Method of making comparisons of indoor air quality scores

• US 7,389,158 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aircuity Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aircuity Incorporated
• Inventors: Desrochers, Eric M., Sharp, Gordon P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett; Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US11/391,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20060173580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/49, 700/277, 706/930, 706/931
• US Class Current: 700/277
• 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. A method of making comparisons of indoor air quality (IAQ), comprising the steps of:

collecting indoor air quality data for at least two different air quality parameters from at least two distinct locations;

using an expert system to determine weights to be applied to each of the air quality parameters, apply the weights to the parameters, and combine each of the weighted parameters from a location into an IAQ score for that location;

storing the IAQ scores in a database; and

comparing the stored IAQ scores to one another.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of collecting data comprises measuring various air quality parameters.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of collecting data further comprises sending collected data to the database via a public network.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of collecting data comprises collecting data from at least one sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of a carbon dioxide sensor, a particle sensor, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising determining a rating of comfort and ventilation at a location using data from at least a carbon dioxide sensor, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor at the location.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of collecting data comprises collecting data from at least one sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of a carbon monoxide sensor and a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising determining a measure of pollutants at a location using data from at least a carbon monoxide sensor and a VOC sensor at the location.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising determining a rating of energy efficiency or the use of outside air.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the weights are determined empirically.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the comparing step comprises generating a result of how the IAQ score of a location compares to the IAQ score of other locations.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising using the expert system to make ventilation recommendations based on the result.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the recommendations allow the result to improve.

13. The method of claim 10 in which the result is a percentile result of how the IAQ score of a location compares to the IAQ score of other locations.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising combining the IAQ scores from a plurality of distinct locations to create a multiple location index that is representative of more than one location.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said multiple location index is representative of the indoor air quality of an entire building.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said multiple location index is representative of the indoor air quality of a portion of a building.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the distinct location are separate buildings.

18. A method of making comparisons of indoor air quality (IAQ), comprising the steps of:

collecting indoor air quality data for at least two different air quality parameters from at least two distinct locations by measuring various air quality parameters using at least one sensor selected from the group of sensors consisting of a carbon dioxide sensor, a particle sensor, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor;

using an expert system to determine weights to be applied to each of the air quality parameters, apply the weights to the parameters, and combine each of the weighted parameters from a location into an IAQ score for that location;

storing the IAQ scores in a database;

comparing the stored IAQ scores to one another and generating a result of how the IAQ score of a location compares to that of other locations; and

using the expert system to make recommendations based on the result.

19. A method of making comparisons of indoor air quality (IAQ), comprising the steps of:

collecting indoor air quality data for at least two different air quality parameters from at least two distinct locations by measuring various air quality parameters using at least one sensor selected from a first group of sensors consisting of a carbon dioxide sensor, a particle sensor, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, and at least one sensor selected from a second group of sensors consisting of a carbon monoxide sensor and a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor;

using an expert system to determine weights to be applied to each of the air quality parameters, apply the weights to the parameters, and combine each of the weighted parameters from a location into an IAQ score for that location;

storing the IAQ scores in a database;

comparing the stored IAQ scores to one another and generating a result of how the IAQ score of a location compares to that of other locations;

using the expert system to make ventilation recommendations based on the result;

determining a rating of comfort and ventilation at a first location using data from at least a carbon dioxide sensor, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor at the first location; and

determining a measure of pollutants at a location using data from at least a carbon monoxide sensor and a VOC sensor at the first location.