Technology

Patented Far-UVC integration for portable electronic devices.

Proposed 222-nm Far-UVC integration concepts for potential controlled, on-demand surface-treatment applications involving smartphones and other portable electronic devices.

The patent

What the patent describes.

An electronic device with UVC sanitizing lights, operated through the device's own controls and display.

1 claim · 3 drawing sheets · provisional application filed June 12, 2020

  • A housing with a display screen on the front and an exterior assembly on the rear.
  • The exterior assembly includes a camera, a visible-spectrum light, a sensor and one or more UVC lights.
  • A control module with a software component lets the user set the duration and intensity of an activation cycle.
  • The control module can be used to prevent unauthorized individuals from activating the UVC lights.

The science

How Far-UVC works.

Far-UVC light near 222 nm can be absorbed by microorganisms and may damage genetic material under suitable wavelength, dose, distance and exposure conditions.

How Far-UVC Works: Far-UVC light is directed at a microorganism, UV energy is absorbed by its genetic material, the DNA or RNA may be damaged, reproduction may be impaired, and the risk of spread may be reduced under validated conditions.
Educational graphic. Effectiveness depends on wavelength, dose, exposure time, distance, geometry, environmental conditions and the target microorganism. Select the image to enlarge it.

The system

Three steps, with a check at every one.

Step 01

User initiates

An authorized user initiates a proposed treatment cycle through a portable electronic device.

Step 02

System evaluates conditions

Sensors and control logic evaluate configured access, proximity, orientation, exposure time and operating conditions.

Step 03

Controlled operation

If programmed conditions are satisfied, the system activates the Far-UVC source for a selected interval and can interrupt operation on a detected fault.

How It Works infographic: a user initiates a cycle, the system evaluates conditions, and operation is controlled; proposed safety control layers are configured safety checks, exposure time monitoring, engineered controls, and operation monitored by configured controls.
Concept visualization. Select the image to enlarge it.

Proposed safety control layers

Controls designed in, not bolted on.

Configured safety checks

User authorization, access controls, and proximity or person-detection inputs.

Exposure-time monitoring

The system monitors and limits exposure duration based on configured parameters.

Engineered controls

Orientation, distance and intensity settings aligned with design limits.

Fault response

Operation can be paused or stopped when a fault condition is detected.

Status: any performance, disinfection-efficacy and exposure-safety claims remain subject to device-specific engineering, laboratory testing, regulatory review and validation.

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