Method and system for reducing microbes on a portable electronic device

• US 20060188389A1
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levy, Rami C.
• Application Number:
  US11/068,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20060188389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

A system (11) for reducing microbes such as bacteria or germs on a portable electronic device (10) can include a portable communication device having a sensor (32) for detecting a condition of the portable communication device and a light source (30) selectively activated for germicidal reduction based on the condition. The condition can include a charging status for the portable communication device or a position for a flip on the portable electronic device, or any number of other operating or environmental conditions. The light source can be an ultra-violet light source such as a UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light emitting diode. The system can optionally include a charging base (34) having a light source (36) such that the source operates as a anti-bacterial light source when the portable electronic device is being charged.

Claims

1. A system for reducing microbes on a portable electronic device, comprising:

a portable communication device having a sensor for detecting a condition of the portable communication device; and

a light source selectively activated for microbial reduction based on the condition.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises a charging status for the portable communication device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises a closed position for a flip on the portable electronic device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an environmental sensor for detecting a lack of a predetermined proximity to a human.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises at least one among a lack of a talk condition, placement within a holster, and a docking within a docking station.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises at least one among a cellular phone, a home cordless phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless messaging device, an MP3 player, a shaver, a toothbrush, and a personal hygiene device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is an ultra-violet light source.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the ultra-violet light source comprises at least one among a UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light emitting diode.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a charging base having the ultra-violet light source such that the ultra-violet light source operates as a anti-bacterial light source when the portable electronic device is being charged.

10. A system for reducing microbes on at least portions of a portable communication product, comprising:

a sensor for detecting at least one condition among an operational condition and an environmental condition of the portable communication product; and

an ultra-violet light source selectively activated for microbial sterilization based on the condition detected.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor detects at least one condition selected among a charging status for the portable communication device, a position for a flip on the portable communication product, a proximity to a human, and a talk condition for the portable communication device.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the system comprises at least one among a cellular phone, a home cordless phone, a smart phone, a charging base, a docking station, and a wireless messaging device.

13. A method of reducing microbes on a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of:

sensing for a predetermined condition on the portable communication device; and

selectively activating a light source for microbial sterilization based on the predetermined condition sensed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sensing the predetermined condition comprises sensing a charging status for the portable communication device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sensing the predetermined condition comprises sensing a closed position for a flip on the portable electronic device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sensing comprises the step of sensing using an environmental sensor for detecting a predetermined proximity to a human.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises the step of deactivating the light source when detecting the predetermined proximity to the human.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of selectively activating the light source comprises selectively activating an ultra-violet light source.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selectively activating the ultra-violet light source comprises selectively activating at least one among a UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light emitting diode.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of selectively activating an ultra-violet light source comprises activating the ultra-violet light source as a anti-bacterial light source when the portable electronic device is being charged in a charging base.