Abstract:
An apparatus for climate control and entertainment, as well as a system for maximizing energy efficiency and comfort are disclosed. The apparatus affords the ability to control ambient conditions while at the same offering enhanced entertainment options.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of climate control, specifically with respect to systems and methods that may be used in entertainment, living and sleeping modules. These may be used in medical, industrial, commercial and other related applications. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of Air Conditioning and the advent of small, affordable units capable of cooling a home created a revolution in all tropical and sub-tropical climates. In the Unites States, it was suddenly possible to live in areas with high temperature/high humidity summers (such as the Southeast). Similarly, the advent of efficient, fossil fueled heating units has allowed much more comfortable lives for those living in the far North/South regions of the planet. 
     Over time, the development of automated climate control systems led to very comfortable living spaces with little or no human intervention. Coupled with the availability of materials, and due to the volume rule, the volumetric space being climate controlled in a modern house did not double (as did the home area, but quadrupled). In recent time, energy costs have risen, and it is expected that they will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. 
     Kettering et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,159,741 teaches a bed enclosure having an air conditioned unit connected to it. However, in his case, the A/C exhaust (the heat exchanged from the enclosure) is exhausted into the space next to the bed. Since in most homes this would be the actual bedroom where the bed is, this is disadvantageous. Most of us would resent leaving a bed enclosure at 20° C., only to exit into a Bedroom at 35° C. 
     McClaren et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,817 teaches a solution for this problem, by providing a conduit through which conditioned air (Heated or Cooled) can be piped to the unit. While this is perfect for a commercial/industrial application, most homes are not equipped with compressors for routing air at the pressures required to make this work. 
     There exists a need in the art for an energy efficient solution that would deliver climate control to a subset of the living volume within a dwelling, in particular to the volume occupied by dwellers during significant periods of time, such as the living and entertainment areas, all with out requiring significant changes to the living quarters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects of the present invention and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the section. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The invention is directed towards the climate control and entertainment of occupants within an enclosure that represents a fraction of a space or room within a dwelling, in order to save energy. Such an enclosure system or apparatus presenting a reduced volume to cool/heat/condition, used at the moment when people are most sedentary takes advantage of their limited mobility and space need during these situations. With such a system, users will be capable of reducing their energy needs, while preserving the comfort they have been accustomed to. 
     Some aspects of the invention are directed to the climate control of the enclosures, the rooms/spaces they are in, as well as the linking through electronic means of one or more of these enclosures to a dwelling climate control. By using advances in climate control methods, particularly the use of mini-split air conditioning and heating units, and linking the operation of one or more of these units, the system allows for increases in efficiency of home climate control means, something of importance as energy costs continue to increase. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, it takes the form of an enclosure with integrated air handler function climate control linked to a central unit heat exchange function through heat transfer medium, and electronic controls of time and parameters of operation and the ability to enrich the experience by allowing the control of other units within a dwelling via the control interface. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, it takes the form of a heating enclosure capable of reducing the volume of space heated during times when the user is located within the enclosure, allowing for the reduction of heating expenses. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon examining the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. The present invention may be implements in many forms including a device, method, or part of a device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing discussion will be understood more readily from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the following drawings. The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a climate control and entertainment enclosure system, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of the invention when a single condense/heat source and multiple air handling/evaporator coils are used, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of a side view of the climate control enclosure, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary illustration of another side view of the climate control enclosure, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary illustration of the a side view of the climate control enclosure, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary illustration of the top view of the climate control enclosure, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary illustration of an isometric view of the climate control enclosure inside the canopy, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are exemplary illustrations of an isometric view ( 8 A) and side/top views ( 8 B) of the mechanism for moving the monitor into/out of the canopy enclosure, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     As used herein, the term “plurality” refers to two or more items or components. 
     The terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” and “involving,” whether in the written description or the claims and the like, are open-ended terms, i.e., to mean “including but not limited to.” Thus, the use of such terms is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, with respect to the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certain illustrative embodiments will now be described, including apparatus and methods for displaying images. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the systems and methods described herein may be adapted and modified as is appropriate for the application being addressed and that the systems and methods described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modifications will not depart from the scope hereof. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an overall view of the climate control enclosure structure  100 . In one embodiment, each enclosure  102  consists of a structure defining a volume, including a ceiling holding a canopy and columns capable of defining walls. The structure is capable of enclosing one or more beds  104 , sofas or other human resting structures. It also supports the air flow containment means  106  for keeping the conditioned air within the desired volumetric limits of the enclosure  100 . In one embodiment, the structure consists of one or more posts, which are placed at each of four corners of the structure, creating a support structure with a top canopy structure for housing air exchange means, lights, speakers, entertainment and other assemblies. Other structures (circular, externally supported, etc.) capable of defining a volume may be used. 
     The air flow containment means may include flexible or solid curtains, (which themselves may be either transparent or light inhibiting), solid or flexible walls, doors, windows and other such means. In addition, air curtains may also be used to provide for an enclosure with no solid walls. Finally, light, partially air transmitting means (such as mosquito nets) or shadow nets, may be used in locations where a very light amount of air constraint is required to keep the enclosure comfortable. The heart of the system is the splitting of the air acclimatization system, so that the air handler function portion of the system is located within the canopy  108  atop the enclosure structure  110 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the climate control enclosure system eliminates severe limitations of previous systems by utilizing a multi-split system when cooling or heating the enclosure. Such a split system separates the heat exchange function (usually performed by a heater or Compressor/Condenser/Chiller/Evaporator) from the air exchange function, utilizing a heat exchange medium to connect both. The heat exchange function (effectively the cooling or hearting of a heat exchange medium above or below the ambient temperature) is performed by a HEF unit  202  (hereafter referred to as the Heat Exchange function) located outside the room where the enclosure is being used (or even in some embodiments outside the home where the enclosures are being used). 
     The air handler/air temperature/air exchange portion of the system (hereafter referred to as the air handler function or AHF), is performed within the room or area holding the enclosure. The actual AHF unit  302  serves as an interface between the air within the air envelope of the enclosure and the air within the room or area outside the enclosure (which may be outdoors). In one embodiment, this AHF is located within the canopy  108  of the enclosure. The lines  204 ,  206  are used to move the heat transfer medium (be it Freon, chilled/heated water or brine, air or other appropriate energy transfer mediums). In another embodiment, the air exchange is located below the bed contained within the enclosure. 
     The separation of the HEF  202  from the AHF  302  provides a novel and significant advantage over Kettering (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). In such an embodiment, allowing only the AHF  302  portion of the unit to be located within the room where the enclosure  100  is located avoids the heat input (generated from the heat within the enclosure as well as from the heat generated by the HEF mechanism itself) into the room (an unavoidable by-product of units as tough by Kettering). 
     In addition, as seen in the illustrative embodiment in  FIG. 2  in homes where multiple enclosures are contained, provides for the correct sizing of the AHF to the volume being cooled. Since this volume of the enclosure is significantly smaller than that of the room or rooms containing one or more enclosures each, this results in the system being correctly sized to the volume being cooled, avoiding the over-heating/over-cooling effect so common to rooms with temperature control systems that are over-sized, all (again, because of the volume rule) still being done with significantly less energy use than when cooling a complete room. 
     The aforementioned mini-split embodiment also results in a significant noise reduction from the conditioning system, for the HEF  202  is located outside the room. In addition to the noise, the embodiment allows all heat and humidity to be deposited outside the cooled and livable space. In one embodiment, active noise cancellation means may be built into the speakers of the enclosure to cancel any humming from the air exchanger or the air curtains. Such a setup would require noise pickup microphones in the area near the user resting position. 
     As seen in the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, each enclosure contains its own temperature sensing  304 , capable of measuring the temperature within the enclosure, as well as outside the enclosure. In alternate embodiments, this may also include Humidity and other human comforts measurements. Similarly, emergency sensors such as fire, carbon monoxide and other health threatening conditions may be linked to the system electronics. In one embodiment, this would ensure that all lights within the linked enclosures flash in a predetermined fashion, and optional alarms be sounded in order to alert the users. Similarly, the speakers within the enclosures may be used as microphones in order to permit communication between enclosures. In addition, the ability to flash the lights may be linked to a house deaf-assistance systems (such as TTY terminals and doorbells), in order to assist those with hearing disabilities. 
     In addition, in one embodiment, individual control means to control and adjust both the desired enclosure temperature, as well as air flow controls are included. In one mode, the control means allow the unit to work in an Automatic or Auto mode, where the user simply programs the desired temperature, per period of time. Other modes include specific temperature, as well as specific air volume controls. One or more of the units may be equipped with Master or Supervisor control means of all or a number of the other units in the system, as well as interfaces to the overall building climate control system. 
     In one embodiment, the system works only as a de-humidifier, allowing the occupants to reduce their energy costs (for example they may be away for the weekend) while ensuring their furnishings and other possessions are not exposed to environmental extremes. In an alternate embodiment, all of the above is accomplished with a heat-pump system, allowing for the efficient heating of the spaces. Other embodiments may be accomplished with heating systems. In locations with dry conditions, the unit may be equipped with a swamp cooler or mister, capable of creating a pleasant environment to occupants without active cooling of the air. 
     In one embodiment, we can see on placement of the AHF  302  unit within the canopy. We can see the ducts  306 ,  308  that are used to bring the conditioned air to the enclosure. The bottom of AHF  302  serves as the input, interfacing the air handler to the enclosure. In an alternate embodiment, a filter may be placed here in order to maintain the systems ducts free of dust and other contaminants. Keeping the AHF  302  within the canopy  108  provides for a space in which to enclose it and reduce any noise effects produced by its operation. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the ducts are directed to the room (instead of the enclosure). Their opening/closing is controlled by the unit controller, and its operation is targeted at having some control over the conditions of the room within which the unit is contained. In one example, the unit may be commanded to reduce/increase the temperature of the room a period of time before the user programmed wake up time, in order to make the wake up ablutions (going to the bathroom, getting dressed) more pleasant. Again, these conditions may be set by the individual enclosure user, the Master User, or the system itself. 
     In one embodiment, when only one enclosure is being used, and the HEF  202  is using so little energy that in effect it would use the same amount of energy to cool/heat one enclosure as to do some more work and keep the humidity or temperature of other enclosures or rooms in line with desired objectives programmed by the user or master user. 
     In one embodiment, the system is capable of controlling airflow using dampers located within its ducts or vents, as well as interfacing to the house or dwelling climate control system to regulate the dampers/vents and other components of that system. 
     In one embodiment, the enclosure is enhanced by the inclusion of audio and video equipment. One embodiment may include an audio visual entertainment system with a control unit  304 , speakers, a flat screen monitor  310 , and means for raising/lowering it into the canopy. The control unit  304 , includes media inputs, such as Internet, DVD, CD, Radio, Television, Memory and other entertainment options.  FIG. 4  illustrates the unit in connection to the outside HEF  202 , via the connection channel  402 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the system. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the enclosure is equipped with water collecting surface  502  for collection of any moisture that may condense. A float-switch assembly is used to activate a heater or ultrasonic transducer to generate a humidifier stream that may then be directed by ducts to the user&#39;s desired location.  FIG. 6  illustrates the top view of one embodiment. In it, we can see the flat screen  310 , speakers and lights  602 ,  604 , ducts  306 ,  308 , and other components. 
       FIG. 7  provides an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for lowering and raising the monitor  310 . In one embodiment, a frame  702  holding the edges of rails  704  that hold the monitor is used. As seen in further detail in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the frame  702  is in one embodiment held at an angle, and pulleys  808  and cable  806  mechanism  802  connects to an actuator  804 . Within the actuator, a circular motor  812  and spring  810  are used to move the cable and lower/raise the monitor  310  in response to user input on the control  304  panel. The ability to enclose the screen when not in use, by inserting it into the canopy enclosure is an advantage of the system, allowing more space within the enclosure, as well as an advantageous viewing angle. 
     To facilitate the raising and lowering of the monitor, a spring  810  is used to minimize the weight of the monitor. By having that pre-stress on the cable/pulley mechanism  802 , it cancels the weight of the monitor  310 . In this fashion the load on the actuator  804 / 812  is minimized. The monitor  310  then moves up, with the edges held within the rails  704 . 
     In alternate embodiments, the actuator  804  may be a mechanical spring, electronic motor, air/hydraulic/pneumatic actuator in some embodiments. They may be actuated by the enclosure user, as well as overridden by the Master user (the inventor has kids!), or by a set of parameters entered by the master user on the central control computer. 
     Having now described some illustrative embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. 
     Further, acts, elements, and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments. It is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements can readily occur to those skilled in the art and that such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of the disclosure and within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, for example, retrofitting existing devices is contemplated by the invention. 
     Moreover, it should also be appreciated that the invention is directed to each feature, system, subsystem, or technique described herein and any combination of two or more features, systems, subsystems, or techniques described herein and any combination of two or more features, systems, subsystems, and/or methods, if such features, systems, subsystems, and techniques are not mutually inconsistent, is considered to be within the scope of the invention as embodied in the claims. 
     Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second” and the like in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. 
     In concluding the detailed description, it should be noted that it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Also, such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Further, in the claims hereafter, the structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step-plus function elements are intended to include any structure, materials or acts for performing their cited functions. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly any preferred embodiments are merely possible examples of the implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Any variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit of the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention and protected by the following claims. 
     The present invention has been described in sufficient detail with a certain degree of particularity. The utilities thereof are appreciated by those skilled in the art. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The forgoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative, rather than limiting of the invention. It is understood to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by way of examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.