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

• US 9,715,242 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• 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., Macary, Richard A., Termale, Renato P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rao, Sheela S
• Application Number:
  US14/012,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 700 22, 700275, 700276, 705 2, 705 3
• 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. A system to control environmental characteristics in an enclosed space;

the system comprising;

a control subsystem that includes at least one processor and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium that stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data;

an illumination subsystem operable to control illumination characteristics of illumination provided in at least a portion of the enclosed spaced, the illumination subsystem including;

a plurality of illumination sources selectively operable to emit illumination at a number of levels and a number of wavelengths;

at least one actuator operable to control an amount of illumination received into the enclosed space via one or more windows from an external source of illumination; and

at least one user actuatable input device located in the enclosed space and communicatively coupled to the control subsystem and selectively actuatable by a user to switch between a circadian setting and at least one override setting, wherein;

the control subsystem is communicatively coupled to control the plurality of illumination sources and the at least one actuator, and when in the circadian setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination according to a defined circadian pattern over a period of time, the circadian pattern at least approximately matching changes in illumination level and color temperature of naturally occurring illumination of at least one defined latitude over the period of time, wherein when in a first override setting of the at least one override setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination that does not follow the defined circadian pattern, and when in a second override setting of the at least one override setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination to the enclosed space based at least in part on a geographic location from where an occupant of the enclosed spaced originated to accommodate a change in circadian rhythm due to travel by the occupant.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one actuator includes electrochromatic glass in the at least one window.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one actuator includes an electric motor physically coupled to a transmission that selectively positions at least one blackout shade across the at least one window.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein, in a night portion of the circadian pattern, the control subsystem provides signals to at least a subset of the illumination sources which produce a low level of illumination proximate at least one path to a door of the enclosed space.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein when in a third override setting of the at least one override setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination to the enclosed space based at least in part on a time of year to accommodate a change in circadian rhythm due to seasonal variation at a geographic location of the enclosed space.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein when in a third override setting of the at least one override setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination to the enclosed space to produce a therapeutic effect in an occupant of the enclosed space.

7. The system of claim 1;

further comprising;

at least one sensor positioned to detect presence of an occupant in the enclosed spaced and communicatively coupled to the control subsystem to provide signals indicative of a current occupancy condition of the enclosed space.

8. The system of claim 1;

further comprising;

at least one user actuatable input device located remotely from the enclosed space and communicatively coupled to the control subsystem and selectively actuatable to switch between a plurality of settings for the system.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a water supply subsystem including a sediment filter and an activated charcoal filter that filters water that is to be supplied to the enclosed space via a faucet or a showerhead, and wherein the water supply subsystem further includes an ultraviolet water sanitizer that illuminates water that is to be supplied to the enclosed space via a faucet or a showerhead with ultraviolet illumination.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the water supply subsystem further includes an inlet to supply vitamin C to water that is to be supplied to the enclosed space via a showerhead.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an ambient sound subsystem, that includes;

at least one piece of acoustic insulation positioned to acoustically insulate at least some of a number of plumbing components;

at least one acoustic damping door that acoustically insulates the enclosed space from an exterior thereof when the at least one acoustic damping door is in a closed position;

at least one acoustic damping window that acoustically insulates the enclosed space from the exterior thereof when the at least one acoustic damping window is in a closed position;

at least one acoustic damping walling component that acoustically insulates the enclosed space from the exterior thereof; and

at least one acoustic damping flooring component that acoustically insulates the enclosed space from the exterior thereof, and

wherein an ambient sound level in the enclosed space is less than 45 dB when an active source of sound is operating in the enclosed space.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one speaker communicatively coupled to be controlled by the control subsystem to play sound in the enclosed space at a sound level that changes in synchronization with a change in a level of illumination emitted by the illumination sources, and wherein the control subsystem provides signals to gradually increase both the sound and illumination levels in response to an occurrence of a pre-set time.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cushioned low volatile organic compound emitting flooring in the enclosed space.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a textured reflexology flooring path in the enclosed space.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one electromagnetic field shield positioned relative to wiring to reduce a level of electromagnetic field introduced into the enclosed space by the wiring.

9. A system to control environmental characteristics in an enclosed space;

the system comprising;

a control subsystem that includes at least one processor and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium that stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data;

an air handling subsystem to control air characteristics of air in the enclosed space, the air handling system including at least one of;

an air filter, a heater, an air conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a vent, a fan, or a compressor, and the air handling system including at least one of;

a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor positioned to detect a temperature or a humidity proximate at least one portion of the enclosed space;

an illumination subsystem operable to control illumination characteristics of illumination provided in at least a portion of the enclosed spaced, the illumination subsystem including;

a plurality of illumination sources selectively operable to emit illumination at a number of levels and a number of wavelengths;

at least one actuator operable to control an amount of illumination received into the enclosed space via one or more windows from an external source of illumination; and

at least one user actuatable input device located in the enclosed space and communicatively coupled to the control subsystem and selectively actuatable by a user to switch between a circadian setting and at least one override setting, wherein;

the control subsystem is communicatively coupled to control the plurality of illumination sources and the at least one actuator, and when in the circadian setting the control subsystem provides signals to the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to cause the illumination sources and the at least one actuator to provide illumination according to a defined circadian pattern over a period of time, the circadian pattern at least approximately matching changes in illumination level and color temperature of naturally occurring illumination of at least one defined latitude over the period of time.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the control subsystem provides signals to at least one portion of the air handling subsystem to control at least one of the temperature or the humidity of air in the enclosed space.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the control subsystem provides signals to adjust at least the temperature of the air in the enclosed space based at least in part on the circadian pattern over the period of time.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one air filter includes at least one of:

a HEPA mechanical air filter, an electrostatic particle air filter, or an ultraviolet air sanitizer.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the air handling subsystem further includes a number of inlets for selectively introducing scents into the air in the enclosed space from a number of reservoirs and the control subsystem provides signals to at least one portion of the air handling subsystem to control the introduction of the scents into the air in the enclosed space.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the control subsystem provides signals to at least one portion of the air handling subsystem to control the introduction of the scents into the air in the enclosed space based on a defined schedule correlated with the circadian pattern.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the control subsystem provides signals to at least one portion of the air handling subsystem to control the introduction of the scents into the air in the enclosed space on demand in response to a user input.

23. A method of controlling environmental characteristics in an enclosed space;

the method comprising;

receiving at a first time a first input indicative of a selection of a circadian setting;

in response to the first input indicative of the selection of the circadian setting, providing signals by a control subsystem to cause a plurality of illumination sources to emit artificial illumination at a number of levels and a number of wavelengths and to cause at least one actuator to control at least a level of natural illumination received into the enclosed space via one or more windows from an external source of illumination such that a combination of the artificial and the natural illumination varies over a first period of time according to a circadian pattern;

receiving at a second time a second input indicative of a selection of a first non-circadian setting;

in response to the second input indicative of the selection of the first non-circadian setting, providing signals by the control subsystem to cause a plurality of illumination sources to emit artificial illumination at a number of levels and a number of wavelengths and to cause at least one actuator to control at least a level of natural illumination received into the enclosed space via one or more windows from an external source of illumination such that a combination of the artificial and the natural illumination does not vary over a second period of time according to the circadian pattern;

detecting by at least one sensor whether the enclosed spaced is occupied; and

providing signals to the control subsystem indicative of whether the enclosed space is occupied.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein, in response to the second input indicative of the selection of the first non-circadian setting, the control subsystem provides signals to the plurality of illumination sources and the at least one actuator such that the combination of the artificial and the natural illumination remains constant over the second period of time.

25. The method of claim 23;

further comprising;

receiving at a third time a third input indicative of a selection of a second non-circadian setting that is a sleep time setting; and

in response to the third input indicative of the second non-circadian setting that is the sleep time setting, providing signals by the control subsystem to cause a subset of the illumination sources proximate to a floor in the enclosed space to emit artificial illumination at a low illumination level along at least one path and to cause the at least one actuator to prevent natural illumination from being received into the enclosed space via the one or more windows.

26. The method of claim 23;

further comprising;

receiving at a fourth time a fourth input indicative of a selection of a travel adjustment setting;

in response to the fourth input indicative of the travel adjustment setting;

determining a travel adjustment illumination pattern based at least in part on a geographic location from where an occupant of the enclosed spaced originated to accommodate a change in circadian rhythm due to travel by the occupant; and

providing signals by the control subsystem to cause the illumination sources to emit artificial illumination at the levels and the wavelengths and to cause the at least one actuator to control at least the level of natural illumination received into the enclosed space via the one or more windows such that the combination of the artificial and the natural illumination achieves the determined travel adjustment illumination pattern in the enclosed space.

27. The method of claim 23;

further comprising;

receiving at a fourth time a fourth input indicative of a selection of a light therapy setting; and

in response to the fourth input indicative of the light setting, providing signals by the control subsystem to cause the illumination sources to emit artificial illumination at the levels and the wavelengths and to cause the at least one actuator to control at least the level of natural illumination received into the enclosed space via the one or more windows such that the combination of the artificial and the natural illumination achieves the defined light therapy illumination pattern in the enclosed space over a therapeutic period of time.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein providing signals by the control subsystem to cause the at least one actuator to control at least the level of natural illumination received into the enclosed space via the one or more windows includes at least one of:

a) providing signals to vary an amount of illumination passed by at least one pane of electrochromatic material, or b) providing signals to control an electrical motor drivingly coupled to move at least one of a shade or a curtain relative to the at least one window.

29. The method of claim 23;

further comprising;

receiving input by at least one user actuatable input device located remotely from the enclosed space; and

providing signals to the control subsystem indicative of the received input.

30. The method of claim 23;

further comprising;

providing signals by the control subsystem to at least one component of an air handling subsystem to control air characteristics of air in the enclosed space, wherein providing signals to at least one component of the air handling subsystem includes providing signals to at least one of an air filter, a heater, an air conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a vent, a fan, or a compressor to control at least one of the temperature or the humidity of air in the enclosed space.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

providing signals by the control subsystem to selectively introduce scents into the air in the enclosed space from a number of reservoirs based on a defined schedule correlated with the circadian pattern.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein providing signals to at least one component of the air handling subsystem includes providing signals to adjust at least a temperature of the air in the enclosed space based at least in part on the circadian pattern over the period of time.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

filtering air for the enclosed space with at least one of;

a mechanical air filter, an electrostatic particle air filter, or an ultraviolet air sanitizer.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

filtering a supply of water to a faucet or a showerhead of the enclosed space via a water supply subsystem including at least one of a sediment filter or an activated charcoal filter, and exposing the water to ultraviolet illumination to sanitize the water, and further comprising introducing vitamin C into water that is to be supplied to the showerhead of the enclosed space.

35. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

supplying signals by the controller subsystem to at least one speaker to play sound in the enclosed space at a sound level that changes in synchronization with a change in a level of illumination emitted by the illumination sources.