Indoor air quality monitoring system

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to indoor air quality monitoring systems and related methods. In an embodiment an indoor air quality monitoring system is included having a control circuit, a memory circuit, and a sensor channel interface. The system can be configured to store a model set of data reflecting information on air quality determining features within a physical indoor environment, receive sensor data regarding air quality at discrete points within the physical indoor environment, and evaluate the sensor data regarding air quality and perform operations to generate one or more outputs relating to air quality within the physical indoor environment. Other embodiments are also included herein.

1 . An indoor air quality monitoring system comprising:
 a control circuit;   a memory circuit, wherein the memory circuit is in electronic communication with the control circuit; and   a sensor channel interface, wherein the sensor channel interface is in electronic communication with the control circuit;   wherein the system is configured to
 store a model set of data reflecting information on air quality determining features within a physical indoor environment; 
 receive sensor data regarding air quality at discrete points within the physical indoor environment; and 
 evaluate the sensor data regarding air quality and perform operations to generate one or more outputs relating to air quality within the physical indoor environment. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the operations to generate one or more outputs comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of
 executing airflow modeling calculations using the model set of data reflecting the air quality determining features and estimating air quality values at discrete geolocation points within the physical indoor environment,   evaluating the sensor data regarding air quality to determine whether changes to the air quality determining features or the operating parameters thereof are needed in a present state or a future state to maintain one or more predetermined air quality standards, and   generating one or more recommendations regarding maintaining or enhancing air quality within the physical indoor environment.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined air quality standards include at least one selected from the group consisting of levels of particulates, levels of VOCs, levels of CO 2 , levels of CO, levels of NO 2 , and levels of SO 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , the air quality determining features comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of airborne contaminant removal devices, air flow generating devices or systems, airborne contaminant generating devices or zones, and air exchange features. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , the airborne contaminant removal devices comprising dust collectors. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , the airborne contaminant removal devices comprising VOC removal devices. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , the model set of data comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of an air volume of the physical indoor environment and a physical configuration of the indoor environment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , the sensor data regarding air quality comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of current levels of particulates, current levels of VOCs, current levels of CO 2 , current levels of CO, current levels of SO 2 , current levels of NO 2 , and current temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to validate the model set of data by evaluating the sensor data regarding air quality in comparison with expected measures of air quality. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to validate the model set of data by evaluating the sensor data regarding air quality in comparison with expected measures of air quality at discrete points within the physical indoor environment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to update the model set of data by evaluating the sensor data regarding air quality in comparison with expected measures of air quality at discrete points within the physical indoor environment. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the system executes airflow modeling calculations using the model set of data reflecting the air quality determining features and estimates air quality values at discrete geolocation points within the physical indoor environment;   wherein the system compares the estimated air quality values at discrete geolocation points against sensor data related to the same discrete geolocation points; and   wherein the system adjusts further estimates based on the compared values.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit generates a user interface output. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , the user interface output comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of graphical objects representing the air quality determining features, values representing air quality measures, and a graphical representation of the physical indoor environment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to track estimated air quality at discrete geolocations within the physical indoor environment over time. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to calculate estimated exposure values to airborne contaminants associated with a presence at discrete geolocations or zones within the physical indoor environment longitudinally over time. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , the operations to generate one or more outputs comprising identifying one or more discrete geolocations or zones within the physical indoor environment wherein air quality has worsened unexpectedly. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , the operations to generate one or more outputs comprising:
 identifying one or more discrete geolocations or zones within the physical indoor environment wherein air quality has decreased by an amount exceeding a threshold value over a period of time; and   issuing a notification regarding the identified one or more discrete geolocations or zones.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , the operations to generate one or more outputs comprising identifying a likely source of air contamination based on information regarding one or more discrete geolocations or zones within the physical indoor environment wherein air quality has worsened unexpectedly, the sensor data regarding air quality, and the stored set of model data. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of monitoring indoor air quality comprising:
 storing a model set of data reflecting information on air quality determining features within a physical indoor environment;   receiving sensor data regarding air quality at discrete points within the physical indoor environment; and   evaluating the sensor data regarding air quality and performing operations to generate one or more outputs relating to air quality within the physical indoor environment.   
     
     
         23 - 41 . (canceled)