IT202100016085A1 - DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTIONS - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING DETECTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to the field of measuring instruments. In greater detail, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a device, a system and a method for carrying out environmental surveys, in particular for carrying out measurements of parameters indicative of atmospheric, acoustic and electromagnetic pollution.

STATE OF ART

The environmental pollution of a geographical region? a factor that has a primary influence on health, and more? generally on the well-being of the population residing in that geographical region.

Various solutions are known in the art designed to monitor values relating to pollution or water quality. of the air, typically in terms of concentration of particulate present in the air with a diameter equal to or less than 20 ?m (PM10) or equal to or less than 2.5 ?m (PM2.5).

Next to the analysis of the quality? of? air, in the technique ? it is known to periodically carry out noise pollution assessment campaigns, typically in metropolitan areas. Furthermore, ? known to perform targeted detections of? intensity? of electromagnetic fields, typically, in the vicinity? sources of electromagnetic radiation such as power lines, antennas and radio frequency signal repeaters.

In particular, the surveys of environmental pollution cos? obtained are compared with tolerance threshold values, typically defined by government directives in order to determine the need? or not to carry out interventions aimed at reducing the corresponding pollution factors.

The Applicant has observed that the collection and analysis of measurements relating to acoustic pollution and electromagnetic pollution are rather expensive in terms of time, materials and personnel required. For this reason, acoustic and electromagnetic pollution survey campaigns are currently carried out infrequently.

Consequently, the choice of actions to contain acoustic and electromagnetic pollution is currently based on an extremely limited volume of information relating to these types of pollution, leading to choices that often turn out to be sub-optimal, if not completely ineffective . Furthermore, given the scarcity and the? irregularity? information relating to acoustic and electromagnetic pollution acquired over time, is it not? possible to adequately verify the effectiveness of the containment actions implemented.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Task of the present invention ? that of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, in the ambit of this task, ? The object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of measuring various forms of environmental pollution, in particular air, noise and electromagnetic pollution.

A further object of the present invention ? that of proposing a device for carrying out measurements of environmental pollution with a particularly compact shape which can be installed quickly and easily.

A further object of the present invention ? that of devising a system for carrying out surveys of environmental pollution in a geographical region in an effective and substantially continuous way over time.

A further aim is to devise a system which allows to supply detailed information relating to pollution to a plurality of of system user. Advantageously, the system allows the information collected to be made known to the various stakeholders, for example through a web platform, in a simple and effective way.

The task set out above, as well as? the purposes of the present invention are achieved by means of an environmental data collection device according to the attached claim 1 and the system for monitoring environmental conditions according to the attached claim 10.

Further characteristics of the preferred embodiments of the environmental data collection device according to the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of some preferred, but not exclusive embodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings.

In such drawings,

- figure 1 ? a block diagram of an environmental/pollution data collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2a and 2b are axonometric top and bottom views, respectively, of an environmental data collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 3a and 3b are axonometric views from above and below, respectively, of the data collection device of figures 2a and 2b to which ? a body has been removed;

- figure 4 ? a block diagram of an environmental data collection and management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 5 ? a flowchart of an operation method of the environmental data collection and management system of Figure 4;

- figure 6 ? a flowchart of a data acquisition procedure of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, e

- figure 7 ? a flowchart of a data acquisition procedure of a device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for the illustration of the figures, identical reference numbers or symbols are used to indicate construction elements with the same function. Furthermore, for clarity of illustration, some references may not be repeated in all the figures.

While the invention? susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It must be understood, however, that there is no no intention of limiting the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, the invention intends to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents which fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The use of ?a example?, ?etc?, ?or? indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated. The use of ?includes? and ?include? means ?includes or includes, but not limited to? unless otherwise indicated.

With reference to Figure1 ? described an environmental data collection device, hereinafter referred to as ?device 1?, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The device 1 comprises a group of sensors 10, a control group 20 and a power supply group 30. The sensor group 10 comprises an electromagnetic field sensor 11, a particulate sensor 13, also referred to as ?fine dust?, and a acoustic sensor 15.

The electromagnetic field sensor 11 ? configured to carry out a measurement of the electromagnetic field in which the device 1 is immersed. In the example considered, the electromagnetic field sensor 11 has an elongated shape along a main development direction and is? configured to capture the root mean square or r.m.s value. (root mean square?) of the electric field over a frequency range between 10 KHz and 10 GHz, preferably between 1 MHz and 6 GHz. For example, in one embodiment ? used a sensor model SFE01 produced by Microrad.

In a preferred form of the present invention, the electromagnetic field sensor 11 comprises an isotropic probe (not shown). The isotropic probe comprises three mutually orthogonal electric dipoles so as to separately measure three components of the electric field and of the magnetic field along the three axes identified by the triad of dipoles, regardless of how these axes are oriented and positioned with respect to the source of the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field sensor 11 ? capable of accurately measuring the instantaneous level of the electric field by vectorially adding the values measured on the three axes to obtain the measurement of the electric field and the magnetic field.

The particulate sensor 13 is preferably an optical type sensor which uses dynamic light scattering, or Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), to detect the presence and concentration of particulate matter in the air, thus such as to measure specific characteristics of the particulate matter (for example, an average particle size). In the preferred embodiment, the particulate sensor 13 is capable of detecting and measuring the concentration of both particulate formed by particles with dimensions smaller than 10 ?m (PM10) and of fine particulate with diameter less than 2.5 ?m (or PM2.5) in suspension in the air. For example, particulate sensor 13 includes an SDS011 sensor manufactured by NovaFitnessCo., Ltd.

The acoustic sensor 15 ? configured to detect an? intensity? of the detectable sounds, in general noise, in the vicinity? of the device 1 and comprises a transducer 16, preferably a pressure transducer of the capacitive type or capacitor transducer, a protection device 17 and a data conversion card 18. In particular, the transducer 16 has an elongated shape with a first end ? operatively coupled to the data conversion board 18 and a second end? free ? of measurement ? covered by the protective device 17 in order to protect it from foreign bodies and/or atmospheric agents.

Preferably, the acoustic sensor 15 ? configured to measure an acoustic pressure, even more? preferably omnidirectionally. Advantageously, the? intensity? acoustics ? calculated using the pressure value corresponding to the change in capacity? of the transducer 16 and weighted with respect to a reference pressure value such that:

(1)

The control unit 20 comprises a processing module 21, a memory module 23 and a communication module 25. The control unit 20 is connected to the sensors 11, 13 and 15 of the sensor group 10 to receive one or more? measurements detected by the sensors 11, 13 and 15. Furthermore, the processor module 21 ? configured to memorize in the memory module 23 measurement data and/or processing data resulting from the processing carried out, and to make available to the communication module 25 the measurement data and/or data resulting from the processing which are stored in the memory module 23. For example, the computer module 21 includes one or more between microcontrollers, microprocessors, general purpose processors (CPUs), DSPs, FPGAs and ASICs.

The memory module 23 ? configured to store data, typically in binary format. For example, the memory module 23 comprises one or more? solid state archives.

As shown in Fig.4, the communication module 25 ? configured to establish a communication channel 2 with a? unit? of remote management 3. For example, the communication module 25 includes a wireless modem, such as a modem configured to connect to a 4G, 5G cellular network, a WiFi network, Bluetooth?, etc.

The power unit 30 comprises a transformer module 31 and, preferably, a battery module 33. The transformer module 31 ? configured to receive electrical energy input defined by voltage and current values variable or constant over time, and supply the necessary operating energy to the sensors 11, 13 and 15 of the sensor group 10, and to the modules 21, 23 and 25 of the group control 20. The transformer module 31 ? connected to an external power source (not shown), such as the mains or external power generator ? not illustrated; for example, a thermal, photovoltaic and/or wind system. The transformer module 31 ? connected to battery module 33 ? if present ? and ? configured to absorb electrical energy from it. Optionally, the transformer module 31 ? also configured to supply electrical energy to the battery module 33.

The battery module 33 ? configured to reliably store electrical energy for an extended period of time ? preferably, in the order of months or years. For example, battery module 33 includes one or more? buffer batteries.

The device 1 has a compact structure suitable for use in various environments. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figures 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, the device 1 comprises a body 40 and a first (upper) body 50a and a second (lower) body 50b.

In the example considered, the body 40 comprises a support portion 41 on which the sensor assembly 10, the control module 20 and the power supply module 30 are mounted. The body 40 further comprises a mounting structure 43 which substantially protrudes from a plane defined by the support portion 41. In particular, the electromagnetic field sensor 11 is mounted on the mounting structure 43 in such a way that its main development direction is aligned with a main development direction D of the device 1. The particulate sensor 13, the control unit 20 and the power unit 30 are preferably also They are constrained to the mounting structure 43.

Preferably, the electromagnetic field sensor 11, the particulate sensor 13, the control group 20 and the power supply group 30 are arranged side by side along the direction D. In particular, the electromagnetic field sensor 11? arranged at one end of the sequence comprising this electromagnetic field sensor 11, the particulate sensor 13, the control unit 20 and the power supply unit 30 so as to measure the electromagnetic field while not undergoing or undergoing minimal interference caused by the electronic components included in the particulate sensor 13, in the control group 20 and in the power group 30.

As illustrated in the example of Figures 3a and 3b, the mounting structure 43 comprises three plates and four pillars which define three overlapping housing portions 43a, 43b and 43c along the main development direction D of the device 1. In detail, the module of control 20 and the supply module 30 are formed in a single unit? That ? coupled to the first housing portion 43a, adjacent to the support portion 41. The particulate sensor 13 is coupled to the second housing portion 43b superimposed on the first housing portion 43a. Finally, the electromagnetic field sensor 11 ? coupled to the third housing portion 43c superimposed on the second housing portion 43b.

This conformation of the assembly structure 43 is particularly simple to make, as well as light, strong and reliable.

Furthermore, using plates at least partially comprising a conductive material ? for example comprising a foil, a metal plate, a metal mesh, etc. ? ? It is possible to obtain an electromagnetic shielding between one housing portion 43a, 43b and 43c, and the others. In particular, by fixing the control group 20 and the power supply group 30 to the first housing portion 43a at the bottom? distant from the third housing portion 43c on which ? fixed the sensor of the electromagnetic field 11, what's more? separated from the second housing portion 43b which ? fixed the particulate sensor 13, ? possible to significantly reduce any interference effects due to the operation of the control group 20 and of the power supply group 30.

Preferably, the acoustic sensor 15 ? installed at the lower surface of the support structure 41, i.e. on a surface of the support structure opposite to the surface on which the mounting structure 43, the modules 20 and 30 and the sensors 11 and 13 are fixed. In particular, the data conversion 18 of the acoustic sensor 15 ? fixed to the support structure 41 so that the transducer 16 is directed towards a measurement area and inclined at an angle between 30? and 60?, preferably equal to 45?, with respect to the horizontal? corresponding to a plane in which the support portion 41 of the body 40 lies. This arrangement of the acoustic sensor 15, specifically of the transducer 16 of this sensor 15, makes it possible to avoid, or at least significantly attenuate, measurement errors due to reflections on surfaces or walls in the installation location of the device 1.

Furthermore, the body 40 comprises a fixing portion 45 suitable for allowing the fixing of the device 1 to a surface (not shown), such as for example the wall of a building, or a support element (not shown) such as, for example, a pole or a? rod, by means of one or more? fasteners (not shown) such as screws, nails, clamps, and so on? Street. In the example of Figures 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, the fixing portion 45 is connected at right angles to the support portion 41. Preferably, the transducer 16 extends from the support portion in a direction opposite to the position of the fixing portion 45.

Pi? in general, the transducer 16 ? oriented (or ? orientable) towards the position where ? expected a greater concentration of sound sources, or the presence/passage of sound sources with greater intensity, within the range of the acoustic sensor 15, once the device 1 is activated? placed in an operational position.

Finally, the body 40 ? made of a resistant material, for example AISI-304 steel.

The first shell 50th ? suitable for completely enclosing the sensors 11 and 13, the control module 20 and the power supply module 30 mounted on the body 40. In the example considered, the first body 50a has a substantially hollow bulb shape having an open base surrounded by an edge fixing element 51. In particular, the fixing edge 51 allows the first body 50a to be fixed to the support portion 41 of the body 40 by means of fixing elements. For example, the fixing edge 51 and the support portion 41 comprise corresponding through holes 60, suitable for receiving rivets not visible in the Figures.

The first shell 50th ? suitable for protecting the sensors 11 and 13, the control module 20 and the power supply module 30 from the external environment, for example from the effect of solar radiation, atmospheric agents, foreign bodies, and so on. Street. Preferably, the first 50th body? made of plastic material, for example anti-UV polycarbonate or ABS.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first body 50a is connected to the support portion 41 of the watertight body 40, for example ? the use of a gasket interposed between the fixing edge 51 of the body and the fixing portion 41 of the body 40 is envisaged. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises an osmotic valve (not visible in the drawings) exposed on the first body 50a and coupled to the sensor of particulate matter 13 so as to allow a flow of air between the exterior of the device 1 and the particulate sensor 13.

Furthermore, the body 40 and the first shell 50a of the device 1 are shaped and sized in such a way that, once the device 1 is installed in a predetermined position, it is ensured that the electromagnetic field sensor 11 remains separated from external bodies, in particular metal bodies, by at least a minimum distance such as to avoid reflection and/or resonance effects and, therefore, consequent altered measurements of the values of the electromagnetic field. For example, the minimum distance ? equal to or greater than 5 cm, preferably equal to or greater than 10 cm.

The second shell 50b? suitable for enclosing the acoustic sensor 15 leaving the transducer 16 at least partially exposed, in particular the end? free of the transducer 16 covered by the protection element 17 as can be better appreciated in Figures 2a and 2b. the second body 50b protects the data conversion card 18 of the acoustic sensor 15 from the effect of solar radiation, atmospheric agents, foreign bodies, and so on. Street. Preferably, the second body 50b? made of plastic material, for example anti-UV polycarbonate or ABS.

In the example considered, the second body 50b has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having an open base surrounded by a fixing edge 53. In particular, the fixing edge 53 allows the second body 50b to be fixed to the support portion 41 of the body 40 by means of fasteners. For example, the fixing edge 53 and the support portion 41 comprise corresponding through holes 60, adapted to receive rivets not visible in the Figures.

Finally, the support portion 41 comprises one or more? through holes which allow a wired connection between the acoustic sensor 15 and the control modules 20 and power supply modules 30. Similarly, the first body 50a is or alternatively, the second body 50b? does it include a through hole preferably equipped with a sealing sheath ? to allow a wired connection between the power module 30 and an external power source.

Device 1 just described ? used in an environmental data acquisition and management system, hereinafter referred to simply as ?system 4?, according to an embodiment of the present invention and schematically illustrated in Figure 4.

System 4 includes a plurality? of devices 1 that can be positioned in an area A to be monitored. System 4 includes the unit? of remote management 3 previously mentioned, which ? configured to receive and process data from the devices 1 through the communication channels 2 established with the same. Furthermore, the unit? of remote management 3?, preferably, configured to exchange data with T1-Tn terminals, such as, for example, servers, data centers, personal computers, smartphones, tablets, through a respective communication channel 5.

The unit management system 3 comprises at least a processing module 70, a memory module 80 and a communication module 90.

The processing module 70 ? configured to process data contained in the memory module 80 and/or received by the communication module 90. For this purpose, the processing module 70 comprises one or more? between microcontrollers, microprocessors, general purpose processors (CPU) and/or graphics processors (GPU), DSP, FPGA, ASIC), edge computing resources, volatile and/or non-volatile memory blocks.

The memory module 80 ? configured to store large quantities? of data, for example, organized in one or more? database.

The communication module 90 ? configured to establish a communication channel with one or more? devices 1 and/or terminals T1-Tn via a communication network (not shown). For example, the communication module 90 comprises a modem, preferably connected to a telecommunication network.

Finally, the unit? of remote management 3 includes one or more? power modules (not shown) to deliver operating energy required by the processing module 70, the memory module 80 and the communication module 90.

How will it be? evident to the expert person, the unit? of remote management 3 pu? be realized as a single device, for example a server, or pu? be made in a distributed way using two or more? physical and/or virtual devices, such as virtual machines, configured to exchange data with each other.

System 4? configured to implement a data acquisition and management method, hereinafter referred to simply as the ?method 100?, according to an embodiment of the present invention and illustrated in Figure 5.

The method 100 provides that each device 1 positioned in the area carries out at least one measurement of the electromagnetic field, a measurement of the particulate matter suspended in the air and/or a measurement of the intensity of the electromagnetic field. of the sounds (block 101) and elaborates the measurements obtained (103).

In the preferred embodiment, each device 1? configured to measure the? intensity? of the electromagnetic field as a function of time and processing the measurements included in a first mobile analysis window ?t1. For example, the mobile analysis window ?t1 has a time duration between 5 and 10 minutes, preferably equal to 6 minutes in accordance with directive 2013/35/EU ? that is, it includes measurements made in the 6 minutes prior to a current point in time.

Preferably, each device 1 ? configured to determine at least one peak value, ie an absolute or relative maximum value, an average value and an absolute or relative minimum value, in the first mobile analysis window ?t1.

Furthermore, each device 1 ? configured to measure the concentration of particulate matter in the air with a (sampling) frequency equal to or less than 10 s, preferably equal to 1 s, and process the measurements included in a second mobile analysis window ?t2, preferably corresponding to the first analysis floating window ?t1.

Finally, each device 1 ? configured to measure the? intensity? of the sounds as a function of time and processing the measurements included in a third mobile analysis window ?t3, preferably corresponding to the first mobile analysis window ?t1.

Preferably, device 1 ? configured to do at least one of the following:

- linearizing the acoustic pressure measurements on the basis of a frequency response of the acoustic sensor 15;

- calculate the maximum, minimum and/or average sound pressure level; - calculate a frequency spectrum of the acquired measurement;

- calculate an? intensity? of the components of the frequency spectrum of the measurement for frequency bands, preferably with an amplitude of an octave, or fractions of an octave, for example thirds of an octave, and

- compare a frequency spectrum profile with stored spectral profile templates and estimate at least one noisy acoustic source which generated at least part of the measured pressure.

Device 1? configured to memorize in the memory module 23 the data resulting from the processing of the measurements M supplied by the sensors 11, 13 and 15 ? indicated below as ?processed data D? - as a function of time (block 105). Preferably, at least in part, the measurements supplied by the sensors 11, 13 and 15 as a function of time are stored. For example, device 1 ? configured to create a JSON type file containing the processed data D and, preferably, the measurements M detected by the sensors 11, 13 and 15 as a function of time with respect to each time window considered.

Each device 1 ? configured to activate the respective communication module 25 (block 107) and transmit one or more? measures M and processed data D all?unit? of remote management 3 through the communication channel 2 (block 109). Preferably, each device 1 ? configured to activate the communication module 25 and transmit measurements M and/or processed data D periodically. even more preferably, the inter-transmission period of the data ?tTX ? that is, the period between two consecutive transmissions ? it lasts in the order of minutes or hours. In general, the data inter-transmission period ?tTX has a period equal to or greater than the minimum between the durations of the first, second or third mobile analysis window ?t1, ?t1 and ?t3. In a preferred embodiment, each device 1 is configured to activate the communication module 25 and transmit measurements M and/or processed data D only twice a day. In other words, the data transmission period ?tTX ? essentially equal to 12 hours.

Advantageously, each device 1 ? configured to at least discard the measurements provided by the electromagnetic field sensor 11 as long as? the communication module 25 ? active (decision block 111 and output branch N thereof). In other words, the measurements provided by the electromagnetic field sensor 11, while the communication module 25 ? on, they are not memorized and/or are not used to calculate the processed data D. In this way it is avoided that the electromagnetic fields generated by the communication module 25 during transmission distort the trend of the electromagnetic field values leading to supplying a? erroneous analysis that does not reflect the effective trend of the electromagnetic field.

When is the transmission of measurements M and/or processed data D? completed (output branch Y of block 111) does the communication module 25 ? deactivated ? or, ? turned off or brought to a low energy consumption condition ? (block 113) and device 1 ? configured to resume considering the measures provided by one or more? of the sensors 11, 13 and 15 (block 115).

The unit of remote management 3 ? configured to store in the memory module 80 the processed data D and/or the measurements M transmitted by the devices 1 included in area A (block 117) and to generate a plurality? of information I on the basis of the analysis of such elaborated data D and/or measures M (block 119).

In the preferred embodiment, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to calculate, starting from the processed data D and/or the measurements M:

- a number of times a limit threshold value is exceeded by at least one of the measurements M in an analysis time period ?tA considered ? for example, a period equal to or greater than one of the durations of the first, second or third analysis mobile window ?t1, ?t1 and ?t3;

- a number of times an alarm threshold value has been exceeded ? higher than the limit threshold value - by at least one of the measurements M in the analysis time period ?tA;

- a maximum value of the set of electric field values included in the analysis time period ?tA, preferably corresponding to the first mobile analysis window ?t1;

- an average value of the set of electric field values included in the analysis time period ?tA, preferably corresponding to the first mobile analysis window ?t1;

- a minimum value of the set of electric field values included in the analysis time period ?tA, preferably corresponding to the first mobile analysis window ?t1;

- a percentage of the values of at least one of the measurements M that exceed an average value of said at least one measurement M in the analysis time period ?tA, and

- at least one percentile, preferably 98? and the 95? percentile, of the values of at least one of the measures M.

Preferably, although not limitingly, the processed data D and/or the performed measurements M relating to the sounds are analyzed to determine an impact of the detected sounds on the human ear. For example, the processed data D and/or the performed measurements M are weighted, preferably, by means of a weighting filter of type A and the result ? i.e. an "A" weighted equivalent level -? compared with predetermined pain thresholds.

Furthermore, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to calculate an energy associated with the pressure measurements supplied by the acoustic sensor 15. For example, this energy ? calculated through the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq, defined in the standard IEC 61672-1:2013) measured in a noise analysis time period ?tR. Preferably, the noise analysis time period ?tR ? a period of time not less than a week. In particular, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to determine an equivalent continuous "A" weighted level for each hour. Subsequently, the individual A-weighted equivalent level data is used to calculate:

- day and night A-weighted equivalent levels for each day of the week, and/or

- weekly day and night "A" weighted equivalent average levels.

The average weekly daytime and nighttime "A" weighted equivalent levels are compared with the limit threshold values (for example, set by Presidential Decree No. 142 of 30 March 2004 for Italy) to verify that they have been exceeded.

In addition or alternatively, the spectral components and intensity values? for third-octave bands they are compared with relative limit thresholds (for example, defined according to the ISO 11204:2010 standard).

Finally, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to determine one or more? tonal components included in the sounds measured by processing the processed data D and/or the M measurements. In fact, the tonal components are another considerable parameter in the evaluation of critical noise situations.

The information What? obtained are stored in the memory module 80 of the unit? management module 3 (block 121). The unit of remote management 3 ? configured to automatically and/or upon request provide reports relating to electromagnetic, acoustic and/or atmospheric pollution in area A (block 123).

For example, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to make the information I, the processed data D and/or the memorized measurements M available through a software platform (not shown) that can be used by one or more? of the T1-Tn terminals, once a communication channel has been established with the unit? of remote management 3. Preferably, the software platform allows displaying the information I, the processed data D and/or the measurements M available in the form of Cartesian graphs and/or a map of values distributed over the monitored area A.

In addition or alternatively, the unit? of remote management 3 ? configured to check if one or more? of the measurements M deviate from the alert threshold values and/or a trend of the measurements M over time deviates from an expected trend over time (decision block 125 and output branch N of the same) and, when ? having verified that the alert threshold value has been exceeded and/or the deviation from the expected trend (output branch Y of block 125), send one or more? alert messages P to one or more? of the terminals T1-Tn (block 127).

In this way, the system can promptly notify a plurality? of individuals regarding the pollution condition of area A. For example, the system can? be configured to send the alert message P to mobile T1-Tn terminals detected in area A, when at least one of the measures M indicates an excessive level of pollution.

The unit of remote management 3 ? configured to make the information I, the processed data D and/or the memorized measurements M available through a software platform (not shown) that can be used by one or more? of the T1-Tn terminals, once a communication channel has been established with the unit? remote management 3.

In this way ? is it possible to allow one or more? subjects ? for example, administrators, researchers, etc. ? to analyze in a simple and immediate way a plurality? of information regarding the levels of pollution within the monitored area A and, consequently, develop pollution mitigation strategies.

In one embodiment, at least one device 1 of the system 4 ? configured to perform a data acquisition procedure 200 described below ? of which a flowchart ? illustrated in Figure 6, which involves making measurements and/or increasing the measurement frequency by one or more? of the sensors of the sensor group 10 when another sensor of the sensor group provides a measurement above/below a predetermined threshold or within/outside a predetermined interval.

For example, the generic device 1 ? configured to monitor the value of the measurements provided by the acoustic sensor 15 (decision block 201). In particular, the processing module 21 of the processing unit 20 checks whether a predetermined number of measurements supplied consecutively by the acoustic sensor 15 exceeds a first threshold value or if the measurements supplied by the acoustic sensor 15 exceed the first threshold value for a time interval predetermined. In the negative case (output branch N of the block 201), the device 1 continues to monitor the measurements supplied by the acoustic sensor 15. Otherwise, when measurements supplied by the acoustic sensor 15 are detected beyond the first threshold value (output branch Y of the block 201), the processor module 21 ? configured to control the acquisition of measurements by the electromagnetic field sensor 11 and/or by the particulate sensor 13 (block 203). Additionally or alternatively, the processor module 21 ? configured to increase a sampling frequency of the measurements acquired by the electromagnetic field sensor 11 and/or by the particulate sensor 13 (block 205).

Optionally, the processor module 21 ? configured to monitor the measurements provided by the acoustic sensor 15, by the electromagnetic field sensor 11 and/or by the particulate sensor 13 in order to identify at least one measurement below the second threshold value (decision block 207 and output branch N thereof) . When ? at least one measurement below the second threshold value has been detected (output branch Y of the decisional block 207) does the processor module 21 ? configured to bring the sensors 11 and/or 13 into a low-consumption, or stand-by, state, or to reduce the sampling frequency of the measurements (block 209).

Eventually, the control group 20 ? configured to transmit to the unit? of remote management 3 a set of measurements M and processed data D acquired during the measurement period which goes from the detection of the measurements provided by the acoustic sensor 15 above the first threshold value to the detection of at least one measurement below the second threshold value (block 211).

Preferably, procedure 200 ? repeated during the entire period of operation of the device 1.

In an alternative embodiment ? An alternative procedure 300 has been implemented which differs from the procedure 200 as follows, where the steps of the procedure indicated by blocks with the same number of blocks as the procedure 200 indicate the same steps, the description of which is not ? repeated.

Procedure 300 provides for identifying a type of sound which has produced the measurement above the first threshold value and consequently activating a predetermined sensor.

In detail, downstream of the output branch Y of the decision block 201, ie when measurements supplied by the acoustic sensor 15 are detected beyond the first threshold value, the processor module 21 ? configured to identify a type of acoustic source that generated the acoustic signal ? for example, passing vehicles, people in the vicinity? of device 1, etc. (decision block 301). For example, the computer module 21 ? configured to identify the type of acoustic source by comparing a frequency spectrum of the sound measured by the acoustic sensor 15 with one or more? reference frequency spectra stored in memory module 23.

Based on the type of acoustic source determined? activated or increased the measurement sampling frequency by one between the electromagnetic field sensor 11 and the particulate sensor 13. For example, if the type of acoustic source ? associated with one or more people in transit or stationary in the vicinity of device 1 (output branch A of block 301), ? activated and/or ? increased the measurement frequency of the electromagnetic field sensor 11 (block 303). If, on the other hand, the type of acoustic source ? associated with one or more vehicles in transit or stationary in the vicinity of device 1 (exit branch B of block 301), ? activated and/or ? increased the measurement frequency of the particulate sensor 11 (block 305). Subsequently, the procedure 300 continues in a substantially analogous way to the procedure 200 starting from the step described in relation to the decision block 207.

These solutions make it possible to automatically collect associated data relating to two selected types of pollution. In particular, this makes it possible to identify correlations between two selected types of pollution, for example by suitably configuring the unit? remote management 3.

How will it be? evident to the technician of the sector, one or more? steps of the method described above can be performed in parallel with each other or with a different order from the one presented above. Similarly, one or more optional steps can be added or removed from one or more? of the procedures described above.

The invention so? conceived ? therefore susceptible to numerous modifications and variations and the above examples must not be interpreted in a limiting sense. Naturally, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In conclusion, the materials used, as well as? the contingent shapes and dimensions of the devices, apparatuses and terminals mentioned above may be any according to the specific implementation requirements without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Device for environmental surveys (1) comprising - sensor unit (10) comprising at least a first sensor (13) suitable for detecting a concentration of particulate matter in the air, at least a second sensor (15) suitable for detecting an intensity? of sounds and at least a third sensor (11) suitable for detecting an?intensity? electromagnetic field, e - a control group (20) connected to the sensor group (10) and comprising at least one processing module (21) configured to process measurements provided by the at least one first sensor (13), and at least one communication module (25) configured to receive data from?at least one processing module (21) and to exchange data with a?unit? remote through a communication channel (2), characterized in that the control group (20) ? configured to process measurements supplied by at least one pair of sensors of the sensor unit (10) and acquired simultaneously, the pair of sensors comprising the at least one second sensor (15) suitable for detecting an intensity? of sounds. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the processing module (21) is configured for: - take a measurement supplied by the second sensor (15), higher than a threshold value, e - when ? having detected at least one measurement supplied by the second sensor (15) higher than the threshold value, activate and/or increase a measurement frequency by at least one sensor selected between the first (13) and the third sensor (11). The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the processor module (21) is configured for: - when ? having detected a measurement provided by the second sensor (15) higher than the threshold value, identify a type of acoustic source that generates the sounds measured by the second sensor (15), and - activate and/or increase a measurement frequency of a sensor selected between the first sensor (13) and the third sensor (11) on the basis of the type of acoustic source identified. 4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors (11, 13, 15) of the sensor unit (10) and the control unit (20) are arranged side by side along a main direction (D), where the third sensor (11) ? arranged at one end of the sequence comprising the sensors (11, 13, 15) and the control group (20) and/or the second sensor (15) ? arranged at a second end of the sequence comprising the sensors (11, 13, 15) and the control unit (20). 5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support structure (40) adapted to support the sensor assembly (10) and the control assembly (20), and to allow positioning of the device in an operative position predetermined, and in which the support structure (40) comprises a mounting structure (43) in turn comprising a plurality of housings (43a, 43b, 43c) side by side along a main direction (D), each housing (43a, 43b, 43c) being configured to constrain one of the control assembly (20), the first sensor (13) and the third sensor (11), where the? housing on which? fixed the first sensor (13) ? interposed between the housings to which the control group (20) and the third sensor (11) are fixed. Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the support structure (40) comprises a support portion (41), wherein the mounting structure (43) is fixed to a first surface of the support portion (41) and in which the second sensor (15) is attached to a second surface of the support portion (41) opposite the first surface, the first surface and the second surface of the support portion (41) being transverse to the main direction (D), preferably substantially orthogonal to the main direction (D). 7. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second sensor (15) comprises an acquisition portion (16) oriented at an angle between 30? and 60?, preferably equal to 45?, with respect to the second surface of the support portion (41) of the support structure (40) which ? fixed the second sensor (15). 8. Device (1) according to any of claims from 5 to 7, further comprising a body (50a) which can be coupled to the support structure (40) and suitable for enclosing the first sensor (13), the third sensor (11) and the control group (20), wherein the support structure (40) and the body (50a) are preferably shaped to ensure that the third sensor (11) is at a distance equal to or greater than 5 cm, plus? preferably equal to or greater than 10 cm, from any foreign body surrounding a fixing position of the device (1). 9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor module (21) is? configured to discard the measurements provided by the third sensor (11) suitable for detecting an? intensity? electromagnetic field, when the communication module (25) transmits data to the unit? remote. 10 System (4) for monitoring environmental conditions in at least one area (A) including: - a plurality? of devices (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, e - a?unit? remote (3), where the unit? remote (3) ? configured to receive the data transmitted by the plurality? of devices (1) and process said data to determine and/or correlate a trend of the concentration of particulate matter in the air, an acoustic pollution level and an electromagnetic pollution level in the area (A) as a function of time.