Method and device for environmental monitoring

Abstract

The present invention is related to an environmental monitoring and analyzing device. The device contains a plurality of sensors, a control unit and a display unit. The different types of sensor obtain values of different environmental parameters. The control unit receive the obtained values of the environmental parameters and compare the obtained values against predetermined standards and criteria which define parameter ranges of the different environmental parameters. A display unit display a real-time air quality report comprising a user-friendly interpretation of the obtained values and recommendations in response to the obtained values. By implementing this invention into an embodiment, the environmental monitoring analyzing is carried out instantly by considering the interrelationship of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters. The analyzed results are therefore much more accurate. A real-time comprehensive and easily understood by non-technical user air quality report is provided.

1 . An environmental monitoring device, comprising:
 a plurality of sensors being of different types, the different types of sensor obtaining values of different environmental parameters;   a control unit to receive the obtained values of the environmental parameters and to compare the obtained values against predetermined standards and criteria which define parameter ranges of the different environmental parameters;   a display unit to display a real-time air quality report comprising a simultaneous forecast to provide an instant level assessment of at least one environmental parameter not obtained by the plurality of sensors;   wherein real-time analysis of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters is performed by considering the interrelationship of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters in order to interpret the obtained values and make a recommendation based on the obtained values.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the real-time air quality report comprising a simultaneous forecast to provide an instant level assessment of at least one environmental parameter not obtained by the plurality of sensors including at least one selected from the group consisting of: formaldehyde, airborne bacteria, radon and nitrogen monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, respirable suspended particulates, ozone, air flow rate, fungi level, total volatile organic compounds, temperature, relative humidity, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, overall air quality. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the real-time air quality report comprising
 a comment on at least one of the following: the conditions of the air exhausting conditions; the operation condition of the air filtration device; the sources which irritate the eyes and the respiration system; the number of the of indoor occupant, messages corresponding to interpretations; and/or   the recommendation on the operation of at least one of the following equipment: air exhausting system, humidifier, dehumidifier, air warming device, air cooling device, air filtration device, combustion oven or device, ventilation fan, vacuum cleaner; and/or   the recommendation on at least one of the following human action: to open the window, decrease the number of Occupants, leave the place immediately, not to smoke, wear a mask, carry out disinfection and cleaning works, remove dust; and or   recommendations and potential problems of the parameter ranges; user-friendly interpretation of the obtained values based on the parameter ranges.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the average levels of different environmental parameters by the plurality of sensors under their respective measurement periods are obtained. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the real-time air quality report comprising a simultaneous forecast based on the said average levels of the different environmental parameters to provide an instant average level assessment of at least one environmental parameter not obtained by the plurality of sensors is displayed. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air flow rate, heat conduction rate, disperse rate of the pollutants, pollutants emission rate, pollutant removal rate, air-change rate, and other time dependent values, can further be assessed and forecasted by the device by considering:
 (4) the interrelationship of instant and/or the average level of the obtained environmental parameters; or   (5) the interrelationship of said levels of the environmental parameters which are not obtained by the plurality of sensors; or   (6) The interrelationship of (1) and (2) of the above;   
       with the against the timing factor. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one communication input and output port is included in the device. When a plurality device of the same type are connected together with the said communication input and output port, the trends of any of the air flow path, heat conduction path, disperse path of the pollutants, pollutants emission path, pollutant removal path, air-change path is forecasted and be displayed in the said a real-time air quality report. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , the user is allowed to setup at least one of the following setting:
 the measurement period of each sensor;   the measurement interval for each sensor;   the operation criteria for each sensor, which based on the obtained values of the environmental parameters of the other sensor;   calculation and rule out criteria;   the number of sampling per sensor and the sampling time per sensor in each measurement period;   number of maximum and minimum sampling values which are to be ruled out during the calculation of the average level of the environmental parameters.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the user can decide and set to the device whether to employ a normal average calculation for each particular period of measurement or to employ a rolling average calculation for a long term period operation of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein any setup performed by the user, it can be done by user any time before or during the operation of the device; the user can input and stored the setup into the control unit of the device. The input method can be made by direct key-in through the input port or synchronized by a computer mean or flash memory 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standards and criteria includes a first judgment principle, the first judgment principle defining at least two parameter ranges for each environmental parameter, and a corresponding recommendation for each parameter range. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standards and criteria includes a second judgment principle, the second judgment principle defining at least one conditional array, the at least two parameter ranges defined by the first judgment principle are used as the parameter ranges for defining each conditional array, and a message corresponding to potential problems for each of the at least one conditional array is provided. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined standards and criteria includes a third judgment principle, the third judgment principle defining at least two categories for each environmental parameter, and air-quality-level judgment standards for air quality levels are defined based on the combination of different categories of the measured environmental parameters, and a message corresponding to air quality level by the air-quality-level judgment standards is provided. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the environmental parameter is any one from the group consisting of: temperature, relative humidity, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, dust, ozone, carbon dioxide, air flow rate, radon, and formaldehyde. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein an at least one input/output port is included and is being connected to a central processing unit of at least one air treatment unit;
 the central processing units of the said air treatment unit receive the messages corresponding to the said real-time air quality report from the device; and based on the message to establish setting and parameter values for the operating condition of the said air treatment unit.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the said air treatment includes any unit and modules of the air equipment containing one or the combination of the components from: fan of any type, blower, pump, drawer, filtration apparatus and/or filter for air pollutants of any type, apparatus for sterilizing the air, apparatus for environmental humidity controlling, apparatus for the environmental temperature controlling, apparatus for environmental air flow controlling, apparatus for controlling environmental brightness. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the setting and parameter values for the operating condition of the said air treatment unit based on the messages corresponding to the said real-time air quality report at least one or the combination of the following:
 the operating time, air flow rate, air flow path, the on and off of the air treatment unit; the on and off, the temperature setting of the apparatus for environmental humidity controlling;   the on and off of and the temperature setting of the apparatus for environmental temperature controlling;   the on and off, and power setting for the apparatus for sterilizing the air.   
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a part of the component which is being included in any unit and/or modules of the air equipment containing one or the combination of the components from: fan of any type, blower, pump, drawer, filtration apparatus and/or filter for air pollutants of any type, apparatus for sterilizing the air, apparatus for environmental humidity controlling, apparatus for the environmental temperature controlling, apparatus for environmental air flow controlling, apparatus for controlling environmental brightness. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises:
 a power supply;   control circuit;   input circuits;   output circuit;   a central processing unit; and   a memory to store the predetermined standards and criteria for judging the environmental parameters, messages corresponding to interpretations, recommendations and potential problems of the parameter ranges;   the power supply and control circuit connecting an external power supply to the device;   the input circuit collecting the obtained values from the sensors and outputting them to the central processing unit;   the central processing unit analyzing the obtained values based on the predetermined standards and criteria and defining the parameter ranges of each environmental parameter, and to output the interpretation and recommendation of each parameter range for display by the display unit.   
     
     
         20 . An environmental monitoring method, comprising:
 obtaining values of environmental parameters;   comparing the obtained values of the environmental parameters against predetermined standards and criteria which define parameter ranges of the different environmental parameters in a control unit; and   displaying a real-time air quality report from a control unit comprising a simultaneous forecast to provide an instant level assessment of at least one environmental parameter not obtained by the plurality of sensors.   wherein real-time analysis of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters is performed by considering the interrelationship of the obtained values of the different environmental parameters in order to interpret the obtained values and make recommendations based on the obtained values.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the a real-time air quality report comprising a simultaneous forecast to provide an instant level assessment of at least one environmental parameter not obtained by the plurality of sensors including at least one selected from the group consisting of: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, respirable suspended particulates, ozone, air flow rate, fungi level, total volatile organic compounds, temperature, relative humidity, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, overall air quality, formaldehyde, airborne bacteria, radon and nitrogen monoxide. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the real-time air quality report comprising
 a comment on at least one of the following: the conditions of the air exhausting conditions; the operation condition of the air filtration device; the sources which irritate the eyes and the respiration system; the number of the of indoor occupant, messages corresponding to interpretations; and/or   the recommendation on the operation of at least one of the following equipment: air exhausting system, humidifier, dehumidifier, air warming device, air cooling device, air filtration device, combustion oven or device, ventilation fan, vacuum cleaner; and/or   the recommendation on at least one of the following human action: to open the window, decrease the number of Occupants, leave the place immediately, not to smoke, wear a mask, carry out disinfection and cleaning works, remove dust; and or   recommendations and potential problems of the parameter ranges; user-friendly interpretation of the obtained values based on the parameter ranges.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the predetermined standards and criteria include a first, second and third judgment principle,
 the first judgment principle defining parameter ranges for the environmental parameters,   the second judgment principle defining conditional arrays, and at least two parameter ranges defined by the first judgment principle for use as parameter ranges for defining each conditional array,   the third judgment principle defining at least two categories for each environmental parameter, and air-quality-level judgment standards for air quality levels are defined based on the combination of different categories of the obtained values, and   a message corresponding to air quality level by the air-quality-level judgment standards is provided.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 20 , when the parameter ranges of first judgment principle of the conditional array reach to preset values, the parameter ranges of another first judgment principle which was originally consider by same said conditional array will become suppressed and ignored; the original conditional array will automatically shift to another conditional array. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 20 , when the parameter ranges of said another first judgment principle which was originally considered by same said conditional array become suppressed and ignored; the sensor for obtained the parameter ranges of said another first judgment principle will be turned off automatically for power saving; the sensor will become re-activated when the values of the parameter ranges being re-considered again at the time the parameter ranges of first judgment principle of the conditional array returned to original defined ranges.