Nightlight for phototherapy

• US 6,902,296 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Lee Iii Searfoss
• Original Assignee: Robert Lee Iii Searfoss
• Inventors: Searfoss, Robert Lee III
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US10/461,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 362/1, 362/2, 362/231, 362/234, 362/251, 362/276, 362/253, 362/800, 368/10, 368/72, 368/83, 600/26, 600/27
• 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: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 11/00 Producing optical signals at preselected times
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings

Abstract

A nightlight is provided for providing therapeutic effects on the human body and mind including promoting relaxation, sleep and wakefulness. The nightlight includes a housing, a light source, a central processor, one or more controls, and a power supply. The light source produces at least three modes having various light properties. The light modes include a sleep readiness mode, a sleep help mode and a wake-up mode. The sleep readiness mode produces light at about 40 lumens and preferably includes only light from the blue and yellow portions of the visible light spectrum. The sleep help mode produces monochromatic light in the blue or green spectrum. Preferably, the light undulates at a frequency of one cycle per second to one cycle per minute at a luminosity of between 5 lumens and 25 lumens. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode produces substantially full spectrum light at approximately 1,600 lumens. The processor and controls allow a person to select and control the various light modes. Moreover, the nightlight may include biological sensors for measuring physiological activity of the body.

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 sleep help mode producing only substantially blue light or green 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; and

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

2. The nightlight of claim 1 wherein said white light of said sleep readiness mode includes substantially only blue light and yellow light.

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. 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 substantially only blue light or green light, 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; and

a controller for 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.

13. The nightlight of claim 12 wherein said white light of said sleep readiness mode includes substantially only blue light and yellow light.

14. The nightlight of claim 12 wherein said sleep help mode will automatically discontinue at predetermined time period after being selected.

15. The nightlight of claim 12 further comprising biological monitors for monitoring the biological functions of a person.

16. The nightlight of claim 12 wherein the undulation frequency automatically decreases over time.

17. A nightlight comprising:

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

a sleep readiness mode producing a constant light at between 20 and 200 lumens;

a sleep help mode producing only substantially blue light or green 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; and

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

18. The nightlight of claim 17 wherein said sleep help mode produces a light of an undulating intensity.

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

20. The nightlight of claim 18 wherein said wake-up mode produces a light at between about 1,000 lumens and 1,800 lumens.