Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-08-19)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS:

1\. A lighting arrangement (100), comprising an optical element (110) in the form of a rod comprising a translucent material, wherein the optical element elongates along a first axis, A, and
at least one array (120) of light emitting diodes (130), LEDs,
wherein each array of the at least one array of LEDs comprises at least two adjacently arranged rows (150) of LEDs, wherein each row of LEDs comprises sequentially arranged LEDs configured to emit light being of the same color in the row, the color being different to a color of the light configured to be emitted by the LEDs of any of the other rows, wherein each array of the at least one array of LEDs is arranged on an outer
surface of the optical element and arranged in a spiral shape around the optical element, andwherein the LEDs face toward the optical element are arranged to emit said light through the optical element for being influenced by the optical element upon passage of the light through the optical element.

2\. The lighting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs are configured to project the emitted light in a first direction, B, perpendicular to the first axis, A.
3\. The lighting arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein neighboring LEDs of each row of LEDs are arranged offset with respect to each other in a second direction, D, parallel
to the first axis, A, and in a circumferential direction, C, of the optical element, perpendicular to the first axis, A, whilst the projections of the widths, wi, of the LEDs, defined in the circumferential direction, C, on a second axis, F, perpendicular to the first axis, A, and
perpendicular to a first direction, B, perpendicular to the first axis, A, overlap.

4\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element has a cylinder shape, circular in cross section perpendicular to the first axis,
A.

5\. The lighting arrangement of claim 4, wherein the diameter, d, of the rod is within the range 20 mm < d < 30 mm.
6\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising at least one of at least one printed circuit board, PCB, andat least one LED strip,
arranged to support the at least one array of LEDs.

7\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one array of the at least one array is arranged from a first end portion (300) of the optical element to a second end portion (310) of the optical element, oppositely arranged the first end portion.

8\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one array of the at least one array elongates at least 1200 in a circumferential direction, C, of the optical element, perpendicular to the first axis, A.
9\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising an optical foil arranged between the at least one array of LEDs and the optical element.
10\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections of the widths, WS1, of the arrays of LEDs, defined in the circumferential
direction, C, on a second axis, F, perpendicular to the first axis, A, and perpendicular to a first direction, B, perpendicular to the first axis, A, overlap.
11\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LEDs comprise high-brightness LEDs each arranged to emit light with a brightness of at least
301m.
12\. The lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LEDs comprise RGB LEDs.

13\. A lighting unit (400), comprising a lighting arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, and a control unit (410) coupled to the LEDs and configured to control at least one property of the emitted light from the lighting arrangement.
14\. A lighting system (500), comprising a surface (510) extending in a plane, P, and a lighting arrangement of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged with respect to the surface such that the first axis, A, is
perpendicular to a normal, N, of the plane, P, and wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged to project the emitted light on the surface.
15\. The lighting system according to claim 14, wherein the surface extends in a vertical plane, Pv, and the lighting arrangement is arranged such that the first axis, A, is
parallel to a horizontal direction. 5 10 15 20 25 30

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-15 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claim 1 recites a lighting arrangement including, in combination, each array of the at least one array of LEDs is arranged on an outer surface of the optical element and arranged in a spiral shape around the optical element, and wherein the LEDs face toward the optical element are arranged to emit said light through the optical element for being influenced by the optical element upon passage of the light through the optical element. These features are not disclosed or suggested by the prior of record. Claims 2-15 depend on claim 1.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20130094240A1: Claims:
Illumination device comprising an oblong, optical waveguide and at least one light source positioned along the waveguide, said waveguide having a central axis at distance r to the surface of the waveguide, said surface comprising a light entrance surface on which the at least one light source is positioned and a curved light exit surface having a non-circular circumference, wherein, viewed along the circumference of the curved surface, the distance r to a first intersection between the entrance surface and the curved exit surface, and a second distance at the second intersection between said surfaces have a different value, such that, during operation of the device, light escapes from the waveguide via the curved exit surface in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the tangent to the curved surface at both intersections is parallel to the normal to the entrance surface.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the distance r measured along the curved surface continuously changes from said first value to said second value.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of the curved exit surface corresponds to the equation r(Î¸)=a+bÎ¸, when describing said surface in polar coordinates.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of the curved exit surface corresponds to the equation r(θ)=a+θ[b+c.exp(−d.(φ−θ) 2 )], when describing said surface in polar coordinates.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is provided with a light reflective structure.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises two light entrance surfaces, said surfaces being located at substantially opposite locations of the waveguide.
Illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises a channel extending substantially parallel to the central axis.
Illumination device according to claim 8 , wherein the axis of the channel and the central axis of the waveguide do not coincide.
Illumination device according to claim 8 , wherein the waveguide is torus-shaped.
Luminaire comprising a housing and an illumination device according to claim 8 .
Ref US7210818B2: Claims:
A flexible lighting device, comprising: an elongated translucent flexible cylindrical tube with opposed tube ends, a flexible circuit board positioned in said tube extending between said opposed tube ends, said flexible circuit board having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said interior surface defining an elongated continuous chamber between said opposed tube ends, said flexible circuit board defining a plurality of cutouts between said interior and exterior surfaces between said tube ends, said cutouts being of such shape that allow the bending of said flexible circuit board, a source of input electrical power, a source of output electrical power, electrical circuitry mounted to said flexible circuit board and connected to said input source of electrical power and to said output source of electrical power, a plurality of LEDs mounted to said flexible circuit board and electrically connected to said electrical circuitry, wherein light emitted from said LEDs can pass at least in part through said cutouts and out said tube.
an elongated translucent flexible cylindrical tube with opposed tube ends,
a flexible circuit board positioned in said tube extending between said opposed tube ends, said flexible circuit board having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said interior surface defining an elongated continuous chamber between said opposed tube ends,
said flexible circuit board defining a plurality of cutouts between said interior and exterior surfaces between said tube ends, said cutouts being of such shape that allow the bending of said flexible circuit board,
a source of input electrical power,
a source of output electrical power,
electrical circuitry mounted to said flexible circuit board and connected to said input source of electrical power and to said output source of electrical power,
a plurality of LEDs mounted to said flexible circuit board and electrically connected to said electrical circuitry, wherein light emitted from said LEDs can pass at least in part through said cutouts and out said tube.
The flexible device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said tube has a tube axis and said flexible circuit board axis, said tube axis and said flexible circuit board axis defining a coextensive axis.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 2 , wherein said plurality of LEDs has center lines that are perpendicular to said coextensive axis.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 3 , wherein said tube has a cylindrical inner, said cylindrical exterior surface of said flexible circuit board and said cylindrical inner side of said tube define an elongated ring-shaped space, said plurality of LEDs including a pluralities of inwardly directed LEDs positioned within said cylindrical chamber wherein light beams from said inwardly directed LEDs extend through said cutouts and out said tube.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 3 , wherein said tube has a cylindrical inner side, said cylindrical exterior surface of said flexible circuit board and said cylindrical inner side of said tube defines an elongated ring-shaped space, said plurality of LEDs including a plurality of outwardly directly LEDs positioned within aid ring-shaped space wherein light beams from said outwardly directed LEDs extend directly out said tube.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 5 , wherein said LEDs have LED lens portions that are juxtaposed with said cylindrical inner side of said tube.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said flexible circuit board has a length and wherein said cutouts are generally equal in size and are located at alternated opposed equal intervals along said length.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said flexible circuit further includes means for providing strength to said flexible lighting device, said means for providing strength being secured to said flexible circuit board.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 8 , wherein said means for providing strength is combined with a means for providing rigidity to maintain the shape of said flexible lighting device when said flexible lighting device is set in a plurality of various positions.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 9 , wherein said means for providing strength and for providing rigidity includes at least one shape-retaining element secured to said flexible circuit board between said circuit board ends.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 10 , wherein said at least one shape-retaining element is at least one flexible wire.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 11 , wherein said at least one flexible wire is two flexible wires.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 9 , wherein said means for providing strength and for providing rigidity includes at least one shape-retaining element secured to said flexible tube between said tube ends.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 10 , wherein said means for providing strength and means for providing rigidity is at least one flexible electrically conductive metal wire, wherein said electrically conductive metal wire acts as a heat sink to draw the heat generated by said plurality of LEDs away from said LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive metal wire is substantially aluminum.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive metal wire is substantially copper.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said flexible circuit board is made of an electrically non-conductive material.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 17 , wherein said electrically non-conductive material is an electronically non-conductive plastic.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 18 , wherein said electrically non-conductive plastic is a polyimide.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , further including opposed end caps connected to said opposed tube ends.
The flexible light device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of LEDs are white LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 21 , wherein said electrical circuitry includes a chasing circuit for said white LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of LEDs are color LEDs.
The flexible lighting circuit as recited in claim 23 , wherein said electrical circuitry includes color mixing, color changing, and color chasing control for said color LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of LEDs are color surface mount device (SMD) LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 25 , wherein said electrical circuitry includes color mixing, color changing, and color chasing control for said color surface mount device (SMD) LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 23 , wherein said color LEDs are Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow LEDs.
The flexible lighting device as recited in claim 25 , wherein said color surface mount device (SMD) LEDs are Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow LEDs.
A method for making a flexible LED lighting strip that includes the following steps: a. providing a biasable flat circuit board having an upper surface and a lower surface and opposed linear short edges and opposed linear long edges, the flat circuit board defining a plurality of diamond-shaped cutouts located at regular intervals between the short edges and further defining a plurality of semi-diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges that are directly opposed one to the other generally midway between the diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges; b. mounting electrical circuitry including trades, solder pads, plated through holes and vias, and related electronic components in preparation for a plurality of LEDs to be mounted to the flat circuit board; c. securing the plurality of LEDs to the flat circuit board between the long edges and extending generally between the short edges, the LEDs having LED center lines perpendicular to the flat circuit board. d. connecting the LEDs to the electrical circuitry; e. providing a translucent flexible hollow tube having a tube length and a tube inner diameter; f. forming the biasable flat circuit board into a biased mode tightly rolled circuit board having a cylindrical circuit board length that is generally equal to the tube length with the upper surface of the flat circuit board being the interior surface of the cylindrical circuit board and the lower surface of the flat circuit board being the exterior surface of the cylindrical circuit board, the LEDs being inwardly directed to the axis of the hollow tube; and g. pulling the tightly rolled circuit board into the tube and aligning the length of the rolled circuit board with the length of the tube and releasing the rolled circuit board from its biased mode wherein the rolled circuit board now becomes a partly rolled and cylindrical circuit board, and wherein the base portions of the inwardly directed LEDs are adjacent to the inner surface of assembled circuit board and the center lines of the inwardly directed LEDs are perpendicular to the axis of the tube.
a. providing a biasable flat circuit board having an upper surface and a lower surface and opposed linear short edges and opposed linear long edges, the flat circuit board defining a plurality of diamond-shaped cutouts located at regular intervals between the short edges and further defining a plurality of semi-diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges that are directly opposed one to the other generally midway between the diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges;
b. mounting electrical circuitry including trades, solder pads, plated through holes and vias, and related electronic components in preparation for a plurality of LEDs to be mounted to the flat circuit board;
c. securing the plurality of LEDs to the flat circuit board between the long edges and extending generally between the short edges, the LEDs having LED center lines perpendicular to the flat circuit board.
d. connecting the LEDs to the electrical circuitry;
e. providing a translucent flexible hollow tube having a tube length and a tube inner diameter;
f. forming the biasable flat circuit board into a biased mode tightly rolled circuit board having a cylindrical circuit board length that is generally equal to the tube length with the upper surface of the flat circuit board being the interior surface of the cylindrical circuit board and the lower surface of the flat circuit board being the exterior surface of the cylindrical circuit board, the LEDs being inwardly directed to the axis of the hollow tube; and
g. pulling the tightly rolled circuit board into the tube and aligning the length of the rolled circuit board with the length of the tube and releasing the rolled circuit board from its biased mode wherein the rolled circuit board now becomes a partly rolled and cylindrical circuit board, and wherein the base portions of the inwardly directed LEDs are adjacent to the inner surface of assembled circuit board and the center lines of the inwardly directed LEDs are perpendicular to the axis of the tube.
The method as recited in claim 29 , further including the following steps: a. securing power input and power output terminals to the electrical circuitry of the assembled circuit board of the LEDs; and b. securing opposed end caps to the opposed ends of the tube.
a. securing power input and power output terminals to the electrical circuitry of the assembled circuit board of the LEDs; and
b. securing opposed end caps to the opposed ends of the tube.
The method as recited in claim 30 , further including the steps of: a. mounting a male pin connector to one of the end caps; b. mounting a female socket connector to the other of the end caps; and c. mounting an optional removable cap cover to the male pin connector and another optional removal cap cover to the female socket connector.
a. mounting a male pin connector to one of the end caps;
b. mounting a female socket connector to the other of the end caps; and
c. mounting an optional removable cap cover to the male pin connector and another optional removal cap cover to the female socket connector.
A method for making a flexible LED light strip that includes the following steps: a. providing a biasable flat circuit board having an upper surface and a lower surface and opposed linear short edges and opposed linear long edges, the flat circuit board defining a plurality of diamond-shaped cutouts located at regular intervals between the short edges and further defining a plurality of semi-diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges that are directly opposed one to the other generally midway between the diamond-shaped cutouts opening at the long edges; b. mounting electrical circuitry including traces, solder pads, plated through holes and vias, and related electronic components in preparation for a plurality of LEDs to be mounted to the flat circuit board; c. securing the plurality of LEDs to the flat circuit board between the long edges and extending generally between the short edges, the LEDs having LED center lines perpendicular to the flat circuit board; d. connecting the LEDs to the electrical circuitry; e. providing a translucent flexible hollow tube having a tube length and a tube inner diameter; f. forming the biasable flat circuit board into a biased mode tightly rolled circuit board having a cylindrical circuit board length that is generally equal to the tube length with the upper surface of the flat circuit board, the LEDs being outward directed from the axis of the hollow tube; and g. pulling the tightly rolled circuit board into the tube and aligning the length of the rolled circuit board with the length of the tube and releasing the rolled circuit board from its biased mode wherein the rolled circuit board now becomes a partly rolled and cylindrical circuit board, wherein the lens portions of the outwardly directed LEDs are adjacent to the inner side of the tube and the center lines of the outwardly directed LEDs are perpendicular to the axis of the tube.
b. mounting electrical circuitry including traces, solder pads, plated through holes and vias, and related electronic components in preparation for a plurality of LEDs to be mounted to the flat circuit board;
c. securing the plurality of LEDs to the flat circuit board between the long edges and extending generally between the short edges, the LEDs having LED center lines perpendicular to the flat circuit board;
f. forming the biasable flat circuit board into a biased mode tightly rolled circuit board having a cylindrical circuit board length that is generally equal to the tube length with the upper surface of the flat circuit board, the LEDs being outward directed from the axis of the hollow tube; and
g. pulling the tightly rolled circuit board into the tube and aligning the length of the rolled circuit board with the length of the tube and releasing the rolled circuit board from its biased mode wherein the rolled circuit board now becomes a partly rolled and cylindrical circuit board, wherein the lens portions of the outwardly directed LEDs are adjacent to the inner side of the tube and the center lines of the outwardly directed LEDs are perpendicular to the axis of the tube.
The method as recited in claim 32 , further including the following steps: a. securing power input and power output terminals to the electrical circuitry of the assembled circuit board and the LEDs; and b. securing opposed end caps to the opposed ends of the tube.
a. securing power input and power output terminals to the electrical circuitry of the assembled circuit board and the LEDs; and
The method as recited in claim 33 , further including the steps of: a. mounting a male pin connector to one of the end caps; b. mounting a female socket to the other of the end caps; and c. mounting an optional removal cap cover to the male pin connector and another optional removable cap cover to the female socked connector.
b. mounting a female socket to the other of the end caps; and
c. mounting an optional removal cap cover to the male pin connector and another optional removable cap cover to the female socked connector.