Configurations and methods for embedding electronics or light emitters in manufactured materials
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of embedded units, each embedded unit comprising at least one LED-based light source;
at least two conductive elements conductively connected to the plurality of embedded units;
a matrix of surface material surrounding the plurality of embedded units and the conductive elements such that the plurality of embedded units are embedded within the surface material; and
at least one connection mechanism configured to couple to the conductive elements at least one of power and at least one control signal for the plurality of embedded units.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and means for embedding electronic components, such as LED-based light sources and associated control circuitry, into molded or continuously cast surface materials (e.g., material manufactured under the trademark CORIAN®). During the manufacture of the surface material, the components can be held in position using a scaffold or frame constructed of a sacrificial material, the same material as the finished surface material and/or another material used in the manufacture of the finished product. The embedded components can include control circuitry, e.g., printed circuit boards, for separately controlling each component, power conductors and data busses. Conductors and/or busses can be in the form of conductive rails, wire mesh or sheets. Access to the conductors in the finished product can be made by a number of methods, including but not limited to sanding, grinding, drilling into, screwing into, and/or inserting pins into the finished material.
293 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of embedded units, each embedded unit comprising at least one LED-based light source;
at least two conductive elements conductively connected to the plurality of embedded units;
a matrix of surface material surrounding the plurality of embedded units and the conductive elements such that the plurality of embedded units are embedded within the surface material; and
at least one connection mechanism configured to couple to the conductive elements at least one of power and at least one control signal for the plurality of embedded units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of embedding components in a surface material, comprising:
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supporting a plurality of embedded units in a spaced apart relationship from a base configured to at least temporarily support the surface material, each embedded unit comprising at least one LED-based light source;
forming a matrix of the surface material about the plurality of embedded units; and
providing means to couple at least one of power and data communications to the plurality of embedded units. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of integrating a plurality of embedded units in a continuous cast surface material, comprising:
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positioning the plurality of embedded units a predetermined distance above a casting bed; and
flowing the surface material onto the casting bed to embed the plurality of embedded units therein. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of controlling a plurality of embedded units integrated in a matrix of surface material surrounding the plurality of embedded units, each embedded unit including at least one LED-based light source, the method comprising:
independently controlling the at least one LED-based light source in each embedded unit to generate light that is visible from outside the surface material. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
Specification