Adaptive Lighting Controller for Weather-Responsive Circadian Rhythm Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems are not flexible or responsive to weather conditions and circadian rhythms, which can exacerbate human fears and disrupt vision at night, particularly during inclement weather, and fail to adapt lighting to modulate human circadian rhythms effectively.

Innovation Solution

A distributed lighting network controlled by a lighting controller that receives weather forecast data to dynamically adjust lighting schedules, including timing, color, intensity, and spectral range, to minimize circadian disruption and enhance safety and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lighting systems use fixed schedules without weather adaptation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to weather conditions and circadian rhythms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to weather conditionsVSAvoidlighting control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting control system transitions from static fixed schedules to dynamic weather-adaptive control. The controller receives real-time weather data (cloud cover, precipitation, temperature) and automatically adjusts lighting parameters including intensity, color temperature, and timing to match actual environmental conditions and human circadian rhythms, making the system responsive and adaptable rather than rigid and predetermined

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where weather data from external sources is continuously monitored and fed back to the lighting controller. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of lighting schedules based on current weather conditions, allowing the system to adapt its behavior without manual intervention while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If lighting intensity is increased during inclement weather, then safety and comfort are improved, but disruption to circadian rhythms worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during inclement weatherVSAvoidcircadian rhythm disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes lighting parameters based on weather conditions and time of day. During inclement weather, the controller adjusts not only intensity but also color temperature and spectral composition to provide adequate illumination for safety while avoiding wavelengths and timing that would disrupt circadian rhythms. The system uses circadian models to predict human response and optimizes lighting parameters accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system applies different quality characteristics to different situations. Rather than using uniform high-intensity lighting during all inclement weather, the system tailors the lighting properties (intensity, color temperature, duration) to the specific weather conditions and time of day, providing localized optimization that addresses safety needs without causing widespread circadian disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If lighting schedules are modified frequently based on weather data, then responsiveness to weather conditions is improved, but loss of time for schedule adjustments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to weather conditionsVSAvoidtime for schedule modifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and buffering lighting schedule adjustments before they are needed. When weather changes are detected, the controller prepares adjustment commands in advance and implements them efficiently, reducing the actual time spent on schedule modifications. The system also maintains buffers of weather data and pre-computed schedules to enable rapid response without extensive real-time processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting control system operates continuously, constantly monitoring weather conditions and maintaining updated schedules without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates downtime and repeated start-stop cycles that would occur with batch processing, ensuring that lighting adjustments are made seamlessly and efficiently as weather conditions change, thereby minimizing time loss while maintaining high responsiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9781794B1System and method for optimizing lighting in response to online weather data

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 ECHELON CORP

AI summary

A distributed lighting network has its lights scheduled based on weather forecast information. A lighting controller stores a lighting schedule for distribution to the distributed lighting network and transmits the lighting schedule to the network. The lighting controller receives from a subscription weather server, short-term or long-term weather forecast datasets. The lighting controller generates lighting control information to modify the lighting schedule, based on the received customized weather forecast datasets, and transmits the lighting control information to the distributed lighting network to modify the lighting schedule, based on the customized weather forecast datasets. The system also enables the lighting schedules to modulate human circadian rhythms if necessary to further promote public health and safety during weather events.