Mobile disinfection apparatuses having visual marker detection systems and methods of their use

A disinfection apparatus, comprising:

• a germicidal source;
• an imaging device;
• a device for conveying information to a user of the disinfection apparatus;
• and
• a controller having a processor and program instructions executable by the processor for:
• analyzing a first image obtained by the imaging device to determine whether the first image comprises one of a set of designated visual markers associated with the disinfection apparatus;
• determining a first amount of dimensional variation between a placement of a visual marker in the first image and a target placement of the visual marker in the first image subsequent to determining the first image comprises one of the set of designated visual markers;
• comparing the first amount of dimensional variation to a predetermined threshold of variation;
• and
• releasing an operation on the disinfection apparatus subsequent to determining the first amount of dimensional variation is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

A disinfection apparatus, comprising:

• a germicidal source;
• an imaging device;
• a visual display;
• and
• a controller having a processor and program instructions executable by the processor for:
• displaying on the visual display what the imaging device is viewing in real-time;
• analyzing an image obtained by the imaging device to determine whether the image comprises one of a set of designated visual markers associated with the disinfection apparatus;
• and
• releasing an operation lock on the disinfection apparatus subsequent to determining the image comprises one of the set of designated visual markers.