Patent Publication Number: US-2013238060-A1

Title: Phototherapy Device and Methods Thereof

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/274,322, filed Nov. 19, 2008, which is based on, and claims priority to prior provisional application entitled, “LED/fluorescent daylight tracking simulator and phototherapy device” having application serial number 61/003,604 filed on Nov. 19, 2007 and both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     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&#39;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. 
     Melatonin is a hormone that is believed to have a sleep inducing effect in humans. Melatonin is released by the pineal gland of humans, and the levels vary in a twenty-four hour cycle. Melatonin is believed involved in the circadian rhythm cycle of humans. It is believed that melatonin production is inhibited by light, and in particular blue light of about 460 nm to 480 nm suppresses melatonin production. 
     Melanopsin is a photopigment that absorbs light at a peak sensitivity of about 480 nm, which is in the blue color range. Melanopsin is found in ganglion cells of the retina and is believed to be involved in circadian rhythm regulation. 
     Many light sources contain a blue portion of the light spectrum, which corresponds to the sensitivity of the melanopsin containing ganglion cells within the eye of some mammals and humans. Stimulation of melanopsin containing ganglion cells at night may contribute to circadian rhythm and hormonal disruption. 
     Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland of humans. Adrenal glands release cortisol in response to stress, and cortisol is involved in glucogenesis to increase blood sugar levels, suppression of the immune system and involved in metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Cortisol awakening response is an increase in cortisol levels shortly after awakening for some humans. It is believed that cortisol eventually peaks shortly after awakening and then eventually decreases during the course of the day. During awakening, it is believed that exposure of humans to short wavelength light, for example 470 nm, increases the cortisol awakening response. Subsequently, exposure of humans to bright light during the course of the day has been shown to suppress cortisol levels in humans. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a lamp according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a high level functional block diagram of a lamp according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a high-level functional block diagram of a controller according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a high level process flow diagram of a light controller usable in conjunction with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a lamp according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a light box according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a light window according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a light tile according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a room incorporating a lighting system according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a room incorporating a lighting system according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a freestanding lighting system  100  arranged to provide phototherapy and/or daylight tracking simulation according to one or more embodiments. Freestanding lighting system  100  may be placed on a floor surface and comprises a base support  102  which provides a stable support platform for the lighting system, a vertically extending connection member  104 , a light source holder  106 , and a light source  108 . Light source  108  is configured to generate a photo-therapeutic flux (or luminance) from a florescent or LED-based light source. Lighting system  100  is 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 member  104  is cooperatively coupled with light source holder  106  at one and is cooperatively coupled with a support  102  at a distal end thereof. Connection member  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , comprises a first segment  110  connected at one end to base support  102 , a second segment  112  connected to the first segment, and the third segment  114  connected at one end to the second segment and at the other end to light source holder  106 . As depicted, third segment  114  comprises a curvilinear portion to change the direction of the segment from substantially vertical to horizontal. 
     Second segment  112  comprises a switch  116  for controlling operation of lighting system  100 . In at least some embodiments, switch  116  may be positioned in another segment of the connection member  104 , as part of base support  102 , as part of light source holder  106 , or remotely located from lighting system  100 . 
     Light source  108  is positioned within light source folder  106  and, in operation, generates illumination (generally indicated by arrows identified by reference numeral  118 ). Light source  108  comprises 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 source  108  may comprise more than one lamp or light-generating mechanism. In at least some embodiments, light source  108  comprises 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 support  102  connection member  104 , or light source holder  106  may be comprised of a metallic material. In at least some embodiments, the third segment  114  may comprise at least a portion of a flexible material enabling bending of light source holder with respect to the vertical extension of connection member  104 . 
     In at least some embodiments, switch  116  is electrically coupled with light source  108  via wiring extending within or along third segment  114  of connection number  104 . In at least some embodiments, lighting system  100  comprises 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. 2  depicts a high-level functional block diagram of a lighting system  200  (similar to lighting system  100  ( FIG. 1 )) according to an embodiment. Lighting system  200  comprises a power supply  202 , which in some embodiments may alternatively be a power source, electrically coupled with a power on/off switch/control  204  for controlling the transmission of electrical power from power supply  202  to a lamp  206 . 
     In at least some embodiments, switch/control  204  may be a switch, e.g., switch  116  ( FIG. 1 ). Switch/control  204  may be configured in the form of an appropriate switch device for turning the lamp  206  on and off. For example, switch/control  204  may 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/control  204  may 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/control  204  with one button, and pressing switch/control  204  button briefly, e.g., below a predetermined period of time, to switch the lamp  206  on or off. By pressing switch/control  204  button longer, e.g., above the predetermined period of time, the lamp  206  generates illumination  208  according to a different spectral output, e.g., warmer or cooler color output. The last spectral output may be stored in the lamp  206  when the lamp is switched off, and may be retrieved when the lamp is switched on. 
     In at least some embodiments, lamp  206  may be a light source holder, e.g., light source holder  106  ( FIG. 1 ). Lamp  206  is electrically coupled with switch/control  204 . 
     Lamp  206  comprises a light source controller  210  cooperatively coupled with a light source  212 . In at least some embodiments, light source  212  is either a fluorescent light source or a light emitting diode (LED) light source. In at least some embodiments, light source  212  comprises 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 source  212  comprises 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 controller  210  is arranged to control the spectrum output of light source  212 . In at least some embodiments in which light source  212  comprises more than a single light source, light source controller  210  is 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 source  212  comprises 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 some other embodiments, a first light source may have a CCT of 1,800 K, whereas a second light source may have a CCT of 3,000K. In accordance with such a heterogeneous multi-light source embodiment, controller  210  is arranged to vary the color temperature output of the combined light sources as light source  212  by varying the brightness of the individual light sources. For example, in order to achieve a first color temperature output level, controller  210  may 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 color temperature output of light source  212  tending 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 another illustrative example, the first light source brightness level is set to output at 75% of the maximum output level of the light source and the second light source brightness level is set to output at 50% of the maximum output level of the light source resulting in a color temperature output of light source  212  tending more toward the first light source color temperature, i.e., 1,800K. 
     Color temperatures over 5,000 K are associated with a blueish hue and include light having wavelength of about 480 nm as well as other wavelengths. Color temperatures of 3,000 K or less are associated with a yellow or red hue and include light having wavelength of about 580 nm as well as other wavelengths. 
     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 source  212 . 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. In at least one embodiment, a set of three heterogeneous light sources may be used in which the first light source color temperature is 1,800 K, a second light source color temperature is 3,500 K and a third light source color temperature is 12,000 K. Varying the brightness of the individual light sources enables lamp  206  to output different color temperature outputs . 
     In at least some embodiments, light source controller  210  adjusts the brightness of the individual light sources comprising light source  212  in order to obtain a particular color temperature output. The particular color temperature output by light source  212  may be monitored through the use of sensor  214 . In at least some embodiments, a user may cause light source controller  210  to vary the color temperature output by manipulating switch/control  204 . In at least some further embodiments, light source controller  210  is 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 some other embodiments, a phosphor blend is used in a light source to produce a spectrum that operates in a range greater than 480 nm of the scoptic curve. 
     In at least some embodiments, controller  210  is a discrete integrated circuit or set of integrated circuits configured to control light source  212  according to an embodiment. In at least some other embodiments, controller  210  is a processor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to control light source  212  according to an embodiment. 
     In at least some embodiments, lighting system  200  also comprises a sensor  214  such as a light sensor configured to detect a frequency of the illumination  208  generated by light source  212 . For example, sensor  214  may comprise a sensor to detect the color temperature output of light source  212 . In at least some other embodiments, sensor  214  is 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 system  200  or a current date and/or time. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a high-level functional block diagram of a controller  300  according to an embodiment in conjunction with which an embodiment of the present invention may be executed to great advantage. Controller  300  comprises a processing device  302  (alternatively referred to as a processor), an input/output (I/O) device  304 , a memory  306 , and a light source interface (I/F) device  307  each communicatively coupled via a bus  308  or other interconnection communication mechanism. 
     In at least some embodiments, processing device  302  may 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. 
     Memory  306  (also referred to as a computer-readable medium) may comprise a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus  308  for storing data and/or instructions to be executed by processing device  302 , e.g., light control instructions  310 , user preference(s)  312 , geographic spectrum setting  314 , calendar spectrum setting  316 , or biological spectrum setting  320 . Memory  306  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processing device  302 . Memory  306  may also comprise a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to the bus  308  for storing static information and instructions for the processing device  302 . 
     A storage device (optional dashed line box  318 ), such as a magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or holographic disk or other storage medium, may also be provided and coupled to the bus  308  for storing data and/or instructions. 
     In at least some embodiments, light control instructions  310  comprise a set of executable instructions which, when executed by processing device  302 , cause the processing device to control a light source, e.g., light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     I/O device  304  may 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 device  302 . 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 device  304  may 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 device  304  is cooperatively coupled with sensor  214  in order to receive a signal representative of a color temperature output of light source  307 . In at least some embodiments, I/O device  304  is cooperatively coupled with sensor  214  in order to receive a geographic location or a current date and/or time. 
     Light source I/F  307  comprises an electrical, optical, and/or electro-optical interface between controller  210  and light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). Light source I/F  307  connects controller  300  to a light source, e.g., light source  212 , and enables the controller to control the color temperature output of the light source. For example, controller  300  via light source I/F  307  is able to turn on and off the light source and/or modify the output characteristics of the light source responsive to execution of light control instructions  310 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a high-level process flow diagram of at least a portion  400  of a method, e.g., execution of light control instructions  310  ( FIG. 3 ) by processing device  302 , according to an embodiment. The process flow begins at light enable determination functionality  402  wherein execution of light control instructions  310  by processing device  302  causes controller  300  to determine whether lighting system  200 , e.g., via receipt of input from switch/control  204  ( FIG. 2 ) or via another input device connected to I/O device  304 , is turned on. In at least some embodiments, light enabled determination  402  may be eliminated and the receipt of power from power supply  202  ( FIG. 2 ), either with or without switch/control  204  as appropriate, provides the functionality. 
     The flow then proceeds to determine spectral output setting functionality  404 . During execution of functionality  404 , lighting system  200  determines the color temperature output to be generated by light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). The determination may comprise one or more of reading a value from a memory location, e.g., user preference  312  of memory  306  ( FIG. 3 ), or reading the position of switch/control  204 . 
     In at least some embodiments, one or more of additional functionalities, i.e., check switch setting  404 A, check user preference  404 B, check geographic setting  404 C, or check calendar setting  404 D, may be executed in order to determine the spectral output setting. 
     Check switch setting functionality  404 A causes processing device  302  to determine the position of switch/control  204  or another switch/control attached to lighting system  200  in order to determine the color temperature output desired. 
     Check user preference functionality  404 B causes processing device  302  to read the value stored in user preference  312  of memory  306  ( FIG. 3 ) in order to determine the color temperature output desired. 
     Check geographic setting functionality  404 C causes processing device  302  to read the value stored in geographic spectrum setting  314  of memory  306  ( FIG. 3 ) in order to determine the color temperature output desired. In at least some embodiments, geographic spectrum setting  314  may specify a particular color temperature 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 functionality  404 C 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 sensor  214 , e.g., a GPS-type or broadcast signal such as LORAN. 
     Check calendar setting functionality  404 D causes processing device  302  to read the value stored in calendar spectrum setting  316  of memory  306  ( FIG. 3 ) in order to determine the color temperature output desired. Calendar spectrum setting  316 , in some embodiments, may further specify a period of time (either date or time of day) during which a particular color temperature output setting is valid. In at least some embodiments, calendar spectrum setting  316  may specify a particular color temperature output for each of one or more portions of a day, i.e., a different color temperature output may be specified for a different period of a given day. In at least some embodiments, check calendar setting functionality  404 D may compare a stored date value with a determined current date to determine whether the color temperature output 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 sensor  214 , e.g., a GPS-type or broadcast atomic signal. 
     Check biological spectrum setting functionality  404 E causes processing device  302  to read the value stored in biological spectrum setting  320  of memory  306  ( FIG. 3 ) in order to determine the desired color temperature output. In some embodiments, the value of the biological stored spectrum setting includes a color temperature output of approximately 1,800 K. In this manner, the biological spectrum setting  320  is set to reduce melatonin production and/or prevent absorption of light by melanopsin in humans. 
     In some other embodiments, the value of the biological spectrum setting  320  includes a color temperature output of approximately 5,000 K. In this manner, the biological spectrum setting  320  is set to increase the cortisol awakening response in humans during awakening. In some other embodiments, the biological spectrum setting  320  includes a color temperature output of approximately 12,000 K to suppress cortisol levels in humans during the daytime. 
     Biological spectrum setting  320 , in some embodiments, may further specify a period of time during which a particular color temperature output is valid. In at least some embodiments, biological spectrum setting  320  may specify a particular color temperature output for each of one or more portions of a day, i.e., a different color temperature output may be specified for a different period of a given day. 
     In at least some embodiments, check biological spectrum setting  404 E may compare a stored date value with a determined current date to determine whether the color temperature output 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 sensor  214 , e.g., a GPS-type or broadcast atomic signal. 
     In at least one embodiment, the biological spectrum setting  320  is configured by a user. A user seeking to avoid exposure of blue light during sleep periods configures the value of the biological setting  320  to include a color temperature output of less than 5,000 K. In some embodiments, the user configures the biological setting  320  to include a desired color temperature output at a particular time of day and/or length of time. 
     In some embodiments, the user configures the biological spectrum setting  320  to include a color temperature output having a first value at one point in time, and a second value at a second point of time. In some embodiments, the user configures the biological spectrum setting  320  to include a first color temperature output less than 5,000 K during the night time, and a second color temperature output greater than 5,000 K during the morning and/or day time. The user&#39;s configuration of the biological spectrum setting  320  aids in the reduction of melatonin production in humans, prevention of absorption of light by melanopsin in humans, increase of the cortisol awakening response in humans, and/or suppression of cortisol levels in humans. 
     In at least some embodiments, user preference  312  also stores priority information specifying which particular setting, if more than one are present, takes priority over the other settings. For example, user preference  312  may indicate that if the date meets a predetermined threshold value, then the switch/control  204  may be used as the preferred color temperature output setting. On the other hand, if the geographic location of the lighting system  200  is within a predetermined distance of the geographic setting, then the calendar spectrum setting  314  may be used as the preferred color temperature output setting. 
     After determining the color temperature output setting to be used, the flow proceeds to set output functionality  406  wherein execution of the instructions causes processing device  302  to transmit the determined output setting to light source I/F  307 . The flow then proceeds to generate output functionality  408  wherein processing device  302  causes light source I/F  307  to cause light source  212  to generate illumination having the determined color temperature output setting. 
     In at least some embodiments, functionality  406  and  408  may be combined into a single functionality performing the transmission of the color temperature output setting and activation of light source  212 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a lamp  500  according to another embodiment for a desk or task-based lamp. Similar to lamp  100 , lamp  500  comprises a base support  502 , a vertically extending connection member  505 , a light source holder  506 , and a light source  508 . Connection member  505  comprises a segment  510  extending generally vertically and connected with a curved segment  512  forming an angle enabling illumination of a surface below lamp  500 . Lamp  500  also comprises a switch/control  516  similar to switch/control  204  ( FIG. 2 ). In operation, light source  508  generates and transmits illumination  518 . Lamp  500  comprises a light control system similar to the light control system  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In at least some embodiments, curved segment  512  of lamp  500  is flexible enabling a user to modify the amount of curvature of the segment. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a light box  600  according to an embodiment. Light box  600  comprises a generally parallelepiped box  602  having a relatively large front face in comparison to the sides, top, and bottom. In at least some embodiments, box  602  may be different shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments. 
     The front face of box  602  comprises a light source holder  604 . Light source holder  604  comprises a light source similar to light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). Box  600  comprises a power cord  606  for connecting the box to a power supply. In at least some embodiments, box  600  excludes the power cord  606  and relies on a stored power source such as a battery to power the box and the illumination  608  generation. 
     In operation, light source holder  604  generates and transmits illumination  608 . Lamp  600  comprises a light control system similar to the light control system  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front view of a light window  700  according to an embodiment. In operation, light window  700  may be used in place of or in addition to a nominal window allowing light to pass through. Light window  700  comprises a generally rectangular panel  702  comprising a light source holder  704 . Light source holder  704  comprises a light source similar to light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Light window  700  also comprises a window frame  706  configured to replicate a normal window frame in use. In at least some embodiments, window frame  706  may be used to mount light window  700  on a wall or other vertical surface. In at least some other embodiments, window frame  706  may be a different size, shape, and/or configuration as appropriate for a particular location. For example, window frame  706  may be square, elliptical, circular, or otherwise shaped. 
     In operation, light source holder  704  generates and transmits illumination  708 . Light window  700  comprises a light control system similar to the light control system  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a light tile  800  according to an embodiment. In operation, light tile  800  may be used in place of or in addition to a nominal tile, e.g., as used in a home or office setting. Light tile  800  comprises a generally rectangular panel  802  comprising a light source holder  804 . Light source holder  804  comprises a light source similar to light source  212  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In at least some other embodiments, light tile  800  may be different shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments. In at least one embodiment, light tile  800  is sized to fit within a user&#39;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 holder  804  generates and transmits illumination  806 . Light tile  800  comprises a light control system similar to the light control system  300  ( FIG. 3 ). Light tile  800  may comprise a battery or other power source enabling the tile to be self-sufficient power-wise for a time period. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of a room  900  incorporating a lighting system according to an embodiment. Room  900  comprises a set of light sources  901 - 904  constructed to appear as individual windows, e.g., similar in style to light window  700  ( FIG. 7 ). Light sources  901 - 904  are cooperatively coupled with a light source controller  905  similar to controller  210  ( FIG. 2 ). In at least some embodiments, light source controller  905  is identical to controller  210  and comprises a wired and/or wireless interface for communicating with light sources  901 - 904 . Controller  905  is cooperatively coupled, e.g., via wired and/or wireless connection, with a switch/control  906  similar to switch/control  204  ( FIG. 2 ). In at least some embodiments, switch/control  906  is identical to switch/control  204 . In accordance with the  FIG. 9  embodiment, a user in room  900  is able to adjust the spectrum output from light sources  901 - 904  via manipulation of switch/control  906  as is described above. 
     In at least some embodiments, controller  905  is electrically connected with a power supply such as a mains or line power supply. In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  are electrically connected with the power supply. In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  are electrically connected with controller  905  in order to receive power. 
     In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  each 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/control  906  in order to control the spectrum output into room  900 . 
     In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  may be positioned on different surfaces than those depicted. In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  may comprise different sizes and/or shapes. In at least some embodiments, light sources  901 - 904  may be used in addition to existing light sources unconnected with light sources  901 - 904  and/or light source controller  905 . For example, light sources  901 - 904  may be used in addition to wall sconces or ceiling fixtures. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of a room  1000  incorporating a lighting system according to another embodiment in which the room comprises a set of light sources  1001  configured as ceiling tiles. Similar to the lighting system described above with respect to room  900 , the lighting system of room  1000  comprises a controller  1002  and a switch/control  1004  as described with respect to controller  905  and switch/control  906 . 
     In at least some embodiments, light sources  1001  may be positioned on different surfaces than those depicted. In at least some embodiments, light sources  1001  may comprise different sizes and/or shapes. In at least some embodiments, light sources  1001  may be used in addition to existing light sources unconnected with light sources  1001  and/or light source controller  1002 . For example, light sources  1001  may be used in addition to wall sconces or other ceiling light fixtures.