GB2424971A - Scheduled cleaning and auditing of computer keyboards - Google Patents

Abstract

A program maintaining a cleaning schedule 7 is provided to a computer system, which indicates at predefined times when cleaning of a keyboard is due, and in this event disables the output of signals from the keyboard allowing it to be cleaned 8 without interfering with running applications. The program detects the completion of cleaning by reading key depressions while the keyboard is wiped clean, and once cleaning is deemed complete, for example when a majority of keys have been depressed, it re-enables the keyboard. Once cleaning has been completed, various data is logged 9 to form an audit trail 10 for future analysis. Other methods of sterilising the keyboard are disclosed apart from the manual wipe-clean process described above. These methods, including using ozone, ultraviolet light, or photo-catalytic action, are more suitable for use in a completely automated system.

Description

I

SCHEDULED CLEANING AND AUDITING OF COMPUTER KEYBOARDS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relate to cleaning computer keyboards and associated pointing devices in accordance with a management schedule in order to minimise cross contamination of bacteria between different users.

A computer program is used to initiate cleaning when the current conditions are in compliance with a set of predetermined parameters, which dictate that cleaning is required. When cleaning is completed, an audit trail is maintained for subsequent analysis. The analysis can be continuous for monitoring by a computer network, or can be on demand as would be required in the case of an infection outbreak.

With automated computer analysis, the scale of auditing can be extended to the size of the computer network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer keyboards generally use the "QWERTY" layout of letters as used and liked on typewriters because typists developed special skills such as touch typing, which, together with the tactile action on pressing each key, permits rapid accurate typing without looking at the keyboard. The problem is that the touched surface of each key becomes contaminated and debris can smear down the side of each key to even become harboured in the crevices around each key in the keyboard. The computer keyboard has additional keys such as the numeric pad and function keys. Risk of cross contamination is increased when more than one operator uses the same keyboard and mouse etc. A major difficulty arises in ensuring that the cleaning process is carried out regularly and to management instructions. It is desirable in bacteriologigically sensitive environments that adherence to cleaning schedules specified by management are controlled wherever possible by the computer systems themselves. Further, it is desirable that a record of each cleaning process is electronically recorded and made available for analysis, particularly to detect activity, or the lack of it, in the event of an infection outbreak. The mechanism to ensure that cleaning is performed in a timely fashion and that the process is recorded for audit purposes is an important feature of this invention.

The two common ways to clean keyboards are by using a disifecting wipe or exposing to ultraviolet light. This invention caters for, but is not limited to, both techniques.

Keyboards and pointing devices are available that are designed to be wiped clean, typically using a disinfecting agent such as an alcohol impregnated pad.

"Wipe Clean" keyboards include silicone rubber keypads offering a desirable tactile action but are difficult to clean. Keyboards with flat membrane surface keys are easier to clean but provide little or no tactile feedback and inhibit typing speed to such an extent that they are little used for general purpose computing applications. In most cases a thorough cleaning process involves wiping over each key sufficiently to depress the key, which can be detected by the host computer. A satisfactory cleaning process will involve depressing all keys on the keyboard and pointing device (e.g. a mouse) while cleaning, but in no particular order or pattern. However, the process can reasonably be expected to be carried out within a short period of time, a parameter that can be set and changed if necessary to suit the environment.

With other forms of cleaning, such as an ultraviolet steriliser, initiating cleaning might be manual or by computer control. In a manual case, the user is instructed by messages on the computer's display screen, that cleaning is required and accepts a user input when completed. Where the steriliser is computer controlled, the process of initiating cleaning and receiving electronic confirmation of completion is automatic.

The invention facilitates cleaning to a management plan, adaptable to the particular environment and facilitates the continuous monitoring and logging of the cleaning process to enable analysis of the activity over time so that any outbreak of infection, such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureaus (MRSA), can be thoroughly investigated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a mechanism to create a cleaning schedule, initiate cleaning, detect completion of cleaning and log the cleaning parameters into an electronic audit trail. A host computer operates the program, which creates the cleaning schedule. The other functions can be carried out by a computer program that might be resident in the keyboard controller's microprocessor, or an intermediate controller inserted between the data cable or cables of the keyboard and pointing device and the input to the host computer, or as an additional program resident on the host computer itself.

Accordingly this invention provides:- A computer system unit operably connected to a keyboard and mouse, or other input device, which are able to be cleaned by wiping with a disinfectant according to a predefined schedule by:- * indicating with a message on the computer display screen that cleaning is due; * on acceptance by user input, disable the key codes from being transmitted to operating application programs, or optionally enforcing this without user acceptance; * detecting completion of cleaning by reading key depressions during the wiping clean process and determining from empirical data when cleaning can reasonably be deemed to be complete; * on completion of cleaning, reinstate key codes to be transmitted to operating application programs; * also on completion of cleaning, record various data and log the data into an electronic audit trail for monitoring and analysis.

A computer system unit operably connected to a keyboard and mouse, or other input device, which are cleaned by a steriliser using ultraviolet light, ozone, photo catalytic action, or other such methods, with cleaning completion indicated electronically or by user input.

A major objective of the invention is to ensure planned cleaning of keyboards and pointing devices attached to computers so as to minimise the cross contamination caused by harmful microorganisms and the like. Another important objective is to record details of cleaning so that they can be logged into an audit trail for recovery by the host computer and made available on a larger scale via a computer network.

Reports can be created automatically by the management system software and optimum conditions established for any particular environment. In the event of an outbreak of an infection, the audit trail will provide an invaluable source of data by which to analyse the situation, assist in determining the cause and facilitate early corrective action.

The audit trail can be analysed under management direction at many different geographical levels. For example, by department, by building (e. g. hospital), or by region (e.g. hospital trust) and nation wide. Frequency of analysis can be at any time interval, either regularly, for example, daily, weekly, monthly and annually or on demand, as will be the case in the event of the outbreak of an infection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described by reference to the following drawing.

Figure 1 shows the basic hardware system components.

Figure 2 shows an overall flow diagram of the main program modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing listed above is used in this description by referring to the numbered components.

The computer (1), or computers, will initiate the cleaning process as the cleaning schedule dictates. When cleaning is required according to the predefined schedule, a message is displayed on the display screen (2). A keyboard (3) with integrated pointing device (4) is shown in Figure 1 for clarity. The cleaning process may be computer controlled, such as th an automated ultraviolet steriliser (not shown), or may rely on the user when the process is manual. In the manual case, completion of the cleaning process will generally be confirmed by user keyboard input. However, in the case of a wipe clean keyboard and pointing device, an empirical computer algorithm is used to detect that the required pattern of keys have been depressed during the cleaning process and within a predefined period of time to reasonably confirm that cleaning has been carried out.

The operation of defining the cleaning schedule will generally be performed by a host computer system, typically (1), (2), (3) and (4), or may be received from another computer via the network (5). The other functions described below may be performed by the system unit (1), the microprocessor within the keyboard (3) controller, or optionally, an intermediate controller (6) inserted between the data cable (or cables) of the keyboard and pointing device and the input (or inputs) to the host computer.

Cleaning Schedule Set Up (7) The planned schedule for cleaning is manually input by supervisory staff or management into the Cleaning Schedule Set Up component (7) of the program.

This uses a host computer, programmed to accept supervisory or management commands to determine when a keyboard and its associated user peripherals (e.g. mouse) should be cleaned.

Examples of parameters used to create a cleaning schedule include, but are not limited to:- * Time of day, week, month and year.

* Time elapsed since any key on the keyboard or pointing device was last pressed.

* Time elapsed since the last cleaning was carried out.

* Number of key depressions since the last cleaning was carried out.

Another important parameter is whether or not to wait for user input to allow cleaning to commence. It may be desirable to enforce the cleaning process at the exact point required by the cleaning schedule. Such action will enforce cleaning by effectively locking the keyboard, but this may not always be operationally acceptable. It is an important to log into the audit trail whether cleaning was enforced, or more particularly, if not, when was it allowed by the user.

If the schedule applies to a group of computers, distribution of the schedule is facilitated, preferably via an electronic computer network.

Initiate Cleaning (8) When a scheduled cleaning point is reached, the Initiate Cleaning program (8) alerts the user by sending a message to be displayed on the computer's display screen (2). Depending on the Set Up parameters, cleaning may commence only when accepted by user input, or may be enforced at the exact point required by the cleaning schedule. In the case of a wipe clean keyboard and pointing device, or a manually activated steriliser, the process relies on the user to manually proceed with cleaning. The keyboard (3) and pointing device (4) are disabled from transmitting key codes to operating application programs during the cleaning process. Where a computer controlled steriliser is being employed, the computer itself will initiate the cleaning process.

The Initiate Cleaning program (8) can be operated by the host computer, the keyboard's controller, or a device inserted in the connecting data cable (6).

Completion of Cleaning Detection of completion of the cleaning process depends on the method of cleaning being employed. An important feature of this invention is the detection of completion of the cleaning process with keyboards and pointing devices that are designed to be wiped clean. A satisfactory cleaning process will involve depressing all keys on the keyboard and pointing device while cleaning, but in no particular order or pattern. However, the process can reasonably be expected to be carried out within a short period of time, a parameter that is defined during Set Up. Cleaning will be deemed to be complete by use of an empirical algorithm based on when all, or a majority of the keyboard and pointing device keys have been depressed at least once. The algorithm itself may be amended to suit particular environments as a result of empirical data.

With a manually operated steriliser, completion of cleaning will be detected by user keyboard input. A computer controlled steriliser will receive a signal from the steriliser's control unit on completion of the cleaning process.

Record Cleaning Data (9) The essential item of data to be recorded is that cleaning has been completed (9).

With a computer controlled steriliser this data will automatically be available. The Record Cleaning Data program (9) can be operated by the host computer, the keyboard's controller, or by a device inserted in the connecting data cable (6).

Update Audit Trail (10) An audit log will be created, or if already in existence, will be updated with confirmation of cleaning completed along with time and date and other useful data, e.g. time of day, identity of host computer etc. Once the audit log has been created it can be analysed manually or in the preferred case, by computer program. The analysis can be at regular intervals or "on demand". Further, analysis can be by individual host computer, by department (or ward in the case of a hospital), by building, by group or region and nationally. Analysis can be displayed numerically e.g. tabulating the computer identity and time of cleaning or it can be displayed graphically as is common with Network Management Systems.

As time goes by, the audit trail can be purged manually or automatically, e.g. data beyond one year old is deleted or archived.

Network (5) In the preferred case the host computers will be interconnected by a local area network (5) and with each such network interconnected by a wide area network (5). This will allow individual audit trails to report data to commercially available "Network Management Systems" or a custom implementation of a Network Management System. Such systems will continuously monitor the occurrence of cleaning procedures and raise an "Alert" if any one is missed at any location. In a large scale implementation of such a system, a large region, such as the whole UK, can be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year from one or more network management centres. Any problem areas are often displayed graphically, for example as red icon on a national map and the network management staff can graphically "drill down" using a pointing device to individual host computers to view their audit trail. Normally this is done by exception only when problem alerts are raised by the Network Management System.

Claims (3)

1 A computer system unit operably connected to a keyboard and mouse, or other input device, which are able to be cleaned by wiping with a disinfectant according to a predefined schedule by:- (a) indicating with a message on the computer display screen that cleaning is due; (b) on acceptance by user input, disable the key codes from being transmitted to operating application programs, or optionally enforcing this without user acceptance; (c) detecting completion of cleaning by reading key depressions during the wiping clean process and determining from empirical data when cleaning can reasonably be deemed to be complete; (d) on completion of cleaning, reinstate key codes to be transmitted to operating application programs; (e) also on completion of cleaning, record various data and log the data into an electronic audit trail for monitoring and analysis.

2 A computer system unit in accordance with Claim 1, but operably connected to a keyboard and mouse, or other input device, which are cleaned by a steriliser using ultraviolet light, ozone, photo catalytic action, or other such methods, with cleaning completion indicated electronically or by user input.

3 A cleaning process substantially as herein described above and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.