Sunrise Shade Light Strip Circadian Rhythm Transition

Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals who do not wake up with the natural sunrise face challenges in transitioning from sleep to wakefulness due to the abrupt darkness-to-light transition provided by blackout shades and traditional alarm clocks.

Innovation Solution

A sunrise wake system that integrates a light-emitting device with a blackout shade to simulate a natural sunrise, allowing users to set a wake time, sunrise profile, and wake duration, with a mobile device interface to control the light strip and actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a blackout shade is used to block out exterior light, then complete darkness is achieved for restful sleep, but the transition from darkness to light becomes abrupt and jarring when waking up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal light interferenceVSAvoidwake-up process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light strip is activated before the blackout shade is opened to pre-establish a gradual light progression. The controller activates the light strip in advance of the shade opening, creating a preliminary light ramp-up that prepares the user's circadian rhythm for wakefulness without abrupt transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The light strip serves as an intermediary element between the blackout shade and the user. Instead of directly exposing the user to abrupt external light when the shade opens, the light strip mediates the transition by providing a controlled, gradual light increase that simulates natural sunrise conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional alarm clocks are used to wake up, then wake time can be set, but they do not provide gradual light increase that simulates natural sunrise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake time flexibilityVSAvoidnatural wake-up process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the parameters of light emission (intensity, color temperature, duration) to simulate natural sunrise progression. The controller adjusts these parameters over time to create a gradual transition that mirrors actual sunrise conditions, enhancing the natural wake-up process while maintaining wake time flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The light strip copies the spectral and temporal characteristics of natural sunrise by emitting light that progresses from dark red/orange tones to brighter yellow/white tones, replicating the color temperature changes that occur during actual sunrise. This copying of natural patterns creates a more soothing wake-up experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If blackout shades are used to prevent external light, then darkness is maintained for sleep, but users miss the gradual natural process of waking up with sunrise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesunlight blockingVSAvoidwake-up naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light strip is activated before the blackout shade is opened to pre-establish a gradual light progression. The controller activates the light strip in advance of the shade opening, creating a preliminary light ramp-up that prepares the user's circadian rhythm for wakefulness without abrupt transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the parameters of light emission (intensity, color temperature, duration) to simulate natural sunrise progression. The controller adjusts these parameters over time to create a gradual transition that mirrors actual sunrise conditions, enhancing the natural wake-up process while maintaining wake time flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the wake-up experience by providing a gradual and natural light simulation, improving the transition from sleep to wakefulness and accommodating various wake times and preferences.

Implementation Method 1

A light strip may include a plurality of light devices and may emit different wavelengths of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from light devices: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS12264538B1Sunrise wake system

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 ETHEREALCO CORP

AI summary

A sunrise wake system includes a sunrise shade assembly that includes a sunrise shade, a blackout shade, configured over a window to block out exterior light and then produce emitted light that mimics the natural light of a sunrise. A person may set a wake time and a sunrise profile and the system will activate at the wake time and run the selected sunrise profile. A mobile phone operating a system APP may interface with the sunrise shade assembly to provide instructions to the shade controller to activate a light strip to emit light that changes in wavelength and temperature according to the sunrise profile. A light strip may include a plurality of light devices that emit different wavelengths of light including a red light device. The light strip may be extended around a portion of the blackout shade to provide a large length and area of light emission.