Air quality monitoring systems and methods

• US 20060173579A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eric M. Desrochers, Gordon P. Sharp
• Original Assignee: Eric M. Desrochers, Gordon P. Sharp
• Inventors: Desrochers, Eric M., Sharp, Gordon P.
• Application Number:
  US11/391,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20060173579A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/26 with provision for intake from several spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/021 Correlating sampling sites with geographical information, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0034 comprising neural networks or related mathematical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/93 Environment

Abstract

An air monitoring system is disclosed having an air monitoring unit with at least one sensor for measuring data of an air quality parameter and a computer for storing the air quality parameter data received from the sensor. The air monitoring unit may use an installed or a portable system, or a combination of both, for measuring the air quality parameters of interest. A remote data center may be provided, and the data may be uploaded to the data center from the unit by a communications media such as the Internet. Information or instructions may also be downloaded from the data center to the unit via the communications media for controlling or modifying the function of the unit. An expert system may be provided with the air monitoring system for controlling the unit. The information or instructions downloaded to the unit may be generated by the expert system.

Claims

1. An air monitoring system, comprising:

an air monitoring unit comprising at least one sensor for measuring air quality parameter data; and

an Internet interface accessible through a wireless communication link,

wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to be in communication with the Internet interface through the wireless communication link.

2. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to upload information to the Internet interface through the wireless communication link.

3. The air monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said air quality parameter data is uploaded automatically on a periodic basis.

4. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to download information from the Internet interface through the wireless communication link.

5. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to upload information to the Internet interface from the air monitoring unit and download information to the air monitoring unit from the Internet interface through the wireless communication link.

6. The air monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

a base unit, wherein the base station is adapted to be connected to the Internet interface by a local wireless communication link.

7. The air monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the local wireless communication link is connected to a phone line.

8. The air monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the local wireless communications link is connected to an Ethernet system.

9. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to an Ethernet system.

10. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to a local area network.

11. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to a building control network.

12. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the air monitoring unit comprises at least two gas sensors.

13. The air monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the air monitoring unit comprises at least a carbon dioxide sensor and a particle detector.

14. The air monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a cellular phone.

15. An air monitoring system, comprising:

an air monitoring unit comprising at least one sensor, selected from a group consisting of;

a TVOC sensor, a CO sensor, a CO2 sensor, and a particle detector, for measuring air quality parameter data; and

a connection from said air monitoring unit to the Internet that allows data communications with the Internet;

wherein at least a portion of said connection comprises a wireless communication link;

wherein at least a portion of said wireless communications link comprises at least a portion of the air monitoring unit.

16. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to upload information to the Internet through the wireless communication link.

17. The air monitoring system as of claim 16, wherein the air quality parameter data is uploaded automatically on a periodic basis.

18. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to download information from the Internet through the wireless communication link.

19. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit is adapted to upload information to the Internet from the air monitoring unit and download information to the air monitoring unit from the Internet through the wireless communication link.

20. The air monitoring system of claim 15 further comprising:

a base unit, wherein the base station is adapted to be connected to the Internet by a local wireless communication link.

21. The air monitoring system of claim 20, wherein the local wireless communication link is connected to a phone line.

22. The air monitoring system of claim 20, wherein the local wireless communications link is connected to an Ethernet system.

23. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to an Ethernet system.

24. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to a local area network.

25. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the wireless communications link is connected to a building control network.

26. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit comprises at least two gas sensors wherein water vapor is not one of the gases sensed.

27. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit comprises at least a carbon dioxide sensor and a particle detector.

28. The air monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the air monitoring unit comprises at least a carbon dioxide sensor and a TVOC sensor.

29. The air monitoring system of claim 15, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a cellular wireless connection.