SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLANNING AND/OR CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES IN A SPACE FOR AFFECTING PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and a method for affecting, planning and/or designing a space to result in a stimulation of one or more senses of a subject that is located in the space for inducing a desired physiological response to the subject. For example, by applying the output of the system or the method on the space, the space can induce a desired conditional, behavioral, and/or emotional response such as concentration, aggression, calmness, amazement, confusion, etc. The physiological response is manifested by a measurable physiological effect. For example, the physiological response can be exhibited by any one of a neuronal response such as the creation of a certain brainwave, hormone secretion, change in heart rate, respiration rate or blood pressure, or any combination thereof. In response to an input of a desired physiological response, environmental features are selected to be applied in the space to obtain the desired effect. The output data includes execution profile that may affect on any one of the senses of the subject.

Claims

1. A system for affecting, planning and/or controlling environmental features in a space for enhancing or inhibiting at least one physiological response of a subject, comprising: a processing circuitry configured for (i) receiving input data of said desired physiological response out of a plurality of optional physiological responses; (ii) in response to the received input data, extracting from a pre-obtained database selected environmental features to be applied on the space, said selected environmental features are classified to result in the desired effect, and generating temporal execution profile of said selected environmental features; (iii) outputting an output data indicative of the extracted environmental features that comprises said execution profile.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each environmental feature in the pre-obtained database is assigned with a scoring rank for enhancing or inhibiting the desired physiological response, the processing circuitry is configured to extract environmental features above a selected threshold of said scoring rank; wherein said scoring rank is associated with the enhancement or inhibition of a certain brain wave; wherein the environmental features are clustered to sub-categories, each sub-category consists environmental features that are recognizable by or affecting a similar sense, the processing circuitry is configured to extract one or more environmental features from each sub-category; wherein all environmental features of a sub-category affect one of the senses, selected from: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.

3.-5. (canceled)

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said execution profile comprises spatial and/or time dependent-relation between at least two of the selected environmental features; wherein said execution profile comprises a time-dependent execution profile for two or more selected environmental features; wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is a scent to be dispensed in the space and at least one of the selected environmental features is an acoustic output, wherein the scent is selected from synthetic scent, natural scent, or a combination thereof.

7.-8. (canceled)

9. The system of claim 2, wherein said execution profile comprises N periodical schemes, the execution profile in one periodical scheme comprises similar time-depended relations of executions of said at least two selected environmental features.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein each two following periodical schemes are separated by a transition scheme that comprises a transition execution profile of at least one environmental feature different than the execution profile in said N periodical schemes.

11. (canceled)

12. The system of claim 9, comprising a scent dispenser for dispensing said scent; wherein said scent dispenser comprises a plurality of scents, and said temporal execution profile comprises dispensing execution data indicative of scent selection and dispensing profile, said scent dispenser is configured to dispense a selected scent at a selected dispensing profile according to the dispensing execution data.

13. (canceled)

14. The system of claim 1, comprising an acoustic output unit; wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is an acoustic output; and wherein said temporal execution profile comprises acoustic execution data indicative of acoustic signal execution profile of said acoustic output and said acoustic output unit is configured for outputting said acoustic execution data to obtain a desired acoustic signal profile; wherein said acoustic signal profile is composed of intensity and/or frequencies profile of the signal.

15.-17. (canceled)

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said acoustic output is composed of two or more acoustic elements selected from: acoustic frequency, soundscape, music, and sub-conscious signals in autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) technology, wherein each of the two or more acoustic elements is associated with effect on said physiological response.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to combine two or more acoustic elements to generate said acoustic output to obtain said physiological response.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to select an acoustic output that comprises acoustic frequencies matching the neural oscillations associated with the desired physiological response.

21. The system of claim 1, comprising a visual output unit, wherein said output data comprises visual execution data indicative of the desired visual profile to be visual, said visual output unit is configured to execute said visual execution data to obtain the desired visual profile.

22. (canceled)

23. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is a touch-related feature; wherein said touch-related feature is selected from: texture of different objects in the space, temperature in the space, humidity conditions, elasticity of objects in the space, transparency degree of objects in the space, shape and size of objects in the space, weight of objects in the space, or any combination thereof.

24.-25. (canceled)

26. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is a taste-related feature; wherein said taste-related feature comprises instructions for types of foods and drinks to be consumed in the space and types of foods and drinks that are to be prevented from consumption in that space.

27. (canceled)

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological response comprises wakefulness, alertness, amazement, concentration, awareness, confusion.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological response comprises causing a change in the subject in at least one of: certain brain wave activity, hormone secretion, heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, pupil dilation, respiratory rate or any combination thereof.

30. A method for affecting, planning and/or controlling environmental features in a space for enhancing or inhibiting at least one physiological response of a subject, comprising: receiving input data of said desired physiological response; based on the input data, selecting environmental features to be applied on the space, said selected environmental are classified to result in the desired physiological response; generating a temporal execution profile of said selected environmental features to obtain said physiological response; outputting an output data indicative of the selected environmental features and the temporal execution profile.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising assigning each environmental feature with a scoring rank for enhancing and/or inhibiting the desired physiological response, said selecting comprises selecting environmental features above a selected threshold of said scoring rank; wherein said scoring rank is associated with the enhancement or inhibition of a certain brain wave.

32. (canceled)

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the environmental features are clustered to sub-categories, the method comprising selecting one or more environmental features from each sub-category, wherein each sub-category consists environmental features that are recognizable by or affecting a similar sense; wherein said execution profile comprises a time-dependent execution profile of two or more selected environmental features.

34. (canceled)

35. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is a scent to be dispensed in the space and at least one of the selected environmental features is an acoustic output; wherein said execution profile comprises N periodical schemes, the execution profile in one periodical scheme comprises similar time-depended relations of executions of said at least two selected environmental features, wherein each two following periodical schemes are separated by a transition scheme that comprises a transition execution profile of at least one environmental feature different than the execution profile in said N periodical schemes; wherein the scent is selected from synthetic scent, natural scent, or a combination thereof, wherein said temporal execution profile comprises dispensing execution data indicative of scent selection and dispensing profile, the method further comprising dispensing scent into the space based on the dispensing profile.

36.-37. (canceled)

38. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of the selected environmental features is an acoustic output, wherein said temporal execution profile comprises acoustic execution data indicative of acoustic signal execution profile of said acoustic output, the method further comprising outputting said acoustic execution data to obtain a desired acoustic signal profile; wherein said acoustic signal profile is composed of: intensity and/or frequencies profile of the signal; wherein said acoustic output is composed of two or more acoustic elements selected from: acoustic frequency, soundscape, music, and sub-conscious signals in ASMR technology, wherein each of the two or more acoustic elements is associated with effect on said physiological response, the method further comprising combining two or more acoustic elements to generate said acoustic output to obtain said physiological response; and comprising generating an acoustic output that comprises acoustic frequencies matching the neural oscillations associated with the desired physiological response.

39.-47. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0170] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0171] FIGS. 1A-1B are block diagrams of non-limiting examples of different embodiments of the system of the present disclosure.

[0172] FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section of an exemplary illustration of a space to be planned for inducing a desired physiological response of a subject present therein.

[0173] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram exemplifying a non-limiting embodiment of the method according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0174] The following figures are provided to exemplify embodiments and realization of the invention of the present disclosure.

[0175] Reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1B, which are block diagrams exemplifying different embodiments of the space designing system for planning and/or controlling environmental features in a space for enhancing or inhibiting at least one physiological response, e.g. conditional, behavioral, and/or emotional response, of a subject that enters or present in the space. FIG. 1A exemplifies an embodiment of the space designing system 100 that includes a processing circuitry 102, i.e. a processor that can be centralized or distributed. The processing circuitry 102 comprises an input module 104 for receiving input data ID indicative of the desired physiological response to be obtained in the space. The input data ID is received in the system by an input of a user, e.g. by a dedicated user interface for the system.

[0176] It is to be noted that a space may be an indoor space, outdoor space, or a virtual space. The following are examples of spaces to be affected by the system or the method of the present disclosure: a classroom, conference room, playground, therapeutic-related space, kindergarten, library, sales room/office, management office, hospitals, clinics, sport spaces, gym, home-living spaces, dining rooms, vehicles (such as cars, airplanes, trains, bars), coffee houses, restaurants, cultural-related spaces, gas stations, natural reserves, religion-related spaces, parks, parking lots, roads, smoking areas, virtual spaces (such as applications, websites), etc.

[0177] There is no requirement for the input data to include any data relating the space to be affected by the system. The system is configured to output generic solutions relevant for any space and the user may select the relevant environmental features to be applied on the space out of a variety of environmental features that are outputted by the system as detailed below.

[0178] The processing circuitry further includes an extraction module 106 that is configured to receive the input data ID and based thereon extract from a pre-obtained database 107 relevant environmental features EF that are classified as suitable to yield the desired physiological response on the subject when they are applied in a space that the subject is present in.

[0179] The pre-obtained database 107 includes a plurality of environmental features, each is classified as an enhancer or inhibitor of at least one physiological response. An environmental feature is any feature that affect on at least one of the senses of humans, e.g. scent, visual pattern, sound, texture, or taste. Each environmental feature may be classified to affect more than one physiological response and for each physiological response the extent of the influence of any environmental feature is assigned thereto. For example, if you an extreme physiological response is required, a first environmental feature can be applied and for a moderate physiological response, a second environmental feature is applied. The collection of the data pieces in the database for the classification of the environmental features was performed by measuring physiological responses of subjects while being exposed to the environmental feature. The physiological responses may be any one of: respiration rate, heart rate, hear rate variability, blood pressure, pupil size, gaze direction profile and/or facial expressions by image analysis of the face of the subject, galvanic skin response (GSR), engagement profile of the user (namely the activity profile of the subject in the space), neural oscillations such as EEG measurements of brains waves, hormone secretion, etc. The environmental features were isolated and examined independently to realize the specific effect of each environmental feature. For example, the effect of a sound in a certain frequency was tested to realize the brains wave it induces. The effect of the sound was tested with respect to different intensities and different repetition rates. A similar test was performed for any of the environmental features that are stored in the database.

[0180] The processing circuitry 102 generates a temporal execution profile of extracted environmental features EF that is transmitted to an output module 108. The output module 108 is configured to output an output data OD indicative of or comprises the temporal execution profile of the extracted environmental features to be applied in the space. The output data OD may be (i) in a passive form, i.e. planning instructions to the user which environmental features to apply in the space and their profile of application; and/or (ii) in an active form, i.e. execution commands for components that are present in the space and are configured to provide senses-stimulating output into the space, e.g. scents, sounds, light patterns, etc. The execution commands operate the components in the desired manner to obtain the desired physiological response of the subject in the space.

[0181] FIG. 1B differs from FIG. 1A by that the system includes several components for executing the output data to affect the space for obtaining the desired physiological response. In this embodiment, a scent dispenser 110, an acoustic output unit 112, e.g. a loudspeaker, and a visual output unit 114, e.g. a projector or illumination means such light sources, are included in the system 100. It is to be noted that any combination of one or more of the scent dispenser, acoustic output unit and visual output unit can be used in the system and it is to be understood that the system does not require the use of the three together in every scenario. For the ease of explanation, the three components are described together in the system.

[0182] The output module 108 is configured to transmit the output data OD to the scent dispenser 110, acoustic output unit 112 and visual output unit, the output data OD comprises data pieces that are relevant for each of the components, namely execution commands to be executed by the component. The execution commands may include a temporal profile of the desired effect by the component, for example to dispense a certain scent at a desired frequency, project a certain illumination pattern on a wall or in a display at desired time windows, applying certain illumination type in the space, e.g. illumination wavelength range and/or intensity of illumination, output an acoustic signal (in the sound, ultrasound or infrasound range) at a certain intensity and at certain time windows, etc.

[0183] In some embodiments, the system is configured for planning and/or controlling the design of two adjacent spaces, each space is intended to induce different physiological response on a subject present therein. The relation between the spaces may increase the physiological response of a subject. For example, if the subject moves from one space to the other, a contrast between the environmental conditions in the two spaces may increase the physiological response of the subject.

[0184] FIG. 2 shows a transverse cross section of an illustration of a space to be planned to induce desired physiological responses of subject being present in the space. The space is intended to be used for displaying in a convention and is divided into two sub-spaces: a pre-show corridor and a demo room. The space is required to induce amazement, which is obtained by inducing surprising and curiosity effect on a subject. The system is inputted with the requirements for the space and generate an output data indicative of environmental features to be applied on the space to obtain the desired physiological response. The general appearance of each sub-space is a contrast of the other—the corridor is dark, narrow, and low and the demo room is very bright and bigger than the corridor with effects that give a feeling of a much bigger room. The contrast between the sub-spaces creates an experience that results in secretion of dopamine, which makes the subject to feel in euphoria and excitement. Each sub-space is planned with environmental features that are selected to enhance the desired physiological response therein by stimulating each of the senses at a very specific way, as detailed below:

Hearing

[0185] Corridor—a sound characterized by a frequency of 18 Hz is selected in a rhythm of 60-125 bpm. The intensity of the sound is selected to be between 60 dB to 100 dB.

[0186] Demo room—a sound characterized by a frequency of 40 Hz in a rhythm of 10 bpm. The intensity of the sound is selected to be about 10 dB.

Sight

[0187] Corridor—illumination of light of color of 1500K, intensity of 50 LUX with an illumination angle of 12° above the horizontal plane.

[0188] The colors of the corridor are selected to be dark grey/graphite with lit color spots and displays displaying exhibition of clocks, physical and digitals to create tension in the users.

[0189] The geometry is selected to form a straight and low sub-space that motivate to move in the forward direction.

[0190] Demo room—illumination of 360° of light of color of 4500K, intensity of 350 LUX.

[0191] The colors in this room are white and some portions of the walls are covered with mirrors. This combination induces a feeling of levitation and disorientation that results in a feeling of amazement. The geometry of the demo room is selected to be rounded.

Touch

[0192] Corridor—the temperature is selected to be 18° C. The walls are selected to be of a rough texture and the floor is made of concrete.

[0193] Demo room—the temperature is selected to be 22° C. The texture of the walls is selected to have a smooth texture. The floor is made of a pliable polymer material to grant a soft feeling while stepping on the floor.

Scent

[0194] Corridor—oily extraction of eucalyptus is sprayed by a plurality of scent dispensers in a frequency of 1 spraying every minute.

[0195] Demo room—continuous dispensing of extraction of combination of lavender, Melissa and cotton through the air conditioning system into the sub-space.

Taste

[0196] Demo room—combination of sweet and spicy drinks of 240 ml.

[0197] The selected environmental features that are sensible by at least one of the senses are selected from the database based on the score rank of each feature for enhancing a physiological response of amazement or amazement-related physiological response.

[0198] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a flow diagram of the method for planning and/or controlling environmental features in a space for enhancing or inhibiting at least one physiological response, e.g. conditional, behavioral, and/or emotional response, of a subject. The method includes receiving input data 350 that comprises information of the physiological response in a subject to be obtained when being present in the space. The input data can include the extent of the physiological response or a combination of several physiological responses together. Optionally, the input data may include information of the space, e.g. its geometrical dimensions, type/purpose, geographical location, etc. The method further includes identifying, in a pre-obtained database, suitable environmental features affecting the desired physiological response 352. The environmental features being identified are that pre-classified to have the desired effect and/or assigned with a score rank above a certain threshold with respect to the desired physiological response. Upon identifying the environmental features, the method further includes selecting said suitable environmental features 354 and generating a temporal execution profile of said selected environmental features 355. Then, the method further comprising outputting data indicative of or comprises the temporal execution profile of the selected environmental features 356 to be used either by a user or a dedicated system that is configured to execute the output data. The output data may include information for applying the environmental features in the space. For example, the output data may include dispensing a certain scent profile in the space, applying a certain illumination profile in the space, outputting a certain audio/acoustic profile, etc. Once the selected environmental features are applied in the space, a subject that present in the space experiencing enhancement or inhibition of a physiological parameter according to the desired physiological response of the input data.