Device for detecting the presence of pollen in the air, and corresponding detection method
Inventors
RICHARD, Jérôme • Lauthier, Johann • Renard, Jean-Baptiste
Assignees
Lify Air • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS • Universite d Orleans UFR de Sciences
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Publication Number
US-12105001-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for detecting the presence of pollen in the air, including a measuring chamber isolated from external light, an arrangement configured to drive an air flow through the measuring chamber, and a light source emitting a light beam in a direction of propagation through the air flow, into the measuring chamber. The device includes at least four photosensitive sensors configured to measure the luminous flux diffused by the illuminated air flow, in four different directions, a clock, at least two meteorological sensors, and at least one computer capable of determining the nature of a pollen particle present in the air from the data measured by the photosensitive sensors, the clock and the meteorological sensors.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a pollen detection device in which a measuring chamber is isolated from external light and an air flow is driven through the measuring chamber. A light source emits a light beam in a direction of propagation through the air flow into the measuring chamber so that the illuminated air flow produces luminous flux that is diffused. The diffused luminous flux is measured to detect a presence of pollen in air and to evaluate pollen nature from optical response.
The device includes at least four photosensitive sensors configured to measure the diffused luminous flux at different observation directions defined by angles with respect to the direction of propagation. A first sensor measures diffused luminous flux at an angle between 5° and 25°, and a last sensor measures diffused luminous flux at an angle between 150° and 175°. At least two sensors each measure diffused luminous flux at angles between 25° and 150°, producing multi-directional diffused-light data.
The invention further uses a clock and at least two meteorological sensors, together with a computer configured to determine a nature of a pollen particle present in the air. The computer determines pollen nature from data measured by the photosensitive sensors, the clock and the meteorological sensors. In the method aspect, the same concept is implemented by illuminating an air flow in a measuring chamber, measuring diffused luminous flux in at least four directions, and determining pollen nature by combining diffused luminous flux data with dating data and meteorological data.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: one directed to a pollen-detecting device and one directed to a pollen-detecting method. Each independent claim includes core inventive features covering a light-isolated measuring chamber with air-flow illumination, multi-directional diffused luminous-flux sensing using defined angle ranges, and computer-based pollen-nature determination using a clock and meteorological data.
Light-isolated measuring chamber with air-flow illumination
A measuring chamber isolated from external light; means for driving an air flow through the measuring chamber; and a light source emitting a light beam in a direction of propagation through the air flow into the measuring chamber.
Multi-directional diffused luminous-flux sensing with defined observation angles
At least four photosensitive sensors configured to measure luminous flux diffused by the illuminated air flow, including a first sensor measuring diffused luminous flux at an angle between 5° and 25° with the direction of propagation; a last sensor measuring diffused luminous flux at an angle between 150° and 175° with the direction of propagation; and at least two sensors each measuring diffused luminous flux at an angle between 25° and 150° with the direction of propagation.
Pollen-nature determination using clock and meteorological sensors
A clock, at least two meteorological sensors, and at least one computer configured to determine a nature of a pollen particle present in the air from data measured by the photosensitive sensors, the clock and the meteorological sensors.
Illumination and multi-directional diffused-luminous-flux measurement
A step of illuminating an air flow circulating in a measuring chamber by a luminous flux oriented in a direction of propagation; and a step of measuring the luminous flux diffused by the illuminated air flow, in at least four directions, including a direction forming an angle between 5° and 25° with the direction of propagation; a direction forming an angle between 150° and 175° with the direction of propagation; and at least two directions each forming an angle between 25° and 150° with the direction of propagation.
Computer determination using diffused flux plus dating and meteorological data
A step of determining, by a computer, a nature of a pollen particle present in the air flow, from the diffused luminous flux data measured in the measuring step, dating data and meteorological data.
Across the independent claims, pollen detection is implemented by illuminating an air flow in a measuring chamber isolated from external light, measuring diffused luminous flux in at least four observation directions with defined angle ranges, and determining pollen nature using computer processing combined with clock or dating data and meteorological data.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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