Laptop Display Emitting Sanitizing Light for Keyboard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional UV-light-based sanitizing systems require separate units and may not effectively sanitize the keyboard area of laptops, which is a germ-infested region, and manual cleaning methods can be damaging and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A self-sanitizing system that configures the laptop's display to emit sanitizing light, such as blue light in the 400-490 nm range, directly onto the keyboard area when the lid is closed, utilizing existing hardware and software to provide automatic and scheduled sanitization without additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional UV-light-based sanitizing systems are used, then germ sanitization is achieved, but the system requires separate units and cannot effectively sanitize the keyboard area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization effectivenessVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sanitization function with the existing display hardware by configuring the display to emit UV light during specific modes. This integration eliminates the need for separate UV sanitizing units and enables effective keyboard area sanitization through the display's light emission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display is designed to serve multiple functions: normal visual display operation and UV light emission for sanitization. By enabling the display to perform both functions, the system achieves multi-functionality without adding separate dedicated components for each purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If manual cleaning methods are used, then the keyboard area can be cleaned, but the methods can be damaging and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to keyboard

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning methods with UV light-based sanitization. The UV light emitted from the display during sanitization mode kills germs and pathogens on the keyboard surface without requiring physical contact, thus avoiding damage to the keyboard while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-sanitization automatically through the display emitting UV light during designated modes, eliminating the need for users to manually clean the keyboard. This automated self-service approach improves efficiency while avoiding the damaging effects of manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If UV light is emitted to sanitize the keyboard area, then germ killing is effective, but users may be exposed to harmful light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm killing effectivenessVSAvoiduser exposure to harmful light

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display emits UV light for sanitization only during specific periodic modes rather than continuously. The system alternates between normal display operation and sanitization mode, ensuring that UV light is emitted only when needed for sanitization and not during regular usage, thus preventing user exposure while maintaining effective germ killing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs sanitization in advance during dedicated modes before user interaction occurs. By emitting UV light during preliminary sanitization phases and avoiding emission during active usage periods, the system effectively kills germs while preventing user exposure to harmful light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively reduces germs, viruses, and bacteria on the keyboard area without exposing users to harmful light and with minimal impact on the laptop's performance or form factor, ensuring regular and efficient sanitization.

Implementation Method 1

UV light has the ability to kill germs/pathogens like viruses, funguses, and bacteria. For example, UV light in the 200-300 nanometer (nm) wavelength range (e.g., UV-C) is often used to sanitize medical grade equipment, though other wavelengths of light, including visible 'blue light' in the 400-490 nm range may also be effective in killing common bacteria, viruses, funguses, and other germs/pathogens.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS20240390541A1Devices, methods, and systems of a self-sanitizing laptop

Publication Date: 2024.11.28 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for self-sanitizing a device using the built-in screen display of the device (e.g., a laptop). The device includes a processor configured to execute instructions to determine a relationship between a location of a display of the device and a location of a keyboard surface of the device. The processor is also configured to execute instructions configured to, based on the relationship, enable a sanitization mode on the device and to configure the display to emit light toward the keyboard surface to sanitize the keyboard surface when the sanitization mode is enabled.