WO2010035200A1 - Appareil et techniques de simulation de cycles de lumière naturelle - Google Patents

Appareil et techniques de simulation de cycles de lumière naturelle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010035200A1
WO2010035200A1 PCT/IB2009/054114 IB2009054114W WO2010035200A1 WO 2010035200 A1 WO2010035200 A1 WO 2010035200A1 IB 2009054114 W IB2009054114 W IB 2009054114W WO 2010035200 A1 WO2010035200 A1 WO 2010035200A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
natural
phase
period
sigmoidal curve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2009/054114
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel Nathan Adams
Kent Savage
David James Burrows
Sean Scott Wheelhouse
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
Publication of WO2010035200A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010035200A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/16—Controlling the light source by timing means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M2021/0005—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus
    • A61M2021/0044—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus by the sight sense
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M2021/0005—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus
    • A61M2021/0083—Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis by the use of a particular sense, or stimulus especially for waking up
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/18—General characteristics of the apparatus with alarm
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/35—Communication
    • A61M2205/3546—Range
    • A61M2205/3561—Range local, e.g. within room or hospital
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/35—Communication
    • A61M2205/3576—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
    • A61M2205/3584—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver using modem, internet or bluetooth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
    • A61M2205/502—User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
    • A61M2205/505—Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
    • A61M2205/8262—Internal energy supply devices connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N2005/0658—Radiation therapy using light characterised by the wavelength of light used
    • A61N2005/0662—Visible light
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
    • Y02B20/40—Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to light therapy devices and techniques, more specifically, to light therapy techniques in which the rising and/or setting of the sun is simulated and to light therapy devices that effect such techniques.
  • dawn simulators are intended to operate in a manner that allows an individual to wake up in a more natural, gradual manner.
  • Dawn simulation typically involves a gradual increase in light intensity along a straight line 1 or a slightly bulging curve 2, such as those shown in FIG. 8. While the results of dawn simulation are often preferable to those of an abrupt, audible alarm, the types of dawn simulation that are depicted by FIG. 8 still do not approximate the manner in which light intensity increases during a natural sunrise.
  • the present invention in various embodiments, includes light therapy apparatus that simulate natural light events, such as the rising of the sun, or dawn, and/or the setting of the sun, or dusk.
  • a specific embodiment of such an apparatus is a dawn simulator.
  • a dawn simulator that incorporates teachings of the present invention may be configured to cause a light source to gradually increase in intensity, with the increase in intensity substantially following a generally sigmoidal curve over time.
  • the generally sigmoidal curve includes an initial period at which the intensity of output light increases at a slow, first rate (e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 0.5 or less, etc.), a central period at which the intensity of output light increases at a quicker, second rate (e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 1 or more, etc.), and a terminal period at which the intensity of output light increases at a slow, third rate (e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 0.5 or less).
  • first rate e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 0.5 or less, etc.
  • second rate e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 1 or more, etc.
  • third rate e.g., along a best-fit line having a slope of about 0.5 or less
  • a dawn simulation apparatus of the present invention may use a modified sigmoidal light intensity curve.
  • the modification may be a relative elongation of a central period of the sigmoidal light intensity curve.
  • Such elongation may increase the percentage of the portion of the light intensity curve that is occupied by central period relative to the percentage of a standard sigmoidal light intensity curve.
  • the elongation may merely comprise stretching the central period over a longer relative duration or the inclusion of a delay segment along the length of the central period.
  • the intensity of light either does not increase (i.e., the slope of a best-fit line through the delay segment is zero) or it increases at a much slower rate than the rate at which light intensity increases throughout the remainder of the central period of the modified sigmoidal curve (i.e., the slope of a best-fit line through the delay segment is less than the slope of a best- fit line through the remainder of the central period of the sigmoidal curve).
  • the initial period of the curve may be elongated and/or the central period may be compressed.
  • the intensity of light during dusk simulation may also vary, over time, along a sigmoidal curve or a modified (relative to natural dusk) sigmoidal curve.
  • a sigmoidal curve or a modified (relative to natural dusk) sigmoidal curve.
  • the intensity of light decreases gradually, slowly during an initial period of the curve, more quickly during a central period of the curve, and slowly again during a terminal period of the curve.
  • One or more of these periods may be tailored (e.g., expanded or compressed) in a manner that may better lull a subject to sleep.
  • the present invention also includes light therapy apparatus that simulate the colors of a natural light event, such as the rising or setting of the sun.
  • a natural light event such as the rising or setting of the sun.
  • the initial period of a sigmoidal curve that represents a sunrise may include more blue light than other colors of light, while green or yellow light may predominate at some point during the central period, and there may be more orange or red light than other colors during the terminal period of the sigmoidal curve.
  • the present invention includes light therapy techniques in which light is gradually increased or decreased in a manner that mimics a natural light event, such as the rising or setting of the sun.
  • a specific embodiment of such a technique in which a subject is awakened by artificial light that simulates a sunrise, the intensity of the artificial light is gradually increased along a generally sigmoidal curve.
  • the sigmoidal curve may include a delay segment at a point before the intensity increases enough to cause the subject to awaken to a substantially conscious state.
  • FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of light therapy apparatus according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of light therapy apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. IA is a schematic representation of another embodiment of light therapy apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of various features of an embodiment of light therapy apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a sigmoidal light intensity curve that may be used to wake a subject up in accordance with teachings of the present invention
  • FIGs. 5 and 6 are embodiments of modified sigmoidal light intensity curves that may be followed in simulating a sunrise to awaken a subject;
  • FIG. 7 is a graph that shows an example of the manner in which light may decrease at dusk, or during dusk simulation.
  • FIG. 8 is a curve that illustrates the manner in which light intensity is increased over time by existing dawn simulation devices.
  • An embodiment of a light therapy apparatus 10 is shown in FIGs. 1 and 2.
  • light therapy apparatus 10 is a so-called “dawn/dusk simulator,” which is configured to cause light to be output in a manner that mimics a sunrise and to output light in manner that mimics a sunset.
  • Light therapy apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, a power input 20 and a power output 30, as well as a variety of other features, including internal features (e.g., a clock, an audible alarm, a radio/compact disk (CD)/.mp3 player, speakers, control elements for various features, power supply, etc.) that are contained within housing 12 and external features (e.g., input elements, output elements, etc.) that are accessible or visible from an exterior of housing 12.
  • internal features e.g., a clock, an audible alarm, a radio/compact disk (CD)/.mp3 player, speakers, control elements for various features, power supply, etc.
  • external features e.g., input elements, output elements, etc.
  • Light therapy apparatus 10 is configured to be used with one or more light sources (e.g., an analog light source, such as incandescent light; a digital light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) device; etc.).
  • light source 40 is separate from light therapy apparatus 10.
  • a light source may be integrated into the same housing as light therapy apparatus 10.
  • Power input 20 is configured to supply power to light therapy apparatus 10, as well as to a light source 40 associated with light therapy apparatus 10.
  • power input 20 includes a receptacle 22 configured to receive and couple to a plug 24 at one end of a power cord 26 that has another plug 28 at its opposite end for plugging into an alternating current (AC) power source, such as an AC power outlet in a wall.
  • AC alternating current
  • Power output 30 is configured to provide power to light source 40.
  • power output includes a receptacle 32 that receives a plug 34 at one end of a power cord 36 that supplies power to the light source 40, with a plug 38 at the opposite end of power cord 36 configured to receive and couple to a plug at the end of a power cord of the light source 40.
  • receptacle 32 of power output 30 may be configured to receive and couple to the plug of a power cord of the light source 40.
  • the power output features may be part of a power output device 30' that is separate from a light therapy apparatus 10'.
  • light therapy apparatus 10' may communicate remotely, in a manner known in the art (e.g., ZigBee (802.15) signals, Z-wave signals, 802.11 signals, Bluetooth signals, etc.), with a separately housed power output device 30'.
  • the separate power output device may plug directly into an electrical outlet and provide power directly to light source 40.
  • light therapy apparatus 10 includes various electrical components 52, a control element 54, and control components 56 of types and in arrangements that are known or apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • Electrical components 52 enable light therapy apparatus 10 to use power from an external source of power (e.g., an AC power source) or, optionally, from an internal power supply (e.g., a direct current (DC) power source, such as a battery).
  • an external source of power e.g., an AC power source
  • an internal power supply e.g., a direct current (DC) power source, such as a battery
  • electrical components 52 receive at least a portion of the AC power that is input into light therapy apparatus 10 through power input 20 and converts the AC power to DC power.
  • the DC power operates control element 54 and, optionally, various other digital features (e.g., display with touch-sensitive regions, a digital light source, etc.) of light therapy apparatus 10.
  • Control element 54 may include a control circuit board, as well as one or more processors, other control elements (e.g., resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, inductors, etc.), and a switch that are carried by or otherwise associated with the control circuit board.
  • processors e.g., central processing unit (CPU)
  • other control elements e.g., resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, inductors, etc.
  • switch that are carried by or otherwise associated with the control circuit board.
  • Control components 56 are electrical devices that enable control element 54 to control the power that is supplied to light source 40.
  • electrical components 56 are collectively referred to herein as a "dimmer" 56.
  • Dimmer 56 which operates in accordance with programming of control element 54, controls the amount of power that is supplied to power output 30 and, thus, to the light source 40.
  • dimmer 56 may include a one or more thyristors, such as a so-called "TRIAC” or a pair of rectifiers (e.g., silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs)), a sine wave dimmer (which relies on an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)), a rheostat, an autotransformer, or any other type electrical component that may be used in or as a dimmer.
  • TRIAC silicon-controlled rectifiers
  • IGBT insulated gate bipolar transistor
  • rheostat rheostat
  • autotransformer or any other type electrical component that may be used in or as a dimmer.
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • power output device 30' may include a communication element 58', a control element 54', and dimmer 56.
  • Communication element 58' may comprise an antenna or other suitable element that receives signals (e.g., ZigBee (802.15) signals, Z-wave signals, 802.11 signals, Bluetooth signals, etc.), from a corresponding communication element 58 (e.g., an antenna, etc.) of light therapy apparatus 10', with the communication element 58 of light therapy apparatus 10' operating under control of its control element 54 (FIG. 3).
  • signals e.g., ZigBee (802.15) signals, Z-wave signals, 802.11 signals, Bluetooth signals, etc.
  • Control element 54' of power output device 30' which may comprise control circuitry of a known type, receives signals from communication element 58' of power output device 30' to operate dimmer 56.
  • Dimmer 56 provides power to an electrical outlet 59 of known configuration, which may communicate power to a light source 40 (FIGs. 1 and 2) in a manner known in the art.
  • examples of external features of light therapy apparatus 10 include an output element 60 and one or more input elements 70.
  • each output element 60 and input element 70 communicates with control element 54 in any known, suitable manner.
  • output element 60 merely displays information.
  • output element 60 comprises a user interface device, such as a touch-sensitive display.
  • the user interface device may be a touch-sensitive liquid crystal device (LCD) that includes one or more non-sensitive display regions 62 and one or more touch-sensitive control regions 64.
  • LCD liquid crystal device
  • Display regions 62 may be configured to show various information, such as the current time, the time at which a light therapy program (e.g., a dawn simulation, a dusk simulation, etc.) is configured to begin or to have a desired effect on a subject (e.g., wake the subject, terminate dusk simulation, etc.), the remaining duration of a particular function, information regarding activated functions (e.g., light therapy programming, light output, an audible alarm, a radio, etc.), or the like.
  • a light therapy program e.g., a dawn simulation, a dusk simulation, etc.
  • a desired effect on a subject e.g., wake the subject, terminate dusk simulation, etc.
  • activated functions e.g., light therapy programming, light output, an audible alarm, a radio, etc.
  • Control regions 64 may enable a user to control the operation of light therapy apparatus 10, set the durations and start times of light therapy (e.g., sunrise, sunset, etc.) programs, tailor the programming of light therapy apparatus 10, alter an active light therapy program (e.g., manually increase or decrease light intensity, etc.), or for any other purpose.
  • set the durations and start times of light therapy (e.g., sunrise, sunset, etc.) programs tailor the programming of light therapy apparatus 10, alter an active light therapy program (e.g., manually increase or decrease light intensity, etc.), or for any other purpose.
  • Input elements 70 may likewise control various functions and/or programming of light therapy apparatus 10.
  • light therapy apparatus 10 may include input elements that supply power to and/or control the brightness of a light source 40, control a radio, illuminate and/or control the brightness of output element 60, postpone the sounding of an audible alarm (i.e., a "snooze" function), set an audible alarm to sound after a specified duration of time (i.e., a "nap” function), enable a user to set times and/or tailor various light therapy programs of light therapy apparatus 10 (e.g., directly, by allowing the user to set times or tailor programming of light therapy apparatus through the touch sensitive control regions 64, etc.), or otherwise control the operation of light therapy apparatus 10.
  • an audible alarm i.e., a "snooze" function
  • set an audible alarm to sound after a specified duration of time i.e., a "nap” function
  • enable a user to set times and/or tailor various light therapy programs of
  • Control element 54 of a light therapy apparatus 10 of the present invention may, in some embodiments, be programmed to cause dimmer 56 to effect dawn simulation, by way of gradually increasing the intensity of light output by a light source 40, in a manner that follows a sigmoidal curve 100, such as that shown in FIG. 4.
  • Sigmoidal curve 100 approximates a natural sunrise and its natural phases.
  • sigmoidal curve 100 In an initial period, or region, of sigmoidal curve 100, referred to herein as a "predawn phase" 110, the intensity 102 of output light slowly increases over time, at about a first rate.
  • light intensity 102 may increase at a rate that may be approximated by the slope of a best-fit line 112 through predawn phase 110.
  • the slope of best fit line 112 may be about 0.5.
  • the intensity of light generated along sigmoidal curve 100 may increase from zero at the left side of sigmoidal curve 100 to about 15% of the maximum light intensity of sigmoidal curve 100 (i.e., the intensity at the right end of sigmoidal curve 100).
  • the intensity of output light increases from about 15% of the maximum intensity at the beginning of waking phase 120 to about 90% of the maximum intensity at the end of waking phase 120.
  • the increase in light intensity during waking phase 120 is effected at about second rate, which is quicker than the above-mentioned first rate.
  • the second rate may be approximated by a best- fit line 122 through waking phase 120.
  • best-fit line 122 may have a slope of about one or more.
  • the intensity of light increases at about a third rate, from about 90% of the maximum intensity to about 100% of the maximum intensity, over the course of a terminal period, or "alertness phase" 130, of sigmoidal curve 100.
  • the third rate is less than the second rate.
  • the third rate may be approximated by the slope of a best fit line 132 through alertness phase 130 of sigmoidal curve 100.
  • best- fit line 132 has a slope of about 0.5 or less.
  • sigmoidal curve 100 illustrated by FIG. 4 the durations of predawn phase 110, waking phase 120, and alertness phase 130 are approximately the same.
  • a total duration of the embodiment of sigmoidal curve 100 shown in FIG. 4 is about 90 minutes, although sigmoidal curves with a wide variety of other durations (e.g., 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 75 minutes, 105 minutes, 120 minutes, etc.) may also be used in accordance with teachings of the present invention.
  • the x-axis components of best-fit lines 112, 122, 132 may remain the same while the y-axis components, or lengths, of best-fit lines may decrease or increase.
  • the slopes of best fit lines 112, 122, 132 and, thus, the rates at which light intensity increases in each period 110, 120, 130 of sigmoidal curve 100 may correspondingly increase or decrease.
  • the depicted sigmoidal curve mimics a sunrise at a somewhat medial longitude in the Northern Hemisphere (e.g., at the latitude of American Fork, Utah) at mid-summer.
  • Light therapy apparatus that employ sigmoidal curves that imitate sunrises, as perceived either indoors or outside, at other locations and/or at other times of year are also within the scope of the present invention.
  • the sigmoidal curve may be tailored (e.g., by programming, etc.) to change throughout the year in the same manner as a natural sunrise.
  • a user may select a sigmoidal curve that represents a sunrise at a particular, desired location (e.g., at the user's home, which may be desirable as the user travels away from home; at another desired location, such as a resort or other location that a user finds relaxing; etc.).
  • a particular, desired location e.g., at the user's home, which may be desirable as the user travels away from home; at another desired location, such as a resort or other location that a user finds relaxing; etc.
  • sigmoidal curve 100 and the resulting light output are substantially smooth, with no visible changes in intensity.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a modified sigmoidal curve 100'.
  • Modified sigmoidal curve 100' includes an predawn phase 110' and an alertness phase 130' that may be substantially the same (e.g., in shape, intensity, etc.) as their respective predawn phase 110 and alertness phase 130 of a standard sigmoidal curve 100, such as that shown in FIG. 4.
  • a waking phase 120' of modified sigmoidal curve 100' differs from, and has a longer proportional duration than, waking phase 120 of sigmoidal curve 100 and than the waking phase of a natural sunrise.
  • waking phase 120' of the depicted embodiment of sigmoidal curve 100' is interrupted by a discontinuity, which is referred to herein as a "delay segment" 124.
  • the intensity of light does not increase during the duration of delay segment 124; i.e., the slope of a best- fit line 126 through delay segment 124 is zero.
  • the rate at which a light intensity increases during delay segment 124 is significantly less than the rates at which light intensity increases throughout the duration of a remainder of waking phase 120' of sigmoidal curve 100'; i.e., the slope of best-fit line 126 is less than the slope of a best-fit line through the remainder of waking phase 120'.
  • the positioning and configuration of delay segment 124 may be configured in such a way that the time at which the simulated sunrise wakes a subject up will coincide with a time at which the subject would like to wake up.
  • one or more of the location of delay segment 124 along sigmoidal curve 100', the shape of delay segment 124, the orientation of delay segment 124, and the duration of delay segment 124 may be configured to eliminate or decrease the amount of time that elapses between the time when the light causes a subject to begin to wake up and the time at which the light has fully awakened the subject.
  • FIG. 6 another embodiment of modified sigmoidal curve 100" that may be used in accordance with teachings of the present invention is depicted.
  • the light intensity ranges of the predawn phase 110", the waking phase 120", and the alertness phase 130" may remain substantially the same as the intensity ranges of the corresponding phases of the sigmoidal curve 100 shown in FIG. 4 and the modified sigmoidal curve 100' of FIG. 5.
  • the duration of predawn phase 120" of modified sigmoidal curve 100", in proportion to the total length of modified sigmoidal curve 100", is, however, extended relative to the percentages of the total durations of sigmoidal curve 100 and modified sigmoidal curve 100' that are occupied by their respective predawn phases 110 and 110'. Consequently, the duration of one or both of waking phase 120" and alertness phase 130"of modified sigmoidal curve 100" may also be compressed, or comprise a smaller percentage of the total duration of modified sigmoidal curve 100" than the percentages of the total durations of sigmoidal curve 100 and modified sigmoidal curve 100' that are comprised of their respective waking phases 120 and 120' and alertness phases 130 and 130'. In the depicted embodiment, both waking phase 120" and alertness phase 130" are compressed.
  • sigmoidal curves including sigmoidal curves that are configured to tailor the manner in which a subject wakes up, are also within the scope of the present invention.
  • the present invention includes light therapy techniques and apparatus in which the color of light is tailored and varied to mimic the color of light at a particular time of day (e.g., sunrise, sunset, etc.). Without limiting the scope of the present invention, there may be more blue light than any other color of light during the predawn phase, with the proportion of green or yellow light increasing over the course of the waking phase, and orange or red light becoming more predominant during the alertness phase.
  • a light therapy apparatus 10 of the present invention may also include sensors that detect the intensity and, optionally, color, of light during a natural light event at a particular location. The light intensity and optional color information may then be processed to generate a curve or modified curve and optional color output that may be used by control element 54 to effect a simulated version of the light event.
  • dusk natural light events
  • Natural changes in light e.g., changes in light intensity, light color, etc.
  • Some of these other natural light events, such as dusk may also include light intensity changes that follow a generally sigmoidal curve.
  • the simulated versions of such events may include use of a sigmoidal curve that has been modified to achieve a particular result.
  • dusk simulation may follow a modified sigmoidal curve that lulls a subject to sleep more quickly or more effectively than a natural dawn.
  • light therapy apparatus and light therapy techniques that employ teachings of the present invention may be used to improve the manner in which a subject wakes up or falls asleep.
  • Examples of situations where such techniques and/or apparatus may be useful include, but are not limited to, situations the subject needs to wake up or fall asleep at times that do not coincide closely with natural light events, while the subject is traveling, or in other situations where the simulation of natural light events would be therapeutic or otherwise helpful to the subject.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une technique de luminothérapie comportant les étapes consistant à augmenter ou à diminuer progressivement une intensité de lumière de manière à approximer une variation d’intensité de lumière se produisant au cours d’un évènement lumineux naturel, comme l’aube ou le crépuscule. Des graphiques des intensités des évènements lumineux naturel et simulé tracés en fonction du temps peuvent présenter une forme en S ou sigmoïdale. La courbe d’intensité de l’évènement lumineux simulé peut être modifiée (par ex. une partie de la courbe peut être comprimée ou étirée par rapport à la partie correspondante de la courbe de l’évènement lumineux naturel) pour donner un résultat souhaité, comme de permettre à un sujet de dormir jusqu’à une heure de réveil prévue. Éventuellement, la couleur de la lumière pendant l’évènement lumineux simulé peut également reproduire la coloration de la lumière pendant l’évènement lumineux naturel correspondant. L'invention concerne des appareils de luminothérapie, comme des horloges, mettant en œuvre de tels procédés.
PCT/IB2009/054114 2008-09-26 2009-09-18 Appareil et techniques de simulation de cycles de lumière naturelle WO2010035200A1 (fr)

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WO2014207661A1 (fr) * 2013-06-26 2014-12-31 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dispositif d'éclairage et procédé pour accentuer des réponses de non-formation d'image
US9107251B2 (en) 2011-10-13 2015-08-11 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dimmable luminary featuring colour change during dimming
US9298169B2 (en) 2011-04-14 2016-03-29 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Wake-up appliance with snooze function
US9313856B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2016-04-12 Dynotron, Inc. Variable lumen output and color spectrum for LED lighting
US9907148B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2018-02-27 Dynotron, Inc. LED lighting system having at least one heat sink and a power adjustment module for modifying current flowing through the LEDs
EP3826281A1 (fr) * 2019-11-20 2021-05-26 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Système et procédé permettant de réveiller un utilisateur à l'aide d'un stimulus d'intensité variable
US11464938B2 (en) * 2016-03-03 2022-10-11 Headwaters, Inc. Audio tone programmed hygienic and therapeutic sleep and wake eye mask having remotely controlled sunrise and sunset multimodes

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JP2007294143A (ja) * 2006-04-21 2007-11-08 Daikin Ind Ltd 照明装置及び該照明装置を備えたベッド
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US9298169B2 (en) 2011-04-14 2016-03-29 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Wake-up appliance with snooze function
US9107251B2 (en) 2011-10-13 2015-08-11 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dimmable luminary featuring colour change during dimming
RU2608175C2 (ru) * 2011-10-13 2017-01-17 Конинклейке Филипс Н.В. Источник света с изменением яркости, отличающийся изменением цвета при изменении яркости
WO2014207661A1 (fr) * 2013-06-26 2014-12-31 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Dispositif d'éclairage et procédé pour accentuer des réponses de non-formation d'image
CN105339044A (zh) * 2013-06-26 2016-02-17 皇家飞利浦有限公司 用于增强非图像形成响应的照明设备和方法
CN105339044B (zh) * 2013-06-26 2018-02-06 飞利浦照明控股有限公司 用于增强非图像形成响应的照明设备和执行照明方法的计算机可读介质
US9565733B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2017-02-07 Dynotron, Inc. Variable lumen output and color spectrum for LED lighting
US9313856B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2016-04-12 Dynotron, Inc. Variable lumen output and color spectrum for LED lighting
US9907148B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2018-02-27 Dynotron, Inc. LED lighting system having at least one heat sink and a power adjustment module for modifying current flowing through the LEDs
US10136506B2 (en) 2014-03-10 2018-11-20 Dynotron, Inc. Variable frequency LEDs and time-based frequency-variable drivers for LED lighting
US11464938B2 (en) * 2016-03-03 2022-10-11 Headwaters, Inc. Audio tone programmed hygienic and therapeutic sleep and wake eye mask having remotely controlled sunrise and sunset multimodes
EP3826281A1 (fr) * 2019-11-20 2021-05-26 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Système et procédé permettant de réveiller un utilisateur à l'aide d'un stimulus d'intensité variable
WO2021099281A1 (fr) 2019-11-20 2021-05-27 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Système et procédé pour réveiller un utilisateur avec un stimulus d'intensité variable
CN114731352A (zh) * 2019-11-20 2022-07-08 皇家飞利浦有限公司 使用变化强度的刺激来唤醒用户的系统和方法
US11395902B2 (en) 2019-11-20 2022-07-26 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System and method for waking a user up with a stimulus of varying intensity

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