LIGHT MODULATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20100130812A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alain Anadi Martel
• Original Assignee: Alain Anadi Martel
• Inventors: Martel, Alain Anadi
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/005 Projectors using an electronic spatial light modulator but not peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/006 using LCD's

Abstract

Light modulation devices are provided. At least one Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) is used to create an oscillating signal used to drive an intensity parameter, a color parameter or both in a light modulator. The oscillating signal may be mixed with a base signal. The modulated signal driving either of the intensity or color parameters may be simple or complex. Systems having a plurality of light projection devices, each associated with a corresponding light modulation device, are also provided. Such Light modulation systems may be used for a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A light modulation device for generating modulated color component output signals adapted for use by a light projection device for modulating light projected thereby, the light modulation device comprising:

a light modulator generating said color component output signals according to an intensity parameter and a color parameter, the color parameter being controlled by a modulated color signal; and

a color modulation generator for generating the modulated color signal, the color modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the modulated color signal thereto, said color modulation generator having;

a main Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generating an oscillating signal; and

mixing means for mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base color signal, thereby providing said modulated color signal.

2. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing means comprises a modulo summation element such that:

C_combined(t)=(C_b(t)+C_lfo(t))modulo C_range;

wherein t represents time, C_combined(t) is the modulated color signal, C_b(t) is the base color signal, C_lfo(t) is the oscillating signal and C_range is a maximum authorized value for C_b(t) and C_lfo(t).

3. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein the intensity parameter is controlled by a modulated intensity signal, said light modulation device further comprising an intensity modulation generator for generating the modulated intensity signal, the intensity modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the modulated intensity signal thereto, said intensity modulation generator having:

a main Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generating an oscillating signal; and

mixing means for mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base intensity signal, thereby providing said modulated intensity signal.

4. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said color modulation generator further comprises at least one additional LFO generating an additional oscillating signal, the mixing means mixing said additional oscillating signal with said oscillating signal, thereby allowing a complex modulation of said light projected by said light projection device.

5. The light modulation device according to claim 4, wherein the oscillating signal and additional oscillating signal have distinct predetermined frequencies selected so that said complex modulation combines simultaneous slow and fast modulations.

6. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said color modulation generator comprises at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal for allowing a complex modulation of said light projected by said light projection device.

7. The light modulation device according to claim 4, wherein said color modulation generator comprises:

a first modulation set including said main LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal; and

a second modulation set including said additional LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the additional LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the additional oscillating signal.

8. A light modulation device for generating modulated color component output signals adapted for use by a light projecting system for modulating light projected thereby, the light modulation device comprising:

a light modulator generating said color component output signals according to an intensity parameter and a color parameter, at least one of said intensity and color parameters being controlled by a corresponding complex modulated signal; and

a complex modulation generator generating said complex modulated signal, the complex modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the complex modulated signal thereto, said complex modulation generator having a plurality of Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO) each generating an oscillating signal, the complex modulated signal resulting from a combination of the oscillating signals of each of said LFOs.

9. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein said complex modulation generator further comprises mixing means for mixing the oscillating signals from at least two of said LFOs, said oscillating signals having distinct predetermined frequencies selected so that said complex modulated signal combines simultaneous slow and fast modulations.

10. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of LFOs of said complex modulation generator comprises a main LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal therefrom.

11. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of LFOs of said complex modulation generator comprises:

a first modulation set including a main LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal therefrom; and

a second modulation set including an additional LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the additional LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the additional oscillating signal therefrom.

12. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein only one of said intensity and color parameters is controlled by the corresponding complex modulated signal, the other one of said intensity and color parameters being controlled by a base signal.

13. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein only one of said intensity and color parameters is controlled by the corresponding complex modulated signal, the other one of said intensity and color parameters being controlled by a simple modulated signal, the light modulation device comprising a simple modulation generator for generating the simple modulated signal, the simple modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the simple modulated signal thereto, said simple modulation generator having:

a main Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generating an oscillating signal; and

mixing means for mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base signal, thereby providing said simple modulated signal.

14. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein both of said intensity and color parameters are controlled by a corresponding complex modulated signal, respectively defining an intensity complex modulated signal and a color complex modulated signal, each being generated by a corresponding complex modulation generator respectively defining a complex intensity modulation generator and a complex color modulation generator.

15. The light modulation device according to claim 14, wherein, for each of the complex intensity and color modulation generators, the plurality of LFOs comprises:

a first modulation set including a main LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal therefrom; and

a second modulation set including an additional LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the additional LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the additional oscillating signal therefrom;

for each of the complex intensity and color modulation generators, the oscillating signals of the main LFO and additional LFO having distinct predetermined frequencies selected so that the corresponding complex modulated signal combines simultaneous slow and fast modulations.

16. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein the intensity parameter is controlled by said complex modulation generator, said complex modulation generator comprising mixing means for mixing the oscillating signal of at least one of said LFOs with a base intensity signal, said mixing means comprising a multiplicator such that:

I_combined(t)=I_b(t)*(1−

I_lfo(t)/I_range);

wherein t represents time, I_combined is the combined intensity signal, I_b(t) is the base color signal, I_lfo(t) is the oscillating signal of the corresponding LFO and I_range is a maximum authorized value for I_b(t) and I_lfo(t).

17. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein the color parameter is controlled by said complex modulation generator, said complex modulation generator comprising mixing means for mixing the oscillating signal of at least one of said LFOs with a base color signal, thereby providing a combined color signal, said mixing means comprising a modulo summation element such that:

C_combined(t)=(C_b(t)+C_lfo(t))modulo C_range;

wherein t represents time, C_combined(t) is the combined color signal, C_b(t) is the base color signal, C_lfo(t) is the oscillating signal of the corresponding LFO and C_range is a maximum authorized value for C_b(t) and C_lfo(t).

18. A light modulation system for creating non-representational dynamic patterns of light, said system comprising:

a plurality of colored light projection devices, each being adapted to generate a colored light in a corresponding projection zone;

a plurality of light modulation devices each being operatively connected to a corresponding projecting device for providing thereto modulated color component output signals for modulating the corresponding colored light, each light modulation device comprising;

a light modulator generating said color component output signals according to an intensity parameter and a color parameter, at least one of said intensity and color parameter being controlled by a corresponding modulated signal; and

a modulation generator for generating the corresponding modulated signal, the modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the modulated signal thereto, said modulation generator having a main Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generating an oscillating signal and mixing means for mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base signal, thereby providing said modulated signal; and

a control unit for controlling each of said modulation devices so that the projection zones create together said dynamic patterns of light.

19. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein said light projection devices are particularly arranged so that the projection zones are adjacent to each others, the control unit controlling each of said modulation devices in a predetermined manner so as to create controlled coordinated movements of light in said patterns of light over all of said projection zones.

20. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein said control unit provides global control signals for respectively controlling each parameter of all said light modulation devices with a single global value.

21. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein each of said colored light projection devices comprises a plurality of polychromatic LEDs, each being adapted for providing a primary colors composite light.

22. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein the control unit is further adapted to control a phase parameter of the modulated signal of each modulation device for implementing global visual phase effects in said patterns of light.

23. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein, for at least one of said light modulation devices, the modulation generator further comprises at least one additional LFO generating an additional oscillating signal, the corresponding mixing means mixing said additional oscillating signal with said oscillating signal, thereby allowing a complex modulation of said light projected by said light projection device, the oscillating signal and additional oscillating signal having distinct predetermined frequencies selected so that said complex modulation combines simultaneous slow and fast modulations.

24. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein, for at least one of said light modulation devices, both of said intensity and color parameters are controlled by a corresponding modulated signal, respectively defining an intensity modulated signal and a color modulated signal, each being generated by a corresponding modulation generator respectively defining an intensity modulation generator and a color modulation generator.

25. The light modulation system according to claim 24, wherein each of the complex intensity and color modulation generators comprises:

a first modulation set including the main LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal therefrom; and

a second modulation set including an additional LFO and at least one control LFO operatively connected to the additional LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the additional oscillating signal therefrom.

26. The light modulation system according to claim 18, wherein at least one modulation generator of at least one light modulation device comprises at least one control LFO operatively connected to the corresponding main LFO for controlling at least one of waveform parameters of the oscillating signal therefrom.

35. A system comprising:

a well-being chair for receiving a user thereon, said well-being chair having a head portion for receiving a head of said user;

a projection shell mounted over said head portion of the well-being chair; and

a light modulation system according to claim 18 mounted proximate said head portion and positioned to project the non-representational dynamic patterns of light inside said projection shell.

36. A system comprising:

a headwear implement for wearing on a head of a user, said headwear implement comprising

a projection shell extending in a field of view of said user; and

a light modulation system according to claim 18 mounted on said headwear implement and positioned to project the non-representational dynamic patterns of light inside said projection shell.

38. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes by exposing the user to light projections generated by a light modulation system as defined in claim 18 using predetermined combinations of control parameters selected to generate visual effects leading to at least one of the following effects:

relaxation, stimulation, mood stabilization or balancing.

39. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 38, wherein a relaxing effect is obtained by exposing the user during 5-60 minutes to light modulation projections with colors in majority within the cool-color range comprised between green and blue, combined with light movements oriented in majority towards the left, inward or counter-clockwise directions and brainwave intensity modulation in majority within the Alpha and Theta frequency range of 4 to 13 Hz.

40. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 38, wherein a stimulating effect is obtained by exposing the user during 5-60 minutes to light modulation projections with colors in majority within the warm-color range comprised between red and yellow, combined with light movements oriented in majority towards the right, outward or clockwise directions, and combined with brainwave intensity modulation in majority within the Gamma and Beta frequency range of 14 to 100 Hz.

41. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 38, wherein a mood-stabilizing or balancing effect is obtained by exposing the user during 5-60 minutes to light modulation projections with colors either going through the full rainbow spectrum or in majority composed of intermediate colors lime or magenta, combined with alternations in substantially equal proportions of light movements having complementary relaxing or stimulating properties.

42. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 39, wherein a relaxing effect is obtained by exposing the user during approximately 20 minutes to light modulation projections with colors comprised between green and blue, combined with light movements oriented towards the inward direction and low-depth (5-10%) brainwave intensity modulation in the Alpha frequency range of 8 to 13 Hz.

43. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 40, wherein a stimulating effect is obtained by exposing the user during approximately 20 minutes to light modulation projections with colors comprised between red and yellow, combined with light movements oriented the right direction and low-depth (5-10%) brainwave intensity modulation in the Beta frequency range of 14 to 30 Hz.

44. A method of influencing the nervous system of a user for recreational purposes according to claim 41, wherein a mood-stabilizing or balancing effect is obtained by exposing the user during approximately 20 minutes to light modulation projections with colors going through the full rainbow, combined with alternations in substantially equal proportions of light movements having inward and outward directions and low-depth (5-10%) brainwave intensity modulation near the frequency of 7.8 Hz.

45. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient by exposing the patient to light projections generated by a light modulation system as defined in claim 18 using predetermined combinations of control parameters selected to generate stress-reducing visual effects leading to at least one of the following effects:

relaxation, stimulation, mood stabilization or balancing.

46. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 38.

47. A therapeutic method as in claim 45 comprising additional steps using at least one of the following treatment types:

therapy based on the effects of drugs, therapy based on bodywork such a massage, therapy based on vibrational effects, or psychological counseling.

48. A therapeutic method as in claim 45 wherein the patient is exposed to a series of 3 to 15 light projection sessions within a treatment period of 1 to 12 weeks.

49. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 39.

50. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 40.

51. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 41.

52. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 42.

53. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 43.

54. A therapeutic method of treating the nervous system of a patient comprising at least one step wherein the patient is exposed to the method of influencing the nervous system as defined in claim 44.

27-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method for generating non-representational dynamic patterns of light, said method comprising:

a) providing a plurality of colored light projection devices, each being adapted to generate a colored light in a corresponding projection zone;

b) providing modulated color component output signals to each of said light projection devices, comprising;

i) generating said color component output signals according to an intensity parameter and a color parameter, at least one of said intensity and color parameter being controlled by a corresponding modulated signal; and

ii) for each of said corresponding modulated signal, generating an oscillating signal using a main Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO), and mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base signal, thereby providing the modulated signal; and

c) controlling each of said modulation devices so that the projection zones create together said dynamic patterns of light.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the controlling of c) comprises controlling the modulated signals from said modulation devices to generate visual effects leading to relaxation, stimulation or mood stabilization.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the controlling of c) comprises controlling the modulated signals from said modulation devices to generate visual effects leading to therapeutic effects on the nervous system.

37. A method for manufacturing a light modulation system for creating non-representational dynamic patterns of light, said method comprising the assembly of electronic components capable of performing the function of:

providing a plurality of colored light projection devices, each being adapted to generate a colored light in a corresponding projection zone;

providing a plurality of light modulation devices and operatively connected each said light modulation device to a corresponding projecting device for providing thereto modulated color component output signals for modulating the corresponding colored light, each light modulation device comprising;

a light modulator generating said color component output signals according to an intensity parameter and a color parameter, at least one of said intensity and color parameter being controlled by a corresponding modulated signal; and

a modulation generator for generating the corresponding modulated signal, the modulation generator being in communication with the light modulator for providing the modulated signal thereto, said modulation generator having a main Low

Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generating an oscillating signal and mixing means for mixing said oscillating signal of the main LFO with a base signal, thereby providing said modulated signal; and

providing a control unit for controlling each of said modulation devices so that the projection zones create together said dynamic patterns of light.