DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a field of air quality management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to determining an operational life of an air filter unit present in an air purifier.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Maintaining air quality is one of the most significant problems within homes and the workplace today. The modern environment is filled with impurities such as pollution and particulate matter, which gets mixed with the air to which we are exposed. Indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside. Since we spend most of our time indoors, our exposure to poor indoor air quality puts us at risk for a number of ailments such as asthma or allergies. Use of an air filter can improve the quality of the indoor air inside home by trapping dirt, neutralizing foul odours, neutralizing smoke and chemical fumes, and eliminating germs.
[0004] However, to keep up such quality, air purifiers need regular maintenance and periodically require filter replacements. Prevalent approaches to determine filter replacements are based on replacing filters on a fixed time schedule or as a result of visual inspections by service technicians. Time based schedules are inaccurate since air pollution varies with geographical areas and operation. Also, every air filter is exposed to different operating parameters and thus has a different life of optimal performance.
[0005] Another approach to determine filter replacements is use of a pressure drop technology. Pressure drop is very frequently used indicator of when an air filter needs replacement. When a filter starts clogging, its resistance to the air flow increases. In systems where the airflow is kept at a constant level, this leads to a rise in the differential pressure across the filter. This pressure drop /differential pressure is measured by appropriate sensors and when it reaches a pre-determined point the filter is replaced. Pressure drop is also used as a means of predicting remaining life of the filter based again upon experience of the user or manufacturers of the filter. However, as already elaborated each filter is exposed to different operating parameters and hence this method is also not accurate. Besides, quite frequently airflow may reduce as the filter gets clogged which may lead to problems downstream depending upon application of the filter.
[0006] Hence there is a need in the art for a system to predict remaining operational life or determine an ideal time to change an air filter considering its unique operational parameters and without dependence on inaccurate human judgement.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that removes or lowers toxicity of biochemical poisonous materials present in indoor air.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that determines information specific to a subset of a plurality of different pollutants and accordingly suggests changing a filter unit of the system.
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system where the filter unit is changed when it reaches end of its operational life.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system where external sensors detect environmental conditions and predicts operational life of the filter unit based on their working in different environmental conditions.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that performs a real-time statistical analysis of indoor and outdoor air quality parameters and displays the analysis on a display unit.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to identify and analyze air quality data to display alarming trends.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure relates to a field of air quality management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to predicting an operational life of an air filter present in an air purifier.
[0014] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an air purifier system comprising : an air filter unit, where the filter unit receives impure air as input and releases filtered air as output; one or more sensors coupled with the air filter unit, the one or more sensors configured to sense one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air, and generate first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and a processor operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the processor configured to compare a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with threshold value stored in a database to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0015] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors are any or a combination of a dust sensor, a gas sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a temperature sensor, an ozone sensor, a nitrogen oxide sensor, a sulphur dioxide sensor, a nitrogen dioxide sensor, a combustible gas sensor, and a formaldehyde sensor.
[0016] In an embodiment, a display unit operatively coupled to the processors to display the determined operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0017] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0018] In an embodiment, the display unit is configured to display the content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0019] In an embodiment, the threshold value of a level of pollutants is used to determine the operational status of the air filter unit.
[0020] In an embodiment, the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.
[0021] An another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for : receiving impure air as input and releasing filtered air as output by an air filter unit; sensing one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air; generating first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and comparing a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with a threshold value to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0022] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0023] In an embodiment, the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.
[0024] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the proposed air purifier system in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for illustrating an operational life of the air filter present in the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an air purifier system comprising : an air filter unit, where the filter unit receives impure air as input and releases filtered air as output; one or more sensors coupled with the air filter unit, the one or more sensors configured to sense one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air, and generate first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and a processor operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the processor configured to compare a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with threshold value stored in a database to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0030] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors are any or a combination of a dust sensor, a gas sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a temperature sensor, an ozone sensor, a nitrogen oxide sensor, a sulphur dioxide sensor, a nitrogen dioxide sensor, a combustible gas sensor, and a formaldehyde sensor.
[0031] In an embodiment, a display unit operatively coupled to the processors to display the determined operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0032] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0033] In an embodiment, the display unit is configured to display the content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0034] In an embodiment, the threshold value of a level of pollutants is used to determine the operational status of the air filter unit.
[0035] In an embodiment, the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.
[0036] An another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for : receiving impure air as input and releasing filtered air as output by an air filter unit; sensing one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air; generating first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and comparing a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with a threshold value to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0037] In an embodiment, the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
[0038] In an embodiment, the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.
[0039] The present disclosure relates to a field of air quality management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to predicting an operational life of an air filter present in an air purifier.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the proposed air purifier system in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] As illustrated, the system 100 uses a real-time air quality monitoring along with machine learning techniques based upon historical data to predict remaining operational life of a filter of an air purifier system.
[0042] In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, the proposed system comprises an air purification unit 110, an indoor sensor 104, an outdoor sensor 102, a dashboard 112, a processor 108. Further the sensors 104 and 102 are operatively configured to a processor 108 via an internet unit 106. Furthermore, a dashboard 112 can be operatively coupled with the processor 108 via the internet unit at 106.
[0043] In an embodiment, the system 110 can capture the air pollutant data on a real-time continuous basis and store such data as historical air pollutant data.
[0044] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can in turn be part of a Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, for example, to determine an operational life the air filter configured in the air purification unit 110.
[0045] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can be installed, for example, at a position close to any of wall surfaces of a room, or can be mounted on a flexible stand or can be equipped with wheels for better movement and providing flexibility and use of use.
[0046] In an embodiment, the air filter can as well be a plurality of filters forming an air filter bank in the air purifier system. The air filter can remove multiple pollutants from the air taken as input and releases clean air.
[0047] In an embodiment, the air filter present in the air purification unit 110 can detect the amount of pollutants in the air via the indoor sensors 104 and the outdoor sensors 102. The air purification unit 110 can for example, have a composite-type sensor including a combination of e.g., a dust sensor, a gas sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a temperature sensor, an ammonia sensor, an ethylene sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a relative humidity sensor, an ozone sensor, a nitrogen oxide sensor, a sulphur dioxide sensor, a nitrogen dioxide sensor, a combustible gas sensor, and/or a formaldehyde sensor etc. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, other sensors equally capable of monitoring/sensing the ambient environment can also be utilized with similar facility and/or utility.
[0048] In an embodiment, the air filter present in the air purification unit 110 can purify the impure air. The indoor sensors 104 and the outdoor sensors 102 can also include, for example, a dust sensor, a gas sensor, an odor sensor, or the like. The dust sensor can include a semiconductor device, an optical device, or the like, and can detect a concentration of dust, smoke, pollen, or the like in the air. The gas sensor can detect a concentration of a specific gas component corresponding to contaminants. The odor sensor can include a semiconductor device, a piezoelectric element, or the like, and can detect concentrations of several types of gas components that cause odor (odor gases)
[0049] In an embodiment, the pollutants can refer to, for example, pollutants suspended in the air such as but limited to dust, smoke, viruses, bacteria, pollens, mold, allergens and odorous molecules etc.
[0050] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can further be implemented with a humidifier, a sterilization portion, a scent spreader, etc., to thereby realize active air quality control. For example, the air purification unit 110 can spray water vapour into the air at a target area, making the air filter more effective as water droplets can coalesce with particulate pollutants. In another example, the air purification unit 110 can irradiate a target region with UV light, to sterilize the air or a surface in the target region. Further, the air purification unit 110 can collect, inactivate or absorb and decompose the pollutants. Also, the purification system can, for example, with a filter generate an electrical field or active oxygen between electrodes to remove pollutants.
[0051] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can have a decontamination unit that includes, for example, a dust collection filter, a deodorization filter, an anti-mold and disinfection filter, a voltage application device, or the like, or a combination of these devices. The dust collection filter can collect dust or the like, and the deodorization filter can absorb odor components.
[0052] In context of providing high quality filtered air with minimal air pollutant levels as provided by the air purification unit 110, the unit 110 can be aided through utilization of one or more artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques and/or technologies. For instance, the artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques and/or technologies can employ probabilistic-based or statistical-based approaches, for example, in connection with making determinations or inferences. The artificial intelligence functionalities and features utilized by the processor 108 can employ any suitable scheme (e.g., neural networks, expert systems, Bayesian belief networks, support vector machines (SVMs), Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), fuzzy logic, data fusion, etc.) in accordance with implementing various automated aspects described herein. Additionally, artificial intelligence technique can further factor historical data, extrinsic data, context, data content, state of the user, and can compute costs of making an incorrect determination or inference versus benefits of making a correct determination or inference.
[0053] In an embodiment, the processor 108 can determine the quality of the released filtered air by the air purification unit 110 and compare it with a threshold value required for the filtered quality air. If the released filter air is in range of the threshold value, the system predicts that the air filter installed in the air purification unit can be deemed to be at a workable stage and needs no replacement. Further, if the released filter air is not in the range of the threshold value of the quality of air released by the air filter, the system predicts that the filter can be categorized to be not in a workable condition anymore and needs immediate replacement.
[0054] In an embodiment, the air quality index (AQI) measures five types of air pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) in the air, and converts the measured pollutant concentrations in a community's air to a number on a scale of 0 to 500. The intervals on the AQI scale relate to the potential health effects of daily concentrations of each of these five pollutants. The most important number on this scale is 100, since this number corresponds to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard established under the Clean Air Act. An AQI level in excess of 100 means that the pollutant is in the unhealthful range on a given day; an AQI level at or below 100 means that the pollutant reading is in the satisfactory range.
[0055] In an embodiment, the AQI level reading that lies in the satisfactory range is considered as the threshold value and is then used for determination of the operational life of the air filter in the air purification unit 110.
[0056] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can use the air quality data collected along with the machine learning technique to predict remaining operational life of the air filter installed in air purification unit 110.
[0057] In an embodiment, a control and/or interface software or app can be provided in a form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon is further provided. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, optical data storage equipment, a flash drive such as a USB drive or an SD card, and the like.
[0058] In an embodiment, the operations of the air purification unit 110, can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware. Implementations of the subject matter described in this invention can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on one or more computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. For example, the air purification unit 110 can be controlled remotely through the Internet 106, on a smart phone, a tablet computer or other types of computers, with a web-based graphic user interface (GUI).
[0059] Alternatively, or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially-generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, which is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be, or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them.
[0060] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can have a console unit with a display unit disposed on upper surface of the unit 110, to display an operation state of the air purification unit 110. The display unit may emit light, to display an operation state of the air filter and/or quality of the air. The light can be of different colors according to different contamination degrees of air taken as input into the purification unit 110. The emitted light can be of different colors according to different degree of pollutants present in the air. For example, when the amount of pollutants in the air is high, the light emitted can be a red light. When the amount of pollutants in the air is low, a green light can be emitted, and the like.
[0061] In an embodiment, the air purification unit 110 can comprise a portable electronic multimedia appliance, such as a touch tablet or a smart phone, designed to form a portable human-machine interface designed to display the air quality measurements of the air measured by the indoor sensor and the outdoor sensor. The data related to the air quality can be sent to the portable electronic appliance that is equipped with a display screen. A radio link can be envisioned, or even a link by internet or the telephone network to send measurement data from the network to the portable electronic appliance and/or the human-machine interface. The received air quality information can be displayed on the screen/dashboard 112 of the portable electronic appliance.
[0062] In an embodiment, the data collected by the sensors can be sent to the proposed system that can be configured at the processor illustrated as 108. The proposed system can use the data collected along with machine learning technique as shown at 108 to predict remaining operational life of air filter installed in air purification unit 110. The processor 108 can determine the released filtered air quality and compare it with a threshold value required for the filtered quality air. If the released filter air is in range of the threshold value, the system predicts that the air filter installed in the air purification unit can be deemed to be at a workable stage and needs no replacement. Further, if the released filter air is not in the range of the threshold value of the quality of air released by the air filter, the system predicts that the filter can be categorized to be not in a workable condition anymore and needs immediate replacement.
[0063] In an embodiment, as can be readily appreciated, based upon the prediction by the system, the users of the system can plan change of the air filter at appropriate time so as to ensure clean air while at the same time ensuring that the air filter is changed neither too early nor too late thereby ensuring performance of the HVAC system at minimal cost and optimum efficiency.
[0064] In this manner, the proposed system describes a technique of determining when is the optimal time to change/ replace the air filter in the air purification unit 110. Rather than changing the air filter based upon number of days of usage ( as maybe specified by the manufacturer of the air filter, or per judgement / experience of the filter user ) or upon inaccurate differential pressure sensing methods, the proposed system enables predicting change of the air filter more accurately using machine learning technique based upon historical air quality data and data pertaining to other parameters such as temperature and humidity, and real-time air monitoring of air quality and other parameters such as temperature and humidity etc. and by using appropriate sensors.
[0065] In an embodiment, the machine learning technique can predict future air quality and amount of pollutants that the filter media can still trap. This prediction can lead to a higher level of accuracy of prediction as to when the filter should be changed.
[0066] As can be readily appreciated by the user, while the proposed system has been described above using the HVAC system, it can readily be understood that it can be used in any industry or application requiring air filtration. The system can predict with a higher level of accuracy when the air filter need to be changed, thereby leading to safer environment and providing safer and more economical air filtration systems as already elaborated.
[0067] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for illustrating an operational life of the air filter present in the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0068] In an embodiment at block 202, the impure air is received as input by the air filtration unit 110 and the filtered air is released as output by the air filter unit;
[0069] In an embodiment, at block 204, one or more attributes of the impure air and the filtered air are sensed. The sensing is done by using the indoor 104 and the outdoor sensors 102.
[0070] In an embodiment, at block 206, a first set of data signals are generated. The signals relate to the sensed one or more attributes of the impure air and the filtered air.
[0071] In an embodiment, at block 208, a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals are compared with a threshold value. This is done to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
[0072] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The present disclosure provides a system that removes or lowers toxicity of biochemical poisonous materials present in the air.
[0074] The present disclosure provides a system that determines information specific to a subset of a plurality of different pollutants and accordingly suggests changing a filter unit of the system.
[0075] The present disclosure provides a system where the filter unit is changed when it reaches end of its operational life.
[0076] The present disclosure provides a system where external sensors detect environmental conditions and predicts operational life of the filter unit based on their working in different environmental conditions.
[0077] The present disclosure provides a system that performs a real-time statistical analysis of indoor and outdoor air quality parameters and displays the analysis on a display unit.
[0078] The present disclosure provides a system that identifies and analyzes air quality data to display alarming trends.
,CLAIMS:1. An air purifier system comprising :
an air filter unit, where the filter unit receives impure air as input and releases filtered air as output;
one or more sensors coupled with the air filter unit, the one or more sensors configured to sense one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air, and generate first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and
a processor operatively coupled to the one or more sensors, the processor configured to compare a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with threshold value stored in a database to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are any or a combination of a dust sensor, a gas sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a temperature sensor, an ozone sensor, a nitrogen oxide sensor, a sulphur dioxide sensor, a nitrogen dioxide sensor, a combustible gas sensor, and a formaldehyde sensor.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the system comprises a display unit operatively coupled to the processors to display the determined operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the display unit is configured to display the content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the threshold value of a level of pollutants is used to determine the operational status of the air filter unit.
7. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.
8. A method for :
receiving impure air as input and releasing filtered air as output by an air filter unit;
sensing one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air;
generating first set of data signals that pertain to the sensed one or more attributes; and
comparing a second set of data signals out of the first set of data signals with a threshold value to determine an operational status of the air filter unit based on the comparison.
9. A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the one or more attributes of any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air are associated with content of pollutants and germs in the impure air and the filtered air.
10. A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the threshold value pertains to predefined values of content of pollutants and germs in any or a combination of the impure air and the filtered air.