Nightlight for phototherapy

• US 20080123332A1
• Filed: 01/21/2008
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Searfoss
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Searfoss
• Inventors: Searfoss, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times

Abstract

A nightlight provides therapeutic effects on the body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three illumination modes including a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces monochromatic light of various selectable colors at about 40 lumens which may undulate in luminosity. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at higher luminosity. The controls allow a person to control the various light modes including selecting colors, time periods for activation, and transitions between colors during the sleep help mode. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body. The nightlight may be incorporated into a bedside alarm clock which includes numerous features found in a traditional alarm clock.

Claims

1. A nightlight comprising:

an illumination means for producing at least three light modes, said light modes including;

a sleep readiness mode producing light appearing as substantially white light;

a wake-up mode producing substantially white light at an intensity brighter than the light produced by said sleep readiness mode or said sleep help mode;

a sleep help mode producing light of at least two different colors selected from the group consisting of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red and varieties thereof, said sleep help mode not appearing to be white light;

a controller for allowing a person to select the color produced by said sleep help mode; and

said controller also allowing a person to select said sleep readiness mode, said sleep help mode, or said wake-up mode.

2. The nightlight of claim 1 further comprising:

an alarm clock function means for displaying the time and for automatic production of an audio or visual alarm at a predetermined time; and

said controller allowing a person to select a wake up time for automatic production of an audio or visual alarm.

3. The nightlight of claim 1 further comprising biological monitors for monitoring the biological functions of a person.

4. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said sleep help mode produces a light of an undulating intensity.

5. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said sleep help mode produces a light of an undulating substantially sine wave intensity.

6. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein controller allows a person to select said sleep help mode undulation frequency.

7. The nightlight of claim 5 wherein the undulation frequency automatically decreases over time.

8. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said sleep help mode produces narrow band light substantially within a 30 nanometer wavelength band.

9. The nightlight of claim 5 wherein said sleep help mode produces narrow band light substantially within a 30 nanometer wavelength band with a luminosity that undulates between about 5 lumens and 25 lumens.

10. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said sleep help mode will automatically discontinue at predetermined time period after being selected.

11. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said sleep readiness light includes substantially only blue light and yellow light;

said sleep help mode produces a substantially monochromatic light in wavelength band of 30 nanometers which undulates in intensity.

12. The nightlight of claim 1 further comprising:

said controller allowing a person to select a plurality of colors produced by said sleep help mode, said sleep mode automatically transitioning from a first sleep mode color to a second sleep mode color after a predetermined period of time.

13. A nightlight comprising:

an illumination means for producing at least three light modes, said light modes including;

a sleep readiness mode producing light appearing to be substantially full spectrum light at about 40 lumens;

a sleep help mode producing light of at least two different colors selected from the group consisting of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red and varieties thereof, said sleep help mode not appearing to be white light and said sleep help mode producing a light of a substantially undulating sine wave intensity between about 5 lumens and 25 lumens with said undulation frequency being controllable;

a wake-up mode producing substantially white light at about 1,000 to 1,800 lumens;

a controller for allowing a person to select the color produced by said sleep help mode; and

said controller also allowing a person to select said sleep readiness mode, said sleep help mode or said wake-up mode, and for allowing a person to select the undulation frequency of said sleep help mode.

14. The nightlight of claim 13 further comprising:

an alarm clock function means for displaying the time and for automatic production of an audio or visual alarm at a predetermined time; and

said controller allowing a person to select a wake up time for automatic production of an audio or visual alarm.

15. The nightlight of claim 13 wherein said sleep help mode will automatically discontinue at a predetermined time period after being selected.

16. The nightlight of claim 13 further comprising biological monitors for monitoring the biological functions of a person.

17. The nightlight of claim 13 wherein the undulation frequency automatically decreases over time.

18. The nightlight of claim 13 wherein said sleep help mode produces a light of an undulating substantially sine wave intensity varying between about 5 lumens and 25 lumens.

19. The nightlight of claim 13 wherein a sleep readiness mode produces a light at between 20 and 200 lumens and said wake-up mode produces a light at between about 1,000 lumens and 1,800 lumens.

20. The nightlight of claim 13 further comprising:

said controller allowing a person to select a plurality of colors produced by said sleep help mode, said sleep mode automatically transitioning from a first sleep mode color to a second sleep mode color after a predetermined period of time.