Patent Description:
Conventional decontamination devices include an ultraviolet light source that broadcasts ultraviolet light towards all exposed surfaces in a room to be decontaminated. Such an apparatus is positioned at a desired location within the room and an "on" button is pushed to turn the ultraviolet light source on. A delay circuit can be provided to the decontamination device to provide the operator sufficient time to exit the room after pushing the on button to avoid exposing the operator to the ultraviolet light emitted.

As an extra precaution, a sign can be placed in front of the door leading into the room instructing people not to enter the room while the decontamination device is active. Further, a remote control can be used by the operator to activate the decontamination device from outside of that room, once the operator has exited the room. But utilizing all of these precautionary measures requires a remote control, a warning sign, etc. to be transported as separate items from location to location to decontaminate different rooms, which is inconvenient to the operator. Further, it is likely that one or more of such objects will be lost as the decontamination device is repeatedly transported and deployed. <CIT> is directed to a surface disinfection system comprising a plurality of independently placeable and controllable portable ultraviolet light emitting assemblies (ULAs), and a control station for remotely controlling the plurality of light assemblies. <CIT> is directed to a sanitizing apparatus in a flexible configuration that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be folded or rolled for storage and transport. <CIT> is directed to a mobile body that is configured to travel over a surface inside an aircraft cabin, wherein a source of UV radiation is mounted to the mobile body and configured to direct UV radiation to the surface at a predetermined dosage. <CIT> is directed to a robotic platform is provided having a disinfection unit configured to disinfect a technical area. <CIT> is directed to a sterilization system consisting of a mobile emitter, a sensing subsystem and a data logging subsystem. <CIT> is directed to devices which include a component assembly for detecting inward, outward and sideways door movement, wherein a component of the assembly extending from a structure comprises a distal end for contacting a door face when the structure is arranged in proximity to the door face.

Scope of the present invention is to provide a decontamination apparatus and a method for decontaminating, which improve the state of art indicated above. This scope is achieved by the decontamination apparatus and the method for decontaminating according to one or more of the appended claims. According to one aspect, the subject application involves decontamination apparatus including a base and a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object on which the UVC light is imparted to render the target object pathogen reduced. A plurality of adjustable supports couple the sources to the base. Each of the adjustable supports includes an adjustment mechanism that is to be manipulated to adjust a position of one of the sources relative to the base. A controller coupled to the base is operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light. A housing is to be removably installed on the base to protect the plurality of sources while installed on the base, and a remote control is provided to the housing. The remote control includes a user interface that receives an input from a user and a housing transmitter that transmits a control instruction to the controller based on the input received at the user interface from a location remote from the base to result in desired operation of the sources.

According to another aspect, the subject application involves a method of decontaminating a target object within a room and minimizing exposure of an occupant of the room to UVC light. The method includes supporting, relative to a base, a plurality of sources that each emit UVC light at a suitable distance from the target object to at least partially decontaminate the target object with the UVC light emitted. A communication channel is established between a controller operatively connected to the sources to control emission of the UVC light and a remote control that is provided to a housing to be installed on the base to protect the sources against direct impacts. The controller receives a control instruction transmitted by the remote control provided to the housing from a remote location relative to the base, outside of the room. The control instruction is indicative of user input entered at a user interface of the remote control. The sources are then activated according to the control instruction.

The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

<FIG> shows an illustrative embodiment of an inpatient room <NUM> in a hospital that is accessible through a door <NUM> separating the inpatient room from a hallway, for example. The room <NUM> is provided with a patient bed <NUM> and a tray table <NUM> that can extend over the patient lying in the bed <NUM>. Although not shown, the room <NUM> can also include other fixtures and features commonly found in inpatient rooms such as a television, remote control, health-monitoring equipment such as a heart-rate monitor, telephone, nightstand, etc.. Further, although the present disclosure focuses on the decontamination of items within an inpatient hospital room <NUM> for the sake of clarity and brevity, the technology disclosed herein can be used to decontaminate objects located anywhere, such as in hotel rooms any other public accommodations.

Also disposed within the room <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a decontamination apparatus <NUM> operable to at least partially decontaminate, or at least render pathogen reduced, contaminated surfaces such as the tray table <NUM> within that room <NUM>. The decontamination process can be initiated manually, and performed by the decontamination apparatus <NUM> on demand, and/or can optionally be initiated automatically according to a predetermined schedule when the room <NUM> is unoccupied, as determined utilizing a plurality of sensors as described below.

Rendering the surfaces "pathogen reduced" with the decontamination apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily require the subject surfaces to be <NUM>% sterile, free of any and all living organisms that can viably reproduce. Instead, to be considered pathogen reduced, there must be a lower level of living contagions on the decontaminated surfaces capable of reproducing or otherwise causing an infection after performance of the decontamination process than the level that existed on the surfaces prior to performance of the decontamination process. For example, the exposed surfaces in the bathroom can be considered to be pathogen reduced if at least a <NUM> log<NUM> reduction of such contagions on the surfaces remain infectious (i.e., no more than <NUM>/10th of the biologically-active contagions originally on the exposed surfaces remain active or infectious at a time when the decontamination process is completed) occurs. According to yet other embodiments, the surfaces can be considered pathogen reduced once at least a <NUM> log<NUM> reduction (i.e., <NUM>/<NUM>,000th) of such contagions on the surfaces is achieved.

Generally, the decontamination apparatus <NUM> includes one or a plurality of sources <NUM> that direct a decontaminating agent toward the surface(s) to be rendered pathogen reduced, a redundant occupant sensing system that determines whether the room <NUM> is occupied or not, and a controller <NUM> that interferes with emission of the decontaminating agent by the source(s) <NUM> if the room <NUM> is, or becomes occupied based on a signal from the occupant sensing system. Each source <NUM> can be any apparatus that emits a decontaminating agent that, when exposed to the surfaces, renders those exposed surfaces pathogen reduced. For the illustrative embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, each source <NUM> includes an ultraviolet light source that is to be energized to emit UVC light as the decontaminating agent, and the surface to be rendered pathogen reduced is described as the tray table <NUM>.

As shown, each source <NUM> includes at least one, and optionally a plurality of UVC bulbs <NUM> (<FIG>) supported adjacent to a reflective surface <NUM> coupled to an underside of a shade <NUM>. The shade <NUM> and/or source <NUM> itself can be pivotally coupled to a distal end of an articulated arm <NUM> or other suitable support that allows the shade <NUM>, and accordingly the bulbs <NUM>, to be pivoted about a rotational axis in the directions indicated by arrow <NUM> (<FIG>) and otherwise positioned in a suitable position relative to the tray table <NUM> to achieve the desired level of decontamination within a predetermined period of time, once activated. The bulbs <NUM> can be of limited available power, and/or the controller <NUM> can be configured to operate the bulbs <NUM> to emit UVC light at an intensity that is insufficient to render the target object <NUM> pathogen reduced in less than <NUM> minutes while the sources are separated from the target object by a distance greater than <NUM> (eighteen inches).

According to the embodiments in <FIG> and <FIG>, each arm <NUM> has a segment with an adjustable length extending generally away from a base portion <NUM>, which can be facilitated by an external member <NUM> that telescopically receives an internal member <NUM>, or other suitable length adjustment mechanism (e. g, sliding track, etc.. A locking member <NUM> such as a spring-biased pin urged toward a locking position, a friction fit between the internal and external members <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.. can be provided to one or more the of the adjustable length portions to maintain a desired length of the arm <NUM>, once manually established. A hinge <NUM> or other connector suitable to allow angular adjustment of the arm <NUM> relative to the base <NUM> can optionally be disposed between the base <NUM> and the arm <NUM>. A bendable joint <NUM> can optionally also be provided anywhere along the length of the arm <NUM>, such as adjacent to the distal end of the arm <NUM> where the shade <NUM> is supported. The joint <NUM> can be formed from a plastically-deformable flexible material that can be manually bent to position the shade <NUM>, yet be sufficiently rigid to maintain the position of the housing relative to the arm <NUM> once the bending force has been removed. Further, one or a plurality of hinges <NUM> can also optionally be positioned along the arm <NUM> before and/or after the joint <NUM> to allow further adjustment of the position of the shade <NUM> and bulbs to achieve the desired coverage of the tray table <NUM> with UVC light. As with any of the hinges described herein, the hinge(s) <NUM> can be selectively lockable, meaning a locking member such as a set screw, for example, can be loosened to allow the structures coupled to opposite sides of the hinge(s) <NUM> to be pivotally adjusted relative to each other. Once the desired adjustment has been completed, the set screw or other locking member can be tightened to interfere with further pivotal adjustment of the structures relative to each other. According to an alternate embodiment such as that shown in <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> can optionally be adjusted through selective actuation of a push button <NUM> that, when pressed, allows for free adjustment of the hinge but maintains the relative position of the adjusted portions once the button <NUM> is released.

The base <NUM> supports the arms <NUM> at a desired elevation above the floor <NUM> of the room <NUM>. The base <NUM> supports the controller <NUM> that can be manipulated by a user to control operation of the decontamination apparatus <NUM> (e.g., independently control operation of each source <NUM> to emit UVC light, optionally to cause one source <NUM> to remain energized longer than another one of the sources <NUM>, or collectively control a plurality, or all of the sources <NUM> to operation in a similar and coordinated manner), and optionally houses an on-board power supply such as a rechargeable lithium ion or other suitable battery bank <NUM> storing electric energy that can be used to energize the bulbs <NUM> and power the controller <NUM>. Being relatively heavy, the battery bank <NUM> can be housed within a recess defined by a lower cap <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> can optionally include an arcuate bottom surface <NUM> that rests on the floor <NUM>, or can include a bottom surface <NUM> with a larger footprint than elsewhere along the lower cap <NUM> (e.g., greater lateral dimensions at the bottom surface <NUM> than at another elevation vertically above the bottom surface <NUM>) as shown in <FIG>. The arcuate bottom surface <NUM> allows the decontamination apparatus <NUM> to wobble, if necessary, to properly position the bulbs <NUM> for a decontamination process. The large footprint bottom surface <NUM> shown in <FIG> provides the base with a stable, stationary platform that allows a plurality, and optionally all of the arms <NUM> to be fully extended in the same radial direction outward, away from the base <NUM> without tipping over. The base <NUM>, or another portion of the decontamination apparatus <NUM> can optionally be provided with an accelerometer, tip sensor, gyroscope or other type of monitoring device that can sense when the decontamination apparatus <NUM> has been picked up, falls over, moved or otherwise disturbed. In such events, an active decontamination process can be terminated and a new decontamination process can be prevented from being initiated. For the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lighting ballast <NUM>, which regulates the current through the UVC bulbs <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> can be threadedly connected to the base <NUM> so as to be removable (e.g., repeatedly removed and reconnected without damaging the lower cap <NUM>), and optionally interchangeable. For removable embodiments, the lower cap <NUM> can be unscrewed from the base <NUM> to grant access to the battery bank <NUM>, the ballasts <NUM>, or other components hidden by the lower cap <NUM> when installed on the base <NUM>. In this manner, a depleted battery bank <NUM> can then be removed from the decontamination apparatus <NUM> and replaced with a charged battery bank <NUM>. For embodiments where the battery bank <NUM> is integrated into the lower cap <NUM>, the lower cap with the depleted battery bank <NUM> can be replaced in its entirety with another lower cap <NUM> with a charged battery bank <NUM>. According to alternate embodiments, the decontamination apparatus can include a power cord that is to be plugged into an AC mains electric outlet supplied by an electric power utility to obtain the electric energy needed to power the decontamination apparatus <NUM>.

The base <NUM> can also optionally be provided with a connector, shown in <FIG> as a hook <NUM> that is generally shaped to resemble an upside-down "L". The hook <NUM> can be placed over a receiver or other portion of a cart hauling cleaning supplies, for example, or any other transport vehicle, to allow transportation of the decontamination apparatus <NUM> throughout the hospital for use in a plurality of different rooms <NUM>. According to alternate embodiments, the hook <NUM> can be formed as an enclosed handle that extends radially outwardly, away from an exterior periphery of a protective housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The housing <NUM> can be installed over the sources <NUM> that have been pivoted about the hinge <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG> into a stowed state (e.g., vertically oriented adjacent to the base <NUM>). The sources <NUM> can be pivoted about the hinge <NUM> in the opposite, clockwise direction indicated by arrow <NUM> to be returned to the deployed state.

To help with adjustment of the shade <NUM> and/or reflective shield <NUM>, a focal indicator <NUM> can optionally be provided to the reflective shield <NUM> and/or shade <NUM>. Locating the focal indicator <NUM> between the UVC bulbs <NUM> as shown in <FIG> allows the focal indicator to identify a general direction that is representative of the direction in which the UVC light from the UVC bulbs <NUM> will be focused. The focal indicator <NUM> can include a light emitting diode ("LED"), laser light, or other optical indicator that can project light that will illuminate a region of a surface on which the UVC light from the UVC bulbs <NUM> is centered. An example of such a region is illustrated in <FIG> by the broken lines <NUM> appearing on the tray table <NUM>. Thus, a user can essentially aim the UVC light toward the surfaces to be rendered pathogen reduced, and get a sense of the portion of the tray table <NUM> that will be suitably exposed to the UVC light during a decontamination apparatus to be considered pathogen reduced within a predetermined period of time for the power of the bulbs <NUM> employed.

As shown in <FIG>, the decontamination apparatus <NUM> includes a cap, or housing <NUM> that is installed on the base <NUM> to circumferentially enclose the sources <NUM> in the stowed state. According to the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing <NUM> is formed as a cylindrical shell that extends between a fastener end <NUM> and a top portion <NUM>, defining a cylindrical interior passage <NUM> there between. The bulbs <NUM> are stowed within the interior passage <NUM> and protected against damage from external impacts by the housing <NUM> installed on the decontamination apparatus <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be molded from a plastic material that is sufficiently durable to resist impacts without deforming to an extent that causes an interior surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to contact, and thereby damage the sources <NUM>. According to alternate embodiments, the housing <NUM> can be formed from a metallic material by stamping, roll forming, welding, riveting or otherwise fixing the metallic material into the desired, cylindrical shape. Vents <NUM> can optionally be formed in the housing <NUM> to allow the housing <NUM> to be installed onto the base <NUM> even while the bulbs <NUM> remain at an elevated temperature following the performance of a decontamination process as described herein. The vents <NUM> can be sized to interfere with the introduction of large objects into the interior passage <NUM>, and can optionally be formed at a height corresponding to an elevation of the hinges <NUM> or other objects that are not as fragile as the glass UVC bulbs <NUM> while the sources <NUM> are in the stowed state.

The fastener end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> can optionally include external threading <NUM> that cooperates with internal threading <NUM> provided to the lower cap <NUM> or other portion of the base <NUM>, for example. Causing the threading <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to engage the threading <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM> by rotating the housing <NUM> clockwise when viewed from above the top portion <NUM>, for example, couples the housing <NUM> to the base <NUM> with sufficient retention to allow the decontamination apparatus <NUM>, as a whole, to be lifted and transported when grasped by the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can also optionally be positioned at a balanced location along the longitudinal axis of the housing <NUM> to enable the decontamination apparatus <NUM> to be substantially horizontal (e.g., ±<NUM>° from horizontal) while being transported by the handle <NUM>.

Although external threading <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM> is described as mating with internal threading <NUM> provided to the lower cap <NUM>, the fastening system for securely installing the housing <NUM> onto the decontamination apparatus is not so limited. Any adjustable fastening system and/or device that allows the housing <NUM> to be removably installed (e.g., repeatedly coupled to, released from and re-coupled to the base <NUM> without rendering the fastening system inoperable or otherwise damaging the fastening system) on the base <NUM> can be utilized. For example, releasable latches, threaded mechanical fasteners and the like can be used in place of the threading described in detail herein.

The controller <NUM> provided to the base <NUM> (<FIG>), a remote control <NUM> (<FIG>) coupled to (or integrally formed as part of, and not removable from) the housing <NUM>, and a monitoring system of a satellite monitoring unit <NUM> (<FIG>) can each include at least a portion of the operational components schematically depicted in the block diagram of <FIG>. A sensing system <NUM> includes a single sensor, or a plurality of sensors that are each operable to sense a condition deemed to require deactivation of the sources <NUM>, and transmits an interruption signal in response to sensing such a condition. The sensing system <NUM> can optionally include, in addition to or in lieu of the aforementioned sensor(s), an accelerometer that senses changes in the acceleration of the controller <NUM>, the housing <NUM> and/or the monitoring unit <NUM> to detect a disruption to those devices (e.g., the housing <NUM> is bumped, jostled, picked up, etc., indicating that someone is attempting to walk around the housing <NUM> positioned outside of the door <NUM> as described below to enter the room <NUM>). The condition(s) sensed by the sensing system <NUM> provided to the controller <NUM>, the housing <NUM> and/or the monitoring unit <NUM> can be the same, or different. But each condition sensed can be generally indicative of an attempt to enter the room <NUM> (<FIG>) in which the sources <NUM> are emitting UVC light, and/or the presence of an occupant within the room while the sources <NUM> are emitting UVC light.

The interruption signal is communicated to a processor component <NUM> via a communication bus <NUM> to be interpreted so the processor component <NUM> can determine the condition sensed, and the portion of the sensing system <NUM> that sensed the condition. The processor component <NUM> transmits a signal via the communication bus <NUM> to cause a user interface <NUM> to provide a proper indication of the condition sensed by the sensing system <NUM>. The indication can be a visible indication (e.g., illumination of a LED), an audible indication (e.g., an alarm broadcast by a speaker), or a combination thereof. Depending on the location of the sensing system <NUM> that detected the condition, a transceiver <NUM> including at least a transmitter and/or a receiver can optionally transmit a wireless signal (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE <NUM>, other short-range communication protocol, etc.. ) that is received by the controller <NUM>, which is operatively connected to the sources <NUM> to control the emission of the UVC light. The controller <NUM>, in turn, deactivates the sources <NUM>.

The operational components discussed generally above will now be described in detail with respect to the controller <NUM>, the housing <NUM> and the satellite monitoring unit <NUM>.

The top portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, when installed on the base <NUM>, extends over top of the arms <NUM> while the sources <NUM> are in their stowed state. Adjacent to the top portion <NUM> is/are arranged one, and optionally a plurality of sensors <NUM> included as part of the remote control <NUM>. Each sensor <NUM> is arranged on the housing <NUM> and aimed to monitor a region extending radially away from the external periphery of the housing <NUM>, when standing upright, with the fastener end <NUM> resting on the floor. The sensor(s) <NUM> is/are operable to sense a condition deemed to require deactivation of the sources <NUM>, and transmit an interruption signal in response to sensing such a condition to notify the controller <NUM> of such a condition, resulting in deactivation of the sources <NUM>. Examples of the sensor(s) <NUM> include, but are not limited to: a motion detector that senses a change in the proximity of an object (e.g., the exterior surface of the door <NUM>) relative to the sensor <NUM>, motion of a human or other living being in front of the sensor <NUM> (e.g., between the sensor <NUM> and the external surface of the door <NUM>), and the like. The sensors(s) <NUM> can utilize any suitable technology to detect the conditions indicative of entry into the room <NUM> where the sources <NUM> are emitting UVC light, such as an optical signal (e.g., infrared), a microwave signal, and/or an acoustic signal (e.g., radio frequency) to sense movement of the door <NUM> or the presence of an object between the door <NUM> and the sensor <NUM>. The sensing system <NUM> of the housing <NUM> can optionally include, in addition to or in lieu of the sensor(s) <NUM>, an accelerometer that senses changes in the acceleration of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the housing <NUM> is bumped, jostled, picked up, etc.).

An embodiment of the housing <NUM> includes a single sensor <NUM> (or a plurality of commonly aimed sensors <NUM> focusing on the same target region) to render the housing <NUM> a unidirectional monitoring system, monitoring a single region extending radially outward away from that sensor <NUM>. Such embodiments of the housing <NUM> can be placed in front of, and outside of the door <NUM> leading into the room <NUM> in which the sources <NUM> are to emit UVC light during a decontamination process as described in detail below. The sole sensor <NUM> can be aimed directly at the door <NUM> to sense the opening of the door <NUM>, but not sensing other movement such as pedestrians walking down the hallway past the door <NUM>, but behind the housing <NUM> placed in front of the door <NUM>. As described in detail below, a transmitter portion of a transceiver system <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM> can transmit the interruption signal that will be received by a receiver provided to the controller <NUM> which, in turn, deactivates the sources <NUM>.

An illustrative embodiment of the user interface <NUM> provided to the remote control <NUM> of the housing is supported on the top portion <NUM> in <FIG>. As shown, the user interface <NUM> includes a reference point <NUM> identifying the direction of the region to be monitored by the sensor <NUM>. The apex of the triangular reference point <NUM> in <FIG> points in the direction of the monitored region. A start button <NUM> is provided to receive a user instruction to begin a decontamination process during which the bulbs <NUM> are to be energized. In response to the start button <NUM> being pressed, a transmitter provided to the transceiver portion of the remote control <NUM> transmits an instruction to commence the decontamination process to be received by a receiver provided to the transceiver portion of the controller <NUM>. In response to receiving this instruction, the controller <NUM> activates the sources <NUM> and the bulbs <NUM> emit UVC light.

A status section includes a plurality of visible indicators <NUM> that can be selectively activated to provide a status update regarding the progress of a decontamination process. These indicators can inform the operator when the decontamination apparatus is ready to perform a decontamination process, when a decontamination process is underway, and when a decontamination process has progressed to completion without any unscheduled interruptions. In the event a decontamination process is prematurely interrupted, unexpectedly as the result of the sensor <NUM> sensing a predetermined condition (e.g., motion of the door <NUM>), the motion indicator <NUM> will be illuminated. If the fault that prematurely terminated the decontamination process was sensed by a sensor other than the sensor <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM>, the "failed" indicator can be illuminated, alerting the operator that the problem causing premature termination of the decontamination process originated elsewhere.

The user interface <NUM> also includes a power button <NUM> that can be selected to turn the remote control <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM> on/off, and a connect button <NUM> that is selectable to specifically pair the remote control <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to the controller <NUM> provided to the base <NUM> within the room <NUM>. A battery indicator <NUM> conveys an indication of the remaining life of a battery <NUM> supplying electric energy to power the remote control <NUM>, while a network indicator <NUM> indicates whether the remote control <NUM> has been specifically paired with the controller <NUM>.

Specifically pairing the remote control <NUM> (or other device) with the controller <NUM> means that the effect of signals transmitted by the transceiver component of the remote control <NUM> (or other device) will be limited to that controller <NUM>. In other words, a signal transmitted by the remote control <NUM> to the controller <NUM> with which it is specifically paired will cause the controller <NUM> to perform an action consistent with the transmitted signal. However, even if another, different controller to which the remote control <NUM> is not paired is within range of the remote control <NUM>, that different controller will not respond to the signal transmitted by the remote control <NUM>. Accordingly, many remote controls paired to different controllers can be used within close proximity to each other without unintended interference.

According to an alternate embodiment, the elongated cylindrical housing <NUM> can optionally be omitted from the decontamination apparatus <NUM>. For such an embodiment, the sources <NUM> can be adjusted to a stowed position as shown in <FIG>, but left exposed while being transported. Since the housing <NUM> is omitted, the remote control <NUM> is also omitted, replaced in function by a separate, stand-alone remote control <NUM> (<FIG>) having the same, or similar form factor as the monitoring unit <NUM> described below with respect to <FIG>. A top view of such a remote control <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As shown, the remote control <NUM> includes the same control features provided to the user interface <NUM> of the remote control <NUM> described above, and optionally also the same sensors <NUM> described above.

Being compact enough to be held in the hand of the user, the remote control <NUM> can also include a hangar <NUM> that protrudes away from the housing of the remote control <NUM> to allow the remote control <NUM> to be hung or otherwise supported on an object in the room <NUM>. Although shown as a flexible loop of material, the hangar <NUM> can be formed as a hook, a single strap, or be configured in any other shape suitable to be hung from a door handle <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, for example. As shown in <FIG>, the remote control <NUM> also includes an accelerometer <NUM> in place of, or in addition to the optional sensors <NUM>. When suspended from the door handle <NUM>, the remote control <NUM> remains stationary until the door <NUM> is opened or otherwise disturbed. Such disturbances tend to cause movement of the remote control <NUM>, which is detected by the accelerometer <NUM> and/or sensors <NUM>. Thus, attempts to gain access to the interior of the room <NUM> while the decontamination apparatus <NUM> is operational can be detected and a decontamination process interrupted.

As shown in <FIG>, the top portion <NUM> of the housing removably supports a satellite monitoring unit <NUM> that is operable to sense a condition deemed to require deactivation of the sources <NUM>, and transmit an interruption signal in response to sensing such a condition to notify the controller <NUM> of such a condition, resulting in deactivation of the sources <NUM>. Again, the removable nature of the support afforded the monitoring unit <NUM> allows the monitoring unit <NUM> to be repeatedly removed from the housing <NUM> and subsequently re-coupled to the housing <NUM> without damaging the housing <NUM> or the monitoring unit <NUM>. Thus, damage to an extent that interferes with the cooperation between the monitoring unit <NUM> and the housing <NUM> that prevents the monitoring unit <NUM> from being transported on the housing <NUM> can be avoided. To remove the monitoring unit <NUM> from the top portion <NUM>, an operator can manually press or pull one or more release levers <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, to cause separation of cooperating mechanical fasteners provided to the monitoring unit <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM>, allowing the monitoring unit <NUM> to be lifted off of the housing <NUM>.

The embodiment of the monitoring unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the monitoring unit <NUM> has a low-profile, creating the appearance that the monitoring unit <NUM> forms a cap resting on top of the housing <NUM>. The bottom <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM>, removed from the housing in <FIG>, includes a plurality of feet <NUM> formed from a rubber or other vibration absorbing material that protrude downwardly from the bottom surface <NUM>. The feet <NUM>, and/or optional bosses extending upwardly from the top portion <NUM> can cooperate with a compatible apertures <NUM> formed in the housing <NUM> and/or monitoring unit <NUM>, respectively, to enhance the relative stability of those components when coupled together.

An alternate embodiment of the monitoring unit <NUM> having an upright form factor is shown in <FIG>. According to the present embodiment, the monitoring unit includes a cylindrical housing <NUM> with a shape and dimensions approximately equal to those of the housing <NUM>. The cylindrical housing <NUM> can optionally define an internal passage with internal dimensions that are slightly larger than the internal dimensions of the housing <NUM>, allowing the cylindrical housing <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> to be placed over the housing <NUM> of the decontamination apparatus. Unlike the embodiment of the monitoring unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, however, the cylindrical housing <NUM> can rest on the floor and support sensors such as the sensors <NUM> described below at an elevation e.g., at least <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or at least <NUM> (<NUM> inches, etc.) above the floor. However, for the sake or brevity, the sensors <NUM> and operation of the monitoring unit <NUM> will be described with reference to the embodiment of the monitoring unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

One, or a plurality of sensors <NUM> forming a portion of the sensing system <NUM> provided to the monitoring unit <NUM> can be arranged about a portion of the lateral periphery <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> to monitor conditions in one or more directions (optionally <NUM>° about the monitoring unit <NUM>) extending radially outward from the monitoring unit <NUM>. Examples of the one or plurality of sensors <NUM> include, but are not limited to motion sensors that utilize one or more of an optical (e.g., infrared), microwave, or acoustic (e.g., radio frequency) signal to sense movement within the room <NUM>. The sensing system <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> can optionally include, in addition to or in lieu of the sensor(s) <NUM>, an accelerometer that senses changes in the acceleration of the monitoring unit <NUM> (e.g., the monitoring unit <NUM> is bumped, jostled, picked up, etc.). Thus, examples of conditions sensed by the monitoring unit <NUM> include, but are not limited to the presence of a human occupant within the room in which the sources <NUM> are emitting UVC light, a disruption to the monitoring unit <NUM> itself (e.g., the monitoring unit <NUM> is jarred or knocked over, an object falls on the monitoring unit <NUM>, etc.), and the like.

Similar to the remote control <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM>, the transceiver <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> includes a transmitter that transmits a signal indicative of the sensed condition to the controller <NUM>, thereby resulting in a deactivation of the bulbs <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the monitor unit <NUM> can optionally not be paired specifically to the controller <NUM> provided to the base <NUM> of the decontamination apparatus <NUM>. Instead, the transmitter provided to the transceiver <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> can optionally broadcast the interruption signal that results in deactivation of sources <NUM> to be received by any and all controllers provided to bases within a transmission range of the monitoring unit <NUM>. For such embodiments, the monitor unit <NUM> transmitter emits an alternating signal having a frequency outside of a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, which is perceptible to the human ear, and the controller <NUM> includes a receiver configured to listens and detect this alternating signal as the interruption signal. Thus, one monitoring unit <NUM> can cause deactivation of the bulbs <NUM> provided to a plurality of different bases. According to alternate embodiments, however, the monitoring unit <NUM> can optionally be paired specifically with the controller <NUM> provided to the base <NUM>, to limit the effect of an interruption signal to that specific base <NUM>.

The monitoring unit <NUM> also includes a user interface <NUM> to receive user input and convey information about the status of a decontamination process and/or the state of the monitoring unit <NUM>. For example, the user interface includes a visible indicator <NUM> (e.g., LED) to indicate that one or more sensors <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> detected movement, which caused premature termination of the decontamination process. The user interface <NUM> also includes a power button <NUM> that can be selected to turn the monitoring unit <NUM> on/off, and a connect button <NUM> that is selectable to specifically pair the monitoring unit <NUM> to the controller <NUM> provided to the base <NUM> within the room <NUM>. A battery indicator <NUM> conveys an indication of the remaining life of a battery <NUM> supplying electric energy to power the monitoring unit <NUM>, while a network indicator <NUM> indicates whether the remote control <NUM> has been specifically paired with the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> provided to the base (<FIG>) is operatively connected to the sources <NUM> to control the emission of the UVC light by the bulbs <NUM> in response to signals received by the transceiver <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the controller <NUM> includes a status section with a plurality of visible indicators <NUM> that can each be selectively activated to provide a status update regarding the progress of a decontamination process. These indicators can inform the operator when the decontamination apparatus <NUM> is ready to perform a decontamination process, when a decontamination process is underway, and when a decontamination process has progressed to completion without any unscheduled interruptions. In the event a decontamination process is prematurely interrupted unexpectedly, as the result of a sensor provided to the base <NUM> sensing a predetermined condition (e.g., motion within the room <NUM>), as described in <CIT>, the motion indicator <NUM> will be illuminated. If the fault that prematurely terminated the decontamination process was sensed by a sensor other than the sensor provided to the base <NUM>, the "process failed" indicator <NUM> can be illuminated, alerting the operator that the problem causing premature termination of the decontamination process originated elsewhere.

A runtime selection button <NUM> is selectable by an operator to establish the desired runtime of the decontamination process during which the sources <NUM> will remain active, and the bulbs <NUM> will emit UVC light. Each press of the runtime selection button <NUM> cycles to the next available, pre-programmed runtime option. According to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, there are four available runtime options: <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds and <NUM> seconds.

The user interface <NUM> also includes a connection section <NUM> that is operable to control the remote devices that are paired specifically to the controller <NUM>. Visible indicators <NUM> such as LEDs can be illuminated by the processor <NUM> of the controller <NUM> to identify the remote device that has transmitted a pair request. When a remote device is identified through activation of one of the indicators an ignore button <NUM> can be selected to disregard the pair request from that remote device. If a connection is desired, a connect button <NUM> can be selected to establish the wireless communication channel over which the paired remote device will transmit an interruption signal to be received by the controller <NUM> to deactivate the sources <NUM>.

The user interface <NUM> also includes indicators <NUM> (e.g., LEDs) that identify one or more bulbs <NUM> that have experienced an unexpected or undesirable operational state. For example, if Bulb A is not activated in response to an instruction from the remote control <NUM> to commence a decontamination process, the indicator <NUM> corresponding to Bulb A can be illuminated to inform the operator that Bulb A did not function properly, and may require replacement. Since the bulbs <NUM> can be independently controlled and operated at different times and for different durations, Bulb A may exceed its recommended useful life before Bulb B, for example. Again, the indicator <NUM> corresponding to Bulb A can be illuminated to alert the operator of this condition. Once the condition giving rise to the activation of one or more indicators <NUM> has been addressed, the reset button <NUM> can be actuated to input a clearance command to the processor <NUM> of the controller <NUM>, clearing the error and resetting the status of the respective bulb <NUM>.

In use, an operator can transport the decontamination apparatus <NUM> to a desired location with one or more target surfaces to be rendered pathogen reduced by carrying the decontamination apparatus <NUM> by the handle <NUM>. The base <NUM> can be placed adjacent to the target surfaces and the housing <NUM> removed, thereby granting the user access to the sources <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. The arms <NUM> are adjusted to position the sources <NUM>, and particularly the bulbs <NUM>, within a predetermined effective distance from the target surfaces to achieve the desired level of pathogen reduction within a predetermine runtime. The base <NUM> is then plugged into an AC mains wall outlet, or otherwise turned on for battery-operated embodiments, to energize the controller <NUM>.

The remote control <NUM> (<FIG>) of the housing <NUM> can optionally be paired to the controller <NUM> at the time of manufacturing. However, if the controller <NUM> has been reset or is otherwise not paired specifically with the remote control <NUM> of the cover <NUM> in which it was housed, the remote control <NUM> is to be paired specifically with the controller <NUM> before the decontamination process can be activated using the user interface <NUM> of the remote control <NUM>. To establish the communication channel between the remote control <NUM> and the controller <NUM>, the remote control <NUM> is powered on through selection of the power button <NUM>, and the pairing process is begun by selection of the connect button <NUM> of the remote control. In response, the transmitter of the remote control <NUM> transmits a pair request that is received and recognized by the controller <NUM>, causing the "cover" indicator <NUM> to flash or otherwise indicate that the remote control <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is being paired. Since it is desired to establish this communication channel, the connect button <NUM> (<FIG>) included in the user interface <NUM> of the controller <NUM> is pressed to pair the remote control <NUM> with the controller <NUM>. The cover indicator <NUM> is then constantly illuminated or otherwise used to indicate that pairing was successful. Likewise, the network indicator <NUM> (<FIG>) of the remote control's user interface <NUM> is illuminated to indicate that pairing was a success.

Similarly, if a satellite monitoring unit <NUM> is to be used it can be paired with the controller <NUM> is a similar manner. The monitoring unit <NUM> can be powered on by pressing the power button <NUM> (<FIG>), and then the connect button <NUM> can be pressed to begin the pairing process to establish the wireless communication channel between the monitoring unit <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> transmits a request to pair, and this transmission is received and recognized by the controller <NUM>, causing the "sat1" indicator <NUM> to flash or otherwise indicate that the monitoring unit <NUM> is being paired. Since it is desired to establish this communication channel, the connect button <NUM> (<FIG>) included in the user interface <NUM> of the controller <NUM> is pressed to pair the monitoring unit <NUM> with the controller <NUM>. The sat1 indicator <NUM> is then constantly illuminated or otherwise used to indicate that pairing was successful. Likewise, the network indicator <NUM> (<FIG>) of the monitoring unit's user interface <NUM> is illuminated to indicate that pairing was a success. A second or additional monitoring units can optionally also be paired and used during a decontamination cycle.

With pairing complete, the monitoring unit <NUM> can be placed anywhere within the effective communication range of the monitoring unit <NUM> and the controller <NUM> for the wireless communication channel established, inside or outside of the room <NUM> where the base <NUM> is located. For example, the monitoring unit <NUM> can be placed within the room <NUM>, at a location approximately <NUM> feet in front of a secondary door leading into the room <NUM>. At such a location, the sensors <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> can monitor the state of the secondary door and sense if that door is opened during emission of the UVC light.

The housing <NUM> is to be placed immediately e.g., within <NUM> (<NUM> inches) outside of the primary door <NUM> leading into the room <NUM> in which the base <NUM> is located. The housing <NUM> is to be positioned outside of the door <NUM> with the reference point <NUM> (<FIG>) pointing at the exterior surface of the door <NUM> to ensure the sensor <NUM> (<FIG>) is arranged to detect when the door <NUM> is adjusted from a closed state, or when a person enters the space between the sensor <NUM> and the door <NUM>, but not sense movement or other conditions that occur outside of the region where the sensor <NUM> is focused. Thus, the hallway outside the door <NUM>.

Once the monitoring unit <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are properly positioned, the operator selects the desired runtime of the decontamination process by pressing the runtime selection button (<FIG>) on the controller <NUM> the appropriate number of times to select the desired runtime. After the desired runtime has been entered, the operator can exit the room <NUM> and press the start button <NUM> (<FIG>) provided to the user interface <NUM> of the remote control <NUM>, causing the transceiver <NUM> of the remote control <NUM> to transmit an instruction to commence the decontamination process for the desired runtime. In response to receiving the signal transmitted by the remote control <NUM>, the controller <NUM> activates the sources <NUM>, thereby causing the bulbs <NUM> to emit UVC light.

Throughout the decontamination process the sensors <NUM> of the monitoring unit <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> of the housing <NUM> continuously monitor their respective regions of concern. If neither the monitoring unit sensors <NUM> nor the housing sensor <NUM> detects a condition deemed to require premature termination of the decontamination process, the process remains active for the entire runtime and the complete indicator <NUM> (<FIG>) of the user interface <NUM> on the housing <NUM> and the process complete indicator <NUM> (<FIG>) on the controller <NUM> indicate that the decontamination process was not interrupted, and was successfully completed.

If, however, the a sensor provided to the monitoring unit <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> and/or the controller <NUM> senses one of conditions warranted interruption of the decontamination process, the respective transceiver <NUM> transmits the interrupt signal, which is received by a receiver provided to the transceiver <NUM> of the controller. In response, the controller <NUM> terminates the decontamination process by deactivating the bulbs <NUM>, ceasing UVC light emission. The transceiver <NUM> of the controller <NUM> transmits a notification signal, causing the appropriate visible indicator provided to the user interface of the monitoring unit <NUM> and/or the remote control <NUM> to be activated, thus alerting the operator to the premature termination of the decontamination process and the location of the fault.

Claim 1:
A decontamination apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a plurality of sources (<NUM>) that each emit UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object on which the UVC light is imparted to render the target object pathogen reduced;
a plurality of adjustable supports coupling the sources (<NUM>) to the base (<NUM>), wherein each of the adjustable supports comprises an adjustment mechanism that is to be manipulated to adjust a position of one of the sources (<NUM>) relative to the base (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) that is coupled to the base (<NUM>) and operatively connected to the sources (<NUM>) to control emission of the UVC light;
said decontamination apparatus (<NUM>) being characterized by further comprising a housing (<NUM>) that is to be removably installed on the base (<NUM>), wherein the housing (<NUM>) protects the plurality of sources (<NUM>) while installed on the base (<NUM>); and
a remote control (<NUM>) provided to the housing (<NUM>), wherein the remote control (<NUM>) comprises a user interface (<NUM>) that receives an input from a user and a housing transmitter that transmits a control instruction to the controller (<NUM>) based on the input received at the user interface (<NUM>) from a location remote from the base (<NUM>) to result in desired operation of the sources (<NUM>).