CN116529597A

CN116529597A - System and method for configuring modular air quality sensing capability

Info

Publication number: CN116529597A
Application number: CN202180080817.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈炳成; G·S·谢瓦尔卡
Original assignee: Signify Holding BV
Current assignee: Signify Holding BV
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2023-08-01

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamically configuring an air quality sensing device are provided. The system comprises: a housing having a communication module; an integrated circuit board mounted to or within the housing, wherein the integrated circuit board includes a connector in communication with the communication module; a first air quality sensor on the integrated circuit board; an expansion socket mounted on or disposed within the integrated circuit board, wherein the expansion socket is configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board with an additional air quality sensor; and a microcontroller in communication with the first air quality sensor and the additional air quality sensor when the additional air quality sensor is installed via the docking station. The system and method may also include sending sensor state information to the cloud platform for retrieving and displaying the sensor state information on the mobile application.

Description

System and method for configuring modular air quality sensing capability

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for dynamically configuring air quality sensors. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dynamically configuring the type of air quality sensing capability provided in lighting products and accessories.

Background

Conventional indoor air quality sensors are provided in desk-top, wall-mounted or wall-outlet plugged devices. In addition to taking up space in the indoor space, these sensors also provide a fixed, limited amount of capability. For example, some sensors detect humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels, but do not allow new air quality sensors to be added to these sensors to monitor different components of indoor air quality. Other sensors detect a significant component of the indoor air quality, but do not allow the type of air quality sensor to be removed. These current devices do not allow for dynamic configuration of different types of air quality sensors so that the different types of air quality sensors can be swapped in or out.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved systems and methods for dynamically configuring air quality sensor modules having different capabilities.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to inventive systems and methods for dynamically configuring air quality sensing devices integrated within lighting products and accessories. In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved systems and methods for configuring an air quality sensor module such that different sensing capabilities may be added or removed without having to use multiple sensing products. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved systems and methods for detecting air quality sensing parameters using modular air quality sensors integrated within lighting products or accessories. Various embodiments and implementations herein are directed to an air quality detection system including a housing having an integrated circuit board that includes at least one primary air quality sensor, a microcontroller, and an expansion socket. The expansion socket is configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board having at least one additional air quality sensor.

Generally, in one embodiment, a dynamically configurable air quality detection system is provided. The system comprises: a housing having a communication module; an integrated circuit board configured to be mounted to or within the housing, the integrated circuit board including a connector in communication with the communication module; a first air quality sensor mounted on the integrated circuit board; an expansion socket mounted on or disposed within the integrated circuit board, the expansion socket configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board having a second air quality sensor; and a microcontroller in communication with the first air quality sensor and the second air quality sensor when the second air quality sensor is installed via the docking station.

In an embodiment, the housing is a wall station, wall outlet fixture, overhead fixture, or recessed light fixture.

In an embodiment, the system comprises an array of light emitting elements connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate the status of the first or second air quality sensor.

In an embodiment, the communication module is configured to transmit the sensor status information or the sensor data to a building management system or a cloud computing system.

In an embodiment, the system includes a user interface of a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the user interface is configured to receive sensor state information or sensor data from a cloud computing system.

In an embodiment, the system includes an on-board radio module within the integrated circuit board, wherein the on-board radio module is configured to transmit sensor state information or sensor data to the cloud computing system.

In general, in another aspect, a dynamically configurable air quality detection system is provided. The system comprises: a housing having a communication module; an integrated circuit board configured to be mounted to or within the housing, the integrated circuit board including a connector in communication with the communication module; an on-board humidity sensor, an on-board temperature sensor, and an on-board carbon dioxide sensor mounted on or within the integrated circuit board; an expansion socket mounted on or disposed within the integrated circuit board, the expansion socket configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board having one or more additional air quality sensors; and a microcontroller in communication with the on-board humidity sensor, the on-board temperature sensor, and the on-board carbon dioxide sensor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to communicate with the one or more additional air quality sensors when the one or more additional air quality sensors are installed via the expansion socket.

In embodiments, the housing is a wall station, wall outlet fixture, overhead fixture, or recessed light fixture.

In an embodiment, the system includes an array of light emitting elements connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate the status of the on-board humidity sensor, the on-board temperature sensor, and the on-board carbon dioxide sensor. In an embodiment, the system includes an array of light emitting elements connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate the status of one or more additional air quality sensors.

In various embodiments, the microcontrollers described herein may take any suitable form, such as one or more processors or microcontrollers, circuitry, one or more controllers, a field programmable gate array (FGPA), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) configured to execute software instructions. The memory associated with the microcontroller may take any suitable form or forms, including: volatile memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), static Random Access Memory (SRAM), or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM); or a non-volatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The term "non-transitory" is meant to exclude transitory signals, but not further limit possible storage forms. In some implementations, the storage medium may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. It will be apparent that in embodiments where the microcontroller implements one or more of the functions described herein in hardware, software described in other embodiments as corresponding to such functionality may be omitted. The various storage media may be fixed within the processor or may be portable such that one or more programs stored thereon may be loaded into the processor to implement the various aspects discussed herein. Data and software (e.g., algorithms or software necessary to analyze the data collected by the sensors), an operating system, firmware, or other applications may be installed in the memory.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in more detail below (where such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

Drawings

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A is an example mountable electrical outlet housing having a removable panel to house a modular air quality sensor according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an example mountable switch with a removable panel to accommodate a modular air quality sensor according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is an example mountable sensor and switch with a removable panel to accommodate a modular air quality sensor according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic depiction of a front end of a modular air quality sensor in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic depiction of a back end of the modular air quality sensor of FIG. 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an example flowchart illustrating a method for dynamically configuring a modular air quality sensing apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is an example air quality sensing system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and methods for dynamically configuring an air quality sensing device such that different sensing capabilities may be added or removed without having to use multiple sensing products. Applicants have recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to integrate a dynamically configurable air quality sensor assembly within a wall station, wall outlet, or light fixture that is already part of a commercial or residential structure. Existing connection devices, such as fixed or portable, battery-powered wallstations, wall sockets, and light fixtures, may be used as the backbone for the additional modular air quality sensing functionality described herein.

In view of fig. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2 and 3, the following should be appreciated. The modular air quality sensor described below may be mounted within any suitable housing, such as within a wall station, wall outlet fixture, ceiling outlet fixture, or recessed light fixture. The housing contemplated herein is configured to allow the airflow licensed integrated sensor or sensors to be exposed to the air of the surrounding environment of the sensor. As shown in fig. 1A, an example mountable electrical outlet housing 10A having a removable panel 12A is depicted. Removable panel 12A is configured to house a modular air quality sensor as described below. An advantage of such an embodiment is that the modular air quality sensor does not occupy either of the receptacles 14A, 16A when integrated, such that the receptacles 14A, 16A may be used for other purposes in addition to sensing air quality parameters of the air surrounding the housing 10A. Integrating the modular air quality sensor in this manner also does not prevent either of the receptacles 14A, 16A from being used. Another advantage of such an embodiment is that the modular air quality sensor does not occupy additional space already used by the housing 10A when integrated. Fig. 1B shows an example mountable switch housing 10B with a removable panel 12B to accommodate a modular air quality sensor as described below. The switch housing 10B is characterized by the same advantages discussed above with respect to the electrical outlet housing 10A. An example mountable sensor and switch housing 10C is shown in fig. 1C with a removable panel 12C to accommodate a modular air quality sensor as described below. The sensor and switch combination housing 10C is characterized by the same advantages discussed above with respect to the electrical outlet housing 10A. The modular air quality sensor described herein is configured to replace the space occupied by snap on/off (snap on/off) removable panels 12A,12B, and 12C. Although panels 12A,12B, and 12C are shown as rectangular panels, it should be appreciated that the panels may take any suitable shape. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the panel may be removed by any suitable means.

The housings contemplated herein are not limited to the embodiments depicted in fig. 1A, 1B, and 1C. For example, signifyA suspended luminaire is an example of a suitable lighting device that may be used as the housing of the modular air quality sensor described herein. Lighting devices that include a sensor-ready interface are particularly suitable, and have provided power-on, digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) connectivity to the functionality of the luminaire and standardized socket geometry. It should be appreciated that any lighting device that is connected or connectable and sensor enabled includes ceiling embedded or surface mounted luminaires, overhead luminaires, wall mounted luminaires, free-fall luminaires, and the like, all of which are contemplated.

The terms "lighting product", "luminaire" and "luminaire" as used herein refer to a device comprising one or more light sources of the same or different types. A given lighting product, fixture, or luminaire may have any of a variety of mounting arrangements, housing/casing arrangements and shapes, and/or electrical and mechanical connection configurations for the light source(s). Additionally, a given lighting product, fixture, or luminaire may optionally be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to, and/or be packaged with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry) related to the operation of the light source(s). Further, it should be understood that the light source may be configured for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, pointing, display, and/or illumination.

As shown in fig. 2, the front end of an example modular air quality sensor 100 is depicted. The back end of an example modular air quality sensor 100 is shown in fig. 3. The modular air quality sensor 100 includes an integrated circuit board 102, at least one on-board air quality sensor 104, and an on-board microcontroller 106, the on-board microcontroller 106 including a processor, memory, and input and output peripherals. The on-board microcontroller 106 is configured to communicate with all air quality sensors installed via an I-squared C (I2C) interface. The on-board microcontroller 106 is configured to receive sensor data captured by the at least one on-board air quality sensor and any additional sensors discussed herein via the input peripheral device and determine, via the processor, whether the sensor data meets or exceeds one or more threshold levels for air quality. The sensor data and threshold levels may be stored in a memory of the microcontroller 106. The on-board microcontroller is also configured to receive additional sensor information, such as data indicating the status of the sensor (e.g., whether it is active or inactive), the health of the sensor, the power level of the sensor, or the battery level, etc. Such additional information may be stored in memory. The on-board microcontroller 106 may also be configured to query the sensors to determine if they are active, inactive, and/or functioning properly.

In an embodiment, at least one on-board air quality sensor 104 of the modular air quality sensor 100 may include a triad of primary sensors (trio), such as a carbon dioxide sensor S1, a temperature sensor S2, and a humidity sensor S3, mounted on the integrated circuit board 102. However, it should be appreciated that any type of sensor may be included, and that the triplet is not limited to carbon dioxide sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. It should also be appreciated that the at least one on-board air quality sensor may include only a binary set of primary sensors (duo) or more than three primary sensors. It should also be appreciated that it is envisioned that the integrated circuit board is configured to integrate future types and/or forms of air quality sensors with improved capabilities. The modular air quality sensor 100 also includes a connector 108 having an I square C (I2C) or Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) communication pin interface, which connector 108 may be connected to a Wi-Fi/BLE communication module within a wall station or receptacle housing to communicate sensor status information to one or more remote entities (e.g., any building management system or any suitable cloud-based service) via the wireless radio of the housing. The 5V power and ground are also provided by the same connector 108.

In an embodiment, the modular air quality sensor 100 further includes an on-board Wi-Fi/BLE combination radio module 110 for wireless communication with any suitable remote entity (e.g., any building management system or any suitable cloud-based service). Thus, in an embodiment, the on-board microcontroller 106 is further configured to output data to the radio module 110 via the output peripheral device.

In an embodiment, the modular air quality sensor 100 includes an array of light emitting elements 112 (e.g., light emitting diodes or LEDs) connected to the integrated circuit board 102. In embodiments, the array of light emitting elements 112 may be connected to the integrated circuit board 102 via any suitable connection device 114 (e.g., a flexible flat cable). In an embodiment, the array of light emitting elements 112 includes at least one element for each primary sensor pre-configured on the integrated circuit board 102 and each additional sensor connected through an extension socket discussed further below. Each of the light emitting elements indicates a state of an air quality component connected to the integrated circuit board 102. In an embodiment, the array includes nine LEDs arranged in a 3 x 3 grid, as depicted by L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9. However, it should be appreciated that any arrangement is contemplated. The LEDs may be driven by the on-board microcontroller 106 using general purpose input/output (GPIO) pins of the microcontroller. The light emitting elements 112 may be configured to present various colors and/or illumination patterns.

The modular air quality sensor 100, including the integrated circuit board 102, at least one on-board air quality sensor 104 (e.g., at least one of S1, S2, and S3), the on-board microcontroller 106, the communication device, and the LED status array, may be packaged in a cover or housing/enclosure such that the on-board sensor is mounted on the front end of the cover along with the LED status array. Power (e.g., 5V) to the modular air quality sensor 100 is provided from the housing.

The modular air quality sensor 100 also includes a user input 124 on the front end of the cover for turning on and off power to the integrated circuit board 102. The user input 124 may be, for example, a button, a touch screen, or a switch.

The modular air quality sensor 100 also includes an extension socket 116 mounted on the integrated circuit board 102, disposed within the integrated circuit board 102, or otherwise connected to the integrated circuit board 102. In embodiments, the expansion sockets 116 may be connected to the integrated circuit board 102 via any suitable connection device 114 (e.g., a flexible flat cable). The expansion socket 116 is configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board 118 having at least one additional air quality sensor 120. As shown in fig. 2, the additional air quality sensors may include any combination of additional sensors S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9, such as carbon dioxide sensors, carbon monoxide sensors, total Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) sensors, ammonium detectors, dust particle sensors (e.g., fine particulate matter sensor PM2.5 or coarse particulate matter sensor PM 10), nitrogen oxide sensors, ionized smoke detectors, photoelectric smoke detectors, radon sensors, or other toxic gas detection sensors, etc. It should also be appreciated that extension sockets are envisioned that are configured to accommodate future types and/or forms of air quality sensors with improved capabilities.

In the depicted embodiment, three light emitting elements 112 (e.g., L1, L2, and L3) indicate the status of the air quality sensors S1, S2, and S3. The additional light emitting elements 112 (e.g., L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9) indicate the status of the additional air quality sensors S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9. It should be appreciated that if not all of the additional air quality sensors S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 are installed and activated, then all of the additional light emitting elements L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9 need not be illuminated at the same time. In addition, if the user wants to supplement sensors S1, S2, and S3 with only a single additional air quality sensor, then the integrated circuit board 118 will include only a single additional air quality sensor 120, and only L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, or L9 will be used to indicate the status of the additional air quality sensor 120.

The expansion socket 116 also includes a power supply and I2C interface pins to allow connection to an expansion integrated circuit board 118 that includes one or more additional air quality sensors 120 (S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9).

In an embodiment, the modular air quality sensor 100 includes a snap-in on/off or otherwise removable panel 122 on the top side shown in fig. 2, which panel 122 may be removed to allow an expansion module including an expansion integrated circuit board 118 and at least one additional air quality sensor 120 to be inserted into the expansion socket 116 of the integrated circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example method for dynamically configuring an air quality sensing device is shown. Unless explicitly stated, it should be appreciated that the recited steps do not consider a particular order or sequence. In step 402, a housing (e.g., a mountable electrical outlet housing 10A, a mountable switch housing 10B, a mountable sensor and switch housing 10C, or other suitable housing) is provided, wherein the housing includes a communication module 504 (shown in fig. 5). It should be appreciated that the housing is not limited to the embodiment shown in fig. 1A, 1B, and 1C, and may also be implemented as any suitable wall station, wall outlet fixture, ceiling outlet fixture, recessed light fixture, or the like. Embodiments of the housing and placement of the housing (e.g., on a wall, on a ceiling, or underground, etc.) are largely dependent on the type of sensor selected. For example, an air quality sensing device comprising a radon sensor would be placed within the breathing zone 2-6 feet above the floor and away from the airway, exterior walls, sewage pits, sewer, windows or doors. By way of another example, an air quality sensing device including an ozone detector configured to detect a detrimental level of ozone emitted by a printing device may be placed in proximity to the device to be monitored. The carbon monoxide detector may be placed in the vicinity of a gas stove, chimney, fireplace or furnace (furnace) to be monitored. Depending on the density of the gas or gases to be detected, it may be more beneficial to place the housing and sensor on the ceiling than on the wall, and vice versa, or elsewhere.

In step 404, an integrated circuit board (e.g., board 102) is mounted to or within the housing or otherwise connected to the housing. The integrated circuit board includes a connector (e.g., connector 108) that communicates with the communication module 504 of the housing.

In step 406, at least one air quality sensor is mounted on an integrated circuit board. In an embodiment, the at least one air quality sensor is at least one of the onboard main sensors discussed herein (e.g., sensors S1, S2, or S3).

In step 408, the expansion socket is provided on or within the integrated circuit board or otherwise connected to the integrated circuit board. The expansion socket is configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board having at least one additional air quality sensor. In an embodiment, the at least one additional air quality sensor is at least one of the additional sensors discussed herein (e.g., sensors S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9). In an embodiment, at least one additional air quality sensor is removable from the expansion integrated circuit board so that a user can customize the type and number of additional sensors. It should be appreciated that at least one additional air quality sensor may be added or removed individually or in groups. Thus, a combination of additional sensors may be installed via the extension socket.

In step 410, at least one on-board air quality sensor is coupled to an on-board microcontroller.

In step 412, at least one additional air quality sensor is removably connected with the on-board microcontroller via the expansion socket.

Advantageously, the modular air quality sensing system and method allows consumers to dynamically customize the air sensing capabilities of a product while providing a less intrusive appearance of the environment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example air quality sensing system 500 within which one or more of the modular air quality sensors described herein may be implemented within the example air quality sensing system 500. The system 500 includes a structure 501, which structure 501 may include a house, office building, warehouse, etc. It should be appreciated that structure 501 may include the entire structure or a portion of the structure, such as an apartment or office suite within a building. The system 500 also includes a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices that can be seamlessly integrated with each other and/or with a central server or cloud computing system to provide any of a number of useful smart home objectives. For example, the system may include one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected thermostats, one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall switches, one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall plug interfaces, one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected luminaires, and one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected appliances (e.g., ceiling fans and air conditioners). The modular air quality sensor described herein may be integrated into any of these components (e.g., housing 502 described herein). As described above, the housing 502 includes the communication module 504 and the modular air quality sensor 506. In an embodiment, the modular air quality sensor communicates with other components within the structure 501 such that any of these other components may be adjusted based on the obtained air quality sensor data. In an embodiment, the modular air quality sensor is configured to transmit sensor data to other systems, such as home or office automation systems, alarm systems, or building management systems within the building 501. Based on the data provided, other systems may make adjustments accordingly. For example, if the sensor data indicates unhealthy levels of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, the HVAC system may be adjusted so that the area around the sensor is ventilated better.

In an embodiment, the air quality sensing system 500 includes a cloud computing system 510 to communicate with a modular air quality sensor. The connection to the internet may be established directly, through a network, or through any combination thereof. Cloud computing system 510 may provide one or more services 512 including, for example, software updates, customer support, sensor data collection/recording, remote access, remote or distributed control, or sensor information. Data associated with service 512 may be stored at the cloud computing system, and the cloud computing system may retrieve and transmit the data at fixed intervals or upon receiving a request.

Sensor data SD from the modular air quality sensors described herein may be received at service 512 of cloud computing system 510. A user may interact with service 512 through a web browser that may operate on a computer system or mobile device having a wireless data connection with service 512. The user may also interact with the service 512 through a mobile application. User interaction through a web browser or mobile application allows the user to retrieve and view sensor data SD collected by the air quality sensing system and stored within service 512. The web browser or mobile application may have a graphical user interface that may display information about activated ones of the modular air quality sensors. Such information about the activation sensor may be retrieved from cloud service 512. The graphical user interface may also display readings from each activation sensor, and these readings may be retrieved from cloud service 512.

For example, a real-time air quality chart for each activation sensor may be displayed on a graphical user interface. In embodiments including a carbon dioxide sensor, sensor data from the carbon dioxide sensor may be displayed in a format including a line graph showing how the sensor data has changed over a period of time (e.g., the past 24 hours or the past one hour, etc.). The display may also include a color-coded legend indicating values meeting different thresholds. For example, any eCO level between 400 and 1000ppm may be displayed in a first color (e.g., green) to indicate that such level is typically an acceptable level, any eCO level between 1000 and 5000ppm may be displayed in a second color (e.g., yellow) to indicate that such level is typically accompanied by health problem complaints, and any eCO level exceeding 5000ppm may be displayed in a third color (e.g., red) to indicate that such level is not acceptable for indoor environments. It should be appreciated that any other suitable threshold may be used, and any other suitable color may be used. The levels and colors described should not be construed in a limiting manner. Depending on which level the sensor data satisfies in real time, the line graph may be displayed with a color corresponding to the color associated with the level the sensor data satisfies. Using the example above, if eCO level is between 400 and 1000ppm, the line graph including the line connecting the data points and the area between the data points and the x-axis may be green or one or more changes in green such that immediately apparent the current level is acceptable regardless of the previous historical level. In addition, information about the sensors and the health status of each sensor may be displayed through a graphical user interface. User interaction through a web browser or mobile application may also allow the user to turn on or off the display of each sensor measurement. The user may also initiate Over The Air (OTA) software updates of the modular air quality sensor or programming application on a web browser or mobile application.

It should also be understood that, in any method claimed herein that includes more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited, unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

All definitions as defined and used herein should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of defined terms.

The indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used herein in the specification and in the claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

The phrase "and/or" as used herein in the specification and in the claims should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., the elements that are in some cases combined and in other cases separated. The various elements listed with "and/or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e. "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" defined above. For example, when items in a list are separated, "or" and/or "should be construed as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of a plurality of elements or lists of elements, but also including more than one of a plurality of elements or lists of elements, and optionally additional unlisted items. Only one of the terms such as "," or "," exactly one of the terms "or" when used in the claims, "consisting of" shall refer to exactly one element of the list comprising a plurality of elements or elements. Generally, the term "or" as used herein should be interpreted as merely indicating an exclusive alternative (i.e., "one or the other, but not both") when preceded by exclusive terms such as "either," "one of the terms," and, "" only one of the terms, "or" exactly one of the terms.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one" referring to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one of each element specifically listed within the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements other than those specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

In the claims, and in the description above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "containing," and the like are to be construed as open-ended, i.e., to mean including, but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" should be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

Although several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. Furthermore, if two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A dynamically configurable air quality detection system (500), comprising:

a housing (10 a,10b,10c, 502) comprising a communication module (504) and a removable portion (12 a,12b,12 c) to house one or more air quality sensors (104, 120), wherein the housing (10 a,10b,10c, 502) comprises at least one of an electrical outlet housing, a switch housing, or a lighting device;

an integrated circuit board (102) configured to be mounted to or within the housing, the integrated circuit board comprising a connector (108) in communication with the communication module;

a first air quality sensor (104) mounted on the integrated circuit board;

an expansion socket (116) mounted on or disposed within the integrated circuit board, the expansion socket (116) configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board (118) having a second air quality sensor (120); and

a microcontroller (106) in communication with the first air quality sensor and the second air quality sensor when the second air quality sensor is installed via the docking station.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an array of light emitting elements (112) connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate the status of the first or second air quality sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit sensor status information or sensor data to a building management system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit sensor state information or sensor data to a cloud computing system.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a user interface of a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the user interface is configured to receive sensor state information or sensor data from the cloud computing system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is a wall station, a wall outlet fixture, an overhead fixture, or a recessed light fixture.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an on-board radio module within the integrated circuit board, wherein the on-board radio module is configured to transmit sensor status information or sensor data to a cloud computing system.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a user interface of a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the user interface is configured to receive sensor state information or sensor data from the cloud computing system.

9. A dynamically configurable air quality detection system, comprising:

an on-board humidity sensor (S1), an on-board temperature sensor (S2) and an on-board carbon dioxide sensor (S3) mounted on or within the integrated circuit board;

an expansion socket (116) mounted on or within the integrated circuit board, wherein the expansion socket is configured to receive an expansion integrated circuit board (119) having one or more additional air quality sensors (S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9); and

a microcontroller (106) in communication with the on-board humidity sensor, the on-board temperature sensor, and the on-board carbon dioxide sensor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to communicate with the one or more additional air quality sensors when the one or more additional air quality sensors are installed via the expansion socket.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an array of light emitting elements (112) connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate the status of the on-board humidity sensor, the on-board temperature sensor, and the on-board carbon dioxide sensor; or alternatively

An array of light emitting elements (112) connected to the integrated circuit board and driven by the microcontroller to indicate a status of the one or more additional air quality sensors.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit sensor status information or sensor data to a building management system.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication module is configured to transmit sensor state information or sensor data to a cloud computing system.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface of a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the user interface is configured to receive sensor state information or sensor data from the cloud computing system.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising an on-board radio module within the integrated circuit board, wherein the on-board radio module is configured to transmit sensor status information or sensor data to a cloud computing system.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a user interface of a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the user interface is configured to receive sensor state information or sensor data from the cloud computing system.