Self-sterilizing input device

• US 8,283,639 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vioguard LLC
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lane, David M., Saifee, Abid
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanore, David A
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMYTH, ANDREW P
• Application Number:
  US12/487,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20090257912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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, the chamber including a drawer configured to support the input device, the drawer moveable between an operative position and a sterilize position;

a door configured to be automatically closed when the drawer is in the sterilize position;

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

a plurality of UV lights that are mounted to the door, so that when the door is in a closed position, the plurality of UV lights are positioned under the input device so that each of the plurality of UV lights is entirely below the input device; and

a controller configured to cause the 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 drive unit is configured to automatically translate the drawer between the operative position and the sterilize position in response to an actuation input received from the controller.

3. The system of claim 2, 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.

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

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

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

(a) receiving a trigger in response to a detection of a period of user inactivity, the 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 by positioning a drawer that supports the input device, the drawer being positioned between an operative position and a sterilize position, the operative position corresponding to the open state of the chamber and the sterilize position corresponding to the closed state of the chamber;

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

(d) actuating a UV light for a predetermined time, the UV light comprising UV-C light having a wavelength of less than 280 nanometers, UV lights being directed onto the input device by one or more reflectors in the chamber and by UV reflective material on one or more inner surfaces of the chamber.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the receiving the trigger in (a) comprises:

(i) providing a signal to a motor; and

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

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor and the providing of the actuation input in (b) comprises:

(i) providing a signal to the motor; and

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

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining in (c) comprises:

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

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

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

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

(e) providing a sterilization complete signal.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein a controller in the chamber is configured to receive a wireless signal, the method further comprising:

(i) receiving the wireless signal from the input device, the wireless signal triggering the sterilization cycle to begin.

13. 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 computer including software that detects a period of user inactivity and that initiates a sterilization cycle when the period of user inactivity is detected;

a keyboard having a housing coupled to the chamber, the chamber including a drawer configured to support the input device, the drawer being moveable between a first position wherein the keyboard is at least partially exposed outside of the chamber, and a second position wherein the keyboard is contained within the chamber, and the keyboard including an operative surface;

a UV light configured to sterilize the operative surface when the chamber is in the closed state, the UV light comprising UV-C light having a wavelength of less than 280 nanometers;

one or more reflectors positioned in the chamber to direct the UV light onto the keyboard;

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.

14. The system of claim 13, 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.

15. The system of claim 14, 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.

16. The system of claim 15, 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.

17. The system of claim 15, 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.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the keyboard is fixably attached to the chamber.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the chamber includes a door, wherein the door is configured to be translated between an operative position and a sterilize position, wherein translating the door to the sterilized position switches the chamber to the closed state.