Circadian Lighting Control via Centralized Profile Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems are costly and inefficient in achieving large-scale, continuous adjustments of color temperature and brightness to simulate natural daylight conditions, which are essential for regulating circadian rhythms, especially when used in large-scale indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A wireless illumination control system that allows for the selection and transmission of preset circadian stimulus profiles to lighting devices, enabling incremental transitions in color temperature and brightness to mimic natural daylight conditions throughout the day, without the need for expensive atomic clocks in each fixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If atomic clocks and color-correction capabilities are included in each lighting fixture, then all fixtures can color-correct immediately upon being turned on and synchronize throughout the day, but the cost becomes expensive and cost-prohibitive for users commissioning a large number of lighting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the atomic clock and color-correction capabilities from individual lighting fixtures and relocates them to a central controller. The controller generates and transmits color-correction data to fixtures, which only need basic receivers. This eliminates expensive components from each fixture while maintaining system-wide synchronization and color-correction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary between the time source (atomic clock) and the lighting fixtures. The controller acts as a mediator that receives time data, calculates color-correction values, and distributes instructions to fixtures. This intermediary architecture allows fixtures to remain simple while achieving coordinated color-correction through the controller's mediating function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If continuous color temperature adjustments are made throughout the day to simulate natural daylight conditions, then circadian rhythm regulation is improved, but network communication traffic and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic color-temperature adjustments based on circadian rhythm patterns rather than continuous changes. The system follows natural daylight patterns with specific color-temperature targets at different times of day, creating periodic adjustment cycles that regulate circadian rhythms while minimizing unnecessary communication events and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores color-correction data and circadian stimulus profiles in the central controller before they are needed. The controller prepares adjustment instructions in advance based on time-of-day patterns, allowing it to transmit ready-made correction data to fixtures rather than calculating and communicating continuously, thereby reducing network traffic and latency.
Data Source
AI summary
Circadian stimulus illumination control systems and methods are disclosed. Embodiments include a control system providing selection of a preset circadian stimulus profile, including a desired circadian stimulus level for setpoint times, for example, including a color temperature and brightness level for each setpoint time to simulate local natural sunlight conditions or a different selected lighting and/or stimulus condition. The control system wirelessly transmits information for the setpoints of the profile to lighting devices, which incrementally transition the color temperature and dimming of the lighting device between the profile setpoints.