Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed which include one or more lamps configured to emit germicidal light, wherein the apparatuses are configured such that germicidal light emitted from the one or more lamps is projected exterior to the apparatus. The apparatuses further include wheels arranged along a bottom of the apparatus and a motor to provide automated mobility of the apparatus across at least a part of a room or area in which the apparatus is arranged. Moreover, the apparatuses include a processor and a storage medium having program instructions which are executable by the processor for activating the motor such that the apparatus is moved within the room or area while the one or more lamps are emitting germicidal light.

Abstract: Methods are provided that include positioning a disinfection apparatus in proximity to a cabinet, wherein the disinfection apparatus has a base supporting a germicidal source and the base includes components operationally coupled to the germicidal source for operating the germicidal source. The method further includes inserting the germicidal source into the cabinet such that at least a portion of the base is retained exterior to the cabinet and is operationally coupled to the germicidal source. Moreover, the method includes placing one or more items into the cabinet, closing the cabinet with the germicidal source and the one or more items in the cabinet and the base of the disinfection apparatus exterior to the cabinet, and then subsequently starting the disinfection source such that the germicidal source emits a germicide into the cabinet. Systems and cabinets used to conduct the aforementioned methods are also provided.

Abstract: Mobile apparatuses and methods are provided that utilize visual marker detection (VMD) systems to determine and/or verify one or more locations in an area/room at which a mobile apparatus has been arranged and/or to determine and/or verify a mobile apparatus has been suitably positioned at a preset location in an area/room. Moreover, mobile apparatuses and methods are provided that utilize VMD systems to affect the operation of a mobile apparatus, particularly when and/or what manner the apparatus is operated. Furthermore, mobile apparatuses and methods are provided that utilize VMD systems to determine whether a mobile apparatus has moved to other locations in an area/room in a particular time frame, such as during operation of the apparatus. In addition, mobile apparatuses and methods are provided that utilize VMD systems to convey information that is specific to the location of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods are provided which include placing one or more objects into a cabinet, subsequently closing the cabinet and remotely starting a disinfection device disposed therein to disperse a germicide within the closed cabinet. Embodiments of cabinets include an interior void of at least 10 ft3, a door to enclose the cabinet and one or more support structures arranged within the cabinet adjacent the interior void. Portions of the support structures facing the interior void are transparent and/or have through-holes. Other embodiments of cabinets include a moveable germicidal blocking partition for separating portions of the cabinet, a door for accessing one of the portions and a sensor for detecting when the partition is in position to separate the portions. An embodiment of a support structure includes a base having transparent materials and/or one or more through-holes, sidewalls shaped to match a peripheral contour of a medical device, and a weight sensor.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which are programmed to receive data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of a plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting an area or room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the area or room. In addition, systems are disclosed which facilitate power redirection among multiple disinfection sources upon detecting a given area has received a predetermined dose of ultraviolet light. Furthermore, a method is disclosed which includes determining a schedule of locations to position a disinfection apparatus in a room or area to successively disinfect identified objects and/or surfaces in the room that are arranged between 2 and 4 feet from a floor of the room/area and tailoring one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus to primarily disinfect the target objects and/or surfaces at each of the scheduled locations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which include processor-executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of an area or a room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the area/room. The data may include data regarding non-physical characteristics and/or physical characteristics of the area/room. In some embodiments, data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of the plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting the room may also be considered for determining the operating parameter/s. In addition or alternatively, the data may be in relation to multiple disinfection sources in the area/room. In any case, a system is also disclosed which facilities power redirection among multiple disinfection sources upon detecting a given area has received a predetermined dose of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Room and/or area disinfection apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of germicidal light at a frequency greater than 3 Hz and project the pulses of light exterior to the disinfection apparatuses. In some cases, the apparatus includes processor executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of a space in which the disinfection apparatus is to be operated. In addition or alternatively, the apparatus may include a remote user interface to affect operation of the disinfection apparatus. In other cases, the apparatus may additionally or alternatively include a means for automatically moving the disinfection apparatus. In yet other additional or alternative cases, the disinfection apparatus may be void of an opaque component 360° around an elongated portion of the germicidal pulsed light source such that light emitted from the germicidal pulsed light source encircles the disinfection apparatus.

Abstract: Room and/or area disinfection apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of germicidal light at a frequency greater than 3 Hz and project the pulses of light exterior to the disinfection apparatuses. In some cases, the apparatuses include an occupancy sensor for determining presence of an individual in a region extending at least 1.0 meter from the disinfection apparatus and processor executable program instructions for inhibiting and terminating the generation of light from the light source upon the occupancy sensor detecting presence of an individual. In addition or alternatively, the apparatuses may include wheels to affect portability of the apparatus. In some cases, the apparatuses may additionally or alternatively include an actuator for moving the light source relative to a support structure of the disinfection apparatus and processor executable program instructions for activating the actuator while the light source is emitting light.

Abstract: Smoke detector shields for blocking or minimizing the transmission of light therethrough and methods for use are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for shielding a smoke detector includes shielding at least a portion of a smoke detector operationally arranged within a room, and subsequently activating a light emission device arranged within the room, while shielding the smoke detector. In order to exclude light emission devices, which are commonly used within a room for lighting and/or communication purposes, the light emission device set forth in the method is configured for generating infrared light at a radiant intensity greater than approximately 1 W/sr, and/or ultraviolet light at a radiant intensity greater than approximately 1 W/sr, and/or visible light at a luminous flux greater than approximately 3000 lumens. Embodiments of smoke detector shields that prevent such light from penetrating the housing of a shielded smoke detector are provided herein.

Abstract: Smoke detectors and smoke alarms are provided which have one or more light shields configured to block or minimize the transmission of ambient light to their light receivers. Light shield configurations for facilitating such functionality are provided as well. The shield/s include a material which attenuates a majority amount of light within a particular range of light that a light source of the smoke detector may be configured to only emit and/or the range of light the light receiver may configured to only convert to photocurrent. In some cases, the shield/s surrounds the light source and/or the light receiver arranged external to an interior chamber of the smoke detector. In some cases, the shield/s may at least partially span a connection side of an external housing of the smoke detector. Alternatively, the shield may be arranged in a space between the interior chamber and the connection side of the housing.

Abstract: Methods are provided which include placing one or more objects into a cabinet, subsequently closing the cabinet and remotely starting a disinfection device disposed therein to disperse a germicide within the closed cabinet. Embodiments of cabinets include a moveable germicidal blocking partition for separating portions of the cabinet, a door for accessing one of the portions and a sensor for detecting when the partition is in position to separate the portions. Other embodiments of cabinets include one or more germicidal dose sensors and program instructions for terminating operation of a particular disinfection apparatus placed in the cabinet when a signal is received indicating that a predetermined dose of a germicide is detected in the cabinet. Embodiments of moveable enclosures are provided having a loading port and a support structure configured to allow access to the support structure without providing access to affect movement of a germicidal lamp in the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed having an ultraviolet lamp, a reflector system arranged to project light emitted from the lamp to a region 2-4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged, and a mobile carriage with operational components for the apparatus. The apparatuses are configured such that the lamp is not moveable beyond vertical planes aligned with a casing of the carriage. Other apparatuses are disclosed having an ultraviolet lamp and configurations for moving the lamp relative to a structure of the apparatuses while the lamp is emitting light. Yet other apparatuses are disclosed having an ultraviolet lamp and a surrounding housing, a reflector to redirect light emitted from the lamp, an actuator for moving the reflector and the housing together relative to a structure supporting the lamp, and a rotator distinct from the actuator for rotating the reflector and housing relative to the structure.

Abstract: Methods are provided which include placing one or more objects into a cabinet, subsequently closing the cabinet and remotely starting a disinfection device disposed therein to disperse a germicide within the closed cabinet. Embodiments of cabinets include an interior void of at least 10 ft3, a door to enclose the cabinet and one or more support structures arranged within the cabinet adjacent the interior void. Portions of the support structures are transparent and/or have through-holes. Other embodiments of cabinets include a moveable germicidal blocking partition for separating portions of the cabinet, a door for accessing one of the portions and a sensor for detecting when the partition is in position to separate the portions. An embodiment of a support structure includes a base having transparent materials and/or one or more through-holes, sidewalls shaped to match a peripheral contour of a medical device, and a weight sensor.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed which have an ultraviolet light lamp, a housing transparent to ultraviolet light surrounding the lamp and an exhaust duct extending from a gas outlet of the housing into a support structure that has an outlet disposed along its lower half portion or its bottom surface. Other embodiments of apparatuses are disclosed which have a pulsed ultraviolet light lamp and a sensor system to monitor and determine when to replace the pulsed lamp based on pulse count.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which include processor-executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of an area or a room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the area/room. The data may include data regarding non-physical characteristics and/or physical characteristics of the area/room. In some embodiments, data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of the plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting the room may also be considered for determining the operating parameter/s. In addition or alternatively, the data may be in relation to multiple disinfection sources in the area/room. In any case, a system is also disclosed which facilities power redirection among multiple disinfection sources upon detecting a given area has received a predetermined dose of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which include processor-executable program instructions for receiving data regarding characteristics of a room and determining, based on the received data, operating parameter/s for one or more disinfection sources to disinfect the room. The data may include data regarding non-physical characteristics and/or physical characteristics of the room. In some embodiments, data regarding a quantity and/or type of at least a subset of the plurality of disinfection sources for disinfecting the room may also be considered for determining the operating parameter/s. In any case, the determined operating parameter/s may include a run time of a disinfection source, a position of a disinfection source within the room, a speed at which a disinfection source moves throughout the room, an orientation of a component comprising a disinfection source, a rate of germicidal discharge from a disinfection source and/or power supplied to a disinfection source.

Abstract: Curtains are provided which have fastener/s and, in some cases, strut/s arranged along a screen. The strut/s extend to elevation/s below and/or above the fastener/s. An upper strut may have a lower degree of stiffness than a lower strut. In some cases, the fastener/s are arranged at least 20 inches from the screen's upper edge. Systems are described which include a disinfection apparatus and any of such curtains. Other systems include any of such curtains attached to an edge of a room divider. Easily assembled and disassembled room dividers are described which include cord/s and/or pole/s, installed or portable device/s for supporting the cords/poles, and fasteners for attaching a curtain to the cords/poles. A disinfection apparatus is described which includes a shield extending to an elevation at least two feet above a germicidal light source and borders at least one third of a continuous region surrounding the germicidal light source.