Daylight tracking simulator and/or phototherapy device

A fluorescent or light emitting diode-based system for generating light flux. The system comprises a lamp comprising at least one light source for illuminating an area. At least one of the at least one light source is selected from the group comprising at least one of a fluorescent light source or an LED light source. The lamp also comprises a light source controller electrically coupled with the light source and arranged to control the spectral output of the light source. The lamp also comprises a power supply and a switch electrically coupled between the lamp and the power supply and arranged to control the supply of power from the power supply to the lamp.

BACKGROUND

An example of an organ whose regulatory function is responsive to light sensed by the eyes is the pineal gland which secretes the hormone melatonin. The hormone is released during periods of darkness while production is abruptly halted when the eyes perceive bright light. Melatonin is distributed throughout the body via blood and cerebrospinal fluid and can effect the function of organs by which it is metabolized to thereby influence sleep cycles, feeding cycles, reproduction cycles and other biological rhythms. It has therefore been suggested that phototherapy may effectively be employed to correct a melatonin imbalance which may have resulted from, for example, shift work, jet lag or life in the Polar Regions, and thereby remedy the accompanying symptoms.

Millions of North Americans feel the effects of malillumination which causes poor work conditions and can result in less energy and productiveness. Poor lighting environments can cause increased depression and even result in more severe cases called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This problem increases more and more as the winter months bring shorter and shorter days. Sunlight starvation also effects millions more in the form of a milder form called Winter Blues.

Simulated full spectrum light is color corrected light that operates in the range of 400 to 800 nanometers. This light simulates the optical brilliance of outdoor light at noontime. This light can be measured by two numbers, the Color Rendering Index (CRI) and the Kelvin Temperature or (Degrees Kelvin). The secret to true color light and optically balanced light is how close you can get to the optics of natural light. The sun at noon has a natural color temperature of 100 CRI and between 5000 and 5500 degrees Kelvin. Both CRI and Kelvin are important for the simulation sunlight.

When light is simulated that matches the optical brilliance of sunlight pupils in one's eyes become smaller. This response generates clearer vision and higher perception. The results are lower glare and eye fatigue. When Lux intensity is combined with high CRI and balanced Kelvin temperature, quality light is obtained that not only matches the optical brilliance of the sun, but reduces levels of melatonin and the stress hormone, cortisol. Full spectrum light is not blue light or daylight color. It is clear, brilliant, white light and simulates the exact color of sunlight at noon. Many people currently progress through life missing sunlight because of the enormous amounts of time that are spent indoors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1depicts a freestanding lighting system100arranged to provide phototherapy and/or daylight tracking simulation according to one or more embodiments. Freestanding lighting system100may be placed on a floor surface and comprises a base support102which provides a stable support platform for the lighting system, a vertically extending connection member104, a light source holder106, and a light source108. Light source108is configured to generate a photo-therapeutic flux (or luminance) from a florescent or LED-based light source. Lighting system100is arranged to selectively provide color changes as well as luminance intensity changes, i.e. locks intensity changes, based on a time schedule or specific phototherapy setting through the use of digital or analog controls, and/or computer programming or other control devices.

Vertically extending connection member104is cooperatively coupled with light source holder106at one and is cooperatively coupled with a support102at a distal end thereof. Connection member104, as depicted inFIG. 1, comprises a first segment110connected at one end to base support102, a second segment112connected to the first segment, and the third segment114connected at one end to the second segment and at the other end to light source holder106. As depicted, third segment114comprises a curvilinear portion to change the direction of the segment from substantially vertical to horizontal.

Second segment112comprises a switch116for controlling operation of lighting system100. In at least some embodiments, switch116may be positioned in another segment of the connection member104, as part of base support102, as part of light source holder106, or remotely located from lighting system100.

Light source108is positioned within light source folder106and, in operation, generates illumination (generally indicated by arrows identified by reference numeral118). Light source108comprises a light-generating mechanism selected from at least one of a fluorescent lamp or a light emitting diode (LED) lamp. In at least some embodiments, light source108may comprise more than one lamp or light-generating mechanism. In at least some embodiments, light source108comprises either a fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp exclusive of another type of lamp, e.g., incandescent lamp or light source.

In at least some embodiments, one or more of a support102connection member104, or light source holder106may be comprised of a metallic material. In at least some embodiments, the third segment114may comprise at least a portion of a flexible material enabling bending of light source holder with respect to the vertical extension of connection member104.

In at least some embodiments, switch116is electrically coupled with light source108via wiring extending within or along third segment114of connection number104. In at least some embodiments, lighting system100comprises an integrated power supply, e.g., a battery, or is configured to receive power from a power supply source, e.g., line or mains power.

FIG. 2depicts a high-level functional block diagram of a lighting system200(similar to lighting system100(FIG. 1)) according to an embodiment. Lighting system200comprises a power supply202, which in some embodiments may alternatively be a power source, electrically coupled with a power on/off switch/control204for controlling the transmission of electrical power from power supply202to a lamp206.

In at least some embodiments, switch/control204may be a switch, e.g., switch116(FIG. 1). Switch/control204may be configured in the form of an appropriate switch device for turning the lamp206on and off. For example, switch/control204may be a knob or dial rotatable in one direction to turn the lamp on, e.g. clockwise, and rotatable in the other direction to turn the lamp off, e.g. counterclockwise.

Switch/control204may alternatively be configured as a one and/or two push button control and may be used alternately or simultaneously. One push button operation may be effected by configuring switch/control204with one button, and pressing switch/control204button briefly, e.g., below a predetermined period of time, to switch the lamp206on or off. By pressing switch/control204button longer, e.g., above the predetermined period of time, the lamp206generates illumination208according to a different spectral output, e.g., warmer or cooler color output. The last spectral output may be stored in the lamp206when the lamp is switched off, and may be retrieved when the lamp is switched on.

In at least some embodiments, lamp206may be a light source holder, e.g., light source holder106(FIG. 1). Lamp206is electrically coupled with switch/control204.

Lamp206comprises a light source controller210cooperatively coupled with a light source212. In at least some embodiments, light source212is either a fluorescent light source or a light emitting diode (LED) light source. In at least some embodiments, light source212comprises at least two light sources where one of the light sources is a fluorescent light source and the other is an LED light source. In at least some other embodiments, light source212comprises at least one incandescent light source and at least one light source selected from a group comprising at least a fluorescent light source or an LED light source.

Light source controller210is arranged to control the spectrum output of light source212. In at least some embodiments in which light source212comprises more than a single light source, light source controller210is arranged to control each light source individually or according to one or more groupings of light sources.

According to a multi-light source embodiment, light source212comprises a heterogeneous set of light sources in which each light source has a different color temperature output. For example, a first light source may have a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 8,000 Kelvin (K) whereas a second light source may have a CCT of 3,000 K. In accordance with such a heterogeneous multi-light source embodiment, controller210is arranged to vary the spectrum output of the combined light sources as light source212by varying the brightness of the individual light sources. For example, in order to achieve a first spectrum output level, controller210may cause the first light source brightness level to be set to output at 50% of the maximum output level of the light source and cause the second light source brightness level to be set to output at 75% of the maximum output level of the light source resulting in a spectrum output of light source212tending more toward the second light source color temperature, i.e., 3,000K. That is, a blending of the spectrum output of the individual light sources may be generated.

In at least some embodiments, different numbers of light sources and different combinations of light sources having specific color temperature output may be combined to form light source212. In at least one embodiment, a set of three heterogeneous light sources may be used in which a first light source color temperature is 10,000 K, a second light source color temperature is 3,500 K, and a third light source color temperature is 5,000 K. Varying the brightness of the individual light sources enables lamp206to output different spectrum output illumination.

In at least some embodiments, light source controller210adjusts the brightness of the individual light sources comprising light source212in order to obtain a particular spectrum output. The particular spectrum output by light source212may be monitored through the use of sensor214. In at least some embodiments, a user may cause light source controller210to vary the spectrum output by manipulating switch/control204. In at least some further embodiments, light source controller210is arranged to apply a particular percentage allocation to each of the light sources while varying the illumination intensity of the light sources at a constant level.

In at least some embodiments, a phosphor blend using multiple bands, e.g., from four to ten bands, is used in the light source to produce a desired blend that produces a balanced spectrum, as well as operate near the 580 nm peak of the scotopic curve.

In at least some embodiments, controller210is a discrete integrated circuit or set of integrated circuits configured to control light source212according to an embodiment. In at least some other embodiments, controller210is a processor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to control light source212according to an embodiment.

In at least some embodiments, lighting system200also comprises a sensor214such as a light sensor configured to detect a frequency of the illumination208generated by light source212. For example, sensor214may comprise a sensor to detect the spectral output of light source212. In at least some other embodiments, sensor214is a position determination system such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) system receiver arranged to determine one or both of a geographic location of lighting system200or a current date and/or time.

FIG. 3depicts a high-level functional block diagram of a controller300according to an embodiment in conjunction with which an embodiment of the present invention may be executed to great advantage. Controller300comprises a processing device302(alternatively referred to as a processor), an input/output (I/O) device304, a memory306, and a light source interface (I/F) device307each communicatively coupled via a bus308or other interconnection communication mechanism.

In at least some embodiments, processing device302may be a controller and/or and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to execute a set of instructions such as those embodied by an embodiment.

Memory306(also referred to as a computer-readable medium) may comprise a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus308for storing data and/or instructions to be executed by processing device302, e.g., light control instructions310, user preference(s)312, geographic spectrum setting314, or calendar spectrum setting316. Memory306also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processing device302. Memory306may also comprise a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to the bus308for storing static information and instructions for the processing device302.

A storage device (optional dashed line box318), such as a magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or holographic disk or other storage medium, may also be provided and coupled to the bus308for storing data and/or instructions.

In at least some embodiments, light control instructions310comprise a set of executable instructions which, when executed by processing device302, cause the processing device to control a light source, e.g., light source212(FIG. 2).

I/O device304may comprise an input device, an output device and/or a combined input/output device for enabling user interaction. An input device may comprise, for example, a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, and/or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to processing device302. An output device may comprise, for example, a display, a printer, a voice synthesizer, etc. for communicating information to a user. In at least some embodiments, I/O device304may comprise a serial and/or parallel connection mechanism for enabling the transfer of one or more of files and/or commands, e.g., an Ethernet or other type network connection.

In at least some embodiments, I/O device304is cooperatively coupled with sensor214in order to receive a signal representative of a spectral output of light source307. In at least some embodiments, I/O device304is cooperatively coupled with sensor214in order to receive a geographic location or a current date and/or time.

Light source I/F307comprises an electrical, optical, and/or electro-optical interface between controller210and light source212(FIG. 2). Light source I/F307connects controller300to a light source, e.g., light source212, and enables the controller to control the illumination output of the light source. For example, controller300via light source I/F307is able to turn on and off the light source and/or modify the spectral output characteristics of the light source responsive to execution of light control instructions310.

FIG. 4depicts a high-level process flow diagram of at least a portion400of a method, e.g., execution of light control instructions310(FIG. 3) by processing device302, according to an embodiment. The process flow begins at light enable determination functionality402wherein execution of light control instructions310by processing device302causes controller300to determine whether lighting system200, e.g., via receipt of input from switch/control204(FIG. 2) or via another input device connected to I/O device304, is turned on. In at least some embodiments, light enabled determination402may be eliminated and the receipt of power from power supply202(FIG. 2), either with or without switch/control204as appropriate, provides the functionality.

The flow then proceeds to determine spectral output setting functionality404. During execution of functionality404, lighting system200determines the spectral output frequency to be generated by light source212(FIG. 2). The determination may comprise one or more of reading a value from a memory location, e.g., user preference312of memory306(FIG. 3), or reading the position of switch/control204.

In at least some embodiments, one or more of additional functionalities, i.e., check switch setting404A, check user preference404B, check geographic setting404C, or check calendar setting404D, may be executed in order to determine the spectral output setting.

Check switch setting functionality404A causes processing device302to determine the position of switch/control204or another switch/control attached to lighting system200in order to determine the spectral output frequency desired.

Check user preference functionality404B causes processing device302to read the value stored in user preference312of memory306(FIG. 3) in order to determine the spectral output frequency desired.

Check geographic setting functionality404C causes processing device302to read the value stored in geographic spectrum setting314of memory306(FIG. 3) in order to determine the spectral output frequency desired. In at least some embodiments, geographic spectrum setting314may specify a particular spectrum output for each of one or more geographic locations, i.e., a different spectrum output may be specified for a different location. In at least some embodiments, check geographic setting functionality404C may compare a stored geographic location with a determined current geographic location to determine whether the spectrum setting should be used. For example, the current geographic location may be determined with reference to an internal position-determining mechanism, a user-supplied geographic location, or via a geographic location determined by an external device such as sensor214, e.g., a GPS-type or broadcast signal such as LORAN.

Check calendar setting functionality404D causes processing device302to read the value stored in calendar spectrum setting316of memory306(FIG. 3) in order to determine the spectral output frequency desired. Calendar spectrum setting316, in some embodiments, may further specify a period of time (either date or time of day) during which a particular spectrum setting is valid. In at least some embodiments, calendar spectrum setting316may specify a particular spectrum output for each of one or more portions of a day, i.e., a different spectrum output may be specified for a different period of a given day. In at least some embodiments, check calendar setting functionality404D may compare a stored date value with a determined current date to determine whether the spectrum setting should be used. For example, the current date or time may be determined with reference to an internal clock or timer, a user-supplied date or time, or via a date or time determined by an external device such as sensor214, e.g., a GPS-type or broadcast atomic signal.

In at least some embodiments, user preference312also stores priority information specifying which particular setting, if more than one are present, takes priority over the other settings. For example, user preference312may indicate that if the date meets a predetermined threshold value, then the switch/control204may be used as the preferred spectral output setting. On the other hand, if the geographic location of the lighting system200is within a predetermined distance of the geographic setting, then the calendar spectrum setting314may be used as the preferred spectral output setting.

After determining the spectral output setting to be used, the flow proceeds to set spectral output functionality406wherein execution of the instructions causes processing device302to transmit the determined spectral output setting to light source I/F307. The flow then proceeds to generate output functionality408wherein processing device302causes light source I/F307to cause light source212to generate illumination having the determined spectrum setting.

In at least some embodiments, functionality406and408may be combined into a single functionality performing the transmission of the spectrum output setting and activation of light source212.

FIG. 5depicts a side view of a lamp500according to another embodiment for a desk or task-based lamp. Similar to lamp100, lamp500comprises a base support502, a vertically extending connection member505, a light source holder506, and a light source508. Connection member505comprises a segment510extending generally vertically and connected with a curved segment512forming an angle enabling illumination of a surface below lamp500. Lamp500also comprises a switch/control516similar to switch/control204(FIG. 2). In operation, light source508generates and transmits illumination518. Lamp500comprises a light control system similar to the light control system300(FIG. 3).

In at least some embodiments, curved segment512of lamp500is flexible enabling a user to modify the amount of curvature of the segment.

FIG. 6depicts a perspective view of a light box600according to an embodiment. Light box600comprises a generally parallelepiped box602having a relatively large front face in comparison to the sides, top, and bottom. In at least some embodiments, box602may be different shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments.

The front face of box602comprises a light source holder604. Light source holder604comprises a light source similar to light source212(FIG. 2). Box600comprises a power cord606for connecting the box to a power supply. In at least some embodiments, box600excludes the power cord606and relies on a stored power source such as a battery to power the box and the illumination608generation.

In operation, light source holder604generates and transmits illumination608. Lamp600comprises a light control system similar to the light control system300(FIG. 3).

FIG. 7depicts a front view of a light window700according to an embodiment. In operation, light window700may be used in place of or in addition to a nominal window allowing light to pass through. Light window700comprises a generally rectangular panel702comprising a light source holder704. Light source holder704comprises a light source similar to light source212(FIG. 2).

Light window700also comprises a window frame706configured to replicate a normal window frame in use. In at least some embodiments, window frame706may be used to mount light window700on a wall or other vertical surface. In at least some other embodiments, window frame706may be a different size, shape, and/or configuration as appropriate for a particular location. For example, window frame706may be square, elliptical, circular, or otherwise shaped.

In operation, light source holder704generates and transmits illumination708. Light window700comprises a light control system similar to the light control system300(FIG. 3).

FIG. 8depicts a perspective view of a light tile800according to an embodiment. In operation, light tile800may be used in place of or in addition to a nominal tile, e.g., as used in a home or office setting. Light tile800comprises a generally rectangular panel802comprising a light source holder804. Light source holder804comprises a light source similar to light source212(FIG. 2).

In at least some other embodiments, light tile800may be different shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments. In at least one embodiment, light tile800is sized to fit within a user's briefcase and be transportable by a user. For example, in some embodiments, the light tile may be six, eight, ten, or at least twelve inches along at least one dimension.

In operation, light source holder804generates and transmits illumination806. Light tile800comprises a light control system similar to the light control system300(FIG. 3). Light tile800may comprise a battery or other power source enabling the tile to be self-sufficient power-wise for a time period.

FIG. 9depicts a perspective view of a room900incorporating a lighting system according to an embodiment. Room900comprises a set of light sources901-904constructed to appear as individual windows, e.g., similar in style to light window700(FIG. 7). Light sources901-904are cooperatively coupled with a light source controller905similar to controller210(FIG. 2). In at least some embodiments, light source controller905is identical to controller210and comprises a wired and/or wireless interface for communicating with light sources901-904. Controller905is cooperatively coupled, e.g., via wired and/or wireless connection, with a switch/control906similar to switch/control204(FIG. 2). In at least some embodiments, switch/control906is identical to switch/control204. In accordance with theFIG. 9embodiment, a user in room900is able to adjust the spectrum output from light sources901-904via manipulation of switch/control906as is described above.

In at least some embodiments, controller905is electrically connected with a power supply such as a mains or line power supply. In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904are electrically connected with the power supply. In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904are electrically connected with controller905in order to receive power.

In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904each comprise an integrated individual light source controller and the individual light source controllers communicate, e.g., either wired and/or wirelessly, with each other and with switch/control906in order to control the spectrum output into room900.

In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904may be positioned on different surfaces than those depicted. In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904may comprise different sizes and/or shapes. In at least some embodiments, light sources901-904may be used in addition to existing light sources unconnected with light sources901-904and/or light source controller905. For example, light sources901-904may be used in addition to wall sconces or ceiling fixtures.

FIG. 10depicts a perspective view of a room1000incorporating a lighting system according to another embodiment in which the room comprises a set of light sources1001configured as ceiling tiles. Similar to the lighting system described above with respect to room900, the lighting system of room1000comprises a controller1002and a switch/control1004as described with respect to controller905and switch/control906.

In at least some embodiments, light sources1001may be positioned on different surfaces than those depicted. In at least some embodiments, light sources1001may comprise different sizes and/or shapes. In at least some embodiments, light sources1001may be used in addition to existing light sources unconnected with light sources1001and/or light source controller1002. For example, light sources1001may be used in addition to wall sconces or other ceiling light fixtures.