VIRTUAL REALITY EQUIPMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to virtual reality systems and, more particularly, to apparatuses, systems, and methods for sterilizing virtual reality equipment

Description of Related Art

Virtual reality experiences often employ user-handled or user-worn virtual reality equipment, such as but not limited to virtual reality head mounted displays (e.g., visors), headsets, controllers (e.g., hand-held controllers or backpack-mounted computer devices), fiducial markers (e.g., fiducial rings), tracking devices (including user-worn tracking devices that may be mounted to a user’s extremities), physical objects, tools, or props (e.g., face protector or hair net), or the like. This virtual reality equipment typically directly engages a face, head, hand, foot or other body part of, or is otherwise handled by, the many individuals using them. It is known based on prior art, that wearing or handling virtual reality equipment may make the virtual reality equipment a conduit for contagion (e.g., bacteria, viruses, microbes, mold, and other living organisms (e.g., lice, mites, etc.))) between users, as well as general dirt and oils from being passed from individual to individual.

Typically, virtual reality equipment is cleaned between individual uses by a human attendant wiping the virtual reality equipment with an alcohol wipe, which may be limited in cleaning effectiveness. As is also known based on prior art, a wipe cannot reach all the nooks and crevices in the virtual reality equipment, causing contaminants and contagions to be incompletely removed between users or between more involved sterilization/cleaning procedures. Prior art has also provided more-involved

sterilization/cleaning procedures, which may be performed before or after a shift or during scheduled down time of the virtual reality experience, and may include, for example, an input of a substance or source (e.g., ozone, ultraviolet (UV) light, or heat) to improve upon the deficiencies in hand-wiping the virtual reality equipment. However, these known sterilizing/cleaning procedures may be time intensive in relation to the degree of sterilization/cleaning obtained. For instance, one known sterilization/cleaning method may be effective at removing some contaminants and contagions, but not others, while another known

sterilization/cleaning method, when applied using the necessary parameters for effective sterilization, may cause damage to the virtual reality equipment being sterilized/cleaned.

Thus, it would be desirable to improve upon the known sterilization devices and methods used for virtual reality equipment so that sterilizing the virtual reality equipment is more efficient, effective, and thorough. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The above and other needs are met by the present disclosure which, in one aspect, provides a sterilization apparatus for a virtual reality system, the apparatus comprising a container defining an interior chamber arranged to receive virtual reality equipment therein; an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the container and arranged to transmit ozone from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and a heater operably engaged with and arranged to heat the interior chamber of the container to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, the heater being actuatable in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, to heat the interior chamber, such that heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a sterilization system for a virtual reality system, the sterilization system comprising virtual reality equipment; and a sterilization apparatus arranged to sterilize the virtual reality equipment, the sterilization apparatus comprising: a container defining an interior chamber arranged to receive the virtual reality equipment therein; an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the container and arranged to transmit ozone from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and a heater operably engaged with and arranged to heat the interior chamber of the container to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, the heater being actuatable in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, to heat the interior chamber, such that heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Still another aspect of the disclosure provides a sterilization method for a virtual reality system, the method comprising inserting virtual reality equipment into an interior chamber of a container of a sterilization apparatus; transmitting ozone into the interior chamber of the container from an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber so as to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and following the first sterilization procedure, heating the interior chamber of the container with a heater operably engaged with the interior chamber so as to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, wherein heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following embodiments: Example Embodiment 1: A sterilization apparatus for a virtual reality system, comprising a container defining an interior chamber arranged to receive virtual reality equipment therein; an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the container and arranged to transmit ozone from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and a heater operably engaged with and arranged to heat the interior chamber of the container to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, the heater being actuatable in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, to heat the interior chamber, such that heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 2: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a controller in communication with the ozone generating device and the heater, the controller being arranged to actuate the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure to transmit the ozone into the interior chamber, and to actuate the heater in the second sterilization procedure following the first sterilization procedure to heat the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 3: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is arranged to control transmission of the ozone into the interior chamber for the first sterilization procedure, and to control removal of the ozone from the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure.

Example Embodiment 4: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is arranged to control the heater so that the heater heats the interior chamber of the container for the second sterilization procedure, and wherein the second sterilization procedure includes an initial time period associated with a heated temperature of the interior chamber provided by the heater to decompose the ozone into oxygen.

Example Embodiment 5: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the first and second sterilization procedures are conducted for equal time periods or for different time periods.

Example Embodiment 6: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller comprises an actuator arranged to control power supplied to the ozone generating device or the heater.

Example Embodiment 7: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber includes one or more mounts arranged to receive and support the virtual reality equipment within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 8: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising an ultraviolet (UV) light source arranged to emit UV light into the interior chamber of the container. Example Embodiment 9: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a sensor operably engaged with the interior chamber to determine at least one of a temperature, a humidity, and a concentration of the ozone in the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 10: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber defines an ozone inlet arranged so that the interior chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generating device, the ozone being transmitted from the ozone generating device to the interior chamber through the ozone inlet.

Example Embodiment 11: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a fan positioned adjacent to the ozone inlet to circulate the ozone in the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 12: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber defines a selectively closeable opening, and the sterilization apparatus comprises a door assembly arranged about the selectively closeable opening, so that in a closed position the selectively closeable opening is sealed by the door assembly and in an open position the interior chamber is accessible through selectively closeable opening.

Example Embodiment 13: The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a safety mechanism arranged to interface with the door assembly to securely retain the door assembly in the closed position until the ozone transmitted by the ozone generating device into the interior chamber is neutralized or decomposed into oxygen.

Example Embodiment 14: A sterilization system comprising virtual reality equipment; and a sterilization apparatus arranged to sterilize the virtual reality equipment, the sterilization apparatus comprising a container defining an interior chamber arranged to receive the virtual reality equipment therein; an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the container and arranged to transmit ozone from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and a heater operably engaged with and arranged to heat the interior chamber of the container to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, the heater being actuatable in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, to heat the interior chamber, such that heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 15: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a controller in communication with the ozone generating device and the heater of the sterilization apparatus, the controller being arranged to actuate the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure to transmit the ozone into the interior chamber, and to actuate the heater in the second sterilization procedure following the first sterilization procedure to heat the interior chamber Example Embodiment 16: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is arranged to control transmission of the ozone into the interior chamber for the first sterilization period, and to control removal of the ozone from the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure.

Example Embodiment 17: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller is arranged to control the heater so that the heater heats the interior chamber of the container for the second sterilization procedure, and wherein the second sterilization procedure includes an initial time period associated with a heated temperature of the interior chamber provided by the heater to decompose the ozone into oxygen.

Example Embodiment 18: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the first and second sterilization procedures are conducted for equal time periods or for different time periods.

Example Embodiment 19: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller of the sterilization apparatus comprises an actuator arranged to control power supplied to the ozone generating device or the heater.

Example Embodiment 20: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber of the sterilization apparatus includes one or more mounts arranged to receive and support the virtual reality equipment within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 21: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the sterilization apparatus comprises an ultraviolet (UV) light source arranged to emit UV light into the interior chamber of the container.

Example Embodiment 22: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the virtual reality equipment comprises a VR head mounted display.

Example Embodiment 23: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the sterilization apparatus comprises a sensor operably engaged with the interior chamber to determine at least one of a temperature, a humidity, and a concentration of the ozone in the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 24: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber of the sterilization apparatus defines an ozone inlet arranged so that the interior chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generating device, the ozone being transmitted from the ozone generating device to the interior chamber through the ozone inlet.

Example Embodiment 25: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the sterilization apparatus comprises a fan positioned adjacent to the ozone inlet to circulate the ozone in the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 26: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber of the sterilization apparatus defines a selectively closeable opening, and the sterilization apparatus comprises a door assembly arranged about the selectively closeable opening, so that in a closed position the selectively closeable opening is sealed by the door assembly and in an open position the interior chamber is accessible through selectively closeable opening.

Example Embodiment 27: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the sterilization apparatus comprises a safety mechanism arranged to interface with the door assembly to securely retain the door assembly in the closed position until a quantity of the ozone transmitted by the ozone generating device into the interior chamber is neutralized or decomposed into oxygen.

Example Embodiment 28: A sterilization method for a virtual reality system, comprising inserting virtual reality equipment into an interior chamber of a container of a sterilization apparatus; transmitting ozone into the interior chamber of the container from an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber so as to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment; and following the first sterilization procedure, heating the interior chamber of the container with a heater operably engaged with the interior chamber so as to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, wherein heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 29: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein transmitting the ozone into the interior chamber comprises controlling, by a controller in communication with the ozone generating device and the heater of the sterilization apparatus, actuation of the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure to control transmission of the ozone into the interior chamber, and wherein heating the interior chamber of the container comprises controlling, by the controller, actuation of the heater in the second sterilization procedure following the first sterilization procedure to control heating of the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 30: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein controlling the actuation of the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure comprises controlling, by the controller, transmission of the ozone into the interior chamber from the ozone generating device for the first sterilization procedure, and controlling removal of the ozone from the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure.

Example Embodiment 31: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein controlling the actuation of the heater in the second sterilization procedure comprises controlling, by the controller, provision of the heat to the interior chamber from the heater for the second sterilization procedure, the second sterilization procedure including an initial time period associated with a heated temperature of the interior chamber provided by the heater to decompose the ozone into oxygen. Example Embodiment 32: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the controller comprises an actuator, and the method comprises controlling power supplied to the sterilization apparatus by the actuator.

Example Embodiment 33: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein inserting the virtual reality equipment into the interior chamber comprises engaging the virtual reality equipment with one or more mounts arranged to receive and support the virtual reality equipment within the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 34: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising determining at least one of a temperature, a humidity, and a concentration of the ozone in the interior chamber using a sensor operably engaged with the interior chamber.

Example Embodiment 35: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein transmitting the ozone into the interior chamber comprises transmitting the ozone into the interior chamber of the container from the ozone generating device through an ozone inlet arranged so that the interior chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generating device.

Example Embodiment 36: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising circulating the ozone in the interior chamber using a fan positioned adjacent to the ozone inlet.

Example Embodiment 37: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the interior chamber defines a selectively closeable opening, and wherein inserting the virtual reality equipment into the interior chamber comprises opening a door assembly arranged about the selectively closeable opening, so that the door assembly is in an open position, and inserting the virtual reality equipment into the interior chamber, and wherein the method comprises closing the door assembly, so that the door assembly is in a closed position, to seal the selectively closeable opening.

Example Embodiment 38: The method of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising securely retaining the door assembly in the closed position using a safety mechanism arranged to interface with the door assembly until a quantity of the ozone transmitted by the ozone generating device into the interior chamber is neutralized or decomposed into oxygen.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended, namely to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. It will be appreciated that the summary herein is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example aspects so as to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that the above described example aspects are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential aspects, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those herein summarized. Further, other aspects and advantages of such aspects disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described aspects.

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

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 provides a schematic of an example sterilization system according to one aspect of the present subject matter; and

FIG. 2 provides a process flow diagram of an example sterilization method for a virtual reality system according to one aspect of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to a sterilization apparatus, system, and related method for sterilizing user-handled or user-wom virtual reality (VR) equipment used in a VR experience. The VR equipment may include, but is not limited to, virtual reality head mounted displays (e.g., visors), headsets, controllers (e.g., hand-held controllers or backpack-mounted computer devices), fiducial markers (e.g., fiducial rings), tracking devices (including user-wom tracking devices that may be mounted to a user’s hands and/or feet), physical objects, tools, props, or the like. Aspects of the sterilization apparatus, system, and method disclosed herein may advantageously combine the use of ozone (O3) and heat in, respectively, a first sterilization procedure and a second sterilization procedure (collectively referred to as a “sterilization process”) to more efficiently and effectively sterilize VR equipment.

As used herein,“sterilize”,“sanitize”,“remove”, and the like may refer to removal of unwanted matter or contagions such as, for example, any bacteria, viruses, microbes, mold, and other living organisms (e.g., lice, mites, etc.) in order to satisfactorily eliminate this unwanted matter more effectively than known sterilization devices and methods implementing a single sterilization procedure. It is known that ozone destroys some unwanted matter like bacteria by interfering with the metabolism of bacteria cells., In sufficient quantities, ozone will break through the cell membrane and lead to the destmction of the bacteria. It is also known that ozone destroys viruses by diffusing through the protein coat resulting in damage to the viral RNA. For example, ozone has been shown to be effective in destroying Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus Aureus (staph) and Candida vims. Kill rates of 99.99% have been demonstrated in these viruses when exposed ozone for between 10 seconds and 8 minutes with ozone concentrations between 300 and 1500 ppm.

Thus, ozone has proven to be an efficient and effective sterilizing substance capable of killing unwanted matter such as, for example, bacteria, viruses, microbes, and mold, although is not as effective at killing other unwanted matter, such as, for example, living organisms such as lice, mites, and the like. However, ozone may be difficult to use in a sterilization process due to the powerful oxidizing properties that make it a strong sterilizing agent. More particularly, ozone is a powerful irritant for humans, affecting especially the eyes and respiratory systems such that it can be hazardous. Even low concentrations of ozone can be harmful to the upper respiratory tract and the lungs. The severity of injury depends on both by the concentration of ozone and the duration of exposure. Therefore, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have both established permissible exposure limits (PEL) of ozone of about 0.02 ppm or less for environments where exposure to ozone is likely.

As such, some aspects of the present application utilize an advantageous sterilization process that involves at least a first sterilization procedure using ozone and a second sterilization procedure using heat so as to more effectively and efficiently sterilize VR equipment, while preventing harmful ozone exposure and without damaging the VR equipment being sterilized.

For example, the addition of a second sterilization procedure using heat following a first sterilization procedure makes the sterilization process disclosed herein more effective by killing a wider spectrum of unwanted matter. More particularly, the first sterilization procedure using ozone effectively kills bacteria, viruses, microbes, and mold such that the addition of the second sterilization procedure using heat following the first sterilization procedure kills unwanted matter other than bacteria, viruses, microbes, mold, etc., such as living organisms including for example lice, mites, etc. Therefore, the combination of the first and second sterilization procedures work together to kill a wider spectrum of unwanted matter as opposed to a sterilization process that only implements one of a heat or ozone sterilization procedure.

In another example, the addition of a second sterilization procedure using heat following a first sterilization procedure using ozone makes the sterilization process disclosed herein more efficient by neutralizing the ozone or decomposing the ozone back into non-harmful, diatomic oxygen quicker than if only ozone was used in the sterilization process. More particularly, for example, adding heat in a second sterilization procedure following a first sterilization procedure using ozone reduces a period of time it may take to decompose the ozone back into diatomic oxygen by thermal decomposition.

Accordingly, the sterilization process disclosed herein is able to more effectively and efficiently sterilize VR equipment at a lower temperature during the second sterilization procedure, as much of the unwanted matter is already removed through the use of ozone in the first sterilization procedure. In this manner, heat may be added in the second sterilization procedure at a temperature that is substantially less than what is typically needed for sterilizing VR equipment when only heat is utilized. This ensures that the VR equipment is not damaged from being subjected to a high heat and uses less energy to do so.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be used in a third sterilization procedure or in combination with either of the first and second sterilization procedures to sterilize the VR equipment, as described in more detail below. More particularly, for example, UV radiation (e.g., UV-B, UV-C) may be used in combination with ozone to efficiently neutralize or decompose the ozone into diatomic oxygen and an oxygen atom and/or sterilize the VR equipment.

Aspects of the present disclosure are thus generally directed to a sterilization apparatus, schematically illustrated as element 100 in FIG. 1. Such a sterilization apparatus is particularly arranged for sterilizing components of a virtual reality (VR) system including VR equipment 102. The VR equipment 102 can include user-worn or user-handled components, such as, for example, VR head mounted displays (e.g., visors), headsets, controllers (e.g., hand-held controllers or backpack-mounted computer devices), fiducial markers (e.g., fiducial rings), tracking devices (including user-worn tracking devices that may be mounted to a user’s hands and/or feet), physical objects, tools, props, or the like. Any other VR equipment suitable for use in a VR experience is also contemplated for sterilization by the sterilization apparatus.

The sterilization apparatus 100 may include in some aspects a container 110 defining an interior chamber 112 arranged to receive the VR equipment 102 therein. The container may serve as an outer enclosure or outer container within which a second inner container may be enclosed, with the second container defining the interior chamber. The interior chamber may be a sealed and enclosed space within the container, and may define a selectively closeable opening. In order to selectively gain entry to the interior chamber through the selectively closeable opening, the apparatus may also include a door assembly 114 coupled to the container (and/or the second inner container). The door assembly may be arranged in relation to the selectively closeable opening so as to provide selective access to the enclosed interior chamber through the selectively closeable opening. That is, when the door assembly is in a closed position, the interior chamber may be substantially sealed by the door assembly. More particularly, a sealing device such as a gasket or other sealing device constructed of rubber, plastics or other polymeric materials, or any other suitable substances in any combination thereof may be used to ensure that a substantially hermetic seal is provided to prevent leakage of ozone outwardly of the container when the door assembly is in the closed position. When the door assembly is in an open position, the interior chamber may be accessible through the selectively closeable opening.

In some aspects, the container 110 and the interior chamber 112 may be dimensioned such that the VR equipment 102 may be disposed within the interior chamber 112 so that the VR equipment is spaced apart and oriented for optimal ozone circulation. For example, the container may be dimensioned such that a plurality of VR equipment, e.g., more than one, more than two, more than three, etc., pieces of VR equipment, may be received and supported within the interior chamber of the container so that each piece of VR equipment is optimally sterilized, i.e., arranged in a spaced apart arrangement and orientation so that each crevice of the VR equipment is substantially sterilized.

In some aspects, the interior chamber includes one or more of a receptacle, a shelf, a hook, a basket, a rack, a cleat, a peg, a fastener, a hanger, a container, a platform, and/or any other suitable mount or mounting device 116 (collectively referred to as a“mount”), each arranged to receive and support the VR equipment or a particular item of the VR equipment within the interior chamber. Each of the mounts may be molded or integrally formed with the portion of the container defining the interior chamber. Otherwise, each of the mounts may be removably coupled with the portion of the container defining the interior chamber so that the interior chamber may be customized to hold different configurations and numbers of VR equipment. In this manner, the VR equipment disposed in the interior chamber may be optimally spaced apart from one another and oriented so that the VR equipment is not overcrowded and is sufficiently sterilized.

The apparatus 100 further includes, in some aspects, an ozone generating device 120 such as, for example and not limited to, an ozone generator for generating or producing ozone. In some example implementations, the ozone generating device may be in fluid communication with the interior chamber 112 of the container 110, and may be arranged to transmit ozone from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber, either directly or through an appropriate conduit, to actuate a first sterilization procedure. The first sterilization procedure may include an initial time period associated with achievement of a desired predetermined ozone concentration within the interior chamber provided by the ozone generating device.

The desired predetermined ozone concentration may be an ozone concentration that is sufficient to sterilize the VR equipment to remove unwanted matter such as, for example, bacteria, viruses, microbes, mold, etc., which may be an ozone concentration of, for example, about 0.5 parts per million (ppm) to about 5 ppm. The ozone may then be removed from the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure by the ozone generating device (or another device, such as, for example, an ozone neutralizing device) so that only an ozone concentration of about 0.02 ppm or less remains in the interior chamber.

In some aspects, for example, the ozone generating device 120 produces ozone by corona discharge using electricity of sufficient voltage to create an arc across a spark gap. However, any suitable method of ozone generation is envisioned and other possible alternatives may include generating ozone by ultraviolet (UV) light using a vacuum ultraviolet ozone generator, by using a cold plasma generator and pure oxygen, by electrolytic ozone generation where water is split into hydrogen, diatomic oxygen, and ozone, and/or by any combination thereof.

Regardless of type, the interior chamber 112 may define an ozone inlet 122 arranged so that the interior chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generating device 120 and so that the ozone is transmitted from the ozone generating device to the interior chamber through the ozone inlet. For example, the ozone inlet may extend through the outer enclosure or outer container within which a second inner container may be enclosed, the second inner container defining an interior sealed and enclosed space of the interior chamber, so that ozone may flow from the ozone generating device into the interior chamber. In another example, the second inner container may include one or more perforated walls such that the ozone directed through the ozone inlet defined by the outer enclosure or outer container merely passes through the one or more perforated walls into the interior chamber. The ozone generator device may be mounted in a side, a floor, or a top of the container. As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the ozone generating device is mounted in a top of the container, but may otherwise be mounted beneath a floor in conjunction with the ozone generating inlet.

In some aspects, a fan 124 may be positioned adjacent to and in proximity with the ozone inlet 122 in order to circulate the ozone enriched atmosphere within the interior chamber 112. Thus, the fan may apply positive fluid pressure to circulate the ozone enriched atmosphere within the interior chamber and thereby decrease the initial time associated with achievement of the desired predetermined ozone concentration within the interior chamber. The fan may also provide more effective sterilization by assuring a continual exposure of the VR equipment to fresh ozone while the fan is actuated.

An ozone outlet 126 may be defined by and extend through the outer enclosure or outer container within which the second inner container may be enclosed, so that ozone may be removed and flow from the interior chamber 112 through the ozone outlet. In some aspects, for example, the ozone outlet may direct the ozone from the interior chamber back to the ozone generating device 120 on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure (i.e., after the desired predetermined ozone concentration is reached) so that only an ozone concentration of about 0.02 ppm or less remains in the interior chamber after removal of the ozone through the ozone outlet to the ozone generating device. In other instances, the ozone outlet may be in fluid communication with an ozone neutralizing device (not shown) arranged to apply a negative pressure to the interior chamber via the ozone outlet. In this manner, the ozone may be removed from the interior chamber and neutralized by the ozone neutralizing device on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure so that only an ozone concentration of about 0.02 ppm or less remains in the interior chamber after removal of the ozone through the ozone outlet to the ozone neutralizing device.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a heater 130 operably engaged with and arranged to heat the interior chamber 112 of the container 110 to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the VR equipment 102. The second sterilization procedure may be actuated following the first sterilization procedure, and may include an initial time period associated with achievement of a heated temperature of the interior chamber provided by the heater to decompose the ozone into diatomic oxygen and/or sterilize the VR equipment by removing other unwanted material, such as, lice, mites, etc. The heated temperature may be no more than about 150 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and preferably no more than about 140°F.

In some example aspects, the heater 130 may include a heating device such as, for example, a resistive heating device including a coil heater. Other types of heating devices are also contemplated, such as, for example, inductive heating devices, electromagnetic heating devices, and the like. As such, the heater 130 may be actuatable in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, to heat the interior chamber 112, such that heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes any of the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and/or sterilizes the VR equipment 102. In this manner, the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize a wider spectrum of unwanted material on the VR equipment 102 received within the interior chamber 112, while also decreasing the time required to sterilize the VR equipment. More particularly, heating of the interior chamber 112 in the second sterilization procedure following the first sterilization procedure may decrease the time required to decompose ozone into diatomic oxygen. Ozone, under normal atmospheric conditions, will naturally decay to diatomic oxygen with a half-life of about 30 minutes. However, when any ozone remaining in the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure is heated in the second sterilization procedure, the duration of the conversion process is decreased and the ozone is more efficiently neutralized. Moreover, the second sterilization procedure implemented along with the first sterilization procedure utilizes a much lower temperature for sterilization (e.g., about 150°F or less) than the required temperature for typical heat sterilization where heat alone is used (e.g., about 320°F or more). As such, the risk of heat-related damage to the VR equipment is lowered when the sterilization process described herein is utilized.

In some example aspects, the apparatus 100 may include a controller 140 in communication with the ozone generating device 120 and the heater 130. The controller may be arranged to actuate the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure to transmit the ozone into the interior chamber 112, and to actuate the heater in the second sterilization procedure following the first sterilization procedure to heat the interior chamber. More particularly, the controller may be arranged to control transmission of the ozone into the interior chamber for the first sterilization procedure, which includes the initial time period associated with the predetermined desired ozone concentration, and to control removal of the ozone from the interior chamber on conclusion of the first sterilization procedure to conclude the initial time period. The controller may also be arranged to control the heater so that the heater heats the interior chamber of the container for the second sterilization procedure, which includes the initial time period associated with the heated temperature of the interior chamber provided by the heater to decompose the ozone into oxygen. The first and second sterilization procedures may be conducted for equal time periods or for different time periods, which may be controlled by the controller. In some aspects, the controller 140 may interface with a sensing device or sensor 150 operably engaged with the interior chamber 112 in order to determine conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, and/or ozone concentration) in the interior chamber 112. The sensor may, for example, create a feedback loop between the controller, the ozone generating device 120, and the heater 130 for synchronizing the ozone generating device and the heater during the sterilization process. The sensor may be operable to sense conditions such as the temperature, humidity, and or ozone concentration during actuation of the ozone generating device in the first sterilization procedure and provide feedback to the controller on the conditions within the interior chamber in order to trigger actuation of the heater in the second sterilization procedure once pre-determined condition(s) (e.g., a pre-determined desired ozone concentration) is reached. Likewise, the sensor may be operable to sense the temperature, humidity, and/or ozone concentration during actuation of the heater in the second sterilization procedure, following the first sterilization procedure, and provide feedback to the controller on the conditions within the interior chamber in order to conclude the second sterilization procedure once pre-determined condition(s) (e.g., heated temperature for neutralizing the remaining ozone and/or sterilizing the VR equipment 102) is reached.

In some aspects, the sterilization apparatus 100 may further comprise a safety mechanism 170 (e.g., a lock, a drop bar, a magnetic interlock, and/or the like) to prevent the VR equipment 102 disposed within the interior chamber 112 from being accessed by a user until a sufficient quantity of the ozone has been neutralized or otherwise removed from the interior chamber. The safety mechanism may be arranged to interface with the door assembly so as to securely retain the door assembly in the closed position until the ozone transmitted by the ozone generating device into the interior chamber is neutralized or decomposed into oxygen (i.e., about 0.02 ppm of ozone or less remains in the interior chamber). For example, the safety mechanism may be activated (i.e., moved into position to retain and secure the door assembly and or locked) to interface with the door assembly 114 to securely retain the door assembly in the closed position, so that the interior chamber is substantially sealed. Once a sufficient quantity of the ozone has been neutralized or decomposed into oxygen, the safety mechanism may be deactivated (i.e., unlocked or otherwise moved out of position for retaining and securing the door assembly) so that the door assembly may be moved to the open position.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example embodiment of the safety mechanism 170. For example, in FIG. 1, the safety mechanism is in the form of a rotatable arm that, when activated, is rotatably positioned and secured over a front surface of the door assembly, so that the door assembly cannot be opened. When the rotatable arm is deactivated, the rotatable arm is rotatably positioned to a position off the front surface of the door assembly so that the door assembly can be opened.

In some aspects, the controller 140 and/or the sensing mechanism 150 may be arranged to interface with the safety mechanism 170 so that the safety mechanism is automatically activated by the controller when the door assembly 114 is in the closed position and the sterilization apparatus 100 is turned on. The safety mechanism may remain activated until the sensing mechanism provides feedback to the controller that the conditions within the interior chamber are sufficient to allow access therein. For example, the safety mechanism may remain activated until the sensing mechanism senses that the ozone has been neutralized or decomposed into oxygen or otherwise removed and about 0.02 ppm of ozone or less remains in the interior chamber. In this aspect, the safety mechanism may be automatically deactivated by the controller when the ozone remaining in the interior chamber is about 0.02 ppm of ozone or less, as sensed by the sensing mechanism. Once deactivated, the safety mechanism may be unlocked or otherwise moved out of position for retaining and securing the door assembly.

In some aspects, the sterilization apparatus 100 may further comprise an ultraviolet (UV) light source 160 operably engaged with and arranged to emit UV light into the interior chamber 112 of the container 110 in a third sterilization procedure or during the first and/or second sterilization procedures. The UV light source may be disposed within the interior chamber of the container or otherwise engaged with the interior chamber so that UV light is emitted thereby into the interior chamber. In some aspects, the UV light source emits a UV-C spectrum light. For example, the UV light source 160 may comprise a plurality of UV-C spectmm light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the interior chamber 112 in a pattern that emits UV-C light onto the surfaces of the VR equipment 102 disposed within the interior chamber. The UV-C light, thus, may further promote sterilization of the VR equipment in a third sterilization procedure in addition to or during the first sterilization procedure and/or the second sterilization procedure.

In some aspects, the controller 140 may comprise a single switch, button, actuation mechanism, etc., (collectively referred to as an“actuator”), which may be configured to control the power supplied to the apparatus 100 and thereby the controller. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the actuator 142 may be actuated by a user so that power may be supplied to the various elements of the apparatus 100, including at least one of the controller, the ozone generating device 120, the heater 130, the controller 140, the sensing mechanism 150, the UV light source 160, the safety mechanism 170, and the like.

A sterilization method for a virtual reality system is illustrated in FIG. 2. The method, generally referenced as 200, includes a first step of inserting virtual reality equipment into an interior chamber of a container of a sterilization apparatus, 202. A second step, 204, includes transmitting ozone into the interior chamber of the container from an ozone generating device in fluid communication with the interior chamber so as to actuate a first sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment. A third step, 206, includes following the first sterilization procedure, heating the interior chamber of the container with a heater operably engaged with the interior chamber so as to actuate a second sterilization procedure for the virtual reality equipment, wherein heat provided by the heater during the second sterilization procedure neutralizes the ozone remaining in the interior chamber following the first sterilization procedure and such that the first and second sterilization procedures cooperate to sterilize the virtual reality equipment received within the interior chamber.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosed embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one operation or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation may be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step may be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term“and/or” and the“G symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises”, “comprising”,“includes”, and/or“including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.