Portable wand system for demonstrating and verifying surface treatment applications and method of using the system

Abstract

To provide portable wand systems and methods of using the systems to indicate and verify surface treatment applications.SOLUTION: A portable wand system includes a wand applicator containing a surface treatment application element. The system further includes a wand controller subsystem coupled to the applicator. The subsystem includes a computer program, and a depiction of surfaces to be surface-treated with the surface treatment application element. The system further includes a user input button coupled to the applicator, an indicator element, a power assembly coupled to the wand controller subsystem, and registration features to register the applicator with known locations at the surfaces in the depiction. The system measures positional data of the applicator in real time, and compares the positional data against the depiction to indicate to a user when a surface treatment application is achieved for the surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for demonstrating and verifying surface treatment applications, and more particularly to systems and methods for demonstrating and verifying that disinfection, sterilization, and other surface treatment processes are sufficient and complete.

Background Art

[0002] Manual processes for performing surface treatment applications such as disinfecting or sterilizing a surface using a handheld device can vary in their degree of consistency and may prove difficult to reproduce. When a human operator performs such a manual process, it may be difficult to simultaneously maintain a high level of quality control and efficiency. For example, a manual process of using a handheld ultraviolet (UV) lighting device to disinfect or sterilize a surface may require a longer processing time to ensure complete surface treatment, taking into account operator variability. Even with a generous processing margin, it may still be impossible to manually document and ensure complete coverage.

[0003] Furthermore, automated methods for performing surface treatment applications such as disinfecting or sterilizing a surface may generally require very complex equipment that is not as versatile as a human operator when treating complex surfaces.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a portable or handheld system and method for performing surface treatment applications such as disinfection, sterilization, and other surface treatment processes that shows and verifies to the user when a surface has been sufficiently treated in a manual surface treatment process, maintains a high level of quality control and efficiency, and provides advantages over known systems and methods.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Exemplary implementations of the present disclosure provide a portable wand system for demonstrating and verifying surface treatment applications and a method of using the system. As will be described in the following detailed description, versions of the system and method can provide significant advantages over known systems and methods.

[0006] In one version of the present disclosure, a portable wand system is provided. The portable wand system includes a wand applicator that includes a surface treatment application element. The portable wand system further includes a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem includes a computer program and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be surface treated by the surface treatment application of the surface treatment application element.

[0007] The portable wand system further includes a user input button coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further includes an indicator element. The portable wand system further includes a power supply assembly coupled to the wand controller subsystem.

[0008] The portable wand system further includes one or more alignment mechanisms for aligning the wand applicator with respect to one or more known locations of one or more surfaces being depicted. The portable wand system measures the position data of the wand applicator in real time and compares the position data with the depiction to indicate to the user when a predetermined surface treatment application is achieved for one or more surfaces.

[0009] In another version of the present disclosure, a portable wand system for disinfecting one or more surfaces inside an aircraft is provided. The portable wand system comprises a wand applicator including an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element. The portable wand system further comprises a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem includes a computer program and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element.

[0010] The portable wand system further comprises a user input button coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further comprises an indicator element. The portable wand system further comprises a power supply assembly coupled to the wand applicator.

[0011] The portable wand system further comprises one or more alignment mechanisms for aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations on one or more of the surfaces being depicted. The portable wand system measures the position data of the wand applicator in real time, compares the position data with the depiction, and indicates to the user when a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection of one or more surfaces is achieved.

[0012] In another version of the present disclosure, a method is provided for indicating to a user when a predetermined surface treatment application to one or more surfaces is achieved. The method includes the step of providing a portable wand system. The portable wand system comprises a wand applicator including a surface treatment application element. The portable wand system further comprises a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem includes a computer program and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be surface treated by the surface treatment application of the surface treatment application element.

[0013] The portable wand system further comprises a user input button coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further comprises an indicator element. The portable wand system further comprises a power assembly coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further comprises one or more alignment mechanisms for aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations on one or more of the surfaces being depicted.

[0014] The method further includes the step of pressing the user input button by the user to identify a starting position on one of the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated using one of the one or more alignment mechanisms. The method further includes the step of measuring, in real time, the position data of the wand applicator using the portable wand system. The method further includes the step of actuating the surface treatment application element using the portable wand system.

[0015] The method further includes the step of moving the wand applicator by the user over one or more surfaces to be surface-treated to treat the one or more surfaces with the surface treatment application element. The method further includes the step of comparing the position data with the depiction using the portable wand system.

[0016] The method further includes the step of determining, using the portable wand system, when a predetermined surface treatment application is achieved by the surface treatment application element on one or more surfaces. The method further includes the step of actuating the indicator element to notify the user that a predetermined surface treatment application has been achieved by the surface treatment application element on one or more surfaces using the portable wand system.

[0017] In another version of the present disclosure, a method is provided for indicating to a user when a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection is achieved on one or more surfaces inside an aircraft. The method includes the step of providing a portable wand system. The portable wand system comprises a wand applicator including an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element. The portable wand system further comprises a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem includes a computer program and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element.

[0018] The portable wand system further comprises a user input button coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further comprises an indicator element. The portable wand system further comprises a power assembly coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further comprises one or more alignment mechanisms for aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations of one or more of the surfaces being depicted.

[0019] The method further includes the step of pressing the user input button by the user to identify a starting position on one of the one or more surfaces to be disinfected using one of the one or more alignment mechanisms. The method further includes the step of measuring, in real time, the position data of the wand applicator using the portable wand system. The method further includes the step of operating the UV lamp element using the portable wand system.

[0020] The method further includes the step of moving the wand applicator on one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element by the user. The method further includes the step of comparing the position data with the depiction using the portable wand system.

[0021] The method further includes determining, using a portable wand system, when a predetermined UV light disinfection is achieved for one or more surfaces by a UV lamp element. The method further includes activating an indicator element to inform a user that a predetermined UV light disinfection has been achieved for one or more surfaces using the portable wand system.

[0022] In another version of the present disclosure, a portable wand system for performing a surface treatment application on one or more surfaces is provided. The portable wand system includes a system case. The portable wand system further includes a wand applicator having a housing that houses an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element and an ultraviolet (UV) lamp sensor. The wand applicator is attached to the system case via a hose. The hose has a first end attached to the wand applicator and a second end attached to a fan disposed within the system case.

[0023] The portable wand system further includes a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem is disposed within the system case and includes a computer program and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element. The portable wand system further includes a user input button coupled to the wand applicator. The portable wand system further includes an indicator element. The portable wand system further includes a power assembly coupled to the wand applicator and disposed within the system case.

[0024] The portable wand system further includes one or more alignment mechanisms for aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations on one or more of the depicted surfaces. The portable wand system measures the position data of the wand applicator in real time and compares the position data with the depiction to indicate to the user when a predetermined surface treatment application is achieved for one or more surfaces.

[0025] The described forms, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various versions or can be combined in yet another version, and further details thereof can be understood with reference to the following description and drawings. This disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show preferred and exemplary versions but are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are examples and are not meant to limit the specification or the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 5E

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The figures shown in the present disclosure represent various aspects of the presented versions, and only the differences will be described in detail.

[0028] The disclosed version or embodiment is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some, but not all of the disclosed versions. In fact, several different versions may be provided and should not be construed as limited to the version described herein. Rather, these versions are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0029] This specification includes references to "one version" or "a version". Instances of the phrases "in one version" or "in a version" do not necessarily refer to the same version. Particular forms, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

[0030] As used herein, "comprising" is a non-limiting term and, when used in the claims, this term does not exclude additional structures or steps.

[0031] As used herein, "configured to" means that various parts or components can be described or claimed as being "configured to" perform one or more tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" is used to imply a structure by indicating that the parts or components include a structure for performing those one or more tasks during operation. Thus, it can be said that a part or component is configured to perform a task even if the specified part or component is not currently operating (e.g., is not on).

[0032] As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used as labels for the nouns that they precede and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.).

[0033] As used herein, it should be understood that an element or step described in the singular following "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality of elements or steps.

[0034] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram showing an exemplary version of the portable wand system 10 of the present disclosure, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram showing an exemplary version of a surface 12, a surface treatment application 14, and a surface treatment application element (STAE) 16 used with an exemplary version of the portable wand system 10 of the present disclosure. The portable wand system 10 is used to manually surface-treat one or more surfaces 12 with the surface treatment application 14. The portable wand system 10 indicates, verifies, and authenticates that an accurate, complete, and thorough application of the surface treatment application 14, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection operation 170 (see FIG. 1B), has been achieved on one or more surfaces 12 of an area or object. The portable wand system 10 also enables a user 52 (see FIG. 1A), such as an operator 54 (see FIG. 1A), to self-verify that the surface treatment application 14 has been sufficiently executed and completed.

[0035] The blocks in FIGS. 1A - 1B represent elements, and the lines connecting the various blocks do not imply a particular dependency of the elements. Further, it should be noted that the connecting lines shown in the various figures included herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements, but other alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may exist in the versions disclosed herein.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1A, in one version of the present disclosure, a portable wand system 10 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 includes a wand applicator 18. Preferably, the wand applicator 18 is a hand-held wand applicator 18a (see FIG. 1A) that is manually used by the user 52. The wand applicator 18 has a handle portion 20 (see FIG. 1A) and a head portion 22 (see FIG. 1A). The portable wand system 10 further includes a user input button 24 (see FIG. 1A) or an operator input button coupled to the wand applicator 18. Preferably, the user input button 24 is coupled to or integrated with the handle portion 20 of the wand applicator 18.

[0037] The wand applicator 18, particularly the head portion 22 of the wand applicator 18, houses a surface treatment application element (STAE) 16. In a preferred version, the surface treatment application element (STAE) 16 includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26. The UV lamp element 26 is operable or configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light 28 (see FIG. 1A) having a wavelength in the range of 200 nanometers (nm) to 280 nanometers (nm) to sufficiently disinfect one or more surfaces 12. More preferably, the UV lamp element 26 includes a 222 nanometer (nm) UV lamp element 26a (see FIG. 1A), and the UV lamp element 26 is operable or configured to emit UV light 28 having a wavelength of 222 nanometers. Other versions of the surface treatment application element (STAE) 16 are described below with respect to FIG. 1B.

[0038] The UV light 28 used is preferably ultraviolet C (UVC) light that is short-wave and germicidal, and can emit germicidal UV light 28. Germicidal UV light having a wavelength of 222 nanometers (nm) has been found to kill or inactivate pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and is safe for human exposure. Further, the germicidal UV light 28 having a wavelength of 222 nm may be emitted at full power within or less than 1 millisecond of the operating UV lamp element 26.

[0039] As further shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 further includes a wand controller subsystem 30 coupled to the wand applicator 18 either wired or wirelessly. As shown in FIG. 1A, the wand controller subsystem 30 includes a computer program 32 such as an algorithm 32a. As shown in FIG. 1A, the wand controller subsystem 30 further includes a depiction 34 or image of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated by the surface treatment application 14 of the surface treatment application element 16.

[0040] In one version, the depiction 34 includes a geometric model 36 such as a CAD (computer-aided design) model or another computer model of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated by the surface treatment application 14 of the surface treatment application element 16. The geometric model 36 can include a model of an area having one or more surfaces 12 and can include a predetermined surface treatment application 14a (see FIG. 1B), or a desired or target surface treatment application, or a map of the dispensed coverage. In another version, the depiction 34 includes a photographic image 38 (see FIG. 1A) obtained by a photogrammetry process 40 (see FIG. 1A).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1A, the wand controller subsystem 30 may further include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42. Preferably, the IMU 42 includes a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42a (see FIG. 1A). As used herein, "six degrees of freedom" means the degrees of freedom of movement in three-dimensional space, and an object can freely change its position as translational movement in the front-back, up-down, and left-right directions along three perpendicular axes, combined with a change in orientation by rotation about three perpendicular axes, for example, yaw (vertical axis), pitch (lateral axis), and roll (longitudinal axis).

[0042] The IMU 42 includes an integrated circuit (IC) 44 (see FIG. 1A) and an accelerometer 46 (see FIG. 1A) for measuring the acceleration 48 (see FIG. 1A) of the wand applicator 18. The IMU 42 further measures one or more positions 50 (see FIG. 1A) of the wand applicator 18 when moved by a user 52 (see FIG. 1A), such as an operator 54 (see FIG. 1A) or an inspector 56 (see FIG. 1A), on one or more surfaces 12 being surface-treated. The IMU 42 transmits the positional data 58 of the movement of the wand applicator 18 to a central processing unit (CPU) 60 coupled to the IMU 42. The CPU 60 is part of the wand controller subsystem 30.

[0043] The wand controller subsystem 30 further includes a surface treatment application element (STAE) power feedback 62 (see FIG. 1A) to the CPU 60. In a preferred version where the portable wand system 10 includes a UV lamp element 26, the wand controller subsystem 30 further includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element power feedback 64 (see FIG. 1A) to the CPU 60.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1A, the wand controller subsystem 30 further includes a memory unit 66 coupled to the CPU 60. The memory unit 66 stores data 68 (see FIG. 1A) measured by the portable wand system 10, including position data 58 measured by the IMU 42. As shown in FIG. 1A, the wand controller subsystem 30 may optionally further include a wireless network interface 70 coupled to the CPU 60.

[0045] Instead of using the IMU 42 in the wand controller subsystem 30, the wand controller subsystem 30 may alternatively include one or more of a fixed position extensometer 72 (see FIG. 1A), a rotational position sensor 74 (see FIG. 1A), and / or an external photogrammetry sensor 76 (see FIG. 1A), either separately or in combination. The fixed position extensometer 72 measures the elongation of a material under stress and can also be used to determine yield strength, tensile strength, yield point elongation, strain hardening index, and strain ratio. The rotational position sensor 74 measures the rotation angle from the output voltage and converts the angular mechanical position into an electrical signal. The external photogrammetry sensor 76 records, measures, and interprets photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiation images and generates two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital models of surfaces, regions, or objects as a final product.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 further includes an indicator element 78. In one version, the indicator element 78 includes a binary indicator 80 (see FIG. 1A), or an on / off indicator. As shown in FIG. 1A, the binary indicator 80 includes an optical signal 82 coupled to the wand applicator 18, a blinking light warning 84 of a surface treatment application element (STAE) such as an ultraviolet (UV) blinking light warning 84a, an audible warning 86, a sound warning 88, a tactile warning 90, a vibration warning 92, a pulse warning 94, a pressure change warning 96, or one of another suitable binary indicator indicating that one or more surface treatments 14 of one or more of the surfaces 12 have been completed. The audible warning 86, or the sound warning 88, can include an audible bell, chime, beep, voice, or other sound or noise. The binary indicator 80 indicates that a surface treatment 14, such as a surface treatment 14a of a sub-region or a predetermined surface treatment application of one or more of the surfaces 12, has been completed and it is acceptable to proceed to the next sub-region or surface 12.

[0047] As an alternative to, or in addition to, the binary indicator 80, the portable wand system 10 may include a video display 98, such as a video progress display 98a coupled to the wand applicator 18. In one version, the video display 98 may be coupled to the wand applicator 18 via a connector element 100 (see FIG. 1A), such as a wired interconnect cable or a wireless connection. In another version, the video display 98 may be incorporated into the wand applicator 18. The video display 98 may include a handheld tablet computer coupled to the wand applicator 18 via the connector element 100, or a screen display incorporated into the wand applicator 18, or another suitable video display device. The video display 98 is visible to the user 52 (see FIG. 1A) and shows one or more of a color-coded signal 104 (see FIG. 1A) including portions 102 (see FIG. 1A) of one or more surfaces 12 being surface-treated and a lit progress bar 106 (see FIG. 1A), or a map, indicating which portions 102 have full coverage, such as a full coverage portion 102a (see FIG. 1A).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 further includes a power supply assembly 108 coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. As shown in FIG. 1A, the power supply assembly 108 includes an energy storage device 110 coupled to a power connector 112. As shown in FIG. 1A, the energy storage device 110 can include one or more batteries 110a, or another suitable energy storage device. The power connector 112 can include a wired connector 114 (see FIG. 1A), such as a power interconnect cable 114a (see FIG. 1A), a power cord 114b (see FIG. 1A), a high voltage cable 114c (see FIG. 1A), an LED (light emitting diode) wiring 114d (see FIG. 1A), or another suitable wired connector. The power connector 112 may further include a wireless connector 116 (see FIG. 1A).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1A, the power supply assembly 108 may further include a surface treatment application element (STAE) power supply 118, such as a UV lamp element power supply 120, or another suitable power supply for the surface treatment application element 16.

[0050] As further shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 is transported or carried by the user 52 and / or may be stored in a system case 122, a system backpack 124, a system roller bag 126, a system shoulder case 128, or another suitable portable case, carrier, or bag.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system 10 further includes one or more alignment mechanisms 130 for aligning the wand applicator 18 with respect to one or more known locations 132 and / or known orientations 134 on one or more surfaces 12 in the depiction 34 of the geometric model 36, for example.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable wand system may optionally further include a computer recording system 136 coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. The computer recording system 136 is operable or configured to analyze the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 and communicate the status 15 (see FIG. 1B) of a surface treatment application 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a on one or more surfaces 12, to the indicator element 78.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1A, computer recording system 136 includes a computer 138 coupled to a router device 140 and a wireless access point 142 via an Internet connection 144. The wireless network interface 70 of the wand controller subsystem 30 interfaces or communicates with the wireless access point 142 of the computer recording system 136. The CPU 60 can convert a stream of data 68 and wirelessly transmit position data 58 to the computer recording system 136 based on a depiction 34 such as a geometric model 36 and a duration. The computer recording system 136 verifies the location of the wand applicator 18, calculates the position 50 of the wand applicator 18, and provides feedback regarding the surface 12 that still needs to be surface treated by the surface treatment application element 16. The computer recording system 136 also provides a central recording function 242 (see FIGS. 3A-3B) for documenting and recording complete coverage of one or more surfaces 12 by the surface treatment application 14, as described below.

[0054] The portable wand system 10 measures the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 in real time, compares the position data 58 with the depiction 34, and indicates to the user 52 when a predetermined surface treatment application 14a (see FIG. 1B) is achieved for one or more surfaces 12, indicating that the predetermined surface treatment application 14a is sufficient. The portable wand system 10 also verifies and authenticates that the predetermined surface treatment application 14a is sufficient, accurate, and complete. As used herein, "predetermined" means a target or desired amount of surface treatment application to provide sufficient and effective coverage of one or more surfaces.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B shows an exemplary version of a surface 12, a surface treatment application 14, and a surface treatment application element (STAE) 16 used with an exemplary version of the portable wand system 10 (see FIG. 1A) of the present disclosure.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1B, one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated preferably include one or more inner surfaces 12a in an interior 146 of one of an aircraft 148, a spacecraft 150, a motor vehicle 152, a ship 154, a train 156, a hospital 158, a factory building 160, an office building 162, a movie theater 164, a restaurant 166, or another suitable inner surface. When a user 52 of the portable wand system 10 presses the user input button 24 (see FIG. 1A), one or more alignment mechanisms 130 (see FIG. 1A) identify a starting position 167 (see FIG. 1B) at one of the one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated.

[0057] As further shown in FIG. 1B, a surface treatment application 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a, includes a disinfection operation 168, an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection operation 170 for ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection 172, a decontamination operation 174, a sterilization operation 176, a sterilization operation 178, a curing operation 180, a shot peening operation 182, a chemical contaminant detection operation 184, a biological contaminant detection operation 186, a non-destructive inspection process 188, an eddy current crack detection 190, a paint application 192, an abrasive media blasting operation 194, a sandblasting operation 194a, a surface preheating operation 196, a torch welding operation 198, or one of another suitable surface treatment application. Preferably, the surface treatment application 14 (see FIG. 1B) is a predetermined surface treatment application 14 (see FIG. 1B) determined in advance by amount and coverage.

[0058] Preferably, the UV light disinfection 172 is a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection 172a (see FIG. 1B) determined in advance by amount and coverage. In the case of the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a, the level of treatment is preferably 2 mJ / cm of the UV light 28 2 ~100 mJ / cm 2It is the irradiance within the range. Preferably, for a predetermined UV light disinfection 172, the traverse speed of the wand applicator 18 across the surface 12 to be disinfected or surface-treated is within the range of 1 inch / second to 10 inches / second. Preferably, the distance at which the wand applicator 18 is held by the user 52 from the surface 12 to be disinfected or surface-treated is within the range of 1 inch to 6 inches.

[0059] As further shown in FIG. 1B, the surface treatment application element 16 includes one of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26, a gaseous dispersion element 200, an aerosolization element 202, a disinfection fluid 204, a disinfection gas 206, a sterilization fluid 208, a sterilization gas 210, a sterilization fluid 212, a sterilization gas 214, a cleaning liquid 216, a curing element 218, a shot peening element 220, a contaminant detection element 222, a paint 224, a polishing media blasting element 226, a sandblasting element 226a, a surface preheating element 228, and a torch welding element 230.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 2A - 2B, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one version of a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a of the present disclosure, having an indicator element 78 in the form of a binary indicator 80. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a of FIG. 2A, having an indicator element 78 in the form of a video display 98.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2B, a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, includes a wand applicator 18, such as a handheld wand applicator 18a, having a handle portion 20 and a head portion 22. The head portion 22 includes a surface treatment application element 16 in the form of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26.

[0062] As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, includes a user input button 24 on a handle portion 20. In FIG. 2A, an indicator element 78 is on the handle portion 20 and includes a binary indicator 80, such as an optical signal 82. However, the binary indicator 80 can include another type of binary indicator as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0063] In FIG. 2B, the indicator element 78 is connected to the handle portion 20 via a connector element 100 and includes a video display 98, such as a video progress display 98a, to indicate the progress of a surface treatment application 14 (see FIG. 1B), such as a UV light disinfection 172 (see FIG. 1B), on one or more surfaces 12 (see FIG. 1B) that are surface-treated by disinfection, sterilization, sanitization, or another type of surface treatment.

[0064] As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, includes a power supply assembly 108 that includes an energy storage device 110, such as a battery 110a. The energy storage device 110 is connected to the wand applicator 18 via a wired connector 114, such as a power interconnect cable 114a.

[0065] As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, includes a wand controller subsystem 30. In this version, the wand controller subsystem 30 is incorporated into the handle portion 20 of the wand applicator 18. In other versions, the wand controller subsystem 30 can be separate but connected to the wand applicator 18, either wired or wirelessly. For example, the wand controller subsystem 30 can be disposed within a system case 122 (see FIG. 1A), a system backpack 124 (see FIG. 1A), a system roller bag 126 (see FIG. 1A), a system shoulder case 128 (see FIG. 1A), or another transport or conveyance device used to transport or store the portable wand system 10.

[0066] As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the wand controller subsystem 30 includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42, such as a six degrees of freedom (DOF) inertial measurement unit 42a. The inertial measurement unit 42 includes an integrated circuit 44 (see FIGS. 2A-2B) and includes an accelerometer 46 (see FIGS. 2A-2B).

[0067] As further shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the inertial measurement unit 42 uses the xyz coordinate axis system 232 to measure the acceleration 48 (see FIG. 1A) and position 50 (see FIG. 1A) of the wand applicator 18. FIGS. 2A-2B show an x-axis 234 having an x acceleration 234a and an x rotation 234b. FIGS. 2A-2B show a y-axis 236 having a y acceleration 236a and a y rotation 236b. FIGS. 2A-2B show a z-axis 238 having a z acceleration 238a and a z rotation 238b.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, in another version of the present disclosure, a portable wand system 10, such as a portable wand system 10a for disinfecting one or more surfaces 12 (see FIG. 1B), is provided. Preferably, the surface 12 is inside the aircraft 148 (see FIG. 1B). However, the surface 12 may be inside other vehicles and structures, as shown in FIG. 1B. The portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, includes a wand applicator 18 (see FIGS. 2A-2B) that includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26 (see FIGS. 2A-2B). The UV lamp element 26 is operable or configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light 28 (see FIG. 1A) having a wavelength in the range of preferably 200 nanometers to 280 nanometers to disinfect one or more surfaces 12. More preferably, the UV lamp element 26 includes a 222 nm (nanometer) ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26a (see FIG. 1A) that is operable or configured to emit UV light 28 having a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the portable wand system 10 further includes a user input button 24 coupled to the wand applicator 18. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the portable wand system 10 further includes an indicator element 78.

[0070] In one version shown in FIG. 2A, the indicator element 78 includes a binary indicator 80 in the form of an optical signal 82 coupled to the wand applicator 18. The binary indicator 80 may further include a flashing light warning 84 of a surface treatment application element (STAE), such as a flashing light warning 84a of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element, an audio warning 86, a sound warning 88, a tactile warning 90, a vibration warning 92, a pulse warning 94, a pressure change warning 96, or one of another suitable binary indicator, to indicate that one or more predetermined UV light disinfections 172a (see FIG. 1B) of one or more of the one or more surfaces 12 as shown in FIG. 1A have been completed.

[0071] In another version shown in FIG. 2B, the indicator element 78 includes a video display 98, such as a video progress display 98a. The video display 98 is coupled to the wand applicator 18 via a connector element 100, such as an interconnect cable or a power cord. The video display 98 is visible to the user 52 and shows one or more of the portions 102 (see FIG. 1A) of the one or more surfaces 12 being disinfected and a color-coded signal 104 (see FIG. 1A) including a lit progress bar 106 (see FIG. 1A) to indicate which portions have complete coverage, i.e., a complete coverage portion 102a (see FIG. 1A).

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the portable wand system 10 further includes a wand controller subsystem 30 coupled to the wand applicator 18. The wand controller subsystem 30 includes a computer program 32 (see FIG. 1A), such as an algorithm 32a (see FIG. 1A), and a depiction 34 (see FIG. 1A) of one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by the UV lamp element 26. In one version, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the wand controller subsystem 30 includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42, such as a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42a. Instead of the IMU 42, the wand controller subsystem 30 may alternatively or additionally include one or more of a fixed-position extensometer 72, a rotational position sensor 74, and / or an external photogrammetric sensor 76, either separately or in combination.

[0073] As described above, the wand controller subsystem 30 further includes a central processing unit (CPU) 60 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the IMU 42, an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element power feedback 64 to the CPU 60, and a memory unit 66 coupled to the CPU 60. The wand controller subsystem 30 may further include a wireless network interface 70 coupled to the CPU 60.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the portable wand system 10 further includes a power supply assembly 108, for example, coupled to the wand applicator 18. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the power supply assembly 108 includes an energy storage device 110, such as a battery 110a. The energy storage device 110 is connected to the wand applicator 18 via a wired connector 114, such as a power interconnect cable 114a.

[0075] A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, further includes one or more alignment mechanisms 130 for aligning a wand applicator 18 with one or more surfaces 12 in a depiction 34 of a region or object having one or more surfaces 12, for example, one or more known locations 132 (see FIG. 1A) in a geometric model 36.

[0076] A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10a, measures the position data 58 (see FIG. 1A) of the wand applicator 18 in real time, compares the position data 58 with the depiction 34, and shows the user 52 when a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection 172a (see FIG. 1B) is achieved for one or more surfaces 12.

[0077] The portable wand system 10 may further include a computer recording system 136 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. The computer recording system 136 is operable or configured to analyze the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18, or to communicate the status 173 (see FIG. 1B) of a UV light disinfection 172, such as a predetermined UV light disinfection 172a, of one or more surfaces 12 having a UV lamp element 26 to an indicator element 78.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 3A - 3B, FIG. 3A is a system flow diagram 240a of one version of a portable wand system 10, such as a form of the portable wand system 10b of the present disclosure, having a surface treatment application element 16 and a computer recording system 136. FIG. 3B is a system flow diagram 240b of a portable wand system 10, such as a form of the portable wand system 10b, having a ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26 and a computer recording system 136.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, a portable wand system 10, such as the form of the portable wand system 10b, includes a wand applicator 18 having a user input button 24, a wand controller subsystem 30, an energy storage device 110, an indicator element 78, and an optional computer recording system 136. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the user input button 24 and the inertial measurement unit (IMU) 42 are connected to the CPU 60 of the wand controller subsystem 30 in a one-way communication. The IMU 42 measures the acceleration 48 (see FIG. 1A) and the position 50 (see FIG. 1A) of the wand applicator 18 and transmits data 68 (see FIG. 1A) to the CPU 60.

[0080] As further shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the memory unit 66 and the wireless network interface 70 are connected to the CPU 60 in a two-way communication. The memory unit 66 stores the data 68 (see FIG. 1A). The CPU 60 can store the data 68 (see FIG. 1A) in the memory unit 66 or read the data 68 from the memory unit 66. The CPU 60 can transmit a signal to the wireless network interface 70 or receive a signal from the wireless network interface 70. As further shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the CPU 60 transmits the data 68 to an indicator element 78, such as a binary indicator 80 or a video display 98.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3A, the energy storage device 110 supplies energy to a surface treatment application element (STAE) power supply 118, and the energy storage device 110 supplies energy to the CPU 60 for the surface treatment application element (STAE) power feedback 62. As further shown in FIG. 3A, the surface treatment application element (STAE) power supply 118 supplies power to a surface treatment application element (STAE) 16, and the STAE 16 provides feedback to the CPU 60 for the STAE power feedback 62. The STAE power feedback 62 determines the output and duration of the surface treatment application element (STAE) 16 and transmits the data 68 to the CPU 60.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3B, the energy storage device 110 supplies energy to the UV lamp element power supply 120 and supplies energy to the CPU 60 for the UV lamp element power feedback 64. As further shown in FIG. 3B, the UV lamp element power supply 120 supplies power to a housing 278 that houses the UV lamp element 26 and the ultraviolet (UV) lamp sensor 295. The UV lamp sensor 295 may include a photosensor, such as an ultraviolet (UV) fluence sensor, which is a photodiode device that measures the ultraviolet (UV) light output in real time and reports the value to the CPU 60 as feedback to the UV lamp element power feedback 64. The UV lamp element power feedback 64 determines the UV light output and duration of the UV lamp element 26 and transmits data 68 to the CPU 60.

[0083] As further shown in FIGS. 3A - 3B, a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10b, is wirelessly coupled to a computer recording system 136 to provide an optional central recording function 242. The computer recording system 136 provides a central recording function 242 (see FIGS. 3A - 3B) for documenting and recording complete coverage of one or more surfaces 12 by the surface treatment application 14.

[0084] The computer recording system 136 includes a computer 138 (see FIGS. 3A - 3B). The CPU 60 converts a stream of data 68 (see FIG. 1A) and wirelessly transmits a position 50 (see FIG. 1A) to the computer recording system 136 based on a depiction 34, such as a geometric model 36, or a photographic image 38 taken in a photogrammetry process 40, and the duration. The computer recording system 136 verifies locations, calculates positions, and provides feedback regarding which surfaces 12, objects, and / or areas still need to be surface treated.

[0085] Computer 138 is wirelessly connected to router device 140 (see FIGS. 3A-3B) via Internet connection 144 (see FIGS. 3A-3B). As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, router device 140 is connected to wireless access point 142. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, wireless network interface 70 is wirelessly connected to wireless access point 142 of central recording function 242 via wireless connection 244.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the interior 146 of the passenger compartment 246 of the aircraft 148 showing the seat 248 and the alignment mechanism 130. In an exemplary version, the alignment mechanism 130 comprises an armrest 250 of the seat 248. The alignment mechanism 130 is a known location 132 within the area to be treated by a surface treatment 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a.

[0087] To enable the use of the low-cost accelerometer 46 having a measurement drift characteristic that allows only short-duration operations before the error of the location becomes large, the wand applicator 18 is periodically "aligned" with a known location 132, such as the armrest 250 on the successive next sheet 248, or a datum (i.e., temporarily placed in a known orientation and location). For example, in FIG. 4, the front armrest 250a can function as the starting position 167 of the wand applicator 18 and a known location 132, and the rear armrest 250b includes a subsequent known location 132a. When the wand applicator 18 is placed on the rear armrest 250b at a subsequent known location 132a within the sequence, the user 52, such as the operator 54, then starts from the subsequent known location 132a and presses the user input button 24 (see FIGS. 2A-2B) on the wand applicator 18 that provides an indication to start the next segment of the surface treatment 14, such as UV light disinfection 172 (see FIG. 1B), for a short length sufficient to treat one or more surfaces 12 within the sub-region until the next alignment with the alignment mechanism 130 is performed.

[0088] Figures 5A - 5E show various views of one version of the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, used with a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126. Figure 5A is a front perspective view of the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, used with a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, that stores a wand applicator 18 (see Figure 5B). Figure 5A shows a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, having a hard shell case 252 with a latch 254, a telescoping handle 256, a top handle 258, side handles 260, and roller wheels 262. As shown in Figure 5A, the system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, is in a closed position 263. In this version, the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes a hose 264, such as an air hose 264a, attached to the wand applicator 18 (see Figure 5B). As shown in Figure 5A, the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, may further include a hose fixing assembly 266 for fixing the hose 264 to the outer surface 268 of the hard shell case 252. As shown in Figure 5A, the hose fixing assembly 266 includes a fixing element 272, such as a buckle 272a, or a fabric cover 270 coupled to other suitable fixing elements.

[0089] Figure 5B is a front perspective view of a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c of FIG. 5A, used with a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, and stores an energy storage device 110, such as a wand applicator 18 and a battery 110a. The system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, is in an open position 274. The wand applicator 18 includes a surface treatment application element 16, such as in the form of a UV lamp element 26. FIG. 5B shows a hose 264, such as an air hose 264a, with a first end 276a attached to the housing 278 of the wand applicator 18 and a second end 276b attached to a fan 280, such as a cooling fan. The fan 280 cools the wand applicator 18 that includes the UV lamp element 26. Also, the fan 280 cools the energy storage device 110. In this version, the wand controller subsystem 30 (see FIG. 1A) is not within the handle portion 20 of the wand applicator 18 but is in a separate location within the hard shell case 252 of the system roller bag 126.

[0090] Figure 5C is a front perspective view of a portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c of FIG. 5B, with the system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126, in a closed position 263 and the wand applicator 18 removed from the system roller bag 126, ready for use by a user 52 (see FIG. 1A), such as an operator 54 (see FIG. 1A). FIG. 5C further shows a power cord 114b (see FIG. 5C) that is operable to be plugged into an outlet inside an aircraft 148 (see FIG. 1B) or the interior 146 (see FIG. 1B) of another suitable vehicle or structure to receive a surface treatment application 14 using the portable wand system 10, or is configured to be plugged in. The power cord 114b is stored inside the system roller bag 126 during transportation. The power cord 114b extends from a notch opening 282 formed when the system roller bag 126 is in the closed position 263.

[0091] Figure 5D is an enlarged upper end view of a system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126 of FIG. 5A, and a hose 264, such as the air hose 264a of the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c of FIG. 5B. The system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126, is in the closed position 263. Figure 5D shows a first end 276a of the hose 264 extending from the notch opening 282. The hose 264 exits the system roller bag 126 during transportation when the system roller bag 126 is in the closed position 263. The notch opening 282 also allows air intake to be drawn into the fan 280 (see FIG. 5B) even when the system roller bag 126 is in the closed position 263 during operation.

[0092] Figure 5E is an enlarged front perspective view of the fan 280 of the portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c of FIG. 5B, with the system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126, in the open position 274. Figure 5E further shows a second end 276b of the hose 264, such as the air hose 264a attached to the fan 280.

[0093] Figures 6A-6C illustrate various views of one version of a wand applicator 18, such as the handheld wand applicator 18a, for one or more versions of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B) of the present disclosure. FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of one version of a wand applicator 18, such as the handheld wand applicator 18a, held by a user 52. As shown in FIG. 6A, the user 52 holds a handle portion 20 that includes a trigger handle 284. In this version, the user input button 24 comprises a trigger portion 286 that can be triggered or actuated by the user at any location along the length of the trigger portion 286. FIG. 6A further shows an indicator element 78, such as in the form of a binary indicator 80, coupled to an outer portion 288 of the housing 278. FIG. 6A further shows a first end 276a of a hose 264, such as an air hose 264a, inserted through a port opening 290 at a first end 292a of the wand applicator 18. FIG. 6A further shows a second end 292b of the wand applicator 18. In this version, the wand controller subsystem 30 (see FIG. 1A) is not within the handle portion 20 of the wand applicator 18 and is located at a location separate from the wand applicator 18.

[0094] FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of a wand applicator 18, such as the handheld wand applicator 18a of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows the housing 278, the first end 292a, and the second end 292b of the wand applicator 18. FIG. 6B further shows the first end 292a of a hose 264, such as the air hose 264a, extending from the first end 276a of the wand applicator 18. FIG. 6B further shows a UV lamp element 26 including a ultraviolet (UV) lamp bulb 294. FIG. 6B further shows a ultraviolet (UV) lamp sensor 295 coupled to the interior 296 of the housing 278 and disposed within the range of the light emission path of the UV lamp bulb 294. The housing 278 houses the UV lamp bulb 294 and the UV lamp sensor 295. The UV lamp sensor 295 may comprise a photosensor, e.g., a ultraviolet (UV) fluence sensor which is a photodiode device that measures ultraviolet (UV) light output in real time. As shown in FIG. 6B, the UV lamp bulb 294 is mounted between the first end 292a and the second end 292b of the interior 296 of the housing 278. FIG. 6B further shows a reflector lining element 298 lining the interior 296 of the housing 278 and disposed behind the UV lamp element 26 including the UV lamp bulb 294.

[0095] FIG. 6C is a bottom perspective view of a wand applicator 18, such as the handheld wand applicator 18a of FIG. 6B. FIG. 6C shows the housing 278, the first end 292a, and the second end 292b of the wand applicator 18. FIG. 6B further shows a port opening 290. FIG. 6C further shows the UV lamp element 26 (see FIG. 6B) with the UV lamp bulb 294 (see FIG. 6B) removed, showing a state where half of the reflector lining element 298 is removed. FIG. 6C further shows a cooling manifold 299 under the interior 296 of the housing 278 and the reflector lining element 298.

[0096] In another version of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, 5A-5E, and 6A-6C, a portable wand system 10, such as a portable wand system 10c, is provided for performing surface treatment applications 14, such as UV light disinfection operations 170 (see FIG. 1B), on one or more surfaces 12. The portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, includes a system case 122 (see FIG. 1A). The system case 122 may include one of a system backpack 124 (see FIG. 1A), a system roller bag (see FIG. 1A), a system shoulder case (see FIG. 1A), or another suitable case, carrier, or bag.

[0097] The portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes a wand applicator 18 that houses an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26, such as an ultraviolet (UV) lamp bulb 294 (see FIG. 6A), and also houses a UV lamp sensor 295 (see FIG. 6B). The wand applicator 18 is attached to the system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126 (see FIG. 5A), via a hose 264, such as an air hose 264a (see FIG. 5B). The hose 264 has a first end 276a (see FIG. 5B) attached to the wand applicator 18 and a second end 276b (see FIG. 5B) attached to a fan 280, such as a cooling fan, disposed within the system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126. The system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126, includes a notch opening 282 (see FIG. 5D) for receiving a portion 283 (see FIG. 5D) of the hose and allowing the wand applicator 18 to be housed within the system case 122 when the system case 122 is in the closed position 263 (see FIG. 5A). The system case 122, such as the system roller bag 126, may further include a hose fixing assembly 266 (see FIG. 5A) attached to the outer surface 268 (see FIG. 5A) of the system case 122 for fixing a portion 269 (see FIG. 5A) of the hose 264.

[0098] The housing 278 may further include a port opening 290 (see FIG. 6A) for receiving the first end 276a of the hose 264, and may further include a trigger handle 284 (see FIG. 6A). As shown in FIG. 6C, the housing 278 may further include a cooling manifold 299 inside the housing 278, and may further include a reflector lining element 298 disposed on the cooling manifold 299 inside the housing 296 of the housing 278.

[0099] A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes a wand controller subsystem 30 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand applicator 18. The wand controller subsystem 30 is preferably disposed within a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126. The wand controller subsystem 30 includes a computer program 32 and a depiction 34 of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated or disinfected with the UV lamp element 26. A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes a user input button 24 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand applicator 18. A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes an indicator element 78 (see FIG. 6A). A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes a power supply assembly 108 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand applicator 18 and disposed within a system case 122, such as a system roller bag 126.

[0100] A portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, further includes one or more alignment mechanisms 130 (see FIG. 1A) for aligning the wand applicator 18 with one or more known locations 132 (see FIG. 1A) on one or more surfaces 12 in the rendering 34. The portable wand system 10 measures the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 in real time, compares the position data 58 with the rendering 34, and indicates to the user 52 when a predetermined surface treatment application 14a (see FIG. 1B) is achieved for one or more surfaces 12.

[0101] The portable wand system 10, such as the portable wand system 10c, may further include a computer recording system 136 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. The computer recording system 136 is operable or configured to analyze the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 and communicate the status 15 (see FIG. 1B) of a predetermined surface treatment application 14a of one or more surfaces 12 having the UV lamp element 26 to the indicator element 78.

[0102] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of one version of the method 300 of the present disclosure. In another version of the present disclosure, a method 300 is provided for indicating to the user 52 (see FIG. 1A) when a predetermined surface treatment application 14a (see FIG. 1B) is achieved for one or more surfaces 12 (see FIGS. 1A-1B).

[0103] The blocks in FIG. 7 represent operations and / or parts thereof, or elements, and the lines connecting the various blocks do not imply a particular order or dependency of operations or parts thereof, or elements. The disclosure of FIG. 7 and the steps of method 300 described herein should not necessarily be construed as determining the sequence in which the steps are performed. Rather, while one exemplary order is shown, it should be understood that the sequence of steps may be changed when appropriate. Thus, certain operations may be performed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 includes step 302 of providing a version of portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5). As described in detail above, in one version, portable wand system 10 includes wand applicator 18 (see FIG. 1A) that includes surface treatment application element 16. Portable wand system 10 further includes wand controller subsystem 30 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to wand applicator 18. Wand controller subsystem 30 includes computer program 32 (see FIG. 1A) such as algorithm 32a (see FIG. 1A) and depiction 34 (see FIG. 1A) of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated with surface treatment 14 (see FIG. 1B) such as a predetermined surface treatment 14a of surface treatment application element 16. Portable wand system 10 further includes user input button 24 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to wand applicator 18. Portable wand system 10 further includes indicator element 78 (see FIG. 1A).

[0105] The portable wand system 10 further includes a power supply assembly 108 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand applicator 18. The power supply assembly 108 can include an energy storage device 110, such as a battery 110a, coupled to the wand applicator 18 via a wired connector 114. The portable wand system 10 further includes one or more alignment mechanisms 130 (see FIG. 1A) for aligning the wand applicator 18 with respect to one or more known locations 132 on one or more of the surfaces 12 in the depiction 34, such as the geometry model 36 or the photographic image 38.

[0106] The step 302 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include the step of providing the portable wand system 10 including a computer recording system 136 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. The computer recording system 136 analyzes the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 and communicates the status 15 (see FIG. 1B) of a surface treatment application 14 (see FIG. 1B), such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a on one or more of the surfaces 12, to the indicator element 78. The computer recording system 136 records a surface treatment application 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a on one or more of the surfaces 12, and includes a computer 138 (see FIG. 1A) for authenticating and verifying that the surface treatment application 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a on one or more of the surfaces 12, is correct.

[0107] Step 302 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include a step of providing a portable wand system 10 comprising a wand controller subsystem 30 having a depiction 34 of one or more surfaces 12 to be treated by a surface treatment application 14 including one of a disinfection operation 168, an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection operation 170, a decontamination operation 174, a sterilization operation 176, a sterilization operation 178, a curing operation 180, a shot peening operation 182, a chemical contaminant detection operation 184, a biological contaminant detection operation 186, a non-destructive inspection process 188, an eddy current crack detection 190, a paint application 192, a polishing media blasting operation 194, a sandblasting operation 194a, a surface preheating operation 196, a torch welding operation 198, or another suitable surface treatment application.

[0108] Step 302 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include a step of providing a portable wand system 10 comprising a wand controller subsystem 30 having a depiction 34 including one of a geometric model 36 of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated by a surface treatment application 14 of a surface treatment application element 16, and a photographic image 38 (see FIG. 1A) obtained by a photogrammetry process 40 (see FIG. 1A).

[0109] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 may further include step 304 of pressing a user input button 24 by a user 52 to identify a starting position 167 (see FIG. 1B) on one of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated using one of one or more alignment mechanisms 130.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 may further include step 306 of measuring in real time position data 58 (see FIG. 1A) of a wand applicator 18 using the portable wand system 10.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 may further include step 308 of activating a surface treatment application element 16 using the portable wand system 10.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 further includes step 310 of moving wand applicator 18 by user 52 over one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated in order to treat the one or more surfaces 12 with surface treatment application element 16.

[0113] Step 310 of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated in order to treat the one or more surfaces 12 with surface treatment application element 16 may further include the step of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated in order to treat the one or more surfaces 12 with surface treatment application element 16, which includes one of ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26, gaseous dispersion element 200, aerosolization element 202, disinfection fluid 204, disinfection gas 206, sterilization fluid 208, sterilization gas 210, sterilization fluid 212, sterilization gas 214, cleaning liquid 216, curing element 218, shot peening element 220, contaminant detection element 222, paint 224, abrasive media blasting element 226, sandblasting element 226a, surface preheating element 228, torch welding element 230, or another suitable surface treatment application element, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0114] Step 310 of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated may further include the step of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be surface treated, which includes one or more surfaces 12 of the interior 146 of one of aircraft 148, spacecraft 150, motor vehicle 152, ship 154, train 156, hospital 158, factory building 160, office building 162, movie theater 164, restaurant 166, or another suitable vehicle or structure, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 further includes step 312 of comparing position data 58 to depiction 34 using portable wand system 10.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 further includes step 314 of using portable wand system 10 to determine when a predetermined surface treatment application 14a (see FIG. 1A) is achieved on one or more surfaces 12 by surface treatment application element 16.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 7, method 300 further includes step 316 of activating indicator element 78 (see FIG. 1A) to inform user 52 that a predetermined surface treatment application 14a has been achieved on one or more surfaces 12 by surface treatment application element 16 using portable wand system 10.

[0118] After step 316 of activating indicator element 78 to inform user 52 that a predetermined surface treatment application 14a has been achieved using portable wand system 10, method 300 includes moving portable wand system 10 to a subsequent known location 132a (see FIG. 1A) to align portable wand system 10 with the subsequent known location 132a, step 304 of pressing user input button 24, step 306 of measuring position data 58, step 318 of activating surface treatment application element 16, step 310 of moving wand applicator 18 on one or more surfaces 12, step 312 of comparing position data 58 with depiction 34, step 314 of determining when a predetermined surface treatment application 14a is achieved, and step 316 of activating indicator element 78 to inform user 52 that a predetermined surface treatment application 14a has been achieved, and may further include repeating these steps.

[0119] To notify the user 52 that a given surface treatment application 14a has been achieved, step 316 of activating the indicator element 78 may further include the step of activating an indicator element 78 comprising a binary indicator 80 including one of an optical signal 82 coupled to the wand applicator 18, a blinking light warning 84 of the surface treatment application element, an audible warning 86, a sound warning 88, a tactile warning 90, a vibration warning 92, a pulse warning 94, a pressure change warning 96, or other suitable warning or alarm to indicate that a surface treatment application 14, such as a given surface treatment application 14a, of one or more surfaces 12 has been completed, as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0120] To notify the user 52 that a given surface treatment application 14a has been achieved, step 316 of activating the indicator element 78 is the step of activating an indicator element 78 comprising a video display 98 coupled to the wand applicator 18, the video display 98 being visible to the user 52 and showing one or more of portions 102 (see FIG. 1A) of one or more surfaces 12 being surface treated and a color-coded signal 104 (see FIG. 1A) including a lit progress bar 106 (see FIG. 1A) to indicate which portions 102 have full coverage, i.e., full coverage portions 102a (see FIG. 1A), and may further include the step.

[0121] Referring now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one version of the method 400 of the present disclosure. In another version of the present disclosure, a method 400 is provided for indicating to the user 52 when a given ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection 172a (see FIG. 1B) of one or more surfaces 12 of the interior 146 (see FIG. 1B) of the aircraft 148 (see FIG. 1B) is achieved.

[0122] The blocks in FIG. 8 represent operations and / or parts thereof, or elements, and the lines connecting the various blocks do not imply a particular order or dependency of operations or parts thereof, or elements. The disclosure of FIG. 8 and the steps of method 400 described herein should not necessarily be construed as determining the sequence in which the steps are performed. Rather, while one exemplary order is shown, it should be understood that the sequence of steps may be changed when appropriate. Thus, certain operations may be performed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 8, method 400 includes step 402 of providing a version of portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5). As described in detail above, in one version, portable wand system 10 includes wand applicator 18 (see FIG. 1A) that includes UV lamp element 26 (see FIG. 1A). Portable wand system 10 further includes wand controller subsystem 30 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to wand applicator 18. Wand controller subsystem 30 includes computer program 32 (see FIG. 1A), such as algorithm 32a (see FIG. 1A), and depiction 34 (see FIG. 1A) of one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26. Portable wand system 10 further includes user input button 24 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to wand applicator 18. Portable wand system 10 further includes indicator element 78 (see FIG. 1A).

[0124] The portable wand system 10 further includes a power supply assembly 108 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand applicator 18. The power supply assembly 108 may include an energy storage device 110, such as a battery 110a, coupled to the wand applicator 18 via a wired connector 114. The portable wand system 10 further includes one or more alignment mechanisms 130 (see FIG. 1A) for aligning the wand applicator 18 with one or more known locations 132 on one or more of the surfaces 12 during a rendering 34, such as a geometric model 36 or a photographic image 38.

[0125] The step 402 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include the step of providing a portable wand system 10 that includes a computer recording system 136 (see FIG. 1A) coupled to the wand controller subsystem 30. The computer recording system 136 analyzes the position data 58 of the wand applicator 18 and communicates the status 173 (see FIG. 1B) of a UV light disinfection 172 (see FIG. 1B), such as a predetermined UV light disinfection 172a on one or more of the surfaces 12, to the indicator element 78. The computer recording system 136 records a surface treatment application 14 of one or more of the surfaces 12 and includes a computer 138 (see FIG. 1A) for authenticating and verifying that a UV light disinfection 172, such as a predetermined UV light disinfection 172a of one or more of the surfaces 12, is correct.

[0126] The step 402 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include a step of providing a portable wand system 10 comprising a wand controller subsystem 30 having a depiction 34 of one or more surfaces 12 to be treated by a surface treatment application 14 including one of a disinfection operation 168, an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection operation 170, a decontamination operation 174, a sterilization operation 176, a sterilization operation 178, a curing operation 180, a shot peening operation 182, a chemical contaminant detection operation 184, a biological contaminant detection operation 186, a non-destructive inspection process 188, an eddy current crack detection 190, a paint application 192, a polishing media blasting operation 194, a sandblasting operation 194a, a surface preheating operation 196, a torch welding operation 198, or another suitable surface treatment application.

[0127] The step 402 of providing the portable wand system 10 may further include a step of providing a portable wand system 10 comprising a wand controller subsystem 30 having a depiction 34 including one of a geometric model 36 of one or more surfaces 12 to be surface-treated by a surface treatment application 14 of a surface treatment application element 16, and a photographic image 38 (see FIG. 1A) obtained by a photogrammetry process 40 (see FIG. 1A).

[0128] As shown in FIG. 8, the method 400 further includes a step 404 of pressing a user input button 24 by a user 52 to identify a starting position 167 (see FIG. 1B) of one of one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by a UV lamp element 26 using one of one or more alignment mechanisms 130.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 8, the method 400 further includes a step 406 of measuring in real time position data 58 (see FIG. 1A) of a wand applicator 18 using the portable wand system 10.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 8, the method 400 further includes a step 408 of operating a UV lamp element 26 using the portable wand system 10.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 8, method 400 further includes step 410 of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26 by user 52.

[0132] Step 410 of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26 may further include moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26 that emits ultraviolet (UV) light 28 (see FIG. 1A) having a wavelength in the range of 200 nanometers to 280 nanometers to disinfect the one or more surfaces 12.

[0133] Step 410 of moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26 may further include moving wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected by UV lamp element 26 that emits ultraviolet (UV) light 28 having a wavelength of 222 nanometers.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 8, method 400 further includes step 412 of comparing position data 58 with rendering 34 using portable wand system 10.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 8, method 400 further includes step 414 of determining, using portable wand system 10, when a predetermined UV light disinfection 172a (see FIG. 1B) is achieved for one or more surfaces 12 by UV lamp element 26.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 8, method 400 further includes step 416 of activating indicator element 78 (see FIG. 1A) to inform user 52 that a predetermined UV light disinfection 172a has been achieved for one or more surfaces 12 using UV lamp element 26 using portable wand system 10.

[0137] Method 400 further includes repeating the steps of moving the portable wand system 10 to a subsequent known location 132a (see FIG. 1A) to align the portable wand system 10 to the subsequent known location 132a, pressing the user input button 24, step 404, measuring the position data 58, step 406, activating the UV lamp element 26, step 408, moving the wand applicator 18 over one or more surfaces 12, step 410, comparing the position data 58 with the depiction 34, step 412, determining when the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a is achieved, step 414, and activating the indicator element 78 to inform the user 52 that the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a has been achieved, step 416, after the step 416 of activating the indicator element 78 to use the portable wand system 10 to inform the user 52 that the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a has been achieved.

[0138] To inform the user 52 that the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a has been achieved, step 416 of activating the indicator element 78 may further include activating an indicator element 78 comprising a binary indicator 80 including one of a light signal 82 coupled to the wand applicator 18, a blinking light warning 84a of the UV lamp element, an audio warning 86, a sound warning 88, a tactile warning 90, a vibration warning 92, a pulse warning 94, a pressure change warning 96, or another suitable warning or alarm to indicate that one or more of the one or more surfaces 12 has been completed with the predetermined UV light disinfection 172a, as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0139] Step 416 of activating the indicator element 78 to inform the user 52 that the specified UV light disinfection 172a has been achieved is a step of activating an indicator element 78 comprising a video display 98 coupled to the wand applicator 18, the video display 98 being visible to the user 52 and showing one or more of the portions 102 (see FIG. 1A) of the one or more surfaces 12 to be disinfected and a color-coded signal 104 (see FIG. 1A) including a lit progress bar 106 (see FIG. 1A), and may further include a step of indicating which portion 102 has full coverage, i.e., a full coverage portion 102a (see FIG. 1A).

[0140] As an example of using the method 400 (see FIG. 8), the user 52 or operator 54 places a wand applicator 18 having a UV lamp element 26 at a known location 132 or datum such as the armrest 250 (see FIG. 4) of the seat 248 (see FIG. 4) in the passenger compartment 246 (see FIG. 4) of the aircraft 148 (see FIG. 1B) based on a depiction 34 such as a geometric model 36. The user 52 or operator 54 presses a user input button 24 on the handle portion 20 of the wand applicator 18 to identify a starting position 167 (see FIG. 1B).

[0141] When the wand applicator 18 is lifted, the accelerometer 46 (see FIG. 1A) aligns the movement in the z direction, e.g., the movement 4 inches above the armrest 250. The UV lamp element 26 is turned on and the wand applicator 18 is moved in the y direction, e.g., 20 inches, over another armrest 250 in the same row as the armrest 250 at the starting position 167. The wand controller subsystem 30 wirelessly transmits position data 58 (see FIG. 1A) to a computer 138 (see FIG. 1A) that may be located on the aircraft 148 or at a remote location based on the geometric model 36.

[0142] Based on the height of the wand applicator 18, the lateral position of the wand applicator 18, the orientation of the wand applicator 18, and the duration and output of the UV lamp element 26, the portable wand system 10 uses a computer program 32, such as algorithm 32a, to determine when sufficient UV light 28 was emitted or irradiated to disinfect the surface 12 of interest.

[0143] The computer 138 communicates with an indicator element 78, such as a binary indicator 80 that activates an optical signal 82 (see FIG. 1A), a sound warning 88 (see FIG. 1A), or another suitable warning or alarm, to notify that UV light disinfection 172 (see FIG. 1B) of the surface 12 in that area has been completed. As an alternative to, or in addition to, the binary indicator 80, the portable wand system 10 may include a video display 98 that shows a colored signal 104 (see FIG. 1A), such as a progress bar 106 (see FIG. 1A) that is lit up, indicating the surface 12 or an area of the surface 12 or an area being surface-treated, such as by disinfection or cleaning.

[0144] When the user 52 or operator 54 moves the wand applicator 18 to a new surface 12 or location, the process is repeated. The UV light disinfection operation 170 (see FIG. 1B) may be recorded in the computer 138 of the computer recording system 136 as verification of the disinfection operation 168 of the surface 12 and area.

[0145] Referring now to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an aircraft 500, such as an aircraft 500a, that can use one version of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B) of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, an aircraft 500, such as an aircraft 500a, includes a fuselage 502, a nose 504, a cockpit 506, wings 508, engines 510, and a tail 512. As shown in FIG. 9, the tail 512 includes a horizontal stabilizer portion 514 and a vertical stabilizer portion 516. The portable wand system 10 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, and 5A can be used to disinfect, sterilize, sanitize, or perform another surface treatment application 14 on various surfaces, structures, objects, and components within the aircraft 500a, including inside the cockpit 506 or flight deck, inside the passenger cabin 246 (see FIG. 4), inside the galley area, inside the bathroom, inside the closet, and inside the storage shelves.

[0146] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550, and FIG. 11 is an exemplary block diagram of an aircraft 566. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a version of the present disclosure can be described in the context of the aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550 shown in FIG. 10 and the aircraft 566 shown in FIG. 11.

[0147] During the prototype phase, the exemplary aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550 can include aircraft 566 specifications and design 552 and material procurement 554. During manufacturing, component and subassembly manufacturing 556 and aircraft 566 system integration 558 are performed. Thereafter, the aircraft 566 can become airborne 562 via certification and delivery 560. During customer flight 562, the aircraft 566 can be scheduled for routine maintenance and inspection 564 (which can include repairs, reconfigurations, overhauls, and other appropriate services).

[0148] Each process of the aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550 can be performed by a system integrator, a third party, and / or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major system subcontractors. A third party may include, without limitation, any number of suppliers, subcontractors, and suppliers. An operator may include airlines, leasing companies, military organizations, service organizations, and other appropriate operators.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 11, an aircraft 566 manufactured by an exemplary aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550 can include an airframe 568 having a plurality of systems 570 and an interior 572. Examples of the plurality of systems 570 can include one or more of a propulsion system 574, an electrical system 576, a hydraulic system 578, and an environmental system 580. Any number of other systems may be included. Although examples in the aerospace field are shown, the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to other industries such as the automotive industry.

[0150] The methods and systems implemented herein may be used during any one or more stages of the aircraft manufacturing and maintenance inspection method 550. For example, a component or subassembly corresponding to the manufacturing 556 of components and subassemblies can be manufactured in a manner similar to the components or subassemblies produced during the in-service 562 operation of the aircraft 566. Also, one or more device embodiments, method embodiments, or combinations thereof can be utilized between the manufacturing 556 of components and subassemblies and the system integration 558, for example, by substantially facilitating the assembly of the aircraft 566 or reducing costs. Similarly, one or more device embodiments, method embodiments, or combinations thereof can be utilized during the in-service 562 operation of the aircraft 566, for example, but not limited to, maintenance and inspection 564.

[0151] The disclosed versions of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5A), method 300 (see FIG. 7), and method 400 (see FIG. 8) measure the position, orientation, duration, and output of the wand applicator 18 in real time and compare them to a depiction 34 (see FIG. 1A), such as a geometric model 36 (see FIG. 1A) of an area and map of a desired or predetermined exposure or dispensing coverage, to indicate to the user 52 when a desired or predetermined exposure, or a minimum desired exposure, has been achieved for a particular surface 12 or area. The display to the user 52 may be an indicator element 78 comprising a binary indicator 80 or video display 98 visible to the user 52 that shows the area of the object or area being covered, color-coded to indicate which areas have complete coverage. The portable wand system 10 utilizes the high dexterity of a user 52, such as a human operator, while achieving the traceability and reproducibility of an automated process. The disclosed versions of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5A), method 300 (see FIG. 7), and method 400 (see FIG. 8) indicate, authenticate, and verify the proper and thorough application of a surface treatment application 14, such as a UV light disinfection operation 170 (see FIG. 1B), onto the surface 12 of an environment or object. By recording this information in a computer recording system 136 (see FIG. 1A) over the entire surface treatment session, such as a disinfection or cleaning session, a greater overall area treatment verification for quality control purposes can be achieved.

[0152] Furthermore, the disclosed versions of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5A), method 300 (see FIG. 7), and method 400 (see FIG. 8) enable verification and authentication for an operator 54 and an inspector 56 such as an independent inspector (see FIG. 1A) in real time after a surface treatment application 14, such as a predetermined surface treatment application 14a, is completed, and a disinfection, sterilization, decontamination, or another surface treatment application 14, or a process requiring minimal surface exposure, is achieved for one or more surfaces 12 of a region or an object. The portable wand system 10 also enables a user 52 such as an operator 54 (see FIG. 1A) to self-verify that the surface treatment application 14 has been sufficiently performed and completed. Further, the portable wand system 10 indicates that a curing operation of a surface coating 180a (see FIG. 1B), or a curing operation 180 such as UV curing of a surface coating (see FIG. 1B), a shot peening operation 182 such as a shot peening operation 182a of a metal surface (see FIG. 1B), a chemical contaminant detection operation 184 (see FIG. 1B), a biological contaminant detection operation 186 (see FIG. 1B), a non-destructive inspection process 188 such as an eddy current crack detection 190 (see FIG. 1B), or another process such as another suitable surface treatment application is sufficient.

[0153] The disclosed versions of the portable wand system 10 (see FIGS. 1A, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 5A), method 300 (see FIG. 7), and method 400 (see FIG. 8) provide high levels of reproducibility, quality control, efficiency, and improved consistency for generating high-quality surface treatment applications 14 while maintaining the dexterity of the user 52 performing the surface treatment application 14, as opposed to automated methods that require very complex equipment that is less dexterous than a human operator when processing complex surfaces. The portable wand system 10 enables the adaptability of a human operator with the traceability of an automated process but without the complexity. The portable wand system 10 provides surface treatment applications 14 such as a disinfection operation 168, which authenticates and verifies that the surface treatment application 14, such as the disinfection operation 168, was achieved on the surface 12 using a wand applicator 18 such as the handheld wand applicator 18a (see FIG. 1A).

[0154] The portable wand system 10 determines the position 50 of the wand applicator 18 by separately or in combination using one or more of a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit 42a (see FIG. 1A), or a fixed-position extensometer 72 (see FIG. 1A), a rotational position sensor 74 (see FIG. 1A), and / or an external photogrammetric sensor 76 (see FIG. 1A). Depictions 34, such as a geometric model 36 of the area or object being processed or a photographic image 38 taken in a photogrammetric process 40, are used with the exposure or treatment flux (UV exposure per area), acceleration, and duration of the surface 12 and the surface treatment application 14 overlaid on the depiction 34. In a preferred version, the portable wand system 10 has a wand applicator 18 that includes a UV lamp element 26 such as a 222 nanometer (nm) UV lamp element 26a. The portable wand system 10 verifies and authenticates the correct application of 222 nm UV light radiation onto the surface 12 for UV light disinfection 172 (see FIG. 1B).

[0155] Many modifications and other versions of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure is related thereto with the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. The versions described herein are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive. Specific terms are used herein, but they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0156] 10 Portable wand system 10a Portable wand system 10b Portable wand system 10c Portable wand system 12 Surface 12a Inner surface 14 Surface treatment application 14a Predetermined surface treatment application 15 State 16 Surface treatment application element 18 Wand applicator 18a Handheld wand applicator 20 Handle portion 22 Head portion 24 User input button 26 Ultraviolet (UV) lamp element 26a 222nm UV lamp element 28 UV light 30 Wand controller subsystem 32 Computer program 32a Algorithm 34 Depiction 36 Geometric model 38 Photographic image 40 Photogrammetric process 42 Inertial measurement unit 42a 6 - degree - of - freedom inertial measurement unit 44 Integrated circuit 46 Accelerometer 48 Acceleration 50 Position 52 users 54 operators 56 inspectors 58 position data 60 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 62 Surface Treatment Application Element (STAE) power feedback 64 UV lamp element power feedback 66 memory unit 68 data 70 wireless network interface 72 fixed position extensometer 74 rotational position sensor 76 external photogrammetry sensor 78 indicator element 80 binary indicator 82 optical signal 84 Blinking light warning for STAE 84a Blinking light warning for UV lamp element 86 audio warning 88 sound warning 90 tactile warning 92 vibration warning 94 pulse warning 96 pressure change warning 98 video display 98a video progress display 100 connector element 102 part 102a complete coverage part 104 color - coded signal 106 lit progress bar 108 power assembly 110 energy storage device 110a battery 112 power connector 114 wired connector 114a power interconnection cable 114b power cord 114c high - voltage cable 114d Light - Emitting Diode (LED) wiring 116 wireless connector 118 STAE power supply 120 UV lamp element power supply 122 System case 124 System backpack 126 System roller bag 128 System shoulder case 130 Alignment mechanism 132 Known location 132a Subsequent known location 134 Known orientation 136 Computer recording system 138 Computer 140 Router device 142 Wireless access point 144 Internet connection 146 Inside 148 Aircraft 150 Spaceship 152 Self-propelled vehicle 154 Ship 156 Train 158 Hospital 160 Factory building 162 Office building 164 Movie theater 166 Restaurant 167 Starting position 168 Disinfection operation 170 UV light disinfection operation 172 UV light disinfection 172a Prescribed UV light disinfection 173 State 174 Decontamination operation 176 Sterilization operation 178 Sterilization operation 180 Curing operation 180a Surface coating 182 Shot peening operation 182a Shot peening operation on metal surface 184 Chemical contaminant detection operation 186 Biological contaminant detection operation 188 Non-destructive inspection process 190 Eddy Current Crack Detection 192 Paint Application 194 Abrasive Media Blasting Operation 194a Sandblasting Operation 196 Surface Preheating Operation 198 Torch Welding Operation 200 Gaseous Dispersed Element 202 Atomizing Element 204 Disinfecting Fluid 206 Disinfecting Gas 208 Sterilizing Fluid 210 Sterilizing Gas 212 Sterilizing Fluid 214 Sterilizing Gas 216 Cleaning Liquid 218 Hardening Element 220 Shot Peening Element 222 Contaminant Detection Element 224 Paint 226 Abrasive Media Blasting Element 226a Sandblasting Element 228 Surface Preheating Element 230 Torch Welding Element 232 xyz Coordinate Axis System 234 x - Axis 234a x - Acceleration 234b x - Rotation 236 y - Axis 236a y - Acceleration 236b y - Rotation 238 z - Axis 238a z - Acceleration 238b z - Rotation 242 Central Recording Function 244 Wireless Connection 246 Passenger Compartment 248 Seat 250 Armrest 250a Front Armrest 250b Rear Armrest 252 Hard Shell Case 254 Latch 256 Telescopic Handle 258 Top Handle 260 Side handle 262 Roller wheel 263 Closed position 264 Hose 264a Air hose 266 Hose fixing assembly 268 Outer surface 269 Part of the hose 270 Fabric cover 272 Fixing element 272a Buckle 274 Open position 276a First end 276b Second end 278 Housing 280 Fan 282 Notch opening 283 Part of the hose 284 Trigger handle 286 Trigger part 288 External part 290 Port opening 292a First end 292b Second end 294 UV lamp bulb 295 UV lamp sensor 296 Inside of the housing 298 Reflector lining element 299 Cooling manifold 500 Aircraft vehicle 500a Aircraft 502 Fuselage 504 Nose 506 Cockpit 508 Wing 510 Engine 512 Tail 514 Horizontal stabilizer part 516 Vertical stabilizer part 550 Method for manufacturing and maintenance inspection of aircraft 552 Specifications and design 554 Material procurement 556 Manufacturing of components and sub-assemblies 558 System integration 560 Authentication and transportation 562 In flight 564 Maintenance and inspection 566 Aircraft 568 Airframe 570 System 572 Interior 574 Propulsion system 576 Electrical system 578 Hydraulic system 580 Environmental system

Claims

Claim 1 A portable wand system comprising a wand applicator having a surface treatment application element, a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator, the wand controller subsystem including a computer program, a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU), a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the IMU, surface treatment application element power feedback to the CPU, a memory unit coupled to the CPU, a provided CAD (computer-aided design) model of an area having one or more surfaces to be surface-treated inside an aircraft by a surface treatment application of the surface treatment application element, and a map of a predetermined surface treatment application of the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated inside the aircraft, the six-degree-of-freedom IMU measuring one or more positions of the wand applicator moved by a user on the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated inside the aircraft, a wand controller subsystem; a user input button coupled to the wand applicator, an indicator element for indicating that a surface treatment application of one or more of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft has been completed, a power assembly coupled to the wand applicator, one or more alignment mechanisms for periodically aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations and one or more known directions on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft in the provided CAD model, the one or more known locations including one or more of a known location of a starting position and one or more subsequent known locations, and when the user presses the user input button, the one or more alignment mechanisms identifying the known location of the starting position on one of the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated inside the aircraft, one or more alignment mechanisms A computer recording system coupled to the wand controller subsystem, the computer recording system being operable to analyze position data of the wand applicator and to communicate the status of the predetermined surface treatment application on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to the indicator element, the computer recording system including a computer for recording a predetermined surface treatment application of the one or more surfaces and for verifying and confirming that the predetermined surface treatment application has been correctly completed, a computer recording system; comprising; The portable wand system measures in real time the position data, direction, duration, and output of the wand applicator, compares the provided CAD model with the position data, and informs the user when the predetermined surface treatment application is achieved on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft. A portable wand system. **Claim 2** The portable wand system according to claim 1, wherein the surface treatment application element includes one of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element, a gaseous dispersion element, an aerosolization element, a disinfection fluid, a disinfection gas, a sterilization fluid, a sterilization gas, a sterilization fluid, a sterilization gas, a cleaning liquid, a curing element, a shot peening element, a contaminant detection element, a paint, a polishing media blasting element, a sandblasting element, a surface preheating element, and a torch welding element. **Claim 3** The portable wand system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface treatment application includes one of a disinfection operation, an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection operation, a decontamination operation, a sterilization operation, a sterilization operation, a curing operation, a shot peening operation, a chemical contaminant detection operation, a biological contaminant detection operation, a non-destructive inspection process, an eddy current crack detection, a paint application, a polishing media blasting operation, a sandblasting operation, a surface preheating operation, and a torch welding operation. **Claim 4** The wand controller subsystem is The portable wand system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising one or more of a fixed position extensometer, a rotational position sensor, and an external photogrammetric sensor. **Claim 5** The portable wand system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the provided CAD model includes a geometric model of one or more surfaces to be surface-treated by the surface treatment of the surface treatment application element, and one of the photographic images obtained by a photogrammetry process.

6. The portable wand system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the indicator element comprises a binary indicator including one of an optical signal coupled to the wand applicator, a flashing light warning of the surface treatment application element, an audio warning, a sound warning, a tactile warning, a vibration warning, a pulse warning, and a pressure change warning to indicate that one or more of the predetermined surface treatments of one or more of the one or more surfaces have been completed.

7. The portable wand system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indicator element comprises a video display coupled to the wand applicator, the video display being visible to the user and showing one or more of the portions of the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated and a color-coded signal including a lit progress bar to indicate which portions have complete coverage.

8. A portable wand system for disinfecting one or more surfaces inside an aircraft, the portable wand system comprising: A wand applicator including an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element; A wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator, the wand controller subsystem including a computer program, a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU), a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the IMU, ultraviolet (UV) lamp element power feedback to the CPU, a memory unit coupled to the CPU, a provided CAD (computer-aided design) model of the area of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected by the UV lamp element, and a map of a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected, wherein the six-degree-of-freedom IMU measures one or more positions of the wand applicator moved by a user on the one or more surfaces to be surface-treated inside the aircraft, a wand controller subsystem. A user input button coupled to the wand applicator, An indicator element for indicating that disinfection of one or more of the one or more surfaces has been completed inside the aircraft, A power supply assembly coupled to the wand applicator, One or more alignment mechanisms for periodically aligning the wand applicator with one or more known locations and one or more known directions on one or more of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft in the provided CAD model, wherein the one or more known locations include one or more of a known location at the starting position and one or more subsequent known locations, and when the user presses the user input button, the one or more alignment mechanisms identify the known location at the starting position on one of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected, one or more alignment mechanisms, A computer recording system coupled to the wand controller subsystem, the computer recording system being operable to analyze the position data of the wand applicator and to communicate the status of the predetermined UV light disinfection of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft by the UV lamp element to the indicator element, the computer recording system including a computer for recording the predetermined UV light disinfection of the one or more surfaces and for verifying and confirming that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been correctly completed, a computer recording system, Comprising, The portable wand system measures the position data, direction, duration, and output of the wand applicator in real time, compares the provided CAD model with the position data, and informs the user when the predetermined UV light disinfection of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft is achieved, a portable wand system. Claim 9 The portable wand system according to claim 8, wherein the UV lamp element is operable to emit ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in the range of 200 nanometers to 280 nanometers to disinfect the one or more surfaces. Claim 10 The portable wand system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the indicator element includes one of a binary indicator coupled to the wand applicator and a video display coupled to the wand applicator.

11. A method for indicating to a user that a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection has been achieved on one or more surfaces inside an aircraft, the method comprising: A wand applicator comprising an ultraviolet (UV) lamp element; A wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator, the wand controller subsystem including a computer program, a six-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU), a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the IMU, surface treatment application element power feedback to the CPU, a memory unit coupled to the CPU, a provided CAD (computer-aided design) model of an area including the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected by the UV lamp element, and a map of a predetermined ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected, wherein the six-degree-of-freedom IMU measures one or more positions of the wand applicator moved by a user on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected, a wand controller subsystem; A user input button coupled to the wand applicator; An indicator element for indicating that disinfection of one or more of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft has been completed; A power supply assembly coupled to the wand applicator; One or more alignment mechanisms for periodically aligning the wand applicator with respect to one or more known locations and one or more known directions on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft in the provided CAD model, the one or more known locations including one or more of a known location of a starting position and one or more subsequent known locations, and when the user presses the user input button, the one or more alignment mechanisms identify the known location of the starting position on one of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected, one or more alignment mechanisms; A computer recording system coupled to the wand controller subsystem, the computer recording system analyzing the position data of the wand applicator and transmitting the state of the predetermined UV light disinfection on the one or more surfaces to the indicator element, the computer recording system including a computer for recording the predetermined UV light disinfection of the one or more surfaces and verifying and confirming that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been correctly completed, a computer recording system and providing a portable wand system comprising; pressing, by the user, the user input button to identify a known location of a starting position on one of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected using one of the one or more alignment mechanisms; measuring, in real time, the position data, direction, duration, and output of the wand applicator using the portable wand system; activating the UV lamp element using the portable wand system; moving the wand applicator on one of the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft to be disinfected by the UV lamp element by the user; comparing the position data with the provided CAD model using the portable wand system; determining, using the portable wand system, when the predetermined UV light disinfection is achieved on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft by the UV lamp element; activating the indicator element using the portable wand system to inform the user that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been achieved on the one or more surfaces inside the aircraft by the UV lamp element. A method comprising.

12. After activating the indicator element using the portable wand system to inform the user that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been achieved, moving the portable wand system to a subsequent known location to align the portable wand system with the subsequent known location, and the step of pressing the user input button, the step of measuring the position data, the step of activating the UV lamp element, the step of moving the wand applicator over the one or more surfaces, the step of comparing the position data with the provided CAD model, the step of determining when the predetermined UV light disinfection is achieved, and the step of repeating the step of activating the indicator element to notify the user that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been achieved The method according to claim 11, further comprising

13. The step of moving the wand applicator over the one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element further comprises moving the wand applicator over the one or more surfaces to be disinfected by the UV lamp element that emits ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength in the range of 200 nanometers to 280 nanometers to disinfect the one or more surfaces. The method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The step of activating the indicator element to notify the user that the predetermined UV light disinfection has been achieved further comprises activating the indicator element comprising one of a binary indicator coupled to the wand applicator and a video display coupled to the wand applicator. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

Images