Surveying sterilizer methods and systems

• US 7,754,156 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Lord, Robert W., Levien, Royce A., Jung, Edward K. Y., Hyde, Roderick A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): McKane; Elizabeth L
• Application Number:
  US11/584,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20070231204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

Methods and systems for surveying and sterilizing one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are described.

Claims

1. A sterilization system comprising:

circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas; and

circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to determine if the one or more portions of the one or more areas should be sterilized.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to determine one or more objects within the one or more portions of the one or more areas that should be sterilized.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to map the one or more areas that are one or more rooms.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to model the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to obtain one or more readings from one or more sensor units.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to survey the one or more portions of the one or more areas with one or more survey units that are stationary.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas and to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to determine if one or more humans are present or absent within the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit the one or more instructions for the one or more sterilization units to apply ultraviolet light to the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more models of the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more readings obtained from one or more sensor units.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals to the one or more sterilization units from one or more survey units that are stationary.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more humans that are present or absent within the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to transmit one or more instructions that direct one or more sterilization units to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and to avoid applying the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more instructions for one or more recording units.

16. A sterilization system comprising:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas; and

circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more instructions to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more instructions to apply the one or more sterilization agents to one or more objects within the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of the one or more portions of one or more rooms.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more models of the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive the one or more signals associated with one or more readings obtained from one or more sensor units.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive the one or more signals associated with the one or more survey units that are stationary.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive the one or more signals associated with one or more humans that are present or absent within the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more instructions that indicate where to apply the one or more sterilization agents within the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more maps of one or more portions of one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to receive one or more signals associated with one or more recording units.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas in accordance with one or more maps of the one or more areas.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas in accordance with one or more models of the one or more areas.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas in accordance with one or more readings obtained from one or more sensor units.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas from one or more sterilization units that are stationary.

30. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to receiving the one or more signals associated with the one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply ultraviolet light to the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

31. A sterilization system comprising:

circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas; and

circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more areas.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to map the one or more areas that are one or more rooms.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to model the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to obtain one or more readings from one or more sensor units.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to map one or more portions of one or more areas to create one or more maps of the one or more portions of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to map the one or more portions of the one or more areas with one or more survey units that are stationary.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply ultraviolet light to the one or more portions of the one or more areas.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to transmit one or more signals associated with one or more instructions for one or more recording units.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas in accordance with one or more readings obtained from one or more sensor units.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to apply one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas and configured to avoid application of the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas if one or more humans are present within the one or more portions of the one or more areas in response to the one or more maps of the one or more areas comprises:

circuitry configured to apply the one or more sterilization agents to the one or more portions of the one or more areas from one or more sterilization units that are stationary.