DESC:Field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to management of air quality in an environment.
Background
[0002] Generally, for managing the air quality inside an environment, for example, a room, a user typically operates one or more Air Quality (AQ) devices. Examples of the AQ devices include an air conditioner, an exhaust fan, a ceiling fan, an air purifier, and the like. Furthermore, such an environment may also include an ERV device that facilitates exchange of air between the environment and ambient surroundings.
[0003] Currently, the operation of the aforementioned devices is performed in an isolated manner that may result in mismanagement of air quality. For example, accidental switching ON of an exhaust fan along with AC may result in the cool air being drawn outside, which is not desirable.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for solution to best operate the AQ devices to achieve optimized air quality management and address at least one deficiency associated with isolation operation of the AQ devices.
Summary
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
[0006] In an embodiment, an air quality management system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more air quality (AQ) devices, a plurality of sensors, and a control station. In an example embodiment, the plurality of sensors is configured to generate sensor data corresponding to a set of parameters. Furthermore, the control station configured to receive the sensor data, compare the sensor data with a plurality of pre-set thresholds, and select at least one control action based on the comparison. Furthermore, the control station is configured to control an operation of at least one AQ device from the one or more AQ devices based on the selected at least one control action for managing the air quality.
[0007] The system as described herein, wherein control station is further configured to transmit a control message to at least one AQ device from the one or more AQ devices based on the selected at least one control action.
[0008] The system as described herein, wherein the at least one AQ device is configured to configure operation based on the control message control received from the control station.
[0009] The system as described herein, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor, a VOC sensor, and a PM 2.5 sensor.
[0010] The system as described herein, wherein the set of parameters comprises at least one of temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, and PM 2.5.
[0011] In another embodiment, a method of managing air quality is disclosed. The method comprises generating, using a plurality of sensors, sensor data corresponding to a set of parameters. The method further comprises selecting, by a control station, at least one control action based on the sensor data and a plurality of pre-set thresholds. Furthermore, the method comprises controlling, by the control station, operation of at least one air quality device based on the selected control action.
[0012] The method as described herein, wherein the method further comprises transmitting a control message to the at least one air quality device.
[0013] The method as described herein, wherein the method further comprises receiving the control message and adjusting an operation of the at least one air quality device based on the received control message.
[0014] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates an environment implementing an air quality management system for managing quality of air in an environment, according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 2 illustrates a control action database, according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of managing air quality in an environment, an example embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description of Figures
[0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0021] The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
[0022] The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
[0023] More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
[0024] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.
[0026] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
[0027] Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
[0028] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] In environments, such as, for example, a home environment, an enterprise environment, a warehouse, a cold-storage, etc., Air Quality (AQ) devices are implemented for maintaining the quality of air in the environment. Examples of the AQ devices include, an air conditioner (AC), an air purifier, an exhaust fan, a ceiling fan, a dehumidifier, an Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) device, etc.
[0031] Typically, the AQ devices deployed in such an environments are operated by a human as per his or her judgement of the environmental conditions. For example, in case the human perceives the temperature to be hot, he or she may accordingly operate the AC. This, however, may affect the operation of other AQ devices present in the room. For instance, an ERV device that is also in operation within the environment may be affected, as the operation of the operation of the AC may cause circulation of air, which may ultimately affect the air being circulated by the ERV device. Hence, the efficiency of the ERV device may be affected as it may have to operate longer.
[0032] Thus, this isolated operation of the AQ devices may affect the efficiency of one or more of the AQ devices present in the environment.
[0033] Fig. 1 illustrates an environment 100, according to aspects of the present subject matter. The network environment 100 comprises a plurality of sensors 102-1 to 102-N, collectively referred to as “the sensors 102” and individually referred to as “the sensor 102”. Examples of the sensors 102 may include, but are not limited to, a PM 2.5 sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor, and a VOC sensor.
[0034] The environment 100 further comprises a control station 104, at least one Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) device 106, and one or more Air Quality (AQ) devices 108-1 to 108-N, collectively referred to as “the AQ devices 108” and individually referred to as “the AQ device 108”. In an example embodiment, the control station 104 may be communicatively coupled to the sensors 102, the ERV device 106, and the AQ devices 108. Examples of the control station 104 may be a device that includes one or more of a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor. In other examples, the control station 104 may be a gateway, a router, a server, and an electronic device, such as for example, a tablet, a laptop, etc.. In an example embodiment, the control station 104 may be implemented within the ERV device 106.
[0035] The ERV device 106 may be configured to draw in fresh air from the outside and draws out the stale present inside. In an example, the ERV device 106 may include a PM 2.5 filter and a heat exchange coil. Furthermore, the ERV device 106 exchanges heat /cold with cold/hot air at the heat exchange coils and keeps the room cool/warm depending upon the outside temperature.
[0036] Examples of the AQ device 108 include, but are not limited to, an air conditioner, an air purifier, an exhaust fan, a dehumidifier, and a ceiling fan. In an example embodiment, the ERV device 106 may also be understood as an AQ device 108.
[0037] According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the plurality of sensors 102 may be configured to measure a plurality of parameters associated with a quality of air present in the environment 100. Examples of the parameters may include PM 2.5, temperature, humidity, VOC, and CO2.
[0038] Accordingly, based on the measurements, each of the plurality of sensors 102 may generate sensor data which includes a value of the parameter measured by the sensor 102. As an example, the sensor data generated by the PM 2.5 sensor includes PM 2.5 readings in the air in the environment 100. In another example, sensor data generated by the temperature sensor includes the temperature value of the air in the environment 100. In another example, the sensor data of the humidity sensor includes humidity value in the air in the environment 100, and so on and so forth.
[0039] According to an example embodiment, the control station 104 may be configured to receive the sensor data from the plurality of sensors 102. On receiving the sensor data, the control station 104 may be configured to identify at least one control action that is to be implemented using the one or more AQ devices 108 for managing the air quality in the environment, based on the sensor data. The control action, as used herein, may be understood as an action that, upon implementation, would affect the quality of air present in the environment 100. In an example, the control action may be implemented using one or more of the AQ devices 108.
[0040] For identifying the at least one control action, in an example embodiment, the control station 104 may be configured to compare the plurality of parameters with a plurality of corresponding pre-set thresholds. Accordingly, for each of the parameters, it may be determined that whether the parameter is above the pre-set threshold or below the pre-set threshold.
[0041] In an example, a storage unit 110 is also provided. Although shown to be outside the control station, the storage unit 110 may be an internal memory of the control station 104. In said example, the storage unit 110 may include a control database. The control database, in an example, includes at least two control actions for each of the plurality of parameters. That is, one control action for when the value of the parameter is determined to be higher than the corresponding pre-set threshold and one control action for when the value of the parameter is determined to be lower than the corresponding pre-set threshold. In an example, “no action required” may also be considered as a control action. Thus, in some example, where the value of a given parameter is lower than the threshold, the control action may be “no action required”.
[0042] Thus, once the control station 104 determines for each parameter whether it is above or below the threshold, the control station 104 may identify at least one parameter for which a control action is to be implemented. This identification by the control station 104 is done based on the comparison, i.e., whether the value is lower or higher, and the control actions defined in the control database, i.e., the corresponding control action defined in each of the lower case or higher case.
[0043] Accordingly, the control station 104 may be configured to identify the control action corresponding to the parameter, as the at least one control action that is to be implemented.
[0044] In case the values of two or more parameters are found to be above their respective thresholds, the control station 104 may be configured to identify the control actions corresponding to the two or more parameters that are to be implemented for managing the quality of air in the environment 100.
[0045] In an example embodiment, the control station 104 may be further configured to identify at least one AQ device 108 whose operation is to be controlled for implementing the control action. In certain cases, it may be required that operation of two or more AQ devices 108 may be controlled for implementing a single control action. In such cases, as described, the control station 104 may identify all such AQ devices 108.
[0046] As an example, consider a case where the temperature is determined to be above the pre-set threshold. In such a case, the control action may be “to reduce the temperature”. In such a case, the control station 104 may identify that the ERV device 106 may be turned off, the temperature of the AC may be lowered, and if exhaust fan is found to be running, then the exhaust fan is required to be turned off. In an example, this identification of the AQ devices 108 may be done by the control station 104, based on trained artificial intelligence-based models, the implementation of which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. In an example, there may be pre-stored device-mapping that includes a mapping between a plurality of control actions and a plurality of AQ devices 108, and their operations. In an example, the device-mapping may be pre-stored in the storage unit 110.
[0047] Accordingly, the control station 104 may use the device-mapping or the AI-based model to identify the at least one AQ device 108 whose operation is to be controlled to implement the control action. Once identified, the control station 104 may be configured to control the operation of the at least one AQ device 108 based on the identified at least one control action.
[0048] In an example embodiment, for controlling the operation of the at least one AQ device 108, the control station 104 may be configured to generate a control message for the at least one AQ device 108. In an example, the control message may include a control command for controlling an operation of the at least one AQ device 108. Thereafter, the control station 104 may be configured to transmit the control message to the at least one AQ device 108.
[0049] In an example embodiment, the at least one AQ device 108 may be configured to receive the control message from the control station 104. Subsequently, the AQ device 108 may be configured to modify an operation state of itself based on the control command included in the control message. Continuing with the above example where the temperature was high, a control message for exhaust fan would include command to switch off the exhaust fan.
[0050] In example embodiments described herein, the AQ device 108, the ERV device 106, and the control station 104 may include one or more of a processor, a wireless communication unit, a memory unit, such as the storage unit 110. The aforementioned hardware components facilitate the respective devices to send and receive messages, for example, the control message. Accordingly, the processor provided therein may operate so as to control the functioning of the devices.
[0051] In an example embodiment, the AQ devices 108, the ERV device 106, the sensors 102, the control station 104, and the storage unit 110 may constitute an air quality management system.
[0052] An example control action database 200 is shown in Fig. 2. The control action database 200 includes the parameters 202 and the actions 204, such as the control actions, defined for various cases, i.e., high and low. Based on the sensor data and the pre-set thresholds, the control station 104 may determine a case, as applicable for each of the parameters 202. Accordingly, a control action 204 for each of the parameter may be determined and a control message to at least one AQ device 108 may be sent by the control station 104. The at least one AQ device 108 on receiving the control message operates as per the command provided therein. Accordingly, the quality of the air in the environment is managed.
[0053] Thus, aspects of the present subject matter provide for an efficient and optimized approach of maintaining air quality in a given environment, such as the environment 100.
[0054] Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 of controlling air quality in an environment implementing one or more AQ devices, such as the AQ devices 108, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example, the method 300 may be implemented by the components of the air quality management system, as described above in Fig. 1.
[0055] At step 302, the method 300 includes measuring, by a plurality of sensors, a plurality of parameters associated with a quality of air present in the environment. Examples of the parameters may include, PM 2.5, Temperature, humidity, VOC, CO2, etc. In an example, the sensors 102 may measure the plurality of parameters.
[0056] At step 304, the method 300 includes generating, by each of the plurality of sensors, sensor data including value of the parameter measured by the sensor. Examples of the sensors include, a temperature sensors, a PM 2.5 sensor, a humidity sensor, a VOC sensor, a CO2 sensor, etc. In an example, the sensor data includes a value for the parameter as measured by the respective sensor. In an example, the sensors 102 may generate the sensor data.
[0057] At step 306, the method 300 includes receiving, by a control station, the sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors. In an example, the control station 104 may receive the sensor data from the sensors 102.
[0058] At step 308, the method 300 includes identifying, by the control station, at least one control action that is to be implemented using the one or more AQ devices for managing the air quality in the environment, based on the sensor data. In an example, the control station 104 may identify at least one AQ device 108, based on the sensor data.
[0059] In an example embodiment, the identifying further comprises comparing, by the control station, the plurality of parameters with a plurality of corresponding pre-set thresholds. Furthermore, the method further comprises identifying, by the control station, at least one parameter for which a control action is to be implemented based on the comparison and the control actions defined in a control database. The control database is stored in a storage unit coupled to the control station. Furthermore, the control database includes at least two control actions for each of the plurality of parameters. Furthermore, the method includes identifying, by the control station, the control action that is to be implemented as the at least one control action.
[0060] At step 310, the method includes controlling, by the control station, an operation of at least one AQ device from the one or more AQ devices based on the identified at least one control action for managing the air quality.
[0061] To this end, in an example, the method may include generating, by the control station, a control message for the at least one AQ device. The control message includes a control command for controlling an operation of the at least one AQ device. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting, by the control station, the control message to the at least one AQ device.
[0062] In an example, the method further includes receiving, by the at least one AQ device, the control message from the control device. Subsequently, the method includes modifying, by the at least one AQ device, an operation state of the AQ device based on the control command included in the control message.
[0063] While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. An air quality management system for managing air quality in an environment, comprising:
one or more air quality (AQ) devices;
a plurality of sensors configured to measure a plurality of parameters associated with a quality of air present in the environment, each of the plurality of sensors further configured to generate sensor data including value of the parameter measured by the sensor; and
a control station configured to:
receive the sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors;
identify at least one control action that is to be implemented using the one or more AQ devices for managing the air quality in the environment, based on the sensor data; and
control an operation of at least one AQ device from the one or more AQ devices based on the identified at least one control action for managing the air quality.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control station is further configured to:
generate a control message for the at least one AQ device, the control message including a control command for controlling an operation of the at least one AQ device; and
transmit the control message to the at least one AQ device.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one AQ device is configured to:
receive the control message from the control device; and
modify an operation state of the AQ device based on the control command included in the control message.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor, a VOC sensor, and a PM 2.5 sensor.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises at least one of temperature, humidity, CO2, VOC, and PM 2.5.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a storage unit including a control database, wherein the control database includes at least two control actions for each of the plurality of parameters, wherein the control station further is to:
compare the plurality of parameters with a plurality of corresponding pre-set thresholds;
identify at least one parameter for which a control action is to be implemented based on the comparison and the control actions defined in the control database; and
identify the control action that is to be implemented as the at least one control action.
7. A method of managing air quality in an environment comprising one or more Air Quality (AQ) devices, the method comprising:
measuring, by a plurality of sensors, a plurality of parameters associated with a quality of air present in the environment;
generating, by each of the plurality of sensors, sensor data including value of the parameter measured by the sensor;
receiving, by a control station, the sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors;
identifying, by the control station, at least one control action that is to be implemented using the one or more AQ devices for managing the air quality in the environment, based on the sensor data; and
controlling, by the control station, an operation of at least one AQ device from the one or more AQ devices based on the identified at least one control action for managing the air quality.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:
generating, by the control station, a control message for the at least one AQ device, the control message including a control command for controlling an operation of the at least one AQ device; and
transmitting, by the control station, the control message to the at least one AQ device.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:
receiving, by the at least one AQ device, the control message from the control device; and
modifying, by the at least one AQ device, an operation state of the AQ device based on the control command included in the control message.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the identifying further comprises:
comparing, by the control station, the plurality of parameters with a plurality of corresponding pre-set thresholds;
identifying, by the control station, at least one parameter for which a control action is to be implemented based on the comparison and the control actions defined in a control database, wherein the control database is stored in a storage unit coupled to the control station, and wherein the control database includes at least two control actions for each of the plurality of parameters; and
identifying, by the control station, the control action that is to be implemented as the at least one control action.