Patent ID: 12209720

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

FIG.1aillustrates a customizable light strip10according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The light strip10comprises an elongated substrate12. The elongated substrate12may for example have a length L in the range of 1-4 m (for 3-side mounting), which would fit TVs from 20 inches to 85 inches. Alternatively the elongated substrate12may have a length L in the range of 1.4-5.9 m for 4-side mounting. The width W of the elongated substrate may for example be in the range of 2-15 cm. Furthermore, the elongated substrate12has a first (major) surface14aand an opposite second (major) surface14b. The elongated substrate12also has a first longitudinal edge16aand an opposite second longitudinal edge16b. The elongated substrate12is preferably flexible (e.g. made of a polymer).

The light strip10further comprises a linear LED array18with a plurality of LED nodes20mounted on the first surface14aof the elongated substrate12. The linear LED array18typically extends along (substantially) the complete length L of the elongated substrate12. The light strip10may for example comprise 20-200 LED nodes per meter. The LED nodes20are adapted to emit (LED) light. Each LED node20may be a combination of (individually controllable) LEDs, such as RGB or RGBWW, to enable each node20to render a specific color. An LED node20could also consist of a single LED.

The light strip10further comprises a (power and/or data) interconnection structure22electrically interconnecting the LED nodes20. The interconnection structure22may be adapted to provide power and/or data to the LED nodes20. The interconnection structure22may for example comprise electrically conductive tracks, e.g. of copper, on the first surface14aof the elongated substrate12or embedded in the elongated substrate12. The tracks of the interconnection structure22may for example be arranged in pairs, triplets (illustrated), or quadruplets. As illustrated for example inFIG.1a, the interconnection structure22may comprise a linear portion22aand connection portions22b. The connection portions22bmay be perpendicular to the linear portion22a, as inFIG.1a. Alternatively, the connection portions22bcould extend obliquely relative to the linear portion22a, for example at 45 degrees. The linear portion22ais positioned along the linear LED array18, and the connection portions22belectrically connect the LED nodes20to the linear portion22a.

According to the present invention, the elongated substrate12comprises a plurality of partial separation lines24. The partial separation lines24may indicate for a user where the customizable light strip10/elongated substrate24may be partially separated. The partial separation lines24may be arranged between at least some of the LED nodes20. InFIG.1aa partial separation line24is provided between each two adjacent LED nodes20of the linear LED array18. Here, the number of partial separation lines24may be the same as the number of LED nodes±1.

In a variant illustrated inFIG.1a, the LED nodes20are grouped into linear LED node groups26, wherein a partial separation line24instead is provided between each two adjacent LED node groups26of the linear LED array18. In this variant, the number of partial separation lines24may be the same as the number of LED node groups #1. Also in this variant, the connection portions22bof the interconnection structure22connect the LED node groups26to the linear portion22a. Each linear LED node group26may for example comprise 2-80 LED nodes20.

The partial separation lines24extend from the first longitudinal edge16aof the elongated substrate12and partly across the substrate12towards the opposite second longitudinal edge16b, but do not intersect the interconnection structure22. In other words, there are interconnect-free (partially separable) segments between the LED nodes20(or between the linear LED node groups26inFIG.1a′). Preferably the partial separation lines24extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal edge16aand hence parallel to portions22bof the interconnection structure22, past the linear LED array18, but end before the linear portion22aof the interconnection structure22.

The partial separation lines24may be visual markings indicating for a user where to cut the elongated substrate12. The visual markings24could for example be dotted lines (as in e.g.FIG.1a) printed on the elongated substrate12, optionally together with a printed scissor symbol28. At the ends of the partial separation lines/visual markings24opposite the first longitudinal edge16a, the elongated substrate12could be provided with a physical structure30adapted to prevent users from cutting too far. The physical structure30could for example be an embedded metal wire or a plastic notch. The partial separation lines24could alternatively be perforation lines (not shown), for allowing a user to tear the elongated substrate12.

The elongated substrate12may further be provided with at least one folding line, such as longitudinal folding lines32a-cinFIG.1a(or angular folding lines46a-binFIGS.5a-b). The at least one folding line may for example be at least one longitudinal folding line, extending from a first end of the elongated substrate12to the opposite second end of the elongated substrate12and in parallel with the longitudinal edges16a-b, the linear LED array18, and the linear portion22aof the interconnection structure22, like the folding lines32a-cinFIG.1a. The folding line(s) may for example be visual marking(s) on the elongated substrate12indicating for the user where to fold the substrate/light strip10. The visual marking(s) could be similar to, but should nevertheless be distinct from, the aforementioned visual markings24for cutting the elongated substrate12. Visual markings like32-cindicating folding lines may for example be dashed lines, whereas the visual markings24are dotted lines.

The elongated substrate12may further comprise at least one linear attachment layer, such as linear attachment layers34a-binFIG.1a. The linear attachment layer(s) may extend along (substantially) the complete length L of the elongated substrate12. The linear attachment layer(s) may for example be at least one adhesive layer or double-sided tape.

In the embodiment ofFIG.1a, a first longitudinal folding line32aon the elongated substrate12is provided between the linear portion22aof the interconnection structure22and the linear LED array18, wherein the connection portions22bof the interconnection structure22cross the first longitudinal folding line32a(at right angles). A second longitudinal folding line32bon the elongated substrate12is provided between the linear LED array18and the first longitudinal edge16aof the elongated substrate12. A third longitudinal folding line32con the elongated substrate12is provided between the linear portion22aof the interconnection structure22and the opposite second longitudinal edge16bof the elongated substrate12. Furthermore, a first linear attachment layer34ais provided on first surface14aof the elongated substrate12, between the second longitudinal folding line32band the first longitudinal edge16aof the elongated substrate12. And a second linear attachment layer34bis provided on the opposite second surface14bof the elongated substrate12, between the third longitudinal folding line32band the opposite second longitudinal edge16bof the elongated substrate12. The first and second linear attachment layers34a-bare here positioned at linear sections other than the section comprising the linear LED array18.

With further reference toFIGS.1b,2,3a, and6, mounting the customizable light strip10to a planar mounting surface36may comprise (apart from provision (S1) of the customizable light strip10) the user partially separating, e.g. cutting, the elongated substrate12at one or more of the partial separation lines24: step S2. For example, if the customizable light strip10is to be mounted on the backside of a TV38, as shown inFIG.6, the user could partially cut the elongated substrate12at a two partial separation line24′ and24″ corresponding to positions just below and inside of the top corners40a-bof the TV38. For a 55 inch TV (=121.7 cm×68.6 cm), the first cut partial separation line24′ may be about 60 cm from the first end of the elongated substrate12, and the second cut partial separation line24, may likewise be about 60 cm from the opposite second end of the elongated substrate12. Note that several adjacent partial separation lines24could be cut to make a smoother (less sharp) bend of the light strip10.

After separation, the user may fold (S3) the light strip10. For example, the light strip inFIG.1amay be folded at the longitudinal folding lines32a-cto form a triangular prism-like shape illustrated inFIG.3a, with the linear LED array18on one oblique side42aof the triangular prism-like shape, the linear interconnection portion22aon the other oblique side42b, the section with the first linear attachment layer34afolded inwards to form the base of the triangular prism-like shape such that the first linear attachment layer34amay be used to attach to light strip10to the mounting surface36, and the section with the second linear attachment layer34bfolded towards the outside such that the second linear attachment layer34btoo may be used to attach to light strip10to the mounting surface36.

Variants of folding and attaching the light strip10are shown inFIGS.3b-d.FIG.3bis similar toFIG.3a, but here the second linear attachment layer34bis on the first surface14aof the elongated substrate12, and the section with the second linear attachment layer34bis folded inwards, such that the second linear attachment layer34bmay be used to attach to light strip10to the mounting surface36whereas the first linear attachment layer34aattaches to the “backside” of the section with the second linear attachment layer34b(or vice versa).FIG.3cis similar toFIG.3b, but here the first linear attachment layer34ais on the opposite second surface14bof the elongated substrate12, and the section with the first linear attachment layer34ais folded towards the outside such that the first linear attachment layer34atoo may be used to attach to light strip10to the mounting surface36. Finally,FIG.3dis similar toFIG.3c, but here the second linear attachment layer34bis on the second surface14bof the elongated substrate12, and the section with the second linear attachment layer34bis folded towards the outside.

After folding, the user bends (S4) the light strip10, in the plane of the mounting surface36, at the cut partial separation lines such as24′ and24″, seeFIG.1b. In other words, the customizable light strip10(after partial separation at one or more of the partial separation lines24) is capable of being bent in-plane, meaning that the plane(s) in which the light strip10resides is/are the same before and after bending.

Then, the user mounts (S5) the bent customized light strip10on the mounting surface36, wherein the bent customized light strip10inFIG.1bis attached to the mounting surface36by means of the first and second linear attachment layers34a-b.

Accordingly, the linear LED array18is enabled to follow the corners40a-bof the TV38while being attached to the planar backside36. An additional advantage is that the folding enables tuning the direction (angle) of the plane with the LED nodes20relative to the backside36of the TV36, allowing to properly direct the linear LED array18towards a user-preferred position on a wall (not shown) behind the TV36.

The method could further comprise sequentially activating (S6) the LED nodes20of the linear LED array18: 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. at24′ and24″) of the customized light strip10.

By determining the bends, individual LED nodes20can be controlled accordingly, for example if the customized light strip10is used to create background light dynamically matching content displayed on the TV38. 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 strip10may for example be performed by an app on the smart phone or tablet.

In other embodiments, the customizable light strip10may further comprise at least one data or detection line intersecting the partial separation lines24. That is, the at least one data or detection line may be interrupted when at least one of the partial separation lines22is cut/torn. In this way, the cut/tear position(s) may be detected, which in turn means that individual LED nodes20can be controlled accordingly, for example if the customized light strip10is used to create background light dynamically matching content displayed on the TV38.

The at least one data or detection line may for example be a (n additional) data bus50connected to the LED nodes20and intersecting the partial separation lines24, see FIG.7a. LED nodes20at either side of the cut/torn data bus50may be configured to detect and report via the (non-cut/non-torn) interconnection structure22where the cut/tear is.

In another example shown inFIG.7b, the at least one data or detection line may be a data line52from LED node20to LED node20(daisy chain). When a user cuts/tears a partial separation line24, the LED nodes20can detect that they are no longer connected via the data line52.

In yet another example shown inFIG.7c, each LED node20has a detection line54which intersects a partial separation line24and electrically connects the LED node20) to the interconnections structure22. When the user cuts/tears the partial separation line24, the detection line54becomes open and the LED node20can thereby detect that the user has cut/torn the partial separation line24.

In a further example shown inFIG.7d, each LED node20has on one or both sides a detection line56. Each detection line56extends from the LED node20, intersects a partial separation line24, and goes back to the same LED node20, whereby the LED node20may detect whether or not the partial separation line24is cut/torn or not.

In another embodiment of the customizable light strip10shown inFIGS.4a-b, the elongated substrate12comprises a single longitudinal folding line32. The longitudinal folding line32is situated between the linear portion22aof the interconnection structure22and the linear LED array18. Furthermore, a linear attachment layer34is provided under the linear LED array18on the opposite second surface14bof the elongated substrate12. The user here folds (S3) the light strip10at the longitudinal folding line32, to form a linear upright section44of the elongated substrate12. The linear upright section44may be perpendicular to the remaining substrate12and extends between the longitudinal folding line32and the second longitudinal edge16bof the elongated substrate12. When the bent customizable light strip is mounted (S5) on a mounting surface36and attached to it by means of the linear attachment layer34, the linear upright section44becomes perpendicular to the mounting surface. Depending on the application, the upright section44may be diffuse reflective to direct light emitted by LED nodes20and/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 nodes20).

In yet another embodiment shown inFIGS.5a-b, the elongated substrate12has angular folding lines46a-bon its first surface14a. The angular folding lines46a-bextend from some predetermined partial separation lines24. Here, a pair of angular folding lines46a-bextends from each of the predetermined partial separation lines24at ±135° relative to the partial separation line24. This allows the light strip10to be bent 90° in step $4, seeFIG.5b. The predetermined partial separation lines24may correspond to typical cut/tear positions, for example based on common TV sizes. For a 55 inch TV (=121.7 cm×68.6 cm), a first predetermined partial separation line24afrom which angular folding lines46a-bextend may be about 60 cm from the first end of the elongated substrate12, and a second predetermined partial separation line24bfrom which angular folding lines46a-bextend may likewise be about 60 cm from the opposite second end of the elongated substrate12. Furthermore, a linear attachment layer48is provided on the opposite second surface14bof the elongated substrate12. The linear attachment layer48may here cover the entire second surface14b.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, instead of being mounted to the backside of a TV38, the present light strip10could 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.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.