FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally related to air quality monitoring systems. Particularly, the present disclosed is related an intelligent indoor air quality monitoring, controlling, and alerting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Globally, 8.4 million people die every year due to pollution-related illnesses. The number of people with respiratory diseases has doubled in the last two decades. As per a national survey, 56% of all households now contain at least one member with allergies or asthma.

Even healthy people can experience health impacts from exposure to polluted air, such as respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. The actual risk of adverse effects depends on a person’s current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of exposure to the polluted air.

A major triggering cause for asthma and other respiratory diseases is poor indoor air quality. Indoor air quality refers to the quality of the air inside buildings as represented by the concentrations of pollutants and thermal conditions that affect the health, comfort, and performance of occupants.

Thus, indoor air quality is an issue of great importance in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Before the air quality in these environments can be improved, it should be first measured and evaluated to determine if a problem exists and then diagnosed to evaluate the nature of the problem. If indoor air quality is managed well on a daily basis, there will be reduced chances of adverse health impacts. There is, therefore, a need in the art for an intelligent air quality monitoring, controlling, and alerting system, which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An intelligent indoor air quality monitoring, controlling, and alerting system is disclosed. The system comprises an air quality monitoring device that can be operated in a smart mode and a manual mode, and an application on a handheld device or a wearable device that can be used to communicate with the air quality monitoring device, said air quality monitoring device comprising: a sensing module that comprises a plurality of sensors that is disposed within the air quality monitoring device, said plurality of sensors automatically measuring a plurality of air quality parameters in real-time at pre-defmed intervals and storing the measured values in a storage module that comprises an internal storage, with the data stored on the internal storage being synced with a server; a first power input module that facilitates the operation of the air quality monitoring device through Alternating Current; a second power input module that facilitates the operation of the air quality monitoring device through Direct Current; an external power output module that drives one or more external air quality improvement devices, said one or more external air quality improvement devices being connected to the air quality monitoring device and being turned on or off automatically by the system when the smart mode is turned on and the air quality monitoring device runs on Alternating Current, with the system deciding when to turn on and when to turn off the one or more external air quality improvement devices based on a comparison between the measured values of the plurality of air quality parameters and a corresponding recommended range for each air quality parameter; a display module that facilitates a user to view the measured air quality parameters at any given point of time; an indicator module comprising a plurality of indicators that visually indicate the status of the indoor air quality at given point of time; an alarm module that is configured to warn the user with regards to the indoor air quality; a safety module that prevents internal short circuits and cuts off power supply from one source if the air quality monitoring device is connected to both an Alternating Current source and a Direct Current source; a plurality of switches, with each switch facilitating the user to operate the air quality monitoring device at a preferred setting or a pre-defmed mode which is customizable; a communication module that facilitates the communication of the air quality monitoring device with the application on a handheld device or a wearable device, said application on a handheld device or a wearable device displaying one or more personalized recommendations to the user for improving the indoor air quality; a first housing that encloses the air quality monitoring device; a foldable plug that is housed in a second housing when the plug is folded; and an air inlet opening that allows air to enter into the air quality monitoring device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an intelligent air quality monitoring device, in accordance with the present disclosure

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of an intelligent air quality monitoring device, in accordance with the present disclosure Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of an intelligent air quality monitoring device, in accordance with the present disclosure

Figure 4 illustrates a controlling mechanism, in accordance with the present disclosure

Figure 5 illustrates a notification mechanism, in accordance with the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and“include”, and variations such as "comprises", "comprising",“includes”, and“including” implies the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited. An intelligent indoor air quality monitoring, controlling, and alerting system is disclosed. As illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, the system comprises an air quality monitoring device (100), said air quality monitoring device (100) comprising: a sensing module comprising a plurality of sensors that is disposed within the air quality monitoring device (100), said plurality of sensors automatically measuring a plurality of air quality parameters in real-time at pre-defmed intervals and storing the measured values in a storage module that comprises an internal storage; a first power input module that facilitates the operation of the air quality monitoring device (100) through Alternating Current (AC); a second power input module (205) that facilitates the operation of the air quality monitoring device (100) through Direct Current (DC); an external power output module (103) that drives one or more external air quality improvement devices, said one or more external air quality improvement devices being connected to the air quality monitoring device (100) and being turned on automatically by the system when required; a display module (101) that facilitates a user to view the measured air quality parameters at any given point of time; an indicator module (102) comprising a plurality of indicators that visually indicate the status of the indoor air quality at given point of time; an alarm module that is configured to warn the user with regards to the indoor air quality; a safety module that prevents internal short circuits; a plurality of switches (201), with each switch facilitating the user to operate the air quality monitoring device (100) at a preferred setting or a pre-defmed mode which is customizable; a communication module that facilitates the communication of the air quality monitoring device (100) with one or more external devices; a first housing (104) that encloses the air quality monitoring device (100); a foldable plug (202) that is housed in a second housing (206) when the plug (202) is folded; and an air inlet (204) opening that allows air to enter into the air quality monitoring device (100).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the external air quality improvement device is an air purifier.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the external air quality improvement device is an air conditioner.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the external air quality improvement device is a fan. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the external air quality improvement device is a cooler.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the external air quality improvement device is a dehumidifier. The safety module is a circuit breaker that is configured to prevent internal short circuits. The safety module comprises a switch over circuit, a relay, a rectifier, and a DC-DC Step-Down Voltage Regulator. The safety module ensures that AC power is not passed to the sensing module, which uses DC power supply. If both AC and DC power sources are connected, the safety module cuts off power supply from one source.

The data stored on the internal storage of the air quality monitoring device (100) is synced with a server for backup purposes.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of nondispersive infrared sensors. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the server is a cloud server.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of air quality parameters measured by the plurality of sensors in real-time include Temperature, Humidity, and concentrations of: Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ₎ , Particulate Matters, Air Contaminants, Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The sensors are reliable and self-calibrating.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicator module comprises a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) of different colours.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicator module (102) is configured to indicate the current status of the indoor air quality as good, poor, unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous. The air quality monitoring device (100) is capable of being operated through both AC and DC power inputs and is capable of switching intelligently for uninterrupted monitoring. A relay module drives the device when it is connected to AC power.

The air quality monitoring device (100) can be operated in a smart mode and a manual mode. In the smart mode, the device (100) controls the power output module only if it is connected to AC power. When the smart mode is turned on, the system decides when to turn on and when to turn off the one or more external air quality improvement devices.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the system decides when to turn on and when to turn off the one or more external air quality improvement device based on a comparison between the measured values of the plurality of air quality parameters and a corresponding recommended range for each air quality parameter. For instance, if the system detects a high level of particulate matter in the indoor air, it turns on an air purifier through the external power output module (103) to reduce the level of particulate matter. Likewise, if the system detects a high humidity level the system reduces the humidity level by turning on a connected dehumidifier through the external power output module (103). Similarly, the system may turn on a fan to improve the air quality by allowing more air to circulate. Once the level of particulate matter, humidity, or any other air quality parameter that was detected by the system as having an abnormal value falls back within the recommended range, the system turns off the power supply to the external power output module (103).

If the smart mode is turned off while the device (100) is running on AC power, any external improvement device that is on is not turned off, thereby leaving the decision of when to turn off the external improvement device to the user. The air quality monitoring system also comprises an application on a handheld device or a wearable device that can be used to communicate with the air quality monitoring device through the communication module in order to receive the measured data on the handheld device or the wearable device. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the application on a handheld device or a wearable device receives the measured data through Bluetooth Low Energy.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the application on a handheld device or a wearable device receives the measured data through wireless internet.

The system is configured to provide one or more personalized recommendations to the user for improving the indoor air quality. The one or more personalized recommendations are in the form of notifications which are sent through the application on a handheld device or a wearable device. The personalized recommendations are provided by the system based on the measured values of the plurality of air quality parameters. For instance, if the system detects the indoor air quality as being poor with high levels of particulate matter and carbon dioxide, the system recommends the user to open the windows and turn on a fan or an air purifier. Similarly, if the humidity level is high, the system recommends the user to take suitable action such as turning on a dehumidifier.

Figure 5 illustrates a notification mechanism of the system. Any abnormality detected by the system in the measured values of the plurality of the air quality parameters based on a comparison between the measured values and the corresponding recommended ranges is indicated to the user through the indicator module (102), the display module (101), and the alarm module (if the alarm module is kept on by the user). If the system is connected to a communication medium, the data and any customizations implemented by the user are synced with the server, and the one or more personalized recommendations are created by the system, which are subsequently synced with the application on a handheld device or a wearable device and received by the user through the application on a handheld device or a wearable device. If the system is not connected to a communication medium, the measured values are stored on the internal storage of the air quality monitoring device and a reminder is created for the user to turn on a communication medium, which is displayed through the display module (101). In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the air quality monitoring device (100) is installed inside a centralized air conditioning system duct without the external power output module (103) and functions as a smart building device to monitor and notify the air quality. The disclosed system is portable and easy to use, and provides personalized recommendations to the user for improving the indoor air quality.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

100 - Air Quality Monitoring Device

101 - Display Module

102 - Indicator Module

103 - External Power Output Module

104 - First Housing

201 - Plurality of Switches

202 - Foldable Plug

204 - Air Inlet Opening

205 - Second Power Input Module

206 - Second Housing