Patent Application
20230391158
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The disclosure relates to cooling devices and more particularly pertains to a new cooling device for directing a flow of air onto a user. The present invention discloses a cooling device that uses facial recognition and motion signals to direct air from a forced air module onto a user.
The prior art relates to cooling devices. Prior art cooling devices may comprise fans that are directed by thermographic imaging and movable fans that track users using cameras or ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. Related prior art comprises drones that are programmed to direct air from their propellers onto users and automatic pointing devices, such as cameras. What is lacking in the prior art is a cooling device comprising a camera and a sensor that detects motion. Tracking programming code on a microprocessor enables tracking, by facial recognition and motion signals, of air from a forced air module so that air is directed upon a user.
An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a forced air module, a flow direction module, and an electronics module. The flow direction module is operationally engaged to the forced air module to selectively direct a flow of air from the forced air module. The electronics module comprises a receiver, a camera, a sensor configured for detecting motion, and a microprocessor, which is operationally engaged to the forced air module, the flow direction module, the receiver, the camera, and the sensor. Tracking programming code, which is positioned on the microprocessor, enables the microprocessor to track a user based on facial recognition, from images obtained by the camera, and on motion signals received from the sensor. Controller programming code, which is selectively positionable on an electronic device of the user, enables the electronic device to send commands to the microprocessor, via the receiver, to adjust one or more of a flow rate, or a temperature, of air from the forced air module and a tracking parameter.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
The electronics module 16 comprises a receiver 18, a camera 20, a sensor 22 configured for detecting motion, and a microprocessor 24, which is operationally engaged to the forced air module 12, the flow direction module 14, the receiver 18, the camera 20, and the sensor 22.
Tracking programming code 26, which is positioned on the microprocessor, 24 enables the microprocessor 24 to track a user based on facial recognition, from images obtained by the camera 20, and on motion signals received from the sensor 22. Controller programming code 28, which is selectively positionable on an electronic device 30 of the user, enables the electronic device 30 to send commands to the microprocessor 24, via the receiver 18, to adjust one or more of a flow rate, or a temperature, of air from the forced air module 12 and a tracking parameter.
A power module 32, which is operationally engaged to the microprocessor 24, enables the microprocessor 24 to selectively power the forced air module 12 and the flow direction module 14. As shown in
In one configuration, as shown in
In another configuration (not shown), the forced air module 12, the flow direction module 14, and the electronics module 16 are integral to a vehicle. In this configuration, the power module 32 comprises an electrical circuit of the vehicle.
In one example of use, the base 44 is positioned in a convenient location, such as in a living room. A user then is able to move about the living room while the tracking programming code 26 utilizes facial recognition and motion sensing to track the user and to direct a flow of air from the fan 42 onto the user. The controller programming code 28 positioned on the user's electronic device 30, such as a cellphone 48, enables the user to adjust the flow rate and temperature of air from the forced air module 12. The user also can adjust the tracking parameters, such as adjusting the sensor 22 not to track a pet, inputting new facial images, and the like.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.
