Light Mapping for Circadian-Aligned Indoor and Outdoor Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no platform available to help individuals measure the quantity and quality of light exposure from both natural and artificial sources and determine the additional light needed to maintain healthy circadian rhythms, leading to potential health issues from mis-timed circadian stimulation.
Innovation Solution
The World Light Map (WLM) system measures and maps light levels in various locations, providing real-time updates and recommendations to align light exposure with circadian rhythms, using a metric called 'Day Light Hours' to quantify and qualify light intake, and suggests interventions to maintain regularity in circadian rhythms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light exposure is increased to boost alertness and cognitive performance, then productivity improves, but circadian rhythm disruption and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors user light exposure through sensors and provides real-time feedback about circadian rhythm status. This feedback loop enables users to adjust their light exposure patterns to maintain productivity while avoiding harmful effects, as the system alerts users when they are approaching unsafe light exposure levels or when optimal light dosing is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light exposure recommendations based on real-time data including user location, time of day, current circadian rhythm state, and schedule. The light prescription is not static but continuously adapts to changing conditions, allowing users to optimize alertness during work hours while automatically preventing exposure at times that would disrupt circadian rhythms.
2Measurement precision
If light mapping data is collected for multiple locations and time points, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a unified light mapping framework that serves multiple functions: it characterizes light environments across diverse locations (indoors, outdoors, different buildings), tracks temporal variations, provides health guidance, and enables predictive analytics. This universal platform handles all measurement and processing tasks through integrated algorithms that work across different data types and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary light mapping and characterization for various locations in advance, storing pre-processed light profiles and environmental data. When a user visits a location, the system retrieves pre-computed light maps rather than performing real-time measurements and analysis, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of plotting a light map comprising: gathering interior light data for specific locations inside of buildings in a certain region as a function of time; estimating exterior light data for specific locations outside of building is said certain region as a function of time;wherein said interior and exterior light data includes spectrum and intensity as a function of at least time, and wherein time comprises date and time of day, and wherein accumulated light data comprises said interior and exterior light data; plotting said accumulated light data for said specific locations in said certain region as a function of at least time to create a light map; and wherein said light map provides spectral and intensity data of light as a function of at least time for said specific locations within said certain region.