1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and method for disinfecting a surface, such as a keyboard or display screen.
2. Background of the Related Art
The ordinary use of computer keyboards and touchscreens can lead to an accumulation of pathogens growing on these surfaces. These pathogens may then increase in number or be spread between individuals that share use of the keyboards and touchscreens. A “pathogen” may be any infectious agent that can cause disease, such as a virus, bacterium, prion, fungus, viroid or parasite.
Although it is desirable to periodically clean the surfaces of a keyboard and touchscreen, doing so can be difficult and tedious, while posing a threat of damage to the devices. In particular, a keyboard includes a large number of individual surfaces and mechanical connections that can become displaced or damaged due to physical forces, and electrical components that can be damaged by corrosive fluids or excessive amounts of fluids.
Current disinfection methods involve either wiping the keyboard with a cloth carrying some type of disinfectant chemical or manually moving a UV light-emitting wand over the keyboard. The wiping method leaves many areas untouched and some users are uncomfortable wiping their keyboards with a liquid (or gel). The UV light method is rarely used and requires purchase and care of a separate device. Still, neither of these cleaning methods will prevent the spread of pathogens if a user will not take the time to use them properly.