System and method for light management in displays

Abstract

A method for light management in a display is provided, the method including reducing red light emission by 0% to 60%, reducing green light emission by 0% to 60%, reducing blue light emission by 0% to 70%, and restricting a change in color correlated temperature to 1000 Kelvin or less. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can be controlled via adjustments to a gamma ramp. More blue light emissions can be reduced than either red light or green light emissions. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can result in up to a 70% overall reduction in circadian energy. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can occur over a period of predetermined intervals for a predetermined amount of time, allowing for a slow progression so that the luminance and color changes are barely perceptible.

Description

PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIGHT MANAGEMENT IN DISPLAYSFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for improving blue light filtration on electronic display systems.BACKGROUND

[0002] Blue light has become a health concern with the emergence of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and their increasing use in electronic display products such as LCD and OLED displays. Specifically, blue and cyan light can negatively impact circadian rhythms, disrupting sleep and other biological processes that closely follow the sun’s setting and rising, such as digestion. More specifically, blue and cyan wavelengths of light are known to suppress melatonin production in our bodies, which can be useful in keeping us awake during the day. However, exposure to blue and cyan wavelengths of light can be detrimental when exposure occurs at night, since these wavelengths can artificially suppress melatonin production and keep us awake. CIE, the International Commission on Illumination (Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage), has defined the relative impact by wavelength on our circadian rhythms. This impact peaks at around 490nm.

[0003] Current solutions for managing such disruptions have negative effects, such as large and abrupt color shifts that create a yellow or orange-toned screen, which negatively affects the user’s experience. Better solutions are needed that both minimize the disruptions to the circadian rhythm and maintain the user’s experience by minimizing abrupt color and brightness changes or adjustments.SUMMARY

[0004] The system described herein decreases the impact of disruptive light while maintaining color balance of the display. In one aspect, a system for use with electronic displays is disclosed that includes software, firmware, and / or hardware that adjusts a display’s gamma ramp to reduce red, green, and blue light slowly and imperceptibly over a predetermined period of time.

[0005] According to this disclosure, a method for light management of a display, can include the steps of first providing a display screen, where the display screen can be in communication with a processor, a local time generating clock, and a non-volatile storage that can have an application stored therein. The method can also include the steps of providing a set of local time data from the clock to the application, where the application can use an algorithm to adjust a gamma ramp of the display screen based on the set of local time data, where the algorithm may then apply thePCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 adjustment to the gamma ramp over a set period; all while potentially restricting a change in a color correlated temperature to 1000 Kelvin or less.

[0006] An alternative to such a method of light management can have a first set of local time data that may include at least two time frames, where a first time frame can be between 8:00 and 19:00, and a second time frame can be between 21 :00 and 6:00, also where a first set period can be between 19:00 and 21 :00, and a second set period can be between 6:00 and 8:00.

[0007] In addition to the above embodiment, the method of light management may for the first set period allow the application to adjust the gamma ramp in a series of increments, where a red gamma setting can be set to 100% from a night red gamma percent, a blue gamma setting can be set to 100% from a night blue gamma percent, and a green gamma setting can be set to 100% from a night green gamma percent; and during the second set period, the applications may adjusts the gamma ramp in the series of increments, wherein a red gamma setting can be set to the night red gamma percent from 100%, a blue gamma setting can be set to the night blue gamma percent from 100%, and a green gamma setting can be set to the night green gamma percent from 100%.

[0008] In some embodiments of the method of light management, the application may be able to reduce an overall circadian energy by at most 70% in the second set period.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment of the method of light management, the red gamma setting, the blue gamma setting, and the green gamma setting can be adjusted as a percentage for each increment of the series of increments.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment of the method of light management, the night red gamma percent can be 55%, the night blue gamma percent can be 50%, and the night green gamma percent can be 55%. Other percentages are possible for each of the red, blue, and green gammas if necessary to better control their effects on a user’s circadian rhythm and exposure to harmful blue light.

[0011] The method of light management in the above embodiments may all have display screens that comprise a series of LEDs, or a series of OLEDs.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, a method for light management in an electronic display, can have the following steps, where a first step can be to provide an electronic display, where the electronic display can be in communication with a processor, a clock that generates local time, and a non-volatile storage, where the non-volatile storage can have an application stored therein. Where the next step may be to provide a set of local time data from the clock to the application, where the application can then apply an algorithmic adjustment to a gamma ramp of the display screen that can be based on the set of local time data, where the adjustment to the gamma rampPCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 can occur in a series of evenly spaced increments; all while color correlated temperature of the electronic display may be restricted to 1000 Kelvin or less.

[0013] The method of light management of the above embodiment may also include a first set of local time data that can have at least two transition periods, wherein the application may apply the series of iterative increments to the gamma ramp, where the series of iterative increments can be all equal amounts of change based on the difference from a starting gamma setting to an ending gamma setting.

[0014] The above method of light management may further include a gamma ramp that can comprise a red gamma setting, a blue gamma setting, and a green gamma setting, while the series of iterative increments can total a period of two hours.

[0015] Such an embodiment may further have the red gamma setting that may have a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 55%, the blue gamma setting may have a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 50%, and the green gamma setting may have a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 55%; or the red gamma setting may have a starting gamma of 55% and an ending gamma setting of 100%, the blue gamma setting may have a starting gamma of 50% and an ending gamma setting of 100%, and the green gamma setting may have a starting gamma of 50% and an ending gamma setting of 100%.

[0016] In such an embodiment, there may also be a variation where a red light emission can be reduced by 44-46%, a blue light emission can be reduced by 48-52%, and a green light emission can be reduced by 44-46%.

[0017] This may all occur where the application can reduce an overall circadian energy by at most 70% or be in a range between about 50% to about 70%. Also, in the above embodiments, electronic display screens can comprise a series of LEDs, or a series of OLEDs.

[0018] The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention, and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings are schematic illustrations and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a graph denoting the radiant energy emitted by color over a 24-hour period for the applied algorithm on a display screen’s gamma ramp settings in an embodiment of a method for light management.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a graph denoting the luminance of a display screen over a 24-hour period where the algorithm is applied in an embodiment of a method for light management.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a graph denoting the color correlated temperature of a display screen over a 24- hour period, where the algorithm is applied in an embodiment of a method for light management.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a graph denoting the gamma ramp values change by an embodiment of the applied algorithm, where blue is reduced by 0-50%, and red and green are reduced from 0-45%.

[0024] FIG. 5 is the Spectral sensitivity for monochromatic and for “cool” (b-y > 0) and “warm” (b-y < 0) polychromatic sources.

[0025] FIG. 6A illustrates the color shifting of the color correlated temperature (CCT) of an existing method of gamma change and an embodiment of the disclosed method of light management.

[0026] FIG. 6B illustrates the Circadian Stimulus of an existing method of gamma change and an embodiment of the disclosed method of light management.FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the algorithm.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating Melanopic (circadian rhythm) and BLH (blue light hazard) sensitivity curves.

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates example LED and OLED emission curves.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the described algorithm.

[0030] FIG. 10 is an embodiment of an electronic display screen that can have a gamma ramp adjusted by the described algorithm.

[0031] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of an electronic display screen that can have a gamma ramp adjusted by the described algorithm.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth somePCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims attached hereto. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0033] “A method for light management in a display is provided, the method including reducing red light emission by 0% to 60%, reducing green light emission by 0% to 60%, reducing blue light emission by 0% to 70%, and restricting a change in color correlated temperature (CCT) to 1000 Kelvin or less. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can be controlled via adjustments to a gamma ramp. More blue light emissions can be reduced than either red light or green light emissions. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can result in up to a 70% overall reduction in circadian energy. Other methods are contemplated where greater than 70% reduction can be achieved; however, further reductions may cause too little light to be emitted from the screen to be usable. The reduction in red, green, and blue light emission can occur over a period of predetermined intervals for a predetermined amount of time, allowing for a slow progression so that the luminance and color changes are barely perceptible.”

[0034] Referring to FIGs. 1-3

[0035] FIG. 1 is a graph denoting the radiant energy emitted by color over a 24-hour period for the applied algorithm on a display screen’s gamma ramp settings. Note how R (red gamma) and G (green gamma) energy vary between 100% and 40% (a 0-60% reduction) from daytime to nighttime. Additionally, FIG. 1 shows how B (blue gamma) energy can vary between 100% and 30% (a 0-70% reduction) over the same daytime to nighttime period.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a graph denoting the luminance of a display screen over a 24-hour period where the algorithm is applied. During the same embodiment of the applied algorithm, the transition of luminance reduction can occur from daytime to nighttime, where during the daytime (8:00 to 19:00), the luminance is set to 100%. In the transition period from daytime to nighttime, the luminance can be reduced by up to 60%, where the transition occurs over multiple predetermined periods. For example, in FIG. 2 the transition from daytime to nighttime between 19:00 to 21 :00 can occur gradually as the time period is broken into 120 segments of (once per minute) where an equal 120thchange occurs bringing the luminance from 100% at 19:00 to 40% at 21 :00. This process can be reversed when transitioning from nighttime to daytime 6:00 to 8:00, where the luminance of 40% can be raised to a luminance 100%.PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1

[0037] FIG. 3 is a graph denoting the color correlated temperature of a display screen over a 24- hour period where the algorithm is applied. Note how CCT at this maximum level shifts lOOOK cooler; here the degrees of Kelvin range from 5600 Kelvin to 6500 Kelvin. The transition period from the lower 5600 Kelvin to the 6500 Kelvin can occur with the application of the algorithm by applying the change to the gamma levels at a number of predetermined intervals over the transition period. For example, in one embodiment, the predetermined intervals can be 60-second intervals over a transition period of two hours. The transition from daytime to nighttime can occur over a similar transition period. For example, in FIG. 3, the color correlated temperature can transition from 6500 Kelvin to 5600 Kelvin from 19:00 to 21 :00 in an extended manner, where the algorithm can apply the change to the gamma levels at a number of predetermined intervals. Just as with the first transition period from nighttime to daytime, the predetermined intervals can be 60-second intervals over a transition period of two hours.

[0038] Such an algorithm can be expressed in the following manner, where the method transforms all the gamma values depending on the time of day. For instance, the variable “current time” is derived from the current local time of the display being adjusted. The variables “nighttime,” “daytime,” and “transitiontime” can be set to the research-derived times for human circadian rhythms, i.e., Daytime = 8:00 to 19:00, Nighttime = 21 :00 to 6:00, transition time = 2 hours. Y% is the percent of transitiontime completed.

[0039] A flow chart for this is illustrated in FIG. 8 where: DT = Daytime (time of maximum circadian stimulus), NT = Nighttime (time of minimum circadian stimulus), TT = Transition time (amount of time to transition from on to the other), and Y% = percent of transition time completed, or Y%=(DT-TT) / TT for transition to daytime and Y%=(NT-TT) / TT for transition to nighttime.

[0040] Below is the algorithmic logic for an embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 8. if ((current time < (nighttime - transitiontime)) and (currenttime > daytime)) {set system to (redgamma=100%, greengamma=100%, bluegamma= 100%)} if ((current time < (daytime - transitiontime)) {set system to (redgamma=55%, greengamma=55%, bluegamma= 50%)} if (current time > nighttime) {set system to redgamma=55%, greengamma=55%, bluegamma= 50%} if ((current time > (daytime - transitiontime) and (currenttime < daytime)) { Y% is percent of transitiontime completed; set system to (redgamma=55%+45%*Y%, greengamma=55%+45%*Y%,PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 bluegamma= 50%+50%*Y%)} if ((current time > (nighttime - transitiontime) and (currenttime < nighttime)) { Y% is percent of transitiontime completed; set system to (redgamma=100%-45%*Y%, greengamma=100%-45%*Y%, bluegamma= 100%-50%*Y%)}

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, where the gamma ramp values can be reduced by 0-50% for blue, and 0-45% for red and green. Gamma ramp vs. energy is not linear, so the energy reduces at a higher % than the gamma ramp. Emission is energy. Note that during the day (8:00 to 19:00), there is no reduction at all.

[0042] The % values and time values above can all be adjustable / customizable in any display screen. These would be maximum values of reduction (45 / 50% gamma reduction = 60% / 70% energy reduction) and CCT shift (lOOOK).

[0043] As described in the paper Circadian-Effective Light March 28, 2019 (found at https: / / www.lrc.rpi.edu / cscalculator / img / CircadianEffectiveLight.pdf), the effects of light on the human circadian rhythms are described and measured. Specifically, how circadian phototransduction (how the retina converts light into neural signals for the circadian clock) affects all physiological and behavioral functions that are regulated by a master clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei. These effects have been mathematically characterized. That paper is fully incorporated herein. The transition periods of the embodiments described herein are based on the following calculations.

[0044] Where in the above equation, the variables are defined as follows:

[0045] CLA : circadian light, The constant, 1548, sets the normalization of CLA so that2856 K blackbody radiation at 1000 lux has a CLA value of 1000.

[0046] Ex: light source spectral irradiance distribution.

[0047] MCx : melanopsin (corrected for crystalline lens transmittance).

[0048] Sx : S-cone fundamental.

[0049] mpx : macular pigment transmittance. Vx : photopic luminous efficiency functionPCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1

[0050] V : scotopic luminous efficiency function

[0051] RodSat : half-saturation constant for bleaching rods = 6.5 W / m2; k = 0.2616, at>-y— 0.700, arod — 3.300.

[0052] In the paper (found at https: / / www.lrc.rpi.edu / cscalculator / img / CircadianEffectiveLight.pdf ), Figure 3 (of the paper) describes the Spectral sensitivity for monochromatic and for “cool” (b-y > 0) 510 and “warm” (b- y < 0) 520 polychromatic sources, which has been recreated in FIG. 5. An excerpt from the paper below further describes the spectral sensitivity.

[0053] “[A]ll known photoreceptors contribute to the spectral sensitivity of the circadian system. Rod bleaching controls the threshold for absolute sensitivity of cone contributions to the ipRGCs, so absolute light levels are expressed in units of CIE scotopic illuminance. As rods saturate, cones begin to provide input to the ipRGCs. However, cone signals are processed by the outerplexiform layer of the retina before reaching the ipRGCs. In particular, cone signals must be converted into spectrally opponent, blue versus yellow (b-y) or red versus green (r-g) signals by bipolar (depolarizing and hyperpolarizing) neurons before they can reach the next stage of neural processing. To fit the nocturnal melatonin suppression data from Brainard et al. (2001) and Thapan et al. (2001) and to be consistent with orthodox retinal neural physiology (Kolb et al. 2004), the modeled S-ON cone response (Kolb 2004) adds to the self-generated ipRGC response only if the b-y bipolar neuron depolarizes, signaling “blue” to the innerplexiform layer of the retina. If the b-y bipolar neuron generates a hyperpolarizing “yellow” response, the signal cannot be processed by the ipRGCs. The spectral response of the b-y mechanism is modeled by the difference between S-cone fundamental (Smith and Pokorny 1975) and the sum of the L- and M- cone response (i.e., V( / ) after the spectral transmittance of the pre-retinal screening pigment, the macula lutea, (mpk) is removed under the assumption that the macula is a very small area of the luminous field in the studies by Brainard et al. (2001) and Thapan et al. (2001). It should be noted that Dacey et al. (2005) measured an S-OFF cone input to ipRGCs in primates. However, those data were recorded from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), not the SCN. The ipRGCs responsible for input to the SCN are ON depolarizing ganglion cells and can only respond to ON depolarization inputs from more distal neurons, so functionally, an S-OFF response combined with an ipRGCPCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 response simply cannot fit the spectral sensitivity data from Brainard et al. (2001) and Thapan et al. (2001). A special case exists when b-y = 0; these spectral power distributions that signal neither “blue” nor “yellow” by the b-y bipolar neurons are consciously seen as pure, or “unique” green (e.g., March 28, 2019, 6 Pridmore 2013). To best fit the data from Brainard et al. (2001) and Thapan et al. (2001) (Figures 1 and 2), the wavelength associated with b-y = 0 in the model was at 497 nm for an absolute level of 300 scotopic lux at the cornea. As can be seen in Figure 3, there is a sudden transition in modeled spectral efficiency at 497 nm; CLA efficiency at longer wavelengths is modeled by ipRGC-melanopsin spectral sensitivity alone, whereas efficiency at shorter wavelengths reflects both ipRGC- melanopsin and S-cone spectral sensitivities.

[0054] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate an application of an embodiment of the algorithm where an existing commercial method to reduce blue light in a display screen, increasingly changes the screen red, becoming unusable; transitioning from 6500 Kelvin to an undefined Kelvin (red). Whereas an embodiment of the algorithm prevents the dramatic and unusable color change by keeping the color correlated temperature at 5600 Kelvin, as described supra in FIG. 3. In FIG. 6B, the existing commercial method to reduce blue light in a display screen, shows how its CCT changes are counterproductive, as described in the paper.

[0055] This is one of the main innovations provided by the described system, where such counterproductivity does not occur with the slower, smaller transitions. If the spectra are kept within the same b-y>0 range, as defined by the CLA formula above, the changes to lower CCT consistently reduce CS.

[0056] The algorithm can perform dynamic and adaptive light management by automatically adjusting the Radiance Protection Factor (RPF®) and Circadian Protection Factor (CPF) levels in response to time-of-day and usage patterns. Unlike the existing methods, the embodiments described herein can deliver slow and imperceptible changes to RGB gamma levels over extended periods of time prior to bed and then again over an extended period of time in the morning to minimize impact to color and brightness. Such research-backed embodiments can control circadian stimulus with for day and night use by minimizing color distortion and supporting visual comfort and sleep health.

[0057] This disclosure relates to a system and method for improving blue light filtration on electronic display systems. As mentioned above, Figures 7-8 illustrate various known transmission curves. Figure 1 is a graph illustrating Melanopic (circadian rhythm) and BLH (blue light hazard) sensitivity curves. The first curve (peaking at 435nm-440nm) is the BLH SensitivityPCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1Curve, and the second curve (peaking at 490nm) is the Melanopic (Circadian Impact) Sensitivity Curve.

[0058] In Figure 8, example emission curves having three peaks in emission can be seen in LED (light emitting diode) and OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays. These peaks correspond to blue (400nm-500nm), green (500nm-600nm), and red (600nm-700nm). The dashed line illustrates a typical LED emission curve, and the solid line illustrates a typical OLED emission curve. The specific shape and location of those peaks can be variable for different displays. More specifically, the different display technologies have different emission curves and varying amounts of light being emitted at each wavelength. Of the two, OLED displays are becoming more common because of their superior contrast ratio in comparison to LED displays. Regardless of the type, however, artificial lighting from electronic displays can be a significant contributor to the exposure of these HEV, blue, and cyan wavelengths.

[0059] Particularly important with regard to the emission of harmful blue light is the shape and location of the blue emission peaks. As illustrated in Figure 8, the blue peak for OLED is typically shifted to a longer blue light wavelength, which places the peak to the right (longer wavelength) compared to the BLH peak but much closer to the melanopic wavelength peak. This shift to longer wavelengths (compared to LED displays) is good for reducing the BLH to the retina, but is worse for the artificial impact it has on circadian rhythms on users who are exposed to the BLH at nighttime.

[0060] The disclosed technology can manage blue light wavelengths as well as other portions of the visible light spectrum. While current solutions in the art focus on general blue light reduction or on reduction of portions of the blue light spectrum, peak impact of light on circadian rhythm occurs with light emitting in the cyan range (about 490nm). Cyan is not completely blue; it is partly blue and partly green. Therefore, the disclosed system and method adjust both blue and green light emissions downward in order to have a greater impact on circadian energy reduction from the combination at lower reduction levels. Additionally, while red light does not contribute significantly to circadian impact, it can be reduced to keep the overall Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) more intact at lower brightness levels; there are some small changes to the overall CCT when the algorithm is applied.

[0061] Therefore, the disclosed technology lowers brightness in general, reducing blue, green, and red together, and changes the CCT to a lesser extent. To ensure a better user experience, this lowering takes place slowly and imperceptibly.

[0062] More specifically, slow and imperceptible changes can be made over time. For example, light transmission and, therefore, circadian energy, can be gradually reduced in the evening (ex: 7PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 pm to 9 pm) and light transmission and, therefore, circadian energy can be gradually increased in the morning (ex, 6 am to 8 am). These slow changes are imperceptible because the eyes / brain adjust quickly to changes (hence our ability to see in different lighting conditions such as when clouds pass over, etc.) and because the brain has a built-in “white balance” where different white CCTs are generally only noticeable in the context of other whites / screens at the same time (i.e., side-by-side). Therefore, a reduction of light emissions by 60% over two hours results in only a half percent change per minute. In some cases, that is unnoticeable as the eyes / brain adjust.

[0063] As mentioned above, blue, green, and red emissions are reduced together slowly. However, they are not uniformly adjusted. Since circadian rhythm is most heavily impacted by wavelengths in the blue region, blue is adjusted a bit more than green and red. This accomplishes the desired outcome of minimizing a white shift so as to prevent the eyes / brain from noticing the change and, therefore, allowing the adjustment to occur without complaint. Generally speaking, the outcome is a pleasing white CCT and the ability to see all colors naturally while greatly reducing circadian energy.

[0064] In one embodiment, these changes can be implemented on an operating system (such as Microsoft Windows®). For example, the implementation can take the form of an application. However, it could also be implemented on software (applications), firmware, hardware statemachine, or similar technologies. In embodiments that implement the system in firmware, hardware, and / or a state machine, the instructions may not be included in an operating system; in such embodiments, the changes may be implemented via instructions from a graphics card, monitor, or panel, and not necessarily a computer / processor. The reduction of light itself in blue, green, and red wavelengths can be achieved using adjustments to the gamma ramp. Example electronic display screens can be seen in FIGs. 10-11, where screen 1000 and 1100 can have their gamma ramps adjusted by the application's algorithm. For example, screens 1000 and 1100 may be in conjunction with a computer where the computer includes the application in its non-volatile memory.

[0065] Gamma is a mathematical function that describes a display’s power-to-perceived- brightness ratio. It is not typically changed once initially set for a display. However, the disclosed system can adjust the full array of 256 “gamma ramp” values for each of the three primary colors (blue, green, red). Therefore, there are a total of 768 numbers that correspond to a power level for an RGB value. For example, if the color represented by (127,53,212) is displayed for any pixel, the gamma values modified for the 128thvalue (color values start at zero) in the red array, 54thvalue in the green array, and 213thvalue in the blue array can supersede the prior values.PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1

[0066] In one embodiment, the disclosed system can modify all 768 gamma ramp values, resulting in 256A3 possible colors (i.e., 16.8 million colors) being modifiable with a relative percent change. Not only can 16.8 million colors with 768 values be easily impacted, but the use of gamma ramp does not conflict with any operating system, user, or other changes made to preferred brightness, color temperature, etc. Preferred brightness and color temperature can be independently adjusted through different APIs per display, which are not consistently made available to SW control. In other words, the gamma ramp is global for all displays attached to computing devices, is independent of other settings, and is guaranteed compatibility through base operating system support. When a change is made to a gamma ramp value, the change is made to the power given for a desired intensity of red, green, or blue.

[0067] In one implementation, a 45% reduction of green and red gamma ramp combined with a 50% reduction of blue gamma ramp can result in a 70% overall reduction in circadian energy. This is a comparable amount of reduction to pre-sleep levels as could be accomplished with a complete elimination of blue, yet it is still easily discernible, pleasing, and representative of the creator’s intent.

[0068] Persons of ordinary skill in arts relevant to this disclosure and subject matter hereof will recognize that embodiments may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described by example or otherwise contemplated herein. Embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of ways in which various features may be combined and / or arranged. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments, unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is intended to also include features of a claim in any other independent claim, even if this claim is not directly made dependent on the independent claim.

[0069] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents arePCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

Claims

PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1CLAIMS1. A method for light management in a display, the method comprising the following steps: providing a display screen, wherein the display screen is in communication with a processor, a clock that generates a local time of the display screen, and a nonvolatile storage, wherein the non-volatile storage comprises an application; providing a set of local time data from the clock to the application, wherein the application uses an algorithm to adjust a gamma ramp of the display screen based on the set of local time data, wherein the algorithm applies the adjustment to the gamma ramp over a set period; and restricting a change in a color correlated temperature to 1000 Kelvin or less.

2. The method of light management of claim 1, wherein a first set of local time data comprises at least two time frames, wherein a first time frame is between 8:00 and 19:00, and a second time frame is between 21 :00 and 6:00, and further wherein a first set period is between 19:00 and 21 :00, and a second set period is between 6:00 and 8:00.

3. The method of light management of claim 2, wherein the application, during the first set period, adjusts the gamma ramp in a series of increments, wherein a red gamma setting is set to 100% from a night red gamma percent, a blue gamma setting is set to 100% from a night blue gamma percent, and a green gamma setting is set to 100% from a night green gamma percent, and during the second set period, adjust the gamma ramp in the series of increments, wherein a red gamma setting is set to the night red gamma percent from 100%, a blue gamma setting is set to the night blue gamma percent from 100%, and a green gamma setting is set to the night green gamma percent from 100%.

4. The method of light management of claim 3, wherein the application reduces an overall circadian energy by at most 70% in the second set period.

5. The method of light management of claim 4, wherein the red gamma setting, the blue gamma setting, and the green gamma setting are adjusted as a percentage for each increment of the series of increments.PCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU16. The method of light management of claim 3, wherein the night red gamma percent is 55%, the night blue gamma percent is 50%, and the night green gamma percent is 55%.

7. The method of light management of claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a series of LEDs, or a series of OLEDs.

8. A method for light management in an electronic display, the method comprising the following steps: providing an electronic display, wherein the electronic display is in communication with a processor, a clock that generates a local time, and a non-volatile storage, wherein the non-volatile storage comprises an application; providing a set of local time data from the clock to the application, wherein the application applies an algorithmic adjustment to a gamma ramp of the display screen based on the set of local time data, wherein the adjustment to the gamma ramp occurs in a series of iterative increments; and restricting a change in a color correlated temperature of the electronic display to 1000 Kelvin or less.

9. The method of light management of claim 8, wherein a first set of local time data comprises at least two transition periods, wherein the application applies the series of iterative increments to the gamma ramp, wherein the series of iterative increments are all equal amounts of change based on the difference from a starting gamma setting to an ending gamma setting.

10. The method of light management of claim 9, wherein the gamma ramp comprises a red gamma setting, a blue gamma setting, and a green gamma setting, and further wherein the series of iterative increments totals to two hours.

11. The method of light management of claim 10, wherein the red gamma setting has a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 55%, the blue gamma setting has a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 50%, and the green gamma setting has a starting gamma of 100% and an ending gamma setting of 55%, or the red gamma setting has a starting gamma of 55% and an ending gamma setting of 100%, the blue gamma setting has a starting gamma of 50% and an ending gammaPCT Patent Application Attorney Ref: EYE0024WOU1 setting of 100%, and the green gamma setting has a starting gamma of 50% and an ending gamma setting of 100%.

12. The method of light management of claim 11, wherein a red light emission is reduced by 60%, a blue light emission is reduced by 70%, and a green light emission is reduced by 60%.

13. The method of light management of claim 8, wherein the application reduces an overall circadian energy by at most 70% in the second set period.

14. The method of light management of claim 8, wherein the display screen comprises a series of LEDs, or a series of OLEDs15. The method of light management of claim 8, wherein the application reduces an overall circadian energy from about 50% to about 70%.

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