WO2022201144A1

WO2022201144A1 - Controller for small scale proofing chamber

Info

Publication number: WO2022201144A1
Application number: PCT/IL2022/050298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon BEN DAVID
Original assignee: Creannovention Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-21
Filing date: 2022-03-16
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

A self-contained system comprising one or more temperature and/or humidity sensors, one or more controllers, one or more heaters and/or moisture diffusers to monitor and control the temperature and/or humidity in a confined area.

Description

Title : CONTROLLER FOR SMALL SCALE PROOFING CHAMBER RELATED APPLICATION/S

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No, 63163894 filed 21 March, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a heat and/or humidity enhancer and/or controller and, more particularly, but not exclusively, a heat and/or humidity monitor and/or processor that may enhance heat and/or humidity in a confined area.

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a kit for controlling at temperature and humidity in a confined area including: a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor; a heater responsive to the temperature sensor; a water source; a moisture diffuser receiving water from the water source and responsive to the humidity sensor.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the heater has a maximum power of between 10 to 1000 Watts. According to some embodiments of the invention, the water source has a volume of between 10 ml to 1 1.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system is self- contained.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system is placed in an existing compartment.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compartment has a volume between 400 ml to 7001.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit further includes a power source.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the power source includes a rechargeable battery.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the controller includes a communication port.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the controller is configured for placement in the confined area with the heater.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit further includes a wireless port.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit further includes an application for use of a personal computing device as a user interface to the controller.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the controller is set to at least one of a predetermined range of temperature and humidity.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit further includes a dedicated user interface.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system monitors the temperature and humidity of the confined area and adjusts the temperature and humidity as needed to maintain a predefined conditions in the confined area.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the further including a user interface to the controller and wherein the user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of kinds of fermentation.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the further including a user interface to the controller and wherein the user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of sizes of the confined area. According to some embodiments of the invention, more than one self- contained system is placed in the self-contained area.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a single controller controls more than one self-contained system.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling temperature and humidity in a confined space including: supplying an integrated system including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heater, a water source and a moisture diffuser; placing the integrated system into the confined space; monitoring the temperature and humidity of the confined space by the heat sensor and the humidity sensor; and activating the heater and the moisture diffuser in response to the heat sensor and the humidity sensor to preserve a temperature and humidity in the confined space to with a predetermined range.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the integrated system is self-contained.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the self-contained system includes a controller, the method further including programming the controller with the predetermined range.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the programming includes inputting to the controller a volume of the confined space.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the programming includes inputting to the controller a type of desired fermenting.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the programming includes inputting to the controller a time of fermenting.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the self-contained system includes a wireless transceiver and wherein the programming is performed wirelessly from outside the confined space with a wireless user interface.

According to some embodiments of the invention, where the wireless transceiver includes a personal computing device, further includes loading a control application onto the personal computing device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes communicating with the controller through a communication port.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the communicating is performed through a dedicated user interface. According to some embodiments of the invention, the controller takes into account the size of the contained area.

According to some embodiments of the invention, controlling more than one self-contained system includes temperature and humidity sensors, heaters and moisture diffusers by a single controller.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a system to convert a confined area into a fermentation or rising chamber including a self-contained system including temperature and humidity sensors, a controller, heaters and moisture diffusers.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the confined area is an existing compartment.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further includes communicating with the controller through a communication port.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further includes communicating with the controller wirelessly.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the controller is programable.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system. For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are Optionally, provided as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method that may be conducted with some embodiments of the current system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating and optional or additional embodiments of the system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating an optional embodiment of the system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an environmental control system in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustration of an environmental control method in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a system to heat and/or humidity enhancer and/or controller and, more particularly, but not exclusively, a heat and/or humidity monitor and/or processor that may enhance heat and/or humidity in a confined area.

OVERVIEW

An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to a system which may put out heat and/or may put out humidity. In some embodiments the system may be self-contained and may be inserted to a confined area and/or enhance the heat level and/or humidity level in that area. Particularly but not exclusively the system may be equipped with a heater and/or a device which may increase humidity (e.g., a water diffuser). Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may be equipped with a sensor of heat (e.g., a thermostat) and/or a sensor of humidity. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may have a processor that may activate and/or change and/or deactivate and/or reactivate the effect of the heater and/or the humidifier. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may have a controller or processor that may activate and deactivate the effect of the heater and/or the humidifier repeatedly in order to maintain the desired heat and/or humidity.

In some embodiments, the system may be between about 1 cm to about 10 cm tall and/or wide and/or long. Alternatively, and/or additionally, some embodiments the system may be between about 10 cm to about 100 cm tall and/or wide and/or long. Alternatively, and/or additionally, some embodiments, the system may be between about 100 cm to about 1000 cm tall and/or wide and/or long.

An aspect of some embodiments is a convenient device for controlling temperature and humidity. In some embodiments, the system may be a self-contained product. In some embodiments, the system may be installed in a pre-existing container and/or area. In an embodiment, there is no need to build a custom system. In some embodiments, the system may provide a relatively inexpensive means for controlling the environmental in a contained area. Optionally, the system may be easy to install by a lay-person. Optionally, installation may require only the actuator (e.g., a heater and/or moisture diffuser) and sensors to be placed into a compartment and connection to a controller. In some embodiment, the system includes a controller and/or software. For example, a control (which may be part of a package including the actuators and/or sensor and/or may be separate therefrom) may receive data from the sensors and/or send commands to the actuators. Optionally, a central controller may receive data from multiple sensors and/or control multiple actuators. For example, for a large space, multiple heaters and/or multiple humidity sources may be placed in the space. Additionally or alternatively, multiple sensors may be put into the space. For example, multiple complete systems (e.g., packages), each including one or more sensors, one or may actuators and/or a controller may be placed in the space. Optionally, each system may act independently. Alternatively or additionally, multiple systems may be chained together. For example, one controller may act as a master coordinating the functioning of multiple systems while another controller acts as a slave controlling local resources according to instructions from the master. Optionally, a general computing device of a user (e.g., a personal computing device such as his cell phone) may act as a controller. For example, the user may place one or more sensors, actuators and/or one or more controllers into the location to be controlled and/or communicate with his personal computing device (e.g., via a wireless channel (e.g., Bluetooth) and/or via a network (e.g., ethemet, Internet, WIFI)). For example, a kit may contain software that facilitates control by the personal computing device.

In some embodiments, the device may be used in a proofing chamber, rising chamber, fermentation box, egg hatching chamber, incubator, stability testing (e.g., drugs, dyes and/or food products), a preserving room or chamber for art-works, artefacts and/or books, storage rooms for wines, maturing chambers for cheeses, a fermenting chamber for yogurt, for activating and/or feeding sour dough, for scalding flour or milk (for example flour and water may be heated at a temperature between 55 to 70 degrees C for from 30 min to 2 hours and/or between 2 hours to 4 hours), for heat treating flour etc. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may be used to assist in rising, fermenting, brewing, preserving, incubating, testing and/or other uses. In some embodiments, the system may be inserted to a confined area (e.g., into an industrial and/or home oven and/or an insulated enclosure and/or semi-insulated container).

Some embodiments of the system make it easy for small businesses (or even homes) to have a reliable rising chamber / proofing chamber / fermentation box (herein, unless otherwise stated, the three terms proofing chamber, rising chamber and fermentation box are used interchangeably and each one of the three terms includes the other two terms). In some cases, the system maintains a consistent and/or controlled temperature and/or humidity level which may result in dough rising to a consistent and/or high quality in a short time and/or in a consistent time. For example, the system may maintain consistency and/or increasing speed of rising may leads to a more consistent baked product, more efficient work-flow and/or a higher quality product in the bakery.

Many conventional rising chambers have a dedicated space and/or custom installed equipment. This may be difficult and/or expensive to install. For example, small businesses may be prevented from acquiring a high quality rising chamber (e.g., a chamber with highly controlled temperature (e.g. fixed within about 2 degrees and/or about 5 degrees and/or about 10 degrees C of a target value) and/or highly controlled humidity (e.g. within 2% and/or 5% and/or 10% of a target value) and/or a high temperature (e.g., between about 35 to about 43 degrees and/or between about 30 to about 35 degrees and/or between about 45 to about 55 degrees and/or between about 55 to 65 degrees) and/or a high humidity (e.g., between about 80-88% and/or between about 88 to about 95% and/or above about 95% and/or between about 70-80% and/or between about 50-70%).

In some embodiments, a system in accordance with the present invention may be used in an existing space and/or chamber to convert it to as a high-quality rising chamber. Optionally, the system may be installed in a multi -function space. For example, the same space may be used also as an oven and/or a storage chamber and/or for other users. For example, a system in accordance with some embodiments of the current invention a device is put into a regular oven and/or insulated box (e.g., a picnic cooler) and/or a closet and/or another chamber making it into a controlled fermentation chamber. For example, after use as a rising chamber, the space may be used for another purpose.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise a controller. In some embodiments, the controller may include or be connected to a heat source, a humidity source (e.g., a moisture diffuser), a thermostat and/or a humidity probe (a device to measure humidity). Optionally, a controller (e.g., a computer chip) couples the sensors and/or the actuators (e.g., a humidity source and/or a heat source). Optionally, one controller may control more than one sensor and/or actuator. Optionally, one controller may control more than one sensor and/or actuator located in one or more confined areas e.g., several ovens in a commercial kitchen, several cupboards, picnic hampers, compartments, or rooms.

In some embodiments, the system may include a dedicated user interface (e.g., a touch screen and/or a button (e.g., a power button) and/or an adjustment knob and/or a slider and/or a digital display (e.g., an LED display) and/or an indicator light (e.g., an LED)) to adjust the temperature, humidity, and time and/or to output details to a user. Optionally, the user interface (whether dedicated, local or remote) may control system functions and/or inform the user of system status and/or output notification to a user (for example, an alarm when the rising process is ended, a low battery warning, a warning when the conditions of the chamber are not in the intended range etc. an alarm when a malfunction is detected, or an alarm when unsafe conditions are detected). Alternatively, and/or additionally, the user interface may be used by the user to adjust system setting.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may include a wireless transceiver. For example, the system may communicate with an external user interface and/or processing device (e.g., a remote control, a personal computer and/or a cell phone). The external computing device may control system functions, store data and/or process data (for example to learn how to improve performance). Optionally, the computing device may be programable by the user. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the computing device may be pre-programmed with a limited set of standard heating and/or humidity conditions for different sized areas. Optionally, the system will include a camera. For example, the camera may send pictures of the dough or other products over a wireless connection, for example for remote monitoring of the process (e.g., fermentation, rising etc.)

In an embodiment, the size of a confined area e.g., a rising chamber, may range for example, between about 10 to about 40 liters and/or about 40 to about 90 liters and/or about 90 to about 200 liters and/or about 200 to about 1000 liters or more.

In some embodiments, the system may perform high-rate measurements and/or adjustments to retain stability of the temperature and/or humidity (e.g., due to the small size of the compartment). Optionally, the user may input the size of the compartment and/or one or more details about the background environment into the controller. Optionally, the system may sense the size of the compartment and/or the background environment (e.g., by tracking how fast the temperature and/or humidity drift and in which direction) in order to control the environment in a smart way.

In an embodiment, the user may insert more than one set of sensors and/or actuators (e.g., a heat source and/or a humidity source) into the compartment (e.g., for larger and/or less insulated compartments). Optionally, more than one set of sensors and/or actuators may each act independently. Optionally, more than one set of sensors and/or actuators may work together under a single controller. Optionally, more than one set of sensors and/or actuators may work in sequence (e.g., to reduce wear and tear on any one sensor and/or actuator). Optionally, the system may be modular (e.g., there may be different size and numbers of sensors and/or actuators that may be used with a general controller). Optionally, several modules may be used sequentially or concurrently.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may have various settings. Alternatively, and/or additionally, an embodiment may have settings that are set physically (e.g., by pushing a physical button and/or turning a knob) and/or the system may be equipped with a digital interface and/or a touch screen. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in some embodiments the system may have a setting to provide a fixed non-changing output of heat and/or humidity. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in some embodiments the system may have a setting to sense heat and/or humidity levels and/or to change automatically heat and/or humidity output. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in some embodiments the system may have time settings (e.g., settings for when to turn on and/or when to turn off and/or at which times to put out heat at various strengths and/or humidity at various strengths.)

Alternatively, and/or additionally, in some embodiments the system may be equipped with wireless communication technology (e.g., Bluetooth, wireless network, etc.).

Alternatively, and/or additionally, in some embodiments the system may communicate to the user information on a user interface (e.g., a screen) and/or wirelessly to a mobile device and/or computer, (e.g., the device may communicate to the user the progress in heating and/or humidifying output and/or may communicate the current heat and/or humidity levels in the area.) Alternatively, and/or additionally, a user may change settings wirelessly e.g., with a mobile device and/or computer and/or remote control. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may be equipped with a power source (for example, a battery and/or may have a charging socket/port (e.g., USB port, standard electrical socket for direct or alternating current, and/or a charger and/or a super capacitor and/or a fuel cell and/or fuel (for example propane) and/or compressed air and/or a heated object (for example, hot water in an insulated receptacle)). Optionally, the temperature sensor may be a thermostat which directly controls the temperature by connecting or cutting off power to the heater. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in an embodiment the system may have a controller (e.g., a computer chip) that may control heat and/or humidity output of the device. For example, when the chamber is cool the controller may be connected to a heater and may activate a heater (e.g., a heating element, thermostat) and/or release stored heat (e.g., by exposing a heating material and/or releasing hot air and/or hot water [for example a hot water receptacle may have an electronic valve for releasing hot water and/or steam)]). For example, when the humidity is low, the system may release water vapor e.g., via a moisture diffuser and/or by a blowing air over a water source (e.g., a wet sponge, a tap, valve, etc.).

Alternatively, and/or additionally, in an embodiment the system may have connectors to connect to sides and/or top of an oven and/or box and/or another container. In some embodiments the system may be connected to a cover of a container. For example, a cover to a bowl and/or pot. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may sit on the floor and/or a rack in a chamber (e.g., an oven and/or a refrigerator). Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may sit on a shelf (e.g., in a room or cupboard).

Alternatively, and/or additionally, in an embodiment the system may in the form of a container. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in an embodiment the system may be used to control the fermenting process. For example, a user may attempt to control how much time the fermentation process may take.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method that may be conducted with some embodiments of the current system. For example, a user may desire (102) to control level of heat and/or humidity in a confined area. Sensors and/or actuators of the system are optionally inserted (104) into the confined area. Alternatively or additionally, a controller may be inserted (104) into the area and/or the controller may remain outside (e.g., communicating with the sensors and/or actuators wirelessly). In some embodiments, desired temperature and/or humidity conditions are set (106). Optionally, the area is closed (108). For example, the desired conditions may be set on a user interface and/or a controller that is left inside the enclosure before closing the enclosure. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a remote controller and/or the user may have access to the controls from outside the enclosure. For example, the conditions may be set (106) from outside the enclosure while it is open and/or closed. Optionally sensors detect (108) the heat and/or humidity. In some embodiments, an actuator, for example a heater and/or a humidity source, actively controls (110) the heat and/or humidity.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating and optional or additional embodiments of the system. The system may comprise a power source, for example, a battery (204) and/or have a charging socket/port (202) to power the system; a temperature sensor (206) e.g., a thermostat, and/or a humidity sensor (210) connected to a controller (212) (e.g., a computer chip) which controls a heater (208) and/or a moisture diffuser (214) connected to a water source (216), and the controller (212) may be connected to a communication port (218), and/or a dedicated user interface (220). In some embodiments, the heater (208) be directly controlled by a temperature sensor (206) (e.g., a thermostat., the example, the thermostat may turn on the heater (208) when a temperature falls below a lower threshold and/or the thermostat may turn off the heater (208) when a temperature rises above a higher threshold). Alternatively or additionally, the thermostat (206) may report data to the controller (212) which may power the heater according to an internal logic and/or a programmed logic. For example, the logic may take into account readings from multiple temperature sensors and/or at different locations in the enclosure and/or the logic may control more than one heater (208) at different locations in the enclosure and/or the temperature may be adjusted to different values and/or ranges over time. In some embodiments, the water source (216) may include a reservoir (e.g., a bottle of water). Alternatively or additionally, the system may be connected to an external water network. For example, there may be a valve connecting the system to a water tap. In some embodiments, the system may be packaged as kit and/or in a single housing and/or the system may be modular. Optionally, the controller (212) may include a dedicated controller (212) and/or be housed with the other parts of the system and/or the controller (212) may include a remote component (for example receiving data and/or sending commands wirelessly e.g., through Bluetooth). In some embodiments, multiple system may be chained together.

Figure 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating an optional embodiment of the system. The system (304) may be inserted to an oven (301) and/or another enclosure (for example an insulated box [e.g., a picnic cooler and/or an old refrigerator]). A user may wish to place kneaded dough (303) in the oven (301), e.g., to enhance fermenting process. Alternatively, and/or additionally, in an embodiment the system (304) may sense progress in the fermenting process and/or may inform the user. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system (304) may time the fermenting and/or rising (e.g., the system (304) may include a timer and/or an alarm (for example, the alarm may send a wireless signal to a device of a user and/or an audible alarm may be set off and/or a display may tell a user the status of the system)). Alternatively, and/or additionally, the system may have various preestablished settings that may enhance the warming, and/or fermenting of various quantities and/or types of substances. The user may close the cover and/or door (302) and/or container. The system (304) may activate a heater (306) and/or a humidifier (305), and/or may enhance the atmosphere in the space and/or may enhance the fermenting process.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an environmental control system in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. In some embodiments, a kit (401) is configured for controlling at temperature and/or humidity in a confined area. Optionally, the kit (401) includes a temperature sensor (406), a humidity sensor (410), a heater (408) responsive to the temperature sensor (406); a water source (416); a moisture diffuser (414) receiving water from the water source (416) and/or responsive to the humidity sensor (410). Optionally, the system includes a power source (404).

In some embodiments, the heater (408) has a maximum power ranging between 1 to 10 Watts and/or between 10 to 100 Watts and/or between 100 to 1000 Watts and/or between 1000 to 5000 Watts and/or between 5000 to 20000 Watts. In some embodiments, the water source 416 has a volume ranging between 1 to 10 ml to and/or between 10 to 100 ml and/or between 100 ml to 1 1 and/or between 1 1 to 101.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit (401) is self- contained. For example, the temperature sensor (406), a humidity sensor (410), the heater (408), the water source (416); the moisture diffuser (414) and/or the humidity sensor (410) are all packaged together in a single package that configured to be put into and out of a confined space as a single unit. For example, the components may all be integrated together before insertion into the confined space.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit (401) is placed in an existing compartment. For example, the compartment may include an oven and/or an insulated box and/or a refrigerator.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compartment has a volume ranging between 100 to 400 ml and/or 400 ml to 1 1 and/or 1 1 to 10 1 and/or 101 to 1001 and/or 1001 to 7001.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the kit (401) further includes a power source (404). For example, the power source (404) may be self- contained (e.g., a battery) and/or rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, the power source (404) may receive power from an external power network (e.g., an electrical outlet).

In some embodiments, the controller is configured for placement in the confined area with the heater (408). Optionally, the kit (401) further includes a wireless port. Additionally or alternatively, the kit (401) further includes an application for use of a personal computing device as a user interface to the controller.

In some embodiments, the controller is set to at least one of a predetermined range of temperature and humidity.

In some embodiments, the kit (401) further includes a dedicated user interface.

In some embodiments, the kit (401) monitors the temperature and humidity of the confined area and adjusts the temperature and humidity as needed to maintain a predefined conditions in the confined area. For example, the system may preserve the temperature between a maximum and minimum temperature (e.g., turning on the heater (408) when the temperature is below the minimum temperature and/or turning off the (408) when the temperature is above the maximum temperature). Optionally the maximum temperature may range between 25 to 30 degrees C and/or between 30 to 35 degrees and/or between 35 to 40 degrees and/or between 40 to 45 degrees and/or between 45 to 50 degrees and/or between 50 to 60 degrees and/or between 60 to 70 degrees. Optionally the minimum temperature may range between 25 to 30 degrees C and/or between 30 to 35 degrees and/or between 35 to 40 degrees and/or between 40 to 45 degrees and/or between 45 to 50 degrees and/or between 50 to 60 degrees and/or between 60 to 70 degrees.

In some embodiments, the system includes a user interface to the controller and wherein the user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of kinds of fermentation. For example, the system may have a preprogrammed set of temperatures for fermenting milk (e.g., to make yogurt) and/or for fermenting one or more types of dough (e.g., sour dough, bread dough, wheat dough, spelt dough, rye dough etc.) and/or for fermenting one or types of drinks (e.g., wine, beer, borsht, mead, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, the system may have a setting for sprouts.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the further including a user interface to the controller and wherein the user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of sizes of the confined area for example ranging between 100 to 400 ml and/or 400 ml to 1 1 and/or 1 1 to 10 1 and/or 10 1 to 100 1 and/or 100 1 to 7001.

According to some embodiments of the invention, more than one self- contained system is placed in the self-contained area. Optionally, the multiple systems may be integrated and/or controlled by a single controller and/or they may be independent.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustration of an environmental control method in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. In embodiments the method includes supplying (502) an integrated system including a temperature sensor (406), a humidity sensor (410), a heater (408), a water source (416) and/or a moisture diffuser (414); placing (504) the integrated system into the confined space; monitoring (508) the temperature and/or humidity of the confined space by the temperature sensor (406) and/or the humidity sensor (410); and/or activating (510) the heater (408) and/or the moisture diffuser (414) in response to the temperature sensor (406) and the humidity sensor (410) to preserve a temperature and humidity in the confined space to with a predetermined range.

In some embodiments, the integrated system is self-contained.

In some embodiments, the self-contained system includes a controller, the method further including programming the controller with the predetermined range.

In some embodiments, the programming includes inputting to the controller a volume of the confined space.

In some embodiments, the programming includes inputting to the controller a type of desired fermenting.

In some embodiments, the programming includes inputting to the controller a time of fermenting. For example, the time may range between 1 minute to 10 minutes and/or between 10 to 20 minutes and/or between 20 minutes to an hour and/or between 1 to 5 hours and/or between 5 hours to a day.

In some embodiments, the self-contained system includes a wireless transceiver and wherein the programming is performed wirelessly from outside the confined space with a wireless user interface.

In some embodiments, where the wireless transceiver includes a personal computing device, further includes loading a control application onto the personal computing device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes communicating with the controller through a communication port.

In some embodiments, the communicating is performed through a dedicated user interface.

In some embodiments, the controller takes into account the size of the contained area.

In some embodiments, controlling more than one self-contained system includes temperature and humidity sensors, heaters and moisture diffusers by a single controller.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant building technologies, artificial intelligence methodologies, computer user interfaces, image capture devices will be developed and the scope of the terms for design elements, analysis routines, user devices is intended to include all such new technologies a priori. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, some embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. Implementation of the method and/or system of some embodiments of the invention can involve performing and/or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of some embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware and/or by a combination thereof, e.g., using an operating system.

For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to some embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to some embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to some exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are Optionally, provided as well.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized for some embodiments of the invention. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium and/or data used thereby may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for some embodiments of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Some embodiments of the present invention may be described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the fimctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the fimction/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Data and/or program code may be accessed and/or shared over a network, for example the Internet. For example, data may be shared and/or accessed using a social network. A processor may include remote processing capabilities for example available over a network (e.g., the Internet). For example, resources may be accessed via cloud computing. The term “cloud computing” refers to the use of computational resources that are available remotely over a public network, such as the internet, and that may be provided for example at a low cost and/or on an hourly basis. Any virtual or physical computer that is in electronic communication with such a public network could potentially be available as a computational resource. To provide computational resources via the cloud network on a secure basis, computers that access the cloud network may employ standard security encryption protocols such as SSL and PGP, which are well known in the industry.

Some of the methods described herein are generally designed only for use by a computer, and may not be feasible or practical for performing purely manually, by a human expert. A human expert who wanted to manually perform similar tasks might be expected to use completely different methods, e.g., making use of expert knowledge and/or the pattern recognition capabilities of the human brain, which would be vastly more efficient than manually going through the steps of the methods described herein.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ± 10%

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", “having” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term “consisting of’ means “including and limited to”.

The term "consisting essentially of' means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A kit for controlling at temperature and humidity in a confined area comprising: a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor; a heater responsive to said temperature sensor; a water source; a moisture diffuser receiving water from said water source and responsive to said humidity sensor.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said heater has a maximum power of between 10 to 1000 Watts.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein said water source has a volume of between 10 ml to 1 1.

4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit is self-contained.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit is placed in an existing compartment.

6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the compartment has a volume between 400 ml to 7001.

7. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a power source.

8. The kit of claim 7, wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery.

9. The kit of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a communication port.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said controller is configured for placement in the confined area with the heater.

11. The kit of claim 7, further including a wireless port.

12. The kit of claim 11, further comprising an application for use of a personal computing device as a user interface to said controller.

13. The kit of claim 1, wherein the controller is set to at least one of a predetermined range of temperature and humidity.

14. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a dedicated user interface.

15. The kit of claim 1, wherein the kit monitors the temperature and humidity of the confined area and adjusts the temperature and humidity as needed to maintain a predefined conditions in the confined area.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the further comprising a user interface to the controller and wherein said user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of kinds of fermentation.

17. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a user interface to the controller and wherein said user interface includes preprogrammed settings for a plurality of sizes of said confined area.

18. The kit of claim 4, wherein more than one self-contained kit is placed in the self- contained area.

19. The kit of claim 14, wherein a single controller controls more than one self- contained kit.

20. A method for controlling temperature and humidity in a confined space comprising: supplying an integrated system comprising a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a heater, a water source and a moisture diffuser; placing said integrated system into said confined space; monitoring the temperature and humidity of the confined space by the heat sensor and the humidity sensor; and activating the heater and the moisture diffuser in response to said heat sensor and said humidity sensor to preserve a temperature and humidity in said confined space to with a predetermined range.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said integrated system is self-contained.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said self-contained system includes a controller, the method further comprising programming said controller with said predetermined range.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said programming includes inputting to said controller a volume of said confined space.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said programming includes inputting to said controller a type of desired fermenting.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said programming includes inputting to said controller a time of fermenting.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said self-contained system includes a wireless transceiver and wherein said programming is performed wirelessly from outside said confined space with a wireless user interface.

27. The method of claim 26, where said wireless transceiver includes a personal computing device, further comprising loading a control application onto said personal computing device.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising communicating with the controller through a communication port.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the communicating is performed through a dedicated user interface.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the controller takes into account the size of the contained area.

31. The method of claim 21 , controlling more than one self-contained system comprising temperature and humidity sensors, heaters and moisture diffusers by a single controller.