CENTRALIZED PROGRAMMABLE COMPUTER CONTROLLED AUTOMATED BIOCIDAL/DISINFECTION/CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

A disinfection system includes a controller, disinfectant bank, valve manifold, and fluid distribution network that is terminated by nozzles in each of a plurality of spaces. The controller is operable to control pumping of disinfectant to various groups of nozzles in each of the spaces in order to disinfect the spaces at scheduled or unscheduled times. The nozzles are remotely actuated by wireless network communications from the controller, and the controller is responsive to sensors in each of the spaces that can indicate the presence of a person in the spaces. When a person is in a space, disinfection is inhibited in that space.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for disinfecting living spaces, and, more particularly, relates to a centralized automated.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

With the ongoing pandemic caused by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it has become apparent that frequent disinfection is useful in preventing spread of viruses as well as infection. Currently the most common methods of disinfecting spaces that people use include, for example, portable sprayer/fogging systems that distribute disinfectant via aerosolization of chemicals. This is a manual, and therefore labor intensive process. Presently, this kind of process is used for all kinds of spaces, including airplanes, rental cars, buildings, and so on, and represents a substantial cost in mitigating the spread of infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided an automated disinfection system that includes a controller, a pump that is coupled to and operated by the controller, a reservoir including at least one disinfectant cartridge that contains a disinfectant agent, the reservoir being fluidly coupled to the pump, and a fluid distribution network. The fluid distribution network includes a plurality of conduits, each conduit being routed to a different one of a plurality of spaces and separately connected to the pump by a respective one of a plurality of controllable valves at a pump end of each one of the plurality of conduits. Each one of the plurality of conduits is branched, at a terminal end, to a plurality of remotely controlled nozzles, and each one of the plurality of nozzles is disposed in one of the plurality of spaces. The controller is operable to, according to a schedule, operate the pump, the plurality of controllable valves, and remotely controlled nozzles to sequentially distribute disinfectant from the disinfectant bank to each one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the system further includes, in at least one of the plurality of spaces, at least one biosensor that is operably coupled to the controller, wherein the biosensor indicates to the controller whether a person is present in the at least one of the plurality of spaces, and wherein upon detecting a person in the at least one of the plurality of spaces the controller inhibits administering the disinfectant in the at least one of the plurality of spaces in which the person was detected.

In accordance with a further feature, the system further includes, in at least one of the plurality of spaces, an access control that is operably coupled to the controller, and which is operated by the controller to prevent access to the at least one of the plurality of spaces upon commencement of administration of the disinfectant into the at least one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the plurality of nozzles are each remotely controlled using wireless network communications, and wherein at least of the plurality of nozzles are controlled by the controller as a group with one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller and pump are housed together on a mobile platform.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller and pump are housed together on a fixed platform in a structure.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller includes a wireless network communication transceiver, and wherein the schedule is received from a remote server via the wireless network communication transceiver.

In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided an automated disinfection system that includes a controller including instruction code stored in a non-volatile computer readable medium that is instantiated by the controller for execution by the controller, a pump that is coupled to and operated by the controller, a reservoir including at least one disinfectant cartridge that contains a disinfectant agent, the reservoir being fluidly coupled to the pump, and a valve manifold coupled to the pump at an intake and including a plurality of controllable valves. The system further includes a fluid distribution network including a plurality of conduits, with each conduit being routed to a different one of a plurality of spaces and separately connected to the pump by a respective one of the plurality of controllable valves at a pump end of each one of the plurality of conduits. Each one of the plurality of conduits further being branched, at a terminal end, to a plurality of remotely controlled nozzles, and each one of the plurality of nozzles is disposed in one of the plurality of spaces. The system further includes a plurality of sensors distributed among the plurality of spaces, where each one of the plurality of spaces include at least one sensor, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors being coupled to the controller and operable to indicate to the controller a signal indicating a presence of a person in the respective space. Wherein the controller is operable to, according to a schedule, operate the pump, the plurality of controllable valves, and remotely controlled nozzles to sequentially distribute disinfectant from the disinfectant bank to each one of the plurality of spaces, and to further inhibit a scheduled disinfection process for a given one of the plurality of spaces when the respective sensor in the given one of the plurality of spaces indicates a person is in the given one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the at least one sensor includes a thermal imaging sensor capable of identifying a person, a temperature of the person, and wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the temperature of the person is above an preselected threshold, and to commence an unscheduled disinfection of the space in which the person is located.

In accordance with a further feature, the system further includes, in at least one of the plurality of spaces, an access control that is operably coupled to the controller, and which is operated by the controller to prevent access to the at least one of the plurality of spaces upon commencement of administration of the disinfectant into the at least one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the plurality of nozzles are each remotely controlled using wireless network communications, and wherein at least of the plurality of nozzles are controlled by the controller as a group with one of the plurality of spaces.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller and pump are housed together on a mobile platform.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller and pump are housed together on a fixed platform in a structure.

In accordance with a further feature, the controller includes a wireless network communication transceiver, and wherein the schedule is received from a remote server via the wireless network communication transceiver.

In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided a method for disinfecting a plurality of spaces, the method including, at a controller, determining that a disinfection process is to commence for at least one of a plurality of spaces. The method further including, responsive to determining that the disinfection process is to commence, the controller receiving a signal from a sensor in the at least one of the plurality of spaces. When the signal indicates that the least one of the plurality of spaces does not contain any persons, the controller activates one of a plurality of valves of a valve manifold and opening the valve, transmits a signal that causes at least one nozzle in the space to activate, and activates a pump that is coupled to a disinfectant bank on a first side of the pump and to the valve manifold on a second side of the pump to commence pumping disinfectant into the valve manifold. Wherein the disinfectant is pumped through valve manifold into a respective one of a plurality of conduits that is connected at a pump end to the one of the plurality of valves in the valve manifold and at a terminal end to the at least one nozzle where the at least one nozzle distributes aerosolized disinfectant into the space.

“In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, azimuth or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “back”, “head”, “tail” and so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on the drawings, which are only to facilitate description of the embodiments of the present invention and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must have a specific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the specific azimuth, which thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as “installed”, “coupled”, “connected” should be broadly interpreted, for example, it may be fixedly connected, or may be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it may be mechanically connected, or may be electrically connected; it may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. To the extent that the inventive disclosure relies on or uses software or computer implemented embodiments, the terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block schematic diagram of a centralized automated disinfection system100, in accordance with some embodiments. The system100includes a controller102that is a computer operated controller or central processing unit (CPU) which includes a microprocessor and memory104. The memory104is an aggregate memory representing both volatile and non-volatile forms of memory, including random access memory (RANI) for both instantiating instruction code and scratch pad memory, as well as long term storage for schedules, and other data. The controller102operates a pump system106and a valve system112that can be provided between the pump system and a fluid distribution network114. Further, the controller102can be operably coupled to a disinfectant bank or reservoir108in which there can be one or more supply containers110of disinfecting agents. There can be different types of disinfecting agents as well. It is contemplated that the disinfectant containers110can contain a pre-diluted mixture, or that a water source109can be connected to the disinfectant bank108to allow mixing of water with disinfectant agents in the containers110for distribution. The controller102can be operably coupled to the disinfectant bank108to detect the levels of disinfectant agents in the supply containers in order to prompt an administrator to replace the containers when the supply runs lows.

The pump106, under control of the controller102, pumps material from the disinfectant bank108into the fluid distribution network114through selected valves112. The term “fluid” as used here can refer to both wet (liquid) and dry (gaseous/particulate) fluids as well as aerosolized droplets of fluid suspending in air. The fluid distribution network114carries the fluids to one or more nozzles118in a room116or space being disinfected. Generally, the nozzles118are fixed, being mounted in the space. The nozzles118are shown together here, but in practice are spaced throughout the room116to ensure adequate coverage in the room116of the disinfectant material being administered. In some embodiments the nozzles118can include electrostatic nozzles. Further, the room116can contain one or more sensors126that are also operably coupled to the controller102to detect people who may be in the room116. For example, motion sensors and/or thermal sensors, as well as optical recognition (cameras) can be used to ensure that the room116is free of people before activating the pump106and opening the valve112. Further, the sensors126can be used to shut down the disinfection process if a person is subsequently detected during the disinfection process. In some embodiments the controller102can be coupled to a room access control mechanism124, such as a door lock, in order to prevent ingress into the room116during the disinfection process. Additionally, an indicator122can be controlled by the controller102to give visual and/or audible indication to people outside of the room116that a disinfection process is underway, or whether it is clear to enter the room116.

The controller102can include both wireless and wired network interfaces. A wireless interface can be used to receive commands from a remote control device128, which can be, for example, portable computing device running an application program designed to operate and interface with the controller102. In some embodiments the controller102can transmit data to the remote control unit128. In some embodiments the remote control unit128is less sophisticated, and merely provides command codes to the controller102, such as a shutdown command, start command, etc. The controller102can also be connected to a network132, which can be local area network or a wide area network (e.g. the Internet) that allows people to remotely access the controller102to input information such as operation schedules, as well as to see data maintained by the controller102, such as event logs, the status of disinfectant levels in the disinfectant banks, and so on.

In operation, the controller102can be programmed with a schedule of operation, which can follow, for example, a class schedule in a school, a route schedule in a vehicle, or other schedules as may be contemplated by those skilled in the art. The system100can also be manually activated if necessary, meaning activated outside of a scheduled time. The controller102includes, or is coupled to a clock, or other event indicator (e.g. location, status of the room), and upon the occurrence of a predefined event, such as a time, or arriving at a location, or the room116emptying of people, the controller102commences a disinfection process in which the valve112is opened and the pump106is activated to cause disinfectant materials to be delivered to the nozzles and distributed into the room. In some embodiments the nozzles118may also be controllable to turn on/off or to configure a type of operation/spray pattern. At different times, or upon different events, different amounts or kinds of disinfecting materials can be used/distributed into the room116. For example, in a school, between classes a mild disinfectant can be used, and at night after the school is closed a more powerful disinfectant can be used, or applied for a longer duration, and allowed to dissipate before the school is opened again.

In some embodiments, the controller102, pump106, disinfectant bank108, and valve112can be mounted together in a portable or mobile unit, allowing the unit113to be moved from one location to another as needed. The fluid network114contains a plurality of fluid conduits or lines that route fluid to the nozzles118. Different ones of the conduits can connect to different groups of nozzles118. The disinfectant bank/reservoir108can control which disinfectants110are used for a particular disinfection operation, including mixing of different types of disinfectants for simultaneous application. As mentioned, the fluid network114can contain a plurality of conduits, with each one of the conduits having a connector for coupling to a corresponding coupling of the valve112. Thus, it is contemplated that the valve112can be a valve bank with separately controllable valves that are operated by the controller102.

It is contemplated that in some embodiments the system100or substantial portions of the system100can be integrated, or operative with an existing heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The conduits of the fluid delivery system, for example, can be routed through exiting ducts, and the nozzles can be located adjacent the ducts, as well as on other ceiling locations. In some embodiments the controller102can be coupled to the HVAC system and is operative to control at least some operation of the HVAC system. For example, one of the sensors126can be a humidistat of the HVAC system. Upon application of a disinfectant the humidity in a space can be elevated, causing the HVAC system to undertake a dehumidification process to remove moisture from the air. However, this may result in the disinfectant being removed too soon. Thus, the controller102can be configured to inhibit dehumidification for a time after application of a disinfectant. Thereafter the HVAC system can commence a dehumidification process to restore the humidity in the space to a preferred level.

A remote computer130, such as, for example, a server or data center, can be accessed by users, such as by using the remote control device128. In some embodiments, the remote control device128can be a smartphone device running an application program for communicating with the controller102and/or the remote computer130. The remote computer130can be coupled to a data store132in which data such as schedules can be stored for a given system100. Thus, in some embodiments, a user can use their remote control device128to access the remote computer130, and build, change schedules, define groups of nozzles in spaces, and so on. This information can be relayed to the controller102for performance of the schedule by the controller102in the system100. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that room116can represent one of many rooms or spaces being disinfected by the system100. Each room can be disinfected in turn according to a schedule.

FIG. 2is a block schematic diagram of the system100ofFIG. 1extended to multiple spaces. This figure shows that the controller202(equivalent to102) can operate in multiple rooms212, with each room (equivalent to116) having a dedicated valve manifold208and/or a dedicated pump206to provide disinfectant materials from the disinfectant bank204to the rooms212, to be dispersed in the room by nozzles (e.g.118) mounted in each room212. Each room can have its own schedule that is administered by the controller202, and which can be input into the controller202by a user using the remote computer (e.g.130) or remote control device (e.g.128). The rooms, can be, for example, school rooms, hotel rooms, offices, etc. Upon the scheduled time occurring for a given room212for a disinfection operation the controller202opens the corresponding valve of the valve manifold208which is connected to a corresponding conduit210and activates the pump206to commence pumping disinfectant through the opened valve208and the corresponding conduit210to nozzles in the room212being disinfected. Further, the controller202can control the disinfectant bank204to activate particular ones of different types of disinfectant to be combined and distributed into the room212, or a single type of disinfectant can be selected. It is also contemplated that the nozzles in the rooms212can be remotely operated or remotely actuated using wireless communications. Thus, a transceiver214operably connected to the controller202can be used to transmit wireless signals to selected ones of the nozzles to activate them to achieve a preferred or selected type of dispersion for the given disinfectant or combination of disinfectants being used. The transceiver214can operate using known wireless networking communications interfaces such as, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mesh networking, or other equivalent wireless network communications. It is further contemplated, as will be shown, that various different nozzle types can be provided in the rooms212and selectively grouped and controlled together by nozzle type using the communications and wireless signals216transmitted by the wireless transceiver214. That is different types of disinfectant may require different nozzle types to achieve proper dispersion within the rooms.

FIG. 3is a block schematic diagram of a nozzle assembly300, in accordance with some embodiments. The nozzle assembly300includes its own controller302, which can be a microprocessor, the control operation of the nozzle assembly. The controller302is interfaced with a wireless network communications transceiver304which can receive and transmit wireless signals with a system controller (e.g.102). The controller302is further interfaced with a memory in which there can be stored a unit ID306that identifies the particular nozzle assembly300, and a group ID308that identifies a group of nozzles to which the nozzle assembly300belongs or is assigned to for operation. The nozzle assembly300can be included in multiple groups to achieve various types of disinfectant operations. The controller302is further interfaced with an actuator310that controls a nozzle valve312. The nozzle valve312is operable to open or close, as well as open to various degrees to control the amount of disinfectant passing through the nozzle over a given time (e.g. rate). The nozzle valve provides disinfectant through a nozzle horn316that controls a distribution pattern of the dispersed disinfectant318. The nozzle valve310is fed by a conduit314that is part of the fluid distribution network (e.g.114). The nozzle valve312and nozzle horn316can take any of a number of known nozzle configurations including, for example, electrostatic nozzles, misting nozzles, fogging nozzles, to name a few types of nozzles.

To activate the nozzle assembly300system controller transmits a signal that is received by transceiver304. The signal can include either the unit ID306or the group ID308. Upon receiving either the unit ID306or the group ID308the controller will operate the actuator3102enable the nozzle valve312. Disinfectant provided to the nozzle valve312through the conduit314by a pump (e.g.106) under pressure passes through the nozzle horn316and is dispersed in the intended pattern in the room. Accordingly when the controller of the system wants to actuate a group of nozzles located, for example, together in a room, the system controller will broadcast the group ID308along with an indication to enable the nozzles which can be in, for example, a bit field transmitted by the system controller. That is, communications can be defined such that a digital word or words of certain preselected sizes can include a group ID, a nozzle ID or unit ID, and bits that indicate to open or close the nozzle or nozzles. It is further contemplated that a digital assistant could be used to transmit commands to the system controller, where a voice recognition interface can receive spoken commands and then generate a control signal or digital message that is relayed by the digital assistant to the controller. Examples of a digital assistant include those sold by Amazon, Inc. known as “Alexa,” and by Apple, Inc. as “Siri.”

FIGS. 4A & 4Bshow various arrangements for grouping nozzle assemblies, to deliver a disinfectant into a space, in accordance with some embodiments. In the figures there are shown representations of two rooms including room402in room404. The rooms402,404represent different ones of a plurality of spaces being disinfected by the disinfection system (e.g.100). In room402there is a group406of nozzles and in room404there is a second group408of nozzles. Each of the groups406,408can be coupled to a different conduit of the fluid delivery network. According to a schedule then, group406can be activated or opened by transmission of a group ID corresponding to group406. Each nozzle in group406has been provisioned with the same group ID, so that when all of the nozzles in group406receive that group identifier they, in unison turn on or turn off, respectively, as indicated in the received transmission. Likewise, all of the nozzles in group408have been provisioned with a different group identifier from that used for group406. Thus, to enable the nozzles in group408the controller transmits the group identifier corresponding to group408. InFIG. 4B, the same two rooms402,404are shown but the nozzles are grouped differently. For example, nozzles in both rooms402,404are included in group410. Thus with respect to group401rooms402,404represent one space even though they can be physically separated. Similarly within room402there can be one or more nozzles in a separate group412. The reason for this is that the nozzles in group410and the nozzle or nozzles in group412can be different types of nozzles that are each suitable for different types of disinfectant.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bshow sequential disinfection of different spaces, in accordance with some embodiments. InFIG. 5Athe controller412(equivalent to controller102) has activated the nozzles in group406in room402and disinfectant is dispersed into room402through the nozzles in group406. The nozzles in group408in room404have not been activated because it is not there turn yet in the schedule of the present example. Controller412is either prompted or has a copy of a disinfecting schedule and upon schedule time to commence disinfection of room402the controller412transmits the nozzle activation signal by broadcasting the group ID for group406along with a bit or bits indicating that the nozzles in group406R2turn on or otherwise activate. At the end of the schedule disinfection time the controller412will again transmit the group ID for group406along with an indication that the nozzles are to turn off or deactivate. InFIG. 5B, for example, disinfection of room402using the nozzles of group406has been completed and those nozzles are deactivated. However, according to the schedule, of the present example room406is next to be disinfected and accordingly the controller412transmits the group ID for group408which is received by each one of the nozzles in group406which in turn responsive to the activation signal open their respective nozzle valves and disinfectant is pumped through the nozzles of group408dispersing disinfectant into the room404. Thus, according to the present example, the rooms402,404are sequentially disinfected under control of the controller412which selectively activates the nozzles in the corresponding groups406,408at their respective schedule disinfection times. This simple example can be expanded to a large number of rooms and the principal remains the same, where groups of nozzles for the different spaces being disinfected are selectively activated or deactivated according to the schedule and disinfectant is provided through the fluid delivery network to the respective nozzles of the groups in their scheduled times. Likewise the respective valves (e.g.208) at the pump end of the fluid delivery network are selectively activated (opened or closed).

FIG. 6shows a representation of a schedule data structure for use with a disinfection system, in accordance with some embodiments. The data structure is for a particular building or structure having a plurality of spaces that are to be disinfected according to a schedule. Each one of the plurality of spaces has one or more nozzles which are assigned to a common group for that space. Thus, the schedule can include multiple different group identifiers each of which are scheduled to be activated for a different time. This schedule can be maintained or stored at the controller of the system (e.g. controller102), as well as at a remote computer or server that is in communication with the controller, in which can be accessed and edited by a user at the server, wherein the server can then forward the schedule to the controller for performance of the corresponding disinfection regimen.

FIG. 7shows a flow chart diagram of a method700of operating a disinfection system, in accordance with some embodiments. At the start702the controller unit (e.g.113) is provided in a building or structure and appropriately coupled to the fluid distribution network installed in the building. Further, the control unit is provided with a disinfection schedule which indicates which nozzle groups to be activated at particular times, which valves are to be opened for the corresponding conduit feeds to those nozzle groups, and which disinfectant agents are to then be pumped into the fluid distribution network conduits to the nozzle groups. In step706the method700determines whether it is time to start schedule disinfection. If, according to the schedule, it is time to commence a schedule disinfection process, the method700skips down to step708. However, if in step704it is not time to start a schedule disinfection the method700can determine if there has been an unscheduled disinfection request received in step706. It is further contemplated that the system can monitor a room or space using, for example, thermal imaging (e.g. one of the sensors126) to identify persons in the space, and detect whether any person in the space is exhibiting higher than normal temperature, which can indicate that the person is exhibiting a fever, implying the person may be ill and possibly infectious. Accordingly, detection of a person having a higher than normal temperature can cause the system to initiate an unscheduled disinfection of the space once the person has left the space. Thus, an unscheduled disinfection request can arise automatically by the system itself. If it is neither time to start a schedule disinfection and no unscheduled disinfection request has been received the method700simply continues to loop through step704and706. In step708, it is either time for a schedule disinfection or an unscheduled disinfection request has been received, the system (e.g.100) initiates the pump, selects the appropriate valve, transmits an activation message to the specified nozzle group, and selects the appropriate disinfectant which can be indicated in the schedule data as well. The method700then continues to step710where sensors corresponding to the space to be disinfected can be checked to determine whether there is anyone in the space. This can include, for example, using thermal sensors, audio sensors, or any other type of sensor that could be used to indicate the presence of the person in the space. If the sensors indicate that there is no person in the space then the method700can proceed to step716where the valve can be opened allowing disinfectant into the proper conduit of the fluid distribution network, and the nozzles for the corresponding group in the space to be disinfected are then activated, wherein the disinfectant is dispersed into the space. However, if in step710person seems to be present, the system will indicate a problem in step712, such as by recording an event fail in a log, as well as potentially transmitting alert signal to an assigned person or personnel. In step714a determination can be made whether to abort the disinfection of the particular space. For example, the system via the controller can activate alerting devices in the space, including lights and/or audio alerts to give people in the space time to leave. In which case the method can return to step710. If, after a number of attempts have been made to clear people from the space, then from step714the method can simply end going to step722, or alternatively to step728to determine if there is another space to be disinfected according to the schedule.

In step716, upon commencing the aerosol disinfection, access controls can be activated, such as a door lock, to exclude people from the space during the disinfection process. Likewise, alerting devices such as a light or lights or sign outside of the space being disinfected can be activated to give people a visual indication that the disinfection process is underway, and that access to the space is currently prohibited. As the disinfection process continues the method700proceeds to step718in which the system may determine if there is any override signal that has been received. An override signal can be activated by a person in the space who may not have been detected in step710. Likewise, if a person is subsequently detected in the space being disinfected, such as by using the same sensors used in step710, the system can initiate an override. When override event occurs the method proceeds from step718to step724in which disinfection for this particular group is then shut down. Meaning, that the pump is shut down or shut off, the controller will transmit a message to the nozzles of the particular group to deactivate, whereupon each of the nozzle assemblies will close its respective nozzle valve, and the access controls may be released by the system controller to allow egress out of the space to avoid any further exposure to the disinfectant that had been introduced into the space. Returning to step718, while no override may be detected, the controller also keeps track of the time and in step726determines whether the disinfection time. For the particular group, and the particular space being disinfected, has expired. When, in step726, it is determined that the time has expired for the space presently being disinfected, the method700proceeds to step728to determine whether, according to the schedule, or the unscheduled disinfection request, there is another space to be disinfected. If no other spaces to be disinfected than the schedule, or the unscheduled disinfection request has been fully processed and the method ends at step722. If, in step728, the schedule, or the unscheduled disinfection request indicates another space to be disinfected, then the method700can return to step708to repeat part of the method700for the next space to be disinfected. Thus, the method700proceeds to disinfect each space according to the schedule or the unscheduled disinfection request.

FIG. 8shows an interface diagram of sequential interface presentations800to a user for editing, creating a disinfection schedule or running an unscheduled disinfection operation, in accordance with some embodiments. The interface presentations800represent exemplary interfaces or interface elements that can be presented in a graphic user interface of a computing device, including a computer or an application of a smart phone device or similar computing device. In some embodiments the interface can be a web interface presented by a server to a client device accessing the server, or the interface can be presented by an application running locally on a computing device. For example, interface802can present to selectable options804,806. These selection options can be presented as part of a menu or similar interface hierarchy. Option804corresponds to a selection to edit or create a schedule, meaning to edit an existing schedule or create a new schedule. Option. That is, option806can be selected to commence an unscheduled disinfection process according to step706ofFIG. 7. When the user wants to edit or create a schedule the user can select option or interface element804, such as by pressing on a touchscreen over an interface element corresponding to interface element804, or using a pointing device (e.g. a mouse) to click on an interface element corresponding to element804, whereupon a next interface810will be brought up giving the user the option to create a schedule in interface element812, or to edit an existing schedule and interface element814. If the user selects interface element812then a form interface816can be displayed to the user in which the user can identify a building various group identifiers and provide a time for each group, and identify a disinfectant type for each group, and then save this information to create a schedule. If, in interface810, the user selects interface element814, the user will be displayed a form818that already has fields for the schedule populated, which the user can then edit and save. Returning to interface802, if the user selects interface element806, then an interface can be displayed allowing the user to select a building and then one or more groups in an interface808, such as by clicking or selecting a radio button807corresponding to a group, and then clicking on a run button809to commence the unscheduled disinfection process. It will be realized by those skilled in the art that a near infinite number of various types of interfaces can be designed and displayed in various hierarchies and menus to be displayed to a user.

A disinfection system for spaces in a structure has been disclosed that allows for automatic, scheduled and unscheduled disinfection of spaces through the use of aerosolized disinfectant agents that are distributed to the spaces from a centralized location. The system includes a disinfectant bank that is coupled to a pump. The pump is operable to pump disinfectant material from the disinfectant bank through selected conduits of a fluid distribution network. Each conduit leads to one of more nozzle assemblies connected at the terminal end of the conduit in a space. The system can be operated according to a schedule in which spaces are treated with disinfectant at particular times, and the schedule can be created remotely by accessing a server that maintains schedule information for the system. Upon the time occurring to apply a disinfectant, the system can use one or more sensors to determine whether there are people in the space before commencing the disinfection process, and during the disinfection process the system can control access to the space by locking doors to the space.