CN116916974A - Dynamic disinfection of virtual room dividers with UV light - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disinfection device, a disinfection system and a method for controlling a disinfection device. The disinfection device (1) comprises: a light bar (10) configured to be mounted to a surface (2) of an indoor space (4), the light bar (10) comprising at least one light source (100) and at least one optical element (102) configured to shape sterilizing light emitted by the light source (100) such that the light bar (10) is configured to emit sterilizing light in an optical plane (140) extending from a longitudinal axis of the light bar (10); and an inclination angle controller (120) configured to: when the light bar (10) is mounted to the surface (2), the tilt angle (S, S2) between the optical plane (140) and the surface (4) is controlled.

Description

Dynamic disinfection of virtual room dividers with UV light

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sterilizing device and system for sterilizing an indoor space with UV, IR or visible light. The invention also relates to a method for disinfecting the indoor space by using the disinfecting device.

Background

In all indoor spaces with human occupants, there is a risk of pathogens (such as viruses) spreading between individuals. The virus may be transmitted directly through physical contact between individuals (e.g., through handshaking), or indirectly through individuals touching the same door handle, light switch, or touch screen, for example. Furthermore, pathogens may be transmitted through the room air as large particles, e.g. larger than 100 μm, or small particles, e.g. smaller than 100 μm. Large particles such as droplets of saliva or respiratory fluid may be expelled from an infected individual during coughing, sneezing or even speaking. If the mask is not worn, the large droplets may travel in bursts and infect another individual by directly striking or otherwise contacting the eyes, nostrils, or mouth of the other individual. In addition, small aerosol particles of saliva or respiratory fluids may also be expelled from the infected individual. Depending on the size of the pathogen-containing aerosol particles, such particles may stay in the room air for a long period of time, between a few seconds and a few hours. The small, lingering aerosol particles may subsequently infect the individual by deposition on the eye or via inhalation.

Existing solutions for reducing the risk of pathogen transmission in indoor spaces include: pulling apart social intervals; using protective equipment such as gloves; and using a disinfectant by the occupant to mitigate transmission of the pathogen through the physical contact. The amount of small aerosol particles with pathogens in the air is reduced by increasing the ventilation rate of the indoor air or by using an upper air UV disinfection system that operates by irradiating the circulated upper air of the indoor space or HVAC system with harmful sterilizing UV radiation that disinfects the aerosols. To mitigate potential evaporative transmission of large droplets from sneezing, coughing or speaking of infected individuals, face-covering masks are used such that the number and extent of discharged droplets is reduced.

A problem with existing solutions is that the transmission of pathogens in the indoor space is still not as effective as desired, for example because the individual does not follow advice regarding using face masks, gloves or disinfectants, resulting in infections still occurring. Another problem is that pathogens reach the individual-via a lingering aerosol or large spray of particles through any overhead air or HVAC disinfection system before being treated.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the shortcomings of the existing solutions, there is a need for an improved disinfection device, disinfection system and method of using the same to disinfect indoor spaces and mitigate pathogen transmission. The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and to provide such a disinfection device, a disinfection system and a method of using the same.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved by a disinfection device comprising an elongated light bar configured to be mounted to a surface of an indoor space. The light bar includes: at least one light source (such as a UV, IR or 405nm light source) configured to output sterilizing light; and at least one optical element configured to shape light emitted by the light source such that the light bar is configured to emit light in an optical plane extending from a longitudinal axis of the light bar. The light bar further includes a tilt angle controller configured to: when the disinfection device is mounted to a surface, the tilt angle between the optical plane and the surface to which the disinfection device is mounted is controlled.

The optical plane means the central plane of the light distribution extending from the light bar. When the disinfection device (light bar) is mounted to a surface, the light extending in the optical plane may be referred to as a light curtain.

In some aspects, light extending in the optical plane may be substantially confined to the optical plane, e.g., with a small tolerance of at most 2 centimeters (perpendicular) from the optical plane, preferably with a small tolerance of at most 1 centimeter (perpendicular) from the optical plane.

The angle of inclination between the normal of the surface and the optical plane is the angle between the optical plane and the normal of the surface to which the disinfection device is mounted. That is, in the case where the inclination angle is 0 degrees, the optical plane extends perpendicularly to the surface. The longitudinal axis of the light bar divides the surface into two sides, a first side and a second side. For tilt angles between 0 degrees and +90 degrees, the optical plane extends from the longitudinal axis and forms an acute angle with the first side of the longitudinal axis and an obtuse angle with the second side. For an inclination angle of +90 degrees, the optical plane is parallel to the surface and extends along the surface on the first side of the longitudinal axis. For tilt angles between 0 degrees and-90 degrees, the optical plane forms an acute angle with the second side of the longitudinal axis, and for tilt angles of-90 degrees, the optical plane extends parallel to the surface and along the second side. The surface may be a ceiling or floor of an indoor space. The surface may be a wall of an indoor space. When mounted to a surface, the sterilizing light of the sterilizing device will extend from the light bar in the optical plane to form a sterilizing light curtain.

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the following understanding: by projecting the sterilizing light in an optical plane defining the indoor space, the audibility and visibility of the indoor space is maintained while the aerosols and large particles with pathogens are sterilized to reduce the risk of pathogens spreading from one side of the optical plane to the other. The disinfection device may isolate an open indoor space in a latitudinal direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the optical plane) based on the transmission of pathogens without impeding the audibility and visibility of the space. The disinfection device may more effectively stop pathogen transmission via aerosol particles and large eruption particles because it does not rely on air circulation to bring pathogen particles, for example, to the disinfection device, which is provided in HVAC systems to act as a UV disinfection device for indoor spaces or upper air.

In addition, when the optical plane is controlled by the tilt angle controller, the emitted sterilizing light may be controlled so as to more effectively or safely sterilize the indoor space. For example, by controlling the tilt angle of a ceiling or floor mounted disinfection unit away from 0 degrees, the length of the disinfection light in the air is increased, which increases the probability that emitted disinfection photons encounter and inactivate pathogens before being absorbed by the surface of the indoor space. For example, the sterilizing light is UV light that is hardly absorbed by the air, and the UV light maintains its sterilizing function until it reaches the surface and is at least partially absorbed by said surface. Thus, the efficiency of the UV light curtain is improved. For example, a lower intensity UV light source or UV radiation (which has a higher maximum recommended dose for humans and a lower sterilization efficiency) may be used to obtain the same sterilization efficiency as a non-tilting UV light curtain with higher intensity UV light, for example. By controlling the inclination angle to maximize the length of the UV rays of the UV light curtain, the sterilizing device can maximally contribute to the air sterilization of the indoor space.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller controls the tilt angle to be within an optimal tilt angle range, where the optimal tilt angle range is between ±25 degrees and ±65 degrees, such as ±45 degrees. Thus, for each tilt angle within the optimal tilt angle range, the UV ray propagation length in air is increased, which enhances the disinfection efficiency and provides the benefits as described above.

In addition, tilt angle control allows for reduced power consumption, ease of use, increased system lifetime and minimized exposure to sterilizing light experienced by occupants of the indoor space, while maximizing the emitted sterilizing light dose (e.g., UV dose) from the sterilizing device.

The disinfection characteristics of the disinfection device may be controlled by adjusting the angle of inclination of the light curtain. The control may be manually operated by a user manipulating a switch, button or touch interface of a user device in communication with the control unit of the disinfection device. The control of the tilt angle may be automatic and in response to an input signal from a sensor, or the control of the tilt angle may be arranged to adjust the tilt angle with respect to the time of day. For example, the disinfection device may be arranged to: when the occupant activity is assumed to be low, the disinfection light curtain is projected at a large oblique angle at night and/or weekends. Thus, the efficiency and disinfection characteristics of the disinfection light curtain may be controlled to best suit the current and/or future circumstances of the indoor space or indoor space.

Further, in some aspects, the elongated light bar may alternatively be a light bar or a light module. The light module may for example comprise an elongated shape, but alternatively may comprise a circular shape, or may be a point light source capable of presenting the light curtain according to the invention with the at least one optical element.

In some embodiments, the light source is at least one of an Ultraviolet (UV) light source, an Infrared (IR) light source, and a visible light source. The light source may for example be configured to emit visible light comprising light having a maximum (peak) intensity at a wavelength between 400nm and 410nm, such as 405 nm. UV light (e.g., UV-C) has been a proven technology for disinfecting air, water and instruments for over a century. Nielsfrensen (nielsfensen) was awarded the medical nobel prize in 1903, as it was the first time to treat diseases by direct disinfection of the skin using "phototherapy". A disadvantage of UV-C light is that it is not friendly to humans or certain surface materials. That is, once the UV-C light is turned off, bacteria can grow again. Thus, recent companies have sought disinfection lighting alternatives that, while being human friendly, create space that is not friendly to bacteria. For example, unlike UV-C, uv_a technology can be applied, which can be considered eye-safe for continuous disinfection for up to 8 hours a day in the presence of humans. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that disinfection devices operating entirely in the visible spectrum (in particular in the near UV spectrum of 400nm to 410 nm) effectively disinfect pathogens without the use of UV light. For example, the Indigo-Clean of agate (Kenall) uses 405nm visible violet light in the operating room, which claims to be safe for both the patient and the caretaker, and kills any bacteria that survive routine cleaning.

IR light may also have a disinfectant effect. An advantage of using IR light as the disinfecting light is that it works better on certain surfaces and for certain pathogens than UV light. For example, it is well known that NIR disinfection (750-950 nm) achieves 80% to 99.9% (or 2-3 log) reduction of iron-dependent types and some other types of bacteria and fungi. In addition, the absorbance spectrum of each pathogen has some distinct absorbance peaks. Thus, very specific IR or UV wavelengths can be selected so as to "excite" specific bond types in specific molecules in the targeted pathogen. In addition to UV and IR light, the disinfecting illumination may also include visible light. Different UV, IR and visible light sources may be combined in order to achieve customized inactivation of a particular selected pathogen.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller is configured to control the positioning of the optical element relative to the light source.

Tilt angle adjustability of the optical plane may be achieved by changing the positioning (i.e., moving and/or redirecting) of at least one of the optical element and the light source. For example, the optical element is oriented or moved relative to the light source and vice versa, which results in an adjustment of the tilt angle of the projected sterilizing light curtain. The optical element and the light source may be moved simultaneously. The movement may be achieved by at least one actuator of the light bar controlled by the tilt angle controller.

In some implementations, the disinfection device includes an actuation unit, and the tilt angle controller is configured to control the actuation unit. The actuation unit is in turn configured to turn the orientation of the light bar relative to the surface when the disinfection device is mounted to the surface.

For example, the light bar may be configured to output sterilizing light in a fixed optical plane relative to the light bar, wherein the tilt angle controller controls an actuation unit configured to manipulate the orientation of the light bar to control the resulting tilt angle. The actuation unit for example provides at least a rotation about a longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the light bar is configured to emit the disinfecting light in two optical planes, wherein the tilt angles of the two optical planes are different. Wherein the tilt angle controller is configured to selectively control the light bar to selectively emit sterilizing light in one of the two optical planes so as to select one tilt angle or the other tilt angle.

This may be achieved, for example, by the tilt angle controller activating and/or deactivating only the different light sources of the disinfection device, wherein the different light sources are oriented with respect to the optical element in order to project light curtains with different tilt angles. In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources are provided with identical or separate optical elements, which light source is activated and/or deactivated by the control unit, and the resulting tilt angle (or tilt angle width as discussed below) of the sterilizing light curtain can be adjusted accordingly. In this way, the disinfection device may not comprise movable parts, while nevertheless being able to achieve manoeuvrability of the angle of inclination by selectively controlling one or more light sources. To achieve the manoeuvrability of the tilt angle, the optical element may be an LCD element or the light bar may comprise an LCD element in addition to the optical element. Wherein the LCD element is configured to actively shape the distribution of the emitted light around the optical plane or to control the tilt angle of the optical plane.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller is configured to communicate with the context-aware sensor and control the tilt angle of the optical plane based on the context of the indoor space detected by the context-aware sensor.

The context-aware sensor may be an integral part of the disinfection device and/or be provided separately (e.g., in wireless communication with the tilt angle controller). More than one presence sensor may be cooperatively used, for example, to determine occupant context in different portions of the indoor space. The tilt angle controller of the ceiling or floor mounted disinfection apparatus may be configured to: when the occupant context indicates that an occupant is present, the optical plane is manipulated so as to approach a tilt of about 90 degrees. In this way, the light curtain requires a smaller footprint because the light curtain minimizes the area in which an occupant breaks the light curtain. The context-aware sensor may, for example, sense the presence, activity level and number of occupants in the indoor space, wherein the tilt angle controller controls the tilt angle relative to the occupant context. To this end, the context aware sensor may be, for example, a presence sensor.

In one example, the context-aware sensor detects that a person is sleeping in an indoor space (e.g., by establishing the presence of an occupant and a low level of activity for the occupant). In response, the tilt angle controller may steer the tilt angle such that the light curtain is closer to the eyes of the occupant than the occupant is awake.

Furthermore, the context-aware sensor may be configured to detect a position/activity of the occupant relative to the disinfection device, and wherein the tilt angle controller is configured to control the tilt angle of the optical plane based on the position of the occupant.

The location of the occupant may include: the distance between the occupant and the disinfection device; or the positioning of an occupant in an indoor space. The context-aware sensor may include a distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the occupant and the disinfection device. The tilt angle controller may be configured to manipulate the tilt angle such that the sterilizing light curtain is at least a predetermined distance from the occupant and/or the eyes of the occupant. For example, the tilt angle controller may determine a tilt angle that provides the highest disinfection efficiency while still being at least a predetermined distance from each occupant in the indoor space. The predetermined distance may be at least 20cm, such as 30cm or 50cm. The predetermined distance from the occupant and/or the occupant's eyes may be further modified by the sensed activity of the occupant. For example, if an occupant or group of occupants is performing an activity associated with heavy breathing (such as singing or exercise), the tilt angle controller may control the optical plane to be closer to the occupant performing the activity associated with heavy breathing.

The light source may include a plurality of light elements distributed along the elongate light bar, and the tilt angle controller is configured to activate a subset of the light elements to control the extent of the light curtain along the longitudinal axis.

Thus, the longitudinal width of the light curtain may be further controlled by the tilt angle controller. By increasing/decreasing the longitudinal width of the emitted light curtain, the efficiency of the disinfection device is enhanced, since only the necessary light curtain width can be activated. The plurality of light sources may be arranged side-by-side along the longitudinal axis of the light bar with common or individual optical elements to enable the tilt angle controller to selectively control all or a subset of the light sources to control the width of the emitted sterilizing light curtain.

In some embodiments, the disinfection device comprises a visible spectrum light source configured to project visible light, the projected visible light being indicative of the position of the optical plane.

The visible light sources may be arranged in the light bar side by side with the respective light source and have little or no disinfection properties. Visible light may be referred to as a visible light curtain. For example, the visible light curtain may be 405nm blue light, which has some bactericidal properties that contribute to the bactericidal properties of the sterile light curtain. In addition, any visible light may be used to indicate the position of the sterilizing light curtain so that an occupant can easily recognize the position, presence, and/or inclination of the sterilizing light curtain. Thus, the occupant may be blocked from traversing the visible light indicator to avoid exposure to the sanitizing light (which may be UV or IR light that is not visible to the naked eye). For example, an occupant may choose to talk or move around the indoor space in a manner in which the visible light curtain always separates any two occupants (which indicates that the disinfection light curtain also separates each occupant and mitigates the spread of pathogens). The visible light may be a linear light projection on a surface (e.g., a floor) that indicates where the disinfecting light is incident on the same surface. The visible light source may be an integral part of the disinfection device or provided externally. The visible light source may be a laser or a projector.

In some implementations, the light bar is further configured to emit envelope light that surrounds the disinfection light emitted in the optical plane and having different spectra.

The envelope light envelope or an optical plane surrounding at least the normal direction (tilt angle direction) of the optical plane. The envelope light may be UV or IR or light of 400 to 410nm (UV light whose spectrum differs from the optical plane). For example, the envelope light is UV-B or IR, while the UV light of the optical plane is UV-C. Thus, when the two spectra of sterilization characteristics can be combined, sterilization is facilitated. For example, a less efficient (in terms of bactericidal effect) and less harmful UV or IR spectrum may be used for the envelope light, while a more efficient and more harmful spectrum (e.g. UV-C) may be used for the disinfecting light projected in the optical plane of the envelope. Thus, more damaging UV radiation will be limited to a smaller space. The tilt angle controller may be configured to control the edge light and the optical plane such that the edge light surrounds the optical plane of the sterilizing light curtain.

As described above, in some embodiments, the light source may be at least one of: ultraviolet (UV) light sources, infrared (IR) light sources, and visible light sources. In some embodiments, the UV light source is configured to output UV light having a wavelength in the range of 100nm to 400nm, or preferably in the range of 190nm to 280 nm. In some embodiments, the IR light output by the IR light source is in the wavelength range of 700nm to 1200nm, and preferably in the wavelength range of 700nm to 1000 nm.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller is configured to also control the intensity of the sterilizing light output by the light source.

The intensity includes the on/off state of the sterilizing light (represented by zero and non-zero intensities, respectively). Accordingly, the intensity of the sterilizing light may be increased or decreased by the controller so as to promote efficient sterilization of the indoor space. For example, when the indoor space is known to be busy, the intensity of the sterilizing light may be increased. In addition, the light bar of the disinfection device may be configured to output disinfection light of different spectra, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively control which spectrum the emitted disinfection light has. In combination with the context-aware sensor, the controller may be adapted to turn off the sanitizing light in response to detecting an occupant in the vicinity (e.g., within a predetermined minimum distance from the sanitizing light curtain). The control may be configured such that the eye safety and/or exposure safety rules and the disinfecting light spectrum of the light source are centered. For example, utilizing a UV-B light source allows an occupant to be closer to the UV light curtain than if the UV light source was a UV-C light source, or allows an occupant to spend a longer period of time within the light curtain before the controller changes the tilt angle and/or intensity of the UV light curtain.

In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller controls the spectrum of the emitted sterilizing light based on the tilt angle. As the tilt angle is turned away from 0 degrees (especially for a ceiling or floor mounted disinfection device), the disinfection light is more likely to reach the eyes of the occupant (because the angle of incidence is increased) either directly or through reflection of the disinfection light by the surface of the indoor space. Furthermore, when the tilt angle is turned away from 0 degrees, the sterilizing light curtain may be projected over a larger area of the indoor space and reach a greater number of occupants.

To this end, the tilt angle controller may continuously or discontinuously change the spectrum or type of the emitted sterilizing light for different tilt angles. For example, for each absolute tilt angle exceeding a predetermined threshold angle, the tilt angle controller may control the light bar to emit disinfecting light associated with a higher recommended human exposure limit. For each absolute tilt angle below the predetermined threshold angle, the tilt angle controller may control the light bar to emit disinfecting light associated with a lower recommended human exposure level. The predetermined threshold angle may be any angle in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees, such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tilt angle controller controls the light bar to emit less harmful UV-B light (or IR light or 405nm visible light) when the tilt angle is between 90 degrees and 45 degrees, and to emit more harmful UV-C when the tilt angle is between 45 degrees and 0 degrees (and similarly for negative tilt angles). More than two spectra may be combined and the tilt angle ranges of the respective spectra provided above are merely exemplary.

Furthermore, by adjusting the intensity of the output sterilizing light of each spectrum, a gradual transition from one spectrum to the other spectrum can be achieved by allowing the emission of a combination of two spectra for some tilt angles. For example, when the tilt angle is between 90 degrees and 45 degrees, the tilt angle controller controls the light bar to emit sterilizing light visible at 405 nm; emitting UV-B light when the tilt angle is between 60 degrees and 30 degrees; and emits UV-C light when the tilt angle is between 45 degrees and 0 degrees (for negative tilt angles equivalent spectra and angles are defined). Wherein for example the intensity of 405nm light may be gradually reduced and the UV-B light intensity gradually increased when the tilt angle is moved from 45 degrees to 30 degrees.

The disinfection device may comprise or be configured to communicate with a reflective sensor configured to detect light emitted from the light source of the light bar after reflection from the indoor space, and wherein the tilt angle of the optical plane is controlled in response to detecting a deviation in the sensed reflected light exceeding a predetermined threshold by the reflective sensor.

With the reflective sensor, the status of an occupant who is damaging to the disinfection light curtain can be determined. In response to this condition being detected, the tilt angle controller may, for example, rapidly change the tilt angle to move the occupant away from the sterilizing light curtain, thereby reducing the occupant's exposure. Implementing reflective sensors integrated into and/or external to the disinfection device can detect when the disinfection light curtain is broken (e.g., by an occupant passing). For example, the time series deviation of the reflection may be analyzed to infer the presence of a person (similar to a structured light sensor). Further, the intensity of the sterilizing light may be reduced in response to detecting a deviation in the sensed reflected sterilizing light exceeding a predetermined threshold by the sterilizing reflective sensor. The reflective sensor may be positioned such that it detects reflected light from the vicinity of the eyes or head of a typical occupant. For example, the reflective sensor may detect reflected light from the head portion of the bed. If a change is detected that exceeds a predetermined threshold, the tilt angle controller may determine that the bed is empty or that an occupant of the bed is sleeping, wherein the tilt angle controller adjusts the tilt angle accordingly.

In some embodiments, the disinfection device is integrated into a ceiling or wall light fixture. The disinfection device may be integrated with a support structure that holds the ceiling in the room. In some embodiments, the disinfection device is configured to be mounted to and move along a track-type lighting rail.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a disinfection system is provided, comprising a plurality of disinfection devices and a central control unit. Wherein the central control unit is configured to control the tilt angle controller of each disinfection device.

The central control unit may transmit an inclination angle instruction to each disinfection device, which may indicate an inclination angle of each disinfection device, which enables each occupant to be isolated in the personal space defined by the at least one disinfection light curtain. Further, the controller of each disinfection device may be configured to control the intensity and/or spectral distribution of the emitted disinfection light. Thus, when a situation is detected in which there is a risk of pathogen transmission (e.g., two occupants are close to each other and speak), the central control unit may selectively activate and control the disinfection light curtain. The disinfection system may include one or more context-aware sensors that communicate information to a central control unit, which in turn controls the tilt angle controller of each disinfection device. The disinfection system may form a grid with disinfection units oriented to provide different optical planes extending from longitudinal and transverse axes in the indoor space. Thus, with a disinfection system comprising a plurality of disinfection devices, only the necessary disinfection devices may be used, for example a disinfection device which may separate two occupants. In some embodiments, the entire ceiling or floor of the indoor space is covered by a distributed disinfection device to provide a disinfection light curtain in an adaptive manner that maximizes disinfection efficiency and power usage efficiency and system life while complying with exposure regulations (e.g., recommended UV exposure levels if the light source comprises a UV light source).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a sterilizing device, wherein the sterilizing device is mounted to a surface of an indoor space such that sterilizing light emitted by a light bar forms a sterilizing light curtain in an optical plane. The method comprises the following steps: emitting a sterilizing light curtain; and controlling the tilt angle of the sterilizing light curtain with respect to the normal of the surface.

The steps of the method may be repeated. For example, the tilt angle may be controlled substantially in real time when the number of detected occupants changes or the position of the occupants changes, for example, so as to always be at least a predetermined distance from the occupants.

Furthermore, the method may comprise the steps of: determining the position of the first occupant and the second occupant in the indoor space relative to the disinfection device; and controlling an inclination angle of the sterilizing light curtain to separate the first occupant from the second occupant using the sterilizing light curtain.

Thus, the occupants of the indoor space may be separated by a sterilizing light curtain that mitigates the transmission of pathogens from one occupant to another. Also, the light curtain is activated only when it is made to lie between two occupants (via tilt angle adjustment), which enhances the lifetime of the light source (since it can be deactivated for a larger period of time), reduces power consumption, and reduces potential degradation due to light exposure (e.g. UV light exposure) of objects in the indoor space. The activities of the two occupants may be considered when controlling the tilt angle. For example, in a hospital room, a context-aware sensor may sense the presence of two occupants, one lying or sleeping in bed (patient) and the second standing beside the bed (nurse or doctor). Potentially, there is a wide range of tilt angles available for separating occupants, and the tilt angle controller may choose to move the light curtain closer to the standing occupant (who is supposed to breathe heavier) and further away from the sleeping occupant (who is supposed to breathe less heavier). If the context aware sensor detects that the sleeping patient begins to cough or speak, the tilt angle controller may adjust the tilt angle to bring the light curtain closer to the diseased occupant.

The invention according to the second and third aspects has the same or equivalent embodiments and benefits as the invention according to the first aspect. Furthermore, any structural features described in relation to a device or unit may have corresponding steps in the method. It should be noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims, for example the method may comprise the steps of: the extent of the sterilizing light curtain along the longitudinal axis is controlled by selectively controlling a subset of the sterilizing light elements.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a sterilizing device comprising: a light module configured to be mounted to a surface of an indoor space, the light module comprising: at least one light source configured to emit sterilizing light for sterilizing pathogens; and at least one optical element configured to shape the disinfecting light emitted by the light source such that the light bar is configured to emit the disinfecting light in an optical plane extending from a longitudinal axis of the light bar; and a tilt angle controller configured to control a tilt angle between the optical plane and a normal to a surface when the disinfection device is mounted to the surface. Accordingly, the advantages and/or embodiments applicable to the disinfection device according to the invention may be applied to a disinfection device comprising an optical module according to this aspect of the invention, mutatis mutandis.

Drawings

This and other aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1a depicts a disinfection device according to some embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1b depicts a (up-conversion phosphorous) disinfection device with up-converted phosphorus according to some embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 depicts a sterilizing device mounted to a surface of an indoor space.

Fig. 3 depicts a sterilizing device mounted to a surface of an indoor space, wherein the emitted sterilizing light curtains have different inclination angles.

Fig. 4a depicts a disinfection device mounted to a surface of an indoor space, wherein the emitted disinfection light curtains have different tilt angles and tilt angle widths.

Fig. 4b depicts a sterilizing device mounted to a surface of an indoor space, which emits an outer envelope sterilizing light curtain and an inner envelope sterilizing light curtain.

Fig. 5 depicts a disinfection system comprising a plurality of disinfection devices according to some embodiments.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a method according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1a depicts a disinfection device 1 according to some embodiments. The disinfection device 1 or the system of disinfection units may be integrated into the surface of an indoor space, for example the disinfection device 1 may be integrated into a ceiling. The disinfection device comprises a light bar 10, wherein the light bar comprises a light source 100 and an optical element 102. The light bar is configured to emit sterilizing light in an optical plane 140 extending from the longitudinal axis. As shown in FIG. 1a, when the sanitizing light propagates away from the light bar 10, the sanitizing light emitted by the light bar 10 may diverge along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the disinfecting light emitted by the light bar 10 may have an approximately constant extension along the longitudinal axis as it propagates away from the light bar 10. The disinfection apparatus 1 in an indoor space is particularly useful, where many people gather, for example, in conference halls, school rooms, conference rooms, hospital rooms, gyms, museums, churches, benzoin rooms, offices, elderly home guest rooms, operation centers, movie theatres, concert halls, restaurants and shopping malls.

The tilt angle controller 120 is provided to control the tilt angle of the optical plane 140 of the sterilizing light. To achieve control of the tilt angle, which tilts the sterilizing light curtain 140 into or out of the plane of fig. 1a, the light bar 10 of the sterilizing device 1 may comprise actuated optical elements 102 controlled by the tilt angle controller 120. For example, the position and/or orientation of the optical element 102 may be adjusted by an actuator, wherein the actuator is controlled by the tilt angle controller 120 such that the tilt angle of the sterilizing light curtain 140 output by the optical element 102 is adjusted accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, the position and/or orientation of the light source 100 may be adjusted by an actuator, wherein the actuator is controlled by the tilt angle controller 120 such that the tilt angle of the sterilizing light curtain 140 output by the optical element 102 is adjusted accordingly. The light source 100 and/or the optical element 102 may be either fixed or individually actuated, wherein the control of the tilt angle by the tilt angle controller is controlled by an actuator unit which controls the position and/or orientation of the light bar 10 relative to the surface when the disinfection device 100 is mounted to said surface.

Some embodiments can achieve controllability of the tilt angle by configuring the light bar 10 to emit sterilizing light in two optical planes 140, wherein the tilt angles of the two optical planes are different, and the tilt angle controller 120 is configured to selectively control the light bar 10 to selectively emit sterilizing light in one of the planes. The different optical planes extend from respective longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes are parallel to each other, and wherein the optical axes may overlap or be displaced from each other. For example, the light bar 10 may be implemented without moving parts, as multiple light sources 100 may be provided in the light bar 10, wherein the light sources 100 are oriented with respect to the optical element to provide individual tilt angles upon activation. For example, when the first light source 100 is activated, the optical plane 140 of the sterilizing light projected by the optical element 102 from the first light source 100 is tilted at a first tilt angle, and when the second light source is activated, the optical plane of the sterilizing light projected by the optical element 102 is tilted at a second tilt angle. The first inclination angle is larger than the second inclination angle, and the inclination angle controller 120 can adjust the inclination angle of the light bar 10, and the inclination angle controller 120 controls the light source to be activated.

In some embodiments, the light source 100 is a sterilizing laser light source 100. The light source may be any collimated sterilizing light source 100 and different light source types capable of generating sufficiently concentrated light, and thus, a projection of collimated planar sterilizing light may be used. The sterilizing light output from the light source 100 may be distributed into beams of some finite beamwidth and the output sterilizing light is transmitted through the optical element 102 and shaped by the optical element 102, the optical element 102 converging the sterilizing light into a linear projection extending in the optical plane 140 forming a sterilizing light curtain. In other embodiments, the plurality of light sources 100 are arranged along a longitudinal axis so as to produce an elongated beam or linear distribution of individual light beams, wherein the optical element shapes the elongated distribution into light extending from the longitudinal axis of the optical plane 140. Examples of optical elements 102 suitable for condensing the sterilizing light into a linear projection include cylindrical lenses and/or diffractive elements.

In one example, the disinfection device of fig. 1a is controlled by a tilt angle controller to emit disinfection light in an optical plane, forming a tilt angle of 5 degrees with respect to the normal of the surface to which the disinfection device is mounted. That is, the sterilizing light curtain of fig. 1a may be tilted so as to project from the plane of fig. 1 a.

The light source 100 may be configured to output UV light in a narrow band disinfection spectrum or any spectral range. For example, the light bar 10 and the UV light source 100 may be configured to output UV light, one or more of the following ranges: an ultrSup>A-deep UV range of 100-190nm, sup>A deep UV light range of 190-220nm, sup>A UV-C range of 220-280nm, sup>A UV-B range of 280-315nm and/or Sup>A UV-A light of 315-400 nm. The narrow-band UV light source may be configured to output UV light having a narrow wavelength distribution of, for example, about 254nm or 255 nm. The light source 100 may be configured to output IR light, such as light in the range of 700nm-1mm, such as 750-900nm. The light source may emit visible light disinfection light, such as narrow band visible light having a peak intensity between 400nm and 410nm, for example having a peak intensity at 403, 408 or 405 nm.

Referring to fig. 1b, an exemplary disinfection device 1 is depicted that utilizes a light bar 10 with an up-converting phosphor 104 to generate UV light. In some embodiments, the UV light of the light bar 10 is generated by illuminating the up-conversion phosphor 104 with visible pump light 101 (e.g., blue light emitted by the blue LED 101). The collimated UV light source may be achieved by pumping the up-converting phosphor 104 with a visible laser (e.g., with a blue laser 101). It should be noted that other combinations of visible pump light and frequency up-converting luminescent material may be applied to implement a UV light source according to embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, the light bar 10 may be configured such that a portion of the visible pump light from the visible light source 101 is intentionally transmitted through the conversion phosphor 104 or the up-conversion material to overlap with the UV light curtain extending in the optical plane 140. The visible pump light may thus indicate the presence, current position (e.g., current tilt angle, intensity) of the UV light curtain. For example, visible light may be reflected by other surfaces in the indoor space to make the occupant aware of the position of the UV light curtain by perceiving the reflected visible light. If the disinfection device 1 is mounted to a ceiling, the occupant can perceive a visible ray-like projection on the floor and extend upwards along the wall at an oblique angle towards the disinfection device 1, which at least approximately indicates the extension of the UV light curtain (superimposed with visible light).

In some embodiments, the visible light may be generated separately from the sterilizing light and configured to follow a tilt angle of the sterilizing light curtain to indicate a current position of the sterilizing light curtain. For example, the visible light source of the sterilizing device 1 is calibrated to coincide with the sterilizing light curtain at least where it is first reflected, such as the surface of the indoor space opposite to the surface on which the sterilizing device is mounted and which is located in the propagation direction of the sterilizing light. In order for an occupant to perceive the position of the UV or IR light curtain, it is sufficient to indicate one or more positions at which the UV or IR light curtain is incident on the surface. To conform to the disinfection light curtain, the visible light source may be actuated and calibrated with the following information: information about the placement of the disinfection device 1 in the indoor space, information about the placement of the visible light source in the indoor space, and/or information about the dimensions of the indoor space.

Fig. 2 depicts a disinfection device 1 mounted to a surface 2, such as a ceiling or floor, of an indoor space 4. The disinfection device 1 of fig. 2 is mounted to a ceiling 2, wherein a disinfection light curtain extends towards a floor 3. The disinfection device 1 emits a disinfection light curtain 140 extending in an optical plane 140, for example in order to separate a first occupant 40 of the indoor space 4 from a second occupant 41. As a potential pathogen that is erupted or otherwise transmitted by suspension in air passes through the sterilizing light curtain 140, the potential pathogen is sterilized. The tilt angle controller of the sterilizing device 1 may control the tilt angle of the sterilizing light curtain to separate the two occupants 40, 41 even if one or both of the occupants 40, 41 are moving in the indoor space. The position of the occupants 40, 41 relative to each other may be determined using context-aware sensors with distance measurement capabilities, wherein the tilt angle controller diverts the sterilizing light curtain to separate the two occupants 40, 41. In some embodiments, a camera sensor or microphone is used to determine, for example, whether the occupant 40 is talking loudly or coughing, and in response, the tilt angle controller may adjust the tilt angle to bring the disinfection light curtain 140 closer to the occupant 40.

In some embodiments, the longitudinal width of the sterilizing light curtain 140 may be controlled by the tilt angle controller selectively activating one or more light elements of the light source. For example, if only the first occupant 40 and the second occupant 41 are present and talking to each other, the sterilizing light curtain 140 may extend in a first longitudinal width. If the presence of the third occupant 42 and the first occupant 40 (both facing the second occupant 41) is detected, the additional sterilizing light sources are selectively activated, e.g., by the tilt angle controller, to allow the longitudinal width of the sterilizing light curtain 140 to extend.

Referring to fig. 3, a sterilizing device 1 and sterilizing light are depicted, the sterilizing light being emitted in a first optical plane 140 at a first tilt angle S and the sterilizing light being emitted in a second optical plane 142 at a second tilt angle S2. The tilt angles S, S2 of the optical planes 140, 142 are depicted as measured from the normal N of the mounting surface 2 and are placed at the beginning of the optical plane 140 at the light bar 10 and the mounting surface 2. The light bar 10 may be configured to selectively emit the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 at one or both of the tilt angles S and S2. In some embodiments, the light bars are configured to control the tilt angles S, S2 of the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 such that substantially any tilt angle S, S2 in the full angle range of +90 to-90 degrees (relative to the normal N) may be achieved.

In some embodiments, the disinfection device communicates with the integrated context aware sensor 160 and/or includes the integrated context aware sensor 160. Context aware sensor 160 may include an image sensor, an IR sensor, a thermal motion sensor, or an audio sensor (e.g., a microphone) to sense a current context of an indoor space, e.g., whether one or more occupants are present in the indoor space. The context aware sensor 160 may employ UWB radar LIDAR or ultrasound to actively detect (by both transmit and receive) the presence or movement of an occupant in the indoor space 4. For example, the external context aware sensor 160 may communicate wirelessly with the control unit 120 via, for example, a Wi-Fi network. In some embodiments, the context-aware sensor 160 determines the position of the occupant relative to the disinfection device 1 and/or the position of the occupant within the indoor space 4. Additionally, the context aware sensor 160 may determine an orientation of the occupant and/or estimate a field of view of the occupant. It may also estimate the likely motion or future position of the occupant and adjust the disinfection light appropriately. Alternatively, the context-aware sensor may be a radio frequency transceiver that is part of a radio frequency based sensing system configured to detect the position of the occupant within the indoor space.

The control unit 120 may be configured to control the tilt angles S, S2 of the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 such that the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 are at least a predetermined minimum distance (e.g., 30 cm) from the occupant or the eyes of the occupant. The control unit 120 may be configured to control the tilt angles S, S2 of the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 such that the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 are at most a predetermined maximum distance from the occupant. Thus, the tilt angle may be controlled accordingly so as not to directly utilize the disinfecting radiation (e.g., UV radiation) to expose the moving occupants.

The context aware sensor 160 may detect the current context of the indoor space 4 and/or the control unit 120 may be manually configured with a fixed context for the indoor space 4. The indoor space context may indicate that the occupant is performing physical exercise and, in response, the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 should be tilted such that the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 are closer to the occupant's mouth as more viruses or pathogens are expelled during physical exercise. The disinfection apparatus 1 of the indoor space may be manually controlled via user means in communication with the controller 120 and/or the central control unit of each disinfection apparatus 1. The user may specify via the user device the settings of each disinfection device 1 in the indoor space 4, such as the tilt angle S, S2 (and intensity, extension along the longitudinal axis, and/or spectrum of the output disinfection light). The user device presents the installation position of each disinfection device 1, for example as an architectural drawing of the indoor space 4 or a scanned representation of the indoor space 4 acquired by the user device. The user may select each disinfection device 1 and specify settings of the disinfection device 1, wherein the controller 120 of the disinfection device 1 is configured to implement the specified settings.

Context aware sensor 160 may also use a connection with information provided by a body worn sensing device such as a mobile phone, a fitness wristband or a smart watch to know the activity of the occupant. Alternatively, the context aware sensor 160 may also be connected to information as provided by activity monitoring of the space, such as training machines present in a gym, a spot controller or microphone allowing detection of an active actor or musician on a theatre stage. To this end, the body wearing the sensing device, the training machine and the microphone may transmit sensor data to the context-aware sensor via the wireless network. For example, in response to the context-aware sensor establishing that a gym machine is not in use, the tilt angle controller 120 may adjust the tilt angle of the optical plane to sweep disinfecting light over the range of the gym machine that is not in use. In response to the context-aware sensor establishing that one gym machine is in use (by detecting activity near the machine or receiving an indication from the gym machine indicating that it is in use), tilt angle controller 120 may adjust the tilt angle such that the optical plane is disposed near the user of the gym machine. Thus, any pathogens expelled by the user of the gymnasium machine can be effectively disinfected by the disinfecting light. Since gym and exercise activities are associated with rapid and heavy respiration, which in turn may enable greater pathogen transmission, context awareness sensor 160 may be associated with gym machines that have a potential to increase pathogen transmission risk in use, and adjust the tilt angle, intensity of the output disinfecting light spectrum accordingly.

The controller 120 may be configured to control the intensity (including on/off state) of the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142. For example, the controller 120 may activate the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142 only in response to detecting two occupants in the indoor space that may be separated using the sterilizing light curtains. The context-aware sensor may detect that the occupant is talking loudly, spraying or coughing, and prompt the controller 120 to implement the disinfecting light curtain 140, 142 with a higher intensity and/or the disinfecting light curtain 140, 142 being tilted so as to be closer to the occupant, thereby more effectively inhibiting the transmission of pathogens from the occupant.

In another example, the context aware sensor 160 may identify individual occupants in the indoor space 4 (e.g., with a camera sensor and image-identifying device) and allocate to each occupant a personal disinfection light dose budget (e.g., a UV light dose budget) for controlling the tilt angle S, S2 of the disinfection light curtain. The disinfection light dose budget may be linked to the personal work plan of an individual occupant, for example, to keep an additional minimum distance from an occupant who is arranged with many personal meetings in the indoor space, and to keep a reduced minimum distance from an occupant who is arranged with few personal meetings in the indoor space. Since it is expected that busy personnel with many personal meetings will be in close proximity to the activated disinfection light curtains 140, 142 for a longer period of time, the disinfection light curtains 140, 142 may be angled so as to be farther away from busy occupants or employ disinfection light having a lower intensity to maintain the disinfection exposure of busy personnel below a recommended exposure threshold. On the other hand, for occupants with few personal meetings, the sanitizing light dose budget may allow for employing sanitizing light curtains 140-142 with higher intensity or controlling the tilt angle of the sanitizing light curtains so as to be closer to less busy occupants in order to minimize the transmission of pathogens while maintaining the sanitizing exposure of less busy occupants below the recommended exposure threshold. The sterilizing light curtain produced by the sterilizing device 1 may result in stray sterilizing light reaching the occupants, as the sterilizing light reflects off objects such as floors or metal tables.

Context aware sensor 160 may include a sterilizing light reflection sensor. The sterilizing reflective sensor is adapted to detect the intensity and/or spatial distribution of the reflected sterilizing light incident thereon. The disinfection reflectance sensor is configured to detect reflected disinfection radiation in the same disinfection spectrum as the spectrum emitted by the at least one disinfection light source of the light bar 10. If no occupant breaks the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142, the detected reflected sterilizing light may remain approximately constant (when the tilt angles S, S2 remain constant), or may change accordingly at least in a predictable (e.g., pre-recorded) manner when the tilt angles S, S2 are changed by the tilt angle controller 120, and thus, the sterilizing light detected by the sterilizing reflective sensor may be identified as being in an undisturbed state. If the occupant breaks the sterilizing light curtains 140, 142, the intensity and/or spatial incidence distribution of the sterilizing light incident on the reflective sensor changes in a sudden and/or unpredictable manner. By detecting such a change in the detected intensity and/or distribution of the reflected sanitizing light, the controller can establish that the occupant is within a predetermined distance from the sanitizing light curtain 140 and, in response, adjust the tilt angle or decrease the intensity of the sanitizing light emitted by the sanitizing light source (e.g., turn it completely off) to mitigate sanitizing light exposure of the occupant.

Referring to fig. 4a, a light bar 10 is shown with two potential sterilizing light curtains 140, 142, the light bar 10 may be illuminated simultaneously and/or individually (e.g., by varying the tilt angle from S to S2). In general, the sterilizing light emitted by the light bar 10 may have a certain tilt angle distribution or tilt width d. In this case. The tilt angle S of the optical plane may be defined as the peak intensity tilt angle S or the average tilt angle S of the emitted disinfection light (e.g. the average tilt angle relative to the disinfection light intensity distribution). In some embodiments, the light bar 10 includes two disinfection light sources adapted to emit disinfection light in two different wavelength bands. The light bar 10 is configured to output the sterilizing light of the second sterilizing light source in a second optical plane 142 (as a second sterilizing light curtain) adjacent to the optical plane 140 of the first sterilizing light source. That is, the tilt angle S2 of the second optical plane is different from the tilt angle of the first optical plane, e.g., when the two optical planes 140, 142 extend from the same longitudinal axis of the light bar 10, the second optical plane 142 is arranged at an angle of 10 degrees to the first optical plane 140. Further, a third sterilizing light curtain may be emitted on an opposite side of the first optical plane 140 (relative to the second sterilizing light curtain 142) so as to surround the intermediate optical plane 140 (the respective side optical plane 142). Namely, for example, a first sterilizing light curtain 140 at an inclination angle S, a second sterilizing light curtain 142 at an inclination angle S2, and a third sterilizing light curtain at an inclination angle S+ (S-S2). This may be referred to as a dual disinfection light curtain or envelope light curtain. Wherein the inner sterilizing light curtain 140 forms an inner envelope light curtain and the second and third sterilizing light curtains form outer envelope light curtains.

Referring to fig. 4b, another form of dual or envelope disinfection light curtain 140 is depicted. The light bar 10 may be configured to shape the sterilizing light of the second sterilizing light source so as to envelope the sterilizing light curtain of the first light source having a small tilting angle width d2 with a large tilting angle width d 3. The sterilizing light of the second light source envelopes the first sterilizing light at least in the tilt angle direction. The second sterilizing light may form an outer envelope around the sterilizing light curtain 140 of the first light source. For example, the second sterilizing light emitted by the light bar may have a wide oblique angle width d3, while the first sterilizing light emitted by the light bar has a narrow oblique angle width d2 centered in the second sterilizing light distribution. The tilt angle controller 120 may be configured to manipulate the tilt angles of both the external and internal sterilizing lights such that their respective optical planes 140 remain the same.

Preferably, the disinfecting radiation output by the second light source has a higher maximum recommended dose level for humans than the disinfecting radiation of the first light source. For example, the sterilizing light output by the first light source is in a frequency band centered at about 255nm, and the sterilizing light output by the second light source is in a frequency band centered at about 222 nm. Alternatively, the second light source outputs visible blue light having a wavelength of 405 nm. While still visible, 405nm blue light has some bactericidal properties. Therefore, any occupant must first break the second sterilizing light curtain having the slanted width d3 before reaching the first sterilizing light curtain having the slanted width d2.

In some embodiments, the dual sterilizing light curtain is used with a context aware sensor 160, the context aware sensor 160 comprising a reflective sensor configured to detect reflected sterilizing radiation of at least the first light source (e.g., forming an envelope sterilizing light curtain tilting width d 3). If the controller 120 detects that the occupant has broken the first sterilizing light curtain (e.g., by detecting a sufficient change in the detected reflected sterilizing radiation), the controller 120 may adjust the tilt angle S so as to steer the first and second sterilizing light curtains away from the occupant and/or disable the first and/or second sterilizing light sources. In this way, fewer harmful light sources (e.g., IR and 405 nm) may form an outer envelope dual disinfection light curtain that acts as a disinfection light curtain and a presence detection light curtain (in combination with the disinfection reflectance sensor in context aware sensor 160), while a more harmful but more efficient germicidal disinfection light source (e.g., employing UV-C) forms an inner envelope disinfection light and acts as a disinfection light curtain. If the occupant breaks the outer sterilizing light curtain, the inner sterilizing light curtain may be disabled.

Fig. 5 depicts a system of disinfection devices with respective light bars 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, the light bars 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 being mounted to a surface 2 of an indoor space 4. The occupants 40, 41, 42, 43 of the indoor space 4 may be attending a lecture or a presentation. One or more context-aware sensors may be provided in the indoor space 4 and communicate information to a central control unit in communication with the tilt angle controller of each disinfection device. For example, the context aware sensor may detect that occupants 41 and 42 are separated by emitting a sterilizing light curtain by, for example, light bars 12 and 13. Thus, the central control unit instructs the tilt angle controllers of the associated disinfection device such that the light bars 12 and 13 emit the disinfection light curtain at the respective tilt angles suitable for separating the occupants 41 and 42. The sterilizing light curtain emitted by the system of sterilizing devices may be arranged to create a continuous screen or air bubbles around the occupants 40, 41, 42. Thus, the continuously surrounding screen of the sterilizing light curtain together with the surface of the indoor space may provide the occupant with a private air volume, wherein all air reaching the private air volume is sterilized by at least one sterilizing light curtain. For a plurality of occupants present in the indoor space, each occupant may be provided with a continuous screen of her/his own disinfection light curtain.

The disinfection device and the respective light bars 10-18 may be arranged in a grid pattern to be distributed in a sector of the indoor space 4 or in the whole indoor space 4. For example, the light bars 10-15 may be arranged such that the optical plane extends from a longitudinal axis, while the light bars 16-18 extend from a respective axis (transverse axis) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In this indoor space 4, this arrangement of light bars is suitable when one or more transverse sterile light curtains emitted from the light bars 16-18 can be utilized to separate the teaching occupant 40 from the seated audience occupants 41-43, while the longitudinal sterile light curtains from the light bars 10-15 are utilized to separate the individual seated occupants 41-43 from each other. According to some embodiments, the visible light source may be configured to emit visible light indicative of the position of the disinfection light curtain. For example, visible light may be projected, wherein a sterilizing light curtain emitted by the light bars 14-18 is projected onto the floor 3 around the occupant 40 in the display. Thus, an occupant in the display will be aware of the presence of the sterilizing light curtain and the extent of the allocated podium area separated by the sterilizing light curtain. Similarly, the visible light sources may indicate the current position of the disinfection light curtain emitted by the light bars 10-13 so that the occupants 41-43 are aware of the presence of the disinfection light curtain and the proximity to which they can move to adjacent occupants. The visible light sources may be provided externally and controlled by a central control unit to collectively indicate the position of the sterilizing light curtain in the indoor space.

The disinfection device or system of disinfection devices may similarly be used to mitigate pathogen transmission between stage performers and/or between stage performers and spectators of stage performers. During singing or talking, the stage performer can expel more pathogens and spread the pathogens over a greater distance. To this end, the context-aware sensor may be in communication with a microphone worn or used by the stage performer to establish that the stage performer is singing, for example, by receiving an indication from the microphone that the microphone is active and/or is recording audio that exceeds a predetermined volume level. In response to the context-aware sensor establishing that the microphone is in use, the tilt angle controller may manipulate the tilt angle of the optical plane proximate the stage performer's face in order to disinfect any pathogens expelled by the stage performer. The context aware sensor may further determine a location of the stage performer on the stage and proximate an edge of the stage as the stage performer approaches the edge of the stage.

Thus, the risk of stage performers infecting each other and/or the risk of stage performers discharging pathogens to spectators is reduced by the disinfection device.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart describing a method according to some embodiments of the invention. At S1, sterilizing light is emitted from a light source of a light bar and is shaped to extend in an optical plane. The emitted sterilizing light may be referred to as a sterilizing light curtain. At optional step S2, the context aware sensor detects the presence of an occupant and communicates information indicative of the presence to the tilt angle controller. In response to detecting the presence of an occupant, the method may proceed to S31a, step S31a comprising controlling the tilt angle of the light bar. Optionally, the tilt angle of the light bar is controlled by controlling an actuation unit that manipulates the light bar, the orientation and/or position of at least one of the light source of the light bar and the optical element of the light bar at S30 a. In some embodiments, the tilt angle controller is further configured to control the intensity of the emitted sterilizing light shaped by the optical element. Thus, the method may additionally perform step S30b and control the intensity of the emitted sterilizing light. For example, if the presence of an occupant is detected, the intensity increases. The above steps may be repeated, for example, the context-aware sensor collecting updated data readings that change the occupant presence status of the indoor space, or arranging the tilt angle controller to control the tilt angle to assume a particular angle for a certain period of time.

For example, the method may detect the presence of a first occupant and a second occupant at S4, and in response, control the tilt angle to separate the two occupants at S51 a. Alternatively, controlling the tilt angle may include controlling an actuator at S50 a. In some implementations, the light bar is configured to output sterilizing light in at least one of two optical planes. With such a light bar, the tilt angle controller may selectively control the light bar to emit a sanitizing light extending along the optical plane that separates the two occupants. The tilt angle controller may optionally control the intensity of the sterilizing light output by the light bar at S50 b. That is, if, for example, the emitted sanitizing light separates two occupants, the intensity may be increased.

The context aware sensor may determine more detailed presence information about the occupants, e.g. whether the two occupants are facing each other. In response to two occupants facing each other, an inclination angle separating the two occupants is assigned, for example, increased strength to enhance disinfection. If the occupants do not face each other, it is not necessary to control the sterilizing light curtain to separate the occupants, for example with reduced intensity, thereby enhancing the power efficiency and lifetime of the sterilizing device.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the light bar may comprise a plurality of different light sources outputting light in different disinfection spectra, wherein the tilt angle controller may selectively activate one or more light sources outputting different disinfection spectra in order to control not only the tilt angle, optionally one of the longitudinal width and the intensity, but also the type of emitted disinfection radiation.

Further, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (15)

1. A disinfection device (1), comprising:

an elongated light bar (10) configured to be mounted to a surface (2) of an indoor space (4), the light bar (10) comprising:

At least one light source (100) configured to emit sterilizing light to sterilize pathogens, and

at least one optical element (102) configured to shape the sterilizing light emitted by the light source (100) such that the light bar (10) is configured to emit a sterilizing light curtain substantially confined in an optical plane (140) extending from a longitudinal axis of the light bar (10); and

a tilt angle controller (120) configured to: when the disinfection device (1) is mounted to a surface (2), an inclination angle (S) between the optical plane (140) and a normal (N) to the surface (4) is controlled.

2. The disinfection device (1) of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit at least one of ultraviolet light and visible light, wherein there is a maximum intensity for wavelengths between 400nm and 410 nm.

3. The disinfection device (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to control the positioning of the optical element (102) relative to the light source (100).

4. The disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection device (1) comprises an actuation unit and the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to control the actuation unit,

Wherein the actuation unit is configured to manipulate the orientation of the light bar (10) relative to the surface (4) when the disinfection device (1) is mounted to the surface (4).

5. The disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the light bar (10) is configured to emit the sterilizing light curtain in two optical planes (140, 142), wherein the tilt angles (S, S2) of the two optical planes (140, 142) are different, and

wherein the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to selectively control the light bar (10) to selectively emit light in one of the optical planes (140, 142).

6. The disinfection device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to communicate with a context aware sensor (160) and to control the tilt angle (S) of the optical plane based on an occupant (40, 41, 42, 43) context detected by the context aware sensor (160).

7. The disinfection device of claim 5, wherein the context-aware sensor (160) is configured to detect a position of an occupant (40, 41, 42, 43) relative to the disinfection device (1), and wherein the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to control the tilt angle (S) of the optical plane (140) based on the position and/or activity of the occupant (40, 41, 42, 43).

8. The disinfection device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source (100) comprises a plurality of light elements distributed longitudinally along the elongated light bar (10), and the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to activate a subset of the light elements to control the extent of the disinfection light curtain (140) along the longitudinal axis.

9. The disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a visible spectrum light source (101), the visible spectrum light source (101) being configured to project visible light, the projected visible light being indicative of the position of the optical plane (140).

10. The disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light bar (10) is further configured to emit an envelope light, which envelope light surrounds the disinfection light emitted in the optical plane (140) and having different spectra.

11. A disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection light curtain is substantially confined in the optical plane with a tolerance of at most 2 cm offset from the optical plane.

12. The disinfection device (1) of claim 11, wherein the tilt angle controller (120) is configured to communicate with a reflective sensor configured to detect light from the light source (100) and reflected from the indoor space (4), and wherein the tilt angle (S) of the optical plane is controlled in response to a deviation in the sensed reflected light exceeding a predetermined threshold being detected by the reflective sensor.

13. A disinfection system comprising a plurality of disinfection devices (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a central control unit, wherein the central control unit is configured to control the tilt angle controller (120) of each disinfection device (1).

14. A method for controlling a disinfection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection device (1) is mounted to a surface (2) of an indoor space (4) such that light emitted by the light bar (10) forms a light curtain (140) in an optical plane, the method comprising the steps of:

emitting a light curtain (step S1); and

-controlling the inclination angle (S) of the light curtain (S31 a) with respect to the normal (N) of the surface (4).

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

determining the position of a first occupant (40) and a second occupant (41) in the indoor space (4) relative to the disinfection device (step S4); and

the tilt angle of the light curtain is controlled so as to separate the first occupant (40) and the second occupant (41) from the sterilizing light curtain (step S51 a).