Patent Description:
A conventional adhesive light strip cannot easily or properly be bent in the plane of a mounting surface, for example to attach around a TV, mirror, cupboard corner, etc..

<CIT> discloses a printed circuit board provided as an elongate, linear strip. The board in <CIT> can be provided in the desired size and shape by routing, milling, punching, die stamping, or using any suitable technique. The board is made up of a plurality of repeating units. The board has a top surface and a bottom surface. An LED is mounted on each repeating unit and copper traces are printed on the top surface of the board to electrically interconnect the LEDs. The repeating units are designed and connected to permit in-plane deformation or bending of the board. Bridges connect adjacent repeating units such that adjacent edges of adjacent repeating units are separated by a space.

However, a drawback with the printed circuit board in <CIT> is that the numerous spaces separating adjacent edges of adjacent repeating units can unduly weaken the board, in particular for other configurations than the ring-shaped configuration illustrated in <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses a method for manufacturing a plurality of types of illuminating devices having different specifications while suppressing cost. A substrate includes a common portion having flexibility and a plurality of units bendable with respect to the common portion, where the common portion includes a pad that is extended in the horizontal direction in the plane of drawing and that is arranged for every predefined interval In the method, a substrate piece is created by cutting the substrate mounted with the light emitting element in a first direction, the common portion in the substrate piece is formed according to the illuminating device to be manufactured, the relative position of the individual portion with respect to the formed common portion is respectively positioned, and the wiring for supplying power to the pad in the substrate piece is formed.

<CIT> discloses a method of manufacturing an electrical device. The method comprises the consecutive steps of (i) providing a flat, plastically-deformable circuit board, (ii) mounting one or more electrical components on the flat circuit board and electrically connecting the component(s) in a circuit, and (iii) plastically deforming the circuit board so that it is no longer flat, and such that the component(s) remain(s) mounted on the circuit board and electrically connected in the circuit.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this problem, and to provide an improved light strip mountable on a mounting surface.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by a customizable light strip mountable on a mounting surface, comprising: an elongated substrate; a linear LED (light emitting diode) array with a plurality of LED nodes mounted on a surface of the elongated substrate; and an interconnection structure electrically interconnecting the plurality of LED nodes, wherein the elongated substrate comprises partial separation lines between at least some of the plurality of LED nodes of the linear LED array, which partial separation lines extend from one longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate and partly across the elongated substrate and do not intersect the interconnection structure. The customizable light strip after partial separation at one or more of the partial separation lines is bendable in a plane of said mounting surface.

The customizable light strip further comprises a data or detection line connected to at least some of the LED nodes and intersecting the partial separation lines. The LED nodes are configured to detect the position of any partially separated partial separation line through interruption of the data or detection line intersecting that partial separation line.

Each LED node may here be a combination of LEDs, such as RGB (Red-Green Blue) or RGBWW (Red-Green-Blue-Warm White), to enable each node to render a specific color. An LED node could also consist of a single LED.

The ratio of the length and width (L/W) of the elongated substrate may be at least <NUM>, such as at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>. The linear LED array may comprise at least <NUM> LED nodes, such as at least <NUM> LED nodes or at least <NUM> LED nodes.

The present invention is based on the understanding that by providing partial separation lines not intersecting the interconnection structure, a user can select at what positions along the light strip that the light strip should be bendable (e.g. to follow a corner of the mounting surface) by partially separating the strip at the partial separation lines corresponding to those positions. The remaining partial separation lines may not be separated, whereby the light strip is not unduly weakened. Furthermore, in the particular application where the light strip is to be mounted around a TV on the backside (mounting surface) of the TV, the present light strip can be customized by the user to fit a wide range of TV sizes, for example from <NUM> inches to <NUM> inches. In other words, a single type of light strip (= the present customizable light strip) can readily be made to fit objects of different sizes. The 'user' is here typically an end-user or possibly a fitter or an installer, but not a person part of the manufacturing of the light strip. Furthermore, the present light strip can conveniently be provided off-the-roll and be cut-to-measure using cut-to-measure principles known per se.

The partial separation lines may be or include visual markings for cutting the elongated substrate (at those locations). The visual markings could for example be dotted or dashed lines printed on the elongated substrate, optionally together with a printed scissor symbol, to indicate where the user can cut the elongated substrate using e.g. a pair of scissors, without breaking the connection structure electrically interconnecting the plurality of LED nodes. At the ends of the partial separation lines/visual markings opposite said longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate, the elongated substrate could be provided with a warning sign and/or a physical structure adapted to prevent users from cutting too far. The physical structure could for example be an embedded metal wire or a plastic notch.

Alternatively or complementary, the partial separation lines may include perforation lines for allowing a user to tear the elongated substrate (at those locations). An advantage of perforation lines is that no tool, like a pair of scissors, is needed to customize the light strip. Another advantage is that the user will not cut too far (see previous paragraph) since each perforation line stops at the right location.

A partial separation line of said partial separation lines may be provided between each two adjacent LED nodes of the linear LED array. This enables partial separation/cutting/tearing between two adjacent LED nodes anywhere along the elongated substrate, which in turn allows for full customization of the light strip with respect to bending in the plane of the mounting surface.

The plurality of LED nodes may also be grouped into linear LED node groups, wherein a partial separation line of said partial separation lines is provided between each two adjacent LED node groups of the linear LED array. In other words, partial separation lines are only provided between linear LED node groups and not between LED nodes in the group. Each group could for example comprise <NUM>-<NUM> LED nodes. For the particular application where the light strip is to be mounted around a TV on the backside of the TV, the grouping could be based on typical TV sizes (such as <NUM> inches, <NUM> inches, and <NUM> inches) to create segments of appropriate size matching the typical bending points for such typical TV sizes.

The interconnection structure may comprise a linear portion and connection portions, wherein the linear portion is positioned along the linear LED array, and wherein the connection portions electrically connect at least some of the LED nodes of the linear LED array to the linear portion of the interconnection structure. The connection portions may for example be perpendicular to the linear portion. This allows for a comb-like layout of the interconnection structure that the partial separation lines partly can mesh with.

At least one longitudinal folding line on the elongated substrate may be provided between the linear portion of the interconnection structure and the linear LED array, wherein the connection portions of the interconnection structure cross the at least one longitudinal folding line. Folding at the at least one longitudinal folding line may enable tuning the direction (angle) of the linear LED array relative to the mounting surface. The at least one longitudinal folding line could be at least one visual marking on the elongated substrate indicating for the user where to fold the substrate/light strip. The visual marking(s) could be similar to, but should nevertheless be distinct from, the aforementioned visual markings for cutting the elongated substrate. Alternatively the at least one longitudinal folding line could be at least one pre-folded line.

The elongated substrate comprises at least one linear attachment layer. The at least one linear attachment layer may for example be used to mount/attach the bent light strip to the mounting surface and can also assist in forming a stable structure when the substrate/light strip is folded as discussed above. The at least one linear attachment layer may for example be at least one adhesive layer or double-sided tape.

In one embodiment, a second longitudinal folding line on the elongated substrate is provided between the linear LED array and said longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate; the at least one linear attachment layer includes a first linear attachment layer provided on said surface or the opposite surface of the elongated substrate between said second longitudinal folding line and said longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate; a third longitudinal folding line on the elongated substrate is provided between the linear portion of the interconnection structure and the opposite longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate; and the at least one linear attachment layer includes a second linear attachment layer provided on said surface or the opposite surface of the elongated substrate between said third longitudinal folding line and said opposite longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate. Here the elongated substrate may advantageously be folded to form a triangular prism-like shape or to include a gable roof shape, which folded elongated substrate may be attached/mounted to the mounding surface, with the linear LED array on one of the oblique sides (of the triangular prism-like shape or the gable roof shape) relative to the mounding surface. Hence, tuning of the direction/angle of the linear LED array relative to the mounting surface is hereby achieved.

In another embodiment, the elongated substrate comprises a single longitudinal folding line between the linear portion of the interconnection structure and the linear LED array; the at least one linear attachment layer includes a linear attachment layer under the linear LED array on the opposite surface of the elongated substrate; and a linear (substantially) upright section of the elongated substrate extending between said single longitudinal folding line and the opposite longitudinal edge of the elongated substrate is diffuse reflective or translucent for manipulating light emitted by LED nodes of the linear LED array. This embodiment may be simpler to manage for the user because the elongated substrate has only one longitudinal folding line. Depending on the application, the upright section may be diffuse reflective to direct the light and/or create a sharp cut-off, or it may be translucent (e.g. diffuse to give a nice diffuse light effect on the side opposite to the LED nodes). This allows provision of a light strip with diffuse light effect which readily can be bent; it can even make sharp corners. 'Substantially upright' may be defined as <NUM>°±<NUM>°, preferably <NUM>°±<NUM>°.

In yet another embodiment, angular folding lines on the elongated substrate extend from at least some predetermined partial separation lines of said partial separation lines, and wherein the at least one linear attachment layer includes a linear attachment layer on the opposite surface of the elongated substrate. For example, a pair of angular folding lines may extend from each of the predetermined partial separation lines at ±<NUM>° relative to the partial separation line, which allows the light strip to be bent <NUM>°. The predetermined partial separation lines may correspond to typical cut/tear positions, for example based on common TV sizes (such as <NUM> inches, <NUM> inches, and <NUM> inches). The linear attachment layer may here cover the entire opposite surface of the elongated substrate. Furthermore, the interconnection structure may here be (at least partly) covered with an insulating layer, in order to avoid shortcuts at folded segments of the strip.

The customizable light strip further comprises at least one data or detection line connected to at least some of the LED nodes and intersecting the partial separation lines. The LED nodes are configured to detect the position of any partially separated partial separation line through interruption of the at least one data or detection line intersecting that partial separation line, which in turn means that individual LED nodes can be controlled accordingly.

The at least one data or detection line may for example be a data bus intersecting the partial separation lines. LED nodes at either side of the cut/tom data bus may be configured to detect and report via the (non-cut/non-torn) interconnection structure where the cut/tear is.

In another example, the at least one data or detection line may be a data line from LED node to LED node (daisy chain). When a user cuts/tears a partial separation line, the LED nodes can detect that they are no longer connected via the data line.

In yet another example, each LED node has a detection line which intersects a partial separation line and electrically connects the LED node to the interconnections structure. When the user cuts/tears the partial separation line, the detection line becomes open, and the LED node can thereby detect that the user has cut/tom the partial separation line.

In a further example, each LED node has at least one detection line extending from the LED node, intersecting a partial separation line, and back to the same LED node, whereby the LED node may detect whether or not the partial separation line is cut/tom or not.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of mounting a customizable light strip to a planar mounting surface, which method comprises: providing a customizable light strip according to the first aspect; partially separating the elongated substrate of the customizable light strip at one or more of the partial separation lines; after separation, bending the customizable light strip at said one or more partial separation lines; and mounting the bent customizable light strip on said planar mounting surface. This aspect may exhibit the same or similar features and technical effects as the previous aspect, and vice versa.

The planar mounting surface may be the backside of an electronic display device, such as a TV or a monitor. Alternatively, the light strip may be mounted/attached to the back of a mirror, bed headboard, cupboard, bottom of couch, around or inside a cabinet, etc..

The method may further comprise: after bending (and mounting), sequentially activating the LED nodes of the linear LED array; capturing imagery of the activation by a remote camera; and analyzing the captured imagery to determine at least one bend of the customizable light strip. By determining the bend(s), individual LED nodes can be controlled accordingly, for example if the customized light strip is used to create background light dynamically matching content displayed on a TV (like Ambilight). The remote camera may for example be the camera of a smart phone or tablet or similar. Analyzing the captured imagery to determine at least one bend of the customizable light strip may for example be performed using an app on the smart phone or tablet.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention.

As illustrated in the figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

<FIG> illustrates a customizable light strip <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The light strip <NUM> comprises an elongated substrate <NUM>. The elongated substrate <NUM> may for example have a length L in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> (for <NUM>-side mounting), which would fit TVs from <NUM> inches to <NUM> inches. Alternatively the elongated substrate <NUM> may have a length L in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> for <NUM>-side mounting. The width W of the elongated substrate may for example be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. Furthermore, the elongated substrate <NUM> has a first (major) surface 14a and an opposite second (major) surface 14b. The elongated substrate <NUM> also has a first longitudinal edge 16a and an opposite second longitudinal edge 16b. The elongated substrate <NUM> is preferably flexible (e.g. made of a polymer).

The light strip <NUM> further comprises a linear LED array <NUM> with a plurality of LED nodes <NUM> mounted on the first surface 14a of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The linear LED array <NUM> typically extends along (substantially) the complete length L of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The light strip <NUM> may for example comprise <NUM>-<NUM> LED nodes per meter. The LED nodes <NUM> are adapted to emit (LED) light. Each LED node <NUM> may be a combination of (individually controllable) LEDs, such as RGB or RGBWW, to enable each node <NUM> to render a specific color. An LED node <NUM> could also consist of a single LED.

The light strip <NUM> further comprises a (power and/or data) interconnection structure <NUM> electrically interconnecting the LED nodes <NUM>. The interconnection structure <NUM> may be adapted to provide power and/or data to the LED nodes <NUM>. The interconnection structure <NUM> may for example comprise electrically conductive tracks, e.g. of copper, on the first surface 14a of the elongated substrate <NUM> or embedded in the elongated substrate <NUM>. The tracks of the interconnection structure <NUM> may for example be arranged in pairs, triplets (illustrated), or quadruplets. As illustrated for example in <FIG>, the interconnection structure <NUM> may comprise a linear portion 22a and connection portions 22b. The connection portions 22b may be perpendicular to the linear portion 22a, as in <FIG>. Alternatively, the connection portions 22b could extend obliquely relative to the linear portion 22a, for example at <NUM> degrees. The linear portion 22a is positioned along the linear LED array <NUM>, and the connection portions 22b electrically connect the LED nodes <NUM> to the linear portion 22a.

According to the present invention, the elongated substrate <NUM> comprises a plurality of partial separation lines <NUM>. The partial separation lines <NUM> may indicate for a user where the customizable light strip <NUM>/elongated substrate <NUM> may be partially separated. The partial separation lines <NUM> may be arranged between at least some of the LED nodes <NUM>. In <FIG>, a partial separation line <NUM> is provided between each two adjacent LED nodes <NUM> of the linear LED array <NUM>. Here, the number of partial separation lines <NUM> may be the same as the number of LED nodes ±<NUM>.

In a variant illustrated in <FIG>, the LED nodes <NUM> are grouped into linear LED node groups <NUM>, wherein a partial separation line <NUM> instead is provided between each two adjacent LED node groups <NUM> of the linear LED array <NUM>. In this variant, the number of partial separation lines <NUM> may be the same as the number of LED node groups ±<NUM>. Also in this variant, the connection portions 22b of the interconnection structure <NUM> connect the LED node groups <NUM> to the linear portion 22a. Each linear LED node group <NUM> may for example comprise <NUM>-<NUM> LED nodes <NUM>.

The partial separation lines <NUM> extend from the first longitudinal edge 16a of the elongated substrate <NUM> and partly across the substrate <NUM> towards the opposite second longitudinal edge 16b, but do not intersect the interconnection structure <NUM>. In other words, there are interconnect-free (partially separable) segments between the LED nodes <NUM> (or between the linear LED node groups <NUM> in <FIG>). Preferably the partial separation lines <NUM> extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge 16a and hence parallel to portions 22b of the interconnection structure <NUM>, past the linear LED array <NUM>, but end before the linear portion 22a of the interconnection structure <NUM>.

The partial separation lines <NUM> may be visual markings indicating for a user where to cut the elongated substrate <NUM>. The visual markings <NUM> could for example be dotted lines (as in e.g. <FIG>) printed on the elongated substrate <NUM>, optionally together with a printed scissor symbol <NUM>. At the ends of the partial separation lines/visual markings <NUM> opposite the first longitudinal edge 16a, the elongated substrate <NUM> could be provided with a physical structure <NUM> adapted to prevent users from cutting too far. The physical structure <NUM> could for example be an embedded metal wire or a plastic notch. The partial separation lines <NUM> could alternatively be perforation lines (not shown), for allowing a user to tear the elongated substrate <NUM>.

The elongated substrate <NUM> may further be provided with at least one folding line, such as longitudinal folding lines 32a-c in <FIG> (or angular folding lines 46a-b in <FIG>). The at least one folding line may for example be at least one longitudinal folding line, extending from a first end of the elongated substrate <NUM> to the opposite second end of the elongated substrate <NUM> and in parallel with the longitudinal edges 16a-b, the linear LED array <NUM>, and the linear portion 22a of the interconnection structure <NUM>, like the folding lines 32a-c in <FIG>. The folding line(s) may for example be visual marking(s) on the elongated substrate <NUM> indicating for the user where to fold the substrate/light strip <NUM>. The visual marking(s) could be similar to, but should nevertheless be distinct from, the aforementioned visual markings <NUM> for cutting the elongated substrate <NUM>. Visual markings like <NUM>-c indicating folding lines may for example be dashed lines, whereas the visual markings <NUM> are dotted lines.

The elongated substrate <NUM> may further comprise at least one linear attachment layer, such as linear attachment layers 34a-b in <FIG>. The linear attachment layer(s) may extend along (substantially) the complete length L of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The linear attachment layer(s) may for example be at least one adhesive layer or double-sided tape.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, a first longitudinal folding line 32a on the elongated substrate <NUM> is provided between the linear portion 22a of the interconnection structure <NUM> and the linear LED array <NUM>, wherein the connection portions 22b of the interconnection structure <NUM> cross the first longitudinal folding line 32a (at right angles). A second longitudinal folding line 32b on the elongated substrate <NUM> is provided between the linear LED array <NUM> and the first longitudinal edge 16a of the elongated substrate <NUM>. A third longitudinal folding line 32c on the elongated substrate <NUM> is provided between the linear portion 22a of the interconnection structure <NUM> and the opposite second longitudinal edge 16b of the elongated substrate <NUM>. Furthermore, a first linear attachment layer 34a is provided on first surface 14a of the elongated substrate <NUM>, between the second longitudinal folding line 32b and the first longitudinal edge 16a of the elongated substrate12. And a second linear attachment layer 34b is provided on the opposite second surface 14b of the elongated substrate <NUM>, between the third longitudinal folding line 32b and the opposite second longitudinal edge 16b of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The first and second linear attachment layers 34a-b are here positioned at linear sections other than the section comprising the linear LED array <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, mounting the customizable light strip <NUM> to a planar mounting surface <NUM> may comprise (apart from provision (S1) of the customizable light strip <NUM>) the user partially separating, e.g. cutting, the elongated substrate <NUM> at one or more of the partial separation lines <NUM>; step S2. For example, if the customizable light strip <NUM> is to be mounted on the backside of a TV <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the user could partially cut the elongated substrate <NUM> at a two partial separation line <NUM>' and <NUM>" corresponding to positions just below and inside of the top corners 40a-b of the TV <NUM>. For a <NUM> inch TV (= <NUM> x <NUM>), the first cut partial separation line <NUM>' may be about <NUM> from the first end of the elongated substrate <NUM>, and the second cut partial separation line <NUM>,' may likewise be about <NUM> from the opposite second end of the elongated substrate <NUM>. Note that several adjacent partial separation lines <NUM> could be cut to make a smoother (less sharp) bend of the light strip <NUM>.

After separation, the user may fold (S3) the light strip <NUM>. For example, the light strip in <FIG> may be folded at the longitudinal folding lines 32a-c to form a triangular prism-like shape illustrated in <FIG>, with the linear LED array <NUM> on one oblique side 42a of the triangular prism-like shape, the linear interconnection portion 22a on the other oblique side 42b, the section with the first linear attachment layer 34a folded inwards to form the base of the triangular prism-like shape such that the first linear attachment layer 34a may be used to attach to light strip <NUM> to the mounting surface <NUM>, and the section with the second linear attachment layer 34b folded towards the outside such that the second linear attachment layer 34b too may be used to attach to light strip <NUM> to the mounting surface <NUM>.

Variants of folding and attaching the light strip <NUM> are shown in <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, but here the second linear attachment layer 34b is on the first surface 14a of the elongated substrate <NUM>, and the section with the second linear attachment layer 34b is folded inwards, such that the second linear attachment layer 34b may be used to attach to light strip <NUM> to the mounting surface <NUM> whereas the first linear attachment layer 34a attaches to the "backside" of the section with the second linear attachment layer 34b (or vice versa). <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, but here the first linear attachment layer 34a is on the opposite second surface 14b of the elongated substrate <NUM>, and the section with the first linear attachment layer 34a is folded towards the outside such that the first linear attachment layer 34a too may be used to attach to light strip <NUM> to the mounting surface <NUM>. Finally, <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, but here the second linear attachment layer 34b is on the second surface 14b of the elongated substrate <NUM>, and the section with the second linear attachment layer 34b is folded towards the outside.

After folding, the user bends (S4) the light strip <NUM>, in the plane of the mounting surface <NUM>, at the cut partial separation lines such as <NUM>' and <NUM>", see <FIG>. In other words, the customizable light strip <NUM> (after partial separation at one or more of the partial separation lines <NUM>) is capable of being bent in-plane, meaning that the plane(s) in which the light strip <NUM> resides is/are the same before and after bending.

Then, the user mounts (S5) the bent customized light strip <NUM> on the mounting surface <NUM>, wherein the bent customized light strip <NUM> in <FIG> is attached to the mounting surface <NUM> by means of the first and second linear attachment layers 34a-b.

Accordingly, the linear LED array <NUM> is enabled to follow the corners 40a-b of the TV <NUM> while being attached to the planar backside <NUM>. An additional advantage is that the folding enables tuning the direction (angle) of the plane with the LED nodes <NUM> relative to the backside <NUM> of the TV <NUM>, allowing to properly direct the linear LED array <NUM> towards a user-preferred position on a wall (not shown) behind the TV <NUM>.

The method could further comprise sequentially activating (S6) the LED nodes <NUM> of the linear LED array <NUM>; capturing (S7) imagery of the activation by a remote camera (not shown); and analyzing (S8) the captured imagery to determine at least one bend (e.g. at <NUM>' and <NUM>") of the customized light strip <NUM>.

By determining the bends, individual LED nodes <NUM> can be controlled accordingly, for example if the customized light strip <NUM> is used to create background light dynamically matching content displayed on the TV <NUM>. The remote camera may for example be the camera of a smart phone or tablet or similar. Analyzing the captured imagery to determine at least one bend of the customizable light strip <NUM> may for example be performed by an app on the smart phone or tablet.

According to the invention, the customizable light strip <NUM> further comprises at least one data or detection line intersecting the partial separation lines <NUM>. That is, the at least one data or detection line may be interrupted when at least one of the partial separation lines <NUM> is cut/torn. In this way, the cut/tear position(s) may be detected, which in turn means that individual LED nodes <NUM> can be controlled accordingly, for example if the customized light strip <NUM> is used to create background light dynamically matching content displayed on the TV <NUM>.

The at least one data or detection line may for example be a(n additional) data bus <NUM> connected to the LED nodes <NUM> and intersecting the partial separation lines <NUM>, see <FIG>. LED nodes <NUM> at either side of the cut/tom data bus <NUM> may be configured to detect and report via the (non-cut/non-torn) interconnection structure <NUM> where the cut/tear is.

In another example shown in <FIG>, the at least one data or detection line may be a data line <NUM> from LED node <NUM> to LED node <NUM> (daisy chain). When a user cuts/tears a partial separation line <NUM>, the LED nodes <NUM> can detect that they are no longer connected via the data line <NUM>.

In yet another example shown in <FIG>, each LED node <NUM> has a detection line <NUM> which intersects a partial separation line <NUM> and electrically connects the LED node <NUM> to the interconnections structure <NUM>. When the user cuts/tears the partial separation line <NUM>, the detection line <NUM> becomes open and the LED node <NUM> can thereby detect that the user has cut/tom the partial separation line <NUM>.

In a further example shown in <FIG>, each LED node <NUM> has on one or both sides a detection line <NUM>. Each detection line <NUM> extends from the LED node <NUM>, intersects a partial separation line <NUM>, and goes back to the same LED node <NUM>, whereby the LED node <NUM> may detect whether or not the partial separation line <NUM> is cut/tom or not.

In another embodiment of the customizable light strip <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the elongated substrate <NUM> comprises a single longitudinal folding line <NUM>. The longitudinal folding line <NUM> is situated between the linear portion 22a of the interconnection structure <NUM> and the linear LED array <NUM>. Furthermore, a linear attachment layer <NUM> is provided under the linear LED array <NUM> on the opposite second surface 14b of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The user here folds (S3) the light strip <NUM> at the longitudinal folding line <NUM>, to form a linear upright section <NUM> of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The linear upright section <NUM> may be perpendicular to the remaining substrate <NUM> and extends between the longitudinal folding line <NUM> and the second longitudinal edge 16b of the elongated substrate <NUM>. When the bent customizable light strip is mounted (S5) on a mounting surface <NUM> and attached to it by means of the linear attachment layer <NUM>, the linear upright section <NUM> becomes perpendicular to the mounting surface. Depending on the application, the upright section <NUM> may be diffuse reflective to direct light emitted by LED nodes <NUM> and/or create a sharp cut-off, or it may be translucent (e.g. diffuse to give a diffuse light effect on the side opposite to the LED nodes <NUM>).

In yet another embodiment shown in <FIG>, the elongated substrate <NUM> has angular folding lines 46a-b on its first surface 14a. The angular folding lines 46a-b extend from some predetermined partial separation lines <NUM>. Here, a pair of angular folding lines 46a-b extends from each of the predetermined partial separation lines <NUM> at ±<NUM>° relative to the partial separation line <NUM>. This allows the light strip <NUM> to be bent <NUM>° in step S4, see <FIG>. The predetermined partial separation lines <NUM> may correspond to typical cut/tear positions, for example based on common TV sizes. For a <NUM> inch TV (= <NUM> x <NUM>), a first predetermined partial separation line 24a from which angular folding lines 46a-b extend may be about <NUM> from the first end of the elongated substrate <NUM>, and a second predetermined partial separation line 24b from which angular folding lines 46a-b extend may likewise be about <NUM> from the opposite second end of the elongated substrate <NUM>. Furthermore, a linear attachment layer <NUM> is provided on the opposite second surface 14b of the elongated substrate <NUM>. The linear attachment layer <NUM> may here cover the entire second surface 14b.

For example, instead of being mounted to the backside of a TV <NUM>, the present light strip <NUM> could alternatively be mounted/attached to the backside of a monitor, to the back of a mirror, bed headboard, cupboard, bottom of couch, around or inside a cabinet, etc..

Claim 1:
A customizable light strip (<NUM>) mountable on a mounting surface (<NUM>), comprising:
an elongated substrate (<NUM>);
a linear LED array (<NUM>) with a plurality of LED nodes (<NUM>) mounted on a surface (14a) of the elongated substrate (<NUM>); and
an interconnection structure (<NUM>) electrically interconnecting the plurality of LED nodes (<NUM>),
wherein the elongated substrate (<NUM>) comprises partial separation lines (<NUM>) between at least some of the plurality of LED nodes (<NUM>) of the linear LED array (<NUM>), which partial separation lines (<NUM>) extend from one longitudinal edge (16a) of the elongated substrate (<NUM>) and partly across the elongated substrate (<NUM>) and do not intersect the interconnection structure (<NUM>),
wherein the customizable light strip (<NUM>) after partial separation at one or more of the partial separation lines (<NUM>) is bendable in a plane of said mounting surface (<NUM>),
characterized in that the customizable light strip (<NUM>) further comprises a data or detection line (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connected to at least some of the LED nodes (<NUM>) and intersecting the partial separation lines (<NUM>),
wherein the LED nodes (<NUM>) are configured to detect the position of any partially separated partial separation line (<NUM>) through interruption of the data or detection line (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) intersecting that partial separation line (<NUM>).