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Fig. 1: Schematic of the portable real-time monitoring system
A portable system and method for real-time monitoring the indoor air quality using IoT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for real-time monitoring the air quality using the Internet of Things (IoT).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] Many pollutants that impact indoor air quality come from sources inside a building, though some are drawn in from outdoors. The most common pollutants are Volatile organic compounds (VOCs, Carbon monoxide, Carbon monoxide, Particulate matter such as dust, pollen, smoke, and soot. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Indoor Air Quality is one of the primary environmental health risks. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is 100 times more contaminated than outside air. From a study, it was observed that human beings spend more than 90% of their time inside buildings and hence it is very important to monitor the indoor air quality in real-time. IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring platforms are becoming popular nowadays.
[0003] US10193981B2 claims a method for implementing Internet of Things (IoT) self-organizing network functionality, involves autonomously sending control instructions to third IoT-capable devices of several IoT-capable devices. The method involves receiving the first data from a first IoT-capable device of several IoT-capable devices. The first data comprises data regarding the second IoT-capable devices of several IoT-capable devices of a self-organizing network (SON) of IoT-capable devices. The first data is analyzed to determine the status of the one-second IoT capable device of the second IoT-capable device. The control instructions are generated. The control instructions re autonomously sent to third IoT-capable devices of several IoT-capable devices, based at least in portion on the determined status of the at least one-second IoT-capable device. The control instructions cause each of the third IoT-capable device to change one of its device settings, its device configurations, its network configurations, or its functions within the SON of IoT capable devices.
[0004] US20210174973A1 deals with Internet-of-things enabled wireless sensor system for facilitating predictive maintenance of electrical networks, has supercomputer provided with artificial intelligence units, and passive sensor attached to a component of hardware
[0005] W02021130759A1 relates to a method and a system to measure and control indoor environment using the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Strong Artificial Intelligence (SAI). The method includes the steps of measuring air quality of an indoor environment and/ or outdoor environment using respective
sensors and/ or analyzers, followed by receiving, configuring and controlling the data, by the processor, to maintain the indoor air quality using healthy gas stored in the container(s) and using the air-conditioned unit to achieve the user desired indoor air quality parameters.
[0006] KR1885720B1 claims a remote building control system for controlling indoor air quality for IoT environment has indoor air measurement sensor part for transmitting information of sensors measuring data relating to smart web controller
with indoor air quality
[0007] Similarly, the patent CN111665328A relates to an Internet of things based intelligent indoor air quality monitoring system, has an air quality analysis device for processing air quality monitoring data and sending alarm information to user terminals if monitoring data exceeds a preset range.
[0008] CN108759024A discloses a method that involves outputting a window opening signal to an intelligent window opener. A window closing signal is an output to the intelligent window opener. Received indoor air quality parameters are analyzed by an intelligent regulating module. An air purifier is controlled by an output signal when each indoor air quality parameter is less than a predetermined threshold value. The opening and closing of a window are controlled by the intelligent window opener. A control window is opened when receiving the window opening signal. The control window is closed when receiving the window closing signal. Indoor air is purified through the air purifier installed in a room. Indoor air quality is regulated.
[0009] CN210569051U claims an Indoor air intelligent monitoring box based on the Internet of Things. The utility model based on the intemet of things of the indoor air intelligent monitoring box, comprising an upper shell and a base, the upper shell body is hemisphere-shaped, and the upper shell is provided with several gas collecting holes leading to the inside of the base is provided with a mounting bracket, the base is further provided with an integrated circuit board, the integrated circuit board is provided with at least one chemical sensor, the integrated circuit board is further provided with an NBioT module, a Beidou positioning module and the DC power interface. claims solving method and measures for monitoring the PM2.5 in the air and harmful gas, and to exchange information with the mobile client through a Beidou positioning module and NBioT module, through real-time monitoring, finding out the specific environmental problems, targeted by multiple chemical sensors, faster and better improving the indoor air quality.
[0010] IN202141023368A relates to a compact IoT based indoor air monitoring system. The Internet of Things has been demonstrating its capability to take care of issues where the presence of data can contribute enormously to an answer or become the actual arrangement. An entire reach of associated things, conversing with one another can convey handled data to individuals that would help them in showing up at significant decisions about unique, yet significant components. One such factor is air and its quality. In a populace thick world and taking a gander at the patterns in the number of causalities due to messy air it is profoundly significant that individuals are educated regarding the nature of air that they relax. Indoor air quality is a very significant factor to be judged and dissected and the requirement for a compelling answer for doing so is unavoidable.
[0011] IN202041053705A teaches an Indoor air quality monitoring system using the internet of things (IoT), monitors air quality at any time and anywhere, through a web server or application, and stores all data in the cloud to provide resources for further analysis by a web server.
[0012] However, none of the prior art teaches a hand-held portable system that can be carried easily to any corner of the indoor environment. Also, the prior art didn't disclose the way and method to detect the exact location of the densely occupied air pollutant spots. The present invention overcomes the problems and relates to a hand held portable system and method for real-time monitoring the air quality using the Internet of Things (IoT).
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION[0013] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an Internet of Things
(IoT) based indoor air quality detection system and a method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based portable system that facilitates real-time monitoring of air quality. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based air quality monitoring system that is capable of detecting the presence and concentration of toxic gases, combustible gases, and dust particles present in the indoor air atmosphere. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an Internet of Things (IoT) based air quality monitoring system that allows the user to identify the specific location of the pollutants, gases or particulates. Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable computing device to monitor indoor air quality without any additional device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0014] The present invention relates to a portable system and method for real-time monitoring the air quality using the Internet of Things (IoT). The system comprises a computing device capable of processing the signals; a self-adhesive stick-on transparent flexible strip with an array of multiple air quality sensing sensors; a wireless communication unit; a cloud computing unit to process the signals from the wireless communication unit; a software application; and a proximity sensor to sense the specific location of pollutants, gases and particulates. The transparent flexible strip is placed on a computing device such as a smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc. The sensors sense the quality of air and send the signals to a wireless communication unit with the help of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The wireless communication device then passes the signal information to the cloud computing unit where these signals are processed by a Machine Learning algorithm and communicates the processed signals back to the computing device. The computing system with the aid of the software application displays the air quality results. If required, the software application activates the proximity sensor which is placed on the transparent flexible strip to identify the specific location of air pollutants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[0015] The summary of the present invention, as well as the detailed description, are better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate one or more possible embodiments of the present invention, of which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic of the portable real-time monitoring system (100) Fig. 2 illustrates the exploded view of the self-adhesive stick-on transparent flexible strip (120) Fig. 3 illustrates the method (200) of working of the real-time air indoor air quality monitoring system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic of the portable system (100) used to monitor indoor air quality. The system according to the present invention consists of a portable computing device (110) selected from a smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc. The computing device (110) is used to monitor the air indoor quality. The device can be carried by the person in any place inside the house or monitoring area easily without the need for heavy equipment. The most preferred portable computing device is a mobile phone. The mobile phone is used as an indoor air quality device and eliminates the use of any other equipment.
[0017] The system further comprises a self-adhesive stick-on transparent flexible strip (120) with an array of multiple air quality sensing sensors. The array of sensing sensors are printed on the transparent flexible strip (120). The user can stick the flexible strip (120) on the portable computing device (110) and can be removed easily whenever not required. The array of sensors are selected from laser dust sensor, carbon Monoxide sensor, smoke sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, VOC sensors, temperature sensor and humidity sensor. The flexible strip (120) also consists of a proximity sensor to identify the specific location of the particles or gases. The sensors sense the nearby environment within the proximity of the computing device (110) and detect the presence of Carbon Monoxide, gases, dust particles, Carbon dioxide (C02), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature humidity and other harmful liquid or solids.
[0018] The array of sensors which are printed flexible strip (120) provides the signals to a wireless communication unit (130) wherein the signals are being communicated by using communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. On receiving the signals, the communication unit (130) sends the information to the cloud computing unit (140) in which the signals are processed by Machine Learning algorithms (150). The cloud computing unit (140) transfers the processed and cleaned information back to the portable computing device (110) where the results are displayed on the screen of the device with the help of a software application (160). If required, the software triggers the proximity sensor (170) which is placed on the transparent flexible strip (120) to identify the exact spot or location of the specific gases, particulates or dust. The components of the present invention such as multiple sensors, computing device, the wireless communication unit and cloud computing unit together form an Internet of Things (IoT) network. The communication between all the components of the system is based on the intemet and other communication protocols.
[0019] Fig 2 illustrates the exploded view of the self-adhesive stick-on transparent flexible strip (120). The transparent flexible strip is a substrate (121) made of modified silicon film, thin plastic, polyimide, conductive fabrics, etc. All the sensors are printed on the transparent flexible strip (120). The entire strip acts as a flexible printed circuit board that can be easily applied to any computing device. The size of the flexible strip (120) is 2cm X lcm. The transparent flexible strip amplifies, filters, calibrate and transmit the signal.
[0020] The transparent flexible strip (120) consists of sensors such as laser dust sensor (122), Carbon Monoxide sensor (123), smoke sensor (124), carbon dioxide sensor (125), VOC sensors (126), temperature sensor (127) and humidity sensor (128). Apart from the sensors listed above, the transparent flexible strip (120) also consists of proximity sensors (170) selected from sensors such as Infrared sensor, Ultrasound sensor, Photoelectric sensor to sense the specific location of pollutants, gases and particulates.
[0021] Fig. 3 illustrates the method (200) of working of the real-time air indoor air quality monitoring system. The method of working is explained in the following sequential steps:
[0022] Step 1: The system according to the present invention comprises a computing device capable of processing the signal. A self-adhesive transparent flexible strip (120) with an array of multiple air quality sensing sensors is placed on the portable computing device (110).
[0023] Step 2 (201): The multiple sensors which are printed on the transparent flexible strip (120) sense the quality of air.
[0024] Step 3 (202): The wireless communication unit (130) receives the signals from laser dust sensor (122), Carbon Monoxide sensor (123), smoke sensor (124), carbon dioxide sensor (125), VOC sensors (126), temperature sensor (127) and humidity sensor (128) with the help of communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.
[0025] Step 4 (203): The Cloud computing unit (140) process the sensor information using Machine Learning algorithms (141) where the algorithms aggregate and eliminates data duplicates by removing invalid readings.
[0026] Step 5 (204): The software application (160) of the computing system (110) analyzes the information and display the air quality results on the display screen.
[0027] Step 6 (204): At the request of the user, the software application (160) triggers the proximity sensor (170) which is printed on the transparent flexible strip (120) to identify the specific location of the dense clusters of the pollutants, dust, particulates, gases, etc. This allows users to take immediate and necessary actions.