Reconfigurable Touch Interface Control for Cross-Contamination Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current decontamination methods for high-frequency touch points in public places are inadequate in reducing cross-contamination probability, as traditional disinfectants require prolonged contact times and persistent coatings take too long to achieve complete inactivation, leaving subsequent touches unprotected.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic reconfiguration control system that adjusts user interfaces and applies visual feedback to guide users to safer touch spots, combining active pathogen inactivation methods like non-thermal plasma and reactive oxygen species to minimize cross-contamination by extending the time interval between touches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional disinfectants are used, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but contact time of five minutes is required which is too long for high-frequency touch points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen inactivation effectivenessVSAvoidcontact time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfectant by using accelerated oxidation methods (ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid) that react faster with pathogens than traditional disinfectants, reducing contact time from five minutes to seconds while maintaining or improving inactivation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic application of active pathogen inactivation methods between sequential touches, with the controller activating the inactivation method during intervals when no user is present, creating a cyclic pattern of disinfection that maintains continuous protection without requiring prolonged contact at each touch event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If persistent coatings are used, then ongoing pathogen inactivation is provided, but complete inactivation time of 2 hours or more is too long for high-frequency touch points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersistence durationVSAvoidpathogen inactivation completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges persistent coatings with active pathogen inactivation methods in a hybrid system where the persistent coating provides baseline ongoing protection while the active method (ozone, hydrogen peroxide, UV-C, or heated surface) periodically enhances inactivation during intervals between touches, achieving both long duration and high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses composite decontamination approaches combining persistent coating materials with embedded or applied active inactivation agents, creating a multi-functional surface that provides both continuous low-level protection and periodic high-level inactivation bursts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If sequential touches occur at high frequency, then operational efficiency is maintained, but cross-contamination probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcross-contamination probability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses motion sensors and touch sensors to detect user presence and touch events, providing real-time feedback to the controller which then activates pathogen inactivation methods during intervals between detected touches, creating a responsive feedback loop that maintains decontamination without interrupting high-frequency operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary pathogen inactivation during the interval between the first user's touch and the second user's arrival, preparing the surface in advance so that when the second user touches, the pathogen load is already reduced, eliminating the need to wait for inactivation to complete

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

The system significantly reduces cross-contamination probability by at least 50% by dynamically reconfiguring touch interfaces and using active inactivation methods, ensuring safer touch spots and increased confidence for germophobes.

Implementation Method 1

active pathogen inactivation methods like non-thermal plasma and reactive oxygen species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-thermal plasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

active pathogen inactivation methods like non-thermal plasma and reactive oxygen species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11529434B1Dynamic reconfigurable contamination reduction control system

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 GURIN MICHAEL

AI summary

A control system and pathogen inactivation method to reduce cross-contamination within operational devices that experience sequential touching of touch spots on the operational device by multiple people. Additionally, the system controls and then executes the reconfiguration of touch spot position to increase the probabilistic time interval between sequential touches from a first person to a second person physically interacting with the operational device. The dynamic reconfiguration control system reduces the probability of cross-contamination between sequential personal touches in sequential user sessions.