Patent Publication Number: US-2010111755-A1

Title: Air treatment device utilizing a sensor for activation and operation

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to vapor-dispensing devices. More particularly, the system may include active vapor-dispensing, based in part upon a sensor configured to detect different malodors and a timing control circuit configured to operate in different modes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vapor-dispensing products typically include a volatizable material and a transport system configured to facilitate evaporation of the volatizable material into the surrounding air. For example, in some systems, a liquid material is contained in a reservoir bottle, and is volatized with heat, pump, aerosol, fan, etc. 
     Known vapor-dispensing devices of this type may be improved upon in a number of respects. For example, some vapor-dispensing devices dispense fragrance vapor at times when the fragrance may not be needed. Furthermore, some devices do not emit enough fragrance vapors when certain malodors are present. Additionally, certain malodors associated with different locations, i.e., kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, locker, children&#39;s closet, etc, may be treated more effectively with certain fragrances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system for dispensing an air treatment when needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an air treatment system for detecting a malodor and dispensing an air treatment is provided. In accordance with various embodiments, the system includes a housing, a sensor, a timing control circuit coupled with the sensor, and a delivery system coupled with the timing control circuit. Upon detection of a malodor by the sensor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit which, in turn, communicates with the delivery system to dispense the air treatment. The system may also include a selection mechanism which allows the user to choose how the system dispenses the air treatment. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is further configured to detect the air treatment or fragrance and regulate later dispensing accordingly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appending claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a method and system of an exemplary air treatment device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram of a method and system of active dispensing, according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of a method and system of active dispensing, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope or applicability of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide convenient illustrations for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     For the sake of brevity, functional embodiments of the apparatus and systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships or physical connections between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, an air treatment device is configured to detect a malodor with a sensor and actively respond to the malodor by dispensing an air treatment or fragrance into the surrounding environment. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is further configured to detect the air treatment or fragrance and regulate later dispensing accordingly. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, activation or operation of an air treatment device with a sensor depends on the consumer&#39;s desired interaction (or lack thereof). Specifically, in certain instances a consumer may wish to have timed treatment, i.e., the air treatment device is active at certain times or for certain periods. Additionally or alternatively, in certain situations a consumer may wish to have a sensor activated or deactivated air treatment device, for example, for conservation of power. Still further, a consumer may wish to have both timed treatment and sensor activated treatment. 
     Systems and methods are described below wherein the combination of the consumer&#39;s interaction, the timed treatment of the air, and the sensor activated treatment of the air, are interdependent. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the one shown in  FIG. 1 , an air treatment system  100  includes a housing, a selection mechanism  102 , a sensor  104 , a timing control circuit  106 , and a delivery system  108 . 
     The selection mechanism  102  operates to indicate in what mode the air treatment system will operate. In accordance with various embodiments, the selection mechanism  102  is set for a timed treatment, a sensor activated treatment, or a combination thereof. In such embodiments, each of the timed and sensor activated treatment may be adjusted to high, medium, low, or off, depending on the consumer&#39;s desired level of treatment. The selection mechanism  102  communicates with the timing control circuit  106  to help assure the consumer&#39;s desired level of treatment. In accordance with one aspect of various embodiments, the selection mechanism  102  is a switch or any other suitable mechanism that allows the consumer to indicate in what mode the air treatment system will operate. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the sensor  104  samples the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the quality of the current environment. The sensor  104  is capable of distinguishing between a plurality of malodors in a plurality of locations such that a single air treatment system may be used in multiple locations. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor  104  is a metal oxide sensor (MOS), however, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable sensor exhibiting the qualities discussed herein may be used in the context of the present invention. 
     The timing control circuit  106  activates the air treatment system  100  and causes the delivery system  108  to disperse the air treatment. The timing control circuit  106  allows for a timed treatment, a sensor activated treatment or a combination thereof. For the timed treatment, the air treatment system  100  is activated in a timed manner that is controlled in terms of both the duration of the treatment, commonly referred to as “on time” and the intervening time between treatments, commonly referred to as “off time”. In an exemplary embodiment, the timing control circuit  106  contains interval timed programming wherein air treatment material is dispersed in predetermined intervals during the timed treatment. 
     For the sensor activated treatment, the timing control circuit  106  and the sensor  104  are interconnected by a feedback circuit  110  such that the sensor  104  controls the timing control circuit  106  and vice-versa. Thus, the sensor  104  controls the timing control circuit  106  in that, when the sensor  104  detects a malodor, an indication signal is sent to the timing control circuit  106 . The timing control circuit  106  will then cause the delivery system  108  to disperse the air treatment. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the timing control circuit  106  disengages the sensor  104  for an operational time period via the feedback circuit  110  if the timing control circuit  106  determines a significant time period of increased air treatment. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the device is further configured to detect the air treatment or fragrance and regulate later dispensing accordingly. In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the timing control circuit  106  disengages the sensor  104  for an operational time period via the feedback circuit  110  if the sensor  104  determines a significantly increased air treatment intensity. In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the timing control circuit  106  engages the sensor  104  for an operational time period via the feedback circuit  110  if the sensor  104  determines a significantly decreased air treatment intensity. 
     Among other advantages, in some embodiments the interconnection of the timing control circuit  106  and the sensor  104  by the feedback circuit  110  allows for power conservation. For example, in exemplary embodiments the sensor  104  has to be heated to work and power is conserved if the timing control circuit  106  also controls the sensor  104 . For example, the timing control circuit  106  can turn off the sensor  104  when it is not needed. 
     The delivery system  108  expels the air treatment material when the level or presence of a malodor is detected by the sensor  104  or in accordance with a timed treatment. The delivery system  108  receives the signal from the timing control circuit  106 . The delivery system  108  can be any system capable of dispensing the air treatment material as appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Another aspect in accordance with various embodiments of the invention is the burst mode  112 . In one embodiment, the burst mode  112  is initiated by an actuator on the device to immediately dispense the air treatment. In one embodiment, the burst mode  112  would communicate with the timing control circuit  106 , which would then activate the delivery system  108  to relatively immediately dispense the air treatment. In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the burst mode  112  would communicate directly with the delivery system  108  to relatively immediately dispense the air treatment. A user may actuate a button or another indication may be provided, which would signal that immediate dispensing of an air treatment is desired. This may further provide an air treatment to mask, neutralize or otherwise remove malodors within the area. The burst mode may function alone or in combination with either or both of a timed treatment and a sensor activated treatment. 
     Another aspect in accordance with various embodiments of the invention is a “kill mode.” A kill mode turns off the air treatment device if a determination is made the device it is not positioned upright. In an exemplary embodiment, the air treatment device comprises an actuator configured to be pushed in by a surface, upon which the device is situated, when the device is upright, and not pushed in when the device is positioned other than upright. In another exemplary embodiment, the air treatment device comprises an acrylic level vial, in communication with a circuit or signal pathway within the air treatment device, configured to determine the orientation of the device and take appropriate action in response thereto. In yet another embodiment, the air treatment device is mechanically or electrically configured such that a circuit or signal is disrupted or stopped if the device is positioned other than upright. In general, any configuration for turning off the air treatment device if a determination is made the device it is not positioned upright is contemplated for use in the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method and system  400  of active dispensing of an air treatment, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various exemplary embodiments, method and system  400  dispense an air treatment in many different manners, such as the three shown in  FIG. 2 . In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, system  400  dispenses an air treatment includes a sensor  402  sensing an activation malodor and sending a malodor indication  404  to a timing/control module  406 . Any suitable sensor, including those discussed above, exhibiting the qualities discussed herein may be used. The timing/control module  406  would then send a dispensing signal to a dispensing module  408  to indicate to the dispensing module  408  to dispense a volatizable liquid or fragrance. This is one mode of operation for system  400 . 
     In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, system  400  includes the setting of an intensity indication  410 . The intensity indication  410  may be set by a user, which would send an activation signal to the timing/control module  406  to periodically activate the dispensing module  408  and at a desired intensity. This may be a user preference, in that a volatizable liquid or fragrance would be dispensed at regular periodic intervals and at a desired intensity, both of which may be increased or decreased to certain limits, depending on the consumer&#39;s desired treatment intervals and intensity. In accordance with one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, this is a factory setting, pre-set before the system is activated. 
     In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment, system  400  includes a burst indication  412 . The burst indication  412  may be initiated by an actuator on the system to immediately dispense the air treatment. The burst indication  412  would communicate with the timing/control module  406 , which would then activate the dispensing module  408  to relatively immediately dispense the air treatment. In a particular embodiment, a user actuates a button or another indication is provided, which signals that immediate dispensing of an air treatment is desired. This may further provide an air treatment to mask, neutralize or otherwise remove malodors within the area. 
     In addition to dispensing an air treatment and in accordance with various embodiments, dispensing module  408  also comprises an aerosol or other method of rapid deploying an air treatment within the area. For example, system  400  may include a multi-position switch to indicate to the system which mode to operate in. Importantly, each mode may function alone or in combination with one or more of a sensor mode, an intensity indication mode and a burst indication mode. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of a method  500  of active dispensing, according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, method  500  includes selecting a mode  502 , determining if it is a burst mode  504 , determining if it is a timed mode  506 , determining if it is a detection mode  508 , malodor detection  510 , performing timing and control  512 , and dispensing  514 . 
     Selecting a mode  502 , in an embodiment, includes selecting a mode of operation of an air treatment device. This may be done manually by a user, or may be generally automatic. The device may comprise any number of modes, from one to hundreds or more. Each mode may function alone or in combination with another or others. In this embodiment there are three modes. 
     After selecting a mode  502 , a determination is made of whether the system is in a burst mode  504 . If the system is in a burst mode  504 , the YES leg is taken to the timing and control step  512  followed by the dispensing step  514 , which would, relatively immediately, dispense an air treatment in a burst or aerosol configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, in a burst mode  504 , the consumer may activate the burst mode  504 , relatively independent of a timed mode  506  or a detection mode  508 . Selecting burst mode  504  may or may not reset the timed mode  506  or deactivate the detection mode  508  for a time period, depending on the air treatment and its method of delivery. If the burst mode determination is negative, the NO leg is taken to determine whether the system is in a timed mode  506 . 
     If the system is in a timed mode  506 , the YES leg is taken to the timing and control step  512  followed by the dispensing step  514 . In an exemplary embodiment of a system in a timed mode  506 , the timing and control step  512  periodically sends a signal to the dispensing step  514 . This periodic signaling may be preset or may be customizable by the user in terms of duration as well as intensity. If the timed mode determination is negative, the NO leg is taken to determine whether the system is in a detection mode  508 . 
     If the system is in a detection mode  508 , the YES leg is taken to the malodor detection step  510 . If a particular type of malodor is detected  510 , the YES leg is taken to the timing and control step  512  followed by the dispensing step  514 . If the system is in a detection mode  508  and a malodor is not detected  510 , the NO leg is taken and the malodor detection step  510  continues until a malodor is detected  510 , upon which the YES leg is taken to the timing and control step  512  followed by the dispensing step  514 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, upon activation (or at any point during operation) the consumer sets the mode in which the air treatment system will operate via the selection mechanism. Next, the timing control circuit activates the air treatment device according to the selection mechanism. The selection mechanism controls the duration of the treatment, “on time” and the intervening time between treatments, “off time” thereby allowing the delivery system to dispense air treatment according to the desired level chosen by the consumer. 
     Additionally, during operation of a sensing treatment, the sensor and its control circuitry may also continuously sample the environment for either the level of active air treatment material or the environmental air quality. The level of active air treatment material is sampled by the sensor so as to maintain the desired level of environmental air quality. The environmental air quality is sampled by the sensor so that in response to a decrease in the desired environmental air quality, the quantity of air treatment material distributed may be increased. If the predetermined level of environmental air quality is not satisfactory, i.e. the sensor detects a malodor, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit to provide an increase in air treatment. Specifically, the sensor detects a malodor and sends an indicator signal to the timing control circuit. The timing control circuit then actuates the delivery system accordingly. This action continues until the sensor determines the environmental air quality has returned to the desired level of environmental air quality or the timing control circuit has determined that a significant enough period of increased air treatment has occurred. The sensor determines the desired level of environmental air quality by monitoring the air quality and sending indicator signals to the timing control circuit until the desired level is reached. 
     During operation of a timed treatment, the duration and intervening time are set according to the selection mechanism and dispense air treatment accordingly. It should be understood that the air treatment system dispenses air treatment according to timed intervals or in response to detection of a malodor. 
     Further, if the timing control circuit determines a significant period of increased air treatment, the timing control circuit disengages the sensor for an operational time period via the feedback loop. After the time period, the sensor re-engages and once again begins sampling. Additionally, the sensor communicates with the timing control circuit through the feedback loop to determine when the air treatment delivery system has been actuated and, thus, allows the sensor sufficient time to be either off (if the consumer is sensitive to initiating the air treatment system) or to correct the baseline of the sensor response to account for the air treatment system. 
     In an alternative embodiment, an air-freshening system is shown that combines a continuous dispensing device with a sensing dispensing device. The continuous dispensing device is a plug-in scented oil warmer/dispenser while the sensing dispensing device is similar to the air treatment device described above. The scented oil warmer portion of the device will provide a continuous fragrance, while the sensing air treatment device will be automatically actuated, as described above, when the sensor detects a malodor, providing a large boost of fragrance or an odor neutralizer via an aerosol dispersed from the air treatment device to remove the malodor. Since the aerosol is automatically actuated and is controlled by the odor sensor, there is no active involvement by the user in this device. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. Various modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements set forth herein without departing from the scope of the invention.