System and method for germicidal sanitizing of an elevator or other enclosed structure
First Claim
1. A sanitizing system for use with an enclosed structure, the system comprising:
- a first sensor to detect the absence of humans within the enclosed structure and to transmit a first input signal when humans are absent;
a second sensor to detect the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure and to transmit a second input signal when the door is closed;
a germicidal ultraviolet light source to provide electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range and to receive a first output signal to activate the ultraviolet light source; and
a controller to receive the first input signal and the second input signal, and to transmit the first output signal,wherein the controller transmits the first output signal when the controller receives the first input signal and the second input signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for sanitizing an enclosed structure comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, a germicidal ultraviolet light source, a motor, and a controller. The first sensor detects the presence of humans or animals within the enclosed structure. The second sensor detects the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure. The third sensor detects tampering with the system. The ultraviolet light source provides electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range. The motor moves the ultraviolet light source from an inactive position to an active position and from the active position to the inactive position. The controller receives inputs from the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and transmits outputs to the ultraviolet light source and the motor. When the controller receives signals that no humans or animals are present in the enclosed structure and that the door is in a closed position, the controller transmits a signal to the motor to move the ultraviolet light source from the inactive position to the active position and a signal to activate the ultraviolet light source. If humans or animals are detected to be present in the enclosed structure or if the door is detected to be open, then the controller deactivates the ultraviolet light source and repositions the ultraviolet light source.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A sanitizing system for use with an enclosed structure, the system comprising:
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a first sensor to detect the absence of humans within the enclosed structure and to transmit a first input signal when humans are absent; a second sensor to detect the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure and to transmit a second input signal when the door is closed; a germicidal ultraviolet light source to provide electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range and to receive a first output signal to activate the ultraviolet light source; and a controller to receive the first input signal and the second input signal, and to transmit the first output signal, wherein the controller transmits the first output signal when the controller receives the first input signal and the second input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sanitizing system for use with an enclosed structure, the system comprising:
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a first sensor to detect the presence or absence of humans within the enclosed structure and to transmit a first input signal indicating one of a human present or absent in the enclosed structure; a second sensor to detect the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure and to transmit a second input signal indicating one of the door being closed or open; a germicidal ultraviolet light source to provide electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range and to receive a first output signal to activate the ultraviolet light source; and a controller to receive the first input signal and the second input signal, and to transmit the first output signal, wherein the controller transmits the first output signal when the controller receives the first input signal indicating the absence of any human in the enclosed structure and the second input signal indicating the door of the enclosed structure being closed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for sanitizing an enclosed structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) detecting the position of at least one door providing access for humans to the enclosed structure; b) detecting the absence of humans in the enclosed structure; c) activating an ultraviolet light source for a predetermined period of time when the door is detected to be in a closed position and humans are detected to be absent from the enclosed structure; d) if the door is detected to be in an open position or if at least one human is detected to be present in the exposed area, deactivating the ultraviolet light source; and e) deactivating the ultraviolet light source once the predetermined period of time has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification