Patents by Inventor Mariana Figueiro

Mariana Figueiro has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230392979
    Abstract: A system and method evaluate the efficiency of circadian-effective luminaires. Such circadian-effective luminaires affect the master biological clock in the brain, which regulates the daily timings of behavioral activities and physiological functions. Disruption of circadian rhythms can lead to poor performance and poor health, while consistent exposure to bright days and dim nights is necessary for circadian entrainment, and thus for good sleep and good health. The system and method provide a standard test for assessing the efficiency of luminaires for providing circadian-effective light to building occupants. The system and method measure and quantify luminaire efficiency based on the electrical watts needed, termed SOWatt, to reach a circadian stimulus (CS) criterion of 0.3 at the eyes of a standard observer (SO). The system and method can be applied to ceiling mounted, accent, and table-top luminaires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mark S. Rea, Mariana Figueiro, Allison Lyn Thayer, Charles Jarboe, Andrew Bierman
  • Publication number: 20120296400
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating adjusting a user's circadian pacemaker are provided, including determining a current circadian pacemaker state of the user, as well as potential future states of the user's circadian pacemaker. The potential future states are related to a target circadian pacemaker state representing a circadian pacemaker goal for the user. This is accomplished on a state-variable plane using vectors. An optimum potential future state is selected as a basis for constructing a light exposure treatment schedule for the user. A light exposure treatment schedule is then constructed and provided to the user to facilitate taking control of the user's circadian pacemaker and manipulating it for benefits such as health and performance benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Andrew Bierman, Mark S. Rea, Mariana Figueiro