TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light exposure monitoring system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light is essential for the well-being of humans and animals. For instance, light affects the circadian rhythm and especially natural light helps individuals to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

With the development of artificial light sources, such as light emitting diodes, specifically designed light sources have been made possible. It is, for example, possible to simulate natural light cycles in indoor environments. The indoor environments can therefore be tailored to each individual's needs (e.g. having increased levels of blue light in order to treat seasonal affective disorder). However, individuals are typically present in different indoor environments having different lighting conditions. It can therefore be difficult to determine the light a user has been exposed to during a day.

A solution is to equip each user with a personal sensor that can measure and store ambient light levels. However, in most situations it is impractical, or even impossible, to carry a personal light sensor. A solution relying on personal light sensors also leads to a significant increase in related economic costs and device administration. For example, each user must bring the light sensor with him/her and make sure that it is activated, has enough battery charge, and that it is carried such that ambient light can be sensed.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved monitoring of light exposure for individuals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present inventive concept to provide a light exposure monitoring system.

It is an object to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above-mentioned problem.

According to a first aspect a light exposure monitoring system is provided. The light exposure monitoring system comprises: a central control server; a plurality of indoor light exposure zones, each indoor light exposure zone comprising one or more light sources, each light source is configured to send illumination data to the central control server; and a positioning system configured to communicate with the central control server and to determine: a position of an individual within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones, and a distance between a head of the individual and a floor within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones; wherein the central control server is configured to: determine in which indoor light exposure zone among the plurality of indoor light exposure zones the individual is presently located based on the determined position of the individual, determine light exposure data for the indoor light exposure zone, in which the individual is determined to be presently located in, based on the illumination data received from the one or more light sources of the indoor light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located and the determined distance between the head of the individual and the floor of the indoor light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located, and accumulate the light exposure data to an actual light profile for the individual.

Within the context of this disclosure, “illumination data” should be construed as information relating to light. For example, illumination data may comprise information relating to an intensity and/or a spectral distribution of light.

Within the context of this disclosure, “light exposure data” should be construed as information relating to light to which the individual, e.g. the eyes of the individual, is exposed to. For example, the light exposure data may be a weighted average of illumination data from a plurality of light sources in the indoor light exposure zone. The weights in the weighted average may be based on a position of each light source in the plurality of light sources.

Within the context of this disclosure, “light exposure zone” should be construed as a space in which the one or more light sources are present. The light exposure zone may be a room or a plurality of rooms. The light exposure zone may be a portion of a room. Within a light exposure zone, light exposure data may vary less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may relate to an intensity and/or a spectral distribution of light.

Within the context of this disclosure, “actual light profile” should be construed as data associated with an accumulated amount of light that the individual has been exposed to.

By means of the present light exposure monitoring system, accumulation of light exposure data relating to an individual without a need for the individual to carry a light sensor is allowed. Further, the present light exposure monitoring system allows for the accumulation of light exposure data relating to an individual moving in between different indoor light exposure zones without a need for the individual to carry a light sensor. Further the present light exposure monitoring system allows for a light exposure of an individual in an indoor light exposure zone without using a portable and/or stationary light sensor. Thus, the present inventive concept allows for a less complex light exposure system.

Typically, a spatial distribution of light which the individual is exposed to varies with height, e.g. the distance above the floor or above the ground. Hence, the light exposure of the individual will also depend on the distance between the head of the individual and the floor and/or the ground. Since the distance between the head of the individual and the floor/ground may vary (e.g., the individual may change position from standing to sitting and/or laying down), the present light exposure monitoring system allows for an improved determination of light exposure data by taking the distance between the head of the individual and the floor into account, thereby allowing for an enhanced actual light profile for the individual.

The positioning system may comprise: one or more distance sensors configured to determine the distance between the head of the individual and the floor of the indoor light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located.

The one or more distance sensors may comprise one or more of a radar sensor, a LIDAR sensor, a camera, a time-of-flight camera, and a stereo camera.

An associated advantage is that the distance between the head of the individual and the floor may be determined with a higher precision, thereby allowing for an enhanced actual light profile for the individual.

The positioning system may be further configured to determine a direction in which the individual is facing, and wherein the central control server may be further configured to determine light exposure data further based on the direction in which the individual is facing.

The spatial distribution of light which the individual is exposed to may further vary depending on which direction the individual is facing. Hence, by taking the direction in which the individual is facing into account, the determination of light exposure data may be further improved, thereby allowing for a further enhanced actual light profile of the individual.

The light exposure monitoring system may further comprise: one or more eye sensors configured to communicate with the central control server and to determine a size of a pupil of an eye of the individual; and wherein the central control server may be further configured to determine light exposure data further based on the size of the pupil of the eye of the individual.

Since many effects on the individual due to light exposure may be related to light absorption in the individual's eye, improved light exposure data may be determined by taking the size of the pupil of the eye of the individual into account, thereby allowing for an enhanced actual light profile of the individual. The enhanced actual light profile may better reflect an effect of the light exposure of the individual by taking the size of the pupil of the eye of the individual into account when determining light exposure data.

The one or more eye sensors may comprise optical sensors. The optical sensor may, e.g., comprise a camera. The positioning system may comprise: one or more optical detectors configured to communicate with the central control server, each optical detector being associated with a position within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones. The one or more optical detectors may be configured to detect the individual, thereby determining the position of the individual.

The position of the individual may thereby be determined without a need for the individual to carry a personal identification device. A less complex light exposure system may therefore be allowed.

The positioning system may comprise: one or more electronic devices, each electronic device being associated with a position within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones; and a portable device associated with the individual, the portable device being configured for wireless communication with the one or more electronic devices. The position of the individual may be determined based on the wireless communication between the one or more electronic devices and the portable device.

An associated advantage is that the position of the individual may be determined in a less complex and reliable manner.

The one or more electronic devices may be further configured for wireless communication with the central control server, and the central control server may be further configured to determine the position of the individual based on the wireless communication between the one or more electronic devices and the portable device.

An associated advantage is that the portable device carried by the individual may not need processing capabilities, thereby having a reduced power consumption.

The portable device may be further configured to communicate with the central control server, and to determine the position of the individual based on the wireless communication between the one or more electronic devices and the portable device.

An associated advantage is that processing related to determination of the position of each individual in a plurality of individuals may be distributed to a plurality of portable devices, thereby reducing processing load of the central control server.

The one or more light sources may comprise adjustable light sources.

An associated advantage is that a light environment in one or more indoor light exposure zones in the plurality of indoor light exposure zones may be adjusted. The light environment in one or more indoor light exposure zones in the plurality of indoor light exposure zones may thereby be set to an individual's needs or preferences.

A spectrum and/or a brightness of the one or more light sources may be adjustable. Each of the one or more light sources may be independently adjustable.

An associated advantage is that an improved adjustment of a light environment in one or more indoor light exposure zones in the plurality of indoor light exposure zones may be allowed.

The central control server may be further configured to adjust the one or more light sources.

An associated advantage is that the one or more light sources may be automatically adjusted. The central control server may adjust the one or more light source based on the actual light profile of the individual and/or on a target light profile of the individual. By “target light profile” here is meant a preferred light dose that the individual should accumulate over time. The central control server may thereby automatically adjust the one or more light sources based on the actual light profile of the individual and/or the target light profile of the individual, thereby allowing for an automatic individually adjusted light environment in the indoor light exposure zone.

The positioning system may be further configured to determine a position for each individual in a plurality of individuals.

An associated advantage is that the light exposure monitoring system may service a plurality of individuals.

The positioning system may further comprise a plurality of portable devices, each portable device being associated with an individual in a plurality of individuals.

An associated advantage is that the light exposure monitoring system may service a plurality of individuals.

The central control server may be further configured to: determine in which indoor light exposure zone among the plurality of indoor light exposure zones each individual in the plurality of individuals is presently located based on the determined position of each individual; determine light exposure data for the indoor light exposure zone, in which each individual in the plurality of individuals is determined to be presently located in, based on the illumination data received from the one or more light sources of the indoor light exposure zone in which each individual is determined to be presently located; and accumulate the light exposure data to an actual light profile for each individual.

An associated advantage is that the light exposure monitoring system may service a plurality of individuals.

The light exposure monitoring system may further comprise: an outdoor light exposure zone; and the central control server may be further configured to: determine light exposure data for the outdoor light exposure zone, in which the individual is determined to be presently located, based on illumination data associated with the outdoor light exposure zone.

An associated advantage is that the light exposure monitoring system may account for periods during which the individual is outdoors, thereby allowing for an improved actual light profile of the individual.

The illumination data associated with the outdoor light exposure zone may be based on local weather data received from a weather service provider.

An associated advantage is that illumination data associated with the outdoor light exposure zone may be determined without a light sensor. For example, by a light sensor worn by the individual or a stationary light sensor positioned in the outdoor light exposure zone. A less complex light exposure monitoring system may thereby be allowed.

The outdoor light exposure zone may comprise a light sensor configured to send illumination data associated with the outdoor light exposure zone to the central control server.

An associated advantage is that an improved determination of illumination data associated with the outdoor light exposure zone may be allowed, thereby allowing for an improved light exposure monitoring system.

According to a second aspect, a method for accumulating light exposure data to an actual light profile for an individual is provided. The method comprising: determining in which light exposure zone among a plurality of light exposure zones the individual is presently located; wherein the plurality of light exposure zones comprises an indoor light exposure zone, the indoor light exposure zone comprising one or more light sources; the method further comprising: determining a distance between a head of the individual and a floor of the indoor light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located; receiving illumination data for the indoor light exposure zone from the one or more light sources; determining light exposure data for the light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located, wherein the light exposure data is determined based on the received illumination data from the one or more light sources of the indoor light exposure zone and the determined distance between the head of the individual and the floor of the indoor light exposure zone in case the individual is determined to be presently located in the indoor light exposure zone; and accumulating the determined light exposure data to the actual light profile for the individual.

The above-mentioned features and advantages of the system, when applicable, apply to this second aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

The plurality of light exposure zones may comprise an outdoor light exposure zone, and the method may further comprise: receiving local weather data for the outdoor light exposure zone from a weather service provider; and the light exposure data may be determined based on the received local weather data of the outdoor light exposure zone in case the individual is determined to be presently located in the outdoor light exposure zone.

According to a third aspect, a central control server is provided. The central control server comprises: a control circuitry configured to: receive a position of an individual; receive a distance between a head of the individual and a floor; determine in which light exposure zone among a plurality of light exposure zones the individual is presently located based on the received position of the individual; wherein the plurality of light exposure zones comprises an indoor light exposure zone, the indoor light exposure zone comprising one or more light sources; the control circuitry is further configured to: receive illumination data from the one or more light sources; determine light exposure data for the light exposure zone in which the individual is determined to be presently located in, wherein the light exposure data is determined based on the received illumination data from the one or more light sources of the indoor light exposure zone and the distance between the head of the individual and the floor in case the individual is determined to be presently located in the indoor light exposure zone; and accumulate the light exposure data to an actual light profile for the individual.

The above-mentioned features and advantages of the system and the method, when applicable, apply to this third aspect as well. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

The plurality of light exposure zones may comprise an outdoor light exposure zone, and the control circuitry may be further configured to: receive local weather data of the outdoor light exposure zone from a weather service provider; and the light exposure data may be determined based on the local weather data received from the weather service provider in case the individual is determined to be presently located in the outdoor light exposure zone.

A further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred variants of the present inventive concept, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Hence, it is to be understood that this inventive concept is not limited to the particular steps of the methods described or component parts of the systems described as such method and system may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a unit” or “the unit” may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words “comprising”, “including”, “containing” and similar wordings do not exclude other elements or steps.

