# US 10,946,211 B2 · Non-melatonin suppressing light source with a CRI that approaches that of white light

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,946,211 B2
- Document ID: US10946211B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/028,143
- Filed: 2014-10-08
- Published: 2016-08-25
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-09
- Assignees: Signify Holding B.V.
- Applicants: Signify Holding B.V.
- Inventors: Vanja Hommes; Lucas Josef Maria Schlangen; Marina Cecilia Gimenez; Debra Jean Skene; Victoria Louise Revell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946211B2

## CPC

- A61N 5/0618: {Psychological treatment}
- 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)
- F21K 9/64: using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
- F21S 6/003: {for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps}
- F21V 9/08: for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light (with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40)
- H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light
- A61M 2021/0044: {by the sight sense}
- A61N 2005/0636: {Irradiating the whole body}
- A61N 2005/0654: {Lamps}
- A61N 2005/0658: {characterised by the wavelength of light used}
- A61N 2005/0663: {Coloured light}
- A61N 2005/0667: {Filters}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The invention provides a lighting unit configured to generate white light wherein the white light has a spectral intensity in the visible wherein at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm (see also FIG. 1b). The lighting unit may especially be used for increasing alertness of a human while not or minimally suppressing melatonin production of the human.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lighting unit comprising at least one solid state light source, the lighting unit configured to generate white light wherein the white light has a spectral intensity in the visible spectrum wherein at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, form an intensity peak at 437 nm, and are generated, at least in part, by the at least one solid state light source, and wherein the white light has a ratio of the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm to the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm of at maximum 0.75.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, wherein the white light has a ratio of the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm to the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm of at maximum 0.5.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, comprising:
a first light source, included in said at least one solid state light source, configured to generate first light source light having spectral intensity in the visible spectrum, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible spectrum of the first light source light are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, and
a second light source, distinct from said at least one solid state light source, configured to generate second light source light having spectral intensity in the visible spectrum, wherein at least 50% of all photons in the visible spectrum of the second light source light are found in the range of at least 500 nm, and
wherein the first light source and the second light source are configured to generate said white light.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The lighting unit according to claim 3, wherein the second light source comprises a second solid state light source and a luminescent material configured to convert second solid state light source light into luminescent material light, wherein the second solid state light source with the luminescent material is configured to provide said second light source light.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The lighting unit according to claim 3, wherein the second light source comprises a fluorescent lamp.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The lighting unit according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first light source or the second light source includes an optical filter comprising a luminescent material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, comprising an optical filter configured to reduce propagation of light having a wavelength in the range of 450-500 nm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, comprising:
a first solid state light source, included in said at least one solid state light source, configured to generate first solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible spectrum, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible spectrum of the first solid state light source light are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm;
a second solid state light source, distinct from said at least one solid state light source, configured to generate second solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible spectrum, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible spectrum of the second solid state light source light are found in the wavelength range of 500-570 nm; and
a third solid state light source, distinct from said at least one solid state light source, configured to generate third solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible spectrum, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible spectrum of the third solid state light source light are found in the wavelength range of 600-750 nm,
wherein the first solid state light source, the second solid state light source and the third solid state light source are configured to generate said white light.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, having an optical power (Watt) in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm which is less than 20% of the total optical power in the visible spectrum.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the white light has a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 60.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A lighting system comprising the lighting unit according to claim 1 and a further lighting unit, wherein the lighting system is configured to provide at the same time or at different times at least two types of light, with a first type of light comprising said white light and a second type of light having a higher contribution within the wavelength range of 450-500 nm to the total spectral intensity in the visible spectrum than the first type of light.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one solid state light source is configured to produce at least a majority of said at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm that are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The lighting unit according to claim 12, wherein said intensity peak has an intensity that is at least half of an intensity of a highest intensity peak in said white light.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one solid state light source is configured to produce a totality of said at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm that are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The lighting unit according to claim 14, wherein said intensity peak has an intensity that is at least half of an intensity of a highest intensity peak in said white light.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein said intensity peak has an intensity that is at least half of an intensity of a highest intensity peak in said white light.