초록 ▼

Disclosed is a disinfecting station for at least one portable electronic device. An enclosure is adapted to receive the at least one portable electronic device therein through an openable side that includes a selectively closable door. Each electronic device is exposed to a disinfecting wavelength o

Disclosed is a disinfecting station for at least one portable electronic device. An enclosure is adapted to receive the at least one portable electronic device therein through an openable side that includes a selectively closable door. Each electronic device is exposed to a disinfecting wavelength of light, such as UV light, to disinfect the surface of the device. The enclosure can include supports that minimally contact each device so that the device will be substantially exposed to the UV light. A control circuit can monitor the exposure time and level, and is programmable to activate the UV light based on pre-set criteria. The enclosures may be stacked and provide power and network connectivity to each device while docked therein.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A disinfecting station, comprising: a substantially opaque enclosure adapted to receive at least one portable electronic device therein through at least one openable side, the enclosure further including means for selectively sealing the at least one openable side;at least one means for supportin

1. A disinfecting station, comprising: a substantially opaque enclosure adapted to receive at least one portable electronic device therein through at least one openable side, the enclosure further including means for selectively sealing the at least one openable side;at least one means for supporting the at least one portable electronic device; andat least one ultraviolet light source adapted to produce disinfecting wavelengths of light only when the means for selectively sealing is in a closed position;whereby, with the at least one portable electronic device supported by the at least one means for supporting within the enclosure and with the means for selectively sealing in the closed position, the at least one ultraviolet light source is activatable to produce disinfecting wavelengths of light, illuminating substantially each surface of the at least one portable electronic device for a predetermined period of time. 2. The disinfecting station of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for supporting includes at least one shelf surface substantially non-obstructive to the disinfecting wavelengths of light. 3. The disinfecting station of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for supporting further includes at least one reflective surface adapted to reflect at least a portion of the disinfecting wavelengths of light into a crevice of the at least one portable electronic device. 4. The disinfecting station of claim 1, further including a control circuit electrically connected with a power source, a user interface disposed on an outside surface of the enclosure, a switch for detecting when the means for selectively sealing is in the closed position, and adapted to activate the ultraviolet light source, the control circuit including a timer, adapted to activate the ultraviolet light source for a predetermined period of time upon activation by the user interface, only when the switch indicates that the means for selectively sealing is in the closed position. 5. The disinfecting station of claim 4, wherein the control circuit is adapted to illuminate the at least one portable electronic device with the disinfecting wavelengths of light according to selections made at the user interface. 6. The disinfecting station of claim 1, wherein the means for selectively sealing includes the at least one means for supporting. 7. The disinfecting station of claim 1, further comprising a daisy chain connector fixed with the enclosure such that a plurality of enclosures can be stacked, each enclosure connecting with the daisy chain connector of an adjacent enclosure. 8. The disinfecting station of claim 1, wherein the at least one portable electronic device has at least one recharging connector, and wherein the disinfecting station further comprises at least one means for recharging the at least one portable electronic device through the recharging connector thereof, wherein the at least one means is one of (i) fixed or (ii) movable relative to an edge of the enclosure. 9. The disinfecting station of claim 8, wherein the means for recharging includes a connector adapted to electronically communicate with the recharging connector of the at least one portable electronic device, the connector being connected with a power source. 10. The disinfecting station of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive one portable electronic device. 11. A disinfecting station as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive only a single one of said at least one portable electronic device, and whereby, with said single portable electronic device supported by the at least one means for supporting within the enclosure and with the means for selectively sealing in the closed position, the at least one ultraviolet light source is activatable to produce disinfecting wavelengths of light, illuminating substantially each surface of said single portable electronic device for a predetermined period of time. 12. A disinfecting station, comprising: a substantially opaque enclosure adapted to receive at least one portable electronic device therein through at least one openable side, the enclosure further including at least one door for selectively sealing the at least one openable side;at least one shelf surface adapted to at least partially support the at least one portable electronic device; andat least one ultraviolet light source adapted to produce disinfecting wavelengths of light only when the at least one door is in a closed position;whereby, with the at least one portable electronic device supported by the at least one shelf surface within the enclosure, and the at least one door in the closed position, the at least one ultraviolet light source is activatable to produce the disinfecting wavelengths of light, illuminating substantially each surface of the at least one portable electronic device for a predetermined period of time. 13. The disinfecting station of claim 12, wherein the at least one shelf surface further includes at least one reflective surface adapted to reflect at least a portion of the disinfecting wavelengths of light into a crevice of the at least one portable electronic device. 14. The disinfecting station of claim 12, wherein the at least one door includes the at least one shelf surface, and is pivotably attached with the enclosure at an end thereof. 15. The disinfecting station of claim 12, further including a network switch adapted to provide network connectivity to the at least one portable electronic device. 16. The disinfecting station of claim 12, wherein the at least one shelf surface is adapted to substantially permit transmission of the disinfecting wavelengths of light therethrough and, in turn, to the at least one portable electronic device. 17. The disinfecting station of claim 12, wherein the at least one portable electronic device has at least one recharging connector, and wherein the disinfecting station has at least one connector adapted to electrically communicate with the at least one portable electronic device through the recharging connector thereof, wherein the at least one connector is one of (i) fixed or (ii) movable relative to an edge of the enclosure. 18. The disinfecting station of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive one portable electronic device. 19. A disinfecting station as defined in claim 12, wherein the enclosure is adapted to receive only a single one of said at least one portable electronic device, and whereby, with said single portable electronic device supported by the at least one shelf surface within the enclosure and with the at least one door in the closed position, the at least one ultraviolet light source is activatable to produce disinfecting wavelengths of light, illuminating substantially each surface of said single portable electronic device for a predetermined period of time. 20. A method comprising the following steps: receiving at least one portable electronic device within a disinfecting station comprising a substantially opaque enclosure; andilluminating substantially each surface of the at least one portable electronic device within the disinfecting station with disinfecting wavelengths of light, and, in turn, disinfecting the at least one portable electronic device. 21. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the at least one portable electronic device has at least one recharging connector, and the disinfecting station further comprises at least one connector adapted to electrically communicate with the at least one portable electronic device through the recharging connector thereof, wherein the at least one connector is one of (i) fixed or (ii) movable relative to an edge of the enclosure. 22. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the at least one connector is connected to a power source and the receiving step further comprises connecting the at least one recharging connector to said at least one connector. 23. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the connector is at least partially transparent to the disinfecting wavelengths of light, and the illuminating step includes transmitting at least some of the disinfecting wavelengths of light through the connector and to substantially all surfaces of the at least one recharging connector. 24. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes at least one openable side and at least one door for selectively sealing the at least one openable side, and the receiving step comprises inserting the at least one portable electronic device within the enclosure, and moving the at least one door into a closed position, sealingly closing the enclosure. 25. A method as defined in claim 24, performing the illuminating step when the at least one door is in the closed position. 26. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the illuminating step comprises producing the disinfecting wavelengths of light with an ultraviolet light source, and illuminating substantially each surface for a predetermined period of time. 27. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the disinfecting station further comprises at least one shelf surface substantially transparent to the disinfecting wavelengths of light, the receiving step includes supporting the at least one portable electronic device with the at least one shelf surface, and the illuminating step includes substantially transmitting the disinfecting wavelengths of light through the at least one shelf surface and, in turn, substantially illuminating a surface of the at least one portable electronic device contacting the at least one shelf surface. 28. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the receiving step includes receiving one portable electronic device within the disinfecting station. 29. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the receiving step includes receiving only a single portable electronic device within the disinfecting station, and the illuminating step includes illuminating substantially each surface of said single portable electronic device within the disinfecting station with disinfecting wavelengths of light, and, in turn, disinfecting said single portable electronic device.