Air quality detection module

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for detecting harmful substances in the ambient air around a user, such as particulate matter and toxic gases, and communicating this information to the user and other interested parties. In certain areas, the ambient air in a city or area may sometimes contain harmful gases and/or particulates. People may be encouraged to wear and/or carry certain PPE devices, such as masks, to protect themselves from the harmful substances in the air. However, a user may not always know when they are breathing in a harmful substance and should be wearing a mask. Also, a method may comprise activating an alarm to user to when environment is polluted, and alerting the user when to wear the respiratory mask. Additionally, a system may provide information on where a user may be able to obtain a mask or other PPE, based on the detected harmful substance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to India Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 201611015525 filed May 4, 2016 by Swapnil Gopal Patil, et al. and entitled “Air Quality Detection Module” which is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

In certain areas, the ambient air in a city may sometimes contain harmful gases and/or particulates. People may be encouraged to wear and/or carry certain Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) devices, such as masks, to protect themselves from the harmful substances in the air.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a communication system may comprise a mobile device carried by a user; and an air quality module configured to be worn or carried by a user and configured to monitor characteristics of the air around the user, wherein the air quality module comprises a microcontroller; one or more sensors in fluid communication with the ambient air; and a wireless communication module configured to communicate data from the one or more sensors to the mobile device carried by the user, and wherein the mobile device is configured to receive and process the information received from the air quality module.

In an embodiment, a method for collecting information about the ambient air around a user may comprise establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

In an embodiment, a method for receiving and processing information from one or more air quality modules may comprise establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data, wherein the sensed data comprises at least one of pressure data, particulate data, gas data, humidity data, and temperature data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; determining, by the mobile device, that personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn by the user based on harmful substances that indicated an alarm, by accessing a table of PPE associated with each of the harmful substances; generating a map comprising possible locations where the PPE may be obtained; displaying the map of the PPE locations on the display of the mobile device; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “about” or “approximately” or the like, when used with a number, may mean that specific number, or alternatively, a range in proximity to the specific number, as understood by persons of skill in the art field; and

Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for detecting harmful substances in the ambient air around a user and communicating this information to the user and other interested users. In certain areas, the ambient air in a city or workplace may sometimes contain harmful gases and/or particulates. People living and working in these areas may be encouraged to wear and/or carry certain PPE devices, such as masks, to protect themselves from the harmful substances in the air. However, a user may not always know when they are breathing in a harmful substance and should be wearing a mask. Particulate matter and toxic gases may be the air pollutants that most commonly affect people's health.

Particles in the air comprise multiple shapes and sizes, and can be solid particles or liquid droplets. Particles are typically divided into two groups that differ in many ways. Particulate matter (PM) that is 10 micrometers or less in diameter is called PM 10 and Particulate matter (PM) that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter is called PM 2.5. Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles can cause health problems, specifically respiratory health. Because of the smaller diameter, PM 2.5 particles may travel deeper into a person's lungs. Also, typically the PM 2.5 particles are made up of more toxic substances, like heavy metals and cancer causing organic compounds. Therefore, PM 2.5 can have worse health effects than the larger PM 10.

Exposure to particulate matter can lead to increased use of medication and more visits to the doctor or emergency room. Health effects include the following: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, aggravated asthma, lung damage (including decreased lung function and lifelong respiratory disease), and premature death in individuals with existing heart or lung diseases.

Some toxic chemicals released in the air such as benzene or vinyl chloride are highly toxic and can cause cancer, birth defects, long term injury to the lungs, as well as brain and nerve damage. And in some cases, breathing these chemicals can even cause death.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for detecting harmful substances, such as particulate matter and toxic gases, present in the environment, activating an alarm to the user as to when the environment is polluted, and alerting the user when to wear the respiratory mask. Additionally, a system may provide information on where a user may be able to obtain a mask or other PPE, based on the detected harmful substance.

The proposed solution includes sensors, such as a particulate matter sensor (such as a PM 2.5 sensor) and gas sensors (such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensor) located on a small printed circuit board (PCB) along with a wireless module (such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module). All of these elements may be located on a wearable device which can pair with a mobile device application.

During a sensing mode of the air quality module, the gas sensor detects hazardous gases and the particulate sensor detects dust particles. If dust particles or hazardous gases are detected, this information may be communicated to the user through warning indications, where the user may be instructed to take appropriate actions, such as wearing a mask or other PPE. During a compliance management mode of the air quality module, data concerning dust particles and hazardous gases that have been detected by the module may be pushed to a cloud server (optionally through the mobile device application) for further analysis. Based on the analysis, the user may be informed of which PPE is needed to adequately protect the user from the detected harmful substance. Additionally, an application on the user's mobile device may be configured to provide quantitative and qualitative information to the wearer. Also, the data collected by the air quality module may be combined with other data from a plurality of air quality modules to generate graphs, charts, etc.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a communication system100is shown comprising an air quality module102, wherein the air quality module102may be worn by a user. The air quality module102may comprise a plurality of sensors104configured to determine quality and characteristics of the air in the environment surrounding the user. The sensors104may include (but are not limited to) pressure sensor(s), gas sensor(s), and/or humidity sensor(s). In some embodiments, the air quality module102may comprise a pressure sensor104(which may comprise a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensor and/or an absolute pressure sensor). The air quality module102may comprise a microcontroller (or MCU)106configured to receive and process data from the sensors104. The microcontroller106may also be configured to communicate the received data via wireless communication, wherein the air quality module102may comprise a wireless module108. In some embodiments, the wireless module108may comprise a Bluetooth module, Wi-Fi module, near-field communication (NFC) module, radio frequency (RF) module, or any other wireless communication module.

In some embodiments, the air quality module102may comprise (or may communicate with) one or more indicators110. In some embodiments, the microcontroller106may process the information received from the sensors104, and may activate an indicator110, such as a light, buzzer, or beeper. For example, if the detected pressure levels are above or below predetermined thresholds, the microcontroller106may activate an indicator. In some embodiments, if the detected humidity levels are above or below predetermined thresholds, the microcontroller106may activate an indicator110. In some embodiments, if the detected gas levels are above or below predetermined thresholds, the microcontroller106may activate an indicator110. In some embodiments, the air quality module102may also comprise a power source, such as a battery.

In some embodiments, the air quality module102may be configured to communicate information to other devices in the communication system100. For example, the air quality module102may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile or handheld device120, wherein the mobile device120may comprise a wireless module122. The mobile device120may be carried by a user, and may comprise a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or other similar device. In some embodiments, the mobile device120may be configured to communicate information to a cloud storage130, wherein the information may be processed and/or stored by the cloud storage130. In some embodiments, the mobile device120may comprise an application121configured to receive, process, forward, and/or display information received from the air quality module102.

In some embodiments, the air quality module102may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless router or gateway, wherein the wireless gateway may forward the information received from the air quality module102to the cloud storage130. In some embodiments, the information received from the air quality module102(either via the mobile device120and/or the wireless gateway) may be stored in a database140and/or forwarded or accessed by a remote monitoring station150. In some embodiments, the information received from the air quality module102(as well as other air quality modules102worn by other users) may be compiled to generate graphs, charts, and other useful information about the air quality of an area. In some embodiments, other information collected by the mobile device120may be combined with the information received from the air quality module102.

FIG. 2illustrates a user wearing the air quality module102and carrying a mobile device120, wherein the air quality module102may wirelessly communicate with the mobile device120. In some embodiments, the air quality module102may comprise a clip or other attachment configured to attach the air quality module102to the user in some way. For example, the air quality module102may attach to a pocket, belt, loop, waist, etc. of a user's clothing.

FIG. 3illustrates another communication system300. In some embodiments, when the air quality module102detects the presence of harmful air quality (such as particulates and/or gases), the mobile device120may recognize the detection of the harmful substance and generate a notification for the user. In some embodiments, the mobile device120may also use the display124to show the user what type of mask or other protection equipment they should wear to protect themselves from the detected harmful substance. Additionally, the mobile device120may use location data to generate a map of where a user may be able to purchase the needed mask or other protective equipment. This information may be associated with the detected substances, and may be stored locally on the mobile device120or may be accessed from a remote database.

In some embodiments, information from a group302of users wearing air quality modules102(including sensed data, location data, time data, etc.) may be gathered via the cloud storage130, wherein the group information may be used to generate trends, graphs, and/or charts that indicate air quality information for a particular area. In some embodiments, the information may also be organized by time, to indicate the safest time of day to be in a particular area. In some embodiments, a graph310may be generated, showing the readings by location. In some embodiments, one or more charts312may be generated, showing the readings over time.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate more detailed views of the graph310and chart312which may be generated from the data received from the plurality of air quality modules102. The graph310may comprise indicators311showing the level of the gas reading at a specific location. In some embodiments, a plurality of levels may be indicated on the map using colors, patterns, sizes, shapes, etc. The chart312may comprise readings of the different gases, possibly including SO2, NO2, PM 2.5, CO, and O3. The readings may be shown on a timeline, and averages, minimums, maximums, and other relevant information may be included on the chart312.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method500for receiving and processing information from one or more air quality modules102(shown above). At step402, the module may be powered on by a user. At step404, the user may open an air quality application on their mobile device and may connect the module to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the module and the mobile device may connect via a wireless connection. At step406, the mobile device may verify that a wireless connection is made between the module and the mobile device. If a connection is not detected, the mobile device may repeat the initial connection step until a wireless connection is successful. When the wireless connection is successful, at step408, the module may enter into a sensing mode. At step410, the mobile device may receive sensed data from the module. At step412, it may be determined if the module has indicated an alarm. When the module has not indicated an alarm, the mobile device may continue to receive data from the module for the duration of the wireless connection between the mobile device and module. When the module does indicate an alarm, at step414, an alert may be generated by the mobile device and/or module. In some embodiments, the mobile device may generate an alert for the user via the display of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the module may generate an alert for the user via the indicators of the module. At step416, the mobile device may establish a wireless connection with a remote server. In some embodiments, the server may comprise a cloud server. In some embodiments, the mobile device may only establish the connection with the remote server when an alert is detected from the module. In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device may establish the connection with the remote server at any time during the communication between the module and the mobile device. At step418, the data from the module may be encrypted and stored in the remote server. At step420, the mobile device may continue monitoring the data received from the module. In some embodiments, one or more steps of the method500may be repeated, may occur simultaneously, and/or may occur in a different order than shown and described inFIG. 5.

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a communication system comprising a mobile device carried by a user; an air quality module configured to be worn or carried by a user and configured to monitor characteristics of the air around the user, wherein the air quality module comprises a microcontroller; one or more sensors in fluid communication with the ambient air; and a wireless communication module configured to communicate data from the one or more sensors to the mobile device carried by the user, and wherein the mobile device is configured to receive and process the information received from the air quality module.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor configured to monitor the air pressure of the ambient air. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a humidity sensor configured to monitor the humidity of the ambient air. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a gas sensor configured to monitor one or more gas levels of the ambient air. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a gas sensor configured to monitor one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or hazardous gas levels within the ambient air. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a particulate sensor configured to monitor one or more particulate levels of the ambient air. In some embodiments, the particulate sensor comprises a sensor configured to detect particulate matter having a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. In some embodiments, the communication system may further comprise a processor configured to receive, process, and/or forward the information received from the sensors. In some embodiments, the air quality module further comprises one or more indicators, wherein the indicators are activated based on the received information from the sensors. In some embodiments, the air quality module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote monitoring station. In some embodiments, the wireless communication module comprises one or more of a Bluetooth module, Wi-Fi module, near-field communication (NFC) module, radio frequency (RF) module, or any other wireless communication module.

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a method for collecting information about the ambient air around a user comprising establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

In some embodiments, the sensed data comprises at least one of pressure data, particulate data, gas data, humidity data, and temperature data. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining, by the mobile device, that personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn by the user based on harmful substances that indicated an alarm, by accessing a table of PPE associated with each of the harmful substances; generating a map comprising possible locations where the PPE may be obtained; and displaying the map on the display of the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the table of PPE associated with the harmful substances is stored locally on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the table of PPE associated with the harmful substances is accessed from a remote database. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, by the remote server, data from a plurality of air quality modules and mobile devices, wherein the data comprises sensed readings and location information; and generating a map including the sensed reading and location information. In some embodiments, the alert comprises an indication on air quality module. In some embodiments, the alert comprises an indication on the display of the mobile device.

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a method for receiving and processing information from one or more air quality modules comprising establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data, wherein the sensed data comprises at least one of pressure data, particulate data, gas data, humidity data, and temperature data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; determining, by the mobile device, that personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn by the user based on harmful substances that indicated an alarm, by accessing a table of PPE associated with each of the harmful substances; generating a map comprising possible locations where the PPE may be obtained; displaying the map of the PPE locations on the display of the mobile device; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

Having described various devices and methods herein, exemplary embodiments or aspects can include, but are not limited to:

In a first embodiment, a communication system may comprise a mobile device carried by a user; and an air quality module configured to be worn or carried by a user and configured to monitor characteristics of the air around the user, wherein the air quality module comprises a microcontroller; one or more sensors in fluid communication with the ambient air; and a wireless communication module configured to communicate data from the one or more sensors to the mobile device carried by the user, and wherein the mobile device is configured to receive and process the information received from the air quality module.

A second embodiment can include the communication system of the first embodiment, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor configured to monitor the air pressure of the ambient air.

A third embodiment can include the communication system of the first or second embodiments, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a humidity sensor configured to monitor the humidity of the ambient air.

A fourth embodiment can include the communication system of any of the first to third embodiments, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a gas sensor configured to monitor one or more gas levels of the ambient air.

A fifth embodiment can include the communication system of any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a gas sensor configured to monitor one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or hazardous gas levels within the ambient air.

A sixth embodiment can include the communication system of any of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a particulate sensor configured to monitor one or more particulate levels of the ambient air.

A seventh embodiment can include the communication system of the sixth embodiment, wherein the particulate sensor comprises a sensor configured to detect particulate matter having a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less.

An eighth embodiment can include the communication system of any of the first to seventh embodiments, further comprising a processor configured to receive, process, and/or forward the information received from the sensors.

A ninth embodiment can include the communication system of any of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the air quality module further comprises one or more indicators, wherein the indicators are activated based on the received information from the sensors.

A tenth embodiment can include the communication system of the ninth embodiment, wherein the air quality module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote monitoring station.

An eleventh embodiment can include the communication system of the tenth embodiment, wherein the wireless communication module comprises one or more of a Bluetooth module, Wi-Fi module, near-field communication (NFC) module, radio frequency (RF) module, or any other wireless communication module.

In a twelfth embodiment, a method for collecting information about the ambient air around a user may comprise establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

A thirteenth embodiment can include the method of the twelfth embodiment, wherein the sensed data comprises at least one of pressure data, particulate data, gas data, humidity data, and temperature data.

A fourteenth embodiment can include the method of the twelfth or thirteenth embodiments, further comprising determining, by the mobile device, that personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn by the user based on harmful substances that indicated an alarm, by accessing a table of PPE associated with each of the harmful substances; generating a map comprising possible locations where the PPE may be obtained; and displaying the map on the display of the mobile device.

A fifteenth embodiment can include the method of the fourteenth embodiment, wherein the table of PPE associated with the harmful substances is stored locally on the mobile device.

A sixteenth embodiment can include the method of the fourteenth or fifteenth embodiments, wherein the table of PPE associated with the harmful substances is accessed from a remote database.

A seventeenth embodiment can include the method of any of the twelfth to sixteenth embodiments, further comprising receiving, by the remote server, data from a plurality of air quality modules and mobile devices, wherein the data comprises sensed readings and location information; and generating a map including the sensed reading and location information.

An eighteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the twelfth to seventeenth embodiments, wherein the alert comprises an indication on air quality module.

A nineteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the twelfth to eighteenth embodiments, wherein the alert comprises an indication on the display of the mobile device.

In a twentieth embodiment, a method for receiving and processing information from one or more air quality modules may comprise establishing a wireless communication link between an air quality module and a mobile device; receiving sensed data from the air quality module; processing the sensed data, wherein the sensed data comprises at least one of pressure data, particulate data, gas data, humidity data, and temperature data; when an alarm is indicated by the received data, activating an alert for the user; determining, by the mobile device, that personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn by the user based on harmful substances that indicated an alarm, by accessing a table of PPE associated with each of the harmful substances; generating a map comprising possible locations where the PPE may be obtained; displaying the map of the PPE locations on the display of the mobile device; establishing a wireless connection with a remote server; and forwarding the received data from the air quality module and processed information to the remote server.

Use of broader terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having” should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprised substantially of.” Use of the terms “optionally,” “may,” “might,” “possibly,” and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive.