METHODS AND DEVICES FOR REGULATING THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE
A system for entraining a circadian rhythm of a living organism. A lighting system with at least one lighting element emitting light substantially concentrated in a narrow range between 360 NM-400 NM to be absorbed by neuropsin. A controller having a timing mechanism to provide the light substantially concentrated in the narrow range between 360 NM-400 NM at intervals during a day. The controller configured to set the intervals during the day based on a local time to entrain the circadian rhythm of the living organism.
1 . A system for entraining a circadian rhythm of a living organism comprising:
a lighting system having at least one lighting element emitting light substantially concentrated in a range between 360 nanometers (NM) and 400 NM; and
a controller having a timing mechanism configured to provide the light substantially concentrated in the range between 360 NM and 400 NM at intervals during a day;
wherein the controller is configured to set the intervals during the day based on a 24-hour schedule to entrain the circadian rhythm of the living organism.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one lighting element is a light emitting diode.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the lighting system is a hand-held device.
4 . The system of claim 3 wherein the hand-held device is a phone.
5 . The system of claim 3 wherein the hand-held device is a watch.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the living organism is a human.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the living organism is a plant.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the living organism is an animal.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a processing unit with a global positioning system, and the processing unit is configured to adjust the predetermined schedule and the intervals during the day based on information received from the global positioning system.
10 . The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to prevent emission of light by the at least one lighting element after a predetermined time during the day.
11 . The system of claim 3 wherein the 24-hour schedule is adjusted in response to a movement of the hand-held device to a new time zone.
12 . The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a receiver unit configured to determine a local time from information received from a network time service; and the controller is configured to adjust the 24-hour schedule and the intervals during the day based on the local time.
13 . A circadian rhythm training device comprising:
a lighting element emitting light substantially concentrated in a range between 360 nanometers (NM) and 400 NM; and
a controller having a timing mechanism configured to provide the light substantially concentrated in the narrow range between 360 NM-400 NM at intervals during a day;
wherein the controller is configured to set the intervals during the day based on a 24-hour schedule to entrain the circadian rhythm of the living organism.
14 . The circadian rhythm training device of claim 13 wherein the at least one lighting element is a light emitting diode.
15 . The circadian rhythm training device of claim 13 wherein the circadian rhythm training device is a hand-held device.
16 . The circadian rhythm training device of claim 13 wherein the controller has a processing unit with a global positioning system and is configured to adjust the 24-hour schedule and the intervals during the day based on information received from the global positioning system.
17 . The circadian rhythm training device of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to prevent emission of light by the at least one lighting element after a predetermined time during the day.
18 . A method for entraining a circadian rhythm of a living organism comprising:
providing portable device having a lighting system including at least one lighting element emitting light substantially concentrated in a range between 360 nanometers (NM) and 400 NM;
determining a local time based on a time source with a controller coupled to the lighting system, the controller including a timing mechanism; and
actuating the lighting system with the controller to provide the light substantially concentrated in the range between 360 NM and 400 NM at intervals during a 24-hour period;
wherein the controller is configured to set the intervals during the day based on a predetermined schedule to entrain the circadian rhythm of the living organism.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one lighting element is a light emitting diode.
20 . The method of claim 18 comprising: updating the local time and predetermined schedule in response to a movement of the portable device in to a new time zone.