Acoustic Aerosol Concentration Detection via Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately determine the concentration of potentially infectious aerosol particles in enclosed spaces, such as meeting rooms, which is crucial for assessing infection risk and taking preventive measures.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects the time profile of acoustic variables, like sound pressure levels, to estimate the emission of aerosol particles from emitters, allowing for the calculation of aerosol concentration and risk assessment, using microphone arrays and signal processing techniques to assign emissions to individual sources, and considering ventilation rates for precise concentration determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic quantity detection is used to estimate aerosol emission, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirement of microphone arrays and signal processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct physical aerosol detection methods with acoustic field measurement and signal processing. By detecting acoustic quantities (sound pressure levels, audio signals) and processing them through algorithms, the system infers aerosol emission characteristics without requiring direct contact with or physical measurement of aerosol particles, thus achieving high measurement precision while managing device complexity through software-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic quantities as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure aerosol emission. Instead of directly measuring aerosol concentration, the system uses acoustic signals as a mediator that correlates with aerosol emission characteristics. This intermediary approach allows for precise inference of aerosol emission patterns through acoustic field analysis, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If individual emitter assignment is performed using microphone arrays, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic field detection into emitter-specific components using microphone arrays positioned at different locations. By dividing the measurement task into separate emitter channels and processing each emitter's acoustic signature independently, the system achieves high precision for individual emitter identification while managing overall system complexity through modular processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality analysis by examining acoustic characteristics specific to each emitter's location and emission pattern. Each emitter is analyzed with customized acoustic parameters and spatial filtering, allowing precise identification and measurement of individual emission sources. This localized approach enables high precision emitter-specific measurement while keeping processing complexity manageable through targeted analysis rather than global processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate estimation of infection risk, allowing for timely ventilation recommendations and reducing the likelihood of infection by quantifying aerosol concentrations and inhalation doses in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
Detecting at least one temporal profile of an acoustic quantity in the volume, wherein the acoustic quantity is associated with one or more of the emitters
Data Source
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AI summary
In summary, the invention relates to a method for determining the concentration (cA) of potentially infectious aerosol particles in a volume (V), e.g., in a meeting room. The invention further relates to a method for determining an inhalation dose (Z), a device (200) for determining the concentration (cA), a control device, and a display device. To improve the determination of the concentration (cA) of potentially infectious aerosol particles in a volume (V) with emitters (E1,...,En), the following steps are proposed: - Acquiring at least one temporal profile of an acoustic quantity (AS) in the volume (V) associated with one or more of the emitters (E1,...,En), - Determining an emission (Q) of aerosol particles for at least one of the emitters (E1,...,En) based on the recorded temporal evolution of the acoustic quantity (AS) and - determining the concentration (cA) based on the at least one emission (Q).