Self-sterilizing input device

• US 7,692,159 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vioguard LLC
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Saifee, Abid, Lane, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanore; David A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smyth; Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/426,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20080067417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 25045311-45511, 2504931-504 H
• US Class Current: 250/455.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

A system and method for sterilizing a surface on an input device is disclosed. A chamber is configured to enclose an input device such as a keyboard and is configured to be switched between an open and a closed state. A drive unit may be provided to switch the chamber between states. In an embodiment, the drive unit may include a motor. A sensor provides a signal to a controller when the chamber is the closed state and the controller actuates a UV light. In an embodiment, the controller actuates the drive unit and the UV light in response to a trigger. In an embodiment, the trigger may be provided from a change in state in a computer coupled to the input device.

Claims

1. A system for disinfecting a surface of an input device, comprising:

a chamber configured to enclose the surface of the input device, the chamber switchable between an open state and a closed state;

a sensor configured to provide a signal when the chamber is in the closed state;

a UV light; and

a controller configured to cause a drive unit to switch the chamber to the closed state in response to a trigger requesting activation of the UV light and to activate the UV light in response to the signal received from the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes a drawer configured to support the input device and the drawer is positionable between an operative and a sterilize position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the drive unit is configured to automatically translate the drawer between the operative position and the sterilize position in response an actuation input received from the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor and the controller is configured to actuate the motor of the drive unit in response to the trigger.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the chamber includes a door configured to be automatically closed when the drawer is in the sterilize position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to provide a signal indicating a status of a sterilization cycle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive the trigger from a computer coupled to the input device.

8. A method of sterilizing a surface of an input device in a chamber, comprising:

(a) receiving a trigger requesting a sterilization cycle to begin;

(b) providing an actuation input to a drive unit in response to the trigger, the drive unit configured to switch the chamber between an open and a closed state, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor and the providing of the actuation input comprises;

(i) providing a signal to the motor; and

(ii) switching the chamber from the open state to the closed staet with the motor;

(c) determining that the chamber is in a closed state; and

(d) actuating a UV light for a predetermined time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving the trigger in (a) comprises:

(i) providing the signal to the motor; and

(ii) switching the chamber from the open state to the closed state with the motor.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining in (c) comprises:

(i) receiving the signal from a sensor indicating that the chamber is in the closed state.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

(e) in response to the actuating in (d), switching the chamber to the open state.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

(e) providing a sterilization complete signal.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to receive a wireless signal and the receiving in (s) comprises:

(i) receiving a wireless signal from the input device wherein the providing a sterilization complete signal.

14. A system for sterilizing a surface of an input device, comprising:

a chamber configured to switch between an operative state and a closed state;

a keyboard having a housing coupled to the chamber, the keyboard including an operative surface;

a UV light configured to sterilize the operative surface when the chamber is in the closed state;

a sensor configured to provide a signal when the chamber is in the closed state; and

a controller configured to actuate the UV light in response to the signal provided by the sensor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the chamber includes a flexible door positioned in a track, wherein the flexible door is configured to be translated between an operative position and a sterilize position, wherein translating the flexible door to the sterilized position switches the chamber to the closed state.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the keyboard further includes a drive unit configured to automatically translate the flexible door between the operative and the sterilize position in response to an actuation input.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor coupled to the flexible door, the motor configured to translate the flexible door between the operative and the sterilize position.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the UV light in response to a trigger and the controller is further to provide the actuation input to the drive unit in response to the trigger.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the keyboard is fixably attached to the chamber.