LED Skylight Illusion With Circadian and Cloud Light Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for creating illusions of skylights and windows often fail to provide a realistic experience, especially for extended periods, due to limitations in simulating natural light changes and circadian rhythms.
Innovation Solution
A LED illumination system that uses a combination of LED light strips and RGB modules to mimic the gradual appearance of daylight, incorporating cloud patterns and ultradian rhythm modulation to create a more realistic and dynamic illusion of natural light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If translucent panels with static images of sky or natural scenes are used, then installation is simple and cost is low, but the illusion of a real skylight or window is not convincing, especially during extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static translucent panels to dynamic LED illumination systems that continuously change brightness and color temperature. The system simulates the natural progression of daylight throughout the day, including morning, noon, and evening transitions, making the illusion convincing during extended periods of observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by programming the LED system to follow circadian rhythm patterns that repeat daily. The illumination cycles through different brightness levels and color temperatures to mimic sunrise, daytime, sunset, and nighttime patterns, creating a realistic temporal variation that static panels cannot achieve.
2Illumination intensity
If backlight brightness and color are adjusted to mimic sunrise and sunset, then some realism is improved, but the lack of perceivable change during large portions of the day causes observers to still perceive it as artificial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by ensuring that the LED illumination system maintains active modulation throughout the entire operational period. Rather than having static settings or limited changes, the system continuously adjusts brightness and color temperature to reflect the continuous natural variation of daylight, keeping the illusion convincing throughout extended periods including 9-hour workdays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically varying multiple illumination parameters simultaneously - brightness intensity, color temperature, and spectral composition - to match the complex variations of natural daylight. This multi-parameter modulation creates a richer, more convincing illusion compared to simple brightness adjustments alone.
3Reliability
If a tunable LED system is used to mimic circadian and ultradian rhythms, then realism and circadian entrainment are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the illumination system into multiple independently controllable LED modules with different color temperatures and intensities. This modular approach allows complex circadian rhythm simulation to be achieved through coordinated control of simpler individual modules, managing system complexity through functional decomposition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves improved realism by simulating the natural diurnal progression of daylight, including cloud modulation, which effectively tricks the eye into believing it is experiencing real natural light changes, thereby enhancing the visual and spatial perception of skylights and windows.
Implementation Method 1
A LED illumination system that uses a combination of LED light strips and RGB modules to mimic the gradual appearance of daylight
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for creating trompe-l'oeil skylights and windows where a light emitting image of scene is provided in a structure configured to emulate a skylight or window frame, including an embodiment of a system that modulates using multiple modalities, the light emitted by the light emitting image so as to improve realism experienced by users exposed to the light emitting image over an extended period of time, where the multiple modalities includes a circadian rhythm modality, and an ultradian modality, where the ultradian modality is provide by randomly calling on grayscale video files to module the signals from DMX decoders to LEDs by using captured data from actual sky observations over extended periods of time.