Illumination apparatus

Abstract

An illumination apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a first light source having a first spectral light distribution with a first light intensity peak about a first peak wavelength, and a second light source having a second spectral light distribution with a second light intensity peak about a second peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength, a third light source having a third spectral light distribution with a main light intensity peak about a third peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength, wherein the illumination apparatus is configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the first light source and of light of the second light source, wherein the illumination apparatus provides an adjustment of light intensity of the third light source to compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus comprising: a first light source configured to emit light having a first spectral light distribution having a first main light intensity peak about a first peak wavelength providing light stimulation, wherein the first light source is a cold white light emitter and the first peak wavelength is within the range of 450-490 nm, a second light source configured to emit light having a second spectral light distribution having a second main light intensity peak about a second peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength, wherein the second light source is a cold white light emitter and the second peak wavelength is within the range of 440-450 nm or 490-500 nm, and wherein the first and second peak wavelengths are close in wavelength, within 10% of the visible spectral wavelength range, a third light source configured to emit light having a third spectral light distribution having a third main light intensity peak about a third peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength, wherein the third light source is a green light emitter and the third peak wavelength is within the range of 500-580 nm, a fourth light source configured to emit light having a fourth spectral light distribution having a fourth main light intensity about a fourth peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength, from the second peak wavelength and from the third peak wavelength, wherein the fourth light source is a red light emitter and the fourth peak wavelength is within the range of 630-700 nm, and a further light source configured to emit light having a further spectral light distribution having a further main light intensity peak about a further peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength, the further peak wavelength being chosen to enhance the light stimulation provided by the first light source, wherein the further light has a main light intensity peak at a peak wavelength within the range of 580-630 nm, wherein the illumination apparatus is configured to provide relative adjustment of light intensity of the first light source and of light intensity of the second light source, thereby providing a relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source allowing influencing cortisol and melatonin levels in humans exposed to light from the first and second light sources, and wherein when the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source is adjusted, light intensity of the third light source and light intensity of the fourth light source are adjusted together with the adjustment of the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source in order to compensate change of the relative intensity between the first light source and the second light source, and light intensity of the further light source is adjusted together with the adjustment of the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source in order to enhance the light stimulation of the first light source which is changed by the relative intensity between the first light source and the second light source.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second light source has a 50% intensity over a spectral wavelength range of at least 70 nm.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination apparatus is controlled to illuminate a first region in space when external illumination apparatus illuminates a second region in the space.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source of the illumination apparatus is different than a relative light intensity between a first light source and a second light source of the external illumination apparatus.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light intensity of the third light source is adjusted to compensate the difference between the relative light intensity of the illumination apparatus and the relative light intensity of the external illumination apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention. The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific embodiment; instead they are used for explaining and understanding the invention.

(2) As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

(3) FIG. 1 illustrates an illumination apparatus.

(4) FIG. 2a illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by an illumination apparatus at a first situation.

(5) FIG. 2b illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by the same illumination apparatus as in FIG. 2a at a second situation.

(6) FIG. 3a illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by an illumination apparatus.

(7) FIG. 3b illustrates another spectral distribution of light emitted by the same illumination apparatus as in FIG. 3a.

(8) FIG. 4 illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by an illumination apparatus.

(9) FIG. 5 illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by an illumination apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

(11) FIG. 1 illustrates an illumination apparatus 100. The illumination apparatus 100 comprises a first light source 102, a second light source 104 and a third light source 106. The illumination apparatus 100 may further comprise circuitry 108 for controlling the respective light sources 102, 104 and 106. The illumination apparatus 100 may comprise a light diffusing element 110 arranged to mix and diffuse the light emitted by the respective light source 102, 104, and 106. Light may thereby be emitted with improved spatial uniformity. A more uniform distribution of the spectral distribution of the light emitted 112 by the illumination apparatus 100 may also be obtained. The light diffusing element 110 may mix of the light emitted by the respective light source 102, 104, and 106, by scattering and/or multiple reflection within the light diffusing element 110.

(12) The first light source 102 is configured to emit light having a first spectral light distribution Γ.sub.1, with a first main light intensity peak P.sub.1, about a first peak wavelength λ.sub.1, see FIG. 2a. The first light source 102 is further configured to emit light providing light stimulation, as will be discussed below.

(13) The second light source 104 is configured to emit light having a second spectral light distribution Γ.sub.2, with a second main light intensity peak P.sub.2, about a second peak wavelength λ.sub.2. The second peak wavelength λ.sub.2 is different from the first peak wavelength λ.sub.2.

(14) The third light source 106 is configured to emit light having a third spectral light distribution Γ.sub.3 having a third main light intensity peak P.sub.3 about a third peak wavelength λ.sub.3. The third peak wavelength λ.sub.3 is different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength, see FIG. 2a. The first light distribution Γ.sub.1 and the second light distribution Γ.sub.2 are in FIG. 2a illustrated to be overlapping, but may alternatively cover wavelength ranges which are not overlapping. To this end, the first λ.sub.1 and the second λ.sub.2 peak wavelengths may, be close in wavelength, within 10% of the visible spectral wavelength range.

(15) The illumination apparatus 100 is configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the first light source 102 and of the second light source 104, thereby providing a relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 between the first light source 102 and the second light source 104. To illustrate this, FIG. 2a shows the spectral distribution of light emitted by the illumination apparatus 100 at a first situation 114 in which the relative intensity R.sub.1,2 is set such that the light intensity I.sub.1 of the light emitted by the first light source 102 is larger than the light intensity I.sub.2 of the light emitted by the second light source 104.

(16) As a comparison, FIG. 2b illustrates a spectral distribution of light emitted by the same illumination apparatus 100 at a second situation 116. In the second situation 116 the light intensity of the light emitted by the first light source 102 and the second light source 104 is adjusted relative to the first situation 114. As a non-limiting example, a relative intensity R′.sub.1,2 is achieved such that the light intensity I′.sub.2 of the light emitted by the second light source 104 is larger than the light intensity I′.sub.1 of the light emitted by the first light source 102.

(17) The spectral light distribution of the light emitted 112 by the illumination source 100 may thereby be set to a desired value. As the light emitted by the first light source 102 may have a stimulating effect, whereas the light emitted by the second light source 104 may have a non-stimulating effect the degree of stimulation may be set to a desired value by adjusting the relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 to a desired value.

(18) It may be noted, that the relative ratio of the relative light ratio may be understood to be any value. The relative intensity may further include zero or infinite, if there is no light or substantially no light emitted by one of the first light source 102 or the second light source 104 relative to the other light source.

(19) The illumination apparatus 100 is further configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the third light source 106 to compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 between the first light source 102 and the second light source 104 the illumination apparatus 100. The illumination apparatus 100 thereby allows for a tuning of the relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 while keeping a substantially unchanged spectral light distribution of the light emitted 112 by the illumination apparatus 100. Again, referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, this is illustrated by the varied light intensity of the third light source 106, compare I.sub.3 to I′.sub.3.

(20) In the following, an example of light stimulation achievable by the illumination apparatus 100 is discussed, with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b. It is known that the sensitivity of melanopsin receptors appear to be in the wavelength range 450-490 nm, commonly reported to be in the range 450-520 nm, typically having a peak sensitivity in the range 470-490 nm. Thus, light emitted in the wavelength range 450-490 nm influences, for example, hormone secretion, heart rate, body temperature, sleep propensity and/or alertness for humans. Also animals are affected by light in the above wavelength range. To this end, melanopsin photoreceptors are sensitive to a range of wavelengths and have a peak light absorption at blue light wavelengths around 480 nm. It may be noted that other wavelengths of light activate the melanopsin signaling system with decreasing efficiency as they move away from the optimum 480 nm.

(21) Thus, the light emitted by the first light source 102 may have a stimulating effect by increasing cortisol and suppression of the production of melatonin in humans. As a result, an increased attentiveness and focus may be achieved for a user illuminated by the illumination apparatus.

(22) To achieve the above stimulation, the first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected to be within the range of 450-512 nm, preferably 450-490 nm.

(23) Thus, the first light source may be arranged to emit light having a first spectral light distribution having a first main light intensity peak about a first peak wavelength within the range of 450-512 nm, preferably 450-490 nm.

(24) The first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected within the range of 460-490 nm.

(25) The first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected within a wavelength range comprising wavelengths larger than 450 nm.

(26) The first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected within a wavelength range comprising wavelengths smaller than 512 nm, preferably below 490 nm.

(27) The first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected within the range of 470-490 nm.

(28) The first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected to be at 480 nm.

(29) The first light source 102 may, for instance, emit blue light at 460 nm. The first light source 102 may be a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

(30) To provide an alternative light source, e.g. in the blue wavelength range of visible light, commonly defined to be in the range 400 to 500 nm, see e.g. Edwin R. Jones. Physics 153 Class Notes. University of South Carolina, 1999, the second peak wavelength λ.sub.2 may be within the range of 440-450 nm or 490-500 nm. Light within this wavelength ranged have a lower stimulating effect than the light emitted having a first spectral light distribution having a first main light intensity peak about the first peak wavelength at 450-490, e.g. at 460 nm.

(31) The skilled person is knowledgeable of that different definitions of which wavelength range that corresponds to a give color exists. Blue color may for example alternatively be defined to be within the wavelength range 424-491 nm, see e.g. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 1966.

(32) The second light source 104 may, for instance, emit blue light at 440-450 nm, also referred to as “Royal blue”. The first light source 102 may be a light emitting diode or a laser diode. As discussed, in relation to FIGS. 2a and 2b above, the illumination apparatus 100 is configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the first light source 102 and of the second light source 104, thereby providing a relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 between the first light source 102 and the second light source 104. Thus, the relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 determines the degree of stimulation of the light emitted 112 by the illumination apparatus 100. More specifically, the light emitted 112 by the illumination apparatus 100 in FIG. 3a has a stimulating effect as the light intensity I.sub.1 of the light emitted by the first light source 102 is larger than the light intensity I.sub.2 emitted by the second light source 104. In contrast, in FIG. 3b, the relative light intensity is changed to R′.sub.1,2, for which the light intensity I′.sub.2 of the light emitted by the second light source 104 is larger than the light intensity I′.sub.1 of the light emitted by the first light source 102. Thus the light emitted 112 in FIG. 3b has a lower or no stimulating effect.

(33) Alternatively, the first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 may be selected to be within the range of 470-490 nm. The second peak wavelength λ.sub.2 may then be selected to be within the range of 450-470 nm or 490-500. The first and the second peak wavelength may differ by at least 5 nm, preferably 7 nm. The illumination apparatus 100 is further configured to provide adjustment of light intensity I.sub.3 of the third light source 106 to compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity R.sub.1,2 between the first light source 102 and the second light source 104 the illumination apparatus 100, illustrated by the varied light intensity of the third light source 106, compare 13 to I′.sub.3 in FIGS. 3a and 3b, respectively. I′.sub.3 is thereby larger than 13. The illumination apparatus 100 thereby allows for a tuning of the relative light intensity, R.sub.1,2 versus R′.sub.1,2, while keeping a substantially unchanged spectral light distribution of the light emitted 112 by the illumination apparatus 100. A reduced perceived change in the overall light distribution of the light emitted 112 is thereby achieved.

(34) The third light source 106 may be a light emitting diode emitting white light. The white light may be generated by the use of phosphors together with a short-wavelength LED, e.g. a phosphor material emitting light with a broad spectral light distribution, typically 500-700 nm, which is illuminated by blue light around 450 to 470 nanometers.

(35) The first light source 102 may alternatively be a cold white light emitter, see solid line in FIG. 4, and the first peak wavelength may be within the range of 450-490 nm as discussed above.

(36) The second light source 104 may be a cold white light emitter and the second peak wavelength is within the range of 440-450 nm, see the dashed line in FIG. 4. Thus, the relative intensity of the light emitted by the respective cold white light emitters may be used to tailor the stimulating effect of the light emitted by the illumination apparatus.

(37) The second light source 104 may alternatively be a cold white light emitter and the second peak wavelength is within the range of 490-500 nm.

(38) A cold white light emitter may be defied as a light source producing white light having a color temperature of 5000-9500 K CCT, where the Color Correlated Temperature, CCT, of light is defined as the temperature of the Planckian radiator whose perceived color most closely resembles that of a given stimulus at the same brightness and under specified viewing conditions. The skilled person realizes that other color temperature ranges may be used to define the color of a white light emitter.

(39) To this end the third light source 106 may be a warm white light emitter and the third peak wavelength is within the range of 540-650 nm, see the dash-dotted line in FIG. 4. The illumination apparatus 100 may thereby provide an improved control of the color balance of the light emitted 112.

(40) A warm white light emitter may be defied as a light source producing white light having a color temperature of 1600-4000 K CCT. To this end,

(41) A light source may be a neutral white light emitter which may be defied as a light source producing white light having a color temperature of 3700 to 5500 K CCT.

(42) As a non-limiting example, the second light source may have a 50% intensity over a spectral wavelength range of at least 70 nm.

(43) The skilled person realizes that the illumination apparatus may comprise a light source emitting substantially at a single wavelength. The light may be emitted around a single wavelength with a narrow spectral range having a full-width-at-half-maximum, FWHM, of about 4-10% of the central emission wavelength.

(44) In the above discussion, the illumination apparatus 100, comprise light emitting diodes emitting light at a narrow wavelength range, cold light emitters and/or warm light emitters.

(45) The illumination apparatus 100, may comprise at least three narrow band light emitters, such as light emitting diodes, as illustrated in FIG. 5. narrow band light emitters are configured to emit light around a predetermined central wavelength. The illumination apparatus 100 may be referred to as a red-green-blue light emitter, RGB-emitter. More specifically, the first 102 and second 104 light sources may be configured to emit light in the blue spectral range of the visible range. As a non-limiting example, the first light source 102 may be configured to emit light having a first spectral light distribution Γ.sub.1 having a first main light intensity peak P.sub.1 about a first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 within the range of 450-490 nm which provides light stimulation as discussed above. The second light source 104 may be configured to emit light having a second spectral light distribution Γ.sub.2 having a second main light intensity peak P.sub.2 about a second peak wavelength λ.sub.2 within the range of 440-450 nm or 490-500 nm. The first 102 and the second 104 light sources may therefore be referred to as a first, B.sub.1, and a second B.sub.2 blue light emitter, respectively. The third light source 106 may further be a green light emitter, G, configured to emit light having a third spectral light distribution Γ.sub.3 having a third main light intensity peak P.sub.3 about a third peak wavelength λ.sub.3 within the range of 490-580 nm.

(46) The third light source 106 may be a green light emitter, G, configured to emit light having a third spectral light distribution Γ.sub.3 having a third main light intensity peak P.sub.3 about a third peak wavelength λ.sub.3 within the range of 520-560 nm.

(47) It may be noted that, alternatively, third light source may be a red light emitter, R, and the third peak wavelength is within the range of 630-700 nm.

(48) The third peak wavelength may be within the range of 640-700 nm.

(49) The illumination apparatus 100 may further comprise a fourth light source, not shown, configured to emit light having a fourth spectral light distribution Γ.sub.4 having a fourth main light intensity a P.sub.4 about a fourth peak wavelength λ.sub.4. The fourth peak wavelength is different from the first peak wavelength, from the second peak wavelength and from the third peak wavelength. The fourth light source may be a red light emitter, R, and the fourth peak wavelength is within the range of 630-700 nm, see FIG. 5.

(50) The fourth peak wavelength may be within the range of 640-700 nm.

(51) The illumination apparatus 100 is further configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the fourth light source in to order to in combination with the adjusting of the third light source 106 compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity between the first light source 102 and the second light source 104.

(52) The illumination apparatus 100 may thereby provide light emission over different color ranges of the visible spectrum. The colors of the light emitted may, moreover be mixed providing white light. The light emitted by the illumination apparatus may thereby have a more or a less stimulating effect by the relative intensity of the light emitted by the first 102 and the second 104 light sources.

(53) The illumination apparatus 100 may further comprise a further light source, not shown, configured to emit light having a further spectral light distribution Γ.sub.f having a further main light intensity peak P.sub.f about a further peak wavelength λ.sub.f, see the dashed line in FIG. 5. The further peak wavelength λ.sub.f, is different from the first peak wavelength λ.sub.1 and from the second peak wavelength λ.sub.2. The illumination apparatus 100 may further be configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the further light source. The further peak wavelength λ.sub.f may be chosen to enhance the light stimulation provided by the first light source 102.

(54) As a non-limiting example, the further light may have a main light intensity peak P.sub.f at a peak wavelength within the range of 580-630 nm. Thus, the further light source allows for light exposure at longer wavelength light, i.e. 580-630 nm in the orange-red part of the visible spectrum. Light within the range of 580-630 nm may trigger melanopsin chromophore regeneration and an increased subsequent intrinsic photosensitivity of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, ipRGCs. An improved suppression of melanin may thereby be obtained. An illumination apparatus 100 providing increased stimulation may thereby be provided.

(55) It should be noted that the illumination apparatus 100 may be configured to at a first point in time emit light from the further light source and from at a second point in time emit light from the first light source 102. A prior exposure to longer wavelength light, here exemplified by the orange light emitted by the further light source, relative to the shorter wavelength, exemplified by the blue light emitted by the first light source 102, enhances the subsequent impact of light on executive brain responses. An improved suppression of melatonin may thereby be obtained.

(56) In the above the description it has been exemplified that the illumination apparatus illuminates a human. A skilled person, however, realizes that in other embodiments animals such as pets or livestock may be illuminated. The above mentioned benefits of the illumination apparatus for illuminating humans, when applicable, apply also to animals.

(57) A method for controlling illumination may further be provided. The method comprising:

(58) adjusting a relative light intensity between a first light source and a second light source, wherein the first light source is configured to emit light having a first spectral light distribution having a first main light intensity peak about a first peak wavelength providing light stimulation, and the second light source is configured to emit light having a second spectral light distribution having a second main light intensity peak about a second peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength,

(59) adjusting a light intensity of a third light source configured to emit light having a third spectral light distribution having a third main light intensity peak about a third peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength in to order to compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source.

(60) The method according may further comprise adjusting a light intensity of a fourth light source configured to emit light having a fourth spectral light distribution having a fourth main light intensity about a fourth peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength, from the second peak wavelength and from the third peak wavelength in to order to in combination with the adjusting of the third light source compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source.

(61) The adjusting of a light intensity may further comprise using a further light source configured to emit light having a further spectral light distribution having a further main light intensity peak about a further peak wavelength being different from the first peak wavelength and from the second peak wavelength, the further peak wavelength being chosen to enhance the light stimulation provided by the first light source.

(62) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

(63) For example, an illumination system may be provided. The illumination system comprising a first illumination apparatus and a second illumination apparatus, wherein the first illumination apparatus is configured to illuminate a first region in space, and the second illumination apparatus is configured to illuminate a second region in space, the first and the second regions being different. The above mentioned features of respective illumination apparatus have been described above. Thus, in order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above. An advantage of the illumination system is that the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source for the first illumination apparatus may be different to the relative light intensity between the first light source and the second light source for the second illumination apparatus. The stimulation by light may thereby differ between in the first and the second regions. As respective first and the second illumination apparatus is further configured to provide adjustment of light intensity of the third light source to compensate for the adjusting of the relative light intensity the illumination system thereby allows for a tuning of the relative light intensity between the two regions while keeping a substantially unchanged spectral light distribution of the light emitted by the first and the second illumination apparatus. A more uniform illumination in a space may therefore be achieved while allowing for different regions in space having different degrees of stimulation. The first region may, for example, be stimulating while the second region is non-stimulating or at least less stimulating.

(64) The first and the second regions may be partially overlapping. The first and the second regions may be physically separated, i.e. non-overlapping.

(65) It may be noted that the stimulation effect is often referred to as related to blue light. However, the wavelength discussed above may according to some references be considered as green light. For sake of clarity, we have referred to blue light even if the wavelength intervals may comprise blue-green or even green light.

(66) Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.