Patent Application
20230258359
The present invention relates to control applications. More specifically, the invention relates to control applications for a single appliance as well as a network of appliances.
With a growing focus on clean air and an ever-changing definition of what it means to have clean air, air purifying systems are becoming more prevalent in home, office, and industry. As disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/646,086, titled “Air Purifying System,” these systems have the ability to reduce air pollutants, including pollen, dust, smoke, viruses and other particulates, by up to 99.99%. The '086 application is hereby incorporated by reference. However, individual units are limited as to how much air they can take in and clean, so larger areas require the use of multiple units.
For example, an office building, a daycare, or a school building could require the use of numerous air purifying units to achieve a desired clean air quality. While controlling the operation of a single unit can be accomplished using ubiquitous Wi-Fi and BLUETOOTH® technology, the task becomes somewhat daunting as the number of air cleaning systems requiring control increases. Determining where to place each of the units and periodically changing and/or cleaning the numerous filters are initial considerations which make coordinating maintenance, operation, and location of just two individual air purifying systems a difficult undertaking. Where the use of three units is required; four units; 10 or more units, accessing operational control of each unit, especially using Wi-Fi and BLUETOOTH® connectivity, becomes increasingly confusing and difficult.
For this reason, a control application is needed which can handle multiple units. Further, a control application which allows individual units to be grouped together to better coordinate operation would be beneficial. Until the invention of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art went either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a control application which performs multiple functions with the associated air purifying devices without sacrificing operational features, designs, style or affordability.
There is disclosed herein an improved mobile device having a control app for controlling air filtering systems, as well as a method for controlling such air filtering systems. The system and method avoid the disadvantages of prior systems and methods while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
Generally speaking, the mobile device used for controlling a plurality of air filtering units comprises a display, at least one processor, and memory stored instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to perform specific operations.
In a preferred embodiment, the specific operations comprise steps of displaying a graphical interface having a plurality of icons, wherein each of the plurality of icons corresponds to one of either a preset operation or a control feature of the plurality of air filtering units; linking the graphical interface individually to each of the plurality of air filtering units through a wireless network; assigning each of the individually linked plurality of air filtering units to at least one collection of air filtering units; naming and storing the at least one collection of air filtering units; navigating the graphical interface in response to a user selecting one of the plurality of icons; inputting, by a user, a single set of appropriate operating parameters for the named and stored at least one collection of air filtering units based on the icon selected by a user; and sending the inputted single set of operating parameters to each air filtering unit assigned to the at least one collection of air filtering systems via the wireless network to thereby control the air filtering units together.
In specific embodiments of the disclosed mobile device and app, the graphical interface comprises a plurality of menu screens. Further, the icons corresponding to control features of the plurality of air filtering units comprise a power on/off button, a timer button, a sleep button, an alarm button, and a fan speed button.
In still other specific embodiments of the disclosed mobile device and app, the memory stored instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to perform operations further comprises receiving sensor information from the plurality of air filtering units, and responding to the sensor information received from the plurality of air filtering units.
Preferably, the at least one collection of air filtering units comprises a hierarchy of at least two levels, and most preferably at least three levels. The hierarchy of at least two levels comprises at least one first level collection including at least two air filtering units selected from the plurality of air filtering units, and at least one second level collection including at least two first level collections. Likewise, the hierarchy of at least three levels comprises at least one first level collection including at least two air filtering units selected from the plurality of air filtering units, at least one second level collection including at least two first level collections, and at least one third level collection including at least two second level collections. Preferably, the graphical interface of the mobile app comprises icons corresponding to each of the at least three levels in the hierarchy.
Generally speaking, as to the method for remotely controlling a plurality of air filtering units, the method comprises the steps of connecting each of a plurality of air filtering systems to a wireless network, each of the connected air filtering systems being positioned in an area; connecting a mobile device having a display, at least one processor, and memory, to the wireless network, wherein the memory includes stored instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to perform operations, wherein the operations comprise;
In specific embodiments, the method for remotely controlling a plurality of air filtering units further comprising continually receiving air quality data from the at least one collection of air filtering systems, and determining the air quality in an area, and alerting when the air quality is below a predetermined threshold. Preferably, the inputted single set of operating parameters is based on the determined air quality in an area.
These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
The control app 10 is preferably loaded as operating instructions onto a mobile device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or the like. However, many of the program instructions may be stored on at least one server which is accessible to the mobile device having the control app 10 loaded thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device includes a display, at least one processor, and memory for storage of control app 10 instructions. When executed by the at least one processor of the mobile device, specific operations are performed by the mobile device in connection with the plurality of air filtering units 12. The control app 10 and instructions can be more readily understood from the following description of at least one preferred embodiment in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
With reference to
The disclosed control app 10 includes preset programming to facilitate and coordinate operation of individual units 12, groups 30, zones 40 and/or locations 50 (interchangeably and collectively referred to herein as “systems”). Just a few of the features of the control app 10 include automated responses, tracking of air quality data, advanced purchasing of replacement parts, and alerts.
Automated response: A user—i.e., the person or persons having access to the control app—can set parameters based on the scope of data received from a unit 12. These parameters can be based on, for example, air quality and location of each unit 12. Based on air quality data and cross-referencing with each unit's location, an automated operation schedule can be implemented by the control app 10. That is, the app 10 can continuously receive data on air quality based on the average of multiple unit readings and determine to start an air filtering sequence (e.g., “Ultimate Clean” mode) by sending an appropriate signal to all relevant units 12. Once the data indicates, a signal can be sent to return units to normal operation.
Track Air Quality Data: The app can store data for a given period of time and determine areas of greater concern of air quality based on, for example, the frequency of air filtering corrections made in a given time period (e.g., week or month). Such data can be used to determine whether more units might be required to improve air quality issues or uncover a greater problem in the area that may need addressing by an institution.
The app can take readings regarding air quality from each unit 12 within a system of units—i.e., group 30, zone 40 or location 50—and average the data for a specific area. The individual readings for each of a plurality of units within any given area can provide important information about a zone or region. However, an averaged value for all the units within the zone or region, displayed graphically in the app, provides a general air quality condition to allow a user to properly manage the units 12 to improve that general air quality.
In-App Purchase (e.g., replacement filters): The control app 10 can keep track of, for example, filter changes based on alerts sent from a unit 12. The app 10 can log a series of filter changes and determine when a user should clean or purchase new filters. This process can be automated and may include subscription capabilities for filter replacements. A payment gateway process may be used to replenish customers with filters automatically based on real-time data from each air filtering unit 12.
Alert system: As air quality readings are taken, the control app 10 could potentially interpret serious air situations. With specific threshold levels preset at the control app 10, the simultaneous triggering of an individual unit 12, a group 30 (i.e., multiple units 12), a zone 40 (i.e., multiple groups 30), or location 50 (i.e., multiple zones 40) could be considered an emergency situation (e.g., high smoke readings) requiring alerts to either a user, an institution (e.g., school office, building management) or local fire departments. Ultimately, there are ways to use sensors on each unit 12, whether as individual units or as a collective, to determine changes in air quality, and assign various alerts to elicit a response by either the air filtering units 12 or personnel.
Referring now to
The menu of Screen 3 shows two systems saved on the control app 10—i.e., System A and System B. Either of these two systems can be selected by tapping on the menu listing. Similarly, the menu for “Add to new system” shown in Screen 4 allows entry of a name for the new system for the selected units.
Referring now to the screen shots of
Finally, the interface of Screen 7 is used to select individual units 12 within a system to control. The interface may show all available units currently being controlled under a designated group (e.g., System A). Units may be removed or added through this interface.
Turning now to
As can be seen in the flowchart of
Beginning with the main screen 80, there is a sliding navigation bar 82 along the top with menu items including (reading left to right) “All Devices,” “Areas,” “Zones,” and “Regions.” The latter three items may correspond to “groups,” “zones,” and “locations” as described above. Screen 80 is currently set to “All Devices” and is displaying, by name, individual units 12 connected, via Wi-Fi, to the control app 10. Where other compatible electronic devices are also connected to the control app 10 (e.g., fans, ovens, etc.), they could be listed at the top of the screen, as shown by icon 86 for an oven. Further, unit names 90 and coded icon indicators 92 can be used to provide information on each unit—e.g., whether the unit is assigned to an area, zone and/or region. Other possible indicators may show a timer, on/off, filter status, or other operational parameters.
A “plus” icon 94 located just below the navigation bar 82 allows a user to go to the screen where individual units 12 can be added, automatically or manually, and named. As can be seen, this plus icon 94 appears on many of the control app 10 screens to allow adding and naming of areas, zones, and regions as well.
In the illustrated embodiment, moving to the right on the top navigation bar 82, brings up the screen 100 for “Areas.” When the number of systems being controlled exceeds the screen space provide—in the present case three—a user is able to scroll up and down to navigate through the list of systems. In the present embodiment, the number of units 12 currently running (for the selected area) and current air quality are displayed at 102. A toggle button 104 is also provided which allows a user to turn on and off all connected units of the selected Area at once. Just below the status bar 102 on Screen 100 are two additional buttons: “Control” 106 and “See all units” 108. In the set-up screen 98, accessed by tapping the plus icon 94, a user selects connected units 12 to add to a system (e.g., a group, zone, location). The system can then be named for ease of reference and saved for easy recall.
By tapping on the Control 108 button, a user is taken to Screen 112, the control panel screen. On Screen 112, an “Edit” icon 114 is positioned in the upper right corner and a status bar 116 is shown below the saved name 118 for the selected system. Screen 112 allows a user to turn units on/off, activate presets, control fan speed, set a timer, and enter “advanced controls”. Of course, other interface buttons may be provided in place of or in addition to the current buttons, for alternate embodiments.
From the Control Panel Screen 112, a user may tap on either the Edit button 114 and move to Edit Screen 122 (follow Arrow A to
Tapping on the Advance Control button 120 of Control Panel Screen 112 takes a user to the Advance Control Screen 124. In this Screen 124 a user may be able to check filters, order replacement filters, access preset controls, and other such advanced features. Again, these features and functions are merely exemplary.
Returning to Area Screen 100, a user may also tap on the See All Units button 108. This action takes the user to Screen 130 where individual units 12 are listed with system icons 92 (see above discussion). A toggle button 132 allows each of the individual units to be switched on/off. A control button 134 under each unit name takes the user to the individual control screen for the corresponding unit. An edit button 136 in the top right corner of Screen 130 brings a user to an Edit Screen 140 (follow Arrow C to
For each unit 12 of the selected Area, Screen 140 presents three options: delete, rename, and move. Each of these options takes the user to one of Screens 142, 144 (follow Arrow E to
In addition to the Area Home Screen 100, a user can access a Zones Home Screen 154 and a Regions Home Screen 156 by swiping to the left at Main Screen 80 (follow Arrow D to
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art
