Page 39 - ITU KALEIDOSCOPE, ATLANTA 2019

ICT for Health: Networks, standards and innovation

senior people. The research focus on IoL can be summarized To deal with the challenges presented by the design and
as the three following issues: optimization on IoL systems, the research should focus on (1)
joint sensing and key data extraction to improve both the
First is theoretical analysis on the multidimensional joint accuracy and coverage from a sensing perspective; (2)
sensing and intrinsic data extraction under the dense, in- resource coordination and control mechanism of the
depth illumination coverage to support the construction of heterogeneous network (wired and wireless) for reliable
ubiquitous multifunctional light-borne-based sensor access under the burst mobile environment; and (3)
networks. intelligent light control for user-centric applications which
potentially provide the possibility for non-intrusive optical
Second is investigation of a heterogeneous network structure intervention therapy.
and channel characteristics consist of wireless and wired
communication (powerline communication, PLC) systems
and corresponding resource coordination mechanisms for the
reliable, burst mobile access under massive interconnection.
Third is modeling on the application scenarios for smart
lighting and intelligent control so that intelligent lighting
services can be provided accordingly by data-mining,
extracting and analyzing user needs.

Figure 2 depicts the constitution of the smart lighting system
with the most important functional blocks while Figure 3
describes the main technical challenges and research
objectives for IoL.

In this system, each LED can serve as the sensing node after
being integrated with sensors such as the hazard gas, Figure 3 - Schematic diagram of IoL with the focus on
occupancy and moving objects; the sensing data collected by main technical challenges and research objectives
the node will be sent to the operating center any by the wired
system (i.e., PLC) or the wireless (using radio frequency, RF, Other than the advantages of energy saving, as well as the
signals) system or the combination of both for robust data low operation and maintenance costs of lighting equipment
delivery. Then the operating center will analyze those inside the building, defining and producing the specific work
received data, make decisions on the operations to be taken, environment or atmospheres and supporting LED lamp
and send the control commands to each node eventually. For interconnectivity for the value-added services based on
example, if the hazard gas is detected by one node or several intelligent lighting systems, IoL is expected to be handily
neighboring nodes, the alarm signal will be sent immediately adjusted for the circadian rhythm control of the human body
to the operating center, and then to the corresponding people and with the function of serving healthy lighting. Here, we
or the agency while the ventilation system will start working name it as non-intrusive optical intervention therapy, which
automatically. With this arrangement, IoL can be established is different from the well-known photo dynamic treatment.
by combining the naturally combined illumination and It covers quite different applications, not only the visual
power supply networks to provide information services in a health needs such as suitable brightness, no glare and no
very cost-effective way. stroboscopic illumination, but also psychological and
physical health for working place safety and working
efficiency improvement, circadian rhythm regulation and
disease rehabilitation. The natural light changes during one
day showing that the high color temperature environment
under moderate brightness can inhibit melatonin secretion,
induce alertness and improve work efficiency while the low
color temperature environment stimulates melatonin,
promotes relaxation and sleep. It is believed for an
environment with high color temperature but insufficient
brightness, people feel gloomy and depressed. Through an
intelligent lighting control system which mimics the daily
changes of the natural light for the indoor environment, LED
physiological lighting that meets people's health needs can
be used to improve lighting comfort, adjust physiological
rhythm, improve psychological mood and improve work
efficiency as well, assist and treat diseases, etc.
Figure 2 - The illustration of a smart lighting system.

– 19 –