DESC:Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling operations of an air quality control device(s).

Background

Typically, for managing air quality within an environment, such as a room, one or more air quality control devices (AQCDs), such as an air purifier, may be deployed. In operation, such AQCDs are often set to a predetermined operation setting and they continue to operate at the predetermined operation setting. As the air quality within the environment is dynamic, static operation of an AQCD in such an environment may not be desirable for various reasons.

For instance, the level of pollutants in the environment may keep changing. Accordingly, operating the AQCD at a predetermined speed may not provide for adequate circulation of fresh air. Accordingly, an individual present in the room may be exposed to polluted air despite implementation of the AQCD.

In another example, the AQCD typically operates through all the stages of a multistage filter. Whereas, based on the pollutants present in the environment, invoking of operation of a specific filter may be desired earlier than the routine order of activation of said filter. However, the conventional AQCDs are limited in that they activate the filters as per the order of the multistage filter only. This again may not provide for effective air quality management. Moreover, activation of filters which may not be of relevance based on the pollutants present in the environment leads to unnecessary exhaustion of said filters. This further leads to reduced life cycle of filters and increases monetary expenses associated with operation of AQCDs.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved approach of operating AQCDs to address at least one of the aforementioned deficiencies.

Summary

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.

In an embodiment, a system for managing operations of an air quality control device is disclosed. The system comprises a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors. The sensor assembly is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in an environment. The system further comprises a remote controller coupled to the sensor assembly and the air quality control device. The remote controller is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

In another embodiment, a system for managing operations of an air quality control device is disclosed. The system comprises a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors. The sensor assembly is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in an environment. The system further comprises an air quality device comprising a remote controller coupled to the sensor assembly. The remote controller is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants

In another embodiment, an air quality control device is disclosed. The air quality control device comprises a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors. The sensor assembly is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in an environment. The air quality control device further comprises a remote controller coupled to the sensor assembly and the air quality control device. The remote controller is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

In another embodiment, a method of managing operations of an air quality control device is disclosed. The method comprises measuring air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in an environment in which the air quality control device is operating. The method further comprises controlling at least one operation of the air quality control device based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

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

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:

Fig. 1 illustrates a system for managing operation of an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates a system for managing operation of an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates a system for managing operations of a plurality of Air Quality Control Devices (AQCDs), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a method 500 for managing operation of an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for managing operation of an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD) 102, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In said example embodiment, the system 100 comprises a sensor assembly 104 and a remote controller 106.

In an example, the sensor assembly 104 may include a plurality of sensors for measuring the air pollutant levels of a plurality of air pollutants present in a given environment. In an example, each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure the air pollutant level of a unique air pollutant. In an example, the sensor assembly 104 may be provided as a standalone device. In an example, the sensor assembly 104 may be placed in vicinity of the AQCD 102. In another example, the sensor assembly 104 may be placed at a remote location within the environment in which the AQCD 102 is operating. In yet another embodiment, the sensor assembly 104 may be an integral part of the AQCD 102.

In an example, the remote controller 106 may be one or more of a processor, a processing unit, a central processing unit, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and the like. In an example, the remote controller 106 may be implemented in a standalone device, such as a gateway device (not shown in the figure). In another example, the remote controller 106 may be implemented in the AQCD 102 itself. In an example, the remote controller 106 may be wirelessly coupled to the sensor assembly 104.

In an example, the plurality of sensors of the sensor assembly 104 may be configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to the plurality of air pollutants present in air in the environment. Examples of the air pollutants may include, but are not limited to, PM 2.5, CO, NO, CO2, NO2, Ozone, Odour, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). In an example, conventional pollutant measuring sensors that measures the aforementioned example types of air pollutants may be included in the sensor assembly 104.

In an example, the sensor assembly 104 may be configured to measure the air quality data after a predetermined interval of time. For example, the sensory assembly 104 may be configured to measure the air quality data, say, after every 10 seconds. Once the air quality is measured, the sensor assembly 104 may be configured to transmit the air quality data to the remote controller 106, for example, via a communication unit (not shown in the figure). In an example, where the sensor assembly 104 and the remote controller 106 are in a same device, the sensor assembly 104 may directly provide the air quality data to the remote controller 106.

In an example, the remote controller 106 may be configured to receive the air quality data from the sensor assembly 104, for example, via a communication unit (not shown in the figure). Herein, the remote controller 106 may be coupled to the communication unit. In an example, where the sensor assembly 104 and the remote controller 106 are in a same device, the remote controller 106 may directly receive the air quality data from the sensor assembly 104.

In an example embodiment, the remote controller 106 may be configured to control at least one operation of the AQCD 102 based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants. In an example, the predetermined priority order may include a priority rank of each of the air pollutants. An example predetermined priority order is shown below in Table 1.

Table 1
Pollutant Order of Priority
PM 2.5 1
CO, NO 2
Ozone 3
VOC 4
Odour 5

In an example, the predetermined priority order of air pollutants may be based on a dynamic set of rules. In said example, the predetermined priority order may be determined automatically and periodically by the remote controller 106 based on pollutants determined within the environment for the specified period. As an example, in an environment where the pollutant level of PM 2.5 does not cross its corresponding threshold limit for a predetermined number of operation cycles of the AQCD 102, the priority rank of the PM 2.5 may be accordingly adjusted, for example, lowered.

In another example, the predetermined priority order of air pollutants may be determined by the remote controller 106 based on a user input. Herein the user input may be received using a user interface, for example, a display screen. Furthermore, the user interface may be provided in one or more of the AQCD 102, the remote controller 106, and the sensor assembly 104.

As mentioned above, the remote controller 106 may be configured to control at least one operation of the AQCD 102 based on the air quality data and the predetermined priority order of air pollutants. To that end, in an example, the remote controller 106 may be configured to compare each of the plurality of air pollutant levels with a corresponding threshold. In an example, the threshold for each of the air pollutants may be saved in a storage space which is coupled to the remote controller 106.

Accordingly, the remote controller 106 may be configured to identify a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds. In an example, the set may include one air pollutant. In another example, the set may include more than one air pollutant, for example, two or all the air pollutants.

In an example where the remote controller 106 identifies the set of air pollutants having levels greater than their corresponding thresholds, the remote controller 106 may be configured to determine a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the set of air pollutants. In an example, the remote controller 106 may determine the priority rank based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants. For example, say the set of air pollutants may include PM2.5 and Ozone. Then, based on the predetermined priority order, the remote controller 106 may determine that PM 2.5 has a priority rank 1 and Ozone has priority rank 3.

Subsequently, the remote controller 106 may be configured to determine a priority rank order for the air pollutants included in the set of air pollutants. In the priority rank order, the air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on their respective priority ranks.

Accordingly, in an example embodiment, the remote controller 106 may be configured to implement one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device to control the operation of the air quality control device, based on the priority rank order of the set of air pollutants.

In an example embodiment, the controlling of the at least one operation of the AQCD 102 may comprise operating the AQCD 102 as per at least one operation setting corresponding to the identified air pollutants, as per the priority rank order. An example table 2 indicative of operation settings of AQCD 102 and pollutants is provided below.

Table 2
Air Pollutant Fan Speed Filter to be activated
PM 2.5 Speed 1 Filter 1
CO, NO Speed 2 Filter 2
Ozone Speed 3 Filter 3
VOC Speed 4 Filter 4
Odour Speed 5 Filter 5

In an example, the controlling of the at least one operation may include controlling a fan speed of a fan 108 of the AQCD 102. For instance, consider an example, where it is identified that PM 2.5 and VOC are above their respective thresholds. In such a case, as the priority of PM 2.5 is higher, the remote controller 106 may operate the fan 108 of the AQCD 102 at Speed 1.

In another example, the controlling of the at least one operation may include activating of an active filter from the filters 110 of the AQCD 102. For instance, consider an example, where it is identified that PM 2.5 and VOC are above their respective thresholds. In such a case, as the priority of PM 2.5 is higher, the remote controller 106 may activate Filter 1.

As may be understood, the remote controller 106 may perform simultaneous controlling of both, the fan speed and the filter selection, as per the priority order of the identified air pollutants. Furthermore, in an example, the remote controller 106 may control the at least one operation using an inverter (not shown in the figure).

Fig. 2 illustrates a system 200 for managing operation of an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 200 shown herein is similar to the system 100, as described above. According to said example embodiment, the system 200 includes the sensor assembly 104 and the AQCD 102 comprising the remote controller 106. Herein, the sensor assembly 104 is wirelessly coupled with the remote controller 106. Accordingly, the sensor assembly 102 may be placed remotely within the environment in which the AQCD 102 operates. Fig. 3 illustrates an AQCD 300, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In said example embodiment, the AQCD 300 includes both, the sensor assembly 104 and the remote controller 106.

Fig. 4 illustrates a system for managing operations of a plurality of AQCDs 102, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The system may be implemented to manage the operations of the AQCDs 102 deployed in an environment, such as a building in a smart city. Shown in the fig. is a block diagram of a floor 400 of the building. Herein, the floor 400 comprises sections 402-1 to 402-N. Each of the sections 402 comprises the AQCD 102 and the sensor assembly 104. In an example embodiment, each of the AQCDs 102 and the sensor assemblies 104 may be coupled to the remote controller 106. Herein, the connection may be wireless and/or wired. Accordingly, the remote controller 106 is configured to receive air quality data of receptive sections or geographic locations and control the operation of the AQCD 102 of said section based on the air quality data and predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

Fig. 5 illustrates a method 500 for operating an Air Quality Control Device (AQCD), according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of fig. 5 is in reference to the descriptions of Figs. 1-4, as described above.

At step 502, air quality data indicative of levels of air pollutants in air of an environment in which the air quality control device is operating is measured. In an example, the sensor assembly 104 may measure the air quality data.

At step 504, at least one operation of the air quality control device is controlled based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants. Herein, the controlling of the at least one operation may be performed by the remote controller 106.

In an example, the method 500 further includes receiving, by the remote controller 106, the air quality data from the sensor assembly. Furthermore, the method 500 may include, comparing, by the remote controller 106, each of the plurality of air pollutant levels to a corresponding threshold. Furthermore, the method 500 may include, identifying, by the remote controller, a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds. Furthermore, the method 500 may include, determining, by the remote controller, a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the identified set of air pollutants based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants. Furthermore, the method 500 may include, implementing, by the remote controller, one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device to control the operation of the air quality control device, based on a priority rank order of the set of air pollutants, wherein in the priority rank order the set of air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on respective priority ranks.

As may be gathered from above, systems and methods described herein provide for operating AQCDs based on prioritized order of detected pollutants. By operating an AQCD as per the priority of a detected pollutant, efficient air quality management is achieved. Furthermore, by selectively operating the filters rather than the conventional multistage activation, enhancement in lifecycle of filters is observed.

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. A system (100) for managing operations of an air quality control device (102), the system comprising:
a sensor assembly (104) comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor assembly (104) is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in the environment; and
a remote controller (106) coupled to the sensor assembly (104) and the air quality control device (102), wherein the remote controller (106) is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device (102) based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote controller (106) is further configured to:
receive the air quality data from the sensor assembly (104);
compare each of the plurality of air pollutant levels to a corresponding threshold;
identify a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds;
determine a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the identified set of air pollutants based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants; and
implementing one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device (102) to control the operation of the air quality control device (102), based on a priority rank order of the set of air pollutants, wherein in the priority rank order the set of air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on respective priority ranks.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one operation comprises at least one of an operational speed of a fan of the air quality control device (102) and activating a filter from a plurality of filters of the air quality control device (102).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote controller (106) is configured to determine the priority order of air pollutants based on at least one of a dynamic set of rules and a user input defining the order of air pollutants.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air quality control device (102) comprises an inverter, wherein the remote controller (106) is communicatively coupled to the inverter, and wherein the remote controller (106) is configured to trigger the inverter to control the at least one operation.

6. A system (200) for managing operations of an air quality control device (102), the system comprising:
a sensor assembly (104) comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor assembly (104) is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in the environment; and
an air quality control device (102) comprising a remote controller (106) coupled to the sensor assembly (104), wherein the remote controller (106) is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device (102) based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the remote controller (106) is further configured to:
receive the air quality data from the sensor assembly (104);
compare each of the plurality of air pollutant levels to a corresponding threshold;
identify a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds;
determine a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the identified set of air pollutants based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants; and
implement one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device (102) to control the operation of the air quality control device (102), based on a priority rank order of the set of air pollutants, wherein in the priority rank order the set of air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on respective priority ranks.

8. An air quality control device (300) comprising:
a sensor assembly (104) comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor assembly (104) is configured to measure air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in the environment; and
a remote controller (106) coupled to the sensor assembly (104), wherein the remote controller (106) is configured to control at least one operation of the air quality control device based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

9. The air quality control device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the remote controller (106) is further configured to:
receive the air quality data from the sensor assembly (104);
compare each of the plurality of air pollutant levels to a corresponding threshold;
identify a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds;
determine a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the identified set of air pollutants based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants; and
implement one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device to control the operation of the air quality control device, based on a priority rank order of the set of air pollutants, wherein in the priority rank order the set of air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on respective priority ranks.

10. A method of managing operations of an air quality control device (102), the method comprising:
measuring, by a sensor assembly (104) comprising a plurality of sensors, air quality data indicative of a plurality of air pollutant levels corresponding to a plurality of air pollutants present in the environment; and
controlling at least one operation of the air quality control device (102) based on the air quality data and a predetermined priority order of air pollutants.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:
receiving, by the remote controller (106), the air quality data from the sensor assembly (104);
comparing, by the remote controller (106), each of the plurality of air pollutant levels to a corresponding threshold;
identifying, by the remote controller (106), a set of air pollutants having air pollutant levels greater than corresponding thresholds;
determining, by the remote controller (106), a priority rank of each air pollutant included in the identified set of air pollutants based on the predetermined priority order of the air pollutants; and
implementing, by the remote controller (106), one or more operation settings associated with each of the identified set of air pollutants on the air quality control device (102) to control the operation of the air quality control device (102), based on a priority rank order of the set of air pollutants, wherein in the priority rank order the set of air pollutants are ranked from highest to lowest based on respective priority ranks.