System and Method for Disinfecting an Occupied Environment Using Direction Controlled Germicidal Radiation

Abstract

A system and method of disinfecting an area using germicidal radiation. The system is configured to capture images of an environment, analyze the images to determine locations of a person or unprotected skin of a person in the environment, and control one or more germicidal radiation emitters to decontaminate the environment where the person or exposed skin of persons in the environment are not located. The system and method allow for safe decontamination of an environment using hazardous levels of germicidal radiation while occupied by a person who may not be fully protected from the radiation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of disinfecting an indoor environment with germicidal radiation, the method comprising:
 protecting exposed skin of one or more persons present in an indoor environment from germicidal radiation by applying a skin coating, the skin coating comprising a germicidal radiation blocking or limiting substance, and at least one of: a colorant, a fluorescing substance, and a biocidal substance;   emitting germicidal radiation into the indoor environment after the exposed skin of the one or more persons is protected by applying the skin coating; and   disinfecting the indoor environment with the germicidal radiation.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the colorant comprises one or more of: a pigment, a dye, and a substance that aids in visual detection of a skin area covered with the skin coating. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the skin coating further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a level of the germicidal radiation emitted into the indoor environment exceeds a threshold limit value (TLV) established by one or more of: ACGIH (American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists) and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising wearing one or more of: a germicidal radiation protective eyewear, a germicidal radiation protective clothing, and a germicidal radiation protective equipment by the one or more persons before germicidal radiation is emitted into the indoor environment. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biocidal substance comprises an organic chemical or an inorganic chemical. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the colorant is visible under one or more of: an ultraviolet spectrum light, a visible spectrum light, and an infrared spectrum light. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the indoor environment comprises a non-surgical space of a healthcare facility. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the indoor environment comprises one or more of: a healthcare facility, a school, a retail store, a shopping center, an office building, and a food preparation facility. 
     
     
         30 . A method of protecting a person from exposure to harmful levels of germicidal radiation being emitted into an indoor environment, the method comprising:
 applying a skin coating to exposed skin of one or more persons present in an indoor environment, the skin coating comprising a germicidal radiation blocking or limiting substance, and at least one of: a colorant, a fluorescing substance, and a biocidal substance,   wherein the skin coating is applied to the exposed skin of the one or more persons before germicidal radiation is emitted into the indoor environment.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the colorant comprises one or more of: a pigment, a dye, and a substance that aids in visual detection of a skin area covered with the skin coating. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the skin coating further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein a level of the germicidal radiation emitted into the indoor environment exceeds a threshold limit value (TLV) established by one or more of: ACGIH (American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists) and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising wearing one or more of: a germicidal radiation protective eyewear, a germicidal radiation protective clothing, and a germicidal radiation protective equipment by the one or more persons before germicidal radiation is emitted into the indoor environment. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the biocidal substance comprises an organic chemical or an inorganic chemical. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the colorant is visible under one or more of: an ultraviolet spectrum light, a visible spectrum light, and an infrared spectrum light. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the indoor environment comprises a non-surgical space of a healthcare facility. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the indoor environment comprises one or more of: a healthcare facility, a school, a retail store, a shopping center, an office building, and a food preparation facility. 
     
     
         39 . A skin coating for protecting exposed skin of a person in an indoor environment during emission of disinfecting germicidal radiation, the skin coating comprising:
 a germicidal radiation protecting substance; and   at least two of:
 a colorant chosen from at least one of: a pigment, a dye, and a substance that aids in visual detection of a skin area covered with the skin coating; 
 a fluorescing substance; and 
 an inorganic chemical with biocidal properties or an organic chemical with biocidal properties, 
   wherein the skin coating is configured for protecting exposed skin of a person in an indoor environment during emission of a disinfecting germicidal radiation into the indoor environment.   
     
     
         40 . A skin coating for protecting exposed skin of a person in an indoor environment during exposure to disinfecting germicidal radiation, the skin coating comprising:
 a germicidal radiation protecting substance;   a polymer; and   at least one of:
 a colorant chosen from at least one of: a pigment, a dye, and a substance that aids in visible detection of a skin area covered with the skin coating; 
 a fluorescing substance; and 
 an inorganic or organic substance with biocidal properties, 
   wherein the skin coating is configured for protecting exposed skin of a person in an indoor environment during emission of a disinfecting germicidal radiation into the indoor environment.