Room Illumination Research Articles

200 Mb/s visible optical wireless transmission based on NRZ–OOK modulation of phosphorescent white LED and a pre-emphasis circuit

We present a high-speed visible light communication (VLC) link that uses a commercially available phosphorescent white light-emitting diode (LED). Such devices have few megahertz bandwidth due to the slow response of phosphorescent component, which severely limit the transmission data rate of VLC system. We propose a simple pre-emphasis circuit. With blue-filtering and the pre-emphasis circuit, the bandwidth of VLC system can be enhanced from 3 to 77.6 MHz, which allows non-return-to-zero on-off-keying (NRZ–OOK) data transmission up to 200 Mb/s with the bit error ratio of 5.3 × 10-7 which is below 10-6. The VLC link operates at the room illumination level of ~1000 lx at 1.1 m range using a single 1 W white LED.

Research on Flower Room Temperature and Illumination Control System

Flower room as a special relatively closed environment, the change of room temperature and illumination is the most significant impact on crops. Aiming at the problem of high cost of the current control system, a new temperature and illumination control system for flower room is presented based on single chip microcomputer. The system obtains current temperature and illumination value depends on the temperature sensor and the photosensitive sensor, and then they will be compared with the setting threshold range. If the measured value is within the range, the original sate will remains unchanged. If outside the range, the control system will be activated to realize the corresponding adjustment, and at the same time the real time information could be displayed on the LCD screen accurately. The result shows the system works stably and it has good application value.

Variations of pupil centration and their effects on video eye tracking

To evaluate measurement errors that are introduced in video eye tracking when pupil centration changes with pupil size. Software was developed under Visual C++ to track both pupil centre and corneal centre at 87 Hz sampling rate at baseline pupil sizes of 4.75 mm (800 lux room illuminance) and while pupil constrictions were elicited by a flashlight. Corneal centres were determined by a circle fit through the pixels detected at the corneal margin by an edge detection algorithm. Standard deviations for repeated measurements were ± 0.04 mm for horizontal pupil centre position and ± 0.04 mm for horizontal corneal centre positions and ±0.03 mm for vertical pupil centre position and ± 0.05 mm for vertical corneal centre position. Ten subjects were tested (five female, five male, age 25-58 years). At 4 mm pupil sizes, the pupils were nasally decentred relative to the corneal centre by 0.18 ± 0.19 mm in the right eyes and -0.14 ± 0.22 mm in the left eyes. Vertical decentrations were 0.30 ± 0.30 mm and 0.27 ± 0.29 mm, respectively, always in a superior direction. At baseline pupil sizes (the natural pupil sizes at 800 lux) of 4.75 ± 0.52 mm, the decentrations became less (right and left eyes: horizontal 0.17 ± 0.20 mm and -0.12 ± 0.22 mm, and vertical 0.26 ± 0.28 mm and 0.20 ± 0.25 mm). While pupil decentration changed minimally in eight of the subjects, it shifted considerably in two others. Averaged over all subjects, the shift of the pupil centre position per millimetre pupil constriction was not significant (right and left eyes: -0.03 ± 0.07 mm and 0.03 ± 0.04 mm nasally per mm pupil size change, respectively, and -0.04 ± 0.06 mm and -0.05 ± 0.12 mm superiorly). Direction and magnitude of the changes in pupil centration could not be predicted from the initial decentration at baseline pupil sizes. In line with data in the literature, the pupil centre was significantly decentred relative to the corneal centre in the nasal and superior direction. Pupil decentration changed significantly with pupil size by 0.05 mm on average for 1 mm of constriction. Assuming a Hirschberg ratio of 12° mm(-1) , a shift of 0.05 mm is equivalent to a measurement error in a Purkinje image-based eye tracker of 0.6°. However, the induced measurement error could also exceed 1.5° in some subjects for only a 1 mm change in pupil size.

Assessment of Daily Light and Ultraviolet Exposure in Young Adults

There are some limited reports based on questionnaire data that suggest that outdoor activity decreases the risk of myopia in children and may offset the myopia risk associated with prolonged nearwork. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between nearwork, indoor illumination, daily sunlight, and UV exposure in emmetropic and myopic university students-given that university students perform significant amounts of nearwork and, as a group, have a high prevalence of myopia. Participants were 35 students, aged 17 to 25 years, who were classified as being emmetropic (n = 13) or having stable (n = 12) or progressing myopia (n = 10). During waking hours on three separate days, participants wore a light sensor data logger (HOBO) and a polysulfone UV dosimeter; these devices measured daily illuminance and accumulative UV exposure, respectively. Participants also completed a daily activity log. No significant between-group differences were observed for average daily illuminance (p = 0.732), number of hours per day spent in sunlight (p = 0.266), outdoor shade (p = 0.726), bright indoor/dim outdoor light (p = 0.574), or dim room illumination (p = 0.484). Daily UV exposure was significantly different across the groups (p = 0.003), with stable myopes experiencing the greatest UV exposure (vs emmetropes, p = 0.002; versus progressing myopes, p = 0.004). The current literature suggests that there is a link between myopia protection and spending time outdoors in children. Our data provide some evidence of this relationship in young adults and highlight the need for larger studies to further investigate this relationship longitudinally.

Color constancy demonstrated in a photographic picture by means of a D-up viewer

According to the recognized visual space of illumination concept, space perception is essential for color constancy. It should be possible to experience the color constancy in a picture if we perceive a three-dimensional space in the picture. A dimension-up (D-up) viewer was constructed to perceive a space for a picture. An experimental room illuminated by various color lights was used as the reference scene and the subject determined a picture in which the color impression was matched to that of the room by selecting from 13 different colored pictures of the room. The picture with the color nearest to the color of the room was selected with the D-up viewer implying the existence of color constancy in the picture. When subjects observed a picture in a normal way the picture of the room illuminated in white was selected regardless of the actual room illumination color, confirming no color constancy in the picture.

A Gigabit/s Indoor Wireless Transmission Using MIMO-OFDM Visible-Light Communications

This letter reports an experimental demonstration of indoor wireless visible-light communication transmission at 1 Gb/s. The system consists of a four-channel multiple-input multiple-output link that uses white LED sources, each transmitting signals at 250 Mb/s using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modulation. A nine-channel imaging diversity receiver is used to detect the signals, and an average bit error rate of 10-3 is achieved at the room illumination level of ~1000 lux at 1-m range.

A Study on Daylight Integration with Thermal Comfort for Energy Conservation in a General Office

Lighting control systems deliver the correct amount of light at the right time and right place. Lights can automatically turn on, off or dim at set times or under set conditions. Facilities managers can make changes to lighting when appropriate or to meet financial incentives, and users can have control over their own lighting levels to provide optimal working conditions. Lighting control helps to reduce costs and conserve energy by turning off (or dimming) lights when they are not required. Energy savings resulting from daylight harvesting mean not only low electric lighting and reduced peak electrical demands, but also reduction in the load on the air conditioner. On the other hand thermal and visual comforts play a very important role regarding the satisfaction of occupants with their working environments. The most effective method to achieve thermal comfort in offices is to reduce cooling loads in order to avoid additional energy-consuming devices for cooling. Most daylight responsive lighting control systems save energy by reducing lamps output in proportion to the amount of available daylight while maintaining a given illuminance level on the working plane. In this paper, variation of room illuminance with daylight along with variation in room temperature is studied. It is proposed to reduce the total electrical load in a general office. 

Effect of Varying Displays and Room Illuminance on Caries Diagnostic Accuracy in Digital Dental Radiographs

In clinical practice, digital radiographs taken for caries diagnostics are viewed on varying types of displays and usually in relatively high ambient lighting (room illuminance) conditions. Our purpose was to assess the effect of room illuminance and varying display types on caries diagnostic accuracy in digital dental radiographs. Previous studies have shown that the diagnostic accuracy of caries detection is significantly better in reduced lighting conditions. Our hypothesis was that higher display luminance could compensate for this in higher ambient lighting conditions. Extracted human teeth with approximal surfaces clinically ranging from sound to demineralized were radiographed and evaluated by 3 observers who detected carious lesions on 3 different types of displays in 3 different room illuminance settings ranging from low illumination, i.e. what is recommended for diagnostic viewing, to higher illumination levels corresponding to those found in an average dental office. Sectioning and microscopy of the teeth validated the presence or absence of a carious lesion. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for each modality and observer. Differences were estimated by analyzing the binary data assuming the added effects of observer and modality in a generalized linear model. The observers obtained higher sensitivities in lower illuminance settings than in higher illuminance settings. However, this was related to a reduction in specificity, which meant that there was no significant difference in overall accuracy. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no significant differences between the accuracy of different display types. Therefore, different displays and room illuminance levels did not affect the overall accuracy of radiographic caries detection.

Colour Chemigrams

This paper describes an original colour chemigram technique utilizing couplers incorporated in fully processed traditional colour photographic materials through reaction with selectively oxidized colour developing agents. Because this process bypasses light-sensitive silver halides, image structure is essentially molecular in scale and the procedure is performed under normal room illumination. Images of remarkable beauty have been produced from discarded colour films and papers. Notionally the term “chromagram” is proposed for this procedure.

Development of Automation System for Room LightingBased on Fuzzy logic Controller

This paper describes the development of fuzzy logic controller for room lighting system using AT89S51 microcontroller. The fuzzy logic system has two membership functions for the light sources as inputs and one membership function for the output. The first light source is from the outside and the second light source is available in the room. The other input to the control system is from the occupation sensor. The output membership function of the control system is used to determine the number of compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) that must be turned on. The control system will switch the CFL on or off according to the condition of the illuminance in the room. The room illuminance is based on Indonesian National Standard which is about 250 Lux. In case the room is empty, the controller will turn all lamps off. The result of experiment showed 23.9 % in power saving and 4.1 % in difference of control system output to the reference.

Comparison of visual acuity estimates using three different letter charts under two ambient room illuminations

Background:Visual acuity is an essential estimate to assess ability of the visual system and is used as an indicator of ocular health status.Aim:The aim of this study is to investigate the consistency of acuity estimates from three different clinical visual acuity charts under two levels of ambient room illumination.Materials and Methods:This study involved thirty Malay university students aged between 19 and 23 years old (7 males, 23 females), with their spherical refractive error ranging between plano and –7.75D, astigmatism ranging from plano to –1.75D, anisometropia less than 1.00D and with no history of ocular injury or pathology. Right eye visual acuity (recorded in logMAR unit) was measured with Snellen letter chart (Snellen), wall mounted letter chart (WM) and projected letter chart (PC) under two ambient room illuminations, room light on and room light off.Results:Visual acuity estimates showed no statistically significant difference when measured with the room light on and with the room light off (F1,372 = 0.26, P = 0.61). Post-hoc analysis with Tukey showed that visual acuity estimates were significantly different between the Snellen and PC (P = 0.009) and between Snellen and WM (P = 0.002).Conclusions:Different levels of ambient room illumination had no significant effect on visual acuity estimates. However, the discrepancies in estimates of visual acuity noted in this study were purely due to the type of letter chart used.

Assessment of the Medmont C100 test for colour vision screening of male Saudi Arabians

Purpose: To assess the Medmont C100 test as a colour vision screening tool. Methods: One hundred and seventeen young male adults were screened with the Medmont C100, Ishihara plates, and the screening mode of the Oculus Anomaloscope tests. All subjects were tested under constant room illumination, namely that of a day light fluorescent lamp at 200 lux. Inclusion criteria were visual acuities (VA) of 20/20 or better with or without correction and absence of known ocular pathologies.Aided and unaided visual acuities were measured with the Snellen VA chart. Results: Five out of the117 subjects, were found to have red-green colour vision deficiency (CVD) with Ishihara and anomaloscope tests indicating a 4.7% CVD prevalence, while the Medmont C100 test yielded 33 cases of red-green deficiency indicating CVD prevalence of 28%. With the Ishihara test, all five subjects were identified as deutans, while the anomaloscope revealed three as deutans and two as protans, and the Medmont C100 test identified all 33 cases as protans. Conclusion: The Medmont C100 test yielded significantly higher prevalence of protan CVD compared with the Ishihara platesand Anomaloscope tests. These findings suggest that caution should be taken when using Medmont C100 test for colour vision screening as it tends togive more false positive results with bias for protans. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(1) 14-20)

Assessment of the Medmont C100 test for colour vision screening of male Saudi Arabians

Purpose: To assess the Medmont C100 test as a colour vision screening tool. Methods: One hundred and seventeen young male adults were screened with the Medmont C100, Ishihara plates, and the screening mode of the Oculus Anomaloscope tests. All subjects were tested under constant room illumination, namely that of a day light fluorescent lamp at 200 lux. Inclusion criteria were visual acuities (VA) of 20/20 or better with or without correction and absence of known ocular pathologies. Aided and unaided visual acuities were measured with the Snellen VA chart. Results: Five out of the 117 subjects, were found to have red-green colour vision deficiency (CVD) with Ishihara and anomaloscope tests indicating a 4.7% CVD prevalence, while the Medmont C100 test yielded 33 cases ofred-green deficiency indicating CVD prevalence of 28%. With the Ishihara test, all five subjects were identified as deutans, while the anomaloscope revealed three as deutans and two as pro-tans, and the Medmont C100 test identified all 33 cases as protans. Conclusion: The Medmont C100 test yielded significantly higher prevalence of protan CVD compared with the Ishihara platesand Anomaloscope tests. These findings suggest that caution should be taken when using Medmont C100 test for colour vision screening as it tends to give more false positive results with bias for pro-tans. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(1) 14-20)

A survey on performance status of mammography machines: image quality and dosimetry studies using a standard mammography imaging phantom

It is essential to perform quality control (QC) tests on mammography equipment in order to produce an appropriate image quality at a lower radiation dose to patients. Imaging and dosimetric measurements on 15 mammography machines located at the busiest radiology centres of Mumbai, India were carried out using a standard CIRS breast imaging phantom in order to see the level of image quality and breast doses. The QC tests include evaluations of image quality and the mean glandular doses (MGD), which is derived from the breast entrance exposure, half-value layer (HVL), compressed breast thickness (CBT) and breast tissue compositions. At the majority of the centres, film-processing and darkroom conditions were not found to be maintained, which is required to meet the technical development specifications for the mammography film in use as recommended by the American College of Radiology (ACR). In most of the surveyed centres, the viewbox luminance and room illuminance conditions were not found to be in line with the mammography requirements recommended by the ACR. The measured HVL values of the machines were in the range of 0.27-0.39 mm aluminium (Al) with a mean value of 0.33±0.04 mm Al at 28 kV(p) following the recommendation provided by ACR. The measured MGDs were in the range of 0.14-3.80 mGy with a mean value of 1.34 mGy. The measured MGDs vary between centre to centre by a factor of 27.14. Referring to patient doses and image quality, it was observed that only one mammography centre has exceeded the recommended MGD, i.e. 3.0 mGy per view with the value of 3.80 mGy and at eight mammography centres the measured central background density (CBD) values for mammography phantom image are found to be less than the recommended CBD limit value of 1.2-2.0 optical density.

The psychology of control: Effects of control over supplementary light on welfare of marmosets

It is often argued that increasing the amount of control that animals have over various aspects of their environment has a positive effect on their welfare, despite limited empirical evidence. We gave 12 pairs of common marmosets (Master pairs) control over supplementary light in their cages (additional to the regular room illumination). The light also produced heat. Twelve pairs served as Yoked pairs (i.e. experienced identical illumination changes without being able to control them). A further 12 pairs served as Unaffected pairs. We compared the behaviour of the monkeys in the three study conditions across three study phases: Baseline, Test and Post-test. Our results show that supplementary light and/or heat has positive effects on the marmosets’ welfare, however control over light has a greater impact than supplementary light alone. These positive effects were evidenced by validated behavioural welfare indices, specifically changes in activity patterns (P<0.01) and scent marking (P<0.05), and have implications for enrichment and legislation on lighting for marmosets in laboratories. The findings emphasize the importance of choice and control for good animal welfare.

Assessment of Ultrasound Monitor Image Display Performance

The display monitor on an ultrasound scanner is used to make primary diagnoses. In this study, 31 ultrasound systems were assessed against current American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) display standards. Measurements of peak levels (L max and L min) were generated. Ambient light, L amb (cd/m 2) and room illuminance, L x (Lux) were measured. Luminance ratio was calculated (LR′ = (L max+L amb)/(L min+L amb)). Initially, only 8/31 systems (26%) passed all the criteria. After adjustment, a further 7/31 (23%) passed making a total of 15/31 passes (48%). A total of 16/31 (52%) were considered overall fails: three due to poor room lighting, 14 due to poor monitor performance. Considering errors this could be as low as 6/31 (19%). Although further work is required to confirm the applicability of these results, it is of concern that three-quarters of ultrasound scanners could be suboptimally adjusted with 19%–55% unable to pass the AAPM criteria. The impact of this on clinical practice is unknown but there is clearly a need to review display quality assurance on ultrasound scanners.

The human circadian system adapts to prior photic history

Light is the most potent stimulus for synchronizing the endogenous circadian timing system to the 24 h day. The timing, intensity, duration, pattern and wavelength of light are known to modulate photic resetting of the circadian system and acute suppression of melatonin secretion. The effect of prior photic history on these processes, however, is not well understood. Although previous studies have shown that light history affects the suppression of melatonin in response to a subsequent light exposure, here we show for the first time that a very dim light history, as opposed to a typical indoor room illuminance, amplifies the phase-shifting response to a subsequent sub-saturating light stimulus by 60–70%. This greater efficacy provides evidence for dynamic adaptive changes in the sensitivity of circadian ocular photoreception. This plasticity has important implications for the optimization of light therapy for the treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Horner's Syndrome with Abducens Nerve Palsy

A 68-year-old male patient presented with a week of sudden diplopia. He had been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer 8 months prior and had undergone chemotherapy with radiotherapy. Eight-prism diopter right esotropia in the primary position and a remarkable limitation in abduction in his right eye were observed. Other pupillary disorders and lid drooping were not found. After three weeks, the marginal reflex distance 1 was 3 mm in the right eye and 5 mm in the left eye. The pupil diameter was 2.5 mm in the right eye, and 3 mm in the left eye under room illumination. Under darkened conditions, the pupil diameter was 3.5 mm in the right eye, and 5 mm in the left eye. After topical application of 0.5% apraclonidine, improvement in the right ptosis and reversal pupillary dilatation were observed. On brain magnetic resonance imaging, enhanced lesions on the right cavernous sinus, both sphenoidal sinuses, and skull base suggested the invasion of nasopharyngeal cancer. Lesions on the cavernous sinus need to be considered in cases of abducens nerve palsy and ipsilateral Horner's syndrome.

Ultraviolet Fluorescence to Identify Navel Oranges with Poor Peel Quality and Decay

Navel oranges (Citrus sinensis) were sorted into four groups under ultraviolet illumination in commercial packinghouse black light rooms based upon the amount of fluorescence visible on each fruit to determine if fluorescence was predictive of peel quality. The groups corresponded to fruit with 1) little or no fluorescence (group 0), 2) low fluorescence (group 1), 3) moderate fluorescence (group 2), and 4) large fluorescent areas (group 3) that were indicative of developing decay lesions. Identification and elimination of group 3 fruit in black light rooms is a common practice now, but the other groups pass through these rooms. Six tests were conducted over a 2-year period during different times in the mid to late navel orange season. Fruit were visually evaluated for peel quality within 24 hours of their initial segregation into fluorescence groups and again following 3 weeks of storage at 15 °C. Peel quality assessment was based upon commercial grading practices, and the fruit were placed into fancy, choice, juice, or decay classes. Fruit with low to no peel fluorescence (groups 0 and 1) had numerous fancy-grade fruit and few juice- and decay-grade fruit in comparison with the other two groups. In contrast, fruit with moderate fluorescence (group 2) were of poor peel quality. In the initial evaluation, this group had 28% fewer fancy fruit and 19% more juice fruit than did group 0. During storage, group 2 fruit declined markedly in quality and numerous fruit of group 2 in the choice and juice classes decayed; the percentage of decayed fruit increased from 1% initially to 29% after 3 weeks of storage. Navel oranges in group 3, with numerous and obvious fluorescent decay lesions, mainly consisted of either juice grade or decayed fruit; 70% of group 3 decayed after 3 weeks. In addition to removing fluorescing fruit that have obvious indications of decay (group 3), it would be advantageous to remove or otherwise recognize that fruit with moderate levels of fluorescence (group 2) are also of lower quality and that they should not be selected for long storage or distant transport. Their identification may be most practical with an automated system using machine vision and ultraviolet illumination.

Ultraviolet Fluorescence to Identify Navel Oranges with Poor Peel Quality and Decay

Navel oranges (Citrus sinensis) were sorted into four groups under ultraviolet illumination in commercial packinghouse black light rooms based upon the amount of fluorescence visible on each fruit to determine if fluorescence was predictive of peel quality. The groups corresponded to fruit with 1) little or no fluorescence (group 0), 2) low fluorescence (group 1), 3) moderate fluorescence (group 2), and 4) large fluorescent areas (group 3) that were indicative of developing decay lesions. Identification and elimination of group 3 fruit in black light rooms is a common practice now, but the other groups pass through these rooms. Six tests were conducted over a 2-year period during different times in the mid to late navel orange season. Fruit were visually evaluated for peel quality within 24 hours of their initial segregation into fluorescence groups and again following 3 weeks of storage at 15 °C. Peel quality assessment was based upon commercial grading practices, and the fruit were placed into fancy, choice, juice, or decay classes. Fruit with low to no peel fluorescence (groups 0 and 1) had numerous fancy-grade fruit and few juice- and decay-grade fruit in comparison with the other two groups. In contrast, fruit with moderate fluorescence (group 2) were of poor peel quality. In the initial evaluation, this group had 28% fewer fancy fruit and 19% more juice fruit than did group 0. During storage, group 2 fruit declined markedly in quality and numerous fruit of group 2 in the choice and juice classes decayed; the percentage of decayed fruit increased from 1% initially to 29% after 3 weeks of storage. Navel oranges in group 3, with numerous and obvious fluorescent decay lesions, mainly consisted of either juice grade or decayed fruit; 70% of group 3 decayed after 3 weeks. In addition to removing fluorescing fruit that have obvious indications of decay (group 3), it would be advantageous to remove or otherwise recognize that fruit with moderate levels of fluorescence (group 2) are also of lower quality and that they should not be selected for long storage or distant transport. Their identification may be most practical with an automated system using machine vision and ultraviolet illumination.