[0001] The present disclosure relates to devising a light based sanitisation system on vehicles and has a major applicability in the shared mobility industry.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The shared mobility sector in the world has grown manifold ever since its entrance in the world market. Shared-use mobility facilitates short-term access to various modes: public transit, carsharing, bikesharing, car- and vanpooling, on-demand ride services (such as Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar), and shuttle services (such as RidePal, Genentech, Google, and Facebook shuttles). It is a form of mobility solution that is cost effective, fast and is expected to be one of the biggest sectors in the transportation segment. However, this shared segment can spell trouble for health and hygiene of individual passengers and drivers. Considering that these shared spaces can potentially be used by more than hundreds in a day, researchers state that these shared spaces can be breeding zones for contaminants such as virus and bacteria. Further, the 2019-20 Covid-19 pandemics will have a deep and profound impact on how users consider shared mobility for transport.
[0004] Considering that shared mobility is susceptible to greater physical contact between large number of unknown users, customers will be hesitant to use such forms of transport.
[0005] Hence, it is the need of the hour to devise solutions that can instantly or quickly sanitize vehicles after each ride.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that ensures that vehicles are completely disinfected and contaminant free after the use of every user/rider.
[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that facilitates remote control and monitoring of the disinfection process.
[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that ensures that no user gets onboard the vehicle during the sanitization process.
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that disinfects interiors of the vehicle including seats, door knobs, handles, dashboard, windows, head rests and all areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch.
[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that enables an IoT Layer to facilitate operation and monitoring of the light based sanitization devices remotely and automatically.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0011] The present disclosure relates to devising a light based sanitisation system on vehicles and has a major applicability in the shared mobility industry.
[0012] The present disclosure provides a sanitization system for disinfecting an interior space. The system may include one or more light based sources coupled to one or more sensors configured to detecting presence of one or more users inside the interior space. The system may further include a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, the processor further coupled with an on-board memory unit, that stores instructions which when executed by the processor may cause the system to receive, from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence or absence of one or more users inside the interior space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space and based on the extracted set of attributes, activate the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space.
[0013] In an embodiment, the processor may be communicatively coupled to a computing device associated with a user to control and monitor the system.
[0014] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be placed in a plurality of locations inside the interior space so as to cover maximum space of the interior.
[0015] In an embodiment, a central locking unit of the interior space may be operatively coupled to the processor, and the processor may receive a second set of signals from the central locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit. The one or more light based sources may be activated by the processor on receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit. The one or more light based sources may be activated only when the central locking unit is completely locked.
[0016] In an embodiment, the processor may transmit an alert signal to the computing device associated with the user if presence of one or more users may be detected once the central locking unit is completely locked.
[0017] In an embodiment, upon completion of the sanitization by the one or more light based sources, the processor may send a notification to the computing device associated with the user that the sanitization is complete.
[0018] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may emit light based rays for disinfection on a plurality of areas that may be susceptible to human or animal touch.
[0019] In an embodiment, the interior space may be an interior space of vehicles.
[0020] The present disclosure provides a sanitization device for disinfecting an interior space. The system may include one or more light based sources coupled to one or more sensors configured to detecting presence of one or more users inside the interior space. The device may further include a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, the processor further coupled with an on-board memory unit that stores instructions which when executed by the processor may cause the device to receive, from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence or absence of one or more users inside the interior space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space and based on the extracted set of attributes, activate the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space.
[0021] In an embodiment, a central locking unit of the interior space may be operatively coupled to the processor, and the processor may receive a second set of signals from the central locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit. The one or more light based sources may be activated by the processor on receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0023] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture in which or with which the sanitization system of the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of system or a centralized server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a structural overview of the light based sanitization system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary representations of the components integral for the light based sanitisation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.
[0029] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth.
[0030] The present disclosure relates to a light based sanitization system capable of disinfecting the interiors of vehicles in a few minutes, after every ride/use to minimize transmission of diseases or contaminants to the next user/rider. The system further includes a motion detection system to ensure that the disinfection process does not take place in the presence of users/passengers inside the vehicle. Additionally, the system is also integrated with an Internet of Things (IoT) layer to facilitate operation and monitoring of the light based system remotely.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture in which or with which the sanitization system of the present disclosure can be implemented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 1 illustrates a light based sanitisation system (110) (also referred to as light based system (110) or simply as the system (110), hereinafter) for disinfecting an interior space of an entity (108), such as an interior space of vehicles but not limited to the like. As illustrated, the computing devices (104-1, 104-2…104-N) may be associated with one or more users (102-1, 102-2... 102-N) (individually referred to as the user 102, and collectively referred to as the users 102, hereinafter). The computing devices 104-1, 104-2…104-N (individually referred to as the computing device (104), and collectively referred to as the computing devices (104), hereinafter) may be communicatively coupled to the system (110) or a centralised server (112) through a network (106). In an embodiment, the system (110) can be implemented using any or a combination of hardware components and software components such as a cloud, a server, a computing system, a user device, a network device and the like. Examples of the computing device (104) can include, but not limited to, a smart phone, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, a standalone unit, and the like. Examples of an entity (108) may include, a vehicle, a closed room, a restaurant, but not limited to the like.
[0033] Further, the network (106) can be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof that can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Internet, Bluetooth and the like. Further, the network (106) can either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network can represent an association of the different types of networks that can use variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like.
[0034] In an aspect, the sanitization system (110) may include one or more light based sources. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light based sources may include one or ultraviolet (UV) sources such as UV LEDs, UV bulbs and the like, light sources with 275nm or 405nm wavelength and blue light but not limited to the like. The system (110) may further include one or more sensors to detect the presence or absence of one or more users inside the interior space. In an exemplary embodiment the one or more sensors may include motion sensors, proximity sensors, a camera unit but not limited to the like. The motion sensors may be configured at appropriate positions and may be integrated with the system (110) that may act as an appropriate decision making unit inside the vehicle to detect the presence of any passengers inside the vehicle.
[0035] The system (110) may further include a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources to cause the system (110) to receive from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence of one or more users inside the interior space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space and based on the extracted set of attributes, activate the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space.
[0036] In an embodiment, the system (110) may be communicatively coupled to a computing device (104) associated with a user (102) to control and monitor the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the system (110) may include an IoT communication layer to control and monitor the system (110) remotely. The communication may also be ensured to a cloud based centralized server (112) through the network (106) such as GSM, or any preferred network channels, in a machine to machine communication mode (M2M) and the like to facilitate monitoring and operation of the system (110) via the cloud based centralized server (112) and may help ensure safety precautions are taken care of.
[0037] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be placed in a plurality of locations inside the interior space so as to cover maximum space of the interior.
[0038] In an embodiment, a central locking unit of the interior space may be operatively coupled to the system (110), and the system (110) may receive a second set of signals from the central locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit. The one or more light based sources may be activated by the system (110) on receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be only activated when the central locking unit is completely locked. For example, the central locking unit may ensure that no user may get onboard a vehicle during the sanitization process. With the assistance of the one or more sensors, the system (110) may ensure that there is no presence of users or passengers in the vehicle at the time of sanitization. The system (110) may transmit an alert signal to the computing device (104) associated with the user (102) if presence of one or more users may be detected once the central locking unit is completely locked.
[0039] In an embodiment, upon completion of the sanitization by the one or more light based sources, the system (110) may send a notification to the computing device (104) associated with the user (102) that the sanitization is complete. For example, the system (110) may transmit the notification on completion of sanitisation to the computing devices (104) associated with the users (102) through a wireless network 106. In an aspect, the centralised server (112) can be a cloud based server and the like.
[0040] In an embodiment, the system 102 can detect the presence or absence of the one or more users using signal processing and logical design methods that can be based on programming languages, such as Embedded C, C, JavaScript, Python, Assembly Language, and the like.
[0041] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may emit light based rays for disinfection on a plurality of areas that may be susceptible to human or animal touch. For example, the light based rays for disinfection may be emitted on interiors of the vehicle including seats, door knobs, handles, dashboard, windows, head rests and all areas susceptible to human or animal touch.
[0042] In an embodiment, the light based sources may be connected with an energy generating power source. In an embodiment, the energy generating power source can be any or a combination of the vehicle’s power source, battery of the vehicle and a dedicated battery, but not limited to the like.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of system (110) or a centralized server (112), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] As illustrated, the system (110) or the centralised server (112) can include one or more processor(s) (202). The one or more processor(s) (202) can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) (202) are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (204). The memory (204) can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory (204) can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0045] The system (110) can also include an interface(s) (206). The interface(s) (206) may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) (206) may facilitate communication of the system (110) with various devices coupled to the system (110). The interface(s) (206) may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the system (110). Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing unit(s) (208) and database (210).
[0046] The processing engine(s) (208) can be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s) (208). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) (208) may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) (208) may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine(s) (208). In such examples, the system (110) can include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the system (110) and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine(s) (208) may be implemented by electronic circuitry. The database (210) can include data that can be either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing engine(s) (208).
[0047] In an example, the processing engine(s) (208) can include a signal acquisition engine (212), a decision-making engine (214), and other engine(s) (216). The other engines(s) (216) can implement functionalities that supplement applications or functions performed by the system (110) or the processing engine(s) (208).
[0048] In an aspect, the signal acquisition engine (212) may receive from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence or absence of one or more users inside an interior space. The signal acquisition engine (212) may also receive a second set of signals from a central locking unit pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit.
[0049] In an aspect, to enable data acquisition over cloud server to ensure traceability of device, process and to manage required communication with intended one or more users, the decision-making engine may extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of signals may pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space. Based on the extracted set of attributes, the decision-making engine (214) may activate the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space. The decision-making engine (214) may further activate the one or more light based sources only after the receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit. The decision making engine (214) may also take instruction from external sources such as sensors, door controls or third party software or APIs. The decision making engine (214) may further enable the device (100) to take instruction from predictive data modelling.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of a structural overview of the light based sanitization system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] As illustrated, a UV sanitization system (110) may be located at a top interior roof of an entity (108). As illustrated, in an exemplary embodiment, the entity (108) may be a vehicle (302) but not limited to it.
[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary representations of the components integral for the light based sanitisation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in an embodiment, a UV source (402) can be placed at the top interior roof of the vehicle (302). In other embodiments the UV sources can be placed at the interior surfaces of the doors (406), behind the head rest (404), under the glove box (406) and the like.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, as a way of example and not as a limitation, once the entire system is configured with the vehicle, the system (110) may work once a passenger ends his/her trip or reaches the destination. In an exemplary implementation the driver may also exit the vehicle along with the passenger. The driver may then lock the vehicle centrally and activate the UV sanitization system (110) via a phone (104) or any other device linked to a cloud server (112). The system may first initialize a proximity sensor to check on any movement inside the vehicle. If any movement is detected, the driver may be alerted instantly via the cloud server (112) or any other communication mode like BlueTooth, etc. and the driver may be directed to check for any human or animal presence. If no movement is detected, the UV source may get initialized and the sanitization process begins. The UV rays may be emitted on interiors of the vehicle including seats, door knobs, handles, dashboard windows, head rests and all areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch. Once the sanitization process is completed the driver, the fleet operator if any, and the next passenger/user may get a notification that the vehicle has been completely sanitized.
[0055] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a complete solution for disinfecting an interior space of an entity such as a vehicle, enclosed spaces and the like. The system is cost effective and efficient and users can be completely safe from any potential risks of contamination of germs, bacteria and viruses.
[0056] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0057] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that ensures that vehicles are completely disinfected and contaminant free after the use of every user/rider.
[0058] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that facilitates remote control and monitoring of the disinfection process.
[0059] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that ensures that no user gets onboard the vehicle during the sanitization process.
[0060] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that disinfects interiors of the vehicle including seats, door knobs, handles, dashboard, windows, head rests and all areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch.

WE CLAIM

A sanitization system for disinfecting an interior space, said system comprising:
one or more light based sources, said one or more light based sources are coupled to one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors detects presence of one or more users inside the interior space;
a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, said processor further coupled with an on-board memory unit, wherein said memory stores instructions which when executed by the processor causes the system to:
receive, from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence or absence of the one or more users inside the interior space;
extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received, wherein said set of attributes pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space; and
based on the extracted set of attributes, activate the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a computing device associated with a user to control and monitor the system.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more light based sources are placed in a plurality of locations inside the interior space so as to cover maximum space of the interior.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a central locking unit of the interior space is operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor receives a second set of signals from the central locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit, wherein one or more light based sources are activated by the processor on receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit, and wherein the one or more light based sources are only activated when the central locking unit is completely locked.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the processor transmits an alert signal to the computing device associated with the user if presence of one or more users is detected once the central locking unit is completely locked.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein upon completion of the sanitization by the one or more light based sources, the processor sends a notification to the computing device associated with the user that the sanitization is complete.
7. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more light based sources emit light based rays for disinfection on a plurality of areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch.
8. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the interior space is an interior space of vehicles.
9. A sanitization device for disinfecting an interior space, said system comprising:
one or more light based sources, said one or more light based sources are coupled to one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors detects presence of one or more users inside the interior space;
a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, said processor further coupled with an on-board memory unit, wherein said memory stores instructions which when executed by the processor causes the device to:
receive, from the one or more sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to presence or absence of the one or more users inside the interior space;
extract, by the processor, a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received, wherein said set of attributed pertain to an absence of one or more users inside the interior space; and
based on the extracted set of attributes, activate, by the processor, the one or more light based sources to emit light based rays for disinfection to sanitize the interior space.
10. The device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein a central locking unit of the interior space is operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor receives a second set of signals from the central locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the central locking unit, wherein one or more light based sources are activated by the processor on receipt of the second set of signals from the central locking unit, and wherein the one or more light based sources are only activated when the central locking unit is completely locked.