Abstract: The present application relates to a method for tracking a user's exposure to air pollutants, comprising receiving pollutant information from a plurality of air quality data sources at one or more user locations, determining a weighting for at least one of the plurality of data sources, the weighting representing quality of the pollutant information from the respective data source, selecting data sources from the plurality of data sources based on the weighting and aggregating pollutant information from the selected data sources to determine the user's exposure over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The invention describes a modular fluid sensing system comprising a fluid sensing terminal (150) and removable fluid channel units (101, 102, 103). The fluid channel units (101, 102, 103) comprise or can be combined with fluid treatment units as filters, sensors and seals. The fluid channel units (101, 102, 103) can be combined in accordance with the present needs of the user of the fluid sensing system. The invention therefore enables a reconfigurable channel system with reconfigurable measurement and treatment options within a fluid sensing system.

Abstract: A method of determining an action associated with an apparatus, the apparatus having a disposable component, the method comprising: obtaining (100), by means of a camera (416), data representing a visual code (301, 303) and a visual symbol (302, 304); comparing (120), by means of a processor (414), the visual code represented by said data with a reference code, the reference code indicating an identity of a disposable component of the apparatus, and comparing (130), by means of said processor, the visual symbol represented by said data with a reference symbol, to obtain comparison results; and determining (140) the action in response to the comparison results.

Abstract: An air treatment system (100) is provided that comprises an air purifier (110) arranged to treat a first parameter of ambient air; a controller (130) arranged to control operation of the air purifier (110); and a sensor (120) arranged to detect a value indicative of the first parameter, and to output sensor data indicative of the value to the controller. The controller (130) is arranged to determine whether the sensor (120) and the air purifier (110) are in a same air space by controlling the air purifier (110) to operate in a test mode and analyzing sensor data from the sensor (120) received during the test mode. If the sensor (120) and the air purifier (110) are determined to be in the same air space, the controller (130) is arranged to control the air purifier (110) to operate in a mode based on sensor data from the sensor (120).

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a device (2) for monitoring the inhalation of airborne pollutant by a subject, the device (2) comprising a processing unit (4) configured to determine or receive measurements of the amount of airborne pollutant around the subject and the amount of air inhaled by the subject, and to combine the measurements to determine a measure of the amount of airborne pollutant inhaled by the subject. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: An air purifier (10) uses an air purifier filter unit (12) and a sensor (26) for sensing the matter to be filtered by the air purifier filter unit. By monitoring (18) the performance of the air purifier combined with information about the air purifier filter unit, it is possible to determine a volume of the space in which the air purifier (10) is deployed.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for purifying and/or humidifying air, and a related method for purifying and/or humidifying air. The apparatus comprises a rotary filter (1), a fan (9, 10) for passing air through the rotary filter (1), and a reservoir (4, 5), and wherein the rotation speed of the rotary filter (1) and the settings of the fan (9, 10) depend on the ambient relative humidity and ambient gas pollutant concentration. The apparatus combines the feature of chemisorption with the use of a rotary filter (1), thereby providing an apparatus which is able to purify air and/or regulate the ambient humidity based on humidity levels and levels of a target gas pollutant in the air. The invention removes the need for a pump for liquid transport, removes the need for frequent and expensive filter changes by the user, and instead only requires the user to periodically refresh the filtration solution in the reservoir (4, 5).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus and method comprises an advertisement controller in a video playback device that (1) prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and (2) prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

Abstract: A sensor system is provided for measuring particle concentration and mass concentration in an aerosol. An optical sensor (33) is used for measuring a particle concentration and a mechanical sensor (32) is used for measuring a mass of collected particles. A particle concentration in the aerosol is monitored using the optical sensor (33), until detection of a particle generating event. Upon detection of a particle generating event, a mass measurement using the mechanical sensor (32) is performed and the mass measurement is used to calibrate the optical sensor (33). This approach enables the lifetime of the mechanical sensor to be extended, because it is only used when events are detected. The optical sensor, which typically is less accurate for mass sensing, is calibrated by the mechanical sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor device which comprises an input flow channel (10) for receiving a gas flow with entrained matter to be sensed. A thermophoretic arrangement (14a, 14b) is used to induce a thermophoretic particle movement from a first, warmer, region (16) of the input flow channel to a second, cooler, region (18) of the input flow channel (10). A sensor (24) comprises a particle sensor component at or downstream of the first region (16) of the input flow channel (10). The invention provides the benefit of pre-filtering (e.g. removal of most suspended solids/liquids) without the need for a physical filter that can become blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus and method comprises an advertisement controller in a video playback device that (1) prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and (2) prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

Abstract: A sample is added to a chamber (12) in which magnetic particles (P) are provided. The sample includes a target component (T) and the chamber (12) has a detection surface (122). A magnetic force is exerted on the magnetic particles (P) to attract the magnetic particles (P) to the detection surface (122). The bound magnetic particles that captured the target component (T) in the magnetic particles (P) and the unbound magnetic particles that captured no target component (T) in the magnetic particles (P) are held at the detection surface (122). At least part of the sample is drained out of the chamber (12) and a new sample added to the chamber (12). The magnetic force exerted on the magnetic particles (P) is altered to release the unbound magnetic particles from the detection surface (122). An amount of the bound magnetic particles that are held at the detection surface (122) are measured.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining levels of gaseous elements and optionally utilizing the determined levels to calibrate one or more sensors of an air purifier. For example, in some implementations a first image is captured of a colorimetric sensor device at the start of a sensing period and a second image is captured of the colorimetric sensor device at the end of the sensing period. The colorimetric sensor device includes at least one colorimetric sensor configured to change colors in response to reaction with a gaseous pollutant. Values may be determined based on the colors of the colorimetric sensor in the first and second images and the values may be utilized to determine a pollution value indicative of the amount of the gaseous pollutant to which the colorimetric sensor was exposed during the sensing period.

Abstract: The invention provides an air purifier (1) comprising a catalytic converter (100), the catalytic converter (100) comprising (i) a catalytically active material (120) and (ii) a heatable material (130) in thermal contact with said catalytically active material (120), wherein the heatable material (130) is heatable by one or more of an alternating electrical field and an alternating magnetic field, the air purifier (1) further comprising a field generator (140), configured free from electrical contact with the heatable material (130) and configured to heat during operation of the air purifier (1) the heatable material (130) by one or more of the alternating electrical field and the alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: An air purifier filter system comprises an air purifier filter unit and a machine readable identifier which provides information concerning the filter unit type and performance information specific to a target pollutant to be filtered by said air purifier filter unit from a plurality of different pollutants that can be filtered by that filter unit type. This information can be used to provide an end of life prediction for the filter unit or provide advice that the filter should be changed for other reasons. This enables the user to be given advance warning, and to be given instructions when it is time to change the filter unit. The instructions to change the filter unit may be more accurate than a simple timer as they can take account of the type of filter unit and the performance information. In some examples the use history of the filter unit may also be used to predict the time when it should be changed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an air quality-monitoring system (100) may include at least one sensor (106) configured to detect operation of a mechanism (110) within or at a boundary of an indoor environment. The mechanism may be external to an air purifier (102) associated with the indoor environment. The system may include a persistent memory (124) for storing data about the indoor environment observed by the at least one sensor (106).

Abstract: In various embodiments, an air purification system (100, 300, 400) may include a first air filter (316, 416) that targets at least a first type of pollutant. In various embodiments, air that passes through the first air filter may be unobstructed by other air filters. In various embodiments, a second air filter (316, 416) may target at least a second type of pollutant that is different than the first type of pollutant. In various embodiments, air that passes through the second air filter may also be unobstructed by other air filters. In various embodiments, a controller (102, 302) may be configured to selectively move the first and/or second air filters to expose one or both of the first and second air filters to one or more air streams, e.g., based on user input and/or on one or more signals from one or more pollutant sensors (106, 306).

Abstract: A apparatus (100) for roasting coffee beans is disclosed comprising a compartment (110) for holding coffee beans (10); a roasting element (140) for roasting the coffee beans in said compartment; and a processor (130) comprising a control unit (134) for controlling the roasting element. Wherein, the processor (130) is adapted to determine a weight loss rate of the coffee beans, and the control unit (134) is adapted to control the roasting element as a function of the determined weight loss rate. A coffee machine including such an apparatus and a method for roasting coffee beans are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and a method of sensing characteristics of a food material and a machine and a method of brewing coffee. The device comprises: a wave source (20) configured for emitting waves to said food material (22), with the wavelength range of said waves comprising a selected near infrared band neighboring a visible band; a detector (26), configured for detecting intensities of the waves reflected by said food material; and an analysis module (28), configured for determining said characteristics according to the detected intensity of the reflected waves. Preferably, the food material comprises coffee powder, and the characteristics comprise at least any one of: color of the coffee powder (corresponding to the roasting degree of coffee powder); and grind fineness of the coffee powder.

Abstract: A device for use in a process for roasting coffee beans comprises measuring means (10) for performing measurements of an actual value of particulate matter emission from the coffee beans during a process of roasting the coffee beans, and controlling means (20) coupled to the measuring means (10) for receiving the outcome of the measurements from the measuring means (10), wherein the controlling means (20) are adapted to find a pattern of the particulate matter emission over time on the basis of the outcome of the measurements, to determine an actual roasting degree of the coffee beans on the basis of the pattern, and to determine and set at least one characteristic of the roasting process on the basis of the roasting degree.