Virtual Sleep Environment

Abstract

A virtual sleep environment with customized multimedia and climate controls is presented. The invention is mainly comprised of six parts. A first part being a sealed pod with resting bed. A second part being a digital multimedia system that includes a wraparound video screen and surround sound. A third part being a cloud service with proprietary website to manage custom user video and sound content across pods. A fourth part being a biofeedback recording system with sensors and interpretation software. A fifth part being a climate control system that regulates pod temperature according to user preferences. And a sixth part being interconnectivity for local and wide area networks. An object of the invention is to enhance rest effectiveness in busy environments. For example, such resting pods can be stationed in corporate lounges, hospitals, athletic locker rooms, study hall, rest stops and airports.

Claims

1. A resting pod comprised of the following parts: (a) a selectively-sealed chamber; (b) onboard climate controls; (c) bed portion; (d) onboard multimedia; (e) onboard CPU; (f) onboard biofeedback sensors; (e) software; and (f) a cloud network.

2. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the selectively-sealed chamber having a slidable cover.

3. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the onboard climate controls include a cooling system and an electrical heating system.

4. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the onboard multimedia includes a wraparound video screen and surround sound speakers.

5. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the onboard CPU containing WiFi and onboard cellular transmitters.

6. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the onboard biofeedback sensors include a ballistocardiograph and a millimeter wave sensor.

7. The resting pod of claim 1 wherein the software including a mobile device application.

8. A method for enhancing rest, the method comprised of the following: (a) reserving the rest pod; (b) selecting the rest scenario; (c) resting inside the closed pod; (d) being exposed to preferred visual and auditory stimulation; (e) recording biofeedback; and (f) analyzing biofeedback.

9. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein the selecting the rest scenario being performed on the cloud network of claim 1.

10. The method for reserving a rest pod of claim 8 wherein the reserving being conducted on integrations with users' existing online calendars.

11. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein the visual and auditory stimulation being selected in the rest scenario and settings in the user profiles.

12. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein the recording of biofeedback including the recording of heart rate, body movement and breathing rates.

13. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein the analyzing of biofeedback determining quality and type of sleep.

14. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein being exposed to preferred visual and auditory stimulation allows light levels to communicate with the retina and consequently the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

15. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein being exposed to preferred visual and auditory stimulation allows sound frequencies that reduce or increase brainwave activity

16. The method for enhancing rest of claim 8 wherein the resting inside a pod includes exposure to temperature levels that signal the hypothalamus that nighttime has arrived, and the body can begin the sleep process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a top view and side view of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the invention with cover open and closed.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a user interacting with the invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a representative view of the invention process.

[0028] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0029] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a top view, side view and perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the invention 1 with slidable cover 3 open and closed. The figures showing the invention being a rectangular-shaped pod with said cover 3 and enclosure 5 being made of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass and the like and containing a resting portion 2 (comprised of a bed etc.) configured along its longitudinal axis. The invention also being configured to receive a resting user 4 therein. Said cover 3 being controlled manually by a user with handles thereon. A secured storage area is included on a distal portion to allow for personal belongings storage.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the invention showing internal systems that include, but may not be limited to: an onboard widescreen video display 20 (such as OLED, LCD etc. having ratios of at least 3:1); speakers with stereo, surround sound (Dolby etc.); onboard specialty lighting and effects 19 (LED etc.); an onboard logic controller 16; an onboard central processing unit (CPU) or micro controller 13 with onboard memory, multimedia controllers, WiFi 14 and onboard cellular 16 transmitters and the like; onboard biofeedback sensors (open 9, closed 11, ballistocardiograph 10 and millimeter wave sensor 17 etc.); onboard climate controls 6 regulating hot and cold air (such as a rechargeable coolant system and an electric, radiant heating elements) and having a fan and air return plenum. The aforementioned OLED technology having the ability to turn each individual pixel off which allows the invention to control blue light and eliminate light pollution. All the aforementioned systems being connected to and controlled by said central processing unit as well as to an onboard A.C. power supply 8 therein. The aforementioned CPU 13 having software being written from code that may include, but not be limited to: Java, C++, Visual Basic, Linux, Basic and the like. The software also compatible with a plurality of operating systems such as, but not limited to: Windows, Apple, and Android, and compatible with a multitude of hardware platforms such as, but not limited to: personal desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and the like.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a user 39 interacting wirelessly with a resting pod 1 by means of mobile device software application 38. Said software also containing a marketplace for developers around the world to submit virtual environments, whereby they offer unlimited relaxation experiences for a user. The figure showing the user interface allowing a for functions such as but not limited to selecting a resting pod location, a preset relaxation scenario to be downloaded to resting pod 1 and reserving a time to utilize said resting pod 1. The mobile device software application 38 being written from code that may include, but not be limited to: Java, C++, Visual Basic, Linux, Basic and the like. The software also compatible with a plurality of operating systems such as, but not limited to: Windows, Apple, and Android, and compatible with a multitude of hardware platforms such as, but not limited to: personal desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and the like.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a representative view of the invention process wherein the resting pod 1 having processes such as but not limited to: receiving and sending multimedia files 34 representing preset resting scenarios; climate control 35 settings that can be synced to resting scenarios; and biofeedback 36 files. Said multimedia files may be selected from a user's profile and may include but not be limited to adjusting and setting the following parameters: virtual environment location, light hue, virtual sunset speed, stars and/or moon, temperature, ambient sounds, binuaral audio, sleep period and virtual sunrises.

[0034] The figure also showing users having the ability to perform functions such as but not limited to making online payments 21 for using resting pods (paypal, venmo etc.); making reservations to use a resting pod 22 and having capabilities to integrate with existing online calendars (google calendars etc.); and select from a range of pre-generated rest scenarios 23 (beach scenes, woodland areas etc.). Users having the option of using computing devices such as but not limited to tablets 24, cell phones 25 and desktop computers 40.

[0035] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.