WO2022203953A1

WO2022203953A1 - Systems, methods, and devices for adjusting lighting in a habitable space

Info

Publication number: WO2022203953A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/020903
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shengliang RONG
Original assignee: Delos Living Llc
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2022-03-18
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for adjusting lighting or setting(s) for one or more lights, lighting systems or other lighting elements within a habitable space. The system may include, e.g., a computing device, at least one controllable lighting element, and one or more sensors or other devices configured to detect lighting characteristics of the environment. The computing device may determine a lighting potential associated with the environment based, in part, on lighting characteristics detected by the sensors, and further determine a lighting stimulus goal for a user in the environment. Based, at least in part, on the determined lighting potential of the environment and the user's stimulus goal, the computing device may determine a relative light capacity for the user and the environment and adjust operation of the lighting element(s) in the environment in accordance with the determined relative light capacity to supply sufficient light to the user.

Description

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR ADJUSTING LIGHTING IN A HABITABLE SPACE

FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to habitable spaces, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and devices for adjusting lighting or determining one or more light settings in a habitable space for enhancing human habitation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many individuals spend a significant amount of time in habitable environments or spaces throughout the day such as enclosed or partially enclosed spaces associated with homes, apartments, offices, and the like. Such habitable environments typically include a variety of artificial light sources such as table and floor lamps, wall mounted lights, and ceiling lights, and natural light sources such as windows and sky lights that permit natural light to enter the habitable space.

[00Q3] The intensity of light exposure an individual receives throughout the day has both visual and non-visual effects for the individual. For example, an individual may visually require a higher intensity of light for performing a certain activity in a habitable space such as reading. However, exposure to a higher intensity of light may have certain non-visual effects such as interfering with the individual’s circadian rhythm if such exposure occurs close to that person’s bedtime. It has been shown that proper light exposure by a person throughout, the day can both help the person reduce circadian interference and sleep disruption and increase the person’s visual comfort. Research has also shown that the optimal dosage of light, exposure for different people can vary based on a number of factors, such as their ages, chronotypes, times of the day, prior exposure to light, activities, exposure to natural light, and more. As people spend more time at home or in other indoor spaces, indoor lighting has become more important for delivering a sufficient amount of light exposure to different people in such spaces.

[0004] An individual’s circadian rhythm may include or impact physical, mental, behavioral, and other changes that follow a daily cycle for the person, and the individual’s circadian rhythm can be affected by the light and darkness that the individual experiences during a day. For example, a person’s ability to sleep at night and be awake during the day may be impacted by the amount and quality of light and darkness that the person is exposed to. A disruption or other change of a person’s circadian rhythm due to improper light exposure may lead to weight gain, impuisivity, reduced quality sleep, reduced cognitive thinking ability , and other physiological and behavioral changes that may negatively impact the person’s daily life.

[00051 In connection with an individual’s circadian rhythm, light also may influence the human body in a number of ways to which people respond subconsciously, including mood, alertness, and cognitive ability. For instance, multiple bodily processes, including sleep and digestion, are regulated in part by the daily hormonal fluctuations of the circadian rhythm. These hormones are released by an area in the brain called the hypothalamus, and it is known that the hypothalamus controls its hormonal outputs based on the timing of light exposure which it receives via specialized cells in the eye called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (“ipRGCs”). Daily, regularly-timed light exposure is required to maintain a healthy and robust circadian rhythm, which is referred to as “entrainment.”

[0006] Different people may also have different visual comfort levels with light, which often can be a reaction by a person to the intensity and quality of light experienced by the person within an indoor space. A person’s visual comfort also may be impacted by the color temperature of the light (i.e., the correlated color temperature or CCT), the presence of glare or light reflection within the space, the amount of light contrast in the space, and other factors. In general, a person’s visual comfort is dependent on the ability to set and control the intensity and quality of the light surrounding the person in the space. The impact of controlling such intensity and quality of the light to desired levels can have positive ramifications for the person such as a reduction m eyestrain, headaches, dry eyes, and blurred vision that the person may experience.

[0007] However, individuals may not understand or appreciate the proper amount of light exposure that they should be receiving during the day, and at what times, to maintain an effective and healthy circadian rhythm. Further, individuals may not understand what factors are involved in determining a sufficient intensity of light exposure and may receive too much or too little light throughout the day which may interfere with sleep, digestion, and other bodily processes.

SUMMARY

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for adjusting lighting or one or more settings for one or more lights, lighting systems or other lighting elements within a habitable space, in some embodiments, the system may include a computing device, at least one controllable lighting element, and one or more sensors or other devices configured to detect lighting characteristics of the environment. The computing device may include a processor configured to determine a lighting potential associated with the environment based in part on lighting characteristics detected by the sensors, and further determine a lighting stimulus goal for a user in the environment. Based, at least m part, on the determined lighting potential of the environment and the user’s stimulus goal, the computing device is configured to determine a relative light capacity for the user and the environment and adjust operation of the at least one lighting element in the environment in accordance with the determined relative light capacity to supply sufficient light to the user. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein can promote enhanced human health and wellness as a result of the lighting created, controlled, or used in the habitable environment.

[0009] In another aspect, a method for determining a setting (e.g., a selected CCT and/or light intensity) for at least one controllable lighting element in a habitable environment includes determining one or a combination of characteristics associated with the habitable environment, characteristics associated with one or more users in the habitable environment, and spatial characteristics associated with a location of the habitable environment. For example, determining characteristics associated with the habitable environment may include determining lighting characteristics of the habitable environment, determining presence of one or more users in the environment, determining a location of the habitable environment (e.g., latitude and longitude of the location), determining a CCT preference of a user for an associated environment, determining an area of the environment, determining an average eye vertical illuminance of the environment (e.g., a measure of the average of light in a given space from about 4-6 feet from the floor of the space), determining a lighting potential of the environment based at least in part on the amount of natural and/or artificial light available in the environment, determining an angle or intensity of the light sources in the environment, determining a CCT value of natural light and/or artificial light available in at least a portion of the environment, determining a height of the environment, and determining presence of a user device in the environment.

[0010] In addition, determining characteristics associated with one or more users may include determining a lighting stimulus goal (also referred to as a lighting need) for the user, determining one or more preferences of the user such as, e.g., a preferred CCT and/or a preferred light intensity, determining an age of the user, determining an eye irradiance level of the user, determining a chromotype factor associated with the user, determining a previous night sleep quality factor associated with the user, determining a morning light exposure factor associated with the user, and determining an activity the user is engaged in or is expected to be engaged in at a predetermined time.

[0011] Further, determining one or more spatial characteristics associated with the location of the habitable environment may include determining a time of day, determining a season, and determining current weather conditions (e.g,, rain, cloudy, snowing, temperature, humidity level, air quality, etc.) associated with the location. In some embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively may include sending or receiving a signal indicative of these determined values or assessments related to the characteristics of the habitable environment, the user, and the spatial characteristics.

[0012] In some forms, the method may further include the step of determining a relative light capacity in the habitable environment for the user based at least in part on the determined stimulus goal for the user and the lighting potential of the environment, and may additionally include the step of adjusting one or more controllable lighting elements within the environment to a selected intensity in accordance with the determined relative light capacity to promote improved circadian function of the user. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include determining one or more setings for the lighting elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure showing various components thereof;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure showing various components thereof;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure showing various components thereof;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an indoor space showing an example configuration of lighting elements and other fixtures;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view' of another indoor space showing an example configuration of lighting elements and other fixtures; [0018] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of yet another indoor space showing an example configuration of lighting elements and other fixtures;

[0019] FIG. 7 shows a plurality of different potential shapes for indoor spaces in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow' diagram of an example method for determining a CCT value and a light intensity for an indoor space;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow' diagram of an example method for determining a CCT value for an indoor space;

[0022] FIG. 10 is a flow' diagram of an example method for determining a relative light capacity based on a determined stimulus goal and a determined lighting potential of a space; and [0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example computing device configured to be used for controlling one or more controllable lighting elements in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0024] In the figures, identical reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity and ease of illustration. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles may not be drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing l egibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and they have been selected solely for ease of recognition in the drawings.

DETAILED DES CRIPTION

[0025] Generally speaking, in accordance with the present disclosure, systems, devices, and methods are provided for determining lighting settings and controlling operation of lighting elements and other aspects of a habitable environment for promoting improvement of a user’s circadian function. In one example, various lighting elements within the environment may be controlled by manually or automatically adjusting their correlated color temperature (CCT), intensity, illuminance, and light source direction. As provided herein, such systems and methods may be employed in any habitable environment or other indoor space such as a home, office building, school, apartment, and the like, and any room or other space therein. However, it should be understood that this list is non-exhaustive, and the term habitable environment may be applicable to any enclosed or partially enclosed space. For purposes of the present disclosure, the terms “habitable environment,” “indoor space,” and “habitable space” may be used interchangeably.

[0026] In some embodiments, the example systems, devices, and methods are provided for establishing or otherwise determining one or more settings for at least one controllable lighting element in an indoor space that is configured to provide light in at least a portion of the indoor space. By adjusting operation of one or more controllable lighting features, or one or more settings for one or more lighting elements within the space, the systems, devices, and methods may be used to help align one or more users’ circadian pattern or rhythm, increase the users’ visual comfort, aid the users’ metabolism or digestion, help the users focus, fall asleep, wake up or relax, or meet some other goal, need, or objective undertaken by the users.

[0027] In some embodiments, the one or more controllable lighting devices or elements (occasionally referred to herein as luminaires) may be positioned in or near the habitable space to control or adjust lighting characteristics within the space. Such controllable lighting elements may take a variety of forms, such as a movable or fixed lamp, sconce, overhead light, wall mounted light, or the like, and may be positioned in the habitable space to control the intensity and CCT of lighting within the space. In some forms, the habitable space may include a number of artificial luminaire devices or other lighting elements which are controlled by a control system or computing device to produce a desired output by, for example, varying intensity and/or composition of wavelengths or color of the light emitted. Additionally, each of the lighting elements may employ a variety of illumination sources such as incandescent lights, florescent lights, compact florescent lights, and light emitting diode (LED) lights. The lighting elements may optionally include ballasts (e.g., electronic ballasts) and/or other electrical or electronic components required for operation. The lighting elements may also include various passive and/or active thermal management components to remove heat, thereby prolonging the operational life of the devices. In some forms, one or more smart lighting switches or smart devices may be used to control or otherwise communicate with the controllable lighting devices. [0028] Each lighting element may include a plurality of individual illumination or light sources that may be individually controlled. Additionally, one or more of the lighting elements may be operable to emit light in a respective range of wavelengths at a differing correlated color temperature (CCT). So configured, the lighting elements may be selectively controlled to produce a wide variety of artificial illumination conditions, for instance conditions that mimic natural light, diurnal light patterns, circadian light patterns, and/or light patterns to accommodate for changes in location (e.g., latitude and/or longitude) or changes in season (e.g., spring, summer, autumn, winter). For example, a circadian light pattern may be a pattern of light during a defined period of time (e.g., solar day, approximately 24 hours) which mimics the intensity and/or color of naturally occurring light (e.g., sunlight and darkness) for a given location (e.g, latitude and/or longitude) and/or at a given time of year (e.g., season, month). A circadian light pattern may be produced by a combination of artificial and naturally occurring light, which may be controlled by the control system to produce said circadian light pattern. The defined or desired circadian light pattern may itself be different from a naturally occurring circadian light pattern at a particular location and/or time of year, or may simply be shifted relative to the naturally occurring circadian light or other light pattern at a particular location and/or time of year.

[0029] In some forms, it may be desirable to either increase or reduce the intensity of the light emitted by the lighting devices (or light from external sources outside of the habitable space) based on the circadian needs of a user. For example, a user may desire to meet a determined lighting stimulus goal by manual ly or automatically adjusting various aspects of the lighting elements as discussed in further detail below. Each of the lighting elements may include a dimmer or adjuster for increasing or decreasing the intensity of the light emitted therefrom and also for altering the CCT of the light emitted by one or more of the lighting elements.

[0030] The habitable space may additionally include various other devices or components such as window coverings or blinds which are controlled to adjust the amount of external light being received in the habitable space through one or more windows. In one form, the window coverings of the habitable space may not necessarily “cover” the window like shades, and may alternatively be in the form of electrochromic panes placed in the one or more windows to be adjusted by the control system to control light transmissivity of the panes. Additionally, or alternatively, the habitable space may include one or more drapes, curtains, shades, blinds or other window coverings coupled to an actuator device such as an electric motor to drive the respective covering along a track to at least partially cover the window in response to the actuator device receiving a signal from a control system. So configured, these example window coverings may be used to regulate the amount of external light received m the habitable space based on the needs, requests or preferences of a user from either artificial light sources ( e.g., a streetlight) or natural light sources (e.g., the sun).

[0031] in some embodiments, the controllable lighting elements in an indoor space may be controlled by a system such as a central hub or computing device (also sometimes referred to as a “controlling device”) that is in direct or indirect communication with the controllable lighting elements. In some forms, the system may be configured to directly communicate with and control smart controllable lighting elements that include circuitry for automatically adjusting an intensity or CCT of the light emitted therefrom. In other forms, where such controllable lighting devices may not be “smart” and may not be configured to directly communicate with the system via a network, the system may be communicatively coupled to one or more smart light switches or devices associated with each of the lighting elements such that the system may nonetheless control or adjust operation of the lighting devices by communicating control signals to the smart light switches or devices.

[0032] In some embodiments, a controllable lighting element may be controlled in part or completely by an application or other software operating on a user device, such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, tablet, or similar device, or on software operating on a remote computer or other device. Such application or other software may send or otherwise provide a message, instruction, or other signal to cause one or more user devices or to display instructions related to operation of or settings of the controllable lighting elements. For example, such instructions may inform a user to turn on, turn off, or adjust the CCT or intensity of various lighting devices or lighting elements, or move one or more of them, within the habitable space in embodiments where the lighting elements may not be directly controllable by a computing device.

[0033] The one or more controllable lighting elements may he positioned m the habitable space in a variety of manners. For example, such lighting devices may be installed in or suspended from a ceiling of an indoor space, attached to or embedded in a wall in the indoor space, freely standing on the floor, positioned on a table or desk (e.g., a lamp), or the like. In some forms, the controllable lighting devices may be moveable or immoveable depending on how they are installed or otherwise provided in the indoor space.

[0034] As explained above, in some aspects, a setting for a controllable lighting device may be controlled directly or indirectly by a computing device (e.g,, a central hub), service, user device (e.g, a mobile phone or tablet), or the like. For example, a user may be able to input various commands into a user device that is communicatively coupled to a central hub for controlling aspects of the controllable lighting elements associated therewith. In another example, the central hub may be configured to communicate with the controllable lighting elements and can send one or more signals to such controllable lighting elements to establish, change, or transition one or more settings of the controllable lighting devices related to the light emitted or otherwise emittahle thereby. Thus, the controllable lighting devices may he considered as a “controlled device” as that term is used herein.

[0035] In some embodiments, a setting of the controllable lighting devices to be adjusted by the system may include correlated color temperature (CCT) value, intensity, and specific spectrum combinations. For example, a CCT value for the light emitted by a controllable lighting element in an indoor space may be set either manually by a user or automatically by a system within a range of about 2700K to about 4500k, or at a specific CCT value, to facilitate alignment of the lighting in the indoor space with the user’s circadian rhythm at different times of the day.

[0036] In some embodiments, a setting for a controllable lighting element may be established, implemented, or otherwise determined by a local computing device that is in direct or indirect communication with the controllable lighting element and can send a communication or other signal directly or indirectly to the controllable lighting element. In other embodiments, the seting may be established or otherwise determined by a remote device or software operating on such device, that then communicates the setting directly or indirectly to the controllable lighting element, or directly or indirectly to a local computing device that may then send a communication or other signal directly or indirectly to the controllable lighting element that causes the controllable lighting element to implement the setting.

[0037] In some forms, an example system for controlling lighting in an indoor space includes at least a computing device having a processor, communication circuitry', and a memory. The communication circuitry of the control system is configured to communicate with one or more devices positioned within and/or related to the habitable space, such as the controllable lighting devices. One or more sensors may also he positioned in or proximate to the indoor space to detect parameters or characteristics associated with the indoor space, such as lighting characteristics, and communicate the detected characteristics to the control system. The sensors may be configured to detect a variety of different lighting characteristics or characteristics affecting lighting in the habitable space, such as CCT, intensity, light distribution, light source location or direction, illuminance, color or position of furniture, decorations, ceilings, walls, floors and other features as it pertains to assessing the lighting in a space.

[0038] Based at least in part on the lighting characteristics detected by the sensors (or alternatively manually input by a user), the computing device may be configured to communicate a signal to at least one of the lighting devices in the habitable space to adjust the operation thereof. Thus, the computing device can adjust a setting of one or more of the controllable devices located in or otherwise associated with the indoor space to achieve desired lighting characteristics within the habitable space. For example, the computing device may be configured to communicate one or more signals to one or more devices located in or otherwise associated with the indoor space to adjust a luminaire or other controllable lighting element to set light intensity, light color temperature (also referred to as correlated color temperature or CCT) or other lighting feature within the habitable space, and/or adjust one or more window blinds or other window coverings to control natural light exposure or the amount of natural light coming into the habitable space. Implementing or adjusting one or more settings for one or more controllable lighting elements in the indoor space while one or more users are located within the habitable or indoor space may further help align the users’ circadian pattern or rhythm and/or increase the users’ visual comfort.

[0039] In some embodiments, configuration or design of a habitable environment or other indoor space may contribute to how one or more lights or lighting elements are designed, implemented, changed, operated/con trolled, located and/or set, among other factors relative to the indoor space. For example, an indoor space’s lighting design or use of one or more lighting elements (e.g., number, installation, location, photometries of light bulbs and fixtures, light color temperature capabilities of such lights, light intensity capabilities of such lights), fenestration design (e.g., number, size, location and layout of window's), interior design (e.g., interior wall color, ceiling color, floor color, furniture color, furniture layout, building materials), floor design, layout, the orientation of the indoor space, shade or blind design (e.g., optional positions, thickness, sound and temperature insulation, and transparency), door design (positions, thickness, sound and temperature insulation, and transparency), among other elements, may impact how lights or a lighting system is established or operated in the space in order to provide one or more benefits to one or more people in the space. These and other factors may be automatically detected by the one or more sensors positioned in the indoor space as described above or may alternatively be manually input by a user via a user interface associated with the space. These factors may impact the effectiveness of the light provided in the indoor space and the resulting impact of such light on one or more people in the indoor space.

[0040] Occupants, managers, users, occupants, or owners of such indoor environments and spaces may want to control or influence environmental parameters, such as lighting parameters m order to improve, for example, environmental satisfaction or cognitive function, alignment or resetting of their circadian rhythms, and visual comfort, among other outcomes. Lighting is an important aspect of an indoor environment that occupants of the indoor environment may seek to control and/or improve and may affect occupants of a habitable environment in various ways.

For example, a well-designed system for controlling one or more lighting parameters in a space may positively affect an occupant’s mood, sense of well-being, visual comfort, creative thinking ability, alignment of their circadian rhythm, and productivity (e.g., by aiding in task performance).

[0041] Now referring to the drawings, and more particularly FIG. 1, a non-limiting illustration of potential devices and networks are shown that may be part of a system 100 that provides features or other capabilities to one or more users, one or more rooms, or other habitable and indoor spaces. For example, in some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more public networks 102 or private networks 104 and 106 for communication of signals and/or information between various example components of the system. The public network 102 may be or include some or all of the Internet, World Wide Web, a cellular network, a cable network, a telephone network, or the like. In some forms, a public network may include one or more wared or wireless wide area networks and/or local area networks. A public network may be or include one or more separate networks that are available for free or at a cost to the public to access and use, and access to a public network may be provided by a telephone service provider, cable service provider, or other public, private or governmental organization.

[0042] In some embodiments, the private networks 104, 106 may be or include one or more other communication networks, some or all of which may not be publicly accessible. For example, a private network may be owned and operated by a business or organization and the access to and use of such private network may be limited to employees, members or other approved people or devices. A private network may require a password or other access credential to enable access and use of the private network, have a fee associated with its user, etc. In some embodiments, one or more devices may be able to access, use, or be in communication with one or more private and/or public networks directly or indirectly and a device may access and use a public netwOrk in order to access and use a private network, and vice-versa.

[0043] In some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more devices located at a central location 110 including a central controlling device 136 (e.g., a server computer), a central data storage device 140 (e.g,, a memory), a central analysis device 156, and a central alerting device 158. Although described as separate components, it should be understood that two or more of the central controlling device 136, central data storage device 140, analysis device 156, and alerting device 158, along with any other devices, may all be referred to or configured as a single computing device for controlling various aspects of the system. The devices may be located at the central location 110, as well as one or more remote or disparate locations, such as by way of non-limiting example, locations 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and 122 which may be referred to as “remote.” A remote location may be or include one or more habitable or other indoor spaces, such as a home or company office, one or more rooms in a home or office, a store, a hotel room, a school room, etc. For example, the remote location 112 may represent a single family home in Melbourne Australia, the remote location 114 may represent an apartment or condominium in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, the remote location 116 may represent a townhouse in Toronto Canada, the remote location 118 may represent a company’s office in New York City, USA, the remote location 120 may represent a hotel room in Las Vegas,

Nevada, USA, and the remote location 122 may represent a meeting room in shared work space in London, England. Each of the remote locations may be communicable directly or indirectly with one or more of the networks 102, 104, 106 or other networks and one or more of the devices connected to or otherwise communicable via one or more of the networks 102, 104, 106, such as via a wide area network, local area network, cable network, cellular network, telephone network, the World Wide Web, the Internet, private or public network, etc.

[0044] In some embodiments, a remote location such as location 112 may include one or more local sensors 130, a local controlled device 132 such as a lighting element, a local controlling device 134, a local data storage device 138, and a local analysis device 142. For example, the location 112 may include a controlled device 132 such as a light, lighting system, controllable lighting device, and a sensor 130 such as a light sensor or other known sensors for detecting characteristics associated with the environment. Furthermore, the remote location may include one or more other devices (not shown) such as a motion detector, occupancy sensor, air quality or air temperature sensor, humidity sensor, sound detector, speaker or other sound emitter, or other detector, heater, fan, air conditioner, bed or pillow use sensor, biometric measuring device, HVAC system, aroma dispenser, aroma detector, TV or other visual display, and more. In one form, the remote location 112 may be a home that includes one or more local sensors 130 used to detect lighting characteristics such as CCT, intensity, light distribution, light source location or direction, illuminance, color or position of furniture, decorations, ceilings, walls, floors and other features as it pertains to assessing the lighting in a space, and such detected characteristics may be used to determined one or more light settings. The data detected by one or more of the sensors 130 at each remote location may in some forms be transmitted to the central location 110 or other device for analysis, storage or use by the central analysis device 156 or other device.

[0045] As described above, the remote location 112 may include one or more local controlled devices 132 such as a ceiling light, free standing lamp, wall sconce or other light, table lamp, fan, motorized window blind, scent dispenser, window air conditioner, space heater, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the controlled devices 132 may be controllable directly (e.g., via a switch or keyboard on or associated with the device) or indirectly via a locally or remotely located controlling device 134 or central controlling device 136 which may be or include a computer (e.g., a server computer, laptop computer), hub device, tablet, smart terminal, or other smart device. For example, based on the data detected by the remote sensors 130, the central analysis device 156 may determine one or more settings for the controlled devices 132 in a remote location and cause the central controlling device 136 to communicate a signal to a local controlling device 134 and/or the local controlled devices 132 to adjust the operation thereof. [0046] In some embodiments, the remote location 112 also may include a local storage device 138, which may be a computer, electronic storage, or memory device, etc. The local storage device 138 may be part of, in communication with, or controlled by the local controlling device 134, another device, or may be a separate device. The local storage device 138 also may be controlled by or in communication with a central data storage device 140, or another local storage device or capability (e.g., device with data storage capability 141) at the same remote location, or at a different remote location.

[0047] in some embodiments, the remote location 112 also may include a local analysis device 142 such as a computer, smart sensor, or other device that can use information provided by one or more of the local sensors 130, a public remote sensor 144 (e.g., an external sensor that provides weather temperature or humidity information), a private remote sensor 146, public information source 148 (e.g,, publicly available online database of content, scene information or details, or weather data), private information source 150 (e.g., non-publicly available source of content or weather data), pulled from the local data storage device 138 or the central data storage device 140 or other device, etc. In one aspect, the information provided by sensor(s) may be used to determine and make recommendations regarding one or more light or other environmental settings to be implemented in the space, content to display or provide to a user, and/or a “scene” to be implemented at the remote location (e.g., a go-to-sleep or wake up scene in a home). The information may likewise be used to determine, receive, send, or forward signals to one or more of the controlled devices 132 to implement or end a scene, transition to or from a scene, automatically establish or implement one or more settings for a controllable lighting element, etc., at the remote location 112.

[0048] In the context of the present disclosure, the term “scene” should be understood to refer to a combination of parameters or variables implemented by system 100 and any other systems or controlling devices for adjusting the operation of devices in or associated with a habitable space. For example, a scene could include a certain combination of lighting effects, air temperature, and ambient noise, among other features. By one approach, a scene may include programmed environment parameter settings governing a space or sub-space that may be used at particular times of the day or for particular activities, such as lighting settings for entraining a user’s circadian rhythm.

[0049] Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as including a central location 110 for receiving data from and controlling operation of components in various remote locations 112, 114, 116, 118, 120,

122, it should be understood that the system for adjusting lighting as contemplated herein may be locally implemented and controlled by a local controlling device 134 and a local analysis device 142 that may alternatively be referred to a single computing device 135 (FIG. 11) as described in further detail below. For example, the computing device 135 may be configured to receive the detected lighting characteristics from the sensors 130, determine one or more settings for controllable lighting elements in the space based on the detected characteristics from the sensors as described in further detail below, and adjust the lighting elements accordingly. As such, the system may either be implemented in a distributed manner (e.g., with a central device such as a remote server and various remote devices) or in a localized manner (e.g., using a computing device located locally at or near the habitable space).

[0050] in some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more devices 153 with an analysis or alerting capability that may be in communication or otherwise communicable with one or more devices at a remote location. For example, in some embodiments, the device 153 may be or include an air temperature, humidity, air quality, light, noise, or wind speed detection sensor or measurement device that can take regular readings of external weather conditions and store information and provide notifications regarding such conditions. If the air quality or air temperature falls within a range or above or below a designated threshold, the device 153 may send out an alert to one or more devices at the central location 110 or a remote location to alert them of such conditions, and perhaps provide recommendations regarding one or more scenes, pieces of content, or environmental conditions that may be implemented, played, displayed or transitioned to at the remote location.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which one or more devices at one or more of the central location 110 or remote locations 1 12. 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 in a system 200 may interact with or be in communication with devices, software, application or content providers, cloud devices or storage, software or content platforms, scene providers, subscription managers or coordinators, etc. via a public or private network,

[0052] By way of example, in some embodiments, a device, such as local controlling device 134 or local analysis device 142 (FIG. 1), at the remote location 112, which could be a private home, apartment or workspace, may communicate or otherwise interact with a scene provider 202 or scene database/platform 204 to obtain access to or to download one or more scenes or other environmental settings for implementation at the remote location 112 via one or more controlled devices 132 at the remote location 112. A scene provider 202 may a business, individual, or other provider that develops, shares, or otherwise has and makes available one or more scenes or scene types (e.g., audio only, light only, light and audio, light and video, light and air temperature, sleep related scene, wake up related scene, focus scene, relax scene, read scene), which may include one or more light settings or other environmental settings that can be implemented in an indoor space. In some embodiments, the scene provider 202 may make such scenes or light setting information accessible or available directly or indirectly, or via the scene database or platform 204 pursuant to a subscription or other plan associated with a user, group of users, habitable space, group of habitable spaces, etc.

[0053] By way of further example, in some embodiments, a device, such as local controlling device 134 or local analysis device 142 at the remote location 112, may communicate or otherwise interact with a content provider 208 or content database/platform 210 to obtain access to or to download one or more pieces of content for play, display or other use at the remote location 112 via one or more controlled devices 132 at the remote location 112.

[0054] By way of further example, in some embodiments, a device, such as local controlling device 134 or local analysis device 142 at the remote location 112 may communicate or otherwise interact with a service provider 212 or an application/software platform 218 to manage access to and use of scenes, scene types, content, software, subscriptions, light or other environmental settings, one or more controllable devices such as a controllable lighting element, etc.

[0055] In some embodiments, a mobile or other user device 220, such as a mobile phone, computer, tablet or other smart device, may be provided to or used by a user to access one or more of the scene provider 202, scene database/platform 204, content provider 208, content database/platform 210, service provider 212, application provider 216, application/software database or platform 218, or other devices at a remote location, such as a controllable light element or other local controlled device, local controlling device, sensor, data storage device, or a remote sensor, remote information source, remote data storage device or platform, etc.

[0056] In some embodiments, one or more of the scene providers 202, the application provider 216, the content provider 208, either individually, or in conjunction with each other or another service provider, may provide a subscription package, one or more scenes, one or more light element settings, etc. to a user, group, device or habitable space. A device provider 222, which may be a provider of the mobile or other user device 220, also may be involved. In some embodiments, a service provider 230 (FIG. 3) may manage or provide a subscription package, which may include one or more scenes that include one or more light related attributes or other settings.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 3, another variation of a potential system 300 is shown that may include one or more of the devices, networks, providers, databases, etc. previously discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the system 300 may include a public and/or private network 302 that is connected to or otherwise communicable with one or more habitable or other indoor spaces 304, 306, 308, 310, 312. For example, habitable or other indoor spaces 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 may represent separate homes or apartments, separate business offices, or rooms or other sub-spaces within them. For example, habitable or other indoor space 304 may be a living room in a home or apartment, habitable or indoor space 306 may be a bedroom in the home or apartment, habitable or indoor space 308 may be a different bedroom in the home or apartment, and habitable or indoor space 310 may be a kitchen or dining room in the home or apartment. Alternatively, habitable or indoor spaces 304 and 306 may be individual offices in a business office, habitable or indoor space 308 may be a meeting or conference room in the business office, and habitable or indoor space 310 may be a lounge area in the business office.

[0058] In some embodiments, a habitable or other indoor space may include or have access to a hub or other device 320 for facilitating communication within the habitable space between one or more devices located within or accessible via the habitable space, such as the controlling device 134 and the controlled device 132. As discussed above, the controlled device 132 may be or include one or more controllable lighting elements. In addition, in some embodiments, a habitable or indoor space may include a gateway or other device 322 for facilitating direct (e.g., wired local area network, wired cable network, etc.) or indirect (e.g,, wireless via a local area netw'ork, Bluetooth communication, Zigbee communication, WiFi network, Z-wave communication, cellular network communication, 6LoWPAN communication, Thread communication, near-field communication, Sigfox communication, etc.) communication between one or more devices within the habitable space and one or more devices external to the habitable space (e.g., a remote server or other computer or device at a central location). In some embodiments, some or all of the capabilities of a hub device 320 and a gateway device 322 may^¬ be combined and be implemented in a computing device 135 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0059] As provided herein, the systems 100, 200, and 300 or various components thereof (e.g., the controlling device(s) 134 either alone or in connection with an analysis device 142) may be configured to determine personalized lighting settings for a user. Such determinations of personalized light settings may be performed by a remote computing device (e.g., at central location 110 in FIG. 1) or performed by a local computing device (e.g., computing device 135 shown in FIG. 11 that may be configured to perform the functions of a local controlling device and a local analysis device). For ease of explanation and illustration, the determination of specific light settings will he described in further detail below with respect to the computing device 135 shown in FIG. 11. However, it should be understood that such explanation is equally applicable whether the determination is made be a remote computing device (and subsequently communicated to a habitable space) or a local computing device for locally controlling lighting elements associated with the space.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11, a computing device 135 may include a processor 1102, communication circuitry 1104, a memory 1106, and a user interface 1108. As described in further detail above, the computing device 135 may be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors 130 for detecting various characteristics of a habitable space such as lighting characteristics and may also be communicatively coupled to one or more controlled devices such as controllable lighting devices 133. In some embodiments, the computing device 135 is configured to determine one or more personalized lighting needs for a user (also referred to herein as a relative light capacity) based at least in part on a determined lighting stimulus goal for a user and a determined light potential of a habitable space. Some or all of the determinations with respect to the user’s lighting stimulus goal and light potential of a habitable space may be made by the processor 1102 of the computing device 135 based on information received via the sensors 130 and/or user interface 1108 or may alternatively be performed by a remote computing device (e.g., a server computer) that is configured to communicate a signal indicative of the determinations to the computing device 135 via the communication circuitry.

[0061] The lighting stimulus goal for an individual user (Ri) (also referred to as a herein as a lighting need) may be determined by the computing device 135 based on one or more factors or characteristics associated with the user, such as the user’s age, gender, prior lighting exposure history (e.g., earlier in the day, or over an extended period of time), eye color, ethnicity, chronotypes (e.g., propensity of the user to sleep during or at a particular time during a twenty-four hour period) and genetic haplotypes or haploid genotypes. In some forms, information such as the user’s age or chronotypes may be manually input by the user via the user interface 1108 (e.g., a wall-mounted screen) for use in determining the stimulus goal by the computing device 135. In other forms, a user may install a mobile application on his or her mobile communication device 1140 (e.g., a cell phone or tablet) having a user interface 1142, a processor 1144, and communication circuitry 116 to facilitate the entry of information for consideration by the computing device 135. For example, the mobile communication device 1140 may be communicatively coupled to the computing device 135, either directly or indirectly, such that the user may enter certain information or characteristics associated with the user via the user interface 1142 that may then be communicated to the computing device 135. The system may include profiles for each user, which, beyond the above-mentioned information, may include a user’s other preferences, goals, expected or recent travel, schedule, waking and sleep times or other sleep related schedule, step counts, BMI, height, daily water intake, diet, meal times, activity types, usage occasions, sleep history, etc.

[0062] A lighting stimulus goal may vary from individual to individual based on the characteristics associated therewith. For example, research has shown that darker eye colors tend to receive less light such that additional light exposure is required in order to maintain sufficient alertness during the day. In addition, research has shown that older individuals typically require more light exposure during the day to maintain alertness.

[0063] In some embodiments, a lighting stimulus goal for a user of an indoor space may be calculated by the computing device 135 using the following exemplary equation:

R_t = R_r x Fage where:

● R_t is the targeted eye/corneai irradiance level (μw/cm²) in the range of 440nm to 490nm for a user of a certain age or in a certain age range.

● R_r is a reference targeted eye/corneai irradiance level (μw/cm²) from 440nm to 490nm for a user between twenty-five and forty years old, where this value will change throughout the day.

● F_age is an age factor to convert the reference irradiance level (Rr) to a targeted irradiance level for a certain age group.

[0064] Alternatively, the target stimulus goal can be modified based on one or more additional factors such as age, gender, prior lighting exposure, previous night sleep quality, eye color, ethnicity, and potentially chronotypes and genetic haplotypes. For example, in another embodiment, a circadian lighting need or stimulus goal for a person may be calculated by the computing device 135 using the following equation, which may incorporate the following additional variables or other variables as discussed further herein:

R₁ = R_r X F_age X F_{prior light exposure} X F_{previous night sleep quality} X F _chronotype where:

• Rr is a reference targeted eye/ corneal irradiance level (μw/cm²) from 440nm to 490nm for a user between twenty-five and forty years old, where this value will change throughout the day,

• F_age is an age factor to convert the reference irradiance level (Rr) to a targeted irradiance level for a certain age group.

• F_{prior light exposure} for a user is a factor related to the amount of light exposure an individual received in a prior time period (e.g., a prior day or a period earlier in a same day).

• F_{previous night sleep quality} for a user is a factor related to the quality of sleep the user experience in the prior night, either self-reported or measured using known biometric sensors.

• F _chronotype for a user is a factor related to the user’s chronotype, which may be adjusted based on the user’s typical sleep cycle.

[0065] in one non- limiting example, a reference targeted corneal irradiance (Rr) is established based on the daytime and nighttime circadian stimulus goals of a under 65 years old healthy male adult with lighter eye color which is determined by currently available studies such as the following which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties:

Viola, A. U,, James, L. M, Schiangen, L. J., & Dijk, D J. (2008). Blue-enriched white light in the workplace improves self-reported alertness, performance and sleep quality. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health_, 297-306.

Najjar, R. R, Chiquet, C., Teikari, P , Cornut, P. L., Claustrat, B,, Denis, R, ... &

Gronfier, C. (2014). Aging of non-visual spectral sensitivity to light in humans: compensatory mechanisms?, PloS one, 9(1), e85837.

Boubekri, M , Cheung, L N , Reid, K. j., Wang, C H., & Zee, P. C. (2014) Impact of windows and daylight exposure on overall health and sleep quality of office workers: a case-control pilot study Journal of clinical sleep medicine, 10(6), 603-611. Zeitzer, J. M., Dijk, D. J., Kronauer, R. E., Brown, E. N., & Czeisler, C. A. (2000), Sensitivity of the human circadian pacemaker to nocturnal light: melatonin phase resetting and suppression. The Journal of physiology, 526(3), 695-702.

Rahman, S. A., Marcu, 8., Shapiro, C. M., Brown, T. J., & Casper, R. F. (2011). Spectral modulation attenuates molecular, endocrine, and neurohehavioral disruption induced by nocturnal light exposure. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 300(3), E518-E527.

Blume, C., Garbazza, C., & Spitschan, M, (2019). Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. Somnologie, 25(3), 147-156.

Moore-Ede, M, Heitmann, A., & Guttkuhn, R. (2020). Circadian potency spectrum with extended exposure to polychromatic white LED Light under workplace conditions. Journal of biological rhythms, 55(4), 405-415.

[0066] In one example, a twenty-five year old healthy male may hate a baseline lighting stimulus goal of about 20 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm-490nm) during the day to maintain alertness and less than about 2 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm-490nm) during the night to reduce circadian and sleep disruption. As a result, the stimulus goal Rt as calculated by the computing device 134 for the user should have at least 20 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm- 490nm) during the day and have less than 2 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm-490nm) during the night, which may be used as a baseline,

[0067] In some forms, the stimulus goal (Rt) may use the recommended blue light levels of the example twenty-five year old discussed above as a baseline case or condition (BC) and the baseline may be adjusted to account for other factors such as age. For example, advancing age has been shown to reduce the maximum pupil diameter and increases light absorption by the lens of the eye which results in a reduction in retinal irradiance. To adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different age other than the baseline age of a user being twenty-five years old, the computing device 135 could initially calculate or otherwise determine an age factor (assume this factor is 1 .0 for the baseline case) for the user based on the user’s current age, and then use this factor could be multiplied as shown in the above formula to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals accordingly. For example, a person younger than twenty-five years old may need a lower stimulus goal (roughly 0.3 to 0.8 fold as the age factor) than the baseline case since the person wall tend to have better light transmission through their eye, and more light can reach their retina than users of older age. For example, a fifteen year old boy with light eye color may require a stimulus goal of blue light that is equal to or higher than 17 μw/cm2 for the day and equal to or lower than 1.7 μw/cm2 during the night. Alternatively, a user who is older than twenty-five years old, especially more than forty years old, may need a much higher stimulus goal (roughly 1.5 to 2.0 fold as the age factor) than the baseline case since the user will tend to have worse light transmission through their eyes, and less light can reach their retina than people in younger age due to reduced pupil size, lens transmittance, and increased ocular lens absorption. For example, a sixty-five year old male with light eye color may need a stimulus goal equal to or higher than 40 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 4 μw/cm2 during the night (e.g., the Fagemay be set equal to 2). (0068] This age-related factor may be obtained, for example, using known literature such as the IBS lighting handbook and other sources, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties: See Dilaura, D. L., & Kevin, H. (2011), IBS lighting handbook; Tenth Edition: Reference and Application, Page 445; see also Weale RA. (1992), The senescence of human vision, New York: Oxford University Press. This factor can be further calculated based on age in a more granular way based on the function between lens transmittance and age which has been illustrated in previous research. For example, for an age group younger than twenty-five years old, this factor can range from 0,3 to 0.8, for an age group between twenty and forty years old, this factor may be 1, and for an age group older than forty years old, this factor can range from 1,5 to 2.

[0069] in order to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different prior light exposure history than the baseline (e.g., during an earlier portion of the same day or in a prior day), in some embodiments the systems and methods may calculate the stimulus goal for that user based on the user's age, gender, and eye color, and then adjust the stimulus goal based on the user's prior light exposure history'. For example, the system may attempt to compensate based on how well the user achieved his/her prior day’s goal. See, e.g., M. Munch et al. (2016). Blue-enriched morning light as a countermeasure to light at the wrong time: effects on cognition, sleepiness, sleep, and circadian phase. Neurospsychobiology, 74:207-218. The system may determine an amount of time a user spends in a sufficiently lighted environment meeting his/her daytime stimulus goal (e.g., 20 μw/cm2) and set a default dosage goal of 80 gw hour/cm2 which is roughly 4 hours of exposure for the user. If a user only achieved half of the dosage goal (e.g., 40 μw hour/ cm2) during that time period on a prior day, the lighting system may compensate the following day and increase the dosage goal to 120 μw.hour/cm2 by adding the unachieved dosage from previous day, resulting in an increase of the daytime stimulus by a factor of 1.5 relative to the prior day. This may then create a larger contrast between the user’s daytime and nighttime light exposure which can benefit circadian alignment and sleep. Similarly, the prior light exposure history of the user earlier in the same day may be used to adjust the stimulus goal. For example, the morning light exposure for a user may be considered which is related to the amount of light exposure an individual received in the morning. Typically, the higher the contrast or difference (e.g., more than ten times difference) of a user’s light exposure between the day and the night, the better circadian entrainment for the user. Also, the higher the contrast or difference (e.g., more than five times difference) of light exposure between six hours before sleep and two hours before sleep, the better circadian entrainment of the user. As such, the determined stimulus goal may be adjusted based on the user’s detected light exposure throughout the day. The prior light exposure history factor or ratio may be determined or predetermined based on a variety of factors. In one illustrative approach, the factor is set at a default of 1.0 and the factor can be adjusted based on user feedback.

[0070] In one example involving an adjustment based on the user’s prior light history, if a user’s daytime stimulus goal is 20 μw/cm2 but the user had only received 10 μw/cm2 of morning light exposure (e.g., as detected by one or more sensors 130 or self-reported by the user), the processor 1102 of the computing device 135 may set or otherwise establish the user’s night time goal as 1 μw/cm2 two hours before the user’s sleep time and 5 μw/cm2 at six hours before sleep time to increase the light exposure contrast. So configured, the computing device 135 may attempt to dynamically adjust controllable lighting elements 133 to accommodate for changes in light exposure that may differ from the recommended stimulus goal by determining an initial stimulus goal for that user based on the user’s age, gender, and eye color, and then adjusting the night-time stimulus goal based on how well the user achieved his/her daytime goal.

[0071] In some forms, as shown in the example equation above, the previous night sleep quality for a user is another factor to be considered that is related to the quality of sleep the user experience in the prior night, either self-reported or measured using known biometric sensors.

For example, the system may be configured to determine the user’s sleep score and set a score threshold sleep score of 60. If a user reports poor sleep or poor sleep quality is detected by the system with a score lower than 60 during the previous night, the lighting system may increase the user’s daytime stimulus goal by a default factor of 2.0 to create a larger contrast between user’s daytime and nighttime light exposure which can benefit circadian alignment and sleep. This factor or ratio may be determined predetermined based on a variety of factors. In one illustrative approach, the factor is set at a default of 1.0. It is further contemplated that the factor can be adjusted based on user feedback.

[0072] in still other forms, as shown in the example equation above, the chronotype of the user is another factor that may be considered and may be adjusted based on the user’s typical sleep cycle. For example, there are three generally known chronotypes including Morning-types (M- types), Neither-types (N-types) and Evening types (E-types), and most typical individuals are of the N-type meaning that they are less prone to having their circadian rhythm disrupted compared to M-types and E-types. In one example, if a user reported as an E-type person, then the lighting system may increase the daytime stimulus goal by a certain selected factor to help the E-type person to gain a better circadian entrainment. In other embodiments, the lighting system may not adjust the stimulus goal if the user reported as an M-type person or N-type person. This factor or ratio may be determined predetermined based on a variety of factors. In one illustrative approach, the factor is set at a default of 1 ,0. In some forms, the time length of the nighttime stimulus may be adjusted based on the user’s chronotype. For example, if a user is reported as an E-type person, the lighting system may increase the length of the period of nighttime stimulus to three hours, and this length may alternatively be two hours for an N-type individual and one hour for an M-type individual, which may facilitate better circadian entrainment.

[0073] Additionally, to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different gender than the baseline gender (male), the systems and methods provided herein may calculate or otherwise determine a gender factor (for this example, the gender factor is 1.0 for the baseline case) for the user based on the user’s biological gender, and then use this factor to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals. For example, men are often more sensitive to light (up to 2.0 times higher as a gender factor) than women due to differences in their respective visual system functions. Thus, women may need additional light exposure to achieve the same level of circadian stimulus than men. For example, a twenty-five year old women may need a stimulus goal for blue light equal to or higher than 30 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 3 μw/cm2 during the night (e.g., a factor of 1.5 may be multiplied to the baseline). [0074] in order to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different eye color than the baseline eye color (light color), in some embodiments the systems and methods provide herein may calculate or otherwise determine an eye color factor (assuming this factor is 1.0 for the baseline) for the user based on the user’s eye color, and then use this factor to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals. People with light eye color often can be more sensitive to light (up to 1.75 times higher as an eye color factor) than people with dark eye color in general due to light transmission difference in their eyes. Thus, people with darker eye color may need additional light exposure to achieve the same level of circadian stimulus than people with light eye color. For example, a male with a black eye color may need a stimulus goal of blue light equal to or higher than 35 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 3.5 μw/cm2 during the night as compared to a male with lighter eye color who may need less light (e.g. , a factor of 1.75 may be multiplied to the baseline).

[0075] In one non-limiting example, a user may be male, 17 years old, and have a dark brown eye color. Based on this information, the user’s baseline daytime lighting stimulus goal (R_t) from the time of waking up to six hours before going to sleep may in some forms be calculated by the computing device 135 to be 17.5 μw/cm2 (=20 μw/cm2 (baseline) *0,5 (age factor) *1 (gender factor) *1.75 (eye color factor)). Further, the user’s afternoon, nightime, and late night stimulus goals may also be calculated. The user’s afternoon lighting stimulus goal from six hours before sleep to two hours before sleep may be 8.75 μw/cm2, which may be calculated as being two times lower than the user’s daytime stimulus goal (i.e., if the daytime stimulus goal is defined as having a factor of 1.0, the time of day factor for the afternoon may be 0.5). The user’s nighttime lighting stimulus goal from two hours before sleep to sleep may be calculated as 1.75 μw/cm2, which may be calculated as being ten times lower than the user’s daytime stimulus goal (a factor of 0.1). Finally, the user’s late night stimulus goal from sleep onset (e.g., as input by a user, a default setting, or as detected by one or more sensors) to waking up may be set at 0.175 μw/cm2, which is ten times lower than the user’s nighttime stimulus goal (a factor of 0.01). In some forms, such as for nighttime stimulus goals, the stimulus goals may be described as a stimulus “limit” since it is desirable not to exceed the determined amount of lighting during those times as it may interfere with the user’s circadian rhythm. Both laboratory and real-world studies have shown the light stimulus needed to maintain healthy circadian system is polarized between day and night, and it is beneficial to have contrast as large as 10 to 25 fold difference between daytime light stimulus and nighttime light stimulus.

[0076] In some embodiments, the stimulus goals may be calculated in accordance with the following example chart:

[0077] Additional example calculations of the daytime, afternoon, nighttime, and late night stimulus goals for different users, in which the user stimulus goals are derived from user parameters based on user profiles, are shown in the below tables:

User Profile

User Parameters

Late night start

20:00

[0080]

User Stimulus Goal

[0081] In some forms, if the sensors 130 in the habitable space detect that the lighting in the space has exceeded a limit such as the nighttime stimulus limit (e.g., a vertical irradiance of 2.0 is detected approximately one hour before sleep onset), the user may be notified that one or more lights should be turned off or dimmed. For example, the computing device 135 may communicate a signal to the user’s mobile communication device 1140 to cause a notification to be displayed informing the user that the stimulus limit is being exceeded.

[0082] In addition to the above-described calculations related to the lighting stimulus goal of a user, the computing device 135 is further configured to calculate a lighting potential of a habitable space the user is currently occupying, or may occupy at a predetermined time, to be used m determining whether the lighting potential of the space is sufficient to satisfy the stimulus goal of the user. In one example, the lighting potential of an indoor space is quantified by the average amount of vertical irradiation the artificial light in the indoor space can provide at eye level and may be determined in multiple ways. In some habitable spaces, the lighting potential of a space such as a room may be too low to satisfy a user’s stimulus goal if, e.g., the space only includes a single, small light source such as a lamp which results in the vertical irradiance at eye level being insufficient.

[0083] In some embodiments, an indoor space’s lighting potential may be determined by the computing device 135 based on the following equation:

where:

• Rc equals the lighting potential of an indoor space as the average eye/comeal irradiance level ( μw/cm²) from 440nm to 490nm as provided by the controllable lighting elements, or other artificial lighting elements in the indoor space, at one-hundred percent (100%) intensity.

• EVk is an average eye/corneal vertical illuminance level (lux) from 440nm to 490nm provided by the controllable lighting elements or other artificial lighting elements in the indoor space at one-hundred percent (100%) intensity.

• Kk is a spectral factor (μw/cm^2.lux) that is used to convert the average vertical illuminance level (EV) to the irradiance level (μw/cm²) from 440nm to 490nm. This factor may be unique for each kind of light and is derived from the spectrum of the lights, representing how much light energy a specific light can provide in the wavelength range from 440nm to 490nm per lux. This factor can be determined from information provided by the manufacturer or from a test of the light (e.g., by detecting characteristics of the light via one or more sensors 130).

• N is the number of different kind of lights in the indoor space. For example, there may be a number of different types of lights in the space such as wall lights, ceiling mounted lights, among others, that may all be taken into account in determining the lighting potential of the space.

[0084] In some embodiments, the average vertical illuminance level (EV) can be determined by the following equation:

EV = EH/F_angle where:

• EH is the average horizontal illuminance (lux) in an indoor space at a level of four feet to six feet (or another designated range or distance away from the floor in the indoor space). In some forms, four feet to six feet may be selected as it represents a typical eye height for a user when sitting down.

• F_angle is an angle factor that converts an average horizontal illuminance to an average vertical illuminance and is related to the beam angle of the light fixture. For light fixtures projecting downward, this number can decrease as beam angle increases. For example, lights with a beam angle of fifteen degrees can have a value ranging from four to six, and lights with a beam angle of sixty degrees can have a value ranging from 2.5 to 4.5. The chart below shows several example angle factors that may be used in connection with the example equation above. For light fixtures projecting upward, this number can remain the same (e.g., with 1.5 as a default) across different beam angles when the reflection surface (e.g., the ceiling) is Lambertian (i.e., the surface has the same luminance regardless of viewing angle).

[0085] in some embodiments, EH may be determined by the computing device 135 using the following equation:

EH = N x Øv x CU x LLF x (1/Area) where:

• N is the number of a given type of controllable lighting element in an indoor space. For example, a room typically has several artificial light fixtures to provide general illumination, not including accent lighting or decorative lighting. Those light fixtures can be in different form factors such as downlights, bulbs, floor lamps, etc.

• fn is the luminous flux (Lumens) of a given type of controllable lighting element and is typically provided by manufacturer. The luminous flux represents the total amount of visible light energy emitted from a light fixture. This information can usually be found on the package of a lighting product. For example, a lOwatt LED downlight can have an output of 800 lumens.

• CU is a coefficient of utilization and is a measure of the efficiency of a controllable lighting element in transferring luminous energy to the working plane in a particular indoor space or in a portion thereof. For example, CU is the ratio of luminous flux from a controllable lighting element in an indoor space incident upon a work plane in the indoor space to the total luminous flux emitted by the light emitting components within the controllable lighting element. In some forms, this ratio can range from 0.2 to 0.8 depending on the size and shape of the indoor space, beam angle of the controllable lighting elements in the indoor space, and reflectance of interior surfaces in the indoor space.

• LLF is a light loss factor and a multiplier used to predict future performance of a maintained lumen output of one or more controllable light elements based on the initial properties of the one or more controllable lighting elements in an indoor space. In some embodiments, a default value of 0,9 can be used for LLF.

• Area is the floor area for a given indoor space. For example, this may be either determined or input by a user and is calculated using the length of the space and the width of the space.

[0086] In some forms, the coefficient of utilization (CU) may either be determined as a range based at least in part on a room ratio as explained in further detail below, or may alternatively be a known value associated with different types of light fixtures using known research depending on the size and shape of the indoor space, beam angle of the controllable lighting elements in the indoor space, and reflectance of interior surfaces in the indoor space. For example, the CU values may be determined using the research presented in:

Harrison, W., & Anderson, E. A. (1920). Coefficients of utilization. Transactions of the Illuminating Engineering Society, 15(2), 97-123; and

Zanker, A. (1980). Calculation of room index and estimation of coefficient of utilisation of luminaires by means of a nomograph. Lighting Research & Technology, 12(2), 107- 109. [0087] According to one non-limiting example, the lighting potential of a habitable space may be calculated using data from one or more sensors related to the lighting characteristics of the habitable space. The reading of one or more sensors (Er) may be translated to an average vertical illuminance (EV) by using the following formula:

EV = Er *0.75 where 0.75 is a factor determined by where the sensor is placed and may vary in some forms. To determine this value, the lighting sensor should be placed away from a window and facing the inside of the designated space at a height of the human eye when sitting (approximately 1.2 meters) and avoiding being covered in the projection zone (within the range of beam angle) of an artificial light. The sensor should be able to capture ambient light from ail fixtures in the space, and the area of the space should not be too large (e.g., no more than 30 meters squared). This factor may change based on, for example, the room size, height of placement of the lighting elements, directions of the lighting elements, among other factors.

[0088] For example, if the reading of the one or more sensors indicates that 100 Lux is detected, then the calculated EV would be 75 Lux as calculated and shown in further detail in the following table:

[0089] Based on this information, a lighting potential of the room may be determined. In one aspect, the lighting potential may be calculated in accordance with the following example as explained with respect to the table reproduced below:

[0090 j As shown above, various inputs may he utilized in the calculation of the lighting potential Rc of the habitable space. For example, different unique types of lighting elements (e.g., downlight, pendent, bulb, etc.) may be factored into the equation since each type of light may have a unique spectral distribution within the habitable space. Similarly, the number of lighting elements of each type may likewise influence the amount of light available in the space. As already discussed further above, a K value or spectral factor ( μw/cm^2.lux) may be used to convert the vertical illuminance level (EV) to the irradiance level ( μw/cm²) from 44Qmn to 490nm.

Again, this spectral factor may be unique for each type of light and is derived from the spectrum of the lights, representing how much light energy a specific light can provide in the wavelength range from 440nm to 490nm per lux. This factor and other information associated with the types of lighting elements present in the space can be determined from information provided by the manufacturer or from testing the light (e.g., by detecting characteristics of the light via one or more sensors 130 such as a spectrometer). As shown m the table, the K value will differ based on the CCT of the l ighting element, which is shown with respect to a range of values between 2700K and 4500k (which may be a default range of the system such that users are permitted to select any preferred value in that range).

[0091] in some forms, a weighted spectral value K may be determined based at least in part on the spectral power distribution from the light sources. The weighted spectral value K may be configured to account for all irradiance from light sources between 440 nm and 490 nm (μ w/cm2) from a measured absolute spectral power distribution when the illuminance is 1 lux. in some forms, a linear relationship may exist between the CCT value of a light source and the weighted spectral value K, and may be calculated using the following formula:

0,0081 where:

• x represents the CCT in Kelvin, and

• y represents the weighted K value (440mn-490nm).

For example, the weighted K value for a 2000K CCT light may be around 0.006 μw/cm2 per lux. Based on this information, the lighting potential Rc of the habitable space may then be calculated for a variety of different selected CCT values by multiplying the vertical illuminance (EV) as calculated above by the spectral value K unique to each lighting element. Additionally, or alternatively , the weighted spectral factor K may be used in place of the spectral factor K to account for the various unique types of lighting elements within the habitable space.

[0092] in yet another aspect, the lighting potential of a habitable space may be calculated in accordance with the following example based at least in part on spatial and/or lighting element data to account for variable features within the space such as the type and number of light sources, the lumen output and angle of the light sources, among other factors. Various portions of the calculations to determine the lighting potential are discussed individually below (e.g,, with respect to inputs and outputs such as input 1, input 2, output 1, output 2, etc.), however, it should be understood that the various individual calculations may relate to and factor into one another as discussed further below-. In one form, various information related to the habitable space itself may be determined as either manually input by a user or as determined by one or more sensors associated with the habitable space as described with respect to the following table:

[0093] First, an area of the room may be determined by multiplying a length of the room (e.g., 4 meters) by a width of the room (e.g,, 4 meters) and a height of the room (e.g., 3 meters) may either be detected by one or more sensors or a signal may be received indicating the height of the room. Based on the area of the room as determined previously, a room ratio may be determined by dividing the area of the room by the height times one-half of the perimeter. Additionally, in order to obtain a specific range of coefficients of utilization (CU) for use in determining the lighting potential, a room index may first be determined based on known corresponding room ratios as shown in the following table:

[0094] In alternative forms, instead of a range, individual CU values may be determined for each light source using the tables discussed above depending on the size and shape of the indoor space, beam angle of the controllable lighting elements m the indoor space, and reflectance of interior surfaces in the indoor space. [0095] Next, various information related to the lighting system may be either determined or calculated (e.g., as manually input by a user or as detected by one or more sensors). As shown m the table below, various different types of lights may be present in a habitable space such as downhghts, pendent lights, and bulbs, and each may have its own mounting direction (which may differ based on light and installation).

[0096] Each different mounting direction as shown above may have a unique directional modified CU based on the range as previously determined. For example, direct downward lights may have a CU at the upper end of the range (0.35) while bulb lights that are indirect and diffusive may have a CU at the lower end of the range (0.16). Further, for semi-direct light sources, the ends of the range may be averaged (0.255).

[0097] Next, various surface colors within the space that the light reflects and/or refracts off may be determined and taken into consideration as shown in the following table:

[0098] For example, if the downlights that are directing light downward are reflecting off a dark colored surface, a surface color modified CU may be calculated by multiplying the directional modified CU (e.g., 0.35) by a known coefficient for reflectance off of darker surfaces (e.g., a factor of 0.9). Similarly, the surface color modified CU may be determined for the other light sources in a similar manner.

[0099 j Next, the number of each light type and their lamp output may be used to determine the total light output from each of the different types of lights in the habitable space and the horizontal illuminance of same as shown in the following table:

[00100] For example, as shown the number of each light type (e.g., 5 downhghts, 2 pendent lights, and 3 bulb lights) may be multiplied by each lighting element’s output m lumens to determine a total light output in lumens. The lighting element’s output may he determined based on information from a manufacturer or may be measured via one or more sensors. Then, the total light output may be multiplied by the surface color modified CU as calculated above divided by the area of the space to determine the horizontal illuminance for each tight source. [00101] Additionally, the beam angle of the lights may be accounted for in order to determine the average vertical illuminance as shown in the following table:

[00102] As shown above, the downlight has a beam angle of 40 degrees relative to vertical direction, and the pendent and bulb lights do not have a beam angle since the light is distributed m a more dispersed manner. Based on these values, corresponding angle factors may be determined based on, e.g., the table reproduced below which is based on known information:

[00103] For example, for the downlight, the beam angle of 40 degrees may correspond to an angle factor of between 3-5 (i.e., an average of 4 may be used) and the pendent and bulb lights may have a default angle factor of 1.5. Once the angle factor has been assessed, the vertical illuminance of each light source may be determined by di viding the horizontal illuminance of each light source by the angle factor corresponding with the beam angle of the lights as shown in the table above.

[00104] Once the vertical illuminance of each type of light has been determined, a light potential for each light type may be determined and then used to determine a corresponding total light potential for the entire habitable space (i.e., accounting for all lights). For example, such a calculation is shown in further detail in the table below:

[00105] As shown, the spectral factor K is illustrated across a variety of different CCT values to determine the light potential associated with each corresponding CCT value. As explained above, these K values may be calculated via a spectrometer or may be information provided by a manufacturer of the lighting elements. Next, the lighting potential for each type of light source in the habitable space may be determined at each individual CCT by multiplying the spectral factor K at that specific CCT by the vertical illuminance calculated above, finally, these determined lighting potentials for each type of light source may be added together to determine a total lighting potential of the habitable space.

[00106] It should be understood that various other types of lighting elements (e.g., lamps, lightboxes, sconces, floor lights, etc.) may be included within a habitable space and may be factored into the above calculation of a light potential in a similar manner based at least in part on lighting characteristics associated with those lights (e.g., lumen output, beam angle, number of lights, etc.) and the calculation need not be limited to the types of example lights discussed. Further, various other lighting potentials corresponding to different CCT values may be calculated in a similar manner. So configured, the lighting potential of a space may factor in various different characteristics of a habitable space such as light type, surface color of features in the space, among other factors.

[00107] Based at least in part on the potential light capacity of a space, and the determined light stimulus goal of a user m the space, in some embodiments, an indoor space’s room relative light capacity (P) may be determined by the computing device 135 using the following equation:

P = R_t / R_c where Rt is the targeted eye/comeal irradiance level as discussed above and Rc is the light potential for indoor space as discussed above. In some embodiments, the calculated relative light capacity may be used to personalize light intensity for a specific user in a specific indoor space. For example, the computing device 135 may utilize the calculated relative light capacity P to determine settings for one or more controllable lighting elements 133 or adjust one or more controllable lighting elements 133 to set the intensity of the light in the indoor space. In one aspect, if the P value is lower than 1.0, it may indicate that the lighting potential of the controllable lighting elements 133 in the indoor space are sufficient to help user achieve the user’s current stimulus goal. If the P value is higher than 1.0, it may indicate that the controllable lighting elements 133 in the indoor space may be insufficient to help the user achieve the user's current stimulus goal. This determination that the lighting elements 133 are insufficient to meet the user’s goal may happen, e.g,, when the user’s stimulus goal is very high, for example, during the daytime or for older individuals. In some instances where the relative light capacity in an indoor space is determined to be insufficient to facilitate a user to achieve the current stimulus goal, if possible, a computing device 135 associated with the indoor space may communicate a signal to another controllable device (e.g., a smart blind system or electroehromic glass) in the indoor space to let externally created natural or artificial light into the indoor space to otherwise increase light intensity in an attempt to meet the user’s goal. Alternatively, or in addition, the computing device 135 might communicate a signal to a user device 1140 associated with the user to inform the user that he/she should turn on one or more additional lights in the space (e.g., a lamp), go outside for a predetermined period of time to be exposed to natural light, go to a different indoor space with a higher lighting potential that can help the user meet the user’s current stimulus goal, or provide other helpful information.

[00108] Now referring to FIG. 4, a top plan view of an example habitable or other indoor space 400 is provided that may include, or be a part of, one of the remote locations or spaces previously described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. In some forms, the indoor space 400 may include one or more of the devices previously described above, but are not shown here for ease of illustration, such as a controlling device 134 (which may be the computing device 135 shown in FIG. 11), a controllable device 132 (such as a controllable lighting device 133), one or more sensors 130, a hub 320, gateway 322, user device 220, local analysis device 142, or local data storage device 138.

[00109] The indoor space 400 may be at least partially enclosed by a wall 402 that may include one or more windows or other openings 404 that may permit natural light to enter the space 400 and one or more doors 406. As illustrated, the indoor space 400 may include one or more controllable devices including lighting elements 408 installed on the ceiling of the space 400, each of which contains one or more controllable lights 410. In the illustrated form, the lighting element 408 is formed as a set of three elongated strips or light wells each having a plurality of different controllable lights 410 in the form of different light emitting diodes (LEDs), [ 00110] In some forms, for purposes of determining a lighting potential of the space 400 as described in further detail above, the area of the indoor space 400 can be determined from a determined length 412 and a determined width 414 of the indoor space 400. This determination of the length 412 and width 414 may be made based at least in part on user input received at the computing device 134 or may instead be automatically determined using an optical sensor such as a camera configured to detect the length and width based on observable characteristics of the space 400. The indoor space 400 also may include furniture, additional controllable lighting elements 408 having lighting elements (e.g, floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces or other lights) that may be selected and positioned depending on how the indoor space 400 is used (e.g., as a kitchen, meeting room, bathroom, bedroom, office, etc.). The different lighting elements 408 in the indoor space 400 may be positioned in a variety of manners in the indoor space and need not be identical to one another or have the same form factor. It should also be understood that the lighting elements 408 may or may not be symmetrically positioned within the space 400. In some embodiments, one or more settings of the controllable lighting devices 408 can be set, changed, transitioned, or otherwise controlled by a controlling device 134. For purposes of the present discussion, a controllable lighting element 408 or a controllable light 410 may be considered a controlled device 132 as previously discussed above.

[00111] FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of another alternative example habitable or other indoor space 500 similar to space 400 such that any differences wall be highlighted hereinafter. The indoor space 500 may be bounded by a wall 502 that may have one or more windows or other openings 504 in it and one or more doors 506. Similarly, the space 500 includes one or more lighting elements 508 (such as being installed on a ceiling of the space) which include one or more lights 510. The space 500 likewise has an area that can be determined from a length 512 and a width 514. In contrast with the space 400, the lighting elements 508 of the space 500 are formed as a duality of elongated strips having a larger number of controllable lights 510 (e.g., LEDs) that may provide more granular control over the light emitted thereby. [00112] FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of another alternative example habitable or other indoor space 600 similar to spaces 400, 500 such that any differences will be highlighted hereinafter. The indoor space 600 may be bounded by a wail 602 that may have one or more windows or other openings 604 m it and one or more doors 606. Similarly, the space 600 may include one or more lighting elements 608 positioned on a ceiling of the space and includes one or more controllable table or floor lamps 609 and/or one or more wall mounted and controllable lights 610, wherein one or more settings of one more controllable lighting elements in the lamps 609 or lights 610 can be set, changed, transitioned, or otherwise controlled. For example, the lamps 609 may be controlled by a controlling device 134 (e.g., computing device 135) to transition to a dimmer environment (e.g., less light intensity) before a user’s bedtime to inhibit potential melatonin suppression. The space 600 likewise has an area that can be determined from a length 612 and a width 614.

[00113] It should be understood that the systems contemplated herein for determining lighting settings and adjusting light within a habitable space are not limited to any specific shape, design, dimension, configuration, or other features of an indoor space. Unlike the example spaces 400, 500, 600 described above, some spaces may not have a symmetrical design and may have non-symmetrieally placed windows, doors, furniture, lights, fans, HVAC ducts, curved walls, different areas with different ceiling heights (e.g., 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 20 feet etc.) or dimensions, among other features. Some other example indoor space dimensions or configurations are shown in FIG. 7 as different indoor space layouts 702, As another example of differences among certain indoor spaces, some indoor spaces may have different surfaces therein that have different spectrum reflectance such as a white painted wall, a black tiled or painted floor, or certain colored furniture that may create (intentionally or unintentionally) a different spectrum reflectance of light in the room.

[00114] In some forms, the controllable lighting elements and/or light emitting devices positioned within a habitable space can be placed evenly, uniformly, non-uniformly, or randomly in an indoor space or in a portion of the indoor space, especially if one or more of the different controllable lighting elements are movable (e.g., a standing floor lamp, a desk lamp). For example, some habitable spaces may include uniformly distributed lighting such as a square room with four separate ceiling lights that are equally spaced from one another on the ceiling in a symmetrical manner. However, in other forms, a user’s bedroom space may be an elongated, rectangular shape with a single can light in the ceiling offset from a center thereof and a number of non-symmetrical lamps, wall sconces, or other light sources that may cause the light to be distributed m a non-uniform manner. Further, even in forms where the lighting elements are distributed in a symmetrical manner, some different controllable lighting elements or other light emitting devices may be used or turned on individually at different times of the day, for different activities in the indoor space, or for other reasons, thus resulting in a non-uniform distribution of light. Such different configurations and variations of lighting elements within a space may be accounted for in determining a lighting potential of a room as discussed in further detail herein. [00115] Referring now⁷ to FIG. 8, an example method 800 for determining a CCT and lighting intensity for at least one controllable lighting element in an indoor space (e.g., indoor spaces 400, 500, 600) to facilitate personalization of lighting or light settings in the space is provided. In some embodiments, the method 800 may be implemented by one or more controlling or computing devices 134, 135, 136 that may be local or non-local (e.g., a server computer), or one or more other devices or systems associated with the habitable space. The light provided by the one or more controllable lighting elements in the indoor space may be personalized across a wide variety of domains and uses, and the system may take into account one or more characteristics of a user in the indoor space or the light to which the user is otherwise exposed. This personal ization also permits one or more characteristics of the space itself, and one or more spatial characteristics associated with a locati on of the space such as a time of day or season to he considered. For example, with respect to characteristics of a user that may be considered, personalized lighting provided by one or more controllable lighting elements could reflect or take into account a user’s biology (such as the user’s age and chronotype) as well as the user’s preferences and visual needs that are either determined or self-reported. Lighting also could be personalized for biological factors that affect the user’s non-visual perception of light, which as described in further detail above may have effects on the user’s circadian rhythm. [00116] From a visual perspective, there can be variability of visual lighting needs for a user in a space for the performance of different activities or tasks, and illuminance criteria within the space can be tailored for different activities such as watching television, sleeping, reading a book, cooking, doing yoga or meditating, among others. In one example, a twenty-five year-old may need or prefer a light intensity of fifty lux while watching television and three hundred lux while reading a book. However, a user in an indoor space may often change activities throughout the user’s time in the indoor space ( e.g., over the course of a day or a designated time period during the day or over the course of multiple days), and the user will often lack the knowledge or ability to change or transition the lighting to appropriate settings for the new' activity. For instance, in a residential environment such as a home, a broad range of activities can take place in one or more rooms of the home (e.g., sleeping, reading, working, cleaning, eating etc.) From a visual perspective, this may result in an indoor space with lighting just bright enough to accommodate one task requiring a low light level of brightness (e.g., navigating through a house and seeing surroundings in the house clearly) but not bright enough to accommodate another task requiring a higher light level of brightness (e.g., focused reading, using a computer, painting). This mismatch between lighting or light environment created in the indoor space for different activities and light requirements of the user may cause eye strain, dry eyes, and headache after a constant exposure by the user to the lighting for an extended period of time.

[00117] From a non-visual perspective, these different lighting conditions may result in an indoor space with lighting that is bright enough to accommodate a user’s circadian need during the day but too bright to accommodate the user’s circadian need during the evening or night.

This also may result m an environment bright enough to accommodate one younger person’s circadian need during the day but too dim to accommodate another older person’s circadian need during the night. For example, the alerting effects of bright, blue-enriched white light in an indoor space, which can be utilized during work to help a user in the indoor space increase the user’s energy and vigilance, may being avoided during or prior to the user’s bedtime when it may interfere with the user’s sleep (winch the user may do in the same or in a different indoor space). Many older individuals may experience ocular changes that often result in reduced light sensitivity as people age meaning that an older adult may need to receive a brighter light while in an indoor space to achieve the same level of photoreception, visual perception, or acuity as a younger person in the same space. In addition, such older individuals may require more lighting in the blue spectrum which may be necessary_' for the older adult to experience the same circadian effect or receive the same circadian benefit as a younger person in the same space. In contrast, younger individuals (e.g., young children) may be more sensitive to light such that they require light with low'er illuminance and low'er intensity in the short wavelength range, especially in the evening, to avoid melatonin suppression. [00118] Thus, lighting may be adjusted on a personalized basis via the methods described herein to leverage light provided m the indoor space, and the non-visual effects of such light, to provide support for the user’s ability to perform these and other desired activities in one or more indoor spaces without interfering with the user’s circadian rhythm. Accordingly, adjustments to the lighting in an indoor space that are based at least in part on the occupants within the space (and characteristics associated therewith) could facilitate improvement of an individual’s ability to achieve tasks and goals from a visual perspective, while also supporting circadian entrainment and health from a non-visual perspective.

[00119] Additionally, or alternatively, beyond customization of lighting based on biological factors or characteristics of an individual, the lighting in an indoor space could also be adjusted based at least in part on an individual’s preferences, such as regarding color pattern, visualization, or mood. For example, some currently available consumer lighting products provide various animated effects (e.g., a color cycle pattern, a flame/music visualization, a spooky pattern) to match different occasions or moods within a space.

[00120] The method 800 may also include adjusting one or more settings for one or more controllable lighting elements in an indoor space to take into account one or more spatial factors (e.g., time of day, season, size and/or layout of the room, fenestrations, etc.) associated with the location of the habitable space the user is occupying that may influence a user’s experience of light in the indoor space. For example, during the daytime, the light in an indoor space may not be bright enough for a user’s visual need or non- visual need even when all of the windows in the indoor space are open and permitting natural light to enter the space. Thus, the user may need more exposure of the daylight or other natural light outdoors, or alternatively, the artificial light in the indoor space may need to be adjusted to better accommodate the user’s needs. In some embodiments, the light potential from both daylight and artificial light can be evaluated to determine whether the user requires more light exposure than currently available in the space.

For example, a system may provide a notification to the user via the user’s mobile communication device indicating that the user should “turn on more lights” or “go outside and get more light.” Additionally, or alternatively, the system may automatically communicate a signal to one or more controllable lighting devices in the space to adj ust the lighting to meet the user’s needs. [00121] In some forms, the system may be configured to “harvest” or otherwise take advantage of or use daylight by adjusting operation of various window-' coverings or shades to utilize as much natural daylight as required to meet a user’s daily lighting needs. For example, the shade positions at windows for the indoor space and lighting levels within the indoor space may change and interact with the exterior daylight conditions to result in different indoor illumination levels or other settings within the indoor space. In one example, a brightness sensor may be placed at or near a window of the habitable space to detect the brightness of that specific location when there is either only artificial lighting or only daylight. Upon the sensor recording the amount of artificial lighting, the system may use that information to correlate with the computed average vertical illuminance potential and average horizontal illuminance potential.

By comparing the average potential with the user’s stimulus goal, the system may determine the relative light capacity (e.g., what percentage of light intensity' the lighting elements should output). If a stimulus goal is lower than the average potential, a brightness percentage of lower than 100% will be given to the lighting component. F^’or example, if a user is in a room with a potential of 20 μw/cm2, and the user has a goal of 15 μw/cm2, the system may send a command to the lighting system to 75% capacity (15/20=0.75). However, if a stimulus goal is higher than the average potential of that space, a brightness percentage of higher than 100% will be computed. This may happen during the daytime when user has a higher stimulus goal for certain tasks or circadian entrainment which is higher than the artificial lighting component can provide. In this case the system may send a command to set the lighting at 100% capacity. Further, the system is configured to adjust the window coverings or shades to let in an amount of natural daylight to meet the user’s desired stimulus goal, or send a notification or otherwise suggest to the user to adjust the window coverings For example, if the room has a window to wall ratio higher than 0.5, and it is a sunny day outside, the system may be configured to fully open the window coverings. If the stimulus goal is still not achieved when a maximum amount of natural daylight is permitted to enter the space, the system may determine that the user’s stimulus goal cannot be achieved within the specific environment and may recommend that the user take a walk outside or move to another space with a higher lighting potential in accord with the functions described above.

[00122] For two indoor spaces with different areas, shapes, and ceiling heights, window- numbers and positions, wall reflectivity, ceiling reflectivity, direction of lighting, the shade positions at the windows and lighting level often will need to be different to achieve the same optimal light illumination level within the indoor spaces, even if the two indoor spaces are under the same daylight condition f e.g., located proximate one another such that the same sun or weather conditions apply). These factors may he taken in consideration to personalize the lighting experience for the user by changing or establishing one or more settings for one or more controllable lighting elements within the indoor space.

[00123] The method 800 may also account for the ability of the settings of one or more controllable lighting elements m the indoor space to adjust to the indoor space environment to achieve an optimal distribution of lighting. For example, the method 800 may determine the amount of natural daylight provided in the room (resulting from either weather or seasonally) and adjust the settings of the controllable lighting elements to maintain optimal lighting for an individual. The light provided by the one or more controllable lighting elements in an indoor space can take into account, e.g., sunrise (T 1 ) and sunset (T2) times, including how those times change throughout the year, and adapt the timing, amount, and color of light accordingly in the indoor space.

[00124] In order to determine various lighting characteristics within a space (e.g., the amount of lighting in the space, the number of lights, etc.), various sensors or wearable devices for detecting the amount and type of light a user is exposed to during the day may he employed. Such data detected by the sensors may be used m a determination of whether the user is receiving sufficient lighting throughout, the day to adjust one or more controllable lighting devices. For example, during a cloudy or short, day, the sensors may detect that the amount of natural light in the space is diminished such that the artificial lights within the space should emit more light, to improve the user’s circadian rhythm and visual comfort. Thus, if it is determined that the user has had a low light exposure, daytime light levels in an indoor could be increased, and evening light levels in the indoor space could be lowered to avoid melatonin suppression and circadian disruption for the user. Further, bright light therapy has been found to be potentially beneficial in mitigating symptoms of mood issues that are linked to reduced sunlight exposure, such as seasonal affective disorder. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the methods and systems described here may determine a user’s daytime stimulus goal, and then may predict or determine if the user has achieved or is likely to achieve this stimulus goal based on data obtained via one or more sensors. As discussed in further detail above, the system may then correspondingly adjust a user’s nighttime stimulus goal to promote at least a 10-fold difference between day and nighttime goals.

[00125] Referring again to method 800, in step 802, information associated with an indoor space is determined. For example, in some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, or another device, may receive or send a signal or other data indicative the space itself or of en vironmental characteristics of the indoor space such as the area of the space, height, volume, location of lights or other features positioned in the indoor space, among other characteristics as described herein. For example, with reference to the indoor space 114 shown in FIG. 1, the controlling device 134 may receive an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding the total floor area of indoor space 114 or a portion of indoor space 114, the height of the indoor space 114, one or more other dimensions of the indoor space, one of more locations or types of controllable or non-eontrollabie lights in the indoor space 114, the primary' purpose or the current use of the indoor space 114 (e.g., cooking, sleeping, exercising), the location of a window or door m the indoor space 114, among other characteristics. Additionally, or alternatively, the controlling device 134 may communicate this information to the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, or central analysis device 156 in a similar manner.

[00126] In some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 is configured to determine information associated with a change in the indoor space and send or receive a signal indicating same (e.g., a user has moved furniture within the space, installed a new window, painted the walls a new color, added a new light source, etc.). In one example where a new lighting device has been added to the space, a lighting device has been moved, or a lighting device in the space has been adjusted such that its capability of generating light has changed (e.g., such that a new lighting element has been installed, brighter LEDs have been added, colored lights have been added), the device(s) may determine the change in capability and be configured to adjust the lighting devices accordingly based at least in part on the detected changed capability by, e.g., updating the lighting potential calculation for the space.

[00127] In some forms, the method 800 may further include a step of determining information associated with one or more weather conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, or air quality) at a location associated with the indoor space once the indoor space has been determined. For example, the computing device 135 may receive for send) an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from (or to) the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding the current humidity, air temperature, cloud level, ram forecast, temperature forecast, air quality, among other factors, at the location of the indoor space 114.

[00128] During step 804, one or more users are determined who are associated with the indoor space as identified in step 802. For example, in some embodiments, one or more users may be detected as being in or associated with the indoor space based at least in part on an occupancy or optical sensor within the space detecting presence of a specific user (e.g., via facial recognition), voice sensors, self-identification via a mobile application or digital keyboard, detection of a wearable device of the user, connection of the user’s mobile communication device to a wireless network associated with the space, among other identification possibilities. [00129] In some embodiments, a user may activate the room’s lighting system manually (through the user’s action on or use of an application or other software on a mobile device or other device, , virtual keypad, or a manual light switch), or, the activation may be done automatically (through detection, for example, by a motion, occupancy, voice or noise sensor, or by a camera),

[00130] In some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may receive or send a signal indicative of the information associated with the one or more users determined during step 804 or as part of step 804. For example, the computing device 135 may receive (or send) an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from (or to) the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding one or more of the user’s age, gender, prior light exposure, stimulus goal, schedule, current or expected occupancy in the indoor space or other particular indoor space, expected time that user will try to go to sleep, and also various preferences of each user such as a scene preference, CCT preference, light intensity preference, among other information.

[00131] In some forms, the method 800 may further include a step of determining one or more activities that the user(s) determined in step 804 are participating in or are scheduled to participate in. For example, it may be determined whether the user is cooking, sleeping, sitting, exercising, eating, relaxing, meditating, reading, watching tv, among others, each of such activities potentially having a different recommended light level associated therewith such that the computing device 135 may adjust the lighting level accordingly by controlling operation of the lighting elements in the space. The activities may he one or more predefined activities stored in a user’ s profile in the system.

[00132] During step 806, a time associated with the user and/or the indoor space is determined. For example, in some embodiments, the time determined may be the current time (e.g., 3:00PM), a future time that the user(s) identified in step 804 are expected to be in or otherwise occupy the indoor space identified in step 802, among other times. In some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may receive or send a signal indicative of the time determined during step 806 or as part of step 806. For example, the computing device 135 may receive (or send) an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from (or to) the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding the current time or a relevant future time, which may be a time in which one or more users are in, are scheduled to be in, or are otherwise expected to be in the indoor space 114 or portion thereof.

[00133] During step 808, a CCT value of light is determined. For example, the CCT value may be based on the indoor space identified in step 802, the user(s) identified in step 804, and/or the time determined in step 806, as wall be discussed in more detail below. As one example, the CCT value may be based on the capabilities of lighting devices positioned in the space, may be based at least in part on a preference of the user identified as being in the space, or may be based on the determined time (e.g., a lower CCT may be desired at night-time to avoid melatonin suppression). In some embodiments, the method 800, a controlling or computing device 134,

135, 136 may receive or send a signal indicative of the CCT value determined during step 808 or as part of step 808. For example, the computing device 135 may receive (or send) an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from (or to) the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding the CCT value determined during step 808 or as part of step 808. [00134] In some embodiments, the CCT value determined during step 808 may be greater than or equal to approximately 1800K and less than or equal to approximately 2700K, greater than or equal to approximately 1800K and less than or equal to approximately 6500K, greater than or equal to approximately 1000K and less than or equal to approximately 8000K, greater than or equal to approximately 2000K and less than or equal to approximately 3000K, greater than or equal to approximately 4000K and less than or equal to approximately 6500K, greater than or equal to approximately 2000K and less than or equal to approximately 6500K, greater than or equal to approximately 2000K and less than or equal to approximately 4500K, etc. Other ranges for the CCT value determined during step 808 also may be used.

[00135] As discussed above, the CCT value may be based at least in part on the preferences of a user. For example, a device or system may send or receive a signal indicative of a CCT value preference associated with a user or an indoor space, which may be done as part of determining a CCT value preference associated with the user or the indoor space. In this situation, determining a CCT value (e.g., a CCT value greater than or equal to approximately 1800K and less than or equal to approximately 2700K, a CCT value equal to 1500K, 1800K, 2000K, 22000K, 2400K, 2600K, 2800K, etc.) during step 808 may be based, at least in part, on a CCT value preference input by a user through, e.g. , a mobile application on the user’s mobile communication device (e.g., via user interface 1142 of device 1140 shown m FIG. 11). The user preference may be selected from a range associated with the time of day and/or location. For example, a user may input a preference of 2700K at sunrise from the range of 2000K-3000K, a preference of 4500 at midday from the range of 4000K-6500K, and a preference of 2000 at sunset from the range of 2000K-3000K.

[00136] During step 810, a light intensity value is determined. For example, the light intensity value may be based on the indoor space identified in step 802 (e.g., a light intensity detected via one or more light sensors or a light intensity preference associated with the space), the user(s) identified in step 804, and/or the time determined in step 806, as will be discussed in more detail below'. In some embodiments of the method 800, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may receive or send a signal indicative of the light intensity value determined during step 810 or as part of step 810. For example, the computing device 135 may receive (or send) an email message, text message, SMS message or other data or information from (or to) the central controlling device 136, local data storage device 138, local analysis device 142, central analysis device 156, etc. that provides information regarding the light intensity determined during step 810 or as part of step 810.

[00137] In some embodiments, the light intensity determined during step 810 may be a percentage of the full output of the lighting system and may be greater than or equal to approximately 10% and less than or equal to approximately 100%, greater than or equal to approximately 20% and less than or equal to approximately 100%, greater than or equal to approximately 5% and less than or equal to approximately 50%, etc. Other ranges for the intensity value determined during step 810 also may be used.

[00138] In some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may determine the light intensity' value based at least in part on a sunrise (T1) and/or sunset (T2) time at the location of the indoor space identified in step 802, which may vary across different seasons of the year, to help mimic in the indoor space the color of natural light provided by the sun and the sky under different weather conditions.

[00139] In some embodiments, the method 800, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may send or receive a signal indicative of the indoor space determined during step 802, the user(s) determined during step 804, the time determined during step 806, the CCT value determined during step 808, and /or the light intensity determined during step 810 to a user, user device, or other device in the form of a notification, recommendation, approval request, or other information related to the recommended lighting settings for that user.

[00140] In some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may send a signal indicative of the information determined in steps 802, 804, 806, 808, 810 to a user device associated with the user such as information indicative of the determined CCT or intensity level. In some forms, the information provided to a user may include information associated with a second or different user of the space.

[00141] Based on the determined space, user(s), time, CCT, and intensity information via the method 800, the method 800 may further include the computing device 134 being configured to determine a lighting potential of the indoor space, a stimulus goal for a user, and a relative light capacity of the space in the manner discussed in further detail above with respect to FIG.

11, and also discussed below with respect to the example method 1000 shown in FIG. 10.

[00142] Referring now to FIG. 9, an example method 900 is provided for determining a CCT value for at least one controllable light element in an indoor space (e.g., indoor spaces 400, 500, 600). in some forms, method 900 may be implemented wholly, or as a part of, step 808 of method 800 as previously described. In some embodiments, the method 900 may be implemented by one or more controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, or one or more other devices associated with a habitable space.

[00143] In step 902, a time may be determined. For purposes of the present discussion, the time determination in step 902 is substantially similar to the time determination as already described above with respect to step 806 of method 800. In step 904, a location for the indoor space is determined. For example, in some embodiments, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may receive or send a signal or other data indicative of the location of the space itself such as, for example, an address, zip code, city, or other identifying feature. In step 906, a CCT preference or CCT preference range for the user(s) (such as the CCT preference or range determined in step 804 of method 800) is determined. For example, in some embodiments, the CCT preference is based on one or a combination of the time identified during steps 802 or 902 and the user identified in step 804. For example, in some embodiments, a user may set a CCT preference range for specific times throughout the day and the system may be configured to determined and implement that CCT as described in the manner above. In some embodiments, if the user does not specify, select, or otherwise indicate a preferred CCT value, the method 900 or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may skip step 906 and provide a recommended default CCT value close to the color of the sky (e.g., clear sky), detected at the location of the habitable space, around the sun at the moment of sunset (T2) and sunrise (T1).

[00144] In some forms, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136 may send or receive a signal indicative of the time determined during step 902, the location determined during step 904, and/or the CCT preference determined during step 906 to a user, user device or other device in the form of a notification, recommendation, or approval request.

[00145] Referring now to FIG. 10, an example method 1000 is provided for determining a light intensity for at least one controllable light element in an indoor space (e.g., indoor spaces 400, 500, 600) and may form all or a portion of a method implemented as step 810 in method 800 previously described above. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may be implemented by one or more controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, or one or more other devices. [00146] In step 1002, a lighting stimulus goal or lighting need for an individual user (R_t) may be determined (e.g., by the computing device 135) based on one or more factors or characteristics associated with the user, such as the user’s age, gender, prior lighting exposure history (e.g., earlier in the day, or over an extended period of time), eye color, ethnicity , chronotypes (e.g., propensity of the user to sleep during or at a particular time during a twenty-four hour period) and genetic haplotypes or haploid genotypes. In some forms, information such as the user’s age or chronotypes may be manually input by the user via the user interface 1108 (e.g., a wall-mounted screen, a mobile device, etc.) in order to factor into the stimulus goal determination, in other forms, a user may install a mobile application on his or her mobile communication device (e.g., mobile device 1140 in FIG. 11) that is communicatively coupled to the computing device 135, either directly or indirectly, such that the user may enter certain information about the user in the app and the information may be communicated to the computing device 134.

[00147] In some embodiments, a lighting stimulus goal for a user of an indoor space may be calculated using the following exemplary equation already discussed in further detail above:

R_t = R_r x F_age

[00148] Alternatively, the stimulus goal can be modified based on one or more factors such as age, gender, prior lighting exposure, eye color, ethnicity, and potentially chrono types and genetic haplotypes as already described in greater detail above. For example, in another embodiment, a circadian lighting need or stimulus goal for a person may be calculated using the following equation, which may incorporate additional variables, as already discussed in further detail above:

R_t = R_r x F_age X F_{morning light exposure} X F_{previous night sleep quality} X F _chronotype

[00149] In some forms, the stimulus goal (Rt) may use the blue light levels of an example twenty-five year-old (20 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm~490nm) during the day and less than 2 μw/cm2 of blue light (440nm-490nm) during the night) as a baseline ease or condition and the baseline may be adjusted to account for age. To adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different age other than the baseline age of a user being twenty-five years old, a device, system or method could initially calculate or otherwise determine an age factor (assume this factor is 1.0 for the baseline case) for the user based on the user's current age, and then use this factor to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals accordingly. For example, a person younger than twenty-five years old may need a lower stimulus goal (roughly 0.3 to 0.8-fold as the age factor) than the baseline case since the person will tend to have better light transmission through their eye, and more light can reach their retina than users of older age. For example, a fifteen-year-old boy with light eye color may need a stimulus goal of blue light that is equal to or higher than 17 μw/cm2 for the day and equal to or other lower than 1.7 μw/cm2 during the night. Alternatively, a user who is older than twenty-five years old, especially more than forty years old, may need a much higher stimulus goal (roughly 1.5- to 2.0-fold as the age factor) than the baseline case since the user will tend to have worse light transmission through their eyes, and less light can reach their retina than people in younger age due to reduced pupil size, lens transmittance, and increased ocular lens absorption. For example, a sixty-five year-old male with light eye color may need a stimulus goal equal to or higher than 40 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 4 μw/cm2 during the night. (00150] In order to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different gender than the baseline gender, in some embodiments, the systems and methods provided herein may calculate or otherwise determine a gender factor (for this example, the gender factor is 1.0 for the baseline case) for the user based on the user's biological gender, and then use this factor to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals. For example, men are often more sensitive to light (up to 2.0 times higher as a gender factor) than women due to differences in their respective visual system functions. Thus, women may need additional light exposure to achieve the same level of circadian stimulus than men. For example, a twenty-five year-old women may need a stimulus goal for blue light equal to or higher than 30 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 3 μw/cm2 during the night.

[00151] In order to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different eye color than the baseline eye color (light color), in some embodiments the systems and methods provide herein may calculate or otherwise determine an eye color factor (assume this factor is 1.0 for the baseline) for the user based on the user's eye color, and then use this factor to adjust the baseline case stimulus goals. People with light eye color often can be more sensitive to light (up to 1.75 times higher as an eye color factor) than people with dark eye color in general due to light transmission difference in their eyes. Thus, people with darker eye color may need additional light exposure to achieve the same level of circadian stimulus than people with light eye color. For example, a male with a black eye color may need a stimulus goal of blue light equal to or higher than 35 μw/cm2 during the day and equal to or lower than 3.5 μw/cm2 during the night as compared to a male with lighter eye color who may need less light.

I00152ί In order to adjust the stimulus goal for a user with a different prior history than the baseline, in some embodiments the systems and methods may calculate the stimulus goal for that user based on the user's age, gender, and eye color, and then adjust the nighttime stimulus goal based on how well the user achieved his/ her daytime goal. Typically, the higher the contrast or difference (e.g., more than ten times difference) of a user’s light exposure between the day and the night, the better circadian entrainment for the user. Also, often the higher the contrast or difference (e.g., more than five times difference) of light exposure between six hours before sleep and two hours before sleep, the better circadian entrainment of the user. In addition, the determined stimulus goal may be adjusted based on the user’s detected light exposure throughout the day. For example if a user’s daytime stimulus goal is 20 μw/cm2 but the user had only received 10 μw/cm2 of morning light exposure (e.g., as detected by one or more sensors 130 or self-reported by the user), the user’s nighttime goal may be set as 1 μw/cm2 two hours before the user’s sleep time and 5 μw/cm2 at six hours before sleep time. So configured, the stimulus goal may be dynamically adjusted to accommodate changes in light exposure that may differ from the recommended stimulus goal by determining an initial stimulus goal for that user based on the user’s age, gender, and eye color, and then adjusting the nighttime stimulus goal based on how well the user achieved his/her daytime goal,

[00153] In step 1004, a lighting potential of a habitable space the user is currently occupying or may occupy at a predetermined time may be determined to assess whether the lighting potential of the space is sufficient to satisfy the stimulus goal of the user. In one example, the lighting potential of an indoor space is quantified by analyzing the average amount of vertical irradiation the artificial light in the indoor space can provide, and may be determined in multiple ways. In some habitable spaces, the lighting potential of a space such as a room may be too low to satisfy a user’s stimulus goal if, e.g., the space only includes a single, small light source such as a lamp which results in the vertical irradiance at eye level being insufficient. [00154] In some embodiments, an indoor space’s lighting potential may be determined based on the following equation as already discussed in further detail above:

[00155] Further, in some forms, the average vertical illuminance level (EV) can be determined by the following equation as already discussed in further detail above:

EV = EH/F_angle

[00156] In addition, the horizontal illuminance level EH may be determined using the following equation as already discussed in further detail above:

EH = N x Ø, x CU x ELF / Area

[00157] In step 1006, a relative light capacity (P) may be determined based at least in part on the potential light capacity of a space and the determined light stimulus goal of a user in the space using the following equation, as already discussed in further detail above:

P = R_t / R_c

[00158] In some embodiments, the calculated relative light capacity may be used to personalize light intensity for a specific user in a specific indoor space. For example, the calculated relative light capacity P may be utilized to determine settings for one or more controllable lighting elements in the space or adjust one or more controllable lighting elements to set the intensity of the light in the indoor space. In one aspect, if the P value is lower than 1.0, it may indicate that the lighting potential of the controllable lighting el ements in the indoor space are sufficient to help user achieve the user’s current stimulus goal. If the P value is higher than 1,0, it may indicate that the controllable lighting elements in the indoor space may be insufficient to help the user achieve the user's current stimulus goal. This determination that the lighting elements are insufficient to meet the user’s goal may happen, e.g., when the user’s stimulus goal is very high, for example, during the daytime or for older individuals. In some instances where the relative light capacity in an indoor space is determined to be insufficient to facilitate a user to achieve the current stimulus goal, if possible, a device associated with the indoor space may communicate a signal to a controllable device (e.g., a smart blind system or electrochromic glass) in the indoor space to let externally created natural or artificial light into the indoor space to otherwise increase light intensity to attempt to meet the user’s goal. Alternatively, or in addition, a device (e.g., computing device 135) might communicate a signal to a user device associated with the user to inform the user that he/she should turn on one or more additional lights in the space (e.g., a lamp), go outside for a predetermined period of time to be exposed to natural light, go to a different indoor space with a higher lighting potential that can help the user meet the user’s current stimulus goal, or provide other information.

[00159] In some examples, referring back to step 810 previously discussed above, based on the information determined from method 1000 (e.g., the determined relative light capacity), a light intensity may be determined for the habitable space. For example, once the relative light capacity has been determined, a computing device 135 may be configured to communicate one or more signals to control or adjust operation of various controllable lighting devices within the space to meet the user’s stimulus goal. Alternatively, if the controllable lighting devices are insufficient to meet the stimulus goal (e.g., if the relative light capacity P is determined to be higher than 1), the computing device may notify or inform the user in the manner described above.

[00160] In some forms, the methods 800, 900 or 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may limit how long past sunset and how early before sunrise a user can have the lights on in an indoor space or ask the user to set specific amounts of times that the lights can be on. Further, the systems or methods may be configured to turn off lights after sunset if and once it is determined that the person has fallen asleep in the indoor space, turn or transition off lights, reduce light intensity m the indoor space, transition the light CCT value or intensity in the indoor space over time, among other functions. In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900 or 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, at a time between sunrise (Tl) and sunset (T2) in a day, allow a user to specify a preferred neutral to cool white light from a range of CCT values between 4000K to 6500K.

[00161] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900 or 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may allow' or enable a user to specify, select or otherwise indicate a preferred fade time to ensure a smooth transition between different CCT values at the moment of sunrise (T1) and sunset (T2) from a range of timing values between five minutes to two hours, or another designated range. Often, a longer fade time may make the CCT^’ value changes in the indoor space less noticeable and more pleasant to the user.

[00162] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900 or 1000, a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may determine a feature associated with at least one controllable lighting element in or associated with the indoor space or send or receive a signal indicative of a feature associated with at least one controllable lighting element in or associated with the indoor space. The feature may include one or more of the following: a maximum CCT value for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a minimum CCT value for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a range of CCT values for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a maximum intensity level for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a minimum intensity level for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a range of intensity levels for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element, etc.

[00163] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900, 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may determine an amount of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, determine an amount of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, determine an intensity level of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, determine an intensity level of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, determine a CCT value of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, determine a CCT value of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space, or receive or send a signal indicative of any of this amount, intensity, or CCT information. [00164] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900, 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may determine a change in usage of the indoor space by the user or another user, determine a usage of the indoor space by the user or another user, or receive or send a signal indicative of a usage of the indoor space by the user or another user or a change in usage of the indoor space by the first user. For example, such usages of the indoor space may include cooking, sleeping, relaxing, working, eating, exercising, among others, and a change in the usage may indicate that a user has switched from one activity (e.g., exercising) to another activity (e.g., reading, relaxing, cooking).

[00165] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900, 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may determine a change in presence in the indoor space by the user or another user, determine an actual or expected presence of a user or another user, or receive or send a signal indicative of a change in presence in the indoor space by the user or another user or the actual or expected presence of a user or another user.

[00166] In some embodiments, the methods 800, 900, 1000, or a controlling or computing device 134, 135, 136, may collect information or other data from, or send information to, one or more mobile or other user devices, local or remote sensors, or other public, private or other information sources. For example, a local controlling device 134, local analysis device 142, central controlling device 136, central analysis device 156, user or mobile device 220 (FIG. 1), may send a signal to a user or user device configured to prompt one or more users associated with an indoor space (e.g., a restaurant, a motel room, a house, an apartment, an office, a specific room m a house, apartment or office, etc.) to provide information related to characteristics associated with the user (e.g., age, preference, etc.) or characteristics associated with the habitable space (e.g., area, lighting fixtures, etc.). In one aspect, one or more of the sample questions in Table 1 below may be displayed to a user such that the user may enter a response. In another aspect, a signal may be received that includes such information or other data related to the sample questions below'. Alternatively, some or all of the information or other data may be collected from, or accessed at, a device or database or other source, such as database 141, public information source 148 (FIG. 1), or other sources.

TABLE 1

(00167] As discussed in further detail above, a number of different lighting parameters in an indoor space can be adjusted by controlling or otherwise setting the configuration of one or more controllable lighting elements in the indoor space, in some embodiments, such lighting parameters may include, for example, color, intensity, timing, and placement/direction. Additionally, the methods, systems, and devices described herein can enable the collection and analysis of sophisticated data about a user, the user’s activities, one or more indoor spaces associated with the user, the ambient environment with respect to daylight, and other factors based on information obtained via one or more sensors or information input by a user. For example, wearable or other user devices worn or used by the user could allow a system or device to track a user’s lighting exposure throughout the day, so that one or more lighting or other adjustments can be made to one or more indoor spaces occupied or otherwise used by the user based on the individual’s photic history, such as via method 1000 for determining a relative light capacity for the user. In another form, an occupancy sensor could allow a system or device to detect if and where one or more users are positioned in an indoor space, and such controllable lighting elements in the indoor space may be adjusted based on that detection to promote sufficient lighting for each of the users or to otherwise take into account the multiple needs or goals of the different users. In one example, a first user located in a living room could receive bright light from three local task lights or other controllable lighting elements in the indoor space that are targeted or otherwise set to minimize the spread of light outside that user’s immediate vicinity, and a second user located in the same room and watching TV may receive dimmer light provided by the controllable lighting e!ement(s) in the indoor space. So configured, both users may receive a differing intensity of light in accord with their visual and/or non-visual needs. [00168] In some situations, the methods, systems, and devices provided herein can take account for potential conflicts between different variables. For example, if a user’s activity in an indoor space in the evening is better served using a brighter tight from a visual perspective (e.g, reading a book), one or more settings for one or more controllable lighting element(s) in the indoor space may be established by taking into account that such lighting need may interfere with the user’s determined light stimulus goal which in turn may affect their circadian rhythm and cause undesired melatonin suppression. Thus, the methods, systems, and devices may weight these considerations, and develop a holistic solution taking both into account (e.g,, the controllable lighting elements may be adj usted to an average between the lighting need for the current activity and the lighting need based on the user’s lighting stimulus goal). In some embodiments, the methods, systems and devices may or may help facilitate achievement of a certain white light spectrum with under two percent power in the blue spectrum (440nm-490nm) in the indoor space and, as a result, may support the goals of balancing visual and circadian needs for one or more users such as shift workers.

[00169] In some forms, the methods, systems, and devices provided herein can take account for potential conflicts between lighting stimulus goals for different users located in the same habitable space. For example, it is possible that a first individual with a generally higher lighting stimulus goal throughout the day (e.g., a daytime goal of 25 μw/cm2 and a nighttime goal of 2.5 μw/cm2) and a second individual with a generally lower stimulus goal throughout the day (e.g., a daytime goal of 17.5 μw/cm2 and a nighttime goal of 1.75 μw/cm2) may be located m the same habitable space. In one aspect, if both individuals are in the same space during the daytime, the methods, systems, and devices may suggest or adjust one or more settings for lighting elements in the habitable space to attempt to meet the light stimulus goal for the individual who is recommended to receive the higher light irradiance (e.g., individual 1 at 25 pw/cni2). In other aspects, if both individuals are located in the same space during the nighttime (e.g., before sleep onset), the methods, systems, and devices may suggest or adjust one or more settings for lighting elements in the habitable space to attempt to meet the light stimulus goal for the individual who needs the lower light irradiance (e.g., individual 2 at 1.75 μw/cm2) to attempt to avoid potential melatonin suppression. For instance, if an older individual who is capable of receiving a higher light irradiance during the evening hours (e.g., 2.25 μw/cm2) according to their stimulus goal and the lighting elements are adjusted to accommodate the older individual’s goal, that increased light irradiance may inadvertently suppress melatonin production for a younger individual in the same habitable space who requires less light (e.g, 1.70 pw/cm2). So configured, the systems, methods, and devices may he configured to resolve potential conflicts by prioritizing lighting conditions that have the least negative circadian effect on multiple users within the same habitable space at least partially depending on the time of day. In other forms, the systems, methods, and devices may be configured to average the lighting stimulus goals of multiple individuals within the same habitable space and implement light settings according to an average calculated irradiance level.

[00170] In similar forms, the systems, devices, and methods may individually control lighting elements within a habitable space where multiple users are present (which may, e.g., be based on age. For example, during the nighttime when two users PI and P2 are sleeping and PI may have a higher light stimulus goal, if P1 wakes up, the system may be configured to turn lights on one side of the room (e.g., P1 ’s side of the room) from off to approximately 10% intensity. In contrast, if P2 wakes up, the system may be configured to turn lights on one side of the room (e.g., P2’s side of the room) from off to approximately 5% intensity since P2 requires less lighting. So configured, the systems, devices, and methods may adjust lighting on a personalized basis by individually adjusting lighting elements to attempt to meet user’s stimulus goals or limits. Similarly , window coverings or other features to increase the amount of natural light within the habitable space may be controlled to increase/decrease the intensity of light present to accommodate multiple users within the same space. For example, if a user with a higher light stimulus goal enters a room where a user with a lower light stimulus goal is present, the systems, devices, and methods may control one or more window coverings to move between open and closed positions to either increase or decrease the natural lighting within the space as required to meet one or both user’s stimulus goals.

[00171] In some embodiments, each room of a habitable space may be configured to store (e.g., in a memory_' associated with the habitable space) personalized user environmental profiles that may include specified lighting intensity minimums, maximums, and CCTs at various times throughout the day. For example, such a profile may include minimums, maximums, and CCTs for at least a first time T1 (sunrise), a second time T2 (sleep time), and a third time T3 (sunset). In one form, an example table illustrating personalized lighting profiles for three example users PI, P2, and P3 is shown below:

[00172] Additionally, the systems, methods, and device herein may be configured to personalize lighting settings for an individual moving between various different rooms throughout a habitable space (e.g., from a kitchen to a bedroom, or a living room to a family room, etc.). In one example where a first room has less lighting potential and a larger area and a second room has more lighting potential and a smaller area, the systems, devices, and method may be configured to implement personalized lighting settings as a user transitions between rooms to facilitate meeting of the user’s stimulus goal. For example, the user may leave the first room and the light intensity may be changed in the first room from whatever the user’s current stimulus goal required (e.g., 80% of the intensity of the lighting in the first room) to a default value since the user is no longer present in the room. As the user enters the second room, the lighting settings may be adjusted from a default in that room to a value to attempt to meet the user’s current stimulus goal (e.g., 30% of the intensity of the lighting in the second room, since the lighting potential is higher). So configured, the systems, devices, and methods may dynamically adjust lighting to meet the user’s stimulus goal as the user traverses a habitable environment and may return the lighting settings in spaces the user is no longer occupying to a default setting (which may be “on,” “off,” or a setting in between).

[00173] PCT Patent Publication Nos. WO 2019/046580 Al, WO 2018/039433 Al, and WO 2020/198032 Al and PCT Application No. PCT/US20/52016 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Additionally, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2020/0200416, 2017/0136206, and 2018/0330811 and U.S. Patent Nos. 10,712,722, 10,691,148, and 9,715,242 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. [00174] In accordance with the present description, certain specific details are set forth m order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with environmental control such as fans, blowers, heaters, coolers such as air conditioners or swamp coolers, compressors, and control systems such as computing systems, as well as networks and other communications channels have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. [00175] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

[00176] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included m at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “m one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[00177] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[00178] Uses of singular terms such as “a,” and “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase “at least one of’ as used herein be interpreted m the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B. [00179] While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended for the present disclosure to cover all those changes and modifications.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for adjusting lighting in a habitable space, the system comprising: a computing device including a processor, communication circuitry, and a memory; at least one lighting element associated with the habitable space that is communicatively coupled to the computing device; one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device, the one or more sensors configured to detect at least one environmental characteristic associated with the habitable space; wherein the processor of the computing device is configured to determine a lighting potential associated with the habitable space based at least in part on the at least one environmental characteristic detected by the one or more sensors, the processor further configured to determine a lighting stimulus goal for a user based at least m part on at least one characteristic associated with the user; and wherein the processor is configured to determine a relative light capacity based at least in part on the lighting potential associated with the habitable space and the lighting stimulus goal for the user, the processor further configured to cause the communication circuitry to communicate a control signal configured to adjust operation of the at least one lighting element associated with the habitable space based at least in part on the determined relative light capacity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental characteristic of the habitable space includes one or a combination of: an area of the habitable space an average eye vertical illuminance of the habitable space; a lighting potential of the habitable space; an amount of natural light in the habitable space; an amount of artificial light in the habitable space; and an angle or intensity of one or more light sources in the habitable space.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic associated with the user includes: a CCT or light intensity preference; an age; a gender; a prior light exposure; an eye color; a chronotype factor; and an activity the user is engaged in.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the lighting potential associated with the habitable space based at least in part on one or more spatial factors associated with a location of the habitable space.

5. The system of claim I, wherein the communication circuitry' is configured to receive a signal indicative of a scene to implement in the habitable space, the processor configured to cause the communication circuitry to communicate a signal configured to adjust operation of the at least one lighting element in accordance with the scene,

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect an activity of the user, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication circuitry to communicate a signal configured to adjust operation of the at least one lighting element based at least in part on the detected activity,

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include one or a combination of: a light sensor; a biometric sensor; an optical sensor; a motion detector; and an occupancy sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein upon detection of a light intensity above the determined lighting stimulus goal, the processor is configured to cause the communication circuitry to communicate a signal configured to reduce an intensity of the at least one lighting element.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a server computer remote from the habitable space.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting stimulus goal includes a daytime stimulus goal and a nighttime stimulus goal, and wh erein upon detection by the one or more sensors that the daytime stimulus goal has not been met, the processor is configured to reduce the nighttime stimulus goal.

11. The system of claim 1, wh erein the processor is configured to determine whether the lighting potential of the habitable space is sufficient to meet the lighting stimulus goal of the user, and wherein upon a determination that the lighting potential is not sufficient, the processor is configured to cause the communication circuitry to communicate a control signal to one or more window coverings to cause the window coverings to permit an amount of natural light to enter the habitable space.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a second lighting stimulus goal for a second user and further determine a second relative light capacity based at least in part on the second lighting stimulus goal, wherein the processor is configured to cause adjustment of the at least one lighting element to meet the lighting stimulus goal for the user and the second lighting stimulus goal for the second user.

13. A method for determining a setting for at least one lighting element m a habitable space, comprising: determining a location of the habitable space; determining a user associated with the habitable space and an age of the user; determining a time of day; determining a relative light capacity for the habitable space, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least m part, on an eye irradianee level associated with the user and an average eye vertical illuminance level associated with the habitable space; determining a CCT value for at least one lighting element in the habitable space based, at least in part, on the relati ve light capacity for the habitable space, the age of the user, and the time; and determining an intensity level for the at least one lighting element in the habitable space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the habitable space, the age of the user, and the time.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a lighting stimulus goal of the user based at least in part on the eye irradianee level of the user and the age of the user.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining a lighting potential of the habitable space based at least in part on the average eye vertical illuminance level associated with the habitable space.

16. A method for adjusting at least one lighting element in a habitable space, the method comprising: determining, by a processor of a computing device, a lighting potential of the habitable space based at least in part on one or more characteristics associated with the habitable space; determining, by the processor of the computing device, a stimulus goal for a user based at least in part on one or more characteristics associated with the user, determining, by the processor of the computing device, a relative light capacity for the habitable space, wherein the relative light capacity is based at least in part on the determined lighting potential and the determined stimulus goal for the user, determining a CCT value for the at least one lighting element in the habitable space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the habitable space; and determining an intensity level for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the habitable space; and adjusting operation of one or more lighting elements associated with the habitable space to implement the determined CCT value and determined intensity level by communicating a control signal to the at least one lighting element from communication circuitry of the computing device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining if the relative light capacity indicates that the lighting potential of the habitable space is sufficient to meet the stimulus goal for the user, and upon a determination that the lighting potential is not sufficient to meet the stimulus goal, controlling operation of one or more window coverings to permit natural light to enter the habitable space.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the stimulus goal for the user includes a daytime stimulus goal and a nighttime stimulus goal, further comprising the step of reducing the nighttime stimulus goal upon detection that the daytime stimulus goal has not been met.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a signal indicative of a scene to implement in the habitable space, and communicating a signal configured to adjust operation of the at least one lighting element in accordance with the scene,

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising detecting an activity of the user, and communicating a signal configured to adjust operation of the at least one lighting element based at least in part on the detected activity.

21. A method for determining a setting for at least one controllable lighting element in an indoor space, comprising: determining a user associated with an indoor space; determining a time; determining a (CCT value based, at least in part, on the user, the indoor space, and the time; and determining a light intensity based, at least in part, on the user, the indoor space, and the time.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining a CCT value based, at least in part, on the user, the indoor space, and the time, includes: determining a location of the indoor space.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein determining a CCT value based, at least in part, on the user, the indoor space, and the time, includes: determining a CCT preference value associated with the user.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein determining a light intensity based, at least in part, on the user, the indoor space, and the time, includes: determining a stimulus goal; determining a lighting potential for the indoor space; and determining a relative light capacity for the indoor space.

25. A method for determining a setting for at least one controllable lighting element in an indoor space, comprising: determining an area of the indoor space; determining an age of a first user associated with the indoor space; determining a time associated with the indoor space; determining an eye irradianee level for the first user; determining an average eye vertical illuminance level for the indoor space; determining a relative light capacity for the indoor space; determining a CCT value for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space and the age of the first user; and determining an intensity level for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space, the age of the first user, and the time.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: sending a signal indicative of the CTT value.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the CCT value is based, at least in part, on the time associated with the indoor space.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the time associated with the indoor space is a morning time before sunrise or an evening time after sunset at a location associated with the indoor space.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving a signal indicative of a CCT value preference associated with the first user.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising determining a CCT value preference associated with the first user.

31. The method of claim 29 or claim 30, wherein determining the CCT value is based, at least in part, on the CCT value preference associated with the first user.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the CCT value is greater than or equal to approximately 1800K and less than or equal to approximately 2700K.

33. The method of claim 25, further comprising: sending a signal indicative of the intensity level.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the intensity level is based, at least in part, on the time associated with the indoor space.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the area of the indoor space comprises receiving a signal indicative of the area of the indoor space.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the age of the first user comprises receiving a signal indicative of the age of the first user.

37. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the time associated with the indoor space includes receiving a signal indicative of the time associated with the indoor space.

38. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a second user associated with the indoor space; and determining an age of a second user associated with the indoor space.

39. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining whether the first user is currently occupying the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a presence of the first user in the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of a future expected presence of the first user in the indoor space.

•40. The method of claim 25, further comprising: determining an activity the first user is currently conducting in the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of an activity currently being conducted by the first user in the indoor space; determining a need associated with the first user, determining a goal associated with the first user; receiving a signal indicative of a goal associated with the first user; and receiving a signal indicative of a need associated with the first user.

41. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the eye irradiance level for the first user includes receiving a signal indicative of the eye irradiance level.

42. The method of claim 25, further comprising: sending a signal indicative of the eye irradiance level for the first user.

43. The method of claim 25, wherein the eye irradiance level is based, at least in part, on an age factor associated with the first user.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the eye irradiance level is based, at least m part, on a reference targeted eye irradiance level.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the eye irradiance level is based, at least in part, on at least one of the following: a morning light exposure factor; a previous night quality factor; and a chronotype factor.

46. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the average eye vertical illuminance level for the indoor space includes receiving a signal indicative of the average eye vertical illuminance level for the indoor space.

47. The method of claim 25, further comprising: sending a signal indicative of the average eye vertical illuminance level for the indoor space.

48. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the relative light capacity for the indoor space includes receiving a signal indicative of the relative light capacity for the indoor space.

49. The method of claim 25, further comprising: sending a signal indicative of the relative light capacity for the indoor space.

50. The method of claim 25, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least in part, on an average eye irradiance level.

51. The method of claim 25, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least in part, on an average eye vertical illuminance level.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the average eye vertical illuminance level is based, at least in part, on an average horizontal illuminance measured at a designated height from a floor in the indoor space.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the height is greater than or equal to three feet and less than or equal to seven feet.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the height is greater than or equal to two feet and less than or equal to six feet.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the height is greater than or equal to three feet and less than or equal to five feet.

56. The method of claim 25, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least in part, on a spectral factor.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the spectral factor is based, at least in part, on at least one characteristi c of the at least one controllable lighting element.

58. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a presence of a second lighting element in the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element; and receiving a signal indicative of a presence of a second lighting element in the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element; determining a CCT output of a second lighting element in the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element; receiving a signal indicative of a CCT output of a second lighting element m the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element; determining an output intensity of a second lighting element in the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element; and receiving a signal indicati ve of an output intensity of a second lighting element in the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element.

59. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space is based, at least in part, on the CCT output of a second lighting element associated with the indoor space, wherein the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element.

60. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space, is based, at least in part, on the intensity output of a second lighting element associated with the indoor space, where in the second lighting element is distinct from the at least one controllable lighting element.

61. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space is based, at least in part, on an age of a second user associated with the indoor space.

62. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level for the at least one controllable lighting element in the indoor space is based, at least in part, on an age of a second user associated with the indoor space.

63. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining the at least one controllable lighting element; and receiving a signal indicative of the at least one controllable lighting element.

64. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a feature associated with the at least one controllable lighting element; and receiving a signal indicative of a feature associated with the at least one controllable lighting element.

65. The method of claim 64, where the feature includes at least one of the following: a maximum CCT value for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a minimum CCT value for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a range of CCT values for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a maximum intensity_' level for light emittable by the at least one controllable lighting element; a minimum intensity level for light emitable by the at least one controllable lighting element; and a range of intensity' levels for light emitable by the at least one controllable lighting element.

66. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level is based, at least m part, on an amount of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

67. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level is based, at least in part, on an intensity level of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

68. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level is based, at least in part, on an amount of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

69. The method of claim 25, wherein determining an intensity level is based, at least in part, on an intensity level of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

70. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value is based, at least in part, on an amount of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

71. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value is based, at least in part, on a CCT value of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

72. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value is based, at least in part, on an amount of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

73. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a CCT value is based, at least in part, on a CCT value of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

74. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining an amount of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space: determining an amount of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; determining an intensity level of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; determining an intensity level of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; determining a CCT value of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; determining a CCT value of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a CCT value of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicati ve of an amount of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicati ve of an intensity level of natural light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a CCT value of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of an amount of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of an intensity level of artificial light available in at least a portion of the indoor space.

75. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a change in area of the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of a change in area of the indoor space.

76. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a change in capability of the at least one controllable lighting element; and receiving a signal indicative of a change in capability of the at least one controllable lighting element.

77. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a change in usage of the indoor space by the first user; determining a usage of the indoor space by the first user; receiving a signal indicative of a usage of the indoor space by the first user, and receiving a signal indicative of a change in usage of the indoor space by the first user.

78. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a change in presence in the indoor space by the first user; and receiving a signal indicative of a change in presence in the indoor space by the first user.

79. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining an actual or an expected presence in the indoor space by a second user; and recei ving a signal indicati ve of an actual or expected presence in the indoor space by a second user.

80. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a feature associated with the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of a feature associated with the indoor space.

81. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a user device associated with the first user; determining a user device associated with the indoor space; determining a user device associated with the at least one controllable lighting element; receiving a signal indicative of a user device associated with the first user; receiving a signal indicative of a user device associated with the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of a user device associated with the at least one controllable lighting element.

82. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: sending a signal indicative of the CCT value to a user device associated with the first user; sending a signal indicative of the intensity level to a user device associated with the first user; sending a signal indicative of the intensity level to a user device associated with a second user, wherein the second user is associated with the indoor space; sending a signal indicative of the CCT value to a user device associated with the indoor space; sending a signal indicative of the intensity level to a user device associated with the indoor space; sending a signal indicative of the CCT value to a user device associated with a second user, wherein the second user is associated with the indoor space; sending a signal indicative of the CCT value to a user device associated with the at least one controllable lighting element; and sending a signal indicative of the intensity level to a user device associated with the at least one controllable lighting element.

83. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a location of the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a location of the indoor space; sending a signal indicative of a location of the indoor space; determining a location of the first user in the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a location of the first user in the indoor space; and sending a signal indicative of a location of the first user in the indoor space.

84. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of the following: determining a weather condition at a location associated with the indoor space; receiving a signal indicative of a w-eather condition at a location of the indoor space; and sending a signal indicative of a weather condition at a location of the indoor space.

85. A method for determining a setting for at least one lighting element in an indoor space, comprising: determining an age of a first user associated with the indoor space; determining a time associated with the indoor space; determining a relative light capacity for the indoor space, wherein the relative light capacity' is based, at least in part, on an eye irradianee level associated with the first user and an average eye vertical illuminance level associated with the indoor space; determining a CCT value for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space, the age of the first user, and the time; and determining an intensity level for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space, the age of the first user, and the time.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising at least one of the following: determining an area associated with the indoor space; and receiving a signal indicative of an area associated with the indoor space

87. A method for determining a setting for at least one lighting element in an indoor space, comprising: determining a relative light capacity for the indoor space, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least in part, on an eye irradiance level associated with the a first user and an average eye vertical illuminance level associated with the indoor space; determining a CCT value for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space, an age associated with the first user, and a time associated with the indoor space; and determining an intensity level for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space, an age associated with the first user, and a time associated with the indoor space.

88. A method for determining a setting for at least one lighting element in an indoor space, comprising: determining a relative light capacity for the indoor space, wherein the relative light capacity is based, at least in part, on an eye irradiance level associated with a first user and an average eye vertical illuminance level associated with the indoor space; determining a CCT value for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space; and determining an intensity level for the at least one lighting element in the indoor space based, at least in part, on the relative light capacity for the indoor space.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the intensity level is based, at least in part, on at least one of the following: a time associated with the indoor space; and an age associated with the first user.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the CCT value is based, at least m part, on at least one of the following: a time associated with the indoor space; and an age associated with the first user.

91. The method of claim 88, wherein the CCT value is based, at least in part, on at least one of the following: a time associated with the indoor space; and an age associated with the first user.