NL2018404B1

NL2018404B1 - System and method of data an environmental status in a room

Info

Publication number: NL2018404B1
Application number: NL2018404A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jenny Bruinsma Niké; Lee Chungsub; Kim Intae; Tsatsarelis Thomas
Original assignee: Marusys Europe B V
Priority date: 2017-02-22
Filing date: 2017-02-22
Publication date: 2018-09-17

Abstract

A method of providing user feedback on an environmental status in a room is presented. The method comprises receiving, from a measurement station, first data on a first value of a first environmental entity, second data on a second value of a second environmental entity and a station identifier identifying the measurement station. Subsequently, it is determined whether the first data satisfies a first criterion and whether the second data satisfies a second criterion. If the first data satisfies the first criterion and the second data satisfies the second criterion, a first pre-determined message for user feedback corresponding to the first value of the first environmental entity is looked up and a monitoring identifier identifying a monitoring device is looked up in a database, using the station identifier. With this information, the first pre-determined message for user feedback is sent to the identified monitoring device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects and embodiments thereof relate to sensing of impurities in air in a room and providing information on sensed values to a user.

BACKGROUND

In infants’ rooms, a good quality of air is highly preferred. And also for people with respiratory problems or other health issues, clean air is preferred. In houses, but also in office spaces, various sources of impurities exist, solid, gaseous, liquid or a combination thereof. Various sensors exist for sensing a particular concentration of carbon dioxide, fine particulate matter, total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs) and other. Readings of such sensors may be provided to a user. However, providing such plain data is not always a very effective way of informing a user as a user is usually not aware what a healthy level of fine particulate matter in a room is, for a baby, for an asthmatic person or for another person.

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide feedback to the user on an environmental status in a way that is better to understand.

A first aspect provides a method of providing user feedback on an environmental status in a room. The method comprises receiving, from a measurement station, first data on a first value of a first environmental entity, second data on a second value of a second environmental entity and a station identifier identifying the measurement station. Subsequently, it is determined whether the first data satisfies a first criterion and whether the second data satisfies a second criterion. If the first data satisfies the first criterion and the second data satisfies the second criterion, a first pre determined message for user feedback corresponding to the first value of the first, environmental entity is looked up and a monitoring identifier identifying a monitoring device is looked up in a database, using the station identifier. With this information, the first pre-determined message for user feedback is sent to the identified monitoring device.

This method removes or at least reduces any effort of a user to interpret readings on values. The method assesses the values, in combination. This may provide an in-depth insight in the status of the air in the room and of pollutants or other substances in the air in particular. Upon assessment, a status message related to the status is sent to the user. Hence, rather than having to do the thinking himself or herself, the user may be provided with direct and easy to interpret information on the status of the air quality in the room.

An embodiment wherein the pre-determined messages comprises a recommendation for action, the method further comprises receiving a user message from the monitoring device indicating whether the action has been taken or not. If the action has been taken, it is determined whether the first data satisfies a first criterion and determining whether the second data satisfies a second criterion and if one or both of the first data satisfies the first criterion and the second data satisfies the second criterion, a second pre-determined message for user feedback corresponding to the first value of the first environmental entity is looked up. The second pre-detennined message for user feedback is sent to the identified monitoring device. It may be that a firstly suspected cause of a decrease in air quality is not the actual cause, another action may be recommended.

Another embodiment, wherein the pre-determined messages comprises a recommendation for action, the method further comprises receiving a user message from the monitoring device indicating whether the action has been taken or not and a user message is received from the monitoring device indicating whether the action has been taken or not. If the action has been taken, it is determined whether the first data satisfies a first criterion and determining whether the second data satisfies a second criterion; and if the first data does not satisfy the first criterion and the second data does not satisfy the second criterion, a third pre-determined message is looked up for user feedback indicating the action taken has been successful. The third pre-determined message for user feedback is sent to the identified monitoring device. If the recommended action has been followed up and the air quality has improved, a message is sent to the user that the action has effect. This may help the user with information what actions may be taken to improve air quality in general.

A second aspect provides a data control device for providing user feedback on an environmental status in a room. The device comprises a communication module arranged to receive, from a measurement station, first data on a first value of a first environmental entity, second data on a second value of a second environmental entity and a station identifier identifying the measurement station and a storage module for housing a database and message data. The device also comprises a processing module arranged to determine whether the first data satisfies a first criterion, determine whether the second data satisfies a second criterion, if the first data satisfies the first criterion and the second data satisfies the second criterion, look up, in the message data, a first pre-determined message for user feedback corresponding to the first value of the first environmental entity and look up, in the database, using the station identifier, a monitoring identifier identifying a monitoring device. The communication module is further arranged to send, to the identified monitoring device, the first pre-determined message for user feedback.

A third aspect provides a method of providing monitoring functionality based on an environmental status in a room. The method comprises receiving, from a data control device according to the second aspect, a user feedback message comprising data on a recommendation for an action, presenting, to a user, the recommendation for an action, receiving, from the user, input whether the action has been taken and sending, to the data control device, a control message comprising data on whether the action has been taken.

A fourth aspect provides a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions enabling a computer, while carrying out the instructions, to carry out the method according to the first aspect.

A fifth aspect provides a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions enabling a computer, while carrying out the instructions, to carry out the method according to the third aspect.

A sixth aspect provides a device for sensing values of entities providing information an environmental status in a room. The device comprises a device housing having at least one through hole having a circumferential wall with at least one sensing opening providing access to a sensor space for housing a first sensor and a second sensor and a first sensor for acquiring a first value of a first environmental entity and a second sensor for acquiring a second environmental entity, the first sensor and the second sensor being provided in the sensor space. The device further comprises a processing module arranged to acquire the first value and the second value over time and a communication module arranged to communicate first data on the first value and second data on the second value to a data control device.

In this device, the first environmental entity and the second environmental entity are chosen from one of the following parameters: a concentration of toxic gases the concentration of NO2 in particular, a concentration of CO2, temperature, humidity and relative humidity in particular, concentration of particulate matter, concentration of particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometre in particular and concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometre more in particular and concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds and concentration of total

Volatile Organic Compounds in toluene equivalents in particular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in further detail in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings,

Figure 1: shows a system for providing information on environmental status in a room;

Figure 2: shows a sensor device for sensing impurities in air in a room;

Figure 3: shows a data processing server;

Figure 4: shows a smartphone as a handheld communication device;

Figure 5: shows a first flowchart; and

Figure 6: shows a second flowchart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a system 100 for monitoring environmental parameters in a first room 112 comprised by an interior 110 of a building, for example a house. In the first room 112, a sensor device 200 is provided. Sensor device 200 comprises sensors for sensing values of environmental parameters in the air in the first room 112. The sensor device 200 is arranged to communicate with a data processing server 300 as a data control device. In this embodiment, the sensor device 200 communicates with the data processing server 300 via a home router 120 provided in a second room 114 and a first wide area network 130. Alternatively, the home router 120 is provided in the second room 112. Preferably, the communication between the home router 120 and the sensor device 200 is via wireless channel. Alternatively or additionally, a wired connection may be used.

The data processing server 300 is arranged to receive data on sensed values of the environmental parameters over time. Such values may be provided in packets, distributed over time or instantaneously, on a pervalue basis, each time after a sample has been taken by the sensor device 200. The data processing server 300 processes the data received. Based on the processing of data, raw data, processed data, or both are provided to a handheld communication device 400 such as a smartphone or tablet used as a monitoring device. Additionally, data messages may be provided to the handheld communication device 400 to inform a user, to provide recommendation on actions to the user or both.

The data processing server 300 is arranged to communicate with the handheld communication device 400 via second wide area network 140. To the second wide area network 140, a base station 150 is connected. The base station 150 is arranged to communicate with the handheld communication device 400 over a wireless channel. Alternatively, the data processing server communicates with the handheld communication device 400 via the first wide area network 130 and the home router 120. In yet another embodiment, a computer connected with the home router 120 over a wired connection provides functionality of the monitoring device.

Figure 2 shows the sensor device 200 in further detail. The sensor device 200 comprises a housing 210 in which a through hole 220 is provided. The through hole 220 comprises a first inner wall 222 and a second inner wall 224. Between the first inner wall 222 and the second inner wall 224, an opening is provided to the inner part of the housing 210. The opening may be around the full circumference, as shown by Figure 2. Alternatively, the first inner wall 222 and the second inner wall 224 form one contiguous inner wall with only a small hole. Additionally or alternatively, other or further holes may be provided in the housing. The holes should be suitable for their intended purpose: letting in surrounding air for determining, among others, a concentration of fine particulate matter and letting out thermal energy, by radiation, convection or a combination thereof.

Within the housing 210, a space is provided for housing sensors. In this embodiment, the inner space of the housing 210 is not partitioned or. In another embodiment, various compartments may be provided within the housing 210, for housing various module provided within the housing 210. Besides the through hole one side of the housing has a mesh structure for further ventilation purposes and to dissipate produced heat. It is preferred thermal energy generated by the various components of the sensing device 200 is let out of the housing 210 to prevent or at least reduce any measurement error due to a temperature in the housing 210 that is too high relative to air outside the housing 210.

Within the housing 210, a toxic gas sensor sensor 232, a carbon dioxide sensor 234, a particle sensor 236 as a sensor for fine particulate matter in particular, a volatile organic compound sensor and a combined temperature and humidity sensor 238 are provided. The particle sensor 236 may be provided with a fan or another air displacement unit having equivalent functionality. The toxic gas sensor 232 is particularly arranged to detect nitrogen dioxide, though other similar compounds may be envisaged as well. One or more additional or alternative sensors may be provided, including, but not limited to radon, radiation, combustible gasses, other gasses and other substances. The concentration of total Volatile Compounds may be expressed in concentration of toluene equivalents in particular. Alternatively or additionally, a concentration of specific compounds may be detected, including, but not limited to acetone, formaldehyde, alcohol (ethanol), other, or a combination thereof. Toxic gases may include CO, NO2, 03 and similar.

The surrounding air in the first room 200, with all its impurities and various gases, is enabled to flow along the various sensors via the through hole 220 and the opening between the first inner wall 222 and the second inner wall 224 or other holes in the housing 210.

The sensors are connected to a processing unit 242. The processing unit 242 is arranged to acquire sensor values from signals received from the sensors. The values may be acquired on a continuous basis or on a periodical basis. The acquisition frequency may be multiple times per second, per minute or per hour. The processing unit 242 is arranged to process the values acquired, for example by storing them in a table, with a time stamp. The table or the tables may be stored in the sensor storage module 244, preferably embodied by means of a non-volatile memory though a volatile memory may be envisaged as well.

The sensor device 200 further comprises a sensor communication module 246. The sensor communication module is preferably arranged to communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol or a similar protocol for communication within a wireless local area network. This allows the sensor device to send data to the home router 120. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor communication module 246 is arranged to communicate over a wireless cellular network, like WCDMA, LTE, GPRS, GSM, other, or a combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor communication module 246 is arranged to communicate with other devices over a wired network connection. Furthermore, other wireless communication protocols may be employed, including, but not limited to one or more Bluetooth protocols, Zigbee, LoRa, Sigfox other, or a combination thereof.

Figure 3 shows the data processing server 300 in further detail. The data processing server 300 comprises a data processing module 302, a storage module 304 and a communication module 306. The data processing module 302 is arranged for processing data received and for controlling operation of the data processing server 400 and various components thereof. The data processing module 302 comprises a control element 322 for controlling the operation of the data processing server 300, an assessment element 324 for assessing data received to particular conditions and a messaging element 326 for selecting particular messages.

The data storage module 304, which may be embodied by means of solid state storage, a harddisk, other or a combination thereof, has instructions 342 stored on it for programming the data processing module 302 and has a partition 344 for storing data. The stored data may be data received by means of the data communication module 306, processed data, condition data to asses received and/or processed data to, messaging data, other, or a combination thereof. The data communication module 306 is arranged to receive data from the sensor device 300 via the first wide area network 130.

The data processing server 300 may embodied as a single hardware item having one physical microprocessor with one or more processing cores. Alternatively, the data processing server 300 is embodied as an array of computers, either on a single location or at multiple geographical locations. Where the data from the server may travel through multiple networks before transferred to the communication module.

Figure 4 shows the handheld communication device 400 in further detail. The handheld communication device 400 comprises a device processing module 402, a device storage module 404, a device communication module 406, a device screen interface module 408 and a display screen 410. The device processing module 402 is arranged for processing data received from the data processing server 300. The data processing module 402 comprises a control element 322 for controlling operation of the handheld communication device 400 and various components thereof. The data processing module 402 further comprises a display processing element for converting data received to data to be displayed on the display screen 410 via the device screen interface module 408. The data processing module 402 also comprises a messaging unit 426 for exchanging data messages with the data processing server 300 and processing the messages.

The device storage module 404 comprises a first partition 442 for storing instructions that may be read by the device processing module for executing various methods discussed below. The device storage module 404 also comprises a second partition for storing data received from the data processing server 300, either processed by the device processing module 402 or not. The device communication module comprises one or more functional units for communicating in accordance with a particular wired and preferably wireless communication protocol, including, but not limited to LTE, WCDMA, GPRS, GPS, HSDPA, 3G, 802.11, other, or a combination thereof.

The device screen interface module 408 is arranged to provide the display screen 410 with image data to display on the display screen 410. Furthermore, the device screen interface module 408 is arranged to receive user command from the display screen 410 that is preferably embodied as a touch screen display.

The functionality of various parts of the system 100 will be discussed below in further detail. Functionality of the data processing server 300 will be discussed in conjunction with a first flowchart 500 shown by Figure 5. The various parts of the first flowchart are summarised below:

502 start process

504 receive first data

506 receive second data

508 extract identifier

510 look up coupled device

512 does data fit first criterion?

514 does data fit second criterion?

516 determine status

518 message on status sent previously?

520 look up first status message

522 send status message

524 receive feedback

526 look up subsequent message for status

528 reset status

532 process data

534 send data to user device

The process starts in a terminator 502 and continues with step 504 in which data from a first sensor of the sensor device 200 is received. This may be any of the sensors, in this embodiment this is the toxic gas sensor 232 arranged for sensing a nitrogen dioxide level in the first room 112. In step 506, second data is received. In this embodiment, this is the particle sensor 236 for determining fine particles in the first room 112.

With the data, an identifier identifying the sensor device 200 is embedded. This identifier is extracted in step 508. With this identifier, a paired or otherwise connected monitoring device like the handheld communication device 400 is identified in step 510, by looking up the coupled device in a database stored in partition 344.

In step 512, the level of nitrogen dioxide is assessed, based on the received data. If the level of nitrogen dioxide is above a particular level or if the level of nitrogen dioxide rises sharply over time, higher than a particular level, a particular criterion may be met and the procedure continues to step 514. If such first pre-cletermined criterion is not met, the procedure branches back step 528. In step 528, the status of the environment in the first room 112 is set to normal. Subsequently, the process continues to step 504.

In step 516, data on the level of small particles measured is assessed to a second pre-determined criterion. If the level of particles is too high, the process continues to step 516; if not, the process branches to step 528.

In step 516, a status of the environment in the first room 112 is determined, based on the sensor values assessed and the outcome thereof. A sudden rise in nitrogen dioxide level and/or an increased amount of particles while carbon dioxide is decreasing may indicate pollution caused by traffic has entered the first room 112 via a window or a door. Other assessments of other values may be envisaged as well; if the total volatile organic compounds are rising and fine particulate matter is rising and nitrogen dioxide is rising and carbon dioxide is rising this may indicate pollution caused by frying using a gas stove.

Other statuses that may be determined are, for example, mould (a high relative humidity for a prolonged amount of time and a slow but steady increase of volatile organic compounds), burning of candles (increase of volatile organic compounds and relatively high NO2 concentration) or use of aerosols (sudden increase in fine particular matter concentration and total volatile organic compounds). Numerous other statuses may be determined by assessing data from the various sensors mentioned above.

Also derivative values may be used for the assessment of the air in the first room 112. A derivative of the value of an entity over time, an average or median value of an entity, a standard deviation or another statistical parameter. The derivative of the acquired value may be calculated over a particular amount of time, either a day, a minute, a week or an hour or another entity.

For more accurately determining a status, values of more than two entities may be assessed. For example, for determining influence of traffic, also data provided by the carbon oxide sensor 234 may be taken into account for providing data on carbon dioxide levels.

A status may also be determined based on the assessment of one value, for example the level total volatile organic compounds. This may be caused by painting, nail polishing or other activities. And a steady increase in carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide may be caused by activity of a gas stove. In summary, one and preferably two results of assessments of values one and preferably two entities may indicate a particular status of the environment in the first room 112. This status is determined in step 516.

The status may be looked up in a database. It is noted that the relation between the values assessed and the status is not fixed. An increase in humidity may in certain climates, tropical climates, indicate a window is open, in other climates, arid climates, it may indicate a window is closed. This may apply to temperature as well. The relations between assessments and status may be fixed, fixed on a per-region basis or set by means of machine learning. To this purpose, the location of the sensing device 200 may be determined by equipping the sensing device 200 with a GPS module, by looking up a region by means of the IP address of the sensing device 200. Alternatively or additionally, similar methods may be used for determining a location of the handheld communication device 400.

Once the status is determined in step 516, it is assessed in step 518 whether a message related to the determined status has been sent before. If not, the process continues to step 520 in which a first message is retrieved from the processing storage module 302. The first message preferably comprises data on a first recommendation for an action to take. In case the nitrogen dioxide level and/or the particle level are too high while carbon dioxide is decreasing, the message may relate to a recommendation to a user to close a window or door to the outside for the first room 112. If the total volatile organic compounds are rising and fine particulate matter is rising and nitrogen dioxide is rising and carbon dioxide is rising this may indicate pollution caused by frying using a gas stove, the first message may carry a first recommendation to turn on the exhaust fan.

The message is sent to the handheld communication device 400 in step 522. As will be discussed below, the handheld communication device 400 may request feedback on a recommended action. Such feedback may be whether the action has been taken or not. In one embodiment, only feedback is possible indicating the recommendation has been followed up.

Alternatively, an option is available that the recommendation has not been followed up. The feedback from the handheld communication device 400 is received in step 524. After receiving the feedback, the process branches back to step 504, but without resetting the status, thus bypassing step 528. If no feedback is received within a particular amount of time, the process may continue anyway.

This means the received data values on the environmental status in the first room 112 are assessed again. If in steps 516 and/or step 518 it is determined the status has not changed compared to the previous status, the process branches to step 526 in which a subsequent message is obtained for the determined status. This is because a particular status may have different causes. An increase in humidity may result out of poor ventilation. In such case, it may firstly be recommended to open a window. If this does not help, it may at a second instance be recommended to close the window again and to switch on an air dehumidifier.

In parallel to the chain of processes described above, the received data is processed in step 532 and sent to the handheld communication device 400 in step 534. The processing of the data may be omitted. Alternatively, the data processing may comprise determining a derivative, interpolation, extrapolation, averages, other, or a combination thereof.

The handheld communication device 400 plays a role in the execution of the process depicted by the first flowchart 500. A process executed by the handheld communication device 400 is depicted by a second flowchart 600 depicted by Figure 6. The various parts of the process are summarised below:

602 start procedure

604 receive first data

606 receive second data

608 present data on screen

610 message received?

612 display message

614 receive input

616 send feedback message

The procedure starts in a terminator 602 and continues with step 604 with receiving first data related to values sensed by a first sensor comprised by the sensing device 200. Subsequently, in step 606, second data related to values sensed by a second sensor comprised by the sensing device 200 is received. Data related to values sensed by other sensors may be received as well.

In step 608, the data is presented on the display screen 410. Prior to presentation, the data may be processed. The processing may be done by the device processing module 402 or by the data processing module 302 or both. The processing may be any type of data processing, including any statistical operations, determining derivatives, maximum values, minimum values, other, or a combination thereof.

In step 610, the device processing module 402 checks whether a message has been received from the data processing server 300. If this is not the case, the process branches back to step 604. If a message has been received, the message is displayed on the display screen 410 in step 612. The message may be presented as received. Alternatively, the data on the message that has been received provides an indication of the message. Based on the indication, the actual message to be displayed is retrieved from the device storage module 404. This latter option may for example make multi-language support more convenient.

As discussed, the message may comprise data on a recommended action to take by a user, with respect to the first room 112 and in particular with respect to the environment in that room. The data in the message may be presented in any possible way, as visual data, audible data or in another way, for example by means of vibrations. Providing data in a visible way may be by means of a colour - on a screen or by means of, for example, an LED or other single light source or as a text message. Providing data in an audible way may be by means of a single tone beep, a series of beeps at on or more frequencies and additionally or alternatively by means of a spoken message.

Together with presenting the recommendation, feedback on the recommendation may be requested. In step 614, input is received. The input may in this embodiment be received by means of the display screen 410 having a touch screen functionality. In step 616, the feedback is send to the data processing server 300 by means of the device communication module 406. The return message may be a yes or a no. If no feedback is received within a particular amount of time, the process may continue anyway, branching back to step 604.

Most people are unaware of any sources of undesired substances airborne in a particular room. Yet, they prefer to find out in order to change their behaviour or replace machinery that causes any undesired pollution of environmental air in a room. To enable such home research, the handheld communication device 400 may be provided with a bookmark function. Such function allows to save values of environmental parameters sensed at a particular moment. This allows for comparison of instantaneous values to the stored values. A bookmark may be set prior to hoovering the first room 112, prior to putting on nail polish or at the start of a day. The bookmarked values may be compared to sensed and received values during or after hoovering. Depending on, for example, the amount of fine dust sensed, a quality of an air filter of the hoover may be determined.

As discussed, the sensing device 200 and the handheld communication device 400 are coupled. The coupling or connecting may be provided by storing a first identifier of the sensing device 200 together with a second identifier of the mobile communication device 400 in the partition

344 for storing data of the storage module 304. The coupling may be provided by acquiring the first identifier of the sensing device 200 by means of the handheld communication device 400. Such acquisition may be provided by means of the touch screen functionality of the display screen 410. Alternatively or additionally, the first identifier may be acquired by means of a camera comprised by the handheld communication device 400.

The first identifier may be a number, a bar code, either with actual bars or a two-dimensional code like a QR code. The data comprised by the first identifier is, by the handheld communication device 400, sent to the data processing server 300, together with the second identifier stored in the device storage module 404. In the data processing server, data related to both identifiers, for example the actual identifiers, are stored in the partition 344 for storing data of the storage module 304. In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.

Claims

Conclusions

A method for providing user feedback regarding the status of the environment in a room, the method comprising:

Received, from a measuring station, first data regarding a first value from a first environmental entity, second data regarding a second value from a second data entity and a station identification which identifies the measuring station;

Determine whether the first data meets a first criterion;

Determine whether the second data meets a second criterion;

If the first data meets the first criterion and the second data meets the second criterion, look up a first predetermined user feedback message corresponding to the first value of the first environment entity;

Searching, in a database, using the station identification, a monitoring identification which identifies a monitoring device;

Sending, to the identified monitoring device, the first predetermined user feedback message.

The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the first data corresponds to the first criterion comprises determining whether the first value falls outside a predetermined interval.

Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining whether the first data corresponds to a first criterion comprises determining whether a change in the first value over time is outside a predetermined interval.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining whether the first data meets a second criterion comprises determining whether the second value falls outside a predetermined interval.

5. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein determining whether the second data meets a second criterion comprises determining whether a change of the second value in the course of time is outside a predetermined interval.

10

The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined messages comprise a recommendation for action, the method further comprising:

Receiving a user message from the monitoring device indicating whether the action has been performed or not;

15 - Once the action has been carried out, determine whether the first data meets a first criterion and determine whether the second data meets a second criterion;

If one or both of the first data meets the first criterion and the second data meets the second criterion,

20 looking up a second predetermined user feedback message corresponding to the first value of the first environment entity;

Sending, to the identified monitoring device, the second predetermined user feedback message.

The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined messages include a recommendation for action, the method further comprising:

Receive a user message from the monitoring device indicating whether the action has been taken or not;

Once the action has been taken, determine whether the first data meets a first criterion and determine whether the second data meets a second criterion;

If the first data does not meet the first criterion and the second data does not meet the second criterion, look up a third predetermined user feedback message indicating that the action taken is successful; and

Sending, to the identified monitoring device, the third predetermined user feedback message.

A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising sending at least a portion of the first data and at least a portion of the second data to the identified monitoring device.

The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first environment entity and the second environment entity are selected from the following parameters:

A concentration of toxic gases and the concentration of NO2 in particular;

A concentration of CO2;

Temperature;

Humidity and relative humidity in particular;

Concentration of small particles, a concentration of particles smaller than 10 micrometres in particular and a concentration of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in particular;

A concentration of volatile organic substances and a concentration of total volatile organic substances in toluene equivalents in particular.

A data control device for providing user feedback regarding an environment status in a room, the device comprising:

A communication module adapted to receive, from a measuring station, first data relating to a first value of a first environmental entity, second data relating to a second value of a second environmental entity and a station identification which identifies the measuring station;

A storage module for housing a database and shopping data;

A processing module designed to:

- Determine whether the first data meets a first criterion;

- Determine whether the second data meets a two criterion;

- If the first data meets the first criterion and the second data meets the second criterion, look up in the message data, a first predetermined user feedback message corresponding to the first value of the first environmental entity; and

- Searching, in the database, using the station identification, a monitoring identification which identifies a monitoring device;

The communication module is further adapted to send, to the identified monitoring device, the first predetermined message for user feedback.

A method for providing surveillance functionality based on an environmental status in a room, comprising;

Receiving, from a data control device according to claim 10, a user feedback message comprising data regarding recommendation of an action;

Presenting, to a user, the recommendation for an action; Received, from the user, input or action taken; Sending, to the data control device, a control message including data whether the action has been taken.

The method of claim 11, further comprising presenting to the user an indication of the first value and the second value.

A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions which enable a computer, if it executes the instructions, to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 9.

A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions which enable a computer, if it executes the instructions, to perform the method of any of claims 11 or 12.

An apparatus for measuring values of entities that provide information regarding an environmental status in a room, the apparatus comprising:

A device housing comprising at least one through hole with a circumferential wall including at least one measuring opening which provides access to a sensor space for housing a first sensor and a second sensor;

A first sensor for recording a first value of a first environmental entity and a second sensor for recording a second environmental entity, the first sensor and the second sensor side provided in the sensor space;

A processing module adapted to record the first and second values;

A communication module adapted to send the first data relating to the first values and the second data relating to the second value to a data control device; The first environmental entity and the second environmental entity are selected from the following parameters:

A concentration of toxic gases and the concentration of NO2 in particular;

A concentration of CO2;

Temperature;

Humidity and relative humidity in particular;

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