US 11,738,163 B2
Gas detector for a face mask
Kevin Kachikian, Los Angeles, CA (US); and Briant Benson, Placerville, CA (US)
Assigned to ViruShield, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by De Nova Technology, Placerville, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/105,795.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/941,647, filed on Nov. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0154426 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. A61M 16/06 (2006.01); A61M 16/10 (2006.01); A61M 16/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 16/0688 (2014.02) [A61M 16/0003 (2014.02); A61M 16/107 (2014.02); A61M 2202/02 (2013.01); A61M 2205/14 (2013.01); A61M 2205/18 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3317 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3327 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3553 (2013.01); A61M 2205/502 (2013.01); A61M 2205/8206 (2013.01); A61M 2230/04 (2013.01); A61M 2230/42 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A face mask system comprising:
a protective mask having an outer portion and an inner portion;
at least one communication device configured to transmit an alert message to a user, the at least one communication device includes an external microcontroller programmed with a gas detection application;
a gas detection device positioned at the inner portion of the protective mask to detect gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the gas detection device including:
a power supply unit to provide electrical energy to the gas detection device;
an inductive coil loop to recharge the power supply unit;
an internal microcontroller programmed with a gas detection application;
a wireless communication chip to enable the gas detection device and the at least one communication device to communicate wirelessly; and
an internal sensor to detect and measure a plurality of inside mask VOC readings; and
an external sensor to detect and measure a plurality of outside mask VOC readings;
wherein when at least one of the plurality of inside mask VOC readings exhibits a low VOC value, the internal microcontroller is configured to determine an average inside VOC value and an absolute inside VOC value being transmitted to the external microcontroller wirelessly, the external microcontroller determines an average outside VOC value and compares the average inside VOC value with the average outside VOC value and when the average inside VOC value being greater than the average outside VOC value, the external microcontroller is configured to send the alert message regarding a safety breach inside the face mask to the user wirelessly utilizing the at least one communication device;
whereby the comparison between the average inside VOC value and the average outside VOC value provides information of the environment inside the protective mask thereby protecting the user from hazardous situations.
 
19. A method for detecting gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) utilizing a face mask system, the method comprising:
a) providing the face mask system having a protective mask, at least one communication device, a gas detection device positioned inside the protective mask and an external sensor operatively coupled to an internal sensor and the at least one communication device;
b) detecting and measuring a plurality of inside mask VOC readings by the internal sensor;
c) detecting and measuring a plurality of outside mask VOC readings by the external sensor;
d) enabling the internal microcontroller to check whether at least one of the plurality of inside mask VOC readings exhibits a low VOC value;
e) determining an average inside VOC value and an absolute inside VOC value if the at least one of the plurality of inside mask VOC readings exhibits the low VOC value;
f) transmitting the average inside VOC value and the absolute inside VOC value to the external microcontroller wirelessly;
g) determining an average outside VOC value by the external microcontroller;
h) comparing the average inside VOC value with the average outside VOC value by the external microcontroller; and
i) sending an alert message regarding a safety breach inside the face mask to the user by the external microcontroller wirelessly utilizing the at least one communication device if the average inside VOC value being greater than the average outside VOC value;
whereby the comparison between the average inside VOC value and the average outside VOC value provides information of the environment inside the protective mask thereby protecting the user from hazardous situations.