Patents Assigned to Microsoft Corporation, LLC
  • Patent number: 8597569
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing sterilization of a touchscreen or other tactile input surface of a user input device. A self-sterilizing user input device includes a touchscreen for receiving tactile user input and an ultraviolet (UV) light source that emits UV light onto a touchscreen at a sterilization wavelength. A controller selectively activates and deactivates the UV light source according to whether a user is at or near the user input device. According to one aspect, the user input device includes a backlight to illuminate the touchscreen. The UV light source is positioned with the backlight to provide the UV light from a rear side of the touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Warren Gruen, James F. St. George