(b) Description of Prior Art Generally, Os is inhaled into the human body and delivered to the organs of the body to be consumed to generate energy for brain activation and kinetic energy. Therefore, it is essential for the metabolic of the human body. The inhaled Os is delivered to each organ to generate energy, as a result of which C02 is produced as a by-product. When there is short of 02 in air, the content of C02 in the blood is increased, it becomes impossible to completely oxidize the organic matters, thereby increasing effete matter in the cells and blood and deteriorating the immune function. This may be direct or indirect cause of a disease directly or indirectly.

Although 20% of air is 02, such content is gradually reduced as the air pollution becomes more serious. Therefore, disease caused by the short of Os in the closed living space is increased.

Accordingly, an 02 generator has been used for increasing the content

of the 02 in the living space. Such an Os generator is designed having a container in which 02 obtained by separating it from H20 or air through a chemical reaction is contained.

In recent years, a family 02 generator having an outdoor 02 thickener and an indoor 02 dispenser receiving 02 from the outdoor 02 thickener has been developed to provide the agreeable interior environment.

However, since such 02 generators are using the electric energy, the expenses for generating 02 is increased. In addition, the space for using the generators is limited. Furthermore, since the well-know Os generator is designed to obtain 02 by highly concentrating 02 contained in the air, it is not natural-oriented. In addition, since C02 is still remained in the air when concentrating 02, there is a limitation in reducing the air pollution and global warming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for absorbing C02 and generating sufficient 02 by use of a photosynthesis microorganism having photosynthesis system similar to a plant, the apparatus being environment-oriented and designed having an advantage of maintenance and operational control.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for removing C02 and generating 02 using less energy and simple device,

thereby reducing the costs.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for removing COs and generating Os that is designed such that even the person who doesn't know about the chemical knowledge can identify the presence and generating state of 02.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for generating 02 and removing C02 which has means for identifying the C02 generation by which user can easily identify the variation of the amount and contents of 02.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for generating 02and removing C02 which has means for setting the replacement time of microorganism by checking the variation of the amount and content of 02.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an apparatus for generating 02 and removing C02, comprising a photosynthesis microorganism and a cultural medium for the microorganism; a container for receiving the photosynthesis microorganism and the cultural medium, the container being designed to transmit light and provided with an exhaust hole for exhausting 02 generated by the photosynthesis reaction or the microorganism during which C02 is absorbed; and means for filtering the photosynthesis microorganism and the cultural medium and allowing 02 to pass.

The apparatus absorbs C02 and generates 02 by the photosynthesis reaction of the microorganism when light is illuminated. At this point, the 02 is discharged outside through the means for filtering, thereby increasing the content of 02 in the room.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for identifying Os generation, comprising a receiving part for receiving an indicator whose color is changed when reacting with 02 ; a sensing part for sensing an absorption amount of light passing through the indicator; a control part for calculating an content and amount of 02 according to the absorption amount sensed by the sensing part; a display part 105 electrically connected to the control part to show an variation of an input value to a user.

Preferably, the sensing part comprises a base member for receiving the indicator; a luminous element for radiating light passing through the indicator; a light reception element for absorbing the light from the luminous element, the light reception element being disposed facing the luminous element; a cover member enclosing the circumference of the base member, the cover member being provided with a gas induction conduit connected to the conduit provided on the base member; and a membrane filter provided in the gas induction conduit of the cover member. The indicator is formed of methylene blue solution.

When the light emitted from the luminous element is directed to the

light absorption element through the methylene solution, the methylene blue solution reacts with 02 to change its color depending on the amount of light absorption. The amount of light absorption is converted into an electric signal, and then the electric signal is transmitted to the control part. The control part outputs the electric signal to the display lamp. Accordingly, the user easily identifies the amount and content of the 02.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an overall shape of an apparatus for generating Os and removing C02 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of major parts of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a container for generating Os ; FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an operational state of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating means for identifying an 02 generation according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a sensing part of means for identifying an 02 generation according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the assembling state of a an sensing part of means for identifying an Os generation and an 02 generating apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an 02 generating apparatus for illustrating a display part of means for identifying an 02 generation according to the present invention; and FIG. 12 is a table for illustrating the test results of means for identifying an 02 generation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described more in detail hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overall shape of an apparatus for generating 02 and removing C02 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a base 1, a container 3 and a membrane filter 5 are illustrated.

The base 1 supports the container and defines a space in which peripheral devices for an 02 generator and a C02 remover. A compressed gas tank 7 for mixing microorganism is received inside the base 1.

The compressed gas tank 7, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, supplies the compress gas such as the air and NO2 gas to the container 3 through a nozzle 9.

That is, it is designed such that the gas can be supplied from the tank 7 to the container 3. Although the nozzle 9 is simply connected to the compressed gas tank 7, it may be possible to provide an adjust valve (not shown) for adjusting the amount of gas supplied to the container 3.

The container 3 is preferably made of glass or synthetic resin that can transmit light. Culture medium 6 containing nourishment required for the existence of a photosynthesis microorganism 4 is received in the container 3.

The culture medium 6 contains mineral nutrition required for growing the microorganism and the photosynthesis and a few growth factors such as vitamin and a few metal elements. As the photosynthesis microorganism 4, siano-bacteria or algae may be used.

Further preferably, the container 3 is formed of transparent glass or synthetic resin. In this embodiment, although the container 3 is formed in a sphere-shape, the shape is not limited to this but designed in a variety of shape considering the aesthetic sense. As shown in FIG. 2, the container 3 is provided with an outlet 3a through which 02 a generated by the photosynthesis microorganism is exhausted indoor.

The membrane filter 5 may be disposed on the outlet 3a so that the photosynthesis microorganism and culture medium cannot be exhausted but filtered. The membrane filter 5 is preferably designed having holes each having a diameter of 0.2, um.

A seal member 11 is fitted on the container 3 between the outlet 3a and the membrane filter 5.

The seal member 11 is formed on conventional rubber or silicon.

In addition, a cover 13 is coupled on the container 3 to protect the membrane filter 5 and enhance the aesthetic sense. The cover 13 is provided with plural holes 13a through which Os is exhausted outside.

In this embodiment, although the holes 13a are provided, even if the holes are not provided, Os may be exhausted through a gap between the container 3 and the cover 13.

Means for identifying the 02 exhaust using a naked eye may be provided to an inner side of the cover 13. As the means for identifying, an indicator 15 to which redox dye whose color is changed according to the variation of the redox potential may be used.

As the redox dye, resazurin solution whose color, when contacting a large amount of Os, is changed into pink and, when Os is insufficient, changed into blue may be used. Needless to say, the means for identifying is not limited to the indicator 15.

In addition, the container 3 is provided at its bottom with a hole to which a rubber member 17 is fitted. The rubber member 17 is for inducting gas in the compressed gas tank 1 into the container 3. That is, a syringe 9 penetrates the rubber member 17 so as to define a gas passage.

Furthermore, a door (not shown) may be mounted on a side of the

base 1 so as to put and take the parts in and out of the base 1.

The operation of the above-described apparatus for generating 02 and removing C02 will be described hereinafter.

When the apparatus of the present invention is located on a place to which sunlight or artificial light is illuminated, the microorganism in the container starts growing by the light. At this point, the photosynthesis reaction occurs in the container.

The main element of the photosynthesis is chlorophyll (or bacterial chlorophyll. The chlorophyll absorbs light energy and generates glucose from C02 in the air through photosystems I and II. The light energy is absorbed in a reaction center of the chlorophyll and raised in a free state to transmit the free state energy to the electron transmission media. During the energy transmission procedure, energy storing material such as ATP and NADPH, which is required to generate organic matters is generated. This energy is directly used in generating organic matters in the cells by the Calvin Cycle. In addition, the electrons which are transformed from NADP to NADPH through the electron transmission media are originated from H20.

H20 transmits the electrons to the electron transmission media and is decomposed into 02 and H+. H+ is moved into a cell membrane and then combined with NADP. 02 is discharged out of the cell. Through this procedure, the C02 is removed and 02 is generated. Since 02 is byproduct

of photosynthesis and originated from H20 t, the sufficient 02 can be generated.

The generated 02 is exhausted out of the container through the membrane filter 5 (see FIG. 4). At this point, the filter 5 prevents the photosynthesis microorganism and the culture medium from exhausting out of the container 3. As 02 is exhausted, the color of the indicator 15 is changed such that the user can identify the generation of 02.

In addition, the gas in the tank 7 is supplied to the container 3 through the nozzle 9 to create bubbles. The bubbles enhance the photosynthesis reaction by mixing and floating the microorganism and the culture medium.

Accordingly, the removal of C02 and the generation of Os reduces the content of C02 in the air while maintaining and increasing the content of 02 in the air, thereby preventing the stress disease caused by the short of 02.

Further more, since such an apparatus is operated using less energy, it has an advantage in the environmental aspect.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a bubble generator 31 is further installed while compressed gas is not used. The bubble generator 31 injects air into the container 3 to create the bubbles. The bubble generator 31 is operated by electric source 33 which is formed of a battery preferably received in the base 1. However, the electric source 33 is not limited to the battery. That is, a domestic electric source may be used as the electric source 33. The operation effect of this

embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the compressed air and the bubble generation of the first and second embodiment, in this embodiment, a propeller 41 for agitating the photosynthesis microorganism and the culture medium is installed in the container 3. The propeller 41 is connected to a motor 45 driven by an electric source 43. The agitation of the microorganism and the culture medium enhances the photosynthesis reaction. The operation effect of this embodiment is similar to those of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, means for illuminating and means for inputting and outputting culture medium are additionally added to the apparatus illustrated in the first embodiment.

As the means for illuminating, electric light bulbs 53 and 55 are disposed on one side of the cover 13 so as to illuminate light require for the photosynthesis reaction. The bulbs 53 and 55 may be disposed inside or outside the container 3 depending on the design and efficiency.

As the means for illuminating is provided, the apparatus of this embodiment can generate 02 even at the dark place. The bulbs 53 and 55 are also used as an interior lighting or a bed lighting.

The means for inputting and outputting cultural medial is received in the base 1 so as to continuously supply new cultural media to the container 3

and withdraws used cultural media from the container 3, thereby enhancing the viability of the photosynthesis and continuously generating 02. The means for inputting and outputting comprises an input/output pump 61 which is connected by at least one nozzle for supplying and withdrawing the cultural medium to and from the container, a new cultural medium cartridge 63 containing new cultural medium to be supplied to the container, the new cultural medium cartridge 63 being connected to the pump 61 by a nozzle, and a used cultural medium cartridge 65 receiving used cultural medium to be withdrawn from the container, the used cultural medium cartridge 65 being connected to the pump 61 by a nozzle.

By the above described structure, a fixed amount of cultural medium is continuously supplied to the container 3 while the used cultural medium is stored in the used cultural medium cartridge 65, thereby continuously generating 02. In addition, the cartridge type has an advantage that it is easy to change. Although the means for inputting and outputting is disposed in the base 1, it may be disposed outside the base 1.

An example of the above-described means for identifying the generation of Os will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the means for identifying the generation of 02. The means for identifying the generation of 02 comprises a sensing part 101, a control part 103 electrically connected to the sensing part 101, and a display part 105 electrically connected to the control part 103.

The sensing part 101 comprises a luminous element 111 for radiating light passing through the indicator and a light reception element 113 for absorbing the light from the luminous element 111, the light reception element 113 being disposed facing the luminous element 111.

Describing the sensing part 101 more in detail, as shown in FIG. 9, the sensing part 101 comprises a base member 121 for receiving the indicator, the base member 121 being provided with a conduit through which gas passes and a cover member 123 enclosing the circumference of the base member 121. The conduit 121 a may be connected to a test gas exhaust hole 121 b so that gas can be exhausted.

The luminous element 111 and the light absorption member 113 between which the conduit 121 a is disposed are disposed on the base member 121. The luminous element 111 and the light absorption member 113 are connected to the control part 103. As the luminous element 111 and the light absorption member 113, a luminous diode or a photo diode may be used.

The cover member 123 enclosing the base member 121 comprises a gas induction conduit 123a connected to the conduit 121 a provided on the base member 121. A free end of the gas induction conduit 123a guides the test gas for measuring 02 generated by the 02 generating apparatus to the conduit 121 a of the base member 121.

The gas induction conduit 123a is provided with membrane filters 125

and 127, which allow only the gas to pass therethrough. That is, the membrane filter 125 disposed on the upper side of the gas induction conduit 123a defines a space for receiving liquid indicator when the gas induction conduit 123a is connected to the conduit 121 a of the base member.

Accordingly, the conduit 121 a allows only the gas to pass and maintains the liquid test indicator The membrane filter 127 disposed on a lower side of the gas induction conduit 123a prevents the microorganism (102 in FIG. 2) from being exhausted.

In the present invention, when the cover member 123 is omitted, the membrane filter 125 may be directly installed on the conduit 121 a of the base member 121 instead of the gas induction conduit 123a. In this case, the number of parts is reduced, saving the manufacturing costs.

The cover member 123 is provided with a fixing part 123b coupled to the 02 generation apparatus (see 102 in FIG. 10). The fixing part 123b may be formed in a variety of shapes as far as it can be coupled to the Os generation apparatus. The fixing part 123b may be provided on the base member 121 when the cover member is omitted. In this case, the structure of the sensing part becomes simpler.

The conduit 121 a provided on the base member 121 receives an indicator that can react with 02 through oxidation-reduction reaction.

Preferably, the indicator is formed of methylene blue solution. Further preferably, the methylene blue solution is formed in a range of 0.1-0.5 %.

Preferably, fructose for changing the color of the methylene blue into colorlessness through the reduction reaction, potassium phosphate for preventing the content of H+ from being quickly changed, and NaOH are added to the methylene blue solution in a proper ratio. However, when the ratio is not proper, the reaction speed with Os may be retarded or weakened.

In the present invention, the indicator reacting with 02 is not limited to the methylene blue solution, but any solution changeable in color when reacting with 02 such as resazurin solution and brom cresol purple solution can be used as the indicator.

The resazurin solution and brom cresol purple solution have also identical content ratio with that of the methylene blue solution, and fructose for changing the color of them into colorlessness through the reduction reaction, potassium phosphate for preventing the content of H+ from being quickly changed, and NaOH are also added to them in a proper ratio.

In addition, the control part 103 converts the light absorption intensity from the luminous element 111 to the light absorption element 113 through the indicator into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to the. display lamp 151 or a speaker 153.

The display part 105 may be formed of luminous diode that can display the signal into the visual sense or formed of the speaker 153 that can represent the signal into the sound sense. As shown in FIG. 11, the display part 105 is coupled to the 02 generation apparatus so as to make it easy to

identify. The display lamp 151 comprises plural luminous elements disposed spacing away from each other at an identical distance so that the number of elements that are turned On can be varied depending on the contents of Os.

As described above, the operation of the present invention with the means for identifying the Os generation will be description more in detail hereinafter.

The indicator is provided in the conduit 121 a installed on the base member 121, and then the cover member 123 is coupled to the base member 121 using a conventional manner such that the gas induction conduit 123a provided on the cover member 123 can communicate with the conduit of the base member 121. At this point, the indicator 121 remains in the conduit 121 a by the membrane filter 125.

In addition, the cover member 123 is coupled to the 02 generation apparatus (102 in FIG. 10) by the fixing part 123b. At this point, the free end of the gas induction conduit 123a should be located in the 02 generation apparatus such that gas can be induced.

The indicator (fructose, potassium phosphate, and NaOH) is in a colorlessness state as it is reduced.

When the 02 generation apparatus is operation, the luminous element 11 emits light to generate 02 in the 02 generation apparatus. Then, gas containing the generated 02 passes through the gas induction conduit 123a, and then passes through the conduit 121 a. At this point, the gas passing

through the conduit 121 a reacts with the indicator (methylene blue), thereby changing the color of the indicator into blue (when using methylene blue as the indicator). The color of the indicator is change depending on the content of the 02 in the gas. When using the resazurin solution and brom cresol purple solution, the color will be changed into other colors as the oxidation-reduction reaction.

In addition, the light radiated from the luminous element 111 is absorbed into the light absorption element 113 through the conduit 121 a. At this point, the absorption intensity of the light emitted from the luminous element 111 into the light absorption element 113 is varied depending on the variation of the color of the indicator. In this state, as a predetermined time laps, the indicator goes into the reduction-reaction by the fructose, thereby being changed into the colorlessness state. Furthermore, potassium phosphate, and NaOH prevent the content of H from being quickly changed during the oxidation-reduction reaction, making it possible to measure the light absorption.

FIG. 12 shows data resulted from a comparison test of a dissolved Os content and a light absorption degree of the light absorption element at 660-62 nm.

As shown in the table of FIG. 12, as the dissolved 02 content is increased, the light absorption degree is also increased. That is, this shows that the dissolved Os content is proportional to the light absorption degree.

Using this fact, the dissolved 02 content can be calculated according to the light absorption degree input to the control part 103.

That is, the absorbed light signal of the light absorption element 113 is transmitted to the control part 103 and output to the display lamp 151 or speaker 153 after being converted into the electric signal.

Accordingly, the user can identify the amount of 02 by looking at the display lamp or by listening to the sound from the speaker 153.

Particularly, when the 02 generation identifying means is applied to the 02 generation apparatus using microorganism, it is possible to identify the replacement timing of the microorganism, making it easy to manage the apparatus.

As described above, the present invention absorbs C02 and generates sufficient 02 by use of a photosynthesis microorganism, thereby preventing the stress disease. In addition, by reducing the C02 in the air, the global warming phenomenon and the air pollution can be prevented.

In addition, since microorganism is used, the apparatus can be operated using less energy and is environment-oriented.

Since the illumination means is provided, the apparatus can be operated even at the place where light is insufficient regardless of time.

In addition, a fixed amount of cultural medium is continuously supplied to the container while the used cultural medium is stored in the used cultural medium cartridge, thereby continuously generating 02.

Furthermore, since the control part having the indicator reacting with 02, the luminous element and the light absorption element to operate the display lamp according to the light absorption signal is provided, the user can easily identify the generation and presence of Os.

When the present invention is applied to the oxygen generating apparatus, the variation of Os content can be easily identified.

In addition, when the present invention is applied to the Os generation apparatus using microorganism, it is possible to identify the replacement timing of the microorganism, making it easy to manage the apparatus.