Patent Description:
Currently, the world is experiencing a global pandemic at levels unseen since <NUM>. Unlike the pandemic in <NUM>, building owners and operators (commercial, industrial and residential) have different challenges to address the pathogen spread, for example, more complicated building and space design, an increased populous and densities of people, the increased movement of people worldwide and the general increasing interconnectedness of people worldwide, as well as the technologies associated with accommodating these complications and increases. Building owners and operators turn to building policies, procedures, and operations and use technology to recommend appropriate remediation methods and systems to kill pathogens and keep air clean. The efficacy of these building policies, procedures, and operations can be validated by a reduction of biological, microbe, or pathogen load. While continuously sensing digital solutions for inorganic, volatile organic compound, and particulate matter air pollutants can be cost-effective for HVACR systems, continuously sensing digital solutions for directly monitoring biological, microbe, or pathogen load are still expensive and likely cost-prohibitive for building owners and operators to validate the reduction of biological, microbe, or pathogen load.

<CIT> has disclosure relating to air signature detection and management in at least one room within a building are disclosed herein. It discloses an apparatus for monitoring, reporting and modifying the air in at least one room with at least one entrance/exit door within a building. The apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors configured for sensing information related to a plurality of characteristics of the air in at least one room; a processor configured for collecting and processing the information to generate air-related data; and a transceiver configured for communicating the air-related data to a user device of a user and configured for communicating with a network of one or more devices that can modify the air in the at least one room.

It is desirable for building operators to continuously monitor the biological, microbe, or pathogen load in the building and effectuate appropriate remediation actions to kill pathogens and keep air clean. However, continuously sensing digital solutions for directly monitoring biological, microbe, or pathogen load that are engineered for laboratories or clinical environments are cost-prohibitive for more general-purpose buildings such as office buildings, condominiums, and apartment complexes. Thus, systems and methods are desirable for estimating biological, microbe, or pathogen load from indoor air quality data and trends of inorganic, volatile organic compound, and particulate matter air pollutants. The invention is defined in claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to an embodiment consistent with attached independent claim <NUM>, an indoor air quality (IAQ) control system for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system, includes an IAQ monitor that is configured to collect air quality data from an air quality sensor of an air quality-controlled space, a controller that is configured to manage a remediation device of the air quality-controlled space, and an IAQ management server that is configured to generate a biological pollutant estimate based on the air quality data using an algorithm that correlates the air quality data to the biological pollutant estimate. The IAQ control system is configured to generate a remediation recommendation based on the biological pollutant estimate. The IAQ control system further includes a user interface of a communication IAQ quality system further includes a user interface of a communication device configured to deliver instructions to a user for an efficacy demonstration, wherein the instructions include directing the user to release a predetermined air pollutant into the air quality controlled space; the controller managing the remediation device to execute a remediation action corresponding to the predetermined air pollutant; the IAQ management server estimating an equivalent efficacy of a biological pollutant remediation using the algorithm.

The IAQ management server can be further configured to control the remediation device directly or via the controller according to the remediation recommendation if the remediation recommendation can be executed by the remediation device; or recommend installing another remediation device appropriate for a type of pollutant being remediated if the remediation recommendation cannot be executed by the remediation device.

The IAQ management server can be further configured to estimate efficacy of the remediation of a biological pollutant using a rate of change of the air quality data or a change in the air quality data before and after the remediation recommendation is executed.

The air quality data collected by the IAQ monitor can include a measurement of carbon dioxide, a volatile organic compound, a particulate matter, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, or sulfur dioxide.

The algorithm can be further configured to be updated by one or more of user feedback, a remediation response outcome, or an updated prediction model generated from empirical or simulated data.

The algorithm can be further configured to generate the biological pollutant estimate using ambient air quality data.

The remediation device can include one or more of a smart air filter, an add-on filter monitoring device, a fan, a bipolar ionization air cleaning device, a photocatalytic air cleaning device, a stand-alone air filter unit, an aqueous or gas-phase hydrogen peroxide generator, an UV, UV-C or far UV wavelength photo source, an air quality control attachment or accessory to the HVACR system, or a door or window of the air quality controlled space.

The remediation device can be controllable by the controller, by a secondary controller, or by a user.

The IAQ management server can be further configured to deliver the remediation recommendation to a display on the controller, the IAQ monitor, or a user device.

The IAQ management server can be further configured to generate the remediation recommendation based on a trend in the air quality data over time.

In another embodiment consistent with attached method claim <NUM>, an indoor air quality (IAQ) method for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) system includes collecting air quality data from an air quality sensor of an air quality-controlled space using an IAQ monitor, managing a remediation device of the air quality-controlled space using a controller, generating a biological pollutant estimate based on the air quality data using an algorithm that correlates the air quality data to the biological pollutant estimate, and generating a remediation recommendation based on the biological pollutant estimate. The method further comprises delivering instructions to a user for an efficacy demonstration through a user interface of a communication device, wherein the instructions include directing the user to release a predetermined air pollutant into the air quality controlled space; executing a remediation action corresponding to the predetermined air pollutant; and estimating an equivalent efficacy of a biological pollutant remediation using the algorithm.

The method can further comprise controlling the remediation device directly or via the controller according to the remediation recommendation if the remediation recommendation can be executed by the remediation device; or recommending installing another remediation device appropriate for a type of pollutant being remediated if the remediation recommendation cannot be executed by the remediation device.

The method can be further comprising estimating efficacy of the remediation of a biological pollutant using a rate of change of the air quality data or a change in the air quality data before and after the remediation recommendation is executed.

The algorithm can be updated by user feedback, a remediation response outcome, or an updated prediction model generated from empirical or simulated data.

The remediation device is controllable by the controller, by a secondary controller, or by a user.

The method can further comprise delivering the remediation recommendation to a display of the controller, the IAQ monitor, or a user device.

The method can further comprise generating the remediation recommendation based on a trend in the air quality data over time.

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this Specification can be practiced.

This invention relates generally to systems and methods directed to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR). More specifically, this invention relates to systems and methods that correlate air quality data in a prediction model to effectuate appropriate remediation actions and estimate remediation efficacy, without dedicated indoor pathogen detectors.

As defined herein, the term "software" can refer to prescribed rules to operate a computer. Examples of software can include: software; code segments; instructions; applets; pre-compiled code; compiled code; interpreted code; computer programs; and programmed logic, and the like. In this description, the terms "software" and "code" can be applicable to software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware, and the like.

As defined herein, the term "computer-readable medium" can refer to any storage device used for storing data accessible by a computer. Examples of a computer-readable medium can include: a magnetic hard disk; a floppy disk; an optical disk, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD; a magnetic tape; a flash removable memory; a memory chip; and/or other types of media that can store machine-readable instructions thereon, and the like. As defined herein, the term "non-transitory" computer-readable medium includes any computer-readable medium, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal, and the like.

As defined herein, the term "computer system" can refer to a system having one or more computers, where each computer can include a computer-readable medium embodying software to operate the computer. Examples of a computer system can include: a distributed computer system for processing information via computer systems linked by a network; two or more computer systems connected together via a network for transmitting and/or receiving information between the computer systems; and one or more apparatuses and/or one or more systems that can accept data, can process data in accordance with one or more stored software programs, can generate results, and typically can include input, output, storage, arithmetic, logic, and control units; and the like.

As defined herein, the term "network" can refer to a number of computers and associated devices that can be connected by communication facilities. A network can involve permanent connections such as cables or temporary connections such as those made through telephone or other communication links. A network can further include hard-wired connections (e.g., coaxial cable, twisted pair, optical fiber, waveguides, etc.) and/or wireless connections (e.g., radio frequency waveforms, free-space optical waveforms, acoustic waveforms, etc.). Examples of a network can include: an internet, such as the Internet; an intranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide area network (WAN); and a combination of networks, such as an internet and an intranet. Exemplary networks can operate with any of a number of protocols, such as Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and/or synchronous optical network (SONET), user datagram protocol (UDP), IEEE <NUM>.

As defined herein, the term "indoor air quality" or "IAQ" can refer to the quality of air that is being circulated and/or recirculated inside of a facility (such as a building, an installation, or any suitable enclosed area, etc.) by using, e.g., an HVACR system or the like. IAQ can be represented by air quality data. The air quality data can include, for example, quantities of inorganic air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide. The air quality data can include, for example, amounts of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, or the like. The air quality data can also include temperature, humidity, or location data, or the like.

Particular embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure, as long as within the scope of the claims.

Additionally, the present invention can be described herein in terms of functional block components, code listings, optional selections, page displays, and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks can be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions within the scope of the claims. For example, the present invention can employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which can carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.

Further, it should be noted that the present invention can employ any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like. It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention which is defined in the claims. Examples are presented herein which can include sample data items (e.g., names, dates, etc.) which are intended as examples and are not to be construed as limiting. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, application development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) cannot be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical or virtual couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical or virtual connections can be present in a practical electronic data communications system.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention can be embodied as defined in the claims.

The present invention is described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (e.g., systems), and computer program products according to various aspects of the invention. It will be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, mobile device, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. However, a computer program product to carry out the method of claim <NUM> needs to be implemented on an IAQ system according to claim <NUM>.

These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each functional block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by either special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions, as long as within the scope of the claims. In particular, a computer program product to carry out the method of claim <NUM> needs to be implemented on an IAQ system according to claim <NUM>.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for security reasons, any databases, systems, or components of the present invention can have any combination of databases or components at a single location or at multiple locations, wherein each database or system includes any of various suitable security features, such as firewalls, access codes, encryption, de-encryption, compression, decompression, and/or the like.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a facility serviced by an HCACR system, according to an embodiment not part of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, a facility <NUM> includes an IAQ monitor <NUM>, an air quality-controlled space <NUM>, a HVACR system <NUM>, a plurality of sensors <NUM> connected to the IAQ monitor <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> that manages a remediation device <NUM>.

The facility <NUM> can be an office building, a condominium, an apartment complex, a factory, a public space, or the like, where continuously sensing digital solutions for directly monitoring biological, microbe, pathogen load (or alternatively referred to as biological pollutant load) can be cost-prohibitive.

The IAQ monitor <NUM> can provide a remediation recommendation to a user to take appropriate remediation action. The remediation recommendation can be provided through a display attached to the IAQ monitor <NUM>. Alternatively, the remediation recommendation can be delivered through a screen, an application, a dashboard accessible by an internet browser, or the like.

The IAQ monitor <NUM> can calculate qualitative or quantitative feedback on the current air quality based on a current reading of air quality data collected from sensors <NUM>. The feedback on current air quality can be a score, a letter grade, an assessment (e.g., good, normal, or bad), or the like. The IAQ monitor <NUM> can be a mobile device, a software application on a mobile device, a dashboard accessible through a web browser, or the like.

The air quality-controlled space <NUM> can include one or more enclosed spaces or areas with one or more occupancies including, for example, a conference room, a cubicle area, a breakroom, an office suite, a floor of a building, a building, a production floor, or the like.

The HVACR system <NUM> can include an outdoor unit <NUM>, an indoor unit <NUM>, and ducts <NUM>. The indoor unit <NUM> can intake indoor air from and deliver conditioned air to specific areas within the air quality-controlled space <NUM> using the ducts <NUM>.

The sensors <NUM> in <FIG> are air quality sensors that generate air quality data. The air quality data can include air quantity parameters measured by sensors <NUM> such as quantities of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or the like. The air quality data can also include other parameters such as quantities of one or more volatile organic compounds, quantities of particulate matter, temperature, humidity, location data, or the like. In an embodiment comprising the features of claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the quantities can be quantities that are correlated with a quantity of a biological pollutant such as a pathogen.

It is also appreciated that the sensors <NUM> can be connected over a network with or integrated into other devices such as the IAQ monitor <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the remediation device <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM>, and the like.

The controller <NUM> of <FIG> manages the remediation device <NUM> directly or over a network. The controller <NUM> is illustrated to be positioned near a wall within the air quality-controlled space <NUM>. It is appreciated that the controller <NUM> can be connected over a network with or integrated into other devices such as the IAQ monitor <NUM>, one or more of the sensors <NUM>, the remediation device <NUM>, the indoor unit <NUM>, and the like.

In an embodiment comprising the features of claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the controller <NUM> can be included in a mobile device, a software application on a mobile device, or the like.

The remediation device <NUM> reduces air pollutants from the air quality controlled space. The reduction can be achieved by adhesion, filtration, neutralization through physical, electrical, or chemical methods, replacement of more polluted air with less polluted air, or the like. For example, remediation device <NUM> can include one or more of a smart air filter, an add-on filter monitoring device, a fan, a bipolar ionization air cleaning device, a photocatalytic air cleaning device, a stand-alone air filter unit, an aqueous or gas-phase hydrogen peroxide generator, an UV, UV-C or far UV wavelength photo source, an air quality control attachment or accessory to the HVACR system, or ventilation such as a ventilation system, a door or a window of the air quality controlled space. The reduction in pollutants can include reduction in biological pollutants such as pathogens.

The remediation device <NUM> can be a connected device, or a conventional device not connected to the controller <NUM>. A connected device can connect directly to the controller <NUM> over a network such as a wired or wireless network. A conventional device can be a fan, a window <NUM>, a door <NUM> that is not directly controllable by the controller <NUM> over a network. It is appreciated that the remediation device <NUM> can be a conventional device controlled by a secondary controller that is connected to the controller <NUM> over a network. The secondary controller can be a connected switch that communicates with the controller <NUM> over a network. The controller <NUM> can further be configured to control power sources, switches, or the like such that it can control the activity of conventional devices.

In an embodiment comprising the features of claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the connected switch can be preprogrammed to communicate with the controller <NUM> over a network. The connected switch can be designed to retrofit to a conventional device. The connected devices or switches can alternatively be referred to as a smart device or smart switch. The preprogramming can include embedding one or more QR codes that can be scanned by a camera. The QR codes can be located on the devices, the user manual, the packaging, or the like. The QR codes can include MAC addresses, serial numbers, or other wireless setup parameters. The QR codes can be one non-limiting example of a device identifier for the device that is being connected to the connected switch. In an embodiment comprising the features of claim <NUM> or <NUM>, the smart switches or smart devices can include short-range communication devices, such as a BLUETOOTHO beacon, for example to communicate with the controller <NUM> and/or to receive device identifiers from devices connected to the connected switch.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a system for managing air quality control devices according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, the air quality control devices include sensors <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a remediation device <NUM>, and an IAQ management server <NUM> directly or indirectly connected with one another over a network. It is appreciated that each and every connection among the components illustrated in <FIG> is not required.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a user device <NUM> that acts as a conduit that connects to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the remediation device <NUM>, and the IAQ management server <NUM> over a network.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the user device <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the IAQ management server <NUM> can be integrated into a single device.

The sensors <NUM> collect air quality data and transmit the collected air quality data to other devices for further processing. For example, the air quality data can be transmitted to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can process the air quality data according to an algorithm that further transmits the air quality data to the IAQ management server <NUM> for further processing, instruct the remediation device <NUM> to execute a remediation action, or both. The sensors <NUM> can be, for example, the sensors <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The remediation device <NUM> can receive the air quality data from the sensors <NUM>, and an internal controller of the remediation device <NUM> can trigger one or more remediation actions according to an algorithm of the internal controller and the air quality data received.

The internal controller can trigger the remediation device <NUM> to execute a remediation action when an air quality parameter reaches a threshold value. In one embodiment of the invention, the threshold value is predetermined, for example, by a manufacturer or a servicer according to industry standards such as: WELL BUILDING STANDARDS and RESETS, or government standards such as those promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or the World Health Organization (WHO). In another embodiment of the invention, the threshold value can be determined by the user according to the needs of the occupants.

The predetermined threshold value can be adjusted by a user. The system can provide recommendations for the user to adjust the threshold value through a user interface of a communication device. The communication device can be integrated into one or more of the sensor <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the server <NUM>. The communication device can be a visual feedback output device, such as a monitor, a television, a display, and the like.

The user interface can include selectable options to adjust the threshold value and/or adjust an aggressiveness in remediation, such as the frequency and/or intensity of the remediation action. The user interface can include additional information about potential benefits or consequences of adjusting the threshold value and/or the intensity. For example, the additional information can include one or more of a correlation between the intensity of the remediation and the energy consumption, the noise generation, and/or the time required to complete the remediation action performed by the one or more remediation devices. For example, the user interface can inform the user that a higher intensity setting of a remediation action can consume more energy, create more noise, and complete within a shortened period of time.

In one embodiment of the invention, the remediation device can be triggered proactively before an air quality parameter reaches a predetermined threshold. The proactive triggering can be determined by a trend of air quality data recorded over time. The proactive triggering can be determined by factors or patterns recognized and/or updated by a machine learning algorithm or artificial intelligence (AI). The remediation device <NUM> can be, for example, the remediation device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The remediation device <NUM> can maintain a remediation record to be transmitted to the controller <NUM> or the IAQ management server <NUM> for further processing. In another embodiment of the invention, the controller <NUM> or the server <NUM> can maintain the remediation record. In one embodiment of the invention, the further processing of the remediation record can be calculating efficacy of a remediation action by the IAQ management server <NUM>, updating a prediction model or algorithm of the IAQ management server <NUM>, or the like. The remediation device <NUM> can be, for example, the remediation device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The server <NUM> includes an algorithm that uses the air quality data from the sensors <NUM> as inputs, and uses a prediction model generated from experimental or simulated data to estimate a biological pollutant load in an air quality controlled space where the system is deployed. The server <NUM> can generate a remediation recommendation according to the type and severity of an air pollutant. The air pollutant can be a biological pollutant.

The server <NUM> can deliver the remediation recommendation to the controller <NUM>, control the remediation device <NUM> directly to execute a remediation action, or both.

The server <NUM> can generate a second biological pollutant load estimate after the remediation action is completed. The server <NUM> can compare the second biological pollutant load estimate with an initial biological pollutant estimate to determine a projected reduction value indicative of pathogen remediation efficacy. The projected reduction value can be generated from experimental or simulated data.

In one embodiment of the invention, the server <NUM> can incorporate ambient air quality data as inputs into the algorithm to estimate the biological pollutant load, to generate the remediation recommendation, and to calculate the pathogen remediation efficacy. In another embodiment of the invention, the server <NUM> can incorporate efficacy of air quality parameter monitored by the sensors <NUM> as inputs into the algorithm to calculate the remediation efficacy of the biological pollutant.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a control system for air quality control devices in an HVACR system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, remediation devices <NUM> and <NUM>, and an IAQ management server <NUM> are connected through a controller <NUM> over a wireless network. The IAQ management server <NUM> is further communicated with an ambient air quality database <NUM>.

It is appreciated that the connection between devices in <FIG> can be connected over any suitable network. It is also appreciated that, although <FIG> shows two IAQ monitors, the disclosed system can be configured to include only one IAQ monitor or more than two IAQ monitors.

The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively integrated into first and second IAQ monitors. The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> collect air quality data of the air quality-conditioned space. It is appreciated that the first and the second IAQ monitors can be positioned in the same area within an air quality-controlled space. The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> can be, for example, the sensors <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The first and second IAQ monitors can be positioned in different areas within the air quality-controlled space. The air quality data collected can be labeled to identify the room from which the air quality data are collected. The air quality data collected can be time stamped.

The controller <NUM> can include a display (not shown). A user device <NUM> can also be included in the system performing the same functions as the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can be, for example, the controller <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The remediation devices <NUM> and <NUM> can be controlled by the controller <NUM> through connected switches <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The connected switches <NUM> and <NUM> can be connected to the controller <NUM> over a network such as a wired or wireless network. The remediation devices <NUM> and <NUM> can be, for example, the remediation device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The server <NUM> receives air quality data from the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> over a network through the controller <NUM>. The server <NUM> processes the air quality data to estimate a biological pollutant load. Server <NUM> can further generate a remediation recommendation and transmit the remediation recommendation to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> then can instruct the connected switch <NUM>, <NUM>, or both to control the remediation device <NUM>, <NUM>, or both, and execute a remediation action according to the remediation recommendation from the server <NUM>.

The server <NUM> can acquire ambient air quality data from the ambient are quality database <NUM> to supplement the inputs to its algorithm.

It is appreciated that the function of the server can be performed by the user device <NUM>. The user device <NUM> can replace the server <NUM>, replicate the functions of the server <NUM>, or extend the functions of the server <NUM>. The server <NUM> can be, for example, the server <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

<FIG> is a block diagram representing controls for air quality control devices in an HVACR system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, an algorithm <NUM> is used by a server <NUM> to estimate biological pollutant load from air quality data collected by sensors. The algorithm <NUM> receives air quality data from the sensors of an air quality-controlled space as inputs. The algorithm <NUM> can also receive remediation records from a controller or remediation devices connected to the server <NUM>. The algorithm <NUM> can also receive the remediation record maintained by the server <NUM>.

The algorithm <NUM> can also receive ambient air quality data. The ambient air quality data can include the air quality data outside of the air quality-controlled space. The ambient air quality can affect the efficacy of remediation actions that introduce air from the ambient environment relevant to the air quality-controlled space. The ambient environment can be an indoor space or an outdoor space. For example, an indoor space ambient environment can be a public area of an office building while the air quality-controlled space can be an office suite within the office building. The ambient air quality data can include parameters such as a quantity of carbon dioxide, a quantity of one or more volatile organic compounds, quantities of particulate matter, temperature, humidity, a quantity of carbon monoxide, a quantity of nitrogen dioxide, and/or a quantity of sulfur dioxide. The measurement can be a concentration, a flow rate, a count, or the like. In an embodiment of the invention, the ambient air quality data can include biological pollutant data relevant to the air quality-controlled space.

The algorithm <NUM> includes a prediction model constructed from experimental or simulated data that correlates air quality data as inputs with a biological pollutant load as an output. The input data of the prediction model can also include ambient air quality data as inputs.

The server <NUM> generates a remediation recommendation that can include utilization of a remediation device appropriate for remediating an air quality issue of the air quality-controlled space. A non-limiting example of an air quality issue is when a biological pollutant load estimated from the air quality data is higher than a predetermined value. The remediation recommendation from the server <NUM> is transmitted over a network to a controller <NUM>, a user device <NUM>, or both. The remediation recommendation can be transmitted as a control signal to directly instruct a remediation device <NUM> to perform a remediation action.

According to one embodiment, the controller <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, or both can include a screen to display the remediation recommendation from the server <NUM>. The remediation recommendation can be translated by the controller <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, or both into layman terms so that a user not familiar with air quality control technologies can understand the air quality problem and the appropriate remediation action to mitigate the particular kind of air quality problem.

The server <NUM> can generate a remediation recommendation for a recurring air quality problem based on a trend in air quality data and generate a remediation recommendation in anticipation of a drop in air quality parameter, and thus eliminate or reduce the recurring air quality problem.

The server <NUM> can generate a remediation recommendation based on a trend in air quality data or in efficacy. For example, the efficacy of an air filtering device can decrease over time. The server <NUM> detects this trend and generates a recommendation to clean or replace a filter of the air filtering device by an expected time or date when the efficacy is expected to fall below a threshold value.

The server <NUM> can also calculate efficacy of a remediation action by comparing the air quality data of the air quality-controlled space over time. The efficacy can be a difference between a reduction of an air pollutant monitored by the air quality sensor after a remediation action, compared to a predicted reduction of the air pollutant without the remediation action. The predicted reduction of the air pollutant can be based on experimental or simulated data.

In an embodiment of the invention, the air pollutant can be a biological pollutant, and the reduction of the biological pollutant can be estimated from the air quality data before and after the remediation action using the algorithm <NUM>. The server <NUM> can generate an efficacy report of the air pollutant remediation action and transmit the report to the user device <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, or both. In another embodiment of the invention, a change of a pollutant load can be estimated from the air quality data before and after a remediation action. The pollutant can be any type of pollutant measured economically and/or continuously by one or more air quality sensors. The change in pollutant load can be included in an efficacy report for the air pollutant remediation action. The efficacy report can be transmitted to the user device <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, or both. In an embodiment of the invention, the efficacy report can include an equivalent ventilation time by correlating the change of the pollutant load to an equivalent time period of ventilation with ambient air.

The algorithm <NUM> can be updated based on feedback from the user device <NUM> generated by a user. Additionally, the algorithm <NUM> can be updated by comparing an air quality parameter predicted to be after a remediation action and an air quality data measured by sensors after the remediation action. The algorithm <NUM> of the server <NUM> can also be updated by an updated prediction model generated from updated experimental or simulated data. The controller <NUM>, the remediation device <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, and server <NUM> can respectively be, for example, the controller <NUM>, the remediation devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, and the server <NUM> shown in <FIG> and described above.

The prediction model can be generated and updated by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or the like. The AI prediction model can be trained with one or more data sets of air quality parameters that can be continuously and/or economically measured by one or more air quality sensors measuring one or more of the air quality parameters. The data set can further include, for example, one or more of the location of the air quality sensors and the remediation devices. The location can be in relation to the position of the sensor within the air quality-controlled space. The data set can include identification of outlier or anomaly events for correction. For example, the outlier or anomaly event can include, as non-limiting examples, a spikes in total volatile organic compounds due to hand sanitizer uses by occupants or alcoholic beverages near the air quality sensors, or any other event capable of producing an outlier in one or more of the air quality parameters. According to one embodiment of the invention, the AI prediction model can be algorithm <NUM>. The prediction model can be a dynamic model that is updated using data obtained from observation or experimentation regarding the effectiveness of remediation within a space. In an embodiment of the invention, the dynamic model can be updated regularly and/or according to events that may change the airflow or other conditions within the space.

The air quality parameters that can be continuously and/or economically measured include one or more measurements of carbon dioxide, a volatile organic compound, a particulate matter, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, or sulfur dioxide. The air quality parameters continuously and/or economically measured can further include air quality data acquired from a database, such as a database with the ambient air quality parameters. Other air quality parameters, which can optionally not be monitored by continuous air quality sensors, can be a biological pollutant load, such as a virus load, a bacteria load, a pathogen load, or the like.

According to the invention, the system further includes a program for guiding a user to conduct an efficacy demonstration of one or more remediation devices performing one or more remediation actions. The guiding can be delivered through a communication device.

The communication device can be part of one or more of the sensor <NUM>, the user device <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the server <NUM>. According to one embodiment of the invention, the communication device can be a visual feedback output device, such as a monitor, a television, a display, and the like.

The efficacy demonstration is a controlled experiment conducted by introducing a predetermined air pollutant into the air quality controlled space followed by executing a corresponding remediation action using one or more remediation devices. For example, the predetermined air pollutant can be ethanol, aerosol sunscreen, hairspray, or the like. In an embodiment of the invention, the predetermined air pollutant can be any suitable pollutant affected by the remediation devices, such as, for example, oxidizable compounds such as VOCs where the remediation devices act by providing hydrogen peroxide or function based on oxidization, such as photocatalytic oxidation. In an embodiment of the invention, the predetermined air pollutant can be any suitable proxy for the effects of remediation actions on biological pollutants such as pathogens. For example, the predetermined air pollutant can be a pollutant affected by the remediation actions in a similar manner to biological pollutants, for example a compound oxidized by the remediation action. The efficacy demonstration is guiding a user to introduce a predetermined amount of the predetermined air pollutant. The predetermined amount can be an equivalent amount of the predetermined air pollutant released by a canister of the predetermined air pollutant spraying over a predetermined amount of time. For example, the predetermined amount of time maybe ten seconds. Accordingly, the efficacy demonstration can be used to generate or validate a model of remediation effectiveness within a particular space, such as one or more rooms, floors, or buildings including an HVACR system and remediation devices.

The efficacy demonstration can record the air quality parameters before and after the remediation action for calculating efficacy of the remediation action. The calculation can further estimate efficacy of biological pollutant remediation using a correlation between the predetermined air pollutant and a biological pollutant to show the user what the biological pollutant remediation efficacy would be for the performed remediation action. The system can compare the calculated efficacy to a theoretical or historical efficacy to identify a problem with a remediation device and to transmit an alert to the user through the user interface of the communication device. For example, the problem can be a dirty filter that needs to be cleaned or replaced.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an efficacy demonstration can include validating an efficacy of a pathogen remediation to show the safety of air quality controlled space. The validation can be conducted using a reagent as a proxy which can be feasibly measured in a HVACR system of a general purpose building. The proxy can be correlated using experimental or simulated data to predict the actual remediation of biological pathogen in an air quality controlled space. For example, the reagent or proxy can be a predetermined quantity of a reagent that is reactive with hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can be generated by remediation devices. The concentration of the reagent or of hydrogen peroxide in the air quality controlled space can be correlated with a reduction of pathogen using the experimental or simulated data regarding consumption of the reagent and/or hydrogen peroxide. The correlation can further include a concentration of hydrogen peroxide over time for calculating the efficacy of the pathogen remediation. According to another embodiment of the invention, the reagent as a proxy can be a compound reactive with UV light, a particle that can be captured by a filter, or any other suitable proxy for a biological pollutant that can be acted on by a remediation device.

The system can guide the user to enter location information into the system through a user interface. The location information can be the location of the air quality controlled space in relation to a geographical area, such as zip code, a street address, a coordinate on a map, or the like. The location information can include the location of the air quality monitor, the sensors, the user device, and the remediation devices in relation to the air quality controlled space, such as a first conference room, a second conference room, a living room, a front desk area, a breakroom area, a floor level, a cubicle area, or the like. The location information can be used to generate and update the algorithm <NUM>. The location information can further be used in the efficacy demonstration to generate and update the correlation between the pathogen and the reagent as a proxy feasibly measurable in a HVACR system in a general purpose building. For example, the correlation can be tailored to the air quality controlled space based on the location of the remediation devices. Further, the efficacy of the remediation can be estimated based on the location of the sensor that is positioned in a particular room. For example, the remediation device is located in the living room, while the bedroom is adjacent to the living room. The pathogen remediation efficacy of the living room, because it is closer to the remediation device, can be higher than the remediation efficacy of the bedroom. The correlation can incorporate the location information of the remediation device, the living room, and the bedroom to predict an efficacy of the remediation for the living room, and another efficacy of the remediation for the bedroom incorporating their relative locations with the remediation device.

Claim 1:
An indoor air quality (IAQ) control system for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) system, comprising:
an IAQ monitor (<NUM>) that is configured to collect air quality data from an air quality sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) of an air quality-controlled space;
a controller (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is configured to manage a remediation device of the air quality-controlled space; and
an IAQ management server (<NUM>) that is configured to generate a biological pollutant estimate based on the air quality data using an algorithm that correlates the air quality data to the biological pollutant estimate, and generate a remediation recommendation based on the biological pollutant estimate, characterized in that the IAQ control system further includes:
a user interface of a communication device configured to deliver instructions to a user for an efficacy demonstration, wherein the instructions include directing the user to release a predetermined air pollutant into the air quality controlled space;
the controller managing the remediation device to execute a remediation action corresponding to the predetermined air pollutant;
the IAQ management server estimating an equivalent efficacy of a biological pollutant remediation using the algorithm.