Lighting system

Abstract

A lighting system (100) for lighting a space (10) is provided. The lighting system comprises at least one sensor (102) configured to monitor the space, at least one light source (104) configured to light the space; and a controller (106). The controller is configured to determine, based on input (I1) from the at least one sensor, a circadian rhythm (dCR) of a dog (20) in the space. The circadian rhythm of the dog comprises a plurality of dog resting periods (dRP) and a plurality of dog active periods (dAP). The controller is further configured to obtain a circadian rhythm (hCR) of a human (30). The circadian rhythm of the human comprises a human resting period (hRP). The controller is further configured to determine a first dog resting period (dRP1) that does not overlap with the human resting period. Upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with the human resting period, the controller is configured to control the at least one light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic (T3) during the first dog resting period. The lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range 315–500 nm.

Description

[0001] LIGHTING SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of lighting systems. Specifically, it relates to a lighting system and a method for lighting a space.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Dogs are one of the most common pets in households all over the world. As of 2020, 45% of all households in the US own a dog. On average, every 100 households in the US own 146 dogs between them.

[0006] Like humans, dogs have a 24-hour circadian rhythm. On average, domestic dogs sleep 10.1 hours in every 24-hour cycle. Although the number of sleeping hours differs from breed, age, and health conditions, it is known that dogs typically require more total sleeping time than their human dog owners who usually sleep 7-9 hours daily.

[0007] Domestic dogs naturally have a brief and frequent sleep-wake cycle. This is also observed in other canines like arctic foxes and grey wolves. Such a pattern does not correspond with the human owners’ sleeping pattern. Humans often sleep during one longer period of time, commonly during the night. Domestic dogs waking up too early or frequently during the night often disturb the owners’ sleep.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to address the above- mentioned issues, and to provide a lighting system and method for lighting a space including a dog to better align a circadian rhythm of the dog with a circadian rhythm of a human.

[0010] This and other objects are achieved by means of a system and a method as defined in the appended independent claims. Other embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a lighting system for lighting a space is provided. The lighting system comprises at least one sensor configured to monitor the space, at least one light source configured to light the space and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a circadian rhythm of a dog in the space based on input from the at least one sensor. The circadian rhythm of the dog comprises a plurality of dog resting periods and a plurality of dog active periods. The controller is further configured to obtain a circadian rhythm of a human. The circadian rhythm of the human comprises a human resting period. The controller is further configured to determine a first dog resting period that does not overlap with the human resting period. Upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with the human resting period, the controller is configured to control the at least one light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period. The lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315-500 nm.

[0012] Studies have shown that, similarly to humans, dogs’ circadian clocks depend on a temporal relationship to lighting cycles. Due to the naturally brief and frequent sleepwake cycles, domestic dogs have weaker circadian regulation than humans. It may therefore be easier to adjust a dog’s sleep-wake cycle than a human’s sleep-wake cycle.

[0013] Exposure to blue light shifts many mammals’ circadian rhythms by suppressing the body's release of melatonin. Wavelengths in the range (of) 315-500 nm range from ultraviolet A radiation / light (UVA light) to blue light. The spectral sensitivity of dogs’ vision differ from that of humans. Specifically, dogs’ have a higher sensitivity to blue light than humans, and they can see light in the UV range that is invisible to humans.

[0014] The controller may control the at least one light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic, having a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315-500 nm, during at least a portion of the first dog resting period, such as during a part of the first dog resting period or the full first dog resting period.

[0015] When being exposed to light having a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315— 500 nm during the first dog resting period, the dog may stay awake during at least a part of the first dog resting period. Dogs require on average around 10 hours of sleep in a 24-hour cycle. By increasing daytime activity, the total nap or resting time of the dog during the day may decrease. Thus, in order to reach the necessary resting time, the dog may sleep or rest for a longer period of time during the human resting period. Thus, the present system may reduce dog activity and disturbance during human rest time.

[0016] In other words, the system according to the first aspect may adjust the dog’s circadian cycle. Specifically, the system may shift the dog’s circadian rhythm to reduce night-time activity and help to align the wake-up time of the dog with that of the human.

[0017] The human may be a human in or of the space, such as a human co-habiting with the dog, e.g., an owner of the dog. Alternatively, the human may be another human which may be affected by the dog’s circadian rhythm, such as a human in a neighboring space.

[0018] The space may be a living space, such as a residential space, including (parts of) a home, a household, a long term stay hotel, or another space in which a dog may spend longer periods of time.

[0019] The circadian rhythm of the human may comprise further human resting periods, such as a nap time or a siesta time in addition to e.g., a longer sleeping time.

[0020] Throughout the present disclosure, the term daytime or day may be used to refer to a time at which the human is normally awake, i.e., a time which does not coincide with the human resting period of the human circadian rhythm. Similarly, nighttime or night may refer to a time which at least partially coincides with the human resting period. It will however be appreciated that the systems and methods of the present disclosure may work for other human circadian rhythms, such as for shift or night workers. Further, the lighting system may simply be referred to as the system.

[0021] The circadian rhythm of the human may in the present disclosure be referred to as the human circadian rhythm. Similarly, the circadian rhythm of the dog may in the present disclosure be referred to as the dog circadian rhythm.

[0022] The controller and / or the at least one sensor, may monitor the dog over a period of time to determine the dog’s circadian rhythm. For example, the controller and / or the at least one sensor may monitor the dog for at least 24h to determine (or learn) the dog’s circadian rhythm.

[0023] It is envisaged that a system similar to the present system may be used to adjust the dog’s circadian rhythm differently in relation to the human circadian rhythm. For example, in the case of a guard dog, the human may wish that the dog is awake at night, or during the human resting period, to keep watch. A guard dog being awake at night may improve the human’s feeling of security, and thus improve the human’s sleep. In such a case, the system (controller) may, instead of providing the lighting characteristic during the day, provide the lighting characteristic at night, to keep the dog awake. In other words, in such systems, the first dog resting period may be selected as a period that does overlap with the human resting period.

[0024] The light emitted by the sun passes through the atmosphere before reaching the earth’s surface. During the day, the angle of the sunlight affects the distance which the light travels through the atmosphere. The longer the distance, the more blue light is diffracted and scattered in the atmosphere. As a result, blue light is naturally more prevalent during daytime, when the sun is high in the sky. As previously mentioned, blue light suppresses the body's release of melatonin, keeping humans, and their dog’s, more alert.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the lighting characteristic may comprise light having a peak in the wavelength range (of) 400-500 nm, which corresponds to blue light.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the lighting characteristic may comprise light having a peak in the wavelength range (of) 380-415 nm, which corresponds to violet light.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the lighting characteristic may comprise light having a peak in the wavelength range (of) 315-400 nm, which corresponds to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. Such radiation is invisible to humans but is within the visual spectrum of dogs. It has been found that UVA light may have a similar effect as blue light on the circadian rhythm of animals.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the circadian rhythm of the human may comprise a human absent period in which the human is away from the space. The controller may be configured to determine the first dog resting period to be a period at least partially within the human absent period.

[0029] Many humans leave their home for a longer period each day, to work, study etc. By providing the lighting characteristic while the human is away, the blue light of the lighting characteristic may affect the dog’s circadian rhythm, while leaving the human’s circadian rhythm unaffected.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the space may comprise at least one subspace. The at least one subspace may comprise a light source configured to light the subspace. The controller may further be configured to determine, based on input from the at least one sensor, whether the dog is present in the subspace. Upon a determination that the dog is present in the subspace during the first dog resting period, the controller may be further configured to control the light source of the subspace to illuminate the subspace with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period.

[0031] The space may for example be a house or an apartment, or a part of a house or an apartment. The subspace may be a room or a part of a room, or another subspace, such as a hallway or a porch.

[0032] Systems according to the present embodiment, having at least one subspace, may provide that the subspace in which the dog is present is illuminated with the light characteristic (blue light), allowing potential other subspaces to be differently illuminated or not illuminated. If the dog moves between different subspaces of the space, the illumination with the lighting characteristic may follow the dog between the subspaces.

[0033] As mentioned in the background section of the present application, in 2020, every 100 households in the US owned on average 146 dogs between them. Thus, many households have more than one dog.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the dog may be one of at least two dogs in the space. The controller may be configured to determine a circadian rhythm of each dog in the space based on input from the at least one sensor. The circadian rhythm of each dog may comprise a plurality of dog resting periods and a plurality of dog active periods. The controller may be configured to determine a first dog resting period for each dog, wherein the first dog resting period of each dog does not overlap with the human resting period. Upon a determination that a dog active period of at least one of the dogs overlaps with the human resting period, the controller may be configured to control the light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period of the at least one dog.

[0035] In other words, the controller may identify which dog is active during the human resting period and control a light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic (blue light) during that dog’s first resting period.

[0036] If more than one dog is active during the human resting period, the controller may determine whether the active dogs share a daytime resting period, i.e., a resting period that does not overlap with the human resting period and select that resting period as their respective first resting periods.

[0037] Many households also include more than one human, in addition to one or more dogs.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the human may be one of at least two humans. The controller may further be configured to obtain a circadian rhythm of each of the at least two humans. The circadian rhythms of the at least two humans may each comprising a human resting period. The controller may further be configured to determine the first dog resting period to be a dog resting period that does not overlap with any of the determined human resting periods. Upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with at least one of the human resting periods, the controller may be configured to control the light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period. For example, in a household, the humans may go to bed and wake up at separate times. The target waking time of the dog may be adapted to the latest wake-up time among the humans, and the target sleep time of the dog may be adapted to the earliest bedtime among the humans.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the at least one sensor may comprise an imaging sensor. For example, the imaging sensor may be an RGB camera and / or an IR camera. Alternatively, or additionally, the imaging sensor may be or comprise a thermopile array.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the at least one sensor may comprise a sound sensor, such as a microphone. The sound sensor may for example include an ultrasonic sensor.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the at least one sensor may comprise a radar sensor.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the at least one sensor may comprise a time- of-flight (ToF) sensor, also known as a time-of-flight camera.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the at least one sensor may comprise a radio frequency (RF) sensor. For example, at least one of the at least one light source may be a light source with wireless connectivity. Further, the at least one sensor and / or the controller may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with other devices within the system. The wireless, RF, communication between light sources of the system, or between the sensor, controller, and / or light sources of the system, may be used to perform RF based sensing.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the lighting system may further comprise a user input interface. The controller may be configured to receive a user input indicative of the circadian rhythm of the human via the user input interface.

[0045] The user may input a current or preferred human circadian rhythm into the system using the user input interface. For example, the user may indicate preferred sleeping hours and / or periods in which they are usually away from home.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the user input interface may be a portable mobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a smart wearable, e.g., a smart watch. According to some embodiments, the user input interface may include a voice assistant.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the controller may further be configured to determine the circadian rhythm of the human based on input from the at least one sensor.

[0048] For example, the controller may determine or learn the human circadian rhythm based on monitoring the human using the at least one sensor. The controller may obtain an initial human circadian rhythm, e.g., via a user input interface, and adjust the initial human circadian rhythm based on an input from the at least one sensor.

[0049] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a computer- implemented method for lighting a space using a lighting system is provided. The lighting system comprises at least one sensor configured to monitor the space and at least one light source configured to light the space. The method comprises determining, based on input from the at least one sensor, a circadian rhythm of a dog in the space. The circadian rhythm of the dog comprises a plurality of dog resting periods and a plurality of dog active periods. The method further comprises obtaining a circadian rhythm of a human. The circadian rhythm of the human comprises a human resting period. The method further comprises determining a first dog resting period that does not overlap with the human resting period. The method further comprises, upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with the human resting period, controlling the at least one light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period. The lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range 315-500 nm.

[0050] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by processor, cause the processor to carry out the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0051] It is noted that other embodiments using all possible combinations of features recited in the above-described embodiments may be envisaged. Thus, the present disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of features mentioned herein.

[0052] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described in more detail, with reference to the following appended drawings:

[0054] Fig. l is a schematic illustration of a lighting system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0055] Fig. 2 is an illustration of a space including a lighting system in accordance with some embodiments;

[0056] Fig. 3 is an illustration of example circadian rhythms of a dog and a human, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0057] Fig. 4 is an illustration of a space having a plurality of subspaces and including a lighting system in accordance with some embodiments; Fig. 5 is an illustration of circadian rhythms of different dogs and humans; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of lighting a space in accordance with some embodiments.

[0058] As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of the elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the embodiments. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0059] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which currently preferred embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0061] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a lighting system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The lighting system 100 comprises at least one sensor 102. The sensor 102 is in communicative contact with a controller 106, to provide an input II to the controller. The controller 106 is further in communicative contact with at least one light source 104. The controller 106 may control a light output of the light source 104. For example, the controller 106 may control a color and / or an intensity of light emitted by the light source 104.

[0062] The lighting system 100 is a lighting system for lighting a space. Figure 2 illustrates a space 10, in which a lighting system according to some embodiments is installed.

[0063] In Figure 2, the space 10 is a room 10. In the room 10, a dog 20 and a human 30 are present. A plurality of sensors 102a- 102c are arranged to monitor the space 10. The sensors include an imaging sensor 102a, a sound sensor 102b and a RF sensor 102c.

[0064] The space 10 further includes a plurality of light sources 104a-104c. Specifically, the space 10 includes a table lamp 104a, a ceiling lamp 104b, and a floor lamp 104c.

[0065] Each of the sensors 102a-c and the light sources 104a-c are in communicative contact with a controller 106. In Figure 2, the controller 106 is illustrated as a separate unit, however it will be appreciated that the controller 106 may be combined with one or more sensors 102 or light sources 104 in a combined unit. In Figure 2, all the sensors 102a-c and all the light sources 104a-c are in wireless communication with the controller 106. The light sources 104a-c may further be in communication with each other and / or one or more of the sensors 102a-c.

[0066] The controller 106 is further in communicative contact with a user input interface 108. In Figure 2, the user input interface is a mobile handheld or portable device 108, such as a smart phone, a tablet, or a smart wearable. The system may further comprise a user output interface, such that the controller 106 may provide or signal information to the user. The user input interface 108 may be a user input and output interface.

[0067] The imaging sensor 102a may be an RGB camera or an IR camera. The imaging sensor 102a may include a thermopile array, to generate a temperature-based image of the room 10. The imaging sensor 102a may be arranged such that the space 10, or at least a portion of the space 10, is within a field of view of the imaging sensor 102a.

[0068] The sound sensor 102b may be a microphone. The sound sensor 102b may be arranged together with the imaging sensor 102a in a sensor unit. Sound sensors 102b are not limited by a field of view, as an imaging sensor 102a may be. Thus, a sound sensor 102b may detect the presence of a dog 20 or a human 30 outside the immediate field of view of an imaging sensor 102a.

[0069] The radio frequency sensor 102c may detect radio frequency (RF) signals and their reflections to gather information about the space 10. Data processing may be used to extract information about the space, and objects and inhabitants of the space, from the detected radio frequency signals. The RF sensor 102c may use RF communication between the light sources 104a-c, and / or the sensors 102a-c, and / or the controller to perform RF based sensing.

[0070] The sensors 102a-c are configured to monitor the space 10 and provide input Il to the controller 106.

[0071] The controller 106 may identify a subject, such as a dog 20 or a human 30, in the space 10 based on sensory input II from the sensors 102a-c.

[0072] For example, an imaging sensor 102a, such as an RGB camera, may capture images or videos of an area of interest in the space 10. Image detection algorithms may be applied to the captured images or videos to distinguish between different humans and different dogs in the space. Sensory input from an RGB camera 102a and / or a microphone 102b, or other sensors 102, may be processed using, e.g., a convolutional neural network with deep learning, to identify each subject 20, 30 in the space 10. The controller 106 may be configured to detect the presence of a subject 20, 30, classify the subject 20,30, and classify its activity. Detected motions of a subject 20, 30 may be aligned to generate a daily activity pattern, or circadian rhythm, for each individual.

[0073] For example, the controller 106 may estimate an active / rest cycle, leave / stay schedule, wake-up time, and / or sleep time of a subject based on its detected activities.

[0074] Figure 3 illustrates exemplary human hCR and dog dCR circadian rhythms. The human circadian rhythm hCR may be obtained from sensory input from the sensors 102, or from a user input provided via the user input interface 108. For example, a human user 30 may input their regular sleeping times (or resting periods hRP) into the system 100 via the user input interface 108.

[0075] According to the human circadian rhythm hCR of Figure 3, the human 30 wakes up at 7 in the morning, leaves the house at 9, arrives back home at 17, and goes to bed at 22. Thus, the human circadian rhythm hCR comprises a human resting period hRP between 22 and 7, human activity periods hAP between 7 and 9 in the morning and between 17 and 22 in the evening, and a human absent period hAbP between 9 and 17 in the day.

[0076] Figure 3 also illustrates a dog circadian rhythm dCR, determined based on an input II from at least one sensor 102 monitoring the space 10. According to the dog circadian rhythm dCR, the dog 20 wakes up dAP slightly before the human, then takes a nap dRPl during a part of the day when the human is away. The dog 20 is awake in the evening and goes to bed dRP after the human 30 has already gone to bed hRP. There is thus a period in the morning wl, and one in the evening w2, at which the dog is active dAP during the human resting period hRP. During these overlap windows wl, w2, the human 30 may be disturbed by the dog’s 20 activities.

[0077] To improve the alignment of the human circadian rhythm hCR and the dog circadian rhythm dCR, the controller 106 of the present system 100 determines a first dog resting period dRPl, that does not overlap with the human resting period hRP. During this period dRPl, dog activity may increase without disturbing the human resting period hRP.

[0078] Further, the controller 106 determines whether there is an overlap wl, w2 between at least one dog active period dAP and a human resting period hRP. If there is such an overlap wl, w2, the controller 106 controls at least one light source 104a-c to illuminate or light the space 10 with a lighting characteristic having a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315-500 nm during the first dog resting period dRPl. In other words, the controller 106 controls at least one of the light sources 104a-c to provide blue light in the space 10 during the first dog resting period dRPl. As blue light suppresses the release of melatonin, the activity level of the dog 20 may increase during this period dRPl.

[0079] Figure 3 further illustrates a lighting schedule 110. The lighting schedule 110 illustrates a color temperature of light to be provided in the space 10 throughout a day. The first level T1 represents a warm light, for example having a color temperature below 2700K. Such light includes little or no blue light and is intended not to suppress melatonin release. The second level T2 represents a daytime light, for example having a color temperature in the range 3500-5000K. This level T2 may light the space 10 with a neutral light, with a balance between warmer and cooler wavelengths. The level T2 may also be selected to compensate for a lack of sunlight due to season, weather of altitude. The third level T3 represents the lighting characteristic and has a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315-500 nm. The third level T3 may correspond to a cool light, with a color temperature above 4500K. The third level T3 may contribute to increasing the dog’s 20 activity level.

[0080] During the human resting period, between time t8 and tl, the lighting schedule 110 instructs to provide warm light Tl if lights are not turned off.

[0081] At time tl, the human 20 wakes up, and the lighting schedule 110 starts transitioning from the first level Tl to the second level T2. At time t2, the lighting schedule 110 has reached level T2, daytime light.

[0082] At time t3, the first dog resting period dRPl has begun. The lighting schedule 110 starts transitioning from the second level T2 to the third level T3. Between times t4 and t5, during the first dog resting period dRPl, the lighting schedule 110 instructs to illuminate the space 10 with the lighting characteristic, i.e., with light having a peak wavelength in the range 315-500 nm. After this, the lighting schedule transitions from the third level T3 to the second level T2.

[0083] At t6, around the time when the human 30 returns back home, the lighting schedule has reached level T2. Some time before the bedtime of the human hRP, at t7, the lighting schedule starts transitioning toward the warmer light of the first level Tl.

[0084] The lighting schedule 110 may affect the dog’s circadian rhythm dCR. Specifically, the dog’s circadian rhythm dCR may align better with the human’s 20 circadian rhythm hCR when the lighting schedule 110 is used to illuminate the space 10. An example of a new circadian rhythm dCR’ is provided in Figure 3.

[0085] The lighting schedule 110 provided by the system 100 may provide that the dog’s activity level increases during the first dog resting period dRPl. As illustrated in the new circadian rhythm dCR’, the lighting schedule 110, and specifically the provision of light having the lighting characteristic T3 during the first dog resting period dRPl, may provide that the dog 20 takes shorter naps dRP’ during the day, with active periods dAP’ in between. As a result, the dog may require more sleep at night, during the human resting period hRP. The bedtime of the dog 20 may thus better correspond with the human 30 bedtime. The wake-up time of the dog 20 may also better align with the human wake-up time.

[0086] The sensors 102 may monitor the dog 20 as the light sources 104 are controlled by the controller 106 to provide light with the first lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period dRPl. The controller 106 may determine a new circadian rhythm dCR’ of the dog 20 and evaluate how well the dog’s new circadian rhythm dCR’ has adjusted to the human’s circadian rhythm hCR. The controller 106 may adjust a timing of the provision of light with the first lighting characteristic based on the dog’s new circadian rhythm dCR’ .

[0087] A dog’s circadian rhythm may further depend on a feeding schedule of the dog, and / or on how often and how long the dog spends time outdoors during a day. The controller 106 may further determine the dog’s 20 feeding times and / or walking / outdoors times based on input from the at least one sensor 102. Feeding times and / or walking times may form part of the dog’s 20 circadian rhythm dCR. In case further alignment of the dog’s circadian rhythm is desired, the controller 106 may propose recommended interventions to the user. For example, the controller 106 may provide a signal indicative of a recommended intervention to the user, e.g., via a user output interface. A recommended intervention may include a suggested feeding timing and / or frequency. A recommended intervention may include a suggested walking timing and / or frequency.

[0088] Figure 4 illustrates a space 10, e.g., a house 10, comprising a plurality of subspaces 12a-d, e.g., rooms 12a-d, in accordance with some embodiments. The lighting system 100 of Figure 4 comprises a plurality of sensors 102 distributed through the subspaces 12a-d. Each room (subspace) 12a-d comprises at least one light source 104 for lighting the subspace 12a-d. The system further comprises a common controller 106.

[0089] The types of sensors 102 may vary between the rooms 12a-d. For example, in Figure 4, the living room 12c has an imaging sensor, while the bedrooms 12a, 12b, and the kitchen 12d do not. The controller 106 may fuse or process the inputs from the sensors 102 to identify different subjects in the house 10.

[0090] The house 10 illustrated in Figure 4 has two humans 30a, 30b and two dogs 20a, 20b. Each of the humans 30a, 30b and the dogs 20a, 20b may have an individual circadian rhythm. Dogs’ activity levels vary among age, gender, breed, health condition, and personality. It is common for a dog’s sleep-wake cycle to change as the dog ages.

[0091] The lighting system of the present disclosure may recognize different subjects in the household and learn the normal behavior of each specific dog and person. Based on the circadian rhythms of the humans and dogs, lighting interventions may be provided to better align the respective circadian rhythms.

[0092] In Figure 5, examples of human and dog circadian rhythms are illustrated. The first human circadian rhythm hCRa may belong to the first human 30, the second human circadian rhythm hCRb may belong to the second human 30b, the first dog circadian rhythm dCRa may belong to the first dog 20a, and the second dog circadian rhythm dCRb may belong to the first dog 20b.

[0093] For example, the first human 30a may wake up and go to bead earlier than the second human 30b. The first dog 20a may be a younger dog, who stays awake for longer, and only takes one nap during the day. The second dog 20b, on the other hand, may be older, and nap several times during the day.

[0094] As the first dog 20a only naps once during the day, i.e., human active period, the controller may select the nap time dRPla as the first dog resting period dRPla of the first dog. During this period of time dRPla, the controller may control the light sources 104 a to provide light with the lighting characteristic, e.g., blue light, to affect the first dog’s 20a circadian rhythm.

[0095] The second dog, on the other hand, naps twice a day. The second dog 20b goes to bed earlier than the humans 30a, 30b, of the house 10, but also wakes up earlier. A goal with adjusting the second dog’s 20b circadian rhythm dCRb may be to make the dog stay awake a later in the evening and sleep longer in the morning. Providing light with the lighting characteristic later in the day may suppress melatonin release later in the day, thus the controller 106 may select the second nap time dRP2a as the first dog resting period dRP2a of the second dog 20b.

[0096] The controller 106 of the lighting system 100 may determine separate lighting schedules 110, i.e., time(s) for providing the lighting characteristic, for each dog, or a combined lighting schedule 110 for all dogs in the space. If separate lighting schedules are provided for each dog, the lighting schedules of dogs who are present in the subspace may be combined based on a weighting or prioritization scheme.

[0097] The dogs 20a, 20b and humans 30a, 30b may move about the space 10, between the subspaces 12a-d. The controller 106 may determine whether the dog in question 20a, 20b, for which the light with the lighting characteristic is to be provided, is present in a subspace 12a-12d, before illuminating that subspace 12a-12d with the lighting characteristic. Thus, the lighting characteristic may follow the dog between the subspaces 12a-d if the dog moves between the subspaces at the time t4-t5 of applying the lighting characteristic.

[0098] For example, in Figure 4, the controller 106 may determine, based on input from the plurality of sensors 102, that there is no dog present in the first bedroom 12a. As nobody is present, human or dog, in the first bedroom 12a, the controller 106 may control the light sources 104 of the first bedroom 12a to reduce or turn off lighting.

[0099] The controller 106 may identify, based on input from the sensors 102, that the second dog 20b is in the second bedroom 12b. Upon a determination the second dog 20b is present in the second bedroom 12b during the first dog resting period dRP2b of the second dog, the controller 106 may control the light source 104 of the second bedroom 12b to illuminate the second bedroom 12b with the lighting characteristic.

[0100] The controller 106 may identify, based on input from the sensors 102, that the first dog 20a and the first human 30a are in the living room 12c. When there is a human 30 present, the lighting system 100 may prioritize the human’s 30 lighting preferences. For example, if the human has turned a reading light on, or selected a warm ambience light setting for a room, this human decision may override a lighting schedule 110, or a timing for providing the lighting characteristic.

[0101] Alternatively, the lighting system may adapt the light of different light sources in the subspace 12b (or space) to accommodate both the dog 20a and the human 30a. For example, in Figure 2, the space 10 includes a table light 104a close to the dog 20. The table lamp 104a may illuminate a region around the dog 20, at the eye height of the dog. The human 30 is standing closer to the ceiling lamp 104b and the floor lamp 104c, which both illuminate a region near the human 30, including human eye height. In such a situation, the controller 106 may determine, based on an input from the sensors 102a-c, that the dog is present in a subspace including the table light 104a, and the human is present in a subspace shared with the ceiling lamp 104b and the floor lamp 104c. The controller 106 may for example determine the positions of the dog 20 and the human 30 based on an image input from an image sensor 102a, or an input from an RF sensor 102c, or an input from another sensor.

[0102] In such a situation, the lighting system 100 may control the table lamp 104a of the (first) subspace, including the dog 20, according to the dog’s lighting needs, for example by providing light with the lighting characteristic. The lighting system 100 may control the ceiling lamp 104b and the floor lamp 104c of the (second) subspace, including the human, according to the human’s lighting needs or preferences.

[0103] Returning back to Figure 4, the controller 106 may determine that only the second human 30b is present in the kitchen 12d. The controller 106 may then decide not to adjust the light output of the light source 104 in the kitchen 12d.

[0104] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method 1000 for lighting a space 10 using a lighting system 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The system may be a system 100 as described above with reference to the preceding figures.

[0105] At step 1010, the method 1000 comprises determining a circadian rhythm dCR of a dog 20 in the space 10 based on input from the at least one sensor 102. The circadian rhythm dCR of the dog 20 comprises a plurality of dog resting periods dRP and a plurality of dog active periods dAP.

[0106] At step 1020, the method 1000 comprises obtaining a circadian rhythm hCR of a human 30. The circadian rhythm hCR of the human 30 comprises a human resting period hRP. The circadian rhythm of the human may be obtained by receiving a user input via a user input interface 108. Alternatively, the circadian rhythm hCR of the human 30 may be obtained by determination of, or learning, the circadian rhythm hCR of the human 30 based on input from the at least one sensor 102.

[0107] At step 1030, the method 1000 comprises determining a first dog resting period dRPl that does not overlap with the human resting period hRP. The first dog resting period dRPl may be a daytime nap of the dog, or another resting period when the human is awake or away, or not bothered by the dog’s activities.

[0108] At step 1040, the method 1000 comprises determining whether at least one dog active period dAP overlaps with the human resting period hRP.

[0109] Upon determining that there is an overlap wl, w2 between at least one dog active period dAP and the human resting period hRP, the method 1000 comprises controlling, at step 1060, a light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic during the determined first dog resting period dRPl. The lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range (of) 315-500 nm.

[0110] However, in some embodiments in which the space 10 includes at least one subspace 12a-d, the method 1000 may further comprise, at step 1050, determining whether the dog is present in a subspace of the space during the first dog resting period dRPl. If the dog is present in the subspace during the first dog resting period dRPl, the method may comprise controlling a light source of the subspace to illuminate the subspace with the lighting characteristic during first dog resting period dRPl.

[0111] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0112] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements.

[0113] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lighting system (100) for lighting a space (10) comprising: at least one sensor (102) configured to monitor the space; at least one light source (104) configured to light the space; and a controller (106) configured to: determine, based on input (II) from the at least one sensor, a circadian rhythm (dCR) of a dog (20) in the space, the circadian rhythm of the dog comprising a plurality of dog resting periods (dRP) and a plurality of dog active periods (dAP); obtain a circadian rhythm (hCR) of a human (30), the circadian rhythm of the human comprising a human resting period (hRP); determine a first dog resting period (dRPl) that does not overlap with the human resting period; and upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with the human resting period, control the at least one light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic (T3) during the first dog resting period; wherein the lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range 315-500 nm.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak in the range 400-500 nm.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak in the range 380-415 nm.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak in the range 315-400 nm.

5. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein: the circadian rhythm of the human comprises a human absent period (hAbP) in which the human is away from the space; andthe controller is configured to determine the first dog resting period to be a period at least partially within the human absent period.

6. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the space comprises at least one subspace, the at least one subspace comprising a light source configured to light the subspace; wherein the controller is further configured to: determine, based on input from the at least one sensor, whether the dog is present in the subspace; and upon a determination that the dog is present in the subspace during the first dog resting period, control the light source of the subspace to illuminate the subspace with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period.

7. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dog (20a) is one of at least two dogs (20a, 20b) in the space, and wherein the controller is configured to: determine, based on input from the at least one sensor, a circadian rhythm of each dog in the space, the circadian rhythm of each dog comprising a plurality of dog resting periods and a plurality of dog active periods; determine for each dog, a first dog resting period that does not overlap with the human resting period; and upon a determination that a dog active period of at least one of the dogs overlaps with the human resting period, control the light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period of the at least one dog.

8. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the human (30a) is one of at least two humans (30a, 30b), and wherein the controller is configured to: obtain a circadian rhythm of each of the at least two humans, the circadian rhythms of the at least two humans each comprising a human resting period; determine the first dog resting period to be a dog resting period that does not overlap with any of the determined human resting periods; and upon a determination that at least one dog active period overlaps with at least one of the human resting periods, control the light source to illuminate the space with the lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period.

9. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of: an imaging sensor (102a); a sound sensor (102b); a radar sensor; a time-of-flight, ToF, sensor; and a radio frequency, RF, sensor (102c).

10. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a user input interface (108); wherein the controller is configured to receive a user input indicative of the circadian rhythm of the human via the user input interface.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the user input interface is a portable mobile device or a voice assistant.

12. The lighting system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to determine the circadian rhythm of the human based on input from the at least one sensor.

13. A computer-implemented method (1000) for lighting a space (10) using a lighting system (100) comprising at least one sensor (102) configured to monitor the space and at least one light source (104) configured to light the space, the method comprising: determining (1010), based on input from the at least one sensor, a circadian rhythm (dCR) of a dog (20) in the space (10), the circadian rhythm of the dog comprising a plurality of dog resting periods (dRP) and a plurality of dog active periods (dAP); obtaining (1020) a circadian rhythm (hCR) of a human (30), the circadian rhythm of the human comprising a human resting period (hRP); determining (1030) a first dog resting period (dRPl) that does not overlap with the human resting period; and upon a determination (1040) that at least one dog active period overlaps with the human resting period, controlling (1060) the at least one light source to illuminate the space with a lighting characteristic during the first dog resting period; wherein the lighting characteristic comprises light having a peak wavelength in the range 315-500 nm.

14. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by processor, cause the processor to carry out the method according to claim 13.

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