U.S. patent application number 15/498372 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for portable apparatus for estimating air quality and methods of operating the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Stella Park.
Application Number | 20170227436 15/498372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53265105 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170227436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Stella |
August 10, 2017 |
PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING AIR QUALITY AND METHODS OF
OPERATING THE SAME
Abstract
A portable apparatus for estimating air quality is provided. The
portable apparatus includes a light source unit suitable for
emitting incident light having a predetermined wavelength toward
air to generate scattered light which is reflected by particles in
the air, a light detection unit suitable for collecting information
on the scattered light, and an arithmetic unit suitable for
analyzing the information on the scattered light which is collected
by the light detection unit. The arithmetic unit generates
information on a size and a concentration of the particles in the
air. Related methods are also provided.
Inventors: |
Park; Stella; (Ansan-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. |
Ansan-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53265105 |
Appl. No.: |
15/498372 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14556067 |
Nov 28, 2014 |
9664607 |
|
|
15498372 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/0027 20130101;
G01N 15/06 20130101; G01N 2201/0221 20130101; G01N 2015/0088
20130101; G01N 21/53 20130101; G01N 2015/0693 20130101; G01N
2015/0046 20130101; G01N 15/0205 20130101; G01N 33/0036
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 15/02 20060101
G01N015/02; G01N 15/06 20060101 G01N015/06; G01N 33/00 20060101
G01N033/00; G01N 21/53 20060101 G01N021/53 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2013 |
KR |
1020130147576 |
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. A portable apparatus for estimating air quality, the portable
apparatus comprising: a first body including: a light source unit
including a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit a light
of a predetermined wavelength toward a target space and cause the
emitted light to be scattered by particles in an air, thereby
generating a scattered light, and a light detection unit disposed
at a first side of the light source unit and configured to detect
the scattered light; and a second body detachably combinable with
the first body and including: a control unit in communication with
the light source unit and the light detection unit and configured
to control the light source unit to adjust a timing at which the
light of the predetermined wavelength is emitted toward the target
space and to control the light detection unit to detect the
scattered light in synchronization with the timing of the light
source unit, and an arithmetic unit in communication with the
control unit to receive data detected by the light detection unit
and configured to provide air quality information based on the
received data.
19. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the light detection
unit is structured to detect light using different modes including
a static light scattering mode and a dynamic light scattering
mode.
20. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second body is
installed in a portable terminal device including one of a personal
digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a wireless phone, a
mobile phone and a smart phone.
21. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first body
further includes: an air inlet disposed on a first surface of the
first body and configured to introduce the air into the first body;
and a detection conduit disposed to receive the introduced air from
the air inlet and configured to provide the target space in the
detection conduit.
22. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the light source
unit and the light detection unit are arranged on opposite sides of
the first body.
23. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the predetermined
wavelength of the emitted light is between 300 nm and 400 nm.
24. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the LED provides
rays having a monochromic wavelength that has a single wavelength
within a range of a full width at half maximum (FWHM).
25. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the LED emits UV
rays, visible rays, IR rays, or multiple wavelengths.
26. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the particles in
the air include a given particle having a size that is equal to or
less than the predetermined wavelength.
27. The portable apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an air
outlet disposed on a second surface of the first body and
configured to discharge the air from the body portion to an outside
of the portable apparatus.
28. The portable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the light detection
unit provides the control unit with information about properties of
the particles including sizes and concentrations of the particles
in the air.
29. The portable apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a
display configured to display air quality information provided by
the arithmetic unit.
30. The portable apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a
communication unit in communication with the arithmetic unit and
configured to transmit air quality information provided by the
arithmetic unit to another device.
31. The portable apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an
additional light detection unit disposed at a second side of the
light source unit that is opposite to the first side and configured
to detect the scattered light.
32. A portable apparatus for estimating air quality, the portable
apparatus comprising: an air inlet disposed on a first surface of a
body portion of the portable apparatus and configured to introduce
an air into the body portion of the portable apparatus; a detection
conduit disposed to receive the introduced air from the air inlet
and configured to provide a target space for the air; a light
source unit disposed at a first side of the detection conduit and
including a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit a light
of a predetermined wavelength toward the target space, causing the
light to be scattered by particles in the air in the target space,
thereby generating a scattered light; and a light detection unit
disposed at a second side of the detection conduit that is opposite
to the first side and configured to detect the scattered light,
wherein the light source unit and the light detection unit are in
communication with an external device such that the portable
apparatus transmits data detected by the light detection unit to
the external device for the external device to provide air quality
information based on the transmitted data.
33. The portable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the external device
includes one of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable
computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone and a smart phone.
34. The portable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light detection
unit is structured to detect light using different modes including
a static light scattering mode and a dynamic light scattering
mode.
35. The portable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the LED emits UV
rays, visible rays, IR rays, or multiple wavelengths.
36. The portable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light source
unit and the light detection unit are arranged on opposite sides of
the body portion.
37. The portable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the predetermined
wavelength of the emitted light is between 300 nm and 400 nm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent document is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/556,067 filed Nov. 28, 2014, which claims
priority from and the benefits of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2013-0147576, filed on Nov. 29, 2013, the entirety of both of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technology disclosed in this patent document relates to
portable apparatuses for estimating the air quality and methods of
operating the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Recently, air pollution has been seriously increased by
contaminated materials or fine particles generated due to the
industrial development. For example, a heavy metal content in the
air has been increased to injure human health. Further, even the
inside air of buildings or houses is also contaminated by fine
dust, formaldehyde, or harmful bacteria or the like. The
contaminated air may cause a sick building syndrome relating to
nasal stuffiness, xerophthalmia, throat pain, sneeze, or physical
fatigue or the like.
SUMMARY
[0004] Examples of implementations of the disclosed technology
include portable apparatuses for estimating air quality in addition
to methods of operating the same.
[0005] In one aspect, a portable apparatus for estimating air
quality includes a light source unit to emit incident light having
a predetermined wavelength toward air. The emitted incident light
is scattered by particles in the air to generate scattered light.
The portable apparatus includes a light detection unit to collect
information on the scattered light. The portable apparatus includes
an arithmetic unit to analyze the collected information on the
scattered light and provide air quality indicator information
including a size and a concentration of the particles in the
air.
[0006] The portable apparatus can be implemented in various ways to
include one or more of the following features. The arithmetic unit
can perform an arithmetic operation using an equation including
variables "r", ".lamda.", "n.sub.0" and ".theta.". The variable "r"
represents a mean value of distances between the particles and the
light detection unit, the variable ".lamda." represents a
wavelength of the scattered light, the variable "n.sub.0"
represents a refractive index of the air in a target space
including the particles, and the variable ".theta." represents an
angle between the incident light and the scattered light. The
equation can include a first scattered light detection equation and
a second scattered light detection equation. The first scattered
light detection equation can be expressed by the following
equation:
I I 0 = 64 .pi. 4 n 0 2 a 6 9 .lamda. 4 r 2 ( dn 0 d .PHI. ) 2 ( 1
+ ( cos .theta. ) 2 ) . ##EQU00001##
The second scattered light detection equation can be expressed by
the following equation:
2 ( .theta. ; .tau. ) = 1 + .beta. [ exp ( - ( 4 .pi. n 0 .lamda.
sin ( .theta. 2 ) ) 2 D .tau. ) ] 2 where , D = k B T 6 .eta. a ( 1
- 1.976 .PHI. ) . ##EQU00002##
"I" represents intensity of the scattered light, "I.sub.0"
represents intensity of the incident light, "a" represents a
diameter of the particles, ".phi." represents a volume percentage
of the particles in the target space, ".beta." represents a
correlation term, "k.sub.B" represents a Boltzmann constant,
".eta." represents an intrinsic viscosity of the air in the target
space, ".tau." represents a step time, "g(.theta.; .tau.)"
represents an autocorrelation function, "D" represents a diffusion
coefficient of the particles in the target space, and "T"
represents an absolute temperature of the air in the target space.
The light source unit and the light detection unit can be disposed
at opposite sides of the portable apparatus. The portable apparatus
can include a detection conduit disposed between the light source
unit and the light detection unit to allow generation of the
scattered light in the detection conduit. The light source unit and
the light detection unit can be disposed to be adjacent to each
other. The portable apparatus can include a control unit to control
operations of the light source unit and the light detection unit;
and a display unit to display air quality indicator information
produced by the arithmetic unit.
[0007] In another aspect, a portable apparatus for estimating air
quality includes an inspection part and a production part that is
attachable to and detachable from the inspection part. The
inspection part includes a light source unit to emit light having a
predetermined wavelength toward air. The emitted light is scattered
by particles in the air to generate scattered light and a light
detection unit configured to detect the scattered light. The
production part includes a control unit to control the light source
unit and the light detection unit and an arithmetic unit to analyze
information on the scattered light detected by the light detection
unit.
[0008] The portable apparatus can be implemented in various ways to
include one or more of the following features. The arithmetic unit
can provide air quality indicator information including a size and
a concentration of the particles in the air and the production part
can include a communication unit to transmit the air quality
indicator information to an external device. The production part
can be installed in a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable
computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, or a smart phone. The
production part can be disposed in a portable terminal device to
control operations of the inspection part using application
programs loaded in the portable terminal device.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of operating a portable
apparatus for estimating the air quality includes emitting incident
light having a predetermined wavelength toward air. The emitted
incident light is scattered by particles in the air to generate a
scattered light. Information on scattered light is collected. The
information on the scattered light is analyzed to produce air
quality indicator information including a size and a concentration
of the particles in the air.
[0010] The method can be implemented in various ways to include one
or more of the following features. Analyzing the collected
information on the scattered light can include performing an
arithmetic operation using an equation including variables "r",
".lamda.", "n.sub.0" and ".theta.". The variable "r" represents a
mean value of distances between the particles and the light
detection unit, the variable ".lamda." represents a wavelength of
the scattered light, the variable "n.sub.0" represents a refractive
index of the air in a target space including the particles, and the
variable ".theta." represents an angle between the incident light
and the scattered light. The equation can include a first scattered
light detection equation and a second scattered light detection
equation. The first scattered light detection equation can be
expressed by the following equation:
I I 0 = 64 .pi. 4 n 0 2 a 6 9 .lamda. 4 r 2 ( dn 0 d .PHI. ) 2 ( 1
+ ( cos .theta. ) 2 ) ##EQU00003##
[0011] wherein the second scattered light detection equation is
expressed by the following equation:
2 ( .theta. ; .tau. ) = 1 + .beta. [ exp ( - ( 4 .pi. n 0 .lamda.
sin ( .theta. 2 ) ) 2 D .tau. ) ] 2 where , D = k B T 6 .eta. a ( 1
- 1.976 .PHI. ) ##EQU00004##
[0012] wherein, "I" represents intensity of the scattered light,
"I.sub.0" represents intensity of the incident light, "a"
represents a diameter of the particles, ".phi." represents a volume
percentage of the particles in the target space, ".beta."
represents a correlation term, "k.sub.B" represents a Boltzmann
constant, ".eta." represents an intrinsic viscosity of the air in
the target space, ".tau." represents a step time, "g(.theta.; r)"
represents an autocorrelation function, "D" represents a diffusion
coefficient of the particles in the target space, and "T"
represents an absolute temperature of the air in the target space.
The method can include displaying the air quality indicator
information. The method can include transmitting the air quality
indicator information to an external communication device.
[0013] In another aspect, a portable terminal device used for
estimating the air quality is described. The portable terminal
device includes a communication unit to receive information on
scattered light indicative of environmental conditions of particles
in air surrounding the communication unit. The portable terminal
device includes a processor to analyze the received information on
the scattered light using a predetermined algorithm to provide air
quality indicator information. The air quality indicator
information includes a size and a concentration of the particles in
the air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will become more
apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed
description, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary portable
apparatus for estimating the air quality according to a first
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary portable
terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light source
unit and a light detection unit included in an exemplary portable
apparatus for estimating the air quality according to an
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light source
unit and a light detection unit included in an exemplary portable
apparatus for estimating air quality according to another
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary mobile
system according to an embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
method of detecting scattered light generated in a portable
apparatus for estimating the air quality according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] These days, as many people raise concerns about the air
pollution, it is desirable to obtain information on the environment
conditions such as air pollution. Environmental information such as
air pollution information available from the mass media tends to be
based on data measured in specific regions at specific times.
Because there are people living in various regions around the world
in different time zones, it may be difficult to understand
environmental conditions suitable for each person by using
environmental information provided by the mass media. Due to the
above and other reasons, it is desirable to make air pollution
information at different times and different regions available. The
technology disclosed in this patent document provides for a
portable apparatus for estimating the air quality which can
directly and easily measure the quality of air around each user at
any time.
[0022] Certain terms in this patent document such as first, second,
third etc. are merely used to provide labels for various elements,
and the labels do not limit the scope of the labeled elements.
These labeling terms are only used to distinguish one element from
another element, and the labeling terms do not specify an order or
a temporal relationship among the labeled elements.
[0023] It will also be understood that when an element is referred
to as being located "under", "beneath," "below", "lower," "on",
"over", "above," "upper", "side" or "aside" another element, the
element can be directly contact the other element, or at least one
intervening element may also be present between the elements.
Accordingly, the terms such as "under", "beneath," "below",
"lower," "on", "over", "above," "upper", "side" "aside" and the
like which are used for the purpose of describing various specific
examples or implementations only and are not intended to limit the
scope of the scope of the description for the underlying
technology.
[0024] It will be further understood that the terms "comprises",
"comprising,", "includes" and/or "including", when used in this
patent document, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the
specification.
[0025] The examples of implementations of the disclosed technology
include portable apparatuses for estimating the air quality, which
are capable of easily measuring the quality of air around each
user. In various aspects and examples, the portable apparatuses for
estimating the air quality may employ a light emitting diode (LED)
as a light source to reduce the weight of the portable apparatuses.
In one aspect, an LED emitting ultraviolet rays, wavelengths of
which are shorter than wavelengths of visible rays, may be used as
the light source to react with contaminated particles having fine
sizes. In addition, the portable apparatuses for estimating the air
quality may employ a light detection unit that detects the light
scattered by the contaminated particles to measure properties of
the contaminated particles such as sizes or concentrations of the
contaminated particles.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary portable
apparatus 100 for estimating the air quality according to one
aspect of the disclosed technology. Referring to FIG. 1, the
portable apparatus 100 may include a light source unit 110 and a
light detection unit 120. The portable apparatus 100 may further
include a control unit 130, an arithmetic unit 140 and a display
unit 150.
[0027] The light source unit 110 may emit light with a
predetermined wavelength that travels toward or directed to air in
a target space. For example, the light source unit 110 may include
at least one LED acting as a light source. The LED can be readily
installed in the portable apparatus 100 because the LED is small
and light. The LED may provide rays having a monochromic
wavelength, for example, rays having a single wavelength within a
range of a full width at half maximum (FWHM). In some
implementations, the light source unit 110 may include an LED that
emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, visible rays, infrared (IR) rays, or
more than one wavelengths. For example, the light source unit 110
may include an LED that emits UV rays having a wavelength of about
300 nanometers to about 400 nanometers.
[0028] The light emitted from the light source unit 110 may be
scattered by contaminated particles in air to generate scattered
light, and the scattered light may be detected by the light
detection unit 120. The scattered light may be generated by or
consistent with Rayleigh scattering or Mie scattering.
[0029] In general, the Rayleigh scattering may occur when a size of
a given particle is less than a wavelength of incident light
colliding with the particles. In the Rayleigh scattering, the
intensity of the scattered light may be inversely proportional to a
four square value of a wavelength of the incident light. The Mie
scattering may occur when a size of a given particle is almost
equal to a wavelength of incident light colliding with the
particles. In the Mie scattering, the intensity of the scattered
light may be inversely proportional to a wavelength of the incident
light. Accordingly, the Rayleigh scattering may be useful in
detecting fine particles that have sizes which are less than a
wavelength of the incident light colliding with the fine
particles.
[0030] In some embodiments, UV rays having a short wavelength,
which is less than wavelengths of visible rays, may be used as the
incident light to detect the scattered light generated by or based
on the Rayleigh scattering. In such a case, fine contaminant in the
air may be readily detected or identified.
[0031] The light detection unit 120 may detect the fine particles
distributed in the air at the target space and may provide to the
control unit 130 information on properties of the particles, for
example, sizes and concentrations of the fine particles in the
air.
[0032] The control unit 130 is in communication with the light
source unit 110 and the light detection unit to control operations
of the light source unit 110 and the light detection unit 120. In
some implementations, the control unit 130 may adjust the timing
that the light source unit 110 emits the incident light into the
air and may control a light receiving operation of the light
detection unit 120 to be in synchronization with the timing of the
emission of the incident light from the light source unit 110.
[0033] The arithmetic unit 140 is in communication with control
unit 130 to receive data from the light detection unit 120 through
the control unit 130. The arithmetic unit 140 may produce
information on properties of the particles, for example, sizes and
concentrations of the particles in the air, based on data of the
scattered light detected by the light detection unit 120. The
arithmetic unit 140 may include a calculation device for
calculating the sizes and concentrations of the particles in the
air.
[0034] The display unit 150 is in communication with the arithmetic
unit 140, the control unit 130, the light source unit 110 and the
light detection unit 120 through the arithmetic unit 140 and the
control unit 130 to obtain data and information regarding all of
the units 110, 120, 120 and 140 in the portable apparatus 100. The
display unit 150 may display the received information about the
light source unit 110, the light detection unit 120, the control
unit 130, and the arithmetic unit 140 including the operation
statuses of the light source unit 110, the light detection unit
120, and the control unit 130. In some implementations, the display
unit 150 may display information on the air contamination which is
calculated by the arithmetic unit 140. In some implementations, the
display unit 150 may display information on various properties of
the particles, for example, sizes and concentrations of the
particles in the air, which are calculated by the arithmetic unit
140.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary portable
terminal device 200 for estimating the air quality according to
another aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the
portable terminal device 200 includes two different body portions.
For example, the portable terminal device 200 may include an
inspection part 10 corresponding to a first body portion and a
production part 20 corresponding to a second body portion. The
first and second body portions may be combinable and separable from
each other.
[0036] The inspection part 10 may include a light source unit 115
and a light detection unit 125. The light source unit 115 may emit
light that travels toward or is directed to a target space filled
with air and has a predetermined wavelength. The light source unit
115 may employ an LED as a light source. The LED can be readily
installed in the portable terminal device 200 because the LED is
small and light. The LED may provide rays having a monochromic
wavelength, for example, rays having a single wavelength within a
range of a full width at half maximum (FWHM). In some
implementations, the light source unit 115 may include an LED that
emits UV rays, visible rays, IR rays, or multiple wavelengths. For
example, the light source unit 115 may include an LED that emits UV
rays having a wavelength of about 300 nanometers to about 400
nanometers.
[0037] The light emitted from the light source unit 115 may be
reflected or scattered by contaminated particles in the air to
generate scattered light, and the scattered light may be detected
by the light detection unit 125. The scattered light may be
generated by Rayleigh scattering or Mie scattering. The light
detection unit 125 may detect the fine particles distributed in the
air and may provide to a control unit 135 information on properties
of the particles, for example, sizes and concentrations of the fine
particles in the air.
[0038] The production part 20 may include the control unit 135, an
arithmetic unit 145, a communication unit 147 and a display unit
155. The production part 20 is in communication with the inspection
part 10 by having the control unit 135 in communication with the
light source 115 and the light detection unit 125. The control unit
135 may control operations of the light source unit 115 and the
light detection unit 125. The arithmetic unit 145 is in
communication with the control unit 135 and receives information
regarding the light source unit 115 and the light detection unit
125. The arithmetic unit 145 may produce information on properties
of the particles in the air, for example, sizes and concentrations
of the particles in the air, based on data of the scattered light
detected by the light detection unit 125. The arithmetic unit 145
may include a calculation device for calculating the sizes and
concentrations of the particles in the air.
[0039] The communication unit 147 is in communication with the
control unit 135 and may transmit the information on the detected
contamination in the air produced by the arithmetic unit 145 to a
communication medium such as another portable apparatus or a base
station by wireless or cable communication. Alternatively, the
communication unit 147 may receive the information on the
contamination in the air from another portable apparatus or a base
station by wireless or cable communication.
[0040] The display unit 155 is in communication with the control
unit 135, and through its communication with the control unit 135,
the display unit can receive information regarding the light source
unit 115, the light detection unit 125, the arithmetic unit 145,
the control unit 135 and the communication unit 147. The display
unit 155 may display the received information including the
operation statuses of the light source unit 115, the light
detection unit 125, the control unit 135, the arithmetic unit 145
and the communication unit 147. Moreover, the display unit 155 may
display information on the air contamination which is calculated by
the arithmetic unit 145. In some implementations, the display unit
155 may display information on the sizes and concentrations of the
particles in the air, which are calculated by the arithmetic unit
145.
[0041] In some embodiments, the display unit 155 may include a
touch input device. The touch input device may receive user's input
commands for operating the light source unit 115, the light
detection unit 125, the control unit 135, the arithmetic unit 145
or the communication unit 147.
[0042] According to some embodiments, the production part 20 may be
installed in a portable terminal device, such as the portable
terminal device 200 for estimating the air quality. The portable
terminal device may be or include a portable electronic system, for
example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a
wireless phone, a mobile phone or a smart phone.
[0043] In some implementations, the operations of the production
part 20 may be carried out by elements of the portable terminal
device. For example, when the portable terminal device includes a
processor, a communication unit, and a multimedia unit, and a touch
input unit, the operations of the control unit 135, the arithmetic
unit 145, the communication unit 147 and the display unit 155,
which are included in the production part 20, may correspond to
those of a processor, a communication unit, a multimedia unit and a
touch input unit. In such a case, operations of the control unit
135, the arithmetic unit 145, the communication unit 147 and the
display unit 155 may be controlled by application programs executed
in the processor.
[0044] The inspection part 10 corresponding to a first body may be
prepared independently from the production part 20 corresponding to
a second body and then combined with the production part 20 to
perform the operations for estimating an air pollution. A user can
control the inspection part 10 by installing an application program
in his or her portable terminal device which corresponds to the
second body.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light source
unit 310 and a light detection unit 320 included in a portable
apparatus for estimating the air quality according to one aspect.
The light source unit 310 may have substantially the same
configuration as the light source unit 110 or the light source unit
115 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2, and the light
detection unit 320 may have substantially the same configuration as
the light detection unit 120 or the light detection unit 125
described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the light source unit 310 and the
light detection unit 320 may be disposed in a body portion 305. For
example, the light source unit 310 and the light detection unit 320
may be located at opposite sides of the body portion 305 to face
each other. The body portion 305 may include an air inlet 301 and
an air outlet 302. A detection conduit 330 may be disposed between
the light source unit 310 and the light detection unit 320. Light
emitted from the light source unit 310 may collide with air
particles in the detection conduit 330 to generate scattered light,
and the scattered light may be detected by the light detection unit
320.
[0047] An inflow conduit 340 may be disposed between the air inlet
301 and the detection conduit 330, and outside air may be
introduced into the detection conduit 330 through the inflow
conduit 340. An exhaust conduit 350 may be disposed between the air
outlet 302 and the detection conduit 330, and the detected air in
the detection conduit 330 may be vented out through the exhaust
conduit 350.
[0048] An optical lens 315 is provided to focus the light emitted
from the light source unit 310. In implementations, the optical
lens 315 may be disposed at an end of the detection conduit 330
opposite to the light detection unit 320. The focused light may be
introduced into the detection conduit 330. The scattered light
generated by the air particles in the detection conduit 330 may be
irradiated onto the light detection unit 320 at a predetermined
scattering angle.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light source
unit 410 and a light detection unit 420 included in a portable
apparatus for estimating air quality according to another aspect.
The light source unit 410 may have substantially the same
configuration as the light source unit 110 or the light source unit
115 described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2, and the light
detection unit 420 may have substantially the same configuration as
the light detection unit 120 or the light detection unit 125
described with reference to FIG. 1 or 2.
[0050] The light source unit 410 and the light detection unit 420
may be disposed to be adjacent to each other in a body portion 405.
Air may be introduced into the body portion 405 through an air
inlet 401 and may be supplied onto the light source unit 410 and
the light detection unit 420. The light source unit 410 may emit
light toward the air introduced into the body portion 405. The
light emitted from the light source unit 410 may collide with
particles in the air to generate scattered light, and the scattered
light may be detected by the light detection unit 420.
[0051] An optical lens 415 may be disposed on the light source unit
410 to focus the light emitted from the light source unit 410.
Accordingly, the focused light may travel toward the air introduced
into the body portion 405.
[0052] The light detection unit 420 may be disposed on a side of
the light source unit 410 to receive the scattered light which is
reflected by particles in the air. Although FIG. 4 illustrates an
example in which two light detection units 420 are disposed at both
sides of the light source unit 410, other implementations may
include different numbers of the light detection unit 420. For
example, a single light detection unit 420 may be disposed at one
side of the light source unit 410.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a mobile system 500
according to an embodiment. The mobile system 500 shows an example
in which the portable terminal device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is
employed.
[0054] The mobile system 500 may include an inspection device 510
and a terminal device 520. The inspection device 510 may have
substantially the same configuration as the inspection part 10
described with reference to FIG. 2, and the terminal device 520 may
have substantially the same configuration as the production part 20
described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0055] A connector 530 may allow the inspection device 510 to
combine with or connect to the terminal device 520. The terminal
device 520 may be or include an electronic system, for example, a
PDA, a portable computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone or a
smart phone. A user may purchase only the inspection device 510 and
readily measure environmental information such as a contamination
degree of air around the user by connecting the inspection device
510 to the user's terminal device 520.
[0056] An exemplary principle of measuring the air quality using a
light source unit and a light detection unit included in a portable
apparatus are described. Light emitted from the light source unit
may collide with air particles to generate scattered light, and the
scattered light may be detected using different modes including a
static light scattering mode and a dynamic light scattering
mode.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of
detecting scattered light generated in a portable apparatus for
estimating the air quality according to an embodiment. Referring to
FIG. 6, incident light 61 emitted from a light source unit 610 may
collide with particles in a target space 620 to generate scattered
light 62, and the scattered light 62 may be irradiated onto a light
detection unit 630.
[0058] First, in the static light scattering mode, the intensity of
scattered light I to incident light I.sub.0 can be expressed by the
following equation 1.
I I 0 = 64 .pi. 4 n 0 2 a 6 9 .lamda. 4 r 2 ( dn 0 d .PHI. ) 2 ( 1
+ ( cos .theta. ) 2 ) ( 1 ) ##EQU00005##
[0059] wherein, "n.sub.0" represents a refractive index of air in
the target space 620 including the particles, "a" represents a
diameter of the particles in the target space 620, "r" represents a
mean value of distances between the particles and the light
detection unit 630, ".lamda." represents a wavelength of the
scattered light 62, ".phi." represents a volume percentage of the
particles in the target space 620, and ".theta." represents an
angle between the incident light 61 and the scattered light 62.
[0060] In the equation 1, "n.sub.0", "r", ".lamda." and ".theta."
may be known values, and "I/I.sub.0" may be measured and obtained
by a static light scattering mode experiment. Thus, a relational
expression between a particle diameter "a" and a ratio of variation
of the refractive index of the air to variation of the volume
percentage of the particles "(d n.sub.0/d.phi.)" may be obtained
from the equation 1.
[0061] Meanwhile, in the dynamic light scattering mode, the
intensity of the scattered light 62 can be obtained based on the
elapse of a step time by using the following equations 2 and 3. In
the dynamic light scattering mode, the incident light 61 having a
pulse type may be irradiated toward the target space 620 at a point
of time "t", and the intensity of the scattered light 62 may be
detected and measured by the light detection unit 630 after the
step time ".tau." elapses from the point of time "t". In some
embodiments, the step time ".tau." may be equal to or less than 4
milliseconds.
2 ( q ; .tau. ) = < I ( t ) I ( t + .tau. ) > < I ( t )
> 2 wherein , q = 4 .pi. n 0 .lamda. sin + .theta. 2 ( 2 ) 2 (
.theta. ; .tau. ) = 1 + .beta. [ exp ( - ( 4 .pi. n 0 .lamda. sin (
.theta. 2 ) ) 2 D .tau. ) ] 2 wherein , D = k B T 6 .eta. a ( 1 -
1.976 .PHI. ) ( 3 ) ##EQU00006##
[0062] In the equations 2 and 3, "g(q; .tau.)" and "g(.theta.; r)"
represent autocorrelation functions and the autocorrelation
functions "g(q; .tau.)" and "g(.theta.; r)" can be obtained by some
experiments. In the equation 2, "q" in the autocorrelation function
"g(q; .tau.)" represents a wave function, "I(t)" represents the
intensity of the scattered light 62 at the point of time "t",
"I(t+.tau.)" represents the intensity of the scattered light 62 at
the point of time "t+.tau.", "<I(t)>" represents a mean value
of the intensity of the scattered light 62 detected from the target
space 620 at the point of time "t", "<I(t)I(t+.tau.)>"
represents a mean value of products of the scattered light
intensity "I(t)" at a point of time `t` and the scattered light
intensity "I(t+.tau.)" at a point of time `t+.tau.`. In addition,
".beta." represents a correlation term, "k.sub.B" represents a
Boltzmann constant, ".eta." represents an intrinsic viscosity of
the air in the target space 620, and "D" represents a diffusion
coefficient of particles in the target space 620. Moreover, "T"
represents an absolute temperature of the air in the target space
620.
[0063] In the equation 3, "n.sub.0", "r", ".lamda." and ".theta."
may be known values and ".tau." can be determined by a dynamic
light scattering mode experiment. If a value of the autocorrelation
function "g(q; .tau.)" obtained from the equation 2 is provided to
the equation 3, a relational expression between the diameter "a" of
the particles and the volume percentage ".phi." of the particles in
the target space 620 may be deduced.
[0064] Using the relational expression deduced from the equations 2
and 3, the diameter "a" and the volume percentage ".phi." of the
particles in the target space 620 can be produced. As such,
environmental information, for example, the size and the
concentration of the particles in the target space 620 may be
obtained. "T" represents an absolute temperature of the air in the
target space 620.
[0065] In order to execute the operations for calculating the
information described above, the arithmetic unit 140 (or 145)
illustrated in FIG. 1 (or 2) may include a storage device for
storing information on the scattered light detected by the light
detection unit 120 (or 125), an information operational device, and
an air quality analysis device. The storage device may store the
information on the scattered light obtained at a point of time "t".
The information operational device may calculate a mean value of
the intensity of the scattered light or may calculate a value of
the autocorrelation function "g(q; .tau.)", based on the
information on the scattered light. The air quality analysis device
may analyze various characteristics of the particles, such as the
size, distribution and concentration of the contaminated particles
in the target space 620, based on the information calculated by the
information analysis device. In one implementation, the air quality
analysis device may evaluate the analyzed information on the
contaminated particles to be consistent with actual environmental
conditions. For example, the air quality analysis device may
perform operations for removing noises included in the analyzed
information on the contaminated particles and compensating the
analyzed information in consideration of environmental temperature
or environmental humidity. In one implementation, to perform the
above described evaluating operations, calibration operations for
comparing the measured or analyzed information with reference
information and for correcting the measured or analyzed information
may be periodically performed.
[0066] As described above, the portable apparatus according to the
embodiment may operate in both the static and dynamic light
scattering modes to analyze the scattering light. Thus, properties
of the particles including a size and a concentration of particles
in air contained in a target space may be accurately measured by
using a relational formula between a diameter "a" of the particles
and a volume percentage ".phi." of the particles, which is obtained
from the static and dynamic light scattering modes.
[0067] A light source unit may emit light having a predetermined
wavelength toward air and the light emitted from the light source
unit may collide with contaminated particles in the air to generate
scattered light. The scattered light may be detected by a light
detection unit, and information on properties including sizes and
concentration of the contaminated particles may be produced based
on data of the scattered light detected by the light detection
unit.
[0068] If the light source unit and the light detection unit are
combined with a portable terminal device, a user of the portable
terminal device may readily measure and estimate environmental data
including a contamination degree of air around the user.
[0069] Only a few embodiments, implementations and examples are
described and other embodiments and implementations, and various
enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described
and illustrated in this document.
* * * * *