VIRTUAL PANEL FOR CEILINGS AND/OR WALLS WITH WATER AND/OR AIR

Abstract

A virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air is provided which can be installed as an accessory in an existing room (2) or during the construction of said room and which comprises an electrical or electronic device (10, 12, 16) which, when activated, displays a moving image of a virtual representation of the sky or other natural or non-natural scenery. The panel includes at least one outlet nozzle (6) for fluid, which may be water and/or air, depending on the type of room (2). The room (2) may include a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences, which incorporates a suction device (27) for emitting odours through the air nozzles (6). Concealing glass or smart foil may be provided on the screen (10) or ceiling (12) with lights (13), which becomes opaque or translucent when an electric current is applied thereto.

Claims

1. A virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air which can be installed as an accessory in an existing room (2) or during the installation process of said room, characterised in that it comprises an electrical or electronic device (10, 12, 16) which, when activated, displays a moving image of a virtual representation of the sky or other natural or non-natural scenery, whether by day or by night; and in that it further comprises at least one outlet nozzle (6) for fluid, which may be water and/or air, depending on the type of room (2).

2. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises one or more air outlet nozzles (6).

3. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it only covers the ceiling of the room (2).

4. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that, in addition to a ceiling of the room (2), it also covers a portion of at least one of the walls of the room (2), such that the image which is displayed shows continuity between both surfaces.

5. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 4, characterised in that it covers the ceiling of the room (2) and the entirety of at least one of the walls of the room (2), such that the image which is displayed shows continuity on all the surfaces it occupies.

6. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it displays video images pre-recorded in a playback and storage device (11) connected to at least one screen (10).

7. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one image display screen (10) which is activated by means of a movement sensor.

8. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a single screen (10) on which the moving virtual image is displayed, or a plurality of screens (10) connected to one another covering the ceiling and, where appropriate, the wall or walls of the room (2), collectively showing the virtual image.

9. (canceled)

10. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one of: at least one loudspeaker (19) which plays sound inside the room (2) in synchronisation with the image, a manual activation control unit (3), a mirror screen (10′) having of a touchscreen such that, when double-clicking said screen, it stops displaying the image and transforms into a mirror, a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences, which incorporates a suction device (27) for emitting odours through the air nozzles (6), or an emergency button (26) the activation of which, in addition to activating an alarm in an emergency centre and sending the location of the emergency, activates a device (27) for emitting odours and discharging air through the air nozzles (6).

11-14. (canceled)

15. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with air according to claim 10, characterised in that the emergency button (26) is present and activation of the emergency button (26) also activates the playback of a pre-recorded video on the screen (10) as support wherein a person performs meditation and breathing exercises in order to help calm the user.

16. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 1, characterised in that the room (2) is a shower or a bathtub and in that it comprises one or more water outlet nozzles (6).

17. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that the water nozzles (6) are arranged in a screen or screens (10) located in the ceiling comprising the panel (1), with the corresponding water conduit connection built into the wall or ceiling of the room (2).

18. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that a screen (10) is located in the ceiling and covers the entire upper portion of the room (2) and is incorporated in the ceiling on a transparent platform (5) in which one or more water outlet nozzles (6) are integrated.

19. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that it comprises a false ceiling (12) in which a network of small lights (13), which are connected to one another, are integrated, or a concealing glass or smart foil which becomes opaque or translucent when an electric current is applied thereto.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 18, characterised in that the transparent platform (5) in which the nozzles (6) are integrated is a drop-down element.

23. (canceled)

24. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that it comprises a set of projectors (16) integrated on the sides of the panel (1) in one or more plates (17) which are oriented at a 45° angle with respect to the panel (1) when the panel (1) is activated by means of the control unit, and project on the surface of the upper area of the room (2) moving images pre-recorded in the playback and storage device (11) to which said projectors (16) are connected.

25. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 24, characterised in that the image they project is a 3D image or hologram or the image projected by the projectors (16) is shown on the lower surface of a transparent platform (5) or non-transparent platform (5′) in which one or more water outlet nozzles (6) are integrated.

26. (canceled)

27. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that it comprises a control unit (3) which regulates the actuation thereof, which is incorporated in the wall of the room (2), integrated in a digital control unit (18) emulating a window, or is connected to the lighting of the room (2), such that, when the panel (1) is activated, the intensity of light is reduced by 50% or more.

28. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 27, characterised in that the digital control unit (3) comprises at least one of the following buttons; an on/off switch (40) for turning the virtual panel and the water flow on and off, pushbuttons for increasing (41) and pushbuttons for reducing (42) the temperature, shown on a digital screen (43), pushbuttons for selecting water output, one for causing the output of water through a fixed point of the ceiling (44) and another from a manual securing point (45), pushbuttons for selecting water pressure, preferably three, one low pressure pushbutton (46), one medium pressure pushbutton (47), and one high pressure pushbutton (48), a button (49) for activating, increasing, and deactivating the sound of the panel (1), and pushbuttons for selecting the image format of the virtual panel, one day format pushbutton (31) and one night format pushbutton (32). a button (29) which, when pressed, causes the lateral or vertical opening of a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences, a button (30) which activates and deactivates the emission of perfume into the room (2), a button (4) for deactivating and separating the water flow from the operation of the moving virtual impanel, or a button (24) which activates the Bluetooth wireless communication module.

29. (canceled)

30. The virtual panel for ceilings and/or walls with water and/or air according to claim 16, characterised in that it comprises at least one of: a microphone inhibiting device which can be activated so that the user can be assured that he or she cannot be heard by a third party, a Bluetooth wireless communication module (24) to play music through a loudspeaker (19) from a mobile device, a lime filter at the water outlet, linked to an alarm mechanism, to periodically alert the user of the need to change said filter, or a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences, which incorporates a suction device (27) for emitting odours through air nozzles (6) provided along with the water nozzles (6) in the form of air and/or vapour.

31-33. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic elevational cross-sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room consisting, for example, of a lift car, in which an exemplary embodiment of the virtual panel object of the invention has been installed, specifically an exemplary embodiment in which the panel only covers the ceiling of the car, where the parts and main elements thereof can be seen;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a view similar to the foregoing which is a schematic cross-sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room consisting, for example, of a lift car, with the virtual panel of the invention installed therein, in this case showing an exemplary embodiment of the panel which covers the ceiling and a portion of one of the walls of the car;

[0049] FIG. 3 again shows a view similar to the foregoing which is a schematic sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room consisting, for example, of a lift car, with the virtual panel of the invention installed, in this case showing an exemplary embodiment of the panel which covers the ceiling and all the walls of the car;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a wall of a room, specifically of a lift car, with the virtual panel of the invention installed, in which the mirror is shown integrated in the central panel which is activated or deactivated by double-clicking, allowing the panel function with the moving image to be activated and the mirror function to be deactivated, or vice versa;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a schematic elevational and cross-sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room preferably comprising a shower or bathtub in which there has been installed an exemplary embodiment of the virtual panel of the invention, specifically an exemplary embodiment in which the panel comprises an upper screen, where the parts and main elements thereof can be seen;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the upper screen of the panel of the invention and of the transparent platform with nozzles, according to the example shown in FIG. 4;

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a schematic elevational and cross-sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room preferably comprising a shower or bathtub in which another exemplary embodiment of the virtual panel of the invention has been installed, specifically an exemplary embodiment comprising a false ceiling with the network of lights integrated;

[0054] FIGS. 8-A and 8-B show schematic exploded perspective views of the false ceiling and the transparent platform with nozzles, according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, in FIG. 8-A and in another exemplary embodiment without a support disc in FIG. 8-B;

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a schematic elevational and cross-sectional depiction of the upper portion of a room preferably comprising a shower or bathtub in which there has been installed another exemplary embodiment of the virtual panel of the invention, specifically an exemplary embodiment comprising side projectors;

[0056] FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the upper portion of the room, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8; and

[0057] FIG. 11 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the digital control unit in which, optionally, the control units of the virtual panel object of the invention are integrated, in an option which it is preferably used in a room comprising a shower or bathtub, together with the water flow and actuation control units of the shower or bathtub.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0058] In view of the mentioned figures and according to the numbering used, several non-limiting embodiments of the virtual panel for room of the invention can be observed therein, virtual panel which essentially comprises an electrical or electronic device (10, 12, 16) which, when activated, displays a moving image of a virtual representation of the sky or other natural or non-natural scenery, whether by day or by night; and furthermore including at least one outlet nozzle (6) for fluid which can be water or air, depending on the type of room (2).

[0059] Preferably, when the room (2) comprises a shower or bathtub, the panel contains one or more water outlet nozzles (6) and/or one or more air nozzles (6). In the case of having only air nozzles (6), the water for the shower or bathtub will come out through the conventional piping of the bathroom installation.

[0060] FIGS. 1-4 correspond to the preferred embodiment of the virtual panel with air of a room (2) consisting of a lift car.

[0061] In a first embodiment option like the one shown in FIG. 1, the virtual panel (1) only covers the ceiling of the room (2) which preferably consists of a lift car; in another embodiment option like the one shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the ceiling of the room (2), the panel (1) also covers an upper portion or the entirety of at least one of the walls of the room (2), such that the image or images they display show continuity between both surfaces; and in a third embodiment option like the one shown in FIG. 3, the panel (1) covers the ceiling of the room (2) and the entirety of at least one or more of the walls of the room (2), such that the image which is displayed also shows continuity on all the surfaces it occupies. The buttons of the lift (23) are preferably located in a wall of the room surrounded by the panel (1). The air exiting through the nozzles originates from an air-conditioning machine (20) preferably located on the lift car.

[0062] In any case, said virtual images displayed by the panel (1) are preferably video images pre-recorded in a piece of software (21) contained in a playback and storage device (11) connected to at least one screen (10), which are optionally images produced with moving LED lights (13), or 3D images, or holograms produced by projectors (16).

[0063] Therefore, in the preferred embodiment like the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the panel (1) comprises at least one image display screen (10) which is activated by means of a control unit (3), preferably integrated in the wall of the room (2).

[0064] Depending on the dimensions of the room (2) which consists preferably of a lift car, the panel (1) comprises a single screen (10) on which the moving virtual image is displayed, normally when it covers the ceiling of the room (2), and/or can be made up of a plurality of screens (10) placed next to one another covering the ceiling and, where appropriate, the wall or walls of the room (2), collectively showing the virtual image.

[0065] Preferably, in addition to images, the panel (1) also plays sound inside the room (2) through at least one loudspeaker (19) provided to that end, for example, connected to the video player (11), such that said sound is in synchronisation with the image.

[0066] Particularly when the room (2) is a lift car and the panel (1) completely or partially covers a wall thereof, said panel (1) preferably comprises a mirror screen (10′) consisting of a moving virtual touchscreen such that, when double-clicking said screen at a point (22) provided to that end, it stops displaying a portion of the moving image and transforms into a mirror, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0067] Optionally, when the room (2) is a lift car, it comprises a receptacle (25) with a device for emitting odours through the air nozzles (6). The user can introduce a container (28) with an essence, for example vanilla, menthol, etc. and, upon actuating the device (27), said device will suction said essence and meter same through the air nozzles (6) of the panel (1). Said receptacle has been schematically depicted in FIG. 1 and depicted in greater detail in FIG. 11 for the option of a room (2) such as a shower or bathtub.

[0068] Optionally, particularly when the room (2) is a lift car, this comprises an emergency button (26) which, in addition to activating an alarm in a remote centre and sending the location of the user, activates the device (27) to emit odours as well as to discharge fresh air which is gradually increased through the nozzles (6) of the panel, in an attempt to calm the user.

[0069] Preferably, the emergency button (26) in the room of the lift also activates the playback on the screen (10) of a video stored to that end in the storage player (11), in which a person performs breathing exercises in order to help calm the user.

[0070] FIGS. 5-11 correspond to the preferred embodiment of a room comprising a shower or bathtub.

[0071] Preferably, when the room (2) comprises a shower or bathtub, it includes one or more water and/or air outlet nozzles (6).

[0072] Preferably, the nozzles (6) for fluid are arranged at the edges of the screen or screens (10) comprised in the panel (1), with the corresponding water conduit and/or air duct connection built into the wall or ceiling of the room (2).

[0073] In reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, it can be seen how, in an embodiment for a room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, the panel (1) contains an upper screen (10) suitable for displaying moving images of a sky with clouds and/or of a starry sky, pre-recorded in a piece of software (21) comprised in a playback and storage device (11) to which the screen (10) is connected which is activated by means of at least one control unit (3), preferably integrated in the wall of the room (2), as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, to which said player (11) is in turn connected.

[0074] Preferably, the screen (10) covers the entire upper portion of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub and is coupled built into the ceiling over a transparent platform (5) in which one or more water outlet nozzles (6) are integrated.

[0075] FIGS. 7 and 8 show how, in another embodiment variant also for a room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, the panel (1) comprises a false ceiling (12) in which there are integrated a plurality of small lights (13), advantageously of LED type, which are connected to one another and to a motor (14) defining a rotational movement thereof, for example, about a support disc (15), emulating a moving starry sky.

[0076] In this variant, the false ceiling (12) with the network of lights (13) preferably covers the entire upper portion of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub and is coupled built into the ceiling over a transparent platform (5) in which one or more water outlet nozzles (6) are integrated.

[0077] Furthermore, said false ceiling (12) with the network of lights (13) is preferably activated by means of the control unit (3) which is preferably integrated in the wall of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub along with the water actuation units (4).

[0078] Optionally, the transparent platform (5), both in the variant with a screen (10) and in the variant with a false ceiling (12) with lights (13), can be a drop-down element to enable facilitating the cleaning of the screen (10) or of the false ceiling (12) with lights (13), as seen in FIG. 7, where said platform has been depicted in the usage position with continuous lines and in the dropped-down position with discontinuous lines.

[0079] Furthermore, preferably, when the room (2) is a shower or bathtub, the existence of a concealing glass is envisaged on the screen (10) or the false ceiling (12) with lights (13), which can be the glass forming the aforementioned platform (5) with the nozzles (6) or another consisting of an intermediate layer between said platform (5) and the screen (10) or the false ceiling (12) with lights, said glass being of the type which becomes opaque or translucent when an electric current is applied thereto, such that when the screen (10) or the false ceiling (12) with lights (13) is inactive, said glass becomes opaque and conceals the screen (10) or the false ceiling (12), being completely integrated in the ceiling of the room (2).

[0080] FIGS. 9 and 10 show how, in another embodiment variant also applicable for a room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, the panel (1) of the invention contains a set of projectors (16) installed laterally in one or more plates (17) descending from the panel and preferably oriented at a 45° angle, when the panel (1) is activated by means of the control unit with a suitable inclination for projecting, on the surface of the upper area of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, moving images, for example of a sky with clouds and/or a starry sky, whether by day or by night, pre-recorded in the playback and storage device (11) to which said projectors (16) are connected. Preferably, the panel (1) and the projectors (16) form an assembly to facilitate installation.

[0081] In this case, the image projected by the projectors (16) is depicted on the lower surface of a transparent or non-transparent platform (5′) in which one or more water and/or air outlet nozzles (6) are integrated.

[0082] Furthermore, also preferably, said projectors (16) are activated by means of a control unit (3) which is preferably integrated in the wall of a room (2) including a shower or bathtub along with the water actuation units (4).

[0083] Preferably, the control unit (3) regulating the actuation of the panel (1) is incorporated in the wall of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, integrated in a small digital control unit (18) emulating a digital window that depicts the same moving image of the panel (1) in the background, both by day and by night.

[0084] Optionally, the virtual panel (1) is activated manually with the control unit (3) if the room (2) is a shower or bathtub and automatically by means of a movement or presence sensor if the room (2) is a lift.

[0085] Optionally, the panel (1) is connected to the lighting of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub such that, when the panel (1) is activated, the intensity of light of the entire room is automatically reduced by 50% or more.

[0086] FIG. 11 shows how, in a preferred embodiment for a room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, the panel (1) of the invention, control is performed from a control unit set (3) integrated in a digital control unit (18) which is built into the wall of the room (2) comprising a shower or bathtub, preferably comprising at least one of the following buttons: [0087] an on/off switch (40) for turning the virtual panel and the water flow on and off, [0088] pushbuttons for increasing (41) and pushbuttons for reducing (42) the temperature shown on a digital screen (43), [0089] pushbuttons for selecting water output, one for causing the output of water through a fixed point of the ceiling (44) and another from a manual securing point (45), [0090] pushbuttons for selecting water pressure, preferably three, one low pressure pushbutton (46), one medium pressure pushbutton (47), and one high pressure pushbutton (48), [0091] a button (49) for activating, increasing, and deactivating the sound of the panel (1), and [0092] pushbuttons for selecting the image format of the virtual panel, one day format pushbutton (31) and one night format pushbutton (32), [0093] a button (29) which, when pressed, causes the lateral or vertical opening of a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences, [0094] a button (30) which activates and deactivates the emission of perfume into the room (2), [0095] a button (4) for deactivating and separating the water flow from the operation of the moving virtual panel, [0096] a button (24) which activates the Bluetooth wireless communication module.

[0097] Preferably, when the room (2) is a shower or bathtub, the panel (1) comprises a Bluetooth wireless communication module (24), for example, incorporated in the digital control unit (18), to enable playing music through the loudspeaker (19) from a mobile device.

[0098] Optionally, when the room (2) is a shower or bathtub, but also when the room is a lift car as set forth above, it comprises, for example, along with the digital control unit (18), as shown in FIG. 11, a receptacle (25) with a device (27) for suctioning and emitting odours through the air nozzles (6). The user can introduce a bottle (28) with an essence, for example vanilla, menthol, etc. and the device (27) will suction said essence and meter it through the air nozzles (6) provided in the room (2), along with the water nozzles (6).

[0099] Preferably, the digital control unit in the form of a window installed in the wall contains a first secret button (29) representing one side of the frame of the window which, when pressed, causes the lateral or vertical opening of a receptacle (25) for housing containers (28) with essences which incorporates a suction device (27) for emitting odours through the air nozzles (6), for example, an inner tube which suctions the perfume. The activation and deactivation of the emission of perfume in the room (2) in the form of air and/or vapour is activated through a second secret button (30) located on another side of the frame.

[0100] Preferably, when the digital control unit is in the form of a window installed in the wall, the digital control unit has a third secret button (4) for deactivating and separating the water flow from the operation of the virtual panel.

[0101] Preferably, when the room (2) is a shower or bathtub, the existence of a lime filter (not depicted) at the water outlet is envisaged, which is linked to an alarm mechanism, to periodically alert the user of the need to change said filter, preferably showing a warning in the digital control unit (18).

[0102] Optionally, the panel (1) comprises a microphone inhibiting device which can be activated so that the user can be assured that he or she cannot be heard by a third party.

[0103] The technical features described in an embodiment of a specific room can be used in any type of room.

[0104] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the ways of implementing it, it is not considered necessary to expand its explanation for any person skilled in the art to understand its scope and the advantages which derive from it.