US5079682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arising aid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-07-18
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2008-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of reducing the resistance of a sleeping mammal to arising at a preselected wake up time by exposing the mammal to at least one source of artificial light for a period of exposure of at least about 0.5 hour and no longer than about 8 hours before the preselected wake up time. The intensity of the artificial light may increase during the period of exposure. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a normally deactuated source of artificial light capable of illuminating a mammal, comprising a plurality of electric lamps, a control device, such as a timer, for signalling the commencement of a period of exposure preceding the mammal's preselected wake up time and an increase in illumination intensity during the period of exposure, after its commencement. The apparatus further features circuitry and a power supply, responsive to the control device, for actuating one lamp in response to the commencement signal, and for actuating additional lamps later during the period of exposure.
Inventors
- 👤 Seth D. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:40
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G11/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of illuminating a mammal having a preselected wake up time, comprising: exposing the mammal to artificial light from at least one fluorescent lamp for an uninterrupted period of exposure of at least about 0.5 hour and no longer than about 8 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of illuminating a mammal having a preselected wake up time, comprising: exposing the mammal to artificial light from at least one fluorescent lamp for an uninterrupted period of exposure of at least about 0.5 hour and no longer than about 8 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which the period of exposure is between about 1 hour and about 6 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature of between about 2000 degrees and about 10,000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature of between about 3000 degrees and about 9000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 in which the color temperature of the light is substantially constant during the period of exposure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature which is substantially constant during the period of exposure.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claim in which the artificial light increases in intensity as the preselected wake up time approaches, for at least a portion of the period of exposure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 in which the elapsed time between lowest and highest intensity of artificial light is between about 0 and about 7 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 in which the elapsed time between lowest and highest intensity of artificial light is between about 0.5 and about 3 hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 in which the light intensity increases continuously as a function of time during the period of exposure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 in which the maximum light intensity during the period of exposure is between about 1 and about 1000 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 in which the maximum light intensity during the period of exposure is between about 2 and about 200 lux.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 in which light intensity is increased by increasing the number of actuated fluorescent lamps during the exposure period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which the light intensity is between about 1 lux and about 1000 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 in which the light intensity is between about 2 lux and about 200 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which light diffusely reflects on the mammal during the period of exposure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of reducing the resistance of a sleeping mammal to awakening at a preselected wake up time, comprising: exposing the mammal to artificial light from at least one fluorescent lamp for an uninterrupted period of exposure of at least about 0.5 hour and no longer than about 8 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of reducing the resistance of a sleeping mammal to awakening at a preselected wake up time, comprising: exposing the mammal to artificial light from at least one fluorescent lamp for an uninterrupted period of exposure of at least about 0.5 hour and no longer than about 8 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 in which the period of exposure is between about 1 hour and about 6 hours before the preselected wake up time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature of between about 2000 degrees and about 10,000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature of between about 3000 degrees and about 9000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 in which the color temperature of the light is substantially constant during the period of exposure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 in which the artificial light is characterized by a color temperature which is substantially constant during the period of exposure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 in which the artificial light increases in intensity as the preselected wake up time approaches, for at least a portion of the period of exposure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 in which the elapsed time between lowest and highest intensity of artificial light is between about 0 and about 7 hours.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 in which the elapsed time between lowest and highest intensity of artificial light is between about 0.5 and about 3 hours.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 in which the light intensity increases continuously as a function of time during the period of exposure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 in which the maximum light intensity during the period of exposure is between about 1 and about 1000 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 in which the maximum light intensity during the period of exposure is between about 2 and about 200 lux.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 in which light intensity is increased by increasing the number of actuated fluorescent lamps during the exposure period.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 in which the light intensity is between about 1 lux and about 1000 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30 in which the light intensity is between about 2 lux and about 200 lux at the head of the mammal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 in which light diffusely reflects on the mammal during the period of exposure.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for illuminating a mammal having a preselected wake up time, comprising: a normally deactuated source of artificial light capable of illuminating a mammal, the source comprising: a first lamp; and a second lamp; means for signalling the commencement of a period of exposure that precedes the mammal's preselected wake up time and for signalling at least one increase in illumination intensity during the exposure period, after its commencement; and means for actuating the first lamp in response to the commencement signal, and for actuating the second lamp in response to the increased intensity signal.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for illuminating a mammal having a preselected wake up time, comprising: a normally deactuated source of artificial light capable of illuminating a mammal, the source comprising: a first lamp; and a second lamp; means for signalling the commencement of a period of exposure that precedes the mammal's preselected wake up time and for signalling at least one increase in illumination intensity during the exposure period, after its commencement; and means for actuating the first lamp in response to the commencement signal, and for actuating the second lamp in response to the increased intensity signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 33 in which the source provides artificial light of substantially constant frequency during operation of the apparatus.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 33 in which the source produces artificial light with a color temperature of between about 2000 degrees and 10,000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 35 in which the source produces artificial light with a color temperature of between about 3000 degrees and about 9000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 33 in which the source of artificial light comprises a plurality of fluorescent lamps.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |