FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The embodiment herein generally relates to the field of hygrometry and environmental sciences. More specifically, the invention provides an apparatus for controlling humidity, pressure and temperature in an enclosure or room based on outside weather condition automatically. Further, the invention provides an apparatus for controlling environmental weather condition of the room based on research and medical advancements using communication networks.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0002] Largely at household, people intend to use humidifier. But, there are ill effects as well, due to over humidification. Also the people at normal living conditions keep moving in and out of the living rooms and get exposed to the changes in the levels of humidity. And these changes can affect the normal health and wellness of people. Further, people with respiratory and skeletal joint issues may get affected in a larger extent compared to normal person. In addition to that, a consistent increase of humidity within a room may boost the growth of unhygienic organisms and that may be again harmful to the people.

[0003] However, in some research findings, researchers published about safe humidity levels that can be maintained in an enclosure such as living room or any targeted location, based on the outside (environmental) levels of humidity. So, if the safe humidity level is maintained in the enclosure based on the outside weather condition then the ill effect can be minimized.

[0004] Another challenge is that the levels of humidity keep on varying in a day from sunrise to sunset depending on sunlight and wind. Further, the weather condition can even change across the year depending on the season. The location of the house/room with direct sunlight or under a shade changes the surrounding temperature and humidity. Eventually, it is humanly not possible to adjust the settings of the humidifier time and again

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to develop an apparatus for controlling humidity, pressure and temperature in an enclosure or room based on outside weather condition automatically. Further, there is a need to develop an apparatus for controlling environmental weather condition of the room based on research and medical advancements using communication networks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:

[0007] A main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling humidity, pressure and temperature in an enclosure or room based on outside weather condition automatically.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling the relative humidity RH of the indoor environment based on outdoor weather condition (related to humidity, pressure P and temperature T) provided by an outdoor sensor.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling a humidifier according to the environment weather condition.

[00010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling a dehumidifier according to the environment weather condition.

[00011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling the indoor environment based on the outdoor weather by allowing a fresh air fan to push the air inside the enclosure to outside till optimum RH is reached.

[00012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling the indoor environment based on the outdoor weather with updated logics based on research and medical advancement. [00013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing adequate use of humidifier and turning-it-off to avoid the ill effects from humidity.

[00014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing an updated weather inside the enclosure using a mobile App.

[00015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing and analyzing the environment weather condition in a server for research purposes.

[00016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing more accurate weather information of any location if the outdoor sensor is deployed in multiple locations.

[00017] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00018] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a smart humidifier apparatus for automatically controlling an environment condition of an enclosure. More specifically, the embodiment herein provides a smart humidifier apparatus for controlling relative humidity RH of the indoor environment based on outdoor weather condition (humidity, pressure and temperature) in an enclosure or room automatically. The smart humidifier apparatus comprises of components that may include but is not limited to at least one indoor sensor, at least one outdoor sensor, at least one humidifier, at least one dehumidifier, a power supply, a communication device, a microcontroller and a communication network. The indoor sensor is provided for measuring weather condition of the enclosure. The outdoor sensor is provided for measuring weather condition outside the enclosure. The communication device can receive the measured weather condition from the outdoor sensor. The microcontroller can be configured for controlling the humidifier and the dehumidifier based on the measured weather condition obtained from the outdoor sensor through the communication device and the indoor sensor thereby to control the environmental condition of the enclosure through the communication network.

[00019] According to an embodiment, the measured weather condition obtained in the form of humidity (H), temperature (T), pressure (P) and so on. The outdoor sensor is connected to the microcontroller through a wired or wireless network that includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF module (Radio Frequency of ISM bands) or via the communication network through Wi-Fi and back to the microcontroller and so on. The apparatus further comprises of a display for displaying weather condition outside and inside the enclosure to a user. Further, the weather condition for inside the enclosure includes T and RH. Furthermore, the weather condition for outside the enclosure includes T, P and RH. The apparatus further comprises of a plurality of fresh air fans provided to push the air inside the enclosure to outside thereby to achieve optimum RH inside the enclosure. The power supply provided for supplying power to the component of the apparatus except the outdoor sensor. Further, the outdoor sensor can be powered by an external battery, in case an electrical input power is not possible.

[00020] According to an embodiment, the microcontroller can be further configured for updating functions of the apparatus through the communication network from a server to adjust the control over the humidifier and the dehumidifier based on a research and medical advancement. The server may include a memory and a processor. Further, the memory is provided to store the measured weather condition. The processor can be configured for analyzing the stored weather condition and for providing information to the microcontroller for further action based on the user requirement. The microcontroller further configured for update functions of the apparatus through the communication network from an interface device using a mobile App.

[00021] According to an embodiment, a method for automatically controlling an environmental condition of an enclosure using the apparatus comprising the steps of, sensing temperature (T), pressure (P) and relative humidity (RH) using an outdoor sensor, transmitting T, P and RH values from the outdoor sensor to a microcontroller through a communication device, obtaining T, and RH values from indoor sensor to a microcontroller through the communication device, controlling a humidifier to maintain the RH using the microcontroller, controlling a de -humidifier to maintain the RH using the microcontroller, turning ON fresh air fan by pushing air from inside to outside to reduce the RH inside a room, updating the microcontroller based on research and medical advancement through the communication network, displaying the indoor and outdoor T, RH and P values to the user, and allowing the outdoor sensor to collect weather information of the user's present location.

[00022] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00023] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[00024] Fig.1 illustrates a general block diagram of a smart humidifier apparatus, according to an embodiment herein; and

[00025] Fig. 2 illustrates a method of operation of the smart humidifier apparatus, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[00027] As mentioned above, there is a need to develop an apparatus for automatically controlling an environmental condition of an enclosure. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing an apparatus for controlling the humidifier and the dehumidifier based on the measured weather condition obtained from the outdoor sensor and the indoor sensor thereby to control the environmental condition of the enclosure through the communication network automatically. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

[00028] Fig.1 illustrates a general block diagram 100 of a smart humidifier apparatus, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the smart humidifier apparatus is provided for controlling relative humidity RH of the indoor environment based on outdoor weather condition such as humidity, pressure and temperature in an enclosure 113 or room automatically. The smart humidifier apparatus comprises of components that may include but is not limited to at least one indoor sensor 102, at least one outdoor sensor 112, at least one humidifier 105, at least one dehumidifier 106, a power supply 104, a communication device 107, a microcontroller 101 and a communication network 111.

[00029] According to an embodiment, the indoor sensor 102 is provided for measuring weather condition of the enclosure 113 and that is connected to the microcontroller 101 for sending the measured weather condition. Further, the outdoor sensor 112 can measure the weather condition that includes temperature (T), pressure (P), and relative humidity (RH) outside the enclosure 113/ a room. The outdoor sensor 112 is provided for measuring weather condition outside the enclosure 113. Further, the indoor sensor 102 can measure the weather condition that includes temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) of the enclosure / a room 113. The communication device 107 can receive the measured weather condition from the outdoor sensor 112 directly or through the communication network 111.

[00030] According to an embodiment, the microcontroller 101 can be configured for controlling the humidifier 105 and the dehumidifier 106 based on the measured weather condition obtained from the outdoor sensor 112 through the communication device 107 and the indoor sensor 102 thereby to control the environmental condition of the enclosure 113 through the communication network 111. That is the humidifier 105 is turned on to increase the RH by blowing humidified air through a humidified air outlet 110 to the enclosure 113. In case the humidity level need to be reduced means then the humidifier 105 is turned off and the dehumidifier 106 is turned on. The dehumidifier 106 can take air from the enclosure 113, absorbs moisture in the air and blow the dry air to the enclosure 113 through a dry air outlet 108.

[00031] According to an embodiment, the measured weather condition obtained in the form of relative humidity (RH), temperature (T), pressure (P) and so on. The outdoor sensor 112 is connected to the microcontroller 101 through a wired or wireless network that includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF module (Radio Frequency of ISM bands) or via the communication network through Wi-Fi and back to the microcontroller and so on. The apparatus further comprises of a display 103 for displaying weather condition outside and inside the enclosure 113 to a user. Further, the weather condition for inside the enclosure 113 includes T and RH. Furthermore, the weather condition for outside the enclosure 113 includes T, P and RH. The power supply 104 is provided for supplying power to the component of the apparatus except the outdoor sensor 112. Further the outdoor sensor 112 can be powered by an external battery, in case an electrical input power is not possible.

[00032] According to an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises of a plurality of fresh air fans 109 provided to push the air inside the enclosure 113 to outside thereby to achieve optimum RH inside the enclosure 113. For example, if the RH level need to be brought down inside the room and the outside RH is substantially less than the inside RH. Then, in that case, the fresh air fans 109 can be used to push the inside air to outside till the inside RH is brought to the optimum range.

[00033] According to an embodiment, the microcontroller 101 can be further configured for updating functions of the apparatus through the communication network 111 from a server 114 to adjust the control over the humidifier 105 and the dehumidifier 106 based on a research and medical advancement. For example, the safe RH level can be varied according to the location. So, the function of the microcontroller 101 can be changed through the server 114, based on the research and medical advancements. The server 114 may include but is not limited to a memory and a processor. Further, the memory is provided to store the measured weather condition. Upon prolonged use of the apparatus, the measured weather condition can be stored in the memory. The processor can be configured for analyzing the stored weather condition and for providing information to the microcontroller 101 for further action based on the user requirement.

[00034] According to an embodiment, the microcontroller 101 can be further configured for update functions of the apparatus through the communication network 111 from an interface device 115 using a mobile App 116. The user has to install the mobile App 116 in the interface device 115 for controlling the smart humidifier apparatus via the communication network 111. The signal from the communication network 111 is then received and processed by the communication device 107 for further action. That is either to turn on or off the humidifier 105 or dehumidifier 106 or fresh air fan 109. The processer in the server 114 allows the user to access the smart humidifier apparatus using the mobile App 116 via the communication network 111. Further, the mobile App 116 allows the user to update the microcontroller 101 based on the research and the medical advancement for adjusting the apparatus to safe humidity level for a specific location and user's health condition.

[00035] According to an embodiment, the interface device 115 can include but not limited to mobile telephone, tablet, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, a web appliance, or any device capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that device. Further, while only a single device is illustrated, the term "device" shall also be taken to include any collection of devices that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

[00036] Exemplary methods for automatically controlling an environmental condition of an enclosure 113 are described with reference to Fig 2. These exemplary methods can be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The methods can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communication network 111. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located both in local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.

[00037] The exemplary methods are illustrated as a collection of operations in a logical flow graph representing a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The order in which the methods are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the methods, or alternate methods. Additionally, individual operations may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. In the context of software, the operations represent computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.

[00038] Fig. 2 illustrates a method 200 of operation of the smart humidifier apparatus, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the method for automatically controlling an environmental condition of an enclosure 113 using the apparatus comprising the steps of,

[00039] at block 201, the outdoor sensor 112 can sense a temperature (T), pressure (P) and relative humidity (RH) of the location outside the enclosure 113 or room; [00040] at block 202, the outdoor sensor 112 can transmit the measured T, P and RH values to the microcontroller 101 through the wired or wireless communication network via the communication device 107;

[00041] at block 203, the microcontroller 101 can obtain the T, and RH values from indoor sensor 102;

[00042] at block 204, the microcontroller 101 can control the humidifier 105 to maintain the RH based on the measured T, P and RH values obtained from the indoor sensor 102 and outdoor sensors 112 on continuous basis;

[00043] at block 205, the microcontroller 101 can control the de-humidifier 106 to maintain the RH based on the measured T, P and RH values obtained from the indoor sensor 102 and outdoor sensors 112 on continuous basis;

[00044] at block 206, the microcontroller 101 can turn-on the fresh air fan by pushing air from inside to outside of the enclosure 113 to reduce the RH inside the enclosure 113 or room;

[00045] at block 207, the microcontroller 101 can be updated by a user through a server 114 or a mobile App 116 via the communication network 111 based on research and medical advancement;

[00046] at block 208, the indoor and outdoor T, RH and P values can be displayed to the user in the display 103;

[00047] at block 209, the apparatus can allow the outdoor sensor 112 to collect weather information of the user's present location on continuous basis; and

[00048] at block 210, the microcontroller is allowed to share action taken and status of inside weather information to the user. Further, the microcontroller is allowed to share action taken based on outside weather condition such as temperature, humidity and pressure.

[00049] According to an embodiment, the apparatus can be used as a household appliance at home and also at small offices. Further, the apparatus can also be used in hospitals as well according to the user's (patient) health condition. In addition to that, the apparatus can be used for providing more accurate weather information of any location if the outdoor sensor 112 is deployed in multiple locations. Thus the apparatus aids in maintaining the safe humidity level in the enclosure 113 based on the outside whether condition thereby the ill effect can minimizes.

[00050] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.