The present invention relates to a novel and useful lighting device having variable light color and light projection direction.
Circadian systems of humans comprise variations and physiology in behavior that are coordinated with a cycle length close to 24 hrs. Circadian rhythms are present even in the absence of periodic environmental stimuli. Circadian rhythm synchronization is achieved by humans through regular exposure to naturally occurring periods of light and darkness.
During daylight hours, non-visual photosensitive cells in the retina respond to light and signal the human body to set, re-set, and adjust the human circadian rhythm. Although human circadian rhythms were once believed to be relatively in-sensitive to light and more sensitive to social cues, it has been found that the human circadian system is as sensitive to light as is the case with other diurnal organisms.
Such non-visual photo sensitive retina cells are particularly sensitive to blue light and to light emanating from above. Consequently, it is believed that exposure to blue light at night may have a negative health impact as a consequence of a delay of the human body to produce melatonin and through changes to other hormone levels. Conversely, light having blue content has been shown to increase alertness and is, thus, beneficial to humans during the day.
Conventional light fixtures having conventional bulbs are generally not able to change the color or the projection direction of the light produced. For example, a typical floor lamp falls in this category. Some light fixtures are manually adjustable in light direction projection or intensity. The latter is achieved by multi stepped reading lamps or by the use of dimming switches. In addition, home automation systems are available to control the intensities of multiple lamps through memory systems or by remote operation.
Recently, lamps having variable color and intensity have become available and may be remotely controlled by means of communication systems, including smartphone applications, internet web pages, or central control hubs. However, such lighting fixtures only offer projection of light in a fixed direction. In addition, such communication controlled lighting systems are subject to the problems of interference and latency.
In the past, many systems for projecting light to aid in the maintenance of a human circadian system have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,686,691, 8,324,808, 8,686,641 and United States Patent Application Publication US2013/0140988, and US2015/0098239 describe lamps use multi-color sources of light such as, LED to produce biologically beneficial light.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,439 and United States Patent Application Publications US2060285324, US2009/012,2530, US 2011/0109445, and US2013/0114241 show illumination devices having multiple sources of color lamps mounted on a base and include controllers for operation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,890,435 and 9,095,029 teach light sources having multiple LEDs sources of light of different colors, either formed into a strip or into side-by-side lamps shinning in one direction.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,350,275, 6,623,512, 7,679,281, 8,852,254, 9,039746 and United States Patent Application Publications US2004/0249423, US2008/0275533, and US 2009/0326616 reveal light emitting devices that generate multiple colors, usually in the form of LEDs, and are employed to medically treat patients and to reset human circadian rhythm systems.
United States Patent Application Publication US2008/0065177 illustrates a method of maintaining circadian rhythm in a subject by blocking retinal exposure to particular wave-lengths of light by utilizing filters.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,436,556 shows an LED lighting system involving multiple color light sources that are controlled to mimic sunlight on a cloudless day and to direct such light in an upward direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,581,520 and United States Patent Application Publications US2012/0306380, and US2013/0214704 describe lighting systems that project light using multicolor light sources in conjunction with natural light or a source of white light.
A lighting system that controls the emanation of light of a certain correlated color temperature and in multiple particular directions would be a notable advance in the field of interior lighting.
The present invention relates to a novel and useful device for creating and varying the correlated color temperature (CCT) of light and projecting the same in particular directions, is herein provided.
The device of the present invention utilizes a base having a first side and a second side. A support positions the base between the ground surface and a remote surface, such as a wall or ceiling of a structure.
A first source of light is located on the first side of the base and directs light to a first zone in the structure adjacent the ground surface. Likewise, a second source of light located at the second side of the base directs light to a second zone in the structure adjacent the remote surface. Each of the first and second sources of light comprise at least a first lamp emanating a light of a first pre-determined correlated color temperature and a second lamp emanating light of a second pre-determined correlated color temperature. Another lamp, such as a third lamp may also be employed in the present device to emanate light at a third pre-determined correlated color temperature.
A controller independently adjusts the intensity of each of the first and second lamps of the first light source, and the intensity of each of the first and second lamps of the second source to create an overall emanation of light of a particular correlated color temperature into the first and second zones according to a time schedule.
In addition, the lighting device may be formed with an envelope having first and second openings and a partition lying within the envelope to form first and second spaces. The first space communicates with the first opening while the second space communicates with the second opening of the envelope. The base is mounted relative to the partition to orient the first side of the base toward first opening and second side of the base toward the second opening. Needless to say, the first zone of the structure illuminated by light produced by the device of the present application, would lie next to the first opening of the envelope and the light entering the second zone of the structure would lie adjacent the second opening of the envelope. The envelope may also be provide a shade that at least partially surrounds the base and may be constructed of a heat conductive material to act as a heat sink for the device of the present invention. A diffuser may also be used within the envelope and be supported therewithin. The diffuser may be formed in two parts to intercept light emanating from the first and second light sources located on opposite sides of the base within the envelope. Moreover, a controller varying the intensity of the light emanating from the first and second light sources would be linked to a clock.
In certain cases, the base may take the form of a printed circuit board such that the first and second sources of light are fashioned into light emitting diodes. Any one of the light emitting diodes may be employed in conjunction with an optical converter or filter to alter the correlated color temperature of the light deriving from such emitting diode.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful lighting device that is operational within a structure and that provides light in multiple directions and at varying correlated color temperatures along a time line or schedule, is herein provided. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device operational within a structure that may be autonomously controlled.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device operational within a structure that utilizes a printed circuit board having light emitting diodes giving off light at particular correlated color temperatures according to a pre-determined program.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device operational within a structure that is compatible with a controller that is programmable and includes a memory.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device operational within a structure that provides light in particular zones within a structure, such light being of independently pre-determined correlated color temperatures without latency and free from radio interference.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device operational within a structure, that works in an efficient manner and is relatively economical to construct and maintain.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.
The lighting device of the present application is depicted as a whole in the drawings by reference character 10. Lighting device 10 includes as one of its elements a support 12,
Turning to
Referring now to
Again referring to
With reference to
Again looking at
In operation, the device 10 embodiment delivers white light having correlated color temperatures (CCT) ranging between 1800K to 6500K via light sources 58 and 84 on opposite sides of base 44 into zones 40 and 42, respectively,
Turning now to
With respect to
As a further example of the operation of the device 10 of the present application,
While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/054,545, filed 24 Sep. 2014.
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