WO2014174158A1

WO2014174158A1 - Method for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building

Info

Publication number: WO2014174158A1
Application number: PCT/FI2014/050304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teemu PARTANEN; Kimmo HARTIKAINEN
Original assignee: Happo Solutions Oy
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2014-04-25
Publication date: 2014-10-30
Also published as: FI20135432L

Abstract

The application relates to a method for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building. The method comprising receiving, by at least one server (210), at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors (220, 222). The at least one server comprises at least one cloud server (210) and the method further comprising calculating, by the at least one server, the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data and presenting graphically, by the at least one server, the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection (212, 214).

Description

METHOD FOR INDICATING A PROBABILITY OF MOLD GROWTH IN A BUILDING

Technical field

The application relates generally to a method for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building.

Background

Most buildings have spaces that, if not properly ventilated, have high risk of mold growth. These spaces are usually subfloor spaces, ventilated roofs, and other spaces that require proper ventilation in order to keep building healthy. These spaces are usually constructed in a way that it is difficult to monitor conditions of these spaces with human sensors.

Therefore, it has been used humidity and temperature sensors, which send measuring results to a remote unit that enables to review the results and to determine on a grounds of these humidity and temperature results whether the conditions in the spaces are favourable for mold growth, which affects huge damages for the buildings and exposes inhabitants to respiratory disorders and other illnesses.

A drawback of this remote measurement is that it only measures humidity and temperature, and shows the results without processing them further to actual usable knowledge and advice. Summary

Therefore, one object of the invention is to withdraw the above-mentioned drawback.

In addition, one object of the invention is to improve certainty and predictability about conditions and probability of mold growth in areas of buildings that are known to have high risk of mold growth, if the areas are not properly ventilated. In addition, one object of the invention is to notify user before mold growth has started and, thus, giving time to prevent very costly repairs. In addition, one object of the invention is to process measured data further into more usable and understandable form for customer. In addition, one object of the invention is to simplify an installation and usability of a whole system for anyone to use without professional help. One object of the invention is fulfilled by providing a method of claim 1 , a system of claim 7, an apparatus of claim 8, and a computer program of claim 9.

According to an embodiment of the invention a method for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building comprising receiving, by at least one server, at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors. The at least one server comprises at least one cloud server and the method further comprising calculating, by the at least one server, the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data and presenting graphically, by the at least one server, the calculated probability through a graphical us- er interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

According to an embodiment of the invention a system for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building comprising at least one cloud server for receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors. The system further comprising at least one cloud server for calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and at least one cloud server for presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection. According to an embodiment of the invention an apparatus for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building. The apparatus being at least one cloud server, and comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code for at least one program. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors, calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection. According to an embodiment of the invention a computer program for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building. The computer program, when run in at least one processor, comprising receiving code for receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors, calculating code for calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and presenting code for presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

Further embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims.

The verb "to comprise" is used in this document as an open limitation that neither excludes nor requires the existence of also unrecited features. The verbs "to include" and "to have/has" are defined as to comprise.

The terms "a", "an" and "at least one", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one and the term "plurality" is defined as two or more than two.

The term "another", as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The term "or" is generally employed in its sense comprising "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

For the above-mentioned defined verbs and terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this description/specification . Finally, the features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Brief description of the figures

The exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which figure 1 illustrates a flowchart of an indication method,

figure 2 illustrates a system that is arranged to indicate a probability of mold growth, and

figure 3 illustrates functional elements of an apparatus that is configured to indicate the probability. Detailed description of the figures

Figures 1 -2 illustrate a method 100 and a system 200 for indicating a probability of mold growth in e.g. ventilated subfloor space 204 of a building 206.

The system 200 comprises at least one temperature sensor 220 and at least one humidity sensor 222 that are placed in the space 204 under e.g. living rooms of the building 206. In addition, it is possible that the system 200 comprises at least one other relevant sensor, e.g. an air pressure sensor, a strain-gauge sensor, or a flow sensor, for measuring conditions in the space 204.

Alternatively, it is possible to place the sensors 220, 222 in e.g. a crawlspace foundation, an attic or other ventilated space of the building 206. The sensors 220, 222 can be placed e.g. on a surface of wall, floor, ceiling, or roof structures of the building 206, and/or inside e.g. the wall, floor, ceiling, or roof structures. In addition, the method 100 can be used in houses, in other tenements or buildings, or in summer houses that are kept cold during wintertime. The system 200 comprises also a smart module (central processing unit) 230, which is configured to receive the measured data through a wired and/or wireless local area network connections 224 from the sensors 220, 222. There is no need to save the measured data into a memory 232 of the CPU 230, but if it is necessary, the CPU 230 can be implemented so that it can save the measured data. The CPU 230 is then configured to forward the measured data through a wired or wireless telecommunication network connection 234, e.g. through an Internet connection provided by means of a public switched telephone network and/or a mobile telephone network, continuously with or without buffering, or according to a predetermined reporting schedule. The system 200 comprises also at least one cloud server 210, which is configured to receive the measured data and to calculate the probability by means of this measured data so that it can graphically present the calculated probability through a graphical user interface 212, 214 to a user that has an access to a web based graphical user interface 212 by means a web browser of a computer or a mobile device, e.g. a laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or smart phone, or an access to a native graphical user interface 214 of at least one cloud server 210.

During a method start-up in step 102, the CPU 230 and the server(s) 210 are started and necessary actions, e.g. initializations and/or software updates, are performed. In step 1 10 the temperature sensor(s) 220 measures temperature and the humidity sensor(s) 222 measures humidity continuosly in the space 204.

Both sensors 220, 222 comprise at least data transfer means that are configured to transfer measured data through a wired or wireless local area network connection 224, e.g. an Ethernet or a Wi-Fi connection. So, in step 120 the sensors 220, 222 transfer the measured temperature and humidity data to the CPU 230 that receives the transferred data. If the CPU 230 is capable of storing the data, it can store the data into its memory, e.g. temporarily or constantly for a predetermined time period. If, in step 122, the CPU 230 is configured to automatically forward the measured data continuously with or without buffering, or the predetermined reporting schedule indicates that it is time to forward the data, the CPU 230 sends the data in step 130 through the wireless Internet connection 234 to the server(s) 210.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the system 200, which is disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, further comprises at least one of following: a CPU 230 for receiving the measured data through a wired and/or wireless local area network connection 224 from the sensors 220, 222; the CPU 230 for saving the measured data into a memory 232 of the CPU 230; and the CPU 230 for sending the measured data through a wireless telecommunication network connection 234 to the at least one cloud server 210 continuosly, according to a predetermined reporting schedule.

In step 140 the server(s) 210 stores the received data, which relates to the building 206, into at least one data storage where it is possible to retrieve when needed. According to an embodiment of the invention, the system 200, which is disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, further comprises at least one cloud server 210 for saving the measured data that relates to the building 206 into at least one data storage.

When, in step 142, the server(s) 210 detects that a user has connected to the server(s) 210 by using the Internet connection and a computer or a mobile device, and the web based GUI 212, or by using the native GUI 214 in order to know the situation in the subfloor space 204, the server(s) 210 calculates in step 150 the probability of mold growth in the building 206 on a gounds of the measured data and predetermined temperature and humidity limits, and presents in step 160 graphically the calculated real-time probability result(s) and possibly the measured temperature and humidity data through the GUI 212, 214. It is also possible to take into account of time and/or used building materials together with the temperature and humidity when calculating the probability result(s). In addition, it is possible to present a history data of the probability result(s). In the case where there is no need to calculate the current probability result and/or history information relating to a development of the probability in step 142, the method 100 returns back to step 1 10 and the system 200 continues to measure the conditions in the subfloor space 204. Naturally, even if at least one probability calculation has been made, the system 100 also continues to provide measured data so that it can be saved by the server(s) 210.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the system 200, which is disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, the probability is calculated on a gounds of the measured data and predetermined temperature and humidity limits. The graphically presented probability information comprises at least a current probability of mold growth in the building 206 and/or a history of probability of mold growth in the building 206, and the calculated probability information is presented by using at least one of followings: colour codes, where each used colour represents a certain probability range for mold growth; graph codes, where each used graph represents the certain probability range; and at least one text summary, where each summary describes a condition data in the subfloor space 204.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the system 200, which is disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, the graphically presented probability comprises a current probability of mold growth in the building and/or a history of probability of mold growth in the building.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the system 200, which is disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, the calculated probability is presented by using at least one of followings: colour codes, where each used colour represents a certain probability range for mold growth; graph codes, where each used graph represents the certain probability range; and at least one text summary, where each summary describes a condition data.

The user has a possibility to save own settings, e.g. probability or measurement results in a certain time period, settings how to display the results, etc., into the server(s) 210 through the GUI's 212, 214 for a later use. Then, the method 100 ends in step 162.

Alternatively, the system 200 is possible to provide so that the probability information is calculated in the CPU 230 that sends the calculated data through the In- ternet connection 234 to the server(s) 210, which is configured to present the data through the GUI's 212, 214.

Figure 3 presents fuctional elements of an apparatus 310, e.g. a computer or a group of computers, for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building. The apparatus 310 comprises at least one processor 340 for performing user and/or software initiated instructions and for processing data, and at least one internal and/or external memory 350 for storing and maintaining data, e.g. instructions, softwares, and data files. The apparatus 310 also comprises a data transfer portion 360 for sending and/or receiving data through a wired and/or wire- less telecommunication network, and a user interface portion 370 comprising e.g. at least one of the followings: a keyboard, display, loudspeaker system, touchpad, touchscreen, and mouse.

The at least one memory 350 comprises at least a data transfer application 352 for controlling the data transfer portion 360, a user interface application 354 for con- trolling the user interface portion 370, and a computer program code for at least one computer program 356 for processing received data and providing graphically through GUI's probability information fot users.

The at least one memory 350 and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor 340, cause the apparatus 310 to perform at least re- ceiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors, calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and presenting graphically the calculated probability through a GUI to which a user has access by means of an Internet connection, and by means of a telecommunication connection, and a computer or a mo- bile device that is used for connecting a user device to the GUI.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 310 may be caused by the at least one memory 350, the computer program code, and the at least one processor 340 to save the measured data that relates to the building into at least one data storage, e.g. the at least one memory 350 and/or some other at least one external memory.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 310 may be caused by the at least one memory 350, the computer program code, and the at least one processor 340 to calculate the probability on a gounds of the measured data and predetermined temperature and humidity limits. According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 310 may be caused by the at least one memory 350, the computer program code, and the at least one processor 340 to graphically present a current probability of mold growth in the building and/or a history of probability of mold growth in the building. According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 310 may be caused by the at least one memory 350, the computer program code, and the at least one processor 340 to present the calculated prob-ability by using at least one of follow- ings: colour codes, where each used colour represents a certain probability range for mold growth; graph codes, where each used graph represents the certain probability range; and at least one text summary, where each summary describes a condition data.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 310 may be caused by the at least one memory 350, the computer program code, and the at least one processor 340 to receive the measured data through a wireless telecommunication network connection from a CPU, which sent the measured data continuously or according to a predetermined reporting schedule.

The computer program 356, which is configured to be run by at least one processor 340, comprises receiving code for receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors, calculating code for calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and presenting code for presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program 356 further comprises saving code for saving the measured data that relates to the building into at least one data storage 350.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program 356 calculates the probability is calculated on a gounds of the measured data and predetermined tempera-ture and humidity limits. According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program 356 presents graphically a current probability of mold growth in the building and/or a history of probability of mold growth in the building. According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program 356 presents the calculated probability by using at least one of followings: colour codes, where each used colour represents a certain probability range for mold growth; graph codes, where each used graph represents the certain probability range; and at least one text summary, where each summary describes a condition data.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the computer program 356 the receiving code is configured to receive the measured data through a wireless telecommunication network connection from a CPU, which sent the measured data continuously or according to a predetermined reporting schedule. According to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program 356 is a computer program product comprising a non-statutory tangible computer readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with at least one processor 340.

The invention has been now explained above with reference to the aforesaid ex- emplary embodiments and the several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention thought and the following claims.

Claims

1 . A method (100) for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building, the method comprising

receiving (130), by at least one server, at least temperature and humidity da- ta measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors,

characterized in that

the at least one server comprises at least one cloud server and the method further comprising

calculating (150), by the at least one server, the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data and

presenting (160) graphically, by the at least one server, the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

2. The method of claim 1 , which further comprising saving (140), by the at least server, the measured data that relates to the building into at least one data storage.

3. The method of any of preceding claims, where the probability is calculated on a gounds of the measured data and predetermined temperature and humidity limits.

4. The method of any of preceding claims, where the graphically presented probability comprises a current probability of mold growth in the building and/or a history of probability of mold growth in the building.

5. The method of any of preceding claims, where the calculated probability is presented by using at least one of followings: colour codes, where each used col- our represents a certain probability range for mold growth; graph codes, where each used graph represents the certain probability range; and at least one text summary, where each summary describes a condition data.

6. The method of any of preceding claims, which further comprising at least one of followings: receiving (120), by a central processing unit, the measured data through a wired and/or wireless local area network connection from the sensors, saving, by the processing unit, the measured data into a memory of the processing unit, and sending (130), by the processing unit, the measured data through a wireless telecommunication network connection to the at least one server according to a predetermined reporting schedule.

7. A system (200) for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building, the system being configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 -6 and comprising

at least one cloud server (210) for receiving at least temperature and humidi- ty data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors (220a, 220b), at least one cloud server (210) for calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and

at least one cloud server (210) for presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface (212, 214) to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

8. An apparatus (310) for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building, the apparatus being configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 -6, being at least one cloud server (310), and comprising

at least one processor (340) and

at least one memory (350) comprising computer program code for at least one program (356),

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least

receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors,

calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and

presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.

9. A computer program (356) for indicating a probability of mold growth in a building, the computer program being configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 -6, when run in at least one processor, and comprising

receiving code for receiving at least temperature and humidity data measured by at least one temperature and humidity sensors,

calculating code for calculating the probability of mold growth in the building by means of the measured data, and

presenting code for presenting graphically the calculated probability through a graphical user interface to which a user has access by means of a telecommunication connection.