[0001] The present disclosure relates to devising a light based sanitisation system for lifts/elevators, dormitories, toilets/ bathrooms, hotel rooms and any other similar shared spaces to prevent transmission of communicable diseases

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] Lifts, toilets, bathrooms, waiting rooms, etc. are widely used at all major industries and common use areas such as hotels, restaurants, offices, residential complexes. These are essential utility that cannot be stopped/ However, these areas can be used by number of unknown people a day, researchers have stated that such areas are dangerous breeding zones for contaminants and virus and are most susceptible for transmission of contaminants. Further with the outbreak of various diseases including the 2019-20 Covid-19 pandemic, establishments will be wary of such closed confined spaces used by a large section of unknown persons.
[0004] The present forms of disinfection of common spaces involve the use of manual labour where such spaces are cleaned using disinfectant liquids/aerosols by sanitation workers and can take upto 15-20 min. However, with frequent usage of lifts, and many establishments operating 24*7, it becomes impractical to suspend the services of lifts for sanitization purposes. Hence, it is the need of the hour to devise solutions that can quickly sanitize common spaces after each use or at periodic intervals during the day.
[0005] Light based rays for disinfection have been medically found to have properties that can destroy and kill viruses and bacteria. Researchers have concluded that a LIGHT BASED sanitization system is the best possible means to sanitize surfaces and areas where liquid or aerosol based sanitization cannot be possible/feasible. Moreover, LIGHT BASED sanitization is a proven technology and had been used throughout the world to prevent transmission of diseases
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Accordingly, the objective of the present disclosure is to check on contamination levels on common shared spaces and to ensure that they are completely disinfected with a light based sanitization system.
[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 is inside the shared space just immediately prior and during the sanitization process.
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a system and device that disinfects shared space including door knobs, handles, 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 (Internet of Things) 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 for lifts/elevators, dormitories, toilets/ bathrooms, hotel rooms, offices, waiting rooms, classrooms in schools/colleges and any other similar shared spaces to prevent transmission of diseases
[0012] The present disclosure provides a sanitization system for disinfecting a shared space. The system may include one or more light based sources coupled to one or more motion sensors configured to detecting presence of one or more users inside the shared space. The system may further include a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources; the processor further coupled with an onboard memory that stores instructions which when executed by the processor may cause the system to receive, from the one or more motion sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to sensing any movement by the one or more users inside the shared space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of movement by the one or more users inside the shared 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 shared 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, an electronic locking unit of the shared space may be operatively coupled to the processor, and the processor may receive a second set of signals from the electronic locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the electronic 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 electronic locking unit. The one or more light based sources may be activated only when the electronic locking unit is completely locked.
[0015] 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 electronic locking unit is completely locked.
[0016] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be placed in a plurality of locations inside the shared space so as to cover maximum space.
[0017] In an embodiment, on detection of any movement by the one or more motion sensors, the processor may deactivate the one or more light based sources.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] In an embodiment, the shared space may be a shared space of toilets, restrooms, elevators, office areas, waiting rooms, classrooms in schools/colleges and hotel rooms. In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be activated at a predefined time interval without any manual intervention so as to ensure that the shared spaces are auto-disinfected periodically.
[0021] The present disclosure provides a sanitization device for disinfecting a shared space. The device may include one or more light based sources coupled to one or more motion sensors configured to detecting presence of one or more users inside the shared space. The device may further include a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, the processor further coupled with an onboard memory that stores instructions which when executed by the processor may cause the device to receive, from the one or more motion sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to sensing any movement by the one or more users inside the shared space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of movement by the one or more users inside the shared 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 shared space.

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 a UV sanitization system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] The present disclosure relates to devising a light based sanitisation system for lifts/elevators, dormitories, toilets/ bathrooms, office areas, waiting rooms, classrooms in schools/colleges hotel rooms and any other similar shared spaces to prevent transmission of diseases.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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 a shared space of an entity (108), such as a shared space of hotel rooms, elevators, restrooms, toilets 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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 motion sensors to detect the presence or absence of one or more users inside the shared space. In an exemplary embodiment the one or more motion sensors may include motion sensors, proximity sensors, 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 engine (214) inside the shared space to detect the presence of any user inside the shared space.
[0034] 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 motion sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to sensing any movement by the one or more users inside the shared space, extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of movement of one or more users inside the shared 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 shared space. Light based rays for disinfection when brought in direct and prolonged contact with humans or animals can be harmful. With the assistance of the one or more motion sensors, the system (110) may ensure that there is no presence of users/animals in the shared space at the time of sanitization.
[0035] 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.
[0036] In an embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be placed in a plurality of locations inside the shared space so as to cover maximum space of the shared space.
[0037] In an embodiment, an electronic locking unit of the shared space may be operatively coupled to the system (110), and the system (110) may receive a second set of signals from the electronic locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the electronic 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 electronic locking unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more light based sources may be only activated when the electronic locking unit is completely locked. For example, the electronic locking unit may be an electro mechanical lock but not limited to it that may ensure that no user may be inside the shared space during the sanitization process. With the assistance of the one or more motion sensors, the system (110) may ensure that there is no presence of users in the shared space 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 electronic locking unit is completely locked.
[0038] 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.
[0039] In an embodiment, the system (110) 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.
[0040] 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 shared spaces including, door knobs, handles, and all areas susceptible to human or animal touch.
[0041] Further, the system (110) may be configured to ensure that the sanitization process takes place after every use of the common space. In an embodiment, the whole system can be configured to work at a predefined time interval such as a particular set frequency, once every few minutes/hours, a set time and time period but not limited to the like, without any manual intervention so as to ensure that the shared spaces are auto-disinfected periodically.
[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 the same power sources used to power the lights and fan, (if any) inside the common space 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 motion sensors, a first set of signals pertaining to sensing movement of one or more users inside a shared space. The signal acquisition engine (212) may also receive a second set of signals from an electronic locking unit pertaining to complete locking of the electronic locking unit.
[0049] In an aspect, the decision-making engine (214) may extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received. The set of attributes may pertain to an absence of movement of one or more users inside the shared 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 shared 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 electronic locking unit. 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 (214) may further send a notification to the first computing device (104) of an upcoming first user (102). 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 UV sanitization system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] As illustrated, the one or more LIGHT BASED sources may be placed in a suitable position inside a shared space (306) so as to cover the maximum shared space. In an embodiment as can be seen in FIG. 3, a UV source (302) can be placed at a top portion of the shared space (302). In other embodiments, the light based system (110) can be placed at one or more top corners or surfaces of the doors, or at any positions that can allow and permit UV rays to cover maximum area inside the shared space. One or more motion sensors (304) may be configured at appropriate positions inside the shared space (306) to detect the presence of any users inside the shared space (306).
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, as a way of example and not as a limitation, once the entire system is configured with the shared space, the system (110) may first initialize a proximity sensor to check on any movement inside the shared space. If any movement is detected, the system (110) may not initialize the sanitization process of the light based system (110).
[0053] In an exemplary implementation, if no movement is detected, the electronic locking unit may completely lock up the shared space and the light based source may get initialized and the sanitization process may begin. The light based rays for disinfection may be emitted on the shared space including seats, door knobs, handles, and all areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch. Further, the system (110) may be configured to ensure that the sanitization process takes places after every use of the shared space.
[0054] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a complete solution for disinfecting a shared 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.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0055] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that check on contamination levels inside shared spaces and ensure that they are completely disinfected with a light based sanitization system.
[0056] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that facilitates remote control and monitoring of the disinfection process.
[0057] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that ensures that no user is inside the shared space during the sanitization process.
[0058] The present disclosure provides for a system and device that disinfects shared space including seats, door knobs, handles, and all areas that are susceptible to human or animal touch.

WE CLAIM

A sanitization system for disinfecting a shared space, said system comprising:
one or more light based sources, said one or more light based sources are coupled to one or more motion sensors, wherein the one or more motion sensors detect presence of one or more users inside the shared space;
a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, said processor further coupled with an onboard memory, 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 sensing any movement by the one or more users inside the shared space;
extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received, wherein said set of attributes pertain to an absence of movement by the one or more users inside the shared 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 shared 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 an electronic locking unit of the shared space is operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor receives a second set of signals from the electronic locking unit, the second set of signals pertaining to complete locking of the electronic locking unit, wherein one or more light based sources are activated by the processor on receipt of the second set of signals from the electronic locking unit, and wherein the one or more light based sources are only activated when the electronic locking unit is completely locked.
4. 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 electronic locking unit is completely locked.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more light based sources are placed in a plurality of locations inside the shared space so as to cover maximum space.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein on detection of any movement by the one or more motion sensors, the processor deactivates the one or more UV sources.
7. 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.
8. 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 and wherein the shared space is any or a combination of private space and shared space of toilets, restrooms, elevators, office areas, classrooms in schools/colleges and hotel rooms.
9. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the one or more UV sources are activated at a predefined time interval without any manual intervention so as to ensure that the shared spaces are auto-disinfected periodically.
10. A sanitization device for disinfecting a shared space, said device comprising:
one or more light based sources, said one or more light based sources are coupled to one or more motion sensors, wherein the one or more motion sensors detect presence of one or more users inside the shared space;

a processor coupled to the one or more light based sources, said processor further coupled with an onboard memory, 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 sensing any movement by the one or more users inside the shared space;
extract a set of attributes based on the first set of signals received, wherein said set of attributes pertain to an absence of movement by the one or more users inside the shared 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 shared space.