System and method for providing a discrete workspace

Abstract

This application describes systems and methods for locating, securing, accessing and utilizing a discrete enclosure or workspace. The discrete enclosure or workspace may be located in a public, private or semi-private setting and may comprise a combination of working platforms or surfaces, seats, desks and other apparatus, as well as computer hardware and software. Systems may comprise natural language processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other adaptive learning capabilities to enhance the use of the discrete workspace. The workspace may be dimensioned to be used for a wide variety of activities by one or more users.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for conducting private or semi-private activities, comprising:
 an enclosed structure that creates a private or semi-private environment that allows a user to customize a session and reserve and confirm the session in advance, wherein:
 the user is provided with a secure and personalized internal environment that is only made available to the user; 
 noise is substantially minimized from outside of the internal environment; 
 the user is provided with access to ergonomically arranged furniture, electronic power sources, display screens and selective network connectivity, thereby allowing the user to personalize the session; and 
   wherein the enclosed structure is locked after the user has vacated, and further comprising a disinfecting system that exposes the interior of the structure to a mist of disinfectant, a disinfecting environment, air that includes a disinfectant, ultra-violet radiation, a vacuum, or an inert gas for a predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting system initiates automatically after locking the enclosed structure is locked. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting system initiates after locking the enclosed structure only upon direction by a third party. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that monitors the air within the enclosed structure to verify the absence of pathogen or to identify the number of pathogens present. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the enclosed structure remains locked until the amount of pathogens present in the air is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a series of sensors to determine whether a user has entered the enclosed structure, and further configured to prompt the user to commence a session. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the series of sensors are pressure sensors. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the series of sensors are force sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the series of sensors are located adjacent to and beneath the floor of the enclosed structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein speakers located within the enclosed structure are configured to emit audible noise when a user enters the enclosed structure without previously reserving and confirming a session. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a visual indicator to notify the user of an unauthorized session. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the visual indicator further comprises an external visual indicator to alert a non-user of the enclosed structure of the unauthorized session. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising computational machinery specifically configured to notify an administrator of the presence of an unauthorized user within the enclosed structure for a period of time. 
     
     
         14 . A method of utilizing a booth, comprising:
 paying for a session to use a booth by a user;   entering the booth after payment has been accepted by the user;   recognizing the presence of the user inside the booth via sensors inside booth;   playing audio via speakers inside the booth that welcomes the user and initiates the session;   displaying the remaining purchased time on the inside of the booth for the user; alerting the user when the session has expired;   prompting the user to exit the booth or pay to extend the session; and   disinfecting an interior volume of the booth.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the booth is locked before it is disinfected. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein disinfecting comprises exposing the interior volume to a mist of disinfectant, a disinfecting environment, air that includes a disinfectant, ultra-violet radiation, a vacuum, or an inert gas for a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising testing the air within the booth to verify the absence of pathogen or to identify the number of pathogens present. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the booth remains locked until the amount of pathogens present in the air within the booth is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising performing further disinfecting if the amount of pathogens in the air within the booth is above a predetermined level.