Electronic Gadget Disinfection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016000953-A1
Application number	US-201514853105-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 14, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2012
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A solution for disinfecting electronic devices is provided. An ultraviolet radiation source is embedded within an ultraviolet absorbent case. While the electronic device is within the ultraviolet absorbent case, ultraviolent radiation is directed at the electronic device. A monitoring and control system monitors a plurality of attributes for the electronic device, which can include: a frequency of usage for the device, a biological activity at a surface of the device, and a disinfection schedule history for the device. Furthermore, the monitoring and control system can detect whether the device is being used. Based on the monitoring, the monitoring and control system controls the ultraviolet radiation directed at the electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
an ultraviolet absorbent enclosure for containing at least one part of an electronic device; at least one ultraviolet radiation source embedded within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure, the at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device; and a monitoring and control system for managing the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device by performing a method comprising:
monitoring the electronic device for at least one of: a frequency of usage of the electronic device, a presence of biological activity on the electronic device and a disinfection schedule history for the electronic device; and
controlling, based on the monitoring, the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein, in response to the monitoring of a presence of biological activity at a surface area of the part of the electronic device, the controlling comprises directing a higher dose of ultraviolet radiation to the surface area of the part including the presence of biological activity, wherein the higher dose includes at least one of: an increased intensity level or an increased exposure time.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controlling comprises at least one of:
turning on the at least one ultraviolet radiation source; turning off the at least one ultraviolet radiation source; and determining a time scheduling for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure includes a switch to turn off the ultraviolet radiation when the part of the electronic device is not located within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure further provides mechanical protection for the part of the electronic device for a one meter drop test.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure further provides water protection for the part of the electronic device for a timed submersion test.

7 . An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic device; an ultraviolet absorbent enclosure for containing at least one part of the electronic device; at least one ultraviolet radiation source embedded within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure, the at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device; and a monitoring and control system for managing the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device by performing a method comprising:
monitoring the electronic device for at least one of: a frequency of usage of the electronic device, a presence of biological activity on the electronic device and a disinfection schedule history for the electronic device; and
controlling, based on the monitoring, the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein, in response to the monitoring of a presence of biological activity at a surface area of the part of the electronic device, the controlling comprises directing a higher dose of ultraviolet radiation to the surface area of the part including the presence of biological activity, wherein the higher dose includes at least one of: an increased intensity level or an increased exposure time.

9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the controlling comprises at least one of:
turning on the at least one ultraviolet radiation source; turning off the at least one ultraviolet radiation source; and determining a time scheduling for the at least one ultraviolet radiation source.

10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure includes a switch to turn off the ultraviolet radiation when the part of the electronic device is not located within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure.

11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure further provides at least one of: mechanical protection for the part of the electronic device for a one meter drop test or water protection for the part of the electronic device for a timed submersion test.

12 . An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic device; an ultraviolet absorbent enclosure for containing at least one part of the electronic device; at least one ultraviolet radiation source embedded within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure, the at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device; a switch on the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure to turn off the ultraviolet radiation when the part of the electronic device is not located within the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure; and a monitoring and control system for managing the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device by performing a method comprising:
monitoring the electronic device for at least one of: a frequency of usage of the electronic device, a presence of biological activity on the electronic device and a disinfection schedule history for the electronic device; and
controlling, based on the monitoring, the ultraviolet radiation directed at the part of the electronic device.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein, in response to the monitoring of a presence of biological activity at a surface area of the part of the electronic device, the controlling comprises directing a higher dose of ultraviolet radiation to the surface area of the part including the presence of biological activity, wherein the higher dose includes at least one of: an increased intensity level; or an increased exposure time.

14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the ultraviolet absorbent enclosure provides at least one of: mechanical protection for the part of the electronic device for a one meter drop test or water protection for the part of the electronic device for a timed submersion test.

Assignees

• Sensor Electronic Tech Inc

Inventors

• Bettles Timothy James
• Bilenko Yuri
• Smetona Saulius
• Dobrinsky Alexander
• Shur Michael
• Gaska Remigijus

Classifications

• A61L2/10 Primary

  Ultraviolet [UV] radiation · CPC title

• A61L2/24 Primary

  Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation · CPC title

• A61L2/26

  Accessories · CPC title