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.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a frame, an ambient light source positioned within the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, a downlight light source positioned within the frame adjacent a second end of the frame, a diffuser connected to the frame and at least partially surrounding the ambient light source, and a reflector configured to direct light emitted by the downlight light source. A first driver is in electrical communication with the ambient light source and is configured to adjust the illuminance of the ambient light source. A second driver is in electrical communication with the downlight light source and is configured to adjust the illuminance of the downlight light source. A controller is in electrical communication with and send control signals to the drivers to change the light sources between a plurality of illuminance modes, which includes a circadian effective mode and a circadian ineffective mode.

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.

Abstract: A method of adjusting lighting to reduce sky glow. The method includes the steps of detecting, by a plurality of sensors, an amount of cloud coverage in a region of the troposphere; determining, by a sky glow reduction circuitry, whether the amount of clouds is greater than, less than, or equal to a predetermined cloud coverage threshold; and adjusting, by a light output controller circuitry, a light output of a plurality of light sources to reduce sky glow if the amount of clouds is less than or equal to the predetermined cloud coverage threshold. The adjusting step is at least partially based on a predetermined policy.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a plant health status is described. The apparatus includes a light source positioned relative to the plant and a detector positioned relative to the plant. The light source is configured to emit a white light or an ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet (UV) light corresponds to UV-A and has a wavelength in the range of 340 nanometers (run) to 400 nm. The detector is configured to receive evaluation light. The evaluation light is related to the emitted light and corresponds to a health status of the plant.

Abstract: A Circadian Rhythm Monitoring and Regulation (CMR) system and method that includes: a novel non-obtrusive wearable system for increasing the health and productivity of warfighters or other individuals that are disrupted by excessive, abnormal shifts in work or flights across multiple time zones. The CMR system is based on advanced sensor and software technology and models of human circadian system phototransduction and a circadian stimulator oscillator developed by applicants. It measures circadian misalignment and provides lighting suggestions for circadian rhythm maintenance and realignment.

Abstract: Multipurpose lighting systems and methods of providing controllable lighting are provided. A lighting system includes a sheet of flexible material, a plurality of light sources and a controller. The plurality of light sources are attached to the sheet of flexible material and configured to emit diffused light. The controller is coupled to the plurality of light sources and is configured to control one or more of the plurality of light sources according to one of a plurality of prescribed lighting characteristics associated with a respective plurality of different lighting tasks. In some examples, the lighting system includes a camera coupled to the sheet of flexible material configured to capture at least one image of an object synchronously with the light emitted by the plurality of light sources.

Abstract: Multipurpose lighting systems and methods of providing controllable lighting are provided. A lighting system includes a sheet of flexible material, a plurality of light sources and a controller. The plurality of light sources are attached to the sheet of flexible material and configured to emit diffused light. The controller is coupled to the plurality of light sources and is configured to control one or more of the plurality of light sources according to one of a plurality of prescribed lighting characteristics associated with a respective plurality of different lighting tasks. In some examples, the lighting system includes a camera coupled to the sheet of flexible material configured to capture at least one image of an object synchronously with the light emitted by the plurality of light sources.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control of visible conditions in various spatial environments is disclosed along with a method for operating said apparatus. The apparatus employs programmed central controller means to distribute control signals to remote devices for an adjustment of various local environment conditions. The control signals are developed in a novel manner employing optical means with the output signals therefrom being processed to provide visual information based upon segmenting the visual image into spatial regions and further processing these data signals to reflect the relative light contribution from light sources in the spatial environment being regulated. Typical controller apparatus operating by such means can adjust illumination in the building as well as further provide occupancy or fire detection.

Abstract: The equipment and calibration of a luminance and image analysis device is ovided for acquiring and interpreting calibrated images. The device is comprised of a solid state video camera with V-lambda (photopic) correction filter for acquiring light (luminance) and spatial information from a scene and a personal computer with image capture board for storing and analyzing these data. From the acquired spatial-luminance information the software may, for example, predict Relative Visual Performance, or RVP. Essentially, the RVP is computed on the basis of three stimulus variables contained in a captured image; the age dependent adaptation luminance and apparent contrast of the target against its background, and the apparent size of the target. The device is not limited to assessments of RVP, but can acquire and process images according to any set of algorithms where light (luminance) and size information is required. The device is capable of providing information for almost every vision algorithm.