Systems, methods and articles for enhancing wellness associated with habitable environments

• US 10,845,829 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 11/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delos Living LLC
• Original Assignee: Delos Living LLC
• Inventors: Pillai, Dana S., Stodola, Nathan B., Termale, Renato P., Macary, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rao, Sheela
• Application Number:
  US15/421,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20170139386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/11 Apparatus for controlling air treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/00 Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0011 in a subliminal way, i.e. below the threshold of sensation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0066 with heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/0094 Isolation chambers used therewith, i.e. for isolating individuals from external stimuli other treatment rooms or enclosures A61G10/00
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0205 Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0238 the material being a coating or protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 : Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 : with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 : Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 : providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 : Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 : Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7509 : for virus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 : bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7545 : for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 : Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 : Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 : Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0007 : Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/046 : Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outletpreventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0008 : for air-humidification F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 : for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 : for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 : using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 : Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 : Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/12 : characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/50 : by odorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 : Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 : Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 : characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 : Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 : Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 : Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 : Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2829 : involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 : Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Environmental characteristics of habitable environments (e.g., hotel or motel rooms, spas, resorts, cruise boat cabins, offices, hospitals and/or homes, apartments or residences) are controlled to eliminate, reduce or ameliorate adverse or harmful aspects and introduce, increase or enhance beneficial aspects in order to improve a “wellness” or sense of “wellbeing” provided via the environments. Control of intensity and wavelength distribution of passive and active Illumination addresses various issues, symptoms or syndromes, for instance to maintain a circadian rhythm or cycle, adjust for “jet lag” or season affective disorder, etc. Air quality and attributes are controlled. Scent(s) may be dispersed. Hypoallergenic items (e.g., bedding, linens) may be used. Water quality is controlled. Noise is reduced and sounds (e.g., masking, music, natural) may be provided. Passive and active pathogen controls are employed. Controls are provided for the occupant and/or facility personnel, as is instruction, and surveys, including assessing wellness.

Claims

1. An environmental control system, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and which stores at least one of instructions or data executable by the at least one processor; and

a plurality of active subsystems operable to effect a condition in a habitable space, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

associate one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions with a particular occupant;

receive habitable space wellness information from an input/output subsystem, the habitable space wellness information indicative of a plurality of environmental characteristics of a habitable space;

uniquely identify the particular occupant present in or scheduled to occupy the habitable space and associated with the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions;

assess a plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space, the assessing of the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space based on the received habitable space wellness information and the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments, or conditions associated with the occupant, after identification of the occupant;

assign a point value to one or more environmental control components of the habitable space based on the assessment of the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space; and

assign a wellness score to the habitable space, the wellness score based on the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space.

2. The environmental control system of claim 1

wherein the habitable space wellness information is received from at least one of a biometric sensor, an environmental sensor, and a user input device.

3. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare the wellness score of the habitable space from one year to a wellness score of the habitable space from another year.

4. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare the wellness score of the habitable space to a wellness score another, different, habitable space.

5. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

categorize the habitable space based at least in part on the assigned wellness score.

6. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assess a number of types of environmental control components available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space.

7. The environmental control system of claim 6 wherein the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on the number of types of environmental control components available for the habitable space.

8. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assess an effectiveness of at least one type of environmental control component available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space.

9. The environmental control system of claim 8 wherein the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on the effectiveness of at least one type of environmental control component available for the habitable space.

10. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space by the at least one processor is based on an availability of one or more active systems selected from the group consisting of:

a lighting system, an air treatment system, and a water treatment system for the habitable space to assess the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space.

11. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space by the at least one processor is based on an availability of any combination of one or more of the passive or active components in the habitable space.

12. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the habitable space wellness information indicative of the plurality of physical aspects of the habitable space in the form of reported scores from a reviewer.

13. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive data from a number of environmental sensors or biometric sensors.

14. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

present a dashboard with a representation of environmental information for the habitable space, receive instructions regarding a modification to the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space, the modification to the plurality of environment control components of the habitable space based at least in part on the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments, or conditions associated with the occupant, and send the instructions regarding the modification to at least one of the plurality of active subsystems of the environmental control system.

15. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

evaluate a wellness of the environmental control components of the habitable space compared against a wellness standard.

16. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare a wellness of the environmental control components of the habitable space in one or more wellness categories as compared against a wellness standard in the one or more wellness categories.

17. The environmental control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

present tips, suggestions, questionnaires, suggested settings, interventional, activities, health educational information, or wellness educational information based on the assessment of the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving habitable space wellness information includes receiving reported scores from a reviewer.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving habitable space wellness information includes receiving data from a number of environmental sensors;

and

wherein receiving personal wellness information includes receiving data from one or more biometric sensors.

20. An environmental control system, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and which stores at least one of instructions or data executable by the at least one processor; and

a plurality of active subsystems operable to effect a condition in a habitable space, wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

associate one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions with a particular occupant;

receive habitable space wellness information, the habitable space wellness information indicative of a plurality of environmental characteristics of a habitable space;

uniquely identify the particular occupant present in or scheduled to occupy the habitable space and associated with the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions;

receive personal wellness information, the personal wellness information indicative of biometrics of the particular occupant;

assign a point value to one or more environmental control components of the habitable space based on the received habitable space wellness information and the received personal wellness information; and

assign a personal wellness score to the habitable space, the personal wellness score based on the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space; and

adjust at least one operational parameter of at least one of the active subsystems, the adjusting based at least in part on the personal wellness score.

21. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the habitable space wellness information as reported scores from a reviewer.

22. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive habitable space wellness information as signals produced by a number of environmental sensors;

and wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive personal wellness information as signals produced by a number of biometric sensors.

23. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

assess a plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space, the assessment of the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space based on the received habitable space wellness information and personal wellness information.

24. The environmental control system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assess a number of types of wellness associated amenities available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

25. The environmental control system of claim 24 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assign a point value based on the number of types of wellness associated amenities available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

26. The environmental control system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assess an effectiveness of at least one type of wellness associated amenity available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

27. The environmental control system of claim 26 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assign a point value based on the effectiveness of at least one type of wellness associated amenity available for the habitable space to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

28. The environmental control system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assign a point value based on an availability of one or more active systems selected from the group consisting of:

a lighting system, an air treatment system, and a water treatment system for the habitable space, to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

29. The environmental control system of claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to assign a point value based on an availability of any combination of one or more of the passive or active components in the habitable space to assess the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

30. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

assign a wellness ranking to the habitable space based at least in part on the received habitable space wellness information and personal wellness information.

31. The environmental control system of claim 30 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare the personal wellness score for the habitable space from one year to a personal wellness score for the habitable space from another year.

32. The environmental control system of claim 30 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare the personal wellness score for the habitable space to a personal wellness score for another, different, habitable space.

33. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

evaluate a wellness of the wellness associated amenities of the habitable space compared against a wellness standard.

34. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

compare a wellness of the wellness associated amenities of the habitable space in one or more wellness categories as compared against a wellness standard in the one or more wellness categories.

35. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

present tips, suggestions, questionnaires, suggested settings, interventions, activities, health/wellness educational information based on the assessment of the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.

36. The environmental control system of claim 20 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

present a dashboard with a representation of environmental information for the habitable space, receive instructions regarding a modification to the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space, the modification to the plurality of environment control components of the habitable space based at least in part on the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments, or conditions associated with the occupant, and send the instructions regarding the modification to at least one of the plurality of active subsystems of the environmental control system.

37. A method of operating an environmental control system which includes at least one processor, at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and which stores at least one of instructions or data executable by the at least one processor and a plurality of active subsystems operable to effect a condition in a habitable space, the method comprising:

associating one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions with a particular occupant;

receiving habitable space wellness information from an input/output subsystem, the habitable space wellness information indicative of a plurality of environmental characteristics of a habitable space;

uniquely identifying the particular occupant present in or scheduled to occupy the habitable space and associated with the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments or conditions;

assessing a plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space, the assessing of the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space based on the received habitable space wellness information;

assigning a point value to one or more environmental control components of the habitable space based on the assessment of the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space; and

assigning a wellness score to the habitable space, the wellness score based on the point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein receiving habitable space wellness information includes receiving data from at least one of a biometric sensor, an environmental sensor, and a user input device.

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

comparing the wellness score of the habitable space from one year to a wellness score of the habitable space from another year.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

comparing the wellness score of the habitable space to a wellness score of another, different, habitable space.

41. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

categorizing the habitable space based at least in part on the assigned wellness score.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein assessing the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space includes assessing a number of types of environmental control components available for the habitable space.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein assigning a point value assigned to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on the number of types of environmental control components available for the habitable space.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein assessing the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space includes assessing an effectiveness of at least one type of environmental control component available for the habitable space.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein assigning a point value to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on the effectiveness of at least one type of environmental control component available for the habitable space.

46. The method of claim 37 wherein assigning a point value to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on an availability of one or more active systems selected from the group consisting of:

a lighting system, an air treatment system, and a water treatment system for the habitable space to assess the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space.

47. The method of claim 37 wherein assigning a point value to the one or more environmental control components of the habitable space is based on an availability of any combination of one or more of the passive or active components in the habitable space.

48. The method of claim 37 further including:

presenting a dashboard with a representation of environmental information for the habitable space;

receiving instructions regarding a modification to the plurality of environmental control components of the habitable space, the modification to the plurality of environment control components of the habitable space based at least in part on the one or more desired environmental characteristics, attributes, traits, syndromes, ailments, or conditions associated with the occupant; and

sending the instructions regarding the modification to at least one of the plurality of active subsystems of the environmental control system.

49. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

evaluating a wellness of the environmental control components of the habitable space compared against a wellness standard.

50. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

comparing a wellness of the environmental control components of the habitable space in one or more wellness categories against a wellness standard in the one or more wellness categories.

51. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

presenting tips, suggestions, questionnaires, suggested settings, interventional, activities, health educational information, or wellness educational information based on the assessment of the plurality of wellness associated amenities of the habitable space.