FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the general domain of smart devices. In
particular, the invention relates to a smart mask for delivery of oxygen to a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5 There are various masks available and known in the market, most of which are
dumb, as in, they are passive devices which lack any functionality apart from
serving as a mask for delivery of gases, such as oxygen to a user. Such devices
and users using such devices have no control over amount of oxygen
received/dispensed, or control of the microenvironment created within the
10 space between the mask and the nose/mouth of the user.
While there are some smart masks known in the art, as described in Korean
patent application number KR101913485B1 which discloses a smart mask to
calculate the adsorption amount of contaminants; or as described in Korean
patent application number KR101654413B1 which discloses a smart mask having
15 humidifying and heating function; or as described in Chinese patent application
number CN201426909Y which discloses a mask for real-time monitoring and
delivery of oxygen-air mixing for medical purposes.
There is a lack in the art of any smart mask, which conceivably may be used for
supply of oxygen in a non-medical setting, and which further can monitor and
20 regulate in real time supply of oxygen, while maintaining optimum user
requirements and aesthetics.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a smart mask 100 for supply of
oxygen to a user, comprising at least one module selected from the group
25 consisting of: (a) auto-ventilation system 101; (b) SpO2 sensor 102; (c) dust filter
103; and (d) breathing pattern sensor 104.

3
Another object of the present invention is to provide a smart mask 100 for
supply of oxygen to a user which is optimized for oxygen supply while at the
same time providing user flexibility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
5 The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to
further illustrate aspects of the present invention. The disclosure may be better
understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed
description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
Fig. 1-4 depicts schematic of the smart mask 100 comprising various modules as
10 described in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Those skilled in the art will be aware that the invention described herein is
subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It
is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such
15 variations and modifications. The invention includes all such steps, features, and
methods referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively,
and any and all such combinations of steps or features.
Specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the
20 art to variously employ the present invention by any manner.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The present invention provides a smart mask 100 comprising at least one module
selected from the group consisting of: (a) auto-ventilation system 101; (b) at

4
least one SpO2 sensor 102; (c) at least one dust filter 103; and (d) at least one
breathing pattern sensor 104.
The at least one breathing pattern sensor 104 can detect at least one of volume
of air inhaled, volume of air exhaled, rate of air inhalation, rate of air exhalation,
5 and moisture content of air exhaled. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one
breathing sensor 104 can detect volume of air inhaled, volume of air exhaled,
rate of air inhalation, rate of air exhalation, and moisture content of air exhaled.
In an embodiment, the breathing sensor 104 is a single sensor that can detect
one or more of volume of air inhaled, volume of air exhaled, rate of air
10 inhalation, rate of air exhalation, and moisture content of air exhaled. In an
embodiment, the breathing sensor 104 comprises a sensor 104a for detecting a
Any of the sensors 104, 104a, 104b, and 104c can detect and collect data in realtime.
The smart mask 100 is further enabled to receive oxygen from an external
15 source. In order to receive oxygen from an external source, the smart mask is
provisioned with at least one inlet valve 105to which one end of a flexible
pipe/hose can be attached. The other end of the flexible pipe/hose can be
attached to an external source of oxygen.
The smart mask 100 of the present invention further comprises a storage module
20 106. In an embodiment, the storage module 106 is an electro-magnetic device
located in the smart-mask 100. The electro-magnetic device is connected to at
least one module selected from the group consisting of: (a) auto-ventilation
system 101; (b) SpO2 sensor 102; (c) dust filter 103; (d) breathing pattern sensor
104; and (e) inlet valve 105 via at least one communication module 107. In an
25 embodiment, the communication module 107 is a wireless connection. In an
embodiment, the communication module 107 is a wired connection. In an
embodiment, the communication module 107 can be a combination of wireless
and wired connection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection can be any of

5
infrared based communication, wi-fi communication, Bluetooth, and Near Field
Communication. In an embodiment, the electro-magnetic device is a solid-state
storage device.
The smart mask 100 of the present invention also can have at least one
5 microprocessor 108 which is capable of receiving data/information generated by
each of the modules via the communication module 107 in order to couple each
of the modules with each other to achieve synchronicity and optimize smart
mask functionality.
The storage module 106 is enabled to collect and store information/data
10 generated by any of the module selected from the group consisting of: (a) autoventilation system 101; (b) SpO2 sensor 102; (c) dust filter 103; (d) breathing
pattern sensor 104; and (e) inlet valve 105. In an embodiment, the storage
module 106 can receive information/data from each of the modules directly. In
another embodiment, the storage module 106 can receive data/information
15 from the modules via the at least one microprocessor 108 (not shown). In yet
another embodiment, the storage module 106 can receive information/data
concurrently with the at least one microprocessor 108. In an embodiment, the
storage module 106 is further connected to a data transfer module 109. The data
transfer module 109 is enabled to transfer the information/data generated by
20 any of the module selected from the group consisting of: (a) auto-ventilation
system 101; (b) SpO2 sensor 102; (c) dust filter 103; (d) breathing pattern sensor
104; and (e) inlet valve 105 from the storage module 106 to an external storage
device 110. In an embodiment, the external storage device 110 is cloud-based. In
another embodiment, the external storage device 110 is an electro-magnetic
25 device such as solid-state device or any device known in the art capable of
storage and retrieval of information. In an embodiment, the data transfer
module 109 is enabled for wireless transfer. In another embodiment, the data
transfer module 109 is enabled for wired transfer. In an embodiment, the data

6
transfer module 109 can be remotely accessed to initiate information/data
transfer from storage module 106 to external storage 110. The frequency of data
transfer can be a pre-set time period or can be user or administrator defined.
The auto-ventilation system module 101 of the smart mask 100 of the present
5 invention comprises (a) at least one detector 111; and (b) at least one vent
apparatus 112. The auto-ventilation system module 101 further comprises a
communication module 107a to communicate between the at least one detector
111 and the at least one vent apparatus 112. The communication module 107a
can be wireless or wired.
10 In an embodiment, the at least one detector 111 of the auto-ventilation system
module 101 detects moisture content of the air-space between the mask and the
user nose and/or mouth via a sub-detector 111a (not shown). In an embodiment,
the at least one detector 111 of the auto-ventilation system module 101 detects
CO2 content of the air-space between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth
15 via a sub-detected 111b (not shown). In an embodiment, the at least one
detector 111 of moisture content, and CO2 content are at least two different
detectors. In an embodiment, a single detector detects the moisture content and
CO2 of the air-space between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth. In an
embodiment, a first detector 111a (not shown) detect moisture content and a
20 second detector 111b (not shown) detects the CO2 content of the air-space
between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth.
In an embodiment, the at least one vent apparatus 112 is an electro-mechanical
device which opens for sufficient amount of time to the exterior of the smart
mask to release moisture when the moisture content within the air-space
25 between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth exceeds a threshold limit.
The threshold limit can be pre-determined or user-defined.

7
In an embodiment, the at least one vent apparatus 112 is an electro-mechanical
device which opens for sufficient amount of time to the exterior of the smart
mask to release CO2 when the CO2 content within the air-space between the
mask and the user nose and/or mouth exceeds a threshold limit. The threshold
5 limit can be pre-determined or user-defined.
In an embodiment, the electro-mechanical device 112 is a flap. In an
embodiment, there is one flap. In another embodiment, there are at least two
flaps. The flaps may be symmetrically or asymmetrically placed along an axis of
the smart mask 100.
10 In an embodiment, the at least one vent apparatus 112 is a fan. The fan actuates
for a sufficient amount of time to release moisture when the moisture content
within the air-space between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth exceeds
a threshold limit. The threshold limit can be pre-determined or user-defined. In
another embodiment, the fan actuates for a sufficient amount of time to release
15 CO2 when the CO2 content within the air-space between the mask and the user
nose and/or mouth exceeds a threshold limit. The threshold limit can be predetermined or user-defined.
In an embodiment, there is one fan. In an embodiment, there are at least two
fans. In the case there are two or more fans, each fan may be independently
20 actuated of each other. The fans may be symmetrically or asymmetrically placed
along an axis of the smart mask 100.
In an embodiment, the vent apparatus 112 is a combination of electromechanical device such as a flap, and fan. The combination may comprise at
least one flap and at least one fan.
25 The vent apparatus 112 may be controlled by receiving inputs from at least one
other module as described in the present invention.

8
The SpO2 sensor module 102 of the smart mask 100 of the present invention is a
relative SpO2 sensor, which detects and estimates amount of oxygen in the blood
using light wavelength. Technology known in the art may be employed to enable
the SpO2 sensor module 102 suitable for the smart mask of the present
5 invention.
The breathing pattern sensor module 104 of the smart mask 100 of the present
invention detects the inhalation and exaltation cycle of breathing by a user using
the said smart mask 100. In an embodiment, the breathing pattern sensor 104 is
coupled with the auto-ventilation system module 101 to synchronize activation
10 of the auto-ventilation system module 101 to optimize moisture and/or CO2
levels in the air-space between the mask and the user nose and/or mouth. In an
embodiment, the breathing pattern sensor module 104 functions to optimize
oxygen flow into the mask when the mask is enabled to receive purified oxygen
from an external source. In the event the mask is enabled to receive purified
15 oxygen from an external source, in an embodiment, the breathing pattern sensor
module 104 upon detecting exhalation cycle of breathing by the user, shuts off
oxygen flow into the mask from the external oxygen source for the duration of
the exhalation cycle.
In an embodiment, the breathing pattern sensor module 104 is coupled with the
20 SpO2 module 102. In the event the smart mask 100 is enabled to receive purified
oxygen from an external source, in an embodiment, the breathing pattern sensor
module 104 upon detecting below threshold level of oxygen in the blood, during
inhalation cycle can increase rate of flow of oxygen from an external source into
the smart mask 100.
25 In the event the smart mask 100 is enabled to receive purified oxygen from an
external source, the breathing pattern sensor module 104 is coupled to both
auto-ventilation system module 101 and the SpO2 module 102 to optimize
oxygen availability, moisture content, and CO2 concentration.

9
The dust filter module 103 of the smart mask 100 of the present invention is
provisioned to trap dust particles in the air and prevent said particles from
entering the air-space between the smart mask and nose and/or mouth of the
user. In an embodiment, the dust filter module 103 is a HEPA filter. In an
5 embodiment, the dust filter module 103 further filters bacteria and virus. In an
embodiment, the dust filter module 103 traps pollen. In an embodiment, the
dust filter module 103 is modular and can be replaced by user. In an
embodiment, the dust filter module can be manually cleaned by the user. In an
embodiment, the dust filter module 103 can send a signal to the user regarding
10 its efficiency to prompt the user to change or clean it. In an embodiment, the
dust filter 103 is positioned in conjunction with the at least one vent apparatus
112.
The smart mask 100 of the present invention can modulate oxygen delivery to
user nose/mouth in real time based on module/sensor feedback in real-time.In
15 an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart mask 100
comprising an auto-ventilation module 101 and storage module 106 as
substantially described in the specification herein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart mask 100
comprising a SpO2 sensor 102 module and storage module 106 as substantially
20 described in the specification herein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart mask 100
comprising a breathing pattern sensor 104 and storage module 106 as
substantially described in the specification herein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart mask 100
25 comprising a dust filter module 103 and a storage module 106 as substantially
described in the specification herein.

10
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart mask 100
comprising an auto-ventilation system module 101, SpO2 sensor module 102,
breathing pattern sensor module 104 and a storage module 106 as substantially
described in the specification herein.
5 In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a smart 100 mask
comprising an auto-ventilation system module 101, SpO2 sensor module 102,
breathing pattern sensor module 104, dust filter module 103 and a storage
module 106 as substantially described in the specification herein.
In an embodiment, the various modules of the smart mask 100 as described
10 herein can be accessed via a mobile application. In an embodiment, the mobile
application can access the information/data stored in the storage module of the
smart mask. In an embodiment, the functional parameters of the modules of the
smart mask can be modulated by user and/or administrator via mobile
application 113. The mobile application in an embodiment may be present on a
15 cellular device.
The features of the smart mask 100 as substantially described herein can be
activated manually by a user using a mobile application 113 or when the smart
mask detects supply of oxygen from external source.
It should be noted that the above disclosure is non-limiting and modifications
20 and variations are possible without departing from the sprit or scope of the
invention.
EXAMPLES
The examples are not intended to take restrictively to imply any limitations to
the scope of the present invention.
25 In an exemplary example of the present invention, the smart mask 100 of the
present invention comprises: (a) auto-ventilation system 101; (b) SpO2 sensor

11
102; (c) breathing pattern sensor 104; and (d) storage module 106. Each of the 4
modules are as substantially as described in the detailed description of the
invention. The smart mask 100 is also provisioned to allow flow of oxygen into
the mask 100 via inlet value 105 from an external oxygen source into the mask.
5 Each of the modules 101, 102, and 104 are connected to the storage module 106
via dedicated communication module 107, which in preferred embodiment is
wired. Each of the modules is also functionally connected to at least one
microprocessor 108 which receives in real-time data/information
generated/gathered by each of the modules. The at least one microprocessor
10 108 can send instructions to the modules individually or in combinations so as to
synchronize their activity so as to optimize oxygen flow into the smart mask 100
and levels of moisture and CO2 inside the smart mask. Information/data stored
on the storage module 106 can be remotely accessed by the user or by the
administrator by a wireless or wired mode of communication as known in the art
15 to obtain information on module usage based on user characteristics. For
example, in a non-limiting manner, information collected can be rate of
breathing of user, frequency of use of smart mask by user, oxygen levels of user,
amount of moisture and/CO2 in mask of user during operation etc. The
information may be used to propose to user modified breathing regime for
20 general wellness and/or optimize delivery of external oxygen to the user.
In a non-limiting manner, in a preferred embodiment, the manner of flow of
oxygen into the smart mask 100 (rate of oxygen delivered) is coupled to the
various modules described herein. The flow of oxygen is optimized based on
inhaling/exhaling cycle of breathing by user, whereby oxygen flow is stopped
25 when user is exhaling and oxygen flow is started when user is inhaling. The
operation of the auto-ventilation system 101 is also coupled to the flow of
oxygen, whereby the excess moisture and/or CO2 is vented out typically during
the exhaling cycle of breathing. The SpO2 module 102 is also coupled with oxygen

12
flow so as to control the amount of oxygen delivered based on oxygen
requirements by the body of the user. The synchronous function of the modules
is carried out by the at least one microprocessor 108 located in the smart mask
100.
5 Information collected by the storage module 106 from each of the modules is
stored in the storage device in the mask, which preferably can be a solid-state
device. The information in the device can be retrieved into a cloud or a local
external device. Retrieval can be remotely or via a wire. For remote access, the
mask is enabled to connect via cellular wi-fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
10 The information collected can be analyzed to establish patterns of breathing
and/or usage of oxygen. The information can be further used to improve general
wellness of the user.
In a further example, as shown in Fig. 1, there is provided a smart mask 100
comprising an auto-ventilation system module 101, a SpO2 sensor module 102, a
15 breathing pattern sensor module 104, an inlet valve 105, storage module 106,
and a data transfer module 109. The modules and the mask is further configured
as substantially as described in this specification. Also shown in Fig. 1 is an
external oxygen source, oxygen flow controller and a flow valve which connects
to the smart mask 100 via a pipe for delivery of oxygen from the external source
20 to mouth and/or nose of user using the smart mask 100.
As shown in Fig. 2, there is provided a breathing pattern sensor module 104
which comprises a sensor 104a for detecting volume of air inhaled and volume of
air exhaled, a sensor 104b for detecting rate of air inhalation and rate of air
exhalation, and a sensor 104c for detecting moisture content of air exhaled.
25 As shown in Fig. 3, there is provided an auto-ventilation system 101 which
comprises at least one detector 111 and a vent apparatus 112 which
communicate with each other via a preferably wired communication module

13
107a. The detector 111 comprises two sub-detectors 111a and 111b, each of
which can detect moisture content and CO2 content respectively in the space
between the mask and the user nose/mouth. The vent apparatus 112 preferably
comprises at least a vent/flap and a fan which is actuated when moisture and/or
5 CO2 level goes beyond threshold level. The detector module 111 and the vent
apparatus 112 work in conjunction with each other to optimize user breathing
conditions.
As seen in Fig. 4, there is depicted various modules 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 as
described substantially hereinabove, each of which communicate with the
10 storage module 106, which is preferably a solid-state device via a dedicated
communication module 107. The communication module 107 is connected with
the storage module 106 and modules 101-105 via wired means preferably. The
storage module 106 can collect data/usage information/metrics from modules
and can wirelessly communicate the same to an external storage device 110,
15 which can be a server or a cloud-based server. The various modules can also be
accessed remotely by a mobile application 113.

I/We claim:

1. A smart mask 100 comprising at least one module selected from the group
consisting of:
a. auto-ventilation system 101;
5 b. at least one SpO2 sensor 102;
c. at least one dust filter 103; and
d. at least one breathing pattern sensor 104.
2. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one
breathing pattern sensor 104 can detect at least one of volume of air
10 inhaled, volume of air exhaled, rate of air inhalation, rate of air exhalation,
and moisture content of air exhaled.
3. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor
102, 104 collect data in real-time.
4. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, further provisioned for supply of
15 concentrated oxygen from an external source via at least an inlet valve 105.
5. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a storage
module 106, said module 106 connected wired or wirelessly to at least one
module 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105.
6. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 5, said module 106 comprising at
20 least one microprocessor 108 configured to receive data from at least one
module 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105.
7. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a data transfer
module 109 capable of transferring data to an external storage device 110
via wired or wireless interface.
25 8. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein auto-ventilation system
101 comprises at least one of (a) at least one detector 111; (b) at least one
vent apparatus 112; and (c) at least a communication module 107a to
communicate between the at least one detector 111 and the at least one
vent apparatus 112, and wherein detector 111 may comprise one or more

15
sub-detectors 111a, 111b capable of detecting moisture content, and CO2
content of the air-pace between the mask and user nose and/or mouth.
9. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mask 100 can
modulate oxygen delivery to user nose/mouth in real time based on
5 module/sensor feedback in real-time.
10. The smart mask 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modules can be
accessed remotely via a mobile application 113.