Brief description [0001] The present description concerns an atmospheric air component measuring device.

This device is portable, highly sensitive, and can be used both indoors and outdoors, regardless of the presence of the user in the area measured.

[0002] There are currently national measuring networks that include large stations for measuring air pollutants, which, while allowing the recording of temporal changes in the concentration of pollutants in the environment outside, do not support the monitoring of air pollutants inside buildings and do not provide adequate spatial coverage nor information about the personal exposure of individuals, as this may change significantly.

[0003] There are also portable stations for measuring air pollutants that perform one-time measurements and do not constantly monitor air quality. This means that these stations do not provide adequate temporal coverage or information about the personal exposure of individuals indoors.

[0004] Portable, integrated, measuring devices are also available on the market, which combine various strategies such as temperature configuration, gas flow configuration, and the removal of interfering gases using filters and gas neutralizers. These devices are highly reliable and can record the results on a 24-hour basis, but come at significantly higher costs that make them inaccessible to the average consumer. The AQM65 by Aeroqual, shown in Figure 1, is one such device. It has a large size (103 x 75 x 40 cm) and a weight of 65kg, and high energy consumption that requires a 220 V power supply, preventing it from being transferred. There is also the possibility of user remote access to the device in order to see the measurements. Sensor systems are complex, requiring air to be pumped into a special socket and removed from another socket, resulting in additional energy consumption. The sensors have a sensitivity of 1 particle per million (ppm), which is considered low, especially for indoor operation. Replacing the existing sensor with one of higher sensitivity would be difficult due to the fact that the sensor is not independent but an integral part of a custom ecosystem that looks like a cartridge which includes sensors and, for example, a gas outlet control nozzle, a valve, a cleaning scrubber (brush), a moisture balancer, and electronics, which are designed for the specific sensor so as to compensate for its weaknesses. Therefore, a new, higher sensitivity sensor would require different, custom-made hardware created particularly for it, as well as specific assembly. Periodical external calibration in the laboratory and calibration during the operation of the device are also required, via a calibration system implemented in the hardware and integrated in the device, which increases the cost and complexity.

[0005] A device that appears to address the difficulties with portability and the increased costs is described in WO 2018/053433. This device is portable, measures air pollutants in the area around the user, stores the measurements and can make them available to other users by using remote connection protocols. Processing of the measurements is limited, while the device does not allow for adjusting the air quality indoors when remotely connected and by controlling other devices, such as dehumidifiers, ionizers, etc.

[0006] Furthermore, the system described in WO 02/063539 covers larger and/or continuous areas around the user when they are moving, but the measurements are mostly samples in terms of time, and the purpose of this system is to create a database. [0007] This description aims to address all of the above limitations. In addition, since outdoor pollution sources may differ from indoor pollution sources, the proposed solution covers and can be used in any area, indoors or outdoors.

[0008] The device for measuring atmospheric air components may include one or more shells, an air intake socket, one or more electronic processors, at least one medium of communication, a power supply device, and one or more sensors with a sensitivity range equal to or greater than 1 particle per billion (ppb). This allows for a more reliable measurement of the atmospheric air components, both indoors and outdoors, thus enabling the user to move to areas that are less polluted and healthier for them.

[0009] The measuring device may include one or more actuators, and one or more wireless or wired communication interface adapters between the device and the actuators. This way the device, after performing and processing the necessary measurements, can automatically activate air quality improvement devices such as ventilators and air conditioners, saving energy from their operation. This results to setting up a clean and healthy environment, even from a distance.

[0010] This method of measuring atmospheric air components by using this measuring device may include transferring the device to the site where the measurement will take place. This allows for the measurement of the atmospheric components not only in the user's surrounding area but also, due to its portability, of other environments, such as an office or a gym. This data can be used in company productivity studies or energy saving studies for buildings, leading to healthier work environments with lower energy consumption due to the activation of the appropriate devices only at the necessary time intervals.

[0011] The device described may be small, portable, and include a high-performance, low-energy-consumption microprocessor unit. It can support harvesting energy from the environment through an integrated circuit, such as photovoltaics, and the conversion of kinetic energy into electricity, so it can also operate with a battery, allowing for portability. Regarding the collection of measurements, it can operate without pumping air to the sensors. Calibration, which can be continuous and dynamic, may be implemented by the software. Moreover, due to the possibility of remote access, maintenance work can be performed on the device, i.e. an analysis of the operation of the device, error diagnosis and correction, without the need for the engineer’s physical access to the device, wherever in the world it may be. All of these features render it accessible to any user, as the device can be small in size, light, and portable, as well as lower in cost.

Brief description of the figures

[0012] The above brief description, as well as the extensive description that follows, will be better understood if read in conjunction with the figures shown. For illustration purposes, the figures show specific embodiments of this description. However, it should be understood that this description is not limited to the specific embodiment and the features displayed. The accompanying figures, which are included in and are part of the description, show the implementation of devices in accordance with this description, and, along with the description, are used to explain the advantages and principles in accordance with this description. [0013] Figure 1 shows the commercially available AQM65 device, as it has been made public in the device's user guide.

[0014] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an indicative shell of the device of this invention.

[0015] Figure 3A shows an indicative design of the front view of the same device.

[0016] Figure 3B shows another indicative design of the front view of the device.

[0017] Figure 3C shows a different indicative design of the front view of the device.

[0018] Figure 4A shows, at the front and back view of the board, an indicative general design of the spatial planning of the hardware components that constitute the device.

[0019] Figure 4B shows, at the front and back view of the board, an indicative general design of the spatial planning of the hardware components that constitute the device, and the external connection of the actuator.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the plan of an indicative communication mode of the device’s hardware components.

[0021] Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show alternative, more detailed indicative connection and communication modes of the device’s hardware components.

[0022] Figure 7 shows the general principle of use/architecture of the device.

Detailed description

[0023] The phraseology and terminology used below are for the purpose of description and should not be considered limiting. For example, the use of the singular, such as“a” or “an”, is not intended to determine the number of items. Also, the use of prepositions of place, such as“up”,“down”,“left”,“right”,“next to” etc., are used in the description to clarify certain elements of the figures and are not intended to limit the scope of this description or the accompanying claims.

In addition, it should be understood that any of the features of this description can be used independently or in combination with other features. Other functionally equivalent systems, methods, features, uses, and advantages of this description will be apparent to someone specialized in the relevant technical field once they have examined the figures and the description. All additional systems, methods, features, uses, and advantages are intended to be within the scope of this description and to be protected by the range of the accompanying claims.

[0024] The device (100) of this description, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists of an outer shell (201), which consists of the front part (203) and the back part (205). Between the front and the back part (203), (205) there is an intermediate board (207) which is enclosed within the two outer parts of the shell.

[0025] Each of the front part (203) and the back part (205) of the outer shell has a top side (2031), (2051), a bottom side (2035), (2055), a right and a left side (2037), (2057) and (2039), (2059), and the outer side (2033), (2053). On the top sides (2031), (2051) and/or on the outer sides (2033), (2053) there may be one or more air inlet and outlet (209) sockets for the inflow and outflow of the air to be measured. Due to these sockets, air flow can be done naturally, without the use of a pump, resulting in lower energy consumption when using the device. Nevertheless, the selective presence of an air pump (417) inside the shell can ensure the uninterrupted operation of the device even when there is no wind. The air pump (417) can only be operated at the user's discretion, or following a command from the device's software. Therefore, the pump is not in constant operation. On the outer back part (2053) of the shell there may be additional slots (211) so that the heat generated while the device is in use or due to the prolonged exposure of the device to the sun can be released. On the top sides (2031), (2051), there may be one or more photovoltaic cells to harvest energy from solar radiation and charge the battery when the device is installed outdoors. In this case the shell may be made of waterproof material, for example according to the IP 65 standard.

[0026] On the bottom side of the front and back part (2035), (2055) there may be supports

(213) that allow air to flow under the device as well.

[0027] On the front outer side (2033) there may be one or more screens (215), (315) on which the user can read the measured values. The screen can be a touch screen and allow the user to select or configure the various functions of the device. While Figures 2 and 3 show a screen (215), (315), the device may not contain its own screen but it may be connected to a different, external screen, or the measurements and various options provided to the user may be displayed on the screen of another device, for example the screen of a mobile phone, the information screen in a public place, the screen of a watch, a TV screen, or a web browser application.

[0028] On the front outer side (2033) there may be a switch (217) that turns the device on or off (ON/OFF). Figure 2 shows an indicative position for the switch (217), which can however be located anywhere else on the top side (2031), (2051), on the right side (2037), (2057), on the left side (2039), (2059) or on the outer side (2033), (2053) of the shell.

[0029] On the intermediate board (207) there are the internal hardware components of the device that determine its functions. Figure 4A shows an indicative arrangement of the components, which may be modified depending on the number of components and the available space allowed for by the shell design. One or more actuators (408), e.g. a relay, an air filter, may be part of the device itself (100), since one or more of the actuators (408) are located inside the shell (201) of the device (100).

[0030] As shown in Figure 4A, one or more sensors (401) are mounted on the top of the board (207). The set of sensors (401) may include sensors of any type, preferably limited size sensors or miniature sensors, such as sensors produced by printing technologies, printed gas sensors, substrate level sensors, metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) based sensors, micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, electrochemical sensors or printed electrochemical sensors, sensor integrated circuit, optical sensors, moisture sensors, nano-sensors, or composite sensors.

[0031] Sensors (401) can measure specific components and the quality of atmospheric air. For example, in the case of dust: oxygen, ozone, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, atmospheric methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, products of an incomplete combustion of coal, such as carbon black, volatile organic compounds (VOC), pollen, Lead (Pb), moisture level, temperature, and particles (PM 1, PM2.5, PM 10). Sensors may also measure parameters related to thermal comfort, such as luminosity, air speed, mean radiant temperature, and the presence and amount of germs in the air and/or on exposed surfaces such as air conditioners, food packaging, and hospital premises. Sensors (401) have a sensitivity range of at least 1 particle per billion (1 ppb). Also, in order to achieve more accurate measurements and lower energy consumption, analog sensors are preferred. Depending on the user's requirements in measurement accuracy, all sensors may be analog and of high sensitivity, all sensors may be digital and of different sensitivities, or each sensor may be of different sensitivity and the user may choose whether it will be analog or digital.

[0032] In general, the measurement accuracy of the various devices is based not only on their specifications but also on their calibration at regular time intervals with the appropriate certified calibration devices. The sensors (401) used in the device presented in this description require an initial calibration in the laboratory, either by using external devices or by using calibration gases of known concentration or by reducing the reference device measurements. Then, their calibration may be continuous, dynamic, and automatic, while some additional calibration in the laboratory may be needed at sparse intervals. Auto-calibration of the device may be based on the software included in the device's Central Processing Unit (CPU) (405), supporting the device's automatic calibration system, as shown below. It is also possible, if a user so wishes, to connect a conventional external calibration device to the device, which is not shown in the figures.

[0033] The sensors (401) included in a device may be independent of each other or a sensor may measure more than one element. The number of sensors included in the device may not be constant but may depend on the number and type of elements the consumer wants to measure. The device may therefore have different measurement capabilities, and may be adjusted to the user's needs.

[0034] If the device includes at least one analog sensor (401), then this sensor may cooperate with at least one analog to digital converter (ADC) (403). The converter (403) will convert the analog signal to digital before sending it to by processed by the electronic processor (405). To save space within the device, the converter (403) can be a printed circuit board which may include other signal processing elements such as filters or signal amplifiers, which are not shown in the accompanying figures. Filters, signal amplifiers, and communication interface adapters may also be included within the sensor, or the sensor may be accompanied by a printed circuit board (sensor interface) that includes these. For example, the set of sensors (401) may consist of the printed circuit board - interface (4011) that has a number of holes (4013) and a corresponding number of sensors (401) which adapt to the holes (4013) and communicate with the board-interface (4011). The board-interface (4011) may guide all or some of the sensors (401). The sensors (401) may not have an interface, but when they do, the board -interface (401 1) may constitute a single printed circuit together with the converter (403), or they may both be independent, as shown in Figure 4A. Additionally, the analog sensor may be connected to an external or internal device that converts the analog signal to digital. If at least one of the sensors (401) is digital, then it can be connected directly to the central processing unit, bypassing the converter (403).

[0035] The communication system (407) of the device is at the top right part of the board (207). The communication system (407) may be used by the sensors (401) to communicate with one or more actuators (408), creating one or more communication interface circuits for the sensors and actuators. While the actuators may be included in the device described, they may not be part of the device itself, as shown in Figure 4B. The purpose of communication may be the activation/deactivation or modification of the operating speed of air quality management devices, such as dehumidifiers, air conditioners, fans, air filters, shading systems. The central processing unit may communicate directly with the actuators by physically interfacing the actuator with the device via communication interface adapters such as CoAp, MQTT, LWM2M, Mod-Bus, CAN-Bus, RS485, but they may also communicate remotely via a third translator-device (410) which“translates” the commands for activation according to the various actuator technologies. They may also communicate via cloud computing. The translator (410) may use one, or more than one at the same time, of the available communication protocols, for example Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), RF (Radio-Frequency), IR (infrared) cable, WiFi, and Internet of Things (IoT) protocols, for example, Zigbee, XBee, 802.15.4, 6LowPAN, Lora, Mod-Bus, CAN-Bus, RS485, or Machine-to-Machine (M2M) protocols, for example CoAp, MQTT, LWM2M, as well as cellular networks and GPS. The translator (410) may also operate independently or be integrated into smart building automation systems, such as Business Management Systems (or Technical Building Systems). For low energy consumption purposes, the use of low energy communication protocols should be preferred, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Narrow Band IoT (NB - IoT). In case the sensors have an integrated communication system, which may use one or more of the above communication protocols, the communication system (407) of the device may be used as an auxiliary, depending on the technology of the actuator, as an alternative, for example in case of failure of the sensor's communication system, or may not be found in the device at all.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the central processing unit (CPU) (405), which can be a high-performance, low-energy consumption microprocessor, a single-board computer (Rasberry pi-Rpi), a microcontroller, or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), is located at the bottom of the board. A specialist in the relevant technical field can understand that the central processing unit (CPU) (405) may be located spatially at any other place on the board. The central processing unit (405) may collect and analyze data from the sensors (401), collect only the measurements and store them in a database, or match the measurements to a predefined action, e.g. by verifying the conditions of some logical rule, and cause this action e.g. activation/deactivation of an actuator, or send the measurements to another processor outside the device, for example a mobile phone, or another device of the same type, thus creating a mesh topology network, or send the measurements to cloud computing. The measurements are collected by interfacing the central processing unit with the sensors using different wired communication interface adapters, such as serial peripheral interface (SPI), inter-integrated circuit (I2C), Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) bus, GPIO, and/or using wireless technology (e.g., BLE, Zigbee, 6LowPAN, 802.15.14, Lora, NB-Iot, LWM2M).

Alternatively, the sensor and the central processing unit may be both found in the same device, i.e. the sensor may include the processing unit, so that the data exchange is done locally within the same integrated circuit. In this case, some of the measurements may be performed by the sensor itself while others are sent to the central processing unit, creating a star topology network with the central processing unit at the center. Moreover, the Central Processing Unit may be in idle mode (low energy consumption) while periodically communicating with the sensors, and when it detects that one of the sensors has new data to be transmitted or processed it is activated in order to serve this new data, saving energy resources (battery). The Central Processing Unit may also be connected to a voice recognition system, which can be integrated into the device to receive voice commands, for instance regarding the display of the current value of an air quality component or the activation of an actuator.

[0037] The necessary ports (41 1) for connecting other external devices and storage media, such as USB and micro-USB ports, Mod-Bus ports, CAN-Bus, RS485 for the direct connection of actuators, ports (413) for connecting an external screen such as HDMI ports, and ports (415) for connecting the device to the power supply, are also located on the board. Each of the ports is accessible through an opening on the shell of the device.

[0038] In addition to or as an alternative to the capacity to connect to a power supply, the device may include an energy collection and energy storage system (409). Energy may be harvested from the environment through an integrated system such as photovoltaics, which may cover part of the device's shell. It may also be harvested by converting kinetic energy into electricity. The generated energy can be stored in a battery that may be located inside the device or connected externally.

[0039] The device may contain a non-volatile data storage medium, for example a hard drive, memory card, etc., that is not shown in the figures. Since the use of a hard drive is often not supported by small processors and has high energy consumption requirements, one or more memory cards, e.g. SD (Secure-Digital) cards, can be used instead of an external drive. The operating system, if supported, and/or the air quality manager software may be stored in one of these cards. Alternatively, the air quality manager software may be stored in an external medium or integrated in the memory of the central processing unit.

[0040] The air quality manager software may include software for the collection, preprocessing, preventive analysis, summarizing, display, distributed processing, and mapping of the air quality data, as well as software for the automated control of actuators, pervasive computing, and electronic authentication. A specialist in the relevant technical field can understand that the individual parts of the air quality manager software mentioned are examples and that the air quality manager software may use and include different suitable software, methods, and algorithms that can be applied and/or optimize the device operation.

[0041] The collection software includes all the necessary software libraries, methods, and algorithms for interfacing the Central Processing Unit to the sensors, either through different communication interface adapters, such as SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, or inside the same integrated circuit. The collection software also includes the software libraries, methods, and algorithms for retrieving measurements and guiding the sensor to various parameters, such as the sampling rate and the structure of measurements.

[0042] The data pre-processing software corrects measurement errors, i.e. it balances moisture and temperature, corrects the slipping of the level line, separates the values of different pollutants which are read by the same sensor and affect each other (transverse sensitivity of the sensor, as in the sensor that simultaneously measures ozone and nitrogen oxides), cancels the electronic noise, and it extends the life of the sensor, via at least one method, for example by reducing the reference device measurements, instantaneous or summary, calculating the degree of correlation and the accuracy, i.e. performing calibration. This software also performs data cleaning, harmonization, and fusion via at least one method, for example by removing outliers (cleaning), with theory of evidence (fusion), or with ontologies or rule-based systems (harmonization), thus improving the quality of the measurements. It can also calculate the direct data summary, that is the hourly, daily, monthly, average, maximum, minimum and other statistics using the data flow processing model which calculates functions related to the plurality of data by using a small subset of data, thus saving memory and reducing response time. [0043] The data display software uses pre-calculated data flows, and based on them it calculates and displays the value of at least one type of air quality indicator, such as personal thermal comfort indicators (thermal comfort model), for example according to the Predictive Mean Vote (PMV) or Elevated Air Speed (EAS) model.

[0044] The data preventive analysis software acts as a preventive measure, avoiding equipment failure (communication means, sensors, actuators) by performing preventive maintenance via at least one method, such as machine learning (for instance deep learning) and standard recognition, comparing current measurements to older data related to equipment failure.

[0045] The software for the automatic control of actuators - critical control includes the machine learning of the safety limits of pollutants, the machine learning of comfort parameters, and the detection of unusual pollution situations, using at least one processing model, for example neural networks, and remotely activates devices to addressing them, for example by using expert system software (logical rules, Event Condition Action - ECA, clips, prolog, etc.) or an automatic control system (e.g. Reduced Order Model). It can also detect failures (communication means, sensors, actuators), for example by programming complexes and abstract events, and send the relevant notifications.

[0046] The data distributed processing software can store local sensor data and answer questions on this data. This software can connect to the internet and send measurements to at least one computing cloud, for example, it can send measurements to Amazon Web Services.

[0047] The non-real-time data analysis software processes non-real-time sensor measurements by using at least one or more than one indicators, for example an indicator of the aggregated exposure to pollutants. The software can also predict air quality via at least one method, such as the method of decision trees.

[0048] The mapping software calculates and constructs electronic maps of low-pollution routes via at least one method, such as the algorithm for finding the optimal route on a graph.

[0049] The pervasive computing software identifies the user's activity indoors via at least one method, such as the neural network. For example, it can identify whether the user is present in the area or if they are taking a shower from the concentration of moisture in the bathroom.

[0050] The electronic authentication software verifies the user's identity via at least one method, for example methods determined by the Open Authentication 2 - OAuth 2 standard.

[0051] The components described above may communicate and be connected to each other or directly to the electronic processor in accordance with the principle of star connection. The connection may be performed using a wire, wireless, or with a circuit that is printed on the board. The circuit may also have been created using other techniques, such as using ink made of metal, for example silver, or by printing on film. Some of the components can only send information while others can exchange information. Figure 5 shows an indicative, and not binding, diagram of communication between the various components of the device where all the sensors are analog. A specialist in the relevant technical field can understand that the device may include and/or use additional, fewer, and/or different devices not shown in the figure. In Figure 5 the arrows indicate the direction of the information, i.e. from where the information is transmitted, which is where the line starts, and which component is the receiver, which is where the tip of the arrow points. When the lines have arrows on both their ends, and both connected components can transmit and receive information, communication can be two- way.

[0052] Figures 6A - 6D show different assemblies of the device components in more detail. A specialist in the relevant technical field can understand that the diagrams of the figures are indicative and not binding. The permitted assemblies in the device are all the possible versions of the special case where a single board processor is used as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Respectively, the same applies to other types of processing units. In case of a single board computer, and in particular of the raspberry pi, the sensors can be connected to either the USB/UART (World Asynchronous Receiver - Transmitter) bus or the RPi header/GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) bus or the ADC bus or the DFE (Digital Front End) bus. As shown in Figures 6A - 6D, the Rpi can be in turns connected to:

• The power supply (DC power), or alternatively the battery (battery/power bank), the DFE, the AFE, and the volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor or carbon monoxide (CO) sensor.

• The power supply (DC power), or alternatively the battery (battery/power bank), the ADC, and the Real Time Clock (RTC). OS

• The power supply (DC power), or alternatively the battery (battery/power bank), and the volatile organic compound sensor.

• The power supply (DC power), or alternatively the battery (battery/power bank), the non-dispersive infrared transmitter (Ndir transmitter board), and the carbon dioxide sensor (C02 sensor).

The sensors connected to the same bus are parallel to each other e.g. the volatile organic compound sensor with the carbon monoxide sensor, and the analog to digital converter (ADC) with the particle sensor and the DFE.

[0053] It is understood that the device for measuring atmospheric air components of this description may be manufactured in a variety of dimensions and features, depending on the user's needs. The device may be small so that the user can always have it with him, for example in the form of a personal item, such as a watch or pendant, or it may be adjusted on the user's clothes or a bag. This device weighs 50 gr to 1000 gr, preferably 50 gr to 500 gr, and even more preferably 50 gr to 400 gr, so that it is easy for the user to have it on him constantly. The device may also be integrated into a larger device that does not include its own electronic processor but includes more sensors and sockets connecting it to the components of the smaller device. Once the smaller device has been assembled into the larger one, it can operate in the same way as it would have if it had been produced as a single larger device. This way it can cover the needs of the user when they are outdoors and on the move, as well as their different needs when they are indoors and wish to measure more atmospheric air parameters. The device can be manufactured in larger dimensions so as to meet more extensive needs and may include a wider range of sensors.

[0054] Figure 7 shows the general architecture of the system and some indicative functions of the device. The device is always in the surrounding area where the measurements take place. It is not necessary for the user to be in the same surrounding area, for example they can leave the device indoors or outdoors and then move to another area if they so wish. The device may perform measurements in real time using the sensors, while it can also receive the measurements from another device and process them. Depending on the measurements and analyses of the device, it may activate or deactivate other devices that regulate the air quality in a space like a room or office, or the air quality in an entire building. The device may also function as a“smart thermostat” in order to save energy resources in renovated or newly built buildings. This function can be achieved through the automatic control of the ventilation, air conditioning, and shading mechanisms, in combination with energy consumption sensors, individual or integrated in smart sockets, which measure the energy consumption of the ventilation, air conditioning, and shading mechanisms. The device can also calculate the energy saved by its operation as compared to if it was not in operation.

[0055] The device can support synchronous functions with continuous measurements, and functions that use measurements recorded in cloud computing databases. The device can analyze measurements and generate diagrams and other visual means for the user to understand the composition of the atmosphere. The device can also support learning algorithms of the user’s comfort conditions, such as rule-based programming, abstract event programming, and machine learning, and adjust the atmospheric quality to these.