be monitored remote without having the perform local complex maintenance for which the water slide should be put out of service, but the configurations may be manipulated remotely as well. Since the control unit 14 is arranged to perform and execute certain pre-programmed programs having a certain theme, these programs may be upgraded or replaced in full by newer versions or complete replacements. As such, the system is future proof and as long as a certain program requires one or more of a camera, sensor, luminaire, audio unit, or the like, the program can be remotely uploaded to the control unit 14 and the water slide 10 can present this new program to its sliders.

A further advantage of the remotely communicating control unit 14 is that is not only may communicate with maintenance/technical support but also with other electronic devices in the water park, e.g. a display at a different location for example at the bottom of the water slide, or at a dry area somewhere in the water slide park where non-swimmers may be entertained. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may communicate with other water slides all over the world such that a game element can be introduced wherein two or more slides can compete against each other. To this end the water slides may be synchronised such that start indicator lights, and activation of for example the luminaires are synched between the several locations.

The control unit 14 also preferably provided a live stream to the display 21 at the entrance 16 of the slide. The live stream may be a recording of one of the cameras in the water slide such that a slider can view the progress of another slider that is at that time present in the water slide. Throughout the slide the user can score points and the final score may be presented by the control unit 14 to a display at the end of the water slide. Preferably, in a game competition mode with other water slides at different locations, the score may be communicated to several displays at several locations. The game element may also be encompassed by adding interaction with other user that wait for their turn to slide the water slide. These users may for example select a certain colour and the slider may only touch the luminaires that indicate that colour. The users may communicate with the slider through a microphone in the input terminal 21 and the speakers in the water slide. Vice versa the slider may also touch a luminaire with a certain colour and communicate the colour to a user in the row, which user then within a certain time should touch a corresponding button on the display of the input terminal 21 . Not only may this form of interaction take place between users of a certain water slide, but also between users of different water slides which are present at remote locations.

Yet another element of interaction is karaoke that can be added as an extra level of entertainment. The slider may select at the entrance of the water slide a certain song. The song will be played throughout the slide through the speakers and at certain pre-programmed times the audio will stop and the user should continue with song. Not only is the control unit 14 arranged to determine if slider uses the correct song text but may also record the volume level. The more correct and/or the louder the recording, the higher amount of points may be awarded. Not only correctness and volume awards the slider with points, but also the speed of sliding may be of influence as well. Preferably, the camera may record the singing slider and communicate the video file to persons outside the water slide, at other positions within the water park, or at remote locations of the water park.

The control unit may be arranged to process authentication data which may be recorded by a sensor. The authentication data preferably is data obtained by a RFI D tag which may be worn by the slider and by which tag the slider may be identified.

In Fig. 2 a luminaire 15 is shown from a top and side view. Such a luminaire is arranged for use in a water slide. Such water slides can be considered systems that are comprised of an inclined slide through which water flows from the entrance of the slide at a high elevation to an exit of the slide at the bottom of the water slide. The inclined slide consists of several tube segments that are interconnected with each other to form the slide and support the flow of water and the user through said slide. A user may enter the slide at an entrance and slides along the inclined slide towards the exit at the bottom, such either with or without a ride vehicle such as a (small) boat. Throughout the ride the segments can be formed in such way that the user experiences twists, turns, drops, etc. These twits etc. increase the level of entertainment for the user in comparison with simple, conventional straight sloped water slides.

To further increase the level of entertainment it is known to add visual effects by adding luminaires to the water slide. These luminaires can enlighten part of the slide and/or the user, i.e. slider, itself. Adding light effects into the water slide is challenging, not only from a mechanical perspective as to integrate the luminaire into the water slide and/or how to direct the light in a correct manner, but also from a physics perspective due to the atmosphere, e.g. temperature, humidity, levels of chlorine, etc. The atmosphere has a major impact on the materials and lifespan of the luminaire. Since water slides are rather costly, due to for example the difficult environmental conditions, safety prescriptions, complex mechanics, large constructional elements and so on, increasing the level of entertainment by adding light effects through luminaires in the water slide will increase complexity and thus costs even further. Maintenance is costly and difficult, and safety prescriptions require the luminaire to be robust and resistant to the corrosive environment of water slides and indoor water parks in general. The luminaire 15 according to an aspect of the invention is arranged for use in such a water slide and does not have such drawbacks. More in particular, the luminaire 15 is highly resistant to the corrosive environment and thus use of such a luminaire 15 will guaranty long lifetime and a high level of robustness which will not increase (maintenance) costs when compared to conventional water slides without such visual effects.

The luminaire 15 in Fig. 2 is thus arranged and highly suitable for use in an indoor water park. It comprises a light emitting diode that is contained in a light unit 155 which is arranged to emit light through a light exit face 160 of the luminaire 15. The luminaire 15 is also comprised of a driver unit which in Fig. 2 is enclosed in the light unit 155. The driver may however also be provided as a separate unit as well. The driver unit is connected via wiring 153 to a (remote) power supply (not shown in the figure). The power supply can be provided as a low power supply, i.e. 5 Volt, 12 Volt, 24 Volt, or as a mains supply, i.e. 230 Volt or 1 10 Volt. The wiring 153 not only provides power for the driver but is preferably also arranged to provide control signals. More preferably, the power supply and control signal are transported over a single wire pair, i.e. a positive and negative signal.

The luminaire is thus comprised of a communication module in the lighting unit 155 which provides ability to be controlled remotely. In an embodiment wherein the power and control are combined over a single wire pair 153 this can for example be implemented by a high frequency signal or frequency modulated signal which is modulated on the low frequency or direct current power signal. As an alternative, the control signals could also be communicated to the luminaire wirelessly, e.g. through conventional wireless communication protocols such as I EEE 802.1 1 or through dedicated wireless personal area network protocols, e.g. I EEE 802.15 standard compliance. More preferably the control of the luminaire is performed through a lighting control system which is controllable through a central (remote) control device like a central server which is locally present or which is located remote like in a datacentre.

The lighting system is preferably a digital addressable lighting system in which each lighting unit 155 of the water slide may be addressed separately. Each lighting unit or more general, each luminaire 15 is assigned a unique static address in a numeric range for example from 0 to 128. The control signals may be communicated from a central server or control unit to the luminaire 15 directly over the wiring 153 or in a ad-hoc based manner or according to another network topology like a ring, mesh, star, series, parallel, bus or fully connected typology. In some of these topologies luminaires can be arranged to forward control signals from one luminaire to another and hence function as a proxy or even as a gateway towards a group of (different) luminaires.

The luminaire 15 is thus preferably comprised of a single pair of wires

153. The wires comprise a connector 154 which is universal and arranged for easy connection of the luminaire 15 with further wiring and/or another luminaire. Through the control signal several properties of the luminaire can be controlled, i.e. the level of luminance or brightness, a status request to the luminaire or status code, colour etc.

The luminaire is comprised or contained in a luminaire housing which is arranged to be attached to a wall or ceiling of said indoor water park. The housing 151 defines an inner compartment 152 arranged for receiving the light emitting diode or lighting module 155, the driver as well as the communication module.

The inner compartment 152 consists of polymer materials is casted with transparent resin 159 enclosing the housing and the light emitting diode module 155, the driver as well as the communication module. The luminaire housing is further enclosed with a thermal conductive resin 152 for providing heat dissipation generated from the light emitting diode module 155. The housing 151 is arranged to be attached to a wall or a ceiling of the indoor water park building or, and most preferably, on the inside of the water slide in an indoor and/or outdoor water park, and even more preferably arranged to be integrated with a wall or ceiling surface of the water slide. More in particular, and more preferably, the housing is arranged for integration with a wall surface of a water slide tube segment. The housing defines an inner compartment defined by wall surfaces. In the inner compartment the LED, driver and communication module and optionally the power supply are contained.

The housing 151 is constructed from polymer or polymeric materials that have high resistance to the aggressive environment in the waterpark. The housing is thus preferably constructed from material with high chloride resistance such as any one or more of the group consisting of polycarbonate, polycarbonate alloy, ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, CAB, CPVC, ECTFE, HDPE, Nylon, PEEK, PET, polypropylene, polysulfide, PPS, PVC, PVDF, PTFE, U HMW. In the preferred embodiment the housing is made of PVC material.

The inner compartment 152 of the housing 151 with its modules is casted with transparent resin which encloses and seals the inner compartment and hence the housing. The transparent polymeric resin provides an alternative solution to both the use of a glass as an exit window to seal the luminaire housing as well the use of a polyvinylchloride exit windows which degrade under the harsh environmental conditions in the water park and within the water slide. By avoiding air in the luminaire condensation is prevented. By casting the luminaire housing with a polymeric transparent resin, these drawbacks have been resolved and the object of providing a robust, low maintenance luminaire suitable for use in water parks and water slide tube segments is obtained.

The luminaire 15 according to the invention is further characterized by the luminaire housing to be enclosed with a thermal conductive resin for providing heat dissipation generated from said light emitting diode module. The inner compartment 159 at the front, light emitting side 160 of the luminaire 15 is casted with transparent polymeric resin that has a high resistance to chloride and low degradation factor, e.g. polycarbonate, polycarbonate alloy, ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, CAB, CPVC, ECTFE, HDPE, Nylon, PEEK, PET, polypropylene, polysulfide, PPS, PVC, PVDF, PTFE, UHMW and the inner compartment 152 at the back side is defined by the luminaire 15 housing wall surfaces and casted with a thermal conductive polymeric or polymeric resin e.g. polycarbonate, polycarbonate alloy. The inner compartment 152 can also be casted with a polymer composition that comprises a thermally conductive filler with a high thermal conductivity. The filler can be incorporated in a polymer matrix such as a resin or a rubber. Examples of the fillers include metal oxides, such as aluminium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, and quartz; metal nitrides, such as boron nitride and aluminium nitride; metal carbides, such as silicon carbide; metal hydroxides, such as aluminium hydroxide; metals, such as gold, silver, and copper; carbon fibbers; and graphite. As an alternative other known polymers with or without the above mentioned fillers can be used as well, e.g. ABS, PEEK, PET, polypropylene, polysulfide, PVC, PTFE or UHMW or any combination thereof.

Most preferably, the luminaire 15 is contained in a housing 151 of

PVC and is fixed, e.g. through gluing, to a flange 158. The flange preferably has rounded edges and comprises an second inward directed flange 156 which is used as a spacer for the light module 155. The length of the spacer determines how the light exits the exit window and as such defines a light bundle. The flange is most preferably arranged to be integrated into a wall surface of a tube segment of a water slide, and wherein thus light exit face 160 of the luminaire 15 coincides with said wall surface of said tube segment. The tube segment has a certain diameter and the that diameter corresponds with the curvature of the flange 158 such that both have mating surface curvatures. The flange 158 preferably consist of several through holes 157 for affixing the flange 158 to the wall surface of the water slide segment.

An advantage of such integration and affixing of the luminaire 15 with such a flange, into a water slide segment is that the installation but hence also maintenance can be performed from inside of the water slide. Conventional luminaires are attached from the outside and affixed to a transparent part of the wall surface of the water slide segment. However, since water slides are often very high, consisting of a large amount of curves and hence having complex shapes, a temporary structure such as a scaffold is needed. With the luminaire according to the invention installation and maintenance can be performed from the inside of the water slide itself. Thus installation and maintenance is far more easy and cheaper.

In Fig. 3 a luminaire 15 is shown from the side. The luminaire corresponds to the luminaire 15 as shown in Fig. 2. As such, the luminaire also consists of corresponding elements, e.g. housing 151 which is the housing of the luminaire 15 in which the lamp or lighting module 155 with preferably one or more LEDs is housed. The light exits the housing form the light exit 160. As can be seen, the luminaire 15 of Fig. 2 has a curved mounting plate 158. The curvature or radius r1 of the mounting plate 158 corresponds to the curvature or radius r2 of the water slide segment 168, i.e. to the corresponding diameter of the water slide (segments). Preferably radius r1 is slightly larger than radius r2 such that a tight fit is achieved between the mounting plate 158 and the wall surface 168 of the tube segment of the water slide. The luminaire 15 is fixed to the wall surface 168 by assembling speed plugs 161 . On the other slide of the wall surface 168 a further housing 165 is provided which has a cavity 166 to receive the inner part of the luminaire 15 that protrudes through the wall surface 168. The wiring 153 can be passed through the further housing 165 by use of the swivel 163. And on the top of the further housing 165 an end cap 164 can be fixed or screwed to close of the housing. When the luminaire is fixed and the further housing is mounted, the cavity of the further housing can be casted with resin, e.g. the thermally conductive filler or resin as mentioned above.

Modifications and additions to the examples of the luminaire and other disclosed aspects of the invention as indicated above are considered obvious to those skilled in the art and covered by the scope of the appended claims.