Patent Publication Number: US-2022226517-A1

Title: Location Oriented Monitoring and Sterilization System

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     These teachings relate generally to systems for and methods of sterilizing an enclosed space with ultraviolet light using with information about the characteristics and contents of the enclosed space and while level of sterilization is monitored during the process. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention, in the form of a system, includes, in a more general form, the elements for monitoring and sterilizing an enclosed space. The aforementioned elements in a housing for the system. This housing would be preferably sized and configured to contain the other elements of the system that would need to be within the enclosed space for the optimal performance of the system. One of such elements would be a power source situated within the housing. Another element would be an ultraviolet light producer, situated within and exposed on the outer surface of the housing and electronically connected to the power source. The power source would preferably be controlled (on and off) by a power switch, situated in association with the housing and electronically connected to the power source. Also within the housing would be computing technology, also connected to the power source. This computing technology would preferably (A) monitor the location of the system through the information supplied by the computing technology, (B) send a signal to the ultraviolet light producer to maximize the ultraviolet illumination disinfecting the enclosed space to the maximum degree allowable based upon the anticipated levels within, and areas of, the enclosed space need sterilization, and (C) use a model of the enclosed space to provide guidance regarding the desired positioning of the system throughout the disinfecting process. To facilitate achievement of the desired level of sterilization, a location detector for detecting the position of the system within the enclosed space could also be utilized. This locator would preferably be electronically connected to the computing technology. A final element of a general embodiment of the system would preferably be a communication element. Preferably the communication element would be situated within the housing and connected to both the power source and the computing technology. It would be preferred that the communication element be used to transmit data about the positioning of the system, and other pertinent information, to a remote device. 
     The present invention, as a method, includes, in a more general form, the steps for monitoring and sterilizing an enclosed space. It is essential in the execution of the inventive process to have information about the characteristics and contents of the enclosed space to be sterilized. Accordingly, one of the steps of the method is the modeling the three-dimensional configuration of the enclosed space. Once the modeling is completed (or alternatively while it is underway, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention), the modeling information is preferably fed into computing technology. The computed modeling information and the anticipated sterilization-level information are used to cause an ultraviolet light producing element to sterilize the enclosed space. Through the foregoing is the computed information dictates the production of the ultraviolet light and the ultraviolet light producing element can be positioned in a fashion that maximizes the ultraviolet illumination to disinfect the enclosed space to the maximum degree allowable based upon the levels and areas of sterilization needed. Through the illumination, there is monitoring of the location of the ultraviolet producing element relative to the areas of the enclosed space in need of sterilization. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present inventive system with a cutaway depicting a partial layout representation of the enclosed space in which the system could be used. 
         FIG. 2  shows an example of a schematic of the electronic elements of present inventive system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a version of the present invention focusing on location detection components. 
         FIG. 4  shows an embodiment the present invention focusing on sterilization-level detection. 
         FIG. 5  shows an enhanced version of the present invention, with a combination of the elements in the prior figures. 
         FIG. 6  shows the screen of a mobile device, like a smartphone, through which an operator of the present inventive system can see views of the placement of the system. 
         FIG. 7  shows a flowchart of a process version of the present invention through which an enclosed space can be sterilized, 
         FIG. 8  shows a flow chart depicting the method of  FIG. 7  with additional step of detecting and monitoring the location of the ultraviolet producing element. 
         FIG. 9  shows a third flow chart, a different embodiment of the present method, with an additional step of storing data. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     For the convenience of the read, Attachment A is a list of all of the elements of the system and steps of the method shown in the Figures. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present monitoring and sterilizing invention in its broadest sense and situated in enclosed space  114  (shown in as cutaway—with system  100  position  112  indicating a possible placement of the invention). System  100  includes housing  102 . In this particular embodiment, communication transmitter/receiver  118 , along with location detector  116 , is mounted on the top of housing  102 . Also mounted on top of housing  102  is ultraviolet light producing element  106 . Mounted on the walls of enclosed space  114 , in this example, could be cameras, radars or other spatial sensors, each with a signal transmitter. Internal to housing  102 , not explicitly shown in  FIG. 1  but shown in subsequent figures and discussed in more detail herein below, are computing technology  110  and power source  104 . Power source  104  activates the invention through the toggling on/off of power switch  108 . 
     In this embodiment, the wall-mounted cameras or other spatial sensors could be capable of detecting the location of housing  102  within enclosed space  114 . The detected position of housing  102 . System position  112  in this example, can be communicated to housing  102  by signals transmitted from the cameras or sensors to communication transmitter/receiver  118 . The positioning information provided through signals are used with other information available to computing technology  110  to affect the output of ultraviolet light producing element  106 . Further, depending upon the configuration, communication transmitter/receiver  118  could be used to transmit data, to a remote device, about, for example, the positioning of housing  102 , the levels of disinfecting within the specific areas of enclosed space  114  (possibly as reflected by the intensity and time of ultraviolet emission), and other pertinent information. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a schematic of the electronic elements of system  100  [now referred to as system  200 ]. In this embodiment, housing  202  has exposed to its external environment both communication transmitter/receiver  204  and ultraviolet light producing element  206 . Internal and exposed to the external environment of housing  202  only (in this particular embodiment) via data port  208 , is computing technology  210 . Similar, within housing  202 , and exposed to the external environment of housing  202  only (in this particular embodiment) via power port  212  and connected through electrical wire  232 , is power source  214 . Power source  214  is turned on/off by switch  216 , which is exposed on the outer surface of housing  202  and is electronically connected to power source  214  by electrical wire  218  and to computing technology  210  by electrical wire  230 . Similar, in this particular embodiment, power source  214  is electronically connected to communication transmitter/receiver  204  (through electrical wire  220 ), to ultraviolet light producing element  206  (through electrical wire  222 ), and to computing technology  210 . In turn, computing technology  210  is electronically connected to communication transmitter/receiver  204  (through electrical wire  224 ), to ultraviolet light producing element  206  (through electrical wire  226 ) and to data port  208  (through electrical wire  228 ). 
     In the  FIG. 2  configuration, computing technology  210  is cable of monitoring the location of housing  202  through the information supplied to computing technology  210  via communication transmitter/receiver  204  (e.g., from signals similar to camera signals discussed in relation to the  FIG. 1  embodiment) and/or through information uploaded into computing technology  210  via data port  208  (e.g., certain details of the configuration of the enclosed space). By way of elaboration, computing technology  210  is capable of using a model of the enclosed space to provide guidance regarding the desired positioning of housing  202  throughout the disinfecting process. With that information, computing technology  210  is capable of sending a signal to ultraviolet light producing element  206  to maximize the ultraviolet illumination disinfecting the enclosed space to the maximum degree allowable based upon the anticipated levels within, and areas of, the enclosed space needing sterilization. 
       FIG. 3  shows a version of the embodiment shown the schematic of  FIG. 2  (as system  300  in  FIG. 3 ), with focus on location detector  316 . In this particular embodiment, location detector  316  is electronically connected to computing technology  310 , positioned within housing  302 . System  300  of this embodiment is more inclusive and autonomous than system  100  of  FIG. 1  in that the function of wall-mounted cameras or spatial sensors of system  100  are handled by location detector  316  of system  300 . In this case, location detector  316  could be, for example, GPS-based technology that has enough precision to discern the position of system  300  with an enclosed space. One of ordinary skill in the art would realize other position detecting technology could also be used in the placement of system  300  as desired. Communications transmitter/receiver  318  and ultraviolet light producing element  306  are comparable for the similarly presented elements in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , inclusive of system  300  (now identified as system  400 ), with sterilization-level detector  428  within and exposed to the outer surface of housing  402 . In this embodiment of the present invention, based in part upon the location information fed to the computing technology by location detector  408 , and the information fed to the computing technology by sterilization-level detector  428  (also electronically connected to the computing technology), the computing technology sends a signal to ultraviolet light producing element  406  for emission of the ultraviolet light within the enclosed space. Sterilization-level detector  428  is capable of detecting the levels of sterilization within the areas of the enclosed space that need sterilization, and provides the detail the computing technology needs to model the maximum coverage of the disinfection throughout the enclosed space that can be achieved with ultraviolet light producing element  406  as equipped and positioned. As such, the location and sterilization-level information are used to maximize the ultraviolet illumination disinfecting the enclosed space to the maximum degree allowable based upon the infected levels within and upon the areas of the enclosed space detected as in need of being sterilized. Further, using the information captured by system  400 , the computing technology therein can cause propulsion element  430  to move system  400  to the locations from which system  300  can produce ultraviolet light for the best coverage and exposure for the enclosed space. Such information would be inclusive of data from attached mapping technology  432  and external supplement mapping source  434 , the latter of which could be, for example, a camera or other position capturing/sensing device. 
     In a further embodiment of the inventive system—as shown  FIG. 5 , system  500  comprises elements similar to system  400  shown in  FIG. 4 . Propulsion element  530  is attached to housing  502  and connected to power source  504  and computing technology  510 . System  500  can be positioned, through the activation of propulsion element  530 , based in part upon the information received by computing technology  510  to facilitate the maximum number and levels of sterilized portions of an enclosed space. In this more enhanced embodiment of the present invention, system  500  also includes attached mapping technology  532 . Attached mapping technology  532  could be housed within housing  502 . Preferably, attached mapping technology  532  is connected to power source  504  and computing technology  510 . With these connections, attached mapping technology  532  enables computing technology  510  to receive information about obstacles and other physical factors about the enclosed space. With this information, system  500  can be positioned to maximize the ultraviolet illumination in disinfecting the enclosed space with reference to the mapped obstacles and other physical factors. Further, both the mapping and the positioning of ultraviolent light producing element  506  during illumination can be in three dimensions. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 5  is data storage  536 . In a preferred configuration, data storage  536  is situated within housing  502  and connected to both power source  504  and computing technology  510 . The stored data could include, for example, data about the positioning of system  500 , the levels of disinfecting within the specific areas of the enclosed space, and other pertinent information. Beyond the foregoing, data about the relative position of system  500  in relation to obstacles detected in the enclosed space, the desired position of system  500  in relation to obstacles detected in enclosed space  514 , or a combination of the foregoing (and other information) could be displayable. With the availability of communication element  518 , the actual and optimal coverage of system  500  could be communicated to system  500  and stored in data storage  536  such that the relative level of disinfection of all parts of the enclosed space can be determined and completed. 
     In addition to some of the elements shown in earlier figures (notably, power switch  508 , sterilization-level detector  528 , and location detector  516 ),  FIG. 5  also shows the positioning of system  500  in its operation. Device position  516 , in this example depiction of enclosed space  514 , is an illustration of an optimal placement of system  500 . Views of enclosed space  514   a ,  514   b  and  514   c  show how propulsion element  530 , powered by power source  504  and guided by computer technology  510  with information from sterilization-level detector  528 , location detector  516 , and attached mapping technology  532 , can cause system  500  to be moved into the best position within enclosed space  514 . Thus, through a combination of the mapping technology (to avoid obstacles) and the sterilization-level detectors (to determine blind spots), system  500  can navigate to a location of optimal coverage. 
       FIG. 6  shows the screen of mobile device  600 , like a smartphone, through which an operator of the present inventive system can see views of the placement of the system. Screen  602  is where the view of the operation of system  608  are displayed. View  604  is produced through the use of a schematic of the enclosed space  610 , with a dot representing system  608  within a pre-established layout. One of ordinary skill in the art would realize that the schematic could be preloaded in either mobile device  600  or system  608  for display at a later time. Conversely, mobile device  600  could display, as view  606  shown in the other depiction on screen  602 , the same enclosed space  610 , as an image produced in real or near-real time from a camera or other sensor within enclosed space  610 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7 , there is also a process version of the present invention— 700 . The inventive method, a process through which an enclosed space can be sterilized, with the sterilization monitored, includes the steps of (A) modeling the three-dimensional configuration of the enclosed space— 702 ; (B) detecting the sterilization-level in the specific areas of the enclosed space— 704 ; (C) feeding the modeling information and the sterilization-level information to computing technology— 706 ; and (D) using the computed modeling information and the sterilization-level information to cause an ultraviolet light producing element to sterilize the enclosed space as warranted— 708 . It would be the computed information that would dictate the production of the ultraviolet light. Further, the system would be positioned in a fashion that maximizes the ultraviolet illumination to disinfect the enclosed space to the maximum degree allowable based upon the levels and areas of sterilization detected as necessary. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention— 800 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , the method comprises an additional step of detecting and monitoring the location of the ultraviolet producing element relative to the detected areas of the enclosed space in need of the warranted levels of sterilization— 810 . Additionally, the inventive method could comprise the step of mapping the enclosed space— 812 . Such mapping could enable the sterilization to be performed with reference to information available to the ultraviolet producing element, and could be usable in the computing step with regards to obstacles in and other physical factors about the enclosed area. As a result, the sterilization can be performed in a fashion to maximize the ultraviolet illumination in disinfecting the enclosed with reference to the mapped obstacles and other physical factors. The sterilization-level detecting step could also collect the detail the computing steps need to model the maximum coverage of the disinfection throughout the enclosed space that can be achieved with the ultraviolet light producing element as equipped and positioned— 814 . Moreover, the computing step could use the model to dictate the placement of ultraviolet light producing element throughout the disinfecting process. The mapping could also be in three dimensions, with the positioning of the ultraviolent producing element during the ultraviolent light producing step similarly in three dimensions. 
     In a different embodiment of the present method— 900 , it comprises the step of storing data— 918  about (A) the positioning of the ultraviolet light producing element (positioning via step  916 ), (B) the levels of disinfecting within the specific areas of the enclosed space (with detecting and monitoring via step  910 ), and (C) other pertinent information within the system. Alternatively or additionally, the present inventive method comprises the step of communicating data about the positioning of the ultraviolet light producing element, the levels of disinfecting within the specific areas of the enclosed space, and other pertinent information, to a remote device. One of ordinary skill in the art would realize that the device may have to be in more than one position to ensure full coverage of the enclosed space, and that the device may be manually positioned or self-mobile. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes the step of visualizing of the location of the ultraviolet light producing element relative to obstacles and other physical factors. An added step could be logging the time and date along with the duration that the ultraviolet light producing element was at each location and operating. Further, the inventive method could comprise the step of creating of a three-dimensional coverage map of all areas disinfected and not disinfected by the ultraviolet light producing element while at each location. 
     Still other embodiments of the present inventive method could include combinations of steps like, for example, the following: 
     Example A 
     
         
         
           
             Modeling the 3-D configuration of the enclosed space; 
             Mapping the enclosed space, thus enabling the sterilization to be performed with respect to information about obstacles and other physical factors to maximize UV illumination in the enclosed space; 
             Feeding the modeling information and the map to computing technology; 
             Computing technology estimates the amount of UV light needed to sterilize the enclosed space; 
             Positioning the system to maximize UV illumination; 
             Producing UV as directed by the computing technology; 
             Monitoring the system location relative to areas that needs sterilization; and 
             Re-positioning the system as directed by the computing technology to maximize UV illumination to all surfaces; 
           
         
       
    
     Example B 
     
         
         
           
             Feeding information about an enclosed space to the computing technology; 
             Estimating through the use of the computing technology the amount of UV light needed to sterilize the enclosed space; 
             Determining sterilization-level detector in the sections of the enclosed space being sterilized; 
             Positioning the system in an attempt to maximize UV illumination; 
             Producing UV based upon the information available to the computing technology; 
             Monitoring the sterilization level; 
             Evaluating the sterilization level achieved; and 
             Re-positioning and producing more UV as needed 
           
         
       
    
     Example C 
     
         
         
           
             Estimating through computing technology the amount of UV light needed to sterilize an enclosed space; 
             Modeling the 3-D configuration of the enclosed space using the estimates and other information; 
             Determining the position for the system relative to areas that need sterilization based upon the estimates; 
             Position the system as determined for maximum UV illumination; and 
             Producing UV as directed by the computing technology to sterilize the enclosed space 
           
         
       
    
     Example D 
     
         
         
           
             Modeling the 3-D configuration of an enclosed space, enabling the sterilization to be performed with respect to information about obstacles and other physical factors to maximize UV illumination in the enclosed space using camera and/or other sensors strategically located within the enclosed space; 
             Feeding the modeling information to the computing technology; 
             Estimating through the use of the computing technology the amount of UV light needed to sterilize the enclosed space; 
             Positioning the system, through the use of its own propulsion system, to maximize UV illumination; 
             Producing UV as directed by the computing technology to sterilize the enclosed space; and 
             Monitoring the system location relative to areas that need sterilization 
           
         
       
    
     The order of the steps in the foregoing examples should not be construed as the only order possible and one or ordinary skill in the art would realize there could be additional steps for each embodiment and loops/iterations between the designated steps. 
     ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS 
     The foregoing descriptions of the present invention have been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner of ordinary skilled in the art. Particularly, it would be evident that while the examples described herein illustrate how the inventive system may look and how the inventive process may be performed. Further, other elements and/or steps may be used for and provide benefits to the present invention. The depictions of the present invention as shown in the exhibits are provided for purposes of illustration. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated.