FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aquarium lighting unit. The invention further relates to an aquarium lighting system. The invention further relates to an aquarium comprising such aquarium lighting unit or an aquarium lighting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When directional light enters a water surface, so-called caustic patterns are projected on the bottom of the aquarium. Such projected patterns occur when the light is highly collimated (such as light from the sun or a from a narrow beam light source) or when the source is very small such as an light emitting diode (LED). Large diffuse sources, like conventional tungsten tubes, or indirect lighting, do not produce caustics.

In aquarium lighting, LEDs have the advantage of high efficacy, long life time and easy spectral tunability. US8646934B2 discloses a modular aquarium light fixture. The modular aquarium light fixture provides easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. The modular aquarium light fixture may comprise LEDs and benefit from their advantages.

US6866006B1 discloses a system and method for improving illumination of aquariums and support of aquatic features placed therein. These improvements are due, at least in part, by providing an aquarium having a recess portion extending inwardly from a wall portion, wherein the recess portion has a transparent or translucent surface for transmitting external light into the container and optionally a shelf structure for supporting aquatic items placed in the aquarium.

DE 102004035307 A 1 discloses a light for an aquarium which comprises a current supply and an electronic circuit comprising a light sensor, light source, bistable circuit unit and a time unit. Preferably the light is also used for a terrarium or cage and the current supply is a battery, preferably with a solar cell.

Dynamic caustic patterns are appreciated inside the aquarium since it is caused by the water dynamics. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an aquarium comprising an aquarium lighting unit that provides improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium.

The present invention discloses an aquarium in accordance with the

independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an aquarium which comprises a water container and an aquarium lighting unit for suspension over the water container is provided. The water container comprising at least one transmissive side wall. The aquarium lighting unit for illuminating through water in an aquarium and at least one transmissive side wall of the aquarium is provided to obtain caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The aquarium lighting unit comprises at least one solid state light source which is arranged to generate input light which has a total luminous flux. A first portion of the total luminous flux comprises at least 30% of the total luminous flux in a spatial light distribution above an angle Q of 63 degrees with respect to a plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall. The at least one transmissive side wall is arranged perpendicular to the surface of the water and thus the angle Q can also be defined with respect to the normal (N) of the surface of the water. In case the exit window from the aquarium lighting unit is arranged parallel to the surface of the water, the angle Q can also be defined with respect to the normal (N) of the surface of the exit window of the aquarium lighting unit.

Hence the invention provides an aquarium comprising an aquarium lighting unit that is able to provide improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that instead of an aquarium lighting unit providing light entering the water at angles below 63 degrees with respect to a plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall, an aquarium lighting unit providing at least 30% of the light entering the water at angles above 63 degrees is used. Since water has a relatively low refractive index (typically n=l .34), light at angles above 63 degrees is not reflected by total internal reflection at the transmissive side wall and it can refract out of the water volume and land on, for example, the floor. Thus having a substantial amount of the light above 63 degrees improves caustic patterns outside the aquarium.

The aquarium lighting unit as, for example, disclosed in US8646934B2, is unable to produce improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that the aquarium lighting unit disclosed in US8646934B2 provides light entering the water at smaller angles which stays within the aquarium by total internal reflection. In an embodiment, a light output surface of the at least one solid state light source is arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall in the range from 11 to 43 degrees. The obtained effect is improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that most solid-state light sources such as for example light emitting diodes (LEDs) provide a Lambertian light distribution. By orienting the LEDs under the specified angle, much light is entering the water at angles above 63 degrees. More preferably, the light output surface of the at least one solid state light source is arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall in the range from 19 to 35. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that more light is entering the water at angles above 63 degrees, while less light is reflected onto the surface of the water. Most preferably, the light output surface of the at least one solid state light source is arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall in the range from in the range from 24 to 30. The obtained effect is even further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that even more light is entering the water at angles above 63 degrees, while even less light is reflected onto the surface of the water.

Lor example, phosphor converted LED(s) and/or direct emitting LEDs can be used.

Preferably, the transmissive side wall and/or aquarium is made from glass such as for example plate/window glass which has a refractive index of 1.5. The transmissive side wall and/or aquarium may also be made from another material. The transmissive side wall and/or aquarium may also be made from another material having a refractive index close to/of 1.5 such as for example acrylic glass, poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA),

polycarbonate (PC).

In an embodiment, the aquarium lighting unit further comprises a beam shape element. The beam shaping element has at least one light input face and at least one light output face. The beam shaping element is configured to receive input light from the at least one solid state light source which faces the at least one input face and distribute output light which emerges from the at least one output face in the spatial light distribution. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that by using a beam shape element, such as for example a reflector and a total internal reflection (TIR) optic, light can be better directed to particular angles.

The input light and output light is preferably visible light. The input light and output light is preferably white light. The input light and output light may also be colored light. The luminous flux provided by the aquarium lighting unit is preferably at least 100 lm. More preferably, the luminous flux provided by the aquarium lighting unit is at least 200 lm. Most preferably, the luminous flux provided by the aquarium lighting unit is at least 300 lm.

In an embodiment, a third angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at which the spatial light distribution has a maximum peak intensity is larger than 50 degrees. More preferably, the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at which the spatial light distribution has a maximum peak intensity is larger than 60 degrees. Most preferably, the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at which the spatial light distribution has a maximum peak intensity is larger than 63 degrees. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that a maximum peak intensity above 50, more preferably above 60, most preferably above 63 results in more light can refract out of the water volume and land on, for example, the floor.

The third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at which the spatial light distribution has a maximum peak intensity may also be larger than 70 degrees, and in particular 75 degrees. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that a spatial light distribution which has a maximum peak intensity larger than 70, and in particular larger than 75 degrees shows reflection of light on the surface of the water and therefore may project caustic patterns on the ceiling of a room.

In an embodiment, the maximum peak intensity is at least 2 times the intensity at the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at 0 degrees. More preferably, the maximum peak intensity is at least 3 times the intensity at the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at 0 degrees. Most preferably, the maximum peak intensity is at least 4 times the intensity at the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall at 0 degrees. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium, while having less caustic patterns inside the aquarium. The reason is that little or almost no light is reflected by total internal reflection at the transmissive side wall.

In an embodiment, the spatial light distribution comprises a batwing spatial light distribution. The obtained effect is having caustic patterns outside the aquarium on two opposite sides of a squared or rectangular shaped aquarium. The reason is that two maximum peak intensities are provided each directed towards a different transmissive side wall. In an embodiment, the spatial light distribution comprises a further batwing spatial light distribution at a fourth angle a in the range from 20 to 90 degrees with respect to the first mentioned batwing spatial light distribution. The obtained effect is having caustic patterns outside the aquarium on four e.g. all sides of a square or rectangular shaped aquarium. The reason is that four maximum peak intensities are provided each directed towards a different transmissive side wall.

In an embodiment, the beam shaping element is adaptable from a first state into a second state to change the spatial light distribution from a first spatial light distribution into a second spatial light distribution which is different form the first spatial light distribution. The obtained effect is control over the amount of caustic patterns outside and light inside the aquarium. For example, the first spatial light distribution has maximum peak intensity at 50 degrees, while the second spatial light distribution has maximum peak intensity at 63. The second spatial light distribution provides mainly caustic patterns outside the aquarium, while the first spatial light distribution provides next to caustic patterns outside the aquarium also some light inside the aquarium. In another example, the first spatial light distribution has maximum peak intensity at 50 degrees, while the second spatial light distribution has maximum peak intensity at 50. The second spatial light distribution provides mainly caustic patterns outside the aquarium by illumination through a first transparent side wall, while the first spatial light distribution provides mainly caustic patterns outside the aquarium by illumination through a second transparent side wall.

The peak which has a maximum peak intensity has preferably a full-width- half-max (FWHM) of less than 20 degrees. More preferably, the peak which has a maximum peak intensity has preferably a FWHM of less than 15 degrees. Most preferably, the peak which has a maximum peak intensity has preferably a FWHM of less than 10 degrees. The obtained effect is further improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that light which can refract out of the water volume is highly collimated.

The present invention discloses an aquarium lighting system in accordance with claim 9 to 12.

In an embodiment, the aquarium lighting system comprises an aquarium lighting unit.

In an embodiment, the aquarium lighting system comprises an aquarium lighting unit and further comprises at least one further solid-state light source. The at least one further solid-state light source is arranged to generate further light with a further spatial light distribution having at least 30% of the total luminous flux (LFtot) above an angle Q of 63 degrees with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall. The spatial light distribution and further spatial light distribution are different. For example, the spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the left side of the aquarium, while the further spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the right side of the aquarium. In another example, the spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the left side and right side of the aquarium, while the further spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the front side of the aquarium. In another example, the spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the left side and right side of the aquarium, while the further spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the front side and back side of the aquarium. In another example, the spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the left side or right side of the aquarium, while the further spatial light distribution provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium at the front side or back side of the aquarium.

In an embodiment, the aquarium lighting system further comprises at least one further solid-state light source. The further solid-state light source is, for example, a LED or a laser diode. The at least one further solid-state light source is arranged to generate further light with a further spatial light distribution which has at least 80% of the total luminous flux below an angle Q with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall of 63 degrees. More preferably, the at least one further solid-state light source is arranged to generate further light with a further spatial light distribution which has at least 85% of the total luminous flux below an angle Q with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall of 63 degrees. Most preferably, the at least one further solid-state light source is arranged to generate further light with a further spatial light distribution which has at least 90% of the total luminous flux below an angle Q with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall of 63 degrees. The obtained effect is that both caustic patterns outside as well as inside the aquarium are provided. The reason is that at least one solid state light source provides caustic patterns outside the aquarium, and the at least one further solid-state light source provides caustic patterns inside the aquarium.

The light from the at least one further solid-state light source has preferably a further solid-state light source peak at an angle Q of 0 degrees. The further solid-state light source peak is preferably symmetrical.

The light from the at least one further solid-state light source is preferably highly collimated. Preferably, the light from the at least one further solid-state light source has a FWHM of less than 20 degrees. More preferably, the light from the at least one further solid-state light source has a FWHM of less than 15 degrees. Most preferably, the light from the at least one further solid-state light source has a FWHM of less than 10 degrees. A higher collimation improves the caustic patterns.

In an embodiment, the input light has a first spectral distribution and the further light has a second spectral distribution. The first spectral distribution and second spectral distribution are different. The obtained effect is that the caustic patterns outside the aquarium and the light inside the aquarium have a different color. For example, the light inside the aquarium is warm white, while the caustic patterns outside the aquarium is cool white. For example, the light inside the aquarium is white, while the caustic patterns outside the aquarium is blue.

In an embodiment, the aquarium lighting system further comprises a control unit which is electrically connected to the first mentioned at least one solid state light source and the at least one further solid-state light source to separately control the amount of first mentioned input light and the further light. The obtained effect is that the user can select between a first mode providing caustic patterns outside the aquarium and a second mode providing caustic patterns inside the aquarium. A user interface such as for example a mobile phone or tablet may be connect to the control unit to program the light setting. The user may also select the intensity, color and/or color temperature of the first mentioned at least one solid state light source and the at least one further solid-state light source. For example, the light characteristics in and outside the aquarium may change as function of time. Using the lighting system, the user may also select through which transmissive side wall light is transmitted such that the user can select at which side of the aquarium caustic patterns are projected on such as for example the floor.

The present invention discloses an aquarium in accordance with claim 13 to 15.

In an embodiment, the aquarium comprises a water container and (i) the aquarium lighting unit and/or (ii) the aquarium lighting system for suspension over the water container. The water container comprises the at least one transmissive side wall. Suspension means that (i) the aquarium lighting unit and/or (ii) the aquarium lighting system may be arranged above the water container, or that (i) the aquarium lighting unit and/or (ii) the aquarium lighting system may be arranged semi recessed in the water container, or that (i) the aquarium lighting unit and/or (ii) the aquarium lighting system may be arranged recessed in the water container. In an embodiment, the aquarium in use comprises the aquarium lighting unit or aquarium lighting system which is positioned in physical contact with the water or lower than 30 cm above a surface (S) of the water. Preferably, the aquarium lighting unit or the aquarium lighting system which is positioned in or very close to the water surface. The distance between the aquarium lighting unit or aquarium lighting system and the water is lower than 10 cm, more preferably below 5 cm, most preferably below 3 cm. The obtained effect is improved caustic patterns outside the aquarium. The reason is that more light is transmitted through the water.

In an embodiment, the aquarium comprises a wave generator arranged for generating waves in the water in the aquarium. The wave generator may be for example a plate which is movable in the water in the aquarium. The wave generator may be for example a rod which is touching the water surface with a certain frequency. The wave generator may be for example a pump which is generating water bubbles with a certain frequency. The frequency may be constant. The frequency may be in the range from 0.01 to 10 Hz. The waves may propagating on the water surface. The wave may preferably be small in height such as for example less than 5 cm. More preferably, the waves have a height of less than 3 cm. Most preferably, the waves have a height of less than 2 cm such as for example 0.5 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a side-view of an aquarium comprising an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 2a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 3a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 schematically depicts a graph showing the relative illuminance as a function of the radiation angle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 schematically depicts a top-view of an aquarium comprising and aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 6a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 7a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium comprising and aquarium lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 schematically depicts a side-view of an aquarium comprising an aquarium lighting unit and an aquarium lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 schematically depicts a block chart of an aquarium lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a side-view of an aquarium 300 which comprises an aquarium lighting unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aquarium lighting unit 100 for illuminating through water 301 in an aquarium 300 and at least one transmissive side wall 302 of the aquarium 300, to obtain caustic patterns 304 outside the aquarium 300, comprises at least one solid state light source 101 which is arranged to generate input light 102 which has a total luminous flux LFtot. A first portion of the total luminous flux LF1 comprises at least 30% of the total luminous flux LFtot in a spatial light distribution 103 above an angle Q of 63 degrees with respect to a plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302. As depicted in Fig.l most of the input light 102 impinges on the surface 303 of the water 301. Preferably, at least 80% of the input light 102 may impinge on the surface 303 of the water 301. More preferably, at least 85% of the input light 102 may impinge on the surface 303 of the water 301. Most preferably, at least 90% of the input light 102 may impinge on the surface 303 of the water 301, such as for example 95%.

Figs. 2a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Fig.2a, a light output surface 104 of the at least one solid state light source 101 is arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 in the range from 11 to 43 degrees. For example, the aquarium lighting unit 100 may comprise a plurality of solid state light sources. The light output surfaces 104 of the plurality of solid state light sources 101 is arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 in the range from 11 to 43 degrees. The light output surfaces 104 of the plurality of solid state light sources 101 may be arranged at the same angles, such as for example 27 degrees. As depicted in Fig.2b, the aquarium lighting unit 100 may comprise at least one second solid state light source 10G. The at least one second solid state light source comprises a further light output surface 104’. The further light output surface 104’ of the at least one second solid state light source 101’ is also arranged at a second angle 02 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 in the range from 11 to 43 degrees. The further output light 102” is substantially emitted in a mirrored direction with respect to the output light 102’. Preferably, the further output light 102” is emitted in a mirrored direction with respect to the output light 102’. The aquarium lighting unit 100 may comprise a housing 121, a heat sink 122 and a light exit window 123. The aquarium lighting unit 100 is arranged above the surface 303 of the water 301.

Figs. 3a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Fig.3a, the aquarium lighting unit 100 comprises a beam shaping element 105 which has at least one light input face 106 and at least one light output face 107. The beam shaping element 105 is configured to receive input light 102 from the at least one solid state light source 101 which faces the at least one input face 106 and distribute output light 102’ which emerge from the at least one output face 107 in the spatial light distribution 103. As depicted in Fig.3b, at least one second solid state light source 10G and a further beam shaping element 105’. The further output light 102” is substantially emitted in a mirrored direction with respect to the output light 102’. Preferably, the further output light 102” is emitted in a mirrored direction with respect to the output light 102’. The aquarium lighting unit 100 may comprise a housing 121, a heat sink 122 and a light exit window 123. The aquarium lighting unit 100 is arranged above the surface 303 of the water 301. The beam shaping element 105 and/or the further beam shaping element 105’ may be part of the light exit window 123.

Fig. 4 schematically depicts a graph showing the relative illuminance as a function of the radiation angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Fig.4, the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 at which the spatial light distribution 103 has a maximum peak intensity 108 is larger than 50 degrees.

As depicted in Fig. 4, the maximum peak intensity 108 is at least 2 times the intensity at the third angle 03 with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 at 0 degrees.

As depicted in Fig. 4, the spatial light distribution 103 comprises a batwing spatial light distribution 109.

Fig. 5 schematically depicts a top-view of an aquarium comprising and aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Fig. 5, the spatial light distribution 103 comprises a further batwing spatial light distribution 110 at a fourth angle a in the range from 20 to 90 degrees with respect to the first mentioned batwing spatial light distribution 109. Preferably the fourth angle a is 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the spatial light distribution 103 comprises more than two batwing light distributions each at a different fourth angle a.

Figs. 6a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Figs. 6a-b, the beam shaping element 105 is adaptable from a first state Sl into a second state S2 to change the spatial light distribution 103 from a first spatial light distribution 103’ into a second spatial light distribution 103” being different form the first spatial light distribution 103’. For example, the first state Sl may provide a batwing spatial light distribution 109, while the second state S2 may provide a further batwing spatial light distribution 110. For example, the first state Sl may provide a batwing spatial light distribution 109, while the second state S2 may provide a collimated spatial light distribution such as for example collimated light having a full-width- half-max FWHM of maximum 40 degrees. The beam shaping element 105 may be electrically adaptable.

The present invention also discloses an aquarium lighting system 200. The aquarium lighting system 200 comprises an aquarium lighting unit 100.

Figs. 7a-b schematically depict a side-view of an aquarium which comprises an aquarium lighting system. The aquarium lighting system comprises at least one further solid-state light source 201. As depicted in Fig.7b, the at least one further solid-state light source 201 is arranged to generate further light 202 with a further spatial light distribution 203 which has at least 80% of the total luminous flux LFtot below an angle Q with respect to the plane parallel to the at least one transmissive side wall 302 of 63 degrees.

The input light 102 may have a first spectral distribution SD1 and the further light 202 may have a second spectral distribution SD2. The first spectral distribution SD1 and second spectral distribution SD2 may be different.

As depicted in Figs. 7a-b, the aquarium lighting system 200 further comprising a control unit 204 electrically connected to the first mentioned at least one solid state light source 101 and the at least one further solid-state light source 201 to separately control the amount of first mentioned input light 102 and the further light 202. For example, one can control the amount of caustic patterns outside the aquarium (304) relative to the amount of caustic patterns inside the aquarium (308). The present invention also discloses an aquarium 300. The aquarium comprises an aquarium lighting unit 100 and/or an aquarium lighting system 200.

Fig. 8 schematically depicts a side-view of an aquarium which comprises an aquarium lighting unit 100 and an aquarium lighting system 200. As depicted in Fig.8, the aquarium 300 comprises a water container 305 and (i) the aquarium lighting unit 100 and the aquarium lighting system 200 for suspension over the water container 305 The water container 305 comprises the at least one transmissive side wall 302.

As depicted in Fig.8, the aquarium lighting unit 100 or aquarium lighting system 200 is positioned at a distance D above a surface 303 of the water 301. In case of small waves in the water, D is defined by the average distance between the aquarium lighting unit 100 or aquarium lighting system 200 and the surface 303 of the water 301.

As depicted in Fig.8, the aquarium 300 comprises a wave generator 306 arranged for generating waves 307 in the water 301 in the aquarium 300.

Fig. 9 schematically depicts a block chart of an aquarium lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Fig. 9, the aquarium lighting system may comprise at least one solid state light source 101, at least one further solid-state light source 201, a control unit 204, a sensor 401, a user interface 402, and a computer 403. The sensor 401 may sense a signal. The controller may control the at least one solid state light source 101 and the at least one further solid-state light source 201 based on the sensed signal. The controller may control the at least one solid state light source 101 and the at least one further solid-state light source 201 based input parameter from a user interface 402. The controller may control the at least one solid state light source 101 and the at least one further solid-state light source 201 based on a computer program on a computer 403.

The aquarium lighting unit 100 may be configured to provide white light. The term white light herein, is known to the person skilled in the art and relates to white light having a correlated color temperature (CCT) between about 2.000 K and 20.000 K. In an embodiment the CCT is between 2.500 K and 10.000K. Usually, for general lighting, the CCT is in the range of about 2700K to 6500K. Preferably, it relates to white light having a color point within about 15, 10 or 5 SDCM (standard deviation of color matching) from the BBL (black body locus). Preferably, it relates to white light having a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 70 to 75, for general lighting at least 80 to 85.

The term“substantially” herein, such as in“substantially all light” or in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with“entirely”,“completely”,“all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term“substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term“comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term“comprises” means“consists of’. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after“and/or”. For instance, a phrase“item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term "comprising" may in an embodiment refer to "consisting of' but may in another embodiment also refer to "containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.