LIGHT GENERATING SYSTEM FOR ARTHROPOD KEEPING

Abstract

The invention provides a light generating system for arthropod keeping, configured to generate system light, wherein in a first operational mode the light generating system is configured to provide the system light having a spectral power distribution, wherein the spectral power distribution comprises: a first spectral power E.sub.1 in a first wavelength range of 360-780 nm; a second spectral power E.sub.2 in a second wavelength range of 360-400 nm; a third spectral power E.sub.S in a third wavelength range of 400-480 nm; a fourth spectral power E.sub.M in a fourth wavelength range of 480-580 nm; a fifth spectral power E.sub.L in a fifth wavelength range of 580-700 nm; a sixth spectral power E.sub.6 in a sixth wavelength range of 620-700 nm; a seventh spectral power E.sub.7 in a seventh wavelength range of 700-780 nm; and wherein: 1.75≤E.sub.M/E.sub.S≤20; E.sub.2/E.sub.1≤0.005; E.sub.7/E.sub.1≤0.022; and E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.3; or 0.3<E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.8, and 3.4≤E.sub.6/E.sub.S≤14, and wherein the sixth wavelength range comprises a peak between 650-690 nm.

Claims

1. A light generating system for arthropod keeping, configured to generate system light, wherein in a first operational mode the light generating system is configured to provide the system light having a spectral power distribution, wherein the spectral power distribution comprises: a first spectral power E.sub.1 in a first wavelength range of 360-780 nm; a second spectral power E.sub.2 in a second wavelength range of 360-400 nm; a third spectral power E.sub.S in a third wavelength range of 400-480 nm; a fourth spectral power E.sub.M in a fourth wavelength range of 480-580 nm; a fifth spectral power E.sub.L in a fifth wavelength range of 580-700 nm; a sixth spectral power E.sub.6 in a sixth wavelength range of 620-700 nm; a seventh spectral power E.sub.7 in a seventh wavelength range of 700-780 nm; and wherein: 0.75≤E.sub.M/E.sub.S≤20; E.sub.2/E.sub.1≤0.005; E.sub.7/E.sub.1≤0.022; and (i) E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.3; or (ii) 0.3≤E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.8, and 3.4≤E.sub.6/E.sub.S≤14, and wherein the sixth wavelength range comprises a peak between 650-690 nm.

2. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first operational mode comprises a repeating temporal pattern, wherein the temporal pattern comprises a photoperiod and a dark period, wherein during the photoperiod the light generating system is configured to generate the system light at an intensity selected from the range of 0.5-2000 lux, and wherein during the dark period the light generating system is configured to generate the system light at an intensity selected from the range of 0-0.5 lux, wherein the temporal pattern has a pattern duration T.sub.p selected from the range of 12-24 hours, and wherein the photoperiod has a photoperiod duration T.sub.d, wherein 0.40≤T.sub.d/T.sub.p≤0.75.

3. The light generating system according to claim 2, wherein the photoperiod comprises alternating feeding periods and non-feeding periods, wherein the feeding periods have a duration selected from the range of 10-60 min, and wherein the non-feeding periods have a duration selected from the range of 60-300 min, wherein E.sub.M/E.sub.S is lower during the feeding period than during the non-feeding period.

4. The light generating system according to claim 2, wherein the photoperiod comprises one or more first photoperiods and one or more second photoperiods, wherein the one or more first photoperiods and the one or more second photoperiods alternate, and wherein the one or more first photoperiods are temporally arranged at one or more of the beginning and the end of the photoperiod, wherein the one or more first photoperiods have a duration selected from the range of 10-90 minutes, wherein the one or more second photoperiods have a duration selected from the range of 10-1080 minutes and wherein during the one or more first photoperiods, the light generating system may generate the system light at a first intensity I.sub.1, and during the second photoperiod the light generating system may generate the system light at a second intensity I.sub.2, wherein 1.5≤I.sub.1/I.sub.2≤1000.

5. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the light generating system comprises a plurality of light generating devices, wherein the plurality of light generating devices comprises a first light generating device, a second light generating device, and one or more of a third light generating device and a fourth light generating device; wherein the first light generating device is configured to provide first radiation having a first peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 420-480 nm, wherein the second light generating device is configured to provide second radiation having a second peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 500-560 nm, wherein the third light generating device is configured to provide third radiation having a third peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 570-600 nm, and wherein the fourth light generating device is configured to provide fourth radiation having a fourth peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 200-400 nm, and wherein 2≤E.sub.M/E.sub.S≤10.

6. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the light generating system further comprises a sensor and a control system, wherein the sensor is configured to detect ambient light, and wherein in a second operational mode the control system is configured to control the system light in dependence of the ambient light, wherein the system light and the ambient light together provide the spectral power distribution at a pre-set light level selected from the range of 0.5-2000 lux.

7. The light generating system according to claim 5, wherein the control system is configured to individually control each light generating device of the plurality of light generating devices.

8. The light generating system according to claim 6, wherein one or more applies of: the light generating system further comprises a behavioral sensor, wherein the behavioral sensor is configured to detect an arthropod activity and to provide a related behavioral signal to the control system, wherein the control system is configured to control the system light based on the behavioral signal; and the light generating system further comprises an environmental sensor, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to detect an environmental parameter and to provide a related environmental signal to the control system, wherein the environmental parameter is selected from the group comprising a temperature, a salinity, and a humidity, and wherein the control system is configured to control the system light based on the environmental signal.

9. An arthropod keeping system comprising an arthropod hosting space and the light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the arthropod hosting space is configured for hosting arthropods, and wherein the light generating system is configured to provide system light to the arthropod hosting space.

10. A method for arthropod keeping, wherein the method comprises providing system light to an arthropod, wherein the system light has a spectral power distribution as defined in claim 1.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the arthropod is an adult arthropod, and wherein the method comprises providing the system light according to a repeating temporal pattern, wherein the temporal pattern has a pattern duration T.sub.p selected from the range of 12-24 hours, wherein the temporal pattern comprises a photoperiod and a dark period, and wherein the photoperiod has a photoperiod duration T.sub.d, wherein 0.45≤T.sub.d/T.sub.p≤0.65, and wherein the method comprises: providing the system light at an intensity selected from the range of 0.5-2000 lux during the photoperiod; and providing the system light at an intensity selected from the range of 0-0.5 lux during the dark period.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises one or more of: detecting an arthropod activity, providing a related behavioral signal, and controlling the system light based on the behavioral signal; and determining an environmental parameter, providing a related environmental signal, and, controlling the system light based on the environmental signal, wherein the environmental parameter is selected from the group comprising a temperature, a salinity, and a humidity.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises providing the system light with the light generating system.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the arthropod comprises a species selected from the group comprising Crustacea and Hexapoda.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions for execution on a computer functionally coupled to a light generating system, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the light generating system to carry out the method according to claim 10.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0096] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0097] FIG. 1 schematically depicts embodiments of the light generating system, the arthropod keeping system and the method of the invention.

[0098] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the arthropod keeping system.

[0099] FIG. 3 schematically depicts example spectral power distributions.

[0100] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment of the temporal pattern.

[0101] The schematic drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0102] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a light generating system 1000 for arthropod keeping. In the depicted embodiment, the light generating system is configured to generate system light 1001, and especially to provide the system light 1001 to an arthropod hosting space 1200. In a first operational mode, the light generating system 1000 is configured to provide the system light 1001 having a spectral power distribution, wherein the spectral power distribution comprises: a first spectral power E.sub.1 in a first wavelength range of 360-780 nm; a second spectral power E.sub.2 in a second wavelength range of 360-400 nm; a third spectral power E.sub.S in a third wavelength range of 400-480 nm; a fourth spectral power E.sub.M in a fourth wavelength range of 480-580 nm; a fifth spectral power E.sub.L in a fifth wavelength range of 580-700 nm; a sixth spectral power E.sub.6 in a sixth wavelength range of 620-700 nm; and a seventh spectral power E.sub.7 in a seventh wavelength range of 700-780 nm; wherein 1.75≤E.sub.M/E.sub.S≤20; E.sub.2/E.sub.1≤0.005; E.sub.7/E.sub.1≤0.022; and (i) E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.3; or (ii) 0.3<E.sub.L/E.sub.1≤0.8, and 3.4≤E.sub.6/E.sub.S≤14, and wherein the sixth wavelength range comprises a peak between 650-690 nm.

[0103] In embodiments, the light generating system 1000 may comprise a light generating device 100, especially a plurality of light generating devices 100. In further embodiments, the first light generating device 110 may be configured to provide first radiation 111 having a first peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 420-480 nm. In further embodiments, the second light generating device 120 may be configured to provide second radiation 121 having a second peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 500-560 nm. In further embodiments, the third light generating device 130 may be configured to provide third radiation 131 having a third peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 570-600 nm. In further embodiments, the fourth light generating device 140 may be configured to provide fourth radiation 141 having a fourth peak wavelength in the wavelength range of 200-400 nm.

[0104] In further embodiments, the plurality of light generating devices 100 may comprise one or more of a first light generating device 110, a second light generating device 120, a third light generating device 130 and a fourth light generating device 140. For instance, the plurality of light generating devices may comprise a fight light generating device, a second light generating device, and one or more of a third light generating device and a fourth light generating device.

[0105] In the depicted embodiment, the light generating system 1000 comprises a plurality of light generating devices 100, wherein the plurality of light generating devices 100 comprises a first light generating device 110, a second light generating device 120, a third light generating device 130 and a fourth light generating device 140. Together, the plurality of light generating devices 100 may provide the system light 1000. In particular, reference 200 may indicate an optical element 200 arranged to combine the radiation of the different light generating devices 100 to provide the system light 1001.

[0106] In the depicted embodiment, the light generating system 1000 further comprises a control system 300. The control system 300 may especially be configured to control (each of) the plurality of light generating devices 100.

[0107] The light generating system further comprises an (ambient light) sensor 1100, wherein the sensor 1100 is configured to detect ambient light 1101, and especially to provide a related light signal to the control system 300. In a second operational mode, the control system 300 may be configured to control the system light 1001 in dependence of the ambient light 1101, wherein the system light 1001 and the ambient light 1101 together provide the spectral power distribution (to the arthropod hosting space 1200). Hence, the sensor 1100 may detect ambient light 1101, such as sunlight, and may report data related to one or more of the spectral composition and/or the intensity of the ambient light 1101 to the control system 300. The control system 300 may then be configured to determine a suitable spectral composition of the system light 1001 such that the system light 1001 and the ambient light 1101 together provide the spectral power distribution. In particular, the control system 300 may further control the light generating devices 100 in order to provide the system light having the suitable spectral composition.

[0108] In further embodiments, the control system may control the system light 1001 in dependence of the ambient light 1101 such that the system light 1001 and the ambient light 1001 may together provide the spectral power distribution at a pre-defined light level selected from the range of 0.5-2000 lux.

[0109] In the depicted embodiment, the system 1000 further comprises a behavioral sensor 1300, wherein the behavioral sensor 1300 is configured to detect an arthropod activity and to provide a related behavioral signal to the control system 300. The control system 300 may especially be configured to control the system light 1001 based on the behavioral signal.

[0110] FIG. 1 further schematically depicts an embodiment of the arthropod keeping system 2000. The arthropod keeping system comprises an arthropod hosting space 1200 and the light generating system 1000. The arthropod hosting space 1200 may be configured for hosting arthropods. The light generating system 1000 may be configured to provide system light 1001 to the arthropod hosting space 1200. In the depicted embodiment, the arthropod hosting space 1200 may especially comprise a water basin 2100.

[0111] FIG. 1 further schematically depicts a method for arthropod keeping, wherein the method comprises providing system light 1001 to an arthropod, especially to an arthropod in the arthropod hosting space 1200, wherein the system light 1001 has the spectral power distribution. In particular, in the depicted embodiment, the method may comprise providing the system light 1001 with the light generating system 1000.

[0112] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the arthropod keeping system 2000. In the depicted embodiment, the arthropod keeping system 2000 comprises two arthropod hosting spaces 1200. In particular, a first arthropod hosting space 1200a may be arranged inside of a building, and may comprise a cage 2200, whereas a second arthropod hosting space 1200b may be arranged outside, and may comprise a water basin 2100. Hence, the arthropod keeping system 2000 may be configured for hosting multiple arthropod species.

[0113] In the depicted embodiment, the light generating system 1000 comprises an environmental sensor 1400, wherein the environmental sensor 1400 is configured to detect an environmental parameter and to provide a related environmental signal to the control system 300. The environmental parameter may especially be selected from the group comprising a temperature, a salinity, and a humidity. The control system 300 may be configured to control the system light 1001 based on the environmental signal.

[0114] In particular, the light generating system 1000 comprises a first environmental sensor 1400a configured to detect an environmental parameter of the environment the arthropods in the first arthropod hosting space 1200a are exposed to, such as one or more of a temperature and a relative humidity of the air in the building. Further, the light generating system 1000 may comprise a second environmental sensor 1400b configured to detect an environmental parameter of the environment the arthropods in the second arthropod hosting space 1200b are exposed to, such as one or more of a temperature and a salinity of the water in the water basin 2100.

[0115] Further, in the depicted embodiment, the first arthropod hosting space 1200a may be relatively shielded from ambient light 1101 and may essentially only receive first system light 1001a, especially wherein a first plurality of light generating devices 100a provides first system light 1001a having the spectral power distribution. However, the second arthropod hosting space 1200b may receive both ambient light 1101 and second system light 1001b. Hence, the light generating system 1000 may comprise a (light) sensor 1100 configured to detect the ambient light 1101, wherein the control system 300 is configured to control a second plurality of light sources 100b to provide the second system light 1001b based on the ambient light 1101 such that the second system light 1001b and the ambient light 1101 together provide the spectral power distribution to the second arthropod hosting space 1200.

[0116] FIG. 3A schematically depict example spectral power distributions, wherein each of the lines L1-L7 depict spectral power E (in a.u., though on an energy scale, like e.g. Watts) vs wavelength λ of a different example spectral power distribution. Characteristics of the depicted spectral power distributions and the light sources that can provide them, as well as of several other spectral power distributions, are summarized in the tables below, with the first table indicating the light source and the spectral power distribution, and the second table indicating the associated spectral properties:

TABLE-US-00001 Nr Light source E.sub.M/E.sub.S E.sub.L/E.sub.1 E.sub.7/E.sub.1 E.sub.6/E.sub.S L1 Blue LED, 450 nm, YAG phosphor 1.92 0.20 0.0042 L2 Blue LED, 450 nm, BOSE phosphor 2.00 0.079 0.0 L3 Blue LED, 450 nm, BOSE phosphor 2.45 0.084 0 L4 Blue LED, 450 nm, BOSE phosphor, LED 680 nm 2.45 0.53 0.008 3.80 Blue LED 450 nm, Green phosphor BOSE, Red LED 680 nm 2.50 0.56 0.01 4.37 L6 Cool white LED, Green phosphor BOSE, Red LED 680 nm 3.50 0.72 0.0005 11.4 L7 Cool white LED, Green phosphor BOSE, Red LED, 680 nm 9.63 0.33 0.0005 3.91 L8 Blue LED, 450 nm, Green LED 540 nm, amber LED 590 nm 2.32 0.064 7 10.sup.−5 L9 Blue LED, 450 nm, Green LED 540 nm, LED 680 nm 3.14 0.49 0.0082 6.00 L10 Cool white LED, 5000K, BOSE phosphor 3.00 0.27 0.0015 L11 Cool white, BOSE phosphor, Red LED 680 nm 3.00 0.63 0.00075 6.06 L12 Blue LED 450 nm, Lime phosphor, Red LED 660 nm 3.00 0.63 0.0010 5.79 L13 Blue LED 450 nm, LuAG phosphor, Red LED 660 nm 5.00 0.40 0.00054 11.66 L14 Blue LED 450 nm, GAL phosphor, Red LED 660 nm 6.50 0.39 0.00072 3.56

TABLE-US-00002 Nr x y CCT [K] Duv Ra R9 L1 0.2852 0.3596 7750 0.0314 66 −99 L2 0.2284 0.3691 11000 0.0648 44 −228 L3 0.2355 0.4033 9500 0.0716 43 −237 L4 0.2829 0.3905 7500 0.0449 69 51 0.2893 0.3916 7000 0.0424 69 25 L6 0.39152 0.41118 4000 0.0122 71 −60 L7 0.3134 0.5360 5800 0.0795 51 −114 L8 0.2309 0.4362 9000 0.0835 22 −316 L9 0.2486 0.4724 8000 0.0860 36 18 L10 0.3289 0.4203 5700 0.0368 66 −83 L11 0.3680 0.4063 4600 0.0171 80 40 L12 0.4186 0.4008 3300 0.0016 77 4.6 L13 0.4193 0.4167 3400 0.0080 58 −136 L14 0.3376 0.4765 5500 0.0538 71 32

[0117] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an embodiment of a repeating temporal pattern 400 with intensity I (in a.u.) versus time T (in hours). In particular, FIG. 4 may schematically depict a single repetition or subunit of the repeating temporal pattern 400.

[0118] The temporal pattern 400 comprises a photoperiod 600 and a dark period 500, especially wherein during the photoperiod 600 the light generating system 1000 is configured to generate the system light 1001 at an intensity selected from the range of 0.5-2000 lux, and wherein during the dark period 500 the light generating system 1000 is configured to generate the system light 1001 at an intensity selected from the range of 0-0.5 lux. The temporal pattern 400 may have a pattern duration T.sub.p selected from the range of 12-24 hours, especially 24 hours in the depicted embodiment. Further, the photoperiod 600 may a photoperiod duration T.sub.d, wherein 0.40≤T.sub.d/T.sub.p≤0.75.

[0119] In the depicted embodiment, the photoperiod 600 comprises one or more first photoperiods 610 and one or more second photoperiods 620, wherein the one or more first photoperiods 610 and the one or more second photoperiods 620 alternate. The one or more first photoperiods 610 are temporally arranged at one or more of the beginning and the end of the photoperiod 600, here especially both at the beginning and the end of the photoperiod 600, wherein a single second photoperiod 620 separates the two first photoperiods 610. The one or more first photoperiods 610 may have a duration selected from the range of 10-90 minutes, wherein the one or more second photoperiods 620 may have a duration selected from the range of 10-1080 minutes. During the one or more first photoperiods 610, the light generating system 1000 may generate the system light 1001 at a first intensity I.sub.1, and during the second photoperiod 620 the light generating system 1000 may generate the system light 1001 at a second intensity I.sub.2, wherein 1.5≤I.sub.1/I.sub.2≤1000.

[0120] In the depicted embodiment, the photoperiod 600, especially the second photoperiod 620, further comprises alternating feeding periods 630 and non-feeding periods 640. The feeding periods 630 may have a duration selected from the range of 10-60 min. The non-feeding periods 640 may have a duration selected from the range of 60-300 min. In particular, E.sub.M/E.sub.S may be lower during the feeding period 630 than during the non-feeding period 640. In embodiments, as in the depicted embodiment, also the intensity of the system light (1001) may be higher during the feeding period 630 than during the non-feeding period 640.

[0121] Herein, x and y are the color coordinates according to the CIE 1931 color space, CCT indicates the correlated color temperature, Duv indicates the distance from the black body line in UV color space, Ra or CRI is the color rendering index, and R9 indicates the color rendering index for reference color 9 (Red).

[0122] The term “plurality” refers to two or more. Furthermore, the terms “a plurality of” and “a number of” may be used interchangeably.

[0123] The terms “substantially” or “essentially” herein, and similar terms, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The terms “substantially” or “essentially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially or essentially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” or the term “essentially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. Moreover, the terms “about” and “approximately” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. For numerical values it is to be understood that the terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “about”, and “approximately” may also relate to the range of 90%-110%, such as 95%-105%, especially 99%-101% of the values(s) it refers to.

[0124] The term “comprise” also includes embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.

[0125] The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0126] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0127] The devices, apparatus, or systems may herein amongst others be described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation, or devices, apparatus, or systems in operation.

[0128] The term “further embodiment” and similar terms may refer to an embodiment comprising the features of the previously discussed embodiment, but may also refer to an alternative embodiment.

[0129] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0130] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

[0131] Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0132] The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0133] The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim, or an apparatus claim, or a system claim, enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0134] The invention also provides a control system that may control the device, apparatus, or system, or that may execute the herein described method or process. Yet further, the invention also provides a computer program product, when running on a computer which is functionally coupled to or comprised by the device, apparatus, or system, controls one or more controllable elements of such device, apparatus, or system.

[0135] The invention further applies to a device, apparatus, or system comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. Moreover, if a method or an embodiment of the method is described being executed in a device, apparatus, or system, it will be understood that the device, apparatus, or system is suitable for or configured for (executing) the method or the embodiment of the method, respectively.

[0136] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.