Ultraviolet Disinfection Device and Method

A method of automatically disinfecting the air and surfaces within the range of a far-ultraviolet (far-UVC) disinfection device, the method comprising:

• causing a far-UVC disinfection device to emit a far-UVC light having an output wavelength of about 222 nanometers, the far-UVC disinfection device including:
• a far-UVC light source configured to emit the far-UVC light;
• one or more subject detection sensors configured to detect the one or more subjects, the one or more subjects consisting of one or more of human beings, one or more domesticated animals, and one or more farm animals or a combination thereof;
• and
• a controller in communication with the far-UVC light source and the one or more subject detection sensors and configured to selectively activate and deactivate each of the far-UVC light source and the one or more subject detection sensors;
• in response to the one or more subject detection sensors detecting that a subject of the one or more subjects are within the range of the far-UVC light emitted by the far-UVC light source for a predetermined amount of exposure time, transmitting a deactivation signal from the controller to the far-UVC light source to cause the far-UVC light source to cease emitting the far-UVC light;
• and
• in response to the one or more subject detection sensors detecting no subject of the one or more subjects within the range of the far-UVC light emitted by the far-UVC light source, transmitting an activation signal from the controller to the far-UVC light source to cause the far-UVC light source to begin emitting the far-UVC light.