Systems and methods of food consumption regulation through non-visual opsins

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device comprising a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting UVA light, memory storing computer instructions, and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory. The computer instructions control a selective activation of the first plurality of LEDs to stimulate Opsin 5 to regulate food consumption of a mammal. The device may further include a second plurality of LEDs emitting indigo light, with the computer instructions controlling selective activation of the second plurality of LEDs to stimulate Opsin 3 to regulate food consumption of the human.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FOOD CONSUMPTION REGULATIONTHROUGH NON- VISUAL OPSINSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 674,090, filed on July 22, 2024.BACKGROUND

[0002] As reported by the WHO, more than 1 billion people in the world are now living with obesity. Worldwide, obesity among adults has more than doubled since 1990, and has quadrupled among children and adolescents (5 to 19 years of age), www.who.int / news / item / 01-03-2024-one- in-eight-people-are-now-living-with-obesity. Obesity is a complex and multifactorial health condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat. It is associated with various adverse health effects and significantly increases the risk of developing other chronic diseases. Similar issues affect other mammals, with obesity becoming increasingly common in domesticated animals such as dogs and cats. Conversely, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, food refusal, and binge eating affect millions of humans worldwide and are also observed in various mammalian species. In humans, anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders, while in other mammals, prolonged anorexia can lead to serious health complications such as hepatic lipidosis in cats. Both obesity and eating disorders represent opposite ends of a spectrum of food consumption dysregulation across mammalian species. Thus, there is an urgent and unmet need for addressing both obesity and eating disorders through improved regulation of food consumption in mammals.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] This application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0004] Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

[0005] FIG. l is a graph depicting food uptake (g) over time (hours) in normal mice and mice with a deletion of the OPN5 gene.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a graph depicting food uptake (g) over time (hours) in the presence and absence of the ultraviolet A (UVA) photon ligands for OPN5.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a graph which shows that deletion of OPN3 in the neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) results in decreased food consumption. Mc4rGretargets an OPN3 conditional deletion (floxed) allele in PVN neurons. This is the opposite consequence on food consumption as compared with OPN5 deletion.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a graph which shows that if the OPN3 PVN deletion animals are maintained in complete darkness, the difference between the control and OPN3 deletion mice is eliminated. This suggests that the influence of OPN3 on food consumption is light-dependent.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates the physiological effects of conditional deletion of Opsin 3 (Opn3) in melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r)-expressing neurons on food intake and locomotion in mice.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for using artificial lighting to regulate the food consumption of a mammal, for example a human.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method of using artificial lighting to regulate the food consumption of a human.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary network device.

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system.

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates, according to some aspects, a block diagram of a device consisting of a user interface, a control means, and a plurality of light emitting diode types.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Unless otherwise noted, terms are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. Exemplary methods and materials are described below, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in practice or testing of the present invention. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. The methods may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the elements of the compositions and / or methods as described herein, as well as any additional or optional element described herein or otherwise useful in a method, system, or device for regulating food consumption as disclosed herein.

[0016] Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," "some example embodiments," "one example embodiment," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," "some example embodiments," "one example embodiment, " or "in an embodiment" in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0017] Throughout this disclosure, references to components or modules generally refer to items that logically can be grouped together to perform a function or group of related functions. Components and modules can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The term software is used expansively to include not only executable code, but also data structures, data stores, and computing instructions in any electronic format, firmware, and embedded software. The terms information and data are used expansively and can include a wide variety of electronic information, including but not limited to machine-executable or machine- interpretable instructions; content such as text, video data, and audio data, among others; and various codes or flags. The terms information, data, and content are sometimes used interchangeably when permitted by context.

[0018] The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the systems and methods described herein. None of the features or componentsshown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these systems and methods unless specifically designated as mandatory.For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or subcombination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

[0019] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a method” includes a plurality of such methods and reference to “a dose” includes reference to one or more doses and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0020] Applicant has shown that in mice, UVA light stimulation of Opsin 5 (OPN5) can regulate food consumption, including suppressing food consumption under certain conditions. The regulation of food consumption by UVA light is likely to have broad implications for mammalian, and more specifically human, health. Currently, the indoor lighting environment does not include violet photons for the stimulation of OPN5 or sufficient indigo photons for the proper stimulation of OPN3. This lighting design deficiency means that when inside mammals, specifically humans, are likely to experience dysregulated food consumption patterns that deviate from what is requiredfor energy homeostasis, thus creating an imbalanced indoor lighting environment that may contribute to various eating-related conditions. Applicant has further shown that deletion of Opsin3 (0PN3) can result in reduced food consumption. Thus, by manipulation of 0PN3 and 0PN5 wavelengths, modification of food consumption (via stimulating or decreasing consumption) may be achieved. For example, in embodiments, modulation (including both stimulation or inhibiting) of one or both of 0PN5 and / or 0PN3 can regulate food consumption under certain conditions. Thus, the present disclosure relates to methods of regulating food consumption, which may employ, for example, a lighting system that provides the necessary wavelengths and rhythm of light to normalize energy homeostasis, whether by suppressing excessive food consumption or stimulating food consumption in cases where it is insufficient.

[0021] Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for regulating food consumption. In aspects, the disclosed lighting system mimics sunlight by delivering a full spectral range. More specifically, such lighting system can emit light at respective power levels and wavelengths to provide a summation spectral distribution to closely approximate the spectral distribution of clear day sunlight between the wavelengths of 350 nm and 700 nm. In aspects, the spectral range may include light of about 320 nm to about 400 nm (ultraviolet A (UVA)). In other examples, the spectral range may include light of about 350 nm to about 400 nm for the stimulation of OPN5, with OPN5 activation being maximally efficient at 350-370 nm. It is important to appreciate that the absorption spectra of opsins are broad and that they can be activated, albeit less efficiently, by photons that are in adjacent wavelength ranges. The absorption spectrum of an opsin is a description of the efficiency with which it can be activated by different wavelengths. The spectralrange may also include other wavelengths that provide balanced regulation of the metabolic system, for example, indigo light of 400-440 nm for the stimulation of OPN3 and 460-500 nm for the stimulation of Opsin 4 (OPN4) to regulate food consumption. These wavelengths may be included in a general use lighting system, and may include additional wavelength ranges for the stimulation of rod and cone photoreceptors to satisfy visual function. Exemplary lighting systems may be used to create a daily rhythm of light with appropriately varying spectral composition dawn through dusk. In some implementations, the lighting that is delivered can further be based on geographic location, seasons, and other environmental factors to accurately replicate natural light conditions specific to a user's location and time of year. In aspects, this may be achieved via software and electronics that independently control each light emitting diode channel with the appropriate power. Devices and systems for use in the present disclosure are described, for example, in U.S. 2023 / 0122476, entitled “Lighting Device to Promote Circadian Health,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0022] The energy that supports life on earth is largely provided by our sun. While the sun emits energy across most of the electromagnetic spectrum, only a small segment of that spectrum - between 300-700 nm wavelength - is detectable by animals. This detection is mediated by the opsin class G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and these are deployed in pathways that have evolved to decode light information for adaptive advantage. Adaptive light information decoding occurs over timescales that are short (visual systems, motion detection), intermediate (circadian photoentrainment) and long (circannual photoentrainment, regulation of breeding cycles). The present disclosure relates to, in part, the intermediate timescale in which light regulates the dailycycle of activity and metabolism.

[0023] The autonomous circadian clock regulates the daily metabolic-activity cycle. It is also apparent, however, that acute light sensing pathways are involved. For example, in mice, acute light sensing via OPN4 (melanopsin) and the retino-hypothalmic tract influences glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, acute extraocular light sensing by OPN3 (encephalopsin) in adipocytes and OPN5 (neuropsin) in preoptic area (POA) neurons regulate body temperature in opposing ways. These findings have raised the possibility that coordination of the daily rhythm of metabolism with the light-dark cycle is mediated by both autonomous circadian clocks and by acute coupling to the sunlight cycle.

[0024] OPN5 POA neurons are directly light sensing and, in whole animals, UVA photons at the 365 nm Xmax for OPN5 suppress body temperature in an OPN5-dependent manner. The OPN5 POA neurons are glutamatergic warm-sensing neurons that, when experimentally activated, induce torpor. They are also defined as QPLOT neurons Qrfp, Ptger3, Lepr, 0PN5, TacrS) according to gene expression data from single cell sequencing. Among the markers that define this neuron subset Lepr, the gene that encodes the leptin receptor. The ligand, leptin, is a well-characterized endocrine mediator that signals satiety to the circuits of the hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) and paraventricular (PVH) nuclei that regulate food consumption.

[0025] Applicant has demonstrated that the activity of OPN5 in the POA regulates leptin feedback at the level of both ligand production and receptor signaling response. This explains why OPN5 null mice are hyperphagic and how UVA photons acutely regulate food consumption. Opsin 5 (neuropsin, OPN5) is a highly conserved opsin class G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that inmammals functions as a sensor for UVA photons (365 nm max). Within the eye, 0PN5 mediates light-dependent vascular and refractive development as well as retinal circadian clock photoentrainment. 0PN5 also has extraocular light sensing functions that include skin circadian clock photoentrainment and hypothalamic photosensing for regulation of the body temperature cycle. Here Applicant has demonstrated that UVA light sensing by 0PN5 regulates food consumption. In mice, deletion of the 0PN5 receptor gene or withdrawal of its photon ligand (a “minus UVA” condition) results in higher food consumption. UVA light-dependent regulation of food consumption can be acute (within 24 hours) or developmental in origin (UVA exposure in neonatal mice results in changed food consumption in adults). The UVA light-OPN5 pathway incorporates feedback regulation by the satiety factor leptin. This is suggested by, (1) low leptin levels in both 0PN5 null and "minus UVA" mice, (2) leptin responsiveness in 0PN5 -expressing preoptic area (POA) neurons, (3) increased food consumption with deletion of LepR in 0PN5 POA neurons, and (4) rescue of 0PN5 null hyperphagia with leptin. These findings show that in a mammal, regulation of food consumption is intimately coupled to the sunlight cycle: They also raise the question of whether the accelerating incidence of human metabolic disease could be linked to the relative absence of UVA photons in the built space.

[0026] OPN5 loss of function mice show increased food consumption. FIG. 1 shows, using metabolic cage analysis, that mice with a deletion of the OPN5 gene mice eat more (hyperphagia). Normal mice housed in lighting without UVA photons show increased food consumption. FIG. 2 shows that when the UVA photon ligands for OPN5 are removed from the environment, the mice eat more. VIBGAR indicates full spectrum lighting delivered by a Spectral Lighting 2.0 lightingunit. Spectral Lighting 2.0 units are described in, for example, U.S. 2023 / 0122476. The gray trace shows the control cumulative food consumption for mice help in those conditions. IBGAR indicates lighting in which the photons for OPN5 stimulation are absent. Mice held in those conditions eat more (UVA trace). This finding shows empirically (1) that food consumption in a mammal can be controlled by UVA photons, (2) that UVA photons suppress food consumption,(3) that the lighting device (Spectral lighting 2.0) can regulate mammalian food consumption, and(4) by inference, that the standard lighting conditions for humans, lacking UVA photons, probably permit higher than normal food consumption. The larger conclusion is that mammalian metabolism is coupled to the sunlight cycle (“Sun-Coupled Physiology”).

[0027] Applicant has further found that:

[0028] Mice raised from birth in the absence of UVA photons are hyperphagic as adults. This indicates that there may be a crucial phase of neonatal development in which the food consumption circuits use UVA photons and OPN5 to establish normal set-points.

[0029] OPN5 null mice do not change their increased food consumption in response to UVA photons. This helps to establish causation because it shows that UVA photons require OPN5 for their activity suppressing food consumption.

[0030] OPN5 expressing neurons of the hypothalamic preoptic area express the receptor for leptin.

[0031] OPN5 null mice show low levels of leptin, a crucial satiety factor.

[0032] Deletion of OPN5 in neurons of the preoptic area (with LepRcre) results in increasedfood consumption at night. This establishes that 0PN5 located in the preoptic area is required for the regulation of food consumption.

[0033] Deletion of the leptin receptor (LepR) in OPN5 preoptic area neurons (with OPN5cre) results in elevated food consumption. This shows that the preoptic area neurons that express OPN5 are normally leptin responsive in a way that suppress food consumption.

[0034] Providing supplemental leptin (via inj ection or osmotic pump) completely corrects the increased food consumption of OPN5 null mice. Together with other data, this indicates that leptin is an OPN5 -dependent feedback regulator of food consumption.

[0035] OPN5 null mice and mice raised in the absence of UVA light show abnormal levels of a series of endocrine mediators and food consumption circuit neuromodulators. These include leptin, insulin, glucagon, glucagon like peptide 1 (the molecule that Ozempic and related weightloss drugs mimic), adiponectin, ghrelin, secretin, Agrp, and Pome, encoding the precursor peptide for aMSH.

[0036] In sum:

[0037] 0PN5 null mice are hyperphagic

[0038] Minus UVA mice are hyperphagic

[0039] Developmentally minus UVA mice are hyperphagic as adults

[0040] POA neurons express both OPN5 and LepR (the receptor for leptin, the satiety factor)

[0041] 0PN5 null mice have low plasma leptin

[0042] 0PN5 null mice are sympathetic nervous system gain of function with elevated TH in fat tissue

[0043] Deletion of OPN5 in POA (with LepRcre) results in increased food consumption at night

[0044] 0PN5 null mice show increased leptin sensitivity within POA, PVN and ARC neurons of the food consumption circuits.

[0045] Deletion of Lepr in the POA (with OPN5cre) results in increased food consumption.

[0046] Combined, OPN5 and OPN3 food consumption responses indicate that the ratio of ultraviolet A (UVA) light (350-400 nm) to indigo light (400-440 nm) photons regulates food consumption in mammals. As shown in FIG. 3, deletion of OPN3 in the neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) results in decreased food consumption, which is the opposite consequence on food consumption compared with OPN5 deletion. This bidirectional regulation demonstrates that both appetite suppression and appetite stimulation can be achieved through appropriate modulation of the UVA-to-indigo ratio, providing a comprehensive approach to food consumption regulation that can address various metabolic conditions.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates the physiological effects of conditional deletion of OPN3) in melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r)-expressing neurons on food intake and locomotion in mice. Panel (a) depicts the averaged 72-hour cumulative food consumption, showing a significant decrease for Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3fl / flmice and Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3fl / +mice compared to Opn31 / +mice, as analyzed using two-way ANOVA with p < 0.0001 ; lines represent the mean ± SEM averaged across animals, with n > 11. Conversely, panels (b) and (c) present the average 12-hour food intake during thelight phase and dark phase, respectively, indicating no statistically significant differences between the mutant and control groups (p > 0.05 by one-way ANOVA or Kruskall-Wallis analysis), with circles representing individual mice and lines representing mean ± SEM for n > 9 mice. Panel (d) further shows a significant reduction in averaged 24-hour food consumption for Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3fl flmice and Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn31 / +mice compared to Opn31 / +mice (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001; lines represent mean ± SEM, n > 11). Additionally, panel (e) demonstrates that the 24- hour average locomotor distance was significantly lower for Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3fl / flmice and Mc4r2a-Cre; Opn3fl / +mice relative to Opn31 / +mice (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Finally, panel (f) illustrates that the body weight of Opn3fl / +, Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3fl / fl, and Mc4r2a'Cre; Opn3f / +mice at 5 months of age was not significantly different (one-way ANOVA, p > 0.05), with circles representing individual mice and lines representing mean ± SEM.

[0048] Exemplary devices and systems are described as follows:

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system architecture 100 using artificial lighting to regulate food consumption of an occupant, among other things. The system architecture 100 may include a computer 110, a network 112, a lighting device 120 (e g., including one or more LEDs 122) , where "LED" or "LEDs" refers to any light-emitting diode technology including but not limited to traditional light-emitting diodes, micro-LEDs, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), quantum dot LEDs (QLEDs), mini-LEDs, and any other semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy into light energy). In an aspect, the lighting device 120 may provide interior lighting for an environment. The lighting device 120 can be designed to accommodate a wide range of indoor spaces. Example environments in which the lighting device 120 can be utilizedinclude, but are not limited to, residential environments, commercial environments, healthcare environments like hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, medical laboratories, hospitality environments such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, office environments, outdoor environments including stadiums, arenas, tunnels, streets, highways, parking lots, parks, and recreational areas, retail environments such as shopping malls, stores, and marketplaces, military environments including vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, bases, barracks, and field operations, transportation environments such as airplanes, trains, buses, ships, submarines, spacecraft, automobiles, and all other forms of public and private transportation, educational environments including schools, universities, and libraries, correctional facilities, government buildings, data centers, agricultural environments including greenhouses and indoor farming facilities, and industrial environments. Moreover, the lighting device 120 or computer 110 may include a controller for controlling one or more of the LEDs 122. For example, the controller may control a rhythmic intensity or spectral modulation of the lighting device 122 or LEDs 122. In some embodiments, sensors may be integrated into the system architecture 100, including ambient light sensors, occupancy sensors, biometric sensors, and environmental sensors. These sensors can provide input to the controller to adjust light output from individual fixtures, creating a uniform lighting environment while achieving energy savings. For instance, fixtures located near windows would require lower output during daylight hours based on ambient light sensor readings. The sensor input would be integrated at the controller level to adjust LED power input accordingly. While sensors are not required for the system to function, they can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in some implementations. Moreover, emitted wavelengths of the LEDs 122 may be targeted to specific human opsin absorption spectra, such as 3650 nm, 430 nm, 480 nm, 530 nm,580 nm, and 630 nm.

[0050] In some aspects, specific emitted wavelengths of the LEDs 122 may include UVA light, indigo light, or a combination of UVA light and indigo light for stimulating the opsins of a human, shown as an occupant 130 in FIG. 6. For example, an emitted wavelength in the range of 350-400 nm (UVA light) may stimulate OPN5 in the occupant 130 and an emitted wavelength in the range of 400-440 nm (indigo light) may stimulate OPN3 in the occupant 130. By stimulating OPN3 and OPN5 of the occupant 130 with the UVA and indigo spectrums, the lighting device 120 may regulate food consumption of the occupant 130, including either suppressing or stimulating appetite depending on the specific needs of the occupant and the particular ratio of UVA to indigo light employed.

[0051] In some aspects, the controller can independently adjust the relative intensity of the light components of the lighting device 120, such as, for example, the UVA and indigo components. For instance, the system can be designed to emulate the dynamic spectral characteristics of natural sunlight throughout the day. The ratio of UVA light to indigo light can be varied according to a predetermined schedule or in response to real-time environmental factors. In one aspect, the lighting device 120 implements a smooth, continuous transition of the UVA-to- indigo ratio over the course of a day or other time period. This gradual change can seek to generally mimic the subtle shifts in natural daylight. Alternatively, the lighting device 120 can operate in a piecewise or stepped mode, where the UVA-to-indigo ratio changes can occur in more discrete increments at specified times, for example. In some aspects, the output intensity of each of the of the UVA and indigo components can be separately and selectively controlled between a powerlevel of zero and a maximum power level.

[0052] Furthermore, the lighting device 120 can be capable of adjusting its light output, such as the UVA light intensity, the indigo light intensity, or the UVA-to-indigo ratio, to reflect seasonal variations in natural light. This feature can allow the lighting device 120 to replicate the changes in day length and light quality associated with different seasons. In some aspects, the system can be programmed with location-specific data to accurately reflect the seasonal UVA-to-indigo ratios of any given geographical area, thereby providing a more authentic and biologically appropriate lighting environment for the occupant 130 throughout the year.

[0053] The range of possible UVA-to-indigo ratios extends from 100% UVA light (0% indigo) to 100% indigo light (0% UVA), encompassing all intermediate combinations and proportions along this spectrum. This includes, but is not limited to, ratios such as 90: 10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, and 10:90 of UVA-to-indigo light, as well as more precise incremental adjustments (e.g., 1% increments or less than 1% increments) across the entire range. The control mechanism for this variable ratio can be implemented through various means, including but not limited to programmable microcontrollers, networked systems responding to external data inputs, user-adjustable interfaces, digital potentiometers, pulse-width modulation circuits, or analog control systems, schematically shown as computer 110 in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, while lighting intensity may be user adjustable for general lighting purposes, the spectral composition is not directly user-adjustable. Instead, users may access different preset modes, such as, and without limitation, "overcast day," "forest shade," "dawn," "midday," "dusk," "seasonal adjustment," "appetite suppression," "appetite stimulation," "nap time," or "geographicallocation-specific," or other activity-specific modes, that change the spectral composition in ways consistent with natural settings or specific metabolic needs, thereby maintaining biologically appropriate UVA-to-indigo ratios that would be found in these natural environments or that would achieve the desired food consumption regulation effect or other physiological effects. The system may also implement dynamic ratio adjustments that gradually transition between different UVA- to-indigo proportions throughout the day to mimic natural diurnal variations in spectral composition.

[0054] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method 200 for using artificial lighting to regulate food consumption of an occupant, among other things. In some examples, the method 200 is performed by a device or machine (e.g., computer 110). Moreover, the method 200 may be performed at a network device, desktop, laptop, mobile device, server device, or by multiple devices in communication with one another. In some examples, the method 200 is performed by processing logic, including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the method 200 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory). Such method can be used in the treatment of food intake related disorders. Food intake related disorders include conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors that result in altered consumption of food and significant impairment of physical health or psychosocial functioning. These include pica (persistent eating of non-nutritive substances), rumination disorder (repeated regurgitation of food), avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID, characterized by limited food intake not due to lack of food availability or cultural practices), binge eating disorder (recurrent episodes of eating significantly more food in a shortperiod of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances), bulimia nervosa (characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors), and anorexia nervosa (characterized by restriction of energy intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and disturbance in self-perceived weight or shape). Obesity, which can also be treated by the presently disclosed method, while not classified as a food intake related disorder, is characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that presents a risk to health.

[0055] At block 210, the method 200 provides interior lighting by a lighting device, where the lighting device may include one or more LEDs. For example, LEDs of the lighting device may be integrated into various ceiling fixture applications, such as troffers, panels, and linear formats that can be either direct attached or suspended with direct or indirect lighting capabilities. The lighting device may also be incorporated into wall sconces with upward facing lighting elements for direct or indirect lighting, particularly suitable for healthcare environments such as hospital rooms. Additionally, the lighting device may be implemented as downlights and cylinders suitable for all market segments, standard floor lamps for consumer markets, desk or bedside table lamps for residential applications, or as smart light bulbs adaptable to existing fixtures across all markets. The lighting device can be capable of variably delivering lighting across a variety of different wavelengths, including the range of 350-400 nm and the range of 400-440 nm.

[0056] At block 220, the method 200 controls each of the LEDs. For example, the method 200 may control an intensity of one or more of the LEDs in order to control an intensity of one or more of the LEDs in order to manage the UVA light, the indigo light, and / or the ratio of UVA and indigo light provided by the lighting device. This specific control over the UVA (350-400 nm) portion ofthe spectrum is particularly significant due to its distinct effects on 0PN5. This control over the indigo (400-440 nm) portion of the spectrum is particularly significant due to its distinct effects on OPN3. The control can be implemented, for example, through pulse-width modulation (PWM) or constant current reduction (CCR) techniques, allowing for smooth and precise dimming of individual LEDs or LED arrays. This granular control can enables the lighting device to produce a wide range of spectral combinations, including pure UVA or indigo light to any desired mixture of the two. Furthermore, as provided above, this control system can be programmed to automatically adjust the UVA-to-indigo ratio throughout the day, mimicking the natural shifts in skylight from dawn to dusk, for example. The dynamic adjustment of light output can be based on real-time data input, or controlled by various computational methods including look up tables (LUT), empirical curves, mathematical formulas, algorithmic models, machine learning algorithms, or any combination thereof that describes the relationships between time of day for a given location, sun angle and spectral composition. Since with clear sky conditions the spectral composition is a consequence of sun angle, the LUT can provide precise information that would be interpreted by a controller to send different power levels to each LED. The controller can access geographical location data, date, and time to determine the appropriate sun angle and corresponding spectral composition that would occur naturally at that specific moment. This allows the system to accurately reproduce the natural UVA-to-indigo ratios that would be present in sunlight throughout different times of day and seasons. A device that mimics normal sunlight in this manner can therefore overcome the deficiencies of standard artificial lighting, which typically lacks UVA wavelengths, and produce normal patterns of food consumption by properly stimulating both 0PN5 and 0PN3 in appropriate ratios. This can help prevent overeating that mayoccur in environments with standard artificial lighting that fails to provide the UVA light necessary for OPN5 stimulation, or conversely, can help stimulate appetite in individuals with conditions that lead to insufficient food intake by adjusting the UVA-to-indigo ratio to favor 0PN3 stimulation.

[0057] At block 230, the method 200 stimulates one or more opsins in a mammal, for example a human. For example, the LEDs may target one or more human opsin absorption spectra by emitting specific wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths of 350-400 nm and 400-440 nm).

[0058] At block 240, the method 200 regulates, based on the stimulation of the opsin(s), food consumption of the occupant. For example, the method 200 may simulate normal sunlight by reproducing dawn and dusk transitions and it spectral characteristics throughout the day. In some aspects, the method 200 may replication color separations typical of dawn and dusk, e.g., including a direction of specific colors based on a time of day. Moreover, the method 200 may replicate the changes that occur in the UVA-to-indigo ratio over different seasons (e.g., spring, summer, fall, and winter). The regulation of food consumption may include suppressing appetite in occupants with conditions such as obesity or Type 2 diabetes by increasing the proportion of UVA light to stimulate OPN5, or stimulating appetite in occupants with conditions such as eating disorders, cachexia, or anorexia by increasing the proportion of indigo light to stimulate OPN3. The method may also adapt to the specific metabolic needs of the occupant based on factors such as age, health status, activity level, or genetic factors.

[0059] Examples of the methods disclosed herein may be performed in the operation of such computing devices. The order of the blocks presented in the examples herein can be varied. Forexample, blocks can be re-ordered, combined, or broken into sub-blocks. Certain blocks or processes can be performed in parallel.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of network device 400 that may be connected to or comprise a component of network 112. Network device 400 may comprise hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The functionality to facilitate communications via a communications network may reside in one or a combination of network devices 400. Network device 400 depicted in FIG. 8 may represent or perform functionality of an appropriate network device 400, or a combination of network devices 400, such as, for example, a component or various components of a cellular broadcast system wireless network, a processor, a server, a gateway, an LTE or 5G anchor node or eNB, a mobile switching center (MSC), a short message service center (SMSC), an automatic location function server (ALFS), a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway, an RAN, a serving mobile location center (SMLC), or the like, or any appropriate combination thereof. It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 8 is exemplary and not intended to imply a limitation to a specific example or configuration. Thus, network device 400 may be implemented in a single device or multiple devices (e.g., single server or multiple servers, single gateway or multiple gateways, single controller or multiple controllers). Multiple network entities may be distributed or centrally located. Multiple network entities may communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or any appropriate combination thereof.

[0061] Network device 400 may comprise a processor 402 and a memory 404 coupled to processor 402. Memory 404 may contain executable instructions that, when executed by processor402, cause processor 402 to effectuate operations associated with using artificial lighting to regulation food consumption of an occupant. As evident from the description herein, network device 400 is not to be construed as software per se.

[0062] In addition to processor 402 and memory 404, network device 400 may include an input / output system 406. Processor 402, memory 404, and input / output system 406 may be coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 8) to allow communications between them. Each portion of network device 400 may comprise circuitry for performing functions associated with each respective portion. Thus, each portion may comprise hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, each portion of network device 400 is not to be construed as software per se. Input / output system 406 may be capable of receiving or providing information from or to a communications device or other network entities configured for telecommunications. For example, input / output system 406 may include a wireless communications (e.g., 3G / 4G / 5G / GPS) card. Input / output system 406 may be capable of receiving or sending video information, audio information, control information, image information, data, or any combination thereof. Input / output system 406 may be capable of transferring information with network device 400. In various configurations, input / output system 406 may receive or provide information via any appropriate means, such as, for example, optical means (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone, ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof. In an example configuration, input / output system 406 may comprise a Wi-Fi finder, a two-way GPS chipset or equivalent, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0063] Input / output system 406 of network device 400 also may contain a communication connection 408 that allows network device 400 to communicate with other devices, network entities, or the like. Communication connection 408 may comprise communication media. Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, or wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, or other wireless media. The term computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage media and communication media. Input / output system 406 also may include an input device 410 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, or touch input device. Input / output system 406 may also include an output device 412, such as a display, speakers, or a printer.

[0064] Processor 402 may be capable of performing functions associated with using artificial lighting, such as through the control or one or more artificial lighting devices to regulate food consumption of an occupant, as described herein. For example, processor 402 may be capable of, in conjunction with any other portion of network device 400, controlling the UVA-to-indigo ratio of an associated lighting device accordingly, as described herein.

[0065] Memory 404 of network device 400 may comprise a storage medium having a concrete, tangible, physical structure. As is known, a signal does not have a concrete, tangible, physical structure. Memory 404, as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to be construed as a signal. Memory 404, as well as any computer-readable storagemedium described herein, is not to be construed as a transient signal. Memory 404, as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to be construed as a propagating signal. Memory 404, as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is to be construed as an article of manufacture.

[0066] Memory 404 may store any information utilized in conjunction with communications. Depending upon the exact configuration or type of processor, memory 404 may include a volatile storage 414 (such as some types of RAM), a nonvolatile storage 416 (such as ROM, flash memory), or a combination thereof. Memory 404 may include additional storage (e.g., a removable storage 418 or a non-removable storage 420) including, for example, tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, USB-compatible memory, or any other medium that can be used to store information and that can be accessed by network device 400. Memory 404 may comprise executable instructions that, when executed by processor 402, cause processor 402 to effectuate operations to use artificial lighting to regulate food consumption of an occupant.

[0067] FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods described above. One or more instances of the machine can operate, for example, as processor 402, computer 110, and other devices of FIGS. 1-10 . In some examples, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 112) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

[0068] The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a communication device of the subject disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

[0069] Computer system 500 may include a processor (or controller) 504 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 506 and a static memory 508, which communicate with each other via a bus 510. The computer system 500 may further include a display unit 512 (e g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, or a solid-state display). Computer system 500 may include an input device 514 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 516 (e.g., a mouse), a machine readable medium 518, a signal generation device 520 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 522. In distributed environments, the examples described in the subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 512 controlled by two or more computer systems 500. In this configuration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of display units 512, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of display units 512.

[0070] The machine readable medium 518 may include a non-transitory tangible computer- readable storage medium on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., instructions 526) embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. Instructions 526 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within main memory 506, static memory 508, or within processor 504 during execution thereof by the computer system 500. Main memory 506 and processor 504 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storage media.

[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates, according to some aspects, a block diagram of a system 600. The system 600 includes cloud based computing and data storage 610 and device 620. The cloud based computing and data storage 610 can store a number of datasets for historic review and optimization opportunities, including energy usage, historical activity (spectral composition, active modes, intensity adjustments, feature modes, etc.), and recommendation engine data. The recommendation engine data may include personalized settings for different occupants based on their specific metabolic needs, such as appetite suppression settings for occupants with obesity or Type 2 diabetes, or appetite stimulation settings for occupants with conditions that lead to insufficient food intake. Device 620 includes a user interface 630, a controller 640, a power supply 650, and a plurality of light emitting diode types (e.g., LED Board 660 including LEDs 662). For example, a user interface 630 may select, for example, twilight timing, dusk to dawn transitions, and duration based on a plurality of variables such as latitude, longitude, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age, and health conditions.

[0072] The controller 640 may be disposed on a control board and may include a radio 644,one or more microcontrollers 642, and one or more LED drivers 646. The user interface 630 may interact with the controller 640 via wired or wireless communications (e.g., communication through cloud based computing and data storage 610 with radio 644). In some aspects, the controller 640 may store and populate timing, spectrum and duration data locally or via external data computation or storage, such as a computer, smart phone, or cloud interface. For example, the controller may program the output and timing to LED devices 662 on an LED board 660. Moreover, the LED board 660 may be protected behind an optical system including a UV transmitting polycarbonate or glass.

[0073] Additionally, some aspects may include other UVA transmitting materials (e.g., glass) and applications may utilize a device that suspends in space to limit interactions with materials such as TiCL based paints or other surface finishes. Accordingly, some aspects, the device 620 may include an optical element (e.g., a lens, window, enclosure or cover for the device) associated with the illumination source (e.g., LEDs) that is ultraviolet transmissive.

[0074] Referring again to FIG. 10, the device 620 may include a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 662 emitting UVA light within a range of 350-400 nm, a second plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 662 emitting indigo light within a range of 400-440 nm, memory storing computer instructions (e.g., microcontroller 642), and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory (e.g., microcontroller 642). In some aspects, the computer instructions may include steps for controlling a selective activation of the illumination source to stimulate OPN5 and OPN3 in a human to regulate food consumption of the human. For example, the selective activation of LEDs 662 mayinclude controlling the UVA light emitted by the LEDs, the indigo light emitted by the LEDs and / or the relative intensity of the UVA light emitted by the LEDs compared to the intensity of the indigo light emitted by the LEDs. This regulation may include either suppressing appetite by increasing UVA light to stimulate 0PN5 or stimulating appetite by increasing indigo light to stimulate 0PN3, depending on the specific metabolic needs of the human.

[0075] According to some aspects, the device 620 of FIG. 10 may be incorporated into a display device (such as a video screen, computer display, appliance display and the like), where the LEDs 662 are embodied as micro-LEDs incorporated as display pixels (or display elements).

[0076] Referring still to FIG. 10, the user interface 630 may be configured to receive information pertaining to a geographical location. For example, the selective activation of the LEDs 662 may be based on transitions associated with the geographical location. According to some aspects, the selective activation of the LEDs 662 may be further based upon one or more additional conditions, including time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age and health conditions, etc.

[0077] The user interface 630 of FIG. 10 may be embodied as a graphical user interface. In some aspects, other forms of interfaces may be utilized such as transceivers (examples of which are discussed herein) receiving information from a source (such as from a database, the Internet, the Cloud, etc.) other than directly from a user.

[0078] While aspects disclosed herein may utilize LEDs and / or micro-LEDs, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular illumination source. Other illumination sources are available that may be used to create the effects described herein. For example, illumination sourcesmay be utilized such as quantum dot base systems, solid state laser systems, broad spectrum illumination (such as xenon) combined with dynamic optical filters, such as those used in projection based systems (such as color wheels, digital mirror devices, etc.). Further, when the LEDs are described as being activated to emit light within a particular wavelength range, it is contemplated that the LEDs may be specifically designed or provided to emit light within that particular wavelength range or may be incorporated with other components or materials (e.g., specific components or materials with band-pass characteristics for the selected ranges) so that the LED in combination with that component / material transmits light within a particular wavelength.

[0079] Further Embodiments

[0080] Further aspects and embodiments of the invention are provided in the following numbered paragraphs, which are considered part of the detailed description and provide additional support for the appended claims.

[0081] Example 1. A device comprising: a first plurality of illumination sources emitting ultraviolet A (UVA) light; memory storing computer instructions; and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer instructions control a selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources to stimulate Opsin 5 (OPN5) to regulate food consumption of a mammal.

[0082] Example 2. A device according to Example 1, wherein each of the illuminationsources of the first plurality of illumination sources is an LED

[0083] Example 3. A device according to any of the preceding Examples, wherein the first plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 350-400 nm.

[0084] Example 4. A device according to Example 3, wherein the first plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 350-370 nm.

[0085] Example 5. A device according to any of the preceding Examples, further comprising a second plurality of illumination sources emitting indigo light within the range of 400- 440 nm, and the computer instructions control a selective activation of the second plurality of illumination sources to stimulate Opsin 3 (OPN3) to regulate food consumption of the human.

[0086] Example 6. A device according to Example 5, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of any of the first and second plurality of illumination sources to generate a predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio to achieve either appetite suppression or appetite stimulation based on specific metabolic needs of the human.

[0087] Example 7. A device according to Example 6, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of both the first and second plurality of illumination sources to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to provide different food consumption regulation effects during the first period of time and the second period of time.

[0088] Example 8. A device according to Example 5, wherein the second plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 400-440 nm.

[0089] Example 9. A device according to Example 5, wherein the selective activation of any of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources comprises controlling an intensity of UVA light generated by the device to achieve appetite suppression.

[0090] Example 10. A device according to Example 9, wherein the selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources comprises controlling an intensity of indigo light generated by the device to achieve appetite stimulation.

[0091] Example 11. A device according to Example 5, further comprising: an interface configured to receive input information; wherein the selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources is based on the input information to regulate food consumption.

[0092] Example 12. A device according to Example 11, wherein the interface is further configured to receive information pertaining to one or more additional conditions taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age health conditions, activity levels, health status, metabolic rate, body mass index, sleep patterns, and physiological factors; and the selective activation of any of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is based further upon the one or more additional conditions regulate food consumption.

[0093] Example 13. A device according to Example 11 , wherein the interface includes agraphical user interface. and wherein each of the illumination sources of the second plurality of illumination sources is an LED.

[0094] Example 14. A device according to Example 5, wherein each of the illumination sources of the second plurality of illumination sources is an LED

[0095] Example 15. A device according to any of the preceding Examples, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment., a hospitality environment, an office environment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

[0096] Example 16. A device according to any of the preceding Examples, wherein the device comprises a display and the first plurality of illumination sources are incorporated as microLEDs in the display.

[0097] Example 17. A device comprising: a first illumination source emitting UVA light; a second illumination source emitting indigo light; memory storing computer instructions; and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory,wherein the computer instructions control a selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source to stimulate Opsin 5 and Opsin 3 in a human to regulate food consumption through both appetite suppression and appetite stimulation.

[0098] Example 18. A device according to Example 17, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of any of the first and second illumination sources to generate a predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio to regulate food consumption of the human.

[0099] Example 19. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 18, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation any of the first and second illumination sources to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to achieve different food consumption regulation effects.

[0100] Example 20. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 19, wherein the first illumination source emits light within a range of 350-400 nm.

[0101] Example 21. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 20, wherein the second illumination source emits light within a range of the 400-440 nm.

[0102] Example 22. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 21, wherein the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source comprises controlling an intensity of UVA light generated by the device to achieve appetite suppression.

[0103] Example 23. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 22, wherein the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source comprises controlling an intensity of indigo light generated by the device to achieve appetite stimulation.

[0104] Example 24. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 23, further comprising: an interface configured to receive information pertaining to a geographical location; wherein the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is based on the geographical location to provide appropriate appetite suppression or appetite stimulation effects.

[0105] Example 25. A device according to Example 24, wherein the interface is further configured to receive information pertaining to one or more additional conditions taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age health conditions, activity levels, health status, metabolic rate, body mass index, sleep patterns, and physiological factors; and the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is based further upon the one or more additional conditions to regulate food consumption.

[0106] Example 26. A device according to Example 24, wherein the interface includes a graphical user interface.

[0107] Example 27. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 26, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercialenvironment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment, a hospitality environment, an office environment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

[0108] Example 28. A device according to any of Examples 17 to 27, wherein the device comprises a display and the first illumination source and the second illumination source are incorporated as micro-LEDs in the display.

[0109] Example 29. A method for regulated food consumption of a mammal, comprising: providing a first illumination source emitting UVA light within an environment occupied by the mammal; selectively activating the first illumination source to stimulate neuropsin (OPN5) in the human to achieve appetite suppression; and providing a second illumination source emitting indigo light within the environment occupied by the human.

[0110] Example 30. A method according to Example 29, further comprising: selectively activating the second illumination source to stimulate encephalopsin (OPN3) in the human to achieve appetite stimulation.

[0111] Example 31. A method according to Example 30, wherein the selective activation of the first and second illumination sources generates a predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio toachieve either appetite suppression or appetite stimulation based on specific metabolic needs of the human.

[0112] Example 32. A method according to any of Examples 29 to 31, wherein the first illumination source emits light within a range of 350-400 nm.

[0113] Example 33. A method according to Example 32, wherein the second illumination source emits light within a range of the 400-440 nm.

[0114] Example 34. A method according to any of Examples 29 to 33, wherein the environment is any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment, a hospitality environment, an office environment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

[0115] Example 35. A method of treating a food intake related disorder in a human subject, the method comprising: exposing the human subject to light emitted by a device according to any of Examples 1- 28, wherein the light is selectively controlled by the device to regulate food consumption in the human subject.

[0116] Example 36. The method according to Example 35, wherein the light comprisesUVA light and indigo light.

[0117] Example 37. The method according to Example 36, wherein the UVA lightstimulates Opsin 5 to achieve appetite suppression.

[0118] Example 38. The method according to Example 36 or 37, wherein the indigo light stimulates Opsin 3 to achieve appetite stimulation.

[0119] Example 39. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 38, wherein the light emitted by the device comprises UVA light within a range of 350-400 nm.

[0120] Example 40. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 39, wherein the light emitted by the device further comprises indigo light within a range of 400-440 nm.

[0121] Example 41. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 40, wherein the device is controlled to generate a predetermined UVA-to-indigo light ratio based on specific metabolic needs of the human subject to regulate food consumption.

[0122] Example 42. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 41, wherein the device is controlled to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to achieve different food consumption regulation effects.

[0123] Example 43. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 42, wherein the device is controlled to adjust an intensity of the UVA light to achieve appetite suppression.

[0124] Example 44. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 43, wherein the device is controlled to adjust an intensity of the indigo light to achieve appetite stimulation.

[0125] Example 45. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 44, further comprising receiving information pertaining to a geographical location of the human subject viaan interface of the device, and wherein the selective control of the light by the device is based on the geographical location to provide appropriate food consumption regulation effects.

[0126] Example 46. The method according to Example 45, further comprising receiving information pertaining to one or more additional conditions via the interface, taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age, and health conditions, and wherein the selective control of the light by the device is based further upon the one or more additional conditions to optimize food consumption regulation.

[0127] Example 47. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 46, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, and an industrial environment.

[0128] Example 48. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 47, wherein the food intake related disorder is any of pica, avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, or anorexia nervosa.

[0129] Example 49. The method according to any of Examples 35 to 48, wherein the human subject is obese.

[0130] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. All accessioned information (e.g., as identified by PUBMED, PUBCHEM, NCBI, UNIPROT, or EBI accession numbers) and publications in their entireties are incorporated into this disclosure by reference in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled therein as of the date of this disclosure. The citation of any document is not anadmission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0131] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device compri sing : a first plurality of illumination sources emitting ultraviolet A (UVA) light; memory storing computer instructions; and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer instructions control a selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources to stimulate Opsin 5 (0PN5) to regulate food consumption of a mammal.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the illumination sources of the first plurality of illumination sources is an LED3. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 350-400 nm.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the first plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 350-370 nm.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second plurality of illumination sources emitting indigo light within the range of 400-440 nm, and the computer instructions control a selective activation of the second plurality of illumination sources to stimulate Opsin 3 (OPN3) to regulate food consumption of the human.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of any of the first and second plurality of illumination sources to generate apredetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio to achieve either appetite suppression or appetite stimulation based on specific metabolic needs of the human.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of both the first and second plurality of illumination sources to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA- to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to provide different food consumption regulation effects during the first period of time and the second period of time.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein the second plurality of illumination sources emit light within a range of 400-440 nm.

9. A device according to claim 5, wherein the selective activation of any of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources comprises controlling an intensity of UVA light generated by the device to achieve appetite suppression.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources comprises controlling an intensity of indigo light generated by the device to achieve appetite stimulation.

11. A device according to claim 5, further comprising: an interface configured to receive input information; wherein the selective activation of the first plurality of illumination sources and the second plurality of illumination sources is based on the input information to regulate food consumption.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the interface is further configured to receiveinformation pertaining to one or more additional conditions taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age health conditions, activity levels, health status, metabolic rate, body mass index, sleep patterns, and physiological factors; and the selective activation of any of the first plurality of LEDs and the second plurality of LEDs is based further upon the one or more additional conditions regulate food consumption.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein the interface includes a graphical user interface. and wherein each of the illumination sources of the second plurality of illumination sources is an LED.

14. A device according to claim 5, wherein each of the illumination sources of the second plurality of illumination sources is an LED15. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment., a hospitality environment, an office environment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

16. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a display and the first plurality of illumination sources are incorporated as micro-LEDs in the display.

17. A device compri sing : a first illumination source emitting UVA light;a second illumination source emitting indigo light; memory storing computer instructions; and one or more processors coupled with the memory and configured to execute the computer instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer instructions control a selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source to stimulate Opsin 5 and Opsin 3 in a human to regulate food consumption through both appetite suppression and appetite stimulation.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation of any of the first and second illumination sources to generate a predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio to regulate food consumption of the human.

19. A device according to any of claims 17 to 18, wherein the computer instructions further control the selective activation any of the first and second illumination sources to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA- to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to achieve different food consumption regulation effects.

20. A device according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the first illumination source emits light within a range of 350-400 nm.

21. A device according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the second illumination source emits light within a range of the 400-440 nm.

22. A device according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the selective activation of any of thefirst illumination source and the second illumination source comprises controlling an intensity of UVA light generated by the device to achieve appetite suppression.

23. A device according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source comprises controlling an intensity of indigo light generated by the device to achieve appetite stimulation.

24. A device according to any of claims 17 to 23, further comprising: an interface configured to receive information pertaining to a geographical location; wherein the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is based on the geographical location to provide appropriate appetite suppression or appetite stimulation effects.

25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the interface is further configured to receive information pertaining to one or more additional conditions taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age health conditions, activity levels, health status, metabolic rate, body mass index, sleep patterns, and physiological factors; and the selective activation of any of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is based further upon the one or more additional conditions to regulate food consumption.

26. A device according to claim 24, wherein the interface includes a graphical user interface.

27. A device according to any of claims 17 to 26, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment, a hospitality environment, an officeenvironment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

28. A device according to any of claims 17 to 27, wherein the device comprises a display and the first illumination source and the second illumination source are incorporated as micro-LEDs in the display.

29. A method for regulated food consumption of a mammal, comprising: providing a first illumination source emitting UVA light within an environment occupied by the mammal; selectively activating the first illumination source to stimulate neuropsin (0PN5) in the human to achieve appetite suppression; and providing a second illumination source emitting indigo light within the environment occupied by the human.

30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising: selectively activating the second illumination source to stimulate encephalopsin (OPN3) in the human to achieve appetite stimulation.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the selective activation of the first and second illumination sources generates a predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio to achieve either appetite suppression or appetite stimulation based on specific metabolic needs of the human.

32. A method according to any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the first illumination source emitslight within a range of 350-400 nm.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the second illumination source emits light within a range of the 400-440 nm.

34. A method according to any of claims 29 to 33, wherein the environment is any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, an industrial environment, a hospitality environment, an office environment, an outdoor environment, a retail environment, a military environment, a transportation environment, an educational environment, a correctional facility, a government building, and an agricultural environment.

35. A method of treating a food intake related disorder in a human subject, the method comprising: exposing the human subject to light emitted by a device according to any of claims 1-28, wherein the light is selectively controlled by the device to regulate food consumption in the human subject.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the light comprises UVA light and indigo light.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the UVA light stimulates Opsin 5 to achieve appetite suppression.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the indigo light stimulates Opsin 3 to achieve appetite stimulation.

39. The method according to any of claims 35 to 38, wherein the light emitted by the device comprises UVA light within a range of 350-400 nm.

40. The method according to any of claims 35 to 39, wherein the light emitted by the device further comprises indigo light within a range of 400-440 nm.

41. The method according to any of claims 35 to 40, wherein the device is controlled to generate a predetermined UVA-to-indigo light ratio based on specific metabolic needs of the human subject to regulate food consumption.

42. The method according to any of claims 35 to 41, wherein the device is controlled to generate a first predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a first period of time and a second predetermined UVA-to-indigo ratio during a second period of time to achieve different food consumption regulation effects.

43. The method according to any of claims 35 to 42, wherein the device is controlled to adjust an intensity of the UVA light to achieve appetite suppression.

44. The method according to any of claims 35 to 43, wherein the device is controlled to adjust an intensity of the indigo light to achieve appetite stimulation.

45. The method according to any of claims 35 to 44, further comprising receiving information pertaining to a geographical location of the human subject via an interface of the device, and wherein the selective control of the light by the device is based on the geographical location to provide appropriate food consumption regulation effects.

46. The method according to claim 45, further comprising receiving information pertaining to one or more additional conditions via the interface, taken from a group consisting of time of year, atmospheric conditions, weather conditions, genetic factors, age, and health conditions, andwherein the selective control of the light by the device is based further upon the one or more additional conditions to optimize food consumption regulation.

47. The method according to any of claims 35 to 46, wherein the device is one or more interior lighting devices disposed in any of a residential environment, a commercial environment, a healthcare environment, and an industrial environment.

48. The method according to any of claims 35 to 47, wherein the food intake related disorder is any of pica, avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, or anorexia nervosa.

49. The method according to any of claims 35 to 48, wherein the human subject is obese.

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