IP Library Granted Patent US 10,616,977
Granted Patent B2
US 10,616,977 · App. 16/062,490 · Granted Apr 7, 2020

Lighting strip

Inventors: Philip Steven Newton (Eindhoven, NL); Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis (Eindhoven, NL); Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu (Eindhoven, NL); Jochen Renaat Van Gheluwe (Eindhoven, NL)
Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
H05B37/0254F21S4/24H05B33/0857H05B37/029H05B37/0272
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,616,977
App. No.
16/062,490
Granted
Apr 7, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Linear array of lighting nodes ( 3 ) which are connected at different respective positions along a flexible, rigid or malleable continuous supporting line ( 6 ). One or more attachable dividers ( 5 ) are provided, configured to be mechanically attachable by a user onto the line ( 6 ) without severing the line, or at least without completely severing the line, each attachable between a respective neighbouring pair of the lighting nodes ( 3 ). Each of the attachable dividers ( 5 ) is configured so as, when attached to the line ( 6 ), to enable detection of a position at which the divider ( 5 ) is connected along the line ( 6 ) relative to the lighting nodes ( 3 ), and configured to provide information related to said position to a controller ( 7 ), thus dividing the lighting nodes into different segments along the line. The controller ( 7 ) is configured to apply a different lighting effect to the illumination emitted by the lighting nodes ( 3 ) in each of some or all of the different segments.

Claims (40)

1. A kit of parts comprising:

a linear array of lighting nodes connected at different respective positions along a flexible, rigid or malleable continuous supporting line, each of the lighting nodes comprising one or more lighting elements for emitting illumination;

one or more attachable dividers configured to be attachable by a user onto said line without severing the line, or at least without completely severing the line, each between a respective neighbouring pair of the lighting nodes, by means of a mechanical attachment; and

a controller for controlling the illumination emitted by each of the lighting nodes;

wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached onto the line, to enable detection of a position at which the divider is connected along the line relative to the lighting nodes, and configured to provide information related to said position to the controller, and thereby divide the lighting nodes into different segments along the line;

wherein the controller is configured to apply a different lighting effect to the illumination emitted by the lighting nodes in each of some or all of the different segments;

a sequential data link connecting a linear sequence of data nodes, each but a first of the data nodes in the sequence being arranged to receive data from a preceding one of the data nodes in the sequence and pass the data to a next one of said data nodes in the sequence;

wherein said lighting nodes each comprise a respective one of the data nodes; and

wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached to the supporting line by said mechanical attachment, to intersect the data link to become another of said data nodes, and thereby communicate with at least one of the respective pair of neighbouring lighting nodes in order to enable said detection.

2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein each of the attachable dividers comprises a clip for implementing said mechanical attachment by clipping to the supporting line.

3. The kit or system of claim 1 , comprising a power line arranged to power each of the lighting nodes; wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached to the supporting line by said mechanical attachment, to connect to the power line and thereby draw power to power the attachable divider.

4. The kit or system of claim 1 , comprising a power line arranged to power to each of the lighting nodes; wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached to the supporting line by said mechanical attachment, to connect to the power line and thereby supply power for powering the lighting nodes.

5. The kit or system of claim 1 , wherein the data link or power line is comprised within the supporting line.

6. The kit or system of claim 5 , wherein each of the attachable dividers comprises contacts for piercing the supporting line to make electrical contact with the data link to perform said communication with the at least one neighbouring lighting node, or for piercing the supporting line to make electrical contact with the power line in order to perform said drawing or supply of power.

7. The kit or system of claim 1 , wherein each of the attachable dividers comprises a blade for severing at least the data link in order to create said intersection.

8. The kit or system of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the attachable dividers is configured to enable said detection based on a wireless signal transmitted or reflected between the attachable divider and at least one of the respective pair of neighbouring lighting nodes, or between the attachable divider and a component embedded in the line.

9. The kit or system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the attachable dividers is further arranged to mechanically support or be supported by a luminaire element.

10. The kit or system of claim 9 , wherein:

each of the attachable dividers is configured to enable said detection by communicating with at least one of the respective pair of neighbouring lighting nodes or with a component embedded in the line;

for said at least one attachable divider, said communication between the attachable divider and the at least one neighbouring lighting node further enables identification of a property of the luminaire element; and

the controller is configured to control the lighting effect in one of the segments bounded by said at least one attachable divider in dependence on the identified property of the luminaire element.

11. A system comprising:

a linear array of lighting nodes connected at different respective positions along a flexible, rigid or malleable continuous supporting line, each of the lighting nodes comprising one or more lighting elements for emitting illumination;

one or more attachable dividers attached onto said line without severing the line, or at least without completely severing the line, each between a respective pair of the lighting nodes, by means of a mechanical attachment; and

a controller arranged to control the illumination emitted by each of the lighting nodes;

wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached onto the line, to enable detection of a position at which the divider is attached along the line relative to the lighting nodes, and configured to provide information related to said position to the controller, and thereby divide the lighting nodes into different segments along the line; and

wherein the controller is configured to apply a different lighting effect to the illumination emitted by the lighting nodes in each of some or all of the different segments;

a sequential data link connecting a linear sequence of data nodes, each but a first of the data nodes in the sequence being arranged to receive data from a preceding one of the data nodes in the sequence and pass the data to a next one of said data nodes in the sequence;

wherein said lighting nodes each comprise a respective one of the data nodes; and

wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached to the supporting line by said mechanical attachment, to intersect the data link to become another of said data nodes, and thereby communicate with at least one of the respective pair of neighbouring lighting nodes in order to enable said detection.

12. A method performed in relation to a linear array of lighting nodes connected at different respective positions along a flexible, rigid or malleable continuous supporting line, each of the lighting nodes comprising one or more lighting elements for emitting illumination; the method comprising:

attaching one or more attachable dividers onto said line without severing the line, or at least without completely severing the line, each between a respective neighbouring pair of the lighting nodes, by means of a mechanical attachment;

employing a controller for controlling the illumination emitted by each of the lighting nodes;

using each of the attachable dividers so as, when attached to the line, to detect a position at which each of the attachable dividers is connected along the line relative to the lighting nodes, and thereby the lighting nodes into different segments along the line;

providing information related to said position to the controller;

operating the controller to apply a different lighting effect to the illumination emitted by the lighting nodes in each of some or all of the different segments;

connecting, using a sequential data link, a linear sequence of data nodes, each but a first of the data nodes in the sequence being arranged to receive data from a preceding one of the data nodes in the sequence and pass the data to a next one of said data nodes in the sequence;

wherein said lighting nodes each comprise a respective one of the data nodes; and

wherein each of the attachable dividers is configured so as, when attached to the supporting line by said mechanical attachment, to intersect the data link to become another of said data nodes, and thereby communicate with at least one of the respective pair of neighbouring lighting nodes in order to enable said detection.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 28, 2020
From: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
To: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 052053/0716 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2018
From: NEWTON, PHILIP STEVEN; VAN DE SLUIS, BARTEL MARINUS; ALIAKSEYEU, DZMITRY VIKTOROVICH; VAN GHELUWE, JOCHEN RENAAT
To: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 046091/0743 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 15201163 · Dec 18, 2015 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180376566A1 · Dec 27, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,641,690