HK1231799A1 - Air-treatment mask systems, and related methods and air-treatment masks - Google Patents

Description

Air treatment mask system, and related method and air treatment mask

The present application is a divisional application of the application having application date of 2012, 26/10, 201280061011.X entitled "air treatment mask system, and related methods and air treatment masks".

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are directed to air treatment mask systems having at least one controllable air treatment device (e.g., an active or passive air filter) controlled to be responsive to one or more signals from at least one pollutant sensor encoding pollutant data, and related methods of operation and air treatment masks. In one embodiment, an air treatment mask system includes a wearable air treatment mask including a facial fixation member, and at least one controllable air treatment device supported by the mask body. The at least one controllable air treatment device is configured to treat incoming air. At least one pollutant sensor is provided, the sensor being configured to sense the presence of at least one air pollutant in ambient air and to output one or more signals in response to the sensing. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the at least one controllable air treatment device and the at least one pollutant sensor. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to receiving one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the present application provides an air treatment mask system comprising:

a wearable air treatment mask, the wearable air treatment mask comprising,

a mask body including a facial fixation member; and

at least one controllable air treatment device supported by the mask body, the at least one controllable air treatment device configured to treat incoming air;

at least one pollutant sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one pollutant in ambient air and further configured to output one or more signals in response to the sensing; and

control circuitry operatively coupled to the at least one controllable air treatment device and the at least one pollutant sensor, the control circuitry configured to control operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to receiving the one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask includes the at least one contaminant sensor.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask is remote from the at least one contaminant sensor.

In one embodiment, the at least one contaminant sensor is configured to be worn by a user.

In one embodiment, the at least one controllable air treatment device comprises at least one air filter configured to filter incoming air. In one embodiment, the at least one air filter comprises at least one passive air filter. In one embodiment, the at least one passive air filter comprises at least one of a fibrous filter, activated carbon, or zeolite-based filter.

In one embodiment, the at least one air filter includes at least one active air filter configured to filter incoming air. In one embodiment, the at least one active air filter comprises at least one of an electrostatic filter, an optical filter, or a chemical agent-based filter.

In one embodiment, the at least one contaminant sensor includes at least one particulate sensor configured to sense airborne particulates in ambient air.

In one embodiment, the at least one contaminant sensor includes at least one chemical sensor configured to sense one or more chemical contaminants in ambient air.

In one embodiment, the at least one contaminant sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate the one or more signals with the control circuitry.

In one embodiment, the at least one contaminant sensor is electrically or optically coupled to the control circuitry, which is in signal communication with the one or more signals therein.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask includes at least one valve configured to control the flow of incoming air to the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is configured to control the treatment intensity of the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask includes at least one valve operably coupled to the control circuit, the control circuit configured to control operation of the at least one valve to control delivery of the treated air to a user.

In one embodiment, the air treatment mask system further includes a data transmitter coupled to the control circuitry, the data transmitter configured to transmit information regarding at least the pollutant data encoded in the one or more signals. In one embodiment, the data transmitter is configured to transmit the information wirelessly. In another embodiment, the data transmitter is configured to transmit the information via an electrical interface.

In one embodiment, the air filtering mask system further includes a memory module configured to store the pollutant data encoded in the one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask includes a secondary air chamber configured to store air that has been treated by the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, a wearable air treatment mask includes a mask body including a face-securing member, and at least one controllable air treatment device supported by the mask body. The at least one controllable air treatment device is configured to controllably treat incoming air. The wearable air treatment mask includes at least one pollutant sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one pollutant in ambient air and further configured to output one or more signals in response to the sensing. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the at least one controllable air treatment device and the at least one pollutant sensor. The control circuitry is configured to control operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to receiving one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the present application provides a wearable air treatment mask comprising:

a mask body including a face-securing member;

at least one controllable air treatment device supported by the mask body, the at least one controllable air treatment device configured to controllably treat incoming air;

at least one pollutant sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one pollutant in ambient air and further configured to output one or more signals in response to the sensing; and

control circuitry operatively coupled to the at least one controllable air treatment device and the at least one pollutant sensor, the control circuitry configured to control operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to receiving the one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the at least one controllable air treatment device comprises at least one air filter configured to filter incoming air. In one embodiment, the at least one air filter comprises at least one passive air filter. In one embodiment, the at least one passive air filter comprises at least one of a fibrous filter, activated carbon, or zeolite-based filter.

In one embodiment, the at least one air filter includes at least one active air filter configured to filter incoming air. In one embodiment, the at least one active air filter comprises at least one of an electrostatic filter, an optical filter, or a chemical agent-based filter.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask further comprises at least one actuator configured to deploy the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to the control circuit determining that the at least one controllable air treatment device is to be deployed.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask further comprises at least one valve operably coupled to the control circuit, the control circuit configured to control operation of the at least one valve to control delivery of treated air to a user.

In one embodiment, the wearable air treatment mask further comprises a memory module configured to store the pollutant data encoded in the one or more signals from the at least one pollutant sensor.

In one embodiment, the mask body includes a secondary air chamber configured to store air that has been processed by the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, a method of treating ambient air breathed by a user is disclosed. The method includes sensing at least one contaminant in ambient air breathed by a user using at least one contaminant sensor. The method further includes, in response to sensing the at least one contaminant, treating the incoming air with at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask.

In one embodiment, the present application provides a method of treating ambient air to be breathed by a user, the method comprising:

sensing at least one contaminant in ambient air to be breathed by a user using at least one contaminant sensor; and is

In response to sensing the at least one contaminant, incoming air to be breathed by the user is treated with at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises sending the sensed information about the at least one contaminant to a control circuit of the wearable air treatment mask.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises deploying the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to sensing the at least one pollutant.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting one or more data signals encoding information about the at least one contaminant so sensed.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting one or more data signals encoding information regarding the operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises storing data regarding the at least one contaminant so sensed.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises storing the treated air in a secondary chamber of the wearable air treatment mask.

In one embodiment, a method of operating at least one controllable air-handling device of a wearable air-handling mask worn by a user is disclosed. The method includes sensing at least one contaminant in ambient air breathed by a user with at least one contaminant sensor. The method further includes modifying operation of at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask in response to sensing the at least one pollutant.

In one embodiment, the present application provides a method of operating at least one controllable air treatment device of a wearable air treatment mask worn by a user, the method comprising:

sensing at least one contaminant in ambient air to be breathed by a user with at least one contaminant sensor; and is

In response to sensing the at least one contaminant, operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask is modified.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises using the at least one controllable air treatment device to treat the incoming air.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an air treatment mask system including a wearable air treatment mask.

Fig. 2A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in fig. 1, taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device is configured as an active air filter.

FIG. 2B is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device includes a plurality of active air filters in series with one another.

Fig. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in fig. 1, taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device is configured as an active air treatment device.

Fig. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in fig. 1, taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device is configured as a passive air filter.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the wearable air treatment mask includes a supplemental air chamber for storing treated incoming air therein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof, wherein the wearable air treatment mask includes at least one controllable air treatment device deployable by at least one actuator, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device is shown in an undeployed position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the air treatment mask system shown in FIG. 6, with the at least one controllable air treatment device shown in a deployed position.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an air treatment mask system configured to transmit contaminant information or other mask operating information to a third party or another device.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for treating ambient air with an air treatment mask system thereby producing treated inlet air.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for operating at least one controllable air treatment device of a wearable air treatment mask.

Detailed Description

Embodiments described herein are directed to air treatment mask systems having at least one controllable air treatment device (e.g., an active or passive air filter) controlled to be responsive to one or more signals from at least one pollutant sensor encoding pollutant data, and related methods of operation and air treatment masks. The disclosed air treatment mask system may be portable and easy to use while also protecting a user from breathing toxic chemical or particulate contaminants in the ambient air, and additionally, may be specifically configured or configurable to treat (e.g., filter or at least partially neutralize) one or more selected air contaminants of the ambient air.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, like numerals typically identify like components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an air treatment mask system 100. The air treatment mask system 100 includes a wearable air treatment mask 102 having a mask body 104 that is configured to be worn by a user and to generally conform to the user's face. The air treatment mask system 100 further includes at least one controllable air treatment device 106 supported by the mask body 104. At least one controllable air treatment device 106 is positioned and configured to treat (e.g., filter or at least partially neutralize) ambient air so as to convert into treated incoming air. A variety of different types of air treatment devices (e.g., passive and active air filters) for the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 may be employed, as will be discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, the controllable air treatment device 106 is configured to perform at least one of: ambient air is filtered, at least partially neutralized, or at least partially disinfected for conversion into treated incoming air for breathing by the user. In use, a user is able to breathe treated inlet air drawn from the ambient air surrounding the user and the wearable air treatment mask 102 through at least one controllable air treatment device 106.

Mask body 104 may exhibit any suitable configuration. For example, mask body 104 may be made of a suitable fabric, plastic, or combination thereof, that is sufficiently rigid to support the at least one air treatment device 106 and sufficiently flexible to comfortably conform to the user's face. In the illustrated embodiment, straps 108 are shown attached to the mask body 104 for carrying the wearable air treatment mask 102 and securing the mask body 104 to the user's head. However, other types of face-securing members may be employed in addition to the straps 108 shown in FIG. 1.

The air treatment mask system 100 further includes at least one pollutant sensor 110 exposed to the ambient air and configured to sense at least one air pollutant in the ambient air and output one or more signals 112 encoding the pollutant data in response to sensing the air pollutant. For example, the at least one airborne contaminant to be sensed may include at least one of one or more types of airborne particles (e.g., dust, pollen, or aerosols), or one or more types of chemical contaminants. The one or more types of chemical contaminants can include, for example, ozone (O)₃) Nitrogen Oxide (NO)_X) Sulfur dioxide (SO)₂) Nitric oxide (CO), or at least one of one or more types of pathogens.

The at least one contaminant sensor 110 may be selected from a number of different contaminant sensors. For example, the at least one pollutant sensor 110 can include one or more solid state pollutant gas sensors configured to measure CO in ambient air_X(e.g., CO), NO_X、SO_X(e.g., SO)₂) Or concentration of other types of gases. Such a fastenerThe gaseous contaminant sensor may be a ceramic electrochemical gas sensor, a semiconductor gas sensor (e.g., a chemiresistive gas sensor), a carbon nanotube-based gas sensor, or other suitable sensor. Other suitable contaminant sensors for the at least one contaminant sensor 110 include sensors that detect specific gases or particles in ambient air using optical techniques such as spectroscopy (e.g., luminescence, phosphorescence, fluorescence, laser raman spectroscopy, etc.), ellipsometry, interferometry (e.g., white light interferometry, modal interference in an optical waveguide structure), spectroscopy of guided modes in an optical waveguide structure (e.g., a grating coupler or resonant mirror), surface plasmon resonance, or another suitable technique. It should be noted that at least one contaminant sensor 110 may employ at least one, two, or any combination of any of the foregoing types of contaminant sensors, depending on the particular application desired or required.

The air treatment mask system 100 further includes a control circuit 114 operatively coupled to both the at least one pollutant sensor 110 and the controllable air treatment device 106. For example, the control circuitry 114 may be operatively coupled to both the at least one pollutant sensor 110 and the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 via at least one of an electrical connection, an optical connection, or a wireless connection. Control circuitry 114 is configured to control operation of at least one controllable air treatment device 106 based at least in part on one or more signals 112 received from at least one pollutant sensor 110. Although not shown, a battery or other power source may power the at least one pollutant sensor 110, the control circuitry 114, and the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 (when it is an active air treatment device).

In the illustrated embodiment, a user interface 116 (e.g., a computer touch screen, keypad, or other computing device, etc.) is provided for inputting user inputs that may be operatively coupled to the control circuitry 114. The user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating characteristics by which to control the at least one controllable air treatment device 106. However, it should be noted that in any of the embodiments described herein, the user interface 116 may be omitted and the control circuit 114 may be pre-programmed without user input, e.g., via software, firmware, programmable logic devices, or other techniques to control the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 in a selected manner.

In operation, the at least one pollutant sensor 110 senses the presence or absence of at least one air pollutant in ambient air and outputs one or more signals 112 to the control circuitry 114. Based on the information encoded in the one or more signals 112, the control circuitry 114 controls the operation of at least one controllable air treatment device 106. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 114 selectively activates at least one controllable air treatment device 106 in response to one or more signals 112 indicating that at least one air pollutant is above a threshold pollutant concentration level. In one embodiment, control circuitry 114 selectively activates at least one controllable air treatment device 106 in response to the one or more signals 112 indicating that at least one airborne contaminant contains certain types of airborne contaminants (e.g., certain types of chemical contaminants or certain types of airborne particles). In one embodiment, the threshold contaminant concentration level is determined based on the limitations or restrictions of the user (e.g., it may be customized based on the user's specific needs or health condition). For example, in one embodiment, at least one controllable air treatment device 106 or system 100 described herein is configured for personalization of which pollutants, what activation thresholds, and the like.

As discussed above, the user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating characteristics by which to control the at least one controllable air treatment device 106. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select a threshold pollutant concentration level above which the control circuitry 114 activates the at least one controllable air treatment device 106. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select which types of airborne pollutants will cause the control circuitry 114 to activate the at least one controllable air treatment device 106.

In one embodiment, control circuitry 114 and at least one contaminant sensor 110 may be physically integrated with mask body 104. For example, control circuitry 114 and at least one contaminant sensor 110 may be mounted on the interior or exterior of mask body 104. In one embodiment, at least one contaminant sensor 110 may be wearable by a user (e.g., in a bag) and in communication with control circuitry 114 that may be physically integrated with mask body 104. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 114 may be physically integrated with the mask body 104, while the at least one pollutant sensor 110 is remote from the air treatment mask system 100 and in wireless communication with the control circuitry 114. For example, at least one contaminant sensor 110 may be located in a room, building, along a street, or other suitable location, but still be in direct or indirect wireless communication with the control circuit 114 via another device (e.g., a cell phone). In one embodiment, both the control circuitry 114 and the at least one pollutant sensor 110 are remote from the air treatment mask system 100, wherein the control circuitry 114 is in wireless communication with the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 for controlling its operation.

Fig. 2A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system 100, wherein the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 is configured as an active air filter 200. The active air filter 200 may be configured as at least one of an electrostatic filter or a chemically active filter. The mask body 104 may include a plurality of vents 202 in fluid communication with the active air filter 200 such that when a user attempts to breathe incoming air, ambient air surrounding the wearable air treatment mask 102 flows through the vents 202 to the active air filter 200.

In operation, a user attempts to breathe ambient air around the wearable air treatment mask 102, thereby causing ambient air to flow through the vents 202 to the active air filter 200, becoming filtered incoming air that the user breathes. When the active air filter 200 is activated by the control circuit 114 in response to contaminants sensed by the at least one contaminant sensor 110, ambient air flowing to the active air filter 200 is filtered by it and filtered incoming air is delivered to the user for breathing. When the active air filter 200 is not activated by the control circuit 114, the user can only breathe unfiltered ambient air that passes through the vents 202 and the active air filter 200.

The control circuit 114 may control the active air filter 200 as previously described with respect to fig. 1. For example, the control circuit 114 may selectively activate the active air filter 200 in response to the one or more signals 112 indicating that at least one airborne contaminant is above a threshold contaminant concentration level, or the control circuit 114 may selectively activate the active air filter 200 in response to the one or more signals 112 indicating that the ambient air contains certain types of airborne contaminants (e.g., certain types of chemical contaminants or certain types of airborne particles).

In one embodiment, the control circuit 114 may control a particular filtering operational characteristic of the active air filter 200, except that the control circuit 114 is configured to selectively activate the active air filter 200 in response to one or more signals 112. For example, the control circuit 114 may be configured to change the filtration intensity of the active air filter 200, change the flow rate of air delivered to the user through the active air filter 200, or filter the air to be breathed by the user to a selected level of air contaminants (e.g., a selected concentration of contaminants) with the active air filter 200.

As discussed above, the user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating characteristics with which the active air filter 200 may operate. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuit 114 may be configured to enable a user to select a filtration intensity of the active air filter 200, an air flow rate through the active air filter 200, or a selected air contaminant level for the active air filter 200 to filter air to be breathed by the user.

Referring to the schematic partial cross-sectional view shown in fig. 2B, in one embodiment, a plurality of active air filters 200 arranged in series are provided₁-200_n. Each active air filter 200₁-200_nMay be operably coupled to the control circuit 114 and may be independently controlled by the control circuit 114. Each active air filter 200₁-200_nMay be configured to selectively filter different air pollutants. For example, active air filter 200₁-200_nOne may be configured to filter certain particulates while the active air filter 200 is active₁-200_nOne of which may be configured to filter certain chemicals (e.g., O)₃、NO_XOr SO_X). The control circuitry 114 may be configured to selectively activate the active air filters 200 based at least in part on one or more signals 112₁-200_nSpecific one or more of. In one embodiment, except that the control circuit 114 is configured to selectively activate the active air filter 200 in response to one or more signals 112₁-200_nMay control the active air filter 200 in addition to one or more of₁-200_nThe one or more signals 112 are indicative of the active air filter 200₁-200_nIs configured to filter for the presence of one or more particular contaminants in the ambient air. For example, the control circuit 114 may be configured to alter the active air filter 200₁-200_nChanges the flow through the active air filter 200₁-200_nStacking incoming air streams for delivery to a user, or using active air filters 200₁-200_nThe stack filters incoming air to be breathed by the user to a selected air contaminant level (e.g., a selected contaminant concentration). In thatIn one embodiment, the active air filter 200 may be activated by selective activation₁-200_nTo control the filter path length. E.g. compared to filter 200₁-200_nProvides a shorter filter path length when active, when all active air filters 200 are active₁-200_nA relatively longer filtering path is provided for when active.

Fig. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system 100 in which the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 is configured as an active controllable air treatment device 300. The active controllable air treatment device 300 may be configured as an optical filter, such as one of a laser, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), or a lamp. The mask body 104 may include a plurality of vents 302 in fluid communication with an internal air chamber 304, the internal air chamber 304 being further in fluid communication with a plurality of vents 306 such that when a user attempts to breathe incoming air, ambient air surrounding the wearable air treatment mask 102 flows through the vents 302, through the internal air chamber 304, and through the vents 304.

The active controllable air treatment device 300 may include a light source 308, such as one or more lasers, one or more LEDs, or a lamp that outputs light at a selected wavelength or wavelength range through a waveguide 310 (e.g., fiber optics) through which the light output by the light source 308 is delivered to the internal air plenum 304 to illuminate the incoming air therein to be breathed by the user. For example, light of infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths is suitable for partially neutralizing or destroying many common airborne pathogens. In one embodiment, the waveguide 310 may be omitted and the light source 308 may output light directly to the internal air plenum 304. The active, controllable air treatment device 300 may be well suited for at least partially or fully neutralizing (e.g., disinfecting) airborne pathogens present in the incoming air, such as spores, bacteria, or viruses (e.g., influenza viruses). Although not shown, a battery or other power source may power the at least one contaminant sensor 110, the control circuitry 114, and the light source (when it is an active air treatment device).

In operation, a user attempts to breathe ambient air around the wearable air treatment mask 102, thereby causing the ambient air to flow through the vents 302 and enter the internal air chamber 304 as inlet air. In one embodiment, the incoming air is ambient air that is treated by the controllable air treatment device 300 and is breathed by the user. The control circuit 114 directs the light source to output light that is delivered through the waveguide 310 to the internal air chamber 304 to illuminate and partially or substantially completely neutralize airborne pathogens in the ambient air flowing through the internal air chamber 304, thereby producing at least partially neutralized incoming air that is breathed by the user. The at least partially neutralized incoming air flows through the vents 306 to be breathed by the user.

The control circuit 114 may control the active, controllable air treatment device 300 as previously described with respect to fig. 1. For example, the control circuit 114 may selectively activate the active controllable air treatment device 300 to output light in response to one or more signals 112 indicating that pathogens present in the ambient air are above a threshold contaminant concentration level, or the control circuit 114 may selectively activate the active air filter 200 in response to one or more signals 112 indicating that the ambient air contains certain types of airborne contaminants (e.g., certain types of pathogens).

As discussed above, the user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating characteristics with which the active, controllable air treatment device 300 may operate. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select an intensity of light output by the light source 308, a threshold contaminant concentration level above which the light source 308 illuminates air, or a selected air contaminant level for the active controllable air treatment device 300 to filter air to be breathed by the user.

Fig. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system 100 in which the at least one controllable air treatment device 106 is configured as a passive air filter 400. For example, the passive air filter 400 may include at least one of a fiber filter (e.g., a HEPA filter), activated carbon, or a zeolite-based filter. The wearable air treatment mask 102 includes a port 402 through which ambient air can pass as incoming air to at least one valve 404 in response to a user's breathing. For example, the at least one valve 404 may be an electronically actuated valve. At least one valve 404 may selectively direct incoming air to the passive air filter 400 and filter it as it passes therethrough, such that treated incoming air 406 is delivered to the user. The at least one valve 404 may also selectively direct ambient air passing through the port 402 to the port 408 through which the ambient air 410 is delivered to the user in an unfiltered state. Although not shown, a battery may power the at least one contaminant sensor 110, the control circuitry 114, and the at least one valve 404.

In operation, initially, the at least one valve 404 may be in a configuration such that a user is able to draw ambient air through either the passive air filter 400 or the port 408, becoming inlet air to be breathed by the user. The user attempts to breathe ambient air around the wearable air treatment mask 102, thereby causing ambient air to flow through the port 402 to the at least one valve 404. Control circuitry 114 selectively directs at least one valve 402 to allow incoming air to flow to passive air filter 400 for filtering operations in response to one or more signals 112 output by at least one contaminant sensor 110. For example, the control circuitry 114 may selectively control the at least one valve 404 to allow the received incoming air to flow to the passive air filter 400 in response to one or more signals 112 indicating that a contaminant (e.g., a chemical contaminant or a particulate contaminant) present in the ambient air is above a threshold contaminant concentration level, or the control circuitry 114 selectively opens the at least one valve 404 to allow the received incoming air to flow to the passive air filter 400 in response to one or more signals 112 indicating that the ambient air contains certain types of airborne contaminants (e.g., certain types of pathogens). If the one or more signals 112 output by the at least one contaminant sensor 110 indicate that the ambient air is substantially free of airborne contaminants (e.g., selected airborne contaminants) or that the airborne contaminants are below a threshold contaminant concentration level, the control circuitry 114 may selectively control the at least one valve 404 to allow the incoming air to flow through the port 408 to the user for breathing in an unfiltered manner, or alternatively, may not activate the at least one valve 404, if applicable, to allow the incoming air to pass to the passive air filter 400.

The user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operational features with which the at least one valve 404 may be operated. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select a threshold contaminant concentration level above which the control circuitry 114 controls the at least one valve 404 to direct incoming air to the passive air filter 400. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select which types of airborne contaminants will cause the control circuitry 114 to control the at least one valve 404 such that incoming air is directed to the passive air filter 400.

In one embodiment, control circuitry 114 may control how much incoming air is directed to passive air filter 400 and filtered by passive air filter 400. For example, in one embodiment, a partial flow (e.g., 60% by volume) of the incoming air is directed through the passive air filter 400, while the remaining portion (e.g., 40% by volume) of the ambient air passes through the port 408. In one embodiment, at least one valve 404 may control what type of filter the incoming air flows through. For example, the passive air filter 400 may include a plurality of passive or active air filters, and the control circuit 114 may control the at least one valve 404 to direct incoming air to a selected one of the plurality of filters.

Fig. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system 100 in which the mask body 104 of the wearable air treatment mask 102 includes a supplemental air chamber 500 for storing treated incoming air therein. In the illustrated embodiment shown in fig. 5, at least one controllable air treatment device 106 is configured as a passive air filter 502, but one or more of any of the active air treatment devices disclosed herein may also be employed alternatively or additionally. For example, the passive air filter 502 may include at least one of a fiber filter, activated carbon, or zeolite-based filter.

The passive air filter 502 is in fluid communication with the one-way valve 506 such that ambient air may pass through the one-way valve 506 to the secondary air chamber 500 as incoming air. The one-way valve 506 is configured to only allow incoming air that is breathed by the user and filtered by the passive air filter 502 to flow into the secondary air chamber 500 for storage. A flow control valve 508 (e.g., an electronically controlled valve) is provided in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber 500, which is controlled by the control circuit 114. Although not shown, a battery may power the at least one contaminant sensor 110, the control circuitry 114, and the flow control valve 508.

In operation, the control circuit 114 directs the flow control valve 508 to periodically open and close such that only incoming air that has been filtered by the passive air filter 502 is delivered to the user for breathing. The timing of the repeated opening and closing of the flow control valve 508 is selected such that when the user exhales, the flow control valve 508 directs exhaled air through a fluid conduit 510 through the mask body 102 that is in fluid communication with the flow control valve 508. By directing exhaled air through the fluid conduit 510, the exhaled air is not charged to the secondary air chamber 500, which is typically used only for treated incoming air. In one embodiment, the incoming air includes ambient air that is treated by the passive air filter 502.

The control circuitry 114 may selectively direct the flow control valve 508 to open and close in a controlled manner, typically at times when the user's inhalation and exhalation is responsive to the one or more signals 112 output by the at least one contaminant sensor 110. For example, the control circuitry 114 may selectively open and close the flow control valve 508 to substantially only allow filtered incoming air stored in the auxiliary chamber 500 to flow through the flow control valve 508 for breathing by the user in response to one or more signals 112 indicative of contaminants (e.g., chemical contaminants or particulate contaminants) present in the ambient air at a threshold contaminant concentration level. If the one or more signals 112 output by the at least one contaminant sensor 110 indicate that the incoming air is substantially free of airborne contaminants (e.g., selected airborne contaminants) or that these airborne contaminants are below a threshold contaminant concentration level, the control circuitry 114 may maintain the flow control valve 508 in a position such that a user may breathe unfiltered incoming air through the fluid conduit 510.

The user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating characteristics with which the flow control valve 508 may be operated. For example, in one embodiment, the user interface 116 and control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select a threshold contaminant concentration level below which the control circuitry 114 controls the flow control valve 508 such that the user may breathe unfiltered ambient air through the fluid conduit 5100.

Fig. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air treatment mask system 100, wherein the wearable air treatment mask 102 includes at least one controllable air treatment device 600 configured as any of the disclosed passive air filters that are deployable by at least one actuator 602. The at least one actuator 602 may be configured as at least one of a piezoelectric actuator, a magnetically driven actuator, an electrostatically driven actuator, a shape memory alloy actuator, or other suitable actuator. Although not shown, a battery may power the at least one contaminant sensor 110, the control circuitry 114, and the at least one actuator 602.

Fig. 6 shows the at least one controllable air treatment device 600 in an undeployed position. In this undeployed position, passive air filter 600 may be stored within mask body 102 such that breathing ports 604 extending through mask body 102 are substantially left clear by passive air filter 600. When the one or more signals 112 output by the at least one pollutant sensor 110 to the control circuitry 114 indicate that the ambient air is substantially free of airborne pollutants (e.g., selected airborne pollutants) or that the airborne pollutants are below a threshold pollutant concentration level, the control circuitry 114 does not direct the at least one actuator 602 to deploy the passive air filter 600.

As shown in fig. 7, when one or more signals 112 output by the at least one pollutant sensor 110 to the control circuitry 114 indicate that the ambient air includes certain airborne pollutants or that the air pollutants are above a threshold pollutant concentration level, the control circuitry 114 directs the at least one actuator 602 to physically move the passive air filter 600 such that the passive air filter 600 is deployed so as to block the breathing port 604. When the passive air filter 600 is deployed, ambient air breathed by the user is filtered through the passive air filter 600 into incoming air prior to breathing. When the one or more signals 112 output by the at least one pollutant sensor 110 to the control circuitry 114 indicate that the ambient air is substantially free of airborne pollutants (e.g., selected airborne pollutants) or that these airborne pollutants are below a threshold pollutant concentration level, the control circuitry 114 may direct the at least one actuator 602 to physically retract the passive air filter 600 to the undeployed position shown in fig. 6.

In one embodiment, passive air filter 600 may be customized for filtering specific contaminants. In one embodiment, passive air filter 600 includes a plurality of different passive air filters, each of which is configured to selectively filter a different contaminant. For example, one of the passive air filters may be configured to filter certain airborne particles, while the other passive air filter may be configured to filter certain chemicals. The selectivity of the different filters may be based on the pore size, surface morphology, fiber composition, or other selected physical or chemical properties of the passive air filter.

The user interface 116 enables a user to select particular operating features by which to control the at least one actuator 602. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select a threshold contaminant concentration level above which the control circuitry 114 directs the at least one actuator 602 to deploy the passive air filter 600. In one embodiment, the user interface 116 and the control circuitry 114 may be configured to enable a user to select which types of airborne contaminants will cause the control circuitry 114 to direct the at least one actuator 602 to deploy the passive air filter 600.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an air treatment mask system 800 configured to transmit contaminant information to a third party or another device. The air treatment mask system 800 includes at least one wearable air treatment mask 802 associated with control circuitry 804 and at least one pollutant sensor 806 that outputs one or more signals 808 encoding pollutant data to the control circuitry 804 in response to sensing a pollutant level in ambient air. A user interface 807 (e.g., a computer touch screen, keypad, or other computing device, etc.) may be provided for inputting user inputs that may be operatively coupled to the control circuitry 804. The user interface 807 enables a user to select the particular operating characteristics of the at least one controllable air treatment device 802 by which to control the wearable air treatment mask 802. The at least one wearable air treatment mask 802, the control circuitry 804, the at least one contaminant sensor 806, and the user interface 807 can be configured as any of the aforementioned air treatment mask system embodiments, such as shown and described in fig. 1-7.

In one embodiment, a memory 810 including memory circuitry (e.g., memory circuitry incorporated in a memory module) is provided and is operatively coupled to the control circuitry 804 or the at least one contaminant sensor 806. For example, the memory 810 may store contaminant data encoded in the one or more signals 808 or operational characteristics related to the wearable air treatment mask 800, such as filtering or processing operations performed by a controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask 800.

In one embodiment, a data transmitter 812 is provided that is operatively coupled to the control circuit 804. A data transmitter 812 is coupled to the control circuitry 804 to receive information therefrom regarding contaminant data encoded in the one or more signals 808 or information regarding the wearable air treatment mask 802, such as filtering or processing operations performed by at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask 802, and to transmit the one or more signals 808 as one or more transmitted data signals 814 encoding such information. For example, the data transmitter 812 may be configured as a radio frequency data transmitter, an optical data transmitter (e.g., emitting infrared or visible light), a physical electrical interface (e.g., a USB plug) configured to allow one or more transmitted data signals 814 to be transmitted to a correspondingly configured electrical interface (e.g., a USB plug) of another device, or other suitable data transmitter.

The data transmitter 812 can transmit one or more transmitted data signals 814 to another device, such as at least one of a personal computer 816, a portable device 818 (e.g., a cell phone) of another person 820, or to another wearable air treatment mask 822 configured to be the same as or similar to the wearable air treatment mask 802 of any of the disclosed air treatment mask systems. In one embodiment, the other device may be associated with a physician, public health officer, or other person of interest. In one embodiment, the transmission of one or more transmitted data signals 814 may be spaced apart in time such that multiple transmissions of one or more transmitted data signals 814 occur at intervals over time, such that, for example, contaminant levels may be tracked over time. In one embodiment, the transmission of one or more transmitted data signals 814 may occur over multiple regions. For example, the transmission of one or more transmitted data signals 814 may occur when a position sensor embedded in or incorporated with the control circuitry 802 detects that the user has changed position over a selected distance.

Alternatively or in addition to employing a data transmitter 812 for reporting operational and contaminant data to a third party or another device, a visual indicator 815 operably coupled to the control circuit 804 may be provided. For example, the visual indicator 815 may be a light emitting device, such as one or more LEDs. The visual indicator 815 may be mounted to or integrated with the mask body of the wearable air treatment mask 802. In operation, the control circuit 804 may direct the visual indicator 815 to output light in response to one or more signals 808 indicating airborne contaminants present in the air are above a threshold contaminant concentration level, in response to one or more signals 808 indicating a particular type of airborne contaminants present in the air, or in response to other suitable contaminant information. In one embodiment, the third party includes, for example, a physician, user, insurance provider, public health facility, or other health care facility or provider.

In one embodiment, an alarm may be used instead of or in addition to the visual indicator 815. For example, the alarm may include an audible alarm that generates a human audible sound in response to one or more signals 808 indicating airborne contaminants present in the air are above a threshold contaminant concentration level, in response to one or more signals 808 indicating a particular type of airborne contaminants present in the air, or in response to other suitable contaminant information. An audible alarm or visual indicator 815 can be used to alert the user to don or unfold the wearable air treatment mask 802.

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 900 for treating ambient air with an air treatment mask system, such as any of the air treatment mask systems described herein. Method 900 includes an act 902 of sensing at least one air pollutant in ambient air breathed by a user using at least one pollutant sensor. For example, the at least one contaminant sensor may include any of the contaminant sensors described above for the at least one contaminant sensor 110 for sensing airborne particles or chemical contaminants. Further, the at least one contaminant sensor may be located remotely from the wearable air treatment mask or physically integrated with the wearable air treatment mask. The method 900 further includes an act of generating treated inlet air with at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask in response to sensing the at least one air contaminant 904. For example, the wearable air treatment mask may be configured as any of the wearable air treatment masks shown in FIGS. 1-7. Act 904 may be performed in response to the contaminants being sensed by the at least one contaminant sensor being sent to the control circuitry of the wearable air treatment mask.

In one embodiment, act 900 may include filtering or at least partially neutralizing (e.g., sanitizing) incoming air with the at least one controllable air treatment device. For example, act 900 may include passively or actively filtering incoming air with the at least one controllable air treatment device.

In one embodiment, method 900 may further include deploying the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to sensing the at least one air pollutant in act 902. For example, the at least one controllable air treatment device may be deployed and stowed via at least one actuator as shown and described in fig. 6 and 7.

In one embodiment, the method 900 can further include an act of transmitting one or more data signals encoding information about the sensed at least one air pollutant or an operating characteristic of the wearable air treatment mask. For example, the one or more data signals may be transmitted to a third party or another device, such as another air treatment mask system.

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 1000 for operating at least one controllable air treatment device of a wearable air treatment mask, such as any of the air treatment mask systems and mask systems described herein. Method 1000 includes an act 1002 of sensing at least one air pollutant in ambient air breathed by a user with at least one pollutant sensor. Method 1000 further includes an act 1004 of modifying operation of at least one controllable air treatment device of the wearable air treatment mask in response to sensing the at least one air pollutant.

In one embodiment, act 1004 includes deploying or stowing at least one controllable air treatment device for treating the ambient air, thereby generating treated incoming air for a user to breathe. In one embodiment, act 1004 includes preventing the at least one controllable air treatment device from treating the incoming air.

In one embodiment, the method 1000 further comprises using the at least one controllable air treatment device to treat the incoming air. For example, treating the incoming air may include at least partially neutralizing (e.g., disinfecting) the ambient air, thereby converting the ambient air into at least partially neutralized incoming air to be breathed by the user, or filtering the ambient air, thereby converting the ambient air into filtered incoming air to be breathed by the user.

In one embodiment, the devices, systems, or methods described herein may be adapted for use in preventing stroke.

Readers will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there remains little distinction between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is often (but not always, since the choice between hardware and software may be important in some contexts) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. The reader will appreciate that there are different vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a software implementation as the master; alternatively, and still alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Thus, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein can be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which it is to be deployed and the particular concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Readers will recognize that the optical aspects of the implementations will typically employ optically oriented hardware, software, and/or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or other integrated form. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure. Moreover, readers will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, Compact Disks (CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), digital tapes, computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

In a broad sense, the various embodiments described herein may be implemented individually and/or collectively by different types of electromechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof), and a wide range of components that may transmit mechanical forces or motions (e.g., rigid bodies, springs or torsion bodies, hydraulic devices, and electromagnetic actuating devices, or virtually any combination thereof). Thus, as used herein, an "electromechanical system" includes, but is not limited to: circuitry operatively coupled with the transducer (e.g., actuator, motor, piezoelectric crystal, etc.), circuitry having at least one discrete circuit, circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, the computer program product may include, but is not limited to, a circuit forming a general purpose computing device configured via a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program to perform at least in part the processes and/or apparatus described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program to perform at least in part the processes and/or apparatus described herein), a circuit forming a memory device (e.g., in the form of random access memory), a circuit forming a communication device (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optoelectronic device), and any related non-electrical simulation, such as optical simulation or other simulation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that examples of electromechanical systems include, but are not limited to, many consumer electronic systems, as well as other systems, such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that the use of electromechanical herein is not necessarily limited to systems that are both electrically and mechanically actuated, unless the context may otherwise dictate.

In a broad sense, the various aspects described herein can be considered to be comprised of different types of "circuits" that can be implemented individually and/or collectively by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, as used herein, "circuitry" includes, but is not limited to: a circuit having at least one discrete circuit, a circuit having at least one integrated circuit, a circuit having at least one application specific integrated circuit, a circuit forming a general purpose computing device configured via a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program that performs, at least in part, the processes and/or apparatus described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that performs, at least in part, the processes and/or apparatus described herein), a circuit forming a storage device (e.g., in the form of random access memory), and/or a circuit forming a communication device (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optoelectronic device). The subject matter described herein may be implemented in analog or digital form or some combination thereof.

The components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects described herein and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity. Thus, as used herein, the specific examples set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to represent their more general classification. In general, the use of any specific example herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the exclusion of any particular component (e.g., step), device, object herein should not be taken to indicate that such limitation is desirable.

With respect to the use of a large number of plural and/or singular terms herein, the reader can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. For the sake of clarity, various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein.

The subject matter described herein sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality; and any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable" to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

In some cases, one or more components may be referred to herein as "configured to. Readers will recognize that "configured to" may generally encompass active status components and/or inactive status components and/or standby status components, and the like, unless the context requires otherwise.

In some cases, one or more components may be referred to herein as "configured to. Readers will recognize that "configured to" may generally encompass active status components and/or inactive status components and/or standby status components unless the context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. In general, as used herein, terms, especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) generally mean "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrasesShould not be construed asIt is intended that any particular claim containing a claim recitation of such an introduction, by way of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to those containing only one such recitationThe invention, even when the same claims include the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically also be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Further, where a convention analogous to "A, B, and at least one of C, etc." is used, in general such a syntactic structure is intended to mean a synonymous convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, both A and B together, both A and C together, both B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Where a convention analogous to "A, B, or at least one of C, etc." is used, in general such a syntactic structure means the convention in meaning (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have a alone, B alone, C alone, a and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B together, etc.). In essence, separate words and/or phrases presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "a or B" will generally be understood to encompass the possibility of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

With respect to the appended claims, where the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Examples of such alternative orders may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other varying orders unless the context dictates otherwise. With respect to context, even though terms like "responsive to," "related to," or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless the context dictates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, the various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. An air treatment mask system comprising:

a wearable air treatment mask, the wearable air treatment mask comprising a mask body;

at least one controllable air treatment device supported by the mask body, the at least one controllable air treatment device configured to treat incoming air;

at least one pollutant sensor arranged to sense the presence of at least one pollutant in ambient air and further arranged to output one or more signals in response to said sensing;

a control circuit operatively coupled to the at least one controllable air treatment device and at least one user interface, the control circuit being configured to control operation of the at least one controllable air treatment device in response to receiving the one or more signals from the at least one user interface.

2. The air treatment mask system of claim 1, wherein the wearable air treatment mask is made of at least one of fiber, plastic, or a combination thereof.

3. An air treatment mask system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pollutant sensor comprises one or more solid state pollutant gas sensors.

4. An air treatment mask system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more solid state pollutant gas sensors include at least one of a ceramic electrochemical gas sensor, a semiconductor gas sensor, or a carbon nanotube-based gas sensor.

5. An air treatment mask system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one contaminant sensor includes one or more sensors that detect specific gases or particles using optical techniques.

6. An air treatment mask system according to claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors use optical techniques including at least one of spectroscopy, ellipsometry, or interferometry to detect specific gases or particles.

7. An air treatment mask system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more sensors use optical techniques including spectroscopy of guided modes in an optical waveguide structure to detect specific gases or particles.

8. An air treatment mask system according to claim 1, further comprising a battery or other power source.

9. An air treatment mask system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user interface is configured to enable a user to select at least one particular operating feature to control the at least one controllable air treatment device.

10. An air treatment mask system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one particular operating characteristic includes a threshold pollutant concentration level above which the control circuit activates the at least one controllable air treatment device.