Glasses for enhancing melatonin

Abstract

The present invention relates to eyeglasses for assisting that a large amount of melatonin can be generated in the human body. The glasses for enhancing melatonin, according to the present invention, comprise a glasses frame and a lens unit, which is arranged on the glasses frame, blocks 95% or more of light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm, and transmits 780 nm or more of light, wherein, in the lens unit, the ratio of the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm to the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 2200 nm is 0.15.

Description

Melatonin-boosting glasses

[0001] The present invention relates to glasses that assist in increasing the production of melatonin in the human body.

[0002] According to a 2022 study by the Queen's Centre for Oncology and Haematology in the UK, "exposing our bodies, or more precisely our eyes, to the sun's near-infrared light for just 30 seconds between sunrise and 9 a.m. can prevent cancer by as little as 50% and as much as 90%."

[0003] Here, the reason the near-infrared exposure window is from early morning to 9:00 AM is not because the wavelength of sunlight varies by time of day, but rather because our body's circadian rhythm in response to near-infrared light changes with the time of day. After 9:00 AM, the body's sensory system for near-infrared light changes significantly, resulting in a significant drop in melatonin production after 9:00 AM.

[0004] According to research results, near-infrared rays in sunlight must reach the light-sensitive retinal nerve cells during this time period, which stimulates the brain and causes the body to produce large amounts of a hormone called melatonin, which has anti-cancer properties.

[0005] When sunlight stimulates the eyes and the retina, serotonin is secreted in the hypothalamus of the brain. Serotonin is then converted into melatonin in the pineal gland 14 to 15 hours later, when the sun sets and darkness sets, and sleep is induced. In other words, 14 to 15 hours after exposure to sunlight, our brain produces melatonin, causing sleep. Melatonin not only induces sleep, but is also a powerful antioxidant with anti-cancer properties. For breast cancer patients in particular, melatonin is well known as the most important anti-cancer nutrient.

[0006] Among the antioxidants produced directly in our bodies (such as glutathione), melatonin is known to be one of the most powerful natural antioxidants that suppresses cancer.

[0007] When sunlight reaches the retina, it stimulates the retina, promoting the secretion of serotonin. However, squinting to see the sunlight can expose the eyes to strong sunlight, potentially damaging their eyes. Furthermore, closing your eyelids can expose the eyes to UV rays, accelerating eye aging. Furthermore, sunlight penetrating through the eyelids can also cause various eye diseases.

[0008] So, until now, most people have tried to increase serotonin secretion by wearing sunglasses that block UV rays and indirectly stimulating the retina through sunlight exposure rather than simply standing still or staring at it. However, this method has limitations because it cannot directly deliver the near-infrared rays of sunlight to the retina, making it difficult to stimulate serotonin secretion.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide glasses for enhancing melatonin, which block ultraviolet rays, visible light, and some short-wavelength infrared rays that cause damage to the eyes when the eyes are exposed to light such as sunlight, and transmit near-infrared rays, thereby enabling the body to produce more melatonin, one of the natural antioxidant substances.

[0010] Glasses for promoting melatonin to achieve the above-described purpose may include a glasses frame and a lens part arranged on the glasses frame and configured to block 95% or more of light in a wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm and transmit light of 780 nm or more.

[0011] At this time, the ratio of the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm to the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 2200 nm may be 0.15 or less.

[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention may further include an external light blocking portion arranged on the eyeglass frame and configured to prevent external light from entering between the lens portion and the eye of a user wearing the eyeglasses.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention may further include a timer configured to count time changes and a button unit configured to control a setting value of the timer and a counting start time and a counting stop time of the timer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention may further include an information display unit configured to display the remaining time of the timer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention may further include an alarm signal generating unit configured to output an alarm signal when the counting of the time set in the timer is completed.

[0016] In one embodiment, the present invention may further include a control unit configured to calculate a sunlight exposure time that maximizes melatonin production based on at least one of the position of the glasses, the current weather, and the current time, and to set a setting value of a timer to the calculated time.

[0017] In one embodiment, the present invention further includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data with an external terminal, and the setting value of the timer can be set based on the sunlight exposure time received from the external terminal.

[0018] In one embodiment, the alarm signal output unit can output a notification signal guiding the user to look at sunlight at a preset time.

[0019] As described above, the present invention allows infrared rays greater than 780 nm to reach the retina without causing eye damage even when directly exposed to the sun in everyday life. This allows the present invention to induce stimulation that stimulates serotonin production in the wearer. Consequently, the generated serotonin is converted to melatonin 14 to 15 hours later, thereby enriching the wearer's body with antioxidants.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are conceptual diagrams showing the structure of glasses according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 is a graph showing the sensitivity curve.

[0022] Figure 4 is a graph of the light transmittance of the resin constituting the lens section.

[0023] Figure 5 is a graph of light transmittance when the lens part is composed of BK7 glass.

[0024] Figure 6 is a graph of light transmittance when the lens part is composed of PMMA.

[0025] Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals denote the same components. This disclosure does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and any content that is common in the technical field to which this disclosure pertains or that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The terms "part, module, element, block" used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiments, multiple "parts, modules, elements, blocks" may be implemented as a single component, or a single "part, module, element, block" may include multiple components.

[0026] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only direct connection but also indirect connection, and indirect connection includes connection via a wireless communication network.

[0027] Additionally, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0028] Throughout the specification, when we say that an element is "on" another element, this includes not only cases where the element is in contact with the other element, but also cases where another element exists between the two elements.

[0029] The terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the aforementioned terms.

[0030] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] The identification codes for each step are used for convenience of explanation and do not describe the order of each step. Each step may be performed in a different order than specified unless the context clearly indicates a specific order.

[0032] The operating principle and embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the glasses according to the present invention may include a glasses frame (110), a lens unit (120), a battery unit (130), an external light blocking unit, a timer, an alarm signal generating unit (140), a button unit (150), and an information display unit (160).

[0034] Meanwhile, the glasses according to the present invention may include a communication unit and a control unit configured to transmit and receive data with an external terminal. The control unit may be configured to control the overall operation related to the operation of the glasses according to the present invention. The control unit may process signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the above-described components, or provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user. The control unit may include at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit) to perform the functions according to the present invention.

[0035] However, the glasses according to the present invention are not limited thereto, and may include fewer or more components than the components described above. The components described above will be described in detail below.

[0036] The eyeglass frame (110) may serve as a support structure that supports the components described below, and may be formed in a form that allows the eyeglasses according to the present invention to be worn on the user's face. The shape of the eyeglass frame is not specifically limited.

[0037] The lens unit (120) is configured to block ultraviolet rays, visible light, and some infrared rays with short wavelengths, and to transmit near-infrared rays. Specifically, the lens unit has the characteristics of blocking (blocking 95% or more) ultraviolet rays and visible light of about 150 nm to 750 nm, and transmitting light of about 780 nm or more, but the ratio of the average light transmittance of the lens unit for the range of 800 nm to 2200 nm to the average light transmittance of the lens unit for the range of 150 to 750 nm may be 0.15 or less.

[0038] The conditions for the transmittance and average light transmittance of the lens unit (120) as described above are the conditions of the range set based on the result that when an experiment was conducted in which the subjects looked at the sun for 30 seconds or less with glasses having a lens unit that blocks about 95% of light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm, transmits light of 780 nm or more, and has a ratio of the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm to the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 2200 nm of 0.15, more than 50% of the subjects were able to withstand the glare of the eyes due to sunlight exposure.

[0039] The results of this experiment show that the transmittance and average transmittance conditions of the lens of the glasses for promoting melatonin must block 95% or more of light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm, transmit light of 780 nm or more, and have a ratio of the average transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 2200 nm to 0.15 or less so that more than 50% of wearers can withstand glare from sunlight.

[0040] Through this, the present invention can induce the effect of promoting melatonin without causing damage to the eyes due to light exposure to visible light and ultraviolet rays among sunlight.

[0041] Here, it is self-evident that the smaller the ratio of the average light transmittance of the lens part for the range of 150 to 750 nm to the average light transmittance of the lens part for the range of 800 nm to 2200 nm is, the more the effect of promoting melatonin is induced without causing further damage to one eye due to light exposure to visible light and ultraviolet rays.

[0042] Meanwhile, in general glasses, prescription glasses are worn to correct vision, but in the present invention, since there is no need to see external objects, there is no need to add prescription and a flat lens is sufficient.

[0043] Alternatively, the lens surface may have a curved, convex shape, such that it is flat. However, the light transmittance characteristics must be able to block ultraviolet rays and visible light of about 150 nm to 750 nm, including light of a wavelength of 400 nm to 750 nm that affects the optic nerve, as confirmed in the light sensitivity curve of Fig. 3, and must be able to transmit light of about 780 nm or longer that can stimulate the retina and induce melatonin production.

[0044] In one embodiment, the lens portion may be formed of a resin such as CR-39 (Columbia Resin #39), PMMA, PC, PS, or UA, and may be formed by applying a coating to the lens portion that blocks light of about 200 nm to 750 nm and transmits light of about 780 nm or more. The light transmittance of the material by wavelength is shown in Fig. 4.

[0045] In another embodiment, the lens part can have the above characteristics by manufacturing the spectacle lens by mixing materials that absorb light of about 200 nm to 750 nm into the resin.

[0046] For example, since titanium dioxide and zinc oxide absorb ultraviolet rays and carbon nitride absorbs visible light, respectively, using these two absorbers can make eyeglass lenses that can block ultraviolet rays and visible light.

[0047] In another embodiment, the lens portion may be formed by applying a coating to a glass lens that blocks ultraviolet rays and light of 400 nm to 750 nm and transmits light of about 780 nm or more.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a graph of light transmittance when the material constituting the spectacle lens is BK7 glass. When the glass thickness is 6 mm or more, the transmittance is shown at approximately 255 nm to 2750 nm. Here, the present invention requires an optical coating to make the transmittance almost 0 in the wavelength range of 255 nm to 750 nm, or a material that absorbs light with a wavelength of 255 nm to 750 nm to be absorbed by the BK7 glass.

[0049] For example, when cerium dioxide is melted into a glass spectacle lens, ultraviolet rays of 340 to 360 nm or less are absorbed. By applying an optical coating that prevents ultraviolet rays of 340 to 360 nm or more and light of 750 nm or less from being transmitted, a lens part according to the present invention can be formed.

[0050] In one embodiment, a spectacle lens was manufactured and used based on a PMMA material containing an absorbent that absorbs some ultraviolet rays and visible light, and the optical properties thereof are a material having a transmittance spectrum characteristic as shown in A of FIG. 6. In this embodiment, since the sun could be stared at for about 30 seconds, it was tested that a spectacle lens having a graph as shown in A of FIG. 6 was suitable for blocking glare caused by light exposure to visible light.

[0051] In Fig. 6, A had a wavelength of 2% transmittance of 780 nm and a wavelength of 50% transmittance of 800 nm (generally, in a graph showing increasing spectral light transmittance, the wavelength of 50% transmittance is called the Cut-On Wavelength).

[0052] When the above-mentioned spectacle lenses were used to gaze at the sun for approximately 30 seconds, the ratio of the average light transmittance in the 150-750 nm range to the average light transmittance in the 800-2200 nm range was approximately 0.07, which means that glare from visible light and ultraviolet light exposure was tolerable. However, some observers confirmed that glare from visible light and ultraviolet light exposure was tolerable even when this ratio was approximately 0.15.

[0053] Meanwhile, the external light blocking element wraps around the front of the eyeglass frame to effectively block the incoming external light. Without the external light blocking element, the space between the front of the eyeglasses according to the present invention and the user's eyes would be open. Therefore, when the user turns their head to look at the sunlight, sunlight could enter between the open front of the eyeglasses and the user's eyes, potentially causing adverse effects on the eyes, such as light exposure. To prevent this, the formation of the external light blocking element is necessary.

[0054] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the external light blocking member may be positioned to prevent external light from entering between the lens unit and the face unit.

[0055] Meanwhile, the timer is configured to check the solar observation time. Specifically, the timer can be configured to count time changes. For example, the timer can be configured to count seconds.

[0056] The timer is set to a predetermined setting value and then counts the time until the time corresponding to the setting value has elapsed. Various embodiments of setting the setting value of the timer are described below.

[0057] The alarm signal generating unit (140) is configured to notify the user of the completion of the sunlight exposure time. In one embodiment, the alarm signal generating unit (140) may include a lamp that emits light or may be configured to output an alarm in the form of an audible sound.

[0058] The alarm signal generating unit (140) can generate an alarm signal when the timer completes counting the set value.

[0059] The button section (150) allows the user to operate functions built into the glasses according to the present invention. For example, the button section (150) can be used to set the sunlight exposure time, designate the point at which sunlight exposure begins, or designate the point at which sunlight exposure stops or ends. Specific examples will be described below.

[0060] The information display unit (160) is configured to display the attention time checked by the timer.

[0061] Meanwhile, the battery unit (130) supplies the power required for the operation of the above-described components.

[0062] In one embodiment, the sunlight exposure time can be arbitrarily set by the user. Specifically, the user can set the sunlight exposure time (e.g., 30 to 50 seconds) by pressing a button located on the eyeglass frame and wear the glasses.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the button is pressed once, the timer time increases, and when the button is pressed a second time, the timer time increase stops, and this can be displayed on an information display window composed of OLED, LCD, LCOS, etc.

[0064] In one embodiment, when the user presses the button again while looking at the sun after putting on the glasses, the timer starts counting down the set time. When the set time is completed, the signal generation window of the alarm signal generation unit flashes or a signal sound is generated, allowing the user to recognize that the sunlight exposure time has ended. Afterwards, the user can stop exposure to infrared rays that block ultraviolet and visible light using the glasses according to the present invention and return to their daily lives.

[0065] In one embodiment, the sunlight exposure time may be set via the control unit or based on values ​​received from an external terminal. Specifically, the control unit or external terminal may calculate the sunlight exposure time that maximizes melatonin production based on at least one of the position of the glasses according to the present invention, the current weather, and the current time. Thus, the glasses according to the present invention enable the user to set an appropriate sunlight exposure time without having to manually set the sunlight exposure time via the button unit.

[0066] Meanwhile, the glasses according to the present invention can output a notification signal that prompts the user to look into sunlight according to the user's biological rhythm. Specifically, the notification signal generator can generate a notification signal at a preset time, prompting the user to look into sunlight after wearing the glasses according to the present invention.

[0067] As described above, the present invention allows infrared rays greater than 780 nm to reach the retina without causing eye damage even when directly exposed to the sun in everyday life. This allows the present invention to induce stimulation that stimulates serotonin production in the wearer. Consequently, the generated serotonin is converted to melatonin 14 to 15 hours later, thereby enriching the wearer's body with antioxidants.

[0068] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present disclosure. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Glasses frame; and Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized by including a lens part arranged in the above glasses frame and configured to block 95% or more of light in a wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm and transmit light of 780 nm or more.

2. In paragraph 1 The above lens part, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that the ratio of the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 150 nm to 750 nm to the average light transmittance for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 2200 nm is 0.15 or less.

3. In paragraph 1, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that it further includes an external light blocking part arranged on the glasses frame and configured to prevent external light from entering between the lens part and the eyes of a user wearing the glasses.

4. In paragraph 1, a timer configured to count time changes; and Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that they further include a button section configured to control the setting value of the timer and the start and stop times of counting the timer.

5. In paragraph 4, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that they further include an information display section configured to display the remaining time of the timer.

6. In paragraph 4, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that they further include an alarm signal generating unit configured to output an alarm signal when the counting of the time set in the above timer is completed.

7. In paragraph 4, Calculate the amount of sunlight exposure that maximizes melatonin production based on at least one of the following: the position of the glasses, the current weather, and the current time of day; Glasses for enhancing melatonin, characterized in that they further include a control unit configured to set the setting value of the timer to the produced time.

8. In paragraph 4, It further includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data with an external terminal, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that the setting value of the above timer is set based on the sunlight exposure time received from the external terminal.

9. In paragraph 6, Glasses for promoting melatonin, characterized in that the alarm signal generating unit outputs a notification signal guiding the user to look at sunlight at a preset time.

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