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: 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: Apparatuses are provided which include one or more germicidal sources, power circuitry coupled to the germicidal source/s, and a shield. The shield and/or at least one of the germicidal source/s are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that the shield and/or the germicidal source/s may be brought in and out of proximity with the other and upon doing so germicide projected from one or more of the germicidal source/s is either substantially contained in the apparatus or is projected exterior to the apparatus for different disinfection modes of the apparatus. The apparatuses include a processor and processor-executable program instructions for activating the power circuitry to operate the at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source is not encased within the apparatus and for activating the power circuitry to operate at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source/s are encased within the apparatus.

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: 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: 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 smoked 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: 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: Apparatuses are disclosed which include an ultraviolet light (UV) lamp and program instructions for activating an automated actuator such that the lamp is repositioned within the apparatus relative to a structure supporting the lamp while the lamp is emitting ultraviolet light. Other apparatuses include a reflector to redirect light emitted from a UV lamp, wherein the reflector and the lamp comprise a moveable assembly. The apparatuses include an actuator for moving the moveable assembly such that the lamp may be repositioned in and out of a structure supporting the moveable assembly. Yet other apparatuses include a reflector arranged along a longitudinal side of a UV lamp and a housing surrounding the lamp, wherein the reflector and the housing comprise a moveable assembly. The apparatuses include an actuator for providing rotational movement of the moveable assembly about a vertical axis and relative to a structure supporting the moveable assembly.

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: 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: 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: Apparatuses are disclosed having an ultraviolet lamp and 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. The apparatuses include a mobile carriage with wheels and one or more compartments underneath the lamp that hold 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. In some cases, a lowermost surface of the lamp is arranged at an elevation substantially level with or above an upper surface of the casing that is at least 36 inches above the floor of the room. In addition or alternatively, the carriage may include a handle exterior to its casing having an uppermost surface arranged at substantially the same level or lower than a lowermost surface of the lamp.

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: 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 smoked 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: Disinfection methods and apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of germicidal light at a frequency greater than 20 Hz and project the pulses of light to surfaces at least 1.0 meter from the disinfection apparatus. The pulses of light comprise a pulse duration and an energy flux sufficient to generate a power flux between approximately 200 W/m2 and approximately 5000 W/m2 of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range between 200 nm and 320 nm at the surfaces. Other disinfection methods and apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of light comprising germicidal light and visible light from a germicidal light source and generate pulses of light from a visible light source that is distinct from the germicidal light source. The projections of visible light from the light sources produce a continuous stream of visible light or a collective stream of visible light pulsed at a frequency greater than 60 Hz.

Abstract: Disinfection methods and apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of germicidal light at a frequency greater than 20 Hz and project the pulses of light to surfaces at least 1.0 meter from the disinfection apparatus. The pulses of light comprise a pulse duration and an energy flux sufficient to generate a power flux between approximately 200 W/m2 and approximately 5000 W/m2 of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range between 200 nm and 320 nm at the surfaces. Other disinfection methods and apparatuses are provided which generate pulses of light comprising germicidal light and visible light from a germicidal light source and generate pulses of light from a visible light source that is distinct from the germicidal light source. The projections of visible light from the light sources produce a continuous stream of visible light or a collective stream of visible light pulsed at a frequency greater than 60 Hz.

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 smoked 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 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: 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 smoked 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.