FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules  2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A system and method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin”
APPLICANTS:

Name : HCL Technologies Limited

Nationality : Indian

Address : HCL Technologies Ltd.  50-53 Greams Road 
Chennai – 600006  Tamil Nadu  India

The following Specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a system and a method for oxygenating  and more particularly but not exclusively to a system and a method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] Oxygen is the most vital element for human life. About 90% of the metabolic energy production in a human body is created by oxygen. Every cell  tissue and function in our body requires oxygen  from our lungs and heart  to our bones and immune system. A growing number of researchers also agree that the best way to improve health is by providing optimum oxygenation of every cell. This reflects the oxygen’s role as one of the most important nutrient for a human body. Every cell in our body requires oxygen to function  repair and restore.
[003] Although  oxygen is considered to be the most abundant element on earth  researches held in recent past reveals that the level of oxygen in atmospheric air has fallen drastically ever since the industrial revolution. Further  various studies reveal that the atmospheric oxygen level before industrial revolution is measured twice as high as that of today. Core samples taken from ancient glaciers and polar caps also indicate that oxygen levels in water and the atmosphere have decreased substantially from ancient times to modern industrial era. The geologic data indicates that the approximate values of atmospheric oxygen is about 50% 1000 years ago  to 38% about 100 years ago  to 22% about 30 years ago  to as low as 17% in some urban areas today.
[004] With industrial revolution  the number of vehicles/automobiles has also increased. Further  there is a high possibility that the increasing level of oxygen depletion might result in a shortage of oxygen in an automobile cabin. The shortage of oxygen in the automobile cabin is considered to be extremely dangerous  especially while a user/driver is driving a vehicle. Shortage of oxygen (which is known as hypoxia) in a cabin while a user/driver is driving a vehicle might result in feeling of nausea which reduces the degree of concentration of the driver. Further  the shortage of oxygen results in multiple health problems such as headache  fatigue  shortness of breath. In case of severe hypoxia  or hypoxia of very rapid onset  change in levels of consciousness  seizures  coma  and death are also possible.
[005] Further  various studies reveal that American motorists spend an average of about 500 million hours in their cars commuting to and fro from work each week. Furthermore  studies also reveal that oxygen content in car drops down on prolonged usage. Further  oxygen is also absorbed by ‘baby seats’ which leads to hypoxia in babies. The extremes of age are usually easily affected by small changes from the optimal scenario.
[006] At present  most common methods/devices used for preventing a person form above mentioned health problems that are caused because of hypoxia  is by oxygenating the person with CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)  oxygen masks/ prongs  intubation or by putting him on a ventilator. However  implementing above mentioned devices such as CPR and oxygen masks to the driver of a vehicle may distract the driver’s usual viewpoints and his concentration  thereby making the conventional devices unsafe. Further  the conventional devices does not measure the amount of oxygen that exist in a automobile cabin  in most cases  all these process are used to treat the person after he has been affected by hypoxia. Further  in the conventional devices such as CPR and oxygen masks  the required level of oxygen is set manually  whereas in most cases  the driver of a vehicle might not be aware of the required level of oxygen. Furthermore  the conventional devices do not network the oxygen regulation data which could be used for future references.
[007] Further  oxygen level in air varies from place to place. The variation in oxygen level is because of various factors such as geographical altitude  air pollution and so on. For example  a driver of the automobile can experience a reduction in oxygen level inside the automobile cabin the level when he drives the vehicle to a place which is more polluted from a place which is less polluted. Similarly  a driver can experience a reduction in oxygen level while he drives up a hill because of variation in oxygen level with respect to geographical altitude. The conventional devices for preventing a person/ driver form hypoxia do not evaluate and provide information regarding the oxygen level that varies with the geographical conditions thereby making the devices partially inefficient in preventing the driver from possible effect of hypoxia.
[008] Therefore  there is a need for a system and a method to measure and oxygenate the incoming air to the automobile cabin and also to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[009] The principal object of this invention is to provide a system and a method to measure the oxygen content inside an automobile cabin.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and a method to oxygenate the air circulating inside the automobile cabin  within a healthy/prescribed range.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and a method to oxygenate the air circulating inside the automobile cabin automatically  within a healthy/prescribed range.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and a method to measure the oxygen content and oxygenate the air circulating inside the automobile cabin  within a healthy/prescribed range.
[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a system and a method to measure and oxygenate within a healthy/prescribed range the incoming air automatically into the automobile cabin that could detect the variation of oxygen level with respect to the geographical conditions and provide recommendations to the driver accordingly.
[0014] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood  however  that the following descriptions  while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof  are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof  and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0015] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings  throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings  in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 and 1a depict a system for measuring and oxygenating the air circulating inside an automobile cabin according to an embodiment disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin according to an embodiment disclosed herein; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin automatically according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly  the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve a system for measuring and oxygenating the air circulating inside an automobile cabin as described herein below. Referring now to the drawings  and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3  where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures  there are shown embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for measuring and oxygenating the air circulating inside an automobile cabin according to an embodiment as disclosed. The system 100 includes an oxygen sensor 102  an infotainment system 104  a control mechanism 106  an oxygen producing unit 108  a display unit 110 and a server 111. The oxygen sensor 102 is configured to measure the level of oxygen content in the automobile cabin communicate with the control mechanism 106. In one embodiment  the oxygen sensor 102 is selected from a group that includes but not limited to capillary type sensors and diffusion type sensors.
[0022] The infotainment system 104 is provided in communication with the control mechanism 106 and configured to facilitate user of system 100 to select the amount of oxygenation required. In an embodiment  the infotainment system 104 is selected from the infotainment system for automobiles available in market. In another embodiment  the infotainment system is selected from the systems that facilitate at least one of managing and playing audio content  utilizing navigation for driving  delivering rear-seat entertainment such as movies  games and social networking  listening to incoming and sending outgoing SMS text messages  making phone calls  and accessing Internet-enabled or smart phone-enabled content such as traffic conditions  sports scores and weather forecasts. In another embodiment  the infotainment system 104 is further configured to facilitate user to select the fragrance of choice along with the amount of oxygenation required.
[0023] Further  the infotainment system 104 is configured to allow the user to select the amount of oxygenation required within a prescribed amount  thereby preventing oxygen intoxication. In one embodiment  the infotainment system 104 is replaced by a mobile application that is configured to allow the user to select the amount of oxygenation required with in a prescribed amount. The control mechanism 106 is provided in communication with all the other components of system 100 and configured to regulate the functioning of various electro-mechanical components included in the system 100. In an embodiment  the control mechanism 106 includes a processor core  a memory and programmable input/output peripherals. The input peripheral is provided in communication with oxygen sensor 102 and the infotainment system or mobile application 104. Further  the output peripheral of the control mechanism is provided in communication with the oxygen producing unit 106  the display unit 110 and the server 111.
[0024] The processor core of control mechanism 106 is configured to receive information from oxygen sensor 102 regarding the oxygen content available in the automobile cabin and display information regarding the oxygen content available in automobile cabin to the user of system 100 via the display system 110. In an embodiment  the display system 110 is the infotainment system 104. In another embodiment  the display system is selected from any device that could provide audio or video signals to the user.
[0025] Further  the processor core of control mechanism 106 is configured to receive information regarding the amount of oxygenation preferred by the user from infotainment system or mobile application 104 via the input peripheral of control mechanism 106 and regulate the functioning of oxygen producing unit 108 according to the amount of oxygenation required. In an embodiment  the processor core of control mechanism 106 is programmed to regulate the functioning of oxygen producing unit 108 automatically based upon the information obtained from oxygen sensor 102  regarding oxygen content available in the automobile cabin  so that the oxygen intoxication can be prevented.
[0026] The oxygen producing unit 108 is configured to produce or concentrate the oxygen in air. In an embodiment  the oxygen producing unit 108 is selected from the group that include  but are not limited to photo catalysis based oxygen producing unit  Nitrogen/Oxygen separation based oxygen producing unit and so on. However  it is also with in the scope of invention that the oxygen producing unit may be selected from any other devices without otherwise deterring the intended function of the oxygen producing unit 108 as can be deduced from this description. In one embodiment  the oxygen producing unit 108 is provided in communication with an A/C blower  such that the oxygen produced in the oxygen producing unit 108 is supplied to the automobile cabin via the A/C blower. However  it is also with in the scope of invention that the oxygen producing unit 108 may be provided as a separate unit which is configured to supply air into the automobile cabin. Further  the information such as the oxygen content available in the automobile cabin before oxygenating  selected amount of oxygenation required and the amount of oxygen content in the automobile cabin after oxygenating are stored in the memory of control mechanism 106. Further  the control mechanism 106 is configured to transfer the information to the server 111. The server 111 is configured to network the information which could be used to build databases for research purposes. The processor core of control mechanism 106 is configured to receive information from oxygen sensor 102 regarding the oxygen content available in the automobile cabin and process the received information to determine the prescribed amount of oxygenation required. Further  the prescribed amount of oxygenation required is displayed in at least one of display system 110 and infotainment system 104. Further  in an embodiment  the processor core of control mechanism 106 is configured to display the fragrance of choice in at least one of display system 110 and infotainment system 104.
[0027] It should be noted that the aforementioned configuration of system 100 is provided for the ease of understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However  certain embodiments may have a different configuration of the components of the system 100 and certain other embodiments may exclude certain components of the system 100. For example  a control mechanism 106 may include any other hardware device  combination of hardware devices  software devices or combination of hardware or software devices that could achieve one or more process discussed herein. Therefore  such embodiments and any modification by addition or exclusion of certain components of the system 100 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system 100 as is apparent from this description and drawings are also within the scope of this invention.
[0028] In another embodiment  the system 100 further includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) 112 (as shown in Fig. 1a). The GPS system 112 is provided in communication with the control mechanism 106. The GPS system 112 is configured to provide location based information to the control mechanism 106 which in turn alerts the user regarding the atmospheric condition of the corresponding location. In one embodiment  the location based awareness is the pollution level corresponding to that location. In another embodiment  the location based awareness is the geographical altitude corresponding to that location. However  it is also with in the scope of invention  that the control mechanism 106 could provide any information with respect to the location that could affect the oxygen level. The control mechanism 106 is further configured to oxygenate the automobile cabin automatically based on information regarding the amount of oxygen content in the automobile and the atmospheric conditions obtained from location based information. In an embodiment  the control mechanism 106 is configured to regulate the functioning of various control elements of the automobile 114 (for example  recirculation of air). For example  when the automobile enters the location of high pollution level  the control mechanism 106 determines the pollution level of that location by the information from GPS 112 and server 111  and instructs the user to shut windows or put air in recirculation. Further  the control mechanism 106 automatically instructs the oxygen producing unit 110 to oxygenate the automobile cabin  in order to provide the optimal condition.
[0029] In an embodiment  the GPS system 112 is provided as an integral element of infotainment system or mobile application 104  thereby facilitating the control mechanism 106 to receive location based information from the infotainment system or mobile application 104.
[0030] The method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin using system 100 is explained herein below. FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The method includes determining the amount of oxygen content available in the air inside automobile cabin  by oxygen sensor 102 (Step 202). Further  the user is allowed to select the amount of oxygenation required  through the infotainment system or mobile applications 104 (Step 204). In one embodiment  the information obtained from the oxygen sensor 102 is utilized by the control mechanism 106 to predefine a prescribed range of oxygenation in the display unit 110. Further  the user is allowed to define the amount of oxygenation within the prescribed range  in order to prevent oxygen intoxication. Further  the control mechanism 106 regulate the functioning of oxygen producing unit 108 in order to provide oxygen rich air corresponding to the amount of oxygenation defined by the user  to the automobile cabin (Step 206). In an embodiment  the oxygen producing unit 108 supplies the oxygen rich air to the automobile cabin through the A/C blower (not shown). In an embodiment  the user is allowed to select the fragrance desired along with the amount of oxygenation required.
[0031] It should be noted that the aforementioned steps for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin are provided for the ease of understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However  various steps provided in the above method may be performed in the order presented  in a different order  or simultaneously. Further  in some embodiments  one or more steps listed in the above method may be omitted. Therefore  such embodiments and any modification that is apparent from this description and drawings are also within the scope of this invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin according to an embodiment disclosed herein. In another embodiment  control mechanism 106 is configured to automatically oxygenate the automobile content. The method includes determining the amount of oxygen content available in the air inside automobile cabin  by oxygen sensor 102 (Step 302). Further  the control mechanism 106 receives location based information from the GPS system 112. In one embodiment  the GPS system 112 could be provided as an integral element of the infotainment system or mobile application 104 (Step 304). Further  the control mechanism 106 receives the atmospheric condition corresponding to the determined location from the server 111. Further  based on the information obtained from the server 111  the control mechanism provides the important location based awareness to the user through the display unit 110. In one embodiment  the location based awareness is the pollution level corresponding to that location. In another embodiment  the location based awareness in the geographical altitude corresponding to that location. However  it is also with in the scope of invention  that the control mechanism 106 could provide any information with respect to the location that could affect the oxygen level.
[0033] Further  based on the location based information  the control mechanism 106 provides various alerts to the user in order to avoid oxygen intoxication. In one embodiment  the control mechanism 106 is configured to regulate the control elements of the car based on the location based information  in order to avoid oxygen intoxication (Step 306). Furthermore  based on the location based information and the determined level of oxygen content inside the automobile cabin  the control mechanism 106 regulates the functioning of oxygen producing unit 108  to prevent oxygen intoxication  by oxygenating the automobile cabin (Step 308). For example  when the automobile enters the location of high pollution level  the control mechanism 106 determines the pollution level of that location by the information from GPS 112 and server 111  and instructs the user to shut windows or put air in recirculation. Further  the control mechanism 106 automatically instructs the oxygen producing unit 110 to oxygenate the automobile cabin  in order to provide the optimal condition. In an embodiment  the oxygen producing unit 108 supplies the oxygen rich air to the automobile cabin through the A/C blower (not shown). In an embodiment  the user is allowed to select the fragrance desired along with the amount of oxygenation required. In another embodiment  the control mechanism 106 selects the fragrance based on the location based information.
[0034] Further  the information such as the oxygen content available in the automobile cabin before oxygenating  selected amount of oxygenation required and the amount of oxygen content in the automobile cabin after oxygenating are stored in the memory of control mechanism 106. Further  the control mechanism 106 transfers the information to the server 111 where the information is networked so that it could be used to build databases for research purposes.
[0035] It should be noted that the aforementioned steps for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin are provided for the ease of understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However  various steps provided in the above method may be performed in the order presented  in a different order  or simultaneously. Further  in some embodiments  one or more steps listed in the above method may be omitted. Therefore  such embodiments and any modification that is apparent from this description and drawings are also within the scope of this invention.
[0036] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can  by applying current knowledge  readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept  and  therefore  such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore  while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments  those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims
We Claim:
1. A system for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin  said system comprising:
at least one oxygen sensor adapted to determine oxygen level inside an automobile cabin;
at least one infotainment system adapted to facilitate user of the system to select a required amount of oxygenation with in a preferred range of oxygenation;
at least one oxygen producing unit configured to provide oxygen rich air into said automobile cabin; and
a control device provided in communication with said oxygen producing unit  said infotainment system and said oxygen sensor 
wherein
said control device is adapted to regulate functioning of said oxygen producing unit to provide said required amount of oxygenation; and
said control device is adapted to determine said preferred range of oxygenation based on said oxygen level inside an automobile cabin.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1  wherein said infotainment system is a mobile application.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1  wherein said preferred range of oxygenation is the amount of oxygenation that can prevent oxygen intoxication.
4. A system for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin  said system comprising:
at least one oxygen sensor adapted to determine oxygen level inside an automobile cabin;
a geographical positioning system (GPS) adapted to provide location based information;
at least one infotainment system configured to display location based awareness to a user of the system;
at least one oxygen producing unit configured to provide oxygen rich air into said automobile cabin; and
a control device provided in communication with said oxygen producing unit  said infotainment system  said geographical positioning system and said oxygen sensor 
wherein
said control device is adapted to regulate functioning of said oxygen producing unit to provide said required amount of oxygenation automatically based on said location based information and said determined oxygen level inside said automobile cabin.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4  wherein said geographical positioning system is provided as an integral part of an infotainment system.
6. The system as claimed in claim 4 further includes a server provided in communication with the control system  wherein said server is configured to provide information on the required amount of oxygenation for a corresponding location.
7. A method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin  said method comprising:
determining oxygen level inside an automobile cabin;
facilitating user of the system to select a required amount of oxygenation with in a preferred range of oxygenation;
providing required amount of oxygenation in a automobile cabin 
wherein
said preferred range of oxygenation is determined based on said determined oxygen level inside the automobile cabin.
8. A method for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin  said method comprising:
determining oxygen level inside an automobile cabin;
obtaining location based information;
providing location based awareness to user of the system; and
oxygenating said automobile cabin based on said oxygen level inside the automobile cabin and said location based information.
9. A method as claimed in claim 9  wherein a location based information is provided by a geographical positioning system.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9  wherein said method further comprises of networking at least one of said oxygen level inside an automobile cabin  location based awareness and location based information.
Dated: 24th Day of April 2012 Signature:
Dr Kalyan Chakravarthy
(Patent Agent)

ABSTRACT
A system for monitoring and oxygenating an automobile cabin includes at least one oxygen sensor adapted to determine oxygen level inside an automobile cabin  at least one infotainment system adapted to facilitate user of the system to select a required amount of oxygenation with in a preferred range of oxygenation  at least one oxygen producing unit configured to provide oxygen rich air into said automobile cabin and a control device adapted to regulate functioning of all other elements of the system. Further  the control device determines the preferred range of oxygenation based on the oxygen level inside an automobile cabin and regulates functioning of oxygen producing unit to provide the required amount of oxygenation.